Vol. 689 No. 2
1 Deputy Noel J. Coonan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment when she expects redundancy payments to issue to former employees of a company (details supplied) in County Tipperary; the reason for the delay; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31824/09]
2 Deputy Noel J. Coonan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment when she expects a redundancy payment to issue to a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary; the breakdown of the payment; the reason for the delay; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31825/09]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 and 2 together.
The Redundancy Payments Section of my Department has received a number of statutory Lump Sum applications from the relevant individuals in respect of their former employment with Taylor Made Glass Systems (Insolvent). My understanding is that the lump sum applications for the former employees of Taylor Made Glass are currently being processed, and payment is expected within the next two weeks.
3 Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment her views on the failure to comply with a Supreme Court order of 30 April 2009, which required that the report of the labour inspectorate of her Department into the activities of companies (details supplied) be sent to certain official and State bodies with prosecutorial responsibilities; if the reports have been furnished to any of these bodies; the action she proposes to take; and her views on the breach of legal EU guarantees involved and the hardship that ensued to the workers involved. [31844/09]
The Supreme Court judgement of 30th April 2009 allowed the report of the inspector to be circulated to certain bodies. These certain bodies are those as listed in the interlocutory order made by the High Court on 22 April 2005 and are as follows—
(i) the Garda National Immigration Bureau;
(ii) the Competition Authority;
(iii) the Director of Corporate Enforcement;
(iv) the Garda Fraud Squad;
(v) the Revenue Commissioners.
All of the parties already listed above have been made aware of the Supreme Court judgement and all have copies of the report.
The final step in the legal process following on the Supreme Court judgement delivered on 30th April 2009 is the granting of a final perfected order by the Court. This order will be consistent with the Judgement delivered. The Supreme Court has asked that the Minister draft an order identifying the entities to whom the Report should be circulated. This draft has been made up and sent to counsel for advice and presentation to the Supreme Court. The draft will be pleaded before the Supreme Court by both sides and a perfected final order will then be granted by the Supreme Court. Until the perfected final order of this judgement has been granted by the Supreme Court no action relating to the report may be taken by any of the bodies in possession of the report.
4 Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the position regarding an application for a work permit by a person (details supplied) in County Cork. [31846/09]
This application was refused on the grounds it is current Government policy to issue new employment permits only for highly skilled, highly paid positions or for non-EEA nationals who are already legally resident in the State on valid employment permits or where there is an officially recognised scarcity of workers of a particular type or qualification. Furthermore, the position on offer is one of the occupations currently ineligible for a new employment permit. The applicant was notified of this decision in writing by letter dated 16th September 2009 and of their right to appeal within 21 days.
5 Deputy Dan Neville asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if statutory redundancy payment will be awarded in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Limerick. [31932/09]
My Department administers the Social Insurance Fund (SIF) in relation to redundancy matters on behalf of the Department of Social and Family Affairs. There are two types of payment made from the SIF — rebates to those employers who have paid statutory redundancy to eligible employees, and statutory lump sums to employees whose employers are insolvent and/or in receivership/liquidation.
The Redundancy Payments Section of my Department received a statutory lump sum application from the individual concerned on 10 August 2009. When an employer claims inability to pay, the onus is on the employer to provide sufficient proof to substantiate the claim. In this case further information is required and the claim cannot be further processed until this information is received. This is causing a further delay in paying the applicant, in addition to the delays being experienced arising from the unprecedented high volume of claims on hand.
6 Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Finance when funding will be provided to enable the construction of Department of Education and Science offices in Mullingar, County Westmeath to commence; if a contractor has been selected to commence the construction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31902/09]
A number of key projects were identified as priority elements of the decentralisation programme in the Government announcement of 14 October 2008. The construction of a new headquarters building in Mullingar for the Department of Education and Science, in conjunction with a new headquarters for the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food in Portlaoise, and a new decentralised office for staff of the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment in Carlow was one of the projects given priority status. The proposed decentralised offices in the above three locations are being procured by means of a Public Private Partnership as a single Design, Build, Finance and Maintain contract. The award of a contract for this major project will be subject to Government approval.
7 Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Finance when the Government’se-tendering website is legally required to be put out to public tender again, in view of the fact that the original contract was awarded in 2003 for three years, with a two year extension; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31969/09]
The current contract to provide an eTender website was extended by my Department, in line with EU procurement rules, to allow for the orderly transfer of the eTenders website to the National Public Procurement Operations Unit in the Office of Public Works, which was established earlier this year. Officials in my Department and in the National Public Procurement Operations Unit have in recent months carried out a market analysis of eTendering and eProcurement solutions and are in the process of drafting a Request for Tender document. It is proposed to issue a Request for Tender for an eTendering solution during October 2009.
8 Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Finance if the Office of Public Works will provide a public toilet facility at the driving test centre at a location (details supplied) in the interests of those that are undertaking the test and who have paid to have the test carried out; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31984/09]
The Office of Public Works have no record of receiving a request from the Road Safety Authority or through the Department of Transport to provide public toilet facilities at the driving test centre at the location referred to by the Deputy.
9 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Health and Children the position of an application for a domiciliary care allowance for a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31918/09]
As the Deputy's question relates to service matters I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
10 Deputy Seán Sherlock asked the Minister for Health and Children when the second gynaecological theatre at Cork University Maternity Hospital will become operational; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31832/09]
11 Deputy Seán Sherlock asked the Minister for Health and Children the reason 13 of the 15 cots in place in Cork University Maternity Hospital are not in use; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31833/09]
12 Deputy Seán Sherlock asked the Minister for Health and Children the provisions being put in place at Cork University Hospital to deal with the rise in births being experienced at the facility; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31834/09]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 10 to 12, inclusive, together.
As these are service matters, they have been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
13 Deputy Emmet Stagg asked the Minister for Health and Children if phase 3C of Naas General Hospital is included in the Health Service Executive revised capital plan for the remainder of the national development plan; and if so, when construction will commence. [31871/09]
The Health Service Executive's review of its capital programme for the remainder of the National Development Plan 2007-2013, taking account of the reduced capital allocation available following the Supplementary Budget and the adjustments to the Public Capital Programme, is ongoing. As I have previously indicated, it is clear that expenditure for the remainder of the NDP will have to be carefully managed and that further commitments will have to be prioritised within the anticipated funding envelope. The HSE, in conjunction with my Department and the Department of Finance, is also examining opportunities to extend the range of projects that can be progressed through the adoption of alternative funding arrangements. When the review is completed, the Executive is required to submit its proposed capital investment programme for my approval with the agreement of the Minister for Finance.
14 Deputy Emmet Stagg asked the Minister for Health and Children the waiting times for hearing tests for children in County Kildare at Newbridge and at Tallaght health centres. [31877/09]
As this is a service matter it has been transferred to the HSE for direct reply.
15 Deputy Emmet Stagg asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of persons who have succeeded in being awarded home care packages in County Kildare in 2009. [31878/09]
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
16 Deputy Emmet Stagg asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of persons in County Kildare awaiting admission to a long-term bed in public nursing homes in County Kildare and their circumstances, be it in acute hospital beds, living at home, or in private nursing homes. [31879/09]
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
17 Deputy Emmet Stagg asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of children and adults awaiting assessment for occupational therapy in Kildare and west Wicklow. [31880/09]
As the Deputy's question relates to service matters I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
18 Deputy Emmet Stagg asked the Minister for Health and Children the ideal number of occupational therapists who should be in the Kildare and west Wicklow service based on population levels; and the number employed. [31881/09]
Subject to overall parameters set by Government, the Health Service Executive has the responsibility for determining the composition of its staffing complement. In that regard, it is a matter for the Executive to manage and deploy its human resources to best meet the requirements of its Annual Service Plan for the delivery of health and personal social services to the public. As this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
19 Deputy Emmet Stagg asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of children awaiting assessment for orthodontic treatment and the number awaiting orthodontic treatment in County Kildare. [31882/09]
As this is a service matter it has been transferred to the HSE for direct reply.
20 Deputy Emmet Stagg asked the Minister for Health and Children the ideal number of speech and language therapists who should be in the Kildare and west Wicklow service based on population levels; and the number employed. [31883/09]
Subject to overall parameters set by Government, the Health Service Executive has the responsibility for determining the composition of its staffing complement. In that regard, it is a matter for the Executive to manage and deploy its human resources to best meet the requirements of its Annual Service Plan for the delivery of health and personal social services to the public. As this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
21 Deputy Emmet Stagg asked the Minister for Health and Children the waiting time for eye tests in respect of children in Maynooth and Naas health centres in County Kildare. [31884/09]
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
22 Deputy Emmet Stagg asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of people currently availing of home help services in Kildare and west Wicklow; and the number assessed as requiring home help but have no service at present. [31885/09]
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
23 Deputy Emmet Stagg asked the Minister for Health and Children, further to Parliamentary Question No. 233 of 9 June 2009, the plans to bring the number of adult and child psychologists up to the required level to meet existing demands. [31886/09]
Subject to overall parameters set by Government, the Health Service Executive has the responsibility for determining the composition of its staffing complement. In that regard, it is a matter for the Executive to manage and deploy its human resources to best meet the requirements of its Annual Service Plan for the delivery of health and personal social services to the public. As this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
24 Deputy Mary Upton asked the Minister for Health and Children when the nursing home support scheme will commence; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31896/09]
The Nursing Homes Support Scheme Act 2009 was signed into law by the President on the 1st July. Certain sections of the Act were commenced on the 3rd July to enable the National Treatment Purchase Fund to immediately begin price negotiations with private nursing homes. The Minister intends to implement the scheme once these negotiations are concluded and no later than the final quarter of this year.
25 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Health and Children the mechanism available to persons (details supplied) in County Kildare to obtain an occupational therapy service for their child; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31919/09]
As the Deputy's question relates to service matters I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
26 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Health and Children the mechanism she or the Health Service Executive is putting in place to overcome the problems that families will encounter when a centre (details supplied) in County Tipperary closes for a number of periods prior to Christmas; the location where persons will be facilitated; if this is the first occasion that these proposed closures will have taken place; if not, the previous position and the effect it had on the persons; the reason for the stated closures; the cost of the proposed closures to her Department and the persons who have to move; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31920/09]
As the Deputy's question relates to service matters I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
27 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Health and Children the treatment which will be available to residents in Dundalk and north Louth following the decision of the Health Service Executive to transfer acute services from Dundalk to Drogheda; the action she will take in respect of the fears and concerns expressed locally regarding the emergency treatment which will be available in Dundalk for heart attack, stroke or trauma patient; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31926/09]
As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
28 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Health and Children the additional resources and staff that the Health Service Executive will be allocating to the Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda, County Louth in view of the decision of the HSE to transfer acute services from Dundalk and Navan to Drogheda; the timeframe involved; the reason no briefing was offered to Members of the Houses of the Oireachtas on these issues; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31927/09]
As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
29 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Health and Children if a person (details supplied) in County Kildare is entitled to treatment under the National Treatment Purchase Fund; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31934/09]
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply. The National Treatment Purchase Fund arranges treatment for patients who have been on a surgical waiting list for more than three months. It is open to the person in question or anyone acting on their behalf to contact the Fund directly in relation to their case.
30 Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Health and Children the circumstances in which a school participating in the preschool scheme may levy additional charges on parents; if extra services associated with core hours may be charged; if schools charge for extra hours over and above core hours; if schools charge for extra curricular activities; if a child qualifies for one year of free preschool within the age limits, or if they qualify for the entire period once they are within the eligible age categories; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31967/09]
As the Deputy will be aware, I have responsibility for the implementation of the new Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) scheme which provides a free preschool year to eligible children and which will be introduced in January 2010. Children will qualify for the free preschool year where they are aged between 3 years 3 months and 4 years 6 months at the start of each academic year. The application of age range is being interpreted as generously as possible to include children who are aged more than 3 years 2 months and less than 4 years 7 months at 1 September. This will mean that, in January 2010, children born on or after 2 February 2005 or on or before 30 June 2006 will qualify. In September 2010, children born on or after 2 February 2006 or on or before 30 June 2007 will qualify, and so on in subsequent years. Each qualified child will be eligible for one free preschool year.
Services participating in the scheme will be required to provide the pre-school year without charge. Full and part-time services may charge parents for additional services provided they are clearly optional and children not availing of such services continue to receive an appropriate programme based provision.
