Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 20 May 2004

Vol. 586 No. 1

Written Answers.

The following are questions tabled by Members for written response and the ministerial replies received from the Departments [unrevised].

Questions Nos. 1 to 12, inclusive, answered orally.

Agricultural Decline.

Pat Rabbitte

Question:

13 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if his attention has been drawn to a presentation by a person (details supplied) at the recent Agriculture and Food Development Authority’s conference in Tullamore stating that the dependence on farming as a source of employment declined from 14% in 1991 to 5% in 2002; his views on what the consequences for the agriculture industry will be should this trend continue over the next decade; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14742/04]

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mr. Walsh)

At the recent presentation, population and agricultural change in rural Ireland 1991 to 2002, at a Teagasc conference in Tullamore, a paper outlined a situation where employment in primary agriculture had fallen from 14% in 1991 to 5% in 2002. This is not unexpected as the long-term trend in employment in agriculture is one of gradual decline and the situation is not unique to Ireland. The numbers of farmers have been in decline across EU and OECD countries as a whole for many years.

Not only has the number of farmers declined but the nature of farming activity has also changed. During 1991 to 2002 general developments in the Irish economy, including the greater availability of employment and increased levels of participation within the labour force, have resulted in greater opportunities for those who wish to improve their incomes by combining an off-farm job with their farming activities. The 1999-2000 household budget survey illustrates that almost 60% of farm household income now comes from non-farm sources, including off-farm employment, social welfare and other income. In fact, this increased availability of off-farm employment opportunities in rural areas has contributed positively to the future viability of many farm families.

Since the late 1980s, the Irish economy has progressed into one of the most dynamic and modern in the world. Annual GDP growth increased by double-digit figures throughout the late 1990s and reached over 11% in 1999. This growth has in turn led to greatly increased levels of employment and participation in the work force. Even with the overall changes in the economy, agriculture continues to play a very important role in our economic well-being. The agri-food sector as a whole accounts for approximately 9% of GDP, it employs about 10% of the workforce and is worth €7 billion per annum in exports. The high level of agri-food exports combined with the indigenous ownership of the sector means that it is a major source of net foreign earnings. The sector currently brings in approximately 20% of the net foreign earnings from the manufacturing sector.

As Minister for Agriculture and Food it is one of my priorities to ensure the continued development of the farming sector. This is an ongoing process which is being pursued through a series of measures and strategies. Farm viability is critical to the maintenance of the maximum number of farm households in the rural economy. In line with this ongoing concern a range of measures are in place including substantial market supports and direct payments. In 2003 my Department spent €2.8 billion for this purpose with €1.6 billion of this going in direct payments to farmers. In addition, the general developments in the economy with greater availability of employment and increased levels of participation within the labour force has resulted in greater opportunities for those who wish to improve their incomes by combining an off-farm job with their farming activities.

It is generally accepted that the agri-food sector is entering into a period of profound change including the reform of the Common Agricultural Policy, the WTO negotiations and maintaining the competitiveness of Irish agriculture. Therefore, it is critical that the correct strategies are identified for the future of agriculture. To consider the medium to long-term perspective of agriculture in Ireland I formed the Agri Vision 2015 Committee to examine the findings and recommendations of the previous Agri Food 2010 Committee and to identify the issues and opportunities up to 2015. This review will also include an examination of income and employment trends in agriculture and rural areas in general.

Export Subsidies.

Pádraic McCormack

Question:

14 Mr. McCormack asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the discussions he has had with the European Agriculture Commissioner with respect to the abolition of export subsidies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14766/04]

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mr. Walsh)

I have discussed issues relating to export subsidies in the context of the EU's approach to the current round of WTO negotiations with Commissioner Fischler on many occasions, most recently in the margins of the informal Council of Agriculture Ministers in Killarney on 12 May 2004.

Export support is one of the three pillars of the agricultural negotiations taking place under the WTO's Doha development round. In a recent letter to all WTO members, the European Commission has indicated that if an acceptable outcome emerges on the other two pillars, market access and domestic support, and if there is full parallelism on other forms of export competition, including export credits, food aid and State trading enterprises, the EU would be prepared to move on its export subsidies.

I am monitoring developments in the WTO closely and the meeting of the Council of Ministers on 24 May, which I will chair, will, on my initiative, discuss the current situation.

Farm Incomes.

Tony Killeen

Question:

15 Mr. Killeen asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the position regarding trends in farm incomes since 1990 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14720/04]

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mr. Walsh)

From 1991 to 2002, the latest year for which data is available, family farm income, as measured in the Teagasc national farm survey, increased from €7,686 to €14,925, a rise of 94%. A similar trend is also seen when the average income per farm is measured. In the period 1991 to 2002 this indicator rose from €11,332 per farm to €18,117, a rise of 60%, while the average income per family work unit has risen from €8,221 in 1991 to €17,149 in 2002, an increase of 109%.

It should be noted that farming is a cyclical business that is dependent on a number of factors and these can result in fluctuations in income from year to year. Looking at trends in farm incomes since 1990, aggregate farm income, operating surplus, increased substantially between 1990 and 1996. There was a decline from 1997 to 1999, mainly due to the effects of the BSE crisis in the UK, the collapse of the Russian market in 1998 and weather related difficulties in 1998-99.

Following these declines, the farm income situation improved in 2000 and again in 2001. Aggregate farm income rose by 6.4% in 2001 despite the difficulties caused by foot and mouth disease, following an increase of 10.1% in 2000. The year 2002 was a difficult one for farming; aggregate farm income fell by 8.1% due to a combination of bad weather, lower levels of cattle slaughterings and lower output prices for many commodities. By contrast, the year 2003 was a good one for farming. Aggregate farm income increased by 4.9% to €2,589.5 million. This increase reflected improvements in the cattle, milk and cereal sectors.

To underpin the financial stability of the sector, my Department operates a range of measures including market supports and direct payments aimed at supporting farm incomes. In 1990 direct payments accounted for 23% of aggregate farm income; since the MacSharry CAP reform in 1992, direct payments to farmers have risen and by the late 1990s they accounted for 50% of aggregate farm income. In 2003 direct payments of €1.6 billion contributed almost 63% of aggregate farm income. I have vigorously pursued one of my main goals of supporting farm incomes by maximising the level of direct payments to farmers, ensuring that the EU Commission utilises all available management tools to support the markets and by providing the best possible development framework for the sector.

The composition of the farming sector has altered in the time period since 1990. According to figures from the Central Statistics Office, in 1991 73% of farmers were full-time and 27% were part-time. By 2002, 58% of farmers were full-time and 42% were part-time.

One of the interesting points in the measurement of farm income is that there are a series of indicators that can be used in its calculation. In the 13 years from 1990 to 2003 aggregate farm income, operating surplus, rose from €2,093.5 million to €2,589.5 million, an increase of 24%. However, the breakdown of farm income figures using other indicators shows more substantial increases reflecting the rationalisation of farm labour, greater productivity and smaller farm numbers. Indicators of income per farm family, per farm and per family work unit show healthier increases and more progressive trends.

EU Presidency.

Gay Mitchell

Question:

16 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the priorities of the Irish Presidency of the European Union with regard to agricultural trade relations with developing countries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10004/04]

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mr. Walsh)

The Irish Presidency programme, published in December 2003, sets out the broad objectives to be pursued regarding development and multilateral trade policy issues aimed at assisting developing countries and integrating them into the multilateral trading system.

In so far as agricultural trade is concerned, the Presidency programme provided for a debate at the informal meeting of Agriculture Ministers in Killarney on how the impact of CAP reform on international trade as well as opportunities arising from existing and future international arrangements can best be communicated to the EU's trading partners and, in particular, developing countries.

The Ministers had a useful discussion on these issues when they met on 11 May 2004. The discussion underlined the importance of the trade measures being implemented by the EU which are designed to assist developing countries, namely, the generalised system of preferences, the Cotonou Agreement with African, Caribbean and Pacific countries and the everything but arms measure for the least developed countries.

The meeting also acknowledged that, in the context of a new WTO agreement, it will be important to work with developing countries to ensure special and differential treatment and that particular attention will have to be given to the needs of the least developed and most vulnerable countries.

Animal Diseases.

Brian O'Shea

Question:

17 Mr. O’Shea asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if his attention has been drawn to the case of a BSE-infected cow born from a dairy herd in County Meath after the introduction of strict feed controls in 1996 to 1997; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14738/04]

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mr. Walsh)

I am aware of the case to which the Deputy refers. It involved a Friesian cow born in April 1998 which was identified on a farm in County Meath. The animal had been bought from a farm in County Cavan and had been born in April 1998.

Epidemiological investigations are undertaken in regard to the feeding regimes of all herds in which BSE is identified. Particular attention is paid to herds in which cases born after the feed controls were reinforced in 1996 and 1997 are confirmed. The investigation of this particular case is ongoing.

Within the context of the overall picture, the diagnosis of BSE in a small number of animals born after 1997 is to be expected. We had always foreseen the likelihood that occasional, individual cases which may often relate to factors particular to the specific farms in question and which deviate from the mainline trend would from time to time arise as the incidence of the disease in the national herd recedes. There is, however, no basis for suspecting that this case is indicative of either a systemic failure in controls or of a change in the overall positive trend in relation to BSE in Ireland.

The shift in age profile of BSE cases as well as a reduction in case numbers indicates that the additional controls introduced in 1996-97 have been effective in significantly reducing the exposure of animals born after 1997 to the infectious agent. In 2003, 99% of all BSE cases were diagnosed in animals born in 1997 and earlier years. In addition, a 45% reduction in case numbers was observed when compared to 2002. It is expected that the incidence of disease will continue to decline as cows born prior to 1998 leave the system.

Food Industry.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

18 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if he has satisfied himself that food producers here are given equal opportunity with their worldwide competitors to supply food stores here without exception; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14780/04]

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mr. Walsh)

Total output of the food industry is valued at €15 billion, of which exports account for €7 billion. Ireland is an open economy and I fully believe that the future of Irish food producers and the industry lies in access to all markets, at home and abroad, and an emphasis by all players on competitiveness, innovation and understanding of market trends. My strategy and that of the State agencies is to underpin the ongoing success of the food sector by facilitating the industry to maintain competitiveness and capacity to meet the demands of the market in terms of quality, convenience, price and product specification.

Accordingly, significant funding is available under the national development plan for capital investment, research, technology and innovation, marketing and promotion and human resources. The specific food related initiatives in the national development plan provide funding to improve the quality and marketability of Irish food produce. For example, more than €7 million in aid is being provided for the capital investment scheme alone in 2004 to assist Irish producers to meet the standards of safety and quality demanded by consumers. A further €11 million is being provided under the food institutional research measure to fund public good research by third level institutions and Teagasc. Statutory responsibility for instituting action in terms of any possible lack of access or unequal opportunity on the domestic market rests with the Competition Authority to whom any evidence of untoward trading should be addressed.

Common Agricultural Policy.

Seán Ryan

Question:

19 Mr. S. Ryan asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if his attention has been drawn to a recent presentation by a person (details supplied) at the recent annual Burren Law School stating that by 2015 productive agriculture here will be confined to a narrow band stretching from north Munster to south west Leinster; the consequences for the future of agriculture of such a development; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14743/04]

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mr. Walsh)

I am aware of the paper on the Irish landscape which was presented at a recent Burren Law School seminar. The paper dealt with the issue of changing landscapes and it was stated that such change must be embraced and indeed be accepted as the landscape is man-made and as such is ever changing.

It was agreed that much of what was described as "fretting and fussing about rural housing is a mere symptom, a very superficial symptom, of a much greater and far deeper change". The author then referred to the "collapse of agriculture". He went on to state: In Ireland the process has been gathering momentum for nearly 15 years now and the Fischler Reform of the Common Agricultural Policy will bring a rapid and dramatic conclusion to it. By 2020 productive agriculture in Ireland will be confined to a narrow band stretching from north Munster to south west Leinster. Outside of this area all agriculture will be part time, specialist and secondary. Very extensive areas will cease to be farmed, the more productive lowland soils will be used for forestry, the rest will naturally return to woodland cover.

The views expressed in this paper would in fact run contrary to virtually all current thinking and analysis of agricultural policy and in particular on the reform proposals under the mid-term review of the Common Agricultural Policy. An in-depth analysis of the Luxembourg agreement as set out in a recent report by FAPRI-Ireland, an independent group of economists, has stated that the reform of EU agricultural policy and decoupling in particular would be good for Irish agriculture. The decoupling in the four major agricultural sectors would by 2010 lead to slightly lower production, reduced input costs, higher prices and increased farm incomes. At no time has there been any mention of large-scale reductions in production or of a scaling down of activity, with land being left fallow to return to nature or be in effect abandoned.

In recent times there was much discussion about the low levels of afforestation in Ireland and the need to increase the scale and scope of tree planting in Ireland, as the area under trees is considered low by European standards. To address this, a comprehensive, soundly-funded forestry programme has been put in place.

Changes will occur, driven by many factors including CAP reform, WTO and the general needs of society. I am determined to have the appropriate policies and programmes in place to ensure that change is managed and sustainable. I refer to the rural environment protection scheme, REPS, and the requirement for farmers to apply good agricultural and environmental practice to draw down the single farm payment. I do not accept that there will be abandonment of land. Irish farmers have proven themselves to be industrious, flexible and highly resourceful and I am certain that they will continue to do so.

Animal Health.

Eamon Ryan

Question:

20 Mr. Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the position regarding the investigation into animal health problems in the Askeaton area of west Limerick. [14842/04]

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mr. Walsh)

From 1995 to 1998 the reported animal disease problems in the Askeaton area were the subject of a comprehensive multi-agency investigation under the auspices of the Environmental Protection Agency, EPA. The report of this investigation which was published in August 2001, concluded that although a small number of farms experienced notable difficulties, there was no evidence of serious or unusual problems in the wider Askeaton area. In so far as the possible causes of animal health difficulties experienced in the Askeaton area in the past are concerned, I believe that this report speaks for itself.

There is no objective evidence available to my Department to suggest that there has been any change in the general animal health situation in the area since the final report was published. On that basis I do not believe that there are currently grounds which would justify embarking on any further animal health investigation in the area or the further commitment of significant human and financial resources which this would incur. Where individual problems occur, as they do on farms throughout the country, the veterinary laboratory service of my Department is available to support local veterinary practitioners and their clients and this will remain the case.

Regarding Askeaton, the regional veterinary laboratory in Limerick provides services free of charge where the private veterinary practitioner deems tests to be necessary. From 1999 to date, disease conditions common elsewhere in the country, were diagnosed in a total of 50 samples from 18 herds submitted to this laboratory from the Askeaton area.

Food Industry.

John Gormley

Question:

21 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if his attention has been drawn to the pressure on tomato growers with the rising cost of gas; and if he will examine with the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the case made by the IFA of the extent to which CO2 sequestration is a feature of glasshouse tomato production. [14837/04]

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mr. Walsh)

I am aware that the increase in the price of natural gas is placing significant pressure on the protected crops sector, as almost 30% of the total cost of growing a heated glasshouse crop is comprised of energy costs. In this regard my colleague the Minister of State, Deputy Treacy, has met representatives of the sector and more recently the Commissioner for Energy Regulation. The Commissioner is currently conducting a review of the gas tariff structure and is engaged in a consultative process with interested parties. My Department will have an input into this process as appropriate. It must be borne in mind however that a large proportion of the State's gas supply is imported and the price of our gas is very much determined by the UK market.

I am also aware that in the production of protected crops, the growing crop plays a significant role in sequestering carbon and thus minimises the amount of CO2 released into the atmosphere. In this regard a detailed submission has been made both by the IFA and An Bord Glas to the Minister for Finance regarding his proposals for a carbon energy tax in Ireland. I am aware of the contents of these submissions.

Decentralisation Proposals.

Pat Breen

Question:

22 Mr. P. Breen asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food his plans to move his Department personnel from Model Farm Road, Cork City to Cork county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14764/04]

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mr. Walsh)

My Department's decentralisation programme provides for the establishment of a new regional laboratory headquarters for Munster in Macroom. This involves the amalgamation of the three existing laboratories at present located in the Model Farm Road, Cork and the two laboratories in Limerick into a modern laboratory facility in Macroom.

The central applications facility, CAF, was launched last week by the Civil Service Commission. This facility will enable public servants to indicate whether they wish to decentralise to Macroom or any of the other locations listed in the decentralisation programme.

The decentralisation implementation group will examine the information obtained under the CAF and will make recommendations to Government on the timetable for the various aspects of the programme in July. My Department will liaise with the Office of Public Works to ensure that appropriate accommodation is acquired in Macroom for the laboratories.

National Genotype Programme.

Tom Hayes

Question:

23 Mr. Hayes asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the financial assistance he intends to give to persons who participate in the national genotyping programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14759/04]

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mr. Walsh)

The national genotype programme, NGP, has a number of components, one of which is the availability to all flockowners of a commercial genotyping service in a number of laboratories approved by my Department for NGP purposes. The results of tests carried out in these laboratories will be accepted by my Department as the basis for the issue in respect of each tested animal of a NGP certificate unique to that animal on which will be specified its particular genotype.

Flockowners who avail of this service will pay the cost of having their private veterinary practitioner take a blood sample from each animal which they nominate for genotyping. Each individual flockowner is free to choose any of the three NGP-approved laboratories in which to have his or her samples tested. I fully expect that these laboratories will vigorously compete with each other for business. The flockowner will bear the cost of tests carried out by his or her chosen laboratory.

Leaving aside scrapie-infected flocks, there is as yet no legal requirement on any flockowner to have sheep genotyped, although from April 2005, pedigree flockowners will be required to have rams genotyped. It is nonetheless important that flockowners in Ireland, both pedigree and commercial, begin the process of determining the genotype of their sheep, particularly breeding stock, as early as possible. To this end I have decided to provide, as a once-off incentive, a cost offset of €10 per test for the first 30,000 tests carried out under the NGP in 2004. In respect of up to an aggregate total of 30,000 tests, NGP-approved laboratories will charge flockowners a price net of the €10 per test cost offset which will be met by my Department.

This is a most important development for Ireland's sheep sector. I am anxious the best possible service will be provided by my Department, the NGP-approved laboratories and veterinary practitioners, to flockowners who elect to have sheep tested under NGP. It had been my intention to provide a somewhat higher cost offset for the small number of flockowners involved in breed improvement programmes but this proved impossible to operate in practical terms. I decided that the cost offset should be at the standard €10 level. I am of course appreciative of the value of breed improvement programmes and would be anxious to support and encourage as appropriate participation in such programmes into the future, whether in relation to genotyping or otherwise.

I am happy with the interest being shown over the past week or so in this particular component of NGP. Many application forms have already been sought by and issued to flockowners and with the NGP-approved laboratories now ready to accept samples, I expect that within coming weeks we will witness a steady growth in both the number of test results being generated and the number of NGP certificates being issued by my Department. I encourage all flockowners to avail of this service at the earliest opportunity.

Animal Welfare Bodies.

John Gormley

Question:

24 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the knowledge his Department has of Sweden’s Lindgren law; and his views on its implementation in food production. [14839/04]

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mr. Walsh)

I am generally aware of Lindgren law, which is a national measure particular to Sweden relating to the protection of animals and animal welfare. It has no direct legislative relevance to this country. As the Deputy is aware there is a considerable body of national and EU legislation in place in regard to the protection of animals.

Food Labelling.

Mary Upton

Question:

25 Dr. Upton asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food his plans to ensure that pork and pork products are clearly labelled with the country of origin; his plans to ensure that there is no ambiguity in the labelling of the products; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14728/04]

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mr. Walsh)

Under EU fresh meat regulations, processors of fresh meat within the European Union are required to provide on their packaging an oval mark indicating the approval number and location of the last premises in which the meat was processed. General food labelling regulations make it compulsory for certain labelling indications to be provided on foodstuffs, including: the name under which the product is sold; the list of ingredients; the quantities of certain ingredients or categories of ingredients; net quantity; and the date of minimum durability or the "use by" date. I am of the view that consumers should have full information in relation to the meat they consume, including in relation to origin of the product.

The Deputy will be aware that I established the food labelling group to examine issues in relation to food labelling. Among other things, the group recommended that information on the origin of meat, including pigmeat, should be declared. I am currently considering how best the recommendations of the food labelling group may be progressed.

Live Exports.

Breeda Moynihan-Cronin

Question:

26 Ms B. Moynihan-Cronin asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food his views on a recent vote in the European Parliament to impose more stringent controls on live exports in the EU; his further views on whether the decision to impose a 12-hour rest period for every nine hours of travel will help reduce injuries and illness in the trade; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14737/04]

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mr. Walsh)

Proposals on the transport of live animals in the European Union are initiated by the EU Commission and require agreement among member states at the Council of Ministers, following an opinion from the European Parliament, under the co-operation procedure. The opinion of the EU Parliament under this procedure is not binding.

In March 2004, the European Parliament, in its opinion on a draft Council regulation on the welfare of animals during transport, voted, inter alia, for a maximum journey limit of nine hours for the transport of slaughter animals. Many member states, including Ireland, opposed this proposal, not least because of the lack of any scientific basis for differentiating between conditions for slaughter animals and other animals. In the circumstances there was no prospect of reaching agreement on this proposal.

At the Council of Ministers' meeting on 27 April 2004, the Irish Presidency presented, with the assistance of the EU Commission and Council Secretariat, a compromise proposal which would have resulted in improved standards of animal welfare while allowing the continuation of a critically important and legitimate trade. This proposal included adjustments to journey time sequences, improved training and enforcement, the use of satellite tracking systems, and unloading animals at staging posts during rest periods. I am satisfied these changes would have resulted in a significant improvement in welfare conditions for animals being transported over long distances.

However, despite prolonged and intense efforts by the Irish Presidency to broker a solution, the Council of Ministers failed to reach agreement on this document, as a result of polarised opinions on a number of fundamental issues. The Irish Presidency, in conjunction with the EU Commission, is at present reviewing the situation. In the meantime I remain committed to ensuring the welfare of animals is safeguarded during transport and the current controls continue to be rigorously enforced.

Animal Diseases.

Phil Hogan

Question:

27 Mr. Hogan asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food his plans to deal with Johne’s disease; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14751/04]

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mr. Walsh)

In an effort to raise awareness and to promote higher standards of hygiene management practices and calf rearing, my Department published two booklets in 2002 on Johne's disease, one of these was aimed at farmers and the other at private veterinary practitioners. These booklets detail the precautions individual farmers should take to keep the disease out of their herds and highlight that effective control measures involve prudent purchasing policies and calf rearing practices. These booklets are currently available at each of my Department's district veterinary offices and can also be viewed on the Department's website.

Until 2003, measures taken by my Department included the purchase and slaughter of diseased animals, and in some rare cases entire herds. However, the disease situation has led to the conclusion that this approach did not contain the disease and that expenditure on the purchase and slaughter of animals was no longer sustainable. Therefore a decision was taken, in 2003, to review the Department's policy on the disease and to cease the practice of purchase and slaughter of suspected or affected animals.

The review essentially involved examining and agreeing ways in which the resources of all interested parties could be focused so as to give a new direction and momentum to efforts to tackle Johne's disease in the national herd. As an initial step in formulating a new approach, my Department met with key parties such as Teagasc, Veterinary Ireland, the cattle breeding societies, dairy co-operatives, the farming representative bodies and others. This process was both worthwhile and successful in gaining a general recognition and understanding of the problem and securing an acceptance that success is achievable only if all concerned make a sustained commitment to tackling the problem.

As a result, the Department is currently drawing together the various outputs and will bring the matter to the next phase. I am anxious that any new approach to tackling the problem of Johne's disease is put in place with the minimum of delay so that headway can be made in dealing with the problem.

To date in 2004, and on the basis of an identified need to generate rapidly an increased level of awareness among both farm advisers and veterinary surgeons, both Teagasc and Veterinary Ireland, with my Department's participation, organised a series of workshops for members of both organisations. In addition to raising awareness among these key players, this initiative was intended to ensure that correct, consistent advice is given to farmers regarding on-farm general disease control, calf-rearing and general management practices, all of which are relevant to tackling Johne's disease.

My Department will, over the coming months, and in conjunction with the key parties, progress work on some of the longer-term elements of what will eventually become a fully integrated, multi-partner approach to tackling the disease. This next phase of the exercise will involve identifying and establishing appropriate sampling and testing regimes, developing criteria whereby resources can be concentrated within the livestock and dairy sectors on farmers whose participation in a sustained Johne's programme will best further the aim of reversing the trend in the disease and working up a commercial rationale whereby farmers will wish in their own interests to take steps to avoid importing the disease into their herds.

Joe Sherlock

Question:

28 Mr. Sherlock asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food his views on regulating veterinary practices in the enlarged EU to fight epidemics such as foot and mouth disease; his further views on whether it will be possible to impose regulations in the near future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14771/04]

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mr. Walsh)

New member states of the European Union are required to adopt the Community acquis, including those elements relating to animal health and welfare. Requirements for disease eradication and control, surveillance, animal health certification and contingency plans for dealing with class A disease outbreaks apply equally to new member states. The EU Commission will, through its Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health, continue to co-ordinate responses to disease outbreaks in EU member states and third countries in the usual way.

In these circumstances I see no need for the present for any additional regulation in this area aimed specifically at new member states.

Departmental Appointments.

Brendan Smith

Question:

29 Mr. B. Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the number and the names of women nominated by the farming organisations for appointment by him to boards of statutory bodies operating under his aegis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14725/04]

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mr. Walsh)

I have not received a female nomination from the farming organisations to serve on any of the boards of State bodies which operate under the aegis of my Department. Since 1997, a total of 46 women have been appointed to serve on these boards, all of whom were appointed solely at my discretion.

Grant Payments.

Brendan Smith

Question:

30 Mr. B. Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food when he expects to be in a position to issue provisional single farm payment entitlements to farmers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14724/04]

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mr. Walsh)

My Department began the task of setting up an entitlements database under the single payment scheme late last year. However, much of the work could not be progressed until the European Commission detailed rules regulation was published. This regulation was published recently and my Department is continuing the work of establishing payment entitlements in respect of every farmer who was actively farming and who received livestock premia and-or arable aid during the reference period. In addition, work is well under way on the processing of the 15,000force majeure applications, which were received earlier this year and decisions are being communicated to farmers on an ongoing basis.

Unsuccessful applicants have the right to appeal to the appeals committee, which I have already established. Farmers who wish to be treated as new entrants during the reference period or who have inherited holdings must also be identified over the coming weeks. Each successful force majeure-new entrant case will have an impact on the national ceiling for Ireland.

It is my intention to issue provisional entitlements under the single payment scheme to the vast bulk of farmers within the next few months. It should be noted, however, that provisional entitlements may be subject to amendment later this year when all force majeure-new entrants and query cases are finally resolved. The intention is that all farmers will then be issued with a statement of definitive entitlements early in 2005.

Joan Burton

Question:

31 Ms Burton asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if he will allow farmers who applied for REP scheme two over the past few months and who have not yet been paid, some flexibility in applying for REP scheme III; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14730/04]

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mr. Walsh)

My officials have confirmed with their counterparts in the Commission that when the revised scheme is introduced, all farmers with a start date or anniversary date after 1 March 2004 will be in a position to benefit from it. Consequently, all such farmers will be given an opportunity to take on new five-year contracts under which they can avail of the improved payment rates and other aspects of the new scheme.

Farm Retirement Scheme.

Thomas P. Broughan

Question:

32 Mr. Broughan asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the discussions he has had with Commissioner Fischler on the problems confronting farmers who opted for the early retirement scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14729/04]

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mr. Walsh)

I have had extensive discussions with Commissioner Fischler across a broad range of issues affecting Irish agriculture, including the effects of the new single payment system on both retired and active farmers. My officials have also had extensive discussions with the European Commission on the detailed rules for implementing the new system and I am satisfied that most of the concerns of retired farmers have been satisfactorily addressed.

Agri-Food Sector.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

33 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food his plans for the future of the meat, cereal and dairy sectors with particular reference to continued viability in the face of international competition; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14781/04]

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mr. Walsh)

I have always been aware of the need for long-term planning for the meat, cereal and dairy sectors as these account for the majority of farm output. A key element of the strategy of my Department is to have appropriate policies and support mechanisms in place to maximise the potential of these sectors and to ensure that they are competitive in an international context.

To further enhance the planning process I formed the Agri-Food 2010 Committee in 1999 to advise me on the best long-term approach to be taken in the sector. That group presented a detailed and coherent plan. In response to its report, my Department drew up an extensive plan of action. The vast majority of the recommendations from this plan of action have been implemented.

It is with a view to continuing the planning process for the long-term future of the agri-food sector, with the changing internal and external environments, that I have established a new group to set out a vision for the agriculture and food sector over the coming decade. This new group referred to as the Agri-Vision 2015 Committee has been asked to review the recommendations of the Agri-Food 2010 report in the context of developments since the report was completed. This new group is broadly based and possesses a wide range of skills and experience. It is drawn from farming, the food industry, research, academia and the State agencies with a direct interest in the agriculture and food industries.

EU Directives.

Brendan Howlin

Question:

34 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the discussion he has had with Commissioner Fischler on the proposed nitrates directive. [14734/04]

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mr. Walsh)

My discussions with Commissioner Fischler have ranged across a broad range of issues affecting Irish agriculture, including the nitrates directive, for which Commissioner Wallström is primarily responsible. My officials have also had preliminary discussions with the European Commission on the further implementation of the nitrates directive.

Dairy Premium Scheme.

Simon Coveney

Question:

35 Mr. Coveney asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the way in which he intends to implement the dairy premium scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14749/04]

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mr. Walsh)

The dairy premium will be coupled in 2004 and decoupled as and from 2005, which is the earliest possible date for decoupling the payments under the EU regulations. The level of the premium amounts to approximately 1.2 cents per litre — 5.5 cents per gallon — in 2004, approximately 2.4 cents per litre — 11.1 cents per gallon — in 2005, rising to approximately 3.6 cents per litre — 16.6 cents per gallon — from 2006 onwards. Once the payment has been incorporated into the single payment from 2005 onwards, it will be subject to modulation and other adjustments.

The premium will be based on the quota held by producers on 31 March 2004 in the case of the coupled 2004 payment, and on 31 March 2005 in the case of the decoupled payment from 2005 onwards. Because the overall premium amount allocated to individual member states was based on the national quota held by them in 1999-2000, and as Ireland was given a 2.9 % increase in its national quota as part of the Agenda 2000 agreement, the premium will be paid on about 97% of each individual producer's quota.

Organic Farming.

Ciarán Cuffe

Question:

36 Mr. Cuffe asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the progress to date and plans being made by the organic development committee. [14829/04]

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mr. Walsh)

I have recently received a report from the chairman of the organic steering group which I established on the recommendation of the organic development committee to oversee and monitor the implementation of a national organic strategy and provide a basis for advancing the partnership between the organic sector and the other principal essential interests. In his report, the chairman informed me that the main recommendations of the organic development committee have been implemented and work on the others is progressing.

Among the recommendations on which progress has taken place are the following. A partnership expert working group has been set up to co-ordinate, facilitate and monitor the provision of training, education, advice and research and an organic market development group has been established with overall responsibility for developing a national marketing strategy for organic food. A census of Irish organic production was carried out and published in October 2003. My Department's website now includes a dedicated section on organic food and farming. Seven organic demonstration farms have been approved and these farms will provide a very useful means of providing information and data to existing and potential organic producers. Teagasc has also identified advisers nationwide and contact details for these are also available on my Department's website.

Teagasc, Bord Bia and the Food Safety Authority of Ireland have produced publications in the areas of research and advice. Seed research trials for barley, wheat and oats are being carried out by my Department and on the farms of two organic producers. A study of the organic poultry sector is being carried out with funding from my Department and proposals have also been formulated in the area of beef research.

The REPS organic supplementary measure has been reviewed as part of the general review of the scheme and under proposals with the European Commission for approval the maximum level of payment will increase substantially.

I signed a statutory instrument in March which gave full effect to Council Regulation (EEC) No. 2092/91, as amended, and to the additional standards contained in chapter 7 of the report of the organic development committee. It gives, inter alia, my Department powers to prosecute those operating illegally. The organic steering group will continue to oversee the implementation of the report’s recommendations.

Food Industry.

Paul Nicholas Gogarty

Question:

37 Mr. Gogarty asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if he will compile an inventory of farmers markets around the country; and if he will co-operate with the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government in assisting with the establishment of further such markets to help farmers to diversify and remain viable. [14833/04]

Joe Costello

Question:

51 Mr. Costello asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food his plans to promote farmers markets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14731/04]

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mr. Walsh)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 37 and 51 together.

Bord Bia, a State agency within my remit, is active in promoting and encouraging this route to market as an outlet for small food producers. In 2002, Bord Bia was instrumental in promoting this concept when it staged Ireland's largest ever outdoor food market on the farmers market style for 110 small food producers at its International Food Symposium in Kinsale. Bord Bia's aim was to support small food producers and to lead the way in illustrating the practical implications of setting up and running a farmers market. Since then Bord Bia, in partnership with the OPW, has run a farmers market in Farmleigh for nine weeks over the September to December 2003 period, attracting more than 35,000 visitors who bought produce direct from stallholders. I understand that Bord Bia is planning a further Farmleigh market later this year and is in discussion with the OPW about appropriate expansion of farmers markets on OPW sites.

Bord Bia has a section on its website dedicated to farmers markets and this includes a list of the 39 markets in Ireland. Farmers markets have potential as a route to market for small food producers. There is further scope for growth for this sector and farmers markets together with other routes to market have a role to play in building Irish speciality-artisan food sales, which are currently estimated at €450 million.

