Vol. 596 No. 1
99 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Minister for Defence if he will propose changes to the Defence (Amendment) Act 1960 in order to allow Irish troops participate in the EU’s proposed rapid reaction battle groups; if such changes would alter the triple lock procedure by which Irish troops operate in activities abroad; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1509/05]
115 Dr. Twomey asked the Minister for Defence if he has had recent discussions with his European Union counterparts with regard to the formation of EU battlegroups; when he considers that such battlegroups will be operational; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1535/05]
118 Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Defence his plans to change the legal and constitutional position to allow Irish troops to be deployed internationally without the requirement of a UN mandate. [1514/05]
137 Mr. Boyle asked the Minister for Defence if he will propose changes to the Defence (Amendment) Act 1960 in regard to the deployment of Irish troops abroad; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1519/05]
1272 Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Defence the details of the command and control structure of the EU battle groups; and the persons who would command Irish troops. [1641/05]
1273 Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Defence the regions and countries that fall outside the proposed 2,500 mile deployment zone for EU battle groups and the non-EU regions and countries that are included within it. [1642/05]
1275 Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Defence the persons with whom his Department officials are liaising with regard to Irish participation in EU battle groups; the persons who are on the interdepartmental committee dealing with this issue; when it was set up; the number of meetings it has conducted; and if he will report on its recommendations. [1644/05]
1282 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence the extent to which he has had discussions with his EU or UN colleagues in the matter of a rapid reaction force or any similar body likely to be asked to undertake peacekeeping, peace enforcement or humanitarian assignments on a large scale; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2001/05]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 99, 115, 118, 137, 1272, 1273, 1275 and 1282 together.
I refer Deputies to my reply to this House on this very subject on 17 November last. The position remains as I outlined at that time.
The background to the rapid response elements concept, commonly referred to as the "battlegroups", is that at the European Council in Helsinki in 1999, member states set themselves a headline goal, that is, that "by the year 2003, co-operating together and voluntarily, they will be able to deploy rapidly and then sustain forces capable of the full range of Petersburg Tasks as set out in the Amsterdam Treaty"— that is, in short, humanitarian, rescue, peacekeeping and crisis management operations including peacemaking. This included, inter alia, a capability to provide “rapid response elements available and deployable at very high readiness”. The ambition of the EU, to be able to respond rapidly to emerging crises, has and continues to be a key objective of the development of the European Security and Defence Policy, ESDP.
The EU has learned from historical experiences in the Balkans and Africa and wants to be able to react faster when crises develop. This was effectively illustrated last year by the EU's first autonomous military operation, which was conducted in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The operation, undertaken at the request of the United Nations Secretary General, and which deployed in very rapid circumstances, was successful in contributing to the stabilisation of the security environment and the improvement of humanitarian conditions in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
During his visit to Dublin in October 2004, UN Secretary General, UNSG, Kofi Annan underlined the extent to which he believes regional organisations, such as the EU, can contribute to the UN's requirements in the crisis management area.
Deputies will also recall, in his address to the forum on Europe on 14 October, that the UNSG specifically welcomed the development of EU capabilities in the context of European Security and Defence Policy and stressed the importance of strengthened EU capacities, in particular rapid deployment capabilities, to the UN. He also highlighted Ireland's pivotal role during our Presidency of the European Union in promoting co-operation between the EU and the United Nations in crisis management and in particular the potential use of EU rapid response elements to support UN peacekeeping operations.
In this context, if we do not seek to establish how best Ireland may make a meaningful contribution to the rapid response elements initiative we would be departing from our traditional policy of full support to the UN.
As I indicated in my reply to the House on 17 November, at the Cabinet meeting of 16 November, the Government agreed that I should advise my EU counterparts of Ireland's preparedness to enter into consultations with partners with a view to potential participation in rapid response elements. A Military Capabilities Commitment Conference was held on 22 November 2004 at which member states committed up to 13 battlegroup formations, which will be available to deploy to crisis situations within a five to ten day period from 2005 onwards. The five to ten day period begins from the date of a decision by the EU Council to launch an operation. However, it is to be expected that a crisis would normally have a longer gestation period during which the UN Security Council would have sufficient opportunity to decide on a UN mandate.
In order to fully assess the implications associated with such participation, I have established an interdepartmental group, which includes representatives of my Department, the Defence Forces, the Taoiseach's Department, the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Attorney General's office. This group met in December and has established three sub-groups to address the policy, legislative and operational issues arising. The work of these sub-groups will span some months due to the fact that the rapid response elements concept is still evolving and a complete picture of all other member states' proposed involvement is not yet available. Following completion of the necessary analysis I intend returning to Government with proposals regarding the level of any proposed participation.
One must bear in mind the Defence Forces are currently in Liberia in a UN operation, in Kosovo in a NATO led operation, in Bosnia in a EU led operation and that rapid responsive elements are but one aspect of EU capabilities to assist in crisis management.
The rapid response concept raises many issues not alone for Ireland, but also for other EU member states, such as legal issues; operational, training, deployability, rotation and timeframe issues — multinational RREs will not be operational before 2007 and some as late as 2010; and decision-making issues, in particular how to preserve the integrity of national decision-making.
Once again, I stress that the question of Ireland's participation in rapid response elements will remain subject to the usual requirements of a Government decision, Dáil approval and UN authorisation and I have no plans to change that position.
100 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Defence his views on whether it is necessary to alter the wording of the section of the Defence Act permitting Irish involvement in an international or United Nations force, such as EUFOR, to reflect that such operations are established under the authority of the UN Security Council rather than by the Security Council; his further views on whether there is a distinction between operating in a force established by and one established under the authority of the UN Security Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1511/05]
There are two types of UN missions on which members of the Permanent Defence Forces have been deployed. The first is the traditional "UN Blue-Hat" mission, established by the Security Council of the United Nations or the UN General Assembly. UNIFIL in Lebanon and UNMIL in Liberia are examples of such missions. The second type are missions authorised to be established by the Security Council of the United Nations or the UN General Assembly. KFOR in Kosovo, EUFOR in Bosnia and Herzegovina and ISAF in Afghanistan are examples of such missions, where a regional organization, such as NATO or the EU, assembles the force and deploys it under the authorisation of the UN.
The advice to me from the Attorney General is that the Defence Acts are not an impediment to the Government dispatching members of the Permanent Defence Force on either type of mission and, as such, the necessity for any change in the provisions of the Defence Acts does not arise. In accordance with the provisions of the Defence Acts, Ireland's participation in these missions has only been undertaken following UN authorization, Government approval and, where required, the approval of Dail Éireann, the so called "triple lock". There are no plans to depart from or amend these arrangements.
101 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Defence the number of claims for damages for deafness determined in court or settled out of court at the latest date for which figures are available; the amount paid out to date in terms of damages or legal costs; the number of such claims outstanding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1508/05]
By 31 December 2004 a total of 16,731 claims had been received in my Department from current and former members of the Defence Forces in respect of loss of hearing allegedly caused during their military service. A total of 332 claims have been determined in court and 15,099 have been disposed of out of court, mainly through settlement, leaving a total of 1,300 claims outstanding at that date. A total of €277.6 million has been paid in respect of hearing loss claims, including €93.4 million in plaintiff's legal costs.
104 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Minister for Defence if he intends developing the Reserve Defence Forces overseas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1398/05]
131 Mr. J. O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Defence the role and function of the FCA; the numbers involved; the percentage of the force who are active as opposed to nominal members; and his plans for the development of the force. [1222/05]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 104 and 131 together.
On 26 July 2004 my predecessor, Deputy Michael Smith, officially launched the Reserve Defence Force review implementation plan which is the start of a process that will radically change the structure and configuration of the reserve while preserving its traditional strengths. These include such things as the spirit of voluntary commitment, the maintaining of strong links with local communities and a nationwide geographical spread.
An important change recommended by the study of the reserve is that members of the FCA and Naval Service Reserve should be considered for participation in overseas peace support missions subject to suitable qualifications, personal availability and appropriate advance training. In other countries service by reservists on overseas peace support missions is quite common.
As specified in the Reserve Defence Force implementation plan, any such participation is likely to be in specialist areas such as medical, transport, engineering and communications and information services. This service will be dependent on extended pre-deployment training. General criteria governing selection for overseas service come within the scope of representation and any matters relating to overseas service by members of the reserve, which come within the scope of representation, will be raised with the representative associations at the appropriate forum. The question of the security of civilian employment, for the members of the reserve who may wish to serve overseas, will be considered as part of the ongoing implementation process.
While there are no immediate plans for participation by members of the Reserve Defence Force in overseas missions, policies to support the selection of reserve personnel for overseas duties will be developed over the lifetime of the Reserve Defence Force implementation plan.
The White Paper on Defence sets out the assigned roles for the Defence Forces. The Reserve Defence Force, as a constituent element of the Defence Forces, augments and assists the Permanent Defence Force across the full range of roles assigned by Government. The roles-functions of the Reserve Defence Force are as follows: defence against armed aggression; aid to civil power; participation in peace support operations; fishery protection; and other duties which may be assigned by Government.
The military authorities have advised that the current strength of the Reserve Defence Force is 12,652; the effective strength is 7,095 which is 56% of the force.
The Permanent Defence Force is now organised in a three-brigade structure and a Defence Forces training centre. The Reserve Defence Force will be similarly reorganised and restructured and it is envisaged that the implementation of this plan will take place over the course of the next six years.
The plan defines the organisational framework of the new Army Reserve and provides for a greater concentration of units within each Army brigade area. There will be mergers both at battalion and company level as well as between sister technical support units. This will be the key to providing enhanced training facilities and opportunities for each member of the reserve.
In producing detailed proposals for the restructuring of reserve units within each brigade area, the military authorities have taken due cognisance of the existing FCA presence within communities. Consultation and communication have been a priority throughout the development of the plan. They will continue to be important if the changes now proposed are to be carried through smoothly and effectively. Reserve units will be kept informed of developments on a regular basis.
Members of the FCA are already seeing the benefits of the reorganisation process in terms of better clothing and improved equipment and more and better quality training. As the process develops we will see additional benefits in terms of a clearer role for the reserve, a better overall organisation structure and opportunities for suitably qualified personnel to serve overseas. We will also see benefits from the closer integration of the reserve with the Army.
105 Mr. Costello asked the Minister for Defence the way in which the €1.2 million allocated in the Estimates for his Department towards the cost of participating in EU security and defence initiatives will be spent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1498/05]
130 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Defence his views on an item in the Defence Estimates for 2005, that is, costs arising directly from Ireland’s participation in the EU’s European Security and Defence Policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1528/05]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 105 and 130 together.
National sovereignty and voluntarism are the fundamental underlying principles of participation in the European Security and Defence Policy, ESDP. For example, participation in any specific EU operation by member states is decided on a case-by-case basis and in accordance with respective national decision making procedures.
Defence spending in EU member states remains a sovereign issue for each member state and is usually undertaken in the context of ever increasing and competing demands for invariably limited national resources.
A new subhead V has been created within the Vote for Defence for 2005 relating to costs associated with Ireland's participation in the EU's European Security and Defence Policy, ESDP, and a sum of €1.2 million has been allocated within the Estimates. The costs involved are broken down into three separate categories. First, there are common costs relating to EU missions. A figure of some €805,000 consisting mainly of costs associated with the EU follow on operation EUFOR — Althea, in Bosnia Herzegovina, which replaced the NATO-led Stabilisation Force, SFOR, in December 2004 — is being provided in respect of common costs for 2005. Second, there are costs associated with participation in the European Defence Agency. Ireland has paid a contribution of €21,733.07 towards the agency's initial general budget for 2004. A provision of some €315,000 has been sought in respect of the agency for 2005, which includes a contribution to "once off" capital costs in respect of accommodation and facilities. Third, there are costs associated with the running of the EU Satellite Centre. The provision of €80,000 represents 50% of Ireland's contribution to the running costs of the EUSC. The balance of Ireland's contribution is funded from the Vote for Foreign Affairs.
106 Mr. S. Ryan asked the Minister for Defence the progress made in exploring ways of bringing the alleged killer of two Irish peacekeepers in Lebanon 24 years ago to justice here; the details of the review of all the files relating to the case that has recently been launched; when this review will conclude; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1510/05]
135 Mr. Coveney asked the Minister for Defence the situation with respect to the investigation into the murders of persons (details supplied) while on service with UNIFIL; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1388/05]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 106 and 135 together.
The case to which the Deputies refer relates to the killing of Private Thomas Barrett and Private Derek Smallhorne while serving with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon, UNIFIL, in 1980. The question of the measures open to the Irish authorities to bring the alleged perpetrator of this crime to justice is currently being examined in my Department in conjunction with the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Attorney General's office. As Deputies will appreciate, the process is detailed and complex, involving a review of international legal provisions including the potential application of the provisions of the Geneva Convention and of all the available evidence in the case. In this regard my Department has compiled all information available from its own files, and the files of the Defence Forces and the Department of Foreign Affairs. This information has been provided to the Attorney General, who has been requested to advise my Department as to whether there is a basis available for mounting a case against the alleged perpetrator.
The advice of the Attorney General is awaited. In the event that there is sufficient evidence available to mount a case then I assure the Deputies that this will be pursued. I will ensure that no stone is left unturned in seeking justice for Privates Barrett and Smallhorne.
107 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Defence if he will report on the signing of contracts for four Air Corps helicopters; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1517/05]
120 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Defence the cost accruing to the State from the purchase of two light EC-135 helicopters and four AB139 models from companies (details supplied); the type of operations these craft will be involved in; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1499/05]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 107 and 120 together.
Following a tender competition, two contracts have been signed for the provision of new helicopters for the Air Corps, at a total cost of over €61 million.
Four utility AB139 helicopters are being acquired from the Bell Agusta Aerospace Company at a cost of €48.4 million, inclusive of VAT. The four helicopters will be built at the Agusta facility near Milan, Italy. Two AB139s will be delivered in 2006 and the other two will be delivered in 2007.
The four AB139 helicopters will be operated by the Air Corps in a general purpose military operational and training role. Primary taskings for the utility helicopter will include training and operations with special forces, security and aid to the civil power, military exercises, infantry interoperability training and limited troop transport. They will also be used to perform air ambulance, inland search and rescue, aid to the civil community and VIP transport tasks.
Two light utility EC-135 helicopters are being acquired from Eurocopter S.A.S. at a cost of €12.8 million, inclusive of VAT. The two helicopters will be built at Eurocopter's facility in Donauworth, Germany. Both EC-135s are scheduled to be delivered in the latter part of this year.
The two light utility helicopters will be operated by the Air Corps primarily in the military pilot and aircrew training role. Primary taskings for the helicopters will include pilot training, instructor training and instrument flight training.
The new helicopters will provide a very significant boost to the Army and the Air Corps. The purchase of the helicopters is another positive indication of the Government's commitment to ensure that all branches of the Defence Forces are fully equipped to carry out their roles at home and overseas.
108 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Defence the details of the military police investigation into suggestions of two incidents of near mutinous behaviour on a Naval Service vessel; if these investigations involve allegations of sabotage on board the vessel; if the military investigation is concluded; the conclusions that have been reached from this investigation and if action has subsequently been taken; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1500/05]
The military authorities advise that as a result of a number of alleged incidents on board a Naval Service vessel in November-December 2004, two Military Police investigations were initiated. One of these investigations concluded on 20 December 2004 and a report was submitted to the Flag Officer Commanding Naval Service on 22 December 2004 for consideration. The appropriate disciplinary procedures have now been initiated by the military authorities in relation to the matter reported on by the Military Police and due process will now take its course. In the circumstances, it would be inappropriate to comment further on the matter.
The Military Police investigation into the second alleged incident is still ongoing and therefore it would be inappropriate to comment on the matter.
109 Mr. Deasy asked the Minister for Defence the frequency with which the emergency planning cell meets; the members of same; if it has a budget; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1404/05]
The Government Task Force on Emergency Planning, which I chair, was established in October 2001. The membership of the task force includes Ministers, senior officials of Government Departments, senior officers of the Defence Forces and the Garda Síochána and officials of other key public authorities that have a lead or support role in Government emergency planning. The work of the task force continues and there have been 35 meetings to date. I intend convening the next task force meeting early in February and further meetings will be held on a regular basis as required.
The Office of Emergency Planning was established, following a Government decision in October 2001, as a joint civil and military office within my Department. The office supports the work of the task force and continues to work with Government Departments and other public authorities in order to ensure the best possible use of resources and compatibility between different planning requirements. A key area of activity is oversight of emergency planning; refine and develop the arrangements that exist; continuously improve them through review and revision; and generally provide the basis for an increased confidence in the emergency planning process.
An interdepartmental working group on emergency planning supports the work of the task force and carries out studies and oversight of emergency planning structures and processes. This working group has met on 32 occasions and continues to meet on a regular basis.
The inter-departmental working group on emergency planning encompasses all Departments with lead roles in the various Government emergency plans and those key public authorities, including the Defence Forces, which plan to support such activities. This working group, under the guidance of the Government task force, continues to meet and is chaired by the Office of Emergency Planning. It is a forum for developing strategic guidance to all those involved in emergency planning and for sharing information on emergency planning.
The lead responsibility for specific emergency planning functions remains with the relevant Government Departments as does the budgetary requirements for such responsibilities. Emergency plans are co-ordinated by the various lead Government Departments at a national level and through the local authorities, including the Fire Service, the Health Service Executive and the Garda divisions at local and regional levels.
The Defence Forces contribute significantly to the work of both the Government task force and the inter-departmental working group on emergency planning to ensure that their emergency planning and preparations are to the highest standards and are well co-ordinated with the lead Government Departments and the other key public authorities involved.
The objective of the Government is to ensure that all State bodies can react quickly and efficiently to any large-scale emergency. My expectation is that all Government Departments and key public authorities will have the correct plans and response arrangements in place so that a large-scale emergency in Ireland will be handled efficiently and effectively. We must refine arrangements to ensure co-ordination of all those responding so that, should we be unfortunate enough to experience a large-scale emergency, we will be in a position to mount a credible response.
As chairperson of the task force, my approach continues to be that such responses must be characterised by effective management of all aspects of emergency planning and by a high level of public confidence in all the response arrangements. I will continue to report regularly, on a confidential basis, to Government on emergency planning. I am pleased to report to this House that there continues to be excellent co-operation between my Department and all other Departments and public authorities in these vital areas of work.
110 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence if he is satisfied with the current strength of the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1529/05]
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. It is my intention to maintain the established Government policy of ongoing recruitment to the Defence Forces. Recruitment into the Permanent Defence Force will continue to maintain the strength at the level set out in the White Paper as required to meet military needs.
The strength of the Permanent Defence Force, comprising the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service, as of 31 December 2004 was as follows:
|
Army |
8,369 |
|
Air Corps |
871 |
|
Naval Service |
1,053 |
|
Total P.D.F. |
10,293 |
In addition, there were 258 recent recruits undergoing training on 31 December 2004.
The Government is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for men and women in the Defence Forces, including the Reserve Defence Force, and to the full participation by women in all aspects of Defence Forces activities.
111 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Defence the new major military equipment which will be acquired by the Defence Forces in 2005; the estimated costs and purposes of these investments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1527/05]
The acquisition of new equipment for the Defence Forces will be a key focus for me as Minister for Defence in 2005. I am aware that significant investment has taken place in recent years and I will continue the good work in that regard.
The unprecedented level of expenditure on equipment for the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service was made possible by the Government's decision that pay savings arising from the reorganisation of the Defence Forces set out in the White Paper of 2000, with proceeds from thesale of surplus properties, would be reallocated for investment in modern facilities and equipment.
Investment in new equipment for the Army, Air Corps and the Naval Service is provided for under various subheads of the Defence Vote relating to defensive equipment, mechanical transport, aircraft, ships and naval stores, engineering, communications and information technology equipment, etc. The total expenditure for 2004 for equipment under those subheads was in the region of €100 million and a similar provision is available this year.
The acquisition of light tactical armoured vehicles, LTAVs, for the Defence Forces has been identified as a key priority by the military authorities for 2005. The LTAVs will complement the work of the 65 Mowag armoured personnel carriers delivered in the past few years at a cost of some €84 million. The final stage payments for the APCs in the sum of €9.6 million will be paid in 2005. Preparations are in hand for a tender competition for the acquisition of the LTAVs and I would expect that the competition will commence in the near future. The precise number of vehicles to be acquired will be confirmed at a later date. The cost of the LTAV programme will only be evident after the tender competition is held.
A contract for the acquisition of the Javelin missile system from Raytheon-Lockheed Martin in the USA at a cost of some €13 million inclusive of VAT will be fulfilled this year with the main delivery due this summer. The purpose of this acquisition is to give Defence Forces personnel an effective, anti-armour capability while on peace support operations. The system will replace the Milan system.
On the general transport side, the focus will be on the purchase of three-quarter tonne trucks, trailers for the DROPS vehicles, the purchase of a number of EOD trucks and some road ambulances for the Army Medical Corps.
There have been ongoing programmes of acquisitions of both nuclear biological chemical, NBC, equipment and night vision equipment, NVE, in recent years and these programmes will continue in 2005 to meet the ongoing requirements of the Defence Forces. This will include the purchase of a further 1,000 NBC suits this year.
The delivery of eight Pilatus training aircraft for the Air Corps at a total cost of €60 million has been completed. The final stage payment for the aircraft in the sum of €7 million will be paid this year. The focus for the Air Corps is now on the two contracts for helicopters for a total value of over €61 million, which I had the pleasure of signing recently.
Four utility AB139 helicopters are being acquired from the Bell Agusta Aerospace Company at a cost of €48.4 million, inclusive of VAT. The four helicopters will be built at the Agusta facility near Milan, Italy. Two AB139s will be delivered in 2006 and the other two will be delivered in 2007.
Two light utility EC-135 helicopters are being acquired from Eurocopter S.A.S. at a cost of €12.8 million, inclusive of VAT. The two helicopters will be built at Eurocopter's facility in Donauworth, Germany. Both EC-135s are scheduled to be delivered in the latter part of this year. The Naval Service has also benefited from the investment programme in recent years with the acquisition of two new modern ships, LE Roisin and LE Niamh, at a cost of some €25 million each.
112 Mr. Broughan asked the Minister for Defence if, in the context of the upcoming debate on the new European constitution, he will consider drawing up a White Paper on Ireland’s defence commitments and growing European defence role; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1496/05]
The Government's White Paper on Defence, published in February 2000, sets out a medium-term strategy for defence and covers the period up to 2010. A major objective of the strategy is to ensure that Ireland has a world-class military organisation capable of carrying out the roles assigned to them by the Government, both at home and abroad. This objective requires an ongoing modernisation process, including an investment programme to ensure that the Defence Forces are properly equipped for these roles.
Events at both a national and an international level are closely monitored by my Department on an ongoing basis. A high level civil-military planning and procurement group was established within my Department under the White Paper in order to ensure the continued efficiency, professionalism and safety of the Defence Forces.
I understand that the Department of Foreign Affairs is preparing a White Paper describing all aspects of the European Constitution, but it is not intended that this will address specific policy areas in detail.
113 Ms McManus asked the Minister for Defence the level of the threat posed to Ireland by international terrorists as communicated to him by Garda and Army intelligence services; his views on whether Ireland is prepared to cope with an emergency on the scale of that created by the Madrid bombings in 2004; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1503/05]
The most important defence against any terrorist attack is early detection and prevention by the security forces. The Garda Síochána has primary responsibility for law and order, including the protection of the internal security of the State. The potential threats to the State arising from international terrorism are continuously monitored by them in co-operation with the Defence Forces. The advice available to me at this time is that, while the Garda authorities recognise that the terrorist threat to Europe may currently be high, in relation to Ireland it is low.
Notwithstanding this, it is important that all prudent precautions are taken and that matters are kept under continuous review. The awareness that the situation could change rapidly and with little warning has ensured that vigilance is maintained. The objective has been, in so far as possible, to confine and control threats before they translate into destructive actions.
Government Departments with lead and support roles for emergency planning, management and response continue to work to achieve the most effective outcome possible from State assets in terms of organisation, equipment and personnel.
The vision continues to be that State bodies must react quickly and effectively to any large-scale emergency. Response arrangements must continue to be characterised by effective management of all aspects of emergency planning.
The Government task force and the interdepartmental working group on emergency planning are essential to providing the necessary co-ordination across Departments and bodies under their aegis to ensure that the system acts in a co-ordinated way.
The terrorist attacks in Madrid in March 2004 further stimulated those involved in emergency planning to ensure that readiness was maintained. Any large-scale emergency presents enormous challenges to the State in which it occurs and the issues that arise take many years to resolve. Such incidents can be etched into the national consciousness, perhaps for generations.
The experience of the Spanish authorities in the immediate response and in providing supports during the recovery phase, which will continue for some considerable time into the future, have been generously made available to others.
The European Union has been an important vehicle in passing on the experiences and lessons learned by the Spanish authorities to key personnel in other European countries and we, in Ireland, have benefited considerably from this process.
Those with emergency responsibilities in Ireland know that they must prepare for many different scenarios, which may affect their own particular areas and functions. By studying the experiences of others valuable lessons can be learned that may have an application in our national, regional or local situations.
The response of the Spanish authorities continues to be studied and any further lessons learnt will be considered and incorporated into the work of the Government Task Force on Emergency Planning, which I chair.
114 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for Defence the number of nuclear, biological and chemical suits available to members of the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1532/05]
1285 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence if he is satisfied that adequate protection and equipment is available to the Army, Naval Service and Air Corps in the event of a gas or similar attack; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2004/05]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 114 and 1285 together.
The Defence Forces have available to them equipment for monitoring and protecting their members in dealing with nuclear, biological or chemical, NBC, threats identified from time to time. They hold an extensive range of modern NBC equipment that meets their current requirements. This range includes approximately 7,000 NBC suits, 1,500 of which were delivered in 2004. It is planned to purchase a further 1,000 NBC suits this year.
In addition, the Defence Forces has sufficient stock of respirators for each individual soldier. They also have 98 of the most technologically up to date chemical agent monitors and Defence Forces personnel have been trained on their operation. Other equipment on hands includes biological agent detector and screening kits, group decontamination equipment and personal decontamination equipment.
The requirement for additional NBC equipment is kept under continuous review by the Defence Forces. A programme for the purchase of NBC equipment is ongoing and whatever equipment deemed necessary is purchased expeditiously to meet the changing requirements.
116 Mr. English asked the Minister for Defence if he will report on the situation in Liberia (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1533/05]
125 Mr. Gogarty asked the Minister for Defence if he will report on his visit to West Africa in December 2004; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1524/05]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 116 and 125 together.
The Defence Forces contingent, which was deployed for service with the United Nations Mission in Liberia, UNMIL, in December 2003, comprises a motorised infantry battalion of some 428 personnel. A small number of additional personnel have been also deployed at force headquarters and as military observers. Irish personnel are rotated on a six monthly basis. The 92nd Infantry Battalion commenced a six month tour of duty last month.
Ireland, together with an infantry company group from Sweden, provides the quick reaction force, QRF, to the UNMIL force commander. Despite the difficult start to this mission, with the tragic death of Sergeant Derek Mooney of the Army Ranger Wing in a road accident, the mission is proving very successful. Ireland was specifically requested by the UN to participate in a substantive manner in this mission, which is a tribute to the high regard in which the UN holds the Irish Defence Forces. I very much welcome the participation of Sweden as part of the QRF. This type of co-operation is reflective of the changing dynamics in peacekeeping. The range and diversity of arrangements now in place for peacekeeping allow us to work in tandem with like-minded nations to contribute in a very effective and meaningful manner to peace support operations throughout the world. The role of the Irish personnel is the provision of an immediate response capability, deployable in sufficient strength and with the required level of force to provide a swift and decisive military reaction to any crisis situation.
The Irish battalion in UNMIL has operated in a path-finding and reconnaissance role supporting the deployment of other UN contingents. It has also conducted long-range patrols beyond Monrovia and well into the interior of Liberia showing a UN presence, deterring lawlessness and protecting local populations. The contingent also undertakes regular daily patrols within the Monrovia area. The Irish battalion is available to the force commander to provide support and a rapid response capability in the event of a breakdown in law and order or further conflict.
During the period 13 to 15 December 2004, I was a member of the delegation accompanying President McAleese on her visit to West Africa. The delegation included the Secretary General of the Department of Defence and the Chief of Staff of the Defence Forces. On 13 December 2004, en route to Liberia, President McAleese paid a courtesy call on the President of Senegal, Mr. Abdoulaye Wade, at his palace in the capital, Dakar.
On 14 December 2004, I accompanied President and Dr. Martin McAleese on their visit to Liberia. The principal purpose of the visit was to meet members of the Irish contingent serving with UNMIL and to observe at first hand the work of the contingent and to convey to them, on behalf of the Government and the people of Ireland, our deep appreciation for the outstanding manner in which they continue to perform their duties on overseas service. UNMIL is a challenging assignment and the Defence Forces are to be congratulated on the expeditious manner in which they planned and undertook deployment to this mission.
On our visit we met with UN Special Representative of the Secretary General, Jacques Klein, the UNMIL force commander, the US Ambassador to Liberia, international representatives of non-governmental organisations — Concern, Trócaire, Oxfam, ICRC and UNICEF — and Mr. Gyude Bryant, Chairman of the Transitional Government of Liberia. All were full of praise for the Irish contingent which has earned universal respect and affection, particularly from those who understand the vital role they play in UNMIL.
The meeting with Chairman Bryant was very cordial and both he and President McAleese expressed their desire for stronger co-operation between both countries. Chairman Bryant recalled his recent excellent visit to Ireland last November and reiterated his enormous gratitude for the Irish UN contingent.
We later visited Camp Clara, headquarters of the Irish troops serving with the 92nd Infantry Battalion UNMIL, where we found morale among troops to be very high. There the President reviewed a guard of honour and laid a wreath at the memorial to late Sergeant Derek Mooney. This was followed by a tour of the camp after which the President addressed about 250 members of the battalion. President McAleese sent a very clear message to the Irish contingent which set out the important role which Irish peacekeepers play in Irish foreign policy. She also reinforced the message that the Irish Government and people are very committed to assisting the countries in most need, particularly in Africa, in the areas of humanitarian, democratic and socio-economic development. Deputies will be aware that the adoption of a number of local humanitarian projects is a feature of Irish peace support operations.
While in Liberia, President McAleese availed of the opportunity to visit St. Michael's Hospice, which has received funding from the Department of Defence and Development Co-Operation Ireland, DCI. St. Michael's is an AIDS hospice run by the Missionaries of Charity, the Order of Mother Theresa, and is being assisted on a personal voluntary basis by members of the Irish battalion. She was shown the new building which was funded by Ireland and the Irish UN contingent.
The visit to Liberia was extremely successful. It was a great boost for the Irish UN contingent and the reception they accorded us was spontaneous and very warm.
119 Mr. McCormack asked the Minister for Defence if he plans to make any of his Department’s land available to the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government for social housing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1406/05]
The Government decided on 1 July 2003 that Magee Barracks, Kildare, and Gormanston Camp, County Meath, would be among the State lands released for inclusion in the Sustaining Progress affordable housing initiative. In addition, the Government agreed on 16 December 2003 to the release of a further series of State lands for inclusion in the affordable housing initiative including Department of Defence sites at St. Bricins Hospital, Dublin, and at the Camp Field, Collins Barracks, Cork.
The modalities for the transfer of these sites to the relevant local authorities are under active consideration and my Department is in ongoing communication with the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government in this regard.
Apart from the foregoing, there are no proposals at present to make further Department of Defence lands available to the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government for housing.
121 Ms Burton asked the Minister for Defence the details of the settlement reached in the High Court action arising from a dispute (details supplied); if further legal action on this issue is likely; the legal costs incurred by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1497/05]
A settlement was reached in the matter referred to by the Deputy on 19 November 2004 and a statement was read into the court record. The terms of the settlement did not provide for any compensation to be paid to the person referred to in the question. However, as part of the settlement, an order for the taxation of the applicant's costs to include reserved costs was made. The costs have yet to be agreed.
122 Ms Lynch asked the Minister for Defence if he will report on the series of exercises being undertaken by gardaí, the Defence Forces and the Civil Defence to establish the way in which security and emergency agencies can cope with a major terror alert; the role he is taking in co-ordinating the activities of this task force; the frequency with which the task force is meeting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1502/05]
The Government Task Force on Emergency Planning, which I chair, was established in October 2001. The membership of the task force includes Ministers, senior officials of Government Departments, senior officers of the Defence Forces and the Garda Síochána and officials of other key public authorities that have a lead or support role in Government emergency planning.
The work of the task force continues and there have been 35 meetings to date. I intend convening the next task force meeting early in February and further meetings will be held on a regular basis as required.
The Office of Emergency Planning was established, following a Government decision in October 2001, as a joint civil and military office within my Department. The office supports the work of the task force and continues to work with Government Departments and other public authorities in order to ensure the best possible use of resources and compatibility between different planning requirements. A key area of activity is oversight of emergency planning; refining and developing the arrangements that exist; continuously improving them through review and revision; and generally providing the basis for an increased confidence in the emergency planning process.
An interdepartmental working group on emergency planning supports the work of the task force and carries out studies and oversight of emergency planning structures and processes. This working group has met on 32 occasions and continues to meet on a regular basis.
The interdepartmental working group, IDWG, on emergency planning encompasses all Departments with lead roles in the various Government emergency plans and those key public authorities, including the Defence Forces, which plan to support such activities. This working group, under the guidance of the Government task force, continues to meet and is chaired by the Office of Emergency Planning. It is a forum for developing strategic guidance to all those involved in emergency planning and for sharing information on emergency planning.
The lead responsibility for specific emergency planning functions remains with the relevant lead Government Departments and those bodies under their aegis. Emergency plans are co-ordinated and exercised by the various lead Government Departments at a national level and through the local authorities, including the Fire Service, the Health Service Executive and Garda divisions at local and regional level.
The Garda Síochána, the Defence Forces and other bodies, such as Civil Defence, regularly take part in simulated exercises both within their own structures and collectively as part of their ongoing training policies.
The Garda Síochána has primary responsibility for law and order, including the protection of the internal security of the State. The potential threats to the State arising from international terrorism are continuously monitored by them in co-operation with the Defence Forces. The Garda Síochána conducts exercises on a regular basis and involves lead Government Departments and other key public authorities. Exercises are conducted on a regular basis with the UK authorities and the Police Service of Northern Ireland. A comprehensive programme of exercises for 2005 is in train.
The Defence Forces can provide resources and capabilities in the event of a terrorist alert, including specialist units such as explosive ordnance disposal teams. The Defence Forces participated in two major security operations in 2004 during the EU accession meetings in Dublin and the EU-US Summit in Shannon during which these resources and capabilities were deployed in the field. The Defence Forces chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, CBRN, training for 2004 culminated in a major internal exercise in November. The Defence Forces will continue to work and co-operate with lead Government Departments and bodies under their aegis in developing operational capabilities.
Civil Defence volunteers are exercised at local level within their respective local authorities to respond within the context of the local authority element of the major emergency plan. Regional exercises in particular disciplines are held to test roles and facilitate interaction. Annual exercises are held under the aegis of the Civil Defence Board to test the broader skill levels and preparedness of the organisation to meet its responsibilities as a second line emergency service under the various emergency plans, including the national emergency plan for nuclear accidents.
The Defence Forces contribute significantly to the work of both the Government task force and the interdepartmental working group on emergency planning to ensure that their emergency planning and preparations are to the highest standards and are well co-ordinated with the lead Government Departments and the other key public authorities involved.
The objective of the Government is to ensure that all State bodies can react quickly and efficiently to any large-scale emergency. My expectation is that all Government Departments and key public authorities will have the correct plans and response arrangements in place so that a large-scale emergency in Ireland will be handled efficiently and effectively.
We must refine arrangements to ensure co-ordination of all those responding so that, should we be unfortunate enough to experience a large-scale emergency, we will be in a position to mount a credible response.
As chairperson of the task force, my approach continues to be that such responses should be characterised by effective management of all aspects of emergency planning and by a high level of public confidence in all the response arrangements. I will continue to report regularly to Government on emergency planning, on a confidential basis, and I am pleased to report to this House that there continues to be excellent co-operation between my Department and all other Departments and public authorities in these vital areas of work.
124 Mr. Cuffe asked the Minister for Defence if he will report on the meeting of EU Defence Ministers in Brussels on 21 November 2004; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1521/05]
On 22 November 2004, the Dutch Presidency convened a meeting of EU Defence Ministers in the form of a Military Capabilities Commitment Conference, MCCC, in order to discuss various aspects of military capability development, in particular in terms of the rapid response elements-battlegroups concept. Most notably, member states gave commitments for up to 13 battle groups and niche capabilities. These commitments will allow for the delivery of the ambitions set in the rapid response elements concept for an initial operating capability in 2005 and a full operating capability in 2007. This would permit the EU to one battle group sized operation in 2005 and one in 2006. From 2007 the EU could launch two concurrent operations.
Following the MCCC, a General Affairs and External Relations Council, GAERC, meeting was held in Defence Ministers formation. At this meeting the conclusions of the MCCC were approved and an update on the activity of the European Defence Agency, EDA, was provided by SG-HR Solana, acting as the head of the EDA. At the second meeting of the steering board of the EDA, which followed the GAERC meeting, the budget and the work programme of the EDA were both formally approved.
126 Mr. Boyle asked the Minister for Defence the position regarding the training abroad of Irish troops under Ireland’s Partnership for Peace commitments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1518/05]
Ireland's participation in Partnership for Peace, PfP, to date is set out in our five individual partnership programmes, IPP, copies of which have been lodged in the Oireachtas Library.
Ireland's fifth IPP, covering the period 2005-06, was completed in consultation with the Departments of Foreign Affairs, the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Health and Children and Communications, Marine and Natural Resources. A total of 116 activities were chosen representing participation by the Department of Defence, the Defence Forces, the Departments of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Health and Children and Communications, Marine and Natural Resources. Activities consist of training courses, seminars, workshops, conferences, staff exercises and table top exercises.
Defence Forces personnel have participated in a number of staff, technical and crisis management exercises in the context of both the EU and PfP. In accordance with stated policy, the Defence Forces do not participate in multinational military field exercises.
Ireland also participates in the PfP planning and review process, known as PARP. In common with the other EU neutrals, Ireland is using the PARP process in connection with planning for humanitarian and rescue tasks, peacekeeping and crisis management collectively known as the Petersberg Tasks. The scope of our involvement in PARP is focused on enhancing interoperability and familiarity with operating procedures in a multi-national environment. Participation in PfP activities is entirely voluntary and is based on the principle of self-differentiation, that is, a State selects for itself the nature and scope of its participation.
It is Government policy to stay in the mainstream of peacekeeping. Ireland's participation in PfP enables our peacekeepers to remain abreast of developments in preparation for peacekeeping in areas such as training, humanitarian aspects of peacekeeping and interoperability and enhances the ability of our peacekeepers to work with those of other countries. It also enables us to share our own peacekeeping skills with a wide range of countries. We want to ensure that our Defence Forces have a full voice in preparations for peacekeeping missions and we do not want to see Ireland absent when matters in which we have a legitimate interest are being discussed.
127 Mr. Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Defence if he will report on progress in the investigation he has initiated into practices at the Army Equitation School in McKee Barracks, Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1525/05]
An investigation was carried out into the operation of the Army Equitation School in McKee Barracks, Dublin, following on from unattributed rumours which suggested that certain unacceptable practices were happening in the equitation school. The Chief of Staff advised me that there were no grounds for believing that anything untoward was actually happening in the equitation school. However, as a proactive measure, he felt it prudent to move quickly to safeguard the school's good name and reputation.
The investigation into the operation of the Army Equitation School was carried out by the Military Police in conjunction with two independent veterinary surgeons from UCD Veterinary College. The investigation was carried out both at the equitation school in McKee Barracks, where there are almost 40 horses stabled, and at the equitation detachment at the Curragh Camp in County Kildare, where up to 12 non-competition horses are kept. The investigation included an examination of animal husbandry and interviews with all relevant personnel including grooms and riding officers.
I am pleased to announce that there were no findings that would suggest any mistreatment or abuse of the animals whatsoever. The report found that the general facilities, the care and training given to the horses and the veterinary standards were all excellent and that the school was being run to a high standard.
128 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for Defence his travel plans for 2005; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1531/05]
At present the only definite plans for travel in my capacity as Minister for Defence are to visit a number of barracks throughout the State over the coming months and to attend the informal meeting of Ministers of Defence of the European Union in Luxembourg on 18 and 19 March 2005. I also intend to visit our troops who are serving abroad but these plans are not yet finalised.
132 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Defence the position with regard to decentralisation plans for his Department; if further staff have agreed to relocate as part of this plan; the number of staff who have agreed to relocate; when the Civil Defence branch of his Department will be moved to Roscrea; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1512/05]
138 Mr. Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Defence the progress made in decentralisation of his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1526/05]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 132 and 138 together.
The Government decision on decentralisation provides for the transfer of my Department's Dublin based Civil Service staff to Newbridge, County Kildare. The number of staff to be relocated to Newbridge is 200. The Government decision also provides for the transfer of 300 Defence Forces headquarters staff to the Curragh, County Kildare.
A total of 385 civil servants, of whom 78 are currently serving in the Department, have declared an interest in relocating to Newbridge. The Office of Public Works is in discussions regarding the possible acquisition of a site in Newbridge for the Department's new headquarters. A site for the Defence Forces' headquarters at the Curragh has been selected and preliminary planning in connection with the design of the building has commenced.
Part of the staff of the Civil Defence Board has already moved to temporary accommodation in Roscrea. The Office of Public Works, which has responsibility for the provision of official accommodation for Government Departments, will shortly issue tenders for the fit-out of a leased building in Roscrea which will be the permanent headquarters of the Civil Defence Board. It is expected that this building will be available for occupation later this year.
133 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Defence if he has investigated allegations reported in publications (details supplied) that a Gulfstream V turbojet (details supplied) has been transporting tortured and kidnapped Muslims through Shannon Airport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1516/05]
Responsibility for the approval of overflights and landings by foreign military aircraft lies with my colleague, the Minister for Foreign Affairs. In relation to civil aircraft and civil airports, the responsibility lies with my colleague, the Minister for Transport. I have no role in relation to the investigation of any allegations regarding any activity at Shannon Airport. I have made my concerns and views known regarding the alleged transport of prisoners and terrorist suspects through Shannon Airport. However, I am led to understand that there is no substance to the allegations.
134 Mr. Timmins asked the Minister for Defence when he last met with PDFORRA; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1402/05]
My first public engagement after being appointed Minister for Defence was to attend PDFORRA's annual delegate conference in Letterkenny last October. I had the privilege of addressing the delegates and meeting briefly with officials of the association.
PDFORRA is the voice of enlisted personnel of the Permanent Defence Force and it plays an integral and valuable part within the representative process. I look forward to developing a positive and productive working relationship with the association.
PDFORRA has recently been in contact with my office requesting a formal meeting and it is hoped that a mutually agreeable date will be arrived at in the near future.
139 Ms B. Moynihan-Cronin asked the Minister for Defence if Army intelligence is maintaining surveillance on between 50 and 60 persons here suspected of having links with international terrorists; if there is a hard core of a dozen persons in the greater Dublin area who have to be kept under regular watch; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1504/05]
Both the Garda Síochána and the Defence Forces perform complementary roles in relation to the protection of the security of the State. There is ongoing and close liaison between the Garda Síochána and the Defence Forces regarding internal security matters including in the intelligence field. Both agencies gather and share information and assessments in relation to perceived and-or emerging security threats. In addition, mutual assistance and co-operation is maintained between the Irish security services and those of other like-minded countries to ensure effective flow of relevant intelligence.
The Garda Síochána has the primary responsibility for law and order, including the protection of the internal security of the State. In the intelligence field, the Defence Forces act in a complementary role, primarily in relation to the gathering and analysis of intelligence on paramilitary activities, while also providing intelligence on external threats, in particular, threat assessments in respect of locations where the Defence Forces are deployed on overseas peace support missions.
The director of intelligence provides briefings to me, the Chief of Staff and the Deputy Chief of Staff, Operations, on such threats. In addition, the Chief of Staff, who is a member of the National Security Committee, apprises that committee on the nature of such threats. Obviously, of their nature, the content of those briefings must be kept confidential. As such, I am not at liberty, nor would it be appropriate for me, to indicate the nature and extent of any activities which the Defence Forces may undertake in this regard or to disclose information received by me on such issues.
140 Ms O’Sullivan asked the Minister for Defence if the investigation into allegations made by a soldier who claimed he was locked in a locker and made to eat food off a floor during training at an Army barracks is complete; if so, the conclusions of the investigation; if it is still under way, when the investigation will be complete; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1506/05]
The Military Police investigation in relation to this matter is still in progress. The scale and scope of the investigation is very broad due to the numbers of personnel to be interviewed and the seriousness of the allegations in this case. Fair procedures and due process must be fully observed. Every effort is being made to ensure that the investigations will be finalised as soon as possible.
141 Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Taoiseach if, as part of his discussion with the DUP in the recent negotiations to secure that it abide by the principles of the Good Friday Agreement, the issue of loyalist paramilitary arsenals (details supplied) being put beyond use was part of that discussion; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34111/04]
The issue of the decommissioning of weapons and explosive materials held by all paramilitary organisations has been the subject of discussions with all of the political parties, including the DUP and Sinn Féin, in the talks process.
142 Mr. Durkan asked the Taoiseach the trading partners with whom Ireland has achieved the best record in terms of exports in the past 12 months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33993/04]
143 Mr. Durkan asked the Taoiseach the countries from which Ireland has imported most in the past 12 months and the countries which have shown the growth in this area in the past 12 months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33994/04]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 142 and 143 together.
Tables 1, exports, and 3, imports, respectively, compare Ireland's main trading partners for the nine month period January to September 2004 with the corresponding period for 2003 — September 2004 is the latest month for which data are available.
Tables 2, exports, and 4, imports, similarly compare the full year 2003 to 2002. In all tables the top 30 trading partners have been identified together with the respective period percentage changes.
|
Country of destination |
Jan-Sep 2003 |
Jan-Sep 2004 |
Period % change |
|
€(000) |
€(000) |
||
|
United States |
12,744,065 |
12,560,750 |
-1.4 |
|
Great Britain |
9,920,176 |
9,889,607 |
-0.3 |
|
Belgium |
7,674,530 |
9,529,492 |
24.2 |
|
Germany |
5,006,335 |
4,688,359 |
-6.4 |
|
France |
3,669,316 |
3,667,884 |
-0.0 |
|
Italy |
2,547,035 |
2,807,165 |
10.2 |
|
Netherlands |
2,986,770 |
2,733,806 |
-8.5 |
|
Switzerland |
1,893,528 |
2,144,837 |
13.3 |
|
Spain |
1,745,406 |
1,752,342 |
0.4 |
|
Japan |
1,528,104 |
1,734,704 |
13.5 |
|
Northern Ireland |
1,066,228 |
1,088,778 |
2.1 |
|
Sweden |
740,691 |
697,598 |
-5.8 |
|
Hong Kong |
504,825 |
656,483 |
30.0 |
|
Singapore |
541,276 |
635,301 |
17.4 |
|
Australia |
480,964 |
538,573 |
12.0 |
|
China |
410,226 |
455,896 |
11.1 |
|
South Korea |
389,801 |
442,136 |
13.4 |
|
Norway |
410,558 |
356,985 |
-13.0 |
|
Denmark |
358,122 |
351,773 |
-1.8 |
|
Malaysia |
424,522 |
328,523 |
-22.6 |
|
Mexico |
441,018 |
313,634 |
-28.9 |
|
Portugal |
218,282 |
249,538 |
14.3 |
|
Austria |
236,123 |
248,059 |
5.1 |
|
Canada |
306,714 |
247,343 |
-19.4 |
|
Taiwan |
220,060 |
245,528 |
11.6 |
|
Greece |
235,796 |
243,563 |
3.3 |
|
Turkey |
245,541 |
223,173 |
-9.1 |
|
Finland |
206,423 |
217,496 |
5.4 |
|
Saudi Arabia |
220,122 |
197,263 |
-10.4 |
|
Country of destination |
Year 2002 |
Year 2003 |
Year on year % Change |
|
€(000) |
€(000) |
||
|
United States |
16,509,438 |
16,939,245 |
2.6 |
|
Great Britain |
20,853,065 |
13,427,189 |
-35.6 |
|
Belgium |
13,547,073 |
10,334,321 |
-23.7 |
|
Germany |
6,729,140 |
6,803,989 |
1.1 |
|
France |
4,685,440 |
5,013,505 |
7.0 |
|
Netherlands |
3,493,468 |
4,181,352 |
19.7 |
|
Italy |
3,597,067 |
3,749,807 |
4.2 |
|
Switzerland |
3,103,770 |
2,603,265 |
-16.1 |
|
Spain |
2,239,681 |
2,353,668 |
5.1 |
|
Japan |
2,630,798 |
2,109,434 |
-19.8 |
|
Northern Ireland |
1,610,716 |
1,409,013 |
-12.5 |
|
Sweden |
1,202,085 |
1,159,286 |
-3.6 |
|
Singapore |
739,310 |
734,246 |
-0.7 |
|
Hong Kong |
534,074 |
688,304 |
28.9 |
|
Australia |
636,070 |
647,646 |
1.8 |
|
China |
538,662 |
584,978 |
8.6 |
|
Malaysia |
765,941 |
578,068 |
-24.5 |
|
Norway |
517,204 |
530,137 |
2.5 |
|
Mexico |
456,560 |
518,544 |
13.6 |
|
South Korea |
640,367 |
509,585 |
-20.4 |
|
Denmark |
545,302 |
501,851 |
-8.0 |
|
Canada |
510,896 |
469,287 |
-8.1 |
|
Austria |
334,916 |
329,057 |
-1.7 |
|
Greece |
329,898 |
312,165 |
-5.4 |
|
Portugal |
362,144 |
309,744 |
-14.5 |
|
Turkey |
327,777 |
303,848 |
-7.3 |
|
Finland |
302,982 |
292,846 |
-3.3 |
|
Taiwan |
345,974 |
285,561 |
-17.5 |
|
Saudi Arabia |
365,110 |
273,558 |
-25.1 |
|
Philippines |
342,688 |
208,010 |
-39.3 |
|
Country of origin |
Jan-Sep 2003 |
Jan-Sep 2004 |
Period % change |
|
€(000) |
€(000) |
||
|
Great Britain |
9,908,961 |
10,259,825 |
3.5 |
|
United States |
5,339,722 |
5,178,843 |
-3.0 |
|
Germany |
2,555,892 |
2,765,848 |
8.2 |
|
China |
1,534,019 |
2,037,768 |
32.8 |
|
France |
1,368,854 |
1,650,515 |
20.6 |
|
Japan |
1,732,338 |
1,575,995 |
-9.0 |
|
Netherlands |
1,257,554 |
1,376,856 |
9.5 |
|
Northern Ireland |
766,312 |
816,107 |
6.5 |
|
Italy |
809,144 |
798,315 |
-1.3 |
|
South Korea |
541,090 |
694,387 |
28.3 |
|
Taiwan |
567,269 |
684,466 |
20.7 |
|
Singapore |
745,194 |
676,596 |
-9.2 |
|
Belgium |
574,873 |
668,763 |
16.3 |
|
Norway |
561,870 |
666,505 |
18.6 |
|
Denmark |
598,629 |
524,928 |
-12.3 |
|
Spain |
437,368 |
469,154 |
7.3 |
|
Switzerland |
373,176 |
422,066 |
13.1 |
|
Sweden |
323,313 |
393,422 |
21.7 |
|
Hong Kong |
280,799 |
318,670 |
13.5 |
|
Malaysia |
347,370 |
313,678 |
-9.7 |
|
Thailand |
232,702 |
265,544 |
14.1 |
|
Turkey |
214,175 |
233,033 |
8.8 |
|
Canada |
335,748 |
204,897 |
-39.0 |
|
Brazil |
167,870 |
186,133 |
10.9 |
|
Finland |
201,022 |
174,124 |
-13.4 |
|
Hungary |
79,497 |
159,991 |
101.3 |
|
Portugal |
128,565 |
140,840 |
9.5 |
|
South Africa |
116,287 |
124,676 |
7.2 |
|
Mexico |
173,564 |
114,474 |
-34.0 |
|
India |
104,040 |
109,007 |
4.8 |
|
Country of origin |
Year 2002 |
Year 2003 |
Year on year % Change |
|
€(000) |
€(000) |
||
|
Great Britain |
19,083,893 |
13,659,298 |
-28.4 |
|
United States |
8,517,747 |
7,416,172 |
-12.9 |
|
Germany |
3,564,277 |
3,493,771 |
-2.0 |
|
Japan |
1,840,254 |
2,296,562 |
24.8 |
|
China |
1,495,131 |
2,215,503 |
48.2 |
|
France |
2,265,235 |
1,912,216 |
-15.6 |
|
Netherlands |
1,858,790 |
1,678,649 |
-9.7 |
|
Italy |
1,098,554 |
1,070,404 |
-2.6 |
|
Northern Ireland |
1,036,313 |
1,042,511 |
0.6 |
|
Singapore |
1,005,572 |
1,039,057 |
3.3 |
|
Denmark |
694,096 |
816,038 |
17.6 |
|
Taiwan |
999,128 |
787,897 |
-21.1 |
|
Belgium |
788,365 |
750,522 |
-4.8 |
|
Norway |
721,803 |
749,116 |
3.8 |
|
South Korea |
889,531 |
733,411 |
-17.6 |
|
Spain |
676,895 |
665,260 |
-1.7 |
|
Switzerland |
616,648 |
487,462 |
-20.9 |
|
Malaysia |
675,442 |
468,801 |
-30.6 |
|
Canada |
423,825 |
452,442 |
6.8 |
|
Sweden |
421,363 |
447,657 |
6.2 |
|
Hong Kong |
498,309 |
382,250 |
-23.3 |
|
Thailand |
283,091 |
334,944 |
18.3 |
|
Finland |
728,582 |
263,710 |
-63.8 |
|
Turkey |
226,532 |
262,225 |
15.8 |
|
Brazil |
159,348 |
221,474 |
39.0 |
|
Mexico |
249,637 |
209,284 |
-16.2 |
|
Philippines |
353,279 |
181,851 |
-48.5 |
|
Portugal |
170,286 |
179,304 |
5.3 |
|
Hungary |
182,279 |
163,456 |
-10.3 |
|
Austria |
206,445 |
163,058 |
-21.0 |
144 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Taoiseach the position regarding the Northern talks and further plans for 2005. [34578/04]
The Chief Constable Hugh Orde's comments on 7 January regarding the Northern Bank robbery are a matter of deep concern. While recognising that the investigation is ongoing and arrests have yet to be made, irrespective of the final outcome of the investigation, the attribution of the Northern Bank robbery to the Provisional IRA represents a serious set-back for the political process in Northern Ireland and is corrosive of the public confidence that we have been seeking to create.