Also, services may include additional hours. For example, a full daycare service which operates for 50 weeks of the year must provide 2 hours 15 minutes per day free under the scheme, but may charge parents for additional hours availed of. A sessional playschool open 38 weeks of the year may offer parents an additional 30 minutes per day in return for additional fees, as only 3 hours per day will be free under the scheme. It is, however, anticipated that the majority of places availed of under the scheme will be of the standard 3 hours duration, and no charge applying to additional hours will arise in these cases.
31 Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Minister for Health and Children the position in relation to funding for community crèches; if the funding will be continued; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31972/09]
As the Deputy will be aware, I have responsibility for the National Childcare Investment Programme (NCIP) 2006-2010, under which the Community Childcare Subvention Scheme (CCSS) is being implemented. The Community Childcare Subvention Scheme (CCSS) subsidises childcare costs for low paid and disadvantaged parents in community based, not for profit childcare facilities. Funding for CCSS services increased from €37 million in 2007, to over €50 million in 2008, and has substantially reduced the fees paid by most parents using these facilities. The CCSS will continue to support community based, not for profit childcare facilities in 2010. Consideration will be given to the design of a successor programme to the CCSS between now and the end of 2010, when the scheme is scheduled to conclude.
32 Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Minister for Transport when a decision on the approval of funds for the Murphystown parallel road in Leopardstown, Dublin 18 is expected; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31851/09]
The improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads, in its area, is a statutory function of each road authority in accordance with the provisions of section 13 of the Roads Act 1993. Works on such roads are a matter for the relevant local authority to be funded from its own resources supplemented by State road grants. The initial selection and prioritisation of projects to be funded is also a matter for the local authority.
Earlier this year, a specific improvement grant of €1,100,000 was allocated to Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council for works on LS6034 Murphystown Road. Last month, my Department sought applications for consideration for funding under the Specific Improvement Grants scheme in 2010. On 4 September 2009, Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council submitted an application under this scheme of grants and included in its submission is an application for funding for Murphystown Road. The 2010 grant allocations will be announced early in the New Year.
33 Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Minister for Transport if work was carried out by consultants for his Department under the heading, Independent Advisor for the Transport 21 Capital Investment Framework — Assignment [14]: Examination of the Department’s decision to authorise the re-routing of Dublin Bus’s 41X service; and if so, the capital expenditure under Transport 21 it related to. [31976/09]
34 Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Minister for Transport the relevant qualifications of the consultants who carried out work for his Department under the heading, Independent Advisor for the Transport 21 Capital Investment Framework — Assignment [14]: Examination of the Department’s decision to authorise the re-routing of Dublin Bus’s 41X services. [31977/09]
35 Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Minister for Transport the cost incurred in carrying out the assignment for his Department under the heading, Independent Advisor for the Transport 21 Capital Investment Framework — Assignment [14]: Examination of the Department’s decision to authorise the re-routing of Dublin Bus’s 41X services; and the procedures used to assign the work to this consultant. [31978/09]
36 Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Minister for Transport if, regarding the work carried out by consultants for his Department under the heading, Independent Advisor for the Transport 21 Capital Investment Framework — Assignment [14]: Examination of the Department’s decision to authorise the re-routing of Dublin Bus’s 41X services, similar assignments were carried out by the same firm of consultants in relation to the same matter; the relevant qualifications of the personnel involved; when the assignment was made; the cost of same; and the procedures used to assign the work. [31979/09]
I propose to answer Questions Nos. 33 to 36, inclusive, together.
Booz and Company were engaged by my Department in July 2007 to provide independent financial, economic and technical advice to the Department. While the advice being provided is focused on the Transport 21 programme, the contract is not limited to advice on capital projects only. As part of an out of court settlement of a High Court case taken by Digital Messenger, trading as Swords Express, my Department undertook to pursue an inquiry under Section 25(2) of the Transport Act 1958 in relation to a decision to note the re-routing of the Dublin Bus 41X service from Swords to Dublin City via the Port Tunnel. The terms of the settlement made it clear that the pursuit of the inquiry would be supported by the engagement of consultants.
As a result my Department engaged Booz and Company to a carry out a review of its decision. The arrangement with Booz and Company was pursued as part of the overall engagement with that company as referred to above on the understanding that an additional fee would be made available to them. The report prepared by Booz was made available to Digital Messenger and Dublin Bus who were invited to make submissions before I made the final decision.
Before the engagement with Booz and Company was finalised, the company was required to propose a project plan to the Department, which included the identification of the staff that would be assigned to the task, the approach to be taken and the estimated fee. Fee levels for different staff members had been set in the Department's main contract with the company. Booz and Company can call upon the expertise of a range of transport experts, including transport planners and economists. The lead consultant for this review was a transport planner and engineer with 17 years experience as a consultant. The cost of this review was €23,110.
A subsequent submission made in June 2009 by Dublin Bus to make a further amendment to the route of the 41X service was also referred to Booz and Company in view of their prior engagement in relation to the consideration of the original re-routing of that service. The same project manager took charge of the project and the cost of that task was €2,526.
37 Deputy Emmet Stagg asked the Minister for Transport, further to Parliamentary Question No. 455 of 9 July 2009, the estimated commencement date of the works planned for the Maynooth suburban rail line. [31889/09]
I refer the Deputy to my answer to Question No. 445 answered on the 9th July 2009. The position remains the same.
38 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Transport if a determination has been made as to the agency responsible for the funding of a new road infrastructure (details supplied) in County Kildare; if it is his Department or the National Roads Authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31921/09]
As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme element of Transport 21. The allocation of funding for the improvement and maintenance of individual national road projects, including the Southern route road for Athy, is a matter for the National Roads Authority (NRA) under the Roads Act 1993, as amended by the Roads Act 2007, in conjunction with the local authorities concerned.
39 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of gardaí attached to Coolock, Raheny and Howth Garda stations in Dublin; the number of community gardaí attached to these stations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31822/09]
I am informed by the Garda Commissioner that, as of the latest date for which figures are readily available, the personnel strength of the stations referred to by the Deputy was as set out in the following table. The number of gardaí dedicated to Community policing is also shown in the table.
|
Coolock |
Raheny |
Howth |
|
|
Total Strength |
115 |
73 |
42 |
|
Community Gardaí (included in Total Strength) |
14 |
8 |
4 |
40 Deputy Shane McEntee asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of gardaí who have retired and the number who have been recruited since January 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31847/09]
I am informed by the Garda authorities that the number of Gardaí who have retired from the Force, both voluntarily and on age grounds, to-date in 2009 is 351. Some 200 trainees have been recruited to the Garda Training College since the start of 2009 and the moratorium on recruitment in the public service currently applies to An Garda Síochána.
41 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if a matter (details supplied) will be supported. [31848/09]
I am informed by the Garda authorities that the area referred to where the incident referred to by the Deputy took place is within the Coolock Garda Sub-District. The incident is being fully investigated by the Gardaí at Coolock Garda Station. I am also informed that the investigating Garda has been in contact with the injured party and has updated him in relation to the ongoing investigation and related matters.
42 Deputy Emmet Stagg asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the Garda strength on 1 September 2009, in each of the Garda stations in the Leixlip Garda district and the Naas Garda district in County Kildare. [31867/09]
I am informed by the Garda Commissioner that, as of the latest date for which figures are readily available, the personnel strength of the stations referred to by the Deputy was as set out in the following table:
|
Leixlip District |
|
|
Carbury |
5 |
|
Celbridge |
19 |
|
Kilcock |
8 |
|
Leixlip |
34 |
|
Maynooth |
14 |
|
Total District Strength |
80 |
|
Naas District |
|
|
Ballymore Eustace |
1 |
|
Clane |
9 |
|
Kilcullen |
4 |
|
Kill |
3 |
|
Naas |
108 |
|
Robertstown |
4 |
|
Total District Strength |
129 |
43 Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the budget for overseas development aid in 2009; the effect of a revision to this amount; the details of expenditure from the budget to date in 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31897/09]
46 Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the proposals emanating from the Department of Finance indicating that Ireland is to resile from its aim of reaching 0.7% of gross domestic product being spent on overseas development aid by the year 2012. [31908/09]
52 Deputy Catherine Byrne asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the budget for Irish Aid for 2009; if he is committed to funding the work of Irish Aid into the future; if Ireland’s contribution to overseas development aid will be maintained; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31916/09]
53 Deputy Catherine Byrne asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the percentage of GDP allocated to overseas development aid in 2008 and in 2009; if Ireland is committed to assigning the UN target of 0.7% GDP to overseas development aid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31917/09]
56 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the extent to which overseas development aid is expected to proceed in 2009 in view of the likelihood of increased need arising from the world economic downturn; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31955/09]
I propose to answer Questions Nos. 43, 46, 52, 53 and 56 together.
In 2008, Ireland spent €920 million on Official Development Assistance (ODA). This represented approximately 0.59 % of our Gross National Product (GNP). For 2009 the total budget for ODA is expected to reach €696 million. €571 million will be administered by the Department of Foreign Affairs, through Irish Aid, with the balance of €125 million being contributions to development co-operation by other Government Departments and through Ireland's allocation to the EU Development Co-operation Budget. To date approximately 75% of the 2009 funding allocated to the Department of Foreign Affairs has been disbursed to partners and programmes. Based on current projections, ODA this year will represent at least 0.48% of GNP. This means that Ireland will remain one of the most generous donors in the world on a per capita basis. This is an enormous achievement in the context of the current economic circumstances and one of which we should all be justifiably proud.
The Government very much regrets having to make the decision to reduce the 2009 development assistance budget. However, it must be recognised that this necessary decision was taken in the context of the economic situation facing the country. Its sole objective is to assist in stabilising the public finances. This is a fundamental prerequisite for the resumption of economic growth, which is the only sustainable way Ireland can meet future ODA commitments. The Government recognises that the reduction in the ODA allocation for 2009 was significant. However it follows a period of unprecedented growth. The figures speak for themselves. At the start of this decade, Ireland's ODA stood at €254 million — by last year it had reached €920 million — more than trebling in volume. In the same period, our percentage share of GNP spent on development assistance increased from 0.30 % to 0.59% — effectively doubling.
The Government also recognises that it will now be more difficult to achieve the target of spending 0.7% of GNP on ODA by 2012. Nonetheless we will continue to work towards that target, and will make a full assessment of our capacity to achieve it in the context of the preparation of the 2010 Budget. It is important to note that Ireland is still significantly ahead of all but a few EU Member States in making progress towards achieving the broad EU target of 0.7% for ODA by 2015.
While the Government is very much aware of the implications of the recent budgetary revisions for our own aid programme, increasing volumes is only part of the story of development assistance. Spending aid effectively, while meeting the needs of the world's poorest, is an essential characteristic of a quality programme. The OECD DAC peer review, has described Ireland as "champion in making aid more effective" and that "Irish Aid is a strong cutting edge development programme". I will ensure that these high standards are maintained.
44 Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will report on recent meetings between members of the Government and their Northern Ireland counterparts. [31906/09]
The formal framework for members of the Government to meet members of the Northern Ireland Executive is through the North-South Ministerial Council as provided for in Strand Two of the Good Friday Agreement. They meet, however, also in other contexts. There have been forty-four ministerial meetings of the Council, including in plenary and institutional format, since restoration of the Northern Ireland institutions in May 2007. Since 1 April 2009 there has been one plenary meeting, one institutional format meeting and ten sectoral meetings of the Council. The ten sectoral meetings covered Health and Food Safety, Aquaculture and Marine, Inland Waterways, Language, Special EU Programmes, Trade and Business Development, Agriculture, Education, Tourism and Transport. Each of these sectoral meetings involved a Government Minister and his or her Ministerial counterpart in the North, as well as an accompanying Executive Minister.
I hosted the fourth meeting of the Council in Institutional format at Farmleigh on 28 April 2009. This meeting was attended by the First Minister, deputy First Minister, Junior Minister Donaldson and the Minister for Social Development, Margaret Ritchie MLA. We had a broad discussion of the economic downturn and the budgetary challenges facing both jurisdictions. We also had a good exchange on EU issues and on practical measures designed to promote greater cross-border mobility.