While I do not have a direct role in establishing farmers markets, Bord Bia, as part of its statutory role in promoting the development of Ireland's food and drink industry, will continue to co-operate fully with other State and local agencies to champion the scope of this route to market for the overall benefit of our valuable indigenous food industry.

EU Directives.

Michael D. Higgins

Question:

38 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the discussions he has had with the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government on the proposed nitrates directive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14733/04]

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mr. Walsh)

The implementation of the nitrates directive is in the first instance a matter for the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. My Department has had ongoing discussions with the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government on the development of a draft action programme giving further effect to the nitrates directive. This draft action programme was presented in December 2003 to representatives of the main farming organisations and other stakeholders. A period of two months was provided for stakeholders to submit their comments on the document in writing to either or both Departments. Written submissions on the draft action programme have been received from some 70 stakeholders, including all the main farming bodies, and a revised draft is being prepared by officials of the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government together with officials from my own Department.

Milk Quotas.

Damien English

Question:

39 Mr. English asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food his plans to make farm partnerships more user friendly; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14769/04]

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mr. Walsh)

I am satisfied milk production partnership arrangements have worked well to date and the take up in the new entrant-parent partnerships has been particularly encouraging. However, experience has suggested that further flexibility would be helpful so long as it does not compromise the integrity of the system. I, therefore, made a number of amendments designed to help prospective partners in the new milk quota regulations, which I signed in the past few weeks. I extended the maximum age at which a parent can establish a new entrant-parent partnership from 59 to 62. In addition, I introduced changes relating to off-farm income and also to the proximity of holdings. All partnerships will be allowed to continue until a partner reaches 66 years of age which coincides with the age for eligibility for old age pension. On standard partnerships, the regulations allow for three producers to come together to form a partnership. The experience of the past few years has shown a demand for these changes.

Partnership arrangements within the milk quota system have a very useful role to play in providing for the type of flexibility necessary to respond to the demands on today's milk producers. I will continue to keep the arrangement under review to ensure it is best suited to the needs of the sector.

Farm Safety.

Willie Penrose

Question:

40 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the measures he is taking to improve health and safety on farms; if he has held discussions with the Health and Safety Authority on this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14740/04]

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mr. Walsh)

I am concerned with the level of safety on our farms. The number of people injured or killed on farms remains unacceptably high. It is imperative that all farmers acknowledge that farming is a hazardous occupation and one that carries specific risks. Under the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 1989, the Health and Safety Authority is the State body charged with overall responsibility for administration, enforcement and promotion of workplace safety and health which includes farms.

The HSA set up a farm safety action group in February 2002. Its terms of reference include "the development of a national action programme, co-ordinating the actions of the representative organisations and assigning tasks". The group produced and published the Farm Safety Plan 2003-2007 in April 2003. My Department has been represented on this group since its inception and has played an active part in the development of the plan.

The plan sets specific targets against a base year of 2001 including a reduction by 50% in farm fatalities with no child fatalities, a reduction in the farm accident rate to less than 1,600 per annum and an increase to 50% of farmers complying with health and safety legislation Other objectives are: to introduce health and safety training for farmers, farm workers and students at second and third level; to ensure all primary schools show and discuss the contents of the CHILDSAFE video and CD-ROM prior to school holidays; that a minimum of 1,000 farm inspections should be carried out by HSA inspectors each year; that farm safety promotional campaigns such as Farm Safety Week, and Child Safety are continued and other appropriate campaigns are undertaken; that research be carried out in order to identify methods of improving attitudes and awareness regarding to farm safety; and that a database on all farm accidents be developed.

My Department is continuing to be proactive in the area of farm safety. A module on health and safety was included in the 20-hour training course in 2002 and it is mandatory for all applicants to the rural environmental protection scheme, REPS. I launched the annual Farm Safety Week in March 2003.

The introduction of properly designed safety features in farm buildings, other farm structures and farm layout is critical in reducing farm accidents and the new DAF specifications for farm buildings, published in November 2003, incorporate enhanced safety features as minimum specifications. These specifications are used for all buildings constructed under on farm investment schemes and indeed should be used for all farm building constructions. The on farm investment schemes also allow for grant aid, up to 40% of costs, for additional safety elements made to existing farm structures, for example, provision of safety fencing around external slurry and effluent stores and the provision of safety agitation points outside existing buildings with the consequential elimination of dangerous internal agitation points.

I remain totally supportive of the HSA's efforts to reduce the numbers of farm accidents and its programmes to increase awareness in the area of health and safety on the farm.

Farm Household Incomes.

Eamon Gilmore

Question:

41 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food his plans to support the development of off farm employment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14732/04]

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mr. Walsh)

A key policy of this Government has been to create and sustain an economic environment where employment can flourish. This is as important for farming as it is for any other sector of the economy. This ensures that small scale producers have opportunities to supplement their incomes through off farm work and that farm families have a choice in this matter. The availability of off farm jobs is extremely important for part-time farmers and it is the key to their remaining in and contributing to the development of rural communities.

Since this Government came into office, many additional job opportunities have been put in place that allow those farmers who wish to supplement their income through off-farm employment to do so. This, in effect, allows these farmers to benefit from the flexibility that is available in many of the schemes operated by my Department for full-time and part-time farmers and by the economic climate that has been put in place by the policies of the Government, which have created substantial job opportunities for those wishing to avail of off farm employment.

European Council Meetings.

Ciarán Cuffe

Question:

42 Mr. Cuffe asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the outcome of the meeting of the Council of Agriculture Ministers held in Ireland recently. [14830/04]

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mr. Walsh)

The informal meeting of Agriculture Ministers in Killarney on 11 May was the first meeting at Council level of the enlarged European Union. Ministers from the 25 member states and from Bulgaria, Romania and Turkey as well as three EU Commissioners had an exchange of views on "CAP reforms and Trade Concessions; how best to communicate them", as well as the more recent developments in the negotiations on the current WTO round.

Ministers reaffirmed that the substantive CAP reforms under Agenda 2000 and the mid-term review of Agenda 2000 will make a significant contribution to facilitating trade and stressed the need for greater recognition from the WTO negotiating partners and the public of the significance of these changes. Ministers and the Commission pledged to work more actively together in explaining the impact of the measures in place and several delegations also called for the development of a clear overall communications strategy.

In so far as the WTO is concerned, Ministers reiterated the EU's determination to seek a successful and balanced conclusion to the negotiations while working with developing countries to ensure special and differential treatment and to give particular attention to the needs of the least developed and most vulnerable countries. Ministers confirmed their view that the fundamental elements of the structure of domestic support that were agreed in the Uruguay Round should remain in place but that within this the EU is prepared to commit to a large reduction in trade distorting or Amber Box support and to reducing and capping existing Blue Box payments; there could however be no restrictions on Green Box payments. Ministers were also of the view that the EU could move further on export competition only if full parallelism on all forms of export subsidisation, that is export subsidies, export credits, food aid dumping and certain practices of state trading enterprises, is ensured, and if a successful outcome on market access and domestic support emerges. For agreement to be possible an adequate solution to cover non-trade concerns, including geographical indications, would also have to be found. I intend to have a further discussion on these issues at the next Council of Ministers meeting on 24 May.

Genetically Modified Organisms.

Trevor Sargent

Question:

43 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the extent of discussions which have taken place with his counterpart in Northern Ireland on the prospect of the island maintaining a genetically modified free status; and the outcome of these discussions. [14821/04]

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mr. Walsh)

Preliminary discussions have already taken place between officials of my Department and those of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development in Northern Ireland in the context of developing proposals for a national strategy and best practices to ensure the co-existence of GM crops with conventional and organic farming.

EU Directive 2001/18/EC obliges member states to develop such proposals and an interdepartmental-interagency working group has been set up in my Department to, inter alia, carry out this task. The working group, as part of its work programme, is currently meeting and discussing with relevant stakeholders in the preparation of their recommendations. These discussions will include more elaborate discussions with the Northern Ireland authorities when the co-existence measures have been progressed further.

Bovine Diseases.

Olwyn Enright

Question:

44 Ms Enright asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the projected cost for the tuberculosis and brucellosis eradication schemes for 2004; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14762/04]

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mr. Walsh)

The numbers of reactors for both TB and brucellosis have been falling consistently over the last five years. The number of TB reactors has fallen from circa 45,000 in 1999 to 29,978 in 2003 while for brucellosis the number of laboratory positive animals has fallen from 4,545 in 1999 to 900 in 2003. As a consequence the overall expenditure on the TB and brucellosis eradication schemes has also been falling. A sum of €63.88 million has been provided for the TB and brucellosis eradication schemes in the 2004 Estimates. While this represents a reduction compared with expenditure in 2003, it is expected it will be sufficient to cover the costs associated with continued full implementation of the TB and brucellosis eradication schemes.

Live Exports.

Liz McManus

Question:

45 Ms McManus asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food his views on the recent Supreme Court decision to allow the only shipping company (details supplied) carrying livestock abroad, to cease live exports; his further views on the future for live exports of livestock; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14736/04]

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mr. Walsh)

I assume the Deputy is referring to the recent lifting of a High Court injunction in relation to the carriage of livestock from Ireland by a particular ferry company. My Department has been in touch with the company concerned at senior level and has emphasised the importance to Irish farmers of the livestock trade. The company has pointed out that, although the injunction has been lifted, the substantive case for damages remains outstanding. It is not clear how long this will take to be resolved. Until such time as this has been resolved, I do not anticipate any change in practice by the company in regard to the carriage of livestock from Ireland. I will continue to monitor the situation closely. To date, 37,569 animals have been exported in 2004.

I have stated on numerous occasions that I regard the live export trade as of vital strategic importance to the agriculture sector in Ireland and to the Irish economy. My Department will continue to facilitate this trade by ensuring the veterinary controls necessary to protect our animal health status are in place and by making its inspectors available for applicants who wish to have vessels inspected for the carriage of livestock to markets in the EU and elsewhere.

Olivia Mitchell

Question:

46 Ms O. Mitchell asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food his plans to stop the export of live horses for slaughter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14747/04]

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mr. Walsh)

Trade in horses between member states and from member states and third countries is governed by European law and specific Commission decisions, which establish the health conditions and certification to be applied to such animals for trade purposes.

However, with regard to trade between Ireland, France and the United Kingdom, for many years an agreement, known as the Tripartite Agreement, based on a common animal health position in the equine sector has been in place. Under this agreement, registered horses travelling between Ireland, France and the United Kingdom do not have to be certified, though the horses must be individually identified by means of their passports. Non-registered horses travelling between Ireland and the United Kingdom must be individually identified by way of a current marking sheet. Both registered and non-registered horses are subject to spot checks by an official veterinarian at the port of departure.

My Department, has not issued export licences for horses for slaughter. All horses certified by my Department are certified for the purposes of breeding, racing, jumping and sport use. However, trade in horses for slaughter is covered by relevant EU regulations and is, subject to compliance with animal health and welfare legislation, a legitimate trade.

Departmental Expenditure.

Richard Bruton

Question:

47 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if he has satisfied himself that the Comptroller and Auditor General has accurately assessed the financial procedures which were applied in the case of the Punchestown centre. [12921/04]

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mr. Walsh)

The Comptroller and Auditor General's Report on the Appropriations Accounts for 2002 states, with regard to the Punchestown centre, that proper tendering procedures were observed in connection with the placing of contracts and that the Department had satisfactory controls in place in relation to the processing of payment claims in terms of on-site inspections and detailed administrative checks. However, the report expresses concerns as to the adequacy of the evaluation carried out by the Department on the project, in particular, if it met the criteria set down in the 1994 guidelines issued by the Department of Finance for the evaluation of major capital projects.

I am satisfied that my Department applied procedures considered at the time to be appropriate for a project of this type. This was a once-off project; it did not easily fit the category of scheme normally administered by the Department. The project was not a normal type of grant proposal and was difficult to evaluate in terms of outputs and outturns and as such did not readily lend itself to being evaluated under the 1994 guidelines. The project was however carefully examined in the Department. It was examined against a number of criteria including the need for the facility, the suitability of Punchestown as a venue, whether other locations could be used and the likely events that would take place there. Before agreeing to fund the project, the Department was satisfied that the proposed investment was considered to represent an appropriate and justified use of the funds being provided.

The Comptroller and Auditor General said in his report, "The Audit established that proper tendering procedures were observed in connection with the placing of contracts, and that the Department had satisfactory controls in place in relation to the processing of payment claims in terms of site inspections and detailed administrative checks." As required by the 1994 guidelines, a post project review will be undertaken by my Department and, as required by the Committee of Public Accounts, presented to that committee by 30 March 2005.

Question No. 48 answered with QuestionNo. 7.

Beef Carcase Classification.

Kathleen Lynch

Question:

49 Ms Lynch asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food his views on the fact that the introduction of mechanical graders for beef will give inaccurate results; and if he would make a statement on the matter. [14735/04]

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mr. Walsh)

The potential for using mechanical means for beef carcase classification was first recognised in the mid-1980s. In the late 1990s the European Commission started to actively examine the possibility of introducing legislation that would allow the use of mechanical classification systems. My Department carried out trials on three machines over a six-week period in July and August 1999 and a two-week period in March 2000. In total, almost 10,000 carcases were classified. The results of these trials showed that there was considerable potential for using machines to predict conformation and fat scores.

Following discussions at European Commission working group level and after a further trial in Germany in 2001, a regulation was agreed — Commission Regulation 1215/2003 — allowing mechanical classification to be introduced in member states. This regulation set down the manner in which an authorisation test should be conducted, the minimum level of accuracy for a machine to be licensed and the control checks that must be implemented by the competent authority when an authorised machine has been installed.

An authorisation test, set down under EU prescribed procedures, which included the attendance of an international panel of classification experts, was carried out in Ireland in late 2003, where three machines were tested. All three machines comfortably exceeded the minimum requirements and were licensed to classify in Ireland.

My Department is in the process of setting up detailed checking systems for machines once they become operational in the autumn. These checks will include both remote electronic access from headquarters to the mechanical classification systems at the plants and frequent plant visits, where checks to the same level of detail as the authorisation test, will be carried out. I am satisfied that this will ensure the Commission regulation is fully complied with and, moreover, that it will enable all sectors of the beef industry to have full confidence in this new system.

Fur Farming Licences.

Eamon Ryan

Question:

50 Mr. Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the conditions laid down by his Department as part of the licence to individuals engaging in fur farming. [14841/04]

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mr. Walsh)

A licence to keep mink is issued subject to compliance with the following conditions. Mink shall be kept only at the premises specified in the licence. Mink shall be kept in cages or other containers of such material and constructed in such a manner as to prevent their escape. Such cages or containers shall, except when being used for the transport of mink from place to place, be kept within an enclosure or building which complies with the provisions of the Musk Rats Act 1933 (Application to Mink) Order 1965, that is to say: (a) enclosures shall be bounded by a guard fence of such material and constructed in such a manner as would in the opinion of the authorised officer prevent the escape of mink; (b) buildings or parts of buildings used for the keeping of mink shall be constructed in such a manner or enclosed by such material as would in the opinion of the authorised officer prevent the escape of mink; (c) the licence holder shall ensure that trees, shrubs and undergrowth are not growing or planted in such a position in relation to the guard fence as would in the opinion of the authorised officer render the escape of mink possible; (d) rat holes or other holes through which in the opinion of the authorised officer mink could escape from such licensed premises shall be effectively blocked; and (e) any drainage channels on such licensed premises shall be adequately guarded to prevent the escape of mink. Licence holders must inform persons to whom they dispose of mink of the need for a licence to keep them. The Department must be informed if mink cease to be kept at any premises covered by this licence and of any change in ownership. Authorised officers must be allowed to inspect the premises at all reasonable times. If any mink escape, the Department must be informed at once. The licence is issued subject to compliance with the provisions of the Fisheries Acts. Licences may be revoked at any time if the holder fails to comply with these conditions.

Question No. 51 answered with QuestionNo. 37.

Food Labelling.

Mary Upton

Question:

52 Dr. Upton asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the progress made on the labelling of beef for the catering trade with country of origin label; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14727/04]

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mr. Walsh)

Existing EU beef labelling regulations, introduced in 2000, are applicable to sale at retail and wholesale levels but do not apply to beef sold in the catering and food service sectors. It is my view that this legislation should be extended to restaurants and catering establishments which are not currently obliged to inform customers about the country of origin of the beef they serve.

An EU Commission report on the operation of the beef labelling legislation was considered at the special committee on agriculture meeting in Killarney last week. Ireland's position was made clear at that meeting and it will be taken up again in the Agriculture Council in June when the motion is dealt with at ministerial level. I believe that extending the labelling provisions to cover the food service sector is a reasonable and genuine demand on the part of consumers and can be done without adding costs to the sector and that the consumer has the right to know the origin of the product.

Common Agricultural Policy.

Jan O'Sullivan

Question:

53 Ms O’Sullivan asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if his attention has been drawn to a recent article in a publication (details supplied) by a person arguing that there is little or no benefit to taxpayers or consumers from the reform of the common agricultural policy and that CAP reform will only have major implications for farm output and agriculture imports and exports; his views on this argument; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14739/04]

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mr. Walsh)

The benefits of the common agricultural policy, CAP, to Ireland can be measured both in terms of the EU budget transfers — for market prices supports and direct payments — and in the trade benefits derived from higher EU commodity prices. Even allowing for Ireland's contribution to the FEOGA budget, Ireland is estimated to have benefited by €1,279 million in 2003 through net budget transfers and by €772 million through higher prices. This is a combined benefit of over €2 billion.

Agriculture and related employment in the agri-food sector provided 160,000 jobs or 9% of total employment in 2003. In addition, in the same year the value of agri-food exports was €6.8 billion or 8.3% of all exports. The sector also provided an estimated 20% of all foreign earnings from Irish manufacturing industry.

It has been estimated by independent analysis that the Luxembourg Agreement on CAP reform will underpin the value of the sector in terms of direct payments and general production levels. In addition the capping of budgets until the year 2013 will ensure that no further demands are made on the Irish or EU taxpayer. Finally, the benefits of EU multifunctional agriculture will continue to be provided for the consumer in terms of safe, quality food produced in a sustainable, environmentally friendly way.

Departmental Staff.

Paul McGrath

Question:

54 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food his plans to relocate staff from his Department who are involved in meat grading at the meat plants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14768/04]

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mr. Walsh)

Officers engaged in meat grading at the meat plants are being redeployed to existing vacancies, which are currently being filled on an acting-up basis.

My Department is also exploring with the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the possibility of some of the beef classification staff being redeployed to that Department in the forest park work area.

Departmental Correspondence.

John Bruton

Question:

55 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of times she has issued written directions to her Secretary General, within the meaning of sections 4 to 6 of the Public Service Management Act 1997; and the nature and purpose of each such direction. [14943/04]

Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment (Ms Harney)

I have not issued any written direction regarding sections 4 to 6 of the Public Service Management Act 1997 to the Secretary General of my Department.

Public Financial Procedures.

John Bruton

Question:

56 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if the Secretary General brought to her attention all relevant financial consideration for decisions being taken in accordance to relevant sections of public finance procedures; and if a decision was taken in recent times where the Secretary General did not have an opportunity to comply with this aspect of public finance procedures prior to a decision being taken or announced which had financial implications. [14958/04]

Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment (Ms Harney)

I am satisfied that there are adequate systems of internal financial control in place in my Department to ensure compliance with public financial procedures.

The internal audit function of my Department provides assurance to the accounting officer by carrying out an annual programme of work. This was expanded over the past year to take on board the recommendations of the Report of the Working Group on the Accountability of Secretaries General and Accounting Officers, commonly referred to as the Mullarkey report.

In March 2004, the Secretary General of my Department, as accounting officer, signed a statement on internal financial control in respect of the 2003 appropriation account, acknowledging responsibility for ensuring that an effective system of internal financial controls is in place, maintained and operated by the Department.

Departmental Committees.

John Bruton

Question:

57 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the composition of the management advisory committee of her Department; the number of times it has met since its formation; the number of times she has attended it in person; and the issues it has considered. [14975/04]

Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment (Ms Harney)

The management board, or management advisory committee, of my Department is a collegiate body established to ensure the Department is managed as a corporate entity. This envisages the board taking a central role in the formulation of strategy, in the development and monitoring of the business planning process and deciding resource allocation. Issues of a key policy, strategic and management nature are discussed collectively before submission, as appropriate, to me for consideration at a political level.

The management board meets on the second and fourth Friday of every month, with the exception of August. The board is comprised of the Secretary General, each assistant secretary, the planning officer — an ex-officio member — and such other persons, from within or outside the Department as the board may agree. The chief executive of Forfás is one such outside member. As a positive action to address the gender imbalance resulting from current membership, one female principal officer is also a full member. The board is chaired by the Secretary General and in his absence by an assistant secretary.

The management board drives and monitors the business planning process in the Department each year. It carries out a mid-term review of progress in quarter three of the business planning cycle and approves, in quarter four, new plans for the following year. In addition, the board considers a wide range of issues which impact on the Department's strategies, policies and practices across areas such as enterprise policy, labour market policy, trade policy, employment rights and industrial relations, science, technology and innovation, EU issues, company law, consumer and competition issues and many more.

I do not attend management board meetings, since I consider all decisions of a policy or strategic nature directly with board members and their colleagues on an ongoing basis. However, I receive copies of the agenda and associated papers in advance and a written report of meetings afterwards.

Decentralisation Programme.

John Bruton

Question:

58 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the implementation plan for each Department or agency under her aegis which is to be decentralised; the costs associated with the plan; and if any alteration will be needed to the multi-year financial projections of the Department or agency in question to meet any such costs. [14990/04]

Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment (Ms Harney)

As part of the decentralisation programme, it was decided that 250 of my Department's core staff would decentralise to Carlow. It was also decided that four of my Department's agencies — FÁS, National Standards Authority of Ireland, Health and Safety Authority and Enterprise Ireland — are also to decentralise to Birr, Arklow, Thomastown and Shannon, respectively.

My Department and the relevant agencies, along with all other decentralising public bodies, recently engaged with the Department of Finance in a series of seminars developed by them to assist decentralising bodies in the preparation of their implementation plans, as required by the report of the decentralisation implementation group, the Flynn group, and due to be completed by the end of this month. Officials of my Department are currently preparing a comprehensive implementation plan on the decentralisation of those sections/offices of the Department which have been approved by me for relocation to Carlow. The relevant agencies of the Department are also preparing their implementation plans. All of these plans will be submitted to the decentralisation implementation group by the end of May deadline.

Until such time that the implementation plans have been completed, it is not possible to provide accurate information either on the implementation plan or on the cost of implementing the decentralisation programme and the budgetary implications for my Department or its agencies.

My Department, together with the Department of Finance, prepares projections of future costs for my Department on a subhead by subhead basis. Those estimates are based on there being no policy change, and that the projections indicate the expected cost of providing the level of service which is currently being provided. At this time, my Department has not prepared a projection of future costs arising on foot of implementing the decentralisation programme.

Interdepartmental Committees.

John Bruton

Question:

59 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if she will list the number of meetings in the past year of each interdepartmental committee or body on which her Department is represented; the frequency and location of its meetings; and where it is intended those meetings will take place after decentralisation. [15005/04]

Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment (Ms Harney)

Listed are those interdepartmental committees or bodies on which my Department has been represented during the past year, together with details relating to the frequency and current location of those meetings. A number of these committees are chaired by officers of my Department and for many of these the future location of many of the committee meetings following the implementation of the decentralisation programme has not yet been decided. Where details of the future location of meetings after decentralisation are known, information relating to the future location of those meetings is given. The future locations of interdepartmental committees chaired by officials from Departments other than my own are, at this time, matters for those Departments.

Departmental committee/body	Location and frequency of Meetings	Location of meetings after decentralisation
Freedom of information Civil Service users network	Monthly in Dublin	Not known
Freedom of information interdepartmental working group	Ad hoc, in Dublin	Not known
Mullarkey implementation group	Approximately monthly in Department of Finance, Dublin	It is probable that this committee will have concluded its business before decentralisation
Motor Insurance Advisory Board MIAB	Every 4-6 weeks (8 per annum). Normally held in Earlsfort Centre, DETE, Dublin or in a hotel if required.	MIAB will have moved from this Department to IFSRA by the end of this year, 2004, and future meetings will be a matter for IFSRA.
Interim Personal Injuries Assessment Board	Every 6 weeks (7 per annum). Normally held in the conference room in Earlsfort Centre, DETE, Dublin	The Interim Personal Injuries Board has completed its work and has been replaced by the statutory PIAB
Ministerial-level insurance reform committee	Monthly (10 per annum) In Government Buildings in Dublin	The ministerial level insurance reform committee is expected to have completed its work by the end of this year (2004)
Tax strategy group	Every 2 weeks from Sept. to budget in Department of Finance (9 per annum)	Not known
Patents Office users council	Meetings are held 3 times a year in Dublin	Dublin
Patent Agent Registration Board	1 per year usually, more often if necessary. The meeting is held in Dublin.	Dublin
Trade Mark Agent Registration Board	1 per year usually, more often if necessary. The meeting is held in Dublin.	Dublin
Interdepartmental co-ordinating committee on EU Affairs or “Roche committee”	Generally, meetings are held fortnightly in Department of the Taoiseach, Dublin 2, but with variations in frequency since shortly after the 2002 general election.	Department of the Taoiseach, Dublin.
Lisbon group	Department of the Taoiseach, Dublin 2. Generally, meetings are held monthly.	Department of the Taoiseach, Dublin.
Ad hoc committee on national competitiveness council recommendations	Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Kildare Street, Dublin 2. Committee is ad hoc, so no strict regularity of meetings. One meeting has been held to date.	Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Dublin 2.
Dangerous substances advisory committee	Health and Safety Authority 10 Hogan Place, Dublin 2. There are usually 3 to 4 meetings held annually.	Not known
Construction safety partnership	Health and Safety Authority 10 Hogan Place, D2. There are usually 3 to 4 meetings held annually.	Not known
Review group for the examinations for dangerous goods safety advisers	Health and Safety Authority 10 Hogan Place, D2. There are usually 2 meetings held annually.	Not known
Health and Safety Authority board	Health and Safety Authority 10 Hogan Place, D2. There are usually 12 meetings held annually.	Not known
Interdepartmental committee on REACH	Rotating between D/ETE and D/Environment, Heritage and Local Government. There are usually 4 meetings held annually.	Not known
National framework committee for work life balance policies	D/ETE, Dublin 2. Average of 12 meetings per year.	It is expected that the majority of meetings will be held in Dublin.
Steering group under Sustaining Progress	Dept. Taoiseach — monthly or as required	Matter for Department of an Taoiseach
Plenary meetings under Sustaining Progress	Dublin Castle — quarterly	Matter for Department of an Taoiseach
National minimum wage monitoring committee	D/ETE, Dublin 2. Meetings are held 3 to 4 times per year, or as requested	It is expected that the majority of meetings will be held in Dublin.
OD, organisational development, initiatives forum	Dublin; meetings are held twice yearly.	Not known
Digital Island working group	Newry, NI. No set frequency. The working group has met on four occasions.	Not known
Interoperability framework committee	Dublin. No set frequency, the committee has met twice this year.	Not known
Identity management working group	Dublin. No set frequency, the working group has met twice in the past year.	Not known
ICT managers’ forum	Lansdowne House, Dublin 4. 4 meetings are held per annum.	Not known
CMOD frameworks committee	Lansdowne House, Dublin 4. No set frequency. There have been 2 meetings during the past year.	Not known
Central Statistics Office, CSO, liaison group	Dublin. Six meetings were held during the past year.	Dublin
Social economy monitoring committee	Dublin. Three or four meetings are held annually.	Dublin
Dept. Social and Family Affairs expenditure review of unemployment assistance	Dublin. Six to eight meetings are held annually.	Dublin
Dept. Social and Family Affairs expenditure review on back to education allowance scheme	Dublin. Approximately 15 meetings are held annually.	Dublin
Immigration policy advisory committee IPAC	Dublin, four meetings annually	Dublin
HEA IT group	Dublin, two meetings annually	Dublin
EHRD OP monitoring committee	Dublin, four meetings annually	Dublin
FETAC board	Dublin, six meetings annually	Dublin
Leonardo selection committee	Dublin, twice annually	Dublin
National apprenticeship advisory committee	Dublin, approximately five times per annum	Dublin
Cost of disability advisory committee	Dublin, meet infrequently, at need	Dublin
FÁS disability advisory committee	Dublin, four meetings annually	Dublin
National Accreditation Committee	Dublin, four meetings annually	Dublin
Social partner initiative	Dublin, four meetings annually	Dublin
Department of Education and Science women in SET — established in January 2004	Meet monthly, 4 meetings this year in Dublin	Not known
Forfás discover science and engineering steering committee	Dublin, four meetings annually. Every 2 months	Not known
Interdepartmental committee on science and technology	Dublin, twice yearly — one meeting has been held since June 2003	Dublin
Interdepartmental UNESCO committee	Dublin, one meeting biannually. Every 2 years	Not known
Co-ordinating group on participation in the EU framework programme on R& D	Dublin, four meetings annually quarterly	Dublin
Steering group on participation in the EU framework programme on R& D	Dublin four meetings annually quarterly	Dublin
RTI grants committee	Dublin, meet monthly 11 meetings this year	Dublin
European Research Area, ERA, high level steering group	One meeting has been held since May 2003. Dublin — Forfás. The steering group is expected to complete its report and be disbanded by autumn 2004	Not known
IFSC funds group	7 per annum Dublin	Dublin
IFSC clearing house group	5 per annum Dublin	Dublin
AG advisory group on Law Reform Commission proposals	Approximately four meetings per annum, held in Dublin	Dublin
Strategic task force on alcohol	Dublin — 1 to 2 meetings per annum	Not known
Department of Agriculture and Food committee on food labelling	Dept. Agriculture and Food, Kildare Street Two meetings per annum	This committee is now defunct and has not met since January 2004
Foreign earnings committee	Dublin, 2 per year	Dublin
Trade advisory forum	Dublin, 2 per year	Dublin
Asia Pacific strategy group	Dublin, 3 — 4 per year	Dublin
Group on the internationalisation of education services [This is an ad hoc group chaired by D/Education and Science which will be wound up once its report is finalised, likely to be this year]	Dublin, as required	Not known
Office of emergency planning	Six to twelve meetings per annum, Infirmary Road, Dublin	Not known
Quality customer service working group	Six approx. per annum, Merrion St. Dublin	Not known
Quality customer service officers network	Six approx. per annum, Merrion Street	Not known
Change Management Network	Approximately monthly, held in Department of the Taoiseach, Upper Merrion St.	Not known
MIF project management group	Meet every 6 weeks approximately The project management group met 8 times in the Department of Finance in the past 12 months	There is no indication where any of these meetings will be held post decentralisation. D/Finance will decide this in due course.
Steering committee on emissions trading	Has met 10 times during the past year; meets 8-10 times per annum in Dublin	Not known
MIF consultative committee	Meetings take place every 2 months approximately. The consultative committee met 5 times in the Department of Finance over the past 12 months	Not known
The Department is also represented on a Corepay Users Group, for staff dealing with salaries, which is organised by CMOD	This group meets about 4/5 times each year at irregular intervals. Over the past year, meetings or workshops took place in Dublin on 22/5/03, 24/09/03, 05/11/03 and 25/01/04.	Not known
Personnel officers network	Quarterly, Dublin	Not known
PMDS — Performance Management and Development System — Network	Quarterly meetings, 3 meetings to date in CMOD, Department of Finance, Dublin 4.	Not known
Training Officers Network	Quarterly meetings 3 meeting to date in, CMOD, Department of Finance, Dublin 4	Not known
Training and development committee — committee established in January 2004	Quarterly, 2 meetings to date in Dublin	Not known
Interdepartmental national spatial strategy implementation committee	Meet quarterly D/EHLG Custom House Dublin 1	Not known
Interdepartmental meeting for international centre for local and regional development	D/Education and Science Marlborough St 1 — committee just convened	Not known
Interdepartmental advisory committee on State aid	Dublin, quarterly	Dublin
Steering group of the review of enterprise support in rural areas	Dublin, as required. 5 meetings of this group occurred	No further meetings are expected
North/South interdepartmental co-ordinators group	6 meetings per year in Dublin	As before, based on current information
High level interdepartmental committee on North/South matters	3 meetings per year in Dublin	As before, based on current information
The International Fund for Ireland business enterprise programme team, designated board member meetings and advisory committee	4 meetings per year for each alternating between Northern Ireland and the six southern Border countries	As before, based on current information
North/South Ministerial Council — joint secretariat facilitation meetings	2 meetings per year in Armagh	As before, based on current information
Productive sector operational programme monitoring committee	2 meetings, various alternates between the BMW and S& E regions	No Change
Assistant Secretary implementation group on the information society	D/Taoiseach, Dublin — Quarterly	Not known
Global Crossing steering group	Dept. Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, D/CMNR, Dublin — bi-annually	Not known
Government liaison committee on the Digital Hub	D/CMNR, Dublin — quarterly	Not known
Digital content steering group	DETE, Dublin — bi-annually	Not known
IDC on network and information security	D/CMNR, Dublin — as required	Not known
Interdepartmental committee on EU chemicals strategy	6 meetings so far. Approx. every two months — Dublin	Work may be completed; if not venue to be decided.
Technical sub-group on EU chemicals strategy	24 meetings held approximately fortnightly, in Dublin	Work may be completed; if not venue to be decided.
Hazardous waste implementation group	4 meetings held approximately quarterly in Dublin/Wexford	Not known
Industry climate change working group	4-6 per annum Dublin	Not known
Green tax group	4-6 per annum, Dublin	Not known
Prepared consumer foods group, chaired by the Department of Agriculture and Food.	2 per annum, one meeting took place in the last year in Dublin	Not known

Strategic Management Initiative.

