Vol. 591 No. 3
119 Mr. Sherlock asked the Minister for Transport the number of persons killed and injured in road traffic accidents to date in 2004; the way in which it compares with 2003; the steps he intends to take to cut road fatalities and injuries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26957/04]
Statistics relating to road accidents, based on information provided by the Garda Síochána, are published by the National Roads Authority in its annual road accident facts reports. The most recent report is in respect of 2002 and that report, along with reports relating to previous years, is available in the Oireachtas Library.
Provisional figures for the number of road deaths in 2004 up to 1 November show there were 313 fatalities compared with 288 for the same period last year, which represents an increase of 25. While the increase in road deaths so far this year is a cause of immediate concern, it should be looked at against the background of the significant progress achieved, especially in recent years. In that context, the number of road deaths in the first ten months of this year is the second lowest figure since 1998, which was the first full year of the first road safety strategy.
The primary target of the new Government strategy on road safety is to realise a 25% reduction in road collision fatalities by the end of 2006 over the average annual number of fatalities in the 1998 to 2003 period. Achievement of the target will result in no more than 300 deaths per annum by the end of the period of the strategy and will assist in the achievement of the longer term EU target of a 50% reduction in road deaths across the EU by 2010.
To support the development of the new strategy, a major independent review of the previous strategy was carried out by an international expert on road safety. His report, which has been used to inform the development of the new road safety strategy, confirms that basing the primary targets on the achievement of progress in the areas of speeding, drink driving and seat-belt wearing, was the correct approach. For that reason, these remain the key areas of the new strategy. The strategy proposes a range of measures in the enforcement, engineering, education and legislation areas in order to target further reductions in deaths and injuries. An integrated strategic approach will ensure that the road safety agencies work together to achieve the targets set out in the new strategy.
120 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Transport when he expects to receive the report of the working group evaluating the potential for the phased reopening of the Sligo-Cork rail route; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26985/04]
My predecessor set up an expert working group to carry out an examination of the western rail corridor proposal and to examine the potential for reopening the line. The working group, which is chaired by Mr. Pat McCann, chief executive of JurysDoyle Hotel Group plc, has held two meetings to date as well as a number of sub-group meetings. I understand that the next meeting of the group is to be held in Sligo on 5 November.
The working group is comprised of county managers, directors of the regional authorities, representatives of city and county development boards, the Western Development Commission, West-on-Track and the intercounty rail committee, Iarnród Éireann, the Railway Procurement Agency and my Department. The working group is examining and evaluating all aspects of the western rail corridor and while the group has been asked to conclude its deliberations as quickly as possible, no time limit has been set on how long this might be. I am, however, planning to meet the chairman of the group shortly to hear about how the work of the group is progressing.
121 Mr. Neville asked the Minister for Transport his views on the recent call by the Dublin City Business Association to join up the Luas lines in the city centre; if he intends to progress this project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27014/04]
197 Mr. Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Transport if he will consider joining the two new Luas lines via an overground rail section through the city centre; and his views on whether such an overground section is merited regardless of whether approval is given for the first stage of the Dublin metro as proposed in the Platform for Change document or the city centre rail interconnector between Heuston Station and Spencer Dock also proposed in the same document. [26885/04]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 121 and 197 together.
In order to improve integration between public transport services in Dublin, I see value in joining together the red and green Luas lines. I understand that the board of the Railway Procurement Agency, RPA, has considered a preliminary analysis of the feasibility and cost of linking both lines in the city centre and that a more detailed proposal will now be prepared for consideration by the board. Dublin City Council, together with the Dublin City Centre Business Association, have indicated strong support for such a link. I await the proposals from the RPA.
122 Mr. Boyle asked the Minister for Transport if an analysis has been carried out within his Department on the possible introduction of on-street light rail services in Cork city. [26891/04]
195 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for Transport the progress which has been made in relation to reopening the rail link to Midleton in east Cork; the amount of money that has been made available; the timescale involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26759/04]
196 Mr. J. O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Transport his views on the continuance of the Cork to Midleton line into the city centre in view of the recent announcement of its reopening; if funding will be provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27028/04]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 122, 195 and 196 together.
In May of this year, the Government agreed to the development of a commuter rail service for Cork between Mallow and Midleton. This involves the relaying of track and signalling between Glounthaune and Midleton as well as the construction of a number of new stations along the length of the route.
Iarnród Éireann is currently undertaking an engineering feasibility study of the proposed Cork to Midleton section of the line. On completion of the study, Iarnród Éireann will be in a position to provide a more detailed projection of the costs involved. Funding for the project will be provided by the Exchequer, the EU and by special contributions schemes established by the local authorities in Cork.
A steering group, chaired by my Department, with representatives from Iarnród Éireann and Cork City and County Councils has been established to monitor the progress on the rail project and the concurrent residential and commercial development along the line. While there are no proposals in the Cork Area Strategic Plan 2020 to extend the line beyond Kent Station and provide an on-street light rail service, a bus service will integrate with rail services to bring commuters to the city centre.
123 Mr. Coveney asked the Minister for Transport his views on the decision taken by Iarnród Éireann to increase by 25%, from January 2005, the rates it charges to its business customers to transport rail freight; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27023/04]
187 Mr. Coveney asked the Minister for Transport his views on the opinion of Iarnród Éireann that the Government should provide State subsidies to businesses which use rail freight; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27024/04]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 123 and 187 together.
Iarnród Éireann receives significant funding annually from the Exchequer by way of capital grants and subvention towards operating expenditure. Such funding has been increasing annually in recent years and the company has succeeded in improving its overall financial performance. The allocation of subvention to different business areas is a matter for the company. I have no additional funds at my disposal for the provision of subsidies to private sector business for using rail freight.
As part of Iarnród Éireann's plans to reshape its loss making operations the company has restructured its rail freight operations to refocus on the more profitable elements of rail freight and seek out new business in those areas where the rail mode is best suited to the traffic. I understand from the company that it has had some success in this regard and that its efforts are continuing. Iarnród Éireann's decision to increase its charges is in line with its plans to return this aspect of its operations to profitability.
124 Mr. Costello asked the Minister for Transport if he has had discussions with the board or management of Aer Lingus on the way in which best to meet the company’s capital requirements to finance the company’s fleet replacement requirements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26956/04]
138 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Transport if he will be able to provide new finance capital to Aer Lingus to part finance the purchase of new aircraft. [26889/04]
146 Mr. Costello asked the Minister for Transport if he has received a report (details supplied) on the future of Aer Lingus; if it is intended to publish the report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26955/04]
170 Mr. Broughan asked the Minister for Transport the Government’s proposals for the future of Aer Lingus; if the Government has decided not to proceed with proposals for the privatisation of Aer Lingus; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26953/04]
175 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Transport if he will outline the recommendations contained in a report (details supplied) examining the investment options for Aer Lingus; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27021/04]
194 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport the position in regard to the future of Aer Lingus; if discussions are taking place or have concluded on the issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26585/04]
344 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Transport the Government’s proposals for the future of Aer Lingus; if the Government has decided not to proceed with proposals for the privatisation of Aer Lingus; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27201/04]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 124, 138, 146, 170, 175, 194 and 344 together.
I have already outlined the current position in regard to the future of Aer Lingus and the Goldman Sachs report in my response to Question No. 111. It will be a matter for the Cabinet sub-committee to decide whether to publish this report.
With regard to meetings with Aer Lingus, as part of a series of introductory meetings with chairmen and managements of all the semi-State bodies under my remit, I recently met the chairman and senior management of Aer Lingus. I have also met with the various trade unions at Aer Lingus. During the course of these meetings, there was some discussion on both future strategy and funding requirements but it was recognised that these matters would be dealt with in the context of the considerations of the Cabinet sub-committee. Officials from my Department meet on a regular basis with senior management to discuss normal business issues.
125 Mr. Boyle asked the Minister for Transport if the foreign soldiers landing in Shannon Airport on approved military refuelling flights have been counted as tourist visitors here within the statistical analysis that is carried out at the airport on visitors to the country. [26890/04]
The Central Statistics Office produces quarterly statistics on the number of tourists visiting Ireland. It has confirmed that the Central Statistics Office does not count foreign soldiers landing at Shannon on military refuelling flights as tourist visitors, since the soldiers do not actually leave the airport.
Shannon Airport management also keeps statistics on passengers passing through the airport. They do not count the soldiers as terminal traffic, that is, as passengers arriving into Shannon Airport who then go on to travel around Ireland. However, they do count the soldiers as part of the transit traffic using Shannon Airport. Shannon Airport does not classify passengers, in either terminal or transit traffic, as being either tourist or business-related.
126 Mr. Crowe asked the Minister for Transport if he proposes to ban the use of larger supercube trucks over the coming years. [26993/04]
132 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Transport when he expects to introduce the promised regulations restricting the height of trucks using roads here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26986/04]
144 Mr. Morgan asked the Minister for Transport the research which has been done into the potential safety hazards attached to supercube trucks. [26995/04]
163 Mr. Morgan asked the Minister for Transport if he proposes introducing a national height strategy in line with clearance height of the Dublin Port tunnel. [26994/04]
178 Mr. P. Breen asked the Minister for Transport when the publication of draft regulations to reintroduce a maximum height for vehicles will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27020/04]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 126, 132, 144, 163 and 178 together.
I am deferring any decision about supercube trucks and vehicle height in general until I have had the opportunity to consider the views of all parties with interests or concerns in the matter. To assist me in this process I will shortly publish a consultative paper that will outline the main issues and that will invite substantive observations on them. The consultation process will be open and inclusive and is being undertaken without any predetermined outcome. For that reason, a proposed maximum vehicle height will not be specified in the paper. It is my intention that the public consultation phase would be concluded by the end of the year.
127 Ms O’Sullivan asked the Minister for Transport if he will make a statement on the operation to date of the three new airport authorities, established following the abolition of Aer Rianta; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26948/04]
180 Ms B. Moynihan-Cronin asked the Minister for Transport the future of the Great Southern Hotel Group in the context of the abolition of Aer Rianta; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26949/04]
373 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport if his attention has been drawn to the negative comments on the breaking up of Aer Rianta; the extent to which the proposals have been costed or set against the existing structures and net benefit identified; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27286/04]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 127, 180 and 373 together.
In keeping with the provisions of the State Airports Act 2004, the newly appointed board of the Dublin Airport Authority has a statutory mandate to do everything necessary to give effect to the restructuring of the State airports. The new Shannon and Cork airport authorities have also been incorporated and in line with the framework provided by the State Airports Act 2004, these two new authorities will, in due course, own and operate their respective airports once sufficient distributable reserves are available to transfer the relevant assets.
Prior to the assets of Shannon and Cork airports being vested in their respective authorities, their boards are charged with preparing to assume full responsibility for the management and development of their airports. They are also empowered to undertake functions delegated to them, on an agreed basis, by the Dublin Airport Authority and the three airport authorities are currently discussing the scope and scale of such delegated functions. Each of the airport authorities are also required to prepare comprehensive business plans for their airports.
In accordance with the 2004 Act, the transfer of assets to Shannon and Cork airport authorities cannot take place earlier then 30 April 2005 and, thereafter, a phased approach will allow one of the new airport authorities to be vested first, that is, Shannon Airport, while Cork Airport will be vested once sufficient distributable reserves have been built up within the Dublin Airport Authority. Both I and the Minister for Finance must be satisfied as to the state of operational and financial readiness of the Shannon and Cork airport authorities before the assets of the airports are vested in those authorities. The formulation of comprehensive business plans by the new boards will be a key aspect of achieving operational and financial readiness. In furtherance of Dublin Airport Authority's new role, the position of its principal subsidiaries, including the Great Southern Hotels Group, must be considered by the authority in the first instance and then by me.
Dublin Airport Authority will also engage fully with the Commission for Aviation Regulation which is charged with making a new regulatory determination of airport charges in respect of Dublin Airport. The new determination must be made as soon as practicable but in any event not later than 1 October 2005. The outcome of this process, which the Commission launched last month, will be a major factor in the dynamic effort required on the part of Dublin Airport Authority to address capacity provision at Dublin Airport where passenger traffic is projected to grow from almost 16 million in 2003 to 30 million by around 2018.
I am confident that the new boards of the three airport authorities will successfully meet the challenges ahead. Through more focused commercial operation, all three airports can play a greater role in stimulating and supporting regional and national economic activity to the benefit of their customers, both airlines and passengers, and of Irish tourism, trade and industry.
In tandem with the ongoing work to give effect to the restructuring, my Department will maintain the engagement process with ICTU and the airport unions on the relevant areas of concern arising from the new legislative environment. In this regard, I recently appointed four worker directors, who were nominated by the unions, to the board of Dublin Airport Authority to fill the casual vacancies which were created on 1 October, pending the holding of worker elections. My Department has also asked the authority to accelerate the election process and it is the intention that the procedures required by the worker participation legislation will commence as soon as possible. In the case of the Shannon and Cork airport authorities, I am awaiting a full list of nominees from the unions for appointment as worker directors to the boards of those authorities on a temporary basis pending their establishment on a fully independent basis.
128 Dr. Upton asked the Minister for Transport if he will make a statement in relation to the authority which has responsibility for the Dublin Port tunnel in the event of a fire breaking out either now or when it is operational; if the project has been certified in respect of fire safety; if so, the person by whom; the specialised appliances available to deal with such occurrences; and the training which has been provided for the relevant authority. [26990/04]
The planning, design and implementation of national road improvement projects, including the Dublin Port tunnel project, is a matter for the National Roads Authority, NRA, and the local authority concerned — in this case Dublin City Council. The issue of fire safety is a matter for the contractor and Dublin City Council. As the employer of any staff engaged in the course of tunnel construction, the responsibility for the health and safety of those employees resides with the contractor on site.
I understand from Dublin City Council that in the event of a fire in the tunnels, Dublin Fire Brigade will render whatever assistance is necessary, including rescue and retrieval, to the incident controller in charge. The ultimate decision as to whether a Dublin Fire Brigade crew can enter a structure, including a tunnel, will always reside with the fire brigade officer in charge. I am informed that selected crews of Dublin Fire Brigade are currently being given specialised training for dealing with fire incidents in tunnels and that all specialist equipment, as may be appropriate, will be provided to Dublin Fire Brigade fire officers.
Dublin City Council has informed me that the tunnel boring machines are now finished and are being removed off site. The tunnels and escape passages are all open and the risk of a fire incident in the tunnels has been dramatically reduced. I understand that all the contractor's workers have been trained in the use of fire extinguishers and evacuation procedures before they were granted a pass which permits them to enter or work in the tunnels.
130 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Transport his views on the proposed route for the extension of the red Luas line to Spencer Dock; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26975/04]
The further development of the Luas network is the responsibility of the Railway Procurement Agency, RPA. The Railway Procurement Agency, RPA, is developing a proposal for an extension of the Tallaght to Connolly Station Luas line from Connolly Station to a terminal stop in the vicinity of the Point Depot. At present, my Department is awaiting a business plan from the RPA to assist in its evaluation of this extension.
I am aware that some concern has been expressed about possible disruption to operations of the IFSC if a Luas extension to the Point Depot is routed along Mayor Street and that an alternative alignment has been suggested. The RPA has prepared a technical analysis of the relative merits of the alignment options and is consulting widely with, among others, the Dublin Docklands Development Agency, Dublin Transportation Office and Dublin City Council. The board of the RPA will make a final decision on the alignment of the extension only when these consultations are completed. The proposals will also be the subject of a full public inquiry before a railway order can be granted.
131 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Transport, further to Question No. 401 of 5 October 2004, the outcome of his discussions regarding the introduction of a combined bus, Luas and rail ticket pending the introduction of integrated ticketing. [26945/04]
It has been agreed by the Railway Procurement Agency, Bus Átha Cliath and Iarnród Éireann that limited joint ticketing for light rail, bus and DART-commuter rail services will be introduced. The details of pricing and distribution are now under discussion by those parties and will be announced shortly.
133 Mr. Gogarty asked the Minister for Transport when he expects the Dublin Port tunnel open for public use. [26894/04]
The planning, design and implementation of national road improvement projects, including the Dublin Port tunnel project, is a matter for the National Roads Authority, NRA, and the local authority concerned — in this case Dublin City Council. Traffic management issues are a matter, in the first instance, for Dublin City Council.
I understand from the NRA that construction of the tunnel is expected to be completed in December 2005 and I am informed that Dublin City Council is in the process of preparing a heavy goods vehicle, HGV, management plan for the city centre and which will also address non-port related HGV traffic movements. Dublin City Council has indicated that this plan will have three objectives, to ensure the optimal use by HGVs of the port tunnel, to minimise adverse effects of remaining HGV movements in the city and to manage the movement of vehicles not within permitted dimensions, for example, through permit systems. I am informed that Dublin City Council published a report on HGV management as a basis for a widespread public consultation exercise, that the public consultation period is now concluded and that the responses received are being evaluated in Dublin City Council. I understand that the HGV management plan, revised to take account of the submissions received, will be published by Dublin City Council shortly.
134 Mr. Cuffe asked the Minister for Transport the analysis he has carried out on the construction of a new direct rail line between Dublin and Navan; the projected cost of building such a line; the projected demand for a commuter service from the areas serviced by such a line; and the length of time it would it take to construct the line. [26887/04]
At present, Iarnród Éireann, in conjunction with Meath and Fingal county councils, is undertaking a feasibility study, including a cost-benefit analysis, into providing a spur off the Dublin-Sligo railway line at Clonsilla as far as Dunboyne. This study I am informed is to be completed early next year. I understand all of the issues raised by the Deputy will be addressed in the feasibility study and the cost-benefit analysis. Under the DTO's Platform for Change, the need for a rail line from Dunboyne to Navan before 2010 is not identified.
135 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Transport his plans to include the inspection of tax and insurance certificates as part of the NCTS; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26762/04]
On behalf of the State, NCTS carries out periodic roadworthiness tests on passenger cars that are four or more years old in accordance with Directive 96/96/EC. I have no plans to include the inspection of tax and insurance certificates as part of the NCT or to involve NCTS in checking tax and insurance certificates generally.
136 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Transport if he has completed an evaluation of the CIE strategy document; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27022/04]
145 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Transport if he remains committed to the development of a metro link between Dublin Airport and the city centre by 2007 as outlined in the programme for Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27018/04]
147 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Transport when he will make a decision regarding the proposed first stage of the Dublin metro. [26888/04]
168 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for Transport his views on the proposal for a new 5.3 km. rail interconnector that would connect Pearse Station with Heuston; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26974/04]
192 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for Transport the position with regard to his plans to bring forward to Cabinet proposals for the construction of a metro system in Dublin; when a final decision will be made on this matter in view of the continuing serious traffic problems; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26973/04]
193 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Transport if and when he intends to fund the proposed rail interconnector between Heuston Station and Spencer Dock as was proposed by Iarnród Éireann and the Platform for Change document produced by the Dublin Transportation Office. [26892/04]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 136, 145, 147, 168, 192 and 193 together.
The programme for Government contains a number of commitments for the further development of the rail network and includes a specific commitment to develop a metro for Dublin with a link to Dublin Airport. Arising from that programme, the Railway Procurement Agency has submitted to my Department a detailed business case for a metro from the city centre to Dublin Airport while Iarnród Éireann submitted to my Department in July last proposals for an integrated rail network in the greater Dublin area. These latter proposals include the electrification of the Kildare and Maynooth lines and an interconnector tunnel linking Heuston Station to the Docklands to enable greater integration of rail services. The proposals from the RPA and more recently from Iarnród Éireann represent significant investments.
I am now examining these various proposals in the context of the overall needs of the greater Dublin area transport investment needs of the country as a whole and multi-annual funding available for transport investment. I will bring my proposals to Government when I have completed this review.
137 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Transport if he has made a final decision regarding whether the height of the Dublin Port tunnel should be raised; if not, when he expects this decision will be finally made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27019/04]
I announced on 21 October 2004 that the operational height of the Dublin Port tunnel will not be changed. My decision was based primarily on safety grounds but cost and time delays to the opening of the project were also factors.
The options for increasing the height of the tunnel were considered by the National Roads Authority, NMI Consortium, by independent consultants, Atkins, and by Dublin City Council. In addition, the contractor priced the work that would be involved in increasing the height of the tunnel. It was clear from this work that raising the height of the tunnel would not be justified having regard to a number of factors, including safety considerations relating to reducing lane widths which would, in the context of a tunnel carrying a very high percentage of heavy goods vehicles, including fuel tankers and other hazardous cargoes, constitute a reduction in overall tunnel safety. It is intuitively apparent that wider traffic lanes offer greater vehicle separation than narrower lanes. Another safety consideration relates to increasing the kerb height. It is apparent, on both an engineering and intuitive basis, that a 150 mm kerb must represent a safer provision than a 200 mm kerb height. It is the NRA's position that the lower kerb height is preferable from a safety perspective. A further safety consideration relates to the overheight HGVs on the existing national road network and the implications of facilitating higher vehicles through the tunnel than the national motorway and road network can safely accommodate. Bridges and other structures on the motorways and national roads are not designed to cater for vehicles higher than the current tunnel height and safety concerns would arise over the discharge of any such vehicles from a revised tunnel onto the national road network. Additional cost and delay factors include a potential additional cost of at least €33 million and up to €65 million and seven months delay or more to completion of the tunnel.
139 Mr. Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Transport if the Government will carry out a review of the ratio of spending in the capital budget between investment in public transport and roads in view of the recent 75% increase in the cost of oil. [26884/04]
Investment in road and rail infrastructure is based on a long-term assessment of the transport infrastructure required to meet forecast economic and social demand for transport in the years ahead. The investment priorities are subject to periodic review taking account of all parameters which might affect future transport demand.
140 Mr. S. Ryan asked the Minister for Transport if he has plans to introduce new toll routes to fund completion of motorways linking Dublin with Cork, Galway, and the M50 upgrade; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26983/04]
The national development plan provides for significant private sector investment in the national roads development programme. In line with this policy, a number of major road upgrade projects throughout the country are being implemented by the NRA by means of public private partnerships, with the private sector being remunerated, in part, by user tolls. This will ensure earlier delivery of vital national road infrastructure.
The NRA's current PPP programme comprises ten projects. In selecting these PPP projects the NRA had regard to a number of factors, including a geographical spread of tolls across the network; the extent of service improvement to be provided by the improved route; the availability of sufficiently high traffic volumes to ensure commercial viability; and the setting of tolls at an affordable and acceptable level to reduce diversion and gain public acceptance.
Having regard to these criteria it is clear that there is limited capacity, over and above the projects already identified by the NRA, across the national road network to support viable tolling arrangements. Nevertheless the increased cost of the national roads programme, combined with the demands of the other sectors which limit the capacity to allocate more Exchequer funding, require that all possibilities for generating additional funding to accelerate the implementation of the national roads programme be considered. In this context, and that of a broader review of the arrangements for the delivery of the programme, the NRA has identified a number of options for the development of tolling policy to enable the NRA to raise additional funding for the national roads programme. The proposals submitted by the NRA are currently being considered, in the first instance, in my Department.
141 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Transport the speed limit increases that were suggested by him for 43 specific sections of roadway around the country which have been agreed with the relevant local authorities. [26893/04]
In the context of an overall review of speed limits carried out against the background of the metrication of such limits generally, county and city managers were asked in January 2003 to examine the position in regard to their areas. The primary focus of the examination was to ensure that the dis-application of default speed limits and the application of special speed limits were supported by by-laws. In addition, the authorities were asked to look at instances where speed limits might not be appropriate and to take any action they deemed to be appropriate.
My Department subsequently wrote to managers in March 2004 repeating the request to examine possible instances of inappropriate speed limits and outline the overall position in regard to the progress for metrication of speed limits. Both the Automobile Association and the Society for the Irish Motor Industry subsequently submitted to the then Minister for Transport lists of more than 70 locations in respect of which they had received representations questioning the speed limits currently in place.
To assist managers in the review referred to, they were advised of the locations identified in the submissions of the two organisations. The Minister did not request or direct in any manner that the speed limits in question be increased or decreased at any of the locations concerned. The relevant managers were requested to examine the locations to see if the speed limits that have been the subject of complaint can either be justified as being appropriate by reference to the prevailing road safety, engineering or traffic considerations and if the local authority considers that the speed limit is not appropriate, that steps should be taken to refer the matter to the elected members for review and appropriate action. The local authorities have in many instances determined that they are content that the speed limits are appropriate. However they have indicated that they are prepared to review the current speed limits at 25 of the locations in question.
142 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Transport when the full penalty points system will be in place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26962/04]
The penalty points system currently applies in respect of the offences of breaching a speed limit, motor insurance, careless driving and the failure of a driver to wear a seat belt or to ensure that passengers under 17 years of age are appropriately restrained in a mechanically propelled vehicle. The system was first introduced in October 2002 in respect of speed limit offences. In the intervening period more than 180,000 drivers have had penalty points endorsed on their licence records.
The full application of the penalty points system will be achieved when the relevant IT systems being developed by the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform and the Garda are completed. The Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform has indicated that the systems in question will be operational following the completion of a live pilot operation, which is currently being applied in a number of Garda divisions.
143 Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Transport if he will verify that no US military or chartered civilian aircraft, permitted to overfly Irish airspace or land in Casement Aerodrome, Baldonnel, has transported prisoners captured in Afghanistan or Iraq en route to non-US jurisdictions or to Guantanamo Bay; and the steps he has taken to prevent this from occurring. [24537/04]
The regulation of military and diplomatic flights through Irish airspace is a matter for the Department of Foreign Affairs. The regulation of Casement Aerodrome, Baldonnel is a matter for the Department of Defence.
As previously indicated to the House in reply to a similar question on 30 June 2004, under the Air Navigation and Transport Acts, there is no requirement for my Department to be notified of the transportation of prisoners through Irish airspace. However, I understand that the US authorities have confirmed to the Department of Foreign Affairs that the US has not used Irish airports for the transit of prisoners to or from the detention centre at Guantanamo or elsewhere. I also understand that the US side has confirmed that they would not transit Irish airspace or use Irish airports for this purpose without seeking the authorisation of the Irish authorities.
148 Mr. Neville asked the Minister for Transport the reason he has opted to continue the rural transport initiative on a pilot basis; the reason, despite a recent review by ADM, no decision on mainstreaming was taken; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27016/04]
352 Ms O. Mitchell asked the Minister for Transport the action proposed following the completion of the pilot rural transport initiative; the analysis which has been done; the cost benefit which has been completed; if it can be rolled out nationally; and the cost overall and the cost per trip. [26921/04]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 148 and 352 together.
The NDP makes an overall provision of €4.4 million for the rural transport initiative. The funding available has been increased to €3 million per annum. The decision to extend the rural transport initiative to 2006 follows an appraisal of the initiative, carried out by Fitzpatrick Associates, economic consultants on behalf of ADM. The appraisal was completed in July last and its principal recommendation was that the RTI be extended for a further two years to end-2006. In making this recommendation the consultants noted that, "The commitment of funding to the end of 2006 will provide greater certainty to RTI groups and should improve the overall effectiveness of the Initiative and will give a longer pilot period during which the full lessons of RTI models can emerge." Among other things, the appraisal found that the RTI gives good value for money. While there was a wide variation in cost per trip among the 34 projects, the appraisal found that the average cost per passenger trip was €13.
As suggested by the consultants, I am extending the existing schemes for a further two years to enable the full lessons of the scheme to emerge and to ensure that the lifespan of the RTI will dovetail with the scope of the National Development Plan 2000-2006 where the initiative was first mooted. A further review of the scheme including the implications of mainstreaming it or rolling it out nationally will be undertaken at that time.
149 Mr. O’Dowd asked the Minister for Transport his views on the proposed new runway at Dublin Airport, announced recently by the Dublin Airport Authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27000/04]
152 Ms B. Moynihan-Cronin asked the Minister for Transport his view on proposals for a new 3,110 m runway at Dublin Airport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26950/04]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 149 and 152 together.
Proposals in regard to the development of Dublin Airport, including the planning and provision of runway capacity, are in the first instance a matter for the Dublin Airport Authority which has statutory responsibility to manage, operate and develop the airport and to provide such facilities and services as it considers necessary for aircraft and passengers. Dublin Airport will remain the country's main airport serving the needs not just of the travelling public in our capital city and the surrounding counties but also of the country's tourism, business and freight sectors generally. Passenger traffic through Dublin Airport is expected to grow from almost 16 million last year to more than 20 million by the end of this decade and is forecast to increase to 30 million by around 2018. It is also noteworthy that the national spatial strategy has acknowledged that the expansion of the level of air services from Dublin Airport to a wider range of destinations is essential in the interests of underpinning Ireland's future international competitiveness.
The Dublin Airport Authority is currently completing an environmental impact statement, EIS, to accompany its planning application for the new runway to Fingal County Council. I am conscious that some local communities have concerns about the runway project. In this regard, the planning process will provide the appropriate forum for all interested parties, including local communities and residents, to have their views on the proposed new runway heard and taken into account by the planning authorities. As a major capital investment project, the proposed new runway will be the subject of a comprehensive submission from the Dublin Airport Authority to my Department in due course.
150 Mr. Connaughton asked the Minister for Transport the progress which has been made to establish an independent authority to procure public transport services; the nature and functions of the authority envisaged; when enabling legislation will be published to give effect to such an authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27034/04]
I refer the Deputy to my reply to Questions Nos. 116 and 129. I am considering the proposal to establish an independent authority to procure public transport services in the context of my review of work undertaken by my Department to date and my consultations with key stakeholders.
151 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Transport his plans for the changeover of all speed limits from miles to the metric system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26961/04]
182 Mr. Hogan asked the Minister for Transport his views on whether the speed limit changeover will be introduced on time by January 2005 as promised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26998/04]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 151 and 182 together.
As I indicated in reply to Question No. 395 of 5 October last a Metrication Changeover Board is working to the timeframe of 20 January 2005 for the introduction of new metric speed limit structures on the public road network. To facilitate the changeover it is necessary to amend the Road Traffic Acts to provide for the introduction of new speed limit structures expressed in metric values. To that end I intend to progress the passage of the Road Traffic Bill 2004 through the Houses of the Oireachtas over the coming weeks.
Following the enactment of the primary legislation, I will advance secondary legislation, including regulations, to prescribe ordinary speed limits, that is, vehicle-related speed limits, in metric values, new traffic signs regulations and amending traffic and parking regulations. It is intended that a multi-media public information and public awareness campaign will be undertaken in the lead-up to speed limits going metric countrywide on 20 January 2005.
153 Ms Lynch asked the Minister for Transport if he received a request from the US authorities for clearance to start finger-printing US bound passengers at airports here under the terms of the Air Navigation and Transport (Preinspection) Act 1986; if such permission was granted; and if he will make a statement on the matter/ [26968/04]
My Department and the US authorities have been in contact about this matter. My Department has also sought the advice of the Attorney General's office in regard to the additional procedures which are required by the US Government for entry by all visitors to the US since 30 September last and which are implemented by the US immigration authorities at the pre-clearance facilities at Dublin and Shannon Airports. The Attorney General's office has advised that, as part of the application process for entry into the US, the new finger-printing and photographing procedures at the pre-clearance facilities come within the scope of the Air Navigation and Transport (Preinspection) Act 1986.
The new procedures have been well publicised and, as part of the current US Government immigration requirements, all Irish travellers to the US must comply with them regardless of where the procedures are implemented, whether in Ireland or on arrival in the US. The often lengthy queues and inevitable delays on arrival in the US for immigration processing can be avoided by Irish travellers who have been pre-cleared at Dublin and Shannon Airports.
154 Mr. Gogarty asked the Minister for Transport when the Government approved the proposal for the widening of the M50 motorway and the upgrade of several junctions on the motorway; and the cost estimate that was provided for the works at the time such a decision was made. [26895/04]
The planning, design and implementation of national road improvement projects is a matter for the National Roads Authority, NRA, and the relevant local authority. The Government, at its meeting on 10 February 2004, noted the current position relating to the upgrade of the M50. The estimated cost of the upgrade at that time was €590 million in 2002 prices.
155 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for Transport the number of provisional licence holders awaiting the driving test; the number of these who are to sit the driving test for the first time; the average waiting times in respective centres; the numbers waiting in each; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26760/04]
186 Ms Lynch asked the Minister for Transport the average waiting time for driver tests at each centre in the State; the steps that are being taken to reduce the long waiting times; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26965/04]
I propose to take Question Nos. 155 and 186 together.
The average waiting times and numbers waiting for a driving test as at 28 October 2004 are set out in the following table. Details of those applicants who are taking their driving test for the first time are not recorded at application stage. My Department is in communication with the Department of Finance regarding measures to reduce the backlog of driving test applicants including the recruitment of additional driver testers.
|
Test Centre |
Average Weeks Waiting |
Number of Applicants Waiting |
|
North Leinster |
||
|
Finglas |
25 |
8,967 |
|
Dundalk |
22 |
3,164 |
|
Mullingar |
26 |
1,518 |
|
Navan |
39 |
4,558 |
|
Raheny |
37 |
7,796 |
|
South Leinster |
||
|
Churchtown/Rathgar |
38 |
11,618 |
|
Gorey |
33 |
1,935 |
|
Naas |
33 |
6,269 |
|
Tullamore |
30 |
1,699 |
|
Wicklow |
34 |
2,172 |
|
Tallaght |
36 |
8,332 |
|
West |
||
|
Athlone |
22 |
1,221 |
|
Birr |
28 |
1,216 |
|
Castlebar |
34 |
2,120 |
|
Clifden |
24 |
355 |
|
Ennis |
16 |
1,054 |
|
Galway |
25 |
2,760 |
|
Loughrea |
19 |
916 |
|
Roscommon |
26 |
939 |
|
Tuam |
27 |
1,104 |
|
North West |
||
|
Ballina |
29 |
1,003 |
|
Buncrana |
30 |
678 |
|
Carrick-on-Shannon |
30 |
1,167 |
|
Cavan |
31 |
1,722 |
|
Donegal |
30 |
1,058 |
|
Letterkenny |
31 |
1,954 |
|
Longford |
33 |
907 |
|
Monaghan |
32 |
1,444 |
|
Sligo |
26 |
1,384 |
|
South East |
||
|
Carlow |
41 |
2,493 |
|
Clonmel |
36 |
1,892 |
|
Dungarvan |
32 |
1,510 |
|
Kilkenny |
36 |
2,210 |
|
Nenagh |
39 |
743 |
|
Portlaoise |
37 |
1,505 |
|
Thurles |
44 |
1,197 |
|
Tipperary |
42 |
996 |
|
Waterford |
38 |
2,890 |
|
Wexford |
29 |
2,284 |
|
South West |
||
|
Cork |
21 |
6,252 |
|
Killarney |
36 |
2,134 |
|
Kilrush |
26 |
453 |
|
Limerick |
33 |
3,729 |
|
Mallow |
25 |
1,937 |
|
Newcastle West |
26 |
1,617 |
|
Shannon |
36 |
918 |
|
Skibbereen |
28 |
1,847 |
|
Tralee |
28 |
1,904 |
|
Total |
119,541 |
Note: The average waiting time is derived having regard to waiting times experienced by individual applicants who have undergone a driving test over the previous four week period in the test centre.
156 Ms McManus asked the Minister for Transport the progress made with regard to the review of the location of bus stops announced following the serious accident at Wellington Quay, Dublin on 21 February 2004; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26970/04]
368 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport if he has given direction to Bus Atha Cliath or Bus Éireann with regard to the provision of adequately protected bus shelters with the objective of encouraging the public to use public transport and the need to comply with current health and safety standards in view of experience; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27222/04]
369 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport the extent to which new health and safety procedures have been put in place at bus stops in Dublin and throughout the country having particular regard to the issues arising from the tragedy at the bus stop on the city quay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27223/04]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 156, 368 and 369 together.
The Garda Síochána is the responsible authority for the location of bus stops in Dublin. This power is vested in the Garda Commissioner under section 85 of the Road Traffic Act 1961. Under that section the commissioner may issue a direction to a bus operator identifying the specific location of bus stops in respect of any bus route. I understand that the Garda engages in a consultation process with the local authority and the bus service provider before issuing a direction under section 85.
The review of the location of bus stops following the Dublin Bus tragedy is ongoing by Dublin Bus and Bus Éireann. Dublin Bus has completed the development of a database to facilitate this review process. It is anticipated that this joint review will be completed by mid 2005.
To date there are in excess of 1,200 bus shelters in the Dublin area. Dublin Bus is proposing to introduce a further 400 over the next five years. Dublin Bus has a contract with a shelter provider company to erect shelters at stops. The cost of erecting shelters is financed from the advertising revenue. I am informed by Dublin Bus that it is policy that all relevant planning and safety legislation is complied with.
To date there are in excess of 470 Bus Éireann shelters erected throughout the country. Bus Éireann is in the process of finalising the award of a contract for the design, manufacture, installation and maintenance of between 180 and 220 additional bus shelters at bus stops along the Bus Éireann route network.
There are a number of external factors that influence the erection of shelters. These include the width and condition of the footpath, the layout of the stop and the fact that shelters are subject to planning permission and have to comply with local authorities' requirements regarding visual presentation of street furniture etc.
157 Ms O’Sullivan asked the Minister for Transport the position in regard to the Shannon stopover; the position in regard to negotiations between the EU and the US on the open-skies policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26947/04]
166 Mr. J. O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Transport the position regarding negotiations between the US and the EU on the proposed air transport agreement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27029/04]
191 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Transport if he has sought consent from the EU Commission, under Regulation 847/2004, to negotiate and conclude a separate bilateral agreement with the United States; the response he has received from the Commission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26989/04]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 157, 166 and 191 together.
At a number of recent Transport Councils, the Irish position has been that while we are in favour of an open skies agreement between the EU and the US, Ireland's support would be contingent on an acceptable arrangement on Shannon being agreed between Ireland and the US, and that arrangement being reflected in the EU-US agreement. Negotiations between the EU and the US on an open skies agreement will recommence in early 2005, when the new US Administration is in place. Both EU and US officials have maintained contact over the summer, but no negotiations have taken place since last June. Detailed negotiations took place up to June 2004, with the objective of reaching an agreement in time for the EU-US summit in Ireland at the end of that month. However, when the proposed agreement, which would have brought in open skies between all EU member states and the US, was discussed at the Transport Council in June 2004, Transport Ministers felt that the deal on offer was unbalanced in favour of the US.
In the lead up to June 2004, and in line with Ireland's position as outlined at the beginning of this reply, in May 2004 Department of Transport officials travelled to Washington to discuss this issue with the US. An official from the European Commission also attended those discussions. While the Irish delegation was not authorised to conclude any agreement with the US, good exploratory discussions were held. I understand that had an EU-US deal emerged from the Transport Council, a suitable phasing-in over a period of years of open skies between Ireland and the US would have been agreed for inclusion in the EU-US deal that would have been signed at the summit at the end of June 2004. Currently, there are no EU-US negotiations taking place. There is no doubt in my mind, however, that an EU-US open skies agreement is inevitable, once a properly balanced agreement is reached. My officials are maintaining contact informally with the US side to keep open all options for progress on this issue.
It is very difficult to estimate the timeframe in which an EU-US agreement might be reached. I am in the process of familiarising myself with the positions of the various Irish stakeholders involved. I am conscious of the fact that the new board of Shannon Airport is now required to produce a business plan for the airport and that clarity on the open skies issue would be very helpful to that business planning process. I am also conscious that Irish airlines are currently restricted in the routes they can serve under the existing bilateral arrangement and that expanding scheduled services across the Atlantic is of great importance to the growth of Irish airlines and Irish tourism. In any future dealings with the US on this issue, we will be aware of our European Union obligations.
158 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Minister for Transport the progress made to date with regard to the implementation of the report of the taxi advisory council on new regulations to be introduced to the taxi industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26982/04]
By letter dated 24 February 2004 the advisory council to the Commission for Taxi Regulation provided advice to my predecessor, the then Minister, Deputy Brennan, on a number of matters relevant to small public service vehicles and their drivers. The council recommended the removal of the exemption on the wearing of seat belts by the drivers of small public service vehicles, the early commencement of section 37 of the Taxi Regulation Act 2003 which requires small public service vehicle drivers, licence holders and applicants to hold a current tax clearance certificate, and the introduction of a new identification badge for all drivers of small public service vehicles to replace the existing metal badge.
The then Minister, Deputy Brennan, advised the council on 31 March 2004 that he had accepted its advice on these matters and had asked his Department to proceed with the consideration of the proposals in consultation with the Revenue Commissioners, the Garda authorities and the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform. Regulations were made on 22 May 2004 to remove, with effect from 1 July 2004, the exemption whereby the driver of a taxi, hackney or limousine is not required to wear a seat belt while driving such a vehicle.