At the plenary meeting of the Council in Farmleigh on 6 July, the Government delegation was led by the Taoiseach and the Northern Ireland Executive delegation by the First Minister and deputy First Minister. We reviewed key developments in the NSMC since the previous such meeting in January. This included the close cooperation between relevant authorities North and South following the recent swine flu outbreaks and a cross-border agreement on the removal of waste illegally dumped in Northern Ireland. The Council also discussed progress on the A5 and A8 road upgrade projects.
The meeting also included a wide-ranging examination of the current economic challenges. The Taoiseach briefed the Council on the Government's plans to restore competitiveness to the economy and to return to a path of sustainable public finances. My colleague the Minister for Finance briefed Ministers from the Northern Ireland Executive on the proposed establishment of the National Asset Management Agency and its implications for the property sector in Northern Ireland. We also discussed some of the budgetary challenges likely to be faced by the Executive in the coming years and examined where there might be potential to expand our co-operation in areas of mutual interest.
Members of the Government have also met their Northern Ireland counterparts during meetings of the British-Irish Council. The Council meets at Summit level and, more frequently, at Ministerial and official level, to discuss matters of mutual interest. My colleague Mr. Micheál Kitt T.D., the then Minister of State for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, attended the BIC Environment Ministerial meeting in Jersey on 17 April. The Northern Ireland Executive was represented by the then Minister for the Environment, Mr. Sammy Wilson MP MLA, and Minister for Regional Development, Mr. Conor Murphy MP MLA. As North-South contact has become part of routine Ministerial business in both jurisdictions, meetings also take place outside those frameworks. Most recently the Minister for Finance met his northern counterpart on 8 September to discuss issues related to the National Assets Management Agency.
45 Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on the ongoing response to the recent discovery of a bomb in south Armagh; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31907/09]
I condemn the criminal actions of those responsible for the bomb discovered last week in south Armagh. The lives of local people going about their everyday business, in their homes and in the wider community, were put at serious risk by an unrepresentative few who have no support for their actions. I wish to pay tribute to the security authorities on both sides of the border who worked together to secure the area, render the device safe, and in the process averted an appalling tragedy. Their work underlines the close cooperation which exists between the authorities north and south, and the notably effective coordination between the PSNI and the Gardaí.
Those who made and planted this bomb attempted to undermine the remarkable progress on this island in recent years. It is clear that the vast majority of people irrespective of their political views are determined that they will not succeed. The relevant authorities will continue to cooperate to ensure that these criminals are brought to justice.
47 Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the details of the Farrell Grant Sparks report on the level of oversight regarding spending in his Department, in particular on Irish Aid. [31909/09]
As recommended in the 2006 Government White Paper on Irish Aid, an independent Management Review of Irish Aid was carried out by consultants Farrell Grant Sparks. The Management Review of Irish Aid examined the governance, management and capacity requirements needed to ensure quality and accountability in an overseas aid programme including in the context of the decentralisation of the Irish Aid programme from Dublin to Limerick. The Review was overseen by a Steering Committee composed of senior officials representing the Departments of Foreign Affairs and Finance. The Review was the most comprehensive examination to date of the Government's overseas aid programme structures and systems.
The report emphasises that the Government's overseas aid programme is an integral part of foreign policy and, as such, that the aid programme is an integral part of the work of the Department of Foreign Affairs. The Government has approved the Report's recommendations regarding enhanced governance arrangements aimed at ensuring a more effective integration of the programme within the work of the Department of Foreign Affairs. The report recommends inter alia the creation of a small new, expert body made up of national and international expertise, to advise the Government on the aid programme. This body would report on an annual basis to the Minister for Foreign Affairs and the Minister of State for Overseas Development.
With specific regard to oversight within the overseas aid programme, the report concluded that there is a rigorous process of internal checks and controls at field level and at headquarters level operated primarily through the Management Information Framework (MIF) and through the financial and internal audit systems. In the last year a number of new specialists have been employed to further enhance monitoring and evaluation capacity. Earlier this year, the Irish Aid programme was the subject of a comprehensive Peer Review process under the auspices of the Development Assistance Committee (DAC) of the OECD. The Programme was endorsed strongly for its quality and effectiveness. The Review Team acknowledged the focus on accountability and oversight within the Programme. I have arranged for a copy of the report of the Management Review to be forwarded to the Dáil Library and for it to be published on the websites of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Irish Aid.
48 Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on the proposal, emanating from the Department of Finance, that Ireland reduce its number of embassies and network of consulates worldwide, reportedly from 76 to 55; and his further views on whether such a move would damage Ireland internationally and impair relationships with a number of countries, with attendant cultural, business and trading dangers. [31910/09]
49 Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on the damage which may be caused to Irish-Canadian relations if reported plans to close the Irish embassy there are enforced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31911/09]
50 Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on the damage which may be caused to Irish-Mexican relations if reported plans to close the Irish embassy there are enforced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31912/09]
51 Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on the damage which may be caused to relations between Ireland and Latin America if reported plans to close embassies in the region are enforced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31913/09]
60 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the extent to which it is expected or intended to establish further embassies abroad; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31959/09]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 48 to 51, inclusive, and 60 together.
Ireland has a network of 75 resident diplomatic and consular Missions abroad, as well as the British-Irish Inter-Governmental Secretariat in Belfast and the North-South Ministerial Council Joint Secretariat in Armagh. The Irish diplomatic network provides essential consular services, diplomatic representation and commercial services overseas. A number of missions also play a key role in the delivery of Ireland's development aid programme. Our network is modest in scale when compared to other equivalent European States; three quarters of our missions consist of only two or three diplomatic officers.
The size and scale of our diplomatic network is considered by the Government on an ongoing basis, and as I am sure the Deputy will appreciate, any expansion can only be undertaken having regard to clear national priorities and available resources. The significant budgetary pressures currently being faced by my Department, as is the case for all Government Departments, means that any decision to open a new Mission overseas must be on the basis of an anticipated significant return for the State. The United Arab Emirates was identified as a country where increased diplomatic representation would offer significant potential economic value to Ireland. Accordingly, and in order to take advantage of this potential, the Government decided to establish an Embassy in Abu Dhabi, which will open this Autumn. In addition, the Strategic Review of US-Ireland Relations was launched by the Taoiseach in March of this year. The Review recommended the opening of a Consulate General of Ireland in Atlanta. The implementation of this recommendation is currently under consideration.
In light of the current challenges in the public finances, the Government is examining all areas of expenditure to identify where savings can be made, while minimising the impact on front-line services provided to the public. Any consideration of possible Embassy closures will be made in this context, such as the recent decision to close the Consulate General in Cardiff. I understand that the submission made to the Special Group on Public Sector Numbers and Expenditure Programmes by the Department of Finance set out a number of scenarios for mission closures to include the possible closure of Consulates and Embassies in North America and also Embassies in Asia and Europe. My Department also made a submission to the Special Group which is available at the following link: http://www.finance.gov.ie/documents/dfa.pdf .
The report from the Special Group on Public Sector Numbers and Expenditure Programmes made some recommendations relating to my Department, including the reduction in the size of our diplomatic network. However, it did not specify particular missions for possible closure but rather gave a proposed saving of €14 million which the group believe could be achieved through the closure of 20 missions. These recommendations, along with all the recommendations set out by the Special Group, will be considered by Government as part of the Estimates process.
In the Government's "Smart Economy" document, published at the end of 2008, my Department committed to reviewing its network of Missions abroad in order to ensure that they are operating at an optimum level of efficiency, are delivering tangible services and outcomes for the benefit of Ireland and its citizens, and that resources are aligned with our strategic objectives. The review, which is ongoing, is all the more important in the light of current budgetary pressures. In carrying out this review, full account will need to be taken of both the operational and reputational costs and the potential financial savings of Embassy closures. I can assure the Deputy that my objective, to the greatest extent possible and within the limits of available resources, is to maintain the capability of Ireland's diplomatic network overseas in order to promote our key objectives abroad, particularly support for our economic recovery.
54 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if progress is expected to be made in the matter of undocumented Irish in the US; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31953/09]
The Government attaches the highest importance to resolving the plight of our undocumented citizens in the United States. We have emphasised our strong support for the undocumented in all our engagements with the US Administration and Congress, including during meetings earlier this year with President Obama, Secretary of State Clinton and key Congressional leaders.
As the Deputy will be aware, in the absence of comprehensive immigration reform, the Government has been actively pursuing a bilateral approach, aimed at facilitating greater legal migration between the two countries. The approach has had three core objectives: a reciprocal Working Holiday Agreement (now operational); new bilateral arrangements to provide reciprocal long term E3 working visas; and a solution for our undocumented. While the inclusion of Ireland in an expanded version of the E3 programme would provide extensive new opportunities for Irish people to work in the United States and help ensure that a new generation of undocumented Irish does not develop, our friends on Capitol Hill have been clear that the status of the undocumented Irish cannot be addressed in isolation from other ethnic groups, including by way of an E3. Their advice is that the best prospect for a solution for the undocumented continues to lie with comprehensive immigration reform.
In June, President Obama met with a range of key Congressional figures, including supporters and opponents of reform, to discuss this issue and identify how to begin fixing what he has described as a broken immigration system. His statement, following the meeting that his "Administration is fully behind an effort to achieve comprehensive immigration reform" was welcomed by the Taoiseach in a personal letter he sent to President Obama in July, which outlined the Government's strong support for the undocumented. As President Obama has noted, immigration remains ‘a sensitive and politically volatile issue' in the United States. Bi-partisan support is considered vital to the success of comprehensive reform and our friends on Capitol Hill have made it clear that progressing legislation will continue to present significant challenges. The challenges the Administration is experiencing in progressing its immediate legislative priority of healthcare reform may also delay action on comprehensive reform.
With the passing of Senator Edward Kennedy, Ireland and Irish-America has lost a great friend and leader. An embodiment of the Irish immigrant story, he was a champion of many causes, including, of course, comprehensive immigration reform. His strong support for the undocumented, his understanding of their plight, was unwavering. While the immediate prospects for immigration reform remain uncertain, the Government is determined to build on Senator Kennedy's legacy by working closely with our many friends in Congress to find a solution for our undocumented.
55 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the top ten countries currently most readily recognised for human rights abuses; the action taken or planned at EU and UN level to bring about an improvement in the situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31954/09]
Unfortunately, no part of the world is totally free from human rights abuses. As has been stated on previous occasions, in response to similar Questions, it is not the policy of the Government to draw up a ‘league table' of countries deemed guilty of the most serious human rights abuses. The complexity and specificity of individual country situations could render such an exercise difficult and probably of little value. Human rights concerns remain central to our foreign policy. Together with our EU partners, the Government closely monitors the human rights situations in many countries throughout the world, on the basis of information obtained from a variety of sources including both official and non-governmental organisations.
We have a number of channels through which we make known our concerns about human rights violations to the Governments in question: either bilaterally, through the EU, or through action at the UN General Assembly and the UN Human Rights Council, including, in the case of the latter, through the new Universal Periodic Review process whereby the human rights performance of each UN State is reviewed. Ireland supports the use of the full UN human rights machinery in responding to human rights abuses, including supporting the role of UN Treaty Monitoring Bodies, Special Procedures and Mandate Holders and the convening, where appropriate, of Special Sessions of the UN Human Rights Council. At these UN bodies, the EU regularly makes statements on the human rights situations in a number of countries from all regions and introduces or supports resolutions dealing with specific countries.
Active participation in multilateral organisations such as the EU, the UN and the Council of Europe provides opportunities for Ireland to voice its concerns regarding human rights abuses. Through these organisations, international pressure can be brought to bear on those responsible for the violation of human rights. The EU has adopted Common Positions on certain countries, which attach priority to promoting human rights, democracy, good governance and the rule of law. In addition, the EU conducts human rights dialogues with a number of countries and also raises human rights concerns as part of political dialogue meetings.
Together with our EU partners, Ireland has been a consistent and strong supporter of the International Criminal Court, recognising it as an essential means of combating impunity for the most serious violations of international humanitarian law and human rights law. The Court's Prosecutor has opened investigations into a number of country situations and we will continue to monitor this work closely. The extent to which individual States comply with international human rights standards and obligations varies. Ireland urges all States to comply with their international obligations and in this regard stands ready, if requested, to assist States in complying with their obligations.