John Bruton

Question:

60 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the action taken by her Department on each recommendation of the PA consultancy report on the implementation of the strategic management initiative. [15020/04]

Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment (Ms Harney)

The PA Consulting Group's evaluation of the strategic management initiative contained a number of recommendations which were aimed at moving Departments forward to a position consistent with the ambitions set out in the strategic management initiative and Delivering Better Government. A large number of the recommendations relate to wider Civil Service issues and require intervention at Government and Oireachtas level or involve steps that must first be taken by the Department of Finance or the Department of the Taoiseach before being implemented by the other Departments.

Other recommendations do not require action by other agents or third parties before being addressed individually by Departments. My Department has established an excellent reputation for embracing modernisation and change and introducing creative and innovative practices. A number of the recommendations contained in the PA Consulting Group's evaluation have been, or are in the process of being, implemented, including eGovernment initiatives, such as providing for online e-payment for patent and trademark renewals and continuous improvement of the Department's website as an information portal for the Department's customers; development of human resource management capabilities, including the introduction of peoplesoft, a human resources management system, and the development of a departmental human resources strategy; the development and implementation of the management information framework; and regulatory reform, such as through the consolidation and restatement of company law and of health and safety legislation.

Early in 2003, my Department established four working groups to progress five of the six modernisation pillars set out in Delivering Better Government — quality customer service; openness, transparency and accountability; human resources management; financial management; and information systems management. It was considered at the time that the sixth pillar, regulatory reform, did not require such a working group structure but this is kept under revision as my Department strives to remain at the forefront of the regulatory reform agenda. A high level steering committee was established to oversee the direction of the working groups and to drive the modernisation process within my Department. As part of its work programme for 2004, the steering committee is examining the PA Consulting Group's report with a view to identifying any outstanding issues, and directing the working groups to progress the identified issues. The high level SMI steering committee reports to the management board on a regular basis.

As part of the Sustaining Progress social partnership agreement, my Department prepared an action plan which outlines the initiatives to be taken over the course of the agreement to progress the modernisation agenda. Many of the modernisation issues contained in departmental action plans are those which are raised in the PA Consulting Group report. My Department has made significant advances on commitments contained in the action plan, as evidenced in the two progress reports submitted to date to the Civil Service performance verification group. The action plan and the first progress report are both available online at http://www.finance.gov.ie/documents/ actionplans/D%20ETE%20Action%20Plan.rtf and http://www.finance.gov.ie/documents/ civilservice/benchmarking/enterrisetandeprep.rtf respectively. The second progress report is currently being examined by the performance verification group and it is intended that this will be published once that examination has been concluded.

John Bruton

Question:

61 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if a management information framework as recommended by the Mullarkey committee has been put in place in her Department; and if she will explain the way it works. [15035/04]

Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment (Ms Harney)

The management information framework, MIF, project is an integral part of the Government's strategic management initiative. The Mullarkey group recognised that the MIF is a complex project that will take a number of years to implement fully.

In March 2004, following a year of preparations, my Department introduced the first module of its new financial management system and, since then, the remaining modules of the system have gone live. This new system has been designed specifically to meet the requirements of the MIF, including the capacity to produce cash and accrual accounts. My immediate priority was to ensure that the transition from the old financial system to the new state of the art model could be achieved without interrupting the essential financial services and operations of my Department, its agencies and its offices. I was pleased that the preparations for the changeover had been thoroughly made and that this objective was realised. Over the coming months, there will be a period of bedding down for the new system and the staff operating it before we can begin to exploit its benefits for management.

When fully operational, the system will provide enhanced financial information on a regular and timely basis to all levels of management. Management accounts will become a regular feature of the Department's ongoing operations. Maintaining accounts on an accruals basis will improve control by providing regular information to managers of actual expenditure against budget and details of commitments entered into in advance of payment being made.

The Government's implementation timetable for MIF extends to the end of 2006. During the intervening period, my Department will introduce modern business tools that will approximate those in use in the private sector. The new financial system will facilitate the allocation of costs to programmes and provide data on financial and non-financial performance indicators. The MIF will help to provide a basis for value for money assessments of the Department's programmes. It will support the preparation of strategy statements as well as the regular monitoring of progress. Improved financial information will also improve the linkage between financial analysis and decision making. The new system will also support improved asset management by recognising, through appropriate depreciation policies, the ongoing and future cost of using capital assets.

To ensure the effectiveness of the MIF, it will be necessary to embark on a major training programme for staff of my Department to equip them to exploit the framework fully and to achieve the twin objectives of improving business planning and the efficient use of resources. Proposals are being considered at present by my officials in this regard.

Departmental Committees.

John Bruton

Question:

62 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if she has appointed an audit committee for her Department; its members, charter, number of meetings to date; if it has issued any reports to her or to the Secretary General. [15050/04]

Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment (Ms Harney)

An audit committee has been in existence in my Department since the mid-1990s. It was restructured in mid-2000 and again in recent months to reflect current best practice. The current committee has five members, comprising an external chairperson, the head of internal audit from another Department and three senior departmental officials. The audit committee operates under a written charter and terms of reference. Since mid-2000, the committee has met on ten occasions and has produced two reports.

Health and Safety Regulations.

Jack Wall

Question:

63 Mr. Wall asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the reasons leaflets regarding health and safety issues have a charge fee; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15113/04]

Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment (Mr. Fahey)

One of the principal functions of the Health and Safety Authority as set out in its corporate plan for 2003 to 2007 is to provide information and expert advice to employers, employees and the self employed. To achieve this objective, the authority provides a number of information services as follows.

The authority operates "Infotel" a telephone information line where routine queries relating to workplace health and safety are dealt with. In 2003, 24,000 such queries were dealt with, a large increase in call volume over previous years. The authority's website www.hsa.ie contains a huge variety of information and expert advice on safety issues across a range of sectors. In 2003, the site had a high volume of users with 345,000 individual visits made to the site.

The authority produces a range of publications, many of which can be downloaded directly from the Internet. They include guidance material on various statutory instruments, codes of practice and informational booklets. In regard to publications produced by the authority, many are available free of charge as printed copy or as downloads from its website. The authority also produces a range of free promotional and informational materials such as bookmarks, posters and so forth, as well as a quarterly newsletter which is distributed free of charge to a large readership. In addition, the authority makes available a range of corporate publications such as its annual reports, programmes of work, corporate plan and so forth.

However, the exceptionally high demand for the information referred to places great demands on the authority's resources, which must be distributed across all its information services to satisfy the demands of its customers. Given this, there are limitations to the amount of publications which can be made available free of charge and a number of the authority's publications are priced so an efficient service can continue to be provided to its customers. Where publications produced by the authority are priced, the prices charged are set to ensure value for money for its customers and cover the costs of production, including research, copy editing, typesetting, design and printing. A discount of 20% is offered for all downloads from the website. A summary list of the authority's main free publications is included in Appendix 1.

Appendix 1 — Main Free Publications

Children and Safety on Farms — an introductory guide to managing child safety on the farm.

Farm Safety Plan 2003-2007 — This book lists the actions agreed between state agencies and farmers' representative organisations to reduce farm accidents.

Play Safe Stay Safe on The Farm — A short leaflet designed to raise a child's awareness about safety on the farm.

Farm Safety Self-Assessment Document — This practical document is designed to help the farmer manage health and safety on the farm.

Construction Safety Partnership Plan 2003-2005

This publication sets out the goals of the CSP for safety in the construction industry for the years 2003-2005.

Construction Safety Partnership Plan 2000-2002

This publication lists the actions agreed on construction safety between 2000-2002

Construction Safety Partnership Progress Report 2001

This publication covers the progress made on the CSP plan 2000-2002.

Fatal Accidents in The Irish Construction Industry 1991-2001: A Survey of Contributing Factors

A report prepared for the Health and Safety Authority which examines the factors contributing to fatalities in the Irish construction industry for the period 1991-2001.

Safety and Health on Construction Projects — The Role of Clients

This leaflet provides a summary of the client's role under the Safety Health and Welfare at Work (Construction) Regulations, 2001 (S.I. No. 481 of 2001).

Safety Behaviour in The Construction Industry

The Health and Safety Executive Northern Ireland combined with the Health and Safety Authority to fund the research for this project.

Safety With Asbestos.

This booklet gives an introduction to the issue of asbestos and the safety implications of working with asbestos.

All Clear — Best Practice in Surface Blasting Operations

Produced by Irish Industrial Explosives in association with the Health and Safety Authority, this is available to order in either VHS video or CD-Rom format.

Guidance For Carrying Out Risk Assessment at Surface Mining Operations — download only

This publication set out basic advice for carrying out a risk assessment at surface mining operations.

Guidance on the Safe use of Explosives in Quarries — Download only

This report provides guidance on the safe use of explosives in quarries.

Guidance to ensure Safe Use of Large Vehicles and Earth-moving Equipment in Quarries — Download only

This guide deals with the key elements in carrying out a risk assessment with regards to vehicle safety.

Chemwise — At Work At Home You Use Chemicals

This leaflet gives an introduction to the safe use of chemicals. It explains the labelling system on hazardous chemicals and outlines the meaning of each label so that health is not affected through incorrect use.

Use Chemicals Safely

This leaflet contains information on the "dos" and "don'ts" of using chemicals. It explains the meaning of chemical symbols and stresses the importance of reading the labels.

Wetstock Inventory Control for Petrol Stations — Download only.

This booklet gives guidance on how to detect a leaky tank by carrying out a wetstock inventory control.

Fishing Vessel Safety Statement

This leaflet provides a safety checklist identifying groups of frequently encountered hazards on fishing vessels.

Guidelines to First Aid at Places of Work — Download only.

This book covers all issues associated with the provision of first aid in the workplace.

Is Your Work Making You Deaf?

This leaflet contains basic information on the risks associated with noise in the workplace.

Occupational Asthma — An Employees Guide

This leaflet gives employees basic information on work related asthma.

Occupational Asthma — An Employers Guide

This leaflet explains employers' duties in relation to occupational asthma.

Report of the Health Effects of Environmental Tobacco Smoke in the Workplace — Download only.

This report goes through the findings of the expert group which assessed the impact of environmental tobacco smoke in the workplace.

Summary of the Report on the Health Effects of Environmental Tobacco Smoke (ETS) In the Workplace.

This is a summary of the main report on ETS in the workplace.

Carbon Monoxide — The Silent Killer.

This is an illustrated leaflet aimed at highlighting the dangers of carbon monoxide in confined spaces.

Safety and Workplace Vehicles — Out of stock

This leaflet provides practical advice on the safety implications of using vehicles in the workplace.

Health and Safety at Work — Retail and Distribution Sectors

This is an information pack for the retail and distribution sectors, download only.

The HSA and You!

This leaflet provides an overview of the Health and Safety Authority and gives a brief outline employers' and employees' duties under the legislation.

Tú Féin agus an HSA!

As Gaeilge, as above.

Decentralisation Programme.

John Bruton

Question:

64 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Defence his plans for the staff of his Department who opt to remain in Dublin after the headquarters of the Department has been moved out of Dublin in accordance with decentralisation; the work they will do if they will remain with his Department; and where they will be accommodated. [14927/04]

Minister for Defence (Mr. M. Smith)

The Government has decided that all my Department's Dublin based Civil Service posts will transfer to Newbridge, County Kildare, and that the Defence Forces headquarters will transfer to the Curragh, County Kildare. Civil and military working groups have been set up to consider the practical aspects of the decentralisation programme.

John Bruton

Question:

65 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Defence the number of vacant posts in his Department; if competition for these posts is to be confined; if same are willing to move to the decentralised location of his Department at the appropriate time. [14931/04]

Minister for Defence (Mr. M. Smith)

Vacancies arise from time to time in my Department and at present there are six vacant posts. Vacancies are filled by means of an agreed sequencing system either by the assignment of candidates who are successful at interdepartmental competitions organised by the office of the Civil Service and Local Appointments Commission or by internal promotion mechanisms. It is not known at this stage whether any of the potential candidates are willing to move to Newbridge.

Ministerial Correspondence.

John Bruton

Question:

66 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Defence the number of times he has issued written directions to his Secretary General, within the meaning of sections 4 to 6 of the Public Service Management Act 1997; and the nature and purpose of each such direction. [14944/04]

Minister for Defence (Mr. M. Smith)

I have not issued any such written directions.

Public Finance Procedures.

John Bruton

Question:

67 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Defence if the Secretary General brought to his attention all relevant financial consideration for decisions being taken in accordance with relevant sections of public finance procedures; and if a decision was taken in recent times where the Secretary General did not have an opportunity to comply with this aspect of public finance procedures prior to a decision being taken or announced which had financial implications. [14959/04]

Minister for Defence (Mr. M. Smith)

All decisions taken by me or the Secretary General of my Department complied with the guidelines on public financial procedures.

Departmental Committees.

John Bruton

Question:

68 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Defence the composition of the management advisory committee of his Department; the number of times it has met since its formation; the number of times he has attended it in person; and the issues it has considered. [14976/04]

Minister for Defence (Mr. M. Smith)

In addition to the Secretary General, the management advisory committee, MAC, is composed of the Department's two assistant secretaries and the head of corporate services. The committee meets on average about 16 times per year and considers and advises on the broad range of strategic and key management issues arising in defence.

I meet with the Secretary General and the MAC, with individual MAC members, with other departmental officials and with Defence Forces personnel on a daily and a weekly basis and as often as required to ensure that we deliver on the defence agenda.

Decentralisation Programme.

John Bruton

Question:

69 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Defence the implementation plan for each Department or agency under his aegis which is to be decentralised; the costs associated with the plan; and if any alteration will be needed to the multi-year financial projections of the Department or agency in question to meet any such costs. [14991/04]

Minister for Defence (Mr. M. Smith)

The implementation plan for the decentralisation of my Department is being drafted at present and will be submitted to the central decentralisation implementation group by the end of the month. The costs associated with the plan are not yet known.

Strategic Management Initiative.

John Bruton

Question:

70 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Defence the action taken by his Department on each recommendation of the PA consultancy report on the implementation of the strategic management initiative. [15021/04]

Minister for Defence (Mr. M. Smith)

My Department has been very committed to the implementation of SMI since its launch in 1994 and has fully addressed the six core themes identified by the PA evaluation report. This is evidenced in successive strategy statements published by the Department and in our annual reports, which report on progress with the implementation of the strategy statements and the defence modernisation agenda.

Further evidence can be found in the Department's modernisation action plan submitted to the Civil Service performance verification group under Sustaining Progress and in the progress reports we have submitted to the group. The action plan deals comprehensively with the public service modernisation programme, which in turn is informed by the PA evaluation. The progress report on the action plan which we prepared for the CSPVG regarding the payments due from 1 January 2004 is on the Department of Finance website. It is intended that the most recent progress report would be published in due course following a decision by the group.

John Bruton

Question:

71 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Defence if a management information framework as recommended by the Mullarkey committee has been put in place in his Department; and if he will explain the way it works. [15036/04]

Minister for Defence (Mr. M. Smith)

The management information framework, MIF, project is part of the strategic management initiative, SMI, and arose out of a report in 1999 by a financial management working group of the SMI implementation group of Secretaries General. The MIF project aims at ensuring more efficient processing of financial transactions and accounts; better decision-making about the allocation of resources; more efficient and effective management of resources once allocated; and greater transparency in, and accountability for, the use of resources.

My Department and the Defence Forces are in the process of implementing MIF. In April 2004 a contract was signed with Oracle EMEA Limited, for the supply and implementation of new financial and management information systems. The target date for the installation of the new financial system is 31 December 2004.

Departmental Committees.

John Bruton

Question:

72 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Defence if he has appointed an audit committee for his Department; its members, charter, number of meetings to date; if it has issued any reports to him or to the Secretary General. [15051/04]

Minister for Defence (Mr. M. Smith)

An audit committee was established in my Department in 1997. At present the chairman of the committee is Mr. Brian McDonnell, former chief executive of the Irish Aviation Authority. The other members are the Department's two assistant secretaries, head of corporate services and professional accountant; and the Defence Forces' deputy chief of staff — support — and director of administration. The question of appointing a further external person to the committee is under consideration.

The audit committee operates under a written charter and meets two or three times a year. The minutes of its meetings and reports produced by the internal audit unit are forwarded to the Secretary General.

Tree Felling Licences.

Trevor Sargent

Question:

73 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food his plans to review the system for tree felling licences in urban areas, particularly the complication of the multi-agency involvement of the Garda, the local planning authority and his Department. [14907/04]

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mr. Walsh)

In accordance with the Forestry Act, 1946, felling licences are not required for the felling of trees in urban areas defined under the Act as being within city, borough or town boundaries. No review of this subject is planned at present.

Trevor Sargent

Question:

74 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the need for tree felling licences has led to the practice of existing mature trees being left off drawings, hence evading planning control, and consequently resulting in the destruction of aesthetic and environmental capital; and if he has plans to ensure the prosecution of offenders and monitoring of these abuses. [14908/04]

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mr. Walsh)

I am not aware of the practice described by the Deputy. In cases of infringement of the Forestry Act 1946 as for example with alleged illegal felling, my Department's policy, as in the past, is to investigate with a view to prosecution. Documentation submitted in support of planning applications is a matter, in the first instance, for the relevant planning authority.

Decentralisation Programme.

John Bruton

Question:

75 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food his plans for the staff of his Department who opt to remain in Dublin after the headquarters of the Department has been moved out of Dublin in accordance with decentralisation; the work they will do if they will remain with his Department; and where they will be accommodated. [14928/04]

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mr. Walsh)

The headquarters of my Department is to decentralise to Portlaoise under the Government's decentralisation programme. After the decentralisation programme is implemented my Department will have no staff in Dublin other than in the Dublin local office in Tallaght and those involved in inspection duties in the ports, airport and commercial food premises.

The central application facility, CAF, was launched by the Civil Service Commission last week. This enables public servants to apply for decentralisation to any Department or office. Staff opting to remain in Dublin will be able to avail of a system similar to the CAF. This system will identify their preferences for vacancies arising as a result of other staff opting to decentralise.

John Bruton

Question:

76 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the number of vacant posts in his Department; if competition for these posts is to be confined; if some are willing to move to the decentralised location of his Department at the appropriate time. [14933/04]

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mr. Walsh)

My Department is implementing the Government's decentralisation programme and it is our policy to require new recruits to commit themselves to relocate from Dublin to a decentralised location in due course. We are in the process of filling 20 posts in Dublin at present.

Pest Control.

Trevor Sargent

Question:

77 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if he will provide an update on the threat posed by the spread of Australian and Irish flatworms to Irish agriculture; if he will review his policy of 2003 on this matter which envisaged no measures to counter the threat; and in view of the willingness of the public to support measures against FMD, if he will become proactive in a similar way to counter the flatworm threat. [14934/04]

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mr. Walsh)

The Australian flatworm, like the New Zealand flatworm, is a predator of earthworms. It does not affect plants and accordingly does not come within the scope of EU plant health regulations for which my Department has statutory responsibility. It also falls outside the scope of EU environmental regulations.

I am aware that the non-indigenous flatworm has been recorded at several sites in this country in recent years. There is no known control method apart from trapping the flatworms and physically destroying them. Despite implementing stringent plant health controls relating to imported plant material into the country, it is widely accepted that the Australian flatworm is not a plant health issue. It is an environmental one for which there are no practical, enforceable measures possible to prevent its entrance or spread within the EU. The Irish flatworm does not pose a threat to our native earthworm population.

Departmental Correspondence.

John Bruton

Question:

78 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the number of times he has issued written directions to his Secretary General, within the meaning of sections 4 to 6 of the Public Service Management Act 1997; and the nature and purpose of each such direction. [14945/04]

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mr. Walsh)

Other than normal routine correspondence on case files in my Department, I have not found it necessary to issue directions to the Secretary General within the meaning of sections 4 to 6 of the Public Service Management Act 1997.

Public Finance Procedures.

John Bruton

Question:

79 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if the Secretary General brought to his attention all relevant financial considerations for decisions being taken in accordance with relevant sections of public finance procedures; and if a decision was taken in recent times where the Secretary General did not have an opportunity to comply with this aspect of public finance procedures prior to a decision being taken or announced which had financial implications. [14960/04]

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mr. Walsh)

All relevant financial considerations are taken into account in the preparation and implementation of policy proposals in the Department of Agriculture and Food as a matter of normal and ongoing practice. Where appropriate, these issues are drawn to my attention in accordance with public financial procedures. This has been the case with regard to decisions taken in recent times.

Departmental Bodies.

John Bruton

Question:

80 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the composition of the management advisory committee of his Department; the number of times it has met since its formation; the number of times he has attended it in person; and the issues it has considered. [14977/04]

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mr. Walsh)

The members of the management advisory committee of my Department, which has been in existence for many years, are the Secretary General, the chief veterinary officer, the chief inspector and the nine assistant secretaries. The committee meets on a regular basis — at least once per fortnight — and more frequently if required. Together with the Ministers of State, I attend the committee about once per quarter and more frequently as necessary.

The committee considers a range of strategic, policy, organisational and financial issues at each meeting. During my attendance, it tends to focus on more strategic issues which in recent times have included such matters as the mid-term review of the CAP, developments in the agri-food industry, preparation for the Presidency and our expenditure situation. I have, of course, direct contact with members of the management committee on a day-to-day basis.

Decentralisation Programme.

John Bruton

Question:

81 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the implementation plan for each Department or agency under his aegis which is to be decentralised; the costs associated with the plan; and if any alteration will be needed to the multi-year financial projections of the Department or agency in question to meet any such costs. [14992/04]

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mr. Walsh)

The decentralisation implementation group chaired by Mr. Philip Flynn has requested each Department and agency to submit its implementation plan by the end of May 2004. Work has already commenced on the production of these plans in my Department and the relevant agencies. All issues relevant to decentralisation, including people, property and business with appropriate indicative timescales for the completion of the move will be examined. The plan will also incorporate specific risk assessment and mitigation strategies. The cost of preparing the plans will not be significant and can be met from existing resources.

I am not in a position at this stage to comment on the possible associated costs on a multi-annual basis. Rented office space in the Dublin area is, in general, significantly more expensive than that available in areas outside the capital. In the case of existing accommodation in Dublin which is owned by the State, the combined site and building values can be expected to generate significant funds to remunerate the cost of alternative accommodation in the regions.

Strategic Management Initiative.

John Bruton

Question:

82 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the action taken by his Department on each recommendation of the PA Consultancy report on the implementation of the strategic management initiative. [15022/04]

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mr. Walsh)

The key recommendations contained in the PA consultancy report, in so far as they relate to my Department, have been implemented or are being progressed. My Department has been progressive in developing financial management systems, in further developing quality customer service initiatives and in participating in pilot projects in relation to the strategic management initiative. A comprehensive report on progress made on the initiative in 2003 has been prepared by my Department for the Civil Service performance verification group. This report is available on the Department of Finance website. I refer the Deputy to this site at http://finance.gov.ie which also contains the progress reports prepared by all Departments on this issue. Further progress reports will be published on this web site in June 2004.

Departmental Procedures.

John Bruton

Question:

83 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if a management information framework as recommended by the Mullarkey committee has been put in place in his Department; and if he will explain the way it works. [15037/04]

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mr. Walsh)

My Department is at an advanced stage in the implementation of the management information framework and an internal steering committee has been established to oversee its further development. The Department has installed a modern and flexible accounts system which is capable of generating information on both a cash and accruals basis. The system was further upgraded in 2003 to provide for additional functionality in the areas of asset management, purchase order processing and accounts receivable. To date, over 1,000 staff members have been trained in the use of the system for processing transactions and producing financial management information. My Department will also soon commence the implementation of an expanded financial management training programme for key staff. The Department has also developed a range of performance indicators as part of its business planning and customer service processes. This work is being further refined in the context of the implementation of the management information framework.

Departmental Committees.

John Bruton

Question:

84 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if he has appointed an audit committee for his Department; its members, charter, number of meetings to date; if it has issued any reports to him or to the Secretary General. [15052/04]

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mr. Walsh)

An audit committee was established by my Department in 1994. The current members of the committee are Mr. J. Donnelly, chairman of the audit committee and deputy chairman of Hypo Real Estate Bank International, Professor Niamh Brennan, UCD, Mr. Carey from the Department of Finance, Mr. Downes from CIE, Mr. O'Connor from the Revenue Commissioners and Mr. O'Driscoll an assistant secretary at the Department of Agriculture and Food. The committee operates under a charter and has held 43 meetings since its inception. The committee publishes an annual report which is presented to both the Minister and the Secretary General.

Grant Payments.

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mr. Walsh)

I understand that there are legal proceedings involved in this case. As a result, my Department is not in a position to identify the person entitled to payment of grants and accordingly payment must be withheld until the dispute is resolved.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

86 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the level of participation in sugar beet growing in 2004 as compared with previous years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15099/04]

Willie Penrose

Question:

85 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the reason a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary has not received beef premium and extensification payments for the past three years; and if and when these payments will issue. [15089/04]

Sugar Beet Production.

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mr. Walsh)

The area under sugar beet in 2004 and recent years together with the number of growers involved in Ireland is as follows:

Year	Area (hectares)	Number of Growers
2004	31,500	3,716
2003	31,500	3,705
2002	31,000	3,716
2001	31,070	3,736

As the Deputy will be aware, the production of sugar in all member states of the European Union is regulated by the EU sugar regime, which specifies a sugar quota for each country. Under the terms of the regulations, the sugar quota is allocated by the member state to the sugar manufacturing enterprises on its territory. In Ireland's case, the quota is allocated to Irish Sugar limited, the only manufacturer of sugar in the country. It is a matter for the company to place contracts with growers to grow sugar beet sufficient to allow for production of the national sugar quota. The quota is reviewed each year in the context of the Community's World Trade Organisation obligations. In recent years, some reduction in quota was necessary. Despite this the area devoted to the growing of sugar beet has remained remarkably consistent.

Dairy Sector.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

87 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food his plans to encourage ongoing participation in the dairy industry with particular reference to the need to encourage young persons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15100/04]

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mr. Walsh)

The changes I introduced to the milk quota regime in Ireland in 2000 have been very successful in achieving the overall objective of putting quota definitively in the hands of active committed producers at the lowest possible cost. The milk quota restructuring scheme is now the principal means by which additional milk quota is acquired by producers. Under the scheme, priority in the allocation of quota is given to specific categories of producers and in particular to new and recent entrants to dairying.

In 2000, I put in place a scheme for the allocation of 5 million gallons of the additional quota negotiated under Agenda 2000 to young milk producers who satisfied certain defined criteria. The 3,099 eligible applicants each received an allocation of 1,700 gallons. Furthermore, in 2001 an additional 4.5 million gallons was allocated to young farmer, and 3,442 applicants each received an extra 1,300 gallons under that scheme. I have also provided for milk production partnerships within the quota system to allow for flexibility in farming practice by combining two enterprises and quotas. Standard milk production partnerships were provided for in 2002. Following a review of the first year of the operation of the partnerships, I introduced new regulations to provide for the registration of new entrant-parent milk production partnerships. These arrangements allow a qualified young farmer to be part of a milk production enterprise in partnership with his or her parent without having to establish separate facilities.

Such partnerships provide an opportunity for trained young farmers to get established in the industry and have access to quota, as a priority category, under a milk quota restructuring scheme. In the light of experience, I have introduced some further flexibility into the partnership arrangements. In the new milk quota regulations which I signed in the last few weeks, I have made a number of amendments designed to help prospective partners.

Partnership arrangements within the milk quota system have a very useful role to play in providing for the type of flexibility necessary to respond to the demands on today's milk producers. The uptake in the new entrant-parent partnerships has been particularly encouraging. I will continue to keep the arrangement under review to ensure it is best suited to the needs of the sector.

Food Industry.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

88 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if he has satisfied himself that the production, slaughter and processing of all meat and poultry imported into this country has been subject to best practice; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15101/04]

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mr. Walsh)

Detailed EU legislation lays down the conditions member states must apply to the production of and trade in products of animal origin, including meat, as well as to imports of these products from third countries. Under harmonised legislation, a series of health and supervisory requirements are applied in member states to ensure that animal products are produced to standards that guarantee the safety of food and the protection of human and animal health. The application of these standards is monitored by the Food and Veterinary Office, FVO, of the EU. It is a requirement that animal products imported from third countries meet standards at least equivalent to those required for production in and trade between member states. All meat imports must come from third countries or areas of third countries approved for export to the EU.

An approved third country must appear on a list drawn up and updated on the basis of EU audits and guarantees given by the competent authority of the exporting country; have veterinary controls equivalent to those applicable in the EU, particularly in terms of legislation, hygiene conditions, animal health status, veterinary medicines controls, zoonoses controls and other food law and a residues programme approved by the European Commission must be in place. The meat must be sourced from approved establishments and bear an EU approved health mark. Exporting establishments must have standards equivalent to the requirements for EU export establishments; effective control systems and supervision by the competent authorities; and traceability and labelling in accordance with the systems approved by the FVO and accepted and notified to EU member states.

The FVO carries out inspections to ensure that only establishments which meet hygiene and health standards equivalent to those operating within the EU are approved. Where the FVO considers that public health requirements are not being met, an establishment may be removed from the EU approved list. If outbreaks of animal diseases occur in a third country, approval to export to the EU is suspended for the infected regions of the country or the whole country as appropriate until the disease risk has been eliminated.

Importers of meat must be registered with my Department. They are required to give advance notice of importation and, following import, are required to keep records of importation available for inspection by the Department for a period of three years. Imported meat must be accompanied by the appropriate commercial documentation showing country and approval number of the establishment of production and, in the case of meat imported from third countries, a health certificate conforming to the models set down in EU legislation. The meat must also be labelled. While there is free movement for trade within the EU, all consignments from third countries must first be landed at a border inspection post, BIP, which has been approved by the FVO and undergo documentary, identity and physical checks. These are carried out at frequencies laid down in EU law. In Ireland, BIPs approved for the processing imports of animal products are located at Dublin Port and Shannon Airport. The FVO carries out monitoring and inspection of each member state's BIPs to ensure the conditions for import of animal products into Europe, provided under the harmonised legislation, are being correctly applied.

Once it has been established that imported meat has met all the required conditions, it is released for free circulation within the community. Copies of the BIP clearance document and the health certificate must accompany the consignment to its destination. Imports failing to comply with these veterinary control checks may be detained for further examination. If non-compliance is established, they are returned to the exporting country or destroyed. Where there are concerns with regard to the effectiveness of controls being operated in an approved third country the Commission, in consultation with the standing committee on animal health and the food chain, may introduce specific controls by means of a safeguard measure to ensure the protection of human and animal health. Safeguard measures limiting or banning the export of animal products from EU countries or regions of countries may also be implemented where, for example, the conditions of an animal disease outbreak could seriously effect production and trade in animal products in the EU.

Food Production.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

89 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if husbandry practices in the breeding, production and processing of beef, lamb and pig meat are in accord with worldwide best practice; the way this can be used to enhance exports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15102/04]

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mr. Walsh)

The implementation of best practice in the breeding, production and processing of beef, lamb and pig meat is important to the continued development of the Irish meat industry. The implementation of best practice at all stages of production is a matter to which I attach great importance and to which my Department and various agencies continue to devote significant energy and resources. The future viability of meat production in Ireland is dependent on producing a high quality product that is required by the discerning customer in the premium priced markets. Improvement in the quality of our meat production can be achieved through constant review of our breeding techniques, through the use of best practice in animal husbandry at farm level and the implementation of the most modern techniques at processing level.

Breed improvement programmes with clearly defined objectives are being implemented nationally with the full support of my Department and provide a real opportunity to achieve significant progress in breed improvement over the coming years. The contribution of the Irish Cattle Breeders' Federation in this area is significant. These programmes are subject to constant review and updating in the context of changing market requirements and are tailored to meet the demands of modern farming systems.

Through its national research and advisory programmes, Teagasc and other agricultural organisations ensure that the most modern production techniques are made available to producers at farm level. At processing level, there is now increased emphasis on improved processing techniques and research and development of new and innovative products. Teagasc is to the forefront of making a significant contribution in the area of meat product development.

Consumer confidence in our products is underpinned by animal product traceability and quality assurance. My Department has made a major contribution in this vital area over the past number of years and the fruits of this investment are evident by the fact that our meat products can compete favourably in all of the premium markets throughout the world. Ireland is in a position to provide consumers with the maximum possible guarantees about the safety of Irish meat products. Bord Bia, the body charged with promoting the sale of Irish meat and other food products both at home and worldwide, in partnership with our food companies has been successful in promoting Irish meat.

Meat Imports.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

90 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the extent to which carcase meat is imported; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15103/04]

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mr. Walsh)

The Central Statistics Office is responsible for the collection of statistics for imports of meat. The following information has been extracted for the imports of carcase and half carcase meat during 2002 and 2003:

2002

Species	Total Tonnes	EU	Non-EU
Beef	258	258
Pigmeat	923	923
Sheepmeat	164	162	2

2003

Species	Total Tonnes	EU	Non-EU
Beef	196	196
Pigmeat	515	515
Sheepmeat	343	315	28

Cattle and Sheep Identification Schemes.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

91 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the extent to which traceability procedures are operating in the cattle and sheep industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15104/04]

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mr. Walsh)

My Department maintains a fully functional database, the cattle movement monitoring system, for the identification and tracing of bovine animals. It provides general assurances to consumers about the origin and identification of Irish beef. Its primary aim is to provide a comprehensive central database of the origin, identity and life history of cattle but the uses and value of the system have gone well beyond the original design. The system is routinely used for contact tracing for animal diseases such as BSE and brucellosis and to assist in the testing and certification requirements of a variety of schemes such as certification of beef for Russia, determination of age for BSE testing, etc. It has become an integral part of the ante-mortem process at factories and pre-export clearance for live exports. It is employed as a marketing tool for Ireland's beef export industry. It is also used to an increasing extent to provide statistical information to the cattle and beef industry to assist in breeding, production and marketing decisions.