A ministerial order was signed on 1 June 2004 to commence section 37(1) of the Taxi Regulation Act 2003 with effect from 2 August 2004. From that date a taxi, wheelchair accessible taxi, hackney or limousine licence or a licence to drive such vehicles will not be granted or renewed unless the applicant produces to the licensing authority, that is, the local authority or the Garda as appropriate, a tax clearance certificate issued by the Revenue Commissioners under section 1095 of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997.
The proposals in regard to driver identification have been the subject of correspondence with the Garda authorities and the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform. The question of colour coding according to whether a taxi, hackney or limousine service is being provided, however, raises some wider issues, as the current driver licensing system does not differentiate between drivers of different vehicle categories. It was suggested to the Council that this aspect meritedfurther consideration by it. I also understand that the taxi regulator, Mr. Ger Deering, intends carrying out a review of all aspects of the taxi industry including the issue of driver identification.
159 Mr. McCormack asked the Minister for Transport when he expects discussions betweenhis Department and Iarnród Éireann regardingthe future development of a commuter station at Spencer Dock will be completed; the proposals he supports in relation to this development; the outstanding issues between him and Iarnród Éireann; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27007/04]
Iarnród Éireann recently submitted to my Department a strategy document that sets out the business case for the development of a greater Dublin integrated rail network over the medium term. The strategy refers to the necessity to expand network capacity in and around Connolly Station by improving signalling capacity, platform capacity and constructing a new station in the area. The Department is in discussion with Iarnród Éireann on the detail of the strategy document and the company is to present further information in that regard.
160 Mr. Sherlock asked the Minister for Transport if his attention has been drawn to the call made by a recent inquest in Dublin into the death of a cyclist for a review of blind spots in cabs of articulated trucks which can prevent drivers from seeing cyclists and pedestrians; if he intends to ask the industry to undertake such a review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26987/04]
I am aware from the media reporting of this inquest of the jury's recommendation concerning a review by the freight industry of blind spots around high vehicles. Last month the Irish Road Haulage Association, the National Safety Council and the National Council on Ageing and Older People launched a joint safety campaign targeting HGV drivers and vulnerable road users, particularly older pedestrians. The aim of the campaign is to highlight the existence of danger zones or blind spots around trucks.
Developments at EU level will result in new HGVs having to comply with higher standards in relation to the fields of vision of drivers. In November 2003, the EU adopted Directive 2003/97/EC, which provides for an extension of the field of vision so as to address the issue of blind spots. The directive harmonises the rules relating to the type-approval of devices for indirect vision, including mirrors and cameras-monitors, on motor vehicles and of vehicles equipped with these devices.
The directive requires all new heavy goods vehicles and buses entering into service from 26 January 2007 to meet the revised standards for field of vision set in the directive. Subject to practical engineering constraints and the agreement of the European Commission, it is my intention, when implementing the directive, to require existing vehicles of the types covered by the directive to be retrofitted with the necessary mirrors and/or cameras and monitors.
161 Mr. Kehoe asked the Minister for Transport if he remains committed to the break up of CIE into three separate companies, as set out in the programme for Government 2002; when legislation will be published to advance this proposal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27033/04]
The Government is committed to reform of public transport. A considerable amount of work on the detailed technical aspects of the restructuring of CIE has taken place in my Department and this work is ongoing. I am reviewing this work, as well as consulting with stakeholders. When I have completed that review and my consultations with key stakeholders I will consider how to proceed generally and in relation to legislation.
162 Mr. Murphy asked the Minister for Transport if he intends to increase the fee to sit the driving test; if so, the amount of such increase; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27026/04]
I have no proposals to increase the driving test fee at this time.
164 Ms McManus asked the Minister for Transport the number of United States troops who landed at Shannon Airport in 2003 and 2004 to date; if he has plans to review permission for such landings in view of the recent view expressed by the Secretary General of the United Nations that the US led invasion of Iraq was illegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26969/04]
Civilian air carriers carrying weapons or munitions wishing to land or over-fly Irish airspace are obliged to seek exemption from the provisions of sections 6 and 7 of the Air Navigation (Carriage of Munitions of War, Weapons and Dangerous Goods) Order 1973. This order applies only to the carriage of munitions of war, weapons and dangerous goods and not to military personnel. There is no limitation on the carriage of military troops on civilian aircraft if they are unaccompanied by weapons or munitions, as is sometimes the case. My Department, therefore, does not collate information with regard to the number of military troops.
On the basis of information collected by Shannon Airport management, the numbers of troops travelling on civilian aircraft for all of 2003 was 121,943 and for 2004 to 26 October 2004 is 126,504. These are the most recent statistics compiled by Shannon Airport management. I have no intention to change the current policy regarding the transit of US troops carrying munitions of war through Shannon Airport.
165 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Transport the progress to date in addressing the long delays between motorists being observed breaking the speed limit or other road traffic offences which merit penalty points and the awarding against them of those points; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26946/04]
Where a person either pays a fixed charge for a road traffic offence or is convicted of a penalty point offence in court, data necessary to ensure that penalty points are endorsed in the person's licence record must be forwarded to my Department by the Garda or the Courts Service, respectively. The average period between receipt of such notifications by the company that is engaged to process this data for my Department and the subsequent issue of a notification to a person of the date on which penalty points will be entered on their licence record is ten days.
Responsibility for ensuring the timely submission to my Department of the notifications of payment of a fixed charge or of a conviction in respect of offences that attract penalty points are matters for the Garda Síochána and the Courts Service.
167 Mr. Kehoe asked the Minister for Transport if the RPA is undertaking a review of all aspects of the Luas project; when such a review will be completed; if it will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27032/04]
I understand from the Railway Procurement Agency, RPA, that it is carrying out a "look-back study" of Luas to see what lessons can be learned from implementation of the red and green lines. A review of costs, procurement and decision-making is under way at present and a retrospective cost-benefit analysis and environmental impact assessment will be carried out early next year after both lines have been in full operation for a period. I understand it is the intention of the RPA to make the report on the matter public when it is completed.
169 Mr. Hogan asked the Minister for Transport the way in which he proposes to meet the targets in the new National Road Safety Strategy 2004-2006 in view of the fact that many of the targets set out in this document were also included in the previous Road Safety Strategy 1998-2002 and were not realised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26999/04]
The primary target of the new Government strategy on road safety is to realise a 25% reduction in road collision fatalities by the end of 2006 over the average annual number of fatalities in the 1998-2003 period. Achievement of the target will result in no more than 300 deaths per annum by the end of the period of the strategy.
The strategy proposes a range of measures in the enforcement, engineering, education and legislation areas to target further reductions in deaths and injuries. An integrated strategic approach will ensure that the road safety agencies work together to achieve the targets set out in the new strategy.
The Government strongly pursued the implementation of its first Strategy for Road Safety 1998-2002. The strategy prioritised a systematic and co-ordinated set of measures for preventing and reducing road accidents. The principal target was to reduce road deaths and serious injuries each by at least 20% by 2002 relative to 1997. Priority was accorded by the strategy to actions targeted at speeding, alcohol, seat belt wearing and vulnerable road users. The primary target was achieved in the case of road deaths and surpassed in the case of serious injuries. The interim targets fixed by the strategy for achievement by 2000 were also well met. The target in extending low cost accident measures across the national road network to 400 locations was achieved and exceeded, with 418 schemes completed by end of 2002.
Garda enforcement activity was intensified and improved in accordance with the road safety strategy and speed limit enforcement was also supported by an increase in mobile speed detection, the use of laser speed detection as well as in-car and motorcycle cameras. The road safety strategy also provided for the implementation of a penalty points system in support of road safety enforcement. Penalty points have been introduced in relation to speeding offences since the end of October 2002 and have since been introduced in relation to seat-belt wearing, driving without insurance and careless driving. Evidential breath testing was introduced and has been rolled out over the lifetime of the strategy and a number of hard-hitting advertising campaigns were developed. An extended basis for breath testing was introduced in 2003 on foot of a commitment in the first road safety strategy.
By the end of the period of the first strategy almost all of the measures set out were either fully or partially implemented. During the intervening period between the completion of the first strategy and the introduction of the new strategy, my Department and all the agencies concerned with the implementation of road safety measures ensured that the successful measures brought forward under the road to safety continued to be implemented. New targets have been set in the key areas of speeding, seat-belt wearing and drink driving, as well as a revised target for reductions in the number of deaths. These targets differ from those set in the first road safety strategy and are based on progress made in these areas over the past six years. In addition, initiatives will be pursued that will progress measures identified in the previous strategy in respect of which full implementation was not realised. This is particularly the case in respect of the achievement of the rollout of the penalty points system and the supporting fixed charge system. That will be facilitated by the early passage of the Road Traffic Bill 2004, which is due to be debated in the House this week.
171 Mr. Murphy asked the Minister for Transport his views on the need for an independent road accident investigation unit in view of the high number of road fatalities and casualties on roads annually; if he will introduce legislation to enact such a provision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27027/04]
The primary immediate investigative role in relation to road accidents is vested in the Garda Síochána. Priority in the pursuit of such an investigation must be given to the determination of the causes of road accidents and in particular to the determination of whether a breach of the road traffic laws contributed to the occurrence.
The Garda Síochána is the only body empowered to make such a determination and to launch criminal proceedings against any person whom the Garda considers should be accused of the commission of an offence. In the final instance it is a matter for the courts to decide on the guilt or innocence of an accused person. The Garda reports relating to an accident provide information to assist the courts in making decisions in such matters.
Given the pivotal role played by the Garda in accident investigation, they are tasked with the preparation of detailed reports in relation to each accident they attend. These reports are passed on to the National Roads Authority and subsequently to each local authority for the purpose of the establishment of accident trends and causes generally and to facilitate the carrying out of remedial works relating to road infrastructure where such action is deemed to be necessary. I have no immediate proposals to establish alternative arrangements for investigating road accidents.
172 Ms Burton asked the Minister for Transport the position with regard to the establishment of a second terminal at Dublin Airport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26951/04]
179 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Minister for Transport if a decision has been taken to proceed with a second terminal for Dublin Airport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27001/04]
372 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport his proposals for the future of air transport here with particular reference to Dublin and other airports and required terminal facilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27285/04]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 172, 179 and 372 together.
It is the policy of the Government to encourage as wide a range as possible of reliable, regular and competitive air services to and from Ireland. The central tenet of this policy is the belief that a strong, competitive and efficient network of air links are vitally important for developing our trade and tourism sectors, particularly having regard to our island status and peripheral location.
Passenger traffic through Dublin Airport is expected to grow from last year's level of almost 16 million passengers to 30 million by around 2018. New infrastructure capacity and facilities, both airside and landside, will be needed to cater for this growth including further terminal capacity. With regard to the latter, the programme for Government includes a commitment to examine proposals for a new independent terminal at the airport and to progress such proposals if the evidence suggests that such a terminal will deliver significant benefits.
The question currently at issue, therefore, is not whether new terminal capacity should be provided at Dublin Airport but rather the most appropriate mechanisms for providing such capacity.
Last year a report by a panel of experts chaired by Mr. Paddy Mullarkey assessed the independent terminal concept taking account of the expressions of interest submitted to my Department on the development of an independent, competing terminal at Dublin Airport.
I recognise that an early decision is desirable in relation to this matter so that, regardless of how it is provided, adequate terminal capacity is in place at Dublin Airport when required to meet the growth in passenger traffic. In this regard, my Department is consulting the new board of the Dublin Airport Authority and I intend to bring proposals on the matter to the Government in due course.
Shannon Airport has capacity to handle up to 4.5 million passengers per annum compared to a passenger throughput of 2.4 million in 2003 while work is proceeding on the major new terminal development works at Cork Airport.
In terms of capital funding for our regional airports, grant aid of approximately €9 million has been paid under first round allocations of the regional airports measure of the national development plan. The primary objective of this measure is to facilitate continued safe and viable operations at regional airports. A further round of projects is being considered.
173 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Transport if he intends to respond to the call made by the Chairman of the National Road Safety Council for a more structured investment in road safety in the December 2004 budget, especially in view of the continuing level of road deaths; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26960/04]
Between 1998, the first full year of the operation of the Government Road Safety Strategy 1998 — 2002, and 2004, there have been significant and sustained increases in the funding made available to the road safety agencies under the aegis of my Department. Overall funding has grown from a total of €11.372 million in 1998 to €22.488 million in 2004, a rise of 97.7%.
The funding made available by the Exchequer to the National Safety Council has risen from €1.148 million in 1998 to €2.886 million in 2004 — a rise of more than 150%. In addition to Exchequer funding, the Irish Insurance Federation contributes to the National Safety Council's budget, and funding is also received from sponsorship sources.
The overall Exchequer provision for road improvement and maintenance works, which have a significant impact on road safety, in 2004 on the national road network is €1,280 million. This compares with an expenditure outturn of €1,223 million in 2003.
Local authorities receive funding for road improvements and remedial measures on non-national roads, which is not included in this figure. In addition, the funding made available for Garda operations supports the enforcement of road traffic law. That is a matter for the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform.
The success of implementing road safety policy as set out in the road safety strategy is critically dependent on major investment in resources by various Government Departments and their agencies, including the National Safety Council. The Government remains committed to ongoing support for the pursuit of road safety policies.
In addition, my Department is chairing a steering group overseeing a cross-departmental review of road safety expenditure which will examine expenditure incurred over the lifetime of the road safety strategy. This will seek to evaluate the effectiveness of all public spending on road safety and, if necessary, recommend an adjustment in spending on particular policies and measures based on their effectiveness.
The review will also seek to establish the impact of road safety performance on other areas, such as health and emergency services.
The steering committee consists of representatives from the Departments of Transport, Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Health and Children, Finance and the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. A consultant has been engaged to carry out an analysis of road safety expenditure and is expected to report to the steering committee shortly.
174 Mr. Crawford asked the Minister for Transport the reason the European Commission has decided to take Ireland to the European Court of Justice for its failure to implement a road safety directive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27004/04]
EU Directive 2000/56 amends Annex 1 and Annex 2 of Council Directive 91/439 on driving licences by substituting some additional requirements and was to be implemented by 30 September 2003. The revised Annex 1 relates to some additional harmonised information codes on a driving licence which indicate restrictions on the type of vehicle to be used in certain circumstances, for example, adaptations to the vehicle in view of the medical circumstances of the licence holder. The revised Annex 2 relates to changes in the minimum requirements for driving tests principally relating to certain additional technical checks to be performed during the practical test. The annex also revises minimum vehicle standards and dimensions for vehicles that can be used in a driving test shortly. The European Commission will then be advised of the regulations
176 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Transport the reason, despite the fact that 130,000 persons are on the waiting list for the driving test, that eight driving tester vacancies remain unfilled; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27025/04]
The authorised complement of driver testing staff in my Department is 130 which includes supervisory-management grades and both permanent and contract staff. My Department is in discussions with the Department of Finance with a view to filling eight existing vacancies in this area definitively. I am confident that these discussions will conclude satisfactorily before the end of the year. However, as an interim measure the driver testing corps has been supplemented by the engagement of six driver testers hired on a short-term basis.
177 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Minister for Transport his views on recent statements (details supplied) that major national roads projects are likely to be significantly delayed due to the Government’s decentralisation programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27002/04]
In the context of its decentralisation implementation plan, prepared in accordance with Department of Finance requirements, the NRA has indicated significant concerns about the impact of decentralisation to Ballinasloe, County Galway, on its ability to deliver the national roads programme. These concerns will be taken into account and addressed in the ongoing implementation of the decentralisation programme.
181 Mr. Broughan asked the Minister for Transport the Government’s view on the role Aer Lingus should play as a national carrier; if his attention has been drawn to serious concern expressed by major companies based here at the decision of the company to end virtually all its cargo services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26954/04]
Aer Lingus is mandated by my Department to operate in a commercial manner. It is, therefore, the responsibility of the board and management to operate the airline so that it can compete successfully and generate profits in this very difficult sector. It is my strong view that maintaining a strong, commercially successful airline is the best way of ensuring that Aer Lingus continues to meet the needs of the business and tourism sectors.
Specifically in relation to cargo, I have been advised by Aer Lingus that the decision to terminate cargo interline and short-haul cargo was taken following a thorough examination of all relevant commercial, operational and financial matters. Aer Lingus has advised that the company's decision will affect less than 3% of the total cargo volume through Dublin, Cork and Shannon airports.
183 Mr. Crawford asked the Minister for Transport if it is still proposed that Bus Éireann employees will be decentralised to Mitchelstown; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27003/04]
Under the decentralisation programme Bus Éireann headquarters posts are to be relocated to Mitchelstown. That position remains unchanged. To date, 86 posts suitable for decentralisation have been identified by the company. Whether existing employees move to fill these posts is a voluntary decision for those involved. To date no employee has indicated a wish to move and this clearly presents an issue, which has to be examined.
184 Mr. McCormack asked the Minister for Transport his views on the recent calls by the National Roads Authority for additional funding to complete its road building programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27006/04]
The National Roads Authority is currently undertaking the largest road building programme in the history of the State, made possible by record levels of Exchequer funding supplemented by private investment in respect of public private partnership schemes. Good progress is being made in the implementation of the programme. Over the period since 2000, 45 projects — 310 km. — have been completed, 21 projects — 213 km. — are in construction and nine projects — 147 km. — are at tender stage.
During 2003, my Department requested the NRA to investigate the scope to increase the overall level of funding available for improvements on the national roads network. Possibilities in this regard were subsequently identified by the NRA and are currently under consideration in my Department.
185 Mr. Ferris asked the Minister for Transport the steps he proposes to take in order to create safety awareness around Luas traffic. [26996/04]
I understand that the Railway Procurement Agency and Connex are availing of every opportunity through the media and in direct meetings with community groups to remind people of all safety aspects of light rail operating in city streets. Consultation is also taking place between the RPA, Connex and the Garda Síochána on how to encourage motorists to respect red lights and other road regulations. RPA has also run extensive advertising campaigns relating to safety and further advertising in this regard is planned. There is a corresponding onus on road users and pedestrians to comply with the rules of the road and operate with due care and attention, particularly at traffic junctions.
188 Mr. P. Breen asked the Minister for Transport the progress to date to extend the two existing Luas lines at Cherrywood and at the Docklands; the progress that has been made in negotiating PPPs to fund these extensions; the nature of the difficulty in attracting private investment to fund these extensions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27015/04]
The further development of the Luas network is the responsibility of the Railway Procurement Agency. The RPA is at present advancing plans for extensions of Luas to the Dublin Docklands and Cherrywood. These plans are based on private sector funding, captured through development levies from developers who own land along a proposed route. I understand from the RPA that good progress is being made in the negotiations with developers and the relevant local authorities — Dublin City Council and South Dublin County Council — with regard to these extensions. At present, my Department is awaiting business plans from the RPA in order to assist in its evaluation of both extensions.
189 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Transport the status within his Department of the Iarnród Éireann proposal for an interconnector south of the River Liffey; the timetable for the completion of the inter-urban motorways; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26761/04]
Iarnród Éireann recently submitted to my Department a strategy document that sets out the business case for the development of a greater Dublin integrated rail network. The proposal to construct an interconnector rail tunnel between Heuston Station and the docklands is a part of the plan. My Department is in the process of evaluating the business case at present.
The current position in relation to the upgrading of the five major inter-urban routes to motorway and high quality dual carriageway standard is that the M1 is expected to be fully complete by the end of 2006. Work is under way on major projects on the N7 — Monasterevin bypass, on the N8 — Cashel bypass, on the N4-N6 —Kilcock-Kinnegad. Work is expected to start this year on the Dundalk western bypass and Dundalk to Newry on the M1, on the N8 — Fermoy bypass , and on the N7 — Naas Road widening.
Completion of these projects will eliminate many of the major bottlenecks on these routes. In addition it is expected that compulsory purchase orders and environmental impact statements for the remaining projects in planning on these routes will either be approved by, or be before, an Bord Pleanála by the end of 2004. Regarding the national roads programme overall it should be noted that since 2000 a total of 44 projects — more than 310 km. — have been completed. Work is in progress on 21 projects — 213 km. — and another nine projects — 147 km. — are at tender stage.
190 Dr. Upton asked the Minister for Transport if his attention has been drawn to the recent report produced by IBEC which found that traffic congestion had got worse in Dublin over the past two years; the steps he intends to take to deal with this problem in view of the social and economic cost; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26988/04]
I refer the Deputy to my reply to Question No. 112, to which I replied earlier today.
198 Mr. S. Ryan asked the Minister for Transport the progress made with regard to the proposal to allow bus lanes on the hard shoulders of motorways; the precise timescale proposed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26984/04]
I wish to ensure that as many practical measures as possible are taken to improve the movement of buses on the road network and thereby reduce journey times and congestion. In that regard, my Department is engaged in discussions with Bus Éireann, Dublin Bus, Dublin Transportation Office, the quality bus network project office and the National Roads Authority regarding the use of the hard shoulder on roads of motorways for bus lanes, particularly in and around the Dublin area. Necessary changes to traffic signs and parking regulations to support this initiative are being prepared at present.
Separately, the application of a separate speed limit to vehicles using a reserved hard shoulder may be required in certain circumstances and this is not currently provided for in primary legislation. To deal with this, the Road Traffic Bill 2004, published on 11 June, proposes to provide a legal basis for the introduction of a separate special speed limit on a hard shoulder in lieu of the speed limit that normally applies to that road. The Bill is currently before the Houses of the Oireachtas. Pending enactment of the necessary legislation, the NRA and the quality bus network project office are identifying locations and making the necessary preparations at those locations where buses will be permitted to use the hard shoulder. Details will be announced in due course.
199 Ms Enright asked the Minister for Transport the funding which has been given to facilitate development and improvement project works to regional non-State owned airports under the current NDP; if a second round of funding is envisaged for such airports; when this will be allocated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27011/04]
Under the regional airports measure of the National Development Plan 2000-2006, funding has been made available towards infrastructural works and upgrades in facilities to maintain continued safe and viable operation of the six regional airports in Kerry, Waterford, Galway, Sligo, Knock, and Donegal.
The programme is being implemented under two separate rounds, the first covering the period 2000 to 2004 and the second covering 2004 to 2006. More than 30 projects were undertaken at the six regional airports under round one and grant aid of approximately €9 million has been paid to the various airport companies to date.
Round two of the regional airports measure of the NDP was launched recently and the six regional airports have submitted their applications for funding under this round. These applications are currently being assessed and it is anticipated that decisions on these applications will be taken shortly.
The level of funding available for approved projects under round two will have to be carefully assessed in the light of prevailing Exchequer resources. My Department will continue to assist the regional airports as they develop into the future. However, financial assistance will be carefully evaluated in line with the general scale of operations at the airports and wider aviation and transport policy.
200 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Minister for Transport if he will make a statement on the work to date of the taxi hardship panel. [26977/04]
The taxi hardship panel was an independent three-person panel established in February 2002 to report in general terms on the nature and extent of extreme personal financial hardship that may have been experienced by individual taxi licence holders arising from loss of income as a direct result of the liberalisation of the taxi licensing regime, including an estimate of the numbers of individual licence holders involved, the likely financial implications and the recommended criteria for assessment of extreme personal financial hardship under any subsequent proposed response by Government. Some 2,000 submissions were received by the panel and the panel also met with taxi representative groups and with some individuals who made submissions before finalising its report.
The report of the panel recommended the establishment of a scheme to provide payments to individual taxi licence holders who fall into one of six categories that the panel assessed as having suffered extreme personal financial hardship arising from taxi liberalisation. The payments recommended by the panel range from €3,000 to €15,000 depending on the category of hardship involved. The Government approved the implementation on a phased basis of these recommendations.
Area Development Management Limited has been engaged to administer the taxi hardship payments scheme which is implementing the recommendations of the taxi hardship panel report in accordance with the relevant Government decision.
The taxi hardship payments scheme was formally launched in November 2003 with application forms being issued to all persons who made submissions to the taxi hardship panel. In addition, newspaper advertisements were placed in the national newspapers on 6 November 2003 and 27 February 2004 inviting applications under the scheme from individual taxi licence holders at 21 November 2000 who could demonstrate that they have suffered extreme personal financial hardship following loss of income arising from the liberalisation of the taxi licensing regime, who fall into one of the six categories in which payment was recommended by the taxi hardship panel report, and who are tax compliant. The closing date for receipt of applications under the scheme was 30 April 2004.
A total of 1,953 applications have been received by ADM. Hardship payments totalling €13.617 million have been made to 1,158 qualifying persons under the scheme to date. To date, 98 applicants have not qualified for a hardship payment. The remaining applications are under consideration. The time taken to process applications and to make payments depends on the completeness of the information and supporting documentation in each individual application.
201 Mr. Timmins asked the Minister for Transport his plans to re-open the rail line between Sallins, County Kildare and Tullow, County Carlow; if discussions or meetings have been held regarding this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26758/04]
I understand that the opening of a rail line between Sallins and Tullow does not form part of Iarnród Éireann's medium-term strategic plan for the development of the rail network.
The strategic rail review, conducted on behalf of my Department in 2003 to advise on the approach to be taken to rail development in the country over the next 20 years did not include the provision of services on this line as part of its recommended strategy.
202 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Taoiseach the five measurable performance indicators he regards as targets of greatest priority within his Department; the way in which this measure has changed in each year since 1997; his views on whether confining priorities to five indicators gives too partial a picture of departmental priorities; and if he will report on the movement over the period from 1997 to 2004 of other primary indicators of performance. [26763/04]
The mandate of my Department is to provide the Government, Taoiseach and Ministers of State at the Department with the support, policy advice and information necessary for the effective conduct of Government and for the dynamic leadership, co-ordination and strategic direction of Government policy from policy formulation through to decision-making, implementation and monitoring.
203 Mr. McGuinness asked the Taoiseach if there is a dedicated auditing unit in his Department assessing and monitoring the day-to-day spend of his Department with particular reference to major projects; if so, the number of staff involved; if the staff have accountancy qualifications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26838/04]
Specific responsibilities and authority for financial management within my Department are assigned to the finance officer and to the finance unit. The fundamental role of the finance unit is to provide central services to the Department relating to its financial management responsibilities. Therefore, the unit provides certain services for the rest of the Department in the following areas. These are completion of the Estimates process to forecast the financial resources required by the Department in future years; ensure compliance with the legal requirement to account for expenditure from the Vote (appropriation account); facilitate all audit inspections and queries; ensure speedy discharge of financial services, including compliance with prompt payment legislation; provision of accounts payable and accounts receivable services; effective monitoring of resources allocated to the Department; provision of appropriate financial information for management; ensure progress by the Department on financial management reform, including the requirements of the management information framework and the Mullarkey implementation group; co-ordinate the programme of expenditure reviews.
Staffing of the finance unit is as follows:
|
Number of Staff |
Staff |
|
1 |
Assistant Principal (Part-time) |
|
1 |
Higher Executive Officer |
|
1 |
Administrative Officer (Part-time) |
|
2 |
Executive Officers |
|
3 |
Clerical Officers |
The assistant principal with responsibility for this unit is a qualified accountant.
There is also an internal audit unit within my Department, the primary role of which is to provide independent assurance to the accounting officer on the system of internal controls in place.
Staffing of the internal audit unit is as follows:
|
Number of Staff |
Staff |
|
1 |
Principal Officer (Part-time) |
|
1 |
Higher Executive Officer (Part-time) |
Give the modest size of my Department and the absence of responsibility for major projects, I regard these arrangements as satisfactory.
204 D'fhiafraigh Ms B. Moynihan-Cronin den Tánaiste agus Aire Sláinte agus Leanaí cén fáth nach bhfuil teiripe urlabhra do pháistí ar fáil trí Ghaeilge i nGaeltacht Chorca Dhuibhne; cén fáth nach bhfuil traenáil do theiripe urlabhra ar fáil trí Ghaeilge; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina leith. [26941/04]
Tá ceist solathár seirbhísí, ina measc teirípe urlabhra agus teanga, do dhaoine le míchumas fisiceach agus-nó míchumas céadfach mar dhualgas ar Udarás Réigiúnda Sláinte an Oirthir agus ar na mbórd sláinte ar an gcéad dul síos. De bharr seo, tá mé tar éis ceist an Teachta a chur chuig an príomh oifigeach feidhmiucháin i mBórd Slainte an Deiscirt agus iarradh air go ndéanfadh sé dianscrúdu ar an gceist agus an freagra a chur díreach chuig an Teachta, mar ábhar práinneach.
205 Ms B. Moynihan-Cronin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the reason speech therapy for children from Irish speaking families is not available through Irish in the Kerry Gaeltacht; the reason training for speech therapy through Irish is not available; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27045/04]
The provision of health services, including speech and language therapy, to people with a physical and-or sensory disability rests with the Eastern Regional Health Authority and the health boards in the first instance. Accordingly, the Deputy's question has been referred to the chief executive officer of the Southern Health Board with a request that he examine the matter raised and reply directly to the Deputy, as a matter of urgency.
206 Mr. McCormack asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if an audiologist will be appointed for County Galway to cater for the needs of deaf children; when it is envisaged to appoint a person to this post; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27116/04]
As the Deputy will be aware, responsibility for provision of audiological services is a matter for the health boards-authority in the first instance. My Department has therefore requested the chief executive officer of the Western Health Board to prepare a report on the matter and to reply directly to the Deputy.
207 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if she has negotiated a new deal with private practitioners offering chiropody and dental services to medical card holders in order that eligible persons may gain access to these services without having to make contributions or travel long distances to find a practitioner willing to offer the service; and if she will make a statement on the progress that has been made resolving these issues. [26769/04]
There is no statutory obligation on health boards to provide chiropody services to medical card holders. I understand that health boards make arrangements for the provision of such services. The nature of the arrangements and the level of chiropody services provided are a matter for the individual boards.
As regards dental services, the Deputy will be aware that primary dental care for adult medical cardholders, that is persons, aged 16 years or over, is provided under the dental treatment services scheme, DTSS. This dental care is provided free of charge to medical card holders. In the main, private dental practitioners participating in the DTSS under contract arrangements with health boards provide this dental care. Salaried dentists from the health boards also provide some services under the scheme.
The objectives of the scheme are to improve the oral health of adult medical card holders and thereby reduce the equity gap between this population and the population as a whole by providing a high quality dental service, and to provide dental services to adult medical cardholders in a cost-effective and equitable manner.
My Department will, in the near future, embark on a review of the DTSS in conjunction with the health boards, the general medical services payments board and Irish Dental Association. This review will be aimed at ensuring that the aims of the scheme are being met and that the service to medical card holders is timely, appropriate and accessible and that the service provides best value for money.
208 Mr. O’Shea asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children her proposals to significantly increase the health board travel allowance (details attached); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26770/04]
A strategic review of disability services is currently being undertaken by my Department. The issue of travel allowances will be considered in the course of this review.
209 Mr. Ring asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the number of persons who have taken up the support accommodation scheme; and the amount being awarded per week. [26771/04]
As the Deputy will be aware, the provision of health services in counties Galway, Mayo and Roscommon is, in the first instance, the responsibility of the Western 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.
210 Mr. Crowe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if minors temporarily staying in Garda stations for want of suitable accommodation have been assigned a social worker. [26786/04]
I assume the Deputy is referring to young homeless people presenting to Garda stations. I have been advised by the Eastern Regional Health Authority and health boards that it is extremely rare that children or young people are accommodated in Garda stations due to a lack of appropriate health board accommodation. Where children present to Garda stations, the relevant health board social work service is contacted, for example, the crisis intervention service in the Eastern Regional Health Authority. The children are assessed as a priority and are allocated a social worker if deemed appropriate. Some children presenting at Garda stations may already have an allocated social worker.
211 Mr. Crowe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if she has received correspondence from persons (details supplied) requesting a meeting to discuss the future of the provision of emergency ambulance cover in Dublin; and if she will hold such a meeting in the immediate future in view of the impending dissolution of the health boards. [26787/04]
212 Mr. Crowe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the way in which emergency ambulance cover will be provided in Dublin city and county, and the structures and procedures that will be put in place following the dissolution of the health boards. [26788/04]
213 Mr. Crowe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children her views on whether the level of emergency ambulance provision for Dublin city and county is adequate to meet the needs of the growing population. [26789/04]
214 Mr. Crowe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if her attention has been drawn to the proposals to make Dublin City Council the statutory emergency ambulance provider for Dublin city and county; if her attention has further been drawn to the fact that the management and workers of Dublin Fire Brigade support such a change; and her views on this suggestion. [26790/04]
I propose to takes Questions Nos. 211 to 214, inclusive, together.
I have agreed to a request from SIPTU on behalf of their members in Dublin Fire Brigade to discuss issues in relation to the provision of emergency ambulance services in the Dublin area following the establishment of the Health Services Executive. I do not consider that it would be appropriate to make any further comment in advance of the meeting.
215 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children her plans to deal with the crisis at accident and emergency departments in hospitals; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26791/04]
Many of the difficulties and delays experienced in emergency medicine departments reflect system-wide issues. It is, therefore, necessary to take a whole-system approach involving primary care, acute care and sub-acute and community care in tackling the problems in emergency medicine departments. This Government has already during the past few years, introduced initiatives aimed at improving the delivery of acute services and alleviating the pressures on accident and emergency departments.
I have previously said the delivery of accident and emergency services will be an area for particular attention during my term as Minister for Health and Children. I intend to identify the particular pressure points within the health system that affect the efficient delivery of emergency services and to address them in the context of the Estimates process.
216 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if she will extend the long-term illness list to cover Crohn’s disease; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26792/04]
Under the Health Act 1970, a health board may arrange for the supply, without charge, of drugs, medicines and medical and surgical appliances to people with a specified condition, for the treatment of that condition under the long-term illness, LTI, scheme. The conditions are mental handicap, mental illness for people under 16 only, phenylketonuria, cystic fibrosis, spina bifida, hydrocephalus, diabetes mellitus, diabetes insipidus, haemophilia, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, muscular dystrophies, parkinsonism, conditions arising from thalidomide and acute leukaemia. There are currently no plans to amend the list of eligible conditions.
Other schemes provide assistance towards the cost of approved drugs and medicines for people with significant ongoing medical expenses. People who cannot, without undue hardship, arrange for the provision of medical services for themselves and their dependants may be entitled to a medical card. Eligibility for a medical card is solely a matter for the chief executive officer of the relevant health board. In determining eligibility, the CEO has regard to the applicant's financial circumstances. Health boards use income guidelines to assist in determining eligibility. However, where a person's income exceeds the guidelines, a medical card may be awarded if the CEO considers that the person's medical needs or other circumstances would justify this. Medical cards may also be issued to individual family members on this basis. Non-medical card holders, and people with conditions not covered under the LTI, can use the drugs payment scheme. Under this scheme, no individual or family unit pays more than €78 per calendar month towards the cost of approved prescribed medicines.
217 Mr. McHugh asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if she will work closely with the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, to mainstream health-related community employment scheme participants; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26812/04]
My Department is in regular contact with the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment regarding the mainstreaming of community employment scheme participants engaged in the provision of assistance to people with disabilities. However, as the Deputy will appreciate, I cannot at this stage give specific commitments in relation to levels of expenditure in 2005 for any particular service as these matters will be decided as part of the discussions on the Estimates and budget for that year between my Department and the Department of Finance.
218 Mr. Ring asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the reason the Mater Hospital did not respond to faxes sent to it in relation to a person (details supplied) in County Mayo; and the further reason the Western Health Board has not yet replied to Question No. 142 of 13 October 2004 in this same matter. [26819/04]
I understand from the Western Health Board that a reply, dated 1 November 2004, has issued to the Deputy.
219 Mr. Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if the general practitioner co-operative service will be implemented in 2005 for the people of north Cork (details supplied). [26835/04]
The funding provided for out of hours co-operatives in the Southern Health Board to date is over €10 million. The funding provided for general practitioner out of hours co-operatives between 2000 and 2003 totalled €46.5 million. The total funding available in 2004 amounts to in excess of €26 million. This dedicated funding does not include fees paid to participating general practitioners for attending patient calls. Further expansion will be considered in the context of service requirements, health board proposals and funding availability.
220 Mr. Neville asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if she will provide a list of restrictions on the sale of products (details supplied). [26837/04]
Restrictions on the sale of medicinal products containing paracetamol are set out in regulations 13 to 16 of the Medicinal Product (Prescription and Control of Supply) Regulations 2003, SI 540 of 2003. In summary, these regulations establish maximum pack sizes for such products depending on the size of the pack and whether the packs concerned are sold in pharmacies or in other outlets. All solid unit dosage forms must be in blister packs and in all cases prescribed statements must appear on the labelling and on the package leaflets.
221 Mr. McGuinness asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if there is a dedicated auditing unit in her Department assessing and monitoring the day-to-day spend of her Department with particular reference to major projects; if so, the number of staff involved; if the staff have accountancy qualifications; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26839/04]
The day-to-day spend of the non-administrative budget element of the Health and Children Vote is the responsibility, in the first instance, of the health boards and health authority. The functions referred to by the Deputy are performed by a number of areas within my Department.
The non-capital element of the Health and Children Vote is assessed and monitored on an ongoing basis by the finance unit. The unit is staffed by 13 officers, a number of whom have accounting qualifications. The chief executive officer of each health board and health authority is required to submit a monthly information management report, IMR, together with a commentary on the spend to date. Cash is monitored and the drawdown is agreed on a continuous basis through similar reporting arrangements. Officials of my Department meet regularly with the health boards and health authority to review service plans, including financial reviews on spending and cash issues.
The health capital programme, including expenditure is reviewed and monitored on an ongoing basis by the hospital planning office. The unit has nine officer posts and 13 professional adviser posts, comprising architects, engineers and quantity surveyors. The professional advisers have a significant input into the briefing, planning, construction and equipping of all major capital projects. Health boards or other health agencies, who are the clients for health capital projects, have primary responsibility for the delivery of projects in line with national public procurement requirements, hospital planing office guidelines and funding approved by my Department.
The professional accounting unit monitors and updates the Department's accounting standards, reviews the annual financial statements from all statutory-audited health agencies, reviews and develops the speciality cost reporting systems and the national casemix programme, and provides professional accounting assistance to the Department. The unit is staffed by two officers and two professional accountants.
The internal audit unit monitors the activities of the various divisions within the Department to provide assurance on the effectiveness of the Department's system of internal control. The unit is currently staffed by one officer with a vacancy for one further officer.
222 Mr. McGuinness asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the steps she has taken to recoup the €6 million overpaid to general practitioners under the medical card scheme; if any of the money has been repaid; if she will comment on the response she has received from the general practitioners representative body; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26853/04]
An examination of the GMS register has identified, at the end of February 2004, overpayments of €8.468 million to general practitioners. During the course of consultation with the Irish Medical Organisation on the issue, my Department agreed to examine alleged underpayments in respect of certain categories of GMS patients. This matter is being examined. While no repayments have, as yet, been made by any affected general practitioner, my Department remains committed to recouping the overpayments identified, in line with the commitment given to the Committee of Public Accounts.
223 Mr. McGuinness asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if information technology systems operated by each health board are compatible and if they are linked to the Department’s system; if the numbers employed by the health boards and Department can now be quantified by grade and location; if the systems can give an accurate figure on information such as the number of medical card holders in the country and their age profile; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26854/04]
In recent years, my Department has implemented a policy of enterprise-wide systems in relation to the development of all new information systems, thus providing for the compatibility and interoperability of systems on a health service-wide basis. Major enterprise-wide systems implementations are ongoing in a number of areas. A major system is currently being rolled out throughout the service in the human resources area, PPARS systems, and system design and development is ongoing in the financial resources area. Plans are at an advanced stage for similar implementations in the patient care area. A national client index is being developed in the health service which will underpin client oriented systems.
The general medical services (payments) board is satisfied that they can provide comprehensive high quality information on medical card holders from their systems and this may be analysed in a variety of ways, including age profile of card holders. Analysis of information on health services personnel is vastly improved in those health board areas where the PPARS system is already running. It is anticipated that the PPARS system will be implemented in all health board areas by the end of 2005.
All new information systems developments will be conducted in the context of the national health information strategy, which was published earlier this year, and the more technically oriented information and communications strategy, which will follow shortly. This will ensure that comprehensive information systems are available in all areas which will support operational requirements and provide comprehensive management information at local and national level.
224 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the position regarding research into the causes of breast cancer; and if she will report on new recent developments in cancer research. [26874/04]
I am advised the factors that are generally recognised as predisposing women to breast cancer include lifestyle, diet, obesity in post menopausal women, alcohol and hereditary factors. Genetic factors contribute to approximately 5% of breast cancers and mutations in specific genes are probably accountable for the majority of genetically determined breast cancers. Significant international research is ongoing in relation to these factors.
Under the Ireland-Northern Ireland National Cancer Institute Consortium, an all-island infrastructure to co-ordinate the clinical trial activity of hospitals on both sides of the border is being developed. Awards to the value of €3.5 million have been made through the Health Research Board, HRB, to support this initiative in major teaching hospitals throughout the country.