The risk of human rights violations is greater where political, economic and administrative systems are weak. Development is essential to allow people the full enjoyment of their human rights, and this concern is at the heart of Ireland's development co-operation programme. Irish Aid supports specific actions designed to promote human rights, including by strengthening government systems and in-country human rights institutions, in particular through legal training. Support is also provided for legal aid programmes targeted at victims of human rights abuses. Irish Aid has a specific focus on governance in several programme countries. The Government will continue to avail of all the above-mentioned mechanisms as a means of highlighting violations of human rights and furthering their protection.
57 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will report on the situation in the Democratic Republic of Congo with particular reference to the hardship experienced by the international community; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31956/09]
The EU is closely following the situation in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) as that country recovers from the effects of the brutal 1996-2003 civil war. While much of the country has achieved a degree of stability, several localised conflicts have continued, most notably in the east. These conflicts have in many cases been characterised by an appalling degree of brutality, with large-scale attacks on the civilian population and widespread sexual violence.
At present, the security situation in the North and South Kivu provinces in Eastern DRC is precarious. This region was recently the scene of serious fighting between ethnic Tutsi militias and the armed forces of both the DRC and Rwanda. The humanitarian fall-out of this insecurity is immense, with reports of a massive increase in violence against the civilian population. Current estimates place the number of internally displaced persons (IDPs) in the region at 1.6 million. I am greatly concerned by reports that the work of the international humanitarian community has been impeded by the worsening security situation. I strongly urge all parties to protect the civilian population of North and South Kivu and to allow MONUC, the UN mission to the DRC, and humanitarian organisations there to carry out their work without interference.
The EU is working to promote a negotiated end to the conflicts which persist and to develop the capacity of the Congolese state to protect its people. It fully backs the work of MONUC to which Ireland contributes three members of the Defence Forces as military liaison officers. The EU's Special Representative for the Great Lakes region, Mr. Roeland van de Geer, leads the Union's efforts to promote the stabilisation of eastern DRC. The EU also has two ESDP (European Security and Defence Policy) missions in the country, which provide assistance to the DRC authorities on security sector reform and police reform.
The EU is the largest humanitarian donor to the DRC, and in 2009 has allocated €45 million to address the needs of vulnerable populations there. The UN also plays a major role in addressing humanitarian needs in DRC. For our part, Ireland has been able to respond quickly to the humanitarian dimension of the crisis in DRC. An airlift of emergency relief supplies was made to eastern DRC in December 2008. Thus far in 2009, Irish Aid has allocated more than €3.7 million in humanitarian funding to the DRC through UN and NGO partners, bringing our total humanitarian support to the country since 2006 to over €26 million. We also have two members of the Rapid Response Corps on 6 month deployments with the UN in the DRC.
58 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if procedures have been put in place to ensure that all international aid goes directly to those for whom it was intended thereby eliminating waste or corruption; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31957/09]
The Government's aid programme, administered by Irish Aid, is recognised internationally for its lead role in ensuring the effectiveness of development aid. The report of the peer review of the aid programme, which was published in April by the Development Assistance Committee of the OECD, described Irish Aid as "a strong, cutting edge development cooperation programme" focused on delivering results. It stated that "Ireland is a champion in making aid more effective". In the face of global economic crisis, when aid budgets internationally are under pressure, we owe it to the people of the developing world to redouble our efforts to ensure that international development assistance is clearly focused on achieving results for the poorest people and communities in the world. Ireland will continue to play a strong international role in this regard.
Ireland's development aid programme provides assistance to over ninety developing countries. It has a particular focus on nine programme countries, where we have a commitment to long term strategic support. These are Ethiopia, Lesotho, Mozambique, Tanzania, Timor-Leste, Malawi, Uganda, Vietnam and Zambia. In our Programme Countries, development strategies are agreed in consultation with national Governments in support of their own poverty reduction strategies. These agreed strategies outline the areas where Irish Aid will provide support over a three to five year period. They contain monitoring frameworks with indicators and targets against which to measure improvements in basic services. The promotion of good governance is an essential element of all our country strategies. Irish Aid also works in cooperation with other international donors to strengthen public financial management systems and institutions of Government, such as the Auditor General function, in order to eliminate waste and corruption.
In addition, Irish Aid supports a number of initiatives at international level which are helping to improve governance. This includes assistance towards the work of the leading anti-corruption NGO, Transparency International, which is helping to fight corruption globally, and the Association of Western European Parliamentarians for Africa which is helping to build the oversight capacity of Parliaments in Eastern Africa.
The Government has put in place rigorous accounting and audit controls for Irish Aid, to ensure its programmes are regularly audited and evaluated by independent audit firms, by Irish Aid's own Evaluation and Audit Unit and by the independent Audit Committee of the Department of Foreign Affairs. This is essential in order to ensure that funding is directed to those areas most in need, is used for the purposes intended and represents the best value for money. We will continue to deliver on our commitment that all aid funded by the taxpayer will benefit the poorest and most vulnerable in the countries with which Irish Aid is working.
59 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the extent to which genocide has been reported throughout the continent of Africa in the past 12 months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31958/09]
The crime of genocide, as defined in international law, involves the commission of acts with intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnical, racial or religious group, as such. These acts may include killing members of the group; causing serious bodily or mental harm; deliberately inflicting on the group conditions of life calculated to bring about its physical destruction in whole or in part; imposing measures intended to prevent births within the group; or forcibly transferring children of the group to another group.
Situations which fully meet this definition are thankfully extremely rare. Nevertheless, there are a number of current situations in Africa which give rise to extreme concern. The UN Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide is mandated to alert the international community to the potential of genocide in a particular country or region. The mandate of the Special Adviser requires him to focus on prevention, and specifically excludes him from making a determination of whether genocide has already occurred or not. In his most recent annual report of February 2009 the current Special Adviser, Francis Deng, described specific situations of concern in Africa including DRC, Kenya and Darfur.
I support the work of the Special Adviser as I do the recognition by the wider international community of its responsibility to work to prevent genocide. In this regard, it is notable that the Constitutive Act of the African Union expressly endorses the right of the AU to intervene in a member state in respect of grave circumstances, including genocide. In addition, the 2005 World Summit of the United Nations acknowledged that the international community has a responsibility to protect against genocide, while nonetheless recognising that each State bears the most fundamental responsibility to protect its own population against serious crimes of this nature. This was reaffirmed in 2006 by UN Security Council Resolution 1674.
The international community also has a responsibility to ensure that serious crimes, including genocide, do not go unpunished. It was for the purpose of ending impunity for such crimes that the international community, by adopting the Rome Statute, created the International Criminal Court. Ireland has been a consistent and strong supporter of the ICC, recognising it as an essential means for bringing to justice those responsible for the most serious international crimes.
Tackling serious abuses of human rights, including genocide, in Africa are among the most important tasks facing the international community in the 21st century. These problems have many causes and manifestations, but poverty, inequality and lack of opportunity have all played a significant role. The risk of such abuses is greatest where political, economic and administrative systems are weak. Ireland is committed to addressing these underlying problems. In our dialogue with partners in the EU and the UN, Ireland is a strong advocate for the developing world and for international peace, human rights and tolerance. Africa is, of course, at the heart of Ireland's programme of official development assistance.
In developing a sustainable approach which properly addresses the root causes of human rights abuses in general and the crime of genocide in particular African leadership and responsibility are crucial. This is recognised by the EU and UN, which are both working to build the capacities of African states and the African Union to respond to these challenges. Ireland is committed to playing its part in this work, and I believe that our comprehensive and inclusive approach to the challenges of poverty, conflict and security stands the best chance of facilitating real and positive change in the lives of millions of people in Africa.
61 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the extent to which he, directly or in conjunction with his EU colleagues or the UN has taken action to address the ongoing issues in the Middle East with particular reference to Gaza; if particular initiatives have been taken or are expected to be taken at any level to facilitate and emphasise the need for negotiation in place of retaliation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31960/09]
The priority for the EU and the international community in the Middle East right now must be to continue to encourage Israelis and Palestinians to engage in a viable peace process with the vision of a settlement which will result in two sovereign States, Israel and Palestine, coexisting side by side in peace and security. The EU fully supports and is actively cooperating with the current US-led mediation efforts aimed at achieving a settlement freeze and resumption of negotiations. In addition, the EU is also considering what specific measures it can take to buttress and support a solution, when and if an agreement is finally reached. I feel strongly that it is only through the establishment of a viable independent Palestinian State that the root causes of the conflict can be adequately addressed and I will ensure that the Government will contribute in whatever way it can to help achieve this goal.
It is clear that the situation in Gaza remains very serious. On the humanitarian level, insufficient amounts of aid are reaching the people of the territory. Recent reports have painted a bleak picture of life in Gaza, with critical shortages of basic supplies and an increasing sense of despair amongst its people. Israel also continues to largely refuse the entry of raw materials into Gaza, preventing any substantial progress being made towards the reconstruction that is so badly needed following the Israeli military offensive in December 2008 and January 2009. This status quo is simply not sustainable and I am concerned about the potential for a further deterioration in the situation in Gaza and the spectre of a possible resumption of large scale violence.
Fundamentally, the situation can only be reversed by an immediate and unconditional reopening of the territory's crossing points without restrictions on the normal movement of persons and goods. This is a point that I and other EU colleagues have made repeatedly to the Israeli authorities. As I have stated many times, I consider the continued blockade of Gaza by Israel to be both morally unacceptable and politically mistaken. It serves not only to radicalise the people of the territory, but also inflames tensions across the Occupied Palestinian Territories and indeed the Arab world. It also undermines moderates on both sides while strengthening the hands of extremists. The blockade of the territory has persisted for too long and must be brought to an end. I will continue to press this point in any contacts I have with the Israeli authorities. While it is heartening that some progress is being made towards the resumption of peace negotiations, we simply cannot afford to neglect the situation in Gaza and the effect it has on both its people and the wider peace process.
62 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the extent to which he and his EU colleagues remain engaged in positively influencing the situation in the western Balkans with particular reference to EU enlargement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31961/09]
Ireland, together with its EU partners, attaches great importance to achieving stability in the countries of the Western Balkans. The December 2007 European Council reaffirmed that the future of the Western Balkans lies within the European Union. Progress on a range of fronts by countries of the region is discussed regularly at the General Affairs and External Relations Council.
The European Union's Stabilisation and Association process for South-East Europe aims to bring the countries of the region closer to EU standards and principles. The process involves the negotiation of Stabilisation and Association Agreements with each of the countries. The Agreements focus mainly on trade liberalisation in goods and other economic and trade-related issues, political dialogue and cooperation in a range of sectors such as industry, environment and energy. Agreements have now been signed with all of the countries in the region with the exception of Kosovo.
In terms of EU enlargement, Croatia is at an advanced stage in its accession negotiations and hopes to bring them to completion as soon as possible, but it needs to address some outstanding issues, including full cooperation with the International Criminal Tribunal for Yugoslavia. The EU continues to work closely with the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia as it works towards opening EU accession negotiations. In March, elections were held there and in Montenegro. The conduct of these polls was largely in line with accepted international standards. On 15 December 2008, Montenegro submitted its application to join the European Union, which the Council has referred to the European Commission for a formal opinion. Albania, which formally applied to join the EU on 28 April 2009, awaits discussion of its application at the Council.
Ireland, together with our EU partners, will continue to monitor developments in this region closely. The EU is also providing financial assistance in support of the reform process and the overall development of the Western Balkans, most notably through the Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance (IPA). This funding has underpinned the strengthening of the rule of law, good governance, judicial and administrative reform and the development of civil society in the countries concerned. The average annual allocation for the Western Balkans for the period 2007-2011 is approximately €800 million. This is by far the highest per capita amount provided by the European Commission to any region in the world.
In our contribution to EU discussions, Ireland will continue to support the reform process across the Western Balkans as this represents the best way forward for these countries and for the future stability and prosperity of the region as a whole.
63 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the extent to which the international community plans to make further positive intervention in the Sudan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31962/09]
The situation in Sudan, in particular the resolution of the ongoing conflict in Darfur, progress in the implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) and the humanitarian consequences of the expulsion of thirteen international humanitarian agencies from the country, continue to be the focus of international concern. Recent months have seen considerable engagement on these issues by the United Nations, by Sudan's regional neighbours through the African Union, by the US Government and by the European Union.