The system is used systematically for livestock premium payments, the establishment of premium entitlements direct from the system and the provision of ongoing data to farmers on the number and status of animals in their herds. The provision of regular printouts to farmers of their herd profile highlights any anomalies in animal origin and location and allows for follow-up of discrepancies. My Department is working with marts to introduce an on-line facility that will instantly update the database when the movement of the animal takes place.

In the wake of the foot and mouth disease crisis of 2001, I introduced the comprehensive national sheep identification system which provides full individual identification and traceability of sheep from farm of origin to carcase and which is designed to be multi-functional, facilitating aspects such as flock management, consumer assurance and disease monitoring and control. The system encompasses flock owners, producers, marts, slaughter plants and others.

Since 21 June 2001 all sheep must be tagged on movement off farm with a tag bearing the country code for Ireland, the flock number of the farm and an individual number. Details of all sheep on farm and of all movements on and off farm must be recorded by flock owners in their flock register. In addition, each consignment of sheep moving off a holding must be accompanied by a dispatch document detailing the holding of dispatch and individual identification numbers of each sheep in the consignment. Under the terms of the national sheep identification system, slaughter plants must record the country code, the flock number and the individual number and this information must be shown on a label on the finished carcase. In the case of imported sheep details from the tag of the country of origin must be recorded on a label on the carcase. All sheep remaining on farms must be tagged at the latest by 15 December. So far over 23 million tags have been processed for flock owners.

Indications from inspections carried out by my Department at slaughter plants and marts, on-farm inspections as well as feedback from other sources, are that there is a high level of compliance with all elements of the national sheep identification system. Where instances of non-compliance are detected or reported, these will be vigorously pursued by my Department.

Both systems will continue to be required for EU identification purposes and to verify cross-compliance of farmers with statutory management requirements in the context of the single payment scheme from 1 January 2005. Ireland's cattle and sheep systems satisfy EU identification obligations and cross-compliance obligations.

The systems have improved and developed over the years and a separate project is under way to develop an up-to-date Internet-based generic computerised animal movement system. The new system will have a multi-species dimension covering cattle, sheep and pigs. It will also integrate with the animal health computer system to provide a single, consistent, source of animal data.

Cereal Growing Industry.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

92 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food his long term plans for the future of the cereal growing industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15105/04]

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mr. Walsh)

In the CAP reform negotiations, which culminated in the Luxembourg Agreement last June, Ireland's objectives for the cereals sector were achieved. The proposed reduction of 5% in the pre-Agenda 2000 intervention price for arable crops was withdrawn, and the original proposal for ten year obligatory non-rotational set-aside, which would not have been suitable in the Irish situation, was also dropped. The decision to leave the basic intervention price unchanged will help protect the sector from cheap imports, as the cereals import price is related to the intervention price.

Under the reformed CAP, Irish cereal farmers will have the cushion of the single farm payment decoupled from production as and from 1 January 2005, and will be able to concentrate on supplying markets, focusing on minimising production costs and maximising their incomes. Improved efficiency of production at farm level will be important to maintain incomes, and to ensure that the volume of output is maintained to support the processing sector. Average grain production in the country over the past number of years has been in the region of 2,000,000 tonnes and the aim is to maintain this level of production in order to avoid over dependence on imported grain.

My Department continues to operate a range of services aimed at improving the efficiency, quality and viability of cereal production. These services include seed certification, seed testing, recommended lists of varieties, etc. In addition, Teagasc provides comprehensive research, training and advisory services for cereal producers. The value of all these support services is reflected in the fact that Irish cereal producers have consistently achieved some of the highest yields in the world. I am satisfied the outlook for cereal growing in Ireland is positive and Irish cereal producers are well positioned to meet the competitive challenges ahead.

Food Industry.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

93 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the extent to which beef, lamb and pigmeat suppliers are competitive on the world market; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15106/04]

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mr. Walsh)

The focus of the Irish beef industry has been to broaden and expand its market reach at EU retail level, shifting its orientation away from international commodity markets and into the higher priced internal EU marketplace. This contrasts with the situation that prevailed throughout the 1990s when the industry exported 50% of its products into non-EU markets. Last year, this share dropped to just 17% while the EU share increased proportionately. These increased sales into continental Europe coincide with the emergence of an EU market deficit in beef for the first time in 25 years together with falling production levels aligned with a strong recovery in consumption.

While there is greater reliance on EU markets, non-EU markets continue to be important for the beef industry. We have demonstrated the strength of our product and of out marketing capabilities by maintaining a valuable presence on the Russian market against strong competition from other EU member states and South America. The Irish industry is now well placed to consolidate this position, having demonstrated the quality and safety of Irish beef through its broad appeal to EU consumers. A targeted approach based on quality production represents the best and most profitable way forward to the Irish industry. This in turn highlights the importance of good breeding policies, payment related to quality and modern techniques which mechanical grading will provide.

High value markets, such as that which exists within the EU, will attract competitively priced product from a range of markets, most particularly from South America. I believe the best way to withstand such competition and build on our own already strong presence there is for our beef industry to maximise its efficiency levels at all stages and continue to offer the type and quality of product required by the market.

In the sheepmeat sector Irish exports are confined to EU countries, where France is the main outlet, accounting for 70% of total exports. Consumption in this market is falling and there is strong competition from UK and New Zealand. Nevertheless Ireland is the third largest import supplier to France. Though consumption in France is expected to recover somewhat in 2004, increased supplies from the UK and New Zealand will make the market there even more competitive. Continued strong demand on the home market which has taken an increased share of overall production in recent years will reduce the quantities available for export and lessen our dependence on the French market.

The pigmeat industry has demonstrated its competitiveness by maintaining exports at a generally steady level over recent years. The importance of actively working to achieve better competitiveness, particularly at processing level, was highlighted in the Prospectus study. In some markets, particularly in third countries, Irish exports must compete with product from existing and newly emerging supplier countries with a much lower cost base. Greater trade liberalisation and the growing ability of new producer countries to meet veterinary standards will mean that greater quantities of pigmeat will be available for international trade. Bord Bia has identified as strategic priorities for the Irish pigmeat industry the improvement of its positioning on the home market as well as the development of profitable niche markets abroad.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

94 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if Irish suppliers of meat, dairy and other food products are given an equal opportunity to tender to supply the major food chains; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15107/04]

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

95 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if Irish food suppliers have equal opportunity to supply the market with particular reference to the major chain stores; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15108/04]

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mr. Walsh)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 94 and 95 together.

Total output of the food industry is valued at €15 billion, of which exports account for €7 billion. Ireland is an open economy and the future of Irish food producers and the industry lies in access to all markets, at home and abroad, and an emphasis by all players on competitiveness, innovation and understanding of market trends. My strategy and that of the State agencies is to underpin the ongoing success of the food sector by facilitating the industry to maintain competitiveness and capacity to meet the demands of the market in terms of quality, convenience, price and product specification.

Accordingly, significant funding is available under the national development plan for capital investment, research, technology and innovation, marketing and promotion and human resources. The specific food related initiatives in the national development plan provide funding to improve the quality and marketability of Irish food produce. For example, over €7 million in aid is being provided for the capital investment scheme alone in 2004 to assist Irish producers to meet the standards of safety and quality demanded by consumers. A further €11 million is being provided under the food institutional research measure to fund public good research by third level institutions and Teagasc.

Statutory responsibility for instituting action in relation to any possible lack of access or unequal opportunity on the domestic market rests with the Competition Authority to whom any evidence of untoward trading should be addressed.

Genetically Modified Organisms.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

96 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the position on the growth and sale of genetically modified foods here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15109/04]

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mr. Walsh)

In Ireland, responsibility for the deliberate release of genetically modified seeds into the environment comes under the Environmental Protection Agency, and once approved, responsibility for regulating the actual cultivation and coexistence of the approved genetically modified crop with non-genetically modified crops rests with the Department of Agriculture and Food. An interdepartmental and interagency working group has been established in my Department to develop proposals for a national strategy and best practices on such co-existence. No genetically modified crops have been approved for cultivation and placing on the market in Ireland.

Responsibility for aspects relating to the authorisation and labelling of genetically modified food rests with the Department of Health and Children and the Food Safety Authority of Ireland. There are stringent safeguards in place regarding the authorisation and labelling and traceability requirements for genetically modified food. The recent decision by the EU Commission to authorise Bt11 genetically modified sweetcorn for food use was based on scientific risk assessments undertaken by the Netherlands food assessment body and the EU scientific committee on food. The product will be labelled as a genetically modified organism so the consumer can exert choice.

EU Directives.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

97 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the extent to which the nitrates directive is likely to affect agricultural production; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15110/04]

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mr. Walsh)

The implementation of the nitrates directive is in a matter for the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. The Department in conjunction with my Department and in consultation with Teagasc is preparing an action programme to give effect to the directive for presentation to the European Commission for approval. At the same time, and in keeping with the undertaking given in Sustaining Progress, proposals will be submitted to the Commission seeking approval for farmers to be allowed to operate at a level up to 250 kilograms of organic nitrogen to the hectare under appropriate conditions. In view of the unique characteristics of Irish agriculture, the objective is to achieve approval for appropriate derogation arrangements can be achieved that underpins the future of our commercial agriculture sector.

Grant Payments.

Michael Ring

Question:

98 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if a person (details supplied) in County Cork is in receipt of payments under REP scheme on lands. [15120/04]

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mr. Walsh)

The person named is a participant in REPs.

Departmental Staff.

John Bruton

Question:

99 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Finance the number of times he has issued written directions to his Secretary General, within the meaning of sections 4 to 6 of the Public Service Management Act 1997; and the nature and purpose of each such direction. [14946/04]

Minister for Finance (Mr. McCreevy)

Section 7 of the Public Service Management Act 1997 provides that "Subject to any other Act but not withstanding anything in this Act, the Minister of the Government having charge of a Department or a Scheduled Office may, in writing, give directions to the Secretary General of the Department or Head of the Scheduled Office in connection with the obligations of the Secretary or Head under sections 4 to 6, other than section 4(1)(h).” I have issued no such written direction.

Public Finance Procedures.

John Bruton

Question:

100 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Finance if the Secretary General brought to his attention all relevant financial consideration for decisions being taken in accordance to relevant sections of public finance procedures; and if a decision was taken in recent times where the Secretary General did not have an opportunity to comply with this aspect of public finance procedures prior to a decision being taken or announced which had financial implications. [14961/04]

Minister for Finance (Mr. McCreevy)

I am well aware of the requirement in the public financial procedures for accounting officers to ensure that all relevant financial considerations are taken fully into account — and, where necessary, brought to the attention of Ministers — in regard to the preparation and implementation of policy proposals relating to expenditure or income. I can confirm that this requirement is met in my Department.

Departmental Committees.

John Bruton

Question:

101 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Finance the composition of the management advisory committee of his Department; the number of times it has met since its formation; the number of times he has attended it in person; and the issues it has considered. [14978/04]

Minister for Finance (Mr. McCreevy)

A management advisory committee, MAC, has been in place in the Department of Finance for many years. The MAC currently comprises the Secretary General of the Department, the Secretary General — public service management and development, the three second secretaries general, the head of corporate services division and the assistant secretaries, who attend on a rotating basis. The MAC normally meets each week and in addition to my regular meetings with senior management I also meet the MAC formally on a regular basis. The MAC considers all the issues relating to the management and functional responsibilities of the Department.

Decentralisation Programme.

John Bruton

Question:

102 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Finance the implementation plan for each Department or agency under his aegis which is to be decentralised; the costs associated with the plan; and if any alteration will be needed to the multi-year financial projections of the Department or agency in question to meet any such costs. [14993/04]

Minister for Finance (Mr. McCreevy)

As the Deputy is aware, my Department and agencies under the aegis of my Department which are to be decentralised are preparing implementation plans in accordance with the recommendations of the decentralisation implementation group — the Flynn group — and these will be forwarded to the group at the end of the month. No costs have arisen to date as a result of preparing these plans.

Interdepartmental Committees.

John Bruton

Question:

103 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Finance if he will list the number of meetings in the past year of each interdepartmental committee or body on which his Department is represented; the frequency and location of its meetings; and where it is intended those meetings will take place after decentralisation. [15008/04]

Minister for Finance (Mr. McCreevy)

As indicated in a reply to a previous parliamentary question, reference number 30860/03, officials of my Department are currently members of some 170 interdepartmental committees, working groups or bodies.

It is not possible to be definitive at this time about the post-decentralisation position on the number of such committees and the frequency and location of their meetings. These are matters that will only emerge in due course. These meetings are currently held mainly in Dublin and while the frequency of meetings varies, one meeting per month per committee would be a reasonable average at present. After decentralisation, the location and frequency of meetings will necessarily take account of the location of the Departments involved.

In that context, I direct the Deputy's attention to paragraph 3.20 of the report of the decentralisation implementation group, dated 31 March 2004, which specifically addresses the issue of cross-organisational collaboration. As the group points out, there are steps that can be taken to minimise the amount of travel that would otherwise arise without necessarily weakening cross-departmental collaboration. I expect decentralisation to act as a catalyst for this type of change.

Strategic Management Initiative.

John Bruton

Question:

104 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Finance the action taken by his Department on each recommendation of the PA consultancy report on the implementation of the strategic management initiative. [15023/04]

Minister for Finance (Mr. McCreevy)

The report, Evaluation of the Strategic Management Initiative, which was presented to the Department of the Taoiseach by PA Consulting was a review of progress made on a process which had been under way for a number of years. It concluded that further progress was needed under all components of the initiative and that accelerated progress was required in three areas, namely, human resource management, financial management and information systems management. Accordingly, the consultants made wide-ranging recommendations relating to these and the other components of SMI/DBG.

These recommendations are being advanced through the secretaries general implementation group and the thematic sub-groups which report to it. Sustaining Progress has given a strong impetus to this process by incorporating many of the PA recommendations into the sectoral modernisation agenda for the Civil Service, which is set out in section 22 of the agreement.

As the Deputy is aware, payment to the staff in my Department of most of the benchmarking increases and all of the general round increases provided for in Sustaining Progress is dependent on satisfactory progress being achieved by the Department on this agenda, as well as co-operation with flexibility and ongoing change and stable industrial relations. This progress must be achieved in the elements of the agenda for which it is responsible, which affect the whole Civil Service, as well as in its own specific internal commitments. My Department's first progress report, which detailed the progress achieved in 2003, is available on the Department's website. Its second progress report will also be published as soon as the second phase of the verification process is complete.

Management Information Framework.

John Bruton

Question:

105 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Finance if a management information framework, as recommended by the Mullarkey committee, has been put in place in his Department; and if he will explain the way it works. [15038/04]

Minister for Finance (Mr. McCreevy)

The principal aim of the management information framework, MIF, initiative is that Departments and Government offices systematically produce and use management information, both financial and non-financial, to monitor and where possible improve their performance in achieving their objectives. The report of the working group on the accountability of Secretaries General and accounting officers, the Mullarkey report, recommended, inter alia, that Secretaries General give priority to the implementation of MIF in their Departments.

The first requirement of the MIF initiative is that Departments have modern financial management systems. The Government has directed that installation of such systems be completed by Departments by the end of 2004. My Department completed installation of such a system at the end of last year and the new system is producing improved information on financial performance. As well as being available as appropriate for use by line managers, this information is summarised into a financial report submitted to my Department's management advisory committee, MAC, each month.

The next stage of the MIF initiative is to decide on the non-financial performance information required and to ensure mechanisms are in place to produce it, to design management reports which will combine that information with the financial information now available, and to produce such reports systematically for use by line managers and the MAC. My Department is commencing work on this stage of the initiative.

Departmental Committees.

John Bruton

Question:

106 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Finance if he has appointed an audit committee for his Department; its members, charter, number of meetings to date; if it has issued any reports to him or to the Secretary General. [15053/04]

Minister for Finance (Mr. McCreevy)

The Department of Finance has had an audit committee for a number of years. It was reconstituted at the beginning of 2003 and the current membership is as follows: Mr. Michael Flynn, chairperson — director of audit, Department of Agriculture and Food; Mr. Peter Crilly — director of audit, Bank of Scotland (Ireland) Limited; Ms Anne Vaughan — principal officer, Department of Social and Family Affairs; Mr. Aidan Dunning — assistant secretary, Department of Finance; Ms Judith Brady — principal officer, Department of Finance. The audit committee operates under a charter under which a minimum of four meetings are held annually. It met five times in 2003 and its second meeting of 2004 will be held in June.

The new committee last year presented an annual report to the Secretary General of the Department for 2002 and will shortly present the report for 2003. In addition, reports on individual audits carried out under the internal audit unit's work programme are submitted to the Secretary General.

Risk Management.

John Bruton

Question:

107 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Finance if he has issued guidance to all Departments on the development of a risk assessment and management strategy, as part of its overall management strategy; and if he will lay this guidance before Dáil Éireann. [15064/04]

Minister for Finance (Mr. McCreevy)

The report of the working group on the accountability of Secretaries General and accounting officers, the Mullarkey report, recommends, inter alia, that my Department provide guidance on risk management for Departments and Government offices. My Department has produced such guidance in consultation with Departments and offices and has issued it to them. The guidance is currently being printed and the printed version is expected to be available shortly. As requested by the Deputy, when the printed version is available we will arrange to have copies placed in the Oireachtas library and sent to him. The guidance will also be put on the Department’s website, www.finance.gov.ie

Decentralisation Programme.

John Bruton

Question:

108 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Finance his plans for the expenditure of the €20 million capital allocated for up-front capital costs of decentralisation; if any of this money has been either committed or spent to date; if so, when; and where it will be spent. [15065/04]

Minister for Finance (Mr. McCreevy)

As I announced in my budget statement, €20 million has been provided in my Department's Vote for 2004 to meet any up-front capital costs arising from decentralisation. The report of the decentralisation implementation group, which was accepted by the Government in April, set out the blueprint for proceeding with decentralisation, including the option of developing new offices on sites to be acquired by OPW as well as the possibility of adapting existing buildings.

The Office of Public Works has made considerable progress on the procurement front to the extent that my Department has already sanctioned the acquisition of a six acre site in Longford at a cost of €510,000. I expect finalisation of acquisition deals to accelerate in the coming months with a consequent increase in the rate of expenditure under this heading.

Finian McGrath

Question:

109 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Minister for Finance the reason staff are being excluded from the CAF by not being given the chance to express a first preference for the location to which their job is being decentralised as without this information it is not possible to make an informed decision regarding decentralisation; and the reason he is excluding a large number of civil servants and discriminating against them by allowing some civil servants an advantage over others in that they can plan for their move before their colleagues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15088/04]

Minister for Finance (Mr. McCreevy)

Public servants who apply to participate in the decentralisation programme under the central applications facility, CAF, can express a total of ten preferences. People who apply before 8 July will get preference over those who apply later. I am aware that ICT and health sector staff are awaiting announcements on locations for their work areas. Announcements on these will be made as soon as possible so that staff can apply for the locations for which ICT and health staff are destined.

Departmental Staff.

John Bruton

Question:

110 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of times he has issued written directions to his Secretary General, within the meaning of sections 4 to 6 of the Public Service Management Act, 1997; and the nature and purpose of each such direction. [14947/04]

Minister for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Cowen)

Under the Public Service Management Act, 1997, Ministers have the following responsibilities: determining the policies to be implemented by the Department, in the light of the overall environment in which the Department operates, the programme for Government and the ongoing business of the Department; ensuring that the key departmental goals and objectives are appropriate to achieve those policies; determining, with the Secretary General, the results to be delivered to meet those goals and objectives; ensuring that strategies and systems are in place and operational to enable the Department to meet its goals and objectives and to deliver its services effectively; approving the strategy statement, with or without amendment, as the basis on which the Department is to be managed over the relevant time period; ensuring that proper arrangements have been made in the Department for the implementation and monitoring of the new management structure, in particular through delegation by the secretary general, under the Public Service Management Act; and accounting to Dáil Éireann for the administration of the Department.

Sections 4 to 6 of the Act devolve authority, responsibility and accountability to secretaries general for carrying out certain duties and management functions, including preparing and submitting strategy statements and providing progress reports to the Minister. Section 7 of the Act provides Ministers with powers of written direction to a secretary general in regard to his or her functions, excluding matters relating to the appointment, performance, discipline and dismissal of staff below the grade of principal or its equivalent.

I have not given any written directions to the Secretary General of the Department of Foreign Affairs under the provisions of the Public Service Management Act, 1997. However, all issues of policy, including goals and objectives, are regularly discussed by me with the secretary general.

Public Finance Procedures.

John Bruton

Question:

111 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if the secretary general brought to his attention all relevant financial consideration for decisions being taken in accordance to relevant sections of public finance procedures; and if a decision was taken in recent times where the secretary general did not have an opportunity to comply with this aspect of public finance procedures prior to a decision being taken or announced which had financial implications. [14962/04]

Minister for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Cowen)

I take it that the Deputy is referring to section A5.5 of the public financial procedures which states that an accounting officer should ensure that all relevant financial considerations are taken fully into account, and where necessary brought to the attention of Ministers, in relation to the preparation and implementation of policy proposals relating to expenditure or income for which he or she is accounting officer. I am satisfied that the accounting officer in the Department of Foreign Affairs has carried out this duty.

Departmental Committees.

John Bruton

Question:

112 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the composition of the management advisory committee of his Department; the number of times it has met since its formation; the number of times he has attended it in person; and the issues it has considered. [14979/04]

Minister for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Cowen)

The management advisory committee, MAC, of the Department of Foreign Affairs comprises the secretary general and the heads of each of the Department's ten divisions and of the inspection and internal audit unit. The Minister and Ministers of State also regularly attend MAC meetings.

A committee of this type has existed in the Department for more than 30 years but it has not been possible to establish the number of times it has met since its establishment. At present, and this is likely to have been the situation over the years, the MAC aims to meet approximately once every month. In 2003, for example, 11 meetings were held, three of which I and the Ministers of State attended. Three meetings have been held to date in 2004, of which I attended one. The next meeting will be held on 1 June. The number of MAC meetings held during the first half of this year has been restricted due to the travel commitments associated with the Presidency.

The issues considered by the MAC relate to its main function, which is to advise the Minister, the Ministers of State and the Secretary General on departmental policies and strategies, on progress towards achieving the objectives set out in the strategy statements of the Department and on departmental management, including, in particular, financial and human resource management.

The Deputy may wish to know that, in addition to bilateral meetings as and when required, the Secretary General also holds twice-weekly general co-ordination meetings with all heads of divisions or their Deputies present, during which the major issues of the day and ongoing issues are reviewed.

Decentralisation Programme.

John Bruton

Question:

113 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the implementation plan for each Department or agency under his aegis which is to be decentralised; the costs associated with the plan; and if any alteration will be needed to the multi-year financial projections of the Department or agency in question to meet any such costs. [14994/04]

Minister for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Cowen)

The decentralisation implementation group, established last December by the Minister for Finance, recommended in its recent report that each Department-agency should prepare its own implementation plan for decentralisation, covering human resources, accommodation and business issues, and incorporating specific risk assessment and mitigation strategies. The Department of Foreign Affairs is currently preparing such an implementation plan for the decentralisation of its Development Co-operation Directorate to Limerick. The plan is due to be submitted to the Department of Finance by the end of the month.

The Office of Public Works is responsible for the provision of office accommodation and the decentralisation of the Development Co-operation Directorate is not, therefore, expected to involve any significant additional costs for the Department.

Strategic Management Initiative.

John Bruton

Question:

114 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the action taken by his Department on each recommendation of the PA consultancy report on the implementation of the strategic management initiative. [15024/04]

Minister for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Cowen)

In July 2001, the Department of the Taoiseach commissioned PA Consulting to review progress achieved by Departments and offices under the strategic management initiative, SMI, programme. The consultants' evaluation report was published in March 2002. The main findings of the report were that the Civil Service was more effective in 2002 than it had been ten years previously, and that much of the observed change had been achieved as a direct consequence of the SMI programme. The report also concluded, however, that the implementation of the modernisation programme was not yet complete and that further progress was required across all its key components, in particular in the areas of human resource management, financial management and information systems management. The report also advocated the development of a new vision for the Civil Service for the period up to 2007.

The vast majority of the individual recommendations contained in the report were of a strategic nature, to be addressed centrally in the first instance by the Departments of the Taoiseach and Finance. Some of the recommendations, particularly those in relation to recruitment and the terms and conditions of employment of civil servants, require the enactment of new or amending legislation. The Public Service Management (Recruitment and Appointments) Bill 2003, which was published last December, has reached Fourth Stage in the Dáil. Legislation to amend the Civil Service Regulation Acts is being drafted at present and is expected to be published shortly.

The new social partnership agreement, Sustaining Progress, provides for the implementation of many of the recommendations contained in the PA Consulting report. Under the agreement, payment of both general round and benchmarking increases is dependent on verifiable progress by Departments and offices towards achieving certain specific objectives and targets. These are set out in departmental action plans approved by an independent Civil Service Performance Verification Group, CSPVG, which also monitor progress towards their achievement. The Department's first progress report was approved by the CSPVG in December of last year. Our second report was submitted to the CSPVG last month. The action plans and progress reports of all Departments and offices are published on the website of the Department of Finance.

Some of the more notable achievements of the Department of Foreign Affairs in implementing the modernisation programmes are set out as follows. A new human resource management, HRM, strategy has been put in place, providing the framework for the closer alignment of HRM policies and practices with the Department's business needs. A new promotion policy has recently been implemented, involving a shift towards more competitive, merit-based promotions, and a new training and development strategy has been developed. An integrated business planning process has been introduced, aligning individual performance with the achievement of divisional objectives and overall departmental policy goals. Improvements to visa services have been put in place including the establishment of a "one stop shop" at Burgh Quay last year, which now houses the Visa Office, the Immigration and Citizenship Division of the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform and the Garda National Immigration Bureau. Implementation of the new management information framework (MIF) commenced in January and has been substantially completed. The new system is far more efficient in terms of account processing facilities and has provided the capability to cost and monitor performance against objectives within the various areas of the Department. The Department's information and communications technology infrastructure has been significantly improved on a worldwide basis with the provision of a new e-mail system and the re-design and expansion of the Department's website. Further improvements are ongoing, including the development of an intranet site. The Department is currently engaged in a major project to improve the passport issuing system by upgrading the technologies to the most modern available. Among the benefits the new system will bring are enhanced customer service, a significant reduction in the potential for fraud and forgery and increased efficiency and effectiveness.

Management Information Framework.

John Bruton

Question:

115 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if a Management Information Framework as recommended by the Mullarkey committee has been put in place in his Department; and if he will explain the way it works. [15039/04]

Minister for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Cowen)

The management information framework (MIF) is being introduced in my Department.

The first part of the MIF involves the enhancement of financial management systems in Departments and offices. In this regard, my Department has installed a new financial system that went live on 1 January 2004. The new system will provide for more relevant, reliable and timely reporting. The remaining elements of the MIF, including the linkage of financial and non-financial reporting, will be progressed in the coming year.

Arms Trade.

John Gormley

Question:

116 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will oppose lifting the EU arms embargo on China; and if he will consult with non-governmental organisations or issue a public report before any decision is made by the EU. [15084/04]

Minister for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Cowen)

The European Council on 12 December 2003 invited the General Affairs and External Relations Council, GAERC, to re-examine the question of the embargo on the sale of arms to China. At the GAERC on 26 January 2004, we had an initial discussion on the question and invited the Permanent Representatives' Committee, COREPER, and the Political and Security Committee, PSC, to look into the matter. I had further discussions with my EU colleagues on this question at the GAERC in April, where it was decided that the preparatory work should continue, in order that all technical issues surrounding it could be fully examined.

The issues involved are being carefully and fully considered. As the preparatory work is still ongoing, it would not be helpful for me to speculate as to what the ultimate outcome of the GAERC review will be. Neither the European Council in December, nor the subsequent GAERC meetings, decided on any specific date by which the review is to be completed. The Government will continue to examine this question with our EU partners, considering the broader regional and international context, our ongoing commitment to human rights, and our overall relationship with China. Our approach has been conveyed to the Chinese authorities during my meetings with Vice Foreign Minister Zhang and Foreign Minister Li, in March and April respectively, and most recently in the course of the Taoiseach's official talks with Premier Wen in Dublin last week.

Any decision must be taken by consensus of EU partners following a full and detailed consideration. As Presidency, Ireland is engaged in taking forward the review of this issue in an effective and open manner. I can also confirm that my Department maintains contact with NGOs on issues relating to China and to the arms embargo.

Departmental Committees.

John Bruton

Question:

117 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has appointed an audit committee for his Department; its members, charter, number of meetings to date; if it has issued any reports to him or to the Secretary General. [15465/04]

Minister for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Cowen)

My Department's audit committee was appointed in October 2003 for a period of two years. There are four committee members, three of whom were appointed in October 2003 with a fourth person appointed in May 2004. The four members, whose commitment and work is greatly valued, are: Fr. Gerry O'Connor, chairperson, Professor John Jackson, Mr. John Pittock and Ms Valerie Little. The committee operates under a written charter and have held six meetings since its appointment. The committee has not to date issued any reports to either myself or the Secretary General of the Department.

School Staffing.

Billy Timmins

Question:

118 Mr. Timmins asked the Minister for Education and Science the position in relation to a temporary teacher (details supplied) who has been in a national school for three years while the permanent teacher is on a career break; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14896/04]

Minister for Education and Science (Mr. N. Dempsey)

Temporary teachers are employed by boards of management to replace permanent teachers for periods of unpaid leave of absence such as career break, unpaid maternity leave and parental leave. Substitute teachers are employed by boards of management to replace permanent teachers for periods of paid leave of absence such as sick leave and maternity leave.

With regard to the specific case referred to by the Deputy, if the permanent teacher concerned is on paid leave, her replacement must be employed as a substitute teacher. In the event of the permanent teacher taking unpaid leave, her replacement may be appointed as a temporary teacher for the period of unpaid leave.

Higher Education Grants.

Breeda Moynihan-Cronin

Question:

119 Ms B. Moynihan-Cronin asked the Minister for Education and Science the financial supports and educational grants available to Irish students of musical theatre studying in the UK; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14898/04]

Minister for Education and Science (Mr. N. Dempsey)

Under my Department's higher education grant schemes, maintenance grants are available to eligible students pursuing approved undergraduate courses in other EU member states, including the UK. In general, approved courses are those pursued in a third level institution, which is maintained or assisted by recurrent grants from public funds. Students attending approved courses in other EU member states are subject to the same conditions of funding as students attending approved courses in the State. The main conditions of funding relate to age, residence, means, nationality and previous academic attainment. Tax relief on tuition fees is available in respect of approved courses at undergraduate and postgraduate level in other EU member states.

In recent years, the UK authorities introduced a number of changes in the financial support arrangements for students pursuing courses at further and higher education institutions. This included the introduction of an annual tuition fee for students entering further and higher education institutions for the first time from the 1998-99 academic year and the replacement of maintenance grants by student loans to be phased in from that year also. All EU students, including Irish students, are eligible for grant assistance towards the tuition fee, subject to the same conditions as apply to UK students.

Educational Courses.

Jan O'Sullivan

Question:

120 Ms O’Sullivan asked the Minister for Education and Science the VEC schools and colleges of further education which are offering post leaving certificate courses and to which letters were recently issued setting out the number of students recognised for funding and teacher allocation purposes; the number of students in respect of each such school or college; the consequential teacher allocation being made to each such school or college for the coming year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14899/04]

Minister for Education and Science (Mr. N. Dempsey)

The information requested is being compiled in my Department at present and will be communicated directly to the Deputy as soon as it is available.

School Staffing.

Finian McGrath

Question:

121 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will take urgent action in order to prevent the loss of a teacher at Scoil Josaif, Marino Park Avenue, Dublin 3 and to give the school the maximum support and assistance. [14900/04]

Minister for Education and Science (Mr. N. Dempsey)

The staffing of a primary school is determined by reference to the enrolment of the school on 30 September of the previous year. The number of mainstream posts sanctioned is determined by reference to a staffing schedule and is finalised for a particular year following discussions with the education partners.

The mainstream staffing of the school referred to by the Deputy for the current school year is one principal and six mainstream class teachers based on the enrolment of 175 pupils on 30 September 2002. Based on an enrolment of 178 pupils on 30 September 2003, the mainstream staffing for the school year 2004-05 will remain as one principal and six mainstream class teachers. For the next school year, 2004-05, I have decided that the determination by reference to enrolments in junior and senior classes at 30 September 2003 of teacher posts allocated for disadvantage will remain unchanged.

The school referred to by the Deputy has one Giving Children an Even Break or disadvantage post and on this basis is considered for staffing each year to enable it to implement reduced pupil teacher ratios of 20:1 in the junior classes and 27:1 in the senior classes. However, for the coming school year, the school's enrolment is insufficient for the continued recognition of the teaching post for disadvantage. My Department has considered the possibility of the retention of this post based on projected enrolments for September 2004. Unfortunately, based on the figures supplied to my Department by the school principal the retention of this post is not warranted. A detailed review of educational disadvantage schemes is now nearing completion and this will impact on existing schemes. All disadvantaged schools will be advised in relation to this when the review has been completed.

Schools Refurbishment.