In addition, the HRB, the statutory body that promotes, conducts, funds and commissions medical and epidemiological and health services research in Ireland, has awarded grants of almost €500,000 to fund research into breast cancer.
225 Mr. Curran asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if the South Western Area Health Board is engaged in providing services at a location (details supplied) in Dublin 22 directly; if not, if it funds some other body, agency or person to provide services at this premises; the details of the services being provided; and the cost of these services. [26917/04]
Responsibility in relation to the matter referred to by the Deputy rests with the South Western Area Health Board and Eastern Regional Health Authority. Accordingly, my Department has asked the chief executive officer of the authority to reply directly to the Deputy.
226 Mr. McHugh asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if she will ensure patients needing radiotherapy treatment in Galway will receive treatment in the private clinic in Galway until the new radiotherapy facility in University College Hospital, Galway, comes on stream; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26924/04]
Referral of patients to a private treatment facility is in the first instance, a clinical matter. Factors which are relevant to such a decision include assessment of patient need, existing service availability, indemnity and quality assured service delivery. The Western Health Board has informed my Department that it has agreed to work with the private clinic in Galway to develop protocols or care pathways to deal with patients who require radiotherapy for palliative purposes.
The supraregional radiation oncology centre at University College Hospital, Galway, will be fully commissioned and ready to treat patients in early 2005. Earlier this year, €2.5 million ongoing revenue funding was made available for this development. Approval has now issued for additional ongoing revenue funding of €9.5 million and for the appointment of 102 staff for this unit, including an additional consultant medical oncologist and three consultant radiation oncologists, two of whom have significant sessional commitments to the North Western and the Mid-Western Health Boards.
As recommended in the report on the development of radiation oncology services in Ireland, the national radiation oncology co-ordinating group has been established. The group comprises clinical, technical, managerial, academic and nursing expertise from different geographic regions. The group's remit encompasses recommending measures to facilitate improved access to existing and planned services, including transport and accommodation. The group will also advise on quality assurance protocols and guidelines for the referral of public patients to private facilities.
227 Mr. Ferris asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if her attention has been drawn to the statement of need for a new accident and emergency department submitted in March 2002 by Kerry General Hospital management and staff; and when a response will be expected and a commitment to take prompt action on this request. [26928/04]
230 Ms B. Moynihan-Cronin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if there are proposals to develop a new accident and emergency department at a hospital (details supplied) in County Kerry; if plans for such a development were received by her Department circa March 2002; the reason there has been no response to the plans submitted; if revised plans have subsequently been received by her Department; if those plans are being considered; if such plans will be approved and funding provided; if she will respond to the needs of the accident and emergency department at the hospital by considering these plans speedily; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27052/04]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 227 and 230 together.
My Department has been aware since 2002 of a proposal to develop new accident and emergency infrastructure at Tralee General Hospital. It has not been possible for my Department in the intervening period to commit to this proposal, in the light of competing demands generally on the health capital programme and given the significant capital and non-capital funding implications involved in this particular case. The proposed development has, however, been included this year within the new health capital investment framework 2004 to 2008.
The proposed scheme consists of renovation works at, and a new extension to, the existing accident and emergency department at Tralee General Hospital. A draft brief has been prepared by the Southern Health Board. The next step in relation to this proposal would be formal approval of the brief and appointment of a design team, followed by detailed planning. These issues are at present being examined by my Department in the context of new capital commitments that can be progressed under the framework for 2005 or beyond, in line with overall funding resources available during the period of the framework.
228 Mr. N. O’Keeffe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the position regarding the provision of funding to the Southern Health Board to develop a project (details supplied). [26991/04]
The Southern Health Board, SHB, has submitted to my Department a public private partnership, PPP, proposal for eight community nursing units, CNUs, which will provide an additional 400 beds for respite, convalescence, long stay and rehabilitation services, to elderly patients in its catchment area. One of the proposed CNUs will be located at Sarsfield Court Hospital, Glanmire. It has been agreed with the SHB that in view of the health services reform programme that the central services unit, CSU, which was to be located at Sarsfield Court Hospital, is not being included as part of the consideration of the PPP project. It will now be considered separately in the context of the health services reform programme.
Work has been under way in the Department of Health and Children on a proposal for a public private partnership investment scheme for 400 community nursing units in the Southern Health Board region. There have also been discussions between my Department and the Department of Finance in the development of this PPP scheme, as is normal and entirely appropriate with PPP projects.
These are complex schemes and it is important to have a clear view of the benefits that will accrue given the complexity of the PPP contracting structure. The work that has been done so far has helped to clarify a number of issues. I intend to examine this project in detail very soon. The putting in place of a large number of nursing units will greatly help people make the transition from an acute hospital setting to care matched to their needs.
229 Mr. Connolly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the expenditure in the two years since the inconclusive outcome of the fluoridation forum on total ongoing operational costs incurred by the 400 fluoridating suppliers across 10 health boards; the total capital costs incurred to upgrade or replace plant since September 2000 when the forum began its work and commitments entered into to acquire new plant or equipment associated in any way with fluoridation; if she will provide details of the fluoridating schemes involved; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27043/04]
The Forum on Water Fluoridation in Ireland was established to carry out a review of the fluoridation of public water supplies in Ireland. The forum produced a comprehensive and conclusive report which it presented in 2002. In its report the forum set out a number of conclusions and made a number of recommendations with respect to the fluoridation of public piped water supplies in Ireland. The main conclusion reached by the forum was that the fluoridation of public water supplies should continue as a public health measure. The forum also recommended the establishment of an expert body to implement the forum's recommendations.
The expert body, to be known as the Irish expert body on fluorides and health, was set up earlier this year. The terms of reference of the expert body are to oversee the implementation of the recommendations of the forum on fluoridation; to advise the Minister and evaluate ongoing research, including new emerging issues, on all aspects of fluoride and its delivery methods as an established health technology and as required; to report to the Minister on matters of concern at his-her request or on its own initiative.
Responsibility for the fluoridation of public water supplies is a matter for the health boards-authority in the first instance. I have, therefore, requested the CEOs of the health boards-authority to reply to the Deputy's question directly.
231 Mr. P. Breen asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if a full-time radiologist will be appointed at Ennis General Hospital in County Clare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27053/04]
The provision of hospital services at Ennis General Hospital is the responsibility of the Mid-Western Health Board. My Department has asked the chief executive officer of the board to investigate the position in relation to the matter raised and to reply directly to the Deputy.
232 Mr. Howlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if her attention has been drawn to the ongoing bed crisis at Wexford General Hospital; if her attention has further been drawn to the fact that there are up to 25 persons on trolleys in the accident and emergency area of Wexford General Hospital; when the additional 19 inpatient beds will be provided; if she will provide a date for commencement of the construction work on this unit; if all funding difficulties have been resolved to provide staff for these beds; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27055/04]
My Department accepts the need for an additional 19 inpatient beds at Wexford General Hospital. It is hoped to progress this development in the context of the health capital investment framework 2004 to 2008 in line with overall funding resources available under the framework.
233 Mr. Connaughton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if her attention has been drawn to the difficulties experienced by Irish citizens in obtaining copies of their birth certificates from or in late registering their birth at the General Register Office in Dublin; if there is a dedicated staff member assigned with the office to deal with Irish-born emigrants; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27074/04]
The administration of the registration system for births, stillbirths, deaths and marriages is statutorily a matter for an tArd-Chláraitheoir or Registrar General of Births, Deaths and Marriages, and for the superintendent registrars and registrars who operate under his general direction. An tArd-Chláraitheoir has advised me that there is a dedicated section within the General Register Office which deals with applications for birth certificates from Irish centres in Britain. I understand that all current applications from these centres have been dealt with and that there are no outstanding applications from the centres.
Where it is established that a birth has not been previously registered, it is possible to effect registration provided the information required by law to be registered is available, particularly information with regard to the date and place of birth. The authority of an t-Árd Chláraitheoir is required for the registration of a birth where more than 12 months has elapsed since the date of birth. A statutory declaration setting out the particulars to be registered is required. In addition, an t-Árd Chláraitheoir will seek some independent confirmation of details, as set out in the declaration. I understand the minimum information required to, be entered in the birth register is the prenames, commonly called Christian names, surname, date and exact place of birth, the parents' names, or at least the mother's name, and the marital status of the parents.
Authorisations for the late registration of births issue within four to six weeks from the date of application. The Deputy will appreciate that where incomplete details are submitted with the application, some delay is unavoidable.
234 Mr. Ring asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will be called for a hip operation. [27093/04]
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 with regard to this case and to reply directly to the Deputy.
235 Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children when her Department will grant approval for the development of a village complex for 60 residents with an intellectual disability on the campus at a hospital (details supplied) in County Dublin in view of the fact that health board approval was granted nearly three years ago and the present facilities are most unsatisfactory. [27094/04]
One of the key priorities for my Department is to progress as quickly as possible the development of purpose-built residential and day facilities on the campus referred to by the Deputy. My Department has been working with the Eastern Regional Health Authority to progress the programme to provide more appropriate accommodation and to maximise the outcome from the capital resources available to my Department and from other sources. This work will be facilitated by the multi-annual revenue and capital investment programme for disability-specific support services recently announced as part of the national disability strategy.
236 Mr. Neville asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children her proposals to appoint neurological posts at the Mid-West Regional Hospital, Limerick. [27105/04]
The Mid-Western Health Board has identified the need for a consultant neurologist for the region and a requirement for additional funding. The post will be considered in the context of future priorities and overall resources available.
237 Mr. Neville asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the number of persons waiting for assessment for orthodontic services in the mid-west region. [27106/04]
The provision of orthodontic services is the statutory responsibility of the health boards or the Eastern Regional Health Authority in the first instance. The chief executive officer of the Mid-Western Health Board has informed my Department that there were 2,737 patients awaiting assessment at the end of the September 2004 quarter. This means the assessment waiting list in the board has, been reduced by 859 since the end of 2001. The chief executive officer has also informed my Department that at the end of the September 2004 quarter, there were 1,863 patients receiving orthodontic treatment in the board.
The chief executive officers of the health boards or authority have informed my Department that at the end of the September 2004 quarter, there were 22,168 patients receiving orthodontic treatment in the public orthodontic service. This means that there are more than twice as many patients getting orthodontic treatment as there are waiting to be treated and more than 6,000 extra patients are getting treatment from the health boards or authority since the end of the September 2001 quarter.
238 Mr. Cregan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if the three-monthly maintenance costs incurred by patients using a defibrillator will be included in the drugs and prescription refund scheme. [27113/04]
Community drug schemes do not make provision for maintenance costs associated with machines of the nature referred to by the Deputy. Reimbursement of expenses incurred on certain aids and appliances, such as oxygen equipment, is a matter for the relevant health board.
239 Dr. Fitzpatrick asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the number of patients on the orthodontic waiting list that have been treated under the national treatment purchase fund from health authorities (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27134/04]
In June 2002, my Department provided additional funding of €5 million from the national treatment purchase fund towards the treatment of persons on the orthodontic waiting lists. My Department instructed the health boards and authority that the funding was to be allocated on the basis of several principles. These are the treatment of clients longest on the waiting list in accordance with the severity of their treatment need, allocation to provide additional treatments over and above what was provided in the normal way, efficiency and value for money, and equitable delivery across health board populations.
The chief executive officers of the health boards and authority have informed my Department of the following information regarding patients receiving treatment under the national treatment purchase fund as at the end of September 2004:
|
Health board/authority |
TPF allocation €(1) |
Numbers in treatment |
|
ERHA (2) |
1.815m |
721 |
|
MHB |
0.289m |
198 |
|
MWHB (3) |
0.451m |
179 |
|
NEHB (4) |
0.421m |
196 |
|
NWHB |
0.285m |
119 |
|
SEHB (5) |
0.554m |
n/a |
|
SHB (6) |
0.720m |
258 |
|
WHB (7) |
0.465m |
132 |
(1)The proportion of allocated funds spent to date will vary according to private capacity in the health board areas.
(2)60 of these patients have completed their treatment under this scheme.
(3)15 of these patients have completed their treatment under this scheme.
(4)31 of these patients have completed their treatment under this scheme.
(5)2,252 children getting orthodontic treatment from the board at 30 September 2004.
(6)49 of these patients have completed their treatment under this scheme.
(7)13 of these patients have completed their treatment under this scheme.
Patients in treatment in the health board orthodontic service receive between 18 to 24 appointments over the course of their treatment period of approximately two years.
The chief executive officers of the health boards and the Eastern Regional Health Authority have informed me that at the end of the September 2004 quarter, there were 22,168 patients receiving orthodontic treatment in the public orthodontic service. This means there are more than twice as many patients getting orthodontic treatment as there are waiting to be treated.
240 Mr. Neville asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the number of patients that were readmitted to hospital within one week of discharge in 2003. [27135/04]
In 2003, there were 30,527 readmissions to hospital within one week of discharge. This figure is derived from the hospital inpatient inquiry, HIPE, system which gives details of activity in all publicly funded acute hospitals in the State as well as in two private hospitals. HIPE data only allows the identification of a readmission if it is to the same hospital as the original admission. The above figure includes all inpatient readmissions, that is, readmissions for the same condition, for an unrelated condition and planned readmissions, and excludes day cases.
241 Mr. J. Breen asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if, in view of the recent sale of part of Our Lady’s Hospital for €5.2 million, she will conduct an inquiry into the sale of this hospital and 60 acres of land by the Mid-Western Health Board for €3.2 million; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27136/04]
I am informed by the Mid-Western Health Board that the sale of the property was conducted in adherence with best practice and policy protocols at the time and with the involvement of the Valuation Office. The Mid-Western Health Board agreed the sale of the hospital in 1998 for £2.444 million, or €3.1 million, and the actual closure of the hospital took place in September 2001.
242 Mr. J. Breen asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if she will instruct the chief executive officer of the Mid-Western Health Board as a matter of urgency, having received correspondence from consultants of Ennis Regional Hospital to provide on-site CT scanners, appoint two consultant radiologists, an additional consultant surgeon, two additional consultant physicians, one with an interest in geriatrics and an interest in respiratory medicine; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27137/04]
The provision of services at Ennis General Hospital is a matter for the Mid-Western Health Board. The development of services and the appointment of additional consultant posts at Ennis General Hospital will be progressed as part of the Government's reform and investment programme.
243 Mr. Gregory asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children, further to Question No. 266 of 19 October 2004, if she previously made inquiries into the same unit regarding the case (details supplied); and if so, if she will detail her refusal to do so in the case referred to her by Deputy Gregory. [27154/04]
As I indicated in response to previous questions from the Deputy, the clinic in question is privately operated and my Department has asked the regional chief executive of the Eastern Regional Health Authority to inquire into the case raised by the Deputy. I understand the authority will shortly be in touch with the Deputy regarding the matter.
244 Mr. Wall asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the position regarding persons seeking respite care in areas in which no facilities exist for such care; the position regarding the applications by such persons for private nursing home placement; if her Department will provide the funding necessary to qualified persons in order that applicants may avail of such private nursing home placements; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27175/04]
The information which the Deputy requires is not routinely collated by my Department. My Department has therefore requested a report from the Eastern Regional Health Authority on the subject and will respond direct to the Deputy as soon as this information is received.
245 Mr. Wall asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the number of beds not in use in hospitals in the South Western Area Health Board area; the plans she has in addressing such bed closures; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27177/04]
Responsibility for the provision of hospital services in the South Western Area Health Board rests with the Eastern Regional Health Authority. My Department has therefore asked the chief executive officer of the authority to investigate the matter raised by the Deputy and to reply to him directly.
246 Mr. Wall asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the number of successful applications for nursing home subvention and enhanced subvention in the South Western Area Health Board area; the number of applications pending a decision; the number of applications refused in each of the past three years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27178/04]
As the Deputy is aware, the administration of the nursing home subvention scheme is a matter for the South Western Area Health Board, acting under the aegis of the Eastern Regional Health Authority, in the first instance. My Department has therefore requested the chief executive of the authority to investigate the matter raised by the Deputy and reply direct to him as a matter of urgency.
247 Mr. Wall asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the plans she has to review nursing subvention and enhanced subvention payments in regard to nursing home placements for persons in need of such care; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27179/04]
In accordance with the Nursing Home (Subvention) Regulations 1993, three rates of subvention are payable, that is, €114.30, €152.40 and €190.50 per week in respect of three levels of dependency, which are medium, high and maximum. The subvention rates were increased by 25% with effect from April 2001.
Under the terms of sections 22.3 and 22.4 of the Nursing Home (Subvention) Regulations, a health board may, at its discretion, pay more than the maximum rate of subvention in particular circumstances, such as, for example, where an individual's personal funds are exhausted or where an individual is unable to meet the gap between the nursing home charge and the amount which he or she can contribute. The application of these provisions is a matter for the individual health board concerned in the context of meeting increasing demands for subvention within the board's revenue allocation as notified in the letter of determination. This is in keeping with the provisions of the Health (Amendment) (No. 3) Act 1996.
As the Deputy may be aware, a review of the nursing home subvention scheme is, being undertaken by my Department. The ultimate aim of the review will be the development of a system, which will be transparent, provide equity, be less discretionary and be financially sustainable. The review group has been working for a number of months and is comprised of a wide variety of stakeholders representing the many and varied interests associated with long-term care. All aspects of the nursing home subvention scheme are, being looked at by the group, including rates of payment.
248 Mr. Wall asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the position in regard to the provision of the necessary funding to ensure the re-opening of the X-ray unit at St. Vincent’s Hospital, Athy, County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27180/04]
As the Deputy is aware, the provision of health services in Athy is, in the first instance, the responsibility of the South Western Area Health Board acting under the aegis of the Eastern Regional Health Authority. My Department has therefore asked the chief executive of the authority to investigate the matter raised by the Deputy and reply direct to him as a matter of urgency.
249 Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if she received a report on radiotherapy from the Irish Society of Medical Oncologists in 2003; if that report recommended radiotherapy centres in eight hospitals; the way in which the report was considered by her; the reason the proposed configuration was rejected; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27181/04]
The submission referred to by the Deputy was made by the Irish Society of Medical Oncologists to the national cancer forum in the context of the development of a new national cancer strategy and was discussed by the forum at its meeting in May 2003. The national cancer forum is the national advisory body on cancer services and is a multidisciplinary group of experts and includes representatives of all modalities of cancer care.
The context of these discussions was the current fragmented delivery of cancer services nationally. In developing the new national cancer strategy, the forum's considerations have been informed by the broad strategic context in which the cancer strategy exists, a comprehensive review of the current status of cancer care, a review of the literature evidence concerning key aspects of the organisation of cancer services and a review of international models of care. The forum has concluded that the current arrangements for the delivery of cancer services are not generally in accordance with best practice and cannot be recommended to deliver the best quality cancer care.
With regard to the development of radiation oncology specifically, the Government's policy is based on the report entitled The Development of Radiation Oncology Services in Ireland. The expert group which developed the report comprised a range of experts involved in the provision of radiation oncology in Ireland and Northern Ireland. Some of the leading experts in their respective fields were represented on the group, including radiation oncologists as well as physicist and radiation therapy expertise. Two patient advocate representatives were also members, one from the Irish Cancer Society and the other from Aid Cancer Treatment. The group is the most authoritative voice in radiation oncology in this country and its report should be seen in that light. The report has been the subject of significant national and international endorsement from organisations such as the Irish Cancer Society, the American Cancer Society and the National Cancer Institute in the United States.
The predominant view of the group, based on international guidelines of best practice, is that radiation oncology services would be best developed in the context of a clinical network model of four large centres in Dublin, Cork and Galway, where new treatment centres have appropriate staff and equipment resources based around a minimum four to six linear accelerator treatment capacity. This report was discussed and unanimously endorsed by the national cancer forum at its last meeting on 17 September 2004 as the framework for the future development of radiation oncology services in this country.
The model proposed by the report will provide a framework that meets national and international standards. It will adhere closely to the World Health Organisation and US National Institutes of Health concept of a "gold standard" of cancer treatment delivered within the context of a comprehensive cancer centre model. The proposed model will enable the development of specialist clinical teams with both tumour-specific and technology-specific expertise. It mandates the development of more extensive and integrated multidisciplinary care and meets the stated and expected medical and paramedical training programmes and their associated national and international accreditation mechanisms. It facilitates the most rapid implementation of new radiation technologies, particularly those with significant complexity and expense. and will fundamentally address the issue of access where a profound shortage of national treatment capacity is no longer the dominant limiting factor.
250 Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if thousands of persons over 70 have been charged illegally for nursing care despite their exemption from such charges under the Health (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2001; the way in which it is proposed to reimburse those affected; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27182/04]
Central to our system of publicly funded long-term care is the principle that it is fair and reasonable, and that those who can afford to contribute to the cost of their long stay care should do so. The health strategy reinforces this point and states that:
It is recognised that quality care is expensive and that the bulk of the cost of providing a high standard of quality care should be borne by the Exchequer. Nonetheless, it is fair that all those in receipt of publicly provided residential long-term care should make some payment towards accommodation and daily living costs, if they can afford to do so, just as they would if they were living in the community. This principle supports the aim to provide as high-quality a service as possible and to make the most equitable use of resources and thus to help maximise the availability of these services.
The position in this matter reflects this approach. Charges for long-stay care in health board institutions may be raised under either of two sets of regulations. The Health (Charges for In-Patient Services) Regulations 1976, as amended by the Health (Charges for In-Patient Services) (Amendment) Regulations 1987, enable charges to be made towards the cost of providing hospital inpatient services for persons with income who have been in receipt of such services for more than 30 days or for periods totalling more than 30 days within the previous 12 months. The regulations provide that a charge is made at a rate not exceeding a person's income. Medical card holders and persons with dependants are exempt from these charges. Charges may also be made under the Institutional Assistance Regulations 1965, where the patient receives "shelter and maintenance" rather than treatment. These charges apply from the date of admission and are payable by all patients who are in receipt of incomes, including medical card holders and persons with dependants.
In deciding the amount to be contributed, health boards have regard to the person's individual circumstances. Allowance is made for any financial commitments the person may have and a reasonable amount is left to meet the person's personal needs. Charges would be waived if, in the opinion of the chief executive officer of the relevant health board, payment would cause undue hardship.
Arising from concerns with regard to the current practice of charging, bearing in mind the provision of the Health (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2001, which extended on a statutory basis full eligibility for services to those aged 70 and over, I have referred the matter to the Office of the Attorney General for advice.
251 Mr. Kehoe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children when the CT scan machine in Wexford General Hospital will be in operation 24 hours per day, seven days per week in order that patients needing to use the machine out of operating hours are not sent elsewhere; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27197/04]
Responsibility for the provision of services at Wexford General Hospital is, in the first instance, a matter for the South Eastern Health Board. My Department has therefore asked the chief executive officer of the South Eastern Health Board to reply to the Deputy directly in relation to the issue raised.
252 Mr. Kenny asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the details of the guidelines she gives to health boards regarding the operation of the long-term illness scheme and the medical card scheme, in particular the discretionary element operated by the CEOs of health boards with regard to medical cards issued on health rather than income grounds to ensure that there are no anomalies in the operation of these schemes countrywide; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27210/04]
Entitlement to health services is primarily based on residency and means. Under the Health Act 1970, determination of eligibility for medical cards is the responsibility of the chief executive officer of the appropriate health board, other than for persons aged 70 years and over, who are automatically eligible for a medical card. Medical cards are issued to persons who, in the opinion of the chief executive officer, are unable to provide general practitioner medical and surgical services for themselves and their dependants without undue hardship. It is open to all persons to apply to the chief executive officer of the appropriate health board for health services if they are unable to provide these services for themselves or their dependants without hardship.
Income guidelines are drawn up each year by the health board or authority chief executive officers to assist in the determination of a person's eligibility for a medical card and these are revised annually in line with the consumer price index, CPI. The last such increase was notified in January 2004.
It should also be noted that health board chief executive officers have discretion with regard to the issuing of medical cards and a range of income sources are excluded by the health boards when assessing medical card eligibility. Despite someone having an income that exceeds the guidelines, a medical card may still be awarded if the chief executive officer considers that a person's medical needs or other circumstances justify this.
With regard to the assessment of means and circumstances for a medical card, and in particular the discretionary element operated by the CEOs of the health boards, I have been advised that health board staff have been using an interim set of guidelines for the administration of the medical card scheme, drafted by HeBE in 2003, which addressed this issue along with other guidance aimed at a more standardised approach to the consideration of medical card applications generally. A revised final set of such guidelines is under consideration by the chief executive officers of the boards, which, I understand, will be circulated to the health boards and the Eastern Regional Health Authority shortly.
For those who do not qualify for a medical card, there is a number of schemes that provide assistance towards the cost of medication. Under the Health Act 1970 a health board may arrange for the supply, without charge, of drugs, medicines and medical and surgical appliances to people with a specified condition, for the treatment of that condition under the long-term illness scheme. The conditions are mental handicap, mental illness — for people under 16 only, phenylketonuria, cystic fibrosis, spina bifida, hydrocephalus, diabetes mellitus, diabetes insipidus, haemophilia, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, muscular dystrophies, parkinsonism and conditions arising from thalidomide and acute leukaemia. There are currently no plans to amend the list of eligible conditions. Under the drug payments scheme, a person and his or her dependants does not have to pay more than €78 in any calendar month for approved prescribed drugs and medicines.
Persons aged 16 to 25, including students, who are financially dependent on their parents are entitled to a medical card if their parents are medical card holders. Those who are dependants of non-medical card holders are not normally entitled to a medical card except where they have an entitlement under EU regulations or where they are in receipt of a disability allowance. Students who are financially independent of their parents are entitled to apply for a medical card in their own right and are assessed on the same criteria as all other applicants.
The health strategy includes an entire series of initiatives to clarify and expand the existing arrangements for eligibility for health services, including recommendations arising from the review of the medical card scheme carried out by the health board CEOs under the PPF. These include streamlining applications and improving the standardisation of the medical card applications process to ensure better fairness and transparency, providing clearer information to people about how and where to apply for medical cards, and proactively seeking out those who should have medical cards to ensure they have access to the services that are available.
The Government is fully committed to the extension of medical card coverage as set out in the health strategy, with a particular focus on people of low incomes. This should be viewed in the broader context of the strategy's emphasis on fairness and its stated objective of reducing health inequalities in our society. The timing of the introduction of the extension will be decided having regard to the prevailing budgetary position. In addition, my Department is committed to the preparation of new legislation to update and clarify the entire legal framework for eligibility and entitlements in regard to health services.
253 Mr. Kenny asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the reason a person (details supplied) in County Galway has been refused entry to the long-term illness scheme and a medical card despite the fact that their condition means that they have intellectual, developmental and physical disability; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27211/04]
Under the Health Act 1970, a health board may arrange for the supply, without charge, of drugs, medicines and medical and surgical appliances to people with a specified condition, for the treatment of that condition under the long-term illness, LTI, scheme. The conditions are mental handicap, mental illness — for people under 16 only, phenylketonuria, cystic fibrosis, spina bifida, hydrocephalus, diabetes mellitus, diabetes insipidus, haemophilia, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, muscular dystrophies, parkinsonism, and conditions arising from thalidomide and acute leukaemia. There are no plans to amend the list of eligible conditions.
Other schemes provide assistance towards the cost of approved drugs and medicines for people with significant ongoing medical expenses. People who cannot, without undue hardship, arrange for the provision of medical services for themselves and their dependants may be entitled to a medical card. Eligibility for a medical card is solely a matter for the chief executive officer of the relevant health board. In determining eligibility, the CEO has regard to the applicant's financial circumstances. Health boards use income guidelines to assist in determining eligibility. However, where a person's income exceeds the guidelines, a medical card may be awarded if the CEO considers that the person's medical needs or other circumstances justify this. Medical cards may also be issued to individual family members on this basis. Non-medical card holders, and people with conditions not covered under the LTI, can use the drugs payment scheme. Under this scheme, no individual or family unit pays more than €78 per calendar month towards the cost of approved prescribed medicines.
My Department has asked the chief executive officer of the Western Health Board to investigate the position with regard to this case and to reply directly to the Deputy.
254 Mr. Neville asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the number of cases of bullying of health board employees either formally or informally investigated by each health board in each of the years 2002, 2003 and to date in 2004. [27297/04]
My Department does not hold information on the number of bullying cases formally or informally investigated by health boards or the Eastern Regional Health Authority. Responsibility for human resource management, including the matter referred to by the Deputy, in each health board or the authority rests with the relevant chief executive officer. My Department has therefore requested the CEO of each health board and the authority to respond to the Deputy directly.
However, the Deputy may wish to note that the dignity at work policy for the health service came into effect on 1 May 2004. This policy was agreed between the HSEA, representing health service employers, and the health service trade unions. This new policy incorporates appropriate best practice drawn from the Health and Safety Authority's prevention of workplace bullying code of practice, the Labour Relations Commission's procedures for addressing bullying in the workplace and the Equality Authority's Sexual Harassment and Harassment at Work policy document.
Training, which is supported by the health services national partnership forum, is taking place on the implementation of the policy in all public health service agencies.
255 Ms Lynch asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if persons who have taken out savings accounts under the Government’s SSIA scheme who are also eligible for a medical card will still be eligible for a medical card once their SSIA accounts mature; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27302/04]
Entitlement to health services is primarily based on residency and means. Under the Health Act 1970, determination of eligibility for medical cards is the responsibility of the chief executive officer of the appropriate health board, other than for persons aged 70 years and over, who are automatically eligible for a medical card. Medical cards are issued to persons who, in the opinion of the chief executive officer, are unable to provide general practitioner medical and surgical services for themselves and their dependants without undue hardship.
Income guidelines are drawn up each year by the health board or authority chief executive officers to assist in the determination of a person's eligibility for a medical card and these are revised annually in line with the consumer price index. The last such increase was notified in January 2004.
It should also be noted that health board chief executive officers have discretion with regard to the issuing of medical cards and a range of income sources are excluded by the health boards when assessing medical card eligibility. Despite a person having an income that exceeds the guidelines, a medical card may still be awarded if the chief executive officer considers that his or her medical needs or other circumstances justify this. It is open to all persons to apply to the chief executive officer of the appropriate health board for health services if they are unable to provide these services for themselves or their dependants without hardship.
With regard to investment income generally, health board staff have taken interest from savings into consideration in the assessment of means for a medical card. The Government is fully committed to the extension of medical card coverage as set out in the health strategy. This will focus on people on low incomes. The timing of the introduction of the extension will be decided having regard to the prevailing budgetary position.
256 Mr. Penrose asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath will be admitted to hospital as soon as possible; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27303/04]
Responsibility for the provision of hospital services to residents of County Westmeath rests with the Midland Health Board. My Department has therefore asked the chief executive officer of the board to investigate the position with regard to this case and to reply to the Deputy directly.
257 Mr. Broughan asked the Minister for Finance if he has estimated the number of mortgage-payers affected by the endowment policy scandal and if existing legislation and statutory requirements were adhered to by the sellers of these policies. [26862/04]
269 Mr. Broughan asked the Minister for Finance if he intends to ask insurance and mortgage providers to give compensation to endowment policy holders, in view of the serious allegations made in a recent investigation (details supplied). [26861/04]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 257 and 269 together.
The Irish Financial Services Regulatory Authority, IFSRA, is studying the situation with regard to endowment loan shortfalls, having commenced a survey earlier this year, to determine whether and to what extent there will be difficulties for customers. It would be inappropriate to reach any conclusions on this issue in advance of IFSRA's consideration of the outcome of the survey. At this juncture, I do not see any need for ministerial intervention. I will continue to review the adequacy of the relevant legislative framework as information from IFSRA becomes available.
There is no reliable data on the overall numbers of cases where there may be a shortfall. However, endowment loan approvals in the past five years represent just 3% of the overall mortgage market, although it has been considerably higher in the past. Since 1989, a total of 90,000 endowment loans were approved, roughly 10% of total loan approvals since 1989. These types of mortgages operate on the basis that, instead of making capital payments on a mortgage, the client pays only the interest on the mortgage. Therefore, the capital amount owed does not decrease. However, the client also makes an investment with a life assurance company, the aim of which is to cover the mortgage and, possibly, provide some additional benefit beyond that. The products provided additional benefits, for example, in the form of higher tax relief, which were attractive to borrowers. These products inherently require customers to take some risk. They are exposed to market fluctuations, just like any market-based life assurance investments. That a person does not gain as much as expected is not in itself an indication of inappropriate practices on the part of the bank or insurance company concerned.
The consumer director of IFSRA, Ms Mary O'Dea, has encouraged people to come forward if they are worried about the possibility of having been mis-sold an endowment mortgage. They should complain in the first instance to the company from which they bought the policy.
As regards the legal framework, there is a substantial volume of legislation in place relating to these financial products. Following the enactment of the Insurance Act 1989, a code of conduct for insurance intermediaries and guidelines were drawn up by the industry in consultation with the then Department of Industry and Commerce. Key requirements of the code were that the intermediary should know the client and give best advice.
The Consumer Credit Act 1995, which commenced in May 1996, contains specific provisions with regard to endowment loans and in particular prescribes certain information which must be included in any application form or information document issued to consumers applying for such loans. For example, since the commencement of the Act all endowment loan application forms must contain a prominent notice to the effect that "there is no guarantee that the proceeds of the insurance policy will be sufficient to repay the loan in full when it becomes due for payment".
The Act also obliges that in instances where the borrower may be required to increase premium payments on the insurance policy during the lifetime of the loan, any document approving the loan must contain a prominent statement of this possibility. Similarly obligations apply where a policy is surrendered early resulting in a net loss to the consumer. The Act also places an obligation upon insurers underwriting policies relating to endowment loans to issue a statement to the consumer every five years setting out not only the value of the policy at the time of issue but also a comparison of this valuation to the valuation at such date projected at the time the policy was first written and a revised estimate of the valuation at maturity.
In addition to the provisions of the Consumer Credit Act, the Life Assurance (Provision of Information) Regulations, which came into being in 2001, oblige insurers to provide policy holders, including holders of policies relating to endowment mortgages, with an annual written statement containing, inter alia, information on the current surrender or maturity value of the policy. More recently, the Government considerably enhanced the regulatory and supervisory regime governing the financial services industry, primarily through the enactment of the Central Bank and Financial Services Authority of Ireland Act 2003, which established IFSRA.
The Central Bank and Financial Services Authority of Ireland Act 2004, complements the Act passed last year and further enhances IFSRA's powers and strengthens the regulatory environment. This Act will provide for an enhanced structure for dealing with consumers who have complaints about financial institutions and provides consumer and industry consultative panels for the financial regulator. The consumer panel will have an important role in ensuring that the regulator correctly reflects the interests of consumers in its protective, issue of codes of conduct and educational, information pamphlets and so on, roles. These provisions will help IFSRA to ensure consumers have all necessary information to allow them to make considered and informed choices between different financial products, including mortgages.
258 Mr. Gregory asked the Minister for Finance if he will report on the procedures and criteria whereby telecommunications masts on Garda stations are also used by private companies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26900/04]
In 1997, the Commissioners of Public Works in Ireland, the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, the Minister for Finance and the Commissioner of the Garda Síochána entered into a non-exclusive agreement with O2 Ireland Limited, formerly Esat Digifone Limited, with regard to the erection of telecommunications equipment on certain Garda premises. Under the terms of the licence agreement, O2 Ireland Limited was allowed to install telecommunications equipment on certain Garda premises for an initial term of five years. O2 pays a licence fee to the Commissioners of Public Works in respect of all premises where such equipment is located. In addition, O2 provided some telecommunications equipment for Garda purposes as part of the overall agreement.
Under the agreement, O2 had an option to renew the agreement for a second five-year term and it exercised this option in 2002. At present, O2 Ireland Limited is the only mobile operator that has equipment installed on Garda masts. However, the Commissioners of Public Works are in consultation with the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform and the Garda authorities with regard to the terms and conditions of an agreement under which all interested mobile operators would be allowed to install equipment on Garda premises in the future.
259 Mr. Crowe asked the Minister for Finance if agricultural tractors and trailers can be reallocated as goods vehicles by re-registration; and if so, the costs and conditions that are involved. [27048/04]
From a vehicle registration tax, VRT, perspective, the rate of tax payable depends on the characteristics of the vehicles and not their use. Agricultural tractors and most goods vehicles are classified as category C vehicles, attracting a VRT liability on registration of €50. In general, once a vehicle has been registered in the State, and allocated a permanent registration number, it is not re-registered. It should be noted that trailers are not required to be registered for VRT purposes.
Matters in connection with the classification of vehicles for annual motor tax are the responsibility of the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government.
260 Mr. English asked the Minister for Finance the stage the transforming state assets initiative is at with regard to the pilot scheme to replace the existing Garda accommodation at the eight chosen sites in Tipperary and Limerick; the timescale to complete the pilot scheme; if a feasibility study is underway to extend the scheme nationwide; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27095/04]
261 Mr. English asked the Minister for Finance if, in relation to the transforming state assets initiative with regard to Garda stations, he intends to give first option to local authorities to allow them to acquire the central sites; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27096/04]
273 Mr. English asked the Minister for Finance the stage the transforming state assets initiative is at with regard to the pilot scheme for Garda stations; the timescale to complete the pilot scheme; if a feasibility study is underway to extend the scheme nationwide; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27139/04]
274 Mr. English asked the Minister for Finance if he intends to give first option to local authorities to allow them to acquire the centrally located sites with regard to the transforming state assets initiative; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27140/04]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 260, 261, 273 and 274 together.
A pilot equity exchange programme was developed to test the feasibility of exchanging clusters of small Garda stations which cannot be viably maintained on an ongoing basis in return for new modern facilities. The aim was to speed up the process of providing new modern facilities for the Garda Síochána and to do so as economically as possible from the viewpoint of the State. If the pilot proved successful, consideration would be given to extending it nationwide.
A firm of consultants was selected to manage the pilot programme. However, following an advertising campaign in the national press, the level of interest expressed was not adequate to meet the requirements of the programme. Accordingly, the consultants advised against the award of a contract to complete the pilot programme. In the pilot programme, proposals were invited from any interested party. No proposals were received from any local authority. The Commissioners of Public Works are considering how best to progress matters in the future.
262 Mr. Morgan asked the Minister for Finance the number of employees per Civil Service crèche; the average cost per child of the service for parents; the cost per child to the Exchequer of providing the service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26797/04]
278 Mr. Morgan asked the Minister for Finance the number of child care places provided for parents who work in the Civil Service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27300/04]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 262 and 278 together.
In the budget of 2001, the Minister for Finance allocated €12.7 million for the provision of crèches for the children of civil servants throughout Ireland. The allocation was part of a major initiative by the Government to improve child care provision and increase the number of child care places available.
There are five crèches in operation under the Civil Service child care initiative. Each of these can accommodate approximately 30 children, giving a total of some 150 places. There are two crèches in Dublin, in Mount Street and Marlborough Street, and three in regional locations, Ennis, Athlone and Sligo. A total of €4.357 million has been allocated by the Minister for Finance to date for the provision and fitting out by OPW of these premises. In addition, an operator has recently been appointed to the crèche built as part of the Government laboratories campus at Backweston, County Kildare. This crèche is expected to open in January 2005 and will accommodate approximately 33 children. It will also be managed under the Civil Service child care initiative.
An interim board arranges for the selection of operators for the crèches. Selections are made following open tendering competitions and operators manage the crèches under licence. The operators are independent in the day to day running of the crèches and the employment of staff, but are open to appropriate inspection, including value for money audit, under the terms of the licence. Under the initiative, the crèche premises are provided to the operator free of rent, together with appropriate fittings and furnishings. Security, heating and electricity in respect of the ordinary operation of the crèche are also provided. The average annual cost for the security, heating and electricity of each crèche is estimated to be in the region of €7,500. All other running costs of the crèches, including the remuneration of the provider, are met from the fees charged to parents.
The fees are paid entirely by parents and are agreed by the board with the operator. Any increases are subject to board approval. The fees vary depending on the location of the crèche and the age of the child. The weekly fees set out in the licences and agreed between the operators and the board for full time care range from €92 to €100 for toddlers and €110 to €123 for babies in the regional locations. In Dublin, prices range from €134 for toddlers to €155 for babies per week.
The Government is committed to creating a working environment which allows staff to balance work and family responsibilities. The provision of child care places is an important element in helping our employees to achieve this balance and in attracting and retaining experienced staff. The future direction of the Civil Service child care initiative will be reviewed in light of the decentralisation programme, with consideration given to the provision of child care in the decentralised locations.
263 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Finance if he has received representations regarding the new regime for charging benefit-in-kind in respect of the use of a company car; if these queries have caused him to reconsider any elements of the operation of this scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26798/04]
A relatively small number of representations on the use of company cars have been received since the introduction of the new benefit-in-kind arrangements in January 2004. Queries have principally related to the fact that PRSI and the health levy now apply to the benefit of a company car with some issues also being raised about the new structure.