It underscores the need for compelling commitments, both in word and deed, that the full spectrum of IRA paramilitary activities and capability has been brought to a definitive closure. This must include the necessary assurance in regard to all forms of criminal activity which, following the Northern Bank robbery, clearly remains a major concern.
The proposals for a comprehensive agreement published by both Governments on 8 December provided for these essential commitments, both in regard to the transparency of arms decommissioning and the ending of all forms of paramilitary and criminal activity. Recent developments have validated the need for such demonstrable commitments if the public confidence necessary to sustain inclusive government is to be achieved.
At political level, the robbery and its aftermath will reinforce the determination of both Governments to complete the unfinished business arising from the comprehensive agreement. If stable politics in Northern Ireland is to be secured, there can be no doubt or ambiguity about the total commitment of all concerned to exclusively peaceful and democratic engagement, including desisting from involvement in criminality in all its forms.
On his return from the Far East, the Minister for Foreign Affairs met with Secretary of State Murphy to review matters and I met with a Sinn Féin delegation led by Gerry Adams, an SDLP delegation led by Mark Durkan and a UUP delegation led by David Trimble yesterday. I will meet with David Forde and an Alliance Party delegation tomorrow. Prime Minister Blair and I will meet next week.
145 Mr. Gormley asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his most recent trade delegation visit to China; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1489/05]
From 17 to 23 January, I made an official visit to China and Hong Kong. The purpose of the visit was to further enhance Ireland's strong economic and trade links with China. I was accompanied on the trip by my colleagues, the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, the Minister for Health and Children, the Minister for Agriculture and Food and the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources. On this visit, I led the biggest trade delegation ever to leave Ireland. It comprised more than 200 people representing over 120 companies in a wide variety of business and academic sectors. This element of the visit was co-ordinated by Enterprise Ireland. The visit allowed for meetings between the Ministers accompanying me and their Chinese counterparts in bilateral sessions and at round table meetings.
China is the world's fifth largest economy and it is essential that Ireland makes its presence firmly felt there. The visit was designed to drive forward our economic, trade, agriculture, education and tourism interests through dedicated commercial and trade events and signings with Chinese partners. I am pleased that contracts worth hundreds of millions of euro were signed in the course of the visit. The importance of the Chinese economy to Ireland is reflected in the Government's Asia strategy, a new phase of which is currently being prepared.
I renewed a number of important political connections during the visit. I met with President Hu Jintao, Premier Wen Jaibao and the Chief Executive of Hong Kong. My discussions with all three focused on bilateral and trade relations, EU-China relations and political issues, including human rights. I also had a short bilateral meeting with the Prime Minister of Canada, Paul Martin. We discussed bilateral relations, the Northern Ireland peace process and UN reform. My visit afforded political outreach and awareness-raising through keynote speeches at the prestigious Tsinghua and Fudan universities.
The importance of tourism, including cultural tourism, was addressed throughout the visit. Irish musicians, including Dervish, and dancers accompanied the delegation for this purpose and were well received. The Hong Kong leg of my journey coincided with a visit by the GAA Allstars. I took the opportunity to watch them play and to meet the teams afterwards.
146 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Taoiseach the State, semi-State, State-sponsored and statutory bodies under the aegis of his Department which are not subject to the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act 1997; the reason a body is not subject to the requirements of the Act; and if he envisages proposals to bring any such body within the scope of the Act in the foreseeable future. [1704/05]
The only State, semi-State, State-sponsored or statutory body under the aegis of my Department that is not subject to the Freedom of Information, FOI, Acts is the Law Reform Commission.
Proposals for extending FOI are being developed at present in the Department of Finance in the context of plans to extend FOI to other appropriate bodies by the end of 2005. The question of extending FOI to the aforementioned body is being considered in this context.
147 Mr. Gormley asked the Taoiseach the public appointments made in his Department since the Cabinet reshuffle in September, 2004. [2089/05]
My Department has not made any public appointments since the Cabinet reshuffle on 29 September 2004.
In relation to the bodies under the aegis of my Department, Patricia T. Rickard-Clarke and Marian Shanley were re-appointed to the Law Reform Commission in September and November 2004, respectively, and Dr. Seán Barrett, economist, Trinity College, was appointed to the National Economic and Social Council, NESC, in January 2005. There have been no other appointments made by me since that date.
148 Mr. J. O’Keeffe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the practical measures which have been identified as being necessary to tackle the waiting lists for inter-country adoptions, in view of the appalling delays for assessment of those who want to adopt children. [2198/05]
168 Ms Lynch asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the waiting time in each health board area for the assessment of couples for suitability to adopt overseas children; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34191/04]
231 Mr. J. O’Keeffe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if her attention has been drawn to the number of persons in the country who are awaiting assessment for adoption; the approximate number involved; if her attention has further been drawn to the fact that it can take more than three years for assessments to take place; and the practical measures being taken to tackle these waiting lists. [1202/05]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 148, 168 and 231 together.
Applications for inter-country adoption are processed by the Health Service Executive under the Adoption Acts 1952 to 1998.
The length of time it takes to complete the necessary assessment and the allocation of resources within the Health Service Executive is a matter for the management of HSE. However, I have asked the Adoption Board to identify practical measures to tackle the waiting lists of inter-country assessments and itis examining this currently.
149 Mr. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if she will facilitate an immediate assessment of needs in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare with a view to determining the best way in which to offer assistance. [2207/05]
225 Mr. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the reason extra home support has not been restored in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1190/05]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 149 and 225 together.
The Health Act 2004 provided for the Health Service Executive, which was established on 1 January 2005. Under the Act, the executive is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services.
Responsibility for the provision of services to persons with intellectual disability and those with autism in the Celbridge area lies, in the first instance, with the Health Service Executive. My Department has asked the chief officer of the Health Service Executive, eastern region, to investigate the matter raised by the Deputy and reply directly to him.
150 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if the smoking ban in public houses is in breach of Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34114/04]
The prohibition on smoking in enclosed places of work introduced on 29 March 2004 in section 47 of the Public Health (Tobacco) Act 2002 as inserted by section 16 of the Public Health (Tobacco) (Amendment) Act 2004 is a public health and safety measure enacted for the purposes of reducing the risk to and protecting the health of persons in places of work. Passive smoking and environmental tobacco smoke has long been recognised as a significant public health issue. The facts on smoking and the damage caused by second-hand smoke are well established. Being able to work and socialise in public houses and other places of work in a clean and healthy environment has health benefits for all. Article 8(1) of the European Convention on Human Rights recognises a right to respect of a person's private and family life, home and correspondence. A person's dwelling is specifically exempt under section 47(7)(a) of the 2002 Act as amended. Therefore, there is no breach of Article 8 by the application of the work place smoking ban to licensed premises in so far as they are places of work.
151 Mr. Connaughton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if her attention has been drawn to the fact that due to regulations under the care and welfare regulations 1993, a nurse cannot be recognised as a nurse in charge in a nursing home unless they have three years’ experience in a nursing home; if her attention has further been drawn to the fact that there are many persons who have major nursing qualifications who would be immediately suitable for this position but are debarred due to this regulation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34115/04]
The Nursing Home (Care and Welfare) Regulations 1993 set down the requirements for staffing within a registered nursing home. Article 10.2 states: "Subject to article 10.3, the post of person in charge shall be full-time and the person in charge shall be a nurse with a minimum of three years appropriate post registration experience within the previous 6 years." The experience of the person in charge is examined by the director of nursing involved with the inspection teams for nursing homes.
These regulations allows for nurses from different disciplines to qualify for such a position provided that their experience is relevant, for example, a public health nurse could qualify on the basis that many of her day to day patients were elderly. However, ideally such experience should include care for older people, in any setting, or care of people with Alzheimer's disease.
When these regulations were drafted many stakeholders were consulted, including An Bórd Altranais, and the wording reflects the combined views of these stakeholders. It is the opinion of my Department that this wording is sufficiently broad and at the same time focused on its essential purpose of ensuring that the persons in charge in nursing homes will be suitably qualified to discharge the responsibilities entrusted to them.
152 Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children when she will implement the National Disability Authority recommendations for establishing national standards in services for persons with disabilities. [34116/04]
A key policy aim of the Health Strategy, Quality and Fairness: A Health System for You, is to deliver high quality services that are based on evidence-supported best practice. Essential elements for the execution of this aim are currently being developed under the health reform programme. A critical constituent in this process is the establishment of the Health Information Quality Authority, HIQA. I have recently appointed the chairman of HIQA and plans are well advanced to put in place an interim HIQA whose role will be to plan for the orderly establishment of the HIQA on a statutory basis.
Responsibility for the development and implementation of the national standards for disability services will rest with HIQA upon its appointment.
153 Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the percentage of budget 2005 disability allocations which will pay for services for persons with disabilities; and the percentage which will go towards the assessment and appeals bureaucracy proposed under the Disability Bill 2004. [34117/04]
The additional revenue funding of €70 million and €60 million capital funding provided in 2005 for services for people with physical, sensory, intellectual disabilities, autism and mental illness is being used to put in place a broad range of new and enhanced services around the country. These include, among others, new residential, respite, day and home support services, together with enhanced access to child and adolescent mental health treatment services.
As outlined by the Taoiseach at the launch of the national disability strategy last September, the Government is committed to building on and accelerating the measures which it has taken in recent years to strengthen the capacity of the health services to respond to the identified needs in support services for people with disabilities and to implement the provisions of the proposed Disability Bill 2004 and other relevant legislative measures.
154 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the way in which the additional finance in budget 2005 will be used to reduce the number of service users — currently 299 — on the priority residential waiting list at a centre (details supplied) in Dublin; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34118/04]
The additional revenue funding of €70 million and €60 million capital funding provided in 2005 for services for people with physical, sensory and intellectual disabilities, autism and mental illness is being used to put in place a broad range of new and enhanced services around the country. These include, among others, new residential, respite, day and home support services, together with enhanced access to child and adolescent mental health treatment services.
As the Deputy may be aware, since 1 January 2005 the Health Service Executive is the statutory provider of health and personal social services to persons with an intellectual disability and those with autism. The disbursement of the additional funding will be carried out by the executive.
155 Mr. McGuinness asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if a medical card will be issued to a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny. [34120/04]
The Health Act 2004 provided for the Health Service Executive, which was established on 1 January 2005. Under the Act the executive is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services.
Responsibility for the provision of a medical card rests with the executive. My Department has requested the chief officer for the executive's south eastern area to investigate the matter raised by the Deputy and to reply to him directly.
156 Mr. McGuinness asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the reason a person (details supplied) in County Carlow has been waiting two years from the date of the visit to their general practitioner to be examined to determine the cause of a disorder in their hands, arms, neck and back; the further reason this person has been waiting so long to be examined at Cork University Hospital; if this person’s examination can be fast tracked; if they can be considered under the treatment purchase fund; if a resolution will be expedited in this case; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34121/04]
The Health Act 2004 provided for the Health Service Executive, which was established on 1 January 2005. Under the Act, the executive is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services.
As the person referred to by the Deputy resides in County Carlow, my Department has requested the chief officer for the executive's south eastern area to investigate the matter raised and reply directly to the Deputy.
157 Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the reason she denied a request from the violence against women sector for a €7 million increase in funding earmarked for frontline services which would increase the budget allocation to €19 million in order to redress severe under-resourcing of these services in relation to demand; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34125/04]
253 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if urgent assistance will be given to a group (details supplied) in Dublin 3 in its efforts for funding; and if she will work closely with the Department of Social and Family Affairs on this issue. [1310/05]
258 Mr. McCormack asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if she will make the necessary funds available to the Western Health Board to grant aid the Galway rape crisis centre to meet its running costs (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1331/05]
259 Mr. Ferris asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if she will commit funding to the Kerry rape and sexual abuse centre in order that it can sustain its current level of services and also develop its services in the future. [1332/05]
269 Mr. O’Shea asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the reason agencies which are funded by her Department and involved in issues related to violence against women (details supplied) have suffered a reduction in real terms in their funding for 2005; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1609/05]
287 Ms B. Moynihan-Cronin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if she will increase financial aid to the rape crisis services in the south west, particularly Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1629/05]
298 Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children her plans to increase and ring-fence funding for frontline women’s services by €7 million for 2005; and if the Government will establish funding security for the sector through multi-annual planning, as demanded by the non-governmental organisation Coalition on Violence Against Women. [1667/05]
300 Mr. Perry asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if her attention has been drawn to the fact that, due to a lack of coherent national level governmental commitments to services, a centre (details supplied) is experiencing difficulties in providing adequate services to victims of assaults in Sligo and Leitrim; if funding will be ring-fenced for delivery of services to enable it to plan service provision strategically for the future; if her Department is committed to a national funding framework for VAW; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1838/05]
307 Ms B. Moynihan-Cronin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the role of her Department in the funding of rape crisis and sexual assault centres around the country; the funding which is provided by her Department to these services; and if she will make a statement on the matter [1893/05]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 157, 253, 258, 259, 269, 287, 298, 300 and 307 together.
The national steering committee on violence against women was established following the report of the task force on violence against women, 1997. Its purpose is to provide a multi-disciplinary, multi-agency and cohesive response to the problem of violence against women and it is chaired by the Minister of State at the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Deputy Fahey.
My Department does not directly fund or co-ordinate health and personal social services to victims of abuse. Moneys are made available each year, formerly through the health boards, and now through the Health Service Executive, for the provision of services to women victims of violence. In recent years there has been a substantial increase in funding so that now over €12 million is provided annually for the provision of such services. It is now a matter for the Health Service Executive to resource the provision of these services.
158 Mr. Hogan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children when a decision on an appeal for a medical card will be made for a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34167/04]
The Health Act 2004 provided for the Health Service Executive, which was established on 1 January 2005. Under the Act the executive is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services.
Responsibility for the provision of a medical card rests with the executive. My Department has requested the chief officer for the executive's south eastern area to investigate the matter raised by the Deputy and to reply to him directly.
159 Mr. Hogan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children when a decision on an appeal for a medical card will be made for a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny. [34168/04]
The Health Act 2004 provided for the Health Service Executive, which was established on 1 January 2005. Under the Act the executive is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services.
Responsibility for the provision of a medical card rests with the executive. My Department has requested the chief officer for the executive's south eastern area to investigate the matter raised by the Deputy and to reply to him directly.
160 Mr. Hogan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children when a decision on an appeal for a medical card will be made for a person (details supplied) in County Carlow; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34169/04]
The Health Act 2004 provided for the Health Service Executive, which was established on 1 January 2005. Under the Act the executive is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services.
Responsibility for the provision of a medical card rests with the executive. My Department has requested the chief officer for the executive's south eastern area to investigate the matter raised by the Deputy and to reply to him directly.
161 Ms McManus asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if, in view of the financial hardship being caused to the family of a person (details supplied), this person’s health board subvention will be increased under section 22.4 of the Nursing Homes (Subvention) Amendment Act 1996. [34170/04]
The Health Act 2004 provided for the Health Service Executive, which was established on 1 January 2005. Under the Act, the executive is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services.
Responsibility for the provision of health services in Bray rests with the executive. My Department has requested the chief officer for the executive's eastern regional area to investigate the matter raised and to reply directly to the Deputy.
162 Mr. English asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children when a person (details supplied) in County Meath will receive an appointment to see a consultant; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34173/04]
The Health Act 2004 provided for the Health Service Executive, which was established on 1 January 2005. Under the Act, the executive is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services.
Responsibility for the provision of services at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda, rests with the executive. My Department has requested the chief officer of the Health Service Executive's north eastern area to investigate the position in relation to this case and to reply directly to the Deputy.
163 Ms McManus asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if she will respond to the petition put before her for the registration of an orthopaedic surgeon (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34174/04]
The responsibility for the registration and regulation of the activities of medical practitioners lies with the Medical Council under the Medical Practitioners Act 1978.
I have responded to previous correspondence with the party mentioned and have advised him that without the written approval of the doctor concerned I cannot discuss the matter with any third party. This approval has not yet been received in my Department. Furthermore, officials from my Department have also corresponded directly many times with the doctor concerned in this matter.
164 Ms McManus asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the location at which a person (details supplied) will receive speech therapy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34175/04]
The Health Act 2004 provided for the Health Service Executive, which was established on 1 January 2005. Under the Act, the executive is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services.
Responsibility for the provision of services to people with an intellectual disability and those with autism in the Dublin area lies, in the first instance, with the Health Service Executive. My Department has asked the chief officer of the Health Service Executive, eastern region, to investigate the matter raised by the Deputy and reply directly to her.
165 Ms McManus asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children when a speech therapist will be appointed to a centre (details supplied) in Dublin 9; if she will report on the provision for children who must have speech therapy at an early stage as a priority; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34176/04]
The Health Act 2004 provided for the Health Service Executive, which was established on 1 January 2005. Under the Act, the executive is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services.
Responsibility for the provision of services to people with an intellectual disability and those with autism in the Dublin area lies, in the first instance, with the Health Service Executive. My Department has asked the chief officer of the Health Service Executive, eastern region, to investigate the matter raised by the Deputy and reply directly to her.
166 Ms McManus asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children her plans for improving the state of the registry office in Wicklow; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34177/04]
The Health Act 2004 provided for the Health Service Executive, which was established on 1 January 2005. Under the Act, the executive is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services.
Responsibility for the provision of accommodation for registry offices for civil marriages rests with the executive. My Department has asked the chief officer for the executive's eastern regional area to investigate the matter raised and to reply directly to the Deputy.
167 Mr. Sherlock asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the category of persons in possession of medical cards and that are in a public or private nursing home who will be refunded for the care they receive. [34178/04]
The Health (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2004, which was passed by both Houses of the Oireachtas on 17 December 2004, as well as providing a statutory basis for the imposition of charges on persons to whom long stay in-patient services are provided, irrespective of whether they are otherwise fully eligible for those services, also provides that a relevant charge levied under section 53 of the Health Act 1970 for long stay care prior to the enactment of the legislation is and always has been lawful. Furthermore, the Bill states that the declaration of lawfulness in relation to the imposition and payment of a relevant charge does not apply in the case of such charge which is the subject of civil proceedings instituted on or before 14 December 2004 and for the recovery of the relevant charge. The President referred the Bill to the Supreme Court for a decision on its constitutionality.
The Deputy will also be aware that, following legal advice from the Attorney General on the matter, health boards were instructed to cease imposing any financial charge on fully eligible people in receipt of public long stay in-patient services with effect from 9 December 2004. In the case of nursing homes run by former health boards or private nursing homes — solely by virtue of a contractual arrangement with a former health board — the category of person covered is fully eligible individuals, including those who had their medical card withdrawn on admission to the institution and in respect of whom charges were imposed and paid for long stay in-patient services. In addition, by way of a goodwill gesture, the Government agreed to have ex gratia payments of up to €2,000 made to those with full eligibility who have paid the charges and who were alive on 9 December 2004. Where persons have been charged less than €2000, they will be refunded the amount they have paid. The Health Service Executive is making the necessary arrangements with regard to the ex gratia scheme and payments to those currently in public long stay care have already commenced.
169 Ms Lynch asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if she has plans to set up a new adoption authority to replace the existing Adoption Board under proposed reforms of legislation governing adoption; her views on the current delay of up to four years for couples to be assessed for suitability to adopt; her further views on whether a one stop shop integrating all the necessary services would assist in speeding up the process; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34192/04]
Following an extensive public consultation process I recently announced that the Government has approved the drafting of a range of legislative proposals relating to adoption. These proposals include the establishment of an adoption authority to act as a central national authority for adoption, including the carrying out of the functions that are the responsibility of the Adoption Board.
The allocation of resources within the Health Services Executive is a matter for the management of the HSE. However, I have asked the Adoption Board to identify practical measures to tackle the waiting lists of inter-country assessments and it is examining this.
170 Ms Lynch asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if it is intended to introduce an upper age limit for adoptive parents under proposed reforms of the legislation governing adoption; her views on whether such a move will doubly militate against couples in the older age bracket who already have to wait four years to be assessed for suitability to adopt; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34193/04]
The Government recently approved the drafting of legislative proposals relating to adoption. One of the proposals is that only persons under 50 would be eligible to apply for assessment for inter-country adoption. Adoption is a service for children, and the best interests of children are at the core of the proposals. As the proposals relate to age at the time of application for assessment, time on the waiting list will not have a negative impact.
171 Ms Shortall asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the position regarding the provision of extra accommodation at the National Maternity Hospital; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34206/04]
A draft planning brief has been prepared on interim capital works at the National Maternity Hospital. The brief includes proposals designed to increase capacity in delivery rooms, theatres and neo-natal intensive care units, as well as providing improved post-natal facilities for mothers and babies.
The Health Act 2004 provided for the Health Service Executive, which was established on 1 January 2005. Under the Act, the executive is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services.
As part of the executive's responsibility to prepare and submit an annual service plan for my approval, it is obliged under section 31 of the Act to indicate any capital plans proposed by the executive. In this process the executive can be expected to have regard to the full range of potential capital developments, its own criteria in determining priorities, available resources and any other relevant factors.
My Department is awaiting the 2005 service plan from the Heath Service Executive. In the interim, my Department has asked the chief executive of the Health Service Executive, eastern regional area, to investigate the position in relation to this project and to reply directly to the Deputy.
172 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if a care plan will be put in place for a person (details supplied) in Dublin 9, especially in the area of occupational therapy; if this will be made a priority issue. [34209/04]
The Health Act 2004 provided for the Health Service Executive, which was established on 1 January 2005. Under the Act, the executive is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. Responsibility for occupational therapy rests with the executive. My Department has requested the chief officer for the executive's northern area to investigate the matter raised and to reply directly to the Deputy.
173 Mr. Hogan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the number of health sector personal social service professionals in each health board; if there are waiting lists for these services; if so, the number of persons on these waiting lists; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34211/04]
I understand that the Deputy is referring to the number of health and social care professionals in each Health Service Executive, HSE, area. The number of these staff in each area in wholetime equivalence terms is as set out in the following table. The Health Act 2004 provided for the Health Service Executive, which was established on 1 January 2005. Under the Act, the executive is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. Responsibility for the management of the services provided by these grades rests with the executive.
My Department has requested the chief officer of each HSE area to investigate the matters raised and to reply directly to the Deputy.
|
Area |
Total WTE |
|
Eastern |
6,110 |
|
Midland |
717 |
|
Mid-Western |
903 |
|
North-Eastern |
771 |
|
North-Western |
636 |
|
South-Eastern |
852 |
|
Southern |
1,851 |
|
Western |
1,169 |
|
Total: |
13,009 |
Source: Department of Health and Children Personnel Census at 30 September 2004.
174 Mr. Costello asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the number of institutions under her care which came under the terms of the Residential Institutions Redress Act 2002; if these were residential institutions which did not come within the terms of the Act in which children were in the care of her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34215/04]
The Department of Health and Children did not have children under its direct care while they were resident in institutions. Children were placed in these institutions by the then local health authorities and by health boards who were acting in loco parentis. Under the Health Act 1953 the Minister had responsibility for 14 homes of which ten are included in the Schedule to the Act. The Department of Education and Science has been informed that a further two homes can be considered for inclusion in the Schedule and research is ongoing in relation to the remaining two homes. Responsibility for 23 industrial schools transferred from the Department of Education and Science to the Department of Health under the Education (Transfer of Departmental and Ministerial Functions) Order 1983, SI 358 of 1983. A total of 22 of these institutions are included in the Schedule to the Act and research is ongoing in relation to the remaining one.
Section 4 of the Residential Institutions Redress Act 2002 states that the Minister for Education and Science may include additional institutions to the Schedule of the Act on condition that a public body had a regulatory or inspection function in relation to that particular institution. My Department liaises closely with the Department of Education and Science in considering institutions for inclusion on the Schedule of the Act.
175 Ms McManus asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if, in view of the high care cost of Alzheimer’s patients at a centre (details supplied) in County Dublin, appropriately higher nursing home subvention levels will be provided to meet this specialist care; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34235/04]
As the Deputy will be aware, St. Joseph's is a private facility offering nursing care to individuals, many of whom suffer from terminal dementia. As the placement of an individual in a private nursing home is a private matter between the patient or his-her representative and the nursing home, my Department has no function in the matter of fees charged by the home. Nursing home subvention payments are paid by the Health Service Executive and the rates of subvention are currently €114.30, €152.40 and €190.50 depending on the level of dependency. The HSE, under the Health (Nursing Homes) Act 1990, can enter into an arrangement with a nursing home to pay more, that is, enhanced subvention, than the maximum rate payable for the three levels of dependency, on a discretionary basis.
176 Ms McManus asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if she will investigate the policy of Naas General Hospital in refusing a blood test to a person with acute rheumatoid arthritis; if this provision will be ensured in the future; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34236/04]
The Health Act 2004 provided for the Health Service Executive, which was established on 1 January 2005. Under the Act, the executive is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services.
Responsibility for the provision of services at Naas General Hospital rests with the executive. My Department has therefore asked the chief officer of the executive's eastern regional area to investigate the position in relation to this case and to reply to the Deputy directly.
177 Ms McManus asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the costs arising from the passing of the Health and Social Care Professionals Bill; the fees that are likely to be charged for the professionals involved; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34237/04]
No detailed estimates are available at present for the costs of establishing the Health and Social Care Professionals Council. The Deputy may wish to note that, once operational, the system of statutory registration provided for under the Health and Social Care Professionals Bill will be self-financing, that is, funded from registration fees of professionals to be registered.
Section 18 of the Bill provides that it is the responsibility of the Health and Social Care Professionals Council to determine the fee to be charged to registered professionals.
178 Mr. Connolly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the cost to the North Eastern Health Board of transporting a person from Monaghan General Hospital to Dublin hospitals on a return journey; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34238/04]
The Health Act 2004 provided for the Health Service Executive, which was established on 1 January 2005. Under the Act, the executive is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services.
Responsibility for the provision of services at Monaghan General Hospital rests with the executive. My Department has requested the chief officer of the Health Service Executive's north eastern area to investigate the matter raised and to reply directly to the Deputy.
179 Mr. Allen asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children, further to Question No. 84 of 8 December 2004, if she will investigate a situation regarding a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if she will further investigate another situation regarding this person who was referred by the central appointments office to another department within Cork University Hospital. [34270/04]
The Health Act 2004 provided for the Health Service Executive, which was established on 1 January 2005. Under the Act, the executive is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services.
Responsibility for Cork University Hospital rests with the executive. My Department has requested the chief officer for the executive's southern area to investigate the matter raised and reply directly to the Deputy.
180 Mr. Kehoe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the reason a person (details supplied) in County Wexford was charged for a recent stay in hospital despite being a medical card holder; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34272/04]
The Health Act 2004 provided for the Health Services Executive, which was established on 1 January 2005. Under the Act, the executive is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services.
Responsibility for the imposition of charges in the case of individuals in hospitals in County Wexford rests with the executive. My Department has requested the chief officer for the executive's south eastern area to investigate the matter raised and to reply directly to the Deputy.
181 Mr. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if an increase in nursing home subvention will be offered to a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34273/04]
The Health Act 2004 provided for the Health Service Executive, which was established on 1 January 2005. Under the Act, the executive is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services.
Responsibility for the provision of health services in County Kildare rests with the executive. My Department has requested the chief officer for the executive's eastern regional area to investigate the matter raised and to reply directly to the Deputy.
182 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the actions taken to resolve the case of a person (details supplied); and if further efforts will be made to end this dispute. [34302/04]
183 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if the North Western Health Board refused the offer of a mediator in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if the new Health Service Executive will resolve this dispute definitively. [34328/04]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 182 and 183 together.
The Health Act 2004 provided for the Health Service Executive, which was established on 1 January 2005. Under the Act, the executive is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services.
Responsibility for the matters raised by the Deputy rests with the executive. My Department has requested the chief officer for the executive's north western area to investigate the matters raised and to reply directly to the Deputy.
184 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if assistance will be given to a person (details supplied) in Dublin 5. [34598/04]
The Health Act 2004 provided for the Health Service Executive, which was established on 1 January 2005. Under the Act, the executive is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services.
Responsibility for the provision of hospital services rests with the executive. My Department has requested the chief officer for the executive's eastern regional area to investigate the matter raised and to reply directly to the Deputy.
185 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the number of deaths each year from lung cancer caused by asbestos; and her plans to deal with this epidemic in 2005. [1001/05]
Data concerning the number of deaths each year from lung cancer caused specifically by exposure to asbestos are not available. The number of deaths from selected causes for the period 1999 to 2003, as provided by the Central Statistics Office, is as follows:
|
1999 |
2000 |
2001 |
2002* |
2003* |
|
|
Cancer of the trachea, bronchus and lung |
1,449 |
1,568 |
1,478 |
1,474 |
1,587 |
|
Asbestosis |
1 |
3 |
1 |
2 |
2 |
|
Cancer of the pleura (which includes the mesothelium) |
12 |
10 |
15 |
16 |
17 |
*Provisional figures
It should be noted that unlike asbestosis and mesothelioma, which can be directly linked to asbestos exposure, lung cancer can develop due to exposure to many chemicals, tobacco smoke, environmental causes, or a combination of exposures from environmental, social and work environments.
The use of asbestos is now banned. However, there is still a health risk from asbestos which was used in buildings in the past. In this context, the Deputy may wish to note that the protection of persons from exposure to asbestos in the workplace is a matter for the Health and Safety Authority.
186 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the reason a person (details supplied) in Dublin 9 has been waiting for an appointment since September 2004 at the Mater Hospital; and if this person will be given the maximum support and assistance. [1002/05]
The Health Act 2004 provided for the Health Service Executive, which was established on 1 January 2005. Under the Act, the executive is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services.
Responsibility for the provision of hospital services rests with the executive. My Department has requested the chief officer for the executive's eastern regional area to investigate the matter raised and to reply directly to the Deputy.
187 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if there is concrete medical evidence that mobile phones can cause cancer and that radiation from these phones is able to damage DNA in human cells. [1003/05]
188 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if persons who use mobile phones for more than ten years have an increased risk of developing tumours and damage to brain tissue; and if she will clarify this medical evidence from Sweden. [1004/05]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 187 and 188 together.
The current consensus of authoritative scientific literature is that there is no evidence of a causal relationship between exposure to radio frequencies, RF, from mobile phones and ill health. Furthermore, research to date indicates that RF fields do not possess sufficient energy to cause direct damage to DNA.
The World Health Organisation has assessed the many reviews carried out in this area and has indicated that exposure below the limits recommended by the International Commission on Non-Ionising Radiation Protection in its 1998 guidelines, covering the frequency range from0-300 GHz, does not produce any known adverse health effects. Telecommunication companies licensed to operate in Ireland are obliged to comply with these guidelines.
Research is ongoing in relation to this issue. The Swedish study to which the Deputy refers is part of the INTERPHONE study which is an international collaboration of 13 countries, coordinated by the World Health Organisation's International Agency for Research on Cancer. The primary object of the INTERPHONE study is to establish whether RF exposure from mobile phones is associated with cancer risk. The interpretation and publication of results are a matter for the INTERPHONE international study group which is expected to produce its report in early 2005.
189 Mr. O’Shea asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the proposals she has in the matter of providing a radiotherapy unit at Waterford Regional Hospital; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1005/05]
The Government is committed to making the full range of cancer services available and accessible to cancer patients throughout Ireland. To this end, we will provide considerable investment in radiation oncology facilities in the coming years.
The Government in its decision on radiotherapy services remained open to the provision of a ‘satellite' radiation oncology unit in Waterford. We are determined to deliver enhanced services for the whole population as soon as possible. There is unanimity about the urgent need for significantly enhanced services in the major population centres of Dublin, Cork and Galway. I will keep the question of networked satellite locations under active review.
The immediate developments in Cork and Galway will result in the provision of an additional five linear accelerators. Five additional consultant radiation oncologists are being recruited for this service. These developments will significantly improve access to radiotherapy for patients in the south east and throughout the country.
As recommended in the report on "The Development of Radiation Oncology Services in Ireland", the national radiation oncology co-ordinating group, NROCG, 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 is expected to develop proposals in these important areas. The group will also advise on quality assurance protocols and guidelines for the referral of public patients to private facilities.
The NROCG is currently developing a national telesynergy® network for radiation oncology services. Arrangements are being made to install this technology at Waterford Regional Hospital which will enable the hospital to develop improved linkages with Cork University Hospital and St. Luke's Hospital, Dublin and reduce patient and consultant travel time.
190 Mr. O’Shea asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the proposals she has to meet the concerns of the Cancer Care Alliance in the matter of best outcome for all cancer patients (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1006/05]
270 Mr. O’Shea asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if she has received the strategy document from the National Cancer Forum on the provision of cancer care; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1610/05]
271 Mr. O’Shea asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if she will publish the strategy document on the provision of cancer care from the National Cancer Forum before any decisions are made by Government regarding the recommendations from the forum; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1611/05]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 190, 270 and 271 together.
The National Cancer Forum is currently finalising a new national cancer strategy which is expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2005. The forum is a multi-disciplinary group of experts and includes representatives of all modalities of cancer care. In developing the new 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 best quality cancer care. The new strategy will set out the key priorities for the development of cancer services over the coming years and will make recommendations in relation to a balanced organisation of cancer services nationally, with defined roles for hospitals in the delivery of cancer care.
In regard to the development of radiation oncology specifically, the Government's policy is based on the report on "The Development of Radiation Oncology Services in Ireland". 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 large centres. The report was discussed and unanimously endorsed by the National Cancer Forum at its meeting in September 2004 as the framework for the future development of radiation oncology services in this country.
The Government is committed to making the full range of cancer services available and accessible to cancer patients throughout Ireland. To this end, we will provide considerable investment in radiation oncology facilities in the coming years. The central aim is to ensure access by cancer patients throughout the country to high quality radiation oncology in line with best international standards. We are determined to deliver enhanced services for the whole population as soon as possible. There is unanimity about the urgent need for significantly enhanced services in the major population centres of Dublin, Cork and Galway. I will keep the question of networked satellite locations under active review.
191 Mr. O’Shea asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the action she proposes in 2005 in regard to the implementation of the recommendations of the report of the diabetes service development group of the Diabetes Federation of Ireland, Diabetes Care-Securing the Future, and the recent supplementary report (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1007/05]
In recognition that diabetes is an important health condition, a national diabetes group chaired by the chief medical officer of my Department was established in January 2004 and has met on a regular basis since. The terms of reference of the working group included: the epidemiology of diabetes, health promotion and preventive initiatives, examination of services and the expansion of shared care programmes, and recommendations on future needs.
In the course of its work, the group has received and considered a number of submissions including those from the Diabetes Federation of Ireland. It is the intention that this work will lead to a diabetes strategy which underlines the importance of prevention, is patient centred and will enhance the quality of care for people with diabetes.
I understand that the group's intention is that it will conclude its report for submission to and consideration by my Department later in 2005.
192 Mr. Carey asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children her views on the practice of some hospitals which treat male and female patients in the same ward; her further views on the fact that older patients find this practice insensitive; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1008/05]
The Health Act 2004 provided for the Health Service Executive, which was established on 1 January 2005. Under the Act, the executive is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services.
Responsibility for the issues raised by the Deputy rests with the national hospitals office of the Health Service Executive. My Department has, therefore, requested the director of the national hospitals office to investigate this matter and to reply directly to the Deputy.
193 Mr. Kehoe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the reason for the delay in granting an appointment to read the scan results for a person (details supplied) in County Wexford; the efforts which are being made to provide an earlier appointment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1009/05]
The Health Act 2004 provided for the Health Service Executive, which was established on 1 January 2005. Under the Act, the executive is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services.
Responsibility for the provision of services for residents of County Wexford rests with the executive. My Department has requested the chief officer for the executive's south eastern area to investigate the matter raised and reply directly to the Deputy.
194 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the average length of the waiting lists for tonsillectomy operations in the Midland Health Board area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1010/05]
The Health Act 2004 provided for the Health Service Executive, which was established on 1 January 2005. Under the Act, the executive is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services.
Responsibility for the provision of hospital services rests with the executive. My Department has requested the chief officer for the executive's midland area to investigate the matter raised and to reply directly to the Deputy.
195 Mr. P. Breen asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if she will meet a deputation of the Ennis Hospital committee to discuss the timetable for the €20 million investment and upgrade for Ennis General Hospital as promised; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1011/05]
I am pleased to inform the Deputy that I will be in a position to meet the Ennis Hospital Development Committee. My office will be in touch with the organisation in due course to make the necessary arrangements.
196 Mr. P. Breen asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if her attention has been drawn to the constant chronic overcrowding at Ennis General Hospital, including the continuous use of the day surgical unit which, unlike the Mid-Western Regional Hospital in Limerick, has to stay open on a 24 hour basis to cater for in-patients; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1012/05]
The Health Act 2004 provided for the Health Service Executive, which was established on 1 January 2005. Under the Act, the executive is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services.
Responsibility for Mid-Western Regional Hospital, Ennis, rests with the executive. My Department has requested the chief officer for the executive's mid-western area to investigate the matters raised and to reply directly to the Deputy.
197 Mr. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children when a current home help review will be made in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1013/05]
The Health Act 2004 provided for the Health Services Executive, which was established on 1 January 2005. Under the Act, the executive is required to manage and deliver or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services.
Responsibility for the provision of services to persons with intellectual disability and those with autism in the Kildare area lies, in the first instance, with the Health Service Executive. My Department has asked the chief officer of the Health Service Executive, eastern region, to investigate the matter raised by the Deputy and reply directly to him.
198 Mr. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children when a medical card will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1014/05]
The Health Act 2004 provided for the Health Service Executive, which was established on 1 January 2005. Under the Act the executive is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services.
Responsibility for the provision of a medical card rests with the executive. My Department has requested the chief officer for the executive's eastern regional area to investigate the matter raised by the Deputy and to reply to him directly.
199 Mr. Lowry asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the decision which has been taken to approve the proposed ambulance base in Thurles further to an adjournment debate of 24 November 2004; the funds which have been allocated for the project; when building work is expected to start; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1055/05]
The Health Act 2004 provided for the Health Service Executive, which was established on 1 January 2005. Under the Act, the executive is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services.
Responsibility for the provision of ambulance services in County Tipperary rests with the executive. My Department has requested the chief officer for the executive's mid-western area to investigate the matter raised and to reply directly to the Deputy.
200 Ms B. Moynihan-Cronin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the reason a reply to Parliamentary Question No. 205 of 2 November 2004 has not yet been received; and if this reply will issue from the health board. [1060/05]
The Health Act 2004 provided for the Health Service Executive, which was established on 1 January 2005. Under the Act, the executive is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services.
Responsibility for speech and language therapy rests with the executive. My Department has requested the chief officer for the executive's southern area to investigate the matter raised and to reply directly to the Deputy.
201 Ms B. Moynihan-Cronin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the position regarding the provision of a new community hospital in Tralee, County Kerry; if, further to Parliamentary Question No. 771 of 29 September 2004, a decision has been made by An Bord Pleanála on the project; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1061/05]
The Health Act 2004 provided for the Health Service Executive, which was established on 1 January 2005. Under the Act, the executive is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services.
Responsibility for the provision of a new community hospital in Tralee rests with the executive. My Department has requested the chief officer for the executive's southern area to investigate the matter raised and to reply directly to the Deputy.
202 Mr. Ring asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will be called for a scan in Mayo General Hospital. [1078/05]
The Health Act 2004 provided for the Health Service Executive, which was established on 1 January 2005. Under the Act, the executive is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services.
Responsibility for the provision of hospital services for people living in County Mayo rests with the executive. My Department has requested the chief officer for the executive's western area to investigate the matters raised and to reply directly to the Deputy.
203 Mr. Ring asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will be given an admission date for a hip operation in Merlin Park Hospital; and the reason this person was not called for admission on the date that was promised. [1079/05]
The Health Act 2004 provided for the Health Service Executive, which was established on 1 January 2005. Under the Act, the executive is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services.
Responsibility for the provision of hospital services for people living in County Mayo rests with the executive. My Department has requested the chief officer for the executive's western area to investigate the matters raised and to reply directly to the Deputy.
204 Mr. Ring asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if transport will be provided to a person (details supplied) in County Mayo to enable her to attend the eye clinic in Galway. [1080/05]
The Health Act 2004 provided for the Health Service Executive, which was established on 1 January 2005. Under the Act, the executive is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services.
Responsibility for the provision of hospital services for people living in County Mayo rests with the executive. My Department has requested the chief officer for the executive's western area to investigate the matters raised and to reply directly to the Deputy.
205 Mr. Ring asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if a person (details supplied) in Dublin 12 is entitled to the blind welfare allowance plus arrears since registering with the NCBI. [1081/05]
The Health Act 2004 provided for the Health Service Executive, which was established on 1 January 2005. Under the Act, the executive is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services.
Responsibility for the assessment of entitlement to and payment of the blind welfare allowance, including the payment of arrears, rests with the executive. My Department has requested the chief officer for the executive's eastern regional area to investigate the matter raised and to reply directly to the Deputy.
206 Mr. Ring asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will be admitted to Our Lady’s Hospital for Sick Children. [1082/05]
The Health Act 2004 provided for the Health Service Executive, which was established on 1 January 2005. Under the Act, the executive is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services.
Responsibility for the provision of hospital services for people living in County Mayo rests with the executive. My Department has requested the chief officer for the executive's western area to investigate the matters raised and to reply directly to the Deputy.
207 Mr. Ring asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if the health boards have submitted the information for a database to her Department in relation to the Planning Services for People with Disabilities — A Guide to the Physical and Sensory Disability Database; if not, when this process will be complete; and the cost of compiling this database for each health board area and for her Department. [1083/05]
The national physical and sensory disability database is currently being implemented in all Health Service Executive areas. When complete, the database will provide a comprehensive picture of the health and personal social service needs of people with a physical or sensory disability over a five year period. The database will inform planning, service development, prioritisation of service needs and resource allocation at national, regional and local level.
The cost of implementing and maintaining the national physical and sensory disability database and the national intellectual disability database is €3.9 million per annum.
208 Mr. Ring asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will be called to Galway to be seen by a urologist; if this person is on a waiting list; and if so, when they were placed on the list. [1084/05]
The Health Act 2004 provided for the Health Service Executive, which was established on 1 January 2005. Under the Act, the executive is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services.
Responsibility for the provision of hospital services for people living in County Mayo rests with the executive. My Department has requested the chief officer for the executive's western area to investigate the matters raised and to reply directly to the Deputy.
209 Mr. Ring asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children when refunds will be made available to those who were charged illegally in respect of their stay in nursing homes over the years; when family members can apply for the money that is owed to them; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1085/05]
The Health (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2004, which was passed by both Houses of the Oireachtas on 17 December 2004, as well as providing a statutory basis for the imposition of charges on persons to whom long-stay inpatient services are provided, irrespective of whether they are otherwise fully eligible for those services, also provides that a relevant charge levied under section 53 of the Health Act 1970 for long-stay care prior to the enactment of the legislation is and always has been lawful. Furthermore, the Bill states that the declaration of lawfulness in relation to the imposition and payment of a relevant charge does not apply in the case of such charge which is the subject of civil proceedings instituted on or before 14 December 2004 and for the recovery of the relevant charge. The President referred the Bill to the Supreme Court for a decision on its constitutionality.
The Deputy will also be aware that, following legal advice from the Attorney General on the matter, health boards were instructed to cease imposing any financial charges on fully eligible people in receipt of public long-stay inpatient services with effect from 9 December 2004. Additionally, by way of a goodwill gesture, the Government agreed to have ex gratia payments of up to €2,000 made to those with full eligibility who have paid charges and who were alive on 9 December 2004. Where persons have been charged less than €2,000, they will be refunded the amount they have paid. The Health Service Executive is making the necessary arrangements with regard to the ex gratia scheme and payments to those currently in public long-stay care have already commenced.
210 Mr. Ring asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if all the health boards have issued arrears of the blind welfare allowance, which arose due to the misinterpretation of the blind welfare allowance Circular 4/79; if the funding has issued from each health board; and the number of persons who have received payment to date. [1086/05]
My Department issued letters to the CEO of each health board on 6 December informing them that the funding to pay arrears of blind welfare allowance is being authorised by this Department. It was a matter for each individual health board, and is now a matter for the Health Service Executive, as to how and when the arrears are issued to the individuals involved.
211 Mr. Ring asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the help available from the Western Health Board for appointments for persons who urgently need hospital appointments for their well-being and who are in receipt of social welfare, own no form of transport, have no public transport available to them and cannot afford taxis. [1087/05]
The Health Act 2004 provided for the Health Service Executive, which was established on 1 January 2005. Under the Act, the executive is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. Responsibility for the provision of hospital services for people living in County Mayo rests with the Executive. My Department has requested the chief officer for the executive's western area to investigate the matter raised and to reply directly to the Deputy.
212 Mr. Ring asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if she will report on the guidelines for patient transport in each health board area or region, in particular transport to attend outpatient appointments, for persons who live in isolated areas, have no means of transport or access to public transport and who do not have the resources to hire private transport. [1088/05]
The Health Act 2004 provided for the Health Service Executive, which was established on 1 January 2005. Under the Act, the executive is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. Responsibility for the provision of patient transport services rests with the executive. My Department has requested the director of the national hospitals office of the executive to provide the information requested directly to the Deputy.
213 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if assistance will be given to a person (details supplied) with nursing home subvention and if the maximum support and advice will be available to the family. [1089/05]
The Health Act 2004 provided for the Health Service Executive, which was established on 1 January 2005. Under the Act, the executive is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. Responsibility for the provision of health services in Whitehall rests with the executive. My Department has requested the chief officer for the executive's eastern regional area to investigate the matter raised and to reply directly to the Deputy.
214 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the reason a person (details supplied) in Dublin 3, who until recently could obtain insulin and syringes by means of a green book now has to obtain a prescription from the doctor and pharmacy to secure the syringes; and the motive behind giving insulin on the green book but not the instruments with which to administer it. [1090/05]
The Health Act 2004 provided for the Health Service Executive, which was established on 1 January 2005. Under the Act, the executive is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services.
Under the 1970 Health Act, the relevant area of the Health Service Executive 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 through 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; conditions arising from thalidomide; and acute leukaemia. Parkinsonism, acute leukaemia, muscular dystrophies and multiple sclerosis were added to the scheme in 1975. The long-term illness scheme does not cover GP fees or hospital co-payments.
My Department has requested the chief officer for the executive's eastern regional area to investigate the matter raised and to reply directly to the Deputy.
215 Mr. Gormley asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children her plans to investigate the way in which health boards apparently paid out €85 million in 2004 to keep just 600 children in residential care; the fact that one health board is paying out €19,000 a week for special arrangements for one child; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1091/05]
The Health Act 2004 provided for the Health Service Executive, which was established on 1 January 2005. Under the Act, the executive is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. Responsibility for provision of residential care for children in care rests with the executive. My Department has requested the primary, community and continuing care directorate of the Health Service Executive to investigate the matter raised and to reply directly to the Deputy.
216 Mr. P. Breen asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children when an application will be processed under the housing aid for the elderly scheme for a person (details supplied) in County Clare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1092/05]
The Health Act 2004 provided for the Health Service Executive, which was established on 1 January 2005. Under the Act, the executive is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. Responsibility for the provision of the housing aid scheme for the elderly in Clare rests with the executive on behalf of the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. My Department has requested the chief officer for the executive's mid-western area to investigate the matter raised and to reply directly to the Deputy.
217 Ms B. Moynihan-Cronin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the position regarding the provision of a new accident and emergency department for Kerry General Hospital. [1093/05]
The Health Act 2004 provided for the Health Service Executive, which was established on 1 January 2005. Under the Act, the executive is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. Responsibility for the provision of services at Kerry General Hospital rests with the executive. My Department has requested the chief officer for the executive's southern area to investigate the matter raised and reply directly to the Deputy.
I have identified the delivery of accident and emergency services as a priority area for attention. I have announced a ten point action plan in relation to accident and emergency services which is being financed with €70 million current funding and €10 million capital funding. My Department is liaising with the Health Service Executive to progress the implementation of the plan.
218 Ms B. Moynihan-Cronin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the position regarding the proposed extension to Kenmare District Hospital, County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1094/05]
The Health Act 2004 provided for the Health Service Executive, which was established on 1 January 2005. Under the Act, the executive is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. Responsibility for the proposed extension to Kenmare District Hospital rests with the executive. My Department has requested the chief officer for the executive's southern area to investigate the matter raised and to reply directly to the Deputy.
219 Ms B. Moynihan-Cronin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the position regarding the provision of the new community hospital for Dingle, County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1095/05]
The Health Act 2004 provided for the Health Service Executive, which was established on 1 January 2005. Under the Act, the executive is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. Responsibility for the provision of a new community hospital in Dingle rests with the executive. My Department has requested the chief officer for the executive's southern area to investigate the matter raised and to reply directly to the Deputy.
220 Mr. Ring asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if a person in receipt of the invalidity pension can also qualify for the blind welfare allowance. [1147/05]
The assessment of entitlement to and payment of the blind welfare allowance, including the payment of arrears, is a matter for the Health Service Executive in the relevant area. Blind welfare allowance is a means-tested Department of Health and Children supplementary payment which is paid to eligible persons who are blind or visually impaired in addition to an existing Department of Social and Family Affairs income maintenance payment, for example, invalidity pension, old age contributory and non-contributory pension, disability allowance, to eligible persons whose income is below the combined blind person rate and the blind welfare allowance rate.
221 Mr. Naughten asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the funding made to each nursing home in counties Roscommon, Mayo and Galway respectively under the winter initiative in 2004; the number of patients in each nursing home under this scheme; the rate charged per patient per week; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1150/05]
As the information required is not normally collated in my Department, my Department has requested the chief officer of the Health Service Executive, western region, for the information sought, and will forward it to the Deputy as soon as it is received.
222 Mr. Allen asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the reason the health boards are applying the health regulations in such a way as to deny a medical card to non-working persons under 18. [1166/05]
Dependent children aged up to 16 years, whose parents are medical card holders, are normally covered for services under the medical card issued to their parents under the general medical services scheme.
Individual assessments of applications for medical cards from persons aged 16 and over who may or may not be dependants of their parents are made by the chief officer of the relevant area of the Health Service Executive which, under legislation, has the responsibility for such determinations.
223 Mr. P. Breen asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children when an application will be processed under the housing aid for the elderly scheme for a person (details supplied) in County Clare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1188/05]
The Health Act 2004 provided for the Health Service Executive, which was established on 1 January 2005. Under the Act, the executive is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. Responsibility for the provision of the housing aid scheme for the elderly in County Clare rests with the executive, on behalf of the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government. My Department has requested the chief officer for the executive's mid-western area to investigate the matter raised and to reply directly to the Deputy.
224 Mr. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children when a medical card will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1189/05]
The Health Act 2004 provided for the Health Service Executive, which was established on 1 January 2005. Under the Act the executive is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. Responsibility for the provision of a medical card rests with the executive. My Department has requested the chief officer for the executive's eastern regional area to investigate the matter raised by the Deputy and to reply to him directly.
226 Mr. McGuinness asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if care will be provided for a person (details supplied) in County Carlow at the Alzheimer’s unit in Carlow; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1197/05]
The Health Act 2004 provided for the Health Service Executive, which was established on 1 January 2005. Under the Act, the executive is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. Responsibility for the provision of health services in County Carlow rests with the executive. My Department has requested the chief officer for the executive's south-eastern area to investigate the matter raised and to reply directly to the Deputy.
227 Mr. McGuinness asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the progress in extending the CAT scan services at St. Luke’s Hospital, Kilkenny, to out-of-service hours; if she has costed the number of times patients have been sent from Kilkenny to other hospitals for the service; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1198/05]
The Health Act 2004 provided for the Health Service Executive, which was established on 1 January 2005. Under the Act, the executive is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services.
Responsibility for the provision of services at St. Luke's Hospital, Kilkenny, rests with the executive. My Department has requested the chief officer for the executive's south-eastern area to investigate the matter raised and reply directly to the Deputy.
228 Mr. McGuinness asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the reason a proposal from a private company to provide CAT scan and other services on the grounds of St. Luke’s Hospital, Kilkenny, has not been approved; and her views on such public-private partnerships. [1199/05]
My Department is aware of a previous proposal to provide a private MRI facility on the grounds of St. Luke's Hospital, Kilkenny. Following discussions with the South Eastern Health Board last year it was agreed that the issues involved would be kept under review in the light of the board's regional MRI requirements. Public CAT scanning facilities are already on site at the hospital and my Department is not aware of proposals to develop a private CAT scanning facility there.
It is the Government's policy, as outlined in the health strategy, to increase the capacity of the acute hospital system to treat public patients. A significant proportion of this additional capacity will be supplied in the future by private providers. I am in the process of developing an overall policy framework which will identify the policy issues which need to be addressed and the key criteria to be applied in developing private facilities on public hospital sites.
229 Mr. McGuinness asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if the SEHB will fund cranial structural alignment treatment at a location for a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny; if an immediate assessment will be carried out to determine if this treatment is appropriate and if it will be funded in 2005; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1200/05]
The Health Act 2004 provided for the Health Service Executive, which was established on 1 January 2005. Under the Act, the executive is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. Responsibility for the provision of services for residents of County Kilkenny rests with the executive. My Department has requested the chief officer for the executive's south-eastern area to investigate the matter raised and reply directly to the Deputy.