Arthur Morgan

Question:

122 Mr. Morgan asked the Minister for Education and Science when approval will be given for the extension to a school (details supplied) in County Louth; the length of time the construction stage will take; the financial cost; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14911/04]

Minister for Education and Science (Mr. N. Dempsey)

When publishing the 2004 school building programme, I outlined that my strategy going forward will be grounded in capital investment based on multi-annual allocations. My officials are reviewing all projects which were not authorised to proceed to construction as part of the 2004 school building programme, with a view to including them as part of a multi-annual school building programme from 2005 and I expect to be in a position to make further announcements on this matter in the course of the year. This multi-annual building programme, when published, will provide a comprehensive picture detailing all planned building projects in the Louth area, including the school to which the Deputy refers.

Bernard Allen

Question:

123 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Education and Science the reason Scoil Iosagain boys national school, Farranree, Cork has not received sanction to proceed with its school hall despite obtaining sanction for the hall prior to June 2002. [14913/04]

Minister for Education and Science (Mr. N. Dempsey)

The large-scale building project for a general purpose hall at Scoil Iosagain boys national school, Farranree, Cork is listed in section 8 of the 2004 school building programme which is published on my Department's website at www.education.ie This project is at stage 4/5, pre-tender documents, of architectural planning. It has been assigned a band four rating by my Department in accordance with the published criteria for prioritising large-scale projects.

Indicative timescales have been included for large-scale projects proceeding to tender in 2004. The budget announcement regarding multi-annual capital envelopes will enable me to adopt a multi-annual framework for the school building programme, which in turn will give greater clarity regarding projects that are not progressing to tender in this year's programme, including Scoil Iosagain. I will make a further announcement on that during the year.

Special Educational Needs.

Richard Bruton

Question:

124 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will make a statement concerning the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 24; the course of action he proposes to take in relation to providing this person with the necessary educational facilities and resources; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14923/04]

Minister for Education and Science (Mr. N. Dempsey)

I wish to advise the Deputy that the issue of speech therapy provision in schools is a matter for the relevant health authority. However, I have arranged for my officials to investigate the matter of school placement for the child in question.

Decentralisation Programme.

John Bruton

Question:

125 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Education and Science his plans for the staff of his Department who opt to remain in Dublin after the headquarters of the Department has been moved out of Dublin in accordance with decentralisation; the work they will do if they will remain with his Department; and where they will be accommodated. [14926/04]

Minister for Education and Science (Mr. N. Dempsey)

The issue raised by the Deputy is covered in section two of the report of the decentralisation implementation group published on 31 March 2004. This report is available on the Department of Finance website. The report recommends that a system similar to the central applications facility, or CAF, should be developed for staff who chose to remain in Dublin and who will be re-assigned to other organisations. As information becomes available from the CAF, it will be possible to identify vacancies which will arise in organisations remaining in Dublin as a result of individuals from those organisations applying for decentralised posts. As with the CAF, this process will be dealt with at central level by the Department of Finance and the Civil Service and Local Appointments Commission.

John Bruton

Question:

126 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of vacant posts in his Department; if competition for these posts is to be confined; if same are willing to move to the decentralised location of his Department at the appropriate time. [14930/04]

Minister for Education and Science (Mr. N. Dempsey)

The attached table shows the number by grade of current vacancies in the Department of Education and Science. Vacancies may be filled by open competition, or in accordance with agreed procedures for interdepartmental competitions, both open and confined, organised by the Civil Service Commission, or in accordance with internal promotion mechanisms. It is not known at this time whether those who are successful at competitions will be willing to move to the decentralised locations of the Department.

Vacancies in Department of Education and Science 19/05/04 — All Locations

Grade	No. of Vacancies
Director	1
Assistant Principal Officer	1
Higher Executive Officer	5
Executive Officer	6
Staff Officer	1
Clerical Officer	6
Inspectors	13
Psychologists	3
Technical Manager, Planning and Building Unit	1
Architect, Planning and Building Unit	3

Special Educational Needs.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

127 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science if and when a school placement together with support teacher will be offered to a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14935/04]

Minister for Education and Science (Mr. N. Dempsey)

I wish to inform the Deputy that the enrolment of a pupil in a primary school is a matter for the school's board of management. I can confirm that my Department has received an application for special educational resources, or SER, from the school in question for the pupil involved. The school to which the Deputy refers currently has the services of one learning support teaching post, one full-time resource teaching post and two full-time special needs assistants. The position is that SER applications received between 15 February and 31 August 2003 are being considered at present. In all, more than 5,000 such applications were received. Priority was given to cases involving children starting school last September and all these cases were responded to at or before the commencement of the current school year.

The balance of more than 4,000 applications has been reviewed by a dedicated team comprising members of my Department's inspectorate and the National Educational Psychological Service, or NEPS. These applications are being further considered in the context of the outcome of surveys of SER provision conducted over the past year and the data submitted by schools as part of a nationwide census of SER provision. The processing of the applications is a complex and time-consuming operation. However, my Department is endeavouring to have this completed as quickly as possible and my officials will then respond to all applicant schools. Pending a response, schools are advised to refer to Circular 24/03, which issued in September 2003. This circular contains practical advice on how to achieve the most effective deployment of resources already allocated for special educational needs within the school.

In the case of teacher resources, the outcome for each applicant school will be based on a new weighted system of allocation which I announced recently. This system, as part of which an additional 350 teaching posts will be allocated, will involve two main elements. The first is to make a staffing allocation to schools based on a predicted incidence of pupils with special educational needs; and the second is to make individual allocations in the case of children with more acute lower-prevalence special educational needs. It is expected that the change to a weighted system will bring with it a number of benefits. The new system will reduce the need for individualised educational psychological assessment; reduce the volume of applications to my Department for additional resources for individual pupils; and give greater flexibility to schools, which will facilitate the development and implementation of improved systems and procedures in schools to meet the needs of pupils with low achievement and pupils with special educational needs.

Transitional arrangements for the introduction of the weighted system are being developed at present in consultation with representative interests. As soon as those consultations have been completed, the detailed arrangements for processing applications for resources, including those for special needs assistants and those received after 31 August last including the application for the pupil in question, will be set out in a circular to be issued to schools before the end of the current school year. It is also intended that applicant schools will be notified of the outcome in their case within this timeframe.

Psychological Service.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

128 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science when an education and psychological assessment will be undertaken in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14936/04]

Minister for Education and Science (Mr. N. Dempsey)

The child named by the Deputy has not yet entered mainstream school. He has been previously assessed by a health board psychologist, who recommended that he be referred to a specialist multi-disciplinary service. A psychologist from NEPS has contacted the child's mother and given advice on how to access a review assessment from the health board services. The mother was also advised on the availability of special provision in the area, how to apply to a mainstream school and what reports needed to be supplied to the school principal. I understand that the school has accepted the child for entry in September next on the basis of these reports and has applied to my Department for additional resources. This application is currently under consideration. When the child has started school the NEPS area psychologist will be available to meet the child to assess his needs and to consult with his teachers.

Special Educational Needs.

Seán Ryan

Question:

129 Mr. S. Ryan asked the Minister for Education and Science if the appointment of a resource teacher to Birdhill national school, County Tipperary will be sanctioned; and if so, when he will sanction the appointment. [14937/04]

Minister for Education and Science (Mr. N. Dempsey)

I can confirm that my Department has received applications for special education resources, SER, from the school in question.

The position is that SER applications received between 15 February and 31 August 2003 are being considered at present. In all, more than 5,000 such applications were received. Priority was given to cases involving children starting school last September and all these cases were responded to at or before the commencement of the current school year.

The balance of more than 4,000 applications has been reviewed by a dedicated team comprising members of my Department's inspectorate and the National Educational Psychological Service, NEPS. These applications are being further considered in the context of the outcome of surveys of SER provision conducted over the past year and the data submitted by schools as part of a nationwide census of SER provision.

The processing of the applications is a complex and time-consuming operation. However, my Department is endeavouring to have this completed as quickly as possible and my officials will then respond to all applicant schools. Pending a response, schools are advised to refer to Circular 24/03, which issued in September 2003. This circular contains practical advice on how to achieve the most effective deployment of resources already allocated for special educational needs within the school.

In the case of teacher resources, the outcome for each applicant school will be based on a new weighted system of allocation which I announced recently. This system, as part of which an additional 350 teaching posts will be allocated, will involve two main elements: (a) making a staffing allocation to schools based on a predicted incidence of pupils with special educational needs; and (b) making individual allocations in the case of children with more acute lower-prevalence special educational needs.

It is expected that the change to a weighted system will bring with it a number of benefits. The new system will: reduce the need for individualised educational psychological assessment; reduce the volume of applications to my Department for additional resources for individual pupils; and give greater flexibility to schools, which will facilitate the development and implementation of improved systems and procedures in schools to meet the needs of pupils with low achievement and pupils with special educational needs.

Transitional arrangements for the introduction of the weighted system are being developed at present in consultation with representative interests. As soon as those consultations have been completed, the detailed arrangements for processing applications for resources, including those for special needs assistants and those received after 31 August last including the application for the pupil in question, will be set out in a circular to be issued to schools before the end of the current school year. It is intended also that applicant schools will be notified of the outcome in their case within this timeframe.

Schools Building Projects.

Seán Ryan

Question:

130 Mr. S. Ryan asked the Minister for Education and Science when funding will be provided to a school (details supplied) in County Clare to allow the school to provide proper facilities for its students. [14938/04]

Minister for Education and Science (Mr. N. Dempsey)

The large-scale building project for the school referred to by the Deputy is listed in section 8 of the 2004 school building programme which is published on my Department's website at www.education.ie This project is at stage 3, developed sketch scheme, of architectural planning. It has been assigned a “band 2” rating by my Department in accordance with the published criteria for prioritising large-scale projects. It is planned to progress this project to advanced architectural planning during 2004.

The school authority recently made an application to my Department for grant-aid towards the provision of temporary accommodation. Only applications with an absolute and demonstrated need for additional accommodation were approved. The application from the school referred to by the Deputy was not successful on this occasion. Unsuccessful applications will be considered in the context of a review which is being undertaken of all projects that did not proceed as part of the 2004 school building programme with a view to including them as part of a multi-annual school building programme from 2005, details of which will be announced later in the year.

Joan Burton

Question:

131 Ms Burton asked the Minister for Education and Science if his attention has been drawn to the extraordinary growth of population in the Littlepace-Castaheany, Clonee, Dublin 15 area; and if he will bring forward the opening of a second level school for the area. [14939/04]

Minister for Education and Science (Mr. N. Dempsey)

The position in the Dublin 15 area generally is quite complex because, while some post-primary schools in the area are full to capacity, others are in a position to offer places. Every effort is made to accommodate pupils in their school of first choice. However, no guarantees can be given in that regard.

The objective is to ensure that the existing schools can, between them, cater for demand within the area generally. However, in view of the current and planned level of housing developments in the Dublin 15 area, my Department has requested Fingal County Council to reserve two sites in the area for the possible future development of post-primary schools. The rate and pace of housing developments, the level of consequential increased demand and the availability of places in the overall Dublin 15 area will determine the timing for the acquisition and development of these sites.

School Placement.

Joan Burton

Question:

132 Ms Burton asked the Minister for Education and Science if his attention has been drawn to the crisis in relation to school places whereby over 30 children applying to attend school at Mary Mother of Hope national school, Littlepace, Clonee, Dublin 15 have been unable to secure places and the concern and distress that this is causing to parents; and when he proposes to erect the permanent school to provide adequate place for the large population of children in the area. [14940/04]

Minister for Education and Science (Mr. N. Dempsey)

The proposed new school for Mary Mother of Hope NS, Littlepace, Clonee, Dublin 15 is listed in section 1 of the 2004 school building programme which is published on my Department's website at www.education.ie Tenders for the project were recently received and it is estimated that the project will go on site in June 2004. The project is for a 16-classroom school. When completed, it is anticipated that the new building, together with the high quality prefabricated structure currently in place, will cater for some 700 pupils.

My Department recently granted provisional recognition to the Educate Together patron body for the establishment of a new primary school in Castaheany to commence operation in September 2004. I am confident that between both Mary Mother of Hope national school and the new Educate Together national school there will be sufficient places for children seeking primary education in the area for September 2004.

The school planning section of my Department will continue to monitor the situation.

Special Educational Needs.

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Question:

133 Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Education and Science his plans for the provision of extra resource teachers and learning support teachers which he announced in April 2004; if new teachers will be appointed; when the appointments will be made; the number of same; the locations to which and when they will be deployed; the way in which the deployment of resource and learning support teachers will be affected; if a quota of one resource/learning support teacher per 150 pupils is to be applied; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14941/04]

Minister for Education and Science (Mr. N. Dempsey)

My Department received more than 8,400 applications for special education resources since 15 February, 2003. The batch of approximately 5,000 applications received between 15 February and 31 August 2003 are being considered at present. Priority was given to almost 1,000 cases involving children starting school last September and all those cases were responded to at or before the commencement of the current school year.

The balance of more than 4,000 applications in that batch has been reviewed by a dedicated team comprising members of my Department's inspectorate and the National Educational Psychological Service. Those applications are being further considered in the context of the outcome of surveys of special education resource provision conducted over the past year and the data submitted by schools as part of a nationwide census of such provision.

The processing of the applications is a complex and time-consuming operation. However, my Department is endeavouring to have this completed as quickly as possible and my officials will then respond to all applicant schools. Pending a response, schools are advised to refer to Circular 24/03, which issued in September 2003. This circular contains practical advice on how to achieve the most effective deployment of resources already allocated for special educational needs within the school.

In the case of teacher resources, the outcome for each applicant school will be based on a new weighted system of allocation which I announced recently. This system, as part of which an additional 350 teaching posts will be allocated, will involve two main elements: making a staffing allocation to schools based on a predicted incidence of pupils with special educational needs; and making individual allocations in the case of children with more acute lower-prevalence special educational needs.

It is expected that the change to a weighted system will bring with it a number of benefits. The new system will: reduce the need for individualised educational psychological assessment; reduce the volume of applications to my Department for additional resources for individual pupils; and give greater flexibility to schools, which will facilitate the development and implementation of improved systems and procedures in schools to meet the needs of pupils with low achievement and pupils with special educational needs.

Transitional arrangements for the introduction of the weighted system are being developed at present in consultation with representative interests. As soon as those consultations have been completed, the detailed arrangements for processing applications for resources, including those for special needs assistants and those received after 31 August last, will be set out in a circular to be issued to schools before the end of the current school year. It is intended also that applicant schools will be notified of the outcome in their case within this timeframe.

Departmental Staff.

John Bruton

Question:

134 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of times he has issued written directions to his Secretary General, within the meaning of sections 4 to 6 of the Public Service Management Act 1997; and the nature and purpose of each such direction. [14948/04]

Minister for Education and Science (Mr. N. Dempsey)

I would like to inform Deputy Bruton that I have not had occasion to issue written directions to the Secretary General of my Department, within this context, at any stage during my Ministry.

Public Finance Procedures.

John Bruton

Question:

135 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Education and Science if the Secretary General brought to his attention all relevant financial consideration for decisions being taken in accordance to relevant sections of public finance procedures; and if a decision was taken in recent times where the Secretary General did not have an opportunity to comply with this aspect of public finance procedures prior to a decision being taken or announced which had financial implications. [14963/04]

Minister for Education and Science (Mr. N. Dempsey)

Section A5 of public financial procedures states: "An Accounting Officer should ensure that all relevant financial considerations are taken fully into account, and where necessary brought to the attention of Ministers, in relation to the preparation and implementation of policy proposals relating to expenditure or income for which he or she is Accounting Officer."

I am satisfied that the accounting officer of my Department is complying with these requirements.

Departmental Committees.

John Bruton

Question:

136 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Education and Science the composition of the management advisory committee of his Department; the number of times it has met since its formation; the number of times he has attended it in person; and the issues it has considered. [14980/04]

Minister for Education and Science (Mr. N. Dempsey)

My Department's management advisory committee comprises the Secretary General, assistant secretaries, the chief inspector and directors. In general, I meet with the MAC on a weekly basis while the committee also meets more regularly to discuss departmental issues. I will arrange to let the Deputy have copies of the agenda for recent MAC meetings.

Decentralisation Programme.

John Bruton

Question:

137 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Education and Science the implementation plan for each Department or agency under his aegis which is to be decentralised; the costs associated with the plan; and if any alteration will be needed to the multi-year financial projections of the Department or agency in question to meet any such costs. [14995/04]

Minister for Education and Science (Mr. N. Dempsey)

In accordance with the recommendations contained in the report of the decentralisation implementation group published on 31 March 2004, all Departments and agencies due to be decentralised are required to prepare individual implementation plans. These plans are currently being prepared by my Department and the bodies under its aegis which are to be decentralised. It is anticipated that they will be completed by the end of this month.

Interdepartmental Committees.

John Bruton

Question:

138 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Education and Science if she will list the number of meetings in the past year of each inter-departmental committee or body on which her Department is represented; the frequency and location of its meetings; and where it is intended those meetings will take place after decentralisation. [15010/04]

Minister for Education and Science (Mr. N. Dempsey)

The information requested is being compiled currently and the response will issue directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Strategic Management Initiative.

John Bruton

Question:

139 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Education and Science the action taken by his Department on each recommendation of the PA consultancy report on the implementation of the strategic management initiative. [15025/04]

Minister for Education and Science (Mr. N. Dempsey)

The strategic management initiative is built around six key organisational themes. These include a greater openness and accountability, a mission of quality customer service, and the efficient and fair operation of simplified regulations. In accordance with the Public Service Management Act, the Department's strategy statement 2003 to 2005 sets out objectives, programmes and performance indicators. The goals outlined in the strategy statement are incorporated into the business plans of each unit with the Department's annual reports detailing progress.

The modernisation agenda within the Department is well advanced and there is a major programme of structural reform in place. This has led to the establishment of the State Examinations Commission, the National Council for Special Education and the roll-out of regional offices. In dealing with regulatory reform the trend has been to place the operations of the Department on a legislative footing, replacing the administrative rules that were set out, usually by circular, prior to this. A number of independent appeals procedures are now in place and where these exist, there is clarity on entitlement to resources and the allocation of those resources.

The social partnership agreements support the implementation of SMI. The Department reports on progress to the Civil Service performance verification group and all progress reports are published on the website of the Department of Finance.

John Bruton

Question:

140 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Education and Science if a management information framework as recommended by the Mullarkey committee has been put in place in his Department; and if he will explain the way it works. [15040/04]

Minister for Education and Science (Mr. N. Dempsey)

The management information framework, MIF, is a core element of the Government's strategic management initiative.

Specifically it sets out to modernise financial and non-financial systems and practices throughout the Civil Service in order to deliver better quality information to support improved decision making, planning, value for money analysis, use of performance indicators and other aspects of the management of the public service.

My Department implemented during 2003 a new financial management system, FMS, which is a critical first step in the development of new systems and practices to enable the Department to deliver quality management information of a financial and non-financial nature to support better planning and decision making. Work is continuing on further aspects of the MIF.

Departmental Committees.

John Bruton

Question:

141 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Education and Science if he has appointed an audit committee for his Department; its members, charter, number of meetings to date; if it has issued any reports to him or to the Secretary General. [15055/04]

Minister for Education and Science (Mr. N. Dempsey)

In accordance with the recommendations of the Mullarkey report — the working group on the accountability of Secretaries General and accounting officers — the Secretary General in consultation with the management advisory committee, MAC, of my Department arranged for the formation of an audit committee.

Arrangements were in train to hold the first meeting of this audit committee when the chairperson indicated that due to changed personal circumstances he was no longer in a position to undertake the task. The Department is now in the process of seeking a new independent chair for this committee.

Schools Admissions Appeals.

Willie Penrose

Question:

142 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will take steps to ensure that a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath is admitted to St. Joseph’s School for Children with Visual Impairment, Grace Park Road, Drumcondra, Dublin 9; and if the relevant appeal which has been lodged in this case is heard as soon as possible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15077/04]

Minister for Education and Science (Mr. N. Dempsey)

My Department has received correspondence in relation to a potential appeal under Section 29 of the Education Act, 1998 against the decision by St. Joseph's to refuse enrolment to the child referred to by the Deputy. Officials of my Department have been in contact with the child's parent.

Section 29 provides parents with a right to appeal a refusal to enrol by a recognised school. Where such an appeal is upheld the Secretary General of my Department may subsequently direct the school to enrol the child. However, my Department has advised the parent of the child that an appeal under section 29 of the Education Act, 1998 can only review the decision by St. Joseph's in relation to the child's enrolment as a day pupil. Should such an appeal be upheld, the Secretary General's power to direct the school to enrol the pupil would be limited to a direction to enrol as a day pupil only and could not address matters relating to lodgings or after-school care.

The child's parent has been supplied with the forms and information necessary to make an appeal under section 29 should they wish to proceed on this basis.

Willie Penrose

Question:

143 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for Education and Science if a person whose application to attend a school, (details supplied) is admitted to the said school, if the appeal is immediately expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15078/04]

Minister for Education and Science (Mr. N. Dempsey)

Section 29 of the Education Act 1998, provides parents with an appeal process where a board of management of a school or a person acting on behalf of the board refuses enrolment to a student. An appeal under section 29 must be dealt with within a maximum of 44 days of its receipt in my Department. The appeal referred to by the Deputy was received on 17 May and is currently in progress.

The appeal procedures operated by my Department provide an opportunity in the first instance for both parties to reach an accommodation at local level. Should that fail, my Department will appoint a facilitator with a view to reaching agreement between them. If facilitation fails, an appeal is referred for hearing to an appeals committee.

In the event that the parties are unable to reach a prior agreement in this instance, the appeal hearing has been set for 15 June.

Special Educational Needs.

Cecilia Keaveney

Question:

144 Cecilia Keaveney asked the Minister for Education and Science the current programmes focused specifically for the mentally disabled; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15111/04]

Minister for Education and Science (Mr. N. Dempsey)

During the year 2002, the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment, NCCA, issued draft guidelines for teachers of students with general learning disabilities. These curriculum guidelines have been in use in schools since then and have been the subject of consultation between NCCA and the education partners with a view to revising them as necessary. They cover the age range from four to 18 years old.

Departmental Correspondence.

John Bruton

Question:

145 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the number of times he has issued written directions to his Secretary General, within the meaning of sections 4 to 6 of the Public Service Management Act 1997; and the nature and purpose of each such direction. [14949/04]

Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources (Mr. D. Ahern)

I have not issued any written instructions to the Secretary General of my Department, within the meaning of sections 4 to 6 of the Public Service Management Act 1997, since the Department was established in June 2002.

Public Finance Procedures.

John Bruton

Question:

146 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if the Secretary General brought to his attention all relevant financial consideration for decisions being taken in accordance to relevant sections of public finance procedures; and if a decision was taken in recent times where the Secretary General did not have an opportunity to comply with this aspect of public finance procedures prior to a decision being taken or announced which had financial implications. [14964/04]

Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources (Mr. D. Ahern)

The public financial procedures set out, among other matters, the responsibilities of accounting officers. The Secretary General of the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources is the accounting officer for the Vote of the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources.

In accordance with his responsibilities under those procedures the Secretary General ensures that all relevant financial considerations are taken into account and, where necessary, brought to my attention where they concern taking of decisions or the development of proposals relating to income or expenditure for which he is accounting officer.

Departmental Committees.

John Bruton

Question:

147 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the composition of the management advisory committee of his Department; the number of times it has met since its formation; the number of times he has attended it in person; and the issues it has considered. [14981/04]

Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources (Mr. D. Ahern)

The management committee of my Department comprises myself, the Minister of State, the Secretary General, deputy secretary general, assistant secretaries, press adviser and special adviser. One following table from our website, http://www.dcmnr.gov.ie/display.asp/pg=473, displays the frequency of, and minutes from, each of the meetings since the formation of the management committee in June 2002 for the newly established Department. The management committee’s standing agenda is set out below. Since coming into office on 6 June 2002, I have been in attendance at 10 of 21 meetings in 2002, 19 of 27 meetings in 2003 and all of 18 meetings to date in 2004.

Minutes of Management Committee Meetings 2004

Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
07	05	09	06	04
13	10	23	14
22	17	31	20
27	24		27

2003

Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
07	04	04	01	06	03	01	02	14	04	02
14	18	18	08	27	10	08	09	21	12
		25	29			17	30	28	18

2002

Jun	Jul	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
12	02	03	01	05	03
18	09	10	15	12	10
25	16	17	22	19
	30	24	29	26

MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE MEETING

Agenda

EU Presidency

Minutes of last MC meeting

Government Meeting — Decisions/Update

Legislative Programme

Early Warning Report

North/South Cooperation

Update by each Assistant Secretary

Marine and Natural Resources Issues

Communications Issues

Energy Issues

Organisational Issues

Decentralisation

FOI Update

Forthcoming Events/Media Issues

Any Other Business

Date for next meeting

Decentralisation Programme.

John Bruton

Question:

148 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the implementation plan for each Department or agency under his aegis which is to be decentralised; the costs associated with the plan; and if any alteration will be needed to the multi-year financial projections of the Department or agency in question to meet any such costs. [14996/04]

Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources (Mr. D. Ahern)

The Government's decentralisation programme involves the relocation of Department headquarters and functions to Cavan and seafood and coastal zone functions to Clonakilty. Bord Iascaigh Mhara will be locating to Clonakilty, the Central Fisheries Board to Carrick-on-Shannon, Sustainable Energy Ireland to Dundalk and the maritime safety directorate to Drogheda.

Implementation plans are currently being drawn up by the Department and relevant agencies for submission to the decentralisation implementation group. The plans will include analysis of the associated costs and potential impact on multi-annual financial projections.

Interdepartmental Committees.

John Bruton

Question:

149 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if he will list the number of meetings in the past year of each interdepartmental committee or body on which his Department is represented; the frequency and location of its meetings; and where it is intended those meetings will take place after decentralisation. [15011/04]

Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources (Mr. D. Ahern)

Officials from my Department participate in a range of interdepartmental committees, which are listed in the attached table, together with details of the frequency and location of meetings.

The frequency and location of interdepartmental committees will continue to be determined by the relevant lead Department, each of which will undoubtedly be taking account, in their future planning, of the new context of decentralisation as the programme is rolled out.

As Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, I will be encouraging greater use of video-conferencing and other advanced communications technologies to minimise the need for travel between decentralised locations for physical meetings.

Interdepartmental committees chaired or attended by the Department

Committees	Frequency per year	Location
General Government Task Force on Emergency Planning	Monthly	Dublin
Interdepartmental Working Group on Emergency Planning	Monthly	Dublin
Dublin Metropolitan Emergency Planning Group	Three or four	Dublin
Emergency Services Communications Liaison Group	Biannually	Dublin
Future of Europe Group	As required	Dublin
Interdepartmental Co-ordinating Committee on EU Affairs	As decided by the Department of the Taoiseach	Dublin
Interdepartmental Lisbon Group	As decided by the Department of the Taoiseach	Dublin
EU Cabinet Committee
Oireachtas EU Scrutiny Co-ordinators Group	As decided by the Department of Foreign Affairs	Dublin
Interdepartmental Committee for Co-ordinating the EU Presidency	do	Dublin
EU Presidency Website Officers Group	do	Dublin
Interdepartmental Administrative Planning Group for the EU Presidency	do	Dublin
Interdepartmental North-South Co-ordinators Group	Four	Dublin
High Level Interdepartmental Committee on North-South
Interdepartmental Committee on the National Spatial Strategy	Three	Dublin
Senior Officials Group on Disability	As required	Dublin
High Level European Research Area, ERA, Steering Group reporting to the Interdepartmental Committee on Science & Technology Policy	Quarterly	Dublin
National Steering Committee for the European Year of Education through Sport, EYES	Bimonthly	Dublin
Interdepartmental Committee dealing with the 10th Anniversary of the International Year of the Family 2004	Bimonthly	Dublin
Government Contracts Committee	Five	Dublin
Cross Departmental Climate Team	As required	Dublin
Environment Co-ordinating Committee	As required	Dublin
Strategic management initiative, public service modernisation and customer service
Quality Customer Service Working Group	As decided by the Department of the Taoiseach	Dublin
Quality Customer Service Officers Network	As decided by the Department of the Taoiseach	Dublin
Interdepartmental Working Group on Freedom of Information	Four or five	Dublin
Freedom of Information — Civil Service Users Network	Four or five	Dublin
SMI Assistant Secretaries Implementation Group	As required	Dublin
Committee for Public Management Research	do	Dublin
Organisational Development Initiatives Forum	do	Dublin
Interdepartmental PMDS Network Group	do	Dublin
Interdepartmental Trainers Network	do	Dublin
Change Management Forum	do	Dublin
Change Management Network	As decided by the Department of the Taoiseach	Dublin
Organisation Development Network	As decided by the Department of Finance	Dublin
Departmental Liaison Officers Group on Sustaining Progress	Quarterly	Dublin
Interdepartmental Co-ordinating Committee on State Aid	Quarterly	Dublin
Departmental Liaisons Officers Group on Decentralisation	As required	Dublin
Finance, Management Information Framework and Regulatory Reform
NDP 2000-2006: South and East Regional Operational Programme Monitoring Committee	Biannual	Waterford
NDP 2000-2006: Border Midlands and West Regional Operational Programme Monitoring Committee	Biannual	Alternates between BMW and S& E regions. Exact venue changes on each occasion
NDP 2000-2006: Productive Sector Operational Programme Monitoring Committee	Biannual	Dublin
NDP 2000-2006: Economic and Social Infrastructure Operational Programme Monitoring Committee	Biannual	Venue changes on each occasion
NDP 2000-2006: NDP-CSF Regional Assembly Monitoring Committee	Biannual	Dublin
NDP 2000-2006: Co-ordinating Equal Opportunities and Social Inclusion Committee		Dublin
NDP Communications Co-ordinating Group	Dependent on level of activity — at present meeting once a month	Monaghan
INTERREG IIIA: multilateral meetings	Dependent on level of activity — at present meeting once a month	Monaghan
INTERREG IIIA: steering committee meetings	Biannual	Monaghan
INTERREG IIIA: monitoring committee meetings	Biannual
The Expenditure Reviewers Network	Three	Dublin
Financial Management Subgroup of the Implementation Group of Secretaries General	Four	Dublin
European Agriculture Guarantee and Guidance Fund, EAGGF, High Level Accreditation Group	Monthly	Dublin
Heads of Internal Audit Forum	Monthly	Dublin
Protocol on Internal Audit Units	Two or three	Dublin
Loughs Agency — Finance & Audit Committee	Two or three	Derry
Communications
Government Liaison Committee for the Digital Hub	Monthly	Dublin
Assistant Secretary Group on the Information Society	Monthly	Dublin
International Connectivity Project Steering Committee	Monthly	Dublin
Interdepartmental Task Force on Biometrics	Monthly	Dublin
Working group on Schools Broadband	Monthly	Dublin
Schools Broadband Access Programme — Industry-Government Steering Group	Monthly	Dublin
Steering Committee on International Connectivity	Quarterly	Dublin
Broadband Expert Group	Bimonthly	Dublin
Management Services Entity Project Board	Monthly	Dublin
Steering Committee on Management Services Entity	Frequently
Committee of Regional Project Managers on MANs	Monthly	Dublin
Subcommittee of Cabinet Subcommittees	Monthly	Dublin
Telecoms Strategy Group	Monthly	Dublin
Cabinet subcommittee on the Information Society	Bimonthly	Dublin
Information Society Commission subcommittee on Telecommunications Infrastructure	Monthly	Dublin
Cabinet subcommittee on Housing, Infrastructure and Public-Private Partnerships	Bimonthly	Dublin
National Centre for Technology in Education Board	Monthly	Dublin
Interdepartmental Committee on E-Payments
Marine Maritime Security Group	As required	Dublin
Integrated Transport Group	As required	Dublin
Expert working group to review the employers of seafarer’s PRSI Refund Scheme	Regularly	Dublin
The Water Framework Directive Co-ordination Group	Quarterly	Dublin
The Irish Fish Health Advisory Committee	Three or four	Dublin
Seed Mussel Assessment Committee, Seasonal — Summer	10	Dublin
Aquaculture Projects Approvals-Selection Board	Two or three	Dublin
Innovation & Sustainability Projects Approvals Board	One or two	Dublin
Processing Investment Projects Approvals Board	One or two	Rotating BMW and S & E
Monitoring Committee for Productive Sector Operational Programme	Two	Rotating BMW and S & E
Monitoring Committee for Employment & Human Resource OP	Two	Rotating BMW and S & E
Monitoring Committee for Border, Midland and Regional OP	Two	Rotating BMW and S & E
Monitoring Committee for Southern & Eastern Regional OP	Two	Rotating in S & E area
The Productive Sector Operational Programme Monitoring Committee	Two or three	Dublin
Sub-Group of the Cross departmental Team on Infrastructure and PPPs,	One	Dublin
Economic and Social Infrastructure Operation Programme 2000-2006.	Two	Dublin
Irish Marine Search and Rescue Committee, IMSARC	Three	Biannually in Dublin and once in a variable location outside Dublin
Marine Emergency Advisory Group, MEAG	Biannually	Dublin
Marine Safety Working Group, MSWG	Four or five	Dublin
Helicopter Contract Group	As the need arises	Dublin
IRCG Building Programme Group	Monthly	Dublin
Aviation Forum	Biannually	Various locations
TETRA Group
National Co-ordinating Committee for Mountain and Cave Rescue	Biannually	Dublin
North West Helicopter SLA Group	Periodically	Dublin
Marine Pollution Response Team	Biannually	Dublin
Energy
Emissions Trading Interdepartmental Steering Group	Ad hoc	Dublin
Sub Group of the Cross Departmental Team on Housing, Infrastructure and Public Private Partnerships on Wider Energy Issues	Ad hoc	Dublin
The Green Tax Group	Ad hoc	Dublin
North South High Level Group	Four	Dublin
Legal Issues Group, LIG	12	Dublin
Interdepartmental Committee on the EU Buildings Directive	Three	Dublin
Emissions Trading Advisory Group	Monthly	Dublin
CHP Policy Group	Monthly	Dublin
Bio-energy Strategy Group	Monthly	Dublin
Negotiated Agreements Sub-group	Periodically	Dublin
Economic Analysis sub-group on Emissions Trading	Periodically	Dublin
Industry and Climate Change Working Group	Periodically	Dublin
Renewable Development Group	Monthly	Dublin
Interreg IIIA Multilateral Meeting Group	Monthly	Dublin
ESIOP Monitoring Committee	Monthly	Dublin
Geological Survey Ireland
GSI Consultative Committee	Biannually	Dublin
Seabed Project Steering Group	Monthly	Dublin
Seabed Project Technical Advisory Committee	Three	Dublin
Interdepartmental Technical Divisions Group	Three	Dublin

Strategic Management Initiative.