The persistence of the conflict in Darfur despite a number of ceasefires and peace agreements, coupled with the ongoing suffering of the people of the region, is a matter of grave concern. International efforts to bring an end to the conflict are being led by the joint AU-UN chief mediator, Djibril Bassolé, whose work Ireland fully supports. The "Agreement of Good Will and Confidence Building" was signed in Doha in February by the Sudanese Government and the JEM rebel group. The AU has established a High Level Panel on Darfur, under the chairmanship of former South African President Thabo Mbeki, which has undertaken four missions to the region and is due to report by the end of this month. EU Special Representative Torben Brylle has also been active in efforts to bring peace to the region, including current efforts to expand participation in the next round of talks, which will be convened in Doha on 28 September. Ireland supports progress made on the CPA through renewed international efforts and urges the parties involved in the Doha talks on Darfur to continue their efforts to reach a resolution.
The Government remains extremely concerned at the kidnapping in Darfur of Sharon Commins and Hilda Kawuki and is making every possible effort to ensure their safe release. To this end, I visited Sudan on 6 and 7 of September to discuss with the Sudanese authorities the efforts that are being made to ensure their safe return to their families and to impress upon the Sudanese authorities the serious concern with which the Irish government views the situation.
Ireland, in common with the international community, fully supports the complete implementation of the 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA), which brought an end to the north-south conflict in Sudan. There have been some positive developments in implementation in recent months, including the renewed engagement of the US and the ruling on the Abyei region in the Hague. The two unresolved issues that remain are the census and the referendum; however, there is cautious optimism that these issues can be resolved. Ireland welcomes the recent progress on the CPA and urges the parties involved to fulfil their outstanding commitments.
Ireland has played an important part in the international response to the humanitarian situation in Sudan, providing over €50 million in funding for work in Sudan, including Darfur, since 2006. Along with our EU partners, we fully support the fundamental role played by the ICC in the promotion of international justice. Continued progress towards the full implementation of the CPA is imperative to avoid the risk of a destabilisation in Sudan and its impact on the wider region.
64 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the extent to which he has sought, through the UN and EU, to bring about an observance of basic human rights in respect of prisoners held by the various authorities in Israel, Gaza and the West Bank; the extent to which legal and family visitations can be established in accordance with international human rights criteria; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31963/09]
In our bilateral contacts with both Israel and the Palestinian authorities, the Government regularly raises human rights issues, including the implications of respective Israeli and Palestinian security policies, and the importance of full compliance with international humanitarian law. In particular, Ireland and the EU have serious concerns about the practice of administrative detention, whereby Israel holds Palestinians indefinitely without charge or trial. Ireland has been to the fore in ensuring that these concerns are addressed in the EU's political contacts with Israel, including at meetings of the EU-Israel Association Council. We have also raised this issue in other fora, including at the United Nations. Last year, through the UN Human Rights Council's Universal Periodic Review process — a mechanism through which specific human rights concerns can be raised with UN Member States — Ireland specifically asked Israel to review its use of administrative detention.
More broadly, both our Representative Office in Ramallah and Embassy in Tel-Aviv closely monitor other issues relating to prisoners' rights. They do so in cooperation with a number of Palestinian human rights organisations that benefit from Irish Aid funding. I am especially aware of the difficulties that ordinary Palestinians face in visiting relatives and friends who are held in detention facilities in Israel proper. Israeli restrictions on freedom of movement and other bureaucratic obstacles can often make these visits extremely difficult to undertake. The EU-Palestinian Authority Sub-Committee on human rights has addressed this issue in detail and it remains an active and important item on their agenda. The overall issue of Palestinian prisoners is certainly of significant importance to the peace process and we will continue to follow developments closely.
Ireland also regularly discusses with Palestinian interlocutors the importance of full Palestinian compliance with agreed international standards when it comes to treatment of prisoners held in the West Bank. The fair and proper treatment of prisoners is a hallmark of democratic government and we will continue to encourage the Palestinian authorities to uphold the highest standards in this regard.
65 Deputy Catherine Byrne asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism his views on the Irish Film Board and the work it does; if he will maintain the IFB and guarantee funding into the future to ensure that indigenous Irish film is fully supported. [31903/09]
Primary responsibility for the support and promotion of film-making in Ireland in respect of both the indigenous sector and inward productions is a matter for the Irish Film Board (IFB). This agency is funded through my Department and is independent of the Department in its operations. The IFB, with overall funding for 2009 of €21.8m, continues with its key role of developing and supporting film production in Ireland. The provision in its current allocation facilitates the IFB in marketing Ireland as a film location and, in particular, in raising the profile of the Irish audio-visual industry abroad.
The capital funding provided to the IFB has ensured support to meet the demands of the industry in the areas of project and talent development, training and indigenous film and television production and enables the IFB to fulfil its aim of sustained growth of the industry — increasing the number and quality of films produced in Ireland each year.
In tandem with supports from the IFB, my Department's primary operational role in supporting the film sector relates to the administration of elements of the Section 481 tax relief scheme. This scheme is kept under regular review in conjunction with the Irish Film Board and any enhancements necessary to retain or regain competitiveness are addressed and brought to the attention of the Minister for Finance as appropriate. The scheme was amended and enhanced in the Finance Acts of 2000, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006 and most recently in 2008. The amendments in 2008 extended the scheme for a further four years until the end of 2012, increased the overall ceiling on qualifying expenditure from €35m to €50m, increased the individual investor cap for those wishing to invest finance in film in Ireland under Section 481 to €50,000 per annum from the previous limit of €31,750 and increased the relief on that investment to 100% from 80%. Approval from the European Commission to introduce these changes was secured in March and the Minister for Finance subsequently signed the Commencement Orders on 16 March. Clearly, this shows a long-term commitment by the Government to the Irish audiovisual industry.
I would like to assure the Deputy that I will be articulating the benefits to Ireland of having a vibrant film industry and that the proposals in the Report of Special Group on Public Sector Numbers and Expenditure Programmes (McCarthy Report) have not been adopted by the Government as policy but will be considered in the context of the 2010 estimates debate.
66 Deputy Catherine Byrne asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the status of an organisation (details supplied) in Dublin 12; the person who is running this organisation; if he will commit to supporting this organisation and the local community which depends on its services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31905/09]
My Department provided funding for the organisation to which the Deputy refers through a hosting organisation, which is now in liquidation. My Department has no direct legal or other funding relationship with the organisation referred to by the Deputy. My Department is working with Pobal on the maintenance of front-line services to the area in question.
67 Deputy Frank Feighan asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if she will provide a commitment for the retention of funding and services for family resource centre programmes in Mohill, Carrick-on-Shannon and Boyle. [31936/09]
72 Deputy Catherine Byrne asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the status of the Family Support Agency; the budget for same for 2009; the number of family resource centres it funds; if this funding is guaranteed into the future; if she will maintain family resource centres here in acknowledgement of the work they carry out in local communities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31904/09]
I propose to answer Questions Nos. 67 and 72 together.
The Family Support Agency (FSA) was established in May 2003 under the Family Support Agency Act 2001, to bring together programmes and services introduced by the Government which are designed to promote local family support, support ongoing parenting relationships for children and help prevent marital breakdown. The FSA budget for 2009 is €35.707 million. The Family and Community Services Resource Centre Programme is operated by the Family Support Agency. There are currently 107 Family Resource Centres (FRCs) nationwide. The total budget for the FRC Programme in 2009 is over €18m.
The aim of this Programme is to combat disadvantage and improve the functioning of the family unit. The emphasis in Family Resource Centres is on the involvement of the local community in developing approaches to tackle the problems they face and on creating successful partnerships between the voluntary and statutory agencies in the area concerned. FRCs assess the needs of their local communities and ensure that there are services and supports in place to address these needs. They involve people from marginalised groups and areas of disadvantage at all levels in the project.
The Report of the Special Group on Public Service Numbers and Expenditure Programmes made a range of recommendations relating to the Department of Social and Family Affairs including recommendations relating to the Family Support Agency and its programmes. The Department will consider, as part of the Estimates and budgetary process for 2010, the Report’s recommendations and decisions on all of the issues arising will be a matter for Government. It would not be appropriate for me to comment further at this stage pending the outcome of these deliberative processes.
68 Deputy Noel J. Coonan asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs when an appeal for carer’s allowance will be finalised in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31828/09]
I am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that the relevant Departmental papers and comments of the Department have been received and the case has been referred to an Appeals Officer for consideration. The Social Welfare Appeals Office is an office of the Department that is independently responsible for determining appeals against decisions on social welfare entitlements.
69 Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if she will respond to the issues raised in correspondence (details supplied) regarding Clondalkin social welfare office; the steps she has taken to deal with the queuing at this office; and if she will ensure that there is adequate seating and waiting facilities for members of the public. [31862/09]
The unprecedented increase in the claimload at the Clondalkin office in the past 18 months (claimload increased by 8,825) has put a lot of extra pressure on the service at the office. The office has limited public space and counter space is very restricted. Urgent efforts continue to be made to reduce queuing times and to alleviate congestion both outside the building and on the public floor. The office opens at 9.30 a.m. and the opening hours have been extended at lunchtime to provide more access for customers. Extra seating was provided recently in the public area and additional signing sessions have been arranged to alleviate congestion on signing days.
The office is scheduled to undergo significant renovations in November 2009. New interview rooms and additional public floor space with seating will be provided on the first floor. These renovations will also facilitate the introduction of an appointment system for customers making new or repeat claims. These customers will be given a designated time, date and hatch to have their application processed. The Department is also giving priority to the provision of a local office in Lucan and efforts are ongoing to secure suitable accommodation there. Some 30% of the claimload at the Clondalkin office is from the Lucan area and the provision of a local office in Lucan will greatly relieve the congestion problems in Clondalkin.
70 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the guidelines for assessing a person under the habitual residence condition; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31864/09]
The Department of Social and Family Affairs publishes on its website all the guidelines that are provided to its deciding officers for determining questions of entitlement to payment.
The guidelines relating to the habitual residence condition are published at:
http://www.welfare.ie/EN/OperationalGuidelines/Pages/habres.aspx
The guidelines quote the relevant legislation and include a detailed discussion of the factors that should be taken into consideration in determining whether the condition is satisfied or not. They also explain how the condition applies to certain categories of migrant workers, the main Immigration Stamps currently used by the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform, and the relevant provisions of the EU Regulations that apply to workers moving between Member States of the EU. Similar guidelines for Community Welfare Officers regarding the application of the habitual residence condition to supplementary welfare allowance (SWA) are published at:
http://www.welfare.ie/EN/OperationalGuidelines/Pages/swa_habres.aspx
These contain additional information regarding the application of the EU Regulations to SWA claims. I am arranging for a copy of both guidelines to be sent to the Deputy.
71 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if she will support the case of a person (details supplied). [31865/09]
Disability Allowance is a weekly Allowance paid to people with a specified disability who are aged over 16 and under 66. The disability must be expected to last for at least one year and the allowance is subject to a medical assessment, a means test and a habitual residency test. The legislative provisions for Disability Allowance are contained in Parts 1 and 3 of the Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005, as amended, and the Rules regarding the calculation of means are contained in Schedule 3 of that Act.
The person concerned applied for a Disability Allowance on 24 March 1998. He did not disclose any means and he stated on his application form that he had no property other than his own home. Based on the information provided by him he was awarded Disability Allowance with effect from 1 April 1998 at the maximum rate. His claim was reviewed by a Social Welfare Inspector on 4 October 1999 and he did not disclose any means and his Disability Allowance remained in payment at the maximum rate. The person concerned died on 2 December 2007 and the Solicitor dealing with his Estate forwarded a Schedule of his Assets to the Department. Under Section 339(1) of the Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005 the Personal Representatives are legally obliged to furnish this information. The Personal Representatives in this case are the daughter and son of the deceased person.
Following an investigation of the assets held by the person concerned it was found that he had land which he had not disclosed when he applied for Disability Allowance or when his claim was subsequently reviewed in 1999. As this land was owned and not occupied the capital value of the property is assessable as means. On 3 October 2008 a Deciding Officer reassessed the means of the person concerned taking account of the value of the undisclosed property and decided that he had no entitlement to Disability Allowance from 3 April 1998 to 30 November 2007 as his means exceeded the then limits for receipt of the allowance. The Personal Representatives were notified of this decision and of their right of appeal to the Social Welfare Appeals Office. They were also informed that arising from this decision a total of €63,597 Disability Allowance was paid to the person concerned to which he had no entitlement and that this amount is recoverable from the Estate under Section 335(b) of the Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005.