230 Mr. McGuinness asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if an occupational therapist’s report has been prepared in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny who applied in 2004 under the housing aid for the elderly scheme; if the grant has been approved; and if the work will be approved. [1201/05]
The Health Act 2004 provided for the Health Service Executive, which was established on 1 January 2005. Under the Act, the executive is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. Responsibility for the provision of the housing aid scheme for the elderly in Kilkenny rests with the executive, on behalf of the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government. My Department has requested the chief officer for the executive's south-eastern area to investigate the matter raised and to reply directly to the Deputy.
232 Mr. Connolly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the timescale and location within Cavan General Hospital for the additional theatre capacity proposed by the former North Eastern Health Board in its submission of 13 December 2004; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1203/05]
233 Mr. Connolly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the extent and cost of the additional theatre capacity proposed for Cavan General Hospital by the former North Eastern Health Board in its submission of 13 December 2004; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1204/05]
235 Mr. Connolly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the position with regard to the commissioning of the 19 additional beds proposed for Cavan General Hospital by the former Northern Eastern Health Board in its submission of 13 December 2004; the areas identified for same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1206/05]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 232, 233 and 235 together.
The planning brief prepared by the former North Eastern Health Board envisages using the existing shelled-out ward accommodation known as surgical three to facilitate the provision of 19 additional beds, and the commissioning of the shelled-out fourth operating theatre. The board estimated the overall capital cost of the proposals in the brief at €6 million.
The Health Act 2004 provided for the Health Service Executive, which was established on 1 January 2005. Under the Act, the executive is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services.
As part of the executive's responsibility to prepare and submit an annual service plan for my approval, it is obliged under section 31 of the Act to indicate any capital plans proposed by the executive. In this process the executive can be expected to have regard to the full range of potential capital developments, its own criteria in determining priorities, available resources and any other relevant factors.
My Department is awaiting the 2005 service plan from the Heath Service Executive. In the interim, my Department has asked the chief executive of the Health Service Executive, north eastern area, to investigate the position in relation to this project and to reply directly to the Deputy.
234 Mr. Connolly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the position with regard to the commissioning of the ten additional day beds approved for Monaghan General Hospital; the areas identified for same; if any request for their provision has been received from the Cavan-Monaghan Hospital Group; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1205/05]
The Health Act 2004 provided for the Health Service Executive, which was established on 1 January 2005. Under the Act, the executive is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services.
Responsibility for the provision of services at Monaghan General Hospital rests with the executive. My Department has requested the chief officer of the Health Service Executive's north eastern area to investigate the matter raised and to reply directly to the Deputy.
236 Mr. Neville asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the position regarding development of a regional child development centre at Dooradoyle, County Limerick. [1233/05]
The Health Act 2004 provided for the Health Service Executive, which was established on 1 January 2005. Under the Act, the executive is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services.
Responsibility for the provision of services to children with intellectual disability and those with autism in the Limerick area lies, in the first instance, with the Health Service Executive. My Department has asked the chief officer of the Health Service Executive mid-western area to investigate the matter raised by the Deputy and reply directly to him.
237 Mr. Neville asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the position regarding the provision of a time out facility for children at Foynes. [1234/05]
The Health Act 2004 provided for the Health Service Executive, which was established on 1 January 2005. Under the Act, the executive is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. Responsibility for the provision of a time out facility at Foynes rests with the executive. My Department has requested the chief officer for the executive's mid-western area to investigate the matter raised and to reply directly to the Deputy.
238 Mr. Neville asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the position regarding the development of a private hospital in the Limerick region. [1235/05]
The development of private hospital facilities in the Limerick region is essentially a matter for individual private investors. The Mid-Western Health Board had previously raised with the Department the development of a private hospital on the site of the Mid-Western Regional Hospital, Limerick.
I am in the process of developing an overall policy framework which will identify the policy issues which need to be addressed and the key criteria to be applied in developing private facilities on public hospital sites. I hope to complete this work in a matter of weeks.
239 Mr. Neville asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the position regarding the radiotherapy unit at the Mid-West Regional Hospital, Limerick under the Mid- West Hospitals Development Trust. [1236/05]
The Health Act 2004 provided for the Health Service Executive, which was established on 1 January 2005. Under the Act, the executive is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. Responsibility for the health services in the mid-western region rests with the executive. My Department has requested the chief officer for the executive's mid-western area to investigate the matter raised and to reply directly to the Deputy.
240 Mr. Neville asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if she will report on the enhanced subvention payments in each of the former health board areas. [1237/05]
The most recent information available, as requested by the Deputy, is as follows:
|
Former Health Board Area |
Enhanced Subvention Payments |
|
ERHA |
1,098 people are in receipt of enhanced subvention as at 30th November 2004. €20.4 million was spent on the subvention scheme (including enhanced subvention) as at 30th November 2004. €680 is the highest amount that can be approved as an enhanced subvention. |
|
NEHB |
293 people were in receipt of enhanced subvention as at 31st December 2004. €2,961,915.13 was spent on enhanced subvention in 2004. |
|
NWHB |
249 people were in receipt of enhanced subvention as at 31st December 2004. Total paid on enhanced subvention in 2004 was €481,905. |
|
MHB |
39 people were in receipt of enhanced subvention as at 30th September 2004. Maximum enhanced subvention is €50 per week for certain categories at Maximum dependency level and €90 for certain categories at High dependency level. Total figure spent on enhanced subvention is unavailable at present. |
|
MWHB |
322 people are currently in receipt of enhanced subvention. €672,200 was spent on the subvention scheme (including enhanced subvention) in 2004. Current enhanced subvention is €50 per week. |
|
SEHB |
767 people were in receipt of enhanced subvention as at 31st December 2004. €1,960,452 was spent on enhanced subvention in 2004. |
|
SHB |
674 people were in receipt of enhanced subvention as at 31st December 2004. €1,557,133.16 was spent on the subvention scheme (including enhanced subvention) in December 2004. |
|
WHB |
613 people were in receipt of enhanced subvention as at 31st December 2004. €227,117 (estimated) was spent on enhanced subvention in December 2004. Maximum payment of enhanced subvention is €85.50 per week. |
241 Mr. Neville asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the number of persons with an intellectual disability in psychiatric institutions. [1238/05]
The data from the national intellectual disability database committee's annual report for 2004, which was published on 26 November 2004, identify 474 individuals with intellectual disability, all aged 20 years or over, accommodated in psychiatric hospitals, 315 of whom have services requirements.
242 Mr. Neville asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the position regarding the provision of a dementia unit at a hospital (details supplied) in County Limerick; and her views on the proposals submitted in April 2004 to her Department to construct this unit. [1239/05]
The Health Act 2004 provided for the Health Service Executive, which was established on 1 January 2005. Under the Act, the executive is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. Responsibility for the provision of health services in County Limerick rests with the executive. My Department has requested the chief officer for the executive's mid-western area to investigate the matter raised and to reply directly to the Deputy.
243 Mr. Neville asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the position regarding the provision of a full acute psychiatric unit at Nenagh General Hosptital. [1240/05]
The Health Act 2004 provided for the Health Service Executive, which was established on 1 January 2005. Under the Act, the executive is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. Responsibility for the provision of the service referred to by the Deputy rests with the executive. My Department has requested the acting chief executive officer of the Health Service Executive to investigate the matter raised and to reply directly to the Deputy.
244 Mr. Neville asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the position regarding the refurbishment of the health centre at Foynes, County Limerick. [1241/05]
The Health Act 2004 provided for the Health Service Executive, which was established on 1 January 2005. Under the Act, the executive is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. Responsibility for provision of health centres rests with the executive. My Department has requested the chief officer for the executive's mid-western area to investigate the matter raised and reply directly to the Deputy.
245 Mr. Neville asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the position regarding the provision of a purpose built health centre at Glin, County Limerick (details supplied). [1242/05]
The Health Act 2004 provided for the Health Service Executive, which was established on 1 January 2005. Under the Act, the executive is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. Responsibility for provision of health centres rests with the executive. My Department has requested the chief officer for the executive's mid-western area to investigate the matter raised and reply directly to the Deputy.
246 Mr. McGuinness asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the progress in providing a new health centre for Thomastown, County Kilkenny; if a site has been identified; the timeframe for completing the project; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1277/05]
The Health Act 2004 provided for the Health Service Executive, which was established on 1 January 2005. Under the Act, the executive is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. Responsibility for provision of health centres rests with the executive. My Department has requested the chief officer for the executive's south eastern area to investigate the matter raised and reply directly to the Deputy.
247 Mr. McGuinness asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if a hip replacement operation will be expedited for a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny at Kilcreene, Kilkenny or Waterford Regional Hospital; the waiting time for such operations at these locations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1278/05]
The Health Act 2004 provided for the Health Service Executive, which was established on 1 January 2005. Under the Act, the executive is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. Responsibility for the provision of services for residents of County Kilkenny rests with the executive. My Department has requested the chief officer for the executive's south eastern area to investigate the matter raised and reply directly to the Deputy.
248 Mr. Penrose asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath will be immediately admitted to the Midland Regional Hospital, Tullamore for a tonsillectomy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1279/05]
The Health Act 2004 provided for the Health Service Executive, which was established on 1 January 2005. Under the Act, the executive is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. Responsibility for the provision of hospital services rests with the Executive. My Department has requested the chief officer for the executive's midland area to investigate the matter raised and to reply directly to the Deputy.
249 Ms B. Moynihan-Cronin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the number of persons in possession of a medical card in each county. [1280/05]
The latest figures available from the Health Service Executive — shared services, primary care reimbursement service — are those for December 2004. The number of persons in possession of a medical card in each county is as follows:
|
County |
Number of persons in possession of a medical card |
|
Dublin |
274,272 |
|
Kildare |
37,195 |
|
Wicklow |
27,612 |
|
Laois |
17,133 |
|
Longford |
12,384 |
|
Offaly |
19,039 |
|
Westmeath |
21,059 |
|
Clare |
30,896 |
|
Limerick |
49,767 |
|
Tipperary NR |
18,915 |
|
Cavan |
18,638 |
|
Louth |
35,013 |
|
Meath |
30,333 |
|
Monaghan |
16,361 |
|
Donegal |
67,229 |
|
Leitrim |
11,169 |
|
Sligo |
19,343 |
|
Carlow |
15,404 |
|
Kilkenny |
19,506 |
|
Tipperary SR |
28,318 |
|
Waterford |
34,938 |
|
Wexford |
38,353 |
|
Cork |
130,955 |
|
Kerry |
40,924 |
|
Galway |
66,502 |
|
Mayo |
47,590 |
|
Roscommon |
20,066 |
|
Grand Total |
1,148,914 |
250 Ms B. Moynihan-Cronin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children when the 30,000 additional medical cards announced in December 2004 will be made available; when the 200,000 GP-visit cards will be made available; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1281/05]
268 Mr. Broughan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children when the proposed new general practitioner cards will be introduced; the details of the income guidelines and other conditions which will apply to these cards; and the estimate of the number of beneficiaries. [1608/05]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 250 and 268 together.
Some €60 million has been provided for in the 2005 Estimates for health to improve access to primary care by providing for additional persons to become eligible for a medical card and free access to GP visits for those on low income. The medical card income guidelines were increased from 1 January 2005 by 7.5% generally and in specific regard to children the income allowance for each of the first two children was increased by 20% and for the third and subsequent children by 30%. It is estimated that this will increase the numbers eligible for medical cards by approximately 30,000 in a year.
Free access to general practitioner visits under the GMS scheme will be provided to individuals and families based on income guidelines which may be up to 25% in excess of the new medical card income guidelines. It is estimated that 200,000 persons will become eligible for free GP services under this initiative. Subject to clarifying legislative and administrative issues, the doctor visit card will be introduced as soon as possible in 2005. Income guidelines are shown in the following table.
|
Medical Cards |
Doctor Visit Cards |
|
|
2005 Weekly |
2005 Weekly |
|
|
€ |
€ |
|
|
Single person living alone (under 66) |
153.50 |
191.87 |
|
Single person living alone (66-69 years) |
168.00 |
210.00 |
|
Single person living with family (under 66) |
136.50 |
170.63 |
|
Single person living with family (66-69 years) |
144.50 |
180.63 |
|
Married couple (under 66) |
222.00 |
277.50 |
|
Married couple (66-69 years) |
248.50 |
310.63 |
|
Married couple (70-79 years) |
497.00 |
621.25 |
|
Married couple (80 and over ) |
522.50 |
653.13 |
|
Allowance for first 2 children under 16 financially dependent on applicant |
31.50 |
39.38 |
|
Allowance for 3rd and subsequent children under 16 financially dependent on applicant |
34.00 |
42.50 |
|
Allowance for first 2 children over 16 years financially dependent on applicant |
32.50 |
40.63 |
|
Allowance for 3rd and subsequent children over 16 years financially dependant on applicant |
35.50 |
44.38 |
|
Allowance for a dependent over 16 years who is in full time third level education and not grant aided |
65.00 |
81.25 |
|
Out-goings on house: rent/mortgage in excess of |
26.00 |
32.50 |
|
Reasonable expenses necessarily incurred in travelling to work (in excess of) |
23.00 |
28.75 |
251 Mr. Naughten asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if she will approve a request for funding (details supplied) submitted to the Health Services Executive in County Offaly; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1287/05]
The Health Act 2004 provided for the Health Service Executive, which was established on 1 January 2005. Under the Act, the executive is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. Responsibility for funding rests with the executive. My Department has requested the chief officer for the executive's midland area to investigate the matter raised and to reply directly to the Deputy.
252 Mr. Naughten asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if she will approve funding for the appointment of additional staff and the development of respite services at the St. Mary’s residential services, Dunleer, County Louth; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1306/05]
The Health Act 2004 provided for the Health Service Executive, which was established on 1 January 2005. Under the Act, the executive is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services.
Responsibility for the provision of services to persons with an intellectual disability and those with autism in the Louth area lies, in the first instance, with the Health Service Executive. To ensure the smooth transition and delivery of services, I have agreed to meet with representatives of the executive and representatives of the St. John of God Order to discuss the issue.
254 Mr. McGuinness asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the reasons for the delay in arranging a hip operation for a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny at Waterford Regional Hospital; if the operation will be expedited; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1326/05]
The Health Act 2004 provided for the Health Service Executive, which was established on 1 January 2005. Under the Act, the executive is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. Responsibility for the provision of services for residents of County Kilkenny rests with the executive. My Department has requested the chief officer for the executive's south eastern area to investigate the matter raised and reply directly to the Deputy.
255 Mr. McGuinness asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children, further to Parliamentary Question No. 323 of 9 March 2004, the progress which has been made on this issue; if the phlebotomy course has commenced; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1327/05]
The Health Act 2004 provided for the Health Service Executive, which was established on 1 January 2005. Under the Act, the executive is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. Responsibility for education and training of health service employees, including in relation to phlebotomy training, rests with the executive. My Department has requested the chief officer for the executive's eastern area to investigate the matter raised and respond directly to the Deputy.
256 Mr. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children when a review of nursing home subvention will be finalised with a view to an increase in same in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1328/05]
The Health Act 2004 provided for the Health Service Executive, which was established on 1 January 2005. Under the Act, the executive is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. Responsibility for the provision of health services in County Kildare rests with the executive. My Department has requested the chief officer for the executive's eastern regional area to investigate the matter raised and to reply directly to the Deputy.
257 Mr. O’Shea asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the decisions which have been made in regard to the draft planning brief submitted by the South Eastern Health Board for capital developments at Waterford Regional Hospital which includes the provision of a new oncology and haematology department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1329/05]
The Health Act 2004 provided for the Health Service Executive, which was established on 1 January 2005. Under the Act, the executive is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. As part of the executive's responsibility to prepare and submit an annual service plan for my approval, it is obliged under section 31 of the Act to indicate any capital plans proposed by the executive. In this process the executive can be expected to have regard to the full range of potential capital developments, its own criteria in determining priorities, available resources and any other relevant factors.
My Department is awaiting the 2005 service plan from the Heath Service Executive. In the interim, my Department has asked the chief executive of the Health Service Executive, south eastern area, to investigate the position on to this project and to reply directly to the Deputy.
260 Mr. Ring asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the proposals of the Health Services Executive western area for Knock, County Mayo; the nature of the building being constructed in Knock; and the services which will be provided from that property in Knock. [1333/05]
261 Mr. Ring asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if a review has taken place of the Westdoc facility in the west; if so, the outcome of that review; if an independent review will be taken of this facility to assess the way in which it is working; if her attention has been drawn to the fact that Westdoc plans to set up a headquarters in Knock even though it has not carried out a review of the existing services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1334/05]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 260 and 261 together.
Westdoc is an out-of-hours general practitioner led service which operates on a partnership basis between the participating GPs and the Health Service Executive, western area. The service has been operating since December 2002 and to date it has received over 95,000 patient contacts. Westdoc has 107 general practitioners providing service to public and private patients in counties Galway, Mayo and Roscommon.
The service was primarily established to provide a more managed and structured service to patients requiring urgent GP care out of hours. The service operates via a lo-call number with patients receiving advice from specially trained triage nurses and appointments to see a GP in their locality where required or domiciliary visits where deemed appropriate. Calls are prioritised in order of their seriousness with more urgent calls receiving the earliest appointments.
A patient satisfaction survey, independently conducted by NUIG in July 2003, found that "patient satisfaction with the Westdoc service is very high". A further patient satisfaction survey will be conducted in 2005. I am conscious of the challenges of providing this service over a particularly wide, rural area and I hope these challenges will continue to be addressed in order to meet patients' needs.
The Health Service Executive, western area, has purchased a premises at Drum, Knock, County Mayo, that will serve as a central base for out-of-hours GP services in this immediate area and it is planned to provide a range of primary care day services from this facility. Refurbishment work on the premises, an existing building that has been unoccupied for some time, is expected to commence within the next few months. The Health Service Executive does not have a similar health facility in the immediate area and this development will play a central role in meeting the health needs of the local population.
262 Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the number of persons in the State with multiple sclerosis; the number of these who are on waiting lists for treatment; and if she will provide other data available on multiple sclerosis sufferers in the State. [1335/05]
The most recent figures from the national physical and sensory disability database, NPSDD, which is managed by the Health Research Board, HRB, show 1,804 people as having being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. In interpreting the data from the HRB, it is important to note that as not everyone in this country with a physical or sensory disability is availing of a specialised health and personal social service, the NPSDD will not provide any definite epidemiological statement on the number of people with a particular type of disability. The other data requested by the Deputy are not readily available in my Department.
263 Mr. Naughten asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the plans there are to provide residential or respite facilities for Alzheimer’s patients in County Roscommon; the total number of persons with the disease in the county; if she will outline the procedure for patients who cannot be catered for at home and are unsuitable for a nursing home; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1336/05]
The Health Act 2004 provided for the Health Service Executive, which was established on 1 January 2005. Under the Act, the executive is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. Responsibility for the provision of health services in County Roscommon rests with the executive. My Department has requested the chief officer for the executive's western area to investigate the matter raised and to reply directly to the Deputy.
264 Mr. Crawford asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the number of cases of suicide recorded in each of the past three years nationally; the breakdown of these figures on a county basis; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1604/05]
The number of deaths by suicide as published annually by the Central Statistics Office are as follows: 2001- 519, 2002 — 451, 2003 — 444, 2004 — not yet available. A breakdown of these figures on a county by county basis as requested by the Deputy, is as follows:
|
County |
2001 |
2002 |
2003 |
|
Carlow |
8 |
3 |
6 |
|
Cavan |
9 |
6 |
8 |
|
Clare |
13 |
12 |
13 |
|
Cork |
100 |
77 |
64 |
|
Donegal |
15 |
20 |
14 |
|
Dublin |
120 |
95 |
111 |
|
Galway |
23 |
26 |
21 |
|
Kerry |
20 |
10 |
9 |
|
Kildare |
12 |
16 |
18 |
|
Kilkenny |
15 |
12 |
11 |
|
Laois |
7 |
4 |
4 |
|
Leitrim |
6 |
6 |
3 |
|
Limerick |
16 |
24 |
24 |
|
Longford |
6 |
5 |
2 |
|
Louth |
7 |
7 |
16 |
|
Mayo |
17 |
19 |
10 |
|
Monaghan |
2 |
2 |
8 |
|
Meath |
19 |
19 |
11 |
|
Offaly |
12 |
13 |
7 |
|
Roscommon |
5 |
5 |
3 |
|
Sligo |
10 |
4 |
7 |
|
Tipperary |
23 |
17 |
26 |
|
Waterford |
17 |
14 |
8 |
|
Westmeath |
9 |
8 |
6 |
|
Wexford |
19 |
16 |
23 |
|
Wicklow |
9 |
11 |
11 |
|
519 |
451 |
444 |
As the Deputy may be aware, a new strategic action plan for suicide reduction is currently being prepared by the project management unit, Health Service Executive, in partnership with the national suicide review group and supported by the Department of Health and Children. This plan will build on existing policy and on the recommendations contained in the report of the national task force on suicide. All measures aimed at reducing the number of deaths by suicide will be considered in the preparation of this strategic action plan, which will be published later this year.
265 Mr. Sherlock asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if there has been progress in the provision of extra beds for the elderly who require long-stay care in hospital in the areas of Mallow and Fermoy in County Cork. [1605/05]
The Health Act 2004 provided for the Health Service Executive, which was established on 1 January 2005. Under the Act, the executive is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. Responsibility for the provision of health services in County Cork rests with the executive. My Department has requested the chief officer for the executive's southern area to investigate the matter raised and to reply directly to the Deputy.
266 Mr. Sherlock asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the arrangements her Department has made in respect of refunding those who are referred to private nursing homes, though not in a contract bed situation, by health services personnel due to the shortage of beds in public nursing homes. [1606/05]
The Department of Health and Children is unaware of the practice to which the Deputy refers. However, because of a shortage of public long-stay beds in some areas of the country, I understand that health service providers have, under section 22(3) of the Health (Nursing Homes) Act 1990 entered into arrangements with private nursing homes to provide services.
267 Ms Shortall asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if it is correct for a health board or nursing home to deduct money from a patient’s pension as in the case of a person (details supplied); and if so, the action she is taking to stop such action and to reimburse the person concerned. [1607/05]
The Health Act 2004 provided for the Health Service Executive, which was established on 1 January 2005. Under the Act, the executive is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. Responsibility for the provision of health services in the Dublin 1 area rests with the executive. My Department has requested the chief officer for the executive's eastern regional area to investigate the matter raised and to reply directly to the Deputy.
272 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if her Department has not fulfilled its obligations under the National Archives Act 1986; the period during which her Department has been negligent in this regard; and if she has proposals to comply with the terms of the Act. [1613/05]
Section 8 of the National Archives Act 1986 requires that departmental records that are more than 30 years old should be transferred to the National Archives where they shall be made available for inspection by the public. However, the Act also provides an exemption from this requirement where records are required in connection with a Department's administration and where their transfer to the National Archives would seriously interfere with the administration of the Department.
The administration of the Department of Health and Children involves, on an ongoing basis, detailed examinations of its records in the context of orders of discovery, tribunals, inquiries, commissions, freedom of information requests and administrative requests, many of which involve the use of pre-1973 records. The Department's business programme also includes an examination of files by professional archivists and the creation of a names index and a centralised records and file tracking system. Owing to the nature of the Department's current administrative programme, much of the Department's file holdings are unsuitable for transfer to the National Archives at this time.
Since 2001, the records management unit of my Department has been in regular contact with the National Archives with the intention of complying fully with the requirements of the National Archives Act 1986. Interim measures agreed and pursued with the National Archives include the following: the transfer in 2003 of more than 300 items, including folder files, box files and bound volumes; the identification of further suites of records suitable for transfer and the preparation of appropriate deposit agreements — to date, space restrictions in the National Archives premises have prevented the physical transfer of these papers; the administrative release of certain records from within the Department using the National Archives legislation as guidelines; the Department's funding of an initiative by the National Archives to microfilm certain record sets that are suitable for transfer, with a view to making the microfilms accessible to the public; the Department's initiative to have certain of its files published on the National Archives website. A pilot in 2004 resulted in eight files being published electronically, with the intention of adding to this set throughout 2005. The Department of Health and Children is fully committed to meeting its obligations under the National Archives Act, and continues to liaise on a regular basis with the National Archives to achieve this.
273 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the responsibilities and roles of the former chief executive officer of each of the health boards under the newly structured health reforms. [1614/05]
Following the establishment of the Health Service Executive, HSE, on 1 January 2005, the HSE has responsibility for the management and delivery of health and personal social services, including those functions previously carried out by chief executive officers of former health boards, area boards and authority.
As part of the transition arrangements and as provided for in the Health Act 2004, the interim chief executive officer of the Health Service Executive has delegated responsibility for the administration of health and personal social services to a chief officer in each of the former health board, area board or authority areas. A chief officer is defined as a person who on establishment day was chief executive officer of a health board, area board or authority, or a person nominated to act in that capacity. Each chief officer reports to the chief executive officer of the HSE. I have been informed by the HSE that the delegations will be reviewed by it during the first half of 2005.
274 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the number of public nursing home beds in hospitals and nursing homes in County Westmeath; and the locations of these beds. [1615/05]
The Health Act 2004 provided for the Health Service Executive, which was established on 1 January 2005. Under the Act, the executive is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services.
Responsibility for the provision of health services in County Westmeath rests with the executive. My Department has requested the chief officer for the executive's midland area to investigate the matter raised and to reply directly to the Deputy.
275 Mr. Deasy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the cost involved in maintaining an elderly person in their own home as opposed to seeking a placement for them in a public hospital or a nursing home; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1616/05]
The cost involved in maintaining an older person at home or in a public hospital or in a nursing home depends on the type of medical needs, accommodation and health services required. The information requested cannot therefore be provided as each individual's circumstances will differ.
If the Deputy has a specific case in mind, details should be sent to the chief officer in the relevant Health Service Executive, HSE, area.
276 Mr. Deasy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if her attention has been drawn to the lengthy process of the present system of adoption here; the steps she proposes to take to streamline this system; if she has had discussions with the adoption authority in this regard; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1617/05]
Applications for inter-country adoption are processed by the Health Services Executive, HSE, under the Adoption Acts 1952-1998, as amended by the Health Act 2004.
The process of assessment of applicants for inter-country assessment is set out in a framework for inter-country assessment introduced in 1999 to streamline assessments and to provide a transparent system centred on the child's best interests. It involves a number of stages and would generally include an initial assessment, a considerable level of education-preparation work, including an exploration with prospective adoptive parents of the challenges and issues that are likely to arise when undertaking adoption, and a home study assessment. The length of the assessment process can vary between applicants depending on the particular circumstances of each case, bearing in mind at all times the best interests of the child. Applicants found to be suitable to be adoptive parents are granted a declaration of suitability by the Adoption Board, and may then pursue the adoption of a child abroad with the selected sending country. It should be noted that difficulties may arise in sending countries that can also cause delay. The length of time it takes to complete the necessary assessment and the allocation of resources within the HSE is a matter for the management of the HSE. I have asked the Adoption Board to identify practical measures to tackle the waiting lists of inter-country assessments and itis examining this currently.
277 Mr. Deasy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if she will provide funding to a centre (details supplied) in County Waterford; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1618/05]
The Health Act 2004 provided for the Health Service Executive, which was established on 1 January 2005. Under the Act, the executive is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. Responsibility for the provision of health services in County Waterford rests with the executive. My Department has requested the chief officer for the executive's south eastern area to investigate the matter raised and to reply directly to the Deputy.
278 Cecilia Keaveney asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the position in relation to expanding the accident and emergency service in Letterkenny, County Donegal; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1619/05]
The Health Act 2004 provided for the Health Service Executive, which was established on 1 January 2005. Under the Act, the executive is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. Responsibility for the provision of services at Letterkenny General Hospital rests with the executive. My Department has, therefore, requested the chief officer of the executive's north-western area to investigate the position in relation to this matter and to reply directly to the Deputy.
I have identified the delivery of accident and emergency services as a priority area for attention. I have announced a ten point action plan on accident and emergency services which is being financed with €70 million current funding and €10 million capital funding. My Department is liaising with the Health Service Executive to progress the implementation of the plan.
279 Mr. Penrose asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the category of persons who will be refunded €2,000 in respect of payments deducted from them for nursing home care; if the category includes persons who were the holders of medical cards and were inpatients at public hospitals; if such persons are so entitled to the refund, but have in the interim died, if such a repayment will be made to their next of kin; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1621/05]
The category of person who will receive refunds under the ex gratia scheme in respect of payments deducted from them for publicly funded long-stay care in facilities run by former health boards or private nursing homes solely by virtue of a contractual arrangement with a former health board comprises fully eligible persons, including those who had their medical card withdrawn on admission to the institution and were alive on 9 December 2004. Those qualifying under the scheme will be paid up to €2,000 if they have already paid up to that amount by way of charges. Where persons have been charged anything less than €2,000, they will be refunded the amount they have paid.
The category of person who will receive refunds does not include medical card holders in receipt of acute public inpatient services in a hospital, but may include medical cardholders who were charged incorrectly while in receipt of long-stay inpatient services following an acute phase of treatment in a hospital. In relation to acute care in hospitals the position is that under the Health (In-Patient Charges) Regulations 1987, as amended, a statutory inpatient charge of €55, with effect from 1 January 2005, is levied in respect of each day during which a person is maintained, subject to a maximum payment in any 12 month period of €550. However, it should be noted that various categories of person, including medical card holders, are exempt from the charge.
The scheme does not apply in the case of persons who were in long-stay care in the institutions in question but died before 9 December 2004. If, however, individuals concerned died on or after this date, payments will be made to the executor or person who has taken out the grant of administration in respect of the individual who died.
280 Mr. Hayes asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the number of persons on the waiting list for Our Lady’s Hospital, Cashel and South Tipperary General Hospital, Clonmel, County Tipperary. [1622/05]
Responsibility for the collection and reporting of waiting lists and waiting times falls within the remit of the national treatment purchase fund, NTPF. My Department has, therefore, asked the chief executive of the NTPF to reply to the Deputy directly with the information requested.
281 Mr. McGuinness asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if orthodontic treatment will be arranged immediately in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny; her views on the waiting list for this treatment; the exact timeframe relative to this case; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1623/05]
The Health Act 2004 provided for the Health Service Executive, which was established on 1 January 2005. Under the Act, the executive is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. Responsibility for the provision of orthodontic treatment for eligible persons in County Kilkenny rests with the executive. My Department has requested the chief officer for the executive's south eastern area to investigate the matter raised and to reply directly to the Deputy.
282 Mr. McGuinness asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if an assessment will be expedited for a hip operation for a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny; if there is a waiting list for such cases; if this case will be urgently attended to; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1624/05]
The Health Act 2004 provided for the Health Service Executive, which was established on 1 January 2005. Under the Act, the executive is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. Responsibility for the provision of services for residents of County Kilkenny rests with the executive. My Department has requested the chief officer for the executive's south-eastern area to investigate the matter raised and reply directly to the Deputy.
283 Mr. Stagg asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if the Health Service Executive will reinstate a person (details supplied) on the waiting list for speech and language therapy at the Maynooth Health Centre; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1625/05]
The Health Act 2004 provided for the Health Service Executive, which was established on 1 January 2005. Under the Act, the executive is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. Responsibility for speech and language therapy rests with the executive. My Department has requested the chief officer for the executive's south western area to investigate the matter raised and to reply directly to the Deputy.
284 Mr. Connolly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the steps she proposes to take to force health boards to return the pension books of residents that they continue to retain illegally; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1626/05]
321 Ms Enright asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the position in relation to the refund of pensions to persons aged over 70 years in nursing houses; the procedure for returning the pension book to those persons or to their next of kin; the reason some pension books have not been returned to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2061/05]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 284 and 321 together.
The Health Act 2004 provides for the Health Service Executive, which was established on 1 January 2005. Under the Act, the executive is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. The Health Service Executive decided that pension books held by health agencies in respect of pensioners who were charged in relation to long-stay care should be returned to the pensioners concerned or their representatives. Responsibility for this matter rests with the executive. My Department has requested the interim chief executive officer to investigate the matter and to reply directly to the Deputies.
285 Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children, further to Parliamentary Question No. 235 of 2 November 2004, the progress there has been in the development of a village complex for 60 residents with an intellectual disability on the campus at St. Ita’s Hospital, Portrane, County Dublin. [1627/05]
The Health Act 2004 provided for the Health Service Executive, which was established on 1 January 2005. Under the Act, the executive is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. As part of the executive's responsibility to prepare and submit an annual service plan for my approval, it is obliged under section 31 of the Act to indicate any capital plans proposed by the executive. In this process the executive can be expected to have regard to the full range of potential capital developments, its own criteria in determining priorities, available resources and any other relevant factors.
My Department is awaiting the 2005 service plan from the Heath Service Executive. In the interim, my Department has asked the chief executive of the Health Service Executive, eastern regional area to investigate the position with regard to this project and to reply directly to the Deputy.
286 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children her views on whether conduct (details supplied) is appropriate behaviour for a hospital (details supplied); and if there is a code of practice for all hospitals by which they are to protect patient care and confidentiality. [1628/05]
The Health Act 2004 provided for the Health Service Executive, which was established on 1 January 2005. Under the Act, the executive is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. Services at St. James's Hospital, Dublin, are provided under an arrangement with the executive and my Department has requested the chief officer for the executive's eastern regional area to examine the issues raised and to reply to the Deputy directly.
288 Ms B. Moynihan-Cronin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if she will provide funding for a nurse for County Kerry to deal specifically with Parkinson’s disease sufferers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1630/05]
The Health Act 2004 provided for the Health Service Executive, which was established on 1 January 2005. Under the Act, the executive is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. Responsibility for the provision of services for residents of County Kerry rests with the executive. My Department has requested the chief officer for the executive's southern area to investigate the matter raised and reply directly to the Deputy.
289 Ms McManus asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if it is regular practice for a hospital (details supplied) to give a patient’s (details supplied) details to a third party without first notifying the patient; is it normal practice for the same hospital to make a separate charge to a patient who may take a successful personal injury claim; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1631/05]
The Health Act 2004 provided for the Health Service Executive, which was established on 1 January 2005. Under the Act, the executive is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. Services at St. James's Hospital, Dublin, are provided under an arrangement with the executive and my Department has requested the chief officer for the executive's eastern regional area to examine the issues raised and to reply to the Deputy directly.
290 Mr. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the extent to which it is intended to upgrade the various health centres throughout County Kildare in line with population increases or other demographic changes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1632/05]
The Health Act 2004 provided for the Health Service Executive, which was established on 1 January 2005. Under the Act, the executive is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. Responsibility for provision of health centres rests with the executive. My Department has requested the chief officer for the executive's eastern regional area to investigate the matter raised and reply to the Deputy directly.
291 Mr. Bruton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if details of the cost of inpatient and day procedures and for bed days in different hospitals, based on case-mix, are available for 2004; if not, when she expects them to be available; and if she will put them on the record of Dáil Éireann. [1633/05]
Data on the 37 acute hospitals which participate in the national case mix programme are detailed in the following table. These data are based on audited costs and activity for 2003, the latest full year for which data are available. Data for 2004 will be audited during the year for release in January 2006.
The case mix adjusted base price for inpatients and day cases is the average cost of a case when all national data have been aggregated and takes into account each hospital's unique mix of cases and differing complexities, that is, the base price is the cost of treating the same type of case in each hospital. Bed day costs do not take account of complexity and are simply an expression of total costs divided by total bed days. Bed day costs relate to inpatients only.
|
Hospital |
Case Mix Adjusted Hospital Inpatient Base |
Day Case Base Price |
Cost per Bed Day* Price |
|
€ |
€ |
€ |
|
|
Beaumont |
3,930 |
542 |
641 |
|
Cork University |
3,774 |
534 |
747 |
|
James Connolly |
4,825 |
535 |
640 |
|
Mater |
3,721 |
652 |
658 |
|
St. James’s |
4,147 |
461 |
692 |
|
St. Vincent’s |
3,874 |
584 |
633 |
|
Tallaght AMNCH |
3,992 |
516 |
671 |
|
UCHG |
3,856 |
427 |
662 |
|
Cavan |
3,454 |
655 |
488 |
|
Croom |
3,627 |
665 |
806 |
|
Letterkenny |
3,107 |
417 |
470 |
|
Limerick |
3,603 |
477 |
573 |
|
Longford/Westmeath |
2,963 |
464 |
447 |
|
Lourdes Drogheda |
3,479 |
463 |
575 |
|
Louth General |
2,797 |
697 |
381 |
|
Mallow |
3,223 |
394 |
477 |
|
Mayo General |
3,632 |
587 |
534 |
|
Mercy |
3,371 |
576 |
565 |
|
Merlin Park |
3,118 |
648 |
481 |
|
Monaghan |
4,053 |
536 |
507 |
|
Navan |
3,428 |
781 |
556 |
|
Portiuncula |
3,362 |
525 |
500 |
|
Portlaoise |
3,567 |
501 |
550 |
|
South Infirmary |
3,108 |
524 |
469 |
|
Sligo |
3,276 |
773 |
476 |
|
St. Columcille’s |
4,349 |
556 |
492 |
|
St. Luke’s Kilkenny |
3,340 |
385 |
541 |
|
St. Mary’s Orthopaedic |
3,906 |
561 |
582 |
|
Tralee |
3,559 |
503 |
523 |
|
Tullamore |
3,501 |
684 |
502 |
|
Waterford |
3,349 |
474 |
535 |
|
Wexford General |
3,076 |
514 |
500 |
|
Coombe |
3,556 |
Note 2** |
563 |
|
National Maternity |
3,657 |
Note 2 |
677 |
|
Rotunda |
3,714 |
Note 2 |
697 |
|
OLHSC, Crumlin |
5,109 |
Note 2 |
1,155 |
|
Temple Street |
5,281 |
Note 2 |
1,128 |
|
National Totals |
3,644 |
540 |
589 |
*Note 1: *Cost per bed day calculation excludes day cases, outpatient services, accident and emergency cost and activity. It also excludes capital and depreciation.
**Note 2: Day case costs not currently collected.
292 Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the numbers on acute hospital waiting lists by each region and hospital. [1634/05]
Responsibility for the collection and reporting of waiting lists and waiting times falls within the remit of the national treatment purchase fund, NTPF. My Department has, therefore, asked the chief executive of the NTPF to reply to the Deputy directly with the information requested.
293 Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the progress in the negotiation of a revised contract for hospital consultants to ensure greater equity for public patients as promised in action 89 of Quality and Fairness; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1635/05]
A series of meetings has taken place between management and the medical organisations to resolve outstanding issues from the current consultants' common contract. These negotiations resulted in the introduction of a revised grievance and dispute procedure for consultants. Preliminary talks have been held between management and the medical organisations to discuss forthcoming negotiations on the new contract. Unfortunately, the opposition of these organisations to the extension of the clinical indemnity scheme to cover claims against consultants has led to a decision by the Irish Hospital Consultants Association, IHCA, not to participate in further negotiations. This has resulted in the commencement of talks on a new contract being postponed.
I am anxious to break the deadlock which has arisen and I have continually indicated to the consultants that I am available to sit down with them to discuss a new contract in tandem with those issues that are of particular concern to them with regard to the clinical indemnity scheme. In this respect, I met again the IHCA before Christmas when we discussed the negotiations on the new contract for consultants and the resolution of the medical indemnity issues. I regret that the IHCA indicated it wished to resolve the indemnity issue before it will agree to negotiate a new contract. I am available to meet again with the IHCA on this matter and it is my wish to move beyond the current impasse at the earliest opportunity.
I emphasise that the root cause is the withdrawal of cover for historic liabilities of consultants by the Medical Defence Union. I have also met the Medical Defence Union to bring forward a sustainable resolution to this issue. I have also ensured that, in the meantime, consultants who have been unreasonably left without cover will receive State assistance for a legal defence for any case that arises against them.
In this regard, I regret that both medical organisations are currently considering whether to take industrial action to seek a resolution to these issues. I encourage the IHCA and the IMO not to take this action and to continue with the discussion process with a view to reaching a mutually agreeable solution.
294 Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the reasons for terminating the suspensions of persons (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1636/05]
I reviewed the suspensions of the persons concerned on 23 December 2004 and decided, based on legal advice and pursuant to the powers conferred on me as Minister for Health and Children by section 22(3) of the Health Act 1970, to terminate the suspensions with effect from that date. My decision is without prejudice to the outcome of any legal or disciplinary proceedings relating to the suspensions and, in these circumstances, I am unable to comment further.
295 Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the action she proposes to take on foot of the RCSI report on surgical services at Cavan General Hospital; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1637/05]
At the request of my Department, the report referred to by the Deputy is being examined by the national hospitals office of the Health Service Executive. I expect to be advised by the executive in the near future as to the steps it proposes to take to address the issues raised in the report.
296 Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children her proposals for action regarding the future of surgical services at Monaghan General Hospital in view of her meeting with Cavan-Monaghan Oireachtas Members to address this matter on 9 December 2004; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1638/05]
The Health Act 2004 provided for the Health Service Executive, which was established on 1 January 2005. Under the Act, the executive is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. Responsibility for the provision of services at Monaghan General Hospital rests with the Executive. My Department has requested the chief officer of the Health Service Executive's north-eastern area to investigate the matter raised and to reply directly to the Deputy.
297 Mr. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if extra home help will be offered to a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1639/05]
The Health Act 2004 provided for the Health Service Executive, which was established on 1 January 2005. Under the Act, the executive is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. Responsibility for the provision of health services in County Kildare rests with the executive. My Department has requested the chief officer for the executive's eastern regional area to investigate the matter raised and reply directly to the Deputy.
299 Mr. Bruton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the State, semi-State, State-sponsored and statutory bodies under the aegis of her Department which are not subject to the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act 1997; the reason a body is not subject to the requirements of the Act; and if she envisages proposals to bring any such body within the scope of the Act in the foreseeable future. [1705/05]
The Department of Finance plans to extend freedom of information provisions to a range of appropriate bodies in 2005. Within the health sector, proposals to extend freedom of information to the following bodies are currently being finalised with that Department: An Bord Altranais; Bord na Radharcmhastóirí — Opticians Board; the Crisis Pregnancy Agency; the Dental Council; Dental Health Foundation; the Drug Treatment Centre Board; the Health Insurance Board; the Health Research Board; the Irish Health Services Accreditation Board; the Medical Council; the National Breast Screening Board; the National Cancer Registry; the National Council for the Professional Development of Nursing and Midwifery; the National Treatment Purchase Fund; the Office of Tobacco Control; the Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland; the Pre-Hospital Emergency Care Council; the Special Residential Services Board.
The following bodies are not deemed appropriate for the application of the Act at this time for the reasons outlined below: the Food Safety Promotion Board; the Institute of Public Health; the Hepatitis C and HIV Compensation Tribunal; the Adoption Board; the Voluntary Health Insurance Board; the Hospitals Trust Board; the Board for the Employment of the Blind.
The Food Safety Promotion Board is a North-South Implementation Body established under the British Irish Agreement Act 1999. Under the Agreement, Irish and Northern Ireland Ministers with responsibility for freedom of information will, as soon as practicable, draw up a code of practice on access to information for approval by the North-South Ministerial Council. Preparation of the code of practice is at an advanced stage and it is expected to be implemented during 2005.
The Institute of Public Health was established prior to the British-Irish Agreement Act 1999 under the auspices of the Department of Health and Social Services in Northern Ireland and the Department of Health and Children. It is intended to consult the institute regarding the application of the above code of practice to it. The Hepatitis C and HIV Compensation Tribunal is a quasi-judicial body. Access to information concerning adoption has been the subject of an extensive process of consultation and the Minister of State with responsibility for children has recently published details of legislative proposals arising from this. The Voluntary Health Insurance Board provides private health insurance within the commercial market.
Under the current health reform programme, the Hospitals Trust Board is to be dissolved and alternative arrangements are intended for the services provided by the Board for the Employment of the Blind. These services are being examined by a working group which is expected to report on its work at the end of March.
301 Mr. Naughten asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children, further to Parliamentary Question No. 89 of 16 December 2004, when the person will be called for a urology outpatients appointment at the County Hospital, Roscommon; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1855/05]
The Health Act 2004 provided for the Health Service Executive, which was established on 1 January 2005. Under the Act, the executive is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. Responsibility for the County Hospital, Roscommon rests with the executive. My Department has again requested the chief officer for the executive's western area to investigate the matter raised and to reply directly to the Deputy.
302 Mr. Stagg asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if the full complement of beds is now in use in the Maynooth community care unit, Maynooth, County Kildare; if not, the number of beds in use; the reason for the delay in bringing the unit to full capacity; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1874/05]
The Health Act 2004 provided for the Health Service Executive, which was established on 1 January 2005. Under the Act, the executive is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. Responsibility for the provision of health services in County Kildare rests with the executive. My Department has requested the chief officer for the executive's eastern regional area to investigate the matter raised and reply directly to the Deputy.
303 Mr. Stagg asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if her attention has been drawn to the serious overcrowding in recent weeks in the accident and emergency unit at Naas General Hospital, Naas, County Kildare; the way in which she intends to improve matters at the hospital prior to autumn 2005; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1877/05]
The Health Act 2004 provided for the Health Service Executive, which was established on 1 January 2005. Under the Act, the executive is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. Responsibility for the provision of services at Naas General Hospital rests with the executive. My Department has, therefore, asked the chief officer of the executive's eastern regional area to investigate the position regarding this case and reply to the Deputy directly.
I have identified the delivery of accident and emergency services as a priority area for attention. I have announced a ten point action plan on accident and emergency services which is being financed with €70 million current funding and €10 million capital funding. My Department is liaising with the HSE to progress the implementation of the plan.
304 Mr. Stagg asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the waiting time for hearing tests in the region covering County Kildare by the South Western Area Health Board, now Health Service Executive; and the waiting time for the provision of hearing aids following the hearing test. [1888/05]
The Health Act 2004 provided for the Health Service Executive, which was established on 1 January 2005. Under the Act, the executive is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. Responsibility for the provision of audiology services for eligible persons in County Kildare rests with the executive. My Department has requested the chief officer for the executive's eastern area to investigate the matter raised and reply directly to the Deputy.
305 Mr. Stagg asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the waiting time for eye tests in the region covering County Kildare by the South Western Area Health Board, now Health Service Executive; and the waiting time for the provision of glasses following the eye test. [1889/05]
The Health Act 2004 provided for the Health Service Executive, which was established on 1 January 2005. Under the Act, the executive is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. Responsibility for provision of ophthalmic services rests with the executive. My Department has requested the chief officer for the executive's south-western area to investigate the matter raised and reply to the Deputy directly.
306 Mr. Stagg asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the number of hours allocated for home help services in County Kildare in 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2005. [1890/05]
The Health Act 2004 provided for the Health Service Executive, which was established on 1 January 2005. Under the Act, the executive is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. Responsibility for the provision of health services in County Kildare rests with the executive. My Department has requested the chief officer for the executive's eastern regional area to investigate the matter raised and reply directly to the Deputy.
308 Mr. Sargent asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if her attention has been drawn to the results of a study in New Zealand on a breathing method (details supplied) as a treatment for asthma; her plans to investigate the merits of the treatment and its application here; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1895/05]
My attention has been drawn to this particular study and to other aspects of this matter. Therefore, I am aware of the work that is being done in this area. The causation and treatment of asthma are very complex issues involving a combination of environmental, physiological, psychological, metabolic and other factors.
As regards the particular point of this study, namely, the Buteyko breathing technique, I would make the following observation. The use of any treatment modality in any area of medical practice is a matter for individual practitioners based on best practice, as reflected in the research literature, standards and guidance provided by professional bodies and practitioners' individual experience. The Department is not in a position, therefore, to advocate the use of any particular programme of treatment in the complex and difficult area of asthma management.
309 Ms McManus asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children her plans to compensate registered nurses working in the intellectual disability sector who are paid significantly less than other staff working in this area with fewer qualifications, whom the nurses work alongside and in many cases supervise; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1900/05]
317 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if she will urgently resolve the major professional matters (details supplied) relating to the registered nurses in intellectual disability to ensure that they get the maximum support and ensure that persons with an intellectual disability be entitled to the same high standard of service as others; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1971/05]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 309 and 317 together.
The final report of the joint committee on social care professions made recommendations in relation to pay and grading structures for child care workers. The pay recommendation provided for increases of 17% to 27% for house parents-child care leaders and assistant house parents-child care workers in the residential sector. The benchmarking body, PSBB, referred to this report and recommended that these increases be extended to similar grades in the intellectual disabilities sector, IDS.
In March 2004 the Labour Court considered a claim from the Alliance of Nursing Unions for a 10.55% pay increase for nurses working in the intellectual disability sector, to restore a ‘differential' which existed between nurses and social care professionals prior to the determination of the public sector benchmarking body. While the Labour Court accepted that registered nurses intellectual disability, RNID, had traditionally been paid more than social care professionals, it stated that no formal pay ‘differential' existed between the two grades. The court noted that an understanding had been reached at the Labour Relations Commission on 3 September 2003 between the employers and the Alliance of Nursing Unions and that both parties had accepted that the report of the PSBB severed all pay links and established new absolute levels of pay for benchmarked grades. There was also an acceptance that any future benchmarking exercise or whatever subsequent arrangements are put in place for determining public service pay is the appropriate forum to examine the position of RNIDs vis-à-vis other social care professionals. The court also noted that this understanding was rejected by members of the Alliance of Nursing Unions leading to the referral to the matter to the court.
The court issued its recommendation on 1 April 2004. Having considered the written and oral submissions the court was of the view that the claim could not be dealt with outside of the established agreements. Accordingly, the court recommended that the matter be dealt with in accordance with the understanding reached between the parties at the conciliation conference on 3 September 2003 and that it be given priority in this exercise.
In the discussions on phase II of Sustaining Progress the management agreed that the position of the RNID would be considered in the next benchmarking review which will commence in the second half of 2005. The special working group on the registered nurse intellectual disability was established in April 2003 and includes representatives of the Nursing Alliance and health service employers. This group is continuing to consider issues relevant to the role of the RNID, including reporting relationships, scope of practice matters and the education of persons with severe and profound intellectual disability.
The Government is committed to enhancing services for people with intellectual disability. Between 1997 and 2004, the Government provided additional revenue and capital funding of €400 million for services for people with intellectual disability and those with autism. In late 2004, the Government announced details of a further five-year investment programme in services for people with disabilities, the cumulative cost of which will be around €900 million. A major proportion of this funding will be used to target specific high support services for people with disabilities, including those with intellectual disability or autism, provided by the health services. This investment programme is a key element of the national disability strategy announced by the Taoiseach in September 2004.
310 Mr. P. Breen asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children when a person (details supplied) in County Clare will be called for orthodontic treatment in Limerick; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1906/05]
The Health Act 2004 provided for the Health Service Executive, which was established on 1 January 2005. Under the Act, the executive is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. Responsibility for the provision of orthodontic services for eligible persons in County Clare rests with the executive. My Department has requested the chief officer for the executive's mid-western area to investigate the matter raised and reply directly to the Deputy.
311 Ms McManus asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if she plans to ratify the WHO framework convention on tobacco control by 27 February 2005; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1947/05]
I intend to bring a motion before the Oireachtas shortly seeking approval to the ratification by Ireland of the framework convention on tobacco control. The convention is an initiative of the World Health Organisation in response to the global epidemic of tobacco addiction. The treaty, which was adopted unanimously by the World Health Assembly in May 2003 and signed by Ireland in September 2003, provides an agreed approach to tobacco control at a global level.
This will be the first binding international treaty that addresses all aspects of tobacco control — the traditional health interventions such as advertising and sponsorship bans, passive smoking and retail licensing. It also addresses economic and trade issues, including taxation policy, international trade and smuggling. Other areas include product specification and issues of compensation and liability.
Ireland is a strong advocate of effective tobacco control policies and of the framework convention on tobacco control and has consistently pressed these policies nationally and internationally to protect public health and reduce deaths from tobacco related illness. To enable the treaty to come into force ratification by 40 states is necessary and this figure was achieved at the end of last year. Ireland is committed to effective tobacco control policies. Our smoke-free workplace initiative which commenced in March 2004 has drawn favourable comment from public health authorities around the world as an effective public health instrument in tackling the negative health effects of tobacco smoking. A number of other jurisdictions are using the Irish experience as a basis for similar type health interventions.
312 Mr. Haughey asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if persons aged over 70 years with medical cards prior to December 2004, who were in long-term private nursing home care and in receipt of a subvention from the health board were entitled to this service free of any charge; the amount which will now be paid to such persons; if she will investigate the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1961/05]
As the Deputy will be aware, the placing of a person in a private nursing home is a private matter between the person or his or her representatives and the nursing home, as are the fees charged for that service. The nursing home subvention scheme was introduced to help people with some of the cost of this service and is based on need, both medical and financial. Consequently, the issue of refunds does not arise.
313 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if she will ensure maximum support and funding in 2005 for a centre (details supplied) in Dublin 5; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1967/05]
The Health Act 2004 provided for the Health Service Executive, which was established on 1 January 2005. Under the Act, the executive is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. Responsibility for the provision of health services in the Dublin 5 area rests with the executive. My Department has requested the chief officer for the executive's eastern regional area to investigate the matter raised and to reply directly to the Deputy.
314 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the position regarding funding to a centre (details supplied) in Dublin 5; if it will receive the maximum support and funding in 2005. [1968/05]
The Health Act 2004 provided for the Health Service Executive, which was established on 1 January 2005. Under the Act, the executive is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. Responsibility for the provision of health services in the Dublin 5 area rests with the executive. My Department has requested the chief officer for the executive's eastern regional area to investigate the matter raised and to reply directly to the Deputy.
315 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if assistance will be given to persons (details supplied) in Dublin 3 with their complaint regarding a hospital; and if this case will be a priority issue. [1969/05]
316 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if the HSE will put in place a care plan for a person (details supplied) and work closely with the family on the issue; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1970/05]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 315 and 316 together.