John Bruton

Question:

150 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the action taken by his Department on each recommendation of the PA consultancy report on the implementation of the strategic management initiative. [15026/04]

Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources (Mr. D. Ahern)

My Department's modernisation and change management strategies are fully informed by the recommendations of the PA consultancy report on the evaluation of the strategic management initiative. Progress as benchmarked against the PA recommendations has been significant overall. My Department's statement of strategy 2003 to 2005 commits the organisation to implementing all strands of the modernisation programme in an integrated way with the objective of positioning the Department as a results-focused organisation, characterised by devolved responsibility, innovative thinking and best practice in financial management information, HR management and information technology.

The achievements to date and ongoing developments are encapsulated in my Department's action plan under Sustaining Progress, which was published in June 2003. This plan is published on my Department's website, www.dcmnr.gov.ie, and the Department of Finance website, www.finance.ie The Department’s first progress report on the action plan is also available on the above websites. The second progress report has been submitted to the performance verification group, PVG, and will be available on the websites following a decision by the PVG.

I would highlight a number of areas where the Department is particularly well advanced. The current rollout of a comprehensive knowledge management strategy will build on existing shared information systems and the departmental intranet; implementation of the management information framework and key performance indicators framework, which are on target for end 2004; progressive devolution of financial and HR responsibilities to managers; structured business planning and reporting, with quarterly reviews of business plans by the management committee; a comprehensive ICT strategy which continues to deliver a range of new information systems, technology infrastructure and eGovernment initiatives; a firmly embedded performance management and development system; and a comprehensive training and development programme with 5% of payroll allocated to training in 2004. My Department has had in place for a number of years 100% competitive merit based selection processes for promotion for all administrative and professional grades and has published a comprehensive HR strategy.

Management Information Framework.

John Bruton

Question:

151 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if a management information framework as recommended by the Mullarkey committee has been put in place in his Department; and if he will explain the way it works. [15041/04]

Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources (Mr. D. Ahern)

The Department is on target to install a new management information framework by end 2004. The new system will modernise the Department's accounting systems and will deliver enhanced financial management, costing, performance reporting and decision making. A comprehensive review of the existing financial management systems was undertaken with external consultancy support during 2003. The Department has completed the tendering and selection process for the new system which is now being implemented across the Department.

The management information framework will provide enhanced management accounting capability coupled with performance and resource utilisation reporting to support effective decision making, strategic planning and deployment of resources. The new financial system will ensure more efficient processing of financial transactions and will support both cash and accruals accounting. The system will provide for cost allocation on a programme, project or individual cost centre basis thus underpinning the ongoing devolution of financial responsibility and accountability to managers. The Department's implementation plan is on target for the system to go live by the December 2004 deadline.

The Department in tandem with the rollout of the management information framework, is finalising a key performance indicators framework which will, when fully implemented, ensure a fully results based strategic focus to delivery of our sectoral and organisational objectives.

Departmental Committees.

John Bruton

Question:

152 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if he has appointed an audit committee for his Department; its members, charter, number of meetings to date; if it has issued any reports to him or to the Secretary General. [15056/04]

Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources (Mr. D. Ahern)

The Department has had in place an audit committee since July 1999. The committee is chaired by an external member and there are three other external members on the committee — the list of current members is set out below. In addition there are four internal staff members, including the Deputy Secretary General, one principal officer and two assistant principal officers. The committee is set up under a written charter dated and signed by the Secretary General and the then chair of the committee in February 2003, a copy of which is set out below. The committee has met 28 times to date and has presented one formal report to the Secretary General in November 2003. Audit Committee Membership

Dr. Ciarán Ó hÓgartaigh;	Chairperson of the Audit Committee; Associate Dean for Research and Graduate Studies and Irish Life Senior Lecturer in Accounting, DCU
Ms Sara White;	Deputy Secretary General
Mr. Brian Duffy;	Head of Internal Audit; Department of Social and Family Affairs
Mr. James Casey;	Ryan Casey & Co; Chartered Accountants
Mr. Bill Morrissey;	Assistant Principal — Communications Division
Mr. John King;	Assistant Principal — Corporate Governance Unit
Mr. Denis Maher;	Acting Principal Officer — Decentralisation Co-ordination
Ms Siobhan Fay;	Hibernian Group

Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources

Audit Committee Charter and Terms of Reference

This document sets out the Charter and Terms of Reference of the Audit Committee of the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources.

Role of the Audit Committee

1.The Audit Committee is part of the ongoing systematic review of the business control and corporate governance procedures within the Department. It considers the adequacy of the control framework within the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources and such organisations under its aegis. The role of the Audit Committee is to oversee and advise on matters relating to (a) the operations and development of the internal audit function; (b) the annual audit plan ensuring that it complies with the stated role of internal audit in relation to public funding — National and EU, (c) the business control and risk management environment, and (d) the relationship with external audit and other relevant consultancies.

2.The Audit Committee is not responsible for any executive function and is not vested with any executive powers.

Membership

3.The Audit Committee shall consist of a Chair and not less than four ordinary members who shall be appointed by the Secretary General by virtue of their experience in fields of expertise relevant to the function of the Committee.

4.Appointments to the Committee shall normally be, unless otherwise decided by the Secretary General, for a period of three years but should not exceed a period of five years.

Duties of the Audit Committee

5.The duties of the Audit Committee shall be:

· To consider the draft annual Internal Audit Plan.

· To monitor implementation of the plan.

· To protect the independence of the internal audit function, within the Department.

· To review the significant findings and the recommendations of the Internal Audit Unit and to monitor the action taken by management to resolve any issues that have been identified.

· To monitor the performance of the Internal Audit Unit, within the Department.

· To approve a charter for internal audit which clearly defines its mission, authority, roles, responsibilities and other reporting relationships.

· To request special reports from Internal Audit as considered appropriate.

· To advise and make recommendations to the Secretary General and the management committee on any matters pertaining to the internal audit function within the Department that the committee considers necessary or appropriate, including its overall effectiveness, organisation, resources, training, use of technology, etc.

· To communicate with the Secretary General and management committee in relation to any significant shortfalls in the business control and-or risk management environments that come to the attention of and are of concern to the Audit Committee.

· To consider the findings and comments of the Comptroller and Auditor General published in their annual report on the Appropriation account and other C & AG Reports.

· To consider and where appropriate advise on, the procedures and policies used in the preparation of the annual Appropriation Account.

· To consider any reports from the European Court of Auditors or the European Commission in relation to co-financed expenditures within this Department.

· To review any Value for Money Reports that are undertaken by Internal Audit or any other division within the Department.

Meetings

6.Not less than four meetings of the Audit Committee shall take place in each calendar year.

7.A quorum of five with no less than two external members will be required for each meeting.

8.If a vote is required on any issue a simple majority of all the members present, including the Chair will carry the motion, with the Chair having a casting vote in the event of a tie.

9.The Head of Internal Audit and such other officials from the Department as the committee may require shall attend committee meetings.

10.Minutes of the meetings shall be approved by the Chair and circulated as early as possible after the meeting to members of the Audit Committee and to the Secretary General.

Reporting

11. Within three months of the end of each calendar year, the Audit Committee shall formally report in writing to the Secretary General outlining its activities during the year together with such advice and recommendations, as it may deem appropriate.

Authority-Independence

12.The Audit Committee shall exercise an advisory role in relation to its duties and functions within the Department.

13.The committee may, following agreement with the Department, obtain outside legal or other independent professional advice and secure the attendance at committee meetings of outsiders with relevant experience and expertise, if it considers this necessary.

14.The Audit Committee shall be independent in the performance of its duties and the committee and its members shall not be subject to the direction of any person in the performance of their duties.

15.The members of the Audit Committee shall be fully briefed and kept up to date on any significant matters relating to their role and duties.

16.The Audit Committee shall have the right of access to the Secretary General.

Amendment of Charter.

17.The charter may be amended or updated in joint consultation between the Secretary General and the Audit Committee.

Sara White

Chair of the Audit Committee

Date: 7 February 2003.

Brendan Tuohy

Secretary General

Date: 10 February 2003.

Departmental Correspondence.

John Bruton

Question:

153 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the number of times he has issued written directions to his Secretary General, within the meaning of sections 4 to 6 of the Public Service Management Act 1997; and the nature and purpose of each such direction. [14950/04]

Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism (Mr. O’Donoghue)

There have been no instances since the establishment of my Department, where I have issued written directions to my Secretary General within the meaning of sections 4 to 6 of the Public Service Management Act, 1997.

Public Finance Procedures.

John Bruton

Question:

154 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if the Secretary General brought to his attention all relevant financial consideration for decisions being taken in accordance to relevant sections of public finance procedures; and if a decision was taken in recent times where the Secretary General did not have an opportunity to comply with this aspect of public finance procedures prior to a decision being taken or announced which had financial implications. [14965/04]

Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism (Mr. O’Donoghue)

Through meetings of the management advisory committee, I review on a regular basis with senior management of my Department all ongoing programmes and possible future activities. As required in public financial procedures, the Secretary General and officials of my Department provide me with full and comprehensive briefing, including relevant financial considerations, in relation to the preparation and implementation of policy proposals relating to expenditure.

Departmental Committees.

John Bruton

Question:

155 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the composition of the management advisory committee of his Department; the number of times it has met since its formation; the number of times he has attended it in person; and the issues it has considered. [14982/04]

Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism (Mr. O’Donoghue)

The management advisory committee, MAC, of my Department meets in two formations at ministerial and official level to oversee and review progress in relation to the achievement of the goals and objectives set out in my Department's statement of strategy 2003 to 2005, which is published on my Department's website.

It meets at ministerial level to deal with high level policy issues relating to the functional areas of my Department, including, inter alia, the Estimates process, which require ministerial direction. The MAC also meets separately to deal with ongoing strategic, operational and administrative issues including the implementation of the strategic management initiative in my Department.

The composition of the management advisory committee is as follows: Mr. Philip Furlong, Secretary General, Mr. Michael Grant, assistant secretary, Mr. Con Haugh, assistant secretary, Mr. Paul Bates, assistant secretary, Mr. Joe Timbs, principal officer, finance unit, Ms Susan McGrath, principal officer, corporate Services.

The committee has met 35 times since my Department was established in June 2002, and 14 of those meetings have been at ministerial level.

Decentralisation Programme.

John Bruton

Question:

156 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the implementation plan for each Department or agency under his aegis which is to be decentralised; the costs associated with the plan; and if any alteration will be needed to the multi-year financial projections of the Department or agency in question to meet any such costs. [14997/04]

Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism (Mr. O’Donoghue)

Officials in my Department and in the three agencies designated for decentralisation, in conjunction with my Department's decentralisation committee and with MAC, management advisory committee, are now working on the preparation of implementation plans by 28 May 2004 as required by the central decentralisation group.

I do not anticipate that there will be any significant additional costs associated with the implementation plans and, therefore, I do not foresee that any alteration will be needed to the multi-year financial projections of my Department.

Interdepartmental Committees.

John Bruton

Question:

157 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if he will list the number of meetings in the past year of each interdepartmental committee or body on which his Department is represented; the frequency and location of its meetings; and where it is intended those meetings will take place after decentralisation. [15012/04]

Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism (Mr. O’Donoghue)

The information requested by the Deputy is set out in the table below:

Meeting	Location	Frequency of meetings	Location after decentralisation
National Bloomsday Co-ordinating Committee	National Library	Monthly	Committee to be wound up in the autumn
Interdepartmental Working Group on the Military Archives	Dublin	Infrequently	To be decided by the Department of Defence
Interdepartmental Public Art Co-ordination Group	Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism headquarters	10 since October 2002	As substantial amount of the committee’s work load is expected to be completed shortly, less frequent meetings are envisaged in the future.
Interdepartmental Committee on UNESCO	Dept of Education and Science headquarters	Twice yearly	Matter for the Department of Education and Science as chair of the committee
Selection Committee, established under section 1003, Taxes Consolidation Act 1997, Tax Relief for Donations of Heritage Items	Venue varies, i.e. National Library, National Gallery, Department headquarters in Kildare Street	13 since June 2002	Locations to be decided
Interdepartmental Co-ordinating Committee on European Union Affairs, ICCEUA	Dublin	Infrequently	Matter for the Department of the Taoiseach
National Cultural Institutions Capital Works Committee	Dublin	Yearly	To be decided by the Office of Public Works and the Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism
National Concert Hall steering group to monitor ongoing operational issues	Dublin	Every one or two months	To be decided by the Office of Public Works and the Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism
National Gallery steering group to monitor ongoing operational issues	Dublin	Every one or two months	To be decided by the Office of Public Works and the Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism
Irish Museum of Modern Art steering group to monitor ongoing operational issues	Dublin	Every one or two months	To be decided by the Office of Public Works and the Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism
National Library steering group to monitor ongoing operational issues	Dublin	Every one or two months	To be decided by the Office of Public Works and the Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism
National Museum steering group to monitor ongoing operational issues	Dublin	Every one or two months	To be decided by the Office of Public Works and the Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism
National Archives steering group to monitor ongoing operational issues	Dublin	Every one or two months	To be decided by the Office of Public Works and the Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism
National Archives Advisory Council	National Archives	Monthly	National Archives
Irish Manuscripts Commission	Dublin Irish Architectural Archives	Every two Months	Dublin Irish Architectural Archives
Interdepartmental Committee to oversee the implementation of the National Heritage Plan and the National Biodiversity Plan	Custom House, Dublin	Twice yearly	Matter for the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government
Expenditure Review of the Local Authority Swimming Pool Programme.	Dublin	Infrequently	Work of the group is due to be concluded before decentralisation.
National Children Strategy	National Children’s Office, Dublin.	Infrequently	Matter for the National Children’s Office
UN Convention on the Rights of the Child — Irish Report	National Children’s Office, Dublin.	Infrequently	Matter for the National Children’s Office
Strategic Task Force on Alcohol	Department of Health and Children	Every two months	Matter for the Department of Health and Children
Morton Stadium Management Committee	Dublin	Monthly	Matter for Morton Stadium Management Committee
European Year of Education Through Sport	Department of Education and Science	Every two or three months	Will conclude at the end of 2004 prior to decentralisation
Implementation of Children First	Department of Health and Children	Every two or three months	Matter for the Department of Health and Children
National Children’s Office Advisory Board	Department of Health and Children	Every two or three months	Matter for the Department of Health and Children
Heart Health Task Force	Department of Health and Children	Every two or three months	Matter for Department of Health and Children
Rapid — National Monitoring Committee	Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs	Every two or three months	Matter for Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs
The Tourist Victim Support Service Advisory Board	Dublin	Yearly	Matter for The Tourist Victim Support Service
The NDP-CSF Environment Co-ordinating Committee	Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government HQ	Twice yearly	Matter for Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government
Rural-Agri-Tourism Advisory Group	Provincial locations chosen by the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs	Two to three per year	Matter for Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs
Interdepartmental Group on the Internationalisation of Irish Education Services	Dublin	Monthly	Matter for Interdepartmental Group on the Internationalisation of Irish Education Services
Foreign Earnings Committee	Dublin	Two to three times per year	Matter for Foreign Earnings Committee
National Spatial Strategy Steering Committee	Dublin	Five to six times per year	Matter for National Spatial Strategy Steering Committee
Productive Sector OP Monitoring Committee	Location varies	Two to three times per year	Matter for Productive Sector OP Monitoring Committee
North South Ministerial Council — Corporate Governance	Armagh	Twice yearly	Matter for North South Ministerial Council
North South Co-ordinators	Dublin	Six times per year	Matter for North South Co-ordinators
North South High Level	Dublin	Twice yearly	Matter for North South High Level
British Irish Council Co-ordinators	Dublin	Three to four times per year	Matter for British Irish Council Co-ordinators
Rural Development Forum	Outside Dublin location varies	Twice yearly	Matter for Rural Development Forum
Expenditure Review Network Committee	Department of Finance, Dublin	Monthly	Matter for Department of Finance
eStrategy Group of Secretaries General	Department of Taoiseach	Three or four times per year	Matter for Department of Taoiseach
Assistant Secretaries eGovernment Implementation Group	Department of Taoiseach	Three or four times per year	Matter for Department of Taoiseach
Information Communication Technology Managers Forum, ICTMF	Department of Finance	Twice yearly	Matter for Department of Finance
ICTMF eCabinet Technical Support Group	Department of Taoiseach	Infrequently	Matter for Department of Taoiseach
E-Procurement Group, also known as the Interdepartmental Group on Framework Agreements	Department of Finance	Infrequently	Matter for Department of Finance
Webmasters Group	Matter for Department of Finance	Infrequently	Matter for Department of Finance
Management Information Framework, MIF, Project Managers group	Matter for Department of Finance	Monthly	Matter for Department of Finance
Management Information Framework, MIF, Consultative Committee	Matter for Department of Finance	Seven to eight times per year	Matter for Department of Finance
Mullarkey Implementation Group	Department of Finance	Eight to 10 times per year	Matter for Department of Finance
Management Committee for Common Accounts Systems	Department of Finance	Twice yearly	Matter for Department of Finance
CorePay User Group Meeting	Department of Finance	Four times per year	Matter for Department of Finance
PMDS Network	Department of Finance	Three times per year	Matter for Department of Finance
Training Officers Network	Department of Finance	Three times per year	Matter for Department of Finance
Interdepartmental Working Group for FOI	Department of Finance	Four times per year	Matter for Department of Finance
QCS Network	Department of Finance	Three to four times per year	Matter for Department of Finance
Training & Development Committee	Department of Finance	Approximately every two months	Department of Finance
Civil Service Users Network	Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment	Monthly	Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment
Interdepartmental Working Group on the Irish Languages Act	Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs	Infrequently	Matter for Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs
Personnel Officers Network	Dublin Castle	Four times per year	Matter for CMOD
Change Management Network	Department of the Taoiseach	Every two months	Matter for Department of the Taoiseach
SMI Implementation Group of Secretaries General	Department of the Taoiseach	Every one or two months	Matter for Department of the Taoiseach
Briefing for Secretaries General following Government meetings	Department of the Taoiseach	Weekly	Matter for Department of the Taoiseach
Sustaining Progress Monitoring Committee	Department of the Taoiseach	Quarterly	Matter for Department of the Taoiseach

Strategic Management Initiative.

John Bruton

Question:

158 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the action taken by his Department on each recommendation of the PA consultancy report on the implementation of the strategic management initiative. [15027/04]

Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism (Mr. O’Donoghue)

Significant progress has been made by my Department in relation to the implementation of the strategic management initiative in the Department in the context of rolling out the Civil Service modernisation programme. The recommendations of the PA consultancy report have, where relevant, been taken on board in this regard.

In line with the requirements of Sustaining Progress, my Department prepared an action plan for the rollout of the modernisation programme, which was submitted to the Civil Service Performance Verification Group, CSPVG, in July 2003. A first report setting out progress under the plan was submitted in October 2003 on the basis of which payment of the first round of benchmarking due from 1 January 2004 was approved. The action plan and this report are published on the website of the Department of Finance to which I wish to refer the Deputy.

A further progress report was submitted to the CSPVG in April 2004 and this too will shortly be published on the website of the Department of Finance.

Management Information Framework.

John Bruton

Question:

159 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if a management information framework as recommended by the Mullarkey committee has been put in place in his Department; and if he will explain the way it works. [15042/04]

Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism (Mr. O’Donoghue)

The objective of the management information framework, MIF, is to provide Departments with a flexible system of financial management integrated with performance and output measurement so as to enhance efficiency, performance and accountability. As well as utilising the standard functions of a modern financial system, MIF envisages the compilation of management reports incorporating both financial and non-financial aspects of performance.

My Department is currently in the process of implementing the MIF. As the first step and key element of this implementation, a new financial management system is to be installed and the relevant tender process in under way. The deadline for implementation of the new financial management system is 31 December 2004.

Departmental Committees.

John Bruton

Question:

160 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if he has appointed an audit committee for his Department; its members, charter, number of meetings to date; if it has issued any reports to him or to the Secretary General. [15057/04]

Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism (Mr. O’Donoghue)

An audit committee was appointed to the Department of Arts, Sports and Tourism earlier this year. One meeting has been held to date, on 2 March 2004. The committee has not issued any reports to date, either to me or to the Secretary General. Membership of the committee includes: Mr. Sean Dorgan, chief executive, IDA, chair; Ms Marie Cross, assistant secretary, Department of Foreign Affairs; Mr. Michael Grant, assistant secretary, Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism; Mr. Joe Timbs, principal, Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism; and Mr. Kieran Sheedy, assistant principal, Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism. The audit committee has a charter and I will arrange for a copy of it to be made available to the Deputy.

Health Board Services.

Fergus O'Dowd

Question:

161 Mr. O’Dowd asked the Minister for Health and Children if an orthopaedic chair will be provided for a person (details supplied) in County Louth with Parkinson’s disease. [14904/04]

Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children (Mr. Callely)

As the Deputy will be aware, the provision of health services in the Louth area is, in the first instance, the responsibility of the North Eastern Health Board. My Department has, therefore, asked the chief executive of the board to investigate the matter raised by the Deputy and reply direct to him as a matter of urgency.

Hospitals Building Programme.

Paul Kehoe

Question:

162 Mr. Kehoe asked the Minister for Health and Children the position regarding the building of the new unit at St. John’s Hospital in Enniscorthy, County Wexford; when the next stage will be announced; when the contractors will be announced; the date the building will commence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14905/04]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Martin)

The new unit at St John's Hospital, Enniscorthy is included in my Department's capital programme for 2004. It is anticipated that building will commence within the next two months. This significant capital project, which will cost in the region of €17 million highlights the Government's strong commitment to develop its services for older persons in the south eastern region. My Department will continue to liaise closely with the South Eastern Health Board in relation to progressing this development.

Hospital Waiting Lists.

Michael Ring

Question:

163 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Health and Children when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will be called for hip surgery to Galway Regional Hospital. [14906/04]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Martin)

The provision of hospital services for people living in County Mayo is a matter for the Western Health Board. My Department has asked the chief executive officer of the board to investigate the position in relation to this case and to reply directly to the Deputy.

Cancer Screening Programme.

Cecilia Keaveney

Question:

164 Cecilia Keaveney asked the Minister for Health and Children his plans for mammograms to be carried out in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14915/04]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Martin)

The national breast screening programme commenced in March 2000 with phase one of the programme covering the Eastern Regional Health Authority, Midland Health Board and the North Eastern Health Board region. Last year I announced the extension of the BreastCheck programme to counties Carlow, Kilkenny and Wexford and also the national rollout to the southern and western counties. Screening commenced in Wexford in March of this year.

The BreastCheck clinical unit in the Western area will be at University College Hospital, Galway, with two associated mobile units. The area of coverage is counties Galway, Sligo, Roscommon, Donegal, Mayo, Leitrim, Clare and Tipperary north riding. The BreastCheck clinical unit in the southern area will be located at South Infirmary-Victoria Hospital, with three associated mobile units. Counties covered include Cork, Kerry, Limerick, Waterford and Tipperary south riding.

The national rollout of BreastCheck requires detailed planning to include essential infrastructure. Two project teams, one in each region, have been established to develop briefs for the capital infrastructure needed for the static units in the south and west. As regards the west, BreastCheck submitted a number of options for the construction of a static unit on the grounds of University College Hospital, Galway. This is being considered by my Department in the context of the framework for capital investment 2004 to 2008 which is being discussed with the Department of Finance at present.

An essential element of the rollout of the programme is investment in education and training of radiographers. BreastCheck employs qualified and experienced radiographers who have specialised postgraduate training and qualifications related to mammography. BreastCheck and the symptomatic breast cancer services combined have a significant ongoing recruitment and training requirement in this area. Last year, I announced the development of a training centre for radiographers and mammography at Eccles Street which will become the national training centre in breast imaging. Resources are being made available to BreastCheck to support this initiative which will cost in excess of €750,000. Design specification work has been undertaken, the core elements of the training programme are being addressed and the recruitment process for a course leader has been initiated.

Pension Provisions.

Bernard Allen

Question:

165 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Health and Children the reason a person (details supplied) in County Cork is not receiving a State pension. [14916/04]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Martin)

Responsibility for calculation of occupational pension benefits in the public sector rests with the employee's last employer, in this case University College Cork. My Department's records indicate that relevant service at Portiuncula Hospital and the South Infirmary Hospital was transferred in 1985 under the public sector transfer network. The amount in question is 2.83 years' service. Locum service is not reckonable for pension purposes.

As the service in question was transferred, University College Cork made arrangements upon retirement to pay the full pension entitlement including the above-mentioned employment in the health service. I understand that in view of University College Cork's responsibility in this matter, if there are any further enquiries concerning the occupational pension in payment to this pensioner the Deputy should contact the University directly.

Services for People with Disabilities.

Finian McGrath

Question:

166 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Minister for Health and Children the services available for those over 18 year of age with autism on the northside of Dublin; the plans being put in place to provide services for young persons with autism when they reach 18 years of age; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14918/04]

Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children (Mr. O’Malley)

Responsibility for the provision of health related services for people with an intellectual disability and autism in the north Dublin area lies, in the first instance, with the Northern Area Health Board. My Department, therefore, has asked the chief executive officer of the board to investigate the matter raised by the Deputy and reply directly to him.

Private Health Insurance.

David Stanton

Question:

167 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for Health and Children if regulations have been made to enable persons aged 65 or over who decide to avail of private health insurance cover for the first time or wish to renew cover after a material break in previous cover to do so; if not, when such regulations will be made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14919/04]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Martin)

The Health Insurance (Amendment) Act 2001 contains provision for the introduction of a system of lifetime community rating which will involve allowing health insurers to apply late entry premium loadings to persons who delay taking out insurance cover until, or after the age of 35 years. Under this system, access to cover will be open to persons aged 65 or over.

While the primary legislation is in place, the detailed implementation of lifetime community rating will be by way of regulations. My Department has recently initiated work on the preparation of these regulations and they will be introduced as soon as is practicable.

Departmental Correspondence.

John Bruton

Question:

168 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of times he has issued written directions to his Secretary General, within the meaning of sections 4 to 6 of the Public Service Management Act 1997; and the nature and purpose of each such direction. [14951/04]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Martin)

I can confirm to the Deputy that my Department has met its requirements under sections 4 to 6 of the Public Service Management Act 1997. The Department's Statement of Strategy 2003-2005 was published in May 2003. The business plans for 2004 have been agreed and the annual report for 2003 is being finalised and will be published soon.

Public Finance Procedures.

John Bruton

Question:

169 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Health and Children if the Secretary General brought to his attention all relevant financial consideration for decisions being taken in accordance to relevant sections of public finance procedures; and if a decision was taken in recent times where the Secretary General did not have an opportunity to comply with this aspect of public finance procedures prior to a decision being taken or announced which had financial implications. [14966/04]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Martin)

The code of practice set out in the public financial procedures, published by the Department of Finance, regarding the responsibilities of accounting officers covers the following significant issues, namely, safeguarding public funds/property; all relevant financial considerations are taken into account and brought to the attention of the Minister on implementing policy matters; ensuring economy and efficiency; ensuring the correctness of all payments; assurances in relation to internal control-audit systems, grants-in-aid to outside agencies; and ensuring that bodies under his or her Department's aegis have an appropriate control and accountability framework.

The report of the working group on the accountability of secretaries general and accounting officers made specific reference to the above responsibilities of secretaries general as accounting officers and made recommendation on how they might testify to meeting their responsibilities by way of a statement of internal financial controls.

Consequently, the Department of Health and Children 2003 Appropriation Account contains such a statement, signed by the Secretary General as accounting officer. In making this statement the accounting officer acknowledges that any system of internal control can provide only reasonable and not absolute assurance and that he is not aware of any instance arising of a nature mentioned in the Deputy's question.

Departmental Committees.

John Bruton

Question:

170 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Health and Children the composition of the management advisory committee of his Department; the number of times it has met since its formation; the number of times he has attended it in person; and the issues it has considered. [14983/04]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Martin)

My Department's management advisory committee, MAC, comprises the Secretary General, deputy secretary, chief medical officer, four assistant secretaries, two directors, chief executive officer of the adoption board and the director of the National Children's Office. Since 1993 the MAC and the Minister have met on a regular basis usually weekly to discuss Departmental issues.

The MAC also meets for purely administrative purposes, promotions etc., as required and I would not attend such meetings but would be informed of any important outcomes. In addition, I meet with the Secretary General of the Department and individual members of MAC on a regular basis to discuss relevant policy issues.

Decentralisation Programme.

John Bruton

Question:

171 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Health and Children the implementation plan for each Department or agency under his aegis which is to be decentralised; the costs associated with the plan; and if any alteration will be needed to the multi-year financial projections of the Department or agency in question to meet any such costs. [14998/04]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Martin)

While preliminary work has been taking place on decentralisation, my Department, and the bodies established under the aegis of my Department, are not required at this stage to have an implementation plan in respect of the public service decentralisation programme. Until such time as there is a final decision by Government on the location of the headquarters of the Health Service Executive and associated agencies the information requested by the Deputy cannot be provided. This decision is expected shortly. The staff of my Department have been circulated with information on the central applications facility.

Interdepartmental Committees.

John Bruton

Question:

172 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will list the number of meetings in the past year of each interdepartmental committee or body on which his Department is represented; the frequency and location of its meetings; and where it is intended those meetings will take place after decentralisation. [15013/04]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Martin)

The information requested is being collated by my Department and will be forwarded directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Strategic Management Initiative.

John Bruton

Question:

173 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Health and Children the action taken by his Department on each recommendation of the PA consultancy report on the implementation of the strategic management initiative. [15028/04]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Martin)

In July 2001, PA Consulting Group was commissioned by the Department of the Taoiseach to review progress achieved under the strategic management initiative, SMI. The terms of reference included recommendations for future actions.

The Deputy will be aware that all Departments have prepared detailed reports on their modernisation programmes, which were informed by the PA evaluation, for the Civil Service Performance Verification Group, CSPVG. The reports prepared for the CSPVG in relation to the payments made on 1 January 2004 are available on the Department of Finance website. The Department of Finance intends to publish the most recent round of progress reports following a decision by the CSPVG in respect of 1 July payments.

I take this opportunity to highlight some of my Department's priorities in this area. My greatest priority, and one which is supported by the modernisation initiative, is the implementation of the health service reform programme. The reform programme includes the re-organisation of the Department of Health and Children to ensure improved policy development and monitoring. The core elements of public service modernisation, customer service, strategic HR, effective regulation and financial reforms are all key building blocks to achieving the effective implementation of the reform programme, including the restructuring of the Department.

Human resource management was one of the components of the modernisation agenda which the PA evaluation identified as requiring further development. My Department has, over the last few months, focused its attention on developing a human resource strategy as part of the support framework for the modernisation agenda and the health service reform programme. The strategy will see a greater devolution of day-to-day resource management to line managers, supported by the ongoing development of specific policies on key issues and refocusing of existing human resources towards a more strategic-developmental approach. In tandem with the strategy, associated documents have been developed on mobility and time attendance. A key role of HR will be to support the organisation in building capacity and upskilling through training and development, planned mobility and competition promotion procedures.

The performance management and development system, PMDS, is now fully embedded throughout the Department. A survey of staff was carried out in December 2002 following which an action plan was designed to improve the environment in which PMDS is operational and to make it more effective. New guidelines have also issued to improve PMDS management at unit level. The next phase of PMDS, upward feedback, is being introduced in my Department this year and indications are that this initiative is being fully supported by both managers and job holders. The success of PMDS has resulted in a highly focused and targeted approach to training. A wide range of training opportunities have been availed of by staff including specific management development training.

The Department published its strategy statement for 2003 to 2005 in May 2003. The high level objectives of the strategy statement drive the business planning process within the Department including PMDS. Business planning meetings for each division ensure that the linkages are clear to all staff. Regular review by the management advisory committee, MAC, is an inherent part of the business planning process. I regularly attend MAC meetings along with my colleagues. This commitment is, in my view, essential for the effective management of the Department. Quality customer service is one area where my Department has made considerable progress. A customer charter has been completed and will be published shortly. Lunchtime opening was introduced in the General Register Office last November and has been a great success.

Implementation of the e-government agenda has also been given priority. The Department's website is being redesigned following an on-line survey of customers and staff. Computerised facilities for searching and the production of birth, death and marriage certificates are now available in every health board since April 2004 and are being extended to every registrar's office in the country. Rollout of the on-line registration of births and deaths is expected to be complete by the end of June.

A service to relay notification of deaths commenced in March 2004. This allows the transfer of information on deaths via REACH to other Departments and agencies. The service has benefits for the effective and efficient delivery of public services generally and will also result in greater customer convenience. It will be of particular benefit once on-line registration of deaths is available throughout the country in June 2004. The service is already in use by the Department of Social and Family Affairs for adjusting pension and other social welfare entitlements. It is planned to introduce an on-line applications system with a secure credit card facility for birth, death and marriage certificates as part of the launch of REACH services later this year.