The decision was appealed on 15th October 2008. The Appeals Officer upheld the Deciding Officer's decision that the person concerned was not entitled to Disability Allowance and a letter informing the Personal Representatives of this decision was issued by the Appeals Office on 24 June 2009. No new relevant information has been supplied and therefore there is no change to the amount due from the Estate.
73 Deputy John Deasy asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs her plans to allow persons who are self-employed but whose means come within the income limits for the back to school allowance to claim this payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31973/09]
The Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance scheme provides a one-off payment to eligible families to assist with the extra costs when their children start school each autumn. The allowance is not intended to meet the full cost of school clothing and footwear but only to provide assistance towards these costs. A person may qualify for payment of an allowance if they are in receipt of a social welfare or Health Service Executive (HSE) payment, or are participating in an approved employment scheme or attending a recognised education and training course and have household income below standard levels.
Self-employed people may receive a back to school clothing and footwear allowance, provided they are receiving a qualifying social welfare or HSE payment or participating in approved employment or education/training and satisfy the other qualifying conditions of the scheme. Any changes to the qualifying criteria of the scheme would have cost implications and would have to be considered in a budgetary context and in the light of resources available for improvements in social welfare payments generally.
74 Deputy John Deasy asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs her views on introducing a time limit for appeal hearings for persons who are appealing the disallowance of benefit payments where they may not be entitled to supplementary welfare assistance due to their spouses income but where the present lengthy delays with hearings cause them financial hardship; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31974/09]
I am informed by the Social Welfare Appeals Office, which is an office of the Department independently responsible for determining appeals against decisions on social welfare entitlements, that priority is given to cases where the appeal concerns payments which are in the nature of an appellant's primary source of income. As regards delays in finalising appeals, I am advised that the average time taken in 2008 to process all appeals (i.e. those decided summarily and by way of oral hearing) was 22 weeks. However, if allowance is made for the 25% most protracted cases, the average time fell to just over 14 weeks. Those average processing times replicate those for 2007 notwithstanding the fact there was an increase of 27% in the number of appeals received during 2008.
There has been an increase of 32% in the number of appeals received so far this year compared to last year and, having regard to the current volume of appeals awaiting determination, two additional Appeals Officers were appointed to the Social Welfare Appeals Office earlier this year. Furthermore, I am advised that the Chief Appeals Officer is keeping current processes under continuous review with a view to achieving a more effective throughput of appeals having regard to due process in terms of the rights of appellants and adherence to the requirements of natural justice.
75 Deputy John Deasy asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the average waiting time in processing applications from the receipt of the application to the decision on the claim for means tested payments (details supplied) in each of the social welfare regions here; if she has identified particular areas within these regions where there are longer waiting periods; if she will provide details of same; her plans to reduce the waiting times; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31975/09]
The Disability Allowance, Carers Allowance, State Pension (Non Contributory), Widows Pension (non Contributory) schemes are administered centrally in HQ areas and as a consequence statistics for these schemes are maintained on a national basis. Statistics and processing times are compiled on a regional basis for the means tested schemes administered in the Local and Branch Offices throughout the country. Those schemes are Jobseekers Allowance and One-Parent Family Payment. The tabular statement below shows the average weekly processing time, by region, for Jobseekers Allowance and One-Parent Family claims decided in August.
|
JA |
OFP |
|
|
Dublin North |
5.73 |
14.71 |
|
Dublin South |
8.21 |
14.72 |
|
Mid Western |
6.00 |
12.38 |
|
North Eastern |
9.37 |
16.26 |
|
North Western |
4.28 |
7.38 |
|
South Eastern |
7.83 |
13.64 |
|
Southern |
8.37 |
12.85 |
|
Western |
10.42 |
17.92 |
Average Processing Times August 2009 (in weeks).
The Department has identified a number of locations where the increasing number of claims for means tested payments warrants the allocation of additional Social Welfare Inspectors. Arising from this, an additional 40 Inspectors are being assigned. In addition, a number of process improvement initiatives have been introduced in Local Offices recently which will also improve processing times. These include:
a system which involves dealing with customers by appointment and deciding claims, where possible, when the customer attends for their appointment. This initiative has greatly reduced processing times for a significant number of customers and will be in operation in 20 local offices by the end of this month. It is intended to extend this system to other offices over the coming months.
a more streamlined procedure for claimants moving to jobseekers allowance when their jobseekers benefit expires and
a streamlined process for people who had a claim in the previous 2 years.
The Department is committed to providing a quality service to all its customers. This includes ensuring that applications are processed and that decisions on entitlement are made as expeditiously as possible. All aspects of claim processing are kept under constant review and improvements are implemented on a continuous basis.
76 Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the impact the introduction of water charges could have on families in which a family member has a particular health condition that requires more frequent than average bathing, such as severe eczema; and if before reaching a decision on the introduction of water charges, he will undertake to review the possible impact of pay by use charges on such families and invite submissions from the public on the way such families or families in similar situations should be treated under this tax. [31891/09]
The introduction of domestic water charges has recently been recommended in the reports of both the Commission on Taxation and the Special Group on Public Service Numbers and Expenditure Programmes. While I recognize the concerns raised in the question, the recommendations were made, in both reports, as part of a package of recommendations on the funding of local government and will be considered by the Government in that context.
77 Deputy Frank Feighan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will report on the interparliamentary group set up by him on turf cutting on bogs in special areas of conservation and natural heritage areas. [31937/09]
The Inter-Departmental Working Group on the Cessation of Turf Cutting in Designated Areas is considering the measures that may be required to implement the cessation, at the end of the year, on 32 raised bog Special Areas of Conservation. The Group has received 194 submissions from interested parties, as well as an estimated 300 expressions of interest, including shorte-mails and petition signatures. The matters raised in the submissions are being considered currently. The Group is expected to report to me by end October 2009.
78 Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, further to Parliamentary Question No. 447 of 10 February 2009, the status of an application (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31820/09]
The combined O'Brien's Bridge, O'Callaghan's Mills, Bodyke, Flagmount and Cratloe Sewerage Scheme is included for funding in my Department's Water Services Investment Programme 2007-2009. Further consideration will now be given to Clare County Council's Preliminary Report for the scheme following receipt of additional information from the Council earlier this week.
79 Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the status of an application (details supplied). [31823/09]
My Department issued the licence to the person in question on 11 September, 2009.
80 Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the safety precautions which should be provided to every CFL purchaser in order that in the event of damage, buyers will be prepared to deal safely with the release of toxic mercury in the home; and if he, like his counterpart in the British Department of Environment, plans on issuing households with clear and detailed instruction on the way to deal with the release of liquid form mercury and mercury vapour from a hot CFL. [31835/09]
The Commission Regulation (EC) No. 244/2009 of 18 March 2009 implementing Directive 2005/32/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council with regard to ecodesign requirements for non-directional household lamps contains specific requirements for non-directional household lamps, including lamps containing mercury. The implementation of this Regulation is a matter for the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment.
81 Deputy Mary Wallace asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the position in relation to the establishment of allotments; if planning permission is required; the regulations which apply to the establishment of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31854/09]
While there are no specific provisions in planning legislation regulating the establishment or use of allotments, any material change of use of land, including for allotments, would normally require planning permission. I am giving consideration to the inclusion in the Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill 2009 of a legislative amendment to facilitate the establishment of allotments in local authority areas where such a demand exists and can be accommodated.
82 Deputy Emmet Stagg asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government when he will publish the White Paper on local government reform. [31868/09]
I expect that the White Paper on Local Government will be published later this year following, inter alia, Government consideration of the Report of the Commission on Taxation.
83 Deputy Emmet Stagg asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he has received contract documents for the Castlewarden to Ballygoran water supply scheme in County Kildare. [31876/09]
Kildare County Council's revised contract documents for the scheme are awaited in my Department.
84 Deputy Emmet Stagg asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will allocate additional funding to Kildare County Council to enable it to deal with the large backlog in housing adaption grants for the disabled, mobility grants, and housing assistance for the elderly. [31888/09]
Allocations totalling €79.562 million for 2009 were notified to local authorities on 7 May 2009 under the Housing Adaptation Grant Schemes for Older People and People with a Disability, the Mobility Aids Grant Scheme and the old Disabled Persons and Essential Repairs Grant Schemes. The 2009 allocation to Kildare County Council amounts to €1,870,000 compared to an initial allocation of €1,642,680 in 2008, an increase of almost14%. I will review the funding position in the event of any under-spend by local authorities of their allocations for the grant schemes or other allocations under the wider social housing investment programme.
85 Deputy Dan Neville asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his views on the points made by the campaign for the abolition of cruel sports with reference to an application by a club (details supplied) to his Department for a licence to net hares for another hare coursing season; his further views on whether the Irish hare is designated as an endangered species here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31929/09]
I am aware of the views of the Irish Campaign against Blood Sports in connection with hare coursing. Hare coursing in the State is administered by the Irish Coursing Club, a body set up under the Greyhound Industry Act, 1958. Statutory responsibility for the Act is a matter for the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism. My responsibilities under the Wildlife Acts relate to the conservation of populations of certain protected species. Where a hunting licence under the Wildlife Act 1976 is required, each licence application is dealt with individually having regard to the conservation impact on the particular species in line with the provisions of the Act. My Department recently issued licences under the Wildlife Acts to the Irish Coursing Club allowing its affiliated clubs to tag and net hares for the purpose of hare coursing for the 2009/2010 season subject to certain conditions.
There is no current evidence that coursing has a significant effect on hare populations and the decision to issue these licences took into consideration the report of the Status of Hares in Ireland — Hare Survey of Ireland 2006/07. The survey showed that the Irish hare is widespread, occurring throughout the entire country. However, population densities for the Irish hare were found to be highly variable and it seems that populations can rapidly increase and decrease in a short space of time. The Irish Hare is listed in Annex V of the Habitats Directive (Council Directive 92/43/EEC). Under Article 17 of the Directive Member States are obliged to report to the European Commission on the status of listed habitats and species every six years. In December 2007, Ireland submitted the first baseline assessments of conservation status for all 59 habitats and some 100 species that occur in Ireland.
Each species was assessed according to its range across Ireland, the population, the quality of its habitat and its future prospects. The reporting template requires the results of the assessment to be expressed as good, inadequate or bad status. The range and future prospects of the Hare were considered favourable. As the extent of population fluctuation between years is not yet understood, it was not possible to identify a specific favourable reference value for population, resulting in an "unknown" response to this assessment category. The habitat was assessed as inadequate because there had been some loss due to urbanisation and agricultural intensification. Although only one assessment category reported an inadequate result the rules of the reporting methodology require that the overall summary position must then be described as inadequate. However, the species is not regarded as endangered within the meaning of the Habitats Directive.
86 Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government when he will make a final decision on the implementation of a special protection order on Dublin Bay; the reason for the delay in making that decision in view of the fact that he has had the report from the designated areas appeals advisory board in his possession for some time. [31968/09]
I expect to be in a position to make a final decision on the designation of three Special Protection Areas in Dublin Bay in the near future.
87 Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the position in relation to the application under the remedial works scheme by Westmeath County Council to effect the refurbishment of houses at a location (details supplied) in County Westmeath; when the finance will be made available so as to ensure that this scheme can now proceed without further delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31995/09]
A pilot scheme involving the refurbishment of 10 dwellings has been undertaken at this estate by Westmeath County Council. A further phase of works involving the demolition of 12 units has now been completed. The local authority is currently considering options to facilitate the refurbishment of the estate and is engaging with the existing social and private tenants in this regard. Any proposals put forward by the Council will be considered by my Department in the context of available funding and the overall Social Housing improvement programme.
88 Deputy Dan Neville asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will ensure that a single farm payment for 2008 is awarded to a person (details supplied) in County Limerick. [31928/09]
Applications were received on 31 March 2009 requesting the transfer of Single Payment entitlements under the 2008 scheme year from the joint names of the person named and his brother into their individual names. Clarification was sought regarding the number of entitlements to be transferred to each brother and a reply was received on 30 June 2009. Both transfers have now been processed and payment will issue in due course.