The Health Act 2004 provided for the Health Service Executive, which was established on 1 January 2005. Under the Act, the executive is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. Responsibility for the provision of hospital services rests with the executive. My Department has requested the chief officer for the executive's eastern regional area to examine the issues raised and to reply to the Deputy directly.
318 Ms McManus asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the breakdown of home help expenditure in each of the health board areas which are funded by the health boards for the years 2002, 2003 and 2004; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1976/05]
The Health Act 2004 provided for the Health Service Executive, which was established on 1 January 2005. Under the Act, the executive is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. Responsibility for the provision of health services in each county rests with the executive. My Department has requested the chief officers for each of the executive's areas to investigate the matter raised and reply directly to the Deputy.
319 Ms McManus asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if her attention has been drawn to the fact that a major hospital in Dublin (details supplied) states that it can only provide day service physiotherapy for patients who are over 65 years of age and had no physiotherapy stroke service for patients under 65 years of age; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1977/05]
The Health Act 2004 provided for the Health Service Executive, which was established on 1 January 2005. Under the Act, the executive is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. Services at the Adelaide and Meath Hospital, incorporating the National Children's Hospital, Tallaght, are provided under an arrangement with the executive. My Department has, therefore, requested the chief officer of the executive's eastern regional area to investigate the position with regard to this matter and reply directly to the Deputy.
320 Mr. Carey asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if there have been any recent discussions between her Department and the ERHA-Health Service Executive or the professional bodies representing chiropodists regarding the long-running issue of chiropodists charging a top up fee to elderly medical card holders for chiropody services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1982/05]
The provision of chiropody services is a matter for the local area of the Health Service Executive. This is a service which it is not statutorily obliged to provide and a variety of arrangements were in place nationally under the former Eastern Regional Health Authority and the health boards. As the Deputy is aware, my Department informed the Eastern Regional Health Authority that it was inappropriate to impose a charge for this service on medical card holders. There are complex inter-relationships at play and I regret that the matter was not resolved. My Department has written to the Health Service Executive with a view to getting an early resolution of this matter.
322 Mr. Connaughton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the reason Ballinasloe social services, County Galway, has not had the services of an occupational therapist for more than four years; if her attention has been drawn to the fact that there is a vital need for this service in a town and hinterland the size of Ballinasloe; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2063/05]
The Health Act 2004 provided for the Health Service Executive, which was established on 1 January 2005. Under the Act, the executive is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. Responsibility for occupational therapy rests with the executive. My Department has requested the chief officer for the executive's western area to investigate the matter raised and to reply directly to the Deputy.
323 Mr. Timmins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the position in relation to the case of a person (details supplied) in County Wicklow; if an operation will be carried out as a matter of urgency; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2065/05]
The Health Act 2004 provided for the Health Service Executive, which was established on 1 January 2005. Under the Act, the executive is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services.
Responsibility for the provision of health services to persons residing in counties Dublin, Kildare and Wicklow rests with the Health Service Executive. My Department has requested the chief officer for the executive's eastern regional area to investigate the matter raised and to reply to the Deputy directly.
324 Mr. Kehoe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children when the HSE advisory forums are due to be established; the number of representatives per county; if she has to make a ministerial order and, if so, when she will do so. [2066/05]
I assume the Deputy is referring to the regional health forums due to be established under section 42 of the Health Act 2004. This section of the Act provides for the establishment of regional health forums, not exceeding four, following consultation with the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government.
The function of a regional health forum is to make representations to the Health Service Executive on the range and operation of health and personal social services provided within its functional area. Members will be appointed to a regional health forum by the city and county councils in the forum's functional area. A regional health forum is to be composed of members of each city council and each county council within the functional area of the forum who are to be appointed as members of the forum by that city council or county council.
Details relating to the establishment, composition and operation of the regional health forums will be set out in regulations to be prepared by my Department. It is my intention that these regulations will be completed in the near future to enable the fora to be established as soon as possible.
325 Mr. J. O’Keeffe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the position in relation to the proposed extension and enlargement from 23 to 45 beds at Dunmanway community hospital, which was sanctioned in 1996; the progress which has been made in the meantime; and when the work will commence. [2067/05]
The Health Act 2004 provided for the Health Service Executive, which was established on 1 January 2005. Under the Act, the executive is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services.
As part of the executive's responsibility to prepare and submit an annual service plan for my approval, it is obliged under section 31 of the Act to indicate any capital plans proposed by the executive. In this process, the executive can be expected to have regard to the full range of potential capital developments, its own criteria in determining priorities, available resources and any other relevant factors.
My Department is awaiting the 2005 service plan from the Heath Service Executive. In the interim, my Department has asked the chief executive of the Health Service Executive — southern area — to investigate the position in relation to this project and to reply directly to the Deputy.
326 Mr. O’Connor asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children her plans for a major programme to promote suicide prevention; her views on the matter; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2068/05]
Since the publication of the report of the national task force on suicide in 1998, there has been a positive and committed response from both the statutory and voluntary sectors towards finding ways of tackling the tragic problem of suicide. I am fully committed to the intensification of suicide prevention measures and, in this regard, work is now well underway on the preparation of a strategic action plan for suicide reduction. This strategic action plan involving the project management unit, Health Service Executive, in partnership with the national suicide review group and supported by the Department of Health and Children will build on existing policy and on the recommendations contained in the report of the national task force on suicide. All measures aimed at reducing the number of deaths by suicide will be considered in the preparation of this strategic action plan which will be published later this year.
327 Mr. O’Shea asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if her attention has been drawn to the fact that women who have medical cards are having to make a payment for the cervical smear test; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2069/05]
Where cervical smear testing is necessary in the context of an individual woman's medical examination and clinical needs, it is covered under the general medical services scheme. However, opportunistic cervical smear testing is not currently provided under the scheme for medical card holders. Any necessary follow-up treatment is available to all women, including medical card holders, within the public hospital system.
The Health Board Executive, HeBE, commissioned an international expert in cervical screening to carry out an examination on the feasibility and implications of a national roll-out of a cervical screening programme and her report has been submitted to my Department. My Department is now consulting with relevant professional representative and advocacy groups on the report as an essential input into its preparation of a detailed response to the recommendations. These groups are: the Irish College of General Practitioners, An Bord Altranais, the Academy of Medical Laboratory Science, the Institute of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of the RCPI; the faculty of pathology of the RCPI, the women's health council and the Irish Cancer Society.
328 Mr. Gormley asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the public appointments made in her Department since the Cabinet reshuffle in September 2004. [2090/05]
I take it that the Deputy is referring to persons appointed by the Minister for Health and Children to State boards under the aegis of the Department from 30 September 2004 to date. These appointments are set out in the following table.
|
Board/Agency |
Appointee |
Date of Commencement of Appointment |
|
Crisis Pregnancy Agency |
Peter Finnegan |
13/12/2004 |
|
Dublin Dental Hospital Board |
Bernard McCartan |
20/12/2004 |
|
Edward Cotter |
20/12/2004 |
|
|
Eamon Croke |
20/12/2004 |
|
|
William Watts |
20/12/2004 |
|
|
Jane Davis |
20/12/2004 |
|
|
Pat Harvey |
20/12/2004 |
|
|
Deirdre Sadler |
20/12/2004 |
|
|
Angela Kerins |
20/12/2004 |
|
|
Ann Murphy |
20/12/2004 |
|
|
Colette Morrissey |
20/12/2004 |
|
|
Michael Horgan |
20/12/2004 |
|
|
Colm A. O'Moráin |
20/12/2004 |
|
|
Diarmuid B. Shanley |
20/12/2004 |
|
|
John Clarkson |
20/12/2004 |
|
|
Food Safety Authority |
Mary Falvey |
22/11/2004 |
|
Health Service Executive |
Liam Downey |
01/01/2005 |
|
Anne Scott |
01/01/2005 |
|
|
Maureen Gaffney |
01/01/2005 |
|
|
Michael McLoone |
01/01/2005 |
|
|
Michael Murphy |
01/01/2005 |
|
|
Niamh Brennan |
01/01/2005 |
|
|
John A. Murray |
01/01/2005 |
|
|
Eugene McCague |
01/01/2005 |
|
|
P.J. Fitzpatrick |
01/01/2005 |
|
|
Dónal de Buitléir |
01/01/2005 |
|
|
Irish Blood Transfusion Service |
Helen Enright |
4/11/2004 |
|
Jane O'Brien |
4/11/2004 |
|
|
Mary Cahill |
4/11/2004 |
|
|
Medical Council |
Kieran Murphy |
30/11/2004 |
|
National Breast Screening Board |
Sheelagh Ryan |
01/01/2005 |
|
Olivia O'Leary |
01/01/2005 |
|
|
Sean Hurley |
01/01/2005 |
|
|
Pat McLoughlin |
01/01/2005 |
|
|
Niall O'Higgins |
01/01/2005 |
|
|
National Council on Ageing and Older People |
Oliver R. Clery |
23/12/2004 |
|
Paul O'Donoghue |
23/12/2004 |
|
|
Eileen O'Dolan |
23/12/2004 |
|
|
Annette Kelly |
23/12/2004 |
|
|
Elaine Soffe |
23/12/2004 |
|
|
Ruth Loane |
23/12/2004 |
|
|
Kit Carolan |
23/12/2004 |
|
|
John Grant |
23/12/2004 |
|
|
Davida de la Harpe |
23/12/2004 |
|
|
Paddy O'Brien |
23/12/2004 |
|
|
Martina Queally |
23/12/2004 |
|
|
Bernard Thompson |
23/12/2004 |
|
|
Sylvia Meehan |
23/12/2004 |
|
|
Noel Byrne |
23/12/2004 |
|
|
John Brady |
23/12/2004 |
|
|
Tallaght Hospital Board |
Richard Conroy |
10/12/2004 |
|
Gerry Hurley |
10/12/2004 |
|
|
Chris Flood |
10/12/2004 |
|
|
Robert Kelly |
10/12/2004 |
|
|
Michael Gannon |
10/12/2004 |
|
|
Salters Sterling |
10/12/2004 |
|
|
Catherine Quinn |
10/12/2004 |
|
|
Tony Morris |
10/12/2004 |
|
|
Voluntary Health Insurance Board |
Jim Kelly |
01/02/2005 |
|
Julia Neuberger |
01/02/2005 |
329 Mr. Timmins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the position in relation to the case of a person (details supplied) in County Wicklow; if the decision will be re-examined and this person treated as speedily as possible; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2105/05]
The Health Act 2004 provided for the Health Service Executive, which was established on 1 January 2005. Under the Act, the executive is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services.
Responsibility for the provision of orthodontic services to eligible persons in County Wicklow rests with the executive. My Department has requested the chief officer for the executive's eastern area to investigate the matter raised and to reply directly to the Deputy.
330 Mr. Naughten asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if she will provide the HSE with €121,000 to provide a respite service at Sycamore Drive, Athlone, County Roscommon; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2110/05]
The Health Act 2004 provided for the Health Service Executive, which was established on 1 January 2005. Under the Act, the executive is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. Responsibility for funding rests with the executive. My Department has requested the chief officer for the executive's western area to investigate the matter raised and to reply directly to the Deputy.
331 Mr. Naughten asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if she will allocate funding to the HSE to appoint a specialist counsellor at the North-West Hospice; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2112/05]
The Health Act 2004 provided for the Health Service Executive, which was established on 1 January 2005. Under the Act, the executive is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services.
Responsibility for the provision of health services in Sligo rests with the executive. My Department has requested the chief officer for the executive's north western area to investigate the matter raised and to reply directly to the Deputy.
332 Mr. Naughten asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children further to Parliamentary Question No. 207 of 30 November 2004 when she intends to commence the strategic review of existing service provision for persons with disabilities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2119/05]
As the Deputy is aware, Sustaining Progress makes a commitment that "the Department of Health and Children will carry out a strategic review of existing service provision, in consultation with relevant interests, with a view to enhancing health and personal social services to meet the needs of people with disabilities". This review has commenced and it is anticipated that it will be completed within the lifetime of Sustaining Progress, that is, by the end of 2005.
333 Mr. Naughten asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children, further to Parliamentary Question No. 789 of 29 September 2004, the progress to date on the issue; if a detailed examination of the schemes has taken place; the reason for the delay in performing this examination; if it will be included in her Department’s business plan for 2005; when she intends to publish this plan; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2121/05]
A preliminary review of the vaccine damage compensation schemes in place in a number of other countries was undertaken by my Department. This review was done in order to establish general details of schemes already in existence. More recently, my officials have begun an investigation to identify the most relevant models from a clinical, administrative and fairness point of view. On completion of this investigation, I will be in a position to consider the available options. The completion of this work has been included in the Department's 2005 business plan which it is hoped will be posted on the Department's website by the end of February 2005.
334 Mr. Naughten asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children, further to Parliamentary Question No. 90 of 16 December 2004, if the child care report has been finalised; if training issues for pre-school inspection staff will arise as a result of the requirements of the revised regulations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2122/05]
The report on the review of the child care — pre-school services — regulations 1996 and amendment regulations 1997 has been completed pending clarification of a small number of legal and technical issues, which is being progressed. Training issues for pre-school inspection staff which may arise as a result of the requirements of the revised regulations will be a matter for the Health Service Executive as part of the implementation of the revised regulations.
335 Mr. Naughten asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children further to Parliamentary Question No. 793 of 29 September, 2004, if she will report on progress to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2124/05]
The examination on the feasibility and implications of a national roll out of a cervical screening programme, referred to in the reply to Parliamentary Question No. 793, has now been completed. The Health Board Executive, HeBE, commissioned an international expert in cervical screening to carry out the examination and her report has been submitted to my Department.
My Department is now consulting with relevant professional representative and advocacy groups on the report as an essential input into its preparation of a detailed response to the recommendations. These groups are, the Irish College of General Practitioners; An Bord Altranais; the Academy of Medical Laboratory Science; the Institute of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of the RCPI; the faculty of pathology of the RCPI; the women's health council and the Irish Cancer Society.
This year additional revenue funding of €1.1 million is being allocated to the Irish cervical screening programme for developments in quality assurance, training and more effective testing.
336 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for Finance when the medical board of appeal to the disabled drivers and disabled passengers scheme will be reconstituted; when the staffing and administrative charges will be put in place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34124/04]
The Department of Finance together with the Department of Health and Children, is currently reconstituting the medical board of appeal for the disabled drivers and disabled passengers — tax concessions — scheme. Progress has been made and it is expected that the new arrangements will be put in place over the coming weeks. Staffing and administration of the board are also being addressed as part of this process.
337 Mr. Ferris asked the Minister for Finance the number of first-time buyers in 2004 who were exempt from paying stamp duty; the number who paid at the 3%, 3.75%, 4.5%, 7.5% and 9% rates, respectively; the amount of revenue raised in each rate for first time buyers; the number of first-time buyers who paid stamp duty at the lowest rate in Dublin in 2004; and the number who paid stamp duty at the lowest rate in Mayo in 2004. [34126/04]
As the Deputy will be aware, I changed the stamp duty rates for first-time owner-occupiers of second-hand property in the 2005 budget, which was announced on 1 December 2004. The table below outlines the old rates which were applicable up to 1 December 2004 as well as the new rates as applicable on or after 2 December 2004. It also shows relevant information available regarding the number of transactions and the stamp duty yield relating to first-time buyers who paid stamp duty in 2004, as provided to me by the Revenue Commissioners:
|
Thresholds |
First-Time Buyer Rate Pre-Budget |
Number of transactions for First-Time Buyers (Pre-Budget) |
First-Time Buyer Rate Post-Budget |
Number of transactions for First-Time Buyers (Post-Budget) |
Stamp Duty Yield for First-Time Buyers |
|
€190,501 to €254,000 |
3% |
3,970 |
Exempt |
n/a |
€26.7m |
|
€254,001 to €317,500 |
3.75% |
2,542 |
Exempt |
n/a |
€26.5m |
|
€317,501 to €381,000 |
4.5% |
1,069 |
3% |
35 |
€16.4m (4.5%) €0.4m (3%) |
|
€381,001 to €635,000 |
7.5% |
Unknown |
6% |
16 |
€0.4m |
As stamp duty rates for property transactions exceeding €381,000, up to 1 December 2004, and for transactions exceeding €635,000, on or after 2 December 2004, were the same for all purchasers, it is not possible to distinguish first-time buyer transactions from other transactions in excess of those values.
Statistics on stamp duty transactions are not compiled by reference to the address of the property purchased and, accordingly, it is not possible to provide the information requested by reference to counties. Particulars of transactions where no stamp duty applies are not normally captured. Accordingly, it is not possible to provide reliable information in relation to exempt categories.
338 Mr. Bruton asked the Minister for Finance if he will consider waiving VAT charges (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34171/04]
The position is that charities and non-profit groups are exempt from VAT under the EU Sixth VAT Directive with which Irish law must comply. This means that such organisations do not charge VAT on the goods and services they provide and cannot recover VAT incurred on their input costs. Essentially, only VAT registered businesses which charge VAT are able to recover VAT. There is no provision to waive the VAT charges in respect of production costs for the CD or cassette as referred to in the question.
339 Mr. Boyle asked the Minister for Finance if he will consider a joint study between his Department and the Department of Social and Family Affairs on the advantages of refundable tax credits over current direct provision of the family income supplement. [34210/04]
The issue of paying family income supplement through the tax system was considered in late 2002 by a working group established under the Programme for Prosperity and Fairness to examine the role which refundable tax credits can play in the tax and welfare system. The group was made up of representatives of the social partners and was chaired by my Department.
A perception existed at the time that the take up of the FIS scheme was low, that it was not reaching intended beneficiaries to the extent that it might and that payment through the tax and payroll systems might help in that regard. The take up of the scheme had peaked at about 14,700 at the end of 1999 but had subsequently declined to 11,700 at end September 2002. However, the examination undertaken suggested that some of the perceived disadvantages for eligible persons under the existing system, for example, the need to make an application to a State agency, could apply equally to FIS paid through the tax and payroll systems. The examination also suggested that it would probably not prove feasible to introduce a system whereby FIS would be paid automatically to eligible persons through the tax and payroll systems because of the complexities involved for employers and for the Revenue Commissioners.
I understand that since 2002, the numbers availing of the scheme have risen significantly. Average annual numbers of claimants for the years 2002 to 2004 are 11,716, 12,265 and 13,508, respectively. In the week ending 14 January 2005, there were 14,637 claimants. The improved take up may be due to a number of factors, including generous increases in FIS income thresholds over successive budgets, an increase in the minimum weekly FIS payment to €20, expansion of the economy and greater flexibility in working arrangements.
Having regard to the improved level of take up, I do not see that there is a pressing need to carry out a further examination along the lines proposed by the Deputy.
340 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Finance if he will examine the case of a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if the Revenue Commissioners will examine this person’s tax allowances. [34223/04]
I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that they have written to the person concerned requesting details of all employments, any other sources of income and P60 forms. When the information requested is received, Revenue will review the person's tax credits and ensure that the taxpayer is subject to the correct tax deduction. Any overpayment of tax for earlier years will be refunded.
341 Mr. O’Shea asked the Minister for Finance his proposals to fund the Tramore Road phase of the John’s River flood relief scheme (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34228/04]
The Deputy will be aware that the Tramore Road phase of the John's River flood relief scheme has a negative cost benefit ratio and the decision was therefore taken to omit this phase from the scheme at this stage as it does not meet the Department of Finance requirement that a flood relief scheme be economically viable. While flooding of the Tramore Road causes considerable disruption and inconvenience, it is not the only access route between Tramore and Waterford and I could not justify including this phase in the scheme while other cost beneficial schemes to relieve flooding of houses and other property awaited attention.
I wish to reiterate, however, the OPW's willingness to progress the other four phases of the scheme and it is proposed to arrange a meeting shortly between OPW and Waterford City Council officials to discuss this. Alternative approaches to solving the flooding of the Tramore Road can also be discussed.
342 Mr. N. O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Finance if the Office of Public Works will complete all the works to be carried out at a location (details supplied) in County Cork within the next 12 months. [34285/04]
The OPW has received a request for funding for flood relief work at Market Dock and Greens Dock in Youghal. OPW officials will assess the situation in Youghal in the near future and will establish whether the flooding is due solely to tidal forces in which case it would be a matter for the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources or is caused by a combination of tidal and fluvial influences in which case it will be a matter for OPW.
The Commissioners of Public Works will also need to quantify the potential benefits arising from any flood relief scheme, as well as any possible constraints to implementing a scheme. The local authority has been asked for it's views on these issues. When all of the relevant information is available a decision will be made on undertaking flood relief works in Youghal and on the priority to be accorded to such works within OPW's overall flood relief programme.
343 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Minister for Finance if he will consider radical new initiatives to assist young persons to buy a home; and if he will reconsider the tax issue whereby the State takes a 40% cut from the sale of every new home. [34303/04]
Government policy in the housing market has focused, among other things, on improving supply thereby assisting home ownership particularly for first-time buyers. In this context, the years 2002 and 2003 were the eighth and ninth successive years of record housing output with 57,695 and 68,819 completions, respectively. This positive trend in supply has continued into 2004, with statistics for the six months to June showing that overall house completions at 35,957 were up 21.4% on the same period last year. The rate of house building is now more than double that in 1996.
In addition, a range of tax incentives exist to facilitate first-time buyers in purchasing their own homes. The Deputy will be aware that I introduced a stamp duty relieving measure in the 2005 budget for first-time house purchasers who are owner-occupiers of second hand houses by increasing the stamp duty exemption threshold for such purchasers from €190,500 to €317,500 and by having reduced rates for house values up to €635,000. The lowering of stamp duty rates for first-time buyers was designed to increase the affordability of residential property for such buyers, thus helping them to get a foothold in the property market. It should be noted that all owner-occupiers are generally exempt from stamp duty on new houses where the property is 125 sq. m. or less whereas an investor who purchases a new house for renting is liable for stamp duty where the price exceeds €127,000.
Mortgage interest relief is available at source in respect of interest paid on moneys borrowed for the purchase, maintenance, repair or improvement of that taxpayer's main residence, including second-hand houses. For owner-occupiers, mortgage interest relief at the standard rate is granted in respect of interest paid up to a ceiling on loans used for the purchase or improvement of a person's sole or main residence. Preferential arrangements exist for first-time buyers over other owner occupiers. The existing higher ceilings for first-time buyers on allowable interest were increased in budget 2003 and currently stand at €4,000 for a single person and €8,000 for married couples and widowed persons. The period for which these increased ceilings apply was extended from five years to seven years.
In relation to the tax take from new homes, the State finds it necessary to raise taxes from this area like all other goods and services. The Deputy may wish to note that I dealt with the issue of the tax take from the price of a new house in a reply to a parliamentary question on 23 November 2004. Figures in excess of 40% have been attributed by the house building industry to the amount that the Government raises in tax from each new home. However, this figure is wrong. In fact, based on the same industry figures, the cost of a new home that accrues directly to the Exchequer through taxation is more like 28%, based on both Dublin and national prices. This is broadly in line with the tax take on the overall economy.
344 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Minister for Finance if the €33 million surplus in the 2004 final Exchequer finances will be spent on social inclusion measures. [34575/04]
The Government will spend a multiple of this small surplus amount on social inclusion in 2005. Over €12 billion will be spent on social welfare measures, including increases in old age pensions, unemployment benefit and child benefit — 8% more than in 2004. Some €2.8 billion has been allocated for health, education and accommodation services for those with an intellectual or physical disability — an increase of over 11% on 2004. Education spending in 2005 will amount to over €7 billion, a year on year increase of around 9%. The Deputy need have no concern over this Government's commitment to social inclusion.
345 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Finance the number of public buildings sold or in the process of being sold by the OPW in Kildare; the value of such properties; if he will report on the guidelines regarding the sale of such properties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34589/04]
To date no properties have been identified for sale in the Kildare area. The examination of the State property portfolio by the Commissioners of Public Works with a view to identifying vacant, under-utilised, under-developed or surplus property is continuing. To date, the process has produced a number of properties deemed suitable for detailed assessment to determine their potential for disposal or redevelopment.
In considering properties for disposal, the following considerations are taken into account: Title; the planning issues in the context of their development potential; their overall condition; the extent to which decisions on decentralisation might impact on them; the alternative use to which they might be put; their likely market value. Final decisions on disposal-redevelopment will follow the completion of the detailed assessment of each of the properties in question.
346 Mr. Bruton asked the Minister for Finance the cost of introducing refundable tax credits solely for tax expenditures, that is, in respect of credits on expenditures which taxpayers have actually incurred such as mortgage interest, health insurance, bin charges and so on. [34590/04]
Tax relief for mortgage interest and health insurance already operate in effect as refundable tax credits as the relief is given at source to all, irrespective of tax liability. As for the costs of introducing refundable credits generally, this depends on the particular expenditure involved, the liability of individual taxpayers and the impact on economic behaviour of changing to a refundable tax credits system. It is not possible at this point to assess such costs with any degree of certainty.
347 Mr. Bruton asked the Minister for Finance if he has considered introducing a system whereby the tax relief on bin charges would be deducted at source in the same way as applied to health insurance and mortgage interest payments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34591/04]
The current tax relief for waste service charges is provided by granting a relief to taxpayers based on the charges they have paid to local authorities and private operators in the previous year, provided of course that they have actually paid the relevant amount and on time. I appreciate the thrust of the various points raised by the Deputy. There are, however, a number of factors which mitigate against a system of tax relief at source for waste service charges, in particular the different ways that service charges operate in local authorities, the changeover to the pay by use system of charging and the number of private operators involved. In general, a tax relief at source operates more easily where there are a limited number of providers of the service for the tax system to deal with. I will, however, bear in mind what the Deputy has said when I next review the application of the system.
348 Mr. Cuffe asked the Minister for Finance if progress has been made with amending the State Property Act to ensure that the Companies Office notifies his Department if a residue has accrued to the State from companies that have been struck off the Register of Companies. [34596/04]
The position regarding residues, either lands or other assets, belonging to companies which are struck off the Register of Companies under company law is that such residues become the property of the State under section 28(2)(a) of the State Property Act 1954. More than 5,000 companies have been struck off the register per annum in recent times. The cost of establishing and maintaining an administrative structure for monitoring property devolving to the State under such circumstances would be substantial as the vast bulk of the property involved consists of small units such as footpaths and roads in housing estates and the common areas, internal and external, of apartment blocks. It is not clear that any countervailing benefits would ensue. In the circumstances, it is considered that the present arrangement, whereby the State becomes aware of property accruing to it on foot of the dissolution of struck-off companies when notified by interested parties, should continue.
349 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Finance if he has issued directives to curtail gambling through the use of mobile telephones; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31197/04]
350 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to the encouragement of gambling on the Internet; if he will issue directives to control the extent of the problem; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31199/04]
351 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to the extent to which the Internet and mobile telephone system is being used to promote gambling to the detriment of young persons and families; if he intends to issue instructions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31211/04]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 349 to 351, inclusive, together.
Regarding the growth of betting by phone and the Internet, I refer the Deputy to my previous reply of 30 November 2004 on this matter. There is a limit to what can be achieved in tax legislation and this is particularly the case when considering the problem of excessive gambling.
352 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Finance if public funds have been provided through the cross-Border INTERREG funding programme to support the activities of a group (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34621/04]
The INTERREG IIIA, Ireland-Northern Ireland programme, is managed by the special EU programmes body, SEUPB, one of six North-South implementation bodies set up under strand II of the Good Friday Agreement. The SEUPB has informed me that the group in question was part of a consortium that applied for funding under the INTERREG IIIA Ireland-Northern Ireland programme on 22 January 2004 under priority 1.1 business and economic development.
This application was approved for grant assistance of €308,682 out of a total project cost of €661,414 on 30 March 2004 by the Ireland-Northern Ireland INTERREG steering committee, subject to a successful economic appraisal. The steering committee is responsible for formally determining which applications are to receive offers of assistance under the programme. The economic appraisal found the project to be compliant with both national and EU regulations.
353 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Minister for Finance the additional cost in income tax per taxpayer if bin charges were eliminated and replaced by income tax. [1052/05]
The Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government is responsible in Government for national waste management policy. The position as I understand it is that local authorities are obliged to collect or arrange for the collection of household waste within their functional areas. However, this obligation does not apply in certain circumstances, including where an adequate waste collection service is otherwise available.
At present, of the 34 city-county councils involved in waste management planning, some 20 are privately operated, while 14 remain local authority operated. In the areas where a local authority collection service is in place, the determination of charges for the service is a matter for the local authority itself. In areas where the local authority is not involved in the collection service, the determination of charges is a matter for the private collectors concerned.
The Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government has no function in the setting of waste charges and therefore it has not been the policy of that Department to collect full data on waste charges. However, based on returns received from local authorities in respect of their 2004 adopted budgets, income from domestic refuse charges applied by local authorities themselves is estimated to amount to €113 million for 2004. This figure does not include data in respect of private collectors.
As the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government does not collect full data on the total cost of waste collection it is not possible to say what the additional cost to the taxpayer would be to provide such a service if bin charges were eliminated.
354 Mr. Lowry asked the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to correspondence from North Tipperary County Council regarding necessary maintenance work to the Ballyfinboy River; if his attention has further been drawn to the urgency associated with such maintenance work; when he will sanction the necessary funds to carry out this work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1059/05]
The Ballyfinboy River does not form part of any drainage scheme for which the Commissioners of Public Works have a maintenance responsibility under the Arterial Drainage Act 1945. Moreover, from the information available to the commissioners, it appears that this river would be unlikely to meet the criteria that would lead to it being included on the priority list for flood relief schemes in the foreseeable future.
355 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Finance his plans to address the discrimination against single income families, in cases in which one person earns €56,000 and pays 20% tax on €37,000 plus 42% income tax on the balance yet a married couple with two incomes pay 20% tax on the first €56,000 of taxable income, particularly as the home carer tax credit of €770 was not increased in budget 2005 or in the two previous budgets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1113/05]
I do not accept the Deputy's assertion that there is unfair discrimination in the situation outlined in his question. While the couples may have the same income, they are not in the same situation. The difference in treatment between married one income and married two income couples with regard to the standard rate band arises as part of the policy of band widening which was commenced in budget 2000. The aim was to achieve a position that eventually each individual would have his-her own non-transferable standard rate band. This was with a view to achieving a number of objectives. It was seen to be the most cost effective way of moving towards a position where 20% of income-earners are on the top rate of tax.
As the Deputy may be aware, this is one of the key Government taxation priorities set out in the Government programme and endorsed in the current national agreement Sustaining Progress. It helped to deal with the situation where single people on moderate wages had a relatively high tax burden and it also helped address the problem whereby married persons returning to the workforce faced high marginal rates of tax almost from the first euro of earnings because the full band was already being used by their spouse.
It should be noted that married couples can still benefit from double personal tax credits. The employee — PAYE — credit is only available to employees and not to others so it is not doubled up for a married one-earner. However, this has always been the position in relation to the PAYE credit which was introduced as an allowance in 1979. It might also be noted that there are costs associated with earning an income which are likely to be greater if two persons rather than one person must work outside the home to earn the same total income.
The home carer tax credit, formerly an allowance, was introduced in Finance Act 2000 and is designed to recognise the contribution made by a spouse who remains working in the home in order to care for children or the aged or incapacitated, other than the spouse of the claimant. It currently amounts to €770 per annum. The provision is intended to cover situations where a spouse has forfeited a second income to care for dependents in the home. It is available only to married couples who are jointly assessed for tax. While it was decided not to increase the home carer tax credit in budget 2005, it is worth noting that couples who benefit from the credit will gain significantly in 2005 from the income tax changes I announced in the budget. For example, a married one-earner on PAYE with two children on a salary of €58,800 per annum will gain €765.48 from the budget. This is made up of €658 from increases in tax credits and band widening as well as €180 from increases in child benefit, less €72.52 in additional social insurance contributions.
The position is that nobody has lost out as a result of the introduction of the band widening policy relative to his or her former position. In fact, as a result of positive developments in the tax system over the last number of years, including band widening, all categories of income earner, including married one-earner couples, have seen their average tax rates fall considerably.
In an international context, the most recent data available from the OECD relating to the year 2003 indicate that for the average production worker, who is married with two children with a carer in the home, Ireland now has the lowest tax wedge — that is, income tax, levies, and employers and employees PRSI, as a percentage of gross income plus employers PRSI — in the EU and, indeed, in the entire OECD. Furthermore, recently released OECD data show that the tax wedge for such workers has fallen more sharply in Ireland than in any other OECD country reflecting the progress that the Government has made in this area.
356 Ms M. Wallace asked the Minister for Finance if there are special exemptions from stamp duty for purchasers who have no option but to move under advice of a Department or agency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1114/05]
The Deputy will be aware that there are a number of incentives in place to assist owner-occupiers in purchasing residential property. There is no stamp duty on the purchase of new residential property for owner-occupiers where the dwelling is not greater than 125 sq. m. and complies with certain conditions in relation to building standards. If the property is over 125 sq. m., stamp duty is charged on the site value or one quarter of the total value of the property, whichever is the greater. Also, I introduced a stamp duty relieving measure in the 2005 budget for first-time house purchasers who are owner-occupiers of second hand houses by increasing the stamp duty exemption threshold for such purchasers from €190,500 to €317,500 and by having reduced rates for house values up to €635,000.
Mortgage interest relief, MIR, is also available at source in respect of interest paid on moneys borrowed for the purchase, maintenance, repair or improvement of that taxpayer's main residence. From 1 January 2003, a first-time mortgage holder can claim 100% tax relief for the first seven years, five years prior to 1 January 2003, of the mortgage at the standard rate of tax, currently 20%, on the interest paid within the following limits: €8,000 for a married couple who are jointly assessed for tax; €8,000 for a widow(er); €4,000 for a single person.
Apart from those outlined above, there are no special exemptions from stamp duty in the circumstances outlined by the Deputy and there are no plans to introduce such exemptions.
357 Mr. O’Connor asked the Minister for Finance if he will present a report on considerations by the OPW of the future Garda station needs of Tallaght, Dublin 24; if his attention has been drawn to the need for a specific announcement to be made by OPW in the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1116/05]
I understand that the Garda authorities are considering their accommodation requirements at Tallaght. My office is not in a position to consider the re-design of the Tallaght station until a revised brief has been received from the Garda authorities and the Department of Justice Equality and Law Reform.
358 Ms McManus asked the Minister for Finance the reason for the problem with regard to remission of VAT and VRT to a company (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1117/05]
I amadvised by the Revenue Commissioners that the organisation in question currently has eight vehicles registered under the disabled drivers and disabled passengers — tax concessions — regulations 1994 on which VAT and VRT have been repaid.
Under the regulations, repayment or remission is given only where the Revenue Commissioners are satisfied that the vehicle in question is a reasonable requirement of the organisation making the claim, having regard to the number of qualifying disabled persons being transported by that organisation and the number and capacity of vehicles already owned by that organisation. The organisation concerned was advised on 28 July 2003 that any future applications under the above regulations would be considered for replacement vehicles only. On 11 March 2004, the organisation applied for repayment of VRT and VAT on two additional vehicles. It was requested to submit a business plan supporting the application to expand its fleet of vehicles. A reply has not been received to date to this request. On receipt of the requested information by the Revenue Commissioners' central repayments office, Monaghan, further consideration will be given to the application.
359 Mr. Bruton asked the Minister for Finance when the small income exemption limit was last increased; the value it would now represent if it had kept a pace with increases in personal tax allowances; the cost of restoring the small income exemption limit to that level; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1186/05]
The general exemption limits were last increased in 1998-99, apart from a small upward rounding in 2002 because of conversion to the euro. It stands at €5,210 for a single person and €10,420 for a married couple. There are child additions of €575 for the first and second child, and €830 for third and subsequent children. The general exemption limits have not been increased in recent years. This is as a result of a deliberate policy of removing those on low incomes from the tax system through increases in the personal credits rather than through higher general exemption limits.
The approach taken is in line with the recommendations of the expert working group on the integration of tax and social welfare systems 1996, which considered that the exemption limits should effectively be phased out. At the time, the interaction between the system of marginal relief, which is an integral part of the exemption limits arrangements, and the withdrawal of family income supplement was seen as potentially giving rise to a negative impact on work incentives as well as causing severe poverty traps for a small number of people in a narrow band of income. The group also held that it was difficult to justify, as a matter of principle, the imposition of high marginal rates of tax on low income.
The age exemption system, however, remains in operation to the benefit of a significant number people aged 65 and over, and their spouses. The cost associated with reviving the general exemption limit system, by reference to the increase in the aggregate value of the personal credits, is set out below. The aggregate value of the basic personal tax credit and the employee, PAYE, tax credit has increased by 184% from a combined allowance of €5,016 to a combined credit of €2,850, which equates to a combined allowance of €14,250 at 20%.
I understand from the Revenue Commissioners that if the general exemption limits were increased in value by the same percentage as the combined value of the personal credits, that is, 184%, they would now have a value of €14,796, single, and €29,592, married. Assuming a similar percentage increase in the child addition to the exemption limits, and also in the associated marginal relief limits, the total cost to the Exchequer would be about €226 million in a full year in post budget 2005 terms.
360 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Finance if he has had discussions with Kildare County Council regarding the alleviation of flooding at Mill Lane, Leixlip, County Kildare, a report on which has been prepared by the County Council; if he expects to be in a position to offer financial assistance toward the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1187/05]
382 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Finance if he has received a report from Kildare County Council in relation to flood alleviation measures in Leixlip, County Kildare; if funding is available from his Department to carry out the work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1871/05]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 360 and 382 together.
The Office of Public Works has received a copy of the executive summary of a study commissioned by Kildare County Council into localised flood relief works at Leixlip. The OPW has written to the county council requesting additional information including a copy of the full study in order that consideration can be given to their application for funding for the proposed works.
361 Mr. Bruton asked the Minister for Finance the State, semi-State, State-sponsored and statutory bodies under the aegis of his Department which are not subject to the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act 1997; the reason a body is not subject to the requirements of the Act; and if he envisages proposals to bring any such body within the scope of the Act in the foreseeable future. [1194/05]
The State, semi-State, State-sponsored and statutory bodies under the aegis of my Department that are not subject to the Freedom of Information Acts are: Central Bank and Financial Services Authority of Ireland; Irish Financial Services Regulatory Authority; Financial Services Ombudsman; National Treasury Management Agency; National Pensions Reserve Fund Commission; National Development Finance Agency; State Claims Agency; Valuation Tribunal; Disabled Driver Medical Board of Appeal; Public Service Benchmarking Body, non-statutory; and the Review Body on Higher Remuneration in the Public Sector, non-statutory.
Proposals for extending freedom of information are being developed at present in my Department in the context of plans to extend freedom of information to other appropriate bodies by the end of 2005.
In addition to the above bodies, the special EU programmes body under the aegis of my Department is a North-South implementation body established under the British Irish Agreement Act 1999. The Act states that "the Irish and Northern Ireland Ministers with responsibility for Freedom of Information will as soon as practicable draw up a code of practice on access to information for approval by NSMC". Preparation of the code of practice is at an advanced stage and it is expected to be implemented during 2005. My Department is, of course, covered by the freedom of information legislation and any information held by it which is common to both the Department and the special EU programmes body is therefore subject to freedom of information.
362 Mr. McGuinness asked the Minister for Finance the funding set aside in the River Nore flood relief scheme to re-stock the river when the scheme is completed; the timeframe for restocking the river; when it is likely to commence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1195/05]
There is no specific funding set aside at present to restock the River Nore on completion of the drainage scheme as there are no indications to date that such a measure will be required.
Fish population has been carefully considered by the Office of Public Works and the Central Fisheries Board prior to and during the scheme. The Southern Regional Fisheries Board has also been intimately involved in fisheries considerations as the River Nore lies within its jurisdiction. As part of the requirements of the environmental impact statement, a fish population study was carried out on the River Nore prior to the commencement of works on the drainage scheme. As it was evident that the scheme works would have an impact on the fishery habitat, appropriate mitigation measures were incorporated into the scheme works.
Fish population surveys will be carried out post-scheme in order to establish if fish stocks have recovered naturally as it is anticipated they will. An initial study will take place in autumn 2005 with further monitoring studies to be carried out over the next four years. These studies will be carried out by the Central Fisheries Board, working with the Southern Regional Fisheries Board, on behalf of the Office of Public Works.
If the initial survey indicates a depletion of fish stocks, the Central Fisheries Board will advise the OPW of the appropriate measures required and a timeframe for the implementation of any such measures will then be established. The Central Fisheries Board has, however, indicated that physical restoration work to encourage reproduction of the rivers' indigenous stock is usually the method preferred for building up fish stock, particularly in a naturally productive river such as the Nore, as it encourages bio-diversity and does not undermine the genetic structures of the native river fish populations.
The substantial late run of salmon, which caused problems at Lacken Weir some weeks ago, is an encouraging sign that natural recovery will occur successfully.
363 Mr. J. O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Finance if he will approve the flood relief scheme for Bandon. [1215/05]
Cork County Council submitted an engineering report to the Commissioners of Public Works, which makes proposals in relation to a flood relief scheme for Bandon, County Cork. This report is currently being considered by OPW and a decision on including Bandon in the OPW programme of potential flood relief schemes will be made as soon as possible.
364 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Finance if, further to previous replies, he has yet received the report from the Irish Financial Services Regulatory Authority on endowment loan shortfalls; if not, if the IFSRA has advised him on when the report will be available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1220/05]
The Irish Financial Services Regulatory Authority, IFSRA, is statutorily independent in the carrying out of its regulatory functions and I have no involvement in its day to day activities. However, I am advised that in 2004 IFSRA wrote to all lenders and insurers seeking information on the their endowment businesses. The information requested included details of, inter alia, the number of endowment policies currently in force, the number of policyholders likely to be impacted by shortfalls and requested details of the steps institutions are taking to inform and advise their customers of options available where a shortfall is projected.
Responses have now been received from the institutions surveyed. The process of compiling and analysing the information submitted is currently underway with a view to ascertaining a clearer picture of the nature and extent of the shortfall problem. When the information has been analysed, IFSRA will consider what appropriate action should be taken.
365 Ms O. Mitchell asked the Minister for Finance the reason psychiatric hospitals and geriatric-psychiatric hospitals do not qualify for tax incentives in the same way as mainstream nursing homes. [1230/05]
In the budget and Finance Act 1998 the Government introduced a system of capital allowances specifically for nursing homes that are registered with a health board. The purpose of this targeted measure was to encourage investment in increased nursing home capacity and in improved facilities for the elderly and incapacitated for which there continues to be a demand. When the scheme of capital allowances for the construction of private hospitals was introduced in 2001, the question of including psychiatric hospitals and geriatric-psychiatric hospitals within the ambit of this scheme did not arise.
In recent months I have received proposals with regard to the provision of capital allowances for psychiatric hospitals. These proposals are being examined in my Department.
366 Mr. Haughey asked the Minister for Finance if a first-time buyer of a second-hand house purchased in November 2004 is entitled to relief from stamp duty or a refund of any kind; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1282/05]
As the Deputy will be aware, the 2005 budget introduced a stamp duty relieving measure for first-time house purchasers who are owner-occupiers of second-hand houses by increasing the stamp duty exemption threshold for such purchasers from €190,500 to €317,500 and by having reduced rates for house values up to €635,000.
Where a contract has been entered into prior to 2 December 2004 the new rates will apply provided the instrument, for example, deed of conveyance or transfer or lease, giving effect to the contract is executed on or after 2 December 2004. If someone is unsure as to whether the instrument relating to the property was executed before this date, I would advise them to contact their solicitor for confirmation. If someone is a first-time buyer who is an owner-occupier and the instrument giving effect to the contract was executed before the date outlined above, the stamp duty rates in force before 2 December 2004 would apply and there would be no entitlement to a refund of stamp duty already paid in such a case.
When relieving changes to the stamp duty code are introduced, they take effect from a date specified at the time of the introduction of the measure and are not applied retrospectively. As the Deputy will no doubt appreciate, if one were to backdate the budget change to conveyances executed, say, one week before budget day, there would be strong claims of discriminatory treatment from those who incurred the stamp duty liability, say, two weeks earlier.
367 Mr. McGuinness asked the Minister for Finance the Department responsible for the design of the fish pass at Lacken Weir, Kilkenny which was part of the River Nore relief scheme; if the drawing or plans of the pass are available; if a new fish pass is to be constructed; if the existing pass is to be modified; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1283/05]
The Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources has responsibility for the specification for the fish pass and OPW has responsibility for the production of the design and the installation of the pass. The final design produced was approved by the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources prior to construction. Copies of the construction drawings can be made available to interested parties on request.
A review of the functioning of the fish pass is currently being carried out by the OPW, the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources and the Southern Regional Fisheries Board. Upon completion of the review, OPW will be in a position to confirm the exact nature of any work required. Preliminary investigations, however, indicate that some modifications to the existing fish pass will resolve the issues associated with the functioning of the pass.
368 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for Finance the amount collected by the Exchequer in direct payments of VAT, PAYE and PRSI from the greyhound racing and breeding sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1365/05]
I have been informed by the Revenue Commissioners that the information furnished on tax returns generally does not require the yield from a particular sector or sub-sector of trade to be identified. In these circumstances, the amount of tax revenues collected under all taxation headings in respect of the greyhound and breeding sector cannot be readily identified from the overall yield from taxation. Accordingly, the specific information required by the Deputy is not readily available and could not be obtained without conducting a protracted examination of the Revenue Commissioners' records.
369 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for Finance the amount collected by the Exchequer in direct payments of VAT, PAYE and PRSI from the horse racing and breeding sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1366/05]
I have been informed by the Revenue Commissioners that the information furnished on tax returns generally does not require the yield from a particular sector or sub-sector of trade to be identified. In these circumstances, the amount of tax revenues collected under all taxation headings in respect of the horse-racing and breeding sector cannot be readily identified from the overall yield from taxation. Accordingly, the specific information required by the Deputy is not readily available and could not be obtained without conducting a protracted examination of the Revenue Commissioners' records.
370 Mr. Cregan asked the Minister for Finance the situation in relation to a house let out by the owners in order to pay for their private nursing home fees; if such a situation would affect this person’s tax situation in any way; if they would be liable for capital gains tax on the increased capital value of the house for the years it was let out; if the rental would affect the gift or inheritance tax later when sold for distribution to this person’s children; the way in which their situation would be treated if the house were sold prior to death and after death; if he will provide the exemption limits for tax payable by this person’s children; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1367/05]
I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that profits arising on letting a house in the circumstances outlined will be aggregated with other income arising in the same year and chargeable to income tax. Exemption from income tax is available where total income for the year does not exceed the appropriate limits. For 2005, for a person aged 65 years and over, these are €16,500 and €33,000 for single-widowed individuals and married couples respectively. A person chargeable to income tax may claim a deduction for the cost of maintenance or treatment in an approved nursing home, by virtue of S469 TCA 1997, relief for health expenses. A list of approved nursing homes can be viewed on the Revenue website at www.revenue.ie.
Capital gains tax treatment will depend on when the property is sold. If it is sold prior to death the gain is calculated by reference to the consideration on sale and the cost on acquisition, or value at 6 April 1974 if acquired before that date. This gain is apportioned for main residence relief purposes on the basis of the period, inclusive of the final 12 months of ownership in any event, during which the property was occupied as the main residence and the overall period of ownership, or from 6 April 1974 if relevant. The period of stay in a nursing home would not be considered a period of principal private residence of the family home during the time it was rented. If the property is sold after death the gain is computed on the difference between the sale consideration and the market value at the date of death. Main residence relief does not apply to this gain.
The gift and inheritance tax free thresholds from parents to children is €466,725. No gift or inheritance tax is payable by any child unless the value of that child's gifts or inheritances received from their parents since 2 December 1991 exceeds this figure. The letting of the house prior to a gift or inheritance of the proceeds of sale of the house being received by the children does not affect the gift or inheritance position of the children. If the Deputy has a specific case in mind, he may wish to contact Revenue directly with further details for a more definitive reply.
371 Mr. O’Shea asked the Minister for Finance if the OPW has yet acquired a site for the new office of Ordnance Survey Ireland to the decentralised to Dungarvan, County Waterford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1584/05]
The Office of Public Works has identified a number of suitable sites in Dungarvan. Negotiations are currently in train with a view to acquiring the best overall property solution at this location for the decentralisation programme.
372 Mr. O’Shea asked the Minister for Finance if the 300 Ordnance Survey Ireland office jobs promised for decentralisation to Dungarvan, County Waterford in budget 2004 includes the 100 jobs in the six regional offices; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1585/05]
373 Mr. O’Shea asked the Minister for Finance his proposals to open an advance office for 20 or more staff of Ordnance Survey Ireland in Dungarvan, County Waterford to begin the process of decentralising the promised 300 Ordnance Survey Ireland jobs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1586/05]
374 Mr. O’Shea asked the Minister for Finance if he is aware that some staff members of Ordnance Survey Ireland purchased houses in the Dungarvan, County Waterford area following indications that an advance office for 20 or more staff would be set up in the town as a forerunner to the decentralisation of the full 300 jobs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1587/05]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 372 to 374, inclusive, together.
In reply to a parliamentary question on 4 February 2004, my predecessor stated that approximately 210 staff based in Dublin would decentralise to Dungarvan, County Waterford. The relocation of Ordnance Survey Ireland, OSI, to Dungarvan will not affect its existing regional offices.
The outline implementation plan prepared by OSI in June 2004 stated that it would be preferable to establish an advance office prior to decentralisation. The data from the central application facility, CAF, published in September 2004 indicated that there are 15 members of the staff of OSI who have applied to decentralise and 47 expressions of interest for decentralisation to Dungarvan. In November, the decentralisation implementation group, DIG, published its list of "early movers". This list, which was accepted by Government, does not include OSI. It is expected that a further report will issue from the group in spring 2005 dealing with all remaining locations, including Dungarvan. The issue of a possible advance office in Dungarvan will be considered in the light of that report.
The purchase of property in any location by individual staff members is a matter for themselves, having regard to published information on the decentralisation programme.
375 Mr. Bruton asked the Minister for Finance if he has considered the desirability of extending tax relief for charitable donations to include other than cash contributions, such as share securities or property; and his policy towards extending relief in this way. [1589/05]
As the Deputy is aware, the Finance Act 2001 introduced a new uniform scheme of tax relief on donations made by either individuals or corporate bodies to eligible charities and other approved bodies, including first and second level schools and third level institutions, including universities. The minimum qualifying donation for relief purposes to any one eligible charity or approved body is €250 per annum. Generally speaking, there is no upper limit on the amount which can be donated and qualify for relief. Donations must be in the form of money and can be on a cumulative basis for any one year. Thus, a weekly donation of €5 per week can qualify for the relief. The relief on the donation is at the individual's marginal rate of tax.
It should be noted that while the tax relief on donations scheme does not apply to the donation of non-cash assets, relief from capital gains tax is available where an asset is donated to an eligible charity. Essentially, where a donation of a non-cash asset is made to an eligible charity, the disposal is deemed for capital gains tax purposes to be made for such an amount as to ensure that neither a gain nor a loss accrues on the disposal. Thus, no charge to capital gains tax arises to either the donor or the receiving charity on subsequent disposal of the asset. Income tax relief on the value of an asset donated together with the current capital gains tax exemption would amount to a double relief. Such a concession could result in tax relief which was significantly higher than marginal rate income tax relief being granted.
The income tax for donations of cash presupposes that the individual is making the donation from income on which he or she has paid income tax to the value of the relief being claimed. Such a link may be broken where non-cash items are involved. In addition, the inclusion of non-cash gifts would also give rise to valuation issues. Extending the scheme to non-cash items would give rise to significant additional cost to the Exchequer in regard to a scheme which is already very generous.
The existing scheme of tax relief on donations is effective in encouraging greater donations. I understand that the Irish Charities Tax Reform Group has informed my officials that they have found the relief very useful in obtaining donations.
376 Mr. J. Higgins asked the Minister for Finance if, due to the difficulties encountered by blind and visually impaired persons living in rural Ireland in accessing the free public transport to which they are entitled, he will consider funding the extension of the refund of VAT and other taxes on a new car, and on all petrol used on running that car to the households of blind and visually impaired persons in cases in which the car is solely for the family’s personal use. [1590/05]
I assume the Deputy is referring to the disabled drivers and disabled passengers (tax concessions) scheme. This scheme is open to those with disabilities who meet the specified criteria and have obtained a primary medical certificate to that effect. The senior area medical officer attached to the relevant local health board is responsible for both the medical assessment and the issue of the medical certificate.
The medical criteria for the purposes of the tax concessions under this scheme are set out in the Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers (Tax Concessions) Regulations 1994. Six different types of disablement are listed under the regulations and a qualifying person must satisfy one or more of them. The six types of disablement are as follows: persons who are wholly or almost wholly without the use of both legs; persons who are wholly without the use of one leg and almost wholly without the use of the other leg such that the applicant is severely restricted as to movement of the lower limbs; persons without both hands or without both arms; persons without one or both legs; persons wholly or almost wholly without the use of both hands or arms and wholly or almost wholly without the use of one leg; and persons having the medical condition of dwarfism and who have serious difficulties of movement of the lower limbs.
An individual who qualifies under the medical criteria, as set out above, is issued with a primary medical certificate, possession of which qualifies the holder for remission or repayment of vehicle registration tax, VRT, a repayment of value added tax, VAT, on the purchase of the vehicle and a repayment of VAT on the cost of adaptation of the vehicle. Repayment of the excise duty on fuel used in the motor vehicle and exemption from annual road tax to local authorities are also allowed.
An interdepartmental review group was established to review the disabled drivers and disabled passengers (tax concessions) scheme. The group examined all aspects of the scheme, including the qualifying medical criteria. Its report was published on my Department's website in early July and copies have been placed in the Oireachtas Library. As agreed by Government in June, I will consider the report on an ongoing basis in the overall budgetary context, having regard to the existing and prospective cost of the scheme.