As announced in the budget for 2003, the general change was intended to ensure equity of treatment of taxpayers receiving remuneration in different forms. The new system introduced a revised and simplified structure on company provided cars with four different tapered rates applying where previously there were seventeen. This simplification was aimed at making it easier for employers to operate PAYE and PRSI in respect of company cars. It is estimated that the move to this new structure will result in a reduced tax take of €4 million to the Exchequer.
At the operational level, the Revenue Commissioners have indicated that the new system is being implemented generally without difficulty and is operating as intended. The queries raised thus far have not led me to reconsider the new regime.
264 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Finance the buildings sold by the Office of Public Works to date to finance decentralisation; the location of same; and the total raised in each case. [26805/04]
The following table shows details of the properties disposed of by the Office of Public Works in 2004 to date.
|
Date |
Property |
Location |
Sale Amount |
|
€ |
|||
|
16 March 2004 |
Blacklion Former Customs Post |
Blacklion, County Cavan |
21,586.23 |
|
5 May 2004 |
Lad Lane |
Baggot St., Dublin 2 |
22,500,000.00 |
|
12 May 2004 |
Former SWO |
2 Church Street, Dungarvan, County Waterford |
337,000.00 |
|
13 August 2004 |
Former Garda Station |
Kilmacthomas, County Waterford |
100,000.00 |
|
30 August 2004 |
14-16 Lord Edward St. |
Dublin 2 |
8,780,140.48 |
|
15 September 2004 |
72-76 St. Stephen’s Green |
Dublin 2 |
52,300,000.00 |
|
21 September 2004 |
Former SWO |
Dungloe, County Donegal |
300,000.00 |
|
20 October 2004 |
Thomastown Former G.S. |
County Kilkenny |
450,000.00 |
The bulk of the proceeds of these sales will go to finance the decentralisation programme. Approximately €10 million of the proceeds has been applied to priority projects mainly in the Garda area.
265 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Finance the location of sites and buildings acquired for the Government’s decentralisation programme; and the cost involved. [26806/04]
To date, eight property solutions have been identified for decentralisation purposes and a further 20 locations are at an advanced stage in the acquisition process. The locations involved are Carlow, Longford, Newcastle West, Athlone, the Curragh, Sligo, Dundalk and Furbo. The Chief State Solicitor is processing contract documents in respect of sites at Carlow, Longford and Newcastle West and it is expected that the associated acquisition phase will be completed as quickly as possible. State-owned land will accommodate the decentralised buildings scheduled for Athlone, the Curragh and Sligo, while the proposed location of the Dundalk building will be on land at the Dundalk Institute of Technology. It is proposed to locate the staff at Furbo in an extension to an existing building. The cost of the sites at Carlow, Longford and Newcastle West will be of the order of €1.8 million.
266 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Finance when he proposes to commence the Dublin applications facility; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26807/04]
Detailed discussions have been held with the Civil Service and public service unions on the procedures used to deal with applications under central applications facility. A document which records the main features of these discussions on human resource issues is on the central applications facility website. The Government and the decentralisation implementation group, chaired by Mr. Phil Flynn, have continually stressed the voluntary nature of the decentralisation programme. They have noted that special attention must be paid to the interests of those staff who for a range of personal and other reasons have decided not to relocate from Dublin. The personal and career needs of those who opt to remain in Dublin are just as important as the needs of those who decide to relocate.
In the light of the information on numbers and grades already available from the central applications facility, further discussions are underway between management and unions on the next stage of the programme. These discussions will concentrate on the transfer arrangements for staff who have applied under the central applications facility for moves within and between Departments as well as on the most appropriate ways of supporting those staff who do not wish to relocate. Staff serving in areas which are being decentralised and who wish to remain in Dublin will also have to be reassigned if possible to other posts in their existing Departments and offices. Detailed arrangements for managing this will be an important feature of the new round of discussions. It is clearly in the interests of all staff and of the efficient implementation of the programme that the approach adopted meets staff needs and the business needs of their employing Departments and organisations.
267 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Finance the sum total of Dublin-based civil servants who have applied to CAF and who indicated their willingness to remain with their current Department and in their current grade. [26808/04]
A total of 1,029 Dublin-based civil servants lodged priority applications to relocate with their own Department or office up to the closing date for priority applications on 7 September 2004. An exact grade match for each Department and office is not yet available. The CAF is still open to receive applications. Full details of the priority applications to the CAF have been published and are available at www.finance.gov.ie.
268 Mr. McGuinness asked the Minister for Finance if there is a dedicated auditing unit in his Department assessing and monitoring the day-to-day spend of his Department with particular reference to major projects; if so, the number of staff involved; if the staff have accountancy qualifications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26840/04]
Vote 6 for my Department makes provision for an allocation of €127.341 million for 2004. This is made up of administration expenditure of €47.168 million, €33.045 million of which is pay; programme expenditure of €80.585 million, €41.682 million of which is current expenditure and €38.903 million is capital; and appropriations-in-aid of €412,000. The capital allocation of €38.903 million is divided as follows: decentralisation fund —€20 million; Northern Ireland peace programme and related items* —€8.103 million; disbursements to Departments in the context of Civil Service reform* —€4.534 million; child care initiative on the provision of child care facilities across the Civil Service- €2.25 million; grants in aid* —€2.016 million; and consultancy services —€2 million.
Given these levels of allocation plus the fact that the amounts marked with an asterisk are paid to other Departments or bodies, the Deputy will appreciate that my Department does not have expenditure on major projects. Like all Departments, mine must and does comply with the Department of Finance guidelines for the appraisal and management of capital projects. These guidelines are available on my Department's website at www.finance.gov.ie.
As regards monitoring and assessing the Department's expenditure, every officer who has been allocated a budget in my Department has a responsibility to ensure it is used responsibly and that spending is closely monitored. The Department's financial management system is geared to enable them to do so by making available to them the necessary reports, some of which, for example, show expenditure against profile. In addition, my Department has a finance unit which monitors the expenditure of all departmental business units against their budget allocations and reports to the Department's management advisory committee on a monthly basis. The finance unit is staffed by a half-time principal officer, an assistant principal officer and an administrative officer. There is currently a vacancy for an executive officer. The assistant principal has an accountancy qualification.
My Department also has an internal audit unit which, although not engaged in monitoring day-to-day expenditure, has the role of determining whether the systems, procedures and controls which management operates are being complied with and are capable of achieving policy objectives in the most economic, efficient and effective way. The internal audit unit is staffed by two assistant principal officers, a higher executive officer and a staff officer. One of the assistant principals has an accountancy qualification and the other holds a certificate in internal auditing and is currently undertaking a course in computer audit. The higher executive officer has attended a general course in internal audit. The unit is supervised on a day-to-day basis by a principal officer but reports directly to the audit committee appointed by the accounting officer.
On a more general note, the national development plan community structural funds evaluation unit comes under my Department. The unit has a role in the evaluation of programmes under the national development plan. The unit is staffed by three evaluators, an executive officer and a clerical officer. There are also two vacancies for evaluators. While none of the staff has an accountancy qualification, two of the evaluators hold economics qualifications which are more relevant to the evaluation process required by the CSF which provides that evaluations must address the key evaluation questions relating to rationale, relevance, effectiveness, efficiency and impact of programmes. The European regional development fund financial control unit also comes under my Department. The unit carries out ex-post audits of ERDF and cohesion fund claims to the European Commission. The ERDF unit consists of five staff, of whom four have accountancy qualifications. The unit will take on a further three accountants prior to 31 January 2005.
Finally, the Deputy may be aware of developments such as the expenditure review initiative which involves Departments, including mine, in analysis over a three-year horizon of their programme expenditure and the Capital Investment Framework 2004-2008, which is a multi-annual investment framework. The objectives of the latter include meeting Government priorities for capital investment in the sectors for which the various Departments are responsible; ensuring where appropriate that a proper balance is maintained between different areas of investment; and enabling Departments and their agencies to plan and manage their capital investment programmes more efficiently and effectively. The general conditions of Department of Finance sanction of expenditure under this framework, which was introduced this year, require, inter alia, that Departments report regularly to their management advisory committees on the evaluation, prior to approval, of capital projects, the management of capital projects and progress on their capital programmes.
270 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Minister for Finance the reason some elderly relatives of offshore account evaders are being forced to pay fines of over €100,000; and if urgent assistance will be given to these persons. [26872/04]
I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that where a person has used an offshore account for the purposes of concealing income or gains which were not disclosed for tax purposes, they take steps to pursue the outstanding tax liabilities together with interest and penalties. Where the person in question is deceased, the law provides that the tax liability together with interest and penalties are payable out of his or her estate. Accordingly, Revenue seeks to recover the appropriate sums from the executor or administrator of the relevant estate. Under the recent voluntary disclosure scheme for offshore accounts, penalties for all periods after 5 April 1991 were mitigated to 10% of the tax outstanding. However, the Revenue Commissioners are precluded from mitigating penalties for earlier periods as those periods are governed by the 1993 amnesty provisions. The Revenue Commissioners have asked that where a taxpayer has difficulty in meeting a liability, he or she should contact the local revenue district.
271 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Finance the rationale behind applying capital gains tax on pensioners who get a small windfall, when their overall income, including the total gross amount of the windfall, falls short of the €15,500 tax exemption limit for over 65s; if he will take measures to correct this anomaly; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27114/04]
A charge to capital gains tax, CGT, arises in respect of chargeable gains accruing on the disposal of assets. Such gains are computed in accordance with the provisions of the Capital Gains Tax Acts. The charge extends to individuals, companies and unincorporated bodies of persons. CGT has no connection with income which is the basis for income tax. The CGT liability of an individual is computed, irrespective of age, by reference to the chargeable gain on the disposal which is essentially the excess of the sale proceeds, net of incidental costs of sale, over the allowable costs of acquisition, if any, of the shares being sold. The legislation also provides that the total amount of chargeable gains arising in a tax year is arrived at after deducting any allowable losses accruing to that individual in that year together with any unused allowable losses from disposals of assets chargeable to CGT in any previous year. If there were no other chargeable gains in the year, this gain is then reduced by the annual personal exemption of €1,270. The net chargeable gain is then taxable at 20%.
As the Deputy is aware, it is not the practice to comment in the lead-up to the annual budget and Finance Bill on the intention or otherwise to make changes in taxation.
272 Dr. Upton asked the Minister for Finance if the Revenue Commissioners could contact the family of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 6W as they are anxious to settle the liability arising from the First Active share pay-out to their late father; if his attention has been drawn to the long delays in contacting the Revenue phone line provided to deal with First Active claims; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27138/04]
I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that an official from their office has been in touch with the person concerned regarding this matter. I am informed that lo-call numbers were provided to deal with queries from former shareholders in First Active plc who made gains arising from its buy-out in January of this year. The provision of these lo-call numbers was one of a series of initiatives undertaken by Revenue to inform First Active shareholders of the capital gains tax implications which arose from the take-over of the company. Among other initiatives, the Revenue Commissioners decided to write to each of the former shareholders, as many would not ordinarily be expected to be familiar with capital gains tax provisions. The letters informed them of a potential tax liability arising from the disposal of the shares and how to make the consequent payment. Extensive material was placed on the Revenue Commissioners' website to enable former shareholders to calculate any resultant CGT liability. This included responses to the most frequently asked questions and an on-line CGT calculator. Material was placed on Aertel. The Revenue Commissioners set up special lo-call 1890 helplines in each of the Revenue regions to enable the former shareholders to speak directly to a tax official. Details of the relevant numbers were included in the letter that issued to the former shareholders.
I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that they are aware that delays in getting through to these lines occurred from time to time. The Revenue Commissioners regret any such delays and assure me that every effort was made to minimise the inconvenience to the public. For example, the helplines include a pre-recorded message that is intended to answer the more frequently occurring inquiries. I also understand that additional staff were deployed to deal with these queries as the number of phone calls increased. However, there is a limit to the additional staff who can be deployed as significant resources are necessary at this time of year to assist people with general pay and file matters. I am assured that the measures taken recently have significantly reduced the level of delays. Nevertheless, the Revenue Commissioners continue to monitor the situation.
275 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Finance his plans to reduce new motor taxation in budget 2005; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27191/04]
I assume the Deputy is referring to vehicle registration tax. Any change in the rates of vehicle registration tax is normally considered in the context of the annual budget. As is normal, I do not comment on such matters in advance of the budget. Matters in connection with annual road tax are the responsibility of the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government.
276 Mr. Morgan asked the Minister for Finance his views on the removal of the exemption for State occupied buildings from rates under section 15(3) of the Valuation Act 2001; if he will bring forward legislation to remove this exemption; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27298/04]
State occupied buildings have been exempt from rates since before the foundation Valuation Act 1852. Section 63 of the Poor Relief (Ireland) Act 1838 exempted all buildings of a public nature which included all State occupied property. The exemption on public grounds generally was removed by the Valuation Act 2001 but the exemption for State occupied property was specifically continued and provided for under section 15(3). I have no plans at present to amend the existing legislation.
277 Mr. Morgan asked the Minister for Finance his views on the introduction of a hotel bed tax of €2 a night to be collected by local authorities and from which bed and breakfasts and guest houses would be exempted. [27299/04]
There are no plans to introduce such a tax at this time. The introduction of a hotel bed tax would inevitably place an additional cost on an increasingly price conscious tourist thereby having a detrimental effect on Ireland's tourism competitiveness internationally. Established tourism policy, as set out in the document New Horizons for Tourism describes competitiveness as one of the key factors central to the future success of Irish tourism.
279 Mr. McHugh asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources his views on wind energy; the measures he has taken or proposes to take to give maximum support to the industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26817/04]
The promotion of renewable energy, of which wind energy is the predominant technology, is a key Government priority. The Green Paper on Sustainable Energy 1999 established a target to add 500 mw of new renewable energy based electricity generating plant to the electricity network by 2005. This target has since increased to 718 MW. The wind resource is random and cannot increase or decrease the electricity generated in immediate response to consumer demand. While the current support target for wind powered projects does not raise serious technical issues for system stability, planning for future programmes at increased penetration levels of wind powered electricity generating plant raises significant technical issues which must be addressed to maintain system security for electricity consumers. The Commission for Energy Regulation which is independent in the discharge of its functions is examining issues of immediate relevance regarding the grid code for wind powered generators. In addition, in May of this year a renewable energy development group chaired by my Department was established. The group which includes CER participation will advise on future options on policies, targets, programmes and support measures to develop the increased use of renewable energy in the electricity market to 2010 and beyond.
A major portion of the group's current work is to resolve the challenges arising from future increased connection of intermittent wind powered generating capacity to the electricity network. The group's report which is due before the end of this year will form the basis of my future policy proposals to Government to further increase the penetration of renewable energy sources to electricity production.
280 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if he will extend the time limit for the implementation of the code of practice for fishing boats due to the financial hardship involved for many fishermen; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26830/04]
The Department has an ongoing safety programme involving an appropriate combination of statutory regulation, enforcement and safety awareness promotion with the aim of achieving the highest level of safety at sea, particularly on fishing vessels. There is a requirement under the Sea Fisheries Amendment Act 2003 that all fishing vessels are in a safe and seaworthy condition before a sea fishing vessel licence is issued. The Department published a new code of practice for fishing vessels of less than 15 metres in length earlier this year. The code sets minimum standards of safety for vessels to protect all persons on board them. It covers vessel design, construction, machinery, safety equipment and stability issues. A panel of surveyors has also been established by the Department to ensure that fishing vessels comply with the requirements of the code. There are currently 11 surveyors on the panel and this is due to expand. It is a matter for the fishing vessel owner to select an authorised person from the panel to inspect a vessel for compliance with code of practice. All fees and expenses are a matter between the authorised person and the vessel owner or other person commissioning the survey.
Prior to the introduction of the code, the Department undertook an extensive consultation process with fishing industry representatives and BIM. BIM also administers a scheme of grant aid towards the purchase of safety equipment for fishing vessels. This grant scheme covers essential equipment including life-saving, fire fighting, navigation and occupational safety gear. The grant aid is paid at 40% of eligible cost, 5% State aid and 35% EU aid subject to maximum permitted levels of expenditure based on the normal commercial per item cost of such equipment.
I appreciate that financing improvements to fishing vessels is expensive. In promoting the application of the new code of practice my overall concern is to enhance safety at sea. Compliance with this new safety regime is the best way to ensure the safety of fishing vessels and their crew. I do not, therefore, propose to extend the time for the implementation of the code.
281 Mr. Murphy asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources his views on the social dimension of the post office network; and if he will grant a subsidy for the computerisation of the smaller post offices along with a subvention for offices in locations in which the population is insufficient to attract and retain the postmaster. [26834/04]
The Government is committed to a viable and sustainable rural post office network. However, consideration must be given to the climate in which An Post is operating while bearing in mind the serious operational losses the company has suffered and the measures which must be implemented if it is to achieve its target of profitability. The Government has already provided an equity injection of €12.7 million to An Post to facilitate the modernisation of the post office network. The equity injection was paid to the company in 2003 and, with this in mind, the Government is not considering providing a subsidy or subvention towards the post office network.
The company's programme of automation for certain post offices was completed in 1997 and it is, therefore, only in very exceptional circumstances that offices are automated today. Such circumstances might consist of an existing automated office closing and its equipment being transferred to a suitable neighbouring location which transacts significant volumes of welfare business. The automated network accounts for over 95% of An Post's counter business. This level of automated coverage is considered by An Post to be extremely comprehensive by any objective standard. It is the company's view that there has never been a justifiable customer service or economic argument to support the extension of automation to all offices, regardless of their location or business volumes. Given the minimal business volumes and small customer base of the remaining non-automated post offices and the prohibitively high costs, both capital and ongoing, of automating them, An Post advises me that it has no plans to increase the number of automated offices. That decision is entirely a commercial operational matter for the company.
282 Mr. McGuinness asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if there is a dedicated auditing unit in his Department assessing and monitoring the day-to-day spend of his Department with particular reference to major projects; if so, the number of staff involved; if the staff have accountancy qualifications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26841/04]
My Department has a dedicated internal audit unit which monitors and examines the day-to-day spend of the Department based on a risk assessment of the activities relating to this expenditure. The unit has four full-time staff and is headed by a fully qualified professional accountant. The unit has recently been independently evaluated as being in compliance with the standards for professional practice of internal audit set by the Institute of Internal Auditors.
283 Mr. Broughan asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if he will request funding in budget 2005 for an ocean-going rescue and salvage tug with a large towing capability following the recent Chicoutimi tragedy and in view of the ongoing danger to coastlines here from oil tankers and nuclear submarines. [26863/04]
The feasibility of deploying emergency towing vessels, or ETVs, in Irish waters is still under consideration. In 1998 the then Department of the Marine and Natural Resources commissioned a study to investigate the feasibility of deploying ETVs around the coast. Following an assessment of the study, which was published in 1999, it was decided that Ireland should have access to ETV capacity to protect the coast from the consequences of major oil pollution and vessel stranding; the Department would consult with the Departments of Finance, Defence and the Environment, Heritage and Local Government on cost-effectiveness, location, financing, operational aspects, possible other uses etc.; and Ireland and the UK would consult on the possible sharing of an ETV to cover the east coast.
The Department set up an internal working group to manage the consultation process referred to above and to progress the matter generally. The likely significant costs associated with the provision of ETV capability and complex operational requirements were recognised. The working group concluded that an ETV capacity be provided to service the west coast via a public private partnership process and an ETV for the east coast provided to ensure an acceptable level of cover at minimum cost, including if possible on a joint PPP approach with the UK for the Irish Sea. The Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources is currently examining how these proposals can be pursued.
284 Mr. Broughan asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if he will report on the programme of activities for a vessel (details supplied) over the next three years, in view of the hugely successful impact of the vessel on its maiden voyage as an ambassador for the marine industry here and as a training vessel for Irish crews and shipwrights and in the context of the opening of the Irish Maritime College in Cork. [26864/04]
The Department's primary role concerning this vessel was to oversee the allocation of the Government's grant funding to ensure construction was completed to the highest possible safety standards and that the vessel undertook its planned trans-Atlantic voyage to north America. At the start of 2003, a consortium comprising Kerry County Council, Tralee Town Council, Shannon Development and Kerry Group plc took over ownership of the Jeanie Johnston replica famine vessel. Under this ownership structure, the ship completed its successful maiden voyage to North America in 2003 and has continued to operate as a tourism and heritage attraction in 2004. All of the grant funds, which were allocated by Government through this Department to the Jeanie Johnston project, have now been paid. The Department has no role in the operation or management of the vessel and any plans for the future of the vessel are a matter for its owners to decide.
285 Mr. Broughan asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources following the recent incident involving a company (details supplied) if he is intending to greatly strengthen the range of sanctions and penalties available to ComReg on issues of this kind. [26865/04]
I have no function in the matter raised by the Deputy. This is a matter for the Commission for Communications Regulations, or ComReg. ComReg has statutory independence in the exercise of its functions. Responsibility for the protection and promotion of consumer interests for electronic communications networks and services and the integrity of the network rests with ComReg under the European Communities (Electronic Communications Networks and Services) (Universal Service and Users Rights) Regulation SI 308 of 2003.
286 Mr. Hogan asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the present rate of royalty payments made in respect of all dolomite quarry and mine operations here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26933/04]
There are two mining leases under which the lessees are authorised to extract dolomite and dolomitic limestone. One is dated 2 December 1968 and the rate of royalty, which is not subject to review, is €0.0312 per tonne of minerals extracted. The other lease is dated 1 June 2004 and the rate of royalty per tonne of minerals, which is subject to review every four years, is €0.38. Any new lease for extraction of dolomite and dolomitic limestone will be subject to the current rate of royalty of €0.38 per tonne extracted and will be reviewed every four years in accordance with changes in the consumer price index.
287 Mr. Hogan asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the type of laboratory or chemical tests that were carried out on the rock samples taken from the site of the proposed quarry extension lands at Dunbell, County Kilkenny by a company (details supplied) and presented to his Department as evidence of a viable dolomite mineral presence in the context of the new road developments at that location; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26934/04]
The rock samples collected from the site of the proposed quarry extension at Maddoxtown, Dunbell Big townland, were analysed at a recognised Irish laboratory. The rock samples were prepared for analysis by the laboratory and each was analysed for 46 elements, including calcium and magnesium. The calcium and magnesium content determines whether the rock is dolomitic. The samples were analysed using a modern spectroscopic analytical technique, ICP-AES — inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry. This analytical method is accurate to 0.01%. It is accepted that best practice analytical procedures were followed, including repeat analysis of standards and analysis of blanks.
288 Mr. Walsh asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the plans he has to roll out broadband connectivity to the Houses of the Oireachtas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27141/04]
I do not have responsibility for broadband connectivity to the Houses of the Oireachtas. Responsibility for the Oireachtas is under Comisiún Thithe an Oireachtas, the Houses of the Oireachtas Commission. The Oireachtas has its own internal information technology unit which works under the guidance of the commission.
289 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the number of licences in respect of mineral exploration with his Department in regard to the exploration of such minerals in the Leinster area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27188/04]
There are 152 prospecting licences held for the exploration of minerals in the Leinster area which authorise prospecting mainly for base metals, barytes, gold, silver, gemstones and gem minerals.
290 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, further to Question No. 702 of 29 September 2004, if he will again review this application in view of correspondence (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27206/04]
The alternative energy requirement, AER, programme, which is administered by my Department, is the only support mechanism for renewable and alternative energy under my direct control and it is not a grant aid type of support. Sustainable Energy Ireland administers a research, development and demonstration programme for renewables with an overall budget of €16.25 million to 2006. The programme is open to all renewable energy technologies and covers a range of proposal types including policy studies, field research, feasibility studies and technology research and development. The programme aims to stimulate the deployment of renewables close to market and address the need for information and education which are required to raise the awareness and willingness of all relevant players to actively engage in the market.
The main focus of the programme is on stimulating increased application and deployment of renewable technologies. Sustainable Energy Ireland is an independent non-commercial State body and as such I have no function in the administration of its programmes.
291 Mr. McGuinness asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if there is a dedicated auditing unit in his Department assessing and monitoring the day-to-day spend of his Department with particular reference to major projects; if so, the number of staff involved; if the staff have accountancy qualifications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26842/04]
The Department of Foreign Affairs is responsible for Vote 28, Foreign Affairs, and Vote 29, International Co-operation. For each Vote, a dedicated audit unit has been established namely. These are the inspection and audit unit for foreign affairs and the evaluation and audit unit in Development Co-operation Ireland for international co-operation. The inspection and internal audit unit consists of three staff and has an appropriately qualified internal auditor. The evaluation and audit unit in Development Co-operation Ireland has six staff including two internal auditors, both of whom have accountancy qualifications. In addition, the work of the internal auditors at headquarters is supported by internal auditors with appropriate qualifications who are based at our embassies in three of Development Co-operation Ireland's programme countries. These are Ethiopia, Lesotho and Tanzania.
It is the responsibility of the audit units to provide assurance to senior management as to the adequacy of the Department's internal control systems. The role of assessing and monitoring the day-to-day spend of the Department, including spending on major projects, however falls to the relevant line manager in conjunction with the finance units responsible for each Vote. The finance units, in addition to being staffed by officers at management and clerical levels, also employ professionally qualified accountants. While most staff in the finance units do not have accountancy qualifications, they receive the necessary training to enable them perform their duties in a satisfactory manner.
292 Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has raised with the British Government the overflight incursion some two miles into County Monaghan, and over the town of Clones, by a British Army helicopter on 17 October 2004; if he will report on the response he has received; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26876/04]
As the Deputy is aware, the Government regards unauthorised incursions by the British security forces into the State as a serious matter. On each reported occasion, the matter is immediately raised with the British Government. In this connection, officials met with members of the British Army's civil policy team during the summer to discuss incursions into this jurisdiction. It was emphasised to the British side that the issue of incursions be tackled vigorously by them. The British side assured us that incursions are taken seriously by their security forces, accepted that potential dangers to both local people and security personnel exist when such incidents occur and undertook to reinforce the seriousness of these matters with British Army headquarters.
In this particular case, my officials raised this alleged incident through the office of the British-Irish inter-governmental secretariat in Belfast. In response, the British side have indicated that on 17 October, at approximately 5.30 p.m., a helicopter crossed into County Monaghan for a brief period of time. The authorities have stated that this was due to navigational error on behalf of the pilot and that once the mistake was realised the helicopter immediately returned to the North.
293 Ms B. Moynihan-Cronin asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of temporary posts in his Department for each year since 1997; the average duration of the contract for temporary staff for each year; the number of staff officer posts filled for each year since 1997 within the Department and by interdepartmental competition; the number of executive officer posts filled in the Department for each year since 1997 within the Department by interdepartmental competition and by open competition; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26927/04]
I presume the Deputy is referring, in the first part of his question, to the employment of temporary clerical officers each year by the Department of Foreign Affairs to work in the passport offices in Dublin, Cork and Balbriggan during the spring-summer period, when the demand for passports reaches a seasonal high. The number of temporary clerical officers employed in the years 1997 to 2004, inclusive, was as follows:
|
Year |
Total number of TCOs employed |
|
1997 |
72 |
|
1998 |
78 |
|
1999 |
102 |
|
2000 |
96 |
|
2001 |
150 |
|
2002 |
135 |
|
2003 |
78 |
|
2004 |
159 |
The December 2004-January 2005 timetable for the introduction of the new automated passport system and the related comprehensive training programme which is currently under way have resulted in a need for increased numbers of temporary clerical officers in 2004 and 2005. The number of temporary clerical officers required from late summer 2005 onwards will be assessed in the light of a planned review of passport office staffing needs following the implementation of the new automated passport system and anticipated further annual increases in demand for passports.
The duration of temporary clerical officer contracts varies widely. Normally, approximately half of each year's intake of temporary clerical officers are employed from March and April to September and the remainder from late January or early February until November or December. Overall, the average duration of contracts has been of the order of seven months. A small number of other temporary staff have been employed since 1997, in particular in the context of Ireland's EU Presidency in the first half of this year. In addition to officers temporarily assigned to the Department of Foreign Affairs from other Departments and offices, approximately 30 stagiaires were employed on short-term contracts prior to and for the duration of the Presidency. The Department also employs a small number of stagiaires on an annual basis. These are one in its development co-operation directorate, one in the human rights unit, and two in the legal division, as well as 42 specialist staff on fixed-term contracts assigned to the development co-operation directorate.
Staff officer and executive officer posts in the Department are, in the main, filled through internal, interdepartmental or open competitions. Other factors such as restructuring agreements, the redeployment or transfer of staff from other Departments and the integration of the staff of the National Committee for Development Education in 2003 and the Agency for Personal Service Overseas in 2004 have also resulted in the filling of posts in these grades. The arrangements for filling staff and executive officer posts are agreed centrally between the Department of Finance and the Civil and Public Service Union, which represents officers in the clerical officer and staff officer grades. The following table gives a breakdown by year of the numbers of promotions to each grade, excluding promotions to executive officer and junior systems analyst.
|
1997 |
1998 |
1999 |
2000 |
2001 |
2002 |
2003 |
2004 |
|
|
Internal |
1 |
7 * |
6 |
10 |
13 |
16 |
3 |
0 |
|
Interdepartmental/open |
1 |
0 |
2 |
1 |
0 |
6 |
1 |
0 |
* includes 6 as a result of CPSU restructuring agreement.
|
Internal |
0 |
8* |
9 |
3 |
6 |
6 |
1 |
0 |
|
Interdepartmental/open |
1 |
2 |
12 |
9 |
22 |
17 |
4 |
6 |
* includes 6 as a result of CPSU restructuring agreement.
294 Mr. Connaughton asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the estimated number of Irish persons assisted by Irish welfare agencies based in the UK, through DÍON funding in 2003; if he expects that this figure will increase in 2004; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27059/04]
295 Mr. Connaughton asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the funding that has been given since 1997 to voluntary organisations working with Irish-born emigrants based in Scotland and Wales; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27060/04]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 294 and 295 together.
In 2003, an estimated 37,000 Irish people benefited from services provided by Irish and non-Irish organisations in Britain which have been grant aided by the Government through DÍON funding. I am pleased to note that DÍON funding has more than quadrupled in the past five years. This year's initial allocation to the fund was €3.57 million. An additional €1 million was allocated by my Department for emigrant services in the course of this year, most of which is being directed to the DÍON fund. I am confident that the significantly increased funding secured for this year together with the inclusion of a number of new projects for funding will result in an even greater number of Irish people benefiting from the support of these organisations this year.
Research into the patterns of Irish emigration show that large numbers left Ireland for Britain in the post-1945 period, particularly in the 1950s. Most of these people settled in England, particularly in the greater London area, the west midlands including Birmingham and Coventry, as well as in cities in the north west such as Manchester. Most welfare groups which focus on the needs of Irish people are based in London and the other main centres of Irish communities in England. Since 1997 only one organisation in either Scotland or Wales has made an application for DÍON funding. The organisation in question was OGWR, a housing association in Wales, and it received a grant of IR £5,000 in 2002.
I want to see DÍON funding extending beyond its traditional points of concentration in England. To this end, I have asked the embassy in London and the consulates in Edinburgh and Cardiff as well as the director of the recently established Irish abroad unit to stimulate an awareness of the DÍON fund in Britain within the Irish community and the voluntary sector. This process will allow the needs of the Irish community, especially its more vulnerable members to be identified and our support targeted effectively at groups working to meet these needs.
296 Mr. Connaughton asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has granted funding to Irish voluntary groups which provide assistance to Irish-born prisoners who are newly released from jail; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27061/04]
304 Mr. Connaughton asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if a research study has been undertaken to identify the needs of Irish prisoners abroad, as promised under the programme for prosperity and fairness; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27072/04]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 296 and 304 together.
My Department provides financial assistance to the Irish Commission for Prisoners Overseas, the ICPO, the body established by the Bishops' Commission for Emigrants to identify and respond to the needs of Irish prisoners abroad and their families. Since 1997, an annual grant of €25,000 has been made to the ICPO here in Ireland. Assistance is also provided through the DÍON fund to the ICPO office in London which deals exclusively with Irish prisoners in Britain. This year the London office of the ICPO received €110,000 and I expect it will also benefit from the extra moneys allocated to the DÍON fund earlier this year.
In the programme for prosperity and fairness, the Government agreed to carry out a research project to identify the number of Irish prisoners abroad and their needs for services in prison. My Department held off commissioning a study pending the report of the task force on policy regarding emigrants, which noted that, in some cases, prisoners may have special needs which do not arise in the case of other emigrants. Following discussions with the Irish Commission for Prisoners Overseas, it was agreed that the focus of the study should be on Irish prisoners in Britain. Draft terms of reference for this study have been drawn up and it is proposed to initiate the study in the near future.
297 Mr. Connaughton asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to circumstances in cases in which Irish-born emigrants receive less than their full social and health entitlements; the number of Irish emigrants that are affected by this problem; the measures that have been taken to overcome this problem; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27064/04]
While I recognise fully the responsibility of the Government to our people living abroad, the welfare of those who live, work and pay taxes abroad is also, of course, a matter for the Governments and authorities in the countries of residence of the Irish people concerned. I am especially aware that some of our emigrants need help in accessing their entitlements abroad, though the exact number is not known. Some, for instance, may need the advice and even advocacy of people who are sensitive to their needs.
This year my Department's funding for emigrant support stands at some €5 million, representing an increase of two thirds over 2003. This funding is directed to organisations in Britain, the United States and Australia which provide Irish citizens with a wide range of advice, counselling and support services. These services include expert advice on entitlements to social welfare, health and housing. Many of these organisations assist Irish people in making representations directly to the appropriate authorities. I am confident that this front-line and culturally sensitive support actively helps and will continue to help many Irish living abroad to access fully their just entitlements.
298 Mr. Connaughton asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has conducted research into the position of Irish-born women emigrants in the UK; if the disadvantage experienced by a section of Irish-born males in the UK as highlighted in a recent programme (details supplied) is also mirrored in Irish female emigrants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27066/04]
The experience of emigration has been a mixed one for Irish men and women. While many who have emigrated have prospered, emigration has presented some people with very particular difficulties. We are able to draw on a range of studies on the situation of Irish emigrants in Britain. I am aware of the difficult circumstances experienced by the individuals featured in the television programme, which the Deputy refers to in his question. A recent study published in the July 2004 edition of the Journal of Ethnic and Migration Studies finds that the experiences of the single Irish men in the sample covered by the study stood out in contrast to the experiences of married people of either sex and of the single women. The study considers that the lives of these single Irish men were more difficult, both economically and emotionally. This and other studies report that many Irish women found employment in occupations such as nursing or personal services where accommodation was provided. Many of these jobs were arranged through agencies before the women left Ireland. These circumstances may have provided a certain level of social stability to the women concerned.
In contrast, many Irish men left home without a secure job and found work in the construction sector. The temporary and transient nature of work in this sector may have exacerbated for some men the stresses which emigration involved by impeding their prospects of settling in one place, within a community. People react in different ways to the stresses of emigration and can find themselves faced with problems. The agencies that offer front-line assistance and advice services to vulnerable Irish people provide, therefore, a critically important support structure. I intend to ensure that their invaluable activities, which benefit so many Irish men and women living in Britain, continue to be strongly supported by the Government. Furthermore, I have asked the DÍON committee, which advises me on Irish emigrant welfare issues in Britain, to monitor closely the needs of Irish women in Britain and keep under review whether further research should be commissioned concerning their circumstances.
299 Mr. Connaughton asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the funding since 1997 that has been given to social and voluntary organisations based in the US who work with Irish emigrants; the funding that has been allocated for 2004; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27067/04]
300 Mr. Connaughton asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his Department is involved in political engagement with US authorities which seeks to regularise the status of undocumented Irish emigrants in the US; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27068/04]
306 Mr. Connaughton asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of US green cards awarded to Irish-born emigrants each year since 1995 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27109/04]
307 Mr. Connaughton asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the estimated figure of the number of undocumented Irish-born emigrants currently living in the US; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27110/04]
308 Mr. Connaughton asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has held discussions with his US counterparts, to facilitate an increase in green card quotas awarded to Irish-born emigrants who wish to obtain legal residency status in the US; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27111/04]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 299, 300 and 306 to 308, inclusive, together.
The Deputy can be assured that the Government's concern for the undocumented Irish people in the United States is raised on an ongoing basis in our bilateral contacts with the US authorities, including when the Taoiseach and my predecessor met with President Bush at the EU-US summit in Dromoland in June 2004. I welcome the various proposals on immigration reform, which have been made by President Bush and members of Congress. These initiatives reflect an awareness of the importance of addressing the situation of the undocumented in the USA in a constructive and sympathetic way. The US Congress will, of course, have to give consideration to these proposals and, realistically, it is very unlikely there will be any movement until after the Presidential inauguration in the new year.
The number of Irish citizens who may be resident in the United States without the appropriate authorisation is difficult to estimate. While the United States citizenship and immigration services have estimated that the number may have declined to 3,000 in the year 2000, many of the agencies working with our emigrants regard this figure as a very low estimate indeed. Figures published by the US citizenship and immigration services report that 15,056 permanent resident cards, known widely as green cards, were issued to Irish people between 1995 and 2003. Figures for 2004 have not yet been published. A summary follows of the number of cards, which issued in each year. I stress that the Government's commitment to support efforts, which improve the circumstances of vulnerable Irish living in the USA is strong and growing. Our embassy and network of consulates in the USA work closely with voluntary Irish organisations there, which provide invaluable assistance and support to vulnerable Irish people. Since 1997, the Government has allocated some $2.9 million to these organisations. This year they received an allocation of $607,000, which represented an increase of 70% on last year. A summary follows of the grants made in each year since 1997.
I assure the Deputy that through the ongoing efforts of our embassy and my own contacts and those of my Cabinet colleagues with political leaders in the USA, I will continue to encourage and support all measures that benefit Irish citizens in that country.
|
Year |
Number |
|
1995 |
5,315 |
|
1996 |
1,731 |
|
1997 |
1,001 |
|
1998 |
944 |
|
1999 |
812 |
|
2000 |
1,315 |
|
2001 |
1,522 |
|
2002 |
1,425 |
|
2003 |
991 |
|
Year |
$ |
|
1997 |
253,300 |
|
1998 |
253,300 |
|
1999 |
300,000 |
|
2000 |
300,000 |
|
2001 |
600,000* |
|
2002 |
300,000 |
|
2003 |
356,000 |
|
2004 |
607,000 |
*Includes $300,000 additional funding to those Irish organisations engaged in welfare services arising from terrorist attacks of 11 September 2001.
301 Mr. Connaughton asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his Department intends to establish an Internet site dedicated to the needs of Irish emigrants abroad and capable of providing both information and a link to Ireland for emigrants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27069/04]
Many of the Irish organisations at home and abroad, which are active in the delivery of services to Irish emigrants, have established their own websites. Others have amassed a set of skills and knowledge, which would be of value to all of us with an interest in this issue. It is clearly desirable to link up the resources already available and make them more accessible. I also feel that we should be able to add to our knowledge in a way that is both efficient and effective in reaching all of the interested parties. The Internet offers us the ideal tool to do all of this. I value greatly its potential to help Irish people living abroad to feel more connected to home.
Officials of the Irish abroad unit in my Department are currently meeting a wide range of people engaged in the provision of services to our emigrants. These intensive contacts are, inter alia, deepening our knowledge of what information is already available and what areas should be developed further. In the light of these consultations, I will be happy to consider further how best to use the Internet to help meet the needs of our emigrants.
302 Mr. Connaughton asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on the concept of an awards scheme to recognise the service of Irish persons overseas; if he will progress this project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27070/04]
Many Irish people who have emigrated have made, and continue to make, a distinctive and invaluable contribution to developments in their adopted countries. In doing so, they have brought great credit to themselves and to Ireland. Many have also contributed to the success story that is Ireland today. We value deeply their contribution both at home and abroad.
The matter of an awards scheme to recognise the service of Irish persons abroad arises in the context of wider discussions on a national honours system. As the Deputy may be aware, it is the Department of the Taoiseach rather than my Department, which takes the lead in this matter.
303 Mr. Connaughton asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on the establishment of a budget from his Department to provide financial assistance towards the cost of Irish community, cultural and sporting activities abroad; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27071/04]
This year my Department's funding for emigrant support stands at some €5 million, representing an increase of two thirds over 2003. This funding is directed to organisations in Britain, the United States of America and Australia which provide Irish citizens with a wide range of advice, counselling a and support services. By their very nature, the centres we support financially perform a critical service for their local Irish community. In addition to their advisory functions, some also act as a centre for community activities, including cultural activities. While my immediate priority is to get funding to the people and the organisations at the front line which provide invaluable services to vulnerable Irish people living abroad, I am open to considering in the future, in consultation with my colleague the Minister for Arts, Sports and Tourism, proposals for funding which would help Irish people living abroad to maintain and express their Irish identity.