89 Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the position in relation to an application for the farm improvement scheme in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Carlow; if they will be awarded payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31933/09]
Grant-aid under the Farm Improvement Scheme was paid by my Department to the person concerned on 14 September 2009.
90 Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will overturn the decision to close REPS 4 or at least allow existing participants in REPS 3 to join the scheme in view of the fact that their REP scheme contracts were terminated, particularly in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Longford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31938/09]
REPS 4 was closed to new applicants in July against the background of the situation in the public finances, the resources available to the Department and the increase, over the past year, from just under 47,000 to some 63,000 in the number of REPS participants. A record 17,000 applications were received up to the closing date of 15 May for 2009, and further applications were received up to the time the Scheme closed. The latter will be processed as applications for 2010. Payments due to REPS farmers for 2009 will be the highest ever. All participants already in REPS will continue to receive annual payments until their current contracts run their course.
I plan to introduce a new agri-environment scheme in 2010 which will reduce compliance costs to participants and which will provide a menu of targeted actions from which farmers may choose. Funding for the new scheme will include the additional modulation funds which I ensured will be retained for the benefit of Irish farmers in the negotiations on the CAP "Health Check". It will also include additional matching Exchequer funding.
The new scheme requires the approval of the European Commission. An outline has already been sent to the Commission as part of a set of proposals for an amended Rural Development Programme following a consultation exercise on the use of the modulation funds. The details of the scheme have yet to be finalised. I invited submissions from stakeholders, the closing date for which was 4 September and the submissions received are now being examined and considered in my Department.
91 Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the reason he took a decision to close the district veterinary office in Mullingar, and all services for the counties of Westmeath and Offaly to be provided from a regional centre in Tullamore; the reason the office has now to be relocated, to Tullamore, which currently has no space available to accommodate any additional personnel that have to relocate from Mullingar and which will impose an obligation upon his Department to rent additional facilities to accommodate the staff that have to transfer; if a review of this decision can take place and same be reversed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32000/09]
On 15th July, the Government approved my plan for a reorganisation of my Department's Local Office Network. The plan involves reducing, from 57 to 16, the number of offices from which the Department will operate District Veterinary, Forestry and Agricultural Environment and Structures support services in the future. This will result in a reduction of some 400 in the number of staff working in my Department. While this will yield significant savings for the exchequer, no staff will be made redundant.
In terms of the offices selected for enhancement as a regional office or selected for closure, no one single criterion was used. Rather each decision was based on a combination of criteria including geographical spread, ownership of building, standard of accommodation, staff availability, opportunities for staff redeployment, potential alternative use for buildings and caseload/demand for services. The decisions on which offices to enhance and which to close were not based on the performance of any office or staff, rather decisions as outlined above were made in relation to the overall strategy. The Department is currently in discussion with other departments in relation to the redeployment of staff and transfer of buildings.
92 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Education and Science if the schools in Dublin 5 and 13 will be affected by cuts to special needs classes; the cuts that will be imposed on each of these schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31821/09]
I am assuming that the Deputy is referring to my Department's decision to suppress a number of special classes for pupils with a mild general learning disability (MGLD) in some primary schools. I wish to assure the Deputy that there will be no pupil with a special educational need who will be without access to a special needs teacher as a result of the decision to apply the normal rules which govern the appointment and retention of teachers of special classes for pupils with a MGLD.
Teacher allocations to schools typically increase or decrease depending on pupil enrolment. In the case of classes for MGLD the normal pupil teacher ratio that applies is 11:1. My Department however permits schools to retain a teaching post where it has a minimum of 9 pupils in the class. This minimum was not fulfilled in six schools in the area referred to by the Deputy and therefore the schools no longer qualify to retain the six classes concerned. These special classes which have closed pre-date the 2005 General Allocation Model of allocating additional teacher support to schools to enable them to meet the needs of pupils with mild general learning disabilities as well as a number of other high incidence disabilities. All primary schools now have additional teaching support in place for this purpose.
All children with MGLD who were in the classes that have been suppressed will be able to receive teaching support through the teaching resources allocated to primary schools under the General Allocation Model. Schools decide themselves how best to use this allocation based on the needs of the pupils and how to adjust their support in line with the changing needs of pupils as they mature. My Department provided a circular SP ED 02/05 to schools to assist them in deploying the General Allocation Model resources. All of the other primary schools in the country who do not have classes for children with MGLD cater for these pupils from within the General Allocation Model.
The Deputy will be aware that my Department's policy is to support the inclusive education of students with special educational needs across the schools system. In this context, a range of supports are provided to schools to enable them cater for pupils with special educational needs. The supports available include additional teaching support, special needs assistant support, school transport and grants for the purchase of teaching materials and specialised equipment.
The Deputy will also be aware that the National Council for Special Education (NCSE), through local special educational needs organisers (SENOs), is responsible for processing applications from primary and post primary schools for special educational needs supports. All schools have the names and contact details of their local SENO. Parents may also contact their local SENO directly to discuss their child's special educational needs, using the contact details available on www.ncse.ie.
93 Deputy Noel J. Coonan asked the Minister for Education and Science the funding available for the provision of transport for a student (details supplied) in County Tipperary attending a school outside their catchment area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31826/09]
Under the terms of my Department's Post Primary School Transport Scheme, a pupil is eligible for transport if s/he resides 4.8 kilometres or more from her/his local post primary education centre.
The scheme is not designed to facilitate parents who choose to send their children to a post-primary centre outside of the catchment area in which they reside. However, children who are fully eligible for transport to the post-primary centre in the catchment area in which they reside, may apply for transport on a concessionary basis to a post-primary centre outside of their own catchment area — otherwise known as catchment boundary transport. These children can only be facilitated if spare seats are available on the bus after all other eligible children travelling to their local post-primary centre have been catered for. Such children have to make their own way to the nearest pick up point within that catchment area.
The Transport Liaison Officer for North Tipperary has advised that an application for school transport has not been received for the pupil referred to by the Deputy in the details supplied. The family of the pupil concerned should liaise with the Transport Liaison Office for North Tipperary regarding school transport provision.
94 Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Education and Science if grants or financial assistance are available to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31855/09]
The Higher Education Grants Schemes operate under the Local Authorities (Higher Education Grants) Acts 1968 to 1992. Each year, the scheme specifies a list of approved institutions for grants purposes. The approved institutions mainly comprise of public funded third level institutions. I understand the course referred to by the Deputy is provided by a private college which is not approved for grants purposes. There are no plans at present to extend the scope of the student support schemes to such private colleges. Tax relief, at the standard rate of tax, is available on tuition fees paid to certain private colleges in the State. Further details and conditions in relation to such tax relief are available from the candidate's local tax office.
95 Deputy Ruairí Quinn asked the Minister for Education and Science if the 18 religious orders who signed the indemnity deal in 2002 with the State have all fully complied with the requests that they have their assets audited; if he will publish the final report of the audit; if progress has been made on renegotiating the indemnity agreement in order that it delivers justice to the victims of institutional child abuse, the taxpayer, and the public at large; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31860/09]
The Deputy will be aware that the Taoiseach and relevant Ministers, including myself, met representatives of the religious congregations on 4 and 24 June last. At the meeting on 4 June, the Taoiseach conveyed the views of the Government and this House, that further substantial contributions are required by way of reparation and that these contributions need to be capable of being assessed by the public for their significance by reference to the full resources available to the congregations and in the context of the costs of well over a billion euro incurred by the State. At the meeting and subsequently in a press release, the congregations indicated their willingness to make further contributions.
At the subsequent meeting on 24 June, the congregations reported on the progress they had made in compiling reports on their financial positions. The Taoiseach indicated that the Government would appoint a panel of three independent persons to assess the material submitted by the congregations and report to Government as to the adequacy of these statements as a basis for assessing the resources of the congregations.
The appointment of the three person panel by the Government to examine these statements was announced on 28 July. All of the congregations have submitted their statements and I understand that the Panel is well advanced in its work and expects to be in a position to report before the end of October. It is intended that the conclusions of the panel will be made public. In its statement announcing the membership of the Panel, the Government indicated that while the Panel is carrying out its work, it expected that the congregations would be working to produce an offer of a substantial contribution by way of reparation for the suffering of children in residential institutions. The statement was circulated to the leaders of all the congregations and their attention was specifically drawn to this aspect of it.
96 Deputy Emmet Stagg asked the Minister for Education and Science, further to Parliamentary Question No. 1214 of 9 July 2009, if there has been progress in sanctioning the recruitment of the replacement caretaker for a school (details supplied) in County Kildare. [31869/09]
I am pleased to inform the Deputy that my Department has obtained the sanction of the Minister for Finance for an exemption from the staffing moratorium in respect of the post to which he refers at Confey College, Leixlip. Accordingly, my Department has given the Chief Executive Officer ofCo. Kildare VEC approval to fill the post.
97 Deputy Emmet Stagg asked the Minister for Education and Science if the site for the new permanent school for a school (details supplied) in County Kildare has been acquired; and if he will require details of same. [31870/09]
The Deputy will be aware that my Department sanctioned approval for Kildare VEC to purchase a site for the school in question. I am advised that negotiations are at an advanced stage. The Deputy will appreciate that given the commercial sensitivities in relation to the acquisition of sites generally, I am not in a position to comment any further at this time.
98 Deputy Emmet Stagg asked the Minister for Education and Science if a new school (details supplied) in County Kildare will still proceed to tender and construction in 2009. [31872/09]
99 Deputy Emmet Stagg asked the Minister for Education and Science if the required extension to a school (details supplied) in County Kildare will proceed to tender and construction in 2009. [31873/09]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 98 and 99 together.
The Deputy will be aware that the projects to which he refers were both included in my announcement earlier this year of 43 projects to proceed to tender and construction. Information in respect of the current school building programme, including these projects referred to by the Deputy, are now available on my Departments website at www.education.ie. The Stage 2b documentation for both projects was recently received by my Department and are currently under consideration. My Department will revert to the schools on the next steps towards tender and construction when the stage 2(b) submissions have been reviewed.
100 Deputy Emmet Stagg asked the Minister for Education and Science if the required extension to a school (details supplied) in County Kildare will proceed to tender and construction in 2009. [31874/09]
The Deputy will be aware that the project at the school to which he refers was included in my announcement earlier this year of 43 projects to proceed to tender and construction. Information in respect of the current school building programme, including the project referred to by the Deputy, is now available on my Departments website at www.education.ie. An application for planning permission was recently lodged with the local authority and I am pleased to inform the Deputy that notification of a decision to grant Planning Permission has been given in the last week. The next step in architectural planning for this project will be a review of a full stage 2(b) submission to my Department. Following receipt and review of the stage 2(b) submission my Department will be in contact with the school regarding progression to tender and construction.
101 Deputy Emmet Stagg asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will sanction the appointment of a design team for the required extension to a school (details supplied) in County Kildare. [31875/09]
I can confirm that the school to which the Deputy refers has made an application to my Department for large scale capital funding. The application has been assessed in accordance with the published prioritisation criteria for large scale building projects and assigned an appropriate band rating. Information in respect of the current school building programme along with all assessed applications for major capital works, including the project referred to by the Deputy, are now available on my Departments website at www.education.ie.
The priority attaching to individual projects is determined by published prioritisation criteria, which were formulated following consultation with the Education Partners. There are four band ratings under these criteria, each of which describes the extent of accommodation required and the urgency attaching to it. Band 1 is the highest priority rating and Band 4 is the lowest. Documents explaining the band rating system are also available on my Department's website.
The progression of all large scale building projects, including this project, from initial design stage through to construction phase will be considered in the context of my Department's multi-annual School Building and Modernisation Programme. However, in light of current competing demands on the capital budget of the Department, it is not possible to give an indicative timeframe for the progression of the project at this time.
102 Deputy Emmet Stagg asked the Minister for Education and Science when a design team will be sanctioned for the required extension to a school (details supplied) in County Kildare. [31887/09]
I can confirm that the school to which the Deputy refers has made an application to my Department for large scale capital funding. The application has been assessed in accordance with the published prioritisation criteria for large scale building projects and assigned an appropriate band rating. Information in respect of the current school building programme along with all assessed applications for major capital works, including the project referred to by the Deputy, are now available on my Departments website at www.education.ie.
The priority attaching to individual projects is determined by published prioritisation criteria, which were formulated following consultation with the Education Partners. There are four band ratings under these criteria, each of which describes the extent of accommodation required and the urgency attaching to it. Band 1 is the highest priority rating and Band 4 is the lowest. Documents explaining the band rating system are also available on my Department's website.