377 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Finance if, in view of the announcement by his predecessor regarding public pension increases (details supplied), he will give the increases awarded to date under these proposals; indicate the increase which is due to a pensioner with 35 years of service as a clerical officer who has a fortnightly pension of €569; and when these increases will be awarded. [1591/05]
I will be introducing the pension increases referred to at an early date. These arrangements will have retrospective effect to 1 January 2004. The new arrangements relate only to the pension entitlement of workers with a pensionable salary below the threshold of 3.33 times the rate of the contributory old age pension, €31,186, and whose occupational pensions are integrated with the social welfare contributory old age pension.
Integration applies in the case of public civil servants who are fully covered for pay related social insurance, class A, PRSI. The social welfare pension is merged with the employer's occupational pension to provide a combined pension which, at 40 years service, is no less than the occupational pension, where the total pension is paid by way of occupational pension only. Generally, civil servants, including clerical officers recruited prior to 1995, are not fully covered by PRSI and, as such, their pensions are not integrated with the social welfare pension. Accordingly, they do not qualify under the new arrangements.
In addition, from the information supplied in this particular case, it appears that the pensionable salary of the official in question would not fall below the threshold of 3.33 times the rate of OACP and accordingly would not qualify under the new arrangements, even if the individual were in class A, PRSI.
378 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Finance when a P21 form will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1592/05]
I amadvised by the Revenue Commissioners that a PAYE balancing statement, P21 form, for the year 2003 issued to the taxpayer on 21 January 2005.
379 Mr. N. O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Finance if the Office of the Revenue Commissioners will investigate a business park (details supplied) in County Cork for breaches under the Finance Act 1997 at which special tax designation status has been secured for the development but it is understood that a number of firms are allegedly in breach of the criteria. [1593/05]
As the Deputy is aware, the Revenue Commissioners cannot comment publicly on particular cases. Section 343 of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997 provides for the granting of capital allowances to certain qualifying companies carrying on qualifying trading operations in enterprise areas. Both the Revenue Commissioners and the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment have roles in the administration of this provision. The Revenue Commissioners do not determine whether or not companies are entitled to be certified as qualifying companies for the purposes of claiming the capital allowances provided for in the section.
Section 343(1) of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997 provides that a qualifying company must have received a certificate indicating its qualification from the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment following consultation with the Minister for Finance. The Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment may not certify that a company is a qualifying company unless it is carrying on, or intends to carry on, qualifying trading operations in an enterprise area and the Minister is satisfied that the carrying on of such trading operations will contribute to the balanced development of the enterprise area.
The qualifying trading operations in this instance are those manufacturing activities that qualify for manufacturing relief in accordance with section 443 of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997, internationally traded services, that is those services designated under the Industrial Development Act 1986, and freight forwarding and certain allied services in enterprise areas adjacent to the regional airports. Section 343(4) of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997 also empowers the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment to revoke the certificate in circumstances where the company has failed to comply with any of its conditions.
The Revenue Commissioners may have to satisfy themselves as to whether the other conditions for claiming the capital allowances, provided for in the section, have been fulfilled. These conditions include the requirement to carry on qualifying trading operations and to claim the rates of allowance provided for in the section.
380 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Finance if the status of a company (details supplied) can be backdated to 2002; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1831/05]
I understand the Deputy's question relates to the charitable tax exemption status of the company. I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that charitable tax exemption was granted to the company on 25 November 2004. There is no provision whereby the charitable tax status can be backdated to 2002.
381 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Finance the amount of VAT collected annually on the sale of parts for the motor industry. [1848/05]
I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that the amount of VAT collected in respect of the sale of parts by the motor industry cannot be identified in the overall yield of VAT, as the information furnished on VAT returns from the industry does not require this to be identified. The only relevant information available regarding VAT on motor parts is in respect of the purchase of car accessories for which the VAT yield in 2004 is estimated at €28 million and in respect of car repairs for which the VAT yield, including the VAT collected in respect of labour, is estimated at €34 million.
383 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Finance if further technical and engineering reports have been provided by Kildare County Council in regard to flood alleviation in Ardclough, County Kildare; if he will make funding available for the required work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1872/05]
Kildare County Council has provided no further technical or engineering reports for the Office of Public Works in regard to flood alleviation in Ardclough, County Kildare.
384 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Finance if negotiations with Kildare County Council for the acquisition of a small portion of land to the front of the site for the new Garda station for Leixlip, County Kildare, have been concluded; if a revised sketch scheme has been submitted to the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform for approval; if approval has issued from this Department; when construction will commence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1884/05]
Negotiations are ongoing with Kildare County Council for the acquisition of an additional plot of land for this development. The Office of Public Works wrote to the council again on 5 January 2005 seeking to finalise the matter and is awaiting the council's response. When these negotiations are completed satisfactorily, a revised sketch scheme will be issued to the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform for approval.
385 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Finance if the OPW has completed its review of options for increasing visitor numbers to Maynooth Castle; if the completion of the second phase of the restoration works to the castle formed part of the review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1886/05]
Plans are being drawn up for a dedicated promotional campaign for Maynooth Castle, including advertising in the local press. With regard to possible future development at Maynooth Castle, the position remains as set out in my reply to Parliamentary Question No. 185 of 17 November 2004.
386 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Finance the details of all sites being examined by his Department in the Listowel area in respect of the decentralisation programme; and the criteria used to assess the suitability of each site. [1892/05]
The Office of Public Works has identified a number of potentially suitable property solutions, which includes both sites and buildings, for the decentralisation to Listowel. It is expected that the associated evaluation process, which is at an advanced stage, will be completed shortly.
The main evaluation criteria applicable to the assessment of all property solutions on the decentralisation programme are as follows: the proposed cost of the accommodation offered either by way of lease, outright purchase or on a deferred purchase basis; the proposed timescale within which the accommodation can be provided; the quality of the design and specification; the potential for future expansion exhibited by any proposed site or building; the proximity of the site or building to amenities and any available transportation mode; the practicality of any car parking proposal submitted in respect of the site or building; and the requirement that premises should comply where appropriate with all relevant sections of health and safety legislation, building regulations and planning legislation and should be fully accessible to persons with disabilities.
387 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Finance if he will give a categorical assurance in writing to residents living in the vicinity of Ardee Road, Rathmines, Dublin 6 that the erection of telecommunications equipment on an OPW building by a company (details supplied) will not pose a health threat to the residents in the vicinity or the pupils of St. Mary’s College, Rathmines and if, in the event of any damage done to the health of such persons, he and the Office of Public Works will accept responsibility; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1952/05]
The company referred to is a telecommunications consultancy company appointed by the Commissioners of Public Works in August 2003 to assess the suitability of the State property portfolio for use in the mobile telecommunications sector and to act in an advisory capacity to the commissioners in their dealings with mobile telecommunications operators. As part of this process, a licence to install equipment on Ardee House, Rathmines, has been granted to a mobile phone operator.
Under the terms of the licence, the operator is required to comply strictly with all relevant health and safety legislation, to operate within current standards and EU regulations and to adhere to the guidelines on exposure limits to emissions, issued by the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection, ICNIRP. This compliance with health and safety legislation and so on required under the licence agreement also applies to any future relevant legislation or regulations and ICNIRP guidelines.
388 Mr. Cregan asked the Minister for Finance the situation regarding the price of diesel; if he will track the price vis-à-vis petrol at wholesale or retail level; the reason diesel has increased in price vis-à-vis petrol; if the increasing price of diesel is mainly due to production prices, refining or taxation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1987/05]
Fuel prices are driven by a number of factors, including the price of oil on international markets, exchange rates, production costs and refining costs. The rise in oil prices over recent periods reflected additional factors such as geopolitical uncertainty, supply disruptions and strong economic growth in "catch-up" countries such as China. Mineral oil taxes are also a factor influencing fuel prices. However, as the Deputy may be aware, I did not increase taxation on motor fuels in the recent budget.
In respect of the tracking of petrol prices vis-à-vis diesel prices, the CSO’s national average price survey of these fuels for 2004 produced the results set out in the following table.
|
Unleaded Petrol |
Auto Diesel |
|
|
€ Litre |
€ Litre |
|
|
January 2004 |
0.894 |
0.826 |
|
February 2004 |
0.900 |
0.830 |
|
March 2004 |
0.897 |
0.825 |
|
April 2004 |
0.921 |
0.842 |
|
May 2004 |
0.984 |
0.864 |
|
June 2004 |
0.997 |
0.916 |
|
July 2004 |
0.975 |
0.905 |
|
August 2004 |
0.990 |
0.918 |
|
September 2004 |
0.985 |
0.935 |
|
October 2004 |
0.981 |
0.939 |
|
November 2004 |
1.009 |
0.987 |
|
December 2004 |
0.970 |
0.962 |
The data show the price of diesel increased by more than the price of petrol during 2004 with the differential between the two narrowing as the year came to an end. While a number of factors have been advanced to explain the recent price developments, it is clear they were not driven by tax increases.
389 Ms Burton asked the Minister for Finance the number of stud farm companies and stud farm operators benefiting from the provision whereby tax exemption is given in respect of non-resident stallions (details supplied); the estimated cost of this tax relief from 1997 to date; and the basis on which this relief is given. [2070/05]
The stallion stud fees exemption was introduced in the Finance Act 1969 to encourage the development of the Irish bloodstock industry by creating an incentive for investment in Irish stallions and applied to stallions standing at stud in the State and abroad. Income arising to the owner or part-owner of a stallion from the sale of services or the right to services is exempt from tax. Losses may not be offset against other income.
Income from a stud farm is charged to tax in the same way as other profits from farming. The income charged to tax in full includes income from the keeping of mares and stallions at the farm. The only income exempt is the income arising from stallion fees. The legislation providing for this exemption was amended in the Finance Act 1985 so as to confine the tax exemption on stallion fees to income earned from stallions at stud in the State. Income arising to a part-owner of a foreign-based stallion continued to be exempted where the share has been acquired by a breeder for the purpose of acquiring new breeding lines for a bloodstock enterprise carried on in the State. The exempting measure is now contained in section 231 of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997.
A Revenue Commissioners administrative ruling issued in November 1986, in response to a perceived downturn in the industry, confirmed that if a stallion ordinarily kept on land in the State was temporarily exported from the State for genuine commercial purposes and for a period which would not exceed two years, it would be accepted that the stallion would continue to be regarded as ordinarily kept on land in the State. This position was changed in September 1998. Since then, stallions which are sent abroad to cover mares, mainly to the southern hemisphere and commonly for a period of up to six months, are regarded as ordinarily kept on the land in the State but, except as otherwise provided for in the legislation, only those profits arising in the State are exempt.
As the Deputy is aware, it has not been a requirement under various Governments since 1969 to identify the costs of this relief because there was no obligation on a taxpayer to make a return of exempt income or profits from the sale of services of mares by stallions. However, in the Finance Act 2003 this position was changed to ensure that income or profits, although exempt, are included in the annual return of income to the Revenue Commissioners. The new requirements apply in respect of chargeable periods commencing on or after 1 January 2004. The first of these returns for individuals under self-assessment rules will be required by 31 October 2005 in respect of the 2004 tax year.
The date of the return for companies will vary depending on the company's accounting period. Where a company has a calendar year accounting period, which is the case for many companies, the return will be required by 30 September 2005 in respect of the tax year 2004. In this context the information on costs is not yet available but I hope to be in a position after the tax returns have been received and analysed to give some information in this regard.
In budget 2005, I announced that I had directed my Department and the Revenue Commissioners to carry out a thorough evaluation of the effect of certain tax incentive reliefs and exemptions with a view to introducing measures in budget 2006 that balance the benefit of such reliefs and the extent to which such incentives and exemptions are used by high earners to reduce their tax bill. I also indicated that the review will incorporate an examination of data that is due to come to hand in late 2005 on certain exempt income including stallion fees.
390 Mr. Connaughton asked the Minister for Finance his views on whether single upper limb amputees should be considered eligible applicants for the disabled drivers scheme; the number of such cases there is likely to be should eligibility be granted; his further views on whether a person with one hand can be as handicapped as a person with one foot; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2071/05]
The disabled drivers and disabled passengers (tax concessions) scheme is open to those with disabilities who meet the specified criteria and have obtained a primary medical certificate to that effect. The senior area medical officer attached to the relevant local health board is responsible for both the medical assessment and the issue of the medical certificate.
The medical criteria for the purposes of the tax concessions under this scheme are set out in the Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers (Tax concessions) Regulations 1994. Six different types of disablement are listed under the regulations and a qualifying person must satisfy one or more of them. The six types of disablement are as follows: persons who are wholly or almost wholly without the use of both legs; persons who are wholly without the use of one leg and almost wholly without the use of the other leg such that the applicant is severely restricted as to movement of the lower limbs; persons without both hands or without both arms; persons without one or both legs; persons wholly or almost wholly without the use of both hands or arms and wholly or almost wholly without the use of one leg; and persons having the medical condition of dwarfism and who have serious difficulties of movement of the lower limbs.
An individual who qualifies under the medical criteria as set out above is issued with a primary medical certificate. Possession of a primary medical certificate qualifies the holder for remission or repayment of vehicle registration tax, VRT, a repayment of value added tax, VAT, on the purchase of the vehicle and a repayment of VAT on the cost of adaptation of the vehicle. Repayment of the excise duty on fuel used in the motor vehicle and exemption from annual road tax to local authorities are also allowed.
An interdepartmental review group was established to review the disabled drivers and disabled passengers (tax concessions) scheme. The group examined all aspects of the scheme, including the qualifying medical criteria. Its report was published on my Department's website in July 2004 and copies have been placed in the Oireachtas Library. As agreed by Government in June 2004, I will consider the report on an ongoing basis in the overall budgetary context, having regard to the existing and prospective cost of the scheme.
Regarding an expansion of the criteria along the lines suggested in the question, it is not possible to estimate the numbers involved.
391 Mr. Cregan asked the Minister for Finance if he will report on the rules and regulations guiding the permitted opening times of betting shops and his views on the continuing concern from the public at the apparent very liberal licensing laws pertaining to the opening hours of betting shops; his plans to curtail the hours during which a betting shop may remain open; if there is any responsibility on a licence holder regarding the way in which they should handle a client who obviously is gambling excessively; if there is any formal assistance granted from a State agency to a licence holder who wishes to refer a client to a counselling service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2072/05]
The permitted opening times of registered betting premises were amended in the Finance Act 1998. The 1998 changes extended the opening hours of betting shops to cater for the growing trend towards evening race meetings and Sunday racing.
The legislation covering opening hours of betting shops sets out that registered premises cannot be open for business on Christmas Day, Good Friday or Easter Sunday; from 1 September to 31 March in any year, registered premises cannot be open before 7 a.m. or after 6.30 p.m.; and from 1 April to 31 August in any year, registered premises cannot be open before 7 a.m. or after 10 p.m.
I have no plans at this time to report on the rules and regulations guiding the permitted opening times of betting shops or to curtail their opening hours. There are no provisions in betting legislation in respect of issues associated with excessive gambling.
392 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Finance the public appointments made in his Department since the Cabinet reshuffle in September 2004. [2091/05]
Since my appointment as Minister for Finance, in accordance with the provisions of section 11(1) of the Public Service Management Act 1997, the Government has appointed one special adviser at my request. I have also appointed a personal secretary and personal assistant. These posts are held on a contract basis.
393 Mr. Timmins asked the Minister for Finance the position regarding the case of a person (details supplied) in County Wicklow; and if a P21 can be forwarded as a matter of urgency. [2104/05]
I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that a PAYE balancing statement for the year 2003 issued on 21 January 2005, following a telephone call from the taxpayer on 18 January 2005.
394 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the plans to address the points put across by the CWU, now that the one-day strike of postal workers has taken place, in order to avoid the disruption which a further strike would cause; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34148/04]
As the Deputy may be aware, An Post has been in negotiations for several months with the main union in An Post, the Communications Workers Union, on the implementation of a change management programme for the company. The recovery plan presented by the board and management, and which assumed significant changes in work practices, some tariff increases and the payment of wage increases, sets out the way forward for the company.
An Post management and unions have been involved in a detailed negotiation process under the auspices of the LRC since March last year regarding the implementation of the recovery plan. In December 2004, CWU members rejected a proposal on collection and delivery arrangements, which provided for a 5.35% increase over three years, and the process is now being referred to the Labour Court for decision. The hearing in the Labour Court is due to commence in early February next.
An Post stated that unless certain changes were carried out to make An Post more competitive, it would not be in a position to pay the increases due under the Sustaining Progress agreement. In such circumstances, it is open to An Post unions to refer this to the LRC and ultimately the Labour Court where a binding ruling can be made. The rationale for the board's decision was that An Post made losses of €43 million in 2003 and any further payments would have an even more detrimental impact on the company's finances.
The way forward for An Post is the use of the industrial relations machinery of the State by both sides and while some progress has been made, I acknowledge that many more difficult issues remain to be agreed. I am convinced that agreement will only be reached by continuing with the process of negotiating a settlement acceptable to all. I have met both the board and management of An Post and the CWU to discuss the actions needed to secure the future of the company for the benefit of its customers, staff and the community at large. I have urged all parties to continue to resolve issues of disagreement in a spirit of partnership.
395 Ms McManus asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if, in view of the increasing level of unsolicited faxes being received by persons and small companies, he has proposals to curtail and control this kind of nuisance advertising. [34159/04]
Regulation 13 of the European Communities (Electronic Communications Networks and Services) (Data Protection and Privacy) Regulations 2003, SI 535 of 2003, provides for prohibitions and restrictions on the sending of unsolicited faxes for direct marketing purposes to individuals and companies. Responsibility for the enforcement of the regulation rests with the Office of the Data Protection Commissioner. A person found guilty of an offence in regard to a breach of the aforementioned regulation shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding €3,000.
I propose to provide for greater penalties for breaches of the aforementioned regulation in the forthcoming Electronic Communications (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill with a view to strengthening the powers of the Office of the Data Protection Commissioner to control the situation.
396 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the strategies to protect coastal fishing and salmon stocks over the next ten years. [34160/04]
I am aware of the immense importance of the coastal fisheries sector to fishing communities in Ireland. As a first step in bringing effective management and conservation measures to the coastal sector, a scheme for the licensing of traditional pot fishing boats was launched by the previous Minister, Deputy Dermot Ahern, in 2003. The implementation of the licensing scheme is now nearing completion and will facilitate the introduction of the necessary structures to support effective management of this sector.
Bord Iascaigh Mhara, BIM, with the support of the Marine Institute and departmental officials, are working towards bringing forward proposals for a network of inshore fisheries local advisory committees, LACs. The LACs will set the objectives for inshore fisheries in their area and the development of local management plans to deliver these objectives. This will involve inshore fishermen in the decision-making process.
Nationally-based species advisory groups will also be established and will bring together expertise from BIM, the Marine Institute, third level colleges and fishermen to produce scientifically-based management advice to assist the LACs. In addition, the proposed European fisheries fund, to cover the years 2007 to 2013, places considerable emphasis on the sustainable development of coastal fishing areas, an objective that has my full support.
In regard to salmon, the overriding objective of the Government is to conserve the wild salmon resource in its own right and for the coastal and rural communities it helps to support. The economic goals for a sustainable commercial salmon fishery based on quality and value rather than volume and the development of salmon angling as an important tourism product are both fully compatible with this primary objective.
Since 2002, the Government has accepted the scientific advice that reductions in the overall fishing effort are required in order to sustain and rebuild wild salmon stocks nationally. As a result, the Department has implemented a strategy to ensure, through progressive reductions in catch, that the conservation limits specified by the standing scientific committee of the National Salmon Commission are being reached. This policy of promoting the application of quotas on commercial fishing and bag limits on angling has delivered significant catch reductions aimed at achieving the overall shared objective of restoration of salmon stocks.
It is the Government's belief that the current strategy of developing a sustainable commercial and recreational salmon fishery through aligning catches on the scientific advice holds out the strong prospect of a recovery of stocks and of a long-term sustainable fishery for both sectors.
397 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources his plans in view of the recommendation of the Marine Casualty Investigation Board that persons taking to boats on open water be more qualified in navigation, seamanship and survival than at present. [34180/04]
The recommendation referred to by the Deputy relates to a report on the tragic incident involving the capsizing of a 4.6 m angling boat at Fermoyle Beach, Brandon Bay, County Kerry on 23 September 2003, with the loss of one crew member's life. I convey my sympathies to the family of the victim on this tragic loss.
This incident was investigated by the Marine Casualty Investigation Board under the Merchant Shipping (Investigation of Marine Casualties) Act 2000. The board published its report on 12 November 2004 following legal vetting and the application of natural justice procedures. A printed copy is available free of charge to anyone who requests a copy. The report will also be available shortly on the MCIB website, www.mcib.ie. The main purpose an investigation by the board is to establish the cause or causes of a marine casualty with a view to making recommendations to me for the avoidance of similar marine casualties. Investigations carried out by the MCIB do not attribute blame or fault.
Five recommendations have been made in the report for follow-up action to prevent a recurrence of similar casualties. A number of actions have already been taken by the Department with regard to highlighting the need for additional safety measures by users of recreational craft. A draft code of safe practice for recreational craft, which covers all the matters raised, was issued for public consultation last year. The maritime safety directorate of the Department is evaluating the comments received with the aim of publishing the code shortly. In addition, the Merchant Shipping (Pleasure Craft) (Lifejackets and Operation) (Safety) Regulations 2004 introduced in June 2004 make it obligatory that lifejackets be worn on vessels of less than 7 metres.
As part of my ongoing review of safety issues, I will consider any measures necessary to prevent a recurrence of similar casualties.
398 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if he will report on the effectiveness of the draft code of safety practices for recreational craft; the persons who are policing it; if the code has been distributed to all small craft owners; and if his Department has a register of all small owners. [34181/04]
The draft code of safe practice for recreational craft was issued for public consultation last year and the maritime safety directorate of the Department is evaluating the comments received with the aim of publishing and launching the code in the near future. At the time of publication, the code will be made available to the public through the Department's website and other sources.
The purpose of the draft code is to assist owners and operators of recreational craft by setting out in one document current legislative requirements relating to recreational craft, in addition to recommended best practice regarding the safe operation of such craft. It covers all types of sailing and motorboats and also craft such as jet skis, canoes and kayaks. The draft code is divided into two parts. Part A of the codeoutlines existing legislative requirements that apply to recreational craft. Part B provides guidance on best practice for the safe operation of recreational craft.
Policing is already carried out on the legislative requirements outlined in part A of the code, through a combination of the Garda, the Department's marine surveyors and members of the Coast Guard. Part B of the code will not be mandatory but all recreational craft users will be encouraged to follow the guidance on best practice contained in it. If, following publication, experience indicates that owners and operators are not following the guidance provided in part B then consideration will have to be given to introducing mandatory requirements.
There is currently no specific register of small vessel owners. However, the owners of such craft may voluntarily register under the Mercantile Marine Act 1955. In 2004 the maritime safety directorate undertook a public consultation process on a proposal to establish a small vessel register, SVR, on a voluntary, non-statutory basis. The aim of the proposed SVR would be to provide a simple registration system to enhance maritime safety, security and pollution prevention. As proposed, it is not intended to register "title" or provide proof of nationality of the vessel. The comments received on foot of the consultation process are being assessed with a view to taking the issue of a small vessel register forward.
399 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the reason Clochmór Achill is not on the list of designated pelagic landing ports. [34183/04]
The EU introduced new arrangements for the control of certain pelagic fisheries — horse mackerel, mackerel and north west herring fisheries — in December 2003 which came into effect during 2004. The rules are set down in annex IV of Council Regulation 2287/2003 and were revised for 2005 in annex III, part C of Council Regulation 27/2005. These arrangements include the weighing in the presence of a controller of all quantities in excess of 10 tonnes landed of each of these species.
During the course of 2004, extensive consultations took place with industry representatives regarding the implementation of the annex. The five designated ports, Killybegs, Rathmullen, Dingle, Rossaveal and Castletownbere, were chosen on the basis of landing patterns for the species concerned and the resources available to comply with the requirements of the annex.
Although I would seek to give the maximum scope for landings into ports, it should be noted that the scope of the 2005 Council regulation in comparison with the 2004 regulation is wider. The EU regulation now provides that pelagic landings will have to be monitored at ports on the southern and eastern coasts in line with the EU rules for weighing all landings. In this context, the provision of the resources needed to meet our obligations under this regulation will be even more challenging.
400 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if he has been given responsibility for broadcasting policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34195/04]
Under SI 299 of 2002, Broadcasting (Transfer of Departmental Administration and Ministerial Functions), and SI 307 of 2002, Marine and Natural Resources (Alteration of Name of Department and Title of Minister), the departmental administration and ministerial functions in regard to broadcasting transferred to my Department and me, as Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources.
401 Mr. O’Shea asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources his proposals to provide finance in 2005 to Waterford County Council for cliff regrading and stabilisation at Helvick Pier, County Waterford at an estimated cost of €500,000; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34216/04]
Responsibility for coast protection rests with the property owner whether it be a local authority or a private individual. In July 2002, the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources requested all coastal local authorities to submit proposals, in order of priority, for consideration in the context of the 2003 to 2006 national coast protection programmes.
Waterford County Council submitted a proposal for cliff regrading and stabilisation at Helvick at an estimated cost of €500,000 and at number three in its order of priority. I understand the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government provided funding of €842,000 to Waterford County Council in 2003 and 2004 in respect of cliff regrading and stabilisation at Helvick. In 2004 the County Council sought funding of €500,000 from this Department to complete those works. The allocation of funding for coast protection in 2005 is under consideration.
402 Mr. Neville asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the position regarding his discussions with Eircom on continuing the 999 emergency telephone service, in particular the availability of this service to Samaritan clients. [34290/04]
Discussions are ongoing with Eircom and other telecommunications operators on the funding of the emergency call answering service. These discussions only relate to the funding of the service.
Regarding the connection of emergency calls to the Samaritans, Eircom has advised that it has no function in providing connections from its call centre and that, where requested, the phone number of the Samaritans will be provided to the caller.
403 Mr. O’Shea asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources his proposals on drift net salmon fishing in order to conserve the stocks, in particular in regard to a buy-out of salmon fishing licences; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34291/04]
Since 2002, the Government has implemented a strategy to ensure, through progressive reductions in catch, that the conservation limits specified by the standing scientific committee of the National Salmon Commission are being reached. This policy of promoting the application of quotas on commercial fishing, including drift netting and bag limits on angling, has delivered significant catch reductions aimed at achieving the overall shared objective of restoration of salmon stocks.
The Government has consistently ruled out buy-out as an effective means of achieving the restoration of salmon stocks and instead promoted the application of quotas on commercial fishing and bag limits on angling to achieve catch reductions as the best instrument available to achieve this objective. Moreover, no convincing case has been advanced as to the public good that would be acquired by the State in the context of a publicly funded buy-out nor why stakeholders benefiting from increased numbers of salmon entering the rivers should not contribute in whole or in part towards achieving that increase.
As a result, I have no plans to introduce proposals to purchase commercial salmon fishing licences. As I have previously indicated to the House, I am prepared, however, to keep the matter under review and would be open to any relevant proposals whereby stakeholders benefiting from any reduction in commercial catch might fund any compensation that might arise.
404 Mr. O’Shea asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources his views on the concerns of fishermen in County Waterford regarding the code of practice for fishing vessels under 15 m (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34322/04]
422 Mr. O’Shea asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if, in regard to the prescription drugs list as per the code of practice for small fishing boats, he has satisfied himself regarding the medical safety and the securities issues regarding their use and storage on small fishing boats; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1601/05]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 404 and 422 together.
I have noted the Deputy's concerns and confirm that the requirements in the code of practice relating to sea survival courses are statutory requirements set out in the Fishing Vessel (Basic Safety Training) Regulations 2001, SI 587 of 2001. Under these regulations, all crew members of fishing vessels must undertake basic safety training before going to sea in the case of new entrants and in the case of serving crew members in accordance with a timeframe based on age.
The list of prescription drugs contained in the code of practice for fishing vessels of less than 15 m in length is taken from the European Communities (Minimum Safety and Health Requirements for Improved Medical Treatment on Board Vessels) Regulations 1997, SI 506 of 1997. Inadvertently, a table on antidotes was included in the sixth annex of the code. It is acknowledged that this is not an appropriate requirement for fishing vessels.
The majority of fishing vessels covered by the code of practice are only required to carry medical supplies similar to that carried on board a life raft and this list, as such, is not too onerous. The panel of surveyors approved to carry out the surveys on fishing vessels of less than 15 m has been informed of this and is fully aware that the requirement to carry antidotes will not be a prerequisite for compliance with the code. My Department is updating its website, www.DCMNR.ie, with this information.
405 Mr. O’Shea asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources his proposals to reduce the number of fisheries boards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34323/04]
I have no proposals at present to reduce the number of fisheries boards. The Deputy may be aware that the report of the independent estimates review committee to the Minister for Finance indicated in respect of the fisheries boards that "there would seem to be scope for rationalising the existing structures of the central and regional fisheries boards" and questioned "whether the existing arrangements represent the most efficient means by which the functions in question can be discharged". The Deputy may also be aware that my predecessor appointed a consortium of expert consultants, led by Farrell Grant Sparks Consulting, to undertake a high-level review of the inland fisheries sector in Ireland.
The review will deliver a root-and-branch examination of the State's role and objectives in the inland fisheries sector. The consultants are required to evaluate the adequacy of the current model for the governance of the inland fisheries sector; to define the current relationship between the Government, the Department or Departments and the inland fisheries sector and suggest new more effective models; and to recommend a structure which will contribute to the optimum development of the inland fisheries resource in Ireland.
While I appreciate that previous indications were that I expected to receive this report before now, I am advised that the complex review is not yet complete. The process is coming to a close and the consultants expect to present their report to me shortly.
406 Ms M. Wallace asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if he will provide information regarding the position on the August 2004 proposals to provide advanced broadband networks in 41 towns throughout Ireland, including Dunshaughlin and Ratoath in County Meath, under the broadband action plan; the position regarding the proposal for the remaining 50 locations throughout Ireland which were expected to issue in early 2005, including the County Meath locations of Dunboyne, Laytown and Bettystown; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1053/05]
Under the National Development Plan 2000-2006, an indicative €200 million of Government and ERDF funding is being invested, in association with the local and regional authorities, in the creation of high-speed open-access broadband networks and fibre trunks. These facilities will remain in State ownership while allowing the service providers open access at competitive costs.
The first phase of my Department's regional broadband programme, in which metropolitan area networks, MANs, are being built in 26 towns and cities, is nearing completion. In the second phase of the programme, MANs will be built in a further 92 towns of 1,500 population and over, in association with the local authorities.
Navan and Trim are among the first 35 towns to be approved under this second phase. These projects will begin construction this summer. Proposals for Dunshaughlin, Ratoath, Dunboyne, Clonee and Ashbourne were received in December 2004 and are being appraised. Laytown-Bettystown, Kells, Duleek and Athboy will be invited as part of the next call under this programme, due later this year.
For rural communities and smaller towns, my Department's group broadband scheme offers funding assistance for community groups to come together with the service providers and obtain broadband connectivity for their area using the most appropriate delivery system, such as satellite, wireless, digital subscriber line, DSL, or cable. Up to 55% funding is available towards capital costs under the scheme.
Full details of the regional broadband programme and group broadband scheme are on my Department's websites, www.dcmnr.gov.ie and www.gbs.gov.ie.
407 Cecilia Keaveney asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources when improvements will be carried out to a radio station (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1184/05]
Consultants retained by this Department to conduct a study of the future development of the Irish Coastguard recommended that two control centres — as opposed to the existing three centres in Dublin, Malin Head and Valentia — should be operated. Following assessment of the recommendations, it was decided to close the marine rescue co-ordination centre in Dublin and retain two centres. The present position is that the Department is considering detailed proposals as to how the two remaining manned centres will operate and it expects to complete this process shortly.
New medium frequency-high frequency, MF-HF, radio and control systems as well as a new Navtex transmission and control system will be installed at Malin Head marine rescue and co-ordination centre, MRSC, during the year. These improvements are required independently of the reduction from three to two centres.
408 Cecilia Keaveney asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the position regarding a shell fish licence for a person (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1185/05]
Under the Fisheries (Amendment) Act 2003, the functions of sea-fishing boat licensing and registration were transferred from the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources to the licensing authority for sea-fishing boats which operates on an independent basis subject to criteria set out in that Act. All applications for sea-fishing boat licences are considered by the licensing authority for sea-fishing boats. The head of the licensing authority is the registrar general of fishing boats, a senior official in the Department.
The licensing authority has informed me that it issued a letter of licence offer to the individual concerned in respect of his vessel on 20 December 2004. A non-operative licence to facilitate registration of the vessel will issue as soon as the conditions set out in the letter of offer have been complied with. Upon registration of the vessel, an operative sea-fishing boat licence will be issued by the licensing authority.
409 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the position regarding the safety of mobile phones, especially for children; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1224/05]
My Department maintains a watching scientific brief on health issues relating to electromagnetic energy, including those related to mobile phones. Concerns about the possible sensitivity of children to electromagnetic fields were first raised by a review of the available research related to biological and health effects of electromagnetic fields from mobile telephones. This was carried out by the independent expert group on mobile telephony in the United Kingdom in 2000.
The review did not find any definite adverse health effects due to mobile telephones, but did not conclude that there were none. The group felt that, because of children's developing skills and the likelihood that they would have longer lifetime exposure than adults, they would be more vulnerable than adults to any as yet unknown health effects. The group therefore recommended a precautionary approach on mobile telephone use by children.
In 2002, the health council of the Netherlands, after a separate evaluation of the health effects of mobile telephones, concluded that there was no reason to recommend that mobile telephone use by children should be limited. In 2003, the National Radiological Protection Board of the United Kingdom, NRPB, noted that little had been published on childhood exposure to radio frequency electromagnetic fields.
To examine the question of children's sensitivity to electromagnetic fields the World Health Organisation held an expert workshop in Istanbul, Turkey, in June 2004. The workshop concluded that carefully controlled cognitive performance tests on children with electromagnetic fields at the top of the range of those from current mobile telephones did not show any significant difference in performance between those exposed and those not.
I am satisfied that my Department is in possession of the most up-to-date information available on this subject, that at this time there is no demonstrated adverse health effect and therefore is no reason for me to act to limit the use of mobile phones by children. My Department will continue to monitor the scientific evidence and participate in the relevant international projects and committees. If it is deemed prudent in time to change the guidelines, we will not be slow to respond.
410 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the reason a company (details supplied) has been given a licence to operate here; his views on whether competition is needed in the areas in which it operates to ensure a better service for customers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1295/05]
The licensing or authorisation of operators in the telecommunications sector is the responsibility of the regulator for the sector, the Commission for Communications Regulation, ComReg. ComReg has statutory independence in the exercise of its functions and the Minister has no function in the matter. NTL, which offers a telephony service, a cable television service and a broadband service was licensed by the former Office of the Director of Telecoms Communications, ODTR, now ComReg.
The EU regulatory framework implemented in 2003 does not provide for the regulation of retail broadcasting but contract law applies equally to telecommunications operators as to all other commercial operators and the enforcement of contractual obligations falls within the remit of the Office of the Director of Consumer Affairs. I am considering proposals to extend ComReg's powers to regulate retail broadcasting services in the interest of consumer protection.
411 Mr. Gregory asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the steps he can take to ensure that An Post pensioners are awarded their due increases; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1362/05]
427 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if An Post or the trustees of its pension trust have made application to his Department to sanction payment of a pay increase due to pensioners; when this application was made; and when it is intended to make a decision on the matter. [1979/05]
429 Mr. Cregan asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the position regarding An Post pensioners whose normal pension increases have not been awarded; if, notwithstanding industrial relations problems with workers, it is legally or morally defensible to withhold pensioners’ increases; if the pension fund is totally divorced from An Post current trading; if seconded civil servants in An Post are not immune from such treatment by the management of a semi-State company; and when An Post pensioners will receive their increase. [1997/05]
430 Mr. Cregan asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the position regarding An Post pensioners whose normal pension increases have not been awarded; if, notwithstanding industrial relations problems with workers, it is legally or morally defensible to withhold pensioners’ increases; if the pension fund is totally divorced from An Post current trading; if seconded civil servants in An Post are not immune from such treatment by the management of a semi-State company; and when An Post pensioners will receive their increase. [1998/05]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 411, 427, 429 and 430 together.
An post pensioners are paid from An Post pension fund which is founded by employer and employee contributions. The authority to implement pension increases was delegated to An Post, subject to certain conditions, as this activity was considered part of the day-to-day operations of the company. In practice, this allowed the company to implement pension increases following pay increases to employees. However, decisions outside the scope of the original delegated authority still require the consent of both the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources and the Minister for Finance.
Following a proposal from the board of An Post to amend the existing pension increase terms of An Post, in this instance, my Department and the Department of Finance undertook a review of the situation. While I fully empathise with An Post pensioners for the position they find themselves in due to the failure of An Post management and unions to reach agreement on implementation of the recovery strategy, the wider overall policy issues raised by the proposal from An Post also need to be considered.
By way of background and as the Deputy may be aware, the existing terms of the An Post superannuation scheme provide for "pay parity", that is, that pensions are increased in line with the pay of serving staff. This is in accordance with public service defined benefit pension increase policy generally, "pay parity" being an integral and well established practice which is widely applied in public service defined benefit pension schemes.
Unfortunately, following examination of the issue and taking into consideration the implications of providing a precedent which could impact adversely on the cost of pensions in the wider public sector and the existing practice of pay parity, increases to pensioners of An Post, linked to increases under the Sustaining Progress agreement, are not possible at this time. While I understand the frustration of An Post pensioners with the situation, agreement in partnership with An Post unions to the restructuring plan aimed at securing the future of the company and indeed providing sustainable long-term employment for An Post workers is the way forward.
With this in mind, I have urged both the unions and the management of An Post to fully engage with the industrial relations mechanisms of the State to agree a way forward for the future of the company and all stakeholders.
412 Dr. Upton asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if the State will fund the public service obligations of An Post; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1363/05]
The universal service obligation, which includes nationwide delivery requirements, is enshrined in EU and Irish law and therefore is a statutory requirement for An Post as the designated universal service provider. Furthermore, the European Communities (Postal Services) Regulations 2002 set out the area of the postal market solely reserved for An Post as the universal service provider. Therefore, it is not envisaged that public funding will be provided to An Post to meet its universal service obligations.
413 Mr. P. Breen asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if he will address the needs of the Irish Postmasters Union and improve facilities throughout the country for the 1400 post offices. [1364/05]
423 Mr. O’Shea asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources his proposals in regard to the Irish Postmasters Union proposal to ensure that the 1400 offices in the post office network continue to operate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1602/05]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 413 and 423 together.
The Government is committed to a viable and sustainable nationwide rural post office network providing a range of services to meet consumer needs. The Government has already made an equity injection of €12.7 million into the network in 2003 to facilitate modernisation measures. Furthermore, the Government has strongly supported An Post initiatives such as the channelling of new utility and banking services through the network.
I am exploring with An Post the bringing forward of further initiatives to continue underpinning our network of rural post offices. In this regard, the company is actively pursuing a number of options in both the public and private sectors. To date, An Post has introduced new service delivery models in order to improve access to post office services. There are 1,000 automated post offices, 475 non- automated post offices, 160 postal agencies and An Post has established 3,000 postpoint outlets in retail premises of which 600 can be used for bill payment.
The automated network accounts for more than 95% of An Post's counter business. This means that the 1,000 automated offices transact 95% of counter business while 475 non-automated offices undertake 5% of business. This figure clearly illustrates the level of business transacted by individual non-automated offices. The current level of automated coverage is considered by An Post to be extremely comprehensive by any objective standard and this level of coverage makes it difficult to justify on either customer-service or economic ground the extension of automation to all offices, regardless of their location or business volumes.
Automation of the post office network was completed in 1997. It is, therefore, only in very exceptional circumstances, such as an existing automated office closing and its equipment being transferred to a suitable neighbouring location which transacts significant volumes of welfare business, that offices are automated today.
A core objective for An Post continues to be the retention of access to post office services in as many locations as possible, in the manner which best meets consumer needs, whether services are provided via post offices, postal agencies or the postpoint network.
414 Mr. Boyle asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the plans there are for the provision of broadband services to County Kerry, particularly to the larger urban centres in the county. [1413/05]
Under the National Development Plan 2000-2006, an indicative €200 million of Government and ERDF funding is being invested, in association with the local and regional authorities, in the creation of high-speed open-access broadband networks and fibre trunks. These facilities will remain in State ownership while allowing the service providers open access at competitive costs.
The first phase of my Department's regional broadband programme, in which metropolitan area networks, MANs, are being built in 26 towns and cities is nearing completion. In the second phase of the programme, MANs will be built in a further 92 towns of with a population of 1,500 and over, in association with the local authorities. Of the first 35 towns to be approved under this second phase, six are located in Kerry. They are Castleisland, Dingle, Kenmare, Killarney, Listowel and Tralee. These projects will begin construction this summer.
For rural communities and smaller towns, my Department's group broadband scheme offers funding assistance for community groups to come together with the service providers and obtain broadband connectivity for their area using the most appropriate delivery system, such as satellite, wireless, digital subscriber line, DSL, or cable. Up to 55% funding is available towards capital costs under the scheme.
Full details of the regional broadband programme and group broadband scheme are on my Department's websites, www.dcmnr.gov.ie and www.gbs.gov.ie.
415 Mr. Boyle asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources his plans to encourage the placing of maximum radiation information on each mobile phone handset. [1414/05]
Mobile telephones are in widespread use on a global basis. The limits for non-ionising radiation are global limits established internationally by the International Commission for Non-Ionising Radiation Protection, ICNIRP. There is no evidence that exposure up to these limits is damaging. Accordingly, I do not propose at this stage to put maximum radiation information on each mobile handset. My Department will continue to liaise with the appropriate international bodies to monitor ongoing research and ensure the standards operating in Ireland comply with the ICNIRP guidelines.
416 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if it is Government policy to support the view of the energy regulator on wind energy development; if he is aware that the largest wind energy company here has decided not to build any more wind farms; if he will allow a situation to develop whereby Ireland is the only country in Europe with no Government support for wind energy projects; the Government’s views on the regulator’s comments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1435/05]
I have put out to consultation the recently expressed view of the Commission for Energy Regulation, which is an independent body under paragraph 9 in the Schedule to the Electricity Regulation Act 1999. I am aware of reports that one company has decided to invest in other locations instead of this country for now. That is a commercial decision for the company.
It is important to optimise the contribution of wind energy based electricity to the national supply on a basis that is fair to all parties, including consumers, and so that it can be integrated safely and easily into the national network. After all, in the medium to longer term, it is important that the State reduces its dependency on non-renewable fuels, the prices of which are subject to the vagaries of the global markets and geopolitical developments which can adversely affect both the price and availability of supplies. From a national economic perspective, not just an energy policy perspective, increasing the amount of renewable energy in the system could be helpful in reducing costly fuel imports and dealing with the levels of uncertainty in future planning of energy prices.
To that end, the renewable energy development group was established on 6 May of last year. The group is chaired by a representative of my Department and comprises relevant experts from the administrative, industrial and scientific sector, including the Commission for Energy Regulation, Sustainable Energy Ireland, ESB national grid and the Economic and Social Research Institute, among others. The renewable energy industry is represented in the group through participation of members nominated by an industry sub-group.
The group will advise on future options, policies, targets, programmes and support measures to develop the increased use of renewable energy in the electricity market to 2010 and beyond. The group has received a broad range of views in the course of its deliberations, including direct presentations from the main industry representative associations as well as the Commission for Energy Regulation. All these views will be considered in the group's report, which is due shortly, and will form the basis of my future policy decisions on the increased penetration of renewable energy technologies in the electricity market.
417 Mr. Broughan asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources his views on industrial relations at the ESB and his plans to ensure that the ESB’s key electricity network and generation infrastructure will continue in public ownership after market opening in February 2005. [1436/05]
I do not have primary responsibility within the Government for industrial relations issues. However, I am very much aware of the ongoing talks process established by the Labour Court in response to a request by the national implementation body under the Sustaining Progress agreement. These talks are aimed at resolving a number of industrial relations issues in the ESB.
It is public knowledge that the claim of the ESB group of unions includes an increase in the employees' current 5% shareholding in the company to 19.9%, an 18.5% salary pay increase and a resolution of the company's pension deficit. All of this is separate from and additional to increases under Sustaining Progress. Considerations of national competitiveness, the partnership approach to pay in the economy and even the long-term future of the ESB itself raise serious questions about the appropriateness of these claims. Government policy on employee shareholdings is clear and does not allow for a shareholding beyond 5% in the absence of a wider transaction affecting the company.
In regard to the future of the company, I will be engaging independent consultants to undertake a comprehensive and strategic review of the electricity sector, including institutional arrangements and market structures for the electricity sector in Ireland. I want this review to take place as soon as possible and it will include an examination of the ESB's vertically integrated utility structure and its dominance in the sector. It will also present a range of options for Government and the implications of each of these options for the economy and competitiveness of the electricity sector.
The Deputy is aware that I have previously confirmed my opposition to the privatisation of the transmission and distribution systems, which, in my view, are critical national assets that should remain in State ownership. I believe there is strong consensus about this. I have also previously stated my opposition to any privatisation that would result in the creation of a monopoly or near-monopoly in the power generation sector.
Notwithstanding this, I will be asking the consultants to consider all options in regard to the future shape of the company and on how to deal with the company's dominance in power generation. The issue of ESB's dominance is a critical one in terms of developing competition in the market and ensuring the electricity sector contributes fully to national competitiveness. Finding an effective solution to these issues is absolutely critical if we are to deliver good value for money to customers and ensure the security of energy supplies into the future.
418 Mr. Broughan asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if he will report on the Government’s plans for the acquisition of an emergency towing vessel or ocean-going tug to protect mariners and coastal communities here. [1437/05]
The feasibility of deploying emergency towing vessels, ETVs, in Irish waters is under consideration in the Department. 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 Environment and Local Government on cost effectiveness, location, financing, operational aspects, possible other uses and so on; 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 very significant costs likely to be associated with the provision of ETV capability and complex operational requirements were recognised. The working group concluded that an ETV capacity should be provided to service the west coast via a public private partnership, PPP, process and that an ETV for the east coast should be 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 is examining how these proposals can be pursued, having regard in particular to the very significant costs involved and the cost benefits associated with such a facility.
419 Mr. Broughan asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the Government’s plans for analogue switch-off in the era of digital broadcasting; if a final date has been set; the likely impact of decisions in this regard in the UK; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1438/05]
Digital broadcasting is now available in Ireland through a number of cable and satellite networks. The terrestrial broadcasting system is an analogue platform and it will be necessary to upgrade this platform to a digital terrestrial platform over time. I am examining proposals in this regard. Specific analogue switch-off dates will be considered in light of progress in upgrading to a national digital terrestrial platform. Ireland is party to international agreements with regard to spectrum usage, including agreements with the UK, which are revised on an ongoing basis.
420 Mr. Ferris asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the reason it took Bord Gáis one hour and ten minutes to respond to a gas explosion at a location (details supplied) on 2 November, 2003. [1439/05]
421 Mr. Ferris asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if he will make a statement on the progress of the accelerated programme for cast iron mains promised in the aftermath of the gas explosion at a location (details supplied). [1440/05]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 420 and 421 together.
In the first instance, it is an operational matter for Bord Gáis Éireann, BGE, under the supervision of the Commission for Energy Regulation, CER, to arrange the safety of its natural gas network and this includes works to upgrade the network or to replace cast iron pipes. I am aware that gas safety is a high priority for BGE.
The report of the independent investigation of the Rathfarnham explosion of 2 November 2003 was published by the Commission for Energy Regulation on 25 November 2003. Regarding the response time, the report states that Bord Gáis's response to the publicly reported escape from No. 22 Glendoher Close was within the one-hour criterion, as set out in Bord Gáis's customer service escape procedure.
Among the recommendations in the report published by the CER, all of which were accepted by the commission was that BGE should put in place a parallel programme of cast iron mains replacement in areas where the ground was known to be liable to subsidence. BGE had been engaged in systematically replacing the older networks over the past 17 years. Two-thirds of the older networks have been replaced with modern polyethylene pipes. Prior to the incident it had been intended to replace the remainder of the system over a ten to 15 year period. During 2004, BGE developed a plan in conjunction with the CER to renew the final third of the system over the next five years. Some 112 km of cast iron main was replaced in 2004. Bord Gáis proposes to renew approximately 200 km of cast iron main during 2005 with all remaining cast iron pipes due for renewal by end of 2009.
424 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if a person (details supplied) in Dublin 5 will be afforded the maximum support with regard to their television licence problem; and if he will work with the Department of Social and Family Affairs on this issue. [1603/05]
From the details in the question it is not clear to what the Deputy is referring. If the Deputy provides further details to my office I will be happy to have the matter investigated.
425 Mr. Bruton asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the State, semi-State, State-sponsored and statutory bodies under the aegis of his Department which are not subject to the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act 1997; the reason a body is not subject to the requirements of the Act; and if he envisages proposals to bring any such body within the scope of the Act in the foreseeable future. [1706/05]
The State, semi-State, State-sponsored and statutory bodies under the aegis of my Department, which are not subject to the Freedom of Information, FOI, Acts are: An Post; Broadcasting Complaints Commission; ESB; Eirgrid; Bord Gáis Éireann; Bord na Móna; National Oil Reserves Agency, NORA; National Salmon Commission; Irish Maritime Development Office; Foyle Carlingford and Irish Lights Commission; port companies; harbour authorities; Commissioners of Irish Lights; Marine Casualty Investigation Board; Aquaculture Licences Appeals Board, ALAB; and Mining Board.
Proposals for extending FOI are being developed at present in the Department of Finance in the context of plans to extend FOI to other appropriate bodies by the end of 2005. The question of extending FOI to the bodies mentioned, where appropriate, is being considered in this context.
The Foyle Carlingford and Irish Lights Commission is a North-South Implementation Body established under the British Irish Agreement Act 1999 which states that "the Irish and Northern Ireland Ministers with responsibility for freedom of information will as soon as practicable draw up a code of practice on access to information for approval by NSMC." Preparation of the code of practice is at an advanced stage and it is expected to be implemented during 2005. In addition, the body's sponsoring Department is covered by FOI legislation and any information held by that Department which is common to both the Department and the body is subject to FOI.
426 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if an allocation of funding will be granted to a company (details supplied) for the provision of eco-friendly heating and a hot water supply system; when a decision will be made; the amount of funding that will be granted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1836/05]
My Department has no funding or scheme, which would be relevant to this matter. Sustainable Energy Ireland, SEI, which was established as a statutory agency in May 2002, implements initiatives on renewable energy and energy efficiency on behalf of my Department. I received an application for a grant from Banada Development Agency Limited last Thursday, 20 January 2005, which has been forwarded to SEI to consider whether it fits within any of its programmes. Its response will be notified to the applicant in due course.
428 Mr. Cregan asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the situation in relation to public service pensions; the way in which a person with five years service in the Department of Posts and Telegraphs/Telecom, and on a pension for it, can have this pension supplemented for two years Army service between 1942 and 1944; and the way in which an application should be submitted and processed. [1990/05]
My Department has responsibility with regard to public service pensions for former employees of the Department of Posts and Telegraphs who retired prior to 1 January 1984, (the vesting day of An Post and Telecom Éireann — now Eircom. If a person retired prior to 1 January 1984, an application should be made to my Department, together with any relevant details of previous service, for consideration of pension reckonability. If a person retired after 1 January 1984 as an employee of Telecom Éireann or Eircom application should be made to Eircom's superannuation section, 53 Merrion Square, Dublin 2.
431 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the public appointments made in his Department since the Cabinet reshuffle in September 2004. [2092/05]
The following staff appointed by me during my tenure as Minister for Education and Science have been re-appointed by me in the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources: press adviser; personal assistant; and personal secretary. In addition, the special adviser appointed by me during my tenure as Minister for Education and Science has been reassigned to me at the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources with effect from 30 September 2004.
The following staff appointed by the Minister of State at my Department, Deputy Gallagher, during his tenure as Minister of State at the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government, have been re-appointed by him in the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources: personal assistant; personal secretary; and two civilian drivers.
The information requested by the Deputy on appointments made to the boards of State-sponsored bodies is set out in the following tables.
|
An Post |
||
|---|---|---|
|
Board Member (Elected Employees) |
Appointment Date |
Expiry Date |
|
Mr. Jerry Condon |
01.11.2004 |
31.10.2008 |
|
Mr. Patrick Compton |
01.11.2004 |
31.10.2008 |
|
Mr. Patrick Davoren |
01.11.2004 |
31.10.2008 |
|
Mr. Thomas Devlin |
01.11.2004 |
31.10.2008 |
|
Mr. Terry Keller |
01.11.2004 |
31.10.2008 |
|
Board Member |
Date of Appointment |
Expiry Date |
|
Mr. Sean Murphy* |
01.01.05 |
31.12.07 |
|
Mr. Lorcan Ó Cinnéide* |
01.01.05 |
31.12.07 |
|
Mr. Mario J. Minehane* |
01.01.05 |
31.12.07 |
|
Ms Mary McMahon |
01.01.05 |
31.12.06 |
|
Ms Karin Dubsky |
01.01.05 |
31.12.06 |
|
Mr. Damian McDonald |
01.01.05 |
31.12.06 |
|
Board Member |
Date of Appointment |
Expiry Date |
|
Ms Rose McHugh |
29.09.04 |
23.04.07 |
|
Board Member |
Date of Appointment |
Expiry Date |
|
Mr. Tom Reeves (Chairman) |
14.10.2004 |
|
|
Mr. Michael Tutty |
14.10.2004 |
|
|
Ms Regina Finn |
Commencing on Feb 1st 2005 |
|
Board Member |
Date of Appointment |
Expiry Date |
|
Mr. Mike Byrne |
01.12.2004 |
30.11.08 |
|
Board Member |
Date of Appointment |
Expiry Date |
|
Mr. Joe Murphy |
29.09.04 |
29.09.07 |
|
Board Member |
Date of Appointment |
Expiry Date |
|
Mr. Cormac Bohan |
29.09.04 |
28.09.09 |
|
Mr. Paddy Traynor (Chairman) |
20.12.04 |
19.12.09 |
|
Board Member |
Date of Appointment |
Expiry Date |
|
Cllr. Larry O’Brien |
26.11.04 |
25.11.09 |
|
Board Member |
Appointment Date |
Expiry Date |
|
Ms Terry Fleming |
29.09.04 |
28.09.09 |
|
Board Member |
Date of Appointment |
Expiry Date |
|
Mr. Pat Bowe |
14.12.04 |
31.12.05 |
432 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the plans he has to make grant aid available for 475 non-automated post offices to ensure that their computerisation includes the provision of Internet availability to the public; his views on whether this would help address the information divide; if his Department has considered the expansion of public services available in postoffices; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2126/05]
The Government is committed to a viable and sustainable nationwide rural post office network providing a range of services to meet consumer needs. The Government has already made an equity injection of €12.7 million into the network in 2003 to facilitate modernisation measures. Furthermore, the Government has strongly supported An Post initiatives such as the channelling of new utility and banking services through the network. I am exploring with An Post the introduction of further initiatives to continue underpinning our network of rural post offices. In this regard, the company is actively pursuing a number of options in both the public and private sectors.