305 Mr. Connaughton asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the difficulties experienced by Irish citizens in obtaining copies of their birth certificates from or in late registering their birth at the General Register Office in Dublin; if there is a dedicated staff member assigned with the General Register Office to deal with Irish-born emigrants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27073/04]
I am pleased to note that there is now a dedicated section within the General Register Office which deals with applications for birth certificates submitted, for example, from Irish centres in Britain.
309 Mr. McGuinness asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if there is a dedicated auditing unit in his Department assessing and monitoring the day-to-day spend of his Department with particular reference to major projects; if so, the number of staff involved; if the staff have accountancy qualifications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26843/04]
My Department has a dedicated internal audit unit which acts as an appraiser of the adequacy, application and effectiveness of the systems of internal financial control in place. There are three officials working in the unit, none of whom has a professional accountancy qualification. The accounting officer, who has overall responsibility for ensuring the effectiveness of the system of internal administrative and financial controls, has put in place structures to enable the continuing review of such controls. These include the designation of an independent head of internal audit who reports directly to him; the adoption of an internal audit charter and the appointment of an audit committee with an external chairman. Furthermore, a committee, chaired by the finance officer, is in place to monitor the implementation of the recommendations of the working group on the accountability of Secretaries General and accounting officers.
310 Mr. Hogan asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism when a sports recreation grant will be awarded to a group (details supplied) in County Kilkenny; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26939/04]
A grant of €20,000 was provisionally allocated to the group in question under my Department's 2004 sports capital programme. Approval of grants under that programme is subject to recipients meeting the terms and conditions of the programme. The group was advised in June 2004 of the conditions to be met and the documentation required by my Department to approve and pay the grant. While the group submitted some of the documentation required, further documentation is outstanding and the group has been made aware of the position.
311 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if the best possible advice, support and the maximum assistance will be given to a group of persons who aim to start a GAA club at adult and junior level. [27098/04]
My Department is not involved in providing advice to persons wishing to start a GAA club at adult and junior level. Any such group of persons should contact the headquarters or the relevant county board of the GAA for guidelines and advice on how to proceed. The national lottery-funded sports capital programme administered by my Department allocates funding to sporting and community organisations at local, regional and national level throughout the country towards the provision of sport and recreational facilities. The programme is advertised on an annual basis. Under the 2004 sports capital programme, I allocated €61 million in respect of 738 projects. It is open to a GAA club to apply for funding under the programme should it have a project which meets the programme's terms and conditions. I will make an announcement shortly about the timetable for submission of applications for grants under the 2005 sports capital programme.
312 Mr. Sherlock asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the number of requests for decentralisation in respect of Fáilte Ireland staff to Mallow, County Cork; if he is facilitating an early response to this request. [27144/04]
According to the latest figures available from the central application facility, there have been 83 applications for decentralisation to Fáilte Ireland, which is proposed for relocation to Mallow, County Cork. Of the applications, ten are from officers serving in Dublin and the remainder from officers serving in provincial locations. I will not be in a position to state when the transfers will take place until a decision has been made on sequencing and timing. In this regard, the Flynn group will shortly make recommendations to the Cabinet sub-committee on decentralisation as to the organisations and locations to be included in the first batch of relocations. The recommendations will be based on the latest figures emerging from the central applications facility together with information on the availability of existing property or a suitable site for development of office facilities.
313 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his views on the major discrepancies in regard to diesel and petrol prices here; the plans his Department has to address the problem; the effect this is having in regard to potential employment losses due to the huge increase in travel costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27187/04]
The significant oil price increases that have occurred since the beginning of this year have been caused by a combination of strong demand, tight capacities, political uncertainty and some market speculation. The International Energy Association has warned that sustained high oil prices will adversely affect the economic performance of eurozone countries. Ireland has no control over world oil prices. However, given their impact on economic performance the Government is determined to ensure that any adverse effects are limited by strengthening our competitiveness and ensuring that we are in a position to adapt to changing global economic circumstances.
The Competition Authority, which is an agency of my Department, is charged with enforcing Irish competition law to ensure that our markets are working efficiently and for the benefit of consumers and of the economy as a whole. I am not aware of any competition difficulties in relation to the market for diesel and petrol. However, if the Deputy is aware of any such difficulties I would recommend that he bring them to the attention of the Competition Authority.
Under the Retail Price (Diesel and Petrol) Display Order 1997, sellers of petrol and diesel are legally obliged to display their selling prices. I would urge all consumers including businesses to empower themselves by availing of the lowest price in their locality.
314 Mr. Morgan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of work days lost through sickness by exposure to chemicals including as a result of asthma, allergies and exposure to asbestos. [26793/04]
The Central Statistics Office quarterly national household survey estimates that 30,370 work days were lost in 2002 due to breathing or lung problems and that 8,810 work days were lost due to skin problems. The survey does not have a breakdown of days lost due to the specific matters referred to in the question.
315 Mr. Morgan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of child care facilities employing staff via community employment programmes currently and in each of the past three years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26795/04]
316 Mr. Morgan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of community employment participants working at child care facilities currently and in each of the past three years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26796/04]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 315 and 316 together.
At present 1,815 community employment child care places are ring-fenced for clients on community employment directly involved in the delivery of child care services. These places have been ring-fenced for the past three years. Further numbers are involved in support and provision of other services for projects with child care facilities, for example, playgroup assistants, administrators, general maintenance etc.
317 Mr. McHugh asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his views on a statement (details supplied) in the review of the Government programme in August 2004, in view of the fact that the Irish Wheelchair Association is dependent on community employment workers who after a one-year period may have to be replaced resulting in no continuity of services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26811/04]
318 Mr. McHugh asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will work closely with the Department of Health and Children to mainstream health related community employment scheme participants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26816/04]
320 Mr. Broughan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the action he intends to take in relation to the thousands of jobs initiative and community employment workers who are currently reaching the end of their contract; and if he has given consideration to a new community work programme for older persons in the jobs initiative programme who carry out important and necessary tasks for their communities. [26860/04]
323 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the plans he has to re-examine FÁS and community employment schemes with respect to the position of applicants over 50 years of age seeking further placement after their period of three years in view of the difficulties that such persons have in obtaining employment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27190/04]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 317, 318, 320 and 323 together.
The community employment, CE, and jobs initiative, JI, programmes provide work experience and training opportunities for the long-term unemployed and other disadvantaged groups with the aim of progressing participants to a job in the open labour market. Participants move from these programmes after an agreed period of support and development, which is usually from one to three years. Vacancies become available on a rolling basis as participants finish their term and are replaced by long-term unemployed and other disadvantaged persons.
The terms and conditions of participation on CE and the future direction of JI are currently under review. In this regard there has been extensive consultation with key stakeholders and the social partners over the past year on the future direction of FÁS labour market programmes. All submissions received as part of this process are being fully considered and will help inform the outcome of the review.
FÁS is endeavouring to support local communities and organisations such as theIrish Wheelchair Association in the services they wish to deliver while keeping the focus of the scheme on securing jobs for participants in the open labour market. There are no plans at present to mainstream community employment programmes.
319 Mr. McGuinness asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if there is a dedicated auditing unit in his Department assessing and monitoring the day-to-day spend of his Department with particular reference to major projects; if so, the number of staff involved; if the staff have accountancy qualifications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26844/04]
A dedicated internal audit unit has been in place in my Department since the mid-1990s. The internal audit unit provides an assurance to the accounting officer on the internal control systems and the extent to which these systems contribute to the achievement of policy and business objectives in the most economic, efficient and effective way. The unit also has specific audit responsibilities to the European Commission in relation to some Structural Funds expenditure, in particular the European Social Fund.
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. This statement was informed by the work of the internal audit unit, the audit committee, the managers who have responsibility for the development and maintenance of the controls systems, comments made by the Comptroller and Auditor General and, where relevant, the work of other audit bodies, for example, EU auditors in the case of Structural Funds expenditure.
The ongoing assessment and monitoring of expenditure referred to by the Deputy is primarily the responsibility of line management. Subsequent review, by internal audit, of the adequacy of the controls in place is undertaken in accordance with the annual audit plan.
The internal audit unit has a staffing complement of nine, including two work-job sharing posts. The unit is headed by a professional accountant and two of the other posts are at professional accountant level. The remaining members of the unit have a broad range of experience and backgrounds and have all received extensive training in internal audit. The adequacy of the expertise and resources available to the internal audit unit is kept under review by the audit committee.
321 Mr. Broughan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if, in consultation with the IFSRA and the Department of Finance, he will order an immediate inquiry into the endowment policy scandal headed by independent inspectors under company law legislation. [26862/04]
I am not aware of company law infringements being at issue in the selling of the financial products in question. However, if the Deputy has any information on possible infringements he should bring it to the attention of the Director of Corporate Enforcement who is responsible for the investigation of suspected breaches of company law.
As I understand it, the Deputy is concerned about the manner in which certain financial services products were sold to consumers, the regulation of the providers of such products and the appointment of authorised officers under the relevant legislation to investigate these matters. This is a matter for the Minister for Finance and the Irish Financial Services Regulatory Authority and I have no function in the matter.
322 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if there is evidence that patents pending can be disclosed out of the Patents Office, particularly in relation to a person (details supplied) in Dublin 13; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27112/04]
In common with legislation in most other countries, Irish law, section 28 of the Patents Act 1992, provides that a pending patent application shall be published, that is, made open to public inspection and therefore disclosed, as soon as practicable after the expiry of a period of 18 months from the filing date, or if the priority of an earlier application for the same invention is being claimed, 18 months from the date of filing of the earlier application. Up until the expiry of the 18 month period the description of the invention remains secret and is not disclosed by the Patents Office to anybody. An application which is withdrawn by the applicant prior to the expiry of the 18-month period is also never disclosed by the office.
The person involved currently has no applications pending at the Patents Office. He did submit four national applications for short term patents in the period from April 1999 to date. These applications were dealt with in accordance with the relevant national legislation. Three were deemed to be withdrawn prior to the expiry of the 18-month period and were, therefore, not published or made available to the public. A fourth application was published after the expiry of the 18-month period and was subsequently refused as the applicant had failed to remedy substantive defects in the application notified to him by the office.
This person also filed three international patent applications under the Patent Co-operation Treaty in the period June 2001 to October 2002. The Irish Patents Office acts as a receiving office for such applications and transmits them to the International Bureau of the World Intellectual Property Organisation and the European Patent Office following completion of a formalities check. Each of these applications claimed the priority of an earlier corresponding Irish application and each was published 18 months from the priority date in accordance with the provisions of the treaty.
I am advised that the Patents Office has had considerable correspondence with the person in question, in which it has repeatedly sought to explain the procedures and provisions in both Irish and international law which result in patent applications being published after 18 months unless withdrawn and to assure him that his patent applications which were withdrawn prior to the publication date have not been disclosed by the office.
324 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of IDA site visits there have been in Donegal since January 2004; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27301/04]
IDA Ireland is the agency with statutory responsibility for the attraction of foreign direct investment, FDI, to Ireland and its regions. Support for job creation in individual counties is a day-to-day operational matter for the agency. IDA Ireland is actively promoting County Donegal for new investment and jobs on an ongoing basis.
There have been nine site visits to Donegal since January 2004. In addition to actual visits, the county has been promoted to companies who, because of time constraints on visits to Ireland, were unable to visit the county. This took the form of detailed presentations on the county and answering any questions that the prospective companies had on the area.
IDA has been successful in attracting new investment in emerging sectors such as international services, medical technologies, software and high-end engineering. IDA Ireland job figures show 2,080 jobs created by IDA Ireland client companies over the last five years in the north west region.
IDA Ireland is working closely with Donegal County Council, local service providers, colleges and others to ensure that the challenges facing the county are being addressed. The metro area network project, funded by the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources is now complete in Letterkenny.
IDA Ireland is working with Invest Northern Ireland on a virtual cross-Border park, which will involve joint marketing efforts and planned improved telecommunications infrastructure on a cross-Border basis. The construction of Letterkenny business park by Donegal County Council is now complete, and the extension of the Letterkenny ring road to this business park is well advanced. Work has now been completed on the provision of a second 25,000 sq. ft. advance factory at the park and planning permission has been granted for a third advance facility. Planning permission has also been obtained for a new facility at Ballyshannon and IDA Ireland has undertaken a significant amount of site development work recently on the site.
In addition to this, further land has been purchased in Buncrana and planning permission has been obtained for a 20,000 sq. ft. factory. IDA Ireland is currently working with a local private developer in the provision of advance space within this estate.
I am confident that the strategies and policies being pursued by IDA Ireland, together with the ongoing commitment of Government to regional development, will bear fruit in terms of maximising new investment and jobs for the people of Donegal.
325 Mr. Connaughton asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs his views on the issuing of free travel passes to elderly Irish-born emigrants when they return here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27062/04]
The free travel scheme is available to all people aged 66 years or over who are permanently residing in the State. It is also available to carers and to people with disabilities who are in receipt of certain social welfare payments. Accordingly, those emigrants who return to live permanently in the State are entitled to free travel.
Any extension to the free travel scheme for temporary visits would have financial implications and be difficult to administer effectively. Any proposal of that kind could only be considered in a budgetary context and taking account of other needs and priorities.
326 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the reason the Southern Health Board has refused a person (details supplied) in County Cork a diet allowance in view of the fact that their only income is social welfare benefit and they cannot afford the special diet that they require for their medical condition. [27133/04]
Recipients of social welfare or health board payments who have been prescribed a special diet as a result of a specified medical condition, and whose means are insufficient to meet their needs, may qualify for a diet supplement under the supplementary welfare allowance scheme.
The amount of supplement payable depends on which of two categories of diet, that is, a lower cost diet costing €44 per week or higher cost diet costing €57 per week, has been prescribed by the applicant's medical adviser, as well as on the income of the individual and his-her dependents. In the case of a single person with no dependants, a supplement is payable if the cost of the prescribed diet is more than one third of the applicant's income.
The Southern Health Board was contacted regarding this case and has advised that the application by the person concerned for a diet supplement was refused on the grounds that his income is sufficient to meet his dietary needs, as the cost of the diet that he has been prescribed is less than one third of his income.
The board has further advised that the person concerned was unsuccessful in his appeal against this decision. The basis for the diet allowance and related matters will be reviewed when a report commissioned from Dr. Muireann Cullen of the Irish Nutrition and Dietetic Institute, is finalised at the end of November.
327 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if the supplementary welfare allowance will be approved for a person (details supplied) in County Sligo in view of financial difficulties. [27204/04]
The supplementary welfare allowance scheme, which is administered on behalf of my Department by the health boards, provides for exceptional needs payments to help meet essential, once-off expenditure which a person could not reasonably be expected to meet out of his or her weekly income.
The North Western Health Board was contacted regarding this case and has advised that the person concerned applied for assistance in respect of replacing household appliances but was refused. The board has further advised that the person concerned has appealed against the decision to the health boards appeals officer.
The determination of entitlement to exceptional needs payments is a matter for the health board and neither I nor my Department have any function in deciding entitlement in individual cases.
328 Mr. Gogarty asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if a person (details supplied) in Dublin 10 is entitled to receive assistance towards essential repairs of an existing Bord Gáis heating system in their home. [26815/04]
The supplementary welfare allowance scheme, which is administered on behalf of my Department by the health boards, provides for exceptional needs payments to help meet essential, once-off expenditure which a person could not reasonably be expected to meet out of his or her weekly income. In certain circumstances a board will provide assistance towards the cost of minor repairs but the scale of repair in question does not appear to fall into this category. Alternatively, support might be sought through the essential repairs grant scheme operated by local authorities which provides assistance to elderly and disabled people towards necessary repairs.
329 Mr. McGuinness asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if there is a dedicated auditing unit in his Department assessing and monitoring the day to day spend of his Department with particular reference to major projects; if so, the number of staff involved; if the staff have accountancy qualifications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26845/04]
My Department has a dedicated internal audit unit, which is free of other duties and independent of the activities it audits.
The unit is headed by a professional accountant and also includes two assistant principals, four higher executive officers, five executive officers and one clerical officer. Apart from the head of internal audit, HIA, other members of the unit has accounting expertise gained either from accounting modules in third-level courses passed and/or from participation in internal audits and other accounting-related areas of the Department.
The internal audit unit derives its authority from the Secretary General, to whom the HIA has the right of direct access. On audit and related matters, the HIA reports to the Department's audit committee and the HIA reports on a line basis to the assistant secretary whose responsibilities include human resources and other corporate service.
The unit provides advice and assurance to management on matters relating, inter alia, to the Department’s systems of business control, to quality of performance and to business risk. This includes regular audit work and assessments in relation to the scheme and administrative expenditures of the Department and to the various projects in train within the Department at any given time. The day-to-day monitoring of expenditures is undertaken by the line management of the Department and by the Finance branch and other central branches operating under the Department’s business controls, procedures and practices which are subject to ongoing and regular review.
330 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the reason a person (details supplied) in County Mayo did not receive carers allowance from 21 September 2003 to 22 January 2004. [26897/04]
An application for carer's allowance from the person concerned was received by my Department on 22 January 2004. Following the necessary investigations to determine her entitlement, she was awarded carer's allowance on 21 April 2004 with effect from 22 January, 2004. The person concerned has not requested that consideration be given to backdating the claim prior to the date of her application.
Under social welfare legislation decisions of 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.
331 Mr. Gregory asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if a person (details supplied) in Dublin 7 will retain deserted wife’s allowance; and if this person’s case will be re-examined and the award of this allowance continued. [26980/04]
In the case of the person concerned she applied for a deserted wife's benefit in December 1994. Entitlement to this payment, for those applicants whose claim was made on or after 31 August 1992, is subject to an earnings limit.
According to the information available to the Department, the gross earnings of the person concerned for the income tax year 2003 exceeded the maximum earnings limit. Therefore, her continued entitlement to deserted wife's benefit is currently being reviewed and her payment is being suspended to avoid any potential overpayment. As soon as a formal decision on her entitlement is made she will be notified of the outcome, including her right of appeal.
Under social welfare legislation, decisions on 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.
332 Mr. Connaughton asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the amount of funding to date that has been allocated to the safe home programme; if his Department intends to expand this scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27075/04]
The safe home programme is core funded by the Department of Foreign Affairs, through the DÍON fund, and the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. My Department has funded the safe home programme for various information projects since 2001 amounting to €56,245 to date. Among the projects funded were the setting up of a website, www.safehomeireland.ie; the production and distribution of a monthly newsletter to applicants to the safe home programme. The funding was provided in response to applications from the safe home programme to the Department and any applications to date have received favourable response.
333 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the reason a person (details supplied) in County Mayo is not being awarded the full rate of old age non-contributory pension; the further reason her pension is reduced; and if he will provide a detailed copy of the assessment calculations in this case. [27097/04]
Entitlement to old age non-contributory pension is based upon a claimant's means. In the case of a married couple, the means of each individual is taken to be half their joint means.
In August 2004, the person concerned was awarded an old age non-contributory pension of €136.50 per week with effect from 30 July 2004, the first payment date after she reached pension age 66. Her entitlement to this pension is based upon weekly means of €23.42 derived from half her husband's occupational pension.
334 Ms Enright asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the progress made in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Laois; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27107/04]
The person concerned was in receipt of disability allowance from 11 April 2001. Payment was disallowed by a deciding officer from 10 February 2004 on the grounds that the person's means were in excess of the limit. These means were held to be derived from benefit of a partner's earnings from employment.
The person appealed this decision to the social welfare appeals office. Following an oral hearing and having considered all the available evidence, including that adduced at the hearing, the appeals officer disallowed the appeal.
The issue in this case did not concern the person's medical condition but rather whether the person was cohabiting and thus fell to be assessed with means derived from her partner's earnings. Having considered all the available evidence, the appeals officer was satisfied that the person had in fact been cohabiting and as a result the appeal was disallowed.
Following representations from the Deputy the appeals officer reviewed the case and concluded that there were no new facts or evidence that would warrant a revision of his decision. The person has now made a new claim for disability allowance which is currently under consideration by my Department.
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.
335 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if he will examine the circumstances of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 11 as a typical example of inadequate welfare support for welfare dependent persons in their early sixties; and the actions he intends to take to address this face of Irish poverty. [27122/04]
The person concerned, who is 64 years of age, is currently in receipt of a widower's contributory pension at the rate of €134.30, based on a yearly insurance average of 32. In addition he is in receipt of a national fuel allowance of €12.90 per week. The fuel allowance is paid from October to April each year. The person concerned is also in receipt of a travel pass. He does not qualify for electricity allowance or telephone allowance as he does not reside alone or with an excepted person. A bereavement grant of €635 and a widowed parent grant of €2,500 was paid to him following the death of his spouse.
The current rates structure, comprising an under 66 and over 66 rate, reflects the fact that age 66 is the standard qualifying age for old age pension purposes. The question of increases in the rates of payment will be a matter for consideration in a budgetary context.
Subject to certain conditions, the supplementary welfare allowance scheme, which is administered on behalf of this Department by the health boards, provides assistance to eligible people whose means are insufficient to meet their basic needs. Assistance may be given in the form of supplements which may be paid in respect of rent, mortgage interest or special dietary or heating needs. The scheme also provides for exceptional needs payments to help meet essential, once-off expenditure which a person could not reasonably be expected to meet out of his or her weekly income.
The social welfare provisions available to widows and widowers are kept under ongoing review. Any enhancements are considered in a budgetary context, subject to availability of resources.
336 Mr. Haughey asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the rationale for articles 57 and 58 of SI 312 of 96 in relation to disability benefit credits; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that this will work against a sick person who has returned home from abroad after many years with no reckonable contributions paid or credited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27126/04]
Section 57 of the regulations in question provides that where, for any two complete consecutive social insurance contribution years, there are no employment contributions paid or credited in respect of an insured person, a contribution cannot be credited to such person until a further 26 employment contributions have been paid in respect of him or her.
Section 58 provides that employment contributions shall be credited to an insured person in respect of days of incapacity for work, of proved unemployment and on receipt of certain social welfare benefits.
The reason for this limitation on the award of credited contributions relates to the general principle in the social insurance system that there should be a reasonable link between entitlement to benefit and a recent participation in the active labour force. This reflects the contributory principle and the "pay as you go" nature of the social insurance system in Ireland.
Awarding credited contributions to where there is no recent record of insurable employment would undermine the basis of this system and have serious implications for qualification for benefits and expenditure from the social insurance fund.
Special arrangements are in place to protect the accumulated social security rights of persons who travel between European Economic area, EEA, countries. Furthermore, the regulations governing social insurance contribution records make special arrangements to accommodate volunteer development workers.
Also there are a number of bilateral agreements with some non-EEA countries to safeguard the accumulated rights to certain social welfare benefits of persons who spend time in these countries. However, this might not extend to short-term benefits such as disability benefit.
If an individual does not have a sufficient number of contributions to qualify for an insurance based benefit such as disability benefit, he or she may subject to a means test be able to qualify for disability allowance and further details in relation to this can be obtained from my Department.
337 Mr. Haughey asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the reason a person’s yearly average contributions rather than total contributions is used to determine eligibility for contributory old age pension; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27127/04]
The basic qualifying conditions for the old age (contributory) pension date from the introduction of the pension in 1961, though they have been eased considerably in recent years to make qualifying easier.
The average contributions test was intended to ensure that those qualifying for pension had made an adequate contribution to the social insurance fund while at the same time minimising the impact of gaps in insurance on the pension a person received.
In 2000, the Department published a review of the qualifying conditions for the old age contributory and retirement pension, phase 1, and this proposed that consideration be given to changing the basis of assessment to one based on total contributions paid or credited.
A change in the contribution conditions to one based on total contributions would have significant financial and other implications for entitlements under the system. These issues are being addressed in the second phase of the review. The report of that review is at an advanced stage of preparation and it is hoped to finalise it in the coming months.
338 Mr. Crawford asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if changes are proposed to the structure where persons on social welfare present themselves to the Garda station to sign on for their entitlements; his views on whether this is a valuable process for identifying those in need and keeping them in touch with the authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27155/04]
Currently, recipients of unemployment payments who reside more than six miles from their nearest social welfare local or branch office sign a declaration at their local Garda station for the purpose of proving unemployment. This service was instituted, as a service to customers, at a time when transport was less frequent and travel was more difficult than today.
My Department is currently implementing a modernisation action plan aimed at improving customer service and at enhancing control. In this context the role of signing at Garda stations has been reviewed and it has been concluded that the service has long since ceased to be appropriate and is taking from, rather than adding to quality customer service.
The new signing arrangements, which balance customer service requirements with effective control measures, will be introduced in two phases. At the end of November 2004, all customers who currently sign on at Garda stations will self-certify and return their signing docket directly to the social welfare local-branch office.
In the early part of 2005 the following revised signing arrangements will apply: customers residing up to ten miles, 16 kilometres, from their social welfare local-branch office will attend that office once every four weeks for certification purposes; customers residing over ten miles from their local-branch office will self-certify every four weeks and attend that office every 12 weeks. These customers will be offered the flexibility to attend at the office on any day in a designated week. A flexible approach to certification will be adopted for customers on offshore islands and other remote areas of the country and they will not, as a general rule, be required to attend the local-branch office.
These changes represent a significant improvement in customer service by enabling all unemployed customers to have direct contact with their social welfare local branch office where they can be directed to the many educational and work supports available to the unemployed.
339 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the number of persons who received the social welfare allowance supplement for each month in each health board area for the years 2002, 2003 and to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27293/04]
The supplementary welfare allowance scheme, which is administered on behalf of my Department by the health boards, provides assistance to people whose means are insufficient to meet their basic needs, subject to certain conditions.
In addition to the basic weekly allowance, assistance can be given by health boards under the scheme in the form of supplements in respect of rent, mortgage interest, special dietary or heating requirements, or once-off payments for exceptional needs.
Details of the number of recipients of basic supplementary welfare allowance for each month from January 2002 to date are shown in the following tabular statement.
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Eastern Regional Health Authority |
Midland Health Board |
Mid Western Health Board |
North Eastern Health Board |
North Western Health Board |
South Eastern Health Board |
Southern Health Board |
Western Health Board |
|
|
January |
12,145 |
1,534 |
2,203 |
2,542 |
1,125 |
3,413 |
3,765 |
3,425 |
|
February |
12,253 |
1,544 |
2,252 |
2,473 |
1,121 |
3,34 |
3,759 |
3,270 |
|
March |
12,419 |
1,582 |
2,414 |
2,480 |
1,044 |
3,305 |
3,806 |
3,108 |
|
April |
12,488 |
1,529 |
2,388 |
2,456 |
1,029 |
3,280 |
3,649 |
3,110 |
|
May |
12,377 |
1,560 |
2,314 |
2,560 |
1,102 |
3,266 |
3,672 |
3,139 |
|
June |
12,451 |
1,570 |
2,410 |
2,648 |
1,185 |
3,394 |
3,872 |
3,437 |
|
July |
12,606 |
1,532 |
2,513 |
2,742 |
1.206 |
3,386 |
4,014 |
3,736 |
|
August |
12,928 |
1,497 |
2,419 |
2,931 |
1,184 |
3,476 |
4,109 |
3,795 |
|
September |
13,008 |
1,507 |
2,400 |
2,830 |
1,184 |
3,513 |
3,942 |
3,725 |
|
October |
13,037 |
1,502 |
2,388 |
2,753 |
1,169 |
3,482 |
3,860 |
3,544 |
|
November |
13,336 |
1,526 |
2,355 |
2,687 |
1,143 |
3,393 |
4,010 |
3,495 |
|
December |
13,479 |
1,533 |
2,356 |
2,763 |
1,095 |
3,343 |
4,020 |
3,454 |
|
Eastern Regional Health Authority |
Midland Health Board |
Mid Western Health Board |
North Eastern Health Board |
North Western Health Board |
South Eastern Health Board |
Southern Health Board |
Western Health Board |
|
|
January |
13,877 |
1,637 |
2,341 |
2,875 |
1,177 |
3,442 |
4,208 |
3,412 |
|
February |
13,827 |
1,575 |
2,418 |
2,826 |
1,209 |
3,352 |
4,235 |
3,301 |
|
March |
13,935 |
1,506 |
2,360 |
2,751 |
1,249 |
3,250 |
4,256 |
3,271 |
|
April |
13,872 |
1,515 |
2,342 |
2,775 |
1,271 |
3,287 |
4,166 |
3,139 |
|
May |
13,923 |
1,523 |
2,261 |
2,810 |
1,250 |
3,255 |
4,109 |
3,150 |
|
June |
13,972 |
1,538 |
2,405 |
2,804 |
1,271 |
3,345 |
4,227 |
3,254 |
|
July |
14,117 |
1,536 |
2,434 |
2,854 |
1,350 |
3,394 |
4,196 |
3,274 |
|
August |
14,333 |
1,465 |
2,359 |
2,898 |
1,373 |
3,378 |
4,095 |
3,358 |
|
September |
14,425 |
1,431 |
2,350 |
2,929 |
1,365 |
3,313 |
4,122 |
3,207 |
|
October |
14,519 |
1,423 |
2,271 |
2,836 |
1,337 |
3,238 |
4,046 |
3,077 |
|
November |
14,050 |
1,511 |
2,180 |
2,717 |
1,296 |
3,159 |
4,001 |
2,927 |
|
December |
13,926 |
1,376 |
2,211 |
2,567 |
1,213 |
3,125 |
3,911 |
2,996 |
|
Eastern Regional Health Authority |
Midland Health Board |
Mid Western Health Board |
North Eastern Health Board |
North Western Health Board |
South Eastern Health Board |
Southern Health Board |
Western Health Board |
|
|
January |
13,842 |
1,398 |
2,291 |
2,578 |
1,244 |
3,213 |
3,940 |
3,030 |
|
February |
13,763 |
1,407 |
2,325 |
2,552 |
1,237 |
3,175 |
3,865 |
3,028 |
|
March |
13,666 |
1,369 |
2,216 |
2,471 |
1,201 |
3,100 |
3,805 |
2,908 |
|
April |
13,528 |
1,374 |
2,135 |
2,402 |
1,168 |
3,076 |
3,831 |
2,838 |
|
May |
13,349 |
1,319 |
2,111 |
2,434 |
1,167 |
3,019 |
3,739 |
2,764 |
|
June |
13,241 |
1,319 |
2,149 |
2,426 |
1,216 |
3,098 |
3,824 |
2,911 |
|
July |
13,331 |
1,397 |
2,209 |
2,529 |
1,254 |
3,190 |
3,770 |
2,971 |
|
August |
13,164 |
1,419 |
2,228 |
2,627 |
1,237 |
3,128 |
3,766 |
2,941 |
|
September |
13,010 |
1,360 |
2,247 |
2,647 |
1,304 |
3,133 |
3,786 |
2,928 |
|
October |
12,846 |
1,312 |
2,138 |
2,585 |
1,246 |
3,140 |
3,807 |
2,860 |
340 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the names of the 30 welfare organisations that he has invited to meet him over the coming months. [27294/04]
On 11 October 2004 I hosted the annual pre-budget forum to which a wide variety of organisations with interests in social welfare issues had been invited. In all, 27 organisations attended on the day and I extended an invitation to each of them to meet with me over the coming months to outline their work and to make their concerns known to me. The following organisations attended the forum:
Accord
Age Action Ireland Barnardo's (Solas)
Care Alliance
Carers Association
Children's Rights Alliance
CORI
Crosscare (Centrecare)
Disability Federation of Ireland
Family Solidarity
ICTU (Centres for the Unemployed)
INOU
Irish Countrywomen's Association
Irish Senior Citizens Parliament
Marriage and Relationship Counselling Services
NAMHI
National Federation of Pensioners Association
National Association of Widows in Ireland (NAWI)
National Women's Council of Ireland
One Family (Formally known as CHERISH)
One Parent Exchange and Network (OPEN)
Pavee Point
Retired Worker's Committee (ICTU)
St. Vincent de Paul
Tallaght Welfare Society
TREOIR
Women in the Home
I have already met a number of these organisations in recent weeks and I intend to meet the remaining groups over the coming months.
341 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Transport the plans his Department has to address the concerns expressed (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27444/04]
342 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Minister for Transport if the proposals from the DIR (details supplied) will be considered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27442/04]
350 Mr. Gregory asked the Minister for Transport his views on the campaign to clarify the position of driving instructors with RDI status, that is, registered on the driving instructor register of Ireland in the context of the Driver Testing and Standards Authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26902/04]
351 Mr. McHugh asked the Minister for Transport if he will confirm the validity or status of driving instructors on the driving instructor register of Ireland within the Driver Testing and Standards Authority or within any entity outsourced by him; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26920/04]
359 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Transport the position as to the validity of the registered driving instructor status within the Driver Testing and Standards Authority; if he has an intention if any to pass this decision over to the board of the driver testing and standards authority in view of the effect this would have on driving instructors who are registered with the driver instructor register of Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27118/04]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 341, 342, 350, 351 and 359 together.
I refer the Deputies to my reply to Question No. 154 on Thursday, 14 October, 2004.
Proposals being developed by my Department for the regulation and quality assurance of driving instruction will involve a test of the competence of individual instructors. A working group comprising representatives of my Department and of instruction interests has formulated the design of the standards that a driving instructor must meet. I am considering what arrangements will be put in place to oversee implementation of the standard in the context of the establishment of the Driver Testing and Standards Authority. The Driver Testing and Standards Authority Bill 2004, which provides for the establishment of the Authority was published on 6 July 2004 and the Second Stage debate commenced on 14 October 2004.
Regulations will be required to give effect to the proposals for introducing regulation of driving instruction and the position of existing driving instructors will be considered in the context of drafting of the regulations.
343 Ms O. Mitchell asked the Minister for Transport when legislation will be published to replace the Transport Act 1932, in order to allow for increased competition in the bus market; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27079/04]
Talks on the reform of public transport between officials in my Department and the CIE unions, under an independent chair appointed by the Labour Relations Commission, were adjourned in mid-September.
I am reviewing the developments which have taken place during these talks and the technical work which has been undertaken by my Department on the reform programme. I am also consulting with stakeholders. When I have completed that review and my consultations, I will consider how to proceed to give effect to the Government commitment to reform public transport.
345 Mr Crowe asked the Minister for Transport if he will investigate the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 24; and if he will apply some flexibility in this case. [26804/04]
The Road Traffic (Traffic and Parking) Regulations 1997 empower local authorities, the Irish Wheelchair Association and the Disabled Drivers' Association, to grant a disabled person's parking permit where they are satisfied that the applicant is suffering from a disability that prevents him or her from walking or causes undue hardship to the person in walking.
The qualifying criterion is therefore a question of personal mobility and no specific medical condition is stipulated in the regulations. It is a matter for each of the issuing organisations to determine whether or not a disabled person's parking permit should be granted based on each application submitted to it. I have no involvement in respect of the determination of individual applications made to any of those bodies.
346 Ms O. Mitchell asked the Minister for Transport the annual yield to the State in each of the years 2004, 2003, 2002 and 2001 from the West-Link toll bridge. [26810/04]
The State's share of the West-Link gross toll revenue, also referred to as the licence fee, in each of the years 2001-03 is set out as follows. The licence fee payable in a year is based on the previous year's traffic volumes and is paid in May of the following year. Consequently the licence fee payable for 2004 is not as yet available. 2001 €9,219,706; 2002 €7,584,901; 2003 €8,044,361; 2004 not payable until May 2005.
In addition, the State benefits from VAT on tolls since September 2002. Fingal County Council also benefits from commercial rates.
347 Mr. Curran asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide a list of incidents that have occurred at Weston Aerodrome, Lucan, County Dublin; if any have been reported to the Irish Aviation Authority or to his Department over the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26833/04]
The following is a list of all accidents and incidents, as such events are defined in SI 205 of 1997, which occurred at or near Weston Aerodrome, Lucan, County Dublin, since October 1999 and which were reported to the air accident investigation unit of my Department. The Deputy may note that the reports of these events that are of a serious nature can be found on the web site of the air accident investigation unit, www.aaiu.ie, with the exception of the more recent events which are still under investigation.
|
Date |
Type of Event |
Aircraft type |
Nature of event |
|
22/01/2000 |
Incident |
Aerospatiale MS880B |
Engine stoppage on the ground during a touch-and-go. |
|
11/04/2001 |
Accident |
Robinson R22B |
While practising an autorotation, the aircraft landed heavily and the main rotor stuck the tail boom, severing the tail rotor section of the tail boom. |
|
21/05/2001 |
Accident |
Piper PA28 |
Aircraft landed long and struck hedge at end of runway. |
|
24/07/2001 |
Accident |
Yakolev Yak 52 |
Aircraft landed with undercarriage retracted. |
|
07/09/2001 |
Incident |
Cessna C172 |
Aircraft on ground was blown over by helicopter arriving from UK. |
|
26/04/2002 |
Accident |
Piper PA28-180 |
Aircraft over-ran the end of runway and came to rest on a minor public road. |
|
31/03/2003 |
Incident |
Bell B206 |
Helicopter landed heavily; landing skid partially severed. |
|
23/11/2003 |
Accident |
Piper PA32-300 |
Aircraft landed, in error, on taxiway under construction. Right undercarriage sheared off. |
|
21/02/2004 |
Accident |
Schweizer 269C |
Main rotor blades struck the ground in a turn while practising a downwind turn and flare quick-stop during an instructional flight. |
|
23/05/2004 |
Incident |
Cessna C172 |
Take-off abandoned due to power loss. |
|
16/06/2004 |
Incident |
Brittan Norman BN-2A Islander |
Aircraft’s RH aileron struck refuelling pump. |
|
06/08/2004 |
Incident |
Schweizer 269C-1 |
Loss of tail rotor control due to technical failure. |
|
09/09/2004 |
Incident |
Piper PA23 |
Aircraft experienced control, engine and hydraulic problems while en-route from UK. Pilot had to take evasive action to avoid a kite encountered on final approach to Runway 25 at Weston. Aircraft subsequently landed without further incident. |
348 Mr. McGuinness asked the Minister for Transport if there is a dedicated auditing unit in his Department assessing and monitoring the day-to-day spend of his Department with particular reference to major projects; if so, the number of staff involved; if the staff have accountancy qualifications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26846/04]
My Department has an internal audit unit, which is currently staffed by three officers. Officers assigned to the unit receive appropriate education and training for the performance of their duties. The unit also has access to consultancy support in carrying out its functions.
349 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Transport the position regarding the validity of the status of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare within the DTSA; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26882/04]
It is assumed the person concerned is a member of the voluntary driving instructor register of Ireland, DIR.
I refer the Deputy to my reply to Question No. 154 of Thursday 14 October, 2004 which sets out the position in regard to existing driving instructors in the context of the proposed regulation of driving instruction.
353 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for Transport if he will take steps to ensure that the railway line which links the two major towns in Westmeath, namely Athlone and Mullingar, is immediately re-opened; his views on whether such a reopening would by in line with the national spatial strategy objectives which advocate the linkage of the three gateway towns of Athlone, Mullingar and Tullamore by way of infrastructural developments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27035/04]
I am informed by Irish Rail that it has no immediate plans to re-open the Mullingar to Athlone railway line. The strategic rail review, commissioned by my Department in 2003, recommended the re-opening of the line as a long-term proposal. The recently published regional planning guidelines for the Midlands Regional Authority also adverted to the strategic rail review conclusions. The alignment is still in CIE ownership and can be opened at a future date if a business case can be proven and resources are available. In the interim both Mullingar and Athlone are well served with both commuter and intercity services.
354 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for Transport the reason Iarnród Éireann has spent only less than half of the transport budget allocated to the BMW region under the National Development Plan 2000-2006; if he will support the re-opening of Killucan Station, County Westmeath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27036/04]
The national development plan covers the period 2000 to 2006 and while the mid-term review of the plan indicated a lower than expected spend in the BMW region, Irish Rail has, since then, commenced or planned a number of projects in the region. The network resignalling project that originally included Sligo has been extended to include Westport and Ballina. As well as the upgrade of a number of stations in the BMW region, Irish Rail also has plans for the automation of a number of road crossings along rail lines in the region. In addition, the rolling stock acquisition programme being undertaken by the company at present will result in higher quality services on all lines into the midlands and west.
I am informed that Irish Rail has been having ongoing discussions with the local bodies and the local authorities regarding the re-opening of Killucan station. The existing station has no immediate catchment area and the discussion has centred around the possibility of housing developments which could improve the viability of the station.
355 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Transport when he proposes to implement effectively the promise made in the programme for Government that investment will take place in expanding the national network of cycleways in order to encourage more persons to cycle and to promote cycling as a safe and healthy mode of travel. [22630/04]
The provision of cycle ways and cycle parking is, in the first instance, a matter for the relevant local authorities. My Department does, however, support the commitment to cycling in the programme for Government, and provides funding to local authorities in the greater Dublin area through the Dublin Transportation Office traffic management grants scheme. The total investment in cycling facilities from 1994 to end 2003 has been €26.4 million. More than €3 million is being made available this year to fund cycle network and cycle parking projects. In the greater Dublin area, currently well over 220 km of cycle network exists in the greater Dublin area. There has been success to date in getting more than 25,000 people, or 4% of morning commuters, to cycle to their destinations. This shows that incorporating cycle lanes as part of Dublin's quality bus network has been hugely instrumental in providing a safer environment for cyclists and in contributing, in yet another way, to modal shift from the private car.