The progression of all large scale building projects, including this project, from initial design stage through to construction phase will be considered in the context of my Department's multi-annual School Building and Modernisation Programme. However, in light of current competing demands on the capital budget of the Department, it is not possible to give an indicative timeframe for the progression of the project at this time.
103 Deputy Emmet Stagg asked the Minister for Education and Science, further to Parliamentary Question No. 144 of 9 April 2009, when it is expected that the forward planning section will complete its examination and determine the locations where additional accommodation will be required. [31890/09]
The Forward Planning Section of my Department has carried out a study of the country to identify the areas where, due to demographic changes, there may be a requirement for significant additional school provision at both primary and post-primary levels over the coming years. This study has been conducted using data from the Central Statistics Office, the General Register Office and the Department of Social and Family Affairs in addition to recent schools' enrolment data.
The study indicates that the requirement for additional primary provision in years 2010, 2011 and 2012 is likely to be greatest in more than 40 selected locations across the country based on significant changes to the demographics of those areas. This information has been circulated to all existing school Patrons who have been invited to bring forward proposals for the expansion of existing schools or indeed to put themselves forward as Patron for any new primary school, should it be required. The requirement for the establishment of new schools will of course be lessened where it is possible to expand and extend existing schools in those areas.
Forward Planning Section is now in the process of carrying out detailed analysis and reports for each of these locations in order to identify the school accommodation requirements for each area up to and including the school year 2014/2015. When the detailed reports are completed for these initial areas identified the Forward Planning Section will continue to work on preparing reports on a priority basis for the remainder of the country.
104 Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Education and Science the steps he is taking to provide temporary accommodation for pupils of a school (details supplied) in County Longford, in view of a health and safety issue which has arisen in respect of the inadequate accommodation; if he will provide a definite date for commencement of construction of the promised new school building; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31900/09]
I am pleased to inform the Deputy that plans are well in train to re-locate the school to which he refers to alternative accommodation. The planning and Building Unit of my Department is working closely with the school authority to ensure that the transfer to this accommodation is as smooth as possible. With regard to the school's application for a new building, this, in common with all such applications, has been assessed in accordance with the published prioritisation criteria for large scale building projects and assigned an appropriate band rating. Information in respect of the current school building programme along with all assessed applications for major capitalworks, including the project in question, are now available on my Departments website at www.education.ie.
The priority attaching to individual projects is determined by published prioritisation criteria, which were formulated following consultation with the Education Partners. There are four band ratings under these criteria, each of which describes the extent of accommodation required and the urgency attaching to it. Band 1 is the highest priority rating and Band 4 is the lowest. Documents explaining the band rating system are also available on my Department's website.
The progression of all large scale building projects, including this project, from initial design stage through to construction phase will be considered in the context of my Department's multi-annual School Building and Modernisation Programme. However, in light of current competing demands on the capital budget of the Department, it is not possible to give an indicative timeframe for the progression of the project at this time.
105 Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Education and Science when funding will be provided to enable the construction of his Department’s offices in Mullingar, County Westmeath to commence; if a contractor has been selected to commence the construction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31901/09]
A number of key projects were identified as priority elements of the decentralisation programme in the Government announcement of 14 October 2008. The construction of a new headquarters building in Mullingar for the Department of Education and Science, in conjunction with a new headquarters for the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food in Portlaoise and a new decentralised office for staff of the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment in Carlow was one of the projects given priority status.
The proposed decentralised offices in the above three locations are being procured by means of a Public Private Partnership as a single Design, Build, Finance and Maintain contract. Planning permissions have been received for the three buildings, and discussions are proceeding with the successful tenderer with a view to finalising financial closure and contract signing, subject to Government approval.
106 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Education and Science his plans to provide, or if there is, financial assistance or a grant mechanism available from him to families to obtain extra educational grinds or assistance for their children who suffer from autism; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31922/09]
My Department provides grant aid, under the home tuition scheme, to parents of children with autism who are awaiting an educational placement or to provide early education intervention for pre-school children who have been assessed as having autism. The grant provides for ten hours home tuition per week for each child with autism aged between 2.5 and 3 years of age. This increases to twenty hours per week on the child's 3rd birthday. No funding is provided in respect of children with autism who have a school/early education placement available to them.
The Deputy will be aware of the Government's ongoing commitment to ensuring that all children with special educational needs, including those with autism, can have access to an education appropriate to their needs preferably in school settings through the primary and post primary school network. The Deputy will also be aware, the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is responsible, through its network of local Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs), for processing applications from primary, special and post primary schools for special needs supports on the basis of applications in respect of individual pupils. The SENOs operate within the policy outlined in my Department's circulars for allocating such support.
107 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Education and Science the position regarding overcrowding in classrooms at a school (details supplied) in County Louth; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31924/09]
The budget measures will impact on individual schools in different ways depending on whether enrolment is rising or declining and the degree to which any one school has more teachers than it is entitled to under the allocation processes. In terms of the position at individual school level the key factor for determining the level of resources provided by my Department is the pupil enrolment at 30 September 2008. While the staffing schedule allocates on the basis of an average number of pupils each individual school decides on how to arrange its classes. Combined classes are a feature of the majority of schools in the country and this arrangement has no adverse implications for the quality of the education children receive.
In terms of class sizes 80% of primary pupils were in classes of less than 30 pupils during the last school year. With over 20,000 individual classes spread across all schools throughout the country there will inevitably be differences in individual class sizes. Some schools can have class sizes of greater than 28 but this is often because of a local decision by a school to use its teaching resources in order to have smaller numbers in other classes.
Where it is possible, I believe that principals should consider the benefits of having smaller multi-grade classes as against having particularly large differences in class sizes at different levels in the school. In general, the view of my Department is that, where combined classes are formed, mixed-ability classes are preferable and my Department recommends random selection as a fair and educationally sound approach to the assignment of pupils to such classes.
It is open to any Board of Management to submit an appeal under certain criteria to an independent Appeal Board which was originally established to adjudicate on appeals on mainstream staffing allocations in primary schools. Details of the criteria for appeal of mainstream staffing are contained in the staffing schedule, Circular 0002/2009 which is available on my Department's website. The Appeal Board operates independently of the Department and its decision is final.
108 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Education and Science the reason the language support teacher allocation for a school (details supplied) in County Louth has been cut from five teachers to two teachers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31925/09]
In light of the Budget 2009 decision in relation to language support my Department has published a circular for schools which sets out how the new arrangements will operate for the allocation of language support teachers from September 2009. The circular sets out a structured and transparent approach for the operation of the alleviation measures that were announced in the budget for schools that have a significant concentration of newcomer pupils. The alleviation measures mean that these schools can qualify for up to 4 language support posts with the possibility of additional posts also being approved through the independent staffing appeals mechanism. Schools can now apply to my Department in the normal way for language support posts. These posts are approved on a provisional basis initially and will be confirmed in September 2009 following receipt from the schools of actual enrolments of pupils requiring language support. It is estimated that notwithstanding the budget measures there will be circa 1,500 language support teaching posts in our primary and post-primary schools in September 2009. By any standards this is a very significant resource and the challenge will be to ensure that it is used to maximum effect.
109 Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Minister for Education and Science his views on whether Protestant voluntary secondary schools should be treated in the same manner as schools in the free education scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31964/09]
110 Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Minister for Education and Science his views on whether Protestant voluntary secondary schools are a distinct group and cannot be equated with other fee charging schools for the purposes of funding and pupil teacher ratio; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31965/09]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 109 and 110 together.
I wish to reassure the Deputy that I, along with my colleagues in Government, recognise the importance of ensuring that students from a Protestant background can attend a school that reflects their denominational ethos. The Deputy will be aware that I have met with representatives of both the Church of Ireland Board of Education and the Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland to discuss the funding position of Protestant schools and the background to the decision in the October budget to remove certain grants from fee-charging Protestant schools.
I have emphasised that no changes have been made to the block grant, which is expected to be €6.5 million in this school year. It covers capitation, tuition and boarding costs and is distributed through the Secondary Education Committee established by the churches concerned. This fund ensures that necessitous Protestant children can attend a school of their choice. I wish to advise the Deputy that my officials have met representatives from the Secondary Education Committee to discuss future funding arrangements for Protestant schools. In this context, I have expressed my willingness to consider any proposals that might be made to my Department that would enable the available funding to be focused and adjusted to more effectively meet the twin objectives of access for individuals and sustaining the schools that they wish to attend, particularly those in rural areas.
The October Budget implemented changes in how all fee-charging schools are treated in relation to the number of publicly funded teaching posts they are allocated. With effect from 1 January 2009, teachers in fee-charging schools are allocated at a pupil teacher ratio of 20:1, which is a point higher than allocations in non fee-charging post-primary schools. In view of the challenging economic circumstances that we are facing, I am not in a position to reverse this decision.
This decision is justified on the basis that schools which have access to fees as an income source are in a better position to maintain services at a time when the public finances are under such severe pressure. Fee-charging schools can continue to employ additional teachers that they fund from their fee income. I will continue to work with representatives of the Protestant educational sector to ensure that State funding made available to the Protestant community is targeted in the fairest way possible to meet the needs of their children and their schools.
111 Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Education and Science if the statement, the professional who assessed the child is in the best position to advise on the amount of support, included on page two of Circular SP ED 07/02 applies when special educational needs officers are allocating special needs assistant hours; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31980/09]
As the Deputy will be aware, the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is responsible, through its network of local Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs), for allocating resource teachers and special needs assistants to primary and post primary schools to support children with special needs. The NCSE operates within my Department's criteria in allocating such support.
The circular in question predates the establishment of the NCSE which now has responsibility for deciding on the quantum of resource teaching and/or care supports to be allocated to individual schools to enable them to meet the needs of enrolled pupils with special educational needs. However, professional reports are provided as part of any application process for support. These should identify the frequency and extent of the child's care needs arising from the diagnosed disability. The SENO takes these reports into account along with other relevant factors such as the existing level of SNA support in a school when determining the level of SNA support sanctioned to a school.
112 Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Education and Science if an appeals process exists within the National Council for Special Education for parents who are unhappy with decisions of special educational needs officers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31981/09]
As the Deputy will be aware, the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is responsible, through its network of local Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs), for allocating resource teachers and special needs assistants to primary and post primary schools to support children with special needs. The NCSE operates within my Department's criteria in allocating such support. The NCSE will undertake to review a decision taken by a SENO on foot of a request from a school or parents/guardians, when accompanied by relevant additional information, which may not have been to hand at the time of the decision. The NCSE has outlined this process in its Circular 01/05. All schools have the names and contact details of their local SENO. Parents may also contact their local SENO directly to discuss their child's special educational needs, using the contact details available on www.ncse.ie.
113 Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of special educational needs officers employed here; the location of same; the educational and professional qualifications they hold; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31982/09]
I wish to advise the Deputy that there are 84 Special Educational Needs Organiser (SENO) posts in the National Council for Special Education (NCSE). SENOs are deployed by the NCSE throughout the State to provide a nationwide service. Each SENO works in an assigned local area with parents, schools, teachers, psychologists, health professionals and other staff who are involved in the provision of services in that area for children with special educational needs. All schools have the names and contact details of their local SENO. Parents may also contact their local SENO directly to discuss their child's special educational needs. The office location of each SENO is set out in the attachment and may also be accessed through www.ncse.ie. The NCSE has advised that all SENOs hold a minimum qualification of a third level primary degree.
114 Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Education and Science if departmental guidelines exist governing the pupil-teacher ratio when children are attending sports, school tours and other events outside of the school grounds; the pupil-teacher ratios for same at primary and post-primary level; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31983/09]
As the Deputy will be aware, under Section 15 of the Education Act 1998, the Board of Management is the body charged with the direct governance of a school. Responsibility for the appropriate supervision of students is therefore a matter for the individual Board of Management. While the Department does not issue specific guidelines on requirements for supervision in the specific situations outlined by the Deputy, it acknowledges that the degree of supervision required of school authorities varies with the individual circumstances, including the age of the pupil.
The question of the degree of supervision required in situations where pupils are attending sports events, school tours and other events outside of the school grounds, is a matter for determination by the Board of Management having regard to all the relevant circumstances concerned.