To date, An Post has introduced new service delivery models in order to improve access to post office services. There are 1000 automated post offices, 475 non- automated post offices and 160 postal agencies. An Post has established 3,000 postpoint outlets in retail premises of which 600 can be used for bill payment.
The automated network accounts for more than 95% of An Post's counter business. This means that the 1,000 automated offices transact 95% of counter business while 475 non-automated offices undertake 5% of business. This figure clearly illustrates the level of business transacted by individual non-automated offices. The current level of automated coverage is considered by An Post to be extremely comprehensive by any objective standard and this level of coverage makes it difficult to justify on either customer service or economic grounds the extension of automation to all offices, regardless of their location or business volumes.
Automation of the post office network was completed in 1997. It is, therefore, only in very exceptional circumstances, such as an existing automated office closing and its equipment being transferred to a suitable neighbouring location, which transacts significant volumes of welfare business, that offices are automated today.
An Post has no plans to provide Internet access to the public through the rural post office network. However, with the rollout of e-Government services, the automated element of the post office network is ideally placed to capitalise on opportunities arising in this space, especially in the area of e-payments. A core objective for An Post will continue to be the retention of access to post office services in as many locations as possible, in the manner which best meets consumer needs, whether services are provided via post offices, postal agencies or the postpoint network.
433 Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the fact that none of the armed loyalist groups (details supplied) associated with a party (details supplied) has ever publicly disbanded, disarmed or called a cessation of armed actions against the nationalist people of Northern Ireland. [34113/04]
My understanding is that the specific organisations mentioned by the Deputy disbanded some time ago. The Deputy will be aware that the Good Friday Agreement is completely unambiguous as a statement of principles regarding paramilitarism. These principles apply to all the political parties in Northern Ireland. In particular, they include an affirmation of a total and absolute commitment to exclusively democratic and peaceful means of resolving differences on political issues, and opposition to any use of force or threat of force for any political purpose, whether in regard to the Good Friday Agreement or any other political matter.
During the course of the different sessions of negotiation leading to the Good Friday Agreement, all the political parties in Northern Ireland, including the DUP, formally accepted the Mitchell principles, which include inter alia a commitment to the total disarmament of all paramilitary organisations and a commitment to exclusively peaceful methods of resolving all political differences.
434 Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will consider commissioning an investigation into the death toll from the Iraq war to enable the Irish people to more accurately evaluate the consequences of the Government policy of allowing the US military to use Irish airspace and airports in the prosecution of this war; and the number of dead and injured as a result of the Iraq war officially accepted by his Department. [34137/04]
The Government does not have any information on casualty figures in Iraq, other than those estimates by various commentators, which have appeared in the public domain. Nor does the Government have any means of assessing the accuracy of these figures, or of conducting its own investigation of the matter. However the Government's view, which has been expressed clearly since the outset of the conflict, is that the use of force should be kept to a minimum, and that every possible effort must be made to avoid civilian casualties. The presence of the United States military forces in Iraq has been mandated by UN Security Council Resolution 1511 of 16 October 2003 and Resolution 1546 of 8 June 2004.
435 Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the steps he will take to ensure that all future discussions on overseas development aid and security at the OECD and at the Council of Ministers are informed by the human security concept to which the Government is committed by its membership of the Human Security Network. [34138/04]
Ireland, together with Austria, Canada, Chile, Greece, Jordan, Mali, The Netherlands, Norway, Switzerland, Slovenia and Thailand, is a member of the Human Security Network. South Africa is an observer. The network is an informal group of like-minded countries from all regions of the world, which maintains dialogue on questions of human security. It was established in the context of the consultations which led to the Ottawa Convention outlawing the use of anti-personnel mines.
The network pursues a broad agenda and has strong links to civil society and academia. It aims to bring to international attention new and emerging issues by applying a human security perspective to them. Issues of particular current interest are children in armed conflict, HIV-AIDS, control of small arms and violence against women. Established priorities of the network include support for universal adherence to the Ottawa Convention on anti-personnel mines and the International Criminal Court.
The following principles emerged from the first ministerial meeting of the network in Lysøen, Norway on 20 May 1999. A commitment to human rights and humanitarian law is the foundation for building human security. Human security is advanced in every country by protecting and promoting human rights, the rule of law, democratic governance and structures, a culture of peace and the peaceful resolution of conflicts. The international organisations created by states to build a just and peaceful world order, above all the United Nations in its role to maintain international peace and security as stated in the charter, must serve the security needs of people. Promoting sustainable human development, through the alleviation of absolute poverty, providing basic social services for all and pursuing the goals of people-centred development, is necessary for building human security. Innovative international approaches will be needed to address the sources of insecurity, remedy the symptoms and prevent the recurrence of threats, which affect the daily lives of millions of people.
Ireland will continue to support these principles during all relevant discussions on overseas development assistance and security at the OECD and at the Council of Ministers of the EU.
436 Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the position advocated by Ireland in the high level OECD meeting in December 2004 regarding peace, security and development; his position on the DAC April 2003 discussion paper, A Development Co-operation Lens on Terrorism Prevention; his views on whether it is wrong to finance security and counter terrorism measures from already stretched overseas development aid budget lines; his further views on whether the inclusion of military expenditure in overseas development aid will create a distorted picture by inflating formal overseas development aid levels without strengthening poverty reduction activities in developing countries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34139/04]
The question of overseas development assistance, ODA, eligibility regarding conflict prevention, peace building and security-related activities was on the agenda of the senior level meeting of the OECD Development Assistance Committee, DAC, in Paris, on 8 and 9 December 2004, and was discussed at some length.
The chair concluded at the end of the discussion that no consensus existed on proposals to broaden the coverage of the existing DAC directives in the areas of peacekeeping and on reform and non-military training of military forces. The chair also indicated that he would not now be putting this matter forward for discussion by Ministers at the OECD DAC high-level meeting in 2005, though the broad issue of security and development will continue to be a matter for discussion at the DAC.
Ireland's approach at the senior level meeting with regard to this aspect of ODA eligibility was that the proposals in respect of security system reform, civilian peace-building, conflict prevention and conflict resolution could be endorsed, while the proposals relating to small arms and light weapons, reform and non-military training of military forces and peacekeeping could not be accepted, as the arguments in favour of maintaining the current position outweighed the risks involved in approving such proposals. These risks included diverting the focus of ODA away from poverty reduction and from meeting the Monterrey commitments.
The OECD DAC reference document, A Development Co-operation Lens on Terrorism Prevention: Key Entry Points for Action, was endorsed by the DAC high level meeting in 2003 and complements the DAC Guidelines Helping Conflict Prevention of 2001. I welcome this document, which will act as a reference point for development co-operation actors in this field.
The DAC reference document draws on donor responses to international terrorism. It is intended to guide the international community and governments in their efforts to address linkages between terrorism and development and suggests how donor programmes might be designed or adjusted. It begins with a policy statement in which DAC Ministers and heads of agencies underline key issues, orientations and entry points for action. While the causes of international terrorism are complex, there are connections with development arenas, actors and issues. Consequently the international community, aid organisations, governments, the European Union, the United Nations system and the OECD have embarked on a series of reflections on how best to support global efforts to combat terrorism.
Ireland's development co-operation programme has a very strong focus on poverty reduction in the poorest developing countries. This will remain our approach.
437 Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the progress made since the January 2004 Council conclusions by which the Irish Presidency obtained a commitment from the EU to develop clear and objective criteria for the allocation of EU aid. [34140/04]
On 26 January 2004, following the fourth annual policy debate on the effectiveness of the European Union's external action at the General Affairs and External Relations Council, the Council adopted conclusions inviting the Commission, in the light of experience and best international practice, to present proposals on extending the use of standard, objective and transparent resource allocation criteria, based on need and performance, to all EC external assistance.
Subsequently, on 22 October 2004, former Commissioners Nielson and Patten wrote to EU Ministers for foreign affairs and development co-operation indicating that, following extensive preparatory work by the Commission, they were transmitting ideas for a common approach for future resource allocation, which should apply to all developing and transition countries to be covered by the future development co-operation and economic co-operation instrument. The Commissioners also indicated that they wished to leave it to the incoming Commission to develop appropriate allocation approaches for the countries to be covered by other relevant instruments. I understand that detailed work on allocation criteria by the Commission is ongoing. Ireland regards this work as a priority and will continue to call for the earliest possible submission of the Commission's proposals.
438 Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the steps he will take to ensure that poverty eradication remains the overarching goal of EU development assistance in the period 2007 to 2013. [34141/04]
Poverty eradication remains the overarching objective of Ireland's development co-operation policy. In this regard, EU development co-operation Ministers from seven member states, including Ireland, stressed the importance of poverty eradication being included specifically in the treaty establishing a constitution for Europe in a joint submission to the Convention on the Future of Europe. As a result, Article III-316 of the treaty provides that "Union development policy shall have as its primary objective the reduction and, in the long term, the eradication of poverty."
439 Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on whether the European Commission proposals on EU development spending in the Financial Perspectives 2007-2013 risk undermining the terms of the proposed EU constitutional treaty which recognises development co-operation as a policy area in its own right and defines poverty eradication as the overarching objective of EU development policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34142/04]
440 Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on the current European Commission proposals on EU development spending in the Financial Perspectives 2007-2013 (details supplied). [34143/04]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 439 and 440 together.
Development co-operation is included in the Commission's proposals on external relations in the Financial Perspectives 2007-2013. It is the Commission's intention to increase expenditure on external relations in support of the EU's role as a global partner and to simplify structures for the delivery of policy objectives in this area.
The Commission has proposed that €95 billion should be allocated to external relations for the period of the future financial framework. The financial reference amount indicated by the Commission which is proposed for the development co-operation and economic co-operation, DCEC, instrument is approximately €44.2 billion for the period to 2013. This expenditure would be delivered through a streamlined structure in which six instruments would replace the range of existing instruments, including 91 budget lines in the present external relations policy areas. Four new instruments would be created including a DCEC instrument. Approximately 46% of the proposed total expenditure would be committed to this instrument. The development co-operation and economic cooperation instrument will have the aim of supporting development co-operation, economic, financial, scientific and technological co-operation with partner countries and regions and helping developing countries to achieve the millennium development goals.
The other new instruments proposed are: an instrument for pre-accession; a European neighbourhood and partnership, ENPI, instrument; and an instrument for stability. All these instruments contain elements of development co-operation expenditure. The existing instruments for humanitarian aid and macro-financial assistance would remain unchanged. Simplification of the number of instruments will provide for enhanced coherence in the Union's external action and Ireland welcomes this.
Negotiations on the financial perspectives have been under way since February 2004 and will continue under the Luxembourg Presidency. No final decisions have been taken with regard to either the overall budget level for the financial perspectives or its components. The member states and the European Parliament will retain their right to exercise oversight with regard to expenditure in this area.
Ireland is concerned to ensure that the Union is adequately resourced to advance its objectives in supporting the least developed countries, deepening relations with its neighbours, promoting stability and responding to short-term crises. In view of the importance of development co-operation assistance for the Union's external relations priorities, we have a particular concern that there should be no dilution of the Union's commitment to poverty reduction. We believe that the overarching objective of the new development co-operation and economic co-operation instrument should be the reduction of poverty, contributing to the achievement of the millennium development goals. These objectives will continue to inform Ireland's approach to discussion on the development co-operation aspects of the negotiations on the Financial Perspectives.
441 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will raise the issue of the Falun Dafa practitioners with the Chinese Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34164/04]
453 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will raise the internment of a person (details supplied) in Tibet along with other political prisoners imprisoned by the Chinese Government, with the Chinese authorities. [1226/05]
454 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if there has been a policy shift on the independence of Tibet and the need to end Chinese occupation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1227/05]
462 Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the points made by the Irish delegation to the Chinese Prime Minister during the recent trade mission to China; the specific points made on the ongoing occupation of Tibet; and the other human rights concerns raised. [1537/05]
463 Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the reason the Government cannot take a tougher line on human rights in China than the big EU countries as stated by the Taoiseach; and if this rule applied only to Irish policy on China or to all foreign policy. [1538/05]
489 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he raised the persecution of Falun Dafa in China with the Chinese Vice-Premier, Huang Ju, on his recent visit to Dublin, in particular the Vice-Premier’s personal endorsement of such persecution; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1594/05]
490 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has made any representation to the Government of China regarding the death sentence imposed on a person (details supplied); if he has sought this person’s release or an open retrial of the case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1595/05]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 441, 453, 454, 462, 463, 489 and 490 together, and to make a statement on these matters.
As has been stated on many occasions, the Government takes concerns about human rights in China very seriously. Human rights issues are a constant point of discussion with the Chinese authorities at both the national and the European Union level. Dialogue on human rights issues is a constant element of our bilateral exchanges. While recognising that respect for human rights in China is not at the level we would wish, the Government takes the approach of seeking to encourage the Chinese authorities to continue to move in a positive direction. This approach, which situates human rights issues within a broad dialogue on matters of mutual concern is shared by other European and North American governments and is the approach most likely to yield tangible long-term progress on human rights.
In May and again in October 2004, the Taoiseach held constructive bilateral meetings with Premier Wen Jiabao at which human rights issues were raised. At the invitation of Premier Wen, the Taoiseach paid an official visit to China, from 18-22 January 2005. The purpose of the visit was to discuss further the development of political, economic, social and cultural relations with our Chinese counterparts. The Taoiseach was accompanied at different stages of his visit by the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, the Minister for Education and Science, and the Minister for Agriculture and Food.
Official talks took place between Premier Wen Jiabao and the Taoiseach on 18 January, in Beijing. The Taoiseach also paid courtesy calls on Mr. Hu Jintao, President of the People's Republic of China, and Mr. Wu Bangguo, Chairman of the National People's Congress of China. The Taoiseach and Premier Wen discussed a wide range of issues including the issue of human rights. The Taoiseach, while recognising the different historical perspective of Ireland and China regarding the promotion and protection of human rights, stressed the importance that the Government attaches to China's continued progress in this area. The possibility of developing bilateral co-operation on furthering human rights norms was raised with the Chinese side.
The Taoiseach had an interesting exchange with Chairman Wu on the Chinese Government's efforts to promote human rights and the rule of law. Chairman Wu looked forward to Irish and Chinese parliamentarians continuing this dialogue at various meetings scheduled to take place during the course of this year.
Discussions on human rights issues also took place at official level during the course of the Taoiseach's visit. The Irish side raised the case of Ms Yang Fang. Ms Yang studied in Ireland some years ago, and it has been alleged that following her return to China, she was placed in detention by the Chinese authorities and has been prevented from resuming her studies in Ireland. We have raised Ms Yang Fang's case with the Chinese authorities through the China-EU Human Rights Dialogue, which is the agreed framework for raising individual human rights cases. On 18 January, the Chinese side reported that Ms Yang Fang was not in detention and that she had left her employment several months ago to care for her ageing mother.
On 16 November 2004, the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Harney, and I held official talks with the Chinese Vice-Premier, Mr. Huang Ju, in Dublin Castle. During our discussion on EU-China relations, I raised our concerns over human rights with the Vice-Premier. I also recalled that a number of specific issues were being addressed through the EU-China Human Rights Dialogue and that the Government looked forward to continued progress in this regard.
At that time, the Chinese Vice-Premier informed me of the measures his Government is taking in the field of human rights, which included the addition of an express provision on human rights to China's constitution in 2004. He stated that China wished to continue the regular EU-China Human Rights Dialogues and confirmed that China would attend the next session of that dialogue, due to be held in February 2005. China has recently upgraded its presence in the EU-China Human Rights Dialogue to director-general level.
The EU-China Human Rights Dialogue, established in 1996, is the agreed formal framework through which the EU raises its concerns about individual human rights cases, including those of Falun Dafa practitioners and more general issues, such as the protection of freedom of religion and expression, which have a particular impact on practitioners of Falun Dafa. These issues were raised at the EU-China summit, which took place at The Hague on 8 December 2004.
As stated previously, Ireland established diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of China in 1979 and has, from that time, recognised Tibet as an integral part of China. There has been no change in this position.
I am aware of the case of the individual, Mr. Butuk, to whom Deputy McGrath refers, who, I understand, was arrested in 1990 and charged with "counter-revolutionary activities" and sentenced to 14 years' imprisonment. It is alleged that he has been tortured and consequently suffers ill health. I will ensure that his case is raised with the Chinese authorities.
Tibet regularly features in our discussions within the EU, at EU-China meetings, and in our bilateral meetings. On 16 November 2004, I raised the issue of Tibet and recent developments during the official talks with Vice-Premier Huang Ju, in Dublin. In response, the Vice-Premier said that the channels of communications between the Chinese government and the Dalai Lama were open. Tibetan delegations had visited China since 2002 and met their relatives. China was continuing to work to ensure peace and development in Tibet.
At the EU level, Ireland, together with our EU partners, encourages the continuation of the dialogue between the Chinese authorities and representatives of the Dalai Lama. In this regard, I welcome the statement issued on 10 March 2004 by the Dalai Lama, in which he expressed the hope that there might soon be a significant breakthrough in relations with the Chinese Government, based on his "middle-way-approach," which addresses the issue of Tibet within the framework of the People's Republic of China, and that he has instructed his envoys to continue the process of dialogue with Beijing at an early date.
I am pleased that representatives of the Dalai Lama met the Chinese authorities in Beijing from 12 to 29 September 2004. Previous meetings between China and Tibetan envoys took place in September 2002, and May and June 2003. This third meeting in September 2004 was characterised generally as positive by Mr. Lodi Gyari the special envoy of the Dalai Lama. For the first time there was a substantive discussion between Chinese and Tibetan representatives on major, sometimes fundamental differences, including the issue of the delimitation of Tibet and the scope of autonomy. It is understood that there may be a further round of talks in 2005.
As stated previously, I am aware of the caseof Tenzin Deleg Rinpoche, to whom DeputyGormley refers. At the request of Ireland and a number of other EU partners, his case has been raised on a number of occasions with the Chinese authorities. Most recently, on 21 January, the EU ambassadorial troika carried out a further demarche on the Chinese authorities in Beijing. The troika expressed the EU's opposition to the death penalty and called on the Chinese authorities not to carry out the death sentence imposed on Tenzin Deleg Rinpoche. The troika further called on the Chinese authorities to allow due judicial process to be respected in the exercise of this case.
In response, the Chinese authorities recalled that under Chinese law, if a person sentenced to death with suspension of execution does not intentionally commit a crime in that period, his sentence may be reduced to a term of imprisonment of between 15 and 25 years and that the period of suspension in this case would end on 26 January 2005. It was understood that this provision applies to the case of Tenzin Deleg Rinpoche. However, the relevant legal procedures had not yet been completed at the time of the recent demarche. The Chinese authorities undertook to inform the EU as soon as the final judgment issues.
Together with our EU partners, the Government will continue to encourage the Chinese authorities to respect fully the human rights of all citizens, including those of the people of Tibet. For my part, I will continue to avail of my discussions with Chinese representatives to express our position in regard to these matters.
442 Mr. Neville asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the projected cost of introducing passports containing biometric information. [34326/04]
Following the decision of the Government on 14 December 2004 to approve the introduction of passports containing biometric information, my Department has launched the procurement process for this project. A notice inviting firms to submit expressions of interest in the project was placed in the EU Journal on 17 December 2004. Based on the evaluation of these expressions of interest, a short list of companies will be drawn up to which the request for tender will be issued next month. It will not be possible to give a firm estimate of the cost of the project until the formal proposals from the short-listed companies have been received and considered and the contract has been awarded.
443 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if all public money given to the tsunami crisis will be distributed to the most needy; and if he will work closely with all the aid organisations on this issue. [34330/04]
445 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the position regarding public money spent on the tsunami crisis; and if he will report on the supports which were delivered to persons on the ground. [34579/04]
460 Mr. Boyle asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if money pledged by the Government to assist relief in the aftermath of the South Asian tsunami disaster is part of or in addition to the current year’s overseas development aid budget for 2005. [1424/05]
475 Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will reconsider the decision to take the additional €10 million pledged for tsunami disaster relief from the existing emergency humanitarian assistance budget, in view of the fact that the UN has urged countries to use new money and other countries such as Canada, Norway and Germany have done so. [1551/05]
481 Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the amount of official tsunami relief aid delivered to date. [1557/05]
483 Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the forms of tsunami disaster relief aid pledged by the Government; the amount delivered to date in cash; and the amount promised in cash, which remains outstanding. [1559/05]
484 Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the reason he will not commit to matching tsunami disaster relief humanitarian aid funds to that raised independently by people here through voluntary donations to charitable organisations. [1560/05]
486 Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on Transparency International’s call for maximum access to information regarding sources and expenditure in relation to tsunami relief aid; his further views on the call for a tendering system and transparent budgeting in tsunami reconstruction efforts including monitoring for dedicated disaster relief and reconstruction such as the UN Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Co-ordinator’s proposal for a donation tracking scheme; and his further views on whether the military should be subject to the same scrutiny as public bodies and non-governmental organisations in relief delivery and reconstruction. [1562/05]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 443, 445, 460, 475, 481, 483, 484 and 486 together.
The Government has allocated €20 million for the relief of the victims of the tsunami crisis. Some €10 million is additional funding to the budget for overseas aid announced in the Estimates for 2005. The remainder will come from the Government's emergency humanitarian assistance fund, which is specifically designed to be flexible to respond to disasters wherever they occur.
As far as disbursement of funding is concerned, approximately €9.5 million has been approved so far in response to requests from Concern; Goal; Christian Aid Ireland; Christian Children's Fund of Ireland, CCF; Oxfam Ireland; Plan Ireland; Trócaire; World Vision Ireland; the United Nations Children's Fund, UNICEF; the United Nations High Commission for Refugees, UNHCR; the World Health Organisation, WHO; the World Food Programme, WFP; the Red Cross family and the International Organisation for Migration, IOM. Funding is also being provided to the UN for the co-ordination of the aid effort. Contracts are currently being processed and payments made.
Ireland's assistance is targeted at the neediest sectors of the populations in the affected region. The key areas being addressed are food assistance, shelter, livelihood rebuilding, care and protection of children, water and sanitation.
During my recent visit to the tsunami-affected countries I was accompanied by the chief executives of Concern, Goal, the Irish Red Cross and Trócaire. We witnessed at first hand the truly appalling scale of the destruction. The loss of life and destruction of property is immense. There is a clear and acute need for ongoing international assistance for the emergency and the recovery efforts afterwards, particularly in Sri Lanka and Indonesia.
The technical team appointed by the Government to visit Indonesia, Sri Lanka and Thailand to assess the immediate and long-term needs of these countries post tsunami has just returned and has made a number of recommendations. As the region moves away from an emergency response to one oriented towards recovery and reconstruction, further funding will be made available as required. This will take account of the recommendations of the team and will be in line with emerging needs and priorities in the countries concerned. In addition, it is intended that the appointment of an envoy to monitor officially funded relief operations in Asia and to liaise with Irish Aid agencies on the ground will be announced in the very near future.
In response to a request from the United Nations Joint Logistics Centre, four members of the Defence Forces have taken up positions in transport and engineering operations in Colombo, Sri Lanka, to assist with the logistics of the aid operation.
It is essential that all development co-operation activities, including emergency relief, should be delivered, managed, tracked and monitored in the most transparent and accountable way possible. With emergency humanitarian assistance, such as that being delivered to the tsunami affected countries by all organisations, maximum access to information can only help the relief effort by facilitating openness, co-ordination and effectiveness. The involvement of civil society in the process is essential. A people-centred approach, combined with strong oversight by the international donor community and the governments of the affected countries, will provide the optimal basis for effective reconstruction. Ireland fully subscribes to the principles and practice of the Good Humanitarian Donorship Initiative, which aims to ensure best practice in all aspects of emergency relief.
444 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the position regarding developments in the Middle East between the Palestinians and Israelis; and the role which Ireland is playing in these issues. [34574/04]
Mahmoud Abbas Abu Mazen was elected President of the Palestinian Authority with a solid majority on 9 January. The EU election observation mission reported that the conduct of the election was generally satisfactory considering the difficult circumstances surrounding it. AbuMazen's election has been welcomed by the international community. President Bush has invited him to Washington, while Prime Minister Sharon congratulated Abu Mazen on his election and undertook to engage in discussions with him.
The Government continues to be concerned about ongoing violence in the region; both terrorist attacks against Israeli targets and Israeli military action in response. We would encourage both sides to do their utmost to bring a halt to the cycle of violence so that there can be a return to negotiation. The Government, both bilaterally and within the framework of the EU and UN, will continue its efforts to encourage progress in the Middle East Peace Process. The EU has consistently stated its readiness to assist the Palestinian Authority financially, technically and politically. At the UN, Ireland and the EU have repeatedly reaffirmed their support for efforts to resolve the conflict.
The European Council of 16 and 17 December, in its declaration on the Middle East peace process, welcomed efforts by the Palestinian leadership to ensure a democratic transition in the occupied Palestinian Territory. Israelis and Palestinians were encouraged to continue to co-operate closely in the run-up to the Palestinian presidential elections in January 2005. The Council also reiterated its commitment to the achievement of a negotiated two-state solution through the roadmap, and expressed its willingness to support an Israeli withdrawal from the Gaza Strip and part of the West Bank as a first step in the overall process, in accordance with the conditions set out by the March 2004 European Council.
The Taoiseach has congratulated President Abbas on his success in the elections and pledged Ireland's continuing support for efforts to bring an end to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. He recalled Ireland's long-standing concern for the situation of Palestinian people and the Government's ongoing commitment to supporting international efforts to bring about a lasting peace in which two states, Israel and Palestine, can live side by side in peace and co-operation.
The Taoiseach also indicated the Government's readiness to assist the Palestinian Authority in their efforts to move forward on the basis of the roadmap and he urged Mr. Abbas to work vigorously to ensure that Palestinians meet their obligations under it. He pledged that Ireland, through its membership of the European Union, and its relations with Israel, the United States, Arab and other key partners would strongly support early action, led by the Quartet, to advance the implementation of the roadmap.
I intend to visit the region in the coming period to encourage the parties to pursue the present opportunities for progress and to explore possibilities for Ireland to further assist them along the path to lasting peace.
446 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the fact that funding for the UNFPA is assisting China’s one child policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34592/04]
I am aware of the allegations that funding for the United Nations population fund, UNFPA, is assisting China's one-child policy. However, UNFPA has categorically denied that it either supports the Chinese Government's one-child policy or that it takes part in managing the government's programme. A number of independent investigations have taken place into these allegations against UNFPA. All of these investigations have confirmed that UNFPA does not support China's one-child policy and is making an important contribution to encouraging the Chinese authorities away from coercive family planning measures.
My officials will continue to monitor closely the activities of the UNFPA, including allegations relating to UNFPA's programme in China, through bilateral contact at headquarter and field level and through attendance at all of the executive board meetings of the organisation. We served a three-year term on the executive board of UNFPA from 1998 to 2000 and were closely involved in discussions on UNFPA's policies and programmes. We were impressed by the quality of UNFPA's development activities, the commitment of its staff and the support it provides to some of the world's poorest countries. In recent years members of the Government have met with Ms. Thoraya Obaid, the executive director of the fund, on a number of occasions to discuss our contribution and the fund's activities.
We have also recently completed an intensive round of bilateral consultations with the fund during which we again raised the above allegations. On the basis of our assessment of its operations, we have decided to enter into a new round of multi-annual funding commitments with the agency.
I am satisfied that UNFPA is playing an important role in supporting the efforts of developing countries to improve maternal health and welfare and to fight HIV-AIDS. Ireland's funding of UNFPA is, therefore, fully warranted and helps the organisation provide much needed assistance to people living in extreme poverty.
447 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will use all his power to bring back the children of a person (details supplied) and to give this person the maximum support and guidance. [1054/05]
My Department is aware of this case and is in contact with the representatives of the person to whom the Deputy refers. The Department will assist in any way possible in facilitating the return of the children to Ireland.
448 Mr. O’Connor asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has made contact with the new President of the Palestinian Authority; his plans to assist that new administration in seeking peace in the Middle East; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1064/05]
The Taoiseach telephoned President Mahmoud Abbas to congratulate him on his success in the elections. In the course of this call, he assured President Abbas of Ireland's continuing support for efforts to bring an end to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
This contact also gave an opportunity for the Taoiseach to re-emphasise Ireland's consistent concern for the situation of the Palestinian people and the Government's ongoing commitment to supporting international efforts to bring about a lasting peace in which two states, Israel and Palestine, can live side by side in peace and co-operation.
We are also in regular and ongoing contact with the Palestinian Authority through diplomatic channels. I intend to visit the Middle East region in the coming weeks when I hope to meet with President Abbas.
It is of the utmost importance, now that the elections have taken place, that political negotiations be renewed at a very early date, with a view to concrete progress. Prospects for this progress will depend on all parties demonstrating a renewed vigour and determination to achieve results.
The Government stands ready, in concert with our EU partners, to assist the Palestinian Authority in their efforts to move forward on the basis of the roadmap. Ireland, through its membership of the European Union, and its relations with Israel, the United States, Arab and other key partners will strongly support early action, led by the Quartet, to advance the implementation of the roadmap.
449 Mr. O’Connor asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will report on his recent dealings in respect of the peace process in Northern Ireland; the contacts he has had with political leaders in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1065/05]
On 17 January last I met the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Mr. Paul Murphy, at Iveagh House. This meeting was the first with a member of the British Government since the PSNI Chief Constable, Sir Hugh Orde, made public his assessment that the IRA was responsible for the December raid on the Northern Bank. Clearly, this assessment has very serious repercussions for the peace process. As the Taoiseach stated at the time, "If stable politics in Northern Ireland is to be secured, there can be no doubt or ambiguity about the total commitment of all concerned to exclusively peaceful and democratic engagement, including desisting from involvement in criminality in all its forms."
Together with the Taoiseach, I had a series of meetings yesterday, 25 January, with representatives from Sinn Féin, the SDLP and the UUP. These meetings provided an opportunity to assess the seriousness of the current situation and to address the political implications of the raid. The Government told Sinn Féin that serious damage had been done to the process and that major steps will be required if trust and confidence is to be restored.
I expect consultations with the parties will continue in the coming days and the Taoiseach and British Prime Minister, Mr. Blair, plan to meet next week to review the situation and discuss possible options for the way forward.
The two Governments will continue to work together to advance the implementation of all aspects of the Good Friday Agreement, including important commitments in the areas of policing, criminal justice and human rights. To give renewed impetus to this process, the Secretary of State and I will co-chair a meeting of the British Irish Intergovernmental Conference next month in Dublin.
All of our ongoing contacts are focussed on the need to rebuild confidence and trust, and to restore engagement and momentum in the peace process. The achievement of inclusive, partnership government in Northern Ireland remains our objective. That is what the people of this island endorsed when they voted in referendums on the Good Friday Agreement. At the same time, it is clear that there can no longer be any vestiges of ambiguity about the commitment of all involved to exclusively peaceful and democratic means, which includes the need for an immediate end to all forms of paramilitary and criminal activity.
450 Mr. O’Connor asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the position regarding his contacts in respect of Cyprus; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1066/05]
The Government has regular contact with the Government of Cyprus, which has been a partner in the EU since 1 May 2004. I have the opportunity to review developments with Foreign Minister George Iacovou at the monthly meetings of the General Affairs and External Relations Council. The Taoiseach and I attended the European Council in Brussels on 16 and 17 December 2004, at which the main subject for decision was the opening of accession negotiations with Turkey. This is an issue on which Cyprus has particular concerns, and President Papadopoulos played an important role in the deliberations of the European Council.
The European Council decided, on the basis of the report and recommendation presented by the Commission, that Turkey sufficiently fulfils the Copenhagen political criteria to enable the opening of accession negotiations. It invited the Commission to begin work on the preparation of a draft framework for negotiations with Turkey, to be agreed by the Council with a view to opening negotiations on 3 October 2005. A crucial issue in this decision was Turkey's attitude to the Republic of Cyprus.
In the early months of 2004, the Turkish Government made a very positive contribution to the efforts of the UN Secretary General to achieve a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus problem. However, Turkey does not recognise the Republic of Cyprus, an EU member state. Ireland and other member states took the view that, in order to enable agreement on the opening of accession negotiations, Turkey should make a clear political move on a process leading to the normalisation of relations with the Republic of Cyprus. The European Council welcomed Turkey's decision to sign the protocol on the adaptation of the Ankara Agreement of association with the EU to take account of the accession of the ten new member states on 1 May 2004. It also welcomed the declaration by the Turkish Government that it would do so before the start of negotiations.
The United Nations has the lead role in the search for a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus problem. The EU enlargement process provided the impetus for the most recent efforts, which were undertaken by Secretary General Annan in 2004, during Ireland's EU Presidency. The Government gave its full support to the Secretary General in his mission of good offices, and maintained close contact with him, with his special adviser on Cyprus, and with the various parties concerned. As a result of the referendums in Cyprus on 24 April, the accession to the EU of a united Cyprus on 1 May 2004 was not possible.
On 28 May, the UN Secretary General submitted a comprehensive report to the Security Council on his mission of good offices. He noted that the unsuccessful outcome represented another missed opportunity to resolve the Cyprus problem, and concluded that there was no apparent basis for resuming the good offices effort while the current stalemate continues. At this stage, the process remains under consideration in the UN Security Council.
In the absence of a comprehensive settlement, the Republic of Cyprus acceded to the Union on 1 May, and the application of the laws and regulations of the Union to the northern part of the island is suspended. The General Affairs and External Relations Council on 26 April 2004 expressed a determination to ensure that the people of Cyprus would soon achieve their shared destiny as citizens of a united Cyprus in the European Union. It agreed on the need to end the isolation of the Turkish Cypriot community and to facilitate the reunification of Cyprus by encouraging its economic development.
The Irish Presidency subsequently achieved the agreement of member states to a Council regulation on the dividing line in Cyprus, including measures to allow trade across the line. At the request of the Council, the Commission brought forward proposals in July aimed at the economic integration of the island and improving contact between the two communities and with the EU. These proposals remain under active consideration by the member states.
451 Mr. O’Connor asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his proposals to open new embassies abroad in 2005; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1067/05]
The Government has decided to complete our network of resident missions in all of the EU member states and also to establish missions in the countries, which will accede in 2007. We are, in this context, planning to open embassies in Latvia, Lithuania, Bulgaria and Romania as well as a resident mission in Malta, later this year. We expect that these missions will play an important role in developing our political, economic, social and cultural relations with our new and acceding EU partners.
In addition, following the Government's decision to designate Vietnam as a programme country for development co-operation, we plan to open a resident mission in that country later this year.
452 Mr. O’Connor asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if, as part of the Irish abroad initiative, he can seek information on the number of Irish persons living in the UK who are finding it difficult to exist; his contacts with various groups in the UK helping these persons; the level of funding being made available to these groups; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1068/05]
While we have no clear figure for the number of Irish people in Britain who may find it difficult to support themselves, officials of the embassy in London and the Irish abroad unit of my Department remain in close contact with the voluntary agencies which assist emigrants who find themselves disadvantaged. I met many of the people who work in this field at a recent conference for emigrant service providers in Dublin and again during my visit to the London Irish Centre in December. I was pleased to hear that the establishment of the Irish abroad unit and the significant increase in funding I have secured for emigrant services have been warmly welcomed by those who provide frontline services to our community in Britain. I am convinced that these developments will serve to advance the services that are provided to those who find themselves in a vulnerable situation.
My Department supports these groups through the Díon fund, which is administered by our embassy in London. Since it was established in 1984, more than €22 million has been distributed through the fund. The figure disbursed last year was €4.3 million, a 68% increase on the 2003 figure. In the recent budget I was delighted to secure €8.27 million for emigrant services in 2005, of which I expect some €7 million will go to organisations in Britain.
This very significant rise in funding for emigrant services reflects in the clearest possible way the strength of the Government's firm and sustained commitment to our emigrant communities.
455 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the position regarding the Sudan and the Government’s efforts to assist that country. [1228/05]
The political and humanitarian situation in Sudan, particularly the Darfur region, remains a matter of the deepest concern for Ireland and the Government continues to use all avenues open to it to urge action in addressing the humanitarian, security and political challenges which exist there. During 2004, Ireland provided €6 million in humanitarian support to Darfur and we plan to provide additional funding in 2005.
The overall prospects for peace in Sudan have been greatly enhanced by the signing of a comprehensive peace agreement between the Government of Sudan and the Sudan People's Liberation Movement, SPLM, in Nairobi on 9 January. This is an important and welcome commitment by the Sudan Government and the SPLM to finally end 21 years of conflict between north and south in that troubled country, which has killed thousands of people and displaced many others. This agreement paves the way towards establishing peace and promoting development in all parts of Sudan. It is now vital that the Sudanese Government and the SPLM proceed with rapid and full implementation of the agreement. Ireland, along with the rest of the international community, is ready to play its part in supporting the reconstruction of Sudan following the restoration of peace. The UN Security Council has also declared its readiness to consider establishing a UN peace support operation to assist in implementation of the Naivasha peace agreement.
The comprehensive political agreement signed in Naivasha has highlighted the need for parallel political progress with regard to the Darfur conflict. The most recent report of the UN Secretary General's special representative, Jan Pronk, has provided further, worrying evidence of how both the Sudan Government and the rebels are continuing to violate the ceasefire agreements. Humanitarian delivery continues to be jeopardised by the escalation in security incidents across many parts of Darfur. Sustained international pressure therefore needs to be maintained on all the parties to honour their commitments and work to improve the security situation in Darfur. The Government of Sudan must be pressed to accept its responsibility for security and the protection of its own citizens by disbanding the Janjaweed militia and bringing all those responsible for serious human rights violations to justice. There must also be an end to any attempts at forced relocation of internally displaced persons. The rebels, for their part, must cease all attacks and ceasefire violations. All sides must co-operate fully and constructively with the international presence in Darfur, including the UN, African Union and all engaged in the humanitarian effort.
The need to end impunity and make sure that those guilty of serious human rights violations in Darfur are brought to justice remains imperative. The international commission of inquiry established last October to investigate claims of human rights violations and genocide is due to report shortly. Ireland, with our EU partners, looks forward to receiving the report of the international commission and to considering its recommendations. The report will also be of assistance in determining what further pressures need to be applied on the parties to achieve progress towards a political resolution in Darfur. Sanctions remain an option if the Sudanese Government and the other parties continue to fail to meet their obligations.
The African Union, AU, is performing a crucial role in efforts to resolve the Darfur crisis, both through its ceasefire monitoring mission and its mediation of the peace talks between the government and the rebels taking place in Abuja, Nigeria. Ireland and the EU have welcomed and are supporting financially and logistically the expanded AU observer mission in Darfur, AMIS II. The EU is providing €92 million from its African peace facility for AMIS II, which will total 3,320 personnel when fully deployed, while Ireland has allocated €500,000 in support of the humanitarian and human rights aspects of the mission. It is hoped that this expanded mission can help to improve the security situation on the ground and to create suitable conditions for the safe and voluntary return of refugees and IDPs. UN special representative Pronk has recently stated that the AU mission has done more than any other outside agent to improve the security situation on the ground, by its presence and its actions to mediate and forestall violent actions. He also expressed the view that the AU, both in its troops on the ground and its leadership of the political process, will remain for the foreseeable future the best mechanism for promoting peace in Darfur.
Ultimately, resolution of the crisis in Darfur requires a political agreement. The AU-mediated peace talks are due to resume in Abuja next month and I would urge the Sudanese Government and the rebel groups to recommit themselves fully to this process and resume negotiations as speedily as possible, with a view to reaching an early and final political agreement. I would hope and urge that the African Union summit, which is taking place in Abuja this week, will send a strong political message to this effect.
456 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will address queries posed by a person (details supplied). [1369/05]
The Republic of Cyprus has been a member state of the European Union since 1 May 2004. In the absence of a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus problem, the application of the laws and regulations of the EU to the northern part of the island is suspended.
Following the referendums in Cyprus on 24 April 2004 on the settlement plan presented by the UN Secretary General, the General Affairs and External Relations Council adopted conclusions expressing a determination to ensure that the people of Cyprus would soon achieve their shared destiny as citizens of a united Cyprus in the European Union. The Council also agreed on the need to end the isolation of the Turkish Cypriot community and to facilitate the reunification of Cyprus by encouraging their economic development.
On 29 April 2004, the Council adopted Regulation (EC) No. 866/2004, which sets out the terms under which the relevant provisions of EU law apply to the dividing line in Cyprus, between the areas in which the acquis communautaire applies and in which it is suspended. The regulation provides for the crossing of persons and for trade in goods across the so-called “Green Line”. Goods are permitted to cross the line from the northern part of the island “on condition that they are wholly obtained in the areas not under effective control of the Government of the Republic of Cyprus or have undergone their last, substantial, economically justified processing or working in an undertaking equipped for that purpose” in the northern part of the island. The main query posed in the material supplied by the Deputy refers to the purchase of a car in the northern part of Cyprus, which was manufactured in Germany. As the vehicle was not manufactured in the northern part of the island, it would not qualify under the Council regulation for entry into the area under the effective control of the Government of the Republic of Cyprus.
The second query refers to the registration system for non-nationals in Cyprus. I understand that the Republic of Cyprus operates a registration system for all resident non-nationals, as do a number of other EU member states.
457 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will take all appropriate steps to urge the Zimbabwean authorities to secure the release of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1408/05]
I am aware of and have been closely following the case of Mr. Roy Bennett, the Movement for Democratic Change, MDC, opposition Member of Parliament, who was sentenced by the Zimbabwean Parliament last October to 12 months' imprisonment with labour. A number of aspects of the case give rise to concern, including the apparently arbitrary procedures employed in Mr. Bennett's trial and conviction by a committee of the Zimbabwean Parliament rather than by an ordinary court, where the maximum penalty applicable would have been a small fine. While it is not possible to condone the action for which Mr. Bennett was sentenced, it is clear that the sentence imposed was politically motivated and wholly disproportionate to the offence committed.
The imprisonment of Mr. Bennett is one of many incidents in an overall pattern of harassment, intimidation and violence, which opposition politicians and supporters have faced in Zimbabwe for some years now. Regrettably, the overall human rights situation in Zimbabwe continues to deteriorate, with arbitrary arrests and ongoing politically inspired violence. Legislation has just been enacted by the Zimbabwean Parliament which will impose serious restrictions on the activities of human rights NGOs operating in Zimbabwe.
Ireland and its EU partners are continuing to take the lead in highlighting the serious human rights situation in Zimbabwe, including through tabling a resolution on the issue at the recent session of the UN General Assembly. We will continue, through EU ambassadors in Harare, to press for the repeal of repressive legislation and an end to attacks on basic freedoms by the Zimbabwean authorities. Such political reforms are crucial if there is to be any prospect of free and fair parliamentary elections in Zimbabwe next March, carried out in accordance with the principles and guidelines on democratic elections adopted by the Southern African Development Community Summit in Mauritius last August.
The Government has been active in ensuring that EU ambassadors in Zimbabwe continue to monitor Mr. Bennett's case closely with a view to the EU intervening on behalf of members of the opposition in Zimbabwe, including Mr. Bennett, who have been unfairly imprisoned.
458 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will outline official practice relating to the laying of international agreements to which the State becomes a party before Dáil Éireann in compliance with Article 29.5.1° of the Constitution; if all treaties, within the meaning of the Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties, together with all amendments, variations and repeals thereto, are classified as international agreements for the purposes of the article and are required to be so laid; if any secret or unpublished international agreements are in existence, whether described as such or as protocols, declarations, exchanges of notes, agreed minutes, memorandums of agreement or of understanding or the like, the terms of which are accepted as binding on the State in its relations with other states but which have not been laid before Dáil Éireann; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1409/05]
Article 29.5.1° of the Constitution requires that every international agreement to which the State becomes a party shall be laid before Dáil Éireann. In accordance with this requirement it has long been the practice of my Department to arrange for copies of each international agreement, including any extension, prolongation or amendment of an international agreement, to be sent to the Clerk of the Dáil for presentation to the House after it has entered into force with respect to the State. Article 29.5.1° has been interpreted by successive Ministers for Foreign Affairs as requiring the laying before Dáil Éireann of agreements concluded in writing that create binding obligations upon the State in international law, however constituted, for example in one or more instruments, such as an exchange of notes, or entitled, for instance "convention", "treaty", "exchange of letters" etc. While the requirements of Article 29.5.1º do not apply to agreements of a technical or administrative character, which are exempted under Article 29.5.3º, it is the practice for these to be laid before Dáil Éireann also.
In addition to the laying of international agreements before Dáil Éireann under Article 29.5.1º, for the convenience of the public, the practice has been that such international agreements have also been published in the Irish Treaty Series by my Department. Treaties published in the Irish Treaty Series, which at present may be purchased from Government Publications, will shortly be made available on the Department’s website.
Article 102, paragraph 1, of the Charter of the United Nations provides that "(e)very treaty and every international agreement entered into by any Member of the United Nations after the present Charter comes into force shall as soon as possible be registered with the Secretariat and published by it." One of the purposes of this provision and a similar provision of the Covenant of the League of Nations is to prevent the conclusion of secret treaties and agreements. All international agreements to which the State becomes a party are registered with the United Nations in accordance with Article 102 of the Charter and published in the United Nations Treaty Series. The State is not a party to any secret international agreements.
459 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to claims (details supplied) relating to a Gulfstream-V jet; if his attention has further been drawn to claims that the plane has flown between Washington DC and destinations that include the Guantanamo Bay prison camp in Cuba and US overseas military bases, as well as Iraq and Afghanistan; that Shannon Airport is used as a refuelling post on such flights and that the flights are for the clandestine transport of enemy combatants to undisclosed locations for extraordinary rendition, that is, flying captured terrorist suspects and prisoners of war from one country to another for detention and interrogation; if he has investigated these claims; if the use of Shannon for such purposes has ever been sought from or notified to the authorities here by the US Government; if such use is compatible with domestic law and the State’s international legal commitments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1412/05]
I am aware of various press reports claiming that the aircraft cited in the reports mentioned by the Deputy was used in December 2001 by US authorities for the transportation of Al-Qaeda suspects from Sweden to Egypt. I understand, however, that the articles do not allege that any stops were made in Shannon on that particular occasion or offer any proof that prisoners have been transported through Shannon by the US authorities.
The aircraft referred to by the Deputy is a civilian-registered aircraft. The regulation of the activities of civilian aircraft is primarily a matter for the Minister for Transport, who has made inquiries in the matter, and outlined his findings to this House in replies to parliamentary questions on 7 October 2004, 19 October 2004, 2 November 2004 and 23 November 2004.
I reiterate my previous statement to the House that the Government has no information to indicate that prisoners are being transported through Irish airports to and from Guantanamo or elsewhere. Furthermore, the US authorities have confirmed that Irish airports are not used for this purpose and that they would not seek to use Irish airports for this purpose in the future without seeking the authorisation of the Irish authorities.
The transport of prisoners through Irish airports under the circumstances referred to by the Deputy would be illegal under Irish law. This has been made clear to the US authorities.
461 Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the contacts he has had with the Israelis over the arrest of a person (details supplied) in Jerusalem. [1536/05]
I am aware of the incident to which the Deputy refers. Although no specific representations were made in respect of this incident, the Israeli authorities were aware of the concerns of the international community concerning the facilitation of the election campaign. The EU's election observation mission has concluded that the conduct of the election was generally satisfactory, a judgment with which I would concur. Although I would share the concern, which has been expressed about incidents such as this one, I am satisfied that it did not affect the outcome of the election.
464 Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the amount of disaster relief moneys promised and delivered by the Government to date in response to each humanitarian disaster since 1997. [1539/05]
Since 1997 the Government has delivered approximately €120 million in emergency humanitarian funding to meet the needs of the most vulnerable populations affected by natural and man-made disasters. Assistance included the provision of basic food, shelter, water and sanitation, health care, and other life-saving services. These emergency programmes are delivered through partnerships with UN agencies, international organisations and key non-governmental partners which are operational in the disaster area and which have the necessary expertise and capacity. Funding for emergencies and rehabilitation has been increased to €37.5 million for 2005, up from €24 million last year. Detailed information of individual grants and organisations in receipt of funding are available in Development Cooperation Ireland annual reports, which are laid before the Dáil. The following table outlines annual allocations and outturns in response to humanitarian disasters globally from 1997 to 2004.
|
Year |
Allocation € |
Outturn € |
|
1997 |
7,618,428 |
7,618,428 |
|
1998 |
7,618,428 |
7,618,428 |
|
1999 |
7,618,428 |
7,624,900 |
|
2000 |
11,745,077 |
11,740,099 |
|
2001 |
19,173,045 |
18,986,594 |
|
2002 |
20,000,000 |
19,999,990 |
|
2003 |
23,022,000 |
23,003,221 |
|
2004 |
24,000,000 |
23,953,292 |
|
Total |
€120,795,406 |
€120,544,952 |
465 Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on the holding of the Iraqi elections under a state of emergency, which has now been extended to February 2005, and its potential effect on the establishment of democracy in Iraq. [1541/05]
467 Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on whether the Iraqi elections, scheduled for 30 January 2005, should be delayed and whether, under the circumstances, these elections can be free and fair if they go ahead as planned. [1543/05]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 465 and 467 together.
The holding of elections for a transitional national assembly is the next critical step in the process for the political reconstruction of Iraq laid down in UN Security Council Resolution 1546, which is the basis for the political process in Iraq. The resolution also specifies 31 January as the latest date by which these elections should be held. All reports and polls indicate that the majority of Iraqis would wish to take part in the elections.
It is clearly a matter of concern that the escalating violence may make it very difficult for people to vote in some areas of Iraq, and also that this has led some parties based in the Sunni community, which predominates in these areas, to state that they will boycott the elections unless these are postponed. However, as much of the violence is apparently aimed at making the elections impossible, it is not clear that postponing them would lead to an improvement in the situation. At the same time, parties representing the Shia community have stressed the great importance to their people of holding the elections as scheduled. This is a judgment, which only the Interim Iraqi Government can make, and it has concluded that the elections should go ahead.
The Government hopes that the elections in Iraq are able to proceed in as peaceful an atmosphere as possible, and that Iraqis take this opportunity to come out and vote in these elections which are crucial to the future of their country. These elections should mark an important step towards the establishment of democracy and the rule of law in Iraq. Hopefully, there will not be long delay before elections in Iraq take place in a peaceful atmosphere, with the full participation of all political parties representing all communities.
466 Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will report on his most recent representations to the US Government regarding the remaining 550 non-US citizens in custody and incommunicado at Guantanamo Bay for up to three years without trial, 546 of whom continue to be held without charge; and if he has requested regular access for independent human rights monitors. [1542/05]
As the Deputy will be aware, the Government has, on a number of occasions, made known its concerns to the US Government regarding the treatment and status of the detainees held at Guantanamo Bay. I reiterated these concerns at a meeting with the US Ambassador to Ireland in December 2004. The United States is well aware of the Government's view that those detained at Guantanamo Bay should be treated in accordance with the requirements of international human rights and humanitarian law. These concerns are shared by our EU partners.
In expressing these views the Government fully recognises the danger posed by terrorist networks such as al-Qaeda. Together with our EU partners, we are committed to countering all forms of international terrorism. However, it is vital that the highest standards of international human rights and humanitarian law are maintained as we work to counter terrorism.
It is my understanding that the International Committee of the Red Cross has been regularly visiting the US detention facility at Guantanamo Bay since early 2002 for the purpose of monitoring that persons held there are treated in accordance with applicable international laws and standards. I welcome the recent release of a number of detainees from Guantanamo Bay and hope that further releases will follow.
468 Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if Ireland sent observers to the Palestinian elections to ensure against intimidation and harassment of voters by the Israeli Defence Forces. [1544/05]
Ireland contributed six observers to the European Union's election observation mission for the Palestinian presidential elections. The mission confirmed that the Palestinian presidential elections proceeded in a satisfactory manner given the difficult circumstances. The European Union welcomed the considerable turnout of voters at the first presidential elections since 1996 and noted that by taking part in the elections the Palestinian people seized the opportunity to advance their aspirations to peace and democracy.
469 Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will report on his most recent representations to the Israelis regarding the need to convene peace talks without preconditions. [1545/05]
Ireland has consistently emphasised its commitment to supporting international efforts to bring about a lasting peace in which two states, Israel and Palestine, can live side by side in peace and co-operation. This position is well understood by all parties and is conveyed in the Government's regular contacts with the Israeli government. I set this position out during my most recent discussions with my Israeli counterpart in The Hague on 29 November last year.
It is of the utmost importance now that the Palestinian presidential elections have taken place that political negotiations be renewed at a very early date with a view to concrete progress. Prospects for this progress will depend on all parties demonstrating a renewed vigour and determination to achieve results. The Government stands ready, in concert with our EU partners, to assist the Palestinian Authority in its efforts to move forward on the basis of the roadmap. Ireland, through its membership of the European Union, and its relations with Israel, the United States and Arab and other key partners, will strongly support early action, led by the quartet, to advance the implementation of the roadmap.