In June 2005, Dublin city will host the 25th anniversary of "Velo-City", the premier international cycling planning conference series that takes place biennially in a European city. Velo-city will be hosted by the DTO, together with Dublin City Council and other state agencies, and cycling groups. As regards developments in other cities, I would point out to the House that in Cork the planning and implementation of green routes, which is being funded by my Department, incorporates the provision of dedicated space for cycle lanes as well as improved facilities for pedestrians.
Other cities are developing their public transport strategies, including the provision of cycling facilities. For example, Limerick City Council approved a cycle strategy for Limerick in May 2004 while the Galway city development plan and the Waterford planning land use and transportation study 2003 include proposals for improving facilities for cyclists.
356 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Transport if he has investigated reports that a Gulfstream jet (details supplied) which was used to illegally transport al-Qaeda suspects to Guantanamo Bay and Egypt, has been recorded as landing at Shannon Airport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24286/04]
As I indicated in earlier replies on this matter to parliamentary questions on 7 and 19 October 2004, my Department has been informed by Shannon Airport management that this particular aircraft, number N379P, owned by Premier Executive Transport Services, a small US airline, has used Shannon airport thirteen times in the last five years, 2000 to 2004. The aircraft has not used any other Irish airport. Each landing was a technical stop, that is, for refuelling or other technical reasons. On no occasion did any passengers join or leave the flight at Shannon.
The aircraft used Shannon once in each year of 2000, 2001 and 2003, and ten times in 2002, and not at all so far in 2004. On these occasions the aircraft was routed from Shannon to airports or airbases in the UK, USA, or Canada.
Furthermore, I understand that the US authorities have confirmed to the Department of Foreign Affairs that the US has not used Irish airports for the transit of prisoners to or from the detention centre at Guantanamo or elsewhere. I also understand that the US side has confirmed that they would not transit Irish airspace or use Irish airports for this purpose without seeking the authorisation of the Irish authorities.
357 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for Transport when the new EU regulation to replace the existing drivers’ hours rules, as set out in Regulation 3820/85 will be finally adopted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27080/04]
At the Transport Council in Brussels on 11 June last, the council reached political agreement on its common position on the Commission proposal to replace the existing drivers' hours rules.
Following this political agreement, the text is subject to finalisation by legal and language experts in all of the languages of the community before the common position is formally adopted. This is scheduled to take place at the Transport Council next December. The European Parliament will then consider the common position in its second reading of the proposal. There is a time limit of three months on the second reading after which a further three months is provided for the council to consider the outcome of the parliament's second reading.
If the council is unable to accept the outcome of the parliament's second reading then the conciliation procedure is invoked with a view to finding a compromise. The whole procedure leading to final adoption, assuming that an agreement can be reached between the council and parliament, is likely to take between six and 12 months.
358 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Transport the process involved concerning the renewal of the contract for the national car testing franchise; if he has given consideration for changes in the existing testing structure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27117/04]
National Car Testing Service Limited holds a ten year contract until the end of 2009 to carry out testing on behalf of the State. The arrangements for car testing after 2009 have not yet been determined in any detail.
The contract provides for independent monitoring of NCTS by a supervisions services contractor, SSC, which involves financial legal and engineering experts drawn from PWC and the AA. The contract also provides for a mid-term review to be carried out by the Minister after the mid point of the contract which will occur in January 2005. It is envisaged that the review will be carried out in conjunction with the SSC and will review the performance of NCTS and address a range of strategic issues including the content of the test, the quality of service provided and the location and number of test centres.
360 Mr. Sherlock asked the Minister for Transport the number of requests for decentralisation in respect of Bus Éireann staff to Mitchelstown, County Cork; and if he is facilitating an early response to this request. [27143/04]
Data received from the Central Applications Facility indicate that there have been no expressions of interest in relocating to Mitchelstown received from Bus Éireann staff. The decentralisation implementation group will submit their views on sequencing and timing of relocations to the Cabinet sub-committee on decentralisation shortly.
361 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Transport if his attention has been drawn to the changes by Bus Éireann in regard to collection points that are causing towns and villages (details supplied) in County Kildare to be isolated with respect to bus services; the plans his Department has to address such problems; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27186/04]
Changes in Bus Éireann services are an operational matter for the company. However, since 10 January 2001, Bus Éireann is required to notify my Department of proposed new services or proposed changes to existing services at least four weeks prior to their introduction. The sole purpose of this notification procedure is to ensure a level playing field between public and private operators from a market regulatory perspective. In considering there notifications my Department makes no judgment on the operational merits of the proposed service changes.
Where a proposal conflicts with a prior application from a private operator to licence a service under the Road Transport Act 1932, Bus Éireann, when notified by my Department, is required to defer the introduction of the proposed service changes until the prior licence application from the private operator concerned is decided. Where there are no conflicts, once the notification has been processed, Bus Éireann is advised that the Department has noted their proposed service change and the company is free to proceed.
On 9 July 2004, Bus Éireann notified my Department of proposed changes to the Number 131 Kilkenny to Dublin service. My Department had no conflicting licence applications for services on the route on hand and proceeded, therefore, to note the proposed changes on 28 July 2004. The 08.15 Kilkenny-Dublin weekday service formerly served Ballytore Cross and Moone, which are located off the main road, and both locations were designated as request stops.
Bus Éireann has advised my Department that the service to these locations was curtailed for operational reasons and the service now operates between Kilcullen and Dublin only. However, following further inquiries to Bus Éireann, the company has indicated that, taking into account safety and suitability considerations, it may be feasible to provide a request stop on the main road on specific services that would facilitate the residents of Moone and Ballytore. I have arranged for the contact details of the relevant official in Bus Éireann to be forwarded to the Deputy.
362 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport the current capacity of the commuter rail services at Kilcock, Maynooth, Leixlip and Confey stations in County Kildare; the extent to which capacity has been increased in the past five years; the degree to which further thoughput of passengers is possible or achievable; if full compliance with health and safety requirements and the relief of overcrowding is being maintained; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27216/04]
Irish Rail has significantly increased the capacity of services along the Maynooth rail line over the past five years and is committed to further increases in line with growth in commuter demands. In particular a step change increase in the order of 35% was implemented during peak periods from December 2003 onwards. This was achieved through the introduction of 80 diesel railcars for use on commuter services.
Plans are currently in place to further increase capacity along the line with the deployment of new units of rolling stock to be introduced during 2005. I understand further service enhancements for commuters along this line are currently being planned by Irish Rail.
363 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport if, in respect of proposed toll roads or bridges, consideration has been given to a design, build and hand-over process which would give the State use of both the revenue accruing and the low maintenance of a new construction for the first 20 years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27217/04]
An integrated design, build, finance and operate approach has been adopted for the implementation of user toll funded public private partnership, PPP, projects in the national roads programme. It is considered that this is the optimum approach in terms of ensuring innovation and value for money in the design, funding, construction, and operation of projects. The separation of the funding and design and construction elements, as suggested by the Deputy, would limit the scope for potential consortia to be innovative in their approach to the funding and implementation of projects.
364 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport the estimated revenue accruing to the owners of toll roads or bridges to date; the extent to which the State benefits from this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27218/04]
Over the period 1990 to 2003 the gross toll revenue, before costs, on the Westlink toll bridge amounted to €261.9 million of which €49.097 million was paid to the State. The NRA has received €14.89 million, nett, to date from the toll on the Drogheda bypass.
365 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport the number of recorded motor accident black spots throughout the country; the most serious of these locations in respect of which no road alignment or other remedial action has been taken; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27219/04]
The planning, design and implementation of national road improvement projects is a matter for the National Roads Authority, NRA, and the relevant local authority. I understand that an extensive programme of engineering measures is funded by the NRA to improve road safety and deal with accident black spots on national roads.
366 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport the extent to which it has been established that the Luas has replaced other modes of transport; if its current users are mainly bus, train or motorcar commuters; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27220/04]
The Railway Procurement Agency, RPA, and the Dublin Transportation Office are carrying out a comprehensive assessment of the effect of Luas on travel patterns. The "Before Luas" survey was carried out in the spring of 2004 and the "After Luas" survey will be carried out in 2005, by which time travel patterns should have become established after the introduction of the new service.
The RPA has also carried out less formal research on its customer base and it is clear that the majority of Luas users are not transfers from other modes of public transport. Apart from car transfers, there also appear to be a significant number of new trips to the city centre for business and recreation. This view is shared by city centre businesses, which report substantial increase in business as a result of Luas.
367 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport if the number of road accidents involving the Luas was anticipated; if so, the extent; if remedial action is likely; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27221/04]
Although several minor accidents have occurred since the commencement of Luas services, none of the incidents to date has resulted in a fatality or serious injury. The RPA is satisfied that the safety record of Luas since its launch has been superior to that of the early days of operation of light rail systems in other cities.
I understand that the Railway Procurement Agency, RPA, and Connex are availing of every opportunity through the media and in direct meetings with community groups to remind people of all safety aspects of light rail operating in city streets. Consultation is also taking place between the RPA, Connex and An Garda Síochána on how to encourage motorists to respect red lights and other road regulations. RPA has also run extensive advertising campaigns relating to safety and further advertising in this regard is planned. There is a corresponding onus on road users and pedestrians to comply with the rules of the road and operate with due care and attention, particularly at traffic junctions.
370 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport if he has quantified the impact of the inadequacy of the Dublin Port tunnel to accommodate higher vehicles with particular reference to the number of such vehicles likely to be forced on to the existing overcrowded streets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27224/04]
The operational height, 4.65 m, of the Dublin Port tunnel will be greater than the operational height applicable in most other EU member states.
It was, and continues to be, the view of Dublin City Council and the National Roads Authority that the tunnel will facilitate almost all of the truck traffic currently using Dublin Port. Two vehicle height surveys of HGVs using Dublin Port have been carried out — one by the Dublin Port Company and one by the National Institute of Transport Logistics. Their results are summarised as follows:
|
Dublin Port Company Survey |
National Institute of Transport Logistics Survey |
|
|
Period of study |
Ongoing (data Oct 02 to July 03) |
One week in May 2003 |
|
Measurement location |
Tolka Quay Road Exit |
All entry and exit points except Tolka Quay Road Exit |
|
Number of vehicles surveyed |
785,580 |
Approx 53,000 |
|
Number over 4.65m (total) |
4725 |
920 |
|
Number over 4.65m (percentage) |
0.60% |
1.74% |
|
Number over 4.65m (average per day) |
24 |
137 |
It will be clear from the foregoing that a very limited proportion of HGVs using the port will not be able to use the Dublin Port tunnel.
371 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport further to Parliamentary Question No. 475 of 16 December 2003, if consideration has been given to transferring negotiations in regard to land acquisition in respect of the link from the N4 at Enfield to Edenderry from Kildare County Council to the NRA in view of the fact that this is the preferred option of the landowners involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27284/04]
As the road — R402 — referred to by the Deputy is a regional road, the acquisition of land in respect of the upgrade of the road is a matter for the local authority and does not come under the remit of the NRA.
374 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport the extent to which he has instructed local authorities to make adequate provision for relief roads or bypasses with particular reference for such in the context of the creation of county, city or town development plans; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27287/04]
My Department has not instructed local authorities in regard to the content of their development plans. The preparation and adoption of local development plans is a matter for local authorities in accordance with the Planning and Development Act 2000. Local development plans must include, inter alia, objectives relating to the provision of transport infrastructure and may include reservations for relief roads and bypasses.
375 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport the number of commuters currently using the rail services from Monasterevin, Kildare, Newbridge, Sallins and Hazelhatch in County Kildare; the extent to which this usage has increased in the past five years; the extent to which further capacity exists; the degree to which overcrowding and compliance with health and safety regulations has been met; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27289/04]
I am informed by Irish Rail that it carries out an annual census in November each year. Based on the census carried out in November 2003, the total number of journeys made to and from the listed stations i.e. Monasterevin, Kildare, Newbridge, Sallins and Hazlehatch was in the region of 1.5 million.
The average annual increase in passenger carryings is in the region of 8%. In December 2003 the commuter capacity on the south west corridor was increased by 30% with the introduction of some of the 80 new diesel rail cars on the route. Irish Rail has plans to further expand services on these routes over the coming years. Diesel rail cars operate the commuter services between Heuston Station and Kildare. On some peak services some passengers are required to stand but the vehicles are specifically designed for commuter operations which incorporates both standing and seating. Also, during morning and evening peaks, services to and from these stations are supplemented by conventional rolling stock which operate the outer suburban services.
376 Mr. McGuinness asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if there is a dedicated auditing unit in his Department assessing and monitoring the day-to-day spend of his Department with particular reference to major projects; if so, the number of staff involved; if the staff have accountancy qualifications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26847/04]
My Department has a dedicated independent internal audit unit in place with four staff members, whose primary function is to review and report on the adequacy and application of the Department's internal controls, including the financial arrangements in place in the Department for the assessment and monitoring of the day to day spend for all programmes and projects.
The work of the internal audit unit is overseen by an independent audit committee, of which both the chairperson and an ordinary member have accountancy qualifications. Responsibility for the ongoing monitoring and assessment of the day-to-day spend and project progress in the Department is primarily the responsibility of the principal officer in whose area of responsibility that expenditure has been incurred, consistent with delegations made under the PSMA.
In tandem with this the finance unit of my Department with four members of staff, undertake an overall co-ordination role in relation to the monitoring, supervision and assessment of the day-to-day spend across the Department, including on major projects.
The Department employs a chartered accountant on a contract basis who has primarily been involved in the installation and development of the Department's MIF system. This system has provided the Department with enhanced financial and non-financial systems and practices including the provision of accurate and up to date quality management information in relation to expenditure by the Department.
377 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if funding will be granted to an association (details supplied) in County Sligo under the sheme for community support for the elderly; the amount of funding that will be granted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26877/04]
378 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs when funding will be granted to an organisation (details supplied) in County Sligo; the amount of funding that will be sanctioned; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26878/04]
379 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if he will ensure that the necessary funding is granted to Gurteen Community Alert, County Sligo as this local voluntary community group are working with and providing invaluable supports for older persons in the region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26879/04]
I propose to take Question Nos. 377, 378 and 379 together.
My Department has received applications for funding under the scheme of community support for older people 2004 from the three groups in question. Applications received under the scheme are currently being processed and grants will issue to eligible community groups at the earliest possible date.
380 Mr. Aylward asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs when the next round of applications for grant aid under the Dormant Accounts Scheme is likely to be advertised. [26935/04]
Decisions on the disbursement of funds from dormant accounts moneys are currently a matter for the Dormant Accounts Fund Disbursements Board, an independent body established under the Dormant Accounts Acts. In June 2004, the Government announced an increase in the overall amount that the Dormant Accounts Fund Disbursements Board may spend from €30 million to €60 million under the initial round of funding.
The board has engaged Area Development Management Ltd., ADM, to administer this initial round of funding on its behalf and the process of assessing and approving applications received is currently ongoing. Up to the beginning of October, the board had approved 133 projects for funding totalling approximately €12.5 million. I understand that at its meeting last week on 26 October 2004 the board considered a large number of applications for funding and decisions in this regard are expected shortly. Over the coming months further allocations will be made by the board up to a total figure of €60 million.
The Dormant Accounts (Amendment) Bill 2004 was published on 24 June 2004 fulfilling a commitment given by Government in December last following its review of arrangements in relation to dormant accounts funding. The Bill proposes key changes to the role of the board and in regard to decision making on disbursements. The Bill is currently before the Oireachtas. Subject to its enactment, a round of applications for funding may be anticipated during 2005.
381 Mr. Connaughton asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs his views on the involvement of Foras na Gaeilge in providing assistance to Irish speakers abroad and in promoting cultural activities, which promote the Irish language; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27057/04]
Having regard to its statutory remit and to its approved business and corporate plans, I regard an involvement by Foras na Gaeilge in providing advice and assistance to Irish speakers abroad and in supporting cultural activities which promote the Irish language abroad as forming an appropriate part of its overall activities. My Department also funds, albeit in a minor way, certain Irish language activities abroad and it is clearly important to ensure that all our activities in that regard do not result in any funding overlaps.
382 Mr. Ferris asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if it is planned to hold a review of the White Paper on Rural Development; and if so, the terms of reference of same. [27196/04]
The White Paper on Rural Development was published in 1999. No decision has been made at this time to review the White Paper.
383 Mr. Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the position regarding a force majeure application made by a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if, in view of the fact that all requested documentation has been submitted, this person will be considered for full entitlements. [26825/04]
The person named has submitted an application requesting that his entitlements be calculated under the single payment scheme measure relating to new entrants or inheritance.
Following processing of the application under this measure, it has been deemed that the more beneficial calculation of single payment entitlements, for the person named, is to exclude the years 2000 and 2001, and as a new entrant to farming, the year 2002 will be utilised for the calculation of his single payment entitlements.
384 Mr. Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the status of an application under the single payment scheme by a person (details supplied) in County Cork. [26826/04]
The person named has submitted an application requesting that her single payment entitlements be calculated under the single payment scheme measure relating to new entrants or inheritance.
Following processing of her application, it has been deemed that the most beneficial calculation is to exclude the years 2000 and 2001, and as a new entrant to farming, the year 2002 will be utilised for the calculation of the single payment entitlement for the person named.
385 Mr. McGuinness asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if there is a dedicated auditing unit in her Department assessing and monitoring the day-to-day spend of her Department with particular reference to major projects; if so, the number of staff involved; if the staff have accountancy qualifications; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26848/04]
There is a dedicated internal audit unit in the Department. The role of the internal audit unit is to give assurance as to the adequacy of my Department's internal control systems. This is done through the performance of systems audits of the Department's expenditure. The internal audit unit also has certain prescribed duties under a number of EU regulations. The internal audit unit has 21 staff, four of whom have accountancy qualifications, two chartered accountants, a CIPFA accountant and an accounting technician. In addition, the unit also has a qualified information technology systems auditor and a postgraduate with a master's degree in agricultural science. All staff of the internal audit receive dedicated internal audit unit training provided either by the Civil Service training and development centre or the Institute of Public Administration.
386 Mr. Neville asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the penalty imposed by the EU for exceeding the national milk quota for 2003. [26899/04]
Ireland's total levy liability for exceeding the national milk quota in 2003-2004 amounted to €9.5 million.
387 Mr. Kehoe asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the entitlements under premium payments to which a person (details supplied) in County Wexford is entitled; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26912/04]
388 Mr. Kehoe asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if a person (details supplied) in County Wexford will be considered for a single farm payment, in view of her special circumstances; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26913/04]
Coughlan): I propose to take Questions Nos. 387 and 388 together.
The person named, having been notified that the circumstances outlined by her did not satisfy the criteria for force majeure or exceptional circumstances under article 40 of Council Regulation EC 1782 (2003), submitted an appeal to the independent single payment appeals committee. Following a full examination of the circumstances outlined in the appeal, the independent single payment appeals committee made a recommendation and a letter issued to the person named on 5 October 2004. The findings of the appeals committee were that the original decision taken by my Department should be upheld. A statement of provisional entitlements will issue shortly to the person named.
389 Mr. Crawford asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the way in which the thousands of farmers who have not received the information on their entitlements regarding the single payment entitlement scheme appeal their case; when the closing date for appeals is 29 October 2004; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27044/04]
The closing date of 29 October 2004 does not apply to farmers who have not yet received a statement of provisional entitlements under the single farm payment scheme. All such farmers will have a period of four weeks from the date of receipt of their statement of provisional entitlements to seek a review. If they are unhappy with the outcome of this review they will have a further two weeks to submit an appeal for consideration by the independent single payment appeals committee. A covering letter confirming this position will issue with each statement of provisional entitlements.
390 Mr. Breen asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if the penalties for over claim which were imposed on a person (details supplied) in County Clare have been taken from his payments and if future payments will be free from penalties; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27054/04]
In 2003 the person named had included a land parcel on his area aid application that had also been claimed by another applicant. The other herd owner had entitlement to that parcel and the person named was, therefore, found to have an over-claim of more than 50% of eligible forage area found. He successfully sought a review of the over-claim penalty and his area was reduced without penalty to 28.59 hectares. Subsequently the person named was found also to have included a parcel of land on his 2003 application that had been submitted by another person to the forestry services for grant aid under the afforestation premium scheme. Consequently the area aid application for the person named was further reduced to 20.48 hectares, attracting an over-claim penalty of 39.60%. This resulted in an overpayment of €2,541.08 under his 2003 area based compensatory allowance scheme, which has now been recouped in full.
The person named was paid his full entitlement of €3,999.60 on the maximum of 45 hectares under the 2004 area based compensatory allowance scheme on 13 October 2004.
391 Mr. Hayes asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if there have been breaches of the regulations by the lamb processing factories or importers, in respect of live lamb imports from Northern Ireland or other sources over the past 24 months; and if so, if she will provide details of same. [27100/04]
392 Mr. Hayes asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the details of regulations and requirements on lamb slaughter factories in respect of lamb exports from Northern Ireland and other sources, particularly in relation to the exact times during which imported lambs may be admitted to a lamb processing plant and her Department personnel which must be present at these times; the responsibilities of these personnel; the documentation which must accompany lamb imports; the nature of the requirements placed on lamb processors and hauliers and those in respect of sheep identification and documentation. [27101/04]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 391 and 392 together.
The trade in slaughter sheep between Northern Ireland and the South is subject to the provisions of a general authorisation which provides, inter alia, that sheep must be identified and certified by the competent veterinary authority in Northern Ireland, according to their health status. There are also administrative requirements that must be complied with, for example, the importer must be registered with my Department as a registered importer and an advance notification must be received at least 24 hours in advance of the import.
Plant management are required to notify the veterinary office by 24 hours advance notification of all consignments of imported sheep which have been booked in for slaughter and they must notify the veterinary office when consignments of imported sheep arrive at the plant. Management at the plant are required to check that imported sheep comply with the requirements of the general authorisation, in particular that the animals are correctly tagged and accompanied by the proper veterinary certification. Any non-compliance must be reported to veterinary office staff. A separate record must be kept by plant management of all sheep imported from Northern Ireland to include: time of entry; registration number of the vehicle; name of the person who delivers the consignment; place from which the animals were collected; the nature of the consignment; name, address and flock number of flock owner or supplier; and then umber of sheep presented for slaughter.
While primary responsibility for recording details of consignments lies with plant management, my Department's veterinary office staff are required to carry out random checks on consignments of imported sheep to ascertain whether the provisions of the general authorisation have been complied with, including checks on the accompanying documentation and physical checks of correlation between tag numbers and details recorded on veterinary certificates.
During the foot and mouth disease emergency of 2001, legislation was introduced to provide for the resumption of trade in sheep from Northern Ireland subject to certain conditions. One of these conditions stipulated that sheep from Northern Ireland intended for slaughter could arrive at a meat plant only between the hours of 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. on the day of slaughter. This legislation has since been revoked. There have been no prosecutions initiated by my Department in respect of illegal imports of sheep in the past 24 months.
393 Mr. Hayes asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if she will provide the statistics on the number of imported lambs from Northern Ireland and other sources being slaughtered at plants here on a weekly basis during 2004 and 2003. [27102/04]
Some 249,000 lambs from Northern Ireland were slaughtered in Ireland in 2003, while 215,000 have been slaughtered so far this year. A weekly breakdown is given in the following table.
|
2003 |
2004 |
||||
|
Week No. |
w/e |
N.I. Lambs |
Week No. |
w/e |
N.I. Lambs |
|
1 |
05/01/2003 |
5,357 |
1 |
03/01/2004 |
3,519 |
|
2 |
12/01/2003 |
11,155 |
2 |
10/01/2004 |
6,151 |
|
3 |
19/01/2003 |
7,881 |
3 |
17/01/2004 |
5,356 |
|
4 |
26/01/2003 |
8,939 |
4 |
24/01/2004 |
5,958 |
|
5 |
02/02/2003 |
5,720 |
5 |
31/01/2004 |
6,177 |
|
6 |
09/02/2003 |
6,060 |
6 |
07/02/2004 |
4,151 |
|
7 |
16/02/2003 |
5,960 |
7 |
14/02/2004 |
4,582 |
|
8 |
23/02/2003 |
3,661 |
8 |
21/02/2004 |
2,748 |
|
9 |
02/03/2003 |
5,291 |
9 |
28/02/2004 |
2,939 |
|
10 |
09/03/2003 |
3,330 |
10 |
06/03/2004 |
3,543 |
|
11 |
16/03/2003 |
2,406 |
11 |
13/03/2004 |
3,535 |
|
12 |
23/03/2003 |
1,927 |
12 |
20/03/2004 |
2,950 |
|
13 |
30/03/2003 |
2,232 |
13 |
27/03/2004 |
1,698 |
|
14 |
06/04/2003 |
2,883 |
14 |
03/04/2004 |
2,722 |
|
15 |
13/04/2003 |
3,041 |
15 |
10/04/2004 |
922 |
|
16 |
20/04/2003 |
3,178 |
16 |
17/04/2004 |
1,537 |
|
17 |
27/04/2003 |
2,972 |
17 |
24/07/2004 |
3,530 |
|
18 |
04/05/2003 |
3,083 |
18 |
01/05/2004 |
7,771 |
|
19 |
11/05/2003 |
3,162 |
19 |
08/05/2004 |
3,128 |
|
20 |
18/05/2003 |
3,494 |
20 |
15/05/2004 |
3,413 |
|
21 |
25/05/2003 |
3,798 |
21 |
22/05/2004 |
3,306 |
|
22 |
01/06/2003 |
3,357 |
22 |
29/05/2004 |
2,592 |
|
23 |
08/06/2003 |
2,211 |
23 |
05/06/2004 |
2,254 |
|
24 |
15/06/2003 |
1,997 |
24 |
12/06/2004 |
2,898 |
|
25 |
22/06/2003 |
1,408 |
25 |
19/06/2004 |
4,014 |
|
26 |
29/06/2003 |
4,132 |
26 |
26/06/2004 |
3,824 |
|
27 |
06/07/2003 |
3,687 |
27 |
03/07/2004 |
3,642 |
|
28 |
13/07/2003 |
4,746 |
28 |
10/07/2004 |
3,628 |
|
29 |
20/07/2003 |
1,876 |
29 |
17/07/2004 |
1,113 |
|
30 |
27/07/2003 |
8,349 |
30 |
24/07/2004 |
4,694 |
|
31 |
03/08/2003 |
5,570 |
31 |
31/07/2004 |
5,269 |
|
32 |
11/08/2003 |
3,007 |
32 |
07/08/2004 |
2,494 |
|
33 |
17/08/2003 |
4,753 |
33 |
14/08/2004 |
3,314 |
|
34 |
24/08/2003 |
5,986 |
34 |
21/08/2004 |
5,937 |
|
35 |
31/08/2003 |
5,994 |
35 |
28/08/2004 |
7,072 |
|
36 |
07/09/2003 |
6,320 |
36 |
04/09/2004 |
6,827 |
|
37 |
14/09/2003 |
6,068 |
37 |
11/09/2004 |
7,856 |
|
38 |
21/09/2003 |
5,916 |
38 |
18/09/2004 |
9,307 |
|
39 |
28/09/2003 |
5,672 |
39 |
25/09/2004 |
12,064 |
|
40 |
05/10/2003 |
6,898 |
40 |
02/10/2004 |
10,734 |
|
41 |
12/10/2003 |
7,748 |
41 |
09/10/2004 |
10,929 |
|
42 |
19/10/2003 |
6,419 |
42 |
16/10/2004 |
12,291 |
|
43 |
26/10/2003 |
5,414 |
43 |
23/10/2004 |
12,829 |
|
44 |
02/11/2003 |
5,382 |
44 |
||
|
45 |
09/11/2003 |
5,306 |
45 |
||
|
46 |
16/11/2003 |
4,350 |
46 |
||
|
47 |
23/11/2003 |
4,809 |
47 |
||
|
48 |
30/11/2003 |
7,088 |
48 |
||
|
49 |
07/12/2003 |
6,358 |
49 |
||
|
50 |
14/12/2003 |
6,268 |
50 |
||
|
51 |
21/12/2003 |
5,209 |
51 |
||
|
52 |
28/12/2003 |
1,385 |
52 |
||
|
Total |
249,213 |
Total |
215,218 |
394 Mr. Neville asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the position regarding renewal payment of farm retirement pension for a person (details supplied) in County Limerick. [27142/04]
The person named is a participant in the 1994 early retirement scheme introduced under EU Council Regulation 2079 (1992), which she entered in joint management with her husband. It is a requirement of the council regulation that any national retirement pension to which a scheme participant — and his or her spouse or partner in a joint management arrangement — becomes entitled must be deducted from the early retirement pension.
My Department was recently informed that the husband of the person named has been awarded a contributory old age pension with effect from 15 March 2002. As required under the early retirement scheme, the amount of his old age pension must be deducted from her early retirement pension and amounts overpaid must be refunded to my Department. My Department has notified the person named of the overpayment and will be in touch with her further as soon as the extent of the debt has been established. The restoration of the early retirement pension will be considered once issues relating to the debt have been satisfactorily resolved.
395 Mr. Hayes asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary will be considered for force majeure. [27192/04]
The person named has been notified that the circumstances outlined in his single payment scheme application does not satisfy the criteria for force majeure or exceptional circumstances under article 40 of Council Regulation 1782 (2003). Following this decision the person named submitted an appeal to the independent single payment appeals committee. A full review of the circumstances of the case will be carried out by the independent single payment appeals committee and the person named will be notified shortly of the outcome.
396 Mr. Hayes asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary will be considered for force majeure. [27193/04]
The person named has been notified that the circumstances outlined do not satisfy the criteria for force majeure or exceptional circumstances under article 40 of Council Regulation 1782 (2003) and has been advised to apply under the new entrant — inheritance measure of the scheme. To date, no application has been received for consideration under the new entrant — inheritance measure from the person named.
The person named has also been advised that he can appeal my Department's decision to the independent single payment appeals committee which will carry out a full review of the circumstances of his case.
397 Mr. Hayes asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary will be considered for force majeure. [27194/04]
The person named has been notified that the circumstances outlined in his single payment scheme application did not satisfy the criteria for force majeure— exceptional circumstances under article 40 of Council Regulation 1782 (2003).
Following this decision the person named submitted an appeal to the independent single payment appeals committee. A full review of the circumstances of the case will be carried out by the independent single payment appeals committee and the person named will be notified shortly of the outcome.
398 Mr. Hayes asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary will be considered for force majeure. [27195/04]
The person named has been notified that the circumstances outlined do not satisfy the criteria for force majeure— exceptional circumstances under article 40 of Council Regulation 1782 (2003) and has been advised to apply under the new entrant — inheritance measure of the single payment scheme.
The person named has been advised that he can appeal my Department's decision to the independent single payment appeals committee who will carry out a full review of the circumstances of his case. Processing of applications for consideration under the new entrants measure of the scheme is ongoing and the person named will be notified shortly of the decision on his application.
399 Mr. Ferris asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if she will make a statement on the future of the Irish sugar beet and sugar processing industry in the light of the current proposals in relation to changes in the EU regime and within the WTO. [27209/04]
Reform of the sugar regime has come high on the EU agenda because of developments at WTO level, other international pressures and having regard to the significant reforms already agreed for other CAP sectors in 2003 and 2004.
Legislative proposals for reform have not yet been put forward. However, the European Commission outlined its broad proposals for reform of the regime in a communication to the Council and the European Parliament last July. At that time it was made clear that the proposals would have serious repercussions for the Irish industry at both growing and processing level and, therefore, that they were not acceptable in their current form. The Commission's proposals are expected to be discussed further at the Council of agriculture ministers later this month. It is my objective to protect the viability of sugar beet growing and processing in this country.
400 Mr. Neville asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the status of Johne’s disease following the change in policy introduced in January 2003 when her Department discontinued culling infected cattle. [27295/04]
Johne's disease is a notifiable disease under the Johne's Disease Order 1955. That position has not changed. Until early 2003, my Department's approach was to slaughter the affected animals and on occasions other animals in the herd, and pay compensation. However, it was apparent that this approach was not effective.
Consequently this approach was dispensed with and a strategic review of the approach to tackling the disease was initiated. It is clear that nothing less than a fully integrated strategy involving all of the relevant stake holders and with each playing a defined role will be effective. Accordingly, the review has involved consultation with all of the relevant interests. The process generated a number of very useful proposals of a practical nature.
It is clear that effectively tackling the problem of Johne's disease can only be achieved over a number of years. The strategy being developed will therefore involve both short-term and long-term elements. My Department, in conjunction with others, is now working on finalising a number of the short-term elements and will shortly be reverting to stakeholders in relation to these. Once this has been done, it is my intention that all elements of the new national strategy will be quickly drawn together. In recognition of the fact that research and the evaluation of a number of diagnostic and screening methods for Johne's disease and the interim provision of diagnostic support at the central veterinary research laboratory will be a feature of any effective national strategy, an amount of €240,000 has been allocated for this purpose in 2004.
401 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the reason there has been a 10% decrease in the use of Irish certified potato seed (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27296/04]
The total production area for seed potatoes in 2003 was 2% up on the area planted in 2002. The two main sources of seed were Irish certified seed and home grown seed. While the quantities of Irish certified seed used in 2003 were down 10% on the previous year, there was a corresponding increase in the use of Irish farm saved seed, resulting in a small overall increase in the use of Irish seed during the year. There was a small increase in seed imports during 2003 for certain ware and processing varieties.
402 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if a part-time co-ordinator will be sanctioned for a policing forum (details supplied). [26778/04]
As the Deputy is aware in December 2001, an independent evaluation of the community policing forum in Dublin's Garda A district, Kevin Street — Kilmainham, recommended, inter alia, that a state funded co-ordinator be appointed to assist in the work of the forum.
Co-ordinators are provided in certain cases for fora through funding under the national drugs strategy. In a reply to Deputy Costello's question on 9 December 2003, I described in detail the operation of such fora, the mechanisms for funding and my plans for the future in this regard. In my reply to the Deputy's question on this topic also on 9 December 2003, I outlined the reasons it was not possible or appropriate for the Garda Síochána to fund the requested co-ordinator.
In May of this year, a delegation on behalf of the Rialto community policing forum, led by Deputy Ardagh met with me to discuss provision of funding for the forum. I indicated at the meeting that I am sympathetic towards the case and very supportive of the good work of the forum. At my invitation, the forum subsequently submitted a written proposal in this regard. Having considered the matter further in conjunction with the commissioner, I still agree that such funding is not appropriate for the Garda Vote. However, I have recently written to my colleague, the Minister for Community, Rural and Community Affairs to consider the matter both in the particular situation of the A district but also in the wider context of co-operation between the Garda and local authorities at community level. I await his reply.
I have also raised the matter with the Lord Mayor of Dublin, Councillor Michael Conaghan when I met with him in September 2004 in the context of his commission on crime and policing in the city. The Lord Mayor has indicated that it may be premature for the city to make special arrangements for one area in advance of the general structures and funding for all joint policing committees and local policing fora being determined following enactment of the Garda Bill. I gather that the city council is not involved in the Rialto forum and is not aware of what structures or processes for accountability to the community are in place. Perhaps this is an area which the forum should explore.
The growth of community policing fora in general needs to be delivered in the context of the development of an appropriate policy framework for what are relatively new partnership structures involving the Garda, local authorities and local communities. Such a framework will ensure that such fora can be appropriately developed in a consistent and properly planned manner rather than the ad hoc way in which they have tended to emerge in a number of different contexts to date.
Work is well under way in relation to the development of such a policy framework which will facilitate progress in this area. The Garda Síochána Bill 2004 represents the most significant legislative reform of Garda structures since the foundation of the State. Included in its draft provisions are mechanisms for enhanced co-operation between the Garda and local authorities through the establishment, on a statutory basis, of policing committees. It is intended that such committees will act as fora where matters relating to all aspects of policing can be discussed and where strategies and recommendations for dealing with issues arising locally can be decided. It is intended that these policing committees will facilitate the establishment of local policing fora to address specific issues in local areas.
403 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if an application by persons (details supplied) in County Westmeath for naturalisation will be expedited; if it will be examined before 2006; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26772/04]
Applications for certificates of naturalisation from the persons referred to by the Deputy were received in the citizenship section of my Department on 7 July, 2004. The average processing time for such applications is 24 months. Due to this lengthy processing time, applications are usually dealt with in chronological order unless there are exceptional circumstances in a particular case for finalising it earlier. I will give consideration to the matters raised by the Deputy and will communicate with him directly in the near future.
404 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position in regard to an application for permanent residence by persons (details supplied) in County Westmeath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26773/04]
I assume that the Deputy is referring to applications for citizenship submitted by the two persons, both Romanians, referred to in this question. The first person referred to was granted temporary leave to remain in the State on 26 August 1999. This permission has now been extended until 15 September 2006. On 30 July 2001 he applied for a certificate of naturalisation in accordance with the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956 and was refused on 16 August 2002 as he did not satisfy the relevant criteria. It is open to him to reapply when those criteria are satisfied.
A deportation order was signed in respect of the second person referred to on 30 November 2001, following consideration of her case file under section 3(6) of the Immigration Act 1999 and section 5 of the Refugee Act 1996. A notification of the deportation order issued to her last known address on 7 December 2001 requiring her to present herself to the Garda national immigration bureau on 14 December 2001. The person failed to attend and was deemed to have evaded deportation.
On 11 July 2002 the second person wrote seeking permission to remain in the State on the basis that she had married the first person concerned on 28 March 2002. As a matter of general policy and practice, such an application will not receive consideration while the deportation order signed in respect of her remains outstanding. An application has been made to revoke the order made in this case. This is receiving attention in my Department at present and a decision will be communicated to her in due course.
405 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the documentation which persons who have neither a driving licence or passport can use as proof of their identity in order to leave the State to travel to the UK; and the reason they should have to pay for a passport when they do not wish to have one. [26799/04]
I am informed by the Garda authorities that for persons travelling within the common travel area, acceptable forms of ID can include a valid passport; driving licence with photograph; international student ID card with photograph; national ID card with photograph; bus pass with photograph; and a valid work identification with photograph.
There is no requirement on any citizen to pay for a passport if they do not wish to have one. However, I understand that some carriers may apply a more restrictive list of acceptable IDs and this is entirely a matter for them.
406 Mr. Gogarty asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if a decision has been made on the case of persons (details supplied) in County Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26814/04]
The wife in question arrived in the State in December 2001 and made an asylum application. She gave birth in March 2002. The husband arrived in the State in April 2002 and made an application for asylum. Both subsequently withdrew their asylum applications and applied for residency on the basis of parentage of the Irish born child.
Following the decision of the Supreme Court in the cases of L & O, the separate procedure which then existed to enable persons to apply to reside in the State on the sole basis of parentage of an Irish-born child ended on 19 February 2003. The Government decided that the separate procedure would not apply to cases which were outstanding on that date. There are a large number of such cases outstanding at present, including the case to which the Deputy refers.
Since the persons in question do not have an alternative legal basis for remaining in this jurisdiction, the issue of permission to remain will be considered but only in the context of a ministerial proposal to make a deportation order. In that context, a notification of a proposal to make a deportation order will issue to the persons in question and they will be given an opportunity to make representations in respect of it. If, in the light of those representations and the range of factors set out in section 3(6) of the Immigration Act 1999, I decide not to make a deportation order they will be given leave to remain on a humanitarian basis. Due to the large number of such cases in hand, I am unable to say at this stage when the file will be further examined.
407 Mr. Murphy asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if funding will be provided to an association (details supplied) in County Limerick to construct a community based child care facility in Broadford, County Limerick. [26832/04]
The equal opportunities child care programme 2000-2006 is a seven-year development programme which aims to increase the availability and quality of child care to support parents in employment, education and training. The progress of the programme was commented upon favourably by the mid-term evaluators of both the regional operational programmes and the National Development Plan 2000-2006 and following the mid-term review, additional funding of approximately €12 million was made available for the child care measures. This brings the total funding available for the programme to €449.3 million.
There has been considerable demand from community-based groups for capital grant assistance under the programme and every county has benefited significantly from grants to provide new and enhanced community-based child care facilities and indeed to support capital developments in the private child care sector. ADM, on behalf of my Department, is currently carrying out an extensive review of the programme's capital commitments to date, numbering more than 1,100 and at a value of €114 million, to ensure that all the grant commitments previously entered into will be realised.