The Irish health portal was launched on 6 May at the EU eHealth Conference which I hosted, "Supporting the European Citizen through eHealth". The portal will provide a "front end" for citizens and professionals to access health information and services. Implementation of the management information framework within the Department is under way. Suppliers of the new financial system have been selected and testing of the software will commence in May. Changeover to the new system is scheduled for October 2004. As the Deputy is aware, the wider health delivery system has always operated on the basis of full accrual accounting principles, which is supported by a broad management information framework.

The developments referred to above represent a summary of some of the progress my Department has made since the PA evaluation was published in 2002. As stated at the start of my reply, these and other targets are referred to in greater detail in the action plan and progress reports submitted by my Department to the CSPVG.

Management Information Framework.

John Bruton

Question:

174 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Health and Children if a management information framework as recommended by the Mullarkey committee has been put in place in his Department; and if he will explain the way it works. [15043/04]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Martin)

The management information framework, MIF, is an essential part of the strategic management initiative and arose out of a report in 1999 by a financial management working group of the SMI implementation group of Secretaries General.

The MIF will provide the standard functions of a financial management system — financial accounting, management accounting, cost allocation, together with facilitating the use of financial and non-financial performance indicators. The MIF is being implemented to ensure that the Department, through the availability of a full accrual based accounting system and performance measurement data, has the opportunity to consider fully the planning of investment on the basis of a value added concept.

The Deputy is aware that the wider health delivery system has always operated on the basis of full accrual accounting principles which underpinned a broad management information framework. As with all other Departments, the Health and Children Vote is accounted for on a cash basis. However, the vast majority of the €10 billion Health Vote relates to direct service provision, and in this regard, the health boards incur the expenditure on behalf of the Department. All the health boards account on a full accruals basis, including balance sheet, in accordance with Accounting Standards issued by the Minister.

The system in Health is underpinned by a stringent legislative and control accounting system. The Health (Amendment) (No. 3) Act 1996 introduced a formal requirement on health boards to prepare and adopt an annual service plan setting out the broad level of services they would deliver for the funding allocated to them. Each month, boards are required to submit an integrated management report to the Department. This details financial, activity and employment statistics compared to planned or budget levels. If a board fails to deal with a variance within any one financial year, under the terms of Act, it must be treated as a first charge against the following year's funds. In this way, boards cannot accumulate variances in a reserve account, thereby greatly enhancing the accountability of the boards.

Development of financial and non-financial systems is continuing in the health arena. SAP financial systems are already implemented in the Eastern Regional Health Authority, the North Eastern Health Board and the Midland Health Board. SAP is one of the leading software solutions. SAP is an enterprise solution and, being fully integrated, is activated by a single entry which drives operational and management responses within the system, thereby supporting the business strategy and process. In the health environment it fully supports the devolved management process, bringing efficiency and productivity to the planning and delivery of services together with its ability to support evaluation and accountability, and being a real time system, will significantly improve the day-to-day operations and controls and supply budget holders with an immediate view of their area of responsibility. Modernisation of systems in the remaining health agencies is being dealt with as a joint financial implementation systems project, FISP, which is being driven by the health boards and the interim health service executive.

Phase I of implementing SAP-HR systems — PPARs — has already been completed. Phase II of PPARs, which is essentially the time management element, is now underway across the system and will be fully in place in the boards by mid 2005. St. James's Hospital have already gone live with phase II. These major national initiatives will underpin the information requirements of the health sector and are a vital component in the successful implementation of the reform programme. Each project is a major and significant endeavour in its own right, and will take some years to reach completion. In the short term, full use will be made of the combination of new and legacy systems to create the necessary database for planning, managing and controlling the system at appropriate levels.

Although all the agency accounts are prepared on an accrual basis, and audited by the Comptroller and Auditor General, the appropriation account of the Department is prepared on a cash basis. This is expected to change when the new accrual accounting solution is in place. In this regard, the MIF project for this Department is well in hand. However, it is worth noting that the moneys spent directly by the Department — the administrative budget — are some €41 million or 0.4% of the total Vote in 2004. In relation to the project implementation, management consultants — Deloitte — were commissioned by the Department to undertake an assessment of our management information needs. The report by the consultants determined that upgrading to PROSE V3 was the appropriate option for the Department. FMS V3.0 is an upgrade to the current system, providing a number of significant extensions to the current FMS. Developed by PROSE, FMS V3.0 has the advantage of being a dual system, thereby meeting the needs of users who require both accrual and vote accounting simultaneously. FMS V3.0 is based on the existing FMS and has all of its functionality. However, it adds an extra dimension to the FMS by the provision of accrual accounting, workflow support and web enablement.

Work is now well under way on implementing the system. The basic upgrade itself is scheduled for this month, with additional purchase and asset register modules to be rolled out over June and July. The system will be fully operational before the deadline, contained in the Government memorandum, of 31 December 2004. As recommended in the Mullarkey report, an in-depth review of the Department's system of internal control, including the internal audit function, was also undertaken by the management consultants. While the report commented favourably on the existing system of control, key recommendations from this review are currently being implemented.

Departmental Committees.

John Bruton

Question:

175 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Health and Children if he has appointed an audit committee for his Department; its members, charter, number of meetings to date; if it has issued any reports to him or to the Secretary General. [15058/04]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Martin)

My Department has recently re-established its audit committee in accordance with the report of the working group on the accountability of Secretaries General and Accounting Officers, the Mullarkey report, and the report of the Commission on Financial Management and Control Systems in the Health Service, the Brennan report.

The committee currently comprises four members while the Department awaits the acceptance of one external appointment. The other external member chairs the committee. The remaining three members are senior officers within the Department.

The committee operates under a written charter which sets out the areas of responsibility of the committee, including its purpose and authority, frequency of meetings and attendance requirements, and responsibilities in relation to financial reporting, internal control and compliance, internal and external audit and risk management. In addition the charter sets out the reporting requirements to the Secretary General.

There has been one committee meeting held this year with further meetings scheduled for the remainder of the year. The committee will present an annual report to the Secretary General in accordance with the requirements of its charter.

Post Mortem Facilities.

Cecilia Keaveney

Question:

176 Cecilia Keaveney asked the Minister for Health and Children if it is unusual not to have post mortem facilities available at the weekends; and whether a reciprocal arrangement could be developed between Letterkenny and Derry to ensure that both areas would have a service that is currently not in place, in view of the extreme hardship that it causes to families who are often traumatised enough, particularly in the case of sudden deaths; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15070/04]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Martin)

Responsibility for the provision of post mortem services at Letterkenny General Hospital rests with the North Western Health Board. My Department has asked the chief executive officer of the board to investigate the specific issue raised by the Deputy and to reply to her directly.

Hospital Accommodation.

Cecilia Keaveney

Question:

177 Cecilia Keaveney asked the Minister for Health and Children the position in relation to the Alzheimer’s unit for Carndonagh Hospital, County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15071/04]

Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children (Mr. Callely)

As the Deputy is aware, responsibility for the provision of health services in the Donegal area rests, in the first instance, with the North Western Health Board. In January of this year I conveyed approval to the board to proceed to tender for the new dementia unit at Carndonagh, County Donegal. Progression of this project is a matter for the North Western Health Board which has advised that tenders for the project were recently received and are currently being examined by the design team. A commencement date for construction is expected in late June 2004. My Department fully appreciates the importance of progressing this development and will continue to work closely with the North Western Health Board in relation to this project.

Electrosensitivity Issues.

John Gormley

Question:

178 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Health and Children his views in relation to electrosensitivity; if he has consulted with sufferers; and the actions that have been taken following the recommendations of the All-Party Committee on Non-Ionising Radiation in November 1998. [15083/04]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Martin)

I am aware of concerns expressed by some persons in regard to hypersensitivity to electromagnetic radiation. The Irish Electromagnetic Radiation Victims Network, IERVN, is an organisation which represents their interests and my Department corresponds with IERVN on an ongoing basis and my officials have also met with them.

Scientific research to date has not established a causal relationship between electromagnetic radiation and ill health. Research is ongoing in relation to this issue and my Department will continue to review the findings of all new peer reviewed studies. In the absence of evidence of a causal relationship between electromagnetic radiation and ill-health, the approach adopted in Ireland is to minimise exposure in accordance with the 1999 recommendations of the European Community on the limitation of exposure of the general public to electromagnetic fields. These recommendations are based on the 1998 Guidelines of the International Commission on Non-Ionising Radiation, ICNIRP, covering the frequency range from 0-300GHz.

The 1998 report of the Joint Committee on Public Enterprise and Transport on "Non-Ionising Microwave Radiation Emissions from Communication Masts" made a number of recommendations concerning planning and exempt developments, monitoring, public information, operators and health. With regard to the health recommendations, I am advised that Ireland complies with the 1999 EC recommendations on the limitation of exposure of the general public to electromagnetic fields. Telecommunication companies licensed to operate in Ireland are required to comply with these recommendations. The monitoring of emission levels from masts is a function of the Office of the Director of Telecommunications Regulation. The national environmental health action plan, which is being finalised will include a section dealing with the issue of radiation — ionising and non-ionising.

The Deputy may wish to note that the joint committee concluded that the evidence available at the time did not indicate that emissions from telecommunication masts, within International Radiological Protection Association guidelines, were an unacceptable health hazard.

My Department is in regular contact with the Office of the Chief Technical Adviser, Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, which represents Ireland's interests in the relevant international organisations — the World Health Organisation, the EU and the International Committee on Electromagnetic Safety.

Mental Health Services.

Cecilia Keaveney

Question:

179 Cecilia Keaveney asked the Minister for Health and Children the current programmes focused specifically for the mentally disabled; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15112/04]

Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children (Mr. T. O’Malley)

There are a very broad range of health funded support services available to people with intellectual disability. These include the following: assessment and diagnosis services, early intervention services, multidisciplinary support services, residential services, respite services, day services, rehabilitative training, home support services and home help services.

Residential services would include a range of options such as five or seven day care, emergency care, shared care options, supported or independent living options. Specialist support services, including residential and day services, would also be provided for those who require a more intensive level of support. The primary focus since the 1970s has been to deliver these services locally, where possible, to enable persons with intellectual disability to continue to live with their families and/or local communities.

Services for people with disabilities is one of a number of areas to which additional revenue funding has been provided by the Government in any Department over 2003 and 2004. In respect of services to persons with intellectual disability and those with autism, this revenue funding, amounting to €43 million up to the end of 2004, was specifically provided to meet costs associated with the provision of emergency residential placements, extra day services for young adults leaving school and to enhance the health related support services for children. In total, additional revenue and capital funding amounting to €388 million has been provided for services to persons with intellectual disability and those with autism since 1997.

EU Driving Licences.

Billy Timmins

Question:

180 Mr. Timmins asked the Minister for Transport the position in relation to Polish residents who are working here driving with Polish driving licences; if they are covered to drive here on Polish licences; if these can be exchanged for Irish driving licences when they expire; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14897/04]

Minister for Transport (Mr. Brennan)

A person who holds a driving licence issued by a member state of the European Union or the European economic area is permitted to drive in Ireland for so long as that licence remains valid. Driving licences issued by the competent licensing authority of Poland are, in accordance with existing regulatory provisions, recognised here for driver licensing purposes.

Sample driving licences and information regarding security features is not yet to hand in respect of the accession countries. As a temporary measure and notwithstanding the general principle that persons may request to have an EU licence exchanged for an Irish licence, exchange cannot be granted until the required information is received from the licensing authorities of the countries concerned. In the event of the licence having expired, licensing authorities have been requested to contact the authorities in the member state that issued the licence in order to confirm that the licence which the person wishes to have renewed is genuine.

Noise Pollution.

Cecilia Keaveney

Question:

181 Cecilia Keaveney asked the Minister for Transport his views on the fact that there is need for a review, in co-operation with the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government, of the regulations which govern the use of the particular type of exhausts that are used in cars to breach disturbing the peace levels in town centres at night for hours at a time and which cause sleep deprivation to many persons of all ages who reside in these town centres. [15068/04]

Cecilia Keaveney

Question:

182 Cecilia Keaveney asked the Minister for Transport his views on the fact that there is need for a review, in co-operation with the Department for Justice, Equality and Law Reform of the regulations which govern the use of the particular type of exhausts that are used in cars to breach disturbing the peace levels in town centres at night for hours at a time and which cause sleep deprivation to many persons of all ages who reside in these town centres; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15069/04]

Minister for Transport (Mr. Brennan)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 181 and 182 together.

In accordance with the Road Traffic (Construction, Equipment and Use of Vehicles) Regulations 1963 motor vehicles are required to be fitted with a silencer or other device suitable and sufficient for reducing to a reasonable level the noise caused by the escape of exhaust gases from the vehicle engine. The regulations also provide that a vehicle which causes excessive noise shall not be used in a public place. Contravention of the regulations is an offence under the Road Traffic Act, the enforcement of which is a matter for the Garda Síochána. I have no plans to review the regulations.

Departmental Correspondence.

John Bruton

Question:

183 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Transport the number of times he has issued written directions to his Secretary General, within the meaning of sections 4 to 6 of the Public Service Management Act, 1997; and the nature and purpose of each such direction. [14952/04]

Minister for Transport (Mr. Brennan)

I have not issued written directions to the Secretary General of my Department within the meaning of sections 4 to 6 of the Public Service Management Act 1997.

Public Finance Procedures.

John Bruton

Question:

184 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Transport if the Secretary General brought to his attention all relevant financial consideration for decisions being taken in accordance to relevant sections of public finance procedures; and if a decision was taken in recent times where the Secretary General did not have an opportunity to comply with this aspect of public finance procedures prior to a decision being taken or announced which had financial implications. [14967/04]

Minister for Transport (Mr. Brennan)

I presume that the Deputy is referring to the public financial procedures published by the Department of Finance. This publication states in section A5.5 "An Accounting Officer should ensure that all relevant financial considerations are taken fully into account, and where necessary brought to the attention of Ministers, in relation to the preparation and implementation of policy proposals relating to expenditure or income for which he or she is Accounting Officer".

I am satisfied that the accounting officer of my Department has carried out this duty.

Departmental Committees.

John Bruton

Question:

185 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Transport the composition of the management advisory committee of his Department; the number of times it has met since its formation; the number of times he has attended it in person; and the issues it has considered. [14984/04]

Minister for Transport (Mr. Brennan)

The management board of the Department comprises the Secretary General and assistant secretaries of my Department, with the Department's policy analyst and the private secretary to the Secretary General also in attendance. The management board generally meets on a weekly basis, with discussion on progress on the Department's strategic policy and strategic management agenda taking place at these meetings. Occasionally other members of staff attend if their particular area of responsibility is being discussed. I attended the first meeting in 2002 and now meet with the management board on an approximately monthly basis to review progress on implementing the Department's statement of strategy.

Decentralisation Programme.

John Bruton

Question:

186 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Transport the implementation plan for each Department or agency under his aegis which is to be decentralised; the costs associated with the plan; and if any alteration will be needed to the multi-year financial projections of the Department or Agency in question to meet any such costs. [14999/04]

Minister for Transport (Mr. Brennan)

The implementation plans for my Department and the agencies under its aegis are currently being prepared and are due to be submitted to the decentralisation implementation group by the end of May 2004.

It is not possible at this stage to provide details of the costs associated with the plans or whether any alteration will be needed to the multi-year financial projections of my Department or its agencies to meet any such costs.

Strategic Management Initiative.

John Bruton

Question:

187 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Transport the action taken by his Department on each recommendation of the PA consultancy report on the implementation of the strategic management initiative. [15029/04]

Minister for Transport (Mr. Brennan)

My Department has agreed to implement a range of modernisation proposals under the Sustaining Progress agreement. These proposals originate from, inter alia, the recommendations in the PA consultants report. Progress reports are prepared on a six-monthly basis for the Civil Service performance verification group regarding the Department’s implementation of the modernisation programme. The reports are on the Department of Finance website at: http://www.finance.gov.ie/documents/civilservice/benchmarking/transportprep.rtf.

Management Information Framework.

John Bruton

Question:

188 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Transport if a management information framework as recommended by the Mullarkey committee has been put in place in his Department; and if he will explain the way it works. [15044/04]

Minister for Transport (Mr. Brennan)

The principle aim of the management information framework is to provide Departments with a flexible financial management system integrated with output measurement to enhance performance and accountability. The management information framework aims to ensure better decision making about allocation of resources; better management of resources once allocated; and greater transparency in and accountability of resources.

To date the main focus of the management information framework project in Departments has been to prioritise the development and installation of enhanced financial systems. My Department has completed this task well ahead of the central timeline, going live with a new system, Agresso Financials on 2 September 2002.

Departmental Committees.

John Bruton

Question:

189 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Transport if he has appointed an audit committee for his Department; its members, charter, number of meetings to date; if it has issued any reports to him or to the Secretary General. [15059/04]

Minister for Transport (Mr. Brennan)

My Department has an internal audit review committee comprising two members of the management board and an external chairman. It operates under a charter, a copy of which I will send to the Deputy. It meets on a quarterly basis and last met in March 2004. The chairman submits an annual report to the Secretary General of my Department.

Licensing Regulations.

Michael Ring

Question:

190 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Transport the licensing requirement for the pilot, the licensing requirement for a helipad; the insurance requirements for a helicopter pilot and the insurance requirements for a helipad in regard to the use of a helicopter for private use by a person. [15076/04]

Minister for Transport (Mr. Brennan)

The licensing requirements for pilots and helicopters are a matter for the Irish Aviation Authority, IAA.

At present, insurance is not compulsory for private use of aircraft or helicopters. European regulation No. 785 of 2004 lays down the insurance requirements for air carriers and aircraft operators, included within the scope of this regulation is the private use of aircraft and helicopters. This regulation specifies the minimum insurance cover per accident, for each and every aircraft, in respect of liability for third parties. These insurance levels are based on the maximum take off mass of the aircraft as shown in the table below. This regulation will enter into force on 30 April 2005.

Category	MTOM (kg)	Minimum Insurance (million SDR’s)
1	<500	0.75
2	<1,000	1,5
3	<2,700	3
4	<6,000	7
5	<12,000	18
6	<25,000	80
7	<50,000	150
8	<200,000	300
9	<500,000	500
10	>500,000	700

{1SDR = approx. €1.20}

Equal Status Act.

Finian McGrath

Question:

191 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will consider the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 9 under the Equal Status Act 2000; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14889/04]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. McDowell)

Since October 2000 direct and indirect discrimination in the provision of goods and services is prohibited under the Equal Status Act 2000 on nine grounds including disability.

The Act covers all goods and services which are available to the public, whether on payment or not. Services are defined broadly to include access to public places, banking and insurance services, entertainment, travel, transport, professional services, education, disposal of premises and provision of accommodation and private registered clubs.

A person who claims that she or he has been discriminated against in the non-employment area may seek redress by referring the case to the ODEI — the Equality Tribunal. The director has the power under the Equal Status Act to refer the case for mediation or to investigate and decide such a case. If the director finds in favour of the complainant, she may make an order for compensation for the effects of discrimination and/or order a specific course of action to be taken.

The ODEI, the Equality Tribunal, is an independent statutory office set up under the Employment Equality Act 1998 and that the director and her equality officers and equality mediation officers are independent in the performance of their functions. I have no statutory function in relation to such investigations and it would not be appropriate for me to comment on any individual case.

The Equality Authority, which has the role of working towards the elimination of discrimination, provides information and advice to any person who feels that he or she has been discriminated against on any of the grounds covered in the equality legislation, whether in an employment or non-employment area.

If a person wishes to take a case under the Equal Status Act, he or she may represent himself or herself, be represented by a solicitor or, in certain cases, request advice and possible representation from the Equality Authority. Contact details for the equality bodies are as follows:

Equality Authority

2 Clonmel Street

Dublin 2

Locall: 1890 245 545

Email: [e-mail]

Website: www.equality.ie

ODEI- the Equality Tribunal

3 Clonmel Street

Dublin 2

Locall: 1890 344 424

Email: [e-mail]

website: www.odei.ie

Penalty Points System.

Denis Naughten

Question:

192 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will report on the penalty point statistics which will be available once the computerised system is in operation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14891/04]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. McDowell)

The issuing of penalty points is a matter for the Department of Transport and neither the Garda Síochána nor my Department have a role in the maintenance of statistics relating to penalty points on driver licences.

I am informed by the Garda authorities that when the fixed charge processing system is implemented it will be possible to state the number of fixed charge notices issued, the date and time of issue, and the location where the notice was issued.

Children Act.

Dan Neville

Question:

193 Mr. Neville asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the sections of the Children Act 1999 which have been introduced by ministerial order. [14912/04]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. McDowell)

The position in relation to progress on implementation of the Children Act 2001 in so far as my Department is concerned is as set out in my reply to the Deputy of 27 April, 2004.

Departmental Correspondence.

John Bruton

Question:

194 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of times he has issued written directions to his Secretary General, within the meaning of sections 4 to 6 of the Public Service Management Act 1997; and the nature and purpose of each such direction. [14953/04]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. McDowell)

I have not issued written directions to the Secretary General of my Department in connection with sections 4 to 6 of the Public Service Management Act 1997 since I was appointed in June 2002.

Public Finance Procedures.

John Bruton

Question:

195 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if the Secretary General brought to his attention all relevant financial consideration for decisions being taken in accordance to relevant sections of public finance procedures; and if a decision was taken in recent times where the Secretary General did not have an opportunity to comply with this aspect of public finance procedures prior to a decision being taken or announced which had financial implications. [14968/04]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. McDowell)

My Department has a broad remit of responsibilities across the justice, equality, disability and other sectors and, in this regard deals with many issues on a daily basis some of which would be governed by public financial procedures. I am not aware of any case where public financial procedures were not complied with but if the Deputy could supply further details of the matter he is referring to I will have it examined immediately.

Departmental Committees.

John Bruton

Question:

196 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the composition of the management advisory committee of his Department; the number of times it has met since its formation; the number of times he has attended it in person; and the issues it has considered. [14985/04]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. McDowell)

The management advisory committee of my Department is comprised of the Secretary General and all assistant secretaries.

I meet with my management advisory committee regularly, normally weekly, to discuss and consider a wide range of issues relating to the business of the Department, such as progress on An Agreed Programme for Government commitments and strategy statement objectives, including the Department's legislative programme, control of the Department's spending, the EU Presidency, progress on the Department's modernisation programme, decentralisation and personnel matters.

Decentralisation Programme.

John Bruton

Question:

197 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the implementation plan for each Department or agency under his aegis which is to be decentralised; the costs associated with the plan; and if any alteration will be needed to the multi year financial projections of the Department or agency in question to meet any such costs. [15000/04]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. McDowell)

The decentralisation implementation group, Flynn group, has requested that every Department or agency provide it with an implementation plan by 28 May 2004. It is expected that the plans from my Department and the agencies under its aegis will be delivered by the due date. No additional costs associated with the plans have been incurred to date. Future costs associated with the plans will be considered in the context of the Department's financial allocations in the relevant years.

Interdepartmental Committees.

John Bruton

Question:

198 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will list the number of meetings in the past year of each interdepartmental committee or body on which his Department is represented; the frequency and location of its meetings; and where it is intended those meetings will take place after decentralisation. [15015/04]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. McDowell)

My Department has a broad remit of responsibilities across the justice, equality, disability and other sectors and consequently a large number of meetings involving officials of my Department are held every day. Departmental representatives are involved, together with other civil servants and people from outside the service in committees, advisory groups and working groups dealing with a range of issues. The information requested is not readily available and could be compiled only by diverting considerable staff resources from other important work. If, however, the Deputy has a special interest in any particular committee, I will ask that as much of the records as are available and are suitable for release, subject to the usual conditions, be made available to him.

The vast majority of meetings held in my Department will be unaffected by decentralisation, but where they are, they will be facilitated by video conferencing facilities, such as those which already link our finance division in Killarney to headquarters.

Strategic Management Initiative.

John Bruton

Question:

199 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the action taken by his Department on each recommendation of the PA consultancy report on the implementation of the strategic management initiative. [15030/04]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. McDowell)

The new SMI vision statement, strategy and action programme to 2007 being developed by the implementation group of Secretaries General will set out the next phase of the modernisation programme in the Civil service. The outline of this new vision statement and action programme for the civil service is reflected in the modernisation programme set out in the Sustaining Progress social partnership agreement. This modernisation programme has been informed by the outcome of the evaluation of the strategic management initiative as set out in the PA consultancy report.

In accordance with the terms of Sustaining Progress, modernisation action plans were prepared by my Department and associated bodies in the justice and equality sector last year. These action plans set out the specific progress to be achieved by my Department and these bodies on a wide range of modernisation initiatives such as, customer service, efficient use of resources, financial management, new technology and eGovernment, human resources, performance management, equality of opportunity etc. These action plans were published on the Department's website, following their approval by the appropriate independent performance verification groups, PVGs, established under the Sustaining Progress agreement.

The first set of progress reports on implementation of these action plans were submitted to the PVGs at the end of last year. The PVGs decided, based on the progress reports received, that the progress achieved by my Department and sectoral organisations on modernisation warranted payment of the pay increases due from 1 January 2004 to all staff, with the exception of grades in the Prison Service represented by the Prison Officers Association, in respect of which a decision on whether payment is warranted has been deferred. Again, all of these progress reports have been published on the Department's website.

The second set of progress reports on these action plans has recently been submitted to the relevant PVGs and decisions in relation to whether payment of the next pay increase due under Sustaining Progress from 1 July is warranted is expected shortly. It is intended to publish the second set of progress reports on the Department's website when the PVGs have made their decisions.

The considerable progress reported on modernisation in these progress reports demonstrates my Department's commitment to advancing the modernisation programme under Sustaining Progress across the justice and equality sector as a whole and, thereby implementing, as far as possible, the recommendations of the PA Consulting report. Key areas where progress has been achieved by my Department on modernisation include, the more efficient use of financial, staff and IT resources, enhanced customer service, better staff training and development, further developments of partnership, regulatory reform and commitments in the area of equality of opportunity.

Management Information Framework.

John Bruton

Question:

200 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if a management information framework as recommended by the Mullarkey committee has been put in place in his Department; and if he will explain the way it works. [15045/04]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. McDowell)

My Department is well advanced in its work to meet the deadline of 31 December 2004 imposed by Government for the implementation of a new financial management system to facilitate the management information framework. The new system has already been implemented for the Courts Service and the Garda Síochána. It is due to be implemented for the core Department at the end of June 2004, for the Prison Service by the end of September 2004 and for the Land Registry and Registry of Deeds by the end of December 2004. A very significant amount of work has been done to bring the justice sector organisations to this stage and more needs to be done to fully implement the management information framework.

Planning for the next phase of the management information framework has already commenced in the Department and in its agencies. This phase will involve communicating the principles of the management information framework, training people to operate in a management information framework environment with new management information systems and business processes, reviewing organisational performance indicators and devolving responsibility and accountability to the greatest extent possible throughout the organisations.

Departmental Committees.

John Bruton

Question:

201 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he has appointed an audit committee for his Department; its members, charter, number of meetings to date; if it has issued any reports to him or to the Secretary General. [15060/04]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. McDowell)

In line with the recommendation of the report of the working group on the accountability of Secretaries General and accounting officers an audit committee was established in my Department in January 2004. The membership of the committee is as follows: Mr. Jimmy Farrelly, chairperson, Ms Sylda Langford, Mr. Jim McHugh, Mr. Caoimhín Ó hUiginn and Mr. Robert Woods. The committee has met twice since its establishment; it is currently considering a draft charter and it has issued no reports to date to either the Secretary General or to me.

Garda Deployment.

Cecilia Keaveney

Question:

202 Cecilia Keaveney asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of gardaí of all ranks that were on duty in the Inishowen Garda district on each of the nights, 14, 15 and 16 May 2004; the number and types of vehicles manned in the same district on the same nights; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15066/04]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. McDowell)

I have been informed by the Garda authorities, who are responsible for the detailed allocation of resources, including personnel, that the Inishowen peninsula is policed by the Buncrana Garda district and includes the Garda stations of Buncrana, Burnfoot, Carndonagh, Clonmany, Culdaff, Malin, Moville and Muff.

The personnel strength of the Buncrana Garda district as at the 14 and 15 of May 2004 was 73, all ranks. The personnel strength of the Buncrana Garda district on the 16 May 2004 was 72, all ranks. There are eight official Garda vehicles attached to the Buncrana Garda district.

I have been informed by the Garda authorities that for security and operational reasons it is not Garda policy to disclose the number of gardaí working in any area over a specific period of time.

Garda Operations.

Cecilia Keaveney

Question:

203 Cecilia Keaveney asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of incidents that were reported in the Inishowen Garda district on each of the nights 14, 15 and 16 May, 2004; the number that were of a public order nature; the percentage of reported incidents responded to; the number of arrests or cautions given in the same district on the same nights; the number of cases still being pursued at another level; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15067/04]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. McDowell)

I am informed by the Garda authorities that there were four arrests in the Buncrana district in the period concerned, one of which was public order related. The number of persons cautioned is not recorded. I understand that all incidents reported to the Garda authorities in the period concerned were responded to and that there are currently five incidents under investigation by the Garda authorities.

I have made inquiries with the Garda authorities in relation to the number of incidents reported to the Garda authorities in the Buncrana district in the period concerned and the information sought by the Deputy is outlined in the table below.

Incidents in Buncrana District 14-16 May 2004

Date	14th May	15th May	16th May
Incidents in Buncrana District	12	13	9
Public Order Incidents	4	4	3

Road Traffic Regulations.

Cecilia Keaveney

Question:

204 Cecilia Keaveney asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform will there be a clamp down on disturbing the peace incidents in town centres from the use of particular type of exhausts; and the way this will be pursued. [15068/04]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. McDowell)

I am informed by the Garda authorities that breaches of the nature referred to by the Deputy are dealt with under the Road Traffic Acts 1961 to 2003 and regulations made thereunder. Any incidents concerning breaches of these regulations should be reported to the Garda Síochána for investigation.

Registration of Title.

Michael Ring

Question:

205 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform when maps will be issued to a person (details supplied) in County Mayo. [15072/04]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. McDowell)

I am informed by the Registrar of Titles that this is an application for a copy map, in relation to Register Number 1 of Schedule Number V0000SM0092618V, which was lodged on 29 April 2004. Application No. C2004SM001845Y refers. I am further informed that this application was completed on 19 May 2004.

Child Care Services.

Brendan Smith

Question:

206 Mr. B. Smith asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the projects approved to date under the various schemes of the equal opportunities child care programme; the level of funding provided for each project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15079/04]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. McDowell)

The Equal Opportunities Childcare Programme 2000-2006, which is funded by the Exchequer and the European Union, is making available almost €437 million under the national development plan to develop the supply of child care places which will support parents, particularity women, to avail of work, education and training opportunities. An additional amount of some €10 million to €12 million will shortly be made available to the programme following the mid-term review of the national development plan and the regional operational programmes.

I am pleased to announce that over €258 million has been approved under the programme to date. Of this amount, almost €117 million has been approved towards capital projects for community based/not for profit groups and private child care providers. In addition, staffing grants totalling almost €98 million have been approved to community based groups that are providing child care which is supporting disadvantaged parents who are seeking to avail of work, education and training opportunities. A further €43 million has been approved towards quality improvements measures.

The funding approved will, when fully drawn down, lead to the creation of 28,392 new child care places and will support over 26,642 existing places. Much of the remaining funding is required for continuation funding for projects located in areas of significant disadvantage and for the ongoing support of projects and mechanisms which promote quality child care A full list of the projects is being finalised and will be made available to the Deputy in the near future.

Asylum Applications.

John Gormley

Question:

207 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the latest situation with regard to the case of a person (details supplied) and if his attention has been drawn to the results of a psychological assessment which showed them to be vulnerable and traumatised. [15082/04]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. McDowell)

It has been determined by the Refugee Applications Commissioner that the United Kingdom is the appropriate country pursuant to the provisions of the Council Regulation (EC) No. 343/2003, formerly the Dublin Convention, to process the asylum application of the person concerned as she previously claimed asylum there in early 2003. The UK has accepted responsibility for the case and a transfer order has been made in respect of the person concerned requiring her to leave the State and go to the UK. The UK authorities will be informed of any medical condition of the applicant when she is being returned there, so that they can make the necessary arrangements to provide appropriate medical attention on receiving her.

Register of Electors.

Ciarán Cuffe

Question:

208 Mr. Cuffe asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if, in the compilation of the electoral register, he will reconsider his decision to include the wording (details supplied) on the standard form because it creates difficulties for charities and may result in job losses. [14909/04]

Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government (Mr. Cullen)

In response to concerns expressed by the Data Protection Office and more generally about the use of the register of electors for non-electoral purposes, the Electoral (Amendment) Act 2001 provided for the compilation of a full and edited register of electors. An edited register contains the names of persons who have stated no objection to their details being used for purposes over and above electoral or other statutory uses. The full register may be used for electoral and other statutory uses only.

The form used by registration authorities to compile the register of electors contains a question that enables an elector to indicate whether they, or other persons included on the form, wish their name and address to be used for a purpose other than electoral or other statutory use. The question requires a yes or no reply. When the answer is no then details will appear on the full register only.

The overriding objective of these arrangements is to preserve the integrity of the register of electors for its primary purpose, to assure electors that their personal details from the register will not be used for other non statutory purposes without their agreement and to make the choice of whether to appear on the edited register and the implications of that choice as clear as possible.

Radon Gas Levels.