470 Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the representations made to Israel on the killing of six Palestinian civilians including five children (details supplied) in Beit Lahiya by an Israeli tank shell fired into a strawberry field. [1546/05]
I am aware of the tragic incident to which the Deputy refers. No specific representations were made to the Israeli authorities about this particular incident, which forms part of a pattern of killings of both Palestinians and Israelis. The Israeli authorities are aware of the Government's views on the use of military force in the occupied Palestinian territories. The Government, in common with its EU partners, has repeatedly called for all parties to bring an end to the cycle of violence. The Government has consistently condemned all attacks aimed at civilians, including the continuing rocket attacks carried out by Hamas against Israelis. Equally, I have condemned the disproportionate and sometimes indiscriminate nature of the Israeli military actions in the Gaza Strip which have claimed the lives of many innocent civilians, including children, and left many injured.
The EU is concerned about the use of civilian areas as staging grounds for attacks against Israelis. These attacks, both through their direct effect and through the fact that they attract Israeli retaliatory action, endanger both Israeli and Palestinian children. The EU has consistently called for an end to all such attacks
471 Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has a meeting scheduled with the new Palestinian President, Mahmoud Abbas. [1547/05]
No meeting has been scheduled as yet between President Abbas and any member of the Government. The Taoiseach telephoned President Abbas to congratulate him on his election victory shortly after the result was formally announced and the Government will maintain contact with President Abbas in the weeks to come. It is my intention to visit the region in the near future and I hope to meet President Abbas at that time.
472 Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has written to the US administration to express concern over the nomination as Attorney General of a person who stated in a 2002 memo that in his view a new paradigm in the war on terror renders obsolete the Geneva Convention’s strict limitations and that some of its provisions are quaint, and who requested a Justice Department memo on the way in which to evade a legal ban on torture. [1548/05]
It is my understanding that the nomination of Alberto R. Gonzales, the White House counsel, to be Attorney General of the United States is still being debated in the US Congress. It would not be appropriate for me to express an opinion on nominations to positions within the US administration and I have no intention of doing so. The United States is well aware of the Government's concerns about reports of prisoner abuse in Guantanamo Bay and Abu Ghraib and our view that those detained should be treated in accordance with the provisions of international human rights and humanitarian law, including the Geneva Conventions. These concerns have been regularly conveyed to the US authorities.
473 Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on the EU External Relations Commissioner’s proposal for an EU international civil crisis management force or Eurocorps; and the reason there will be no international cooperation to establish such a force under UN control. [1549/05]
The European Union has been working in recent years to develop the Union's civilian capabilities to respond to crisis situations, both in respect of natural disasters such as the Asian tsunami and in respect of conflict and post-conflict scenarios.
The European Commission has submitted no formal proposal concerning an international crisis management force. However, as part of ongoing follow-up to the Asian tsunami, the General Affairs and External Relations Council will, on 31 January 2005, consider a draft action plan circulated by the Presidency. This action plan proposes that member states should look at how current instruments could be enhanced and examine the possibility of developing a new EU civilian rapid response capability. The draft action plan takes full account of the central role played by the United Nations.
The Government has consistently supported the development of the EU's civilian capabilities to respond to crisis situations. We will continue to play our part in enhancing the EU's civilian capabilities, including through contributing to any new rapid response civilian structures that may be developed. Co-operation between the EU and the UN in the civilian crisis management area remains an important priority for taking forward work in this area.
474 Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on the report of prevalence of depression and alcohol and drug abuse among Irish emigrants to the US as reported to the annual conference of the Coalition of Irish Immigration Centers; and the measures he has taken or will take to provide or otherwise secure treatment or other assistance. [1550/05]
I am acutely aware of the concerns expressed, including at the recent annual conference of the National Coalition of Irish Immigration Centers in the United States, regarding the well-being of some Irish emigrants living in the United States. The Irish immigration centres, which are located across the United States, form an integral part of their local Irish community. They provide much needed front line services to meet a wide range of needs. These needs include problems arising from depression, anxiety or substance misuse.
My colleague, the Minister for Social and Family Affairs, was present at the coalition's conference and heard at first hand of the concerns of those in the Irish immigration centres. Officials of my Department were also present at the conference and maintain close contact with the immigration centres and the Irish community. This ongoing engagement and co-operation with the organisations affiliated to the National Coalition of Irish Immigration Centers ensures that they have an effective channel of communication to the Government. They know that we are listening to them, and that we are taking on board their needs.
The Government is strongly committed to supporting these centres in their invaluable work to help vulnerable Irish people living in the United States. A number of these centres are actively developing counselling services to address the needs of the Irish community and we are happy to be supporting them in this critical area.
I am pleased to note that funding to Irish immigration centres in the United States in 2004 increased by 83% on 2003. I intend to see this level of funding grow even further this year and in the period ahead so that we can continue to support the delivery of key services and outreach to Irish people in need in the United States.
476 Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will report on the representations he has made to the Indonesian Government to ensure that tsunami disaster relief reaches all populations on the basis of need and is not withheld as a political weapon, that is, on Aceh’s southern coast. [1552/05]
On my recent visit to tsunami-affected countries, I visited the province of Aceh on the island of Sumatra, Indonesia. The scale of the destruction in the city of Banda Aceh, which I personally witnessed, is truly appalling. The loss of life and destruction of property are almost beyond words. There is a clear and acute need for ongoing international assistance for the emergency and for recovery efforts afterwards. The Government is supporting key UN agencies and NGOs in meeting the immediate needs of those most affected.
During my visit to Sumatra, I met Dr. Alwi Abdurrahman Shihab, Co-ordinating Minister for People's Welfare and the National Task Force, who was visiting the region at this time. I was briefed on the emergency operation and the steps being taken by the Government of Indonesia to co-ordinate the aid effort, in close consultation with the United Nations. During my meeting with the Indonesian Minister, I made clear the Government's offer to assist in the recovery process in the short and medium term. I also stressed the importance of ensuring that humanitarian aid reaches all populations on the basis of need. I requested that every assistance necessary be given to United Nations agencies and Irish NGOs to operate in the region without hindrance. I have since followed up with a letter to Dr. Alwi Abdurrahman Shihab.
I also discussed all aspects of the relief operation, including the possibility of peace talks in Helsinki between the Government and the Free Aceh Movement with my Swedish and Finnish colleagues on Monday last. In addition, I also intend to discuss the situation with the Secretary General of the United Nations in New York next month.
477 Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will report on his latest efforts on debt cancellation and any planned additional efforts in view of the tsunami disaster. [1553/05]
The Government adopted a policy on developing country debt in July 2002. The policy analysed the effectiveness of the World Bank-IMF enhanced heavily indebted poor countries, HIPC, initiative and called for reforms to the way in which the World Bank and the IMF assessed levels of debt sustainability. It stated the Government's support for debt cancellation under certain circumstances.
Since its launch, the Government has promoted the policy at the World Bank and the IMF and in discussions with other international aid donors. Ireland's concerns on developing country debt were conveyed directly to the president of the World Bank during his visit to Ireland in January 2003. The debt policy and a call for debt cancellation were also highlighted by the Taoiseach in his address to the bank in March 2003. During our Presidency of the EU in 2004, the Taoiseach and other members of the Government availed of every appropriate opportunity to highlight our concerns at the plight of the heavily indebted poor countries. Efforts at ministerial and official levels have continued since then. It is intended to intensify these efforts in the coming months.
Next week, the president of the World Bank, Mr. James Wolfensohn, will be in Dublin for a series of meetings to discuss a number of development-related issues including the heavily indebted poor country initiative. At the meetings with Government representatives, Ireland's advocacy of debt cancellation will be emphasised.
Ireland supports initiatives aimed at helping to ensure that the debt burdens of the countries affected by the tsunami do not become a serious impediment to their ability to address their immediate emergency and recovery needs. The Paris Club-G7 offer to suspend debt payments is aimed at addressing these immediate needs. Of course, it is for the individual affected country to consider the appropriateness of debt relief to their situation. It is important that funds for the tsunami related debt moratorium should be new and in addition to the funds for other debt relief initiatives.
In seeking to address the short-term debt problems caused by the tsunami, we must ensure that we do not do so at the expense of the other heavily indebted poor countries. Ireland has consistently called for 100% debt cancellation, under certain circumstances, for the heavily indebted poor countries.
478 Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if there are human rights monitors on the deployment of 2,000 additional troops to the Aceh conflict zone. [1554/05]
Deputies will be aware that the epicentre of the earthquake which caused the tsunami was about 155 miles south-southeast of Banda Aceh, the capital of Aceh. Accurate figures for the death toll have been difficult to ascertain, but on 25 January 2005, the Indonesian authorities announced they were lowering the confirmed death toll to 96,000 but raising the number of missing and presumed dead to 132,000. Most of the deaths occurred in the provinces of Aceh and North Sumatra, both directly hit by the tsunami. It is likely that the final death toll may never be known. Approximately 800,000 people were made homeless in these two provinces.
On my recent visit to tsunami affected countries, I visited the province of Aceh. The scale of the destruction in the city of Banda Aceh, which I personally witnessed, is truly appalling. The loss of life and destruction of property are almost beyond words. There is a clear and acute need for ongoing international assistance for the emergency and for recovery efforts afterwards. The Government is supporting key UN agencies and NGOs in meeting the immediate needs of those most affected.
Aceh has in the past been largely inaccessible to foreigners, as it is under a state of civil emergency — declared in May 2004 — resulting from a separatist insurgency there. On 13 January 2005, the Free Aceh Movement, GAM, announced an indefinite ceasefire, and reconfirmed a truce announced on 26 December 2004, the day the tsunami struck. GAM's leadership has offered to meet the Indonesian government and we understand that a meeting between the two sides will take place in Finland this week. In this regard, I discussed all aspects of the relief operation, including the possibility of peace talks in Helsinki between the Indonesian government and GAM, with my Swedish and Finnish colleagues on Monday last. In addition, the tsunami disaster will be under discussion at the General Affairs and External Relations Council on Monday next, 31 January. I also intend to discuss the situation with the Secretary General of the United Nations in New York next month.
EU heads of mission in Indonesia continue to follow the situation in Aceh, and will, in all their contacts with the Indonesian authorities, insist that due regard be given to the human rights of individuals living in areas where the Indonesian army, TNI, operates. However, internal deployment of the Indonesian armed forces is the responsibility of the Indonesian Government and is not monitored on the ground by external human rights monitors.
At the General Affairs and External Relations Council, GAERC, of 11 October 2004, the Council adopted conclusions on Indonesia. The council encouraged the Indonesian Government to seek peaceful solutions in conflict and potential conflict areas and welcomed the statement by President Yudhoyono that he intended to implement special autonomy for Papua and Aceh. The council also asked the authorities to provide normal access to the province of Aceh for international non-governmental organisations as well as the possibility of field visits by diplomats. The Council hoped that the new President would make further advances in all aspects of human rights.
479 Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if, in view of the setback to the millennium development goals caused by the tsunami disaster, he will consider renewing the Government’s commitment to reaching the UN official development aid target of 0.7% of GNP by 2007. [1555/05]
The Government has allocated €20 million to meet emergency and recovery needs following the tsunami disaster in south Asia. Of this, €10 million is additional to the overall aid budget announced in the Estimates in November 2004. The remaining €10 million will be paid from the emergency humanitarian assistance fund which was set up to respond to disasters of this kind.
The Government remains strongly committed to achieving the UN target for expenditure on ODA. In the coming months, Development Cooperation Ireland will launch a consultative process that will lead to the first ever Government White Paper on development assistance. All interested stakeholders will be asked for their views. The issue of how best to meet the UN target, and in what timeframe, will be taken into account in the preparation of the White Paper.
480 Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will report on the communications he has had with Burma in the wake of the tsunami disaster and on the known impact of the people of Burma. [1556/05]
I wrote to the Foreign Minister of Burma, Major General Nyan Win, on 7 January 2005, to convey the Government's sympathy for the loss of life sustained in Burma as a result of the tsunami. In my letter, I also outlined the efforts we had been making at the EU and UN levels, and with international agencies and non-governmental organisations, to ensure that assistance is provided to those most in need in the Asia region. I informed the Minister that the effective co-ordination of aid efforts was due to be discussed that day at an extraordinary meeting of the EU General Affairs and External Relations Council. In my letter, I strongly encouraged the Burmese Government to co-operate with international aid organisations which are ready and willing to assist that country, and its people, in alleviating any suffering the disaster may have caused.
There have been conflicting reports as to the exact impact of the tsunami on Burma. On 5 January 2005, the Burmese Minister of Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement said that 64 people had been in killed in Burma as a result of the tsunami. According to his report, 29 villages were destroyed, leaving an estimated 3,500 people homeless.
On 6 January 2005, the Tsunami Assistance Co-ordination Group met in Burma to consolidate the findings of the different assessment and verification missions undertaken throughout the affected areas of Burma. The co-ordination group was set up at the onset of the disaster. It comprises a number of international NGOs and is chaired by the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, FRC. The group concluded that Burma has been largely spared from the destructive forces of the earthquake and subsequent tsunami and that the initial emergency needs have been met by the Government and by the aid community. The group's assessment of the scale of impact is in line with the findings of the Burmese authorities. The group confirmed a death toll of 60 to 80 and estimated the longer-term population affected is around 10,000 to 15,000, of whom 5,000 to 7,000 are directly affected. Reports indicate that the wave force which reached the coast of Burma was reduced in comparison to that which struck neighbouring countries. The particular topography of the southern and delta coastlines, as well as the rocky nature of the islands, appears to have provided physical protection for the population. Satellite photographs indicate that there was relatively little structural damage.
Ireland, along with its EU partners, will continue to monitor the situation in Burma and to encourage the Burmese government to accept all assistance necessary to alleviate any suffering caused by the tsunami.
482 Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the outcome of the EU Minister’s discussions on tsunami relief. [1558/05]
Together with the Minister for Foreign Affairs, I attended the extraordinary meeting of the General Affairs and External Relations Council on the earthquake and tsunami in the Indian Ocean which was held on 7 January 2005.
The Council adopted conclusions which stressed the unprecedented nature of the disaster, the need for ongoing action, initiatives in the field of humanitarian assistance and aid for rehabilitation and reconstruction, risk prevention, the effectiveness of humanitarian intervention and further support measures.
The Council expressed its sympathy for the populations affected by the earthquake and the tsunami in Asia and the Indian Ocean. It restated the EU's solidarity in support of the states and peoples concerned and mourned the high number of victims of the disaster. The Council welcomed the immense generosity and solidarity shown by European citizens and civil society following the disaster. It recommended that aid should go to the most affected regions and the people in greatest need, especially children. The Council emphasised the responsibility of the national and regional authorities of the countries concerned with regard to the identification of needs as well as the management and distribution of aid. It pointed to the United Nations' central role in the co-ordination and management of assistance to victims and stressed the particular importance of cooperation with the OCHA, United Nations Office for the Co-ordination of Humanitarian Affairs.
The Council expressed its gratitude to ASEAN for its rapid action in calling a special extended summit in Jakarta, in which the EU participated at the highest level, and welcomed the meeting's final declaration. The Council pointed to the efforts already deployed by the EU and its member states in the humanitarian, financial and logistical field, as well as the various mechanisms put in place to co-ordinate the Union's work, in particular the co-ordination of humanitarian aid, the European Community's civil protection mechanism and consular co-operation. It emphasised the challenges of co-ordination on the ground and the importance of surmounting administrative obstacles, particularly those faced by NGOs.
The Council stressed the vital importance of an efficient transition from the humanitarian phase, through the intermediate rehabilitation phase, to the longer-term reconstruction phase. It emphasised that reconstruction efforts must be based on the national priorities of the countries concerned and must respect the principle of ownership. The Council emphasised that, in the field of health, it was essential to anticipate the known risk of epidemic in order to prevent further loss of life by supplying basic foodstuffs, drinking water, medicines and vaccines. The Council recalled that the humanitarian aid response of the EU and its member states and the initial forecasts for rehabilitation and reconstruction stood at over €1.5 billion in official aid on 7 January 2005. The Commission and the European Investment Bank were encouraged to continue preparatory work on the setting up of a concessional finance facility, the Indian Ocean tsunami facility, of up to €1 billion.
The Council urged the Commission to submit proposals for a strategy to strengthen measures on prevention, early warning and readiness for disasters, the need for which had been shown by recent events. The Council adopted an EU position for the Kobe World Conference on Disaster Reduction and supported Germany's initiative of organising an international conference under the auspices of the United Nations later this year.
The Council undertook to examine also all possible ways of improving the European Community's civil protection and humanitarian aid mechanism, including analytical capacity, while taking account of the principles and specific nature of humanitarian aid. It emphasised the need to strengthen the role of the UN in the humanitarian response and for the EU to contribute to it. The Council also asked the appropriate bodies to begin to assess the setting up of a European voluntary humanitarian aid corps.
The Union decided to examine additional ways of assisting citizens, in particular by co-ordinating the actions of member states in fields such as relief, evacuation, shipment of foodstuffs and the provision of medical care. The Council stated that it believed that it was particularly important to enhance swiftly the efficiency of consular co-operation between member states.
The Council was also willing to examine other support measures such as trade support measures, and also various types of bilateral partnerships. In this context, it urged the competent authorities to set up twinning relationships between regions, towns and public and private establishments such as hospitals and schools.
Finally, the Council noted member states' intentions to reschedule debt-servicing for the countries affected, particularly through a moratorium on the debts of countries wishing to enter discussions to that end with the Paris Club.
At its meeting on 31 January 2005, the Council will return to measures envisaged by the European Union and its member states for the medium and long-term with a view to formulating a European Union operation action plan.
485 Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the representations made to the Indian Government regarding the status of the indigenous populations of the Andaman and Nicobar islands following the tsunami. [1561/05]
The Andaman and Nicobar Islands are union territory of India and lie far out in the Bay of Bengal. The islands, which suffered particularly badly from the impact of the tsunami, are populated by a number of indigenous groups, and are difficult to access.
According to the latest estimates, the death toll in India is 10,749. The total number of missing persons is reported to be 5,640, of whom 5,554 are said to be from the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and are feared dead. Katchal Island alone, which is located in the Nicobar Islands, is reported to account for 4,310 of that figure.
As regards outside assistance, India said from the outset that, given the enormous damage suffered by neighbouring countries and Sri Lanka, Thailand and Indonesia in particular, the international assistance effort, in which India has played a considerable part, would be better directed at those countries which needed assistance most. The Indian Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, indicated early on that India has adequate resources itself to meet the challenges.
EU heads of mission, HOMs, in New Delhi are reporting regularly on the situation in India, including the situation in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. On 20 January 2005, at the latest briefing by the Indian Ministry of External Affairs and Ministry of Home Affairs, HOMs were briefed on the ongoing search, evacuation and relief efforts.
As regards the particular situation in the Andaman and Nicobar islands, it was reported that the situation is stabilising rapidly in various islands in the Andaman district. Local administration in the Islands is reported to have resumed normal functioning as of last week. Procurement of essential items for relief camps is being made locally. Provision shops and schools have started reopening in the capital, Port Blair. Relief camps are continuing to operate and people are being provided with cooked food. Sufficient food, water and medicines are being provided and medical teams are deployed in relief camps. Temporary shelters are being provided and central Government in India is continuing to provide assistance.
Some tribes, including the Nicobaris, Sentinelese and Shompen were badly hit by the tsunami. Precise figures on how many members of the tribes lost their lives are still being established. On 14 January 2005, the Indian Tribal Affairs Minster, Mr. P. R . Kyndiah, was reported to say that "all tribes including Onggei, Sentinel and Jarwa in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands are safe. There is no question of extinction of any tribe". At the request of Ireland, and other EU partners, EU HOMs in Delhi will continue to monitor developments and report regularly on the situation.
487 Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his most recent representations to the Turkish Government regarding the continuing occupation of Cyprus and the status of Kurds in Turkey. [1563/05]
The Government maintains regular contact with the Turkish Government on a wide range of issues, including Turkey's progress towards accession negotiations, the political reform process and the Cyprus problem.
Last year, during Ireland's EU Presidency, the Turkish Government made a very positive contribution to the efforts of the UN Secretary General to achieve a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus problem, and this was recognised by the European Union. The United Nations has the lead role in the search for a comprehensive settlement. However, the issue of Turkey's attitude to the Republic of Cyprus was an important one in the context of the decision by the European Council in Brussels on 16-17 December 2004 on the opening of accession negotiations with Turkey. Turkey still does not recognise the Republic of Cyprus, an EU member state. In our contacts with the Turkish Government, including discussions between the Taoiseach and Prime Minister Erdogan during the European Council, we made it clear that to enable agreement on accession negotiations, it was important that Turkey move to start a process leading to the normalisation of its relations with Cyprus. The European Council welcomed Turkey's decision to sign the protocol on the adaptation of the Ankara Agreement of association with the EU to take account of the accession of the ten new member states. It also welcomed the declaration by the Turkish Government that it would do so before the actual start of negotiations on 3 October 2005.
The Government's concerns about the human rights situation in Turkey, including the situation of the estimated 15 million people of Kurdish ethnic origin, are raised regularly in our official contacts with the Turkish Government and its representatives, and in co-operation with our partners in the EU. Turkey has been a candidate country for membership of the European Union since 1999. It has made very significant progress over the past three years in introducing wide-ranging legislative and constitutional reforms, including measures to enforce human rights and enhance the cultural rights of all citizens, including those of Kurdish origin. I have already welcomed a number of decisions in recent months on cultural rights and on matters which had been raised directly with the Turkish Government by Ireland during the EU Presidency. These include the implementation of the decision to allow radio and television broadcasts in languages and dialects other than Turkish, notably in a number of Kurdish dialects, and the implementation of a regulation permitting teaching in languages other than Turkish.
The December European Council decided, on the basis of the detailed report and recommendation presented by the Commission, that Turkey sufficiently fulfilled the Copenhagen political criteria to enable the preparation of a negotiating framework with a view to the opening of accession negotiations next October. It also decided that in order to ensure the irreversibility of the political reform process and its full, effective and comprehensive implementation, notably with regard to fundamental freedoms and to full respect of human rights, the process will continue to be closely monitored by the Commission, which will report regularly to the Council on progress. The pace of implementation of the reform process will determine the pace of progress in the accession negotiations. The European Council also decided that, in parallel to the accession negotiations, the Union will engage with Turkey in an intensive political and cultural dialogue, which will fully involve civil society.
The Government welcomed the report on Turkey by the Oireachtas Joint Committee on European Affairs, which was presented on 15 December 2004, and which was drafted on the basis of the visit to Turkey by a delegation from the committee in November. The delegation held meetings with representatives of the Turkish Government, including Foreign Minister Gul, with representatives of NGOs and of civil society and with Kurdish political representatives. The report noted the support of human rights groups for the accession process, on the basis that the prospect of membership of the EU will help guarantee constitutional change and democratic reform.
The decision by the European Council to set the date for the opening of accession negotiations and to set out the main elements for a negotiating framework, will contribute to the further strengthening of the reform process in Turkey and to the continued improvement of the situation of the Kurdish population. The Government will work closely with our partners and with Turkey in the months ahead to ensure that all the elements are in place for the successful opening of accession negotiations in October.
488 Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the areas of UN reform which are considered a priority for the Government; his views on the recently published report of the UN High Level Panel on Threats, Challenges and Change which made over 100 reform recommendations; and if he has plans for public education, consultation and debate on this issue here in advance of Ireland’s representation to the UN summit that will deal with the proposals. [1564/05]
A central element of Ireland's foreign policy has been the promotion of an effective multilateral system and the strengthening of the rules-based international order, with the United Nations at its centre.
The Government believes that it is essential that the member states of the United Nations take action to enhance the effectiveness and the legitimacy of the United Nations, and is committed to ensuring that the UN is endowed with the means necessary to confront today's global threats and challenges. Promoting this reform was a priority of the European Union during Ireland's Presidency in the first half of 2004.
The Taoiseach told the UN General Assembly in 2003 that the UN, to be effective, requires the support of all its members, who must respect its decisions and, if necessary, act to ensure that they are respected. To be fully legitimate, it must be seen to work in the interests of the entire international community.
The Government believes that the Security Council should be reformed to make it more reflective of today's world; its legitimacy, and therefore its effectiveness, would be thereby enhanced. We have been active, including in concert with EU partners, in working to ensure that the General Assembly is also reformed so that important issues are not, as Secretary General Annan put it in 2003, crowded out by repetitive and sterile debates. Progress has been made since then in streamlining the assembly's agenda and its procedures, to bring about a more efficient and less repetitive approach to its work.
Along with its partners in the EU, Ireland has also actively supported Secretary General Annan's efforts to bring about change in the management of the United Nations, including by making the organisation and its secretariat more responsive and effective in fulfilling its purposes and in meeting the needs of the international community.
The High-Level Panel on Threats, Challenges and Change was established in November 2003 by Secretary General Annan to examine how best collective action can meet current and future threats to peace and security. Specifically, the panel was tasked with analysing current and future challenges to international peace and security and assessing how best collective action can meet these challenges. It was asked to recommend changes necessary to ensure effective collective action, including but not limited to a review of the principal organs of the United Nations.
The panel's report was issued on 2 December. In publicly welcoming it, I said that it made a compelling case for the multilateral system as the best way for all states, working together, to confront threats and challenges to security and development in today's world.
From Ireland's perspective, the report contains two critically important elements. First, it makes the case — convincingly — for a new, more comprehensive approach to security, making it clear that effective collective security demands that we address poverty, disease and underdevelopment as well as terrorism and weapons of mass destruction. This reflects the central premise of the EU's contribution to the work of the panel — co-ordinated during the Irish Presidency — that there can be no hierarchy of threats.
Second, the report makes a number of specific recommendations for the prevention of threats, including terrorism, poverty, internal conflict and the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, as well as on the institutional reform of the UN. Many of these are sound and constructive, and worthy of support. A particular emphasis of the panel which I strongly endorse is the need for sustained multilateral support for peace-building in countries emerging from conflict and at risk of sliding back into conflict.
I welcome the report's affirmation of the responsibility to act to prevent gross violations of human rights in states in which the authorities prove unable or unwilling to fulfil these responsibilities themselves. I also welcome the impetus the report has given to reform of UN institutions, including the Security Council and the General Assembly, as well as the proposal for the establishment of a peace building commission.
As regards Security Council reform, which is likely to be a major area of discussion ahead of the September summit, I wish to see a practical and effective outcome that would broaden the representation on the council, including from the developing world. I also wish to emphasise that the maintenance of international peace and security is a shared responsibility. We will therefore make it clear to the UN Secretary General, and to our international partners, that smaller countries, especially those like Ireland that provide strong support to the UN politically, financially and militarily, must continue to have the opportunity to serve on the Security Council at appropriate intervals.
The task now is to work with Secretary General Annan to prepare effectively for next September's summit which, along with reviewing the implementation of the Millennium Summit Declaration and examining progress in achieving the Millennium Development Goals, will also seek agreement on reforms, including institutional reforms, to improve the functioning and effectiveness of the UN system. The next critical stage of preparation is the report that Secretary General Annan will himself issue at the end of March which will contain some core proposals to act as a basis for a balanced outcome in September.
I am conscious of the deep support that exists in Irish civil society, and among the Irish public generally, for the role of the United Nations in the maintenance of international peace and security. This is reflected in, among other things, strong support for the participation of the Defence Forces and the Garda Síochána in international peace-keeping and for Ireland's work at the UN in support of development, human rights and disarmament.
Given the widespread interest in the current debate on the role and future of the UN, I expect considerable public interest in the progress of discussion in the run-up to the September summit. In view of the importance attached in Ireland to the United Nations, I am fully prepared to engage with the Oireachtas and with the public on the various issues that will arise in the course of this discussion.
491 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the Government’s position on the EU embargo on weapons sales to China. [1596/05]
The Government continues to examine this issue with our EU partners in the context of our overall relationship with China, our ongoing commitment to human rights and the broader regional and international context.
At the EU-China Summit held on 8 December 2004 the EU confirmed its political will to continue to work towards lifting the embargo. The Chinese side welcomed this positive signal and considered it beneficial to the sound development of the comprehensive strategic partnership between China and the EU. The EU reaffirmed that work on strengthening the application of the EU code of conduct on arms exports was continuing.
The European Council at its meeting on 16-17 December 2004 reaffirmed its political will to continue to work towards lifting the embargo. At the same time, the EU underlined that the result of any decision should not be an increase of arms exports from EU member states to China. In this regard, the European Council recalled the importance of the criteria of the EU code of conduct on arms exports, in particular criteria regarding human rights, stability and security in the region and the national security of friendly and allied countries. The European Council also stressed the importance of the early adoption of a revised EU code of conduct on arms exports and the new instrument on measures pertaining to arms exports to post embargo countries, known as the "toolbox".
The EU code of conduct on arms exports is a politically binding document which has been in operation since 1998 and contains eight criteria for assessing applications for export licences for military equipment. Included in these criteria is respect for human rights in the country of final destination and the preservation of regional peace, security and stability. Work on revising the code of conduct is currently ongoing and progressing well at technical level within the EU.
During his discussions with Chinese leaders in Beijing last week, the Taoiseach indicated that Ireland was ready to support the lifting of the arms embargo once the revised code of conduct was in place. He recalled the mutual understanding that the lifting of the embargo was not intended to lead to an increase in EU arms exports to China. He also explained the importance to the EU of continued progress in the promotion and protection of human rights in China.
492 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the State, semi-State, State-sponsored and statutory bodies under the aegis of his Department which are not subject to the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act 1997; the reason a body is not subject to the requirements of the Act; and if he envisages proposals to bring any such body within the scope of the Act in the foreseeable future. [1707/05]
The advisory board for Development Cooperation Ireland, the inaugural meeting of which was held on 30 September 2002, is the only body under the aegis of my Department which has not been made subject to the Freedom of Information Act to date. Proposals to extend the scope of the Freedom of Information Act, to include bodies such as the advisory board for Development Cooperation Ireland, are being considered by the Department of Finance at present.
493 Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on the stated opinion reported on 19 January 2005 regarding the obligations of countries to adhere to internationally agreed human rights norms; and his views on whether human rights are universal and the need for national cohesion is a valid reason to violate human rights norms. [1825/05]
Human rights are and have always been a priority of successive Irish Governments and a central part of our foreign policy. The Irish Government has consistently stated its belief that the protection and promotion of international human rights is vital and that, despite the different approaches to human rights which may exist from one culture to another, international human rights standards are, as outlined in the Vienna declaration and programme of action adopted by the World Conference on Human Rights in 1993, universal, indivisible, interdependent and inter-related.
States acquire international obligations in relation to human rights, either through ratification of a treaty or through international customary law, and the Irish Government is of the belief that all states must continuously endeavour to better uphold and comply with the human rights obligations which devolve on them.
The universal nature of international human rights standards means that national peculiarities such as history and cultural tradition, are not an excuse for non-compliance with international human rights obligations. However, such factors can help explain why human rights standards have not been respected and can be borne in mind when seeking to identify the most effective way for a state to implement its international human rights obligations.
In terms of how we respond to the human rights situation in other countries there is a menu of options which can be explored, according to the circumstances of the individual country in question. Ireland and the European Union, in deciding which option to engage, among other things, consider the degree to which a country's human rights record is improving over time and its willingness to interact with the international community, especially the United Nations, on human rights questions. Seen in this light, sometimes condemnation on its own, or the isolation of a country in response to human rights violations, is not the most effective means of securing an improvement in the situation.
Engagement and co-operation can often be a better way of moving towards the further promotion and protection of human rights. It is for this reason that Ireland has supported the development and continuance of, for example, the EU-China and EU-Iran human rights dialogues, which allow for structured engagement with those countries on human rights issues.
494 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the public appointments made in his Department since the Cabinet reshuffle in September 2004. [2093/05]
I recently appointed the following to the board of the Ireland-United States Commission for Educational Exchange, Fulbright Commission, for a two-year term Dr. Donal Thornhill, former Chairman of the Higher Education Authority; Professor Joyce O'Connor, President, National College of Ireland, and Ms Una Halligan, Government and Public Affairs Director, Hewlett Packard Ireland.
The Fulbright Commission operates the official educational exchange programme between the Governments of Ireland and the United States. The commission consists of eight members, four of whom are appointed by the Minister for Foreign Affairs and four by the United States Ambassador to Ireland. I expect to appoint a fourth member shortly.
495 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the amount of funding provided for the European Year of Education through sport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34146/04]
The overall budget allocated to the EYES 2004 by the European Parliament and the European Council was €11.5 million for projects such as conferences, seminars, workshops or projects which highlighted the importance of education through sport. The EU-wide budget available for co-financed projects was €6.5 million, seven of which involved Irish participation. Funding allocated to these seven projects amounted to almost €136,000. Three of these projects were undertaken in partnership with organisations in other EU countries. The other four projects were at local, regional or national level in Ireland involving exclusively Irish groups.
In addition, the costs of the EYES opening conference in January 2004 and the domestic programme associated with the initiative were met jointly by my Department and the Department of Education and Science. My Department's share amounted to just over €27,000.
496 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if it is possible to designate Tolka Park, Richmond Road, Dublin, as a national sports venue; and if he will further investigate the legal side of this issue. [34595/04]
I have no plans to designate Tolka Park, Richmond Road, Dublin, which is leased at present to Shelbourne Football Club, as a national sports venue. I do not intend, therefore, to investigate the legal side of this issue.
497 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the position in regard to a submission (details supplied); if his Department can assist in any way to help the group reach its objectives; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1036/05]
The funding available to my Department for expenditure on sport, of which voluntarism is the backbone, comprises funding to the Irish Sports Council, which provides funding of a current nature in respect of programmes and activities and schemes of grants operated by my Department towards the provision of sporting facilities. Although the exact nature of the activity in respect of which funding is sought is not clear from the documentation submitted by the Deputy, it is unlikely that the project would qualify for funding from my Department.
498 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if he has received an application from a club (details supplied) in Dublin 6 seeking funding from the sports capital grant programme; if his attention has been drawn to the very important role that this long-established club plays in the community and the critical importance of the receipt of the grant to enable it to participate in the upcoming 2005 ICC world cup qualifying tournament set to take place in Dublin in 2005; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1183/05]
501 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if support will be given to Leinster Cricket Club’s application for the sports capital grant programme (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1567/05]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 498 and 501 together.
In January 2004 I met representatives of the Irish Cricket Union, ICU, which is the national governing body for cricket in Ireland. At this meeting the ICU outlined its plans for hosting the prestigious International Cricket Council, ICC, trophy in 2005. This tournament will involve 12 international teams competing for five qualifying places for the 2007 world cup. The ICU submitted details of the ten cricket clubs that it anticipated at that time would be involved in hosting matches and training sessions during the tournament. This list did not include Leinster Cricket Club. I advised the ICC that the clubs in question should make applications under the sports capital programme, which is administered by my Department and allocates funding to sporting and community organisations at local, regional and national level throughout the State.
The programme is advertised on an annual basis. A total of 1,304 applications were received before the closing date for the 2004 sports capital programme, including ten applications from the cricket clubs involved in the ICC trophy. There was no application from Leinster Cricket Club under the programme. Following the assessment of all applications, I announced provisional grant allocations on 7 May 2004, including funding of €264,000 to ten cricket clubs in respect of preparations for hosting the ICC trophy in 2005. It is my hope that the development of these cricket grounds will provide a boost to cricket in this country and will assist in the successful hosting of a major international cricket event. Leinster Cricket Club was not among the clubs originally identified by the Irish Cricket Union as being involved in hosting the ICC trophy.
The 2005 sports capital programme was advertised on 5 and 6 December 2004. The deadline for receipt in my Department of application forms and all necessary supporting documentation is 5 p.m. on Friday, 4 February 2005. My Department has not received an application from Leinster Cricket Club but should one be received before the deadline it will be assessed, as all applications, in accordance with the criteria detailed in the guidelines, terms and conditions of the programme.
499 Mr. Neville asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the position regarding the provision of grant aid from his Department for the development of the major upgrade of Askeaton swimming pool. [1290/05]
Limerick County Council has applied for grant-aid under the local authority swimming pool programme to replace the existing outdoor pool in Askeaton with an indoor swimming pool. This proposal is one of a number of projects that are under consideration in my Department at contract document stage of the programme.
500 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the total integrity costs spent by Bord na gCon for greyhound racing in 2003; the breakdown of the spending of this money; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1371/05]
Under the provisions of the Greyhound Industry Act 1958, Bord na gCon is the statutory agency responsible for the promotion and development of greyhound racing in Ireland. Section 16(1)(a) of the Act provides that Bord na gCon may apply its funds for “the payment of expenses incurred by it in the exercise and performance of its powers and duties under the Act”. Integrity costs are included in these expenses. I have been informed by Bord na gCon that the total integrity costs for the year 2003 were €1,822,136. The breakdown of these is:
|
€ |
|
|
Regulations and Control Department Costs |
900,084 |
|
Maintenance & Track Expenses |
259,012 |
|
Vet Fees |
96,880 |
|
Laboratory Costs |
223,227 |
|
Admin/Integrity Grants to private tracks |
342,933 |
Integrity costs is not an accounting term and is not shown as an individual expense in the profit and loss account for the year ended 31 December 2003 as shown in Bord na gCon's annual report for that year.
502 Mr. S. Ryan asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism when funding will be provided for the upgrade of Thurles swimming pool; and when the project will proceed to tender stage. [1568/05]
The proposal to replace the existing swimming pool in Thurles is one of a number of swimming pool projects within the local authority swimming pool programme under consideration in my Department. There are four stages in the swimming pool development process — preliminary report, contract document, tender approval and construction. The Thurles project is at contract document stage. The question of this project moving on to the next stage of the development process is being considered in the Department in the context of the available funding in the Department's multi-annual capital envelope for the local authority swimming pool programme.
503 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the State, semi-State, State-sponsored and statutory bodies under the aegis of his Department which are not subject to the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act 1997; the reason a body is not subject to the requirements of the Act; and if he envisages proposals to bring any such body within the scope of the Act in the foreseeable future. [1708/05]
The Freedom of Information Act applies to all State, semi-State, State-sponsored and statutory bodies directly under the aegis of my Department.
Tourism Ireland Limited is a North-South co-operation body accountable to the North-South Ministerial Council and, as is the case with the six North-South implementation bodies established under the Good Friday Agreement, the Freedom of Information Act does not apply. With the advent of a statutory freedom of information regime in the UK since the start of the year, the issue of a voluntary code of practice on access to information in respect of the North-South implementation bodies is now being addressed and such a code may come into effect later in the year. Tourism Ireland Limited is not an implementation body but the issue of whether or how such a code might apply to it is being examined.
504 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the position in relation to the application by Kildare County Council for grant aid towards the cost of replacing the swimming pool at Naas, County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1875/05]
The proposal to replace Naas swimming pool is one of a number of swimming pool projects within the local authority swimming pool programme under consideration in my Department. There are four stages in the swimming pool development process — preliminary report, contract document, tender approval and construction. The Naas project is at contract document stage. The question of this project moving on to the next stage of the development process is being considered in the Department in the context of the available funding in the Department's multi-annual capital envelope for the local authority swimming pool programme.
505 Ms Enright asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the position in relation to the refurbishment and upgrade of a swimming pool (details supplied) in County Laois; if funding will be made available to carry out this very necessary work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2074/05]
The proposal to refurbish Portarlington swimming pool is one of a number of swimming pool projects within the local authority swimming pool programme under consideration in my Department. There are four stages in the swimming pool development process — preliminary report, contract document, tender approval and construction. The Portarlington project is at contract document stage. The question of this project moving on to the next stage of the development process is being considered in the Department in the context of the available funding in the Department's multi-annual capital envelope for the local authority swimming pool programme.
506 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the public appointments made in his Department since the Cabinet reshuffle in September 2004. [2094/05]
The following persons were newly appointed to the Irish Film Board with effect from 17 January 2005 until January 2009: Mr. James Morris, Chair, Ms Lesley McKimm, Mr. Kevin Moriarty, Mr. Tristan Orpen Lynch and Ms Kirsten Sheridan. These appointments were made in accordance with the procedures set out in the Irish Film Board Act 1980. The following persons were re-appointed to serve on the Irish Film Board: Mr. Alan Gilsenan and Ms Margaret McCarthy MacIntyre. The following persons were re-appointed to serve on the Irish Manuscripts Commission: Dr. Mary Daly, Dr. Anngret Simms, Dr. Mary O'Dowd and Professor Nicholas Canny.
507 Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if his position in relation to the employment rights of the spouses of migrant workers who have been granted family reunification visas on the condition that the spouse does not work is as stated in his predecessor’s reply to Question No. 75 of 17 June 2004, or as stated in the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform’s reply to Question No. 183 of 9 December 2004. [34147/04]
The position is, as stated in the earlier reply, that the Tánaiste announced in February 2004 new arrangements designed to give greater ease of access to employment for the spouses of certain skilled non-EEA nationals working in the State and decided to waive the fees normally payable. Detailed guidelines on how to apply for work permits as well as the eligibility criteria and procedures relating to the new spouses scheme are available on my Department's website at www.entemp.ie.
The spouses of other persons who do not qualify under the spousal scheme are eligible to seek employment and have that employer apply for a work permit in the same way as for all non-EEA workers. However, where the immigration authorities have granted a spouse visa to permit family reunification my Department is required to take cognisance of any conditions attached to the visa by the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform. Any changes to a persons visa status in the State is a matter in the first instance for the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform.
508 Mr. J. Breen asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if the recommendation of Mr. Finbarr Flood of 8 November 2004, that a mechanism be put in place to address situations between pensioners and former employees, has been accepted by the Government; and if it will be implemented. [34165/04]
In 2001 the Labour Court made a recommendation to the effect that a mechanism should be put in place to address situations of dispute between retired employees and their former employers. In 2002, the Pensions Act provided for the appointment of a pensions ombudsman with the power to investigate and determine matters regarding the administration and management of pension schemes. Situations may arise, however, where the dispute with a former employer does not relate to pension matters. My Department is reviewing policy on access to industrial relation machinery where the issue in dispute is not a pensions matter.
509 Ms McManus asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if the €5 million provided by FÁS for employment supports for persons with disabilities will be additional to the current scheme of the same name; if not, if it is intended to replace the current scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34184/04]
Additional funding required for the introduction of a new full time employment support scheme, FTESS, on a three-year pilot basis, aimed at increasing the numbers of people with a disability in full-time employment in the open labour market, has been included in the FÁS budget in the 2005 Estimates process for the public services. The FTESS will complement the operation of the existing employment support scheme, ESS. A total budget line of €10 million has been established for these schemes for 2005, comprising the current provision of €5 million for the ESS and the pilot programme for the employment of people with a disability, PEP, and an additional €5 million for the FTESS.
510 Mr. Costello asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will reconsider his refusal to grant a permit to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34207/04]
A work permit issued recently in this case.
511 Mr. O’Shea asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his proposals to meet the concerns of a group (details supplied) in County Mayo regarding the community employment scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34225/04]
514 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if the extension which permits persons who are over 55 to serve six years participation on community employment schemes, commences from 2000 or 2004; when this extension was announced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1016/05]
515 Mr. Lowry asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of disabled persons affected by the closure of community employment schemes in north Tipperary and nationally; the number of persons affected by the same closures in total in north Tipperary and nationally; the number of employers which have employed persons in north Tipperary and nationally on the community employment scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1056/05]
516 Mr. Lowry asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his plans in relation to those affected by the closure of community employment schemes across the country; his plans for disabled persons affected by the closures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1057/05]
517 Mr. Lowry asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his plans for those in north Tipperary affected by the closure of community employment schemes; his plans for disabled persons in north Tipperary adversely affected by these closures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1058/05]
526 Ms Lynch asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the instructions which have been laid down by him in respect of the recent changes in the community employment schemes for the over 55s. [1569/05]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 511, 514 to 517, inclusive, and 526 together.
FÁS employment programmes, which comprise community employment, social economy and job initiative, are being maintained this year at the same level as in 2004 at 25,000 places. Community employment provides work experience and training opportunities for the long-term unemployed and other disadvantaged groups with the aim of assisting participants to progress to a job in the open labour market. There are specific eligibility criteria to facilitate persons with disabilities availing of opportunities on community employment schemes.
I have reviewed current policy on the operation of the FÁS employment schemes and on foot of this review I announced that with effect from 10 November 2004 the three-year cap would be removed for community employment participants aged 55 or over. Such persons are now eligible to participate on community employment for a maximum of six years, with the qualifying period beginning in April 2000. This arrangement will benefit substantially persons with disabilities.
The current ring-fencing and prioritisation for the essential services of child care, health related services and drugs task force clients are being maintained. The continuance of ring-fencing and the extended participation on community employment by older workers will help to secure the continuity of community services generally and will ensure that the existing community service support framework will be maintained.
The allocation of places and renewal of projects are administrative matters for FÁS. I am informed by FÁS that there were no community employment project closures in north Tipperary in 2004. Accordingly, no disabled persons have been affected by such closures.
FÁS has also informed me that currently there are 42 community employment projects in County Mayo with 765 participants, including people with disabilities. Finally I should add that last year the number of participants on community employment schemes nationally increased from 19,848 in January to 22,194 at year-end 2004.
512 Mr. Morgan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the measures he has instructed the job creation agencies to undertake to prepare the ground to ensure that workers who lose their jobs at a company (details supplied) are in a strong position to re-enter the workforce in as short a timeframe as possible, in view of the fact that the company has announced that the remaining 630 jobs at its plants in Buncrana and Campsie will be phased out over the next four to five years; if workers at this company will be able to take up courses and training with full FÁS funding and support, even though they are still in employment, in order that the existing workforce at the company has a wide-ranging bases of skills in order to attract sustainable employment to the Inishowen area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34242/04]
FÁS is in discussions with Fruit of the Loom about proposed job losses in the coming years. The role of FÁS is particularly important in providing training and up-skilling for workers who are currently employed at the company. To date, FÁS has dealt with redundancies and plant closures at Fruit of the Loom plants at Dungloe, Malin Head, Raphoe and Milford, together with three groups of redundancies at the Buncrana plant.
FÁS plans to give a comprehensive service to Fruit of the Loom employees, as the agency has done previously with those declared redundant. Following the company's job loss announcement, FÁS wrote to the company on 20 September 2004 offering to provide a service to those employees being made redundant.
At the meeting with the company in October 2004 FÁS undertook in principle to review the information provided and to prepare a strategy that would help upskill the remaining 361 employees of the company. To get the operation under way, FÁS commissioned a private sector training consultant to carry out a scoping study to assist the company to prepare a fully inclusive training programme. The consultant's report has just been received by FÁS and an initial meeting has taken place with the company. However, further discussion will need to take place with all the parties concerned. The agreed programme could start this year, provided financial arrangements and agreements can be worked out at the time.
IDA Ireland is committed to the development of the north west region and continues to strive to secure new investment for Donegal. Both IDA and Enterprise Ireland are working closely with their existing base of companies in the region. I wish to assure the Deputy that the Government, along with the State development agencies, is committed to balanced regional development, particularly through the implementation of the national spatial strategy and the Government's decentralisation programme. The State development agencies will continue to work together to promote Donegal to attract investment and to foster job creation there.
513 Mr. P. Breen asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the reason an application for a work permit in County Clare for a non-national person (details supplied) was refused same in view of the fact that they had exhausted all other means of filling the position by a person within the enlarged EU; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34243/04]
There is no record in my Department of a valid work permit application in this case. Work permit applications which are incorrect or incomplete are not regarded as valid applications and are returned to the employer for completion.
518 Ms B. Moynihan-Cronin asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of IDA Ireland supported jobs created in County Kerry in 2004; the details of these jobs and their locations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1062/05]
IDA Ireland has statutory responsibility for attracting foreign direct investment to Ireland, including its regions and areas. Data on employment are compiled from the annual Forfás employment survey. County data for 2004 will not be available until mid-2005. Some 609 new IDA Ireland supported jobs were created in Kerry between 2001 and 2003, of which 374 were created in 2001, 153 were created in 2002 and 82 were created in 2003. Some 365 of the new jobs were created in the south Kerry area — Cahirciveen, Kenmare, Killarney and Killorglin — while the other 244 new jobs were created in the northern part of the county — Castleisland, Listowel and Tralee. More precise figures on specific locations are not available.
There were 2,205 people in permanent employment in IDA Ireland-assisted companies in County Kerry at the end of 2003. Employment in IDA Ireland-supported companies in the county is performing relatively well, when considered in the context of the recent global downturn which has resulted in fewer companies actively seeking to invest overseas and fewer companies visiting Ireland. I am pleased that three IDA Ireland-supported investment projects, all of which are expansion projects, were announced for County Kerry in 2004. I will provide details of the projects.
Dollinger (Ireland) Limited is to be expanded and established by its parent company, SPX Air Treatment, as the global centre for the production of its compressed air products. The company will invest €1.1 million and create more than 70 new jobs over the next four years in production and ancillary areas. Fujisawa, one of the world's top 30 pharmaceutical companies, has announced that it has invested €17 million in the expansion of its Irish operation, Fujisawa Ireland Limited, in Killorglin in County Kerry. The company, which employs 280 people in Killorglin, has constructed a 27,000 sq. ft. extension to provide additional production space for the new operation.
Liebherr International AG, one of the world's largest family-owned businesses and a leading global manufacturer which is best known for its cranes and construction machinery, is to implement a strategic expansion of its research and development activities, with the support of IDA Ireland, at its Irish operation, Liebherr Container Cranes Limited, which was established in Killarney in 1958. The investment will lead to the recruitment of six highly skilled research and development personnel as part of a new specialised research and development team that will develop new products from concept through production to full product launch. The team will manage the ongoing developments and modifications required by customers' changing requirements.
IDA Ireland's strategy for County Kerry has a sectoral focus. It concentrates on achieving developments in the international services, engineering and ICT sectors, focusing particularly on Tralee and Killarney, which are designated as linked hubs under the national spatial strategy. I am confident that the strategies and policies being pursued by IDA Ireland in Kerry, with the ongoing commitment of the Government to regional development, will continue to bear fruit in terms of delivering the maximum possible level of additional jobs for the county.
519 Mr. O’Connor asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if his attention has been drawn to the recent announcement by a company (details supplied) that it is to close its plant in Tallaght in June 2005 with the loss of 180 jobs; if his attention has further been drawn to the fact that this is a serious blow to the families concerned and the local economy; if he will contact the company to see if the decision can be changed; and the arrangements that will be made to facilitate the workers. [1070/05]
It was with regret that I learnt of the announcement by APW on 6 January 2005 that it plans to cease production at its plant in Tallaght, County Dublin, by June 2005. While IDA Ireland has had discussions with the company, it is understood that its decision about its Tallaght operations is final. The company has stated that it intends to maintain its operations in Galway and Cork. On 7 January, FÁS contacted the company and offered its full range of services to staff in advance of being made redundant. In addition to the services being provided from its Tallaght office, the agency offered to make its staff available on site to give vocational guidance and help. I understand that the company subsequently expressed an interest in having a presentation from FÁS at a mutually convenient date.
The industrial development agencies are continuing to market the Tallaght area for new jobs and investment. Tallaght benefits from having a third level institute, the Tallaght Institute of Technology, and excellent infrastructural facilities at Citywest and Grange Castle in Clondalkin. Following an agreement last year, Enterprise Ireland is supporting the development of business incubation space at the institute. When the facility has been completed, it is expected to generate quality start-up enterprises.
Wyeth Biopharma employs approximately 700 people in Clondalkin, a figure that is expected to rise to 1,300 by the end of 2005. A number of other projects have been approved for the area. I am satisfied that the strong infrastructural support already in place, including the Luas line, will continue to attract companies to Tallaght and its environs.
520 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will list the various types of work permit processed by his Department for entry into the State; the details of the application form and documentation required in each case; the average waiting time for processing each type of work permit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1152/05]
The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment is responsible for issuing work permits. With the Department of Foreign Affairs, it has responsibility for issuing work authorisations and working visas. In general, non-EEA nationals are obliged to have a work permit, or a work authorisation or working visa, if they wish to work in this State. Work permits are issued to employers whereas work authorisations and working visas are issued to individuals. Work permit applications take approximately 15 working days to process, assuming they are complete and in order. Supporting details about applications can be found in the work permits page of the website of the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, www.entemp.ie.
Work authorisations and working visas are processed at Irish embassies and consulates. Individuals should contact the relevant embassy or consulate to ascertain how long it will take to process their applications. Further details can be obtained from the website of the Department of Foreign Affairs.
521 Mr. Hogan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if the liquidator of IFI will ensure the payment of outstanding accounts to a creditor (details supplied). [1258/05]
The determination of payments due to creditors of IFI is a matter solely for the liquidator. The position of unsecured creditors can only be determined by the liquidator when all the assets of the company have been realised and all liabilities established. In this regard, I understand that the liquidator has made considerable progress in realising the assets of the company and establishing the full extent of its liabilities. The plant and machinery from the main production facilities at Arklow and Cork have been sold and are in the process of being dismantled and removed from the sites by the purchasers. The production sites remain the principle assets yet to be realised. It is understood that the liquidator has received an offer for the Cork site and that discussions are ongoing with the prospective buyer. It is a matter solely for the liquidator to determine whether to accept a particular offer. While the Arklow site has also been on the market for some time, it is expected that interest in it will intensify when the plant and machinery have been removed. As the sites are significant, it is difficult to assess the price that might be achieved for them in due course.
522 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the names of the representative taxi bodies which consented to an increase in the verification fee for taxi meters from €32 to €75, excluding VAT; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1347/05]
The legal metrology service of the National Standards Authority of Ireland implements the provisions of the Metrology Acts 1980 to 1998. One of the objectives of the legislation is to ensure fair trade and consumer protection by checking the accuracy of measuring instruments used in trade throughout the economy. The law imposes obligations on traders to ensure that the measuring instruments they use in trade are of an approved type and have been verified by the legal metrology service.