Projects may be awaiting planning permission or the completion of tender processes before reasonable assurance can be taken that they will proceed and if they do not, the funding set aside can be decommitted and made available to another project. Expenditure under the programme covers the period to the end of 2007 and must take place in a planned manner as must grant approvals to ensure that the programme can meet its financial commitments at all times.
In addition, my Department has recently reviewed the different budget lines under the EOCP, including the capital programme, to ensure that the most effective use is made of all remaining funding in accordance with the programme's objectives and this has brought to €157 million the total allocation for the capital development of child care under the present programme. At the same time, an extensive review of child care provision on the ground has taken place to identify obvious service gaps, the filling of which will be a priority using the remaining capital funding which currently exceeds €30 million, of which approximately €25 million is earmarked for community-based not for profit child care groups which provide services for young children to support their parents who may be in employment, education and training.
I intend to allocate the remaining capital funding under this strand of the Government's commitment to child care to address the most immediate service gaps. As a result, all the projects in the pipeline on 30 April 2004 have been reviewed again by ADM Limited on the basis of geographical need, the range of services being offered, value for money and the capacity of the groups to complete a project before the end of the programme in 2007. Those projects which best meet the criteria will receive priority funding from the capital funding which remains unallocated at this point.
I have made enquiries and I understand that an application for capital grant assistance was received from this group on 10 August 2004. This application has been forwarded to Area Development Management Limited which has been engaged by my Department to carry out a thorough assessment against the programme's criteria for grant assistance on my behalf. Given the relatively recent submission of the project, it will not be considered for funding under the current review process I have outlined above but it will be considered for funding should additional capital resources come available. The allocation of any additional funding which might come available to me will also be allocated on the basis of local need, levels of service being offered and value for money. In the interim, it would be premature of me to comment further on this capital grant application.
408 Mr. McGuinness asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if there is a dedicated auditing unit in his Department assessing and monitoring the day-to-day spend of his Department with particular reference to major projects; if so, the number of staff involved; if the staff have accountancy qualifications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26849/04]
My Department has had an internal audit unit in place since 1994. All areas of expenditure in the Department come under the remit of internal audit. The internal audit unit works to an annual audit plan in order to offer the secretary general, as Accounting Officer, reasonable assurance that transactions are authorised and properly recorded and that material errors are either prevented or would be detected in a timely manner.
In line with the recommendations 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. It consists of three external and two internal members with one of the external members serving as chairperson. The committee has met six times since its establishment.
Internal audit unit staff have many years of experience working in audit. Four of the unit's five staff are currently completing the Chartered Institute of Public Financial Accountants accredited certificate in audit skills. Moreover, the internal audit unit has direct access at all times to two professionally qualified accountants who are staff members of the Department.
409 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will review his decision in respect of an application for temporary travel documents in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26859/04]
I refer the Deputy to my answer to Question No. 184 of Thursday, 21 October 2004. My position remains unchanged.
410 Mr. Broughan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will report on the contacts he has had with the UK Home Secretary, Mr. David Blunkett MP and the Northern Ireland Secretary, Mr. Paul Murphy MP, in regard to the illegal import of vast quantities of fireworks into the State and the advertising of these illegal products here. [26867/04]
I have had no specific contacts with the UK Home Secretary, Mr. David Blunkett MP, and the Northern Ireland Secretary, Mr. Paul Murphy, in regard to the matter raised by him.
With regard to the advertising of fireworks, under the provisions of the Explosives Act 1875, fireworks are deemed to be explosives. Accordingly, they may be imported into the State only under an importation licence granted by my Department. It is a long-standing policy that these licences are granted only for organised displays conducted by professional and experienced operators and in accordance with agreed safety procedures. It is not illegal to advertise in this jurisdiction for goods which may be legally sold in another member state of the EU. However, an importation licence is required to bring fireworks into the State.
411 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position regarding the recent drugs seizures (details supplied) in the Clontarf area; the further position regarding seizures in the Raheny and Clontarf Garda districts in the past year and other recent figures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26873/04]
I am informed by the Garda authorities that responsibility for policing the J district, which comprises the stations of Raheny, Clontarf — incorporating the Clontarf postal area — and Howth, rests with the superintendent who is based in Raheny station.
In the J district there is a divisional drugs unit based in Clontarf station, consisting of one sergeant and five gardaí, who deal with drugs issues in the area. This local unit links in with the Garda national drug unit, as appropriate. Details of drugs seizures in the district since 1 January, 2004 are as follows:
|
Drug Type |
Quantity |
Value |
|
€ |
||
|
Cannabis Resin |
70.91 kgs |
496,370 |
|
Cocaine |
411.21 grams |
28,785 |
|
Ecstasy |
16,464 tablets |
164,640 |
|
Heroin |
6.0025 kgs |
1,200,500 |
These amounts include the recent seizures made on the weekend of 23 and 24 October, 2004.
412 Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if his Department has received an application for capital funding from a group (details supplied) in County Monaghan; if the capital grant will be approved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26875/04]
I understand that a capital grant application for more than €1.4 million was submitted by the group to my Department some time ago.
The equal opportunities child care programme 2000-2006 is a seven-year development programme which aims to increase the availability and quality of child care to support parents in employment, education and training. The progress of the programme was commented upon very favourably by the mid-term evaluators of both the regional operational programmes and the National Development Plan 2000-2006 and following the mid-term review additional funding of approximately €12 million was made available for the child care measures. This brings the total funding available for the programme to €449.3 million.
There has been considerable demand from community-based groups for capital grant assistance under the programme and every county has benefited significantly from grants to provide new and enhanced community-based child care facilities and indeed to support capital developments in the private child care sector. ADM, on behalf of my Department, is currently carrying out an extensive review of the programme's capital commitments to date, numbering more than 1,100 and at a value of €114 million, to ensure that all the grant commitments previously entered into will be realised.
Projects may be awaiting planning permission or the completion of tender processes before reasonable assurance can be taken that they will proceed and if they do not, the funding set aside can be decommitted and made available to another project. Expenditure under the programme covers the period to the end of 2007 and must take place in a planned manner as must grant approvals to ensure that the programme can meet its financial commitments at all times.
In addition, my Department has recently reviewed the different budget lines under the EOCP including the capital programme to ensure that the most effective use is made of all remaining funding in accordance with the programme's objectives and this has brought to €157 million the total allocation for the capital development of child care under the present programme. At the same time, an extensive review of child care provision has taken place to identify obvious service gaps, the filling of which will be a priority using the remaining capital funding which currently exceeds €30 million, of which approximately €25 million is being earmarked for community-based, not-for-profit child care groups which provide services for young children to support their parents who may be in employment, education and training.
I intend to allocate the remaining capital funding under this strand of the Government's commitment to child care to address the most immediate service gaps. As a result, all the projects in the pipeline on 30 April 2004 have been reviewed again by ADM Limited on the basis of geographical need, the range of services being offered, value for money and the capacity of the groups to complete a project before the end of the programme in 2007. Those projects which best meet the criteria will receive priority funding from the capital funding which remains unallocated at this point.
I have made enquiries and I understand that the application for capital grant assistance in respect of this project has been reviewed as part of the review process to which I have just referred. I understand that the recommendations in relation to the allocation of the remaining funding are currently in preparation. If a project is recommended for funding as part of this process, its recommendation will be conditional upon its being able to establish that it can be completed within a fixed budget and a tight timeframe. If a project is not recommended for priority funding at this time, it may be considered again should additional capital resources come available and if the project has adequately demonstrated that it would merit funding under the programme during the review process. The allocation of any additional funding which might come available to me will also be allocated on the basis of local need, levels of service being offered and value for money.
I do not doubt that the success of the present strand of the programme and the need to continue to make child care available to support the child care needs of our still growing workforce will support my case for ongoing capital and current funding from Government for this key sector. Should any additional funding become available before the end of the present national development plan, I expect that the programme would again benefit from transfers. The Deputy may be aware that the group in question has previously been approved €190,461 in staffing support under the programme. In the interim, it would be premature of me to comment further on this capital grant application.
413 Mr. Gregory asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number and location of seizures of crack cocaine in Dublin city to date in 2004; the number of persons charged with the supply of crack cocaine in 2004; the number of convictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26901/04]
I am informed by the Garda authorities that there has been one seizure of crack cocaine in Dublin in 2004 to date. This seizure was made in March in the Rathgar area of the city. The amount of crack cocaine seized was just over two grams in weight. One person is before the courts at present in respect of this offence. To date, no persons have been convicted in 2004 in respect of seizures involving crack cocaine.
414 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if the Land Registry Office will expedite a dealing application by a person (details supplied) in County Mayo; and when it will be complete. [26918/04]
I am informed by the Registrar of Titles that this is an application for transfer of part which was lodged on 26 August 2004. Dealing Number D2004SM006989J refers. I am further informed that this application was completed on 29 October 2004.
415 Mr. Coveney asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform when money will be made available for the upgrade of Ballyfeard Garda station, County Cork. [26922/04]
I have been informed by the Garda authorities that there is no application in hand for works to upgrade Ballyfeard Garda station.
Garda accommodation is kept under regular review to ensure that it meets the operational requirements of the Garda Síochána. Where it does not, the required refurbishment or construction work is carried out under the auspices of the Office of Public Works in accordance with overall priorities within the Garda building programme and the availability of financial and other resources.
416 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the reason staffing grant assistance has been discontinued in the case of a group (details supplied) in east Cork; if he will move to re-establish the grant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26937/04]
As the Deputy may be aware, the equal opportunities childcare programme provides grant assistance towards the staffing costs of community based or not-for-profit child care services which have a clear focus on disadvantage. The programme has an underlying economic prerogative in terms of promoting opportunities for parents to participate in education, training or employment. Such applications are assessed against five distinct criteria, as set out in the programme's guidelines, which are as follows: the socio-economic and demographic profile of the area; the general quality of the application; the capacity of the group to implement the project; the level of integration or co-ordination of the service; and the cost and value for money of the project.
With respect to the application referred to by the Deputy, I understand that this group was originally approved staffing grant assistance of €44,441 over one year while the group developed its service and in particular its focus on disadvantage.
The group sought additional staffing funding for a further two years and, in June 2004, was informed that its request had been unsuccessful as it had not adequately addressed the recommendations associated with the previous grant approval and had not demonstrated a clear focus on disadvantaged families, which is a prerequisite for staffing grant assistance.
I understand that the group in question has recently submitted an appeal for staffing grant assistance. This appeal has been forwarded to Area Development Management Ltd. and will be re-assessed in light of all new information submitted in connection with the project. On completion of this assessment process, the appeal will be considered by the programme appraisal committee, which will make a recommendation to me before I make my final decision on the application.
In the interim, it would be premature of me to comment further on this appeal for additional staffing grant assistance.
417 Mr. McGuinness asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the status of a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny; and when a final decision will be made in their case. [26942/04]
I am looking at the matter referred to by the Deputy and I will correspond with him as soon as possible.
418 Mr. McGuinness asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if the deportation order issued in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny will be withheld pending the submission of further vital information in his case and in view of the medical circumstances as outlined by his general practitioner. [26943/04]
The person concerned arrived in the State on 17 December 2000 and applied for asylum. His application and subsequent appeal were refused. He was notified of the Minister's decision by letter of 14 May 2001, in which he was apprised of the options open to him at that time, namely, to leave the State before the Minister decided whether or not to make a deportation order in respect of him; to consent to the making of a deportation order in respect of him; or to make written representations, within 15 working days, to the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform setting out reasons he should not be deported, that is, why he should be allowed temporary leave to remain in the State.
The person's case was examined under section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999 and section 5 of the Refugee Act 1996 (Prohibition of Refoulement), including all representations received on his behalf. On 9 April 2002, a deportation order was made in respect of him.
Prior to the making of the deportation order, representations were received concerning the person's medical problems with an indication that further medical reports would follow. The only medical reports since received were dated 6 October 2004. No new information is provided in those reports which warrant a revocation of the order.
It might be noted that this person initiated judicial review proceedings in relation to the issuing of the deportation order but these were subsequently withdrawn. The deportation order remains, the effecting of which is a matter for the Garda National Immigration Bureau.
419 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the number of cases granted legal aid has been severely curtailed and reduced due to funding restrictions; if a substantial increase in funding for the Legal Aid Board will be provided in 2005; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26944/04]
The level of resources provided to the Legal Aid Board has increased significantly in recent years. For example, in 1997 the grant-in-aid available to the board was €10.656 million. The figure for 2004 represents an increase of almost 73% during this period, and I expect that the funding for the board will be further increased in 2005.
I assure the Deputy that the Legal Aid Board continuously monitors the operation of its law centre network and operates a procedure whereby priority is accorded for certain categories of cases, for example, domestic violence, child care, child abduction and other cases where there are time limits. These cases are dealt with immediately and such applicants are not placed on a waiting list. Such a system for priority treatment is necessary to ensure that persons subjected to domestic violence and cases involving the care of children are provided with a speedy service. It is important to note that in 2003, priority appointments offered by law centres amounted to approximately 22% of the total number of appointments offered to new clients during the year.
In addition, managing solicitors at law centres have authority to give priority to any case on the waiting list at their centre. For example, if an applicant is gravely ill or in cases where an applicant is in danger of losing assets or of losing title to a legal remedy if services are delayed, the managing solicitor can accord such cases priority status.
420 Mr. Gregory asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the action the Garda authorities are taking in response to the concerns of residents (details supplied) in Dublin 1; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26963/04]
I am informed by the Garda authorities that in response to the anti-social behaviour referred to, community gardaí, on the instructions of local Garda management, carried out a covert operation, with a view to targeting those involved.
I understand that as a result of this operation, eight youths were found to be involved in anti-social behaviour and were in breach of by-law 2 of Dublin Corporation (Prohibition of Consumption of Intoxicating Liquor on Streets and Public Places) By-Laws 2000 and are now being dealt with under the Garda juvenile diversion programme.
I am further informed by the Garda authorities the community gardaí along with Dublin City Council representatives also examined a number of vacant flats in the complex which residents believed were being used for anti-social activity. On examination, the flats were not found to be so used. Community gardaí will continue to monitor the position and liaise with Dublin City Council representatives to ensure there is no reoccurrence of the anti-social behaviour.
421 Mr. Carey asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if it is possible to change the signing in day for a person (details supplied) at a prison from Wednesday to Saturday; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26964/04]
The person to whom the Deputy refers was committed to custody on 15 September 2004 having been sentenced to three months' imprisonment for having no insurance. Allowing for normal remission, he is due to complete his sentence on 20 November 2004. As part of the management of his sentence, he was granted temporary release for one week, subject to specific conditions, with effect from Wednesday, 13 October 2004. This period of temporary release was reviewed on his return and I have since approved further periods of temporary release.
With regard to the Deputy's request to change the signing on day for the person concerned from Wednesday to Saturday, there is no "signing on" day per se. The day concerned is the expiration of the offender’s period of temporary release and the granting of one or more periods of temporary release confers no entitlement to further concessions. However, it is open to prisoners to make a request through the governor to have a period of release varied so as to terminate at a weekend. I understand that this was done in the present case and the prisoner was subsequently approved for temporary release until Saturday, 6 November 2004, at which stage his case will be considered again.
422 Mr. Connaughton asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the strength of the permanent Garda force attached to the Garda station in Athenry, County Galway; if there is a holding or security room in Athenry Garda station; if a person apprehended on an offence must be transported to Galway city Garda station; if his attention has been drawn to the growing list of petty crimes committed in the general Athenry district; his views on whether the area is entitled to more gardaí; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26966/04]
I have been informed by the Garda authorities that there is no cell facility at the station. Athenry Garda station is currently undergoing refurbishment and persons arrested are transported to the district headquarters at Mill Street Garda station in Galway city.
In the period October 2003 to September 2004, 31 headline crimes and 50 non-headline crimes have been reported. The corresponding figures for October 2002 to September 2003 are 19 and 59, respectively.
The personnel strength of Athenry Garda station is one sergeant and three gardaí as at 1 November 2004. In addition, resources are augmented from within the district or division as required. Local Garda management are satisfied that the resources currently in place in Athenry are adequate to meet the present policing needs of the area.
Garda management will continue to appraise the policing and administrative strategy employed in Athenry with a view to ensuring that an effective Garda service is maintained. The situation will be kept under review by Garda management and when additional personnel next become available the needs of Athenry will be fully considered within the overall context of the needs of Garda stations throughout the country.
On Garda resources generally, the Government has approved my proposal to increase the strength of the Garda Síochána to 14,000 members on a phased basis, in line with the commitment in this regard in An Agreed Programme for Government commitment. This is a key commitment in the programme for Government, and its implementation will significantly strengthen the operational capacity of the force. The Commissioner will now be drawing up plans on how best to distribute and manage these resources. Clearly, however, the additional resources will be targeted at the areas of greatest need, as is envisaged in the programme for Government. The programme identifies in particular areas with a significant drugs problem and a large number of public order offences, but it will be possible to address other priorities as well, such as the need to significantly increase the number of gardaí allocated to traffic duties. One promise I have already made is that the additional gardaí will not be put on administrative duties. They will be put directly into frontline, operational, high-visibility policing. They will have a real impact.
423 Mr. J. O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the reason for the delay in dealing with an application for renewal of a business permit for a person (details supplied) in County Cork lodged almost three months ago; and if the matter will be cleared without delay. [27056/04]
Renewal of permission to remain in the State to operate a business has been granted to the person in question.
424 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if funding is available for staffing purposes from his Department for a privately run crèche and pre-school (details supplied) in County Mayo. [27092/04]
As the Deputy may be aware, the equal opportunities childcare programme 2000-2006 is a seven year development strategy which is funded through the two regional operational programmes of the national development plan. The programme makes capital grant assistance available to community-based not-for-profit child care groups and to private providers to create new and enhanced child care facilities as well as providing grant assistance towards the staffing costs of community based not-for-profit based child care services that have a clear focus on disadvantage.
The conditions under which staffing funding can be made available to child care services are clearly set out in the guidelines to the programme and in the programme complements of the two regional operational programmes and as such this stream of funding is only available to the community and voluntary sector under the rules of the programme. In the circumstances, it is not open to privately constituted child care facilities to apply for funding under the staffing strand of the equal opportunities childcare programme.
425 Mr. Carey asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position regarding a visa application by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27119/04]
As I stated in my reply to Question No. 259 of 20 October 2004, the visa application in question was approved on appeal on 18 October 2004. The approval number on the application is 1273/10. The applicant should contact the consular office where the visa was lodged to arrange for the visa to be issued.
426 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of new recruits into the Garda Síochána in 2004 and in each of the past three years; the persons who come from Dublin city and county in terms of recruits as against recruits from every other part of the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27120/04]
I have been informed by the Garda authorities who are responsible for the detailed allocation of resources, including personnel, that the following are the intake numbers of students in each of the years 2002, 2003 and to date in 2004.
|
Year |
Number |
|
2002 |
547 |
|
2003 |
687 |
|
2004 |
518 |
I am further informed that the remainder of the information requested by the Deputy is not readily available and can only be obtained by the disproportionate expenditure of Garda time and resources relative to the information sought.
427 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of officers within the Garda Síochána who are from Dublin city and county as against officers from every other part of the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27121/04]
I have been informed by the Garda authorities, who are responsible for the human resource management function for Garda members, that the information requested is not readily available and can only be obtained by the disproportionate expenditure of Garda time and resources relative to the information sought.
428 Mr. O’Connor asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the plans he has to fund further Garda diversion projects in Tallaght; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27148/04]
Garda youth diversion projects are a community-based, multi-agency crime prevention initiative which seek to divert young persons from becoming involved or further involved in anti-social and — or criminal behaviour by providing suitable activities to facilitate personal development, promote civic responsibility and improve long-term employability prospects. By doing so, the projects also contribute to improving the quality of life within communities and enhancing Garda-community relations. I am strongly committed to their continuing development and, as resources permit, their expansion.
There are currently three Garda youth diversion projects in the Tallaght Garda district, KEY in Killinarden, JAY in Jobstown and YEW in Whitechurch. These projects received total funding of €296,420 in 2003. Proposals made by the Garda Síochána to my Department on establishing further projects are examined within the context of available resources. While I cannot give any commitment as to future funding, in the course of the Estimate negotiations now under way I am committed to maintaining and, if at all possible, increasing the resources available to the projects.
429 Mr. O’Connor asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if the policing needs of Brittas, County Dublin are receiving special attention; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27149/04]
I have been informed by the Garda authorities who are responsible for the detailed allocation of resources, including personnel, that the Brittas area forms part of the Tallaght sub-district.
Uniformed gardaí from Tallaght together with the local traffic unit and district detective unit also patrol the area. These are augmented by patrols from the divisional crime task force and the divisional traffic unit.
In addition to Tallaght gardaí patrolling the area, Rathcoole and Blessington gardaí regularly patrol the area as their districts border Brittas. I am further informed that a garda has been allocated as the community rural policing officer for the Brittas area. This ensures that local concerns are brought to the notice of the superintendent for Tallaght. Coverage by mobile patrol and other policing services are effectively provided by gardaí based at Tallaght. In addition, there are one sergeant and four Garda juvenile liaison officers operating from Tallaght Garda station.
Juvenile liaison officers operate in accordance with the Children Act 2001, which came into law in May 2002, and it was at this point that the Garda diversion programme began operating on a statutory basis. One of these officers has been allocated the area of Brittas as part of his or her brief.
430 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of gardaí residing in barracks in Kildare; the proposals his Department has to refurbish the living and other quarters of such barracks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27189/04]
I have been informed by the Garda authorities that there are five gardaí residing in official accommodation in four separate Garda stations, including Clane, Kilcullen, Newbridge and Ballitore. I understand that work commenced recently to provide garage accommodation at the Clane station.
Garda accommodation is kept under regular review to ensure that it meets the operational requirements of the Garda Síochána. Where it does not, the required refurbishment or construction work is carried out under the auspices of the Office of Public Works in accordance with overall priorities within the Garda building programme and the availability of financial and other resources.
431 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform further to Parliamentary Question No. 286 of 12 October 2004, if his attention has been drawn to the fact that an application has already been submitted to his Department (details supplied); when the documents will be issued; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27207/04]
Where the holder of the type of travel document referred to by the Deputy notifies my Department that the document has been lost or stolen, a letter enclosing a standard application form for a replacement travel document issues to the person. The application form furnished to the person in question has not been returned to date. To assist in the matter a further application form has now issued to the person in question and on receipt of same the matter will be dealt with.
432 Mr. Costello asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if his attention has been drawn to an announcement by the British Home Secretary of changes in the criminal law in that country to provide that juries in child sex abuse and theft cases will in future be told of a defendant’s previous convictions as a matter of course; if he has discussed these proposals with the Home Secretary; if such a change in the law is likely to impact on extradition arrangements with the United Kingdom; if, in particular, he will be obliged by section 50(2)(bbb) of the Extradition Act 1965 to direct the release of a person arrested for extradition to Britain, on the grounds that it would be unjust, oppressive or invidious to deliver that person up for trial there under such rules; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27309/04]
While I am aware of the changes referred to by the Deputy, I have had no discussions with the Home Secretary on these matters. In so far as extradition arrangements are concerned, the Deputy will be aware that, with effect from 1 January last, the European arrest warrant, EAW, has replaced previous extradition arrangements between Ireland and the United Kingdom. Those previous arrangements were based on Part III of the Extradition Act 1965. Part III, which included section 50(2)(bbb), was repealed by the European Arrest Warrant Act 2003.
The mechanism of the European arrest warrant is primarily a judicial process and, while based on a high level of confidence between member states and on the principles of mutual recognition of judicial decisions in criminal matters, both the framework decision on the EAW and the European Arrest Warrant Act 2003 provide that the courts retain a discretion to refuse surrender on a number of grounds relating to the protection of human rights and the observance of fair procedures and due process. For example, section 37 of the European Arrest Warrant Act 2003 provides, inter alia, that a person shall not be surrendered under the Act where his or her surrender would contravene the State’s obligations under the European Convention on Human Rights or, subject to section 38(1)(b) of the Act which relates to dual criminality, would constitute a contravention of any provision of the Constitution.
433 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for Education and Science if a person resident here who is offered an approved nursing course in the United Kingdom can obtain a higher education grant from their local authority; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26774/04]
Under the terms of my Department's higher education maintenance grant schemes, students from this State who are attending undergraduate courses in the UK, including courses in nursing, can apply for maintenance grants in respect of approved courses at higher national diploma level or higher, which are pursued in colleges approved for the purpose of the schemes.
Under the terms of the schemes, grants are not available in respect of tuition fees paid at undergraduate level outside of the State. However, all EU students, including students from this State, may be eligible for grant assistance towards the cost of tuition fees from the relevant UK authorities subject to the same conditions as apply to students who have been resident in the UK.
Tax relief has been available for tuition fees paid for full-time, qualifying undergraduate courses in publicly funded universities or similar third level colleges in any EU member state, including the UK, since 1999-2000.
434 Ms B. Moynihan-Cronin asked the Minister for Education and Science when a decision will issue regarding school transport for children in an area (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26775/04]
My Department has no plans to establish a school transport service to the school in question for those pupils residing in the area referred to by the Deputy. The pupils may, if they so wish, apply for concessionary catchment boundary transport and have their applications assessed in the normal way.
435 Ms B. Moynihan-Cronin asked the Minister for Education and Science the reason for the extraordinary delay in her Department in issuing a decision on an application for an extension of a school bus service (details supplied); when a decision will issue; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26776/04]
My Department has recently conveyed its decision to the relevant transport liaison officer.
The Deputy will be aware that under the terms of the post-primary school transport scheme, routes are planned so that, in general, no pupil will have more than two miles to travel to a pick-up point. Furthermore, where eligible pupils attend a school at a centre other than the post-primary centre that caters for the catchment area in which they live, they may be allowed the concession of transport from the catchment boundary of the centre attended, provided there is room for them on a bus serving that centre.
Having considered the distances involved to the pick-up point and the fact that some of the children are living outside of the catchment area concerned, my Department is satisfied that a re-routing of the bus service could not be justified in this case at additional cost to the State.
436 Mr. Gogarty asked the Minister for Education and Science if the National Educational Psychological Service advised against, or voiced concern regarding the weighted system that is now being used to allocate resource hours to schools; if so, the nature of those concerns; the reason her Department chooses to ignore them; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26779/04]
In December 2001, the National Educational Psychological Service, NEPS, produced a position paper on special educational needs as its contribution to the debate on the issue. In the position paper, it recommended that schools should be adequately resourced in the first instance to be able to cater for most of the range of abilities that they could expect to find among their pupil populations. Further resources should be available to schools only when they have identified students requiring further additional support.
This is, in effect, a recommendation for the revised system that has now been adopted by my Department, and NEPS has consistently promoted this system. This approach to allocating resources for special educational needs is substantively in line with current thinking in many European countries.
With regard to the actual details of the formulae to be adopted to determine the allocation for each school under the revised system, several sections of my Department, including NEPS, have been involved in exploring a number of options. There was a range of opinions and the views of all involved were taken into account when arriving at the current system. As I have already announced, I intend to review the revised model with particular regard for the impact on small rural schools.
437 Mr. Gogarty asked the Minister for Education and Science when new building work will commence for a school (details supplied) in County Limerick. [26780/04]
The extension-refurbishment project for the school referred to by the Deputy is at an early stage of architectural planning. It has a band 2 rating.
My officials are nearing completion of a review of all projects which did not proceed to construction as part of the 2004 school building programme with a view to including them as part of a multi-annual programme from 2005. All projects are being assessed against the published prioritisation criteria, agreed earlier this year with the education partners. Each project will be assigned a band rating and the progress of all projects will be considered in the context of the programme from 2005.
Following conclusion of the current Estimates and budgetary process, I intend to publish the 2005 building programme, which will operate in a multi-annual framework.
438 Mr. P. Breen asked the Minister for Education and Science if consideration will be given to sanctioning an extra five hours a week to a special needs assistant at a school (details supplied) in County Clare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26781/04]
My Department received additional documentation in support of the application referred to by the Deputy on 22 October. This will be reviewed by the National Educational Psychological Service, NEPS, as quickly as possible.
The Deputy may be aware that my Department has established a team to review special needs assistant support in mainstream schools generally. The team commenced its task recently. The team is assessing the levels and deployment of such support to ensure that the needs of children are being met in the context of new applications for resources for the school.
I am making arrangements to have this review expedited with a view to having a response issued to Carrigaholt national school at the earliest date.
439 Mr. P. Breen asked the Minister for Education and Science if consideration will be given to sanctioning an extra five hours a week to a special needs assistant at a school (details supplied) in County Clare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26782/04]
I can confirm that an application for an increase in the level of special needs assistant, SNA, support from part-time to full-time has been received from the school referred to by the Deputy. The application is currently being considered and a response will be conveyed to the school at the earliest possible date.
440 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Education and Science the reason a person (details supplied) in County Mayo is not receiving the resource teacher hours as recommended by NEPS; and the action which will be taken. [26783/04]
The application for resource teaching support received from the school on behalf of the pupil in question was reviewed by the National Educational Psychological Service, NEPS.
The outcome of this review was that the needs of this pupil should be catered for under the proposed new system of resource teaching allocation. This pupil's special educational needs, SEN, are in the high incidence disability category and it would be expected that pupils within this category would have their SEN met from within the resource-learning support teaching allocation available to the school. The school authorities were advised of this decision on 23 September 2004. The school had confirmed that the pupil is currently receiving adequate learning support teaching.
441 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for Education and Science if a special needs assistant will be approved for a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26784/04]
My Department is considering an application for special needs assistant support to cater for the needs of a number of pupils in the school referred to by the Deputy, including the pupil in question.
My officials have been liaising with my Department's inspectorate regarding the matter and a decision will be conveyed to the school authorities at the earliest date.
442 Mr. O’Dowd asked the Minister for Education and Science the reason a person (details supplied) in County Louth cannot be given third level grant aid. [26813/04]
Under the terms of the third level student support schemes, maintenance grants are not payable to candidates who already hold an undergraduate degree and are pursuing a second undergraduate degree. Similarly, tuition fees under the free fees initiative, are not payable in respect of a second period of college attendance on a course at the same level. These restrictions apply to every student who already holds a qualification at any level, irrespective of where that qualification was obtained.
As the student referred to by the Deputy already holds a degree in architectural technology, she is therefore ineligible for a higher education grant or to benefit under the free fees initiative in respect of a degree course at NUI, Dublin.
Section 473A of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997 provides for tax relief on tuition fees at the standard rate in respect of approved courses at approved colleges of higher education, including certain approved undergraduate and postgraduate courses in EU and non-EU states. The maximum level of qualifying fee for tax relief purposes in the current academic year, 2004-05, is €3,175. Further details and application forms to claim tax relief on tuition fees are available from the Revenue Commissioners.
443 Ms O’Sullivan asked the Minister for Education and Science if she will consider amending section 7 of the Vocational Education (Amendment) Act 2001 to ensure that representatives of parents of children under 18 years in VEC schools, elected to the VEC are themselves parents of such students; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26820/04]
444 Ms O’Sullivan asked the Minister for Education and Science if VECs will provide parents of children who are students in their schools with the opportunity to collectively organise for appropriate representation on VECs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26821/04]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 443 and 444 together.
The Vocational Education (Amendment) Act 2001 and the Composition of Vocational Education Committee Regulations 2004 represent a new departure by giving a statutory right to parents and guardians to participate in the election of members to VECs. Under the Act parents of students, who have not reached the age of 18 years and who are registered as students at recognised schools or centres for education established or maintained by VECs, may elect two members, male and female, to a vocational education committee. To stand for purposes of these elections, a person must be nominated by five eligible parent electors within the VEC concerned.
The election of parent representatives heralds a significant step in the partnership process when representatives of parents, VEC staff and other relevant community interests will sit alongside elected local authority members on VECs for the first time. The term of office for each VEC corresponds to that of the local authority. Provision is made for parent representatives to have the opportunity of continuing to serve on committees for the full term on the same basis as other elected committee members. This is preferable to parent representatives having to resign on their child reaching the age of 18 years or where their child no longer is a registered student, in the event that such representatives were obliged to be parents.
The legislation does not require that the representative of parents be a parent. While it is a requirement of the legislation that the nominee be supported by at least five eligible electors, it is not required that the nominee himself or herself shall be a parent. This approach is open and democratic and I have no proposals to change it at this stage.
445 Mr. O’Shea asked the Minister for Education and Science her proposals to implement a structured transition programme in cases in which special needs entitlements of students transfer when they progress from primary to second level school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26827/04]
Where pupils with special educational needs enrol in a post-primary school, it is open to the school to apply to my Department for additional teaching and-or special needs assistant support for these pupils.
My Department allocates additional teaching support and special needs assistant support to second level schools and vocational educational committees to cater for pupils with special educational needs. Each application is considered on the basis of the assessed needs of the pupils involved and having regard to a range of factors including the overall resources available to the school.
The level of resources being made available to support students with special educational needs in the second level system has grown significantly in recent years. In the current school year, approximately 1,350 whole-time equivalent teachers and approximately 634 special needs assistants have been allocated to second level schools to cater for students with special educational needs.
The precise model of provision made available will depend on the assessed needs of the individual pupils involved. Some students are capable of attending ordinary classes on an integrated basis with resource teacher and-or special needs assistant support. In other cases, placement in special dedicated classes or units attached to the school may be the more appropriate response. Such special classes operate at significantly reduced pupil-teacher ratios. My Department also supports arrangements whereby students attached to these special classes are facilitated in attending ordinary subject classes on an integrated basis wherever possible.
In addition to the measures I have outlined, I am confident that the advent of the National Council for Special Education will prove of major benefit in ensuring that all children with special educational needs receive the support they require when and where they require it.
446 Mr. Murphy asked the Minister for Education and Science if sanction will be given to a school (details supplied) in County Cork in 2005; and if not, the year in which she expects sanction to be given. [26828/04]
The refurbishment-extension project for the school referred to by the Deputy is at an early stage of architectural planning. It has a band 2 rating.
My Department's technical staff are currently examining the stage 2-3 documentation, which pertains to detailed plans and costs. The school authorities will be kept advised of developments.
My officials are nearing completion of a review of all projects which did not proceed to construction as part of the 2004 school building programme with a view to including them as part of a multi-annual programme from 2005. All projects are being assessed against the published prioritisation criteria, agreed earlier this year with the education partners. Each project will be assigned a band rating and the progress of all projects will be considered in the context of the programme from 2005.
Following conclusion of the current Estimates and budgetary process, I intend to publish the 2005 building programme, which will operate in a multi-annual framework.
447 Mr. McGuinness asked the Minister for Education and Science if there is a dedicated auditing unit in her Department assessing and monitoring the day-to-day spend of her Department with particular reference to major projects; if so, the number of staff involved; if the staff have accountancy qualifications. [26850/04]
A dedicated internal audit unit has been established since 1990 in the Department of Education and Science. The internal audit unit is responsible, inter alia, for establishing that the accounting systems, procedures and controls operated by the Department are being complied with and are capable of realising policy objectives in an economic, efficient and effective manner.
As part of its audit activity, the internal audit unit has, from time to time, undertaken audits of projects/programmes.
The number of staff involved is 5.5. The head of the internal audit unit holds a professional auditing qualification and is a Fellow of the Institute of Internal Auditors.
448 Mr. Broughan asked the Minister for Education and Science if the long promised and much needed physical education facility for a school (details supplied) in Dublin 13 will have its design team appointed on the priority list to be published in the next few months; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26870/04]
The school planning section of my Department is currently nearing completion of an examination of all building projects on hand in line with the project prioritisation criteria that were recently revised in consultation with the education partners. The proposed project for the school referred to by the Deputy is included in this review.
I expect to be in a position to provide an update in relation to the progress of individual projects in the context of a multi-annual building programme. I intend to publish this programme as soon as possible after the budgetary process.
449 Mr. Nolan asked the Minister for Education and Science when approval and funding will be made available for the provision of an extension to a school (details supplied) in County Carlow; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26881/04]
The extension-refurbishment project for the school referred to by the Deputy is at an early stage of architectural planning. It has a band two rating. My Department's officials recently wrote to the school authorities requesting additional information on their submission on stages 1 to 3, which pertains to detailed costs and plans, and a response is awaited. My officials are nearing completion of a review of all projects which did not proceed to construction as part of the 2004 school building programme with a view to including them as part of a multi-annual programme from 2005. All projects are being assessed against the published prioritisation criteria, agreed earlier this year with the education partners. Each project will be assigned a band rating and the progress of all projects will be considered in the context of the programme from 2005.
Following conclusion of the current Estimates and budgetary process, I intend to publish the 2005 building programme, which will operate in a multi-annual framework.
450 Ms M. Wallace asked the Minister for Education and Science if she provided full-time special needs assistant hours to a person (details supplied) with autism spectrum disorder when they commenced school in September 2002 but has not increased the hours now that they have entered first class in September 2004; her views on whether a child allocated full-time special needs assistant hours should be covered for the full school day; if her Department has received correspondence dated 8 October 2004 expressing concern regarding the 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. period not being covered; if, now that this person is at school for an additional hour each day, the full-time special needs assistant approved will be 27.5 hours as distinct from the 22.5 hours when they were in the infant classes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26883/04]
An application for an increase in the level of special needs assistant, SNA, support from part time to full time has been received from the school referred to by the Deputy. The Deputy may be aware that my Department has established a team to review SNA support in mainstream schools generally. The team commenced its task recently. The team is assessing the levels and deployment of such support to ensure that the needs of children are being met in the context of new applications for resources for the school. The review team visited the school in recent days and a report is in preparation. A decision on the application will be conveyed to the school as soon as this report has been received and considered.
451 Ms Burton asked the Minister for Education and Science her plans in relation to the lands at Beechpark, Castleknock, currently occupied by a club (details supplied), in view of the understanding by the club that it is to continue in possession of playing pitches at this site to facilitate both the junior members of the club as well as primary schools in the area; if this arrangement will be continued together with the provision of the multidenominational primary school at this site. [26904/04]
The lands at Beechpark Avenue are owned by my Department and were purchased in order to provide educational facilities for the children in the Castleknock area.
The design of the permanent school building has allowed for continued usage by the club in question. However, in order to construct the building, it is possible that some of this land may be required in the short term for a builder's compound.
The permanent school has been designed in a manner that protects sports usage going forward, and my Department remains committed to putting in place a formal long-term agreement concerning the use of the land by the club in question. When the new school is ready for occupation, it will be necessary to put in place a legal agreement with the school authorities and it is intended to execute the legal agreement with the club at that point.
452 Mr. McCormack asked the Minister for Education and Science if a replacement teacher will be appointed to a school (details supplied) in County Galway; when it is likely that this appointment will be made; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26905/04]
The vacancy that exists in Galway is one of a number of current vacancies to be filled. In advance of a decision on the filling of these vacancies, my Department is carrying out an assessment of the role of the visiting teacher service in the context of the level and range of teacher supports now being provided for children with special educational needs. Account is also being taken of the evolving legislative and structural environment in which the service is expected to operate. I expect that the review will be completed in the near future. A decision on the filling of vacancies will be based on the outcome of the review.
453 Mr. Crawford asked the Minister for Education and Science when directions will be given to the principal of a school (details supplied) in County Monaghan to provide resource hours; the teacher who will provide the hours; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26906/04]
As I advised the Deputy on 20 October, a letter issued to the school authorities on 23 September 2004 confirming sanction of four hours per week of resource teaching support for a pupil in the school. Responsibility for recruiting a teacher to provide this support rests with the board of management of the school.
454 Mr. Crawford asked the Minister for Education and Science the position regarding the application by a school (details supplied) in County Monaghan for refurbishment or extension; when the funding will be made available; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26910/04]
My Department sanctioned a maximum grant level of €200,000 for the school in question as part of a devolved initiative under the 2004 school building programme. The initiative allows boards of management to address their accommodation and building priorities with a guaranteed amount of funding and gives them control of the building project. It is my understanding that the initial grant of planning permission has been received from the local authority, preparatory work is ongoing on the application for fire certificate and tender documents.
455 Mr. Timmins asked the Minister for Education and Science the position on an institution (details supplied) in County Dublin on the list of residencies on the Schedule to the Residential Institutions Redress Act 2002; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26914/04]
In accordance with section 4 of the Residential Institutions Redress Act 2002, additional institutions may be included on the schedule of institutions contained in the Act, providing the facility was subject to inspection or regulation by a public body.
To date, no records have been identified that would indicate that a public body had a regulatory or inspection function in relation to the institution identified by the Deputy and as a consequence it can not be considered for inclusion at this stage. In the event that records are identified that would indicate that a public body had a regulatory or inspection function in respect of this institution, the matter will be given further consideration.
456 Mr. O’Dowd asked the Minister for Education and Science if a special needs assistant will be granted to a person (details supplied) in County Limerick. [26919/04]
My Department has received an application for a special needs assistant, SNA, for the pupil in question. The Deputy may be aware that my Department has established a team to review SNA support in mainstream schools generally. The team commenced its task recently. The team is assessing the levels and deployment of such support to ensure that the needs of children are being met in the context of new applications for resources for the school.