Arthur Morgan

Question:

209 Mr. Morgan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he intends to test existing local government housing stock for radon levels; if new local authority houses will be tested for radon levels before being allocated to new tenants; and his plans for radon testing. [14910/04]

Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government (Mr. Cullen)

I do not propose to make radon testing in existing or new dwellings mandatory. My Department is not aware of any precedent for mandatory testing in other member states.

Under part C of the national building regulations, dwellings, including new local authority dwellings, commencing construction on or after 1 July 1998 must incorporate radon reduction measures. In high radon areas, where more than 10% of existing houses exceed the national reference level of 200 becquerels per cubic metre, foundations must incorporate radon proof membrane and a standby radon extraction sump. In other areas foundations must incorporate a standby radon extraction sump.

Later this year my Department will publish enhanced technical guidelines on compliance with the radon reduction requirements in the building code.

Housing Grants.

Denis Naughten

Question:

210 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government further to Parliamentary Question No, 178 of 13 May, when his Department received the application; the reason for the delay in processing it; if there is a similar delay with all applications; and when an assessment of costs will take place. [14914/04]

Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government (Mr. N. Ahern)

The application was received on 9 December 2002 and an inspection was carried out on 3 February 2003. My Department made several attempts to contact the applicant to carry out an assessment of costs. It shall take place on 27 May.

The time taken from receipt of an application for a certificate of reasonable cost and the issue of the certificate is influenced by a range of factors, many of them are the responsibility of the applicant. They include when an application is made, supplying information and all of the documentation and the time taken to achieve completion of the house. The time taken to process an application can vary appreciably from one application to another.

Local Authority Housing.

Bernard Allen

Question:

211 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the integrated housing supports his Department will establish for persons in need. [14922/04]

Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government (Mr. N. Ahern)

Local authorities were requested to submit details of five year action plans covering a full range of housing programmes to the Department by the end of May. The plans will enable local authorities to identify priority needs over the coming years. They will provide a coherent and co-ordinated response across all housing sectors, including delivery by the voluntary and co-operative sector and use of private rental accommodation to meet long-term housing assistance needs. My Department must agree the plans. They will ensure that local authorities will adopt a strategic approach to meeting housing needs in their areas and will ensure that they avail of the certainty provided by multi-annual expenditure programmes.

The Government's positive commitment to the social housing programme is shown in its increased provision for social and affordable housing in 2004. The total housing provision, Exchequer and non-Exchequer, in 2004 of €1.884 billion represents an increase of 5.4% on the 2003 provision. The increase in the housing provision will allow for 5,000 starts under the main local authority programme, an increase of 500 above 2003 levels. There will be a further 500 commencements under area regeneration programmes in 2004. The voluntary and co-operative housing sector will also provide 1,800 units of accommodation in 2004.

The social and affordable housing needs of over 13,600 households were met in 2003 compared to almost 8,500 in 1998. It is the highest level of housing provision, across a full range of social and affordable housing measures, for over 15 years.

Decentralisation Programme.

John Bruton

Question:

212 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his plans for his staff that opt to remain in Dublin after his Department’s headquarters are decentralised; the work they will be allocated if they remain in his Department; and where they will be accommodated. [14929/04]

Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government (Mr. Cullen)

Under the decentralisation programme, announced in the 2004 budget, all Dublin based operations of my Department will be decentralised. The exception is Met Éireann and some local based services. Staff that do not wish to decentralise will be given the option to indicate their preferences to transfer to other posts in the Dublin area under the decentralisation central applications facility.

John Bruton

Question:

213 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the number of vacant posts in his Department; if competition for them is confined; if same will move to the decentralised location of his Department at the appropriate time. [14932/04]

Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government (Mr. Cullen)

At any given time a proportion of posts in my Department may be vacant due to the normal turnover of staff and other human resources planning considerations, such as consolidation and restructuring of work. Posts are filled through a combination of open recruitment, Departmental and interdepartmental promotions. The Department of Finance and unions must agree the decentralisation programme's recruitment and promotion policy.

Departmental Correspondence.

John Bruton

Question:

214 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the number of times he has issued written directions to his secretary general, within the meaning of sections 4 to 6 of the Public Service Management Act 1997; and the nature and purpose of each direction. [14954/04]

Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government (Mr. Cullen)

I have not given a written direction to him under the Act.

Public Finance Procedures.

John Bruton

Question:

215 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if the Secretary General drew his attention to all of the relevant financial considerations for decisions being taken in accordance to relevant sections of public finance procedures; and if a decision was taken in recent times where the Secretary General did not have an opportunity to comply with this aspect of public finance procedures prior to a decision being taken or announced that had financial implications. [14969/04]

Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government (Mr. Cullen)

I receive advice from him on its work generally including, where relevant, advice on financial matters. My Department complies with public financial procedures issued by the Department of Finance.

Departmental Committees.

John Bruton

Question:

216 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the composition of his Department’s management advisory committee; the number of times it has met; the number of times he attended; and the issues it has considered. [14986/04]

Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government (Mr. Cullen)

The committee comprises the Secretary General, six assistant secretaries and a legal adviser. They normally meet on a weekly basis to address corporate, including human resources, issues.

My Ministers of State and I meet the MAC on a regular basis to review progress on key policy and programme objectives. Meetings are normally scheduled on a fortnightly basis, although the schedule was affected in recent months by EU Presidency commitments.

I meet my Secretary General and individual members of MAC on a day-to-day basis to discuss matters on Department and Government business.

Decentralisation Programme.

John Bruton

Question:

217 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the decentralisation implementation plan for each Department or agency under his aegis; the costs associated with it; and if any alteration will be made to the multi-year financial projections of the Department or Agency in question. [15001/04]

Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government (Mr. Cullen)

In accordance with the recommendations of the report of the decentralisation implementation group, all Departments and agencies have been asked to prepare decentralisation implementation plans by the end of May. My Department and agencies are drafting them. Details of the costs associated with the decentralisation programme cannot be estimated at this early stage of the process.

Interdepartmental Committees.

John Bruton

Question:

218 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will list the number of meetings in the past year of each interdepartmental committee or body on which his Department is represented; the frequency and location of the meetings; and where the meetings will take place after decentralisation. [15016/04]

Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government (Mr. Cullen)

Interdepartmental committees are listed in the following table A. My Department is also represented on a number of agencies sponsored by it as per table B.

My officials also serve on a range of interdepartmental committees and groups operating under the auspices of other Departments. The details are being compiled and will be sent to the Deputy.

Lists of the number, frequency and duration of such meetings are not readily available. The compilation of such information would require a disproportionate allocation of staff resources.

It is not possible to predict the pattern of future meetings for such groups.

TABLE A

Name of Committee

Interdepartmental Task force on the Integration of Local Government and Local Development Systems

Flood Policy Review Group

Steering Group on the implementation of Branching Out

EU Chemicals Strategy Interdepartmental Committee

NDP-CSF: Environment Co-ordinating Committee

Committee of Departments of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government and of Agriculture and Food in relation to designated conservation areas and commonages

Interdepartmental Committee on the Implementation of National Heritage and National Biodiversity Plan

Consultative Committee on Nuclear Emergency Planning

Nuclear Emergency Response Co-ordination Committee

Interdepartmental Committee on Monitoring of Sellafield Arbitrations

Interdepartmental Climate Change Team

National Allocations Plan Steering Committee

Inventory Data Users Sub Groups

Committee to review Wind Farms Development Guidelines

Monitoring Committee on Implementation of Recommendations of Task Force on the Travelling Community

National Traveller Accommodation Consultative Committee

Environmental Network of Government Departments

Interdepartmental Committee on Implementation of the National Spatial Strategy

Working Group on Implementation of Directive 2002/91/EC on Energy Performance of Buildings

Ad Hoc Interdepartmental Group on Ispat Matters

Cross Departmental Team on Homelessness

Expert Group on Dangerous Substances

Nitrates Expert Committee

EU Water Framework Directive Interdepartmental Steering Group

EU Water Framework Directive Co-ordination Group

National Waste Prevention Committee

Market Development Group (for Recyclables)

Housing Forum

Committee to Review Management-Development (Planning)

Working Group on Voluntary Housing

TABLE B

Building Regulations Advisory Board

Dublin Docklands Development Authority

Fire Services Council

Housing Finance Agency

Local Government Computer Services Board

Local Government Management Services Board

National Building Agency

Irish Water Safety Association

Comhar

Private Residential Tenancies Board

Heritage Council

Forum of the Construction Industry

Strategic Management Initiative.

John Bruton

Question:

219 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the action taken by his Department on each recommendation of the PA consultancy report on the implementation of the strategic management initiative. [15031/04]

Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government (Mr. Cullen)

The agenda for the current phase of the public service modernisation programme, informed by the PA report, is effectively set out in the pay agreement Sustaining Progress. Detailed progress reports for the implementation of the programme in my Department have been submitted. This was done through the Department of Finance and submitted to the Civil Service performance verification group established under Sustaining Progress. The first such progress report was published in October 2003 and is available on the Department of Finance's website. The second progress report was submitted in April 2004 and is being considered by the CSPVG. It will be published in the coming weeks. The implementation of the SMI is also reported in my Department's annual reports.

My Department has made good progress since the PA report was published. It concluded that accelerated progress was required in the areas of human resource management, financial management and information systems management. My Department has built on good progress in these areas and it has since published a human resources strategy and rolled out a new financial management system. The motor tax on-line facility, a key electronic Government project, is also available nationwide.

Management Information Framework.

John Bruton

Question:

220 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if a management information framework, as recommended by the Mullarkey committee, was implemented in his Department; and if he will explain the way it works. [15046/04]

Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government (Mr. Cullen)

The MIF has its origins in the fiscal dimension to the SMI. It is referred to in the report of the working group on the Accountability of Secretaries General and Accounting Officers, or the Mullarkey report, in the context of having the capacity to improve the financial management processes in Departments and offices. The introduction and development of the MIF was not recommended in the report.

My Department undertook a considerable body of work in advance of the MIF. A number of studies were undertaken to assess the financial systems that would best serve the needs of my Department. Subsequently, a new financial management system was acquired and commissioned with effect from the commencement of the current financial year.

The new system should generate efficiencies in the Department by, inter alia, introducing more streamlined processes for making payments and bringing receipts to account. My Department intends to exploit the potential benefits that can accrue from the extensive functionality of the new financial management system. It will entail maximising the use and value of information available from the system so that informed and timely management decisions can be taken to the greatest extent possible.

Departmental Committees.

John Bruton

Question:

221 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if appointed an audit committee for his Department; its members, charter and number of meetings to date; and if it has issued reports to him or his secretary general. [15061/04]

Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government (Mr. Cullen)

Recently my Department appointed an audit committee. It operates under a written charter and has met. The committee is required to furnish a report on its activities during the year to the accounting officer within three months following the end of each calendar year. The members are: Mr. Jerry Killeen, chairman, former financial controller and company secretary, Dublin Port Company; Mr. Michael Canny, assistant secretary, Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government; Mr. Eric Embleton former assistant secretary, CMOD, Department of Finance; Mr. Noel O'Connell, director of audit, Local Government Audit Service; and Mr. Donal O'Donoghue, former county manager, Galway County Council.

Community Development.

Ned O'Keeffe

Question:

222 Mr. N. O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the grant aid available through Leader for the development of holiday homes in an area (details supplied) in County Cork. [14925/04]

Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs (Éamon Ó Cuív)

Each Leader group has a specific budget set aside in their overall allocation for rural or agri-tourism. The approval of grants by groups is made within detailed operating rules drawn-up by my Department and approved by the EU Commission. In accordance with the bottom-up philosophy of rural development, the local Leader group is the decision-making authority capable of approving actions within its business plan.

The person referred to by the Deputy should contact Blackwater Region Leader Company Limited, The Showgrounds, Fermoy, County Cork or telephone [phone].

Departmental Correspondence.

John Bruton

Question:

223 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the number of times he issued written directions to his Secretary General, within the meaning of sections 4 to 6, inclusive, of the Public Service Management Act 1997; and the nature and purpose of each direction. [14955/04]

Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs (Éamon Ó Cuív)

I have not issued any written directions to my Secretary General under section 7 of the Act in connection with sections 4 to 6, inclusive.

Public Finance Procedures.

John Bruton

Question:

224 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if his Secretary General drew his attention to all of the relevant financial considerations for decision being taken in accordance with sections of the public finance procedures; and if a decision was taken in recent times where his Secretary General did not have an opportunity to comply with this aspect of public finance procedures prior to a decision being taken or announced that had financial implications. [14972/04]

Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs (Éamon Ó Cuív)

I presume that the Deputy is referring to the public financial procedures published by the Department of Finance. Section A5.5 states: An accounting officer should ensure that all relevant financial considerations are taken fully into account, and where necessary brought to the attention of Ministers, in relation to the preparation and implementation of policy proposals relating to expenditure or income for which he or she is accounting officer.

I am satisfied that my Department's accounting officer carried out his duty.

Departmental Committees.

John Bruton

Question:

225 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the composition of his Department’s management advisory committee; the number of times it has met; the number of times he attended; and the issues it considered. [14987/04]

Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs (Éamon Ó Cuív)

The committee comprises my Secretary General, two assistant secretaries, a principal officer, corporate development and IT, a principal officer, finance and accounts and two principal officers representing the principal officer management group. The committee had 30 meetings since its establishment in October 2002. I have met it 22 times since my Department was established in June 2002. The committee has considered a wide range of corporate and policy issues.

Decentralisation Programme.

John Bruton

Question:

226 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the decentralisation implementation plan for his Department or agencies; the costs associated with it; and if any alteration will be needed to the multi-year financial projections for his Department or agencies. [15002/04]

Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs (Éamon Ó Cuív)

The Flynn group requested plans. At present my Department and Area Development Management Limited are preparing them. It is hoped to submit them to group later this month. Costs and other financial implications have yet to be determined. To date no changes have been made to the multi-annual projections for my Department or ADM Limited.

Preparation of an implementation plan for Foras na Gaeilge is subject to and awaits the agreement of the North-South Ministerial Council to the proposed decentralisation. Discussions between my Department, its northern counterpart and Foras na Gaeilge are continuing.

Question No. 227 withdrawn.

Strategic Management Initiative.

John Bruton

Question:

228 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the action taken by his Department on each recommendation of the PA consultancy report on the implementation of the strategic management initiative. [15032/04]

Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs (Éamon Ó Cuív)

My Department's modernisation programme under the initiative was informed by the PA evaluation. Its modernisation agenda was included in progress reports, under Sustaining Progress, submitted to the Civil Service Performance Verification Group.

The reports on payments made on 1 January are on the Department of Finance website www.finance.gov.ie I intend to publish the most recent reports following a decision by the group in respect of 1 July payments.

Management Information Framework.

John Bruton

Question:

229 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if a management information framework, as recommended by the Mullarkey committee, was implemented in his Department; and if he will explain the way it works. [15047/04]

Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs (Éamon Ó Cuív)

At present a MIF is being installed in my Department. The work is rolled out in two phases, the first stage went live on 4 May and the second phase will follow on 1 July. The deadline for the completion of this work in all Departments was the end of 2004.

It is envisaged that the framework will facilitate the management of my Department in the future. It will facilitate more informed decision-making, better management of resources and greater accountability for their use. Ultimately the project will involve the combination of financial and non-financial information to produce management reports that will greatly facilitate the work of managers and the overall management advisory committee.

The report of the working group on the Accountability of Secretaries General and Accounting Officers, or the Mullarkey report, recommended that secretaries general should give priority to the implementation of a framework in their Departments. This is very much the case in my Department, Progress on the project and management issues arising therefrom are subject to regular reviews at meetings of my Department's MAC.

Departmental Committees.

John Bruton

Question:

230 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if he appointed an audit committee for his Department; its members, charter, number of meetings to date; if it has issued reports to him or to his secretary general. [15062/04]

Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs (Éamon Ó Cuív)

On the establishment of the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs in June 2002, the audit committee previously in place in the former Department of Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands remained. It continued to advise and make recommendations in the new Department on financial matters, the control of the environment and governance procedures. Its term of office ended in March.

In March the audit committee was reconstituted and a new external chairperson was appointed. A key recommendation of the Mullarkey report is that Departments must have a formally constituted audit committee, preferably chaired by a person from outside of the Department. The committee has three external representatives, including the chairperson and one internal representative on it.

The members of the current committee are: Mr. Cyril Sullivan, lecturer in the IPA; Mr. Niall Kelly, head of internal audit at the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources; and Mr. Michael Conroy, principal officer, finance unit of this Department. The chairperson is Mr. Liam Ryan, managing director of Ryan Glennon Chartered Accountants.

The committee operates in accordance with the terms of the audit committee charter. It provides independent and objective advice and acts as a support and resource to the Department. It makes recommendations with a view to improving the effectiveness and efficiency of the internal financial controls, systems, procedures and methods in my Department.

The audit charter requires the an audit committee to meet not less than four times a year. It has met 12 times since its establishment in April 2001. The committee has access to my Secretary General and senior officials. It provides him and the MAC with an annual report on its activities.

Maoiniú Thograí Ghaeilge.

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Question:

231 D’fhiafraigh Aengus Ó Snodaigh den Aire Gnóthaí Pobail, Tuaithe agus Gaeltachta an ndearnadh treoir a thabhairt d’Fhoras na Gaeilge agus dá Roinn gan cómhaoiniú a dhéanamh ar thograí Gaeilge, agus an féidir leis míniú a thabhairt air. [15115/04]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Question:

232 D’fhiafraigh Aengus Ó Snodaigh den Aire Gnóthaí Pobail, Tuaithe agus Gaeltachta an eol dó cén éifeacht a bheidh ag an gcinneadh gan ligean don chómhaoiniú do thograí Gaeilge ó Fhoras na Gaeilge agus an Roinn Gnóthaí Pobail, Tuaithe agus Gaeltachta ar thograí atá faoi lán seoil. [15116/04]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Question:

233 D’fhiafraigh Aengus Ó Snodaigh den Aire Gnóthaí Pobail, Tuaithe agus Gaeltachta an gcaillfidh tograí Gaeilge atá á maoiniú cheana féin ag Foras na Gaeilge nó ag an Roinn Gnóthaí Pobail, Tuaithe agus Gaeltachta nó acu beirt, cuid dá ndeontais de thairbhe an chinnidh gan cómhaoiniú a cheadú a thuilleadh ón dá fhoinse, nó de thairbhe an chinnidh nach bhfuil aon fheidhm ag Foras na Gaeilge i leith na Gaeltachta nó sa Ghaeltacht in ainneoin a róil uile-Éireannaigh de réir Chomhaontú Aoine an Chéasta. [15117/04]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Question:

234 D’fhiafraigh Aengus Ó Snodaigh den Aire Gnóthaí Pobail, Tuaithe agus Gaeltachta an fíor an méid a dúradh in Foinse (18 Aibreán) go bhfuiltear ag meabhrú don Rialtas chomh maith nach bhfuil aon fheidhm ag Foras na Gaeilge sa Ghaeltacht agus an féidir leis míniú a thabhairt ar an ráiteas úd. [15118/04]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Question:

235 D’fhiafraigh Aengus Ó Snodaigh den Aire Gnóthaí Pobail, Tuaithe agus Gaeltachta cént-eagras ar a bhfuil dualgas maidir le maoiniú do thograí Gaeilge sa Ghaeltacht más fíor nach bhfuil aon fheidhm ag Foras na Gaeilge sa Ghaeltacht agus an mbeidh an t-eagras sin sásta an gannchion ó thaobh deontais do thograí Gaeilge atá á maoiniú cheana féin ag Foras na Gaeilge a iompar. [15119/04]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Question:

236 D’fhiafraigh Aengus Ó Snodaigh den Aire Gnóthaí Pobail, Tuaithe agus Gaeltachta cén uair a cinneadh nach mbeadh aon fheidhm ag Foras na Gaeilge i leith na Gaeltachta nó sa Ghaeltacht in ainneoin a róil uile-Éireannaigh de réir Chomhaontú Aoine an Chéasta agus an féidir míniú a thabhairt ar an scéal. [15122/04]

Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs (Éamon Ó Cuív)

Tógfaidh mé Ceisteanna Uimh. 231, 232, 233, 234, 235 agus 236 le chéile.

Níl aon treoracha den chineál atá luaite ag an Teachta tugtha d'Fhoras na Gaeilge ná do mo Roinnse.

Ar ndóigh, tá dualgas ar gach eagraíocht Stáit a chinntiú go bhfuil luach-ar-airgead le fáil ar an gcaiteachas a dhéantar agus go bhfuil maoiniú dúbailte á sheachaint. Dá réir sin, ainneoin is go bhfuil cúram leagtha ar Fhoras na Gaeilge faoin Acht um Chomhaontú na Breataine-na hÉireann 1999 maidir le cur chun cinn na Gaeilge ar bhonn uile-oileánda, tá sé riachtanach — agus is ceist dea-chleachtais agus dea-chaighdeán bainistíochta ar airgead poiblí í — go mbeadh córas teagmhála ann idir mo Roinn féin, Údarás na Gaeltachta agus Foras na Gaeilge chun a chinntiú nach mbíonn trasnú nó maoiniú dúbailte i gceist.

Baineann an prionsabal céanna, ar ndóigh, le maoiniú taobh amuigh nó taobh istigh den Ghaeltacht, chomh maith le maoiniú don réimse eagraíochtaí eile a bhfuil freagrachtaí Gaeilge nó Gaeltachta orthu.

Níl aon bhac ar chomhaoiniú idir na heagraíochtaí Stáit atá ag plé leis an nGaeilge agus leis an nGaeltacht, ach na maoinitheoirí ábhartha go léir a bheith ar an eolas faoina chéile agus ar comhthuiscint cinnte: go bhfuil siad ag feidhmiú taobh istigh de na tosaíochtaí agus na róil reachtúla atá acu araon; go bhfuil luach-ar-airgead ar fáil ar an gcaiteachas a bheidh i gceist; agus nach mbeadh sé níos saoire agus níos éifeachtaí ó thaobh cúrsaí reachtála de go nglacfadh ceann de na heagraíochtaí an fhreagracht orthu féin an maoiniú iomlán a íoc.

Tuigfidh an Teachta, ar ndóigh, ó tharla go bhfuil Foras na Gaeilge agus Údarás na Gaeltachta maoinithe sa gcuid is mó ag mo Roinn féin, nach mbeadh aon sábhailt airgid don Rialtas nó don Roinn i gcomhaoiniú idir na heagraíochtaí seo. D'fhéadfadh cúinsí a bheith ann, áfach, go mbeadh comhaoiniú den chineál sin inmholta ar chúiseanna eile.

Social Welfare Benefits.

Paul Kehoe

Question:

237 Mr. Kehoe asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the position regarding the backdating of family income supplement for a person (details supplied) in County Carlow; when a decision will be made; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14917/04]

Minister for Social and Family Affairs (Mary Coughlan)

The application for family income supplement from the person concerned was received in the Department on 20 October 2003. Family income supplement was awarded at the rate of €41.00 per week from 23 October 2003 in line with legislation and normal practice. This rate was increased to €58.00 per week from 1 January 2004 in line with budget increases.

The person then requested that his award be back-dated to October 2002. This application was refused by the deciding officer on the basis that the family income supplement is a well advertised scheme and lack of information would not normally be accepted as sufficient reason for not claiming on time. The person appealed this decision to the social welfare appeals office and in accordance with the statutory requirements the relevant departmental papers and the comments of the social welfare services on the matters raised in the appeal were sought by the appeals office. As soon as these come to hand the case will be referred to an appeals officer for early consideration.

Under social welfare legislation decisions in relation to claims must be made by deciding officers and appeals officers. These officers are statutorily appointed and I have no role in regard to making such decisions.

Departmental Correspondence.

John Bruton

Question:

238 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the number of times she has issued written directions to her Secretary General, within the meaning of sections 4 to 6 of the Public Service Management Act, 1997; and the nature and purpose of each such direction. [14956/04]

John Bruton

Question:

239 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if the Secretary General brought to her attention all relevant financial consideration for decisions being taken in accordance to relevant sections of public finance procedures; and if a decision was taken in recent times where the Secretary General did not have an opportunity to comply with this aspect of public finance procedures prior to a decision being taken or announced which had financial implications. [14973/04]

Minister for Social and Family Affairs (Mary Coughlan)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 238 and 239 together.

I have made no decisions in recent times where the Secretary General did not have an opportunity to provide me with the relevant financial considerations in accordance with public financial procedures.

There has been no occasion on which it was necessary for me to give a written direction to the Secretary General within the meaning of sections 4 to 6 of the Public Service Management Act.

Departmental Committees.

John Bruton

Question:

240 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the composition of the management advisory committee of her Department; the number of times it has met since its formation; the number of times she has attended it in person; and the issues it has considered. [14988/04]

Minister for Social and Family Affairs (Mary Coughlan)

The management advisory committee of my Department at present comprises the Secretary General, the director general of social welfare services, which is the service delivery arm of the Department, five people at assistant secretary general level and four at director level.

I regularly attend meetings of the committee. I have chaired the committee's meetings on 18 occasions since my appointment as Minister for Social and Family Affairs in June 2002 and there have been 53 meetings in all during that period.

A management advisory committee has been in place in the Department for many years, but exact records of the number of committee meetings since its original inception are not available. The committee met on 15 occasions between June and December 2002, on 27 occasions in 2003 and on 11 occasions to date in 2004.

The committee discusses a range of issues relating to the management of the Department, including in particular: delivery of the Department's strategic priorities as outlined in the Department's statement of strategy and other related strategies; monitoring the quality of delivery of services for which this Department is responsible; ongoing financial management and budgetary issues; implementation of the Department's modernisation action plan under the Sustaining Progress agreement and ongoing change projects in which the Department is involved; and other relevant issues concerning the Department which arise from time to time.

There are also a number of sub-committees of the management committee which address specific issues relating to the policy, financial, human resource management, operational and risk management and eGovernment agendas affecting the Department.

Decentralisation Programme.

John Bruton

Question:

241 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the implementation plan for each department or agency under her aegis which is to be decentralised; the costs associated with the plan; and if any alteration will be needed to the multi-year financial projections of the department or agency in question to meet any such costs. [15003/04]

Minister for Social and Family Affairs (Mary Coughlan)

The programme of decentralisation will involve major change in my Department. A key objective of the programme will be to ensure that it is implemented in a planned way, with due regard to the maintenance of high standards of service and to the effects on staff. My Department has established a project management structure to manage the decentralisation programme within the organisation. The project board is currently drawing up an implementation plan which will include an estimate of the costs associated with the programme for my Department. At this stage in the process I am not in a position to give details of the costs involved. My Department's plan will be submitted to the decentralisation implementation group by the end of May 2004, as set out in the action agenda of the group's report of 31 March.

The bodies under the aegis of my Department which are due to decentralise, namely, Comhairle and the Combat Poverty Agency are also in the process of drawing up implementation plans.

Strategic Management Initiative.

John Bruton

Question:

242 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the action taken by her Department on each recommendation of the PA consultancy report on the implementation of the strategic management initiative. [15033/04]

Minister for Social and Family Affairs (Mary Coughlan)

The PA evaluation of the strategic management initiative was published in March 2002. It's overall finding was that the Civil Service in 2002 was more effective than a decade previously. However, it pointed to the need for more accelerated progress on human resource management, financial management and information systems management.

The overall approach to modernisation in the Civil Service in the light of the PA recommendations is set out in sections 20 and 22 of the social partnership agreement, Sustaining Progress, and this has formed the basis for my Department's own approach as set out in its modernisation action plan.

Progress on the modernisation programme in the wider Civil Service is set out in the Sectoral Progress Report, which was submitted to the Civil Service performance verification group in November 2003. The report is available on the Department of Finance's website.

My Department has identified five key priority areas in its own action plan. These are: the use of new technology; greater flexibility in the way services are delivered; implementation of a new control programme; a range of changes in the HR area including greater use of competitive promotions; and development of better financial management and information systems. Progress has been made under all of these headings.

Priorities under the heading of new technology include implementation of the Department's new service delivery model, SDM, and associated projects. The SDM involves the development of a new generation of IT systems which facilitates customer-centered services and also supports the e-government strategy. This is interlinked with other technology projects, such as the civil registration modernisation programme, the public service broker, the REACH inter-agency messaging service and the development of the public service identity. There has been substantial progress in each of these areas.

In the area of flexible delivery of service the key element is the phased localisation of the one parent family payment scheme. In effect, this means that the administration of the scheme will move from one central office to the Department's local office network. The anticipated outcomes are better service to the customer, better control and easier access for lone parents to the employment supports and other supports available in local offices.

The third priority is control. The Department's existing control strategy entails a mix of measures to minimise risks of fraud and eliminate incorrect payments. Implementation of a new control strategy, involving greater emphasis on risk assessment and risk management and a more focused control approach will provide for a more effective and efficient allocation of resources with staff deployed and budgets expended on more effective control activity. This process is well under way.

Our fourth priority relates to human resources management. Recent progress in this regard includes: production of a Human Resources Strategy 2003-2005; upgrade of the human resource management computer system; production of the gender equality action plan 2003-2005; completion and publication of a report, prepared by a widely based partnership based group, on issues affecting staff with disabilities; production of detailed statistical analysis of absenteeism levels; completion of the rollout of performance management and development training; and substantial progress in the development of new policies on promotion, mobility-relocation, attendance management and devolution of HR functions.

The final priority relates to the area of financial management and in particular the management information framework, MIF, project. I am providing a comprehensive progress report on this project in a reply to a separate question, Question No. 243.

Substantial progress has been made in my Department on the key elements of the Government's modernisation programme, in the light of the PA recommendations and other developments since then.

Management Information Framework.

John Bruton

Question:

243 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if a management information framework, as recommended by the Mullarkey committee, has been put in place in her Department; and if she will explain the way it works. [15048/04]

Minister for Social and Family Affairs (Mary Coughlan)

The management information framework, MIF, aims at ensuring more efficient processing of financial transactions and accounts, better decision-making about allocation of resources, more efficient and effective management of resources once allocated and greater transparency in and accountability for the use of resources. The MIF is a key part of the strategic management initiative, SMI, and arose out of a report in 1999 prepared for the SMI implementation group.

The Mullarkey committee report of July 2002, acknowledged the MIF initiative under the SMI as a key element in supporting both the Secretary General and the accounting officer and in improving the link between financial analysis and decision-making.

A programme to develop and roll-out the MIF across the Civil Service has been established centrally under the auspices of the Department of Finance. All Departments are required under the MIF to establish formal MIF projects. In my Department, the development and roll-out of the MIF is being overseen by a project board which includes representatives from the main business divisions of the Department. My Department is also represented on the consultative committee and the project management sub-group for the overall MIF project.

The Department has had a computerised financial system in place since 1998 and the main emphasis of the MIF implementation project has been focused on the development of comprehensive and integrated management information systems. To date, this has involved the identification, scoping and implementation, as appropriate, of a number of specific initiatives. These include: projects on staff coding; development of management reports at the business and senior management levels; development of costing policies; improvement and development of performance indicators; the development of training and awareness strategies; statistical database development; the consideration of a customer contact system; participation in a centrally managed pilot on resource allocation and budgeting process; and accrual accounting.

Substantial progress has been made on the project in my Department and it has been identified as one of five key priority areas in the Department's modernisation action plan drawn up under the terms of Sustaining Progress.

Departmental Committees.

John Bruton

Question:

244 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if she has appointed an audit committee for her Department; its members, charter, number of meetings to date; if it has issued any reports to her or to the Secretary General. [15063/04]

Minister for Social and Family Affairs (Mary Coughlan)

An audit committee for my Department was appointed in late 2000 and held its first meeting in December 2000.

The current membership is five, three of whom, including the chairperson, are external to the Department. The current members are: Ms Sylda Langford, chairperson, assistant secretary, Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform; Mr. Michael Flynn, deputy chairperson, director of internal audit, Department of Agriculture and Food; Mr. Patrick Banahan, general manager — internal audit, Voluntary Health Insurance Board; Mr. Eoin O'Broin, regional director, Department of Social and Family Affairs; and Mr. Eddie Rice, decisions advisory officer, Department of Social and Family Affairs.

The Audit Committee operates under a written charter, which was signed by the chairperson and by the Secretary General in July 2002. To date, 14 meetings have been held. To date, the audit committee has issued an annual report to the Secretary General in respect of the period to end-2001 and in respect of the year 2002.

Departmental Payment Methods.

Jack Wall

Question:

245 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if she will comment in regard to a submission (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15086/04]

Minister for Social and Family Affairs (Mary Coughlan)

My Department's payment delivery strategy is designed to ensure that a range of payment methods is available to our customers. The principle of customer choice is an important part of that strategy. My objective is to continually improve customer service by providing access for my Department's customers to a range of payment methods including new services and facilities as they become available in the money transmission market.

Pensions can be paid either at a post office by pension order book, at no cost to the pensioner, or by electronic funds transfer into an account with an approved financial institution. It is a matter for each pensioner to decide which method best suits his or her individual needs having regard to any charges arising.

My Department has no responsibility for the level of fees or bank charges applied to individual accounts by financial institutions nor for stamp duty charged in respect of ATM cards and there are no plans to refund charges of this kind.

Social Welfare Benefits.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

246 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the reason dietary allowance has been terminated in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15096/04]

Minister for Social and Family Affairs (Mary Coughlan)

The South Western Area Health Board was contacted regarding this case and has advised that payment of a diet supplement to the person concerned has not been terminated but was temporarily suspended in the course of a periodic review of diet supplement in the area in question. The review involved forms being issued to a number of diet supplement recipients. In the present case, the form was not returned in sufficient time to enable payment to continue without interruption.

The review has now been completed and payment of the supplement, including arrears, will be put back into payment next week.