I am endeavouring to ensure that the review and the notification of schools regarding outstanding applications for SNA support are completed in the earliest possible timeframe.
457 Mr. Coveney asked the Minister for Education and Science when his Department will finalise the purchase of a site for a new school in Ballygarvan, County Cork. [26923/04]
The property management section of the Office of Public Works, which acts on behalf of my Department in relation to site acquisitions generally, is in negotiations for the purchase of a site for a new school in Ballygarvan, County Cork. Due to the commercial sensitivities of site acquisitions, it is not proposed at this stage to identify specific sites to be acquired.
458 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Education and Science the reason a person (details supplied) in County Kildare has not been granted resource hours in view of the fact that the person was originally granted 2.5 hours and the fact that the person has been changed from a class of six to a class of 36; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26925/04]
An application for resource teaching support for the pupil referred to has been considered in my Department. The school authorities were informed in a letter dated 19 October 2004 that the pupil did not meet the criteria for specific speech and language disorder in the context of the supporting professional documentation submitted with the application. My officials will provide further clarification in writing to the family on the matter shortly. Meanwhile, my Department's inspectorate will liaise with the school in the context of the pupil's educational needs.
459 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Education and Science the reason there is no special language class in Kildare with speech therapists and where most parents with children with speech difficulties bring their children; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26926/04]
A board of management wishing to establish a special class for specific speech and language disorders should write to the special education section of my Department. The criteria for the establishment of special classes is outlined in Department Circular 9/99 which is available on my Department's website, www.education.ie.
The provision of speech therapy support within specific speech and language disorder classes is the responsibility of the Department of Health and Children.
460 Mr. Hogan asked the Minister for Education and Science if she will review the costings in respect of the extension to a school (details supplied) in County Kilkenny, in view of the substantial shortfall in finances; if she will increase the allocation in order to alleviate the financial pressure on the board of management and parents of this school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26931/04]
As part of an expansion of the devolved scheme for primary school building works, a grant of €100,000 was sanctioned to enable the management authorities of the school in question to provide additional accommodation.
The initiative allows boards of management to address their accommodation and building priorities with a guaranteed amount of funding and gives boards of management control of the building project.
My Department does not intend increasing the amount of the grant offered to the school. This is because a central tenet of the devolved scheme is that the school authority, granted discretion and funding, must equally accept responsibility for prioritisation, control of costs and ensuring value for money.
461 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of children in primary schools with autism, ADD and ADHD; the gender breakdown; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26932/04]
The information requested by the Deputy is not readily available. I have asked my officials to have the available information compiled and forwarded to the Deputy as soon as possible.
462 Mr. Gregory asked the Minister for Education and Science if, in view of the exceptional circumstances, she will re-examine the decision to reduce the staff of a school (details supplied) in Dublin 9 by one teacher based on the pupil numbers of 85 on 30 September 2004 and in view of the fact that two weeks later the school had the required 87 pupils to retain its full staff complement; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27037/04]
The staffing of a primary school is determined by reference to the enrolment of the school on 30 September of the previous school year. This is in accordance with guidelines agreed between my Department and the education partners.
The agreement referred to above can only be deviated from where a school experiences rapid growth in its enrolment. In such cases, an additional post, referred to as a developing school post, may be sanctioned provisionally where the projected enrolment at 30 September of the school year in question equals or exceeds a specified figure. If the specified figure is not achieved on 30 September, sanction for the post is withdrawn.
The enrolment in the school referred to by the Deputy at 30 September 2003 was 59 pupils, which warrants a staffing of principal plus two mainstream posts for the 2004-05 school year. On the basis of projected enrolments, a developing school post was approved provisionally. However, the required enrolment figure at 30 September 2004 was not achieved and accordingly sanction for the post was withdrawn.
To ensure transparency and openness in the system, an independent appeals board is now in place to decide on any appeals on mainstream staffing. The staffing of the school in question for the 2004-05 school year was considered by the appeals board on 21 October 2004. The board, having considered the appeal with regard to the criteria outlined in Department Circular 19/02, was satisfied that a departure from the staffing schedule is not warranted in this case. The board of management of the school was notified of the decision of the appeals board on 21 October 2004. I am sure the Deputy will appreciate that it would not be appropriate for me to intervene in the operation of the independent appeals board.
463 Mr. Gregory asked the Minister for Education and Science the steps she will take to ensure that resource teachers are not removed from national schools with disadvantaged status; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27038/04]
477 Mr. Gregory asked the Minister for Education and Science if small acutely disadvantaged inner city schools (details supplied) will each lose a resource teacher while larger schools in affluent areas, two national schools in Foxrock will between them gain up to seven resource teachers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27153/04]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 463 and 477 together.
I am conscious of difficulties that could arise in relation to the proposed mechanism for allocating resource teachers to primary schools, particularly for children in small and rural schools, if it were implemented as currently proposed.
Accordingly, I will be reviewing the proposed model to ensure that it provides an automatic response for pupils with common higher incidence special educational needs, borderline mild and mild general learning disability and specific learning disability, and those with learning support needs, that is, functioning at or below the tenth percentile on a standardised test of reading and-or mathematics. The proposed model will obviate the need for cumbersome individual applications, while at the same time ensure that pupils currently in receipt of service continue to receive the level of service appropriate to their needs. The review will involve consultation with educational interests and the National Council for Special Education before it is implemented next year.
464 Mr. Crowe asked the Minister for Education and Science if she has proposals for reviewing the supply of resource teachers for primary schools. [27046/04]
465 Mr. Crowe asked the Minister for Education and Science if she has proposals for reviewing the learning support resources for primary schools; and if she will commit herself to ensuring that primary schools in rural areas are allocated adequate numbers of resource teachers and adequate learning support resources. [27047/04]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 464 and 465 together.
I am conscious of difficulties that could arise in relation to the proposed mechanism for allocating resource teachers to primary schools, particularly for children in small and rural schools, if it were implemented as currently proposed.
Accordingly, I will be reviewing the proposed model to ensure that it provides an automatic response for pupils with common higher incidence special educational needs, borderline mild and mild general learning disability and specific learning disability, and those with learning support needs, i.e. functioning at or below the 10th percentile on a standardised test of reading and/or mathematics. The proposed model will obviate the need for cumbersome individual applications, while at the same time ensure that pupils currently in receipt of service continue to receive the level of service appropriate to their needs. The review will involve consultation with educational interests and the National Council for Special Education before it is implemented next year.
466 Ms Enright asked the Minister for Education and Science when renovations will commence on a school (details supplied) in Dublin 7; the nature of the renovations that will take place; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27050/04]
The building project for the school referred to by the Deputy has been cleared to advanced architectural planning. It has a band 1 rating. My officials are nearing completion of a review of all projects which did not proceed to construction as part of the 2004 school building programme including the school in question with a view to including them as part of a multi-annual programme from 2005. All projects are being assessed against the published prioritisation criteria, agreed earlier this year with the education partners. Each project will be assigned a band rating and the progress of all projects will be considered in the context of the programme from 2005.
Following conclusion of the current Estimates and budgetary process, I intend to publish the 2005 building programme which will operate in a multi-annual framework. The nature of the renovations at the school which will be considered for funding under the Department's capital programme includes refurbishing the front section of the building, demolishing part of the existing buildings at the rear of the school and to build a new section to provide additional accommodation.
467 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science if a school (details supplied) in Dublin 4 will be allocated the additional special needs assistants it needs in order to provide a quality education service. [27086/04]
My Department has received an application for special needs assistant, SNA, support to cater for the care needs of a pupils in the school. The school currently has an enrolment of 56 pupils and the staffing complement consists of a principal, 11 mainstream class teachers and 14 full-time SNAs. The application for additional SNA support is being considered in light of the current resources at the school and the recommended level of support as outlined in the report of the special education review committee. The recommended pupil teacher ratio for schools designated for physically disabled children is 10:1 and the recommended ratio for SNA support is one SNA for every class. A decision relating to the application will be conveyed to the school authorities shortly.
468 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Education and Science the entitlements of a teacher (details supplied) in view of the new resurgence in part-time teachers’ payments. [27088/04]
The Protection of Employees (Part-Time Work) Act came into operation on 20 December 2001 and provides that a part-time employee has a pro rata entitlement to the conditions of employment of a qualified full-time employee.
In the context of implementation of the Act a collective agreement was reached with the teacher unions in July 2003 which provides for pro-rata pay and conditions of service for fully qualified part-time teachers in line with those enjoyed by comparable full-time teachers with effect from 20 December 2001. The terms of that agreement were implemented in schools from the commencement of the 2003-04 school year.
Arising from discussions between my Department, ACCS and teacher unions, arrangements have now been agreed for an interim payment of arrears in respect of the period 20 December 2001 to the commencement of the 2003-04 school year to be issued shortly by schools to qualified part-time teachers, including the teacher referred to by the Deputy, who were employed in the period concerned and are covered by the agreement.
469 Mr. Deasy asked the Minister for Education and Science the reason part-time special needs assistants are on a different rate of pay to full-time special needs assistants; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27103/04]
All special needs assistants employed in primary schools are paid on an incremental salary scale. Part time special needs assistants are paid a salary based on the hours that they actually work.
My Department has recently revised the rate of pay for all part time special needs assistants in primary schools and issued any arrears due for the period 1 September to 18 October 2004 in the salaries paid on 21 October 2004. A insert issued with the payslip notifying the part-time special needs assistants of the adjustment in pay and advising them of the relevant circular outlining the details. A copy of the circular is attached for the Deputy's information. Similar arrangements are currently been finalised for special needs assistants that work in post primary schools and a circular outlining the relevant details will be issued when this process is complete.
470 Ms Enright asked the Minister for Education and Science her views on the report of the Arts Council, A Professional Dance Curriculum for Ireland; the steps she intends to take in view of this report; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27104/04]
I am aware of the report, A Professional Curriculum for Dance, published by the Arts Council in August 2004. It recommends the establishment of a curriculum providing academic studies and vocational training in ballet and contemporary dance for pupils in the 12-18/19 age group, and which would provide progression to a higher education Irish national diploma of dance. The proposal envisages a heavy load for students of 35 to 37 hours study per week, between dance and academic studies. My Department does not consider that it is a priority to establish a specialised dance school for this age group.
The primary objective of second level education is to ensure that students receive a broadly based education which balances their schooling with social and leisure time, enables young people to make the transition through adolescence to adulthood, prepares them for social and economic participation, and equips them for entry to a range of career options. My Department would have concerns with the model proposed in terms of plans to reduce the period of time spent on "academic studies" to a level of 20 hours per week, and in regard to the heavy combined workload proposed for pupils who are still at a young age.
In addition, it would be important to establish the level of demand which exists in Ireland for such a service for this age group.
471 Mr. Crawford asked the Minister for Education and Science if a teacher qualifying from a college (details supplied) in Belfast as a secondary school teacher can take up a job as a resource or remedial teacher in a primary school on a full salary; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27115/04]
Secondary trained teachers who have qualified outside the State must register with the registration council which is the statutory body which determines, with the approval of the Minister for Education and Science, the qualification requirements for the purpose of registration as a secondary teacher. Applications for the recognition of qualifications for the purpose of registration are considered by the council at meetings which take place on a periodic basis. In order for the council to assess the suitability of qualifications for teaching purposes, full details of the courses of study pursued must be submitted. If the person to whom the Deputy refers makes contact with the secretariat of the registration council at the offices of my Department in Athlone, he or she will be advised as to how to apply for recognition of the qualifications in question.
Qualifications recognised for the purposes of teaching at second level are not accepted for the purpose of recognition to teach in a permanent capacity in primary schools. At primary level teachers are class teachers, rather than subject specialists, and must be qualified to teach the range of primary school subjects to children aged four to 12 years. To obtain recognition to teach in mainstream primary schools, persons holding qualifications recognised for teaching at second level must undergo a post-graduate primary conversion course.
However, under a temporary scheme currently being operated by my Department to address the shortage of qualified teachers at primary level, teachers holding qualifications recognised for teaching at second level are remunerated at the trained rate of pay when they take up substitute or temporary positions in primary schools. Under this scheme such teachers are eligible for posts as resource teachers for children with special needs in mainstream schools, but are not eligible to hold learning support, remedial, posts in mainstream schools. Remuneration for these posts is on a qualified teacher basis.
Teachers holding qualifications recognised for teaching at second level are also entitled to restricted recognition to teach in special primary schools where a proportion of the pupils attending the special school are of post-primary age, that is, 12 years or older, and where second level programmes are being provided by the school, for example junior certificate elementary programme, leaving certificate applied programme. If appointed to such posts, the teachers concerned are placed on the trained teachers' common basic scale.
472 Mr. Healy asked the Minister for Education and Science the steps she intends to take to ensure second level education for a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary who has been refused admission to first year in two secondary schools in their home town. [27145/04]
The parents of the person referred to by the Deputy have been in contact with my Department. They have been advised of their right to appeal the refusals to enrol under section 29 of the Education Act 1998. An appeals application form and a copy of the procedures for hearing and determining appeals under section 29 of the Education Act 1998 has issued to the parents.
The National Educational Welfare Board is aware of this case and the educational welfare officer for the area is actively engaged in assisting the parents to secure a school place for their son.
473 Mr. O’Connor asked the Minister for Education and Science if she will report on the implementation of the Youth Work Act 2001; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27146/04]
474 Mr. O’Connor asked the Minister for Education and Science if the appointment of a youth development officer in the Tallaght west area will be considered; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27147/04]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 473 and 474 together.
The Youth Work Act 2001 was enacted on 1 December 2001 and provides a statutory basis for the development of youth work in Ireland. The Act provides a legal framework for the provision of youth work programmes and services to be organised by the Minister for Education and Science, the vocational education committees and national and regional youth work organisations.
It was never the intention that the Act would be implemented fully at once. Section 1 of the Act provides for sections to be commenced at different stages. To date, sections 2 to 7, 17, 18 and 24 have been commenced. A sub-committee of the National Youth Work Advisory Committee was established to make recommendations on the requirements necessary for the implementation of the various sections of the Act. This sub-committee comprises representatives of both statutory and voluntary sectors, as well as my Department. The work of this sub-committee is ongoing and it is currently developing detailed guidelines and procedures for the further implementation of the Act.
It is considered essential to have agreement between all the interested parties on the necessary procedures, and to have these in place so that further implementation of the Act can take place in a satisfactory and structured manner. It is intended that further discussions will take place with the various parties involved. The implementation of further sections of the Act will be dependent also on the availability of the appropriate financial resources. The appointment of youth development officers in vocational educational committee areas will be considered as part of the overall implementation process.
I want to assure the Deputy of my support for the youth work sector and to say that it is my intention to make every effort to secure additional funding for the implementation of the Act through the 2005 Estimates process.
475 Mr. Crawford asked the Minister for Education and Science if her attention has been drawn to the fact that teachers and pupils working in the science department at a school (details supplied) in County Monaghan have to work in classrooms where the windows are in extremely poor condition; if the necessary funds will be made available to do the necessary repairs for the sake of the children especially; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27151/04]
The school authority in question was allocated a grant of €370,200 in July 2004 on a devolved basis for science laboratory refurbishment. It is not the practice of my Department to increase the amount of a devolved grant that has already been allocated to a school. It is a matter for school authorities and their design teams to tailor the overall projects to suit the grant amount allocated.
A central tenet of the devolved scheme is that a school authority granted discretion and guaranteed funding to enable immediate progress on its accommodation needs, must equally accept responsibility for prioritisation, control of costs and ensuring value for money. The school in question has been notified of the summer works scheme 2005.
476 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science , further to Parliamentary Question No. 146 of 12 October 2004, if Fingal County Council will reserve a secondary school site in the Castleknock electoral area as much of the increased population in the Dublin 15 area will be in this general locale and nowhere near the proposed sites in Mulhuddart-Tyrellstown and Castaheany-Ongar. [27152/04]
Officials in school planning section of my Department are monitoring the educational requirements at primary and post primary level in Dublin 15 on an ongoing basis. My Department is in regular consultation with Fingal County Council and current providers on this matter.
My Department is satisfied that it is not necessary to reserve a site for a post primary school in the Castleknock electoral area at this point. This is because of the additional capacity to be provided by the construction of the new post primary school at Phibblestown and the greater mobility of students of post primary age. However, I can assure the Deputy that the unfolding situation in the area will be kept under constant review by school planning section.
478 Ms Enright asked the Minister for Education and Science the reason for the delay in the construction of Athy Community College; when she expects it to commence; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27156/04]
The new school building project for the school referred to by the Deputy is at an early stage of architectural planning. It has a band three rating.
My officials are nearing completion of a review of all projects which did not proceed to construction as part of the 2004 school building programme with a view to including them as part of a multi-annual programme from 2005. All projects are being assessed against the published prioritisation criteria, agreed earlier this year with the education partners. Each project will be assigned a band rating and the progress of all projects will be considered in the context of the programme from 2005.
Following conclusion of the current estimates and budgetary process I intend to publish the 2005 building programme which will operate in a multi-annual framework.
479 Ms Enright asked the Minister for Education and Science when she intends to meet a delegation from Athy Town Council to discuss the delay in the construction of Athy community college; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27157/04]
I am not aware of a request from Athy Town Council to meet with a delegation to discuss the provision of a new school building for Athy community college. The building project for the school is at early architectural planning and it has a band three rating.
The position generally is that my officials are nearing completion of a review of all projects which did not proceed to construction as part of the 2004 school building programme with a view to including them as part of a multi-annual programme from 2005. All projects are being assessed against the published prioritisation criteria, agreed earlier this year with the education partners. Each project will be assigned a band rating and the progress of all projects, including Athy community college, will be considered in the context of the programme from 2005.
Following conclusion of the current estimates and budgetary process, I intend to publish the 2005 building programme which will operate in a multi-annual framework
480 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Education and Science if her attention has been drawn to the fact that there are 160 pupils in a school (details supplied) in County Sligo which was built to accommodate four teachers and has a projected number of 180 pupils for 2005-06, and another teacher; when a new school will be built; the details of the negotiations to date; her views on whether the present facilities are inadequate; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27202/04]
The extension-refurbishment project for the school referred to by the Deputy is at an early stage of architectural planning. It has a band two rating.
My Department's technical staff are currently examining the stage 1-2 documentation, site suitability-sketch scheme. The school authorities will be kept advised of developments. My officials are nearing completion of a review of all projects which did not proceed to construction as part of the 2004 school building programme with a view to including them as part of a multi-annual programme from 2005. All projects are being assessed against the published prioritisation criteria, agreed earlier this year with the education partners. Each project will be assigned a band rating and the progress of all projects will be considered in the context of the programme from 2005.
Following conclusion of the current Estimates and budgetary process I intend to publish the 2005 building programme which will operate in a multi-annual framework.
481 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Education and Science the applications lodged in her Department from 1997 to 2004 for refurbishment works to be carried out on schools in Counties Sligo and Leitrim; the schools in Counties Sligo and Leitrim at which refurbishment works have been carried out since 1997; the cost of the works; if all applications will be sanctioned; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27203/04]
The Deputy may be aware that since 1997-8 school year all primary schools receive an annual allocation for minor capital works. The rate of payment is €3809.21 per school plus €12.70 per pupil. Funding of €8.7 million and €20 million was provided in respect of primary and post primary schools respectively in County Sligo from 1999 to date. Funding of €5.7 million and €2.5 million was provided in respect of primary and post primary schools, respectively, in County Leitrim from 1999 to date. Details of individual schools which benefited is being compiled and will be forwarded to the Deputy.
All applications for capital works are currently being reviewed and being assigned a band rating in accordance with recently revised criteria with a view to inclusion in a multi-annual programme. The information in relation to Counties Leitrim and Sligo will be included as part of this publication .
Following conclusion of the current estimates and budgetary process I intend to publish the 2005 building programme which will operate in a multi- annual framework.
482 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Education and Science the progress made on the application submitted for a school (details supplied) in County Sligo for grant aid for major capital improvement works; when it will be approved in view of the inadequate facilities that exist; the progress made on its application for temporary accommodation; the reason for the delays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27205/04]
An application for grant aid towards an extension and refurbishment has been received from the management authority of the school referred to by the Deputy.
My officials are nearing completion of a review of all projects which did not proceed to construction as part of the 2004 school building programme with a view to including them as part of a multi-annual programme from 2005. Each project will be assigned a band rating and the progress of all projects will be considered in the context of the multi-annual programme. The accommodation needs of the school referred to are being considered as part of this review.
Following conclusion of the current Estimates and budgetary process I intend to publish the 2005 building programme which will operate in a multi- annual framework.
483 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Education and Science if the higher education grant aid will be approved for a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27304/04]
The decision on eligibility for third level grants is a matter for the relevant local authority or VEC. These bodies do not refer individual applications to my Department except, in exceptional cases, where, for example, advice or instruction regarding a particular clause in the relevant scheme is desired. No such advice or instruction has, to date, been sought in the case of the student, referred to by the Deputy.
My Department understands from Sligo County Council, the body responsible for assessing the application in this instance, that further information has been requested from the student and that a decision on the application cannot be finalised until the requested information is submitted and processed. If an individual applicant considers that s/he has been unjustly refused a maintenance grant, or that the rate of grant awarded is not the correct one, she or he may appeal to the relevant local authority or VEC.
Where an individual applicant has had an appeal turned down, in writing, by the relevant local authority or VEC, and remains of the view that the body has not interpreted the schemes correctly in his or her case, a letter outlining the position may be sent to my Department. Alternatively, as already indicated, the local authority or VEC may, itself, in exceptional circumstances, seek clarification on issued from my Department. However, it is not open to me, or my Department, to depart from the terms of the maintenance grants schemes in individual cases.
484 Mr. Costello asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of former residential institutions for children which have been designated under the Residential Institutions Redress Act 2002; the number under Catholic management; the number under Protestant management; the number under State management; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27305/04]
For an institution to be placed on the Schedule to the Residential Institutions Redress Act 2002, the facility must have been subject to inspection or regulation by a public body. 128 institutions are listed on the original schedule to the Act. An order will be signed shortly providing for an further 13 institutions to be added to the Schedule.
The religious ethos of an institution was not a deciding factor in placing a facility on the schedule and, in the circumstances, my Department did not require full details of the religious ethos of all the facilities listed. However records within my Department would indicate that approximately 99 of the 141 institutions were under Catholic management with the remaining 42 being run either by the State or non-Catholic bodies.
485 Ms O’Sullivan asked the Minister for Education and Science if it is proposed to reduce the number of courses provided at an institute (details supplied) in County Mayo; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27306/04]
The institutes of technology are statutory bodies established under the Regional Technical Colleges Acts 1992-1999 and the Dublin Institute of Technology Acts 1992 and 1994. Under the terms of these Acts, the governance and day-to-day activities of the Institutes, including the number of approved courses that Institutes wish to deliver in particular locations, are matters for which the governing bodies and the management staff of the institutes are responsible.
While proposals for new courses and proposed alterations to previously approved courses are subject to my approval in the context of the annual programmes and budgets process, decisions to discontinue delivery of previously approved courses are operational matters for the Institutes in the context of their regular internal reviews of course provision.
If an Institute decided to significantly reduce course provision in a particular campus it would normally inform my Department of the decision in advance of any such reduction. My Department is not aware of any proposal by Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology to reduce the number of courses provided in the institute's Castlebar campus.
486 Mr. McGuinness asked the Minister for Defence if there is a dedicated auditing unit in his Department assessing and monitoring the day to day spend of his Department with particular reference to major projects; if so, the number of staff involved; if the staff have accountancy qualifications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26851/04]
My Department has a dedicated internal audit unit which carries out a range of audits each year in order to provide assurance on the adequacy of controls in operation in the various areas of activity of the Department. The internal audit unit works to an annual plan which is approved by the secretary general and which comprises a range of audits of military stores and systems audits of expenditure programmes, including, from time to time, audits of major capital projects. The audit unit currently has a staff of 15, all of whom have received appropriate training to carry out their work. None of the staff is a qualified accountant.
487 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Defence the number of swimming clubs using the Curragh swimming pool; if he has satisfied himself that the pool is being used to its capacity; if not, his plans to exploit the use of the pool and the hours it is opened; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27166/04]
488 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Defence the number of schools using the Curragh swimming pool; if he has satisfied himself that the pool is being used to its maximum capacity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27167/04]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 487 and 488 together.
To date, a total of 14 schools have been granted permission to use the Curragh swimming pool. At present, the pool is open each weekday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. It is intended to further expand the use of the facility as soon as possible and arrangements will then be made to permit local swimming clubs and other groups to use the pool.
489 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Defence the position regarding the handing over of Orchard Park, The Curragh, to Kildare County Council; the position in regard to the urgent repairs needed to paths and roads within the estate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27168/04]
In line with normal practice, Kildare County Council has been requested to take in charge the roads and services at Orchard Park. In the interim, the Department will continue to be responsible for the maintenance of the roads and footpaths and in that regard a contractor will shortly be engaged to carry out the necessary repairs.
490 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Defence the proposals to upgrade the residential quarters on the Curragh Camp for full-time members of the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27169/04]
The refurbishment of living quarters is an integral part of my Department's building plans. Major contracts to improve the standard of accommodation in the Curragh were placed in recent years as part of the barracks reinvestment plan for the Defence Forces. These included contracts to the value of €5 million approximately in Connolly Barracks, students, and Clarke Barracks, other ranks. In addition, minor accommodation upgrade contracts to a total value of approximately €600,000 were carried out within the Curragh Camp, together with a €1.2 million refurbishment of accommodation at nearby Coolmoney Camp. The capital works programme for 2005 includes a €1.5 million project to provide modern living in/courses and transit accommodation in Connolly Barracks. I am committed to the ongoing development of accommodation facilities in the Curragh and throughout the Defence Forces generally and improvements will continue to be carried out in the light of competing demands and availability of financial resources.
My Department's policy on married quarters has been set out on many occasions previously and this policy of discontinuing them in a managed and orderly manner, save in exceptional circumstances, will continue in the future.
491 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Defence the amount of pension money withheld by his Department and due to overholders; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27170/04]
The total amount of pension withheld by my Department under the Defence Forces pensions schemes from persons in unauthorised occupation of married quarters is approximately €330,000, net of income tax, PRSI, overholding and electricity charges.
492 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Defence if, further to previous parliamentary questions in regard to overholders, progress has been made in relation to having the matter resolved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27171/04]
Personnel on being discharged from the Permanent Defence Force are obliged to vacate married quarters within a short period of the dates of their discharge. The provision of housing is primarily a matter for the local authorities and married military personnel have an equal claim on such housing as other members of the community in the same income category.
The individuals overholding 54 married quarters were written to in August, 2002, and requested to vacate the properties. To date seven of the quarters have been vacated and three others have been purchased by the occupants. A further eight of the properties have been offered for sale and a number of those sales are likely to be finalised in the near future.
My Department is continuing to examine all options, including affordable housing and voluntary and co-operative housing schemes, in relation to the re-housing of those overholders who would in the normal way be eligible for local authority housing. The Department will remain in contact with the overholders pending resolution of the issue.
493 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Defence the number of craft personnel trained by FÁS specifically for the Defence Forces over each of the past three years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27172/04]
The number of Defence Force personnel who underwent training with FÁS over the past three years is as follows:
|
Year |
Army |
Naval Service |
Air Corps |
|
2002 |
95 |
Figures not readily available |
Nil |
|
2003 |
140 |
57 |
Nil |
|
2004 |
139 |
39 |
Nil |
494 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Defence the number of craft personnel within the Defence Forces; the number of apprentices accepted into the Defence Forces over each of the past three years; the way in which this compares with the years during which the Army apprenticeship school was in existence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27173/04]
The number of enlisted personnel in receipt of additional pay in respect of filling a technical appointment within the Defence Forces as at 1 November 2004 is 4,629. In total, 73 Air Corps apprentices have been enlisted in the Permanent Defence Force over the last three years. At present, a competition is underway from which it is intended to enlist a further 15 Air Corps apprentices.
Prior to the closure of the Army Apprentice School on 30 September 1998 the number of apprentices who qualified in the Defence Forces in each of the previous four years were as follows:
|
Trade Category |
1995 |
1996 |
1997 |
1998 |
|
Electricians |
9 |
8 |
5 |
— |
|
Fitter Turners |
9 |
4 |
5 |
6 |
|
Motor Mechanics |
4 |
6 |
9 |
— |
|
Radio Technicians |
3 |
3 |
6 |
3 |
|
Carpenters |
8 |
8 |
8 |
— |
|
Electricians Servicers Technicians |
— |
3 |
— |
2 |
|
Total |
33 |
32 |
33 |
11 |
With the closure of the Army Apprentice School, Army trainee technicians attend at FÁS courses and-or courses provided by the various regional technical colleges-institutes of technology, as had been the situation with Naval Service apprentices.
The number of Defence Force personnel who underwent training with FÁS over the past three years is as follows:
|
Year |
Army |
Naval Service |
Air Corps |
|
2002 |
95 |
Figures not readily available |
Nil |
|
2003 |
140 |
57 |
Nil |
|
2004 |
139 |
39 |
Nil |
I am satisfied with the level of apprentice and trainee technicians training over the last number of years.
495 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Defence the present strength of the Defence Forces; the number of new recruits for each of the past two years; the number of men and the number of women recruited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27174/04]
The White Paper on Defence of February 2000 sets out a figure of 10,500 personnel for the Permanent Defence Force, comprising 930 for the Air Corps, 1,144 for the Naval Service and 8,426 for the Army.
On 30 September 2004, the most recent date for which figures are available, the actual total strength of the Permanent Defence Force was 10,419. The number of general service recruits enlisted in each of the past two years is as follows:
|
Year |
Males |
Females |
Total |
|
2003 |
393 |
43 |
436 |
|
2004 |
254 |
24 |
278 |
It is my intention to maintain the established Government policy of ongoing recruitment to the Defence Forces to fill vacancies as required.
496 Mr. Neville asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government when approval will issue of the chosen firm’s fee proposal for recruitment of a consultant engineer to prepare the detailed design and contract documents for the Patrickswell-Adare sewerage scheme; and when the scheme is scheduled to commence construction. [26836/04]
The Adare and Patrickswell sewerage scheme is being advanced as a grouped project and is included in my Department's water services investment programme 2004-06 to commence construction in 2005. My Department has approved Limerick County Council's brief for the appointment of consultants to prepare detailed design and contract documents for both elements of the scheme. The council's fee proposal for the selected consultants is under examination in the Department and will be dealt with as quickly as possible.
497 Mr. McGuinness asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if there is a dedicated auditing unit in his Department assessing and monitoring the day-to-day spend of his Department with particular reference to major projects; if so, the number of staff involved; if the staff have accountancy qualifications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26852/04]
My Department has an internal audit unit which, is responsible for giving assurance to the accounting officer on the existence, adequacy and effectiveness of the Department's internal control and risk management systems. In discharging this responsibility the Unit carries out a programme of systems-based audits in all areas of the Department. In compliance with EU regulations this unit also audits the manner in which the Department manages EU co-funded operations including major projects.
Most of my Department's spending on major projects is channelled through implementing local authorities. Expenditure at this level is subject to audit both by the local authorities' own internal audit functions and by the external local government auditors based in the local government audit service. The internal audit unit in my Department currently has three serving officers and it is intended to increase this number shortly. Two of these staff have professional accounting and auditing qualifications relevant to the work of the unit.
In addition one staff member in the water services investment programme unit is exclusively engaged in verification and systems audits of water services capital projects which have attracted EU co-financing. The person concerned is appropriately qualified.
498 Mr. Broughan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the number of possible affordable and Part V housing units which have been replaced by cash levies by developers to local authorities over the past two years. [26868/04]
506 Ms Lynch asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the number of settlements, on an individual county council and city borough basis, which have been made with developers under Part V of the Planning and Development Act 2000 in the period from the 1 January 2003 to 31 December 2003, in respect of the transfer of completed dwellings, the transfer of fully or partially serviced sites on site, the transfer of dwelling, sites or lands at another location and the payment of a monetary contribution; the number of housing units forfeited in lieu in cases in which monetary compensation was paid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27108/04]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 498 and 506 together.
Information on the number of housing units acquired under Part V for each local authority area is published in my Department's Annual Housing Statistics Bulletin 2003, a copy of which is available in the Oireachtas Library. Information supplied by local authorities in respect of 2003 indicates that 50 fully or partially developed sites were acquired by two local authorities: 48 by Carlow Town Council and two by Cork County Council. There were also two land transfers of 0.43 hectares to Fingal County Council and 0.81 hectares to Roscommon County Council. The data collected by my Department do not distinguish between on site and off site locations. Additionally, seven local authorities received payments in lieu totalling €829,565.
The transfer of land on site is the default legislative requirement necessary to comply with a Part V condition. However, there are a number of other compliance options available, including the transfer of housing units or a monetary contribution, in lieu of the transfer of land. Any alternative option chosen is subject to agreement between both the planning authority and the developer. Planning authorities have been advised by my Department to give priority in negotiations for the provision of housing units.
All moneys received under a Part V agreement by a planning authority must be lodged to a separate account and may only be used as capital for its functions under Part V or in relation to the provision of housing under the Housing Acts 1966 to 2002.
499 Mr. Broughan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the number of affordable and Part V homes provided by local authorities and developers in 2001, 2002, 2003 and to date in 2004; and the projections of those statistics for 2005, 2006 and 2007. [26869/04]
Information on the number of affordable houses and Part V activity in the period 2001 to end March 2004 is published in my Department's Housing Statistics Bulletins, copies of which are available in the Oireachtas Library.
The provision of Part V housing units is dependent on the level and commencement of private sector residential development and the nature of Part V agreements entered into. Provisionally my Department estimates that some 500 affordable housing units will arise from the operation of Part V in 2004, increasing to some 1,000 in 2005. It is envisaged that over 11,000 units will be delivered from the various affordable schemes between 2005 and 2007.
500 Mr. O’Dowd asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the progress which has been made since the passing of the Residential Tenancies Act 2004; and when he will appoint board members of the residential tenancies board. [26898/04]
Considerable progress has been made in implementing the Residential Tenancies Act 2004. A significant portion of the Act was brought into operation on 1 September, including the provisions relating to security of tenure, establishment of the private residential tenancies board and registration of tenancies with the board. A range of implementation action is proceeding in my Department and the board, including tenancy registration, provision of information and guidance, measures to promote awareness of the new provisions particularly the obligation to register with the board and preparatory work for the commencement of the board's dispute resolution service in December.
The members of the board have been formally appointed and are as follows:
Mr. Tom Dunne (Chairperson)
Mr. James Bridgeman
Ms Anne Colley
Ms Aideen Hayden
Ms Mary Heaslip
Ms Sheila McMahon
Mr. Fintan McNamara
Ms Marjorie Murphy
Mr. Conn Murray
Mr. Liam O'Donnell
Dr. Eoin O'Sullivan
Ms Dervla Quinn
Dr. Bairbre Redmond
Mr. Pat Riney
Mr. Tony Taaffe.
501 Mr. Timmins asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the position in relation to an application for funding under the capital assistance scheme from an organisation (details supplied) in County Wicklow; if this can be passed as a matter of urgency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26915/04]
Approval to a grant of €1,832,919, of which €1,784,000 has been paid to date, for the provision of 15 units of accommodation was notified to Wicklow County Council, which is responsible for the detailed administration of the scheme in that area, on 13 February 2004.
However, a further application for a supplementary grant of €316,268 was received on 3 August 2004 and a decision on this application must await the receipt of certain essential information which has been requested from the council.
502 Mr. Neville asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the number of new house grants refused due to failure to meet the occupancy clause at a development (details supplied) in County Cork. [26916/04]
The final deadline for completion, occupation and receipt of claim for payment of an approved grant in respect of a new house was 2 April 2004. In the case of the development concerned, nine grants were refused due to failure to meet the conditions and the applicants were notified accordingly.
503 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he has received an application from Cork County Council for grant assistance to upgrade the water scheme in Killeagh in east Cork; the amount involved; when he will be in a position to make the moneys available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26936/04]
Improvements to both the water and wastewater facilities in Killeagh are included in my Department's water services investment programme 2004-6 under the serviced land initiative. Cork County Council's preliminary report and application for increased funding of €0.6 million in respect of the water element of the scheme are under examination in my Department and will be dealt with as quickly as possible. I understand that the wastewater works have been completed at a cost of €0.59 million.
504 Mr. Gregory asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will take steps to establish whether there is a conflict of interest involving two members of the Dublin Docklands Development Authority who are also board members of a bank (details supplied), in view of the fact that the DDDA is effectively the planning authority for the docklands area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27039/04]
The executive board of the Dublin Docklands Development Authority comprises individuals with business, management, public sector, financial, architectural and engineering backgrounds, and entities with which they are associated may have legitimate business interests in the docklands area.
The authority has adopted a formal code of conduct for its board and employees, which requires disclosure of interests by board members and specifies procedures to be followed in the event of a conflict of interests. I consider that observance of this code should allow the DDDA executive board to benefit from the relevant knowledge and expertise of persons with the backgrounds outlined above, while avoiding material conflicts of interest.
505 Mr. Connaughton asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the amount of funding to date that has been allocated through the voluntary housing capital assistance scheme to resettle eligible returning Irish born emigrants; the number of such persons who have received social housing under this scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27058/04]
Grants totalling €2,062,702 have been allocated for the provision of 19 units of accommodation for eligible Irish born emigrants returning to live in Ireland under the safe home programme.
507 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the matters which were discussed at the EU Environment Council meeting which was held in Luxembourg on 28 June 2004; the position taken by Ireland in respect of each item on the agenda; the outcome in respect of each item; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27131/04]
A full report of the Environment Council meeting of 28 June 2004 is available on the council website (http://europa.eu.int/pol/env/index_en.htm).
The overriding objective of the Irish Presidency of the Environment Council was to continue to promote the EU's progressive approach to environmental protection and sustainable development. We pursued this objective in a number of ways including, in our role as chair of the council meetings, by seeking to stimulate debate with a view to reaching consensus.
The most significant outcomes of the meeting of 28 June 2004 were agreement on a draft directive on the sulphur content of marine fuels; agreement on a draft directive on the management of bathing water quality; the adoption of council conclusions on a thematic strategy on the prevention and recycling of waste and the adoption of council conclusions on halting the loss of biodiversity by 2010.
508 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the number of dwellings to which a levy has been attached under section 4 of the Planning and Development Act 2002; the amount of these levies which have been paid to date; the number of dwellings for which these levies have been paid; the breakdown of the number of houses and the amounts paid as between dwellings sold for more than €270,000 and those sold for less than €270,000; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27132/04]
The Planning and Development Act 2002 came into force on 24 December 2002; accordingly, 2003 is the first year for which figures in relation to section 4 of that Act are available. Based on information supplied to my Department by local authorities, the total amount collected by local authorities under section 4 of the Act was €236,316 in 2003 and €392,090 in the first six months of 2004.
My Department does not collect the other statistics sought in the question.
509 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the position regarding a new sewerage scheme for a village (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27183/04]
My Department has received no proposals from Kildare County Council in relation to a sewerage scheme at Kilberry, Athy, County Kildare. Neither were such proposals included in the list of schemes submitted by Kildare County Council in November 2003 in response to my Department's request to all local authorities to undertake fresh assessments of the needs for capital works in their areas and to prioritise their proposals on the basis of the assessments. The priority lists were taken into account in the framing of the Water Services Investment Programme 2004-2006 published in May 2004.
510 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if there are schemes or grants available to persons seeking connection to new sewerage schemes installed by local authorities; if such connections should be financed by the local authorities which install the schemes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27184/04]
Grants are not available for connections to local authority waste water collection systems and there are no proposals to introduce such a scheme. The arrangements relating to individual connections are a matter for the individual and the local authority concerned.
511 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his views on rising house prices that are placing tenants in local authority estates in a position in which they cannot purchase their homes; his further views on the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; the plans his Department has to overcome such huge increases for tenants in such a position; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27185/04]
The administration of the tenant purchase scheme is a matter for each local authority. Under the terms of the current scheme, the sale price of a house is based on the market value, as determined by the local authority, less the appropriate discounts.
While I have no proposals, at this stage, to amend the terms of the current scheme, I am keeping them under continuing review.
512 Mr. McHugh asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the position pertaining to a project in County Galway under the serviced land initiative (details supplied); the area it will service; and when it is envisaged construction of the works will commence. [27208/04]
The Tuam main drainage stage 2, Ballygaddy Road, scheme has been approved for construction in my Department's Water Services Investment Programme2004-2006 under the serviced land initiative. Contract documents for the scheme were approved in August 2003 and my Department is now awaiting submission of Galway County Council's tender recommendation. Details of the areas proposed to be served by the scheme may be obtained from Galway County Council.