Section 4 of the Metrology Act 1996, as amended, provides that the National Standards Authority of Ireland may, with the consent of the Minister, charge fees for verification services, inter alia. When it considered the basis for a fee increase recently, the board of the authority was of the view that the fee set should be such as to recover fully the costs associated with the verification process. To enable full cost recovery, the board proposed an increase in the verification fee for taxi meters from €32 to €75, excluding VAT. Ministerial consent was granted for the increase on 22 November 2004, following previous increases in 1997 and 2002.
523 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if his attention has been drawn to the fact that staff at a training centre (details supplied) in Dublin 8 have not been awarded the second phase of benchmarking due in January 2004 or any of the three increases due under Sustaining Progress during 2004; if FÁS will give approval for these overdue increases to be paid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1348/05]
The staff of the training centre in question are employed by a private sector organisation that receives grants from FÁS to meet its operating costs, including staff costs. FÁS is not the employer of the staff. While private sector workers are generally ineligible for benchmarking, it has been accepted that categories of employees of FÁS grant-aided organisations, which have demonstrated an established and agreed linkage to the public service, may receive benchmarking-related increases in return for the introduction of a modernisation programme. CTC managers, instructors and clerical workers have been approved for such benchmarking-related increases.
FÁS has informed me that payments reflecting the first phase of benchmarking were paid to CTC staff in April 2004. In December 2004, FÁS and the union representing CTC staff agreed the terms of the productivity and modernisation agenda required in return for phase 2 of benchmarking-related increases and phase 1 of Sustaining Progress increases. The next stage in the process is for FÁS and the union representing CTC staff to agree the verification process for the monitoring of the productivity and modernisation to be delivered by staff in return for the increases.
524 Mr. Ferris asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his plans with regard to the recent spate of job losses in the Kerry area; and his investment plans for the county. [1349/05]
Job creation is a day-to-day operational issue for the industrial development agencies under the remit of the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment. As Minister, I do not have any direct involvement in the matter. IDA Ireland, which has responsibility for the attraction of foreign direct investment to Ireland, is focusing on the linked hub towns of Tralee and Killarney as part of its strategy for marketing the county as a location for additional such investment. While there have been job losses in recent years, overall employment in County Kerry in companies which are supported by IDA Ireland is performing relatively well when considered in the context of Ireland being less competitive as a location for low wage manufacturing projects. Similarly, the recent global downturn resulted in fewer companies actively seeking to invest overseas and less companies visiting Ireland.
Enterprise Ireland has commenced working with former employees of companies which recently closed to identify training needs and alternative employment requirements. Enterprise Ireland liaises with other State agencies such as FÁS and the local county enterprise board in providing support in this regard. Enterprise Ireland works with individuals who may wish to start their own businesses and advises them on the supports available for this purpose.
Under its 2002 community enterprise programme, Enterprise Ireland approved funding of €183,487 for the expansion of Killarney technology innovation centre, which supports 66 employees in various companies. Phase 2 of the development, which has been completed, will increase the capacity of the centre by an additional 4,000 sq. ft. to meet the demand for suitable space and thereby provide more high quality jobs to the local economy. Enterprise Ireland has provided over €2 million to build an incubation centre at the new IT Tralee campus, which was completed at the end of 2004, and companies have started to move in.
Shannon Development is responsible for industry in north Kerry. Some 106 jobs were created in 2004 by Shannon Development companies in the region. The principal contributing companies in this regard were Altobridge Limited, Kerry Group, GCX Limited, Cameo Products Limited and Kerryman Limited. Kerry technology park, which is owned and managed by Shannon Development, and was developed in partnership with the Institute of Technology, Tralee, opened for business in July 2001. The park is part of the Shannon Development knowledge network, a network of five such parks. It has been a great success and is virtually full.
In 2003, Shannon Development unveiled plans for a new-style business development centre in Listowel. The 10,500 sq. ft. building, which is located on a two-acre site at Listowel business park in Clieveragh, will mark a departure in the style of premises available to indigenous start-up businesses in the Listowel area. Shannon Development is investing almost €1.7 million in the building, which will provide a range of lettable units varying in size from approximately 215 sq. ft. to approximately 1,200 sq. ft., the type of space required by the smaller business. The building will shortly be handed over to Shannon Development.
In 2004, Kerry county enterprise board approved €249,433 in grant assistance to 36 micro-enterprise projects at start-up or expansion stage, thereby facilitating the creation of an additional 45 jobs throughout the county. Some €307,694 was paid in grant aid by the board in respect of 43 projects during the course of the year. The board spent a further €139,738 on the provision of a variety of business training programmes in areas such as food production, child care facilities, health and safety, management development and business initiatives. The board is confident that it will continue to be in a position to provide an appropriate level of assistance to quality projects that present over the coming year. The Department's agencies are working to address the employment needs of the Kerry area and to promote the area for suitable investment projects in the future.
525 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if there are programmes in relation to work permits to facilitate a person (details supplied) to undertake work experience as part of their education; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1350/05]
There are no facilities to allow students to undertake a period of work experience. Work permits are issued only if the individual is highly skilled and fully qualified.
527 Mr. O’Connor asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if his attention has been drawn to the announcement by a company (details supplied) in Dublin 24 of job losses; if everything possible will be done to find new employment in Tallaght; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1570/05]
The company in question is implementing a rationalisation programme that involves the loss of 40 jobs. FÁS has been in touch with the company to outline the full range of services which will be available to the relevant staff. Following the rationalisation, the company will be revamped as a manufacturing operation specialising in the production of breads for the wholesale specialty bread market and it will retain 24 staff.
The industrial development agencies are continuing to market the Tallaght area for new jobs and investment. Tallaght benefits from having a third level institute, the Tallaght Institute of Technology, and excellent infrastructural facilities at Citywest and Grange Castle in Clondalkin. Following an agreement last year, Enterprise Ireland is supporting the development of business incubation space at the institute. This facility, when completed, is expected to generate quality start-up enterprises.
Wyeth Biopharma employs approximately 700 people in Clondalkin, a figure that is expected to increase to 1,300 by the end of 2005. A number of other projects have also been approved for the area. I am satisfied that the strong infrastructural support in place, including the Luas line, will continue to attract companies to Tallaght and its environs.
528 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the State, semi-State, State-sponsored and statutory bodies under the aegis of his Department which are not subject to the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act 1997; the reason a body is not subject to the requirements of the Act; and if he envisages proposals to bring any such body within the scope of the Act in the foreseeable future. [1709/05]
Proposals for extending freedom of information are being developed in the Department of Finance in the context of plans to extend it to other appropriate bodies by the end of 2005. The extension of freedom of information to the additional bodies under the aegis of the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment is being considered in this context. The organisations in question are the Employment Appeals Tribunal — administrative functions only, Science Foundation Ireland, the company law review group, the Crafts Council, the European Social Fund financial control unit, the 35 county enterprise boards, Skillnets and the Labour Court — administrative functions only.
There are no proposals to bring certain other bodies, which come under the aegis of the Department and are not subject to freedom of information, within its remit. The bodies in this second group are the Personal Injuries Assessment Board, the European Consumer Centre, the Irish Clearing House for the European Extra Judicial Network, Nítrigin Éireann Teoranta and InterTrade Ireland. No formal decision has been made on when freedom of information will apply to PIAB, which was established quite recently. I consider in principle that some of its functions, such as its administrative functions, should become subject to freedom of information.
It is proposed to review the structure and function of the ECC and EEJ-Net. The extension of freedom of information to such bodies will be considered in the light of the outcome of the review. As NET is simply a shell company that does not engage in any real activity, it is not considered appropriate to extend freedom of information to it. InterTrade Ireland is one of a number of North-South implementation bodies established under the Good Friday Agreement. It is expected that the bodies will shortly become subject to a freedom of information code of practice, which will draw on aspects of Irish and UK freedom of information legislation.
529 Mr. Hogan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will investigate and supply details in respect of all moneys paid through his Department or any subsidiary body under his remit, for example FÁS, to an organisation (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1974/05]
The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment does not have a record of payments to the organisation mentioned by the Deputy. Any payments made to the organisation by an agency such as FÁS operating under the aegis of the Department would be a day-to-day matter for the relevant agency. The Deputy may wish to make inquiries with any such agency.
530 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the public appointments made in his Department since the Cabinet reshuffle in September 2004. [2095/05]
I have made the following appointments in the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment since the Cabinet reshuffle of September 2004: a special adviser, a policy adviser, a press adviser, two personal assistants and a personal secretary. The Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Deputy Killeen, has made the following appointments since the Cabinet reshuffle of September 2004: a personal assistant, a personal secretary and two civilian drivers.
531 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the amount of rent allowance payable in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare. [2161/05]
543 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the reason rent allowance has been reduced in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1176/05]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 531 and 543 together.
Rent and mortgage interest supplements are provided for under the supplementary welfare allowance scheme, which is administered on my behalf by the community welfare division of the Health Service Executive. Under standard assessment rules, rent supplements are calculated to ensure that an eligible person, after the payment of rent, has an income equal to the rate of supplementary welfare allowance appropriate to his or her family circumstances, less a minimum contribution of €13 that each recipient is required to pay from his or her resources. In addition to the minimum contribution, each recipient is also required to contribute any assessable means he or she has over and above the appropriate supplementary welfare allowance rate.
Supplementary welfare allowance is not normally payable to people engaged in full-time employment. Arrangements have been in place for a number of years, however, which allow people to retain a portion of their rent supplement when they take up employment through approved schemes such as community employment, subject to a weekly household income limit of €317.43. In such cases, the supplement may be retained on a tapered basis, such as 75% in the first year, 50% in the second year and 25% in the third and fourth years. Participants in community employment schemes have the option of being assessed for rent supplement purposes under standard or special retention rules, depending on which option is more favourable in each instance.
The Dublin and mid-Leinster office of the Health Service Executive was contacted about the case in question. It has advised that the amount of rent supplement paid to the relevant person up to the end of January 2004 was based on her income from one-parent family payment. After the woman in question started a community employment scheme, her rent supplement was reviewed to take account of the change in her household income. Her entitlement was assessed under the standard and tapered retention rules. At the time the tapered retention assessment was found to be more beneficial to her and she retained 75% of the supplement that had been paid to her before she started the community employment scheme. On this basis, she received a supplement of €664.40 per month.
The Health Service Executive has further advised that the person concerned will begin the second year of her community employment shortly. Her rent supplement is due to be reviewed accordingly in the coming weeks. The amount of rent supplement payable to her will be determined following this review, taking account of all relevant information including her payment rate, her rent level and any other income she might have.
532 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the reason the Southern Health Board is refusing to pay a rent allowance under the supplementary welfare Act to a person (details supplied) in County Cork. [34271/04]
Rent supplements are provided through the supplementary welfare allowance scheme, which is administered on my behalf by the community welfare staff of the Health Service Executive. The southern regional office of the executive was contacted about this case. It has advised that it does not have a record of an application for rent supplement from the person concerned. If she wishes to apply, she should contact the community welfare officer at her local health centre, who will carry out an assessment of her circumstances to determine if she satisfies the conditions for receipt of rent supplement.
533 Mr. O’Shea asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs his proposals to bring the qualified adult rate of contributory old age retirement pension in line with the top rate of non-contributory old age pension; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34277/04]
545 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the cost of granting persons who are now classified as qualified adult dependants, a full old age pension in their own right (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1315/05]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 533 and 545 together.
The Government committed itself in the programme for Government and Sustaining Progress to increasing the pension payment for qualified adults aged 66 or over to the same level as the personal rate of the old age non-contributory pension. The estimated cost of this commitment is €44 million. Considerable progress has already been made in this regard — the qualified adult allowance for the contributory payment stands at €138.50, or 83% of the maximum rate of old age non-contributory pension, which is €166 per week. Overall increases in the qualified adult allowance for the old age contributory pension amount to €56.47 per week since April 2000. The qualified adult allowance for the old age non-contributory pension has increased by €44.05 per week in the same time. It now stands at 66% of the full personal rate.
Since October 2002, new pension claimants have been able to opt to have the allowance paid directly to their spouse or partner, in accordance with the conclusions of a PPF working group on administrative individualisation. Further progress towards Government targets in respect of the qualified adult allowance rate will be made in future budgets.
534 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if he has plans to revise the income limit for the rent allowance; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that this outdated limit is causing severe hardship for some households; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34280/04]
Supplementary welfare allowance is not normally payable to people in full-time employment. Arrangements have been in place for a number of years, however, which allow people to retain a portion of their rent supplement when they take up employment through the back to work scheme and other approved schemes. The weekly household income limit in such cases, the ones to which the Deputy refers, is €317.43. While the €317.43 income limit has not changed in recent years, significant changes have been made to the means test.
Back to work allowance and family income supplement, in cases where one or both of them are in payment, are disregarded in the assessment of household income. PRSI and reasonable travelling expenses are also disregarded in the means test. In effect, this means that people who commence employment through a back to work scheme, following a period of unemployment, can have a weekly household income significantly in excess of the €317.43 limit and still qualify to retain 75% of their rent or mortgage interest supplement. For example, in the first year of their participation in the back to work allowance scheme, a single person can have a combined income, from the back to work allowance and wages, of €429, while a couple with two children can have a combined income of €528.25. The thresholds increase each year in the budget.
Other improvements have also been made. The period for which rent supplement may be retained has been extended to four years on a tapered basis, such as 75% in the first year, 50% in the second year and 25% in the third and fourth years. In addition, the maximum payment limit of €317.43 per month on the amount of supplement payable was abolished for people on the approved schemes. As a consequence, many families now retain more of their rent supplement than they did before these changes took place.
A participant in a back to work scheme can opt to be assessed under standard rules or retention rules. He or she will be entitled to receive payment under the more favourable option. Under standard assessment rules, rent supplements are calculated to ensure that an eligible person, after the payment of rent, has an income equal to the rate of supplementary welfare allowance appropriate to his or her family circumstances, less a minimum contribution of €13 which each recipient is required to pay from his or her own resources. Family income supplement is also disregarded in the standard means test. If the employment is part time — less than 30 hours per week — up to €50, increasing to €60 from the end of January 2005, is disregarded in the means test, ensuring that a person is better off as a result of taking up such an opportunity.
The current eligibility thresholds and disregards, together with improvements in the standard rules of the supplementary welfare allowance scheme, ensure that people have a financial incentive to take up back-to-work opportunities. The effectiveness of the arrangements will be considered further in the context of a review of the supplementary welfare allowance scheme which the Department of Social and Family Affairs is undertaking during 2005.
535 Ms B. Moynihan-Cronin asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if he will consider raising the rate of the fuel allowance; if he will further consider a reduced or a half rate payment for the months during which the allowance is awarded to cover reduced but significant fuel expenses for many elderly persons, in particular during these months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34626/04]
The aim of the national fuel scheme is to assist householders in receipt of long-term social welfare or health board payments to meet their additional heating needs during the winter season from October to April. Under the scheme, a fuel allowance of €9 per week is paid to eligible households during the 29-week period, with an additional €3.90 per week being paid in designated smokeless fuel zones, bringing the total amount in such areas to €12.90 per week. Many pensioners and other households qualify for electricity or gas allowances through the household benefits package, payable towards their heating, light and cooking costs throughout the year.
A facility is available through the supplementary welfare allowance scheme to assist people in certain circumstances with special heating needs. An application for heating supplement may be made by contacting a community welfare officer at any local health centre. Significant increases have been provided in recent years in all primary social welfare pension, benefit and assistance rates. The social welfare rate increases have consistently exceeded the growth in the consumer price index, leading to real improvements in the financial ability of social welfare clients to meet their basic living expenses throughout the year.
As an increase in the rate of fuel allowance or the provision of modified allowance rates for an extended period each year would have significant cost implications, it would have to be considered in a budgetary context.
536 Mr. Carey asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the reason a recipient of social welfare wishing to transfer from a book base payment to a bank lodgement payment effectively loses a week’s payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1040/05]
Pension payment by electronic funds transfer has been made weekly in arrears since November 2004, whereas pension payment by payable order — book voucher — is made weekly in advance. Most people who opt for electronic funds transfer do so when they make their initial claim so there is no interruption to the flow of payments for such claims. When an existing recipient opts to switch from pension book to electronic funds transfer, the different payment cycle may result in a temporary interruption of payment. I assure the Deputy that each person receives the same quantum of payments over the lifetime of his or her claim, regardless of the payment method.
537 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if he will examine the possibility of allowing persons who were in employment and have been made redundant, to qualify immediately for the back to education allowance for third level education, rather than having them wait 15 months;. [1098/05]
The back to education allowance is a second chance education opportunities programme designed to encourage and facilitate people on certain social welfare payments to improve their skills and qualifications and, therefore, their prospects of returning to the active work force. To qualify for participation in the programme an applicant must be, inter alia, in receipt of a relevant social welfare payment for at least six months if pursuing a second level course of study. The qualifying period for third level courses of study was increased from six months to 15 months for new applicants from September 2004. I ordered a review of the scheme when I became Minister for Social and Family Affairs and subsequently I announced that the qualifying period will be reduced from 15 months to 12 months from September 2005.
The focus of the back to education scheme has always been on those who have been out of employment for some time and find it difficult to get a foothold in the labour market after a lengthy period of unemployment. People who have been recently employed are not in the target group for the scheme. I am satisfied that the current arrangements ensure that the scheme supports those who are most distant from the labour market and whose need is greatest. I have undertaken to the Dáil and the Joint Committee on Social and Family Affairs to continue to keep the qualifying period for this scheme under regular review.
538 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if he has sought legal advice on his Department’s methods in relation to the assessment of property and the notional income derived from it when assessing a person for social welfare; if the assessment method is legal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1107/05]
I am satisfied that the current provisions for assessing property are legal and equitable. In assessing means for social assistance purposes, account is taken of any cash income the person may have, along with the value of property, including capital. Property may include stocks and shares of every description, savings certificates, bonds and national instalment savings, money invested in a bank or building society or property owned by the claimant other than a domestic dwelling or a farm or land personally used by the claimant.
Means from capital and property are assessed in accordance with the Third Schedule to the Social Welfare (Consolidation) Act 1993, as amended, which provides, inter alia, that the weekly value of property belonging to a person which, though capable of investment or profitable use is not invested or put to profitable use, shall be deemed to constitute the weekly means of the person from the property, such weekly value being calculated in accordance with the prescribed rules. While a person may not at a given point of time have tangible income from a property owned by him or her, the property is nonetheless an asset that is either capable of providing an income or of being sold.
539 Mr. O’Connor asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs his plans to extend the benefits of the free travel pass on an all-Ireland basis; the contacts he has had with Northern Ireland in the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1111/05]
Special cross-Border arrangements have been in place since 1995 under a scheme that allows southern and northern free travel pass holders to undertake cross-Border journeys free of charge. The introduction of free travel on an all-Ireland basis would enhance the existing arrangements by enabling southern pass holders to make free onward journeys within the North. Similarly, Northern Irish pass holders would be able to make internal journeys within the South free of charge. A number of technical and financial issues need to be resolved if we are to implement an enhanced all-Ireland free travel system. Co-operation is needed between the Department of Social and Family Affairs and the northern department with responsibility for transport policy, as well as the relevant transport operator companies on either side of the Border.
In September 2004, my predecessor met the Northern Irish minister of state who is responsible for regional development to explore the potential for further co-operation between the two departments on the proposal. They discussed the options and scope for co-funding the scheme and considered various technical issues that arise. Shortly after taking up this post, I wrote to the Minister indicating my wish to move the issue forward. In his response, the Minister indicated that in view of the resources which would have to be made available this issue is not a priority at this stage. I was disappointed with this response and intend to seek a further meeting with the authorities in Northern Ireland in the near future to examine ways of progressing the issue.
540 Mr. O’Connor asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs his plans in negotiations with his UK counterpart, to ensure that holders of free travel passes from his Department can avail of similar services when they are visiting the UK; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1112/05]
The free travel scheme is available to all people living in the State aged 66 years or over. It is also available to carers and to people with disabilities who are in receipt of certain social welfare payments. It applies to travel within the State and cross-Border journeys between here and Northern Ireland. A variety of travel concessions are granted by most EU member states to retired pensioners. The scope of the concession schemes and the reductions available vary widely from country to country.
While discussions have taken place with the Northern Ireland authorities on the possibility of introducing an all-Ireland free travel scheme, no discussions have taken place with the UK Government or transport companies operating in the UK about them providing transport services to Irish free travel passholders. A report, Towards a Senior Euro Pass, was commissioned by the social affairs directorate of the European Commission in 1997. The report recommended that EU member states should move towards having a senior euro pass card which would entitle older people to concessions on various services, including travel, cultural and social activities. The Department of Social and Family Affairs submitted observations on the report's recommendations at the time, as did other Departments and statutory and non-statutory bodies. The introduction of such an initiative would have to be developed at EU level.
541 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs when he expects to reach agreement in respect of recovery of overpayment in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1172/05]
Subject to certain conditions, including a means test, diet supplements are provided for under the supplementary welfare allowance scheme which is administered on my behalf by the community welfare division of the Health Service Executive. As I have outlined to the Deputy in previous questions by him on the matter, a significant overpayment of diet supplement was made to the person concerned arising from his failure to notify the community welfare officer when he commenced employment. The person concerned was advised of the amount of the overpayment involved and asked to submit his proposals for repayment of the substantial sum due. His initial offer of a low weekly amount was deemed not to be sufficient in the light of his aggregate income level. The officer was in further contact with the person last week and it is expected that appropriate repayment arrangements will be finalised shortly.
542 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the correct rate of unemployment assistance payable in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1175/05]
The information available to the Department of Social and Family Affairs indicates that the person concerned arrived in the State in November 2002 and sought asylum. Her asylum application was refused in May 2004. As a result she is not entitled to seek employment in Ireland and the question of payment of unemployment assistance does not arise in her case. The Government has decided that the most appropriate way to cater for the basic needs of asylum seekers is through the system of direct provision operated by the reception and integration agency of the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform. This service provides asylum seekers with full-board accommodation, laundry and other facilities.
In addition, they are entitled to receive a weekly personal allowance in respect of personal requisites, provided at present through the supplementary welfare allowance scheme which is administered by the community welfare staff of the Health Service Executive. The rate of the allowance is €19.10 in respect of an adult and €9.60 in respect of a child. An asylum seeker who refuses or vacates direct provision accommodation without the permission of the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform remains entitled to this reduced rate of personal allowance only.
The person concerned has chosen not to avail of the accommodation services available through direct provision. In the circumstances she is in receipt of her full entitlement of basic supplementary welfare allowance at the reduced rate of €19.10 per week.
544 Mr. McGuinness asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if the benefit being awarded to a person (details supplied) in County Carlow will be examined to determine the reason a full allowance is not being awarded; if this person is entitled to the disability allowance; and if they are entitled to increased supplementary allowance while waiting for a decision. [1285/05]
The supplementary welfare allowance scheme, which is administered on my behalf by the community welfare staff of the Health Service Executive, provides for the payment of a weekly allowance to eligible people whose means are insufficient to meet their basic needs. An assessment of household means and needs is carried out to determine the amount of assistance payable. The southern regional office was contacted about this case and has advised that the person concerned had been in receipt of a basic allowance at a reduced rate to bring the level of household income to the appropriate supplementary welfare allowance rate.
In the course of a recent review it came to light that the wife of the person has additional income from part-time employment. Following a revised assessment, his increased means exceed the statutory limit for supplementary welfare allowance purposes and he is not entitled to payment. He had not notified the HSE of the relevant increase in his household income with the result that he was overpaid supplementary welfare allowance. Arrangements will be made shortly with the person concerned to repay the amount due.
With regard to his claim for disability allowance the person concerned applied to the Department of Social and Family Affairs in June 2004. He was examined by a medical assessor from the Department who advised that he was not eligible on medical grounds for an allowance. Accordingly his application was disallowed. He has appealed against this decision. Arrangements have been made for a medical assessor to review his medical condition shortly. His entitlement to disability allowance will be determined on the basis of the medical re-assessment and his means. He will be notified of the outcome.
546 Mr. Gregory asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if he will increase the income limit for persons on community employment schemes to ensure that participants continue to qualify for rent allowances. [1317/05]
The income limit for rent supplement to which the Deputy refers applies to people in full-time employment. Supplementary welfare allowance is not normally payable to people who are engaged in full-time employment. However, arrangements have been in place for a number of years which allow people to retain a portion of their rent supplement where they take up employment through approved schemes, such as community employment, subject to a weekly household income limit of €317.43. People on community employment may also avail of these arrangements if that gives a more favourable outcome than assessment under the standard rules of the supplementary welfare allowance scheme.
While the €317.43 income limit applicable in these cases has not been increased recently, other improvements have been made. The period for which rent supplement may be retained after commencement of employment has been extended to four years on a tapered basis, such as 75% in the first year, 50% in the second year and 25% in the third and fourth years. In addition, the upper limit of €317.43 per month on the amount of supplement payable was abolished for people on approved employment schemes, including community employment.
Back to work allowance and family income supplement, in cases where one or both are in payment to an applicant for rent supplement, are now disregarded in the assessment of the €317.43 weekly income limit. PRSI and reasonable travelling expenses are also disregarded in the means test. People who take up a community employment place are not automatically disqualified from receiving rent supplement if the household income exceeds the €317.43 limit. Any participant in community employment has the option of being be assessed under either standard rules or under retention rules and will be entitled to receive payment under the more favourable option.
Under standard assessment rules, rent supplements are calculated to ensure that an eligible person, after the payment of rent, has an income equal to the rate of supplementary welfare allowance appropriate to his or her family circumstances, less a minimum contribution of €13 which each recipient is required to pay from his or her own resources. Up to €50 — increasing to €60 from the end of January 2005 — in respect of additional income from part-time employment is disregarded in the means test, thus ensuring that a person is better off as a result of taking up such an opportunity. Community employment is regarded as part-time employment for such purposes.
The current eligibility thresholds and disregards, together with improvements in the standard rules of the supplementary welfare allowance scheme, ensure that people have a financial incentive to take up employment opportunities. The effectiveness of the arrangements will be considered further in the context of a review of the supplementary welfare allowance scheme which the Department of Social and Family Affairs will undertake in 2005.
547 Mr. P. Breen asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs when an application for the carer’s allowance will be finalised for a person (details supplied) in County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1318/05]
Payment of carer's allowance was disallowed by a deciding officer who, having considered the medical evidence furnished in support of the claim and the views of the Department's medical adviser, decided that the care recipient was not in need of full-time care and attention as prescribed in the statutory provisions.
The person appealed this decision to the social welfare appeals office. The appeals officer disallowed the appeal following an oral hearing of the appeal on 12 January 2005 and careful consideration of all the available evidence, including that adduced at the hearing. Notification of the decision has issued to the person concerned. Under social welfare legislation, decisions on claims must be made by deciding officers and appeals officers. The officers are statutorily appointed and I have no role in making such decisions.
548 Ms O’Sullivan asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if he will review the qualification scheme for dental benefit whereby a spouse who has not enough contributions in their own right cannot benefit through their qualifying spouse unless their income is below a very low threshold; his views on whether the current situation is unfair to part-time working spouses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1320/05]
The treatment benefit scheme operated by the Department of Social and Family Affairs provides a range of benefits in dental, optical and aural treatment for qualified PRSI contributors and their dependent spouses. The availability of the benefits is subject to certain PRSI contribution conditions. The PRSI contribution classes which qualify for treatment benefit are classes A, E, H and P. A spouse is entitled to treatment benefit based on the insured person's PRSI record as long as he or she has gross earnings of €76.18 or less per week and is not in receipt of any benefit or allowance from the Department or a health board, other than carer's allowance, disablement pension, supplementary welfare allowance or child benefit.
If the person was dependent on his or her spouse prior to entering or resuming insurable employment at class A, E, H or P, he or she would continue to qualify for treatment benefit on the spouses PRSI record until he or she qualified for treatment benefit in his or her own right. This special measure particularly benefits lower income spouses. The operation of the dental benefit scheme is subject to ongoing monitoring by the Department of Social and Family Affairs and the question of further improvements is a matter for consideration in a budgetary context and in the light of available resources.
549 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if the SWAHB will urgently assess the needs of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 12; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1325/05]
The person concerned is in receipt of her full weekly social welfare entitlements. She is in receipt of one-parent family payment in respect of herself and four dependent children who reside with her, along with monthly child benefit. She is also in receipt of half-rate unemployment benefit. The supplementary welfare allowance scheme, which is administered on my behalf by the community welfare division of the Health Service Executive, provides for exceptional needs payments to help meet essential, once-off expenditure that a person could not reasonably be expected to meet out of his or her weekly income.
The Dublin and mid-Leinster regional office of the Health Service Executive, which was contacted about this case, has advised that it has assisted the person concerned in the past by way of exceptional needs payments. If she finds herself in a position whereby she has insufficient means to cater for a particular need, it is open to her to make an application for an exceptional needs payment by contacting the community welfare officer at her local health centre. If the person concerned is experiencing difficulties budgeting her weekly income or in meeting debt commitments on an ongoing basis, she should contact her nearest money advice and budgeting service office for guidance.
550 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will be approved for, and awarded, the carers allowance. [1476/05]
The person concerned applied for carer's allowance in respect of two persons on 8 November 2004. Following the necessary investigations her application was refused on the grounds that full-time care and attention is not required or being provided as prescribed in regulations. She was notified of the decision, the reason for it and her right to appeal on 17 January 2005. Under social welfare legislation, decisions about claims must be made by deciding officers and appeals officers. The officers are statutorily appointed and I have no role in making such decisions.
551 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the employment related conditions which the respite care grant extension, as announced in budget 2005, are subject to; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1477/05]
The conditions for receipt of the extended respite care grant will be set out in the forthcoming Social Welfare Bill and regulations. As I set out in my speech at budget time, certain employment related conditions will apply. As is the case with recipients of carer's allowance, a full-time carer must not be engaged in employment for more than ten hours per week. People on unemployment payments will be excluded as they are required to be available for and actively seeking full-time work. It is estimated that the improvements in the conditions applying to the respite care grant will result in an additional 9,200 full-time carers receiving the grant for the first time, giving an estimated total of almost 33,000 full-time carers receiving the respite care grant of €1,000 this year.
552 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the reason a person (details supplied) in County Cork has been refused supplementary welfare towards the purchase of a buggy and other items. [1479/05]
The supplementary welfare allowance scheme, which is administered on my behalf by the community welfare staff of the Health Service Executive, 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 southern region of the Health Service Executive was contacted about this case and has advised that the application by the person concerned for an exceptional needs payment was refused on the grounds that the level of her household income was considered to be sufficient to provide for the expenses. The determination of eligibility for exceptional needs payments is a matter for the community welfare staff of the Health Service Executive. Neither I nor the Department of Social and Family Affairs have any function in deciding entitlement in individual cases.
553 Mr. Lowry asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the alternatives to removing the eligibility of returning Irish missionary priests and nuns which he or his predecessor has considered; if he will report on statistical information which was and is available to support the decision; if he can provide it; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1566/05]
The requirement to be habitually resident in Ireland was introduced as a qualifying condition for certain social assistance schemes and child benefit with effect from 1 May 2004. The old age non-contributory pension scheme is one of the schemes affected. The basis for the restriction contained in the new rules is the applicant's habitual residence. The restriction is not based on citizenship, nationality, immigration status or any other factor. The effect of the restriction is that a person whose habitual residence is in the United States, Europe, Africa or elsewhere is not paid certain social welfare payments, including old age non-contributory pension, on arrival in Ireland. The question of what is a person's "habitual residence" is decided in accordance with European Court of Justice case law, which sets out the grounds for assessing individual claims.
Each case received for a determination on the habitual residence condition is dealt with in its own right. Decisions are based on the application of the guidelines to the individual circumstances of each case. An applicant who disagrees with the decision of a deciding officer has the right to appeal to the social welfare appeals office. The habitual residence condition does not affect missionaries returning to Ireland on a permanent basis, for example to retire. They still qualify for an old age pension on the same basis as heretofore. However, old age pension claims from 68 missionaries who were returning for holidays or other temporary stays were refused on the grounds that they did not satisfy the habitual residence condition.
The application of the habitual residence condition has to be compatible with EU law and other international and national legal obligations. It is not possible in applying the condition to discriminate in favour of any particular group or nationality. The habitual residence condition is being operated in a careful manner to ensure that Ireland's social welfare system is not open to everyone who is newly arrived in Ireland, while at the same time ensuring that people whose cases are appropriate to the Irish social welfare system have access to the system when they need it.
554 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the State, semi-State, State-sponsored and statutory bodies under the aegis of his Department which are not subject to the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act 1997; the reason a body is not subject to the requirements of the Act; and if he envisages proposals to bring any such body within the scope of the Act in the foreseeable future. [1710/05]
The Freedom of Information Act has been extended to public bodies on a phased basis since its introduction in April 1998. The Act will apply to all appropriate bodies by the end of 2005. The only State, semi-State, State-sponsored and statutory body under the aegis of the Department of Social and Family Affairs which has not been made subject to the Freedom of Information Acts is the Family Support Agency. This agency was established in May 2003 following the passing of the Family Support Agency Act 2001. Proposals are being developed at present for the extension of freedom of information to other appropriate bodies by the end of 2005. The extension of freedom of information to the Family Support Agency is being considered in this context.
555 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the plans in place to assist mothers to stay in the workforce in view of the fact that it costs €1,400 per month to keep two children in child care and the steps he is taking to resolve this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2022/05]
The Department of Social and Family Affairs administers a number of child income support measures, including child benefit. Child benefit delivers a standard rate of payment in respect of all children in a family, regardless of income levels or employment status. Child benefit supports all children but delivers proportionately more assistance to those on low incomes and with larger families. It is not intended primarily to meet child care costs. However, the substantial increases in child benefit in recent years can make a significant contribution to meeting those costs. When budget 2005 rate increases are taken into account, monthly child benefit rates will be €141.60 in respect of each of the first two children and €177.30 in respect of the third and subsequent children. Monthly rates of child benefit will have increased by €103.51 at the lower rate and €127.78 at the higher rate since 1997, increases of 272% and 258%, respectively. This level of increase is unprecedented and is in line with the Government's objective of improving income for children generally.
The question of specific support for the costs of child care is a matter for my colleague, the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform. The Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform administers the equal opportunities child care programme under the national development plan.
556 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will be awarded arrears for unemployment benefit. [2027/05]
The person concerned applied for unemployment benefit on 6 October 2004. A deciding officer disallowed the claim on the grounds that she was not genuinely seeking employment. Based on additional information received, the deciding officer revised her decision and allowed the claim from 23 November 2004 at the maximum weekly rate of €148.80. The person concerned has appealed the decision to disallow her claim for the period between 6 October 2004 and 22 November 2004. Her file has been forwarded to the independent social welfare appeals office for determination. Under social welfare legislation, decisions about claims must be made by deciding officers and appeals officers. The officers are statutorily appointed and I have no role in making such decisions.
557 Mr. Kehoe asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs when a decision will be made on the granting of an non-contributory pension to a person (details supplied) in County Carlow. [2029/05]
The Department of Social and Family Affairs received an application from the person concerned for an old age non-contributory pension on 20 January 2005. Her entitlement to this pension will shortly be investigated and she will be notified of the outcome without delay.
558 Mr. Kehoe asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs when the lone parent’s allowance will be granted to a person (details supplied) in County Carlow. [2030/05]
The person's application for a one-parent family allowance was disallowed by a deciding officer because she is co-habiting. Her appeal against the decision to the independent social welfare appeals office was considered by an appeals officer, who decided that an oral hearing is necessary. It is proposed to hold the oral hearing in the week commencing 7 February 2005. The person concerned is in receipt of supplementary welfare allowance at the weekly rate of €182.40. Under social welfare legislation, decisions about claims must be made by deciding officers and appeals officers. The officers are statutorily appointed and I have no role in making such decisions.
559 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the public appointments made in his Department since the Cabinet reshuffle in September 2004. [2096/05]
I have appointed to my office four non-established civil servants on a contract basis for my term of office — Mr. Frank Lahiffe as special adviser, Mr. Tom Rowley as press adviser, Ms Mary Browne as personal secretary and Mr. Bobby Holland as personal assistant. My personal assistant is on secondment from the Department of Education and Science. The five statutory agencies operating under the aegis of the Department of Social and Family Affairs are the Pensions Board, the Combat Poverty Agency, Comhairle, the Social Welfare Tribunal, and the Family Support Agency. In addition, the pensions ombudsman comes under the remit of the Department of Social and Family Affairs. In relation to the above, I have not made any appointments in the period concerned.
560 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if, in the context of the Finance Bill 2005, he will increase the household income threshold under the back to work enterprise allowance scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2111/05]
Social welfare programmes aim to be responsive to the needs of those who depend on income maintenance support while providing incentives to assist people to become more independent financially, particularly through employment.
A number of measures have been introduced in recent years to remove disincentives to taking up employment and to assist in the transition from welfare to work. These measures include special means disregards and tapered withdrawal of benefits as earnings increase, and employment support schemes such as the back to work programme. In addition, my Department's facilitators, based in local offices around the country, assist unemployed people and lone parents with the transition to employment.
The income limit referred to by the Deputy applies to people who take up employment under approved employment schemes and relates only to retention of secondary benefits, such as rent supplement. Such people are entitled to retain certain social welfare and other secondary benefits in total or in part for the duration of the employment scheme, subject to certain conditions. There is no income limit on the back to work enterprise allowance scheme itself.
For most people, the most significant secondary benefit is rent or mortgage interest supplement, which is paid under the supplementary welfare allowance scheme. An income limit of €317.43 per week applies to the retention of these supplements. While this income limit has not changed since its introduction, significant other improvements have been made to the means test.
Back to work allowance and family income supplement, in cases where one or both of these are in payment, are now disregarded in the assessment of the income limit of €317.43 per week. PRSI and reasonable travelling expenses are also disregarded in the means test. In effect, this means that people who had been unemployed and who commence employment through the back to work scheme can have a weekly household income significantly in excess of the €317.43 limit in question and still qualify to retain 75% of their rent or mortgage interest supplement. For example, in the first year of his or her participation in the back to work scheme, a single person can have combined income from the back to work allowance and wages of €429 per week while a couple with two children can have a weekly income of €528.25.
Other improvements have also been made to the retention arrangements. The period for which rent or mortgage interest supplement may be retained has been extended to four years on a tapered basis, that is, 75% in year one, 50% in year two and 25% in years three and four. In addition, the maximum payment limit of €317.43 per month on the amount of supplement payable has been abolished for people on approved schemes.
As a consequence of these improvements, many families retain more of their rent or mortgage interest supplement than they would have done prior to these changes being made. In addition, people availing of an employment support scheme may opt to be assessed under either standard supplementary welfare allowance rules or under the special retention rules, and will be entitled to receive payment under whichever option is the more favourable for them. In that context, I was glad to be able to increase the income disregard in the standard rules of the scheme from €50 per week to €60 per week in this year's budget.
I consider that the current eligibility thresholds and disregards, together with improvements in the standard rules of the supplementary welfare allowance scheme, ensure that people have a financial incentive to take up back-to-work opportunities. The effectiveness of these arrangements will be considered further in the context of a review of the supplementary welfare allowance scheme, which my Department will be undertaking during 2005.
561 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the exchange rate for assessing the value of UK pensions for each of the past five years; the calculation procedure used; the plans he has to review this situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2113/05]
There are presently almost 11,000 people receiving a British retirement pension who also receive an Irish non-contributory old age pension or widowed person's pension. The rate paid in respect of non-contributory pension to recipients of British pensions is adjusted periodically to take account of changes in the rate of their British pension. For non-EMU European states, including the United Kingdom, the Department uses the conversion mechanism provided for under Article 107 of Council Regulation (EEC) No. 574/72 on social security for migrant workers. Under this mechanism, the conversion rate used for pension purposes is derived from the average of the daily exchange rates in the first month of a quarter. This rate is then used in all conversions during the course of the succeeding quarter. Alternatively, the conversion rate applicable to the next succeeding quarter is used if it is more beneficial to the pensioner.
The weekly value of the rate of British pension expressed in euro is then included in a revised assessment of means. Where this affects the rate of pension entitlement, a revised decision on entitlement is given by a deciding officer and the pensioner is informed of his or her right to appeal to the Social Welfare Appeals Office. Details of the exchange rate used for assessing the value of UK pensions for the past five years are set out in the following table.
|
Year 2000 |
|
|---|---|
|
Quarter 1 |
€1.54829=1 pound sterling |
|
Quarter 2 |
€1.62180=1 pound sterling |
|
Quarter 3 |
€1.67219=1 pound sterling |
|
Quarter 4 |
€1.60503=1 pound sterling |
|
Quarter 1 |
€1.69685=1 pound sterling |
|
Quarter 2 |
€1.57530=1 pound sterling |
|
Quarter 3 |
€1.60853=1 pound sterling |
|
Quarter 4 |
€1.64301=1 pound sterling |
|
Quarter 1 |
€1.60273=1 pound sterling |
|
Quarter 2 |
€1.62180=1 pound sterling |
|
Quarter 3 |
€1.62848=1 pound sterling |
|
Quarter 4 |
€1.56568=1 pound sterling |
|
Quarter 1 |
€1.58744=1 pound sterling |
|
Quarter 2 |
€1.52182=1 pound sterling |
|
Quarter 3 |
€1.45134=1 pound sterling |
|
Quarter 4 |
€1.42766=1 pound sterling |
|
Quarter 1 |
€1.43342=1 pound sterling |
|
Quarter 2 |
€1.44476=1 pound sterling |
|
Quarter 3 |
€1.50300=1 pound sterling |
|
Quarter 4 |
€1.50203=1 pound sterling |
|
Quarter 1 (January 2005) |
€1.44621=1 pound sterling |
562 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Transport if he has introduced a ban on heavy goods vehicles that exceed the height permitted by the Dublin Port tunnel; and the legislative provisions under which this ban is being introduced. [34172/04]
I have deferred a decision on the introduction of a vehicle height until I have the opportunity to consider the views of all parties with interests or concerns in the matter. In this regard, on 23 December 2004 I published a consultative paper outlining the central issues involved in this matter. Notices in the national newspapers of 23 December 2004 invited interested parties and the public to submit their views on the issues discussed in the consultative paper to my Department by 28 January 2005. The consultative paper and accompanying documentation are available from the Department's website at www.transport.ie.
563 Mr. O’Shea asked the Minister for Transport further to Question No. 319 of 17 November 2004, his legislative proposals to amend the Road Traffic (Traffic and Parking) Regulations 1997 for families of persons with an intellectual disability or with children or adult dependents who have mobility problems or whose behaviour in such that it is impossible for them to use public transport or walk for any distances; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34205/04]
As I indicated in my reply to Question No. 319 on 17 November last, 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 that person when walking. The qualifying criterion is therefore a question of personal mobility and no specific medical condition is stipulated in the regulations. I am of the view that the current broad basis of this scheme represents the optimum approach and I see no gain in limiting its scope to particular medical conditions.
564 Mr. O’Shea asked the Minister for Transport his proposals to provide adequate funding for the rural transport initiative (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34226/04]
565 Mr. O’Dowd asked the Minister for Transport the position regarding financial support for a bus service (details supplied) in County Monaghan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34293/04]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 564 and 565 together.
The rural transport initiative, RTI, is a pilot project that began in 2002 and was due to finish at the end of 2003. This deadline was initially extended to the end of 2004 and I recently extended it further to the end of 2006. Funding of €3 million was allocated to the RTI for each of the years 2002, 2003 and 2004. I decided that the allocation should be increased this year and €3.45 million is earmarked for the initiative in 2005. This is an increase of 15% over the funding for 2004, or 12% once account is taken of inflationary effects. By the end of this year, more than €12 million will have been provided for the RTI, as compared to the initial sum of €4.4 million earmarked for it in the national development plan.
Area Development Management Limited, ADM, administers the RTI on behalf of my Department and has sole responsibility for making decisions with regard to the specific allocations to RTI groups. Neither I nor my Department have any role in this aspect of the initiative. I understand that the 34 RTI groups have now submitted their business plans to ADM for the period up to the end of 2006. These plans are currently being assessed and decisions will be made by ADM in the coming weeks as regards the specific allocations to the groups.
566 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Minister for Transport if, under section 62 of the Roads Act, he is empowered to specify the persons who can be exempted from paying tolls; if he can further assist all disabled drivers who hold a valid disabled driver permit; and if he will investigate this issue further. [34299/04]
The making of toll schemes, toll by-laws and toll agreements in relation to national roads is a matter for the NRA. I understand from the NRA that in the toll by-laws for all toll roads, specially adapted vehicles for use by disabled people are exempt from tolls in line with the requirements of section 57(2) of the Roads Act to give special consideration to the question of exempting certain categories of road users and vehicles from tolls.
567 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Minister for Transport his views on whether the penalty points system has failed to save lives on roads and whether this new law is now being used to penalise law-abiding taxpayers for minor driving offences; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34300/04]
The effectiveness of the penalty points system can be judged primarily on the basis of the contribution it has made to road safety since its introduction. Since the introduction of the system in October 2002, the number of deaths as a result of road collisions fell by 116 by comparison to the figure pertaining to the previous two years.
Penalty points now operate in respect of speeding, seat-belt wearing, driving without insurance and careless driving. Since the introduction of the system over 198,500 drivers have incurred penalty points. Overall, the introduction of penalty points has had a very positive effect on road safety and I am confident that the full roll-out of the system will further enhance that effect.
Unfortunately, the number of road deaths in 2004 increased over the previous year, in which we experienced the lowest number of road deaths in 40 years. The increase experienced in 2004 is a cause for concern. To achieve a reduction in road deaths and injuries, an integrated approach involving a range of different measures is required and no one measure alone can achieve the desired result. The new Road Safety Strategy, 2004-2006, outlines a range of issues that it is intended will be pursued over the period in question. Overall, measures will focus on the areas of education, enforcement, engineering and legislation and will target the key areas of speeding, driving while intoxicated and seat-belt wearing. The intended effect of the penalty points system is to instill greater caution and responsibility in motorists in relation to their driving and to change the driving behaviour of those who commit road traffic offences repeatedly.
568 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Minister for Transport the amount of public money which was spent on road safety campaigns in 2004; and the reason for the failure of these costly efforts in view of the fact that the road death toll in 2004 shows an increase of 46 over the previous year. [34301/04]
The National Safety Council is mandated with responsibility for road safety advertising and education, including the development of a road safety campaign. The council receives an annual allocation from the Department of Transport, which in 2004 amounted to €2.886 million. In addition, just over €1 million was provided to the agency specifically for the purpose of developing a public information campaign for the introduction of a revised speed limit structure, expressed in metric values, on 20 January this year. In addition to Exchequer funding, the National Safety Council receives funding from the Irish Insurance Federation, and funding is also received from sponsorship sources.
My Department has provided the financial support necessary for the production and presentation of some of the most effective public awareness campaigns ever mounted in relation to road safety, many of which have received international recognition for their quality and focus.
Unfortunately, there was a higher number of road deaths in 2004 than in the previous year, in which we experienced the lowest number of road deaths in 40 years. The increase experienced in 2004 is a cause for concern. To achieve a reduction in road deaths and injuries, an integrated approach involving a range of different measures is required and no one measure alone can achieve the desired result. The new Road Safety Strategy 2004-2006 outlines a range of issues that it is intended will be pursued over the period in question. In overall terms, measures will focus on the areas of education, enforcement, engineering and legislation and will target the key areas of speeding, driving while intoxicated and seat-belt wearing.
569 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Minister for Transport when he last spoke to or met the chief executive of Aer Lingus. [1028/05]
570 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Minister for Transport if he has total confidence in the chief executive of Aer Lingus following recent revelations that he is planning a rival airline to Aer Lingus. [1029/05]
571 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Minister for Transport his views on whether it is acceptable that senior executives at Aer Lingus are now undermining the valuable national airline by planning a rival company following their departure in May 2005; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1030/05]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 569, 570 and 571 together.
I last met the chief executive together with the chief financial officer and chief operations officer on the morning of Tuesday, 16 November 2004. I have had no further contact with the three executives since that date.
Corporate governance issues are a matter for the chairman and the board of the company, as is the appointment of senior management. The acting chairman has assured me that he has been mindful of the possibility of conflicts of interest arising since the notification of the resignations of the three executives in November 2004 which were to take effect from May 2005. He has confirmed that at no stage has he been made aware upon due inquiry that a conflict of interest has arisen. Furthermore, he has received assurances in that regard from the three executives and he accepts those assurances.
A sub-committee of the board was set up on 29 November to oversee the appointment of a new chief executive. In addition a new executive management group was established in December to manage the company during the transition period. Meetings of this group are being chaired by the acting chairman. Given the substantial progress on the transition arrangements and in the search for a new chief executive the acting chairman agreed earlier this month with the three senior executives to foreshorten their notice period and, accordingly, it has been agreed that they will relinquish their responsibilities on 28 January 2005. I understand that the board intends to appoint a new chief executive as soon as possible.
572 Mr. Carey asked the Minister for Transport when it is expected that the Dublin Port tunnel will be open for use; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1031/05]
The planning, design and implementation of national road improvement projects, including the Dublin Port tunnel, is a matter for the National Roads Authority, NRA, and the local authorities concerned. In this case, the relevant authority is Dublin City Council. However, I understand from the NRA and Dublin City Council that construction of the port tunnel is expected to be completed in December 2005 and the tunnel will be open to traffic six or eight weeks later following commissioning of the tunnel's operations and safety features.
I am advised by the NRA that operational plans are currently being developed, in consultation with the other authorities involved, to govern all aspects of the tunnel's operations following completion. These operational plans will address such issues as traffic management, planned closure procedures — for maintenance work, for example — as well as emergency and safety procedures. As part of these plans, which will be fully developed and implemented prior to the tunnel's opening, all issues associated with the management of traffic and trucks at the portals of the tunnel will be addressed.
The tunnel has been developed with the primary objective of providing a high-quality access route connecting Dublin Port to the national motorway network. To ensure that the tunnel remains available to fulfil this objective, tolling will be applied to traffic other than heavy goods vehicles as a traffic management measure. As a result, the tunnel will have sufficient capacity to accommodate the traffic predicted to use it and it is not anticipated that significant queuing of trucks will occur. Combined with the operational plans being developed, it is anticipated that these arrangements will ensure that the tunnel achieves its required level of performance and service.
573 Ms B. Moynihan-Cronin asked the Minister for Transport the proposals he intends to bring forward regarding PSO support for regional airports following the DKM review of early 2003; when such proposals will be made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1063/05]
The review to which the Deputy refers is the Review of Air Services Supported by the Essential Air Services Programme and it makes reference to public service obligation, PSO, routes. DKM Economic Consultants was commissioned by my Department to undertake the review under the Government's expenditure-review initiative. The report was published earlier this year.
Current PSO air service contracts on all six PSO routes expire in July 2005. My Department is putting in place the necessary arrangements for the procurement of a revised programme of regional air services, with effect from 22 July 2005. The revised tender specifications for the new programme, which will be published next month in line with EU regulations, are designed to ensure that an appropriate level of air access to and from the regional airports can be facilitated on a cost-effective basis in the future.
574 Ms Lynch asked the Minister for Transport the position with regard to an award (details supplied) made by the Motor Insurance Bureau of Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1069/05]
This matter is currently subject to legal proceedings involving the MIBI and as such it would be inappropriate for me to intervene in any way.
575 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Transport if he has had discussions with the developer of a new product of a company (details supplied); the steps he intends to take to encourage the use of this product; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1148/05]
There have been no discussions between my Department and the named company. In any event, it would not be appropriate for the Minister or the Department to endorse or encourage the use of any particular product.
576 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Transport if he will encourage State companies, particularly transport companies, to use gas, biodiesel or fuel cells to reduce air pollution; and if he will make a statement on the matter [1149/05]
593 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Transport if his attention has been drawn to the fact that a new hydrogen refuelling plant for buses is being built in Hornchurch, England, as part of an EU initiative for buses; if there are plans for a similar plant here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1896/05]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 576 and 593 together.
I understand that a hydrogen refuelling plant for buses is being built by an energy supply company in England as part of a pilot scheme under the European Union's clean urban transport for Europe, CUTE, initiative, which runs until 2006 and which is aimed at exploring the application of hydrogen cell technology to public transport buses. I am not aware of any current plans to build a similar plant in Ireland.
The Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources is responsible for the promotion and development of renewable energy, including biofuels. To facilitate the formulation of a national biofuels policy, that Department has established an interdepartmental biofuels group, in which my Department participates. I understand that the application of new energy technologies, including gas, biodiesel and fuel cells, to public transport vehicles may have potential to reduce air pollution, particularly in terms of greenhouse gas emissions, and merit serious consideration if it represents a viable alternative to fossil fuels. However, particularly in view of the fact that this is an emerging area, a range of issues, including fuel supply and distribution issues, require consideration before a decision is made to adopt such technologies.
I am informed that Dublin Bus continually monitors the progress of hydrogen fuel cell buses and other developments in alternative fuels and emission reduction strategies. My Department will be examining this complex area, in consultation with the relevant public transport companies, in the context of the interdepartmental biofuels group and the wider exploration of ways of reducing emissions of the transport sector.
577 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Transport the reason a vehicle (details supplied) must undergo an NCT in 2005; if he has satisfied himself that the NCT rules are being appropriately administered in this case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1370/05]
In accordance with EU Directive 96/96/EC, passenger cars are required to undergo a roadworthiness test when they are four years old and every two years thereafter, with test-due dates determined by reference to the date of first registration of the vehicle. Under the phased implementation of the NCT, cars first registered between 1992 and 1996 were first liable for the NCT in 2001 by reference to the anniversary of their first registration, with subsequent test-due dates falling every two years after the first test-due date. With a first registration date of 5 June 1996, the test-due schedule for the vehicle in question, a private car, commenced on 5 June 2001, with the subsequent test-due dates every two years thereafter.
The test schedule for taxis is determined by reference to the taxi licence application and renewal dates. Where a taxi reverts to private use the NCT certificate issued in respect of a vehicle continues to be valid until the expiry date specified on the certificate, at which stage a NCT is required. Subsequent tests for the vehicle will then fall due in accordance with the normal criteria applicable to a car taxed as a private vehicle.
It is understood that the vehicle in question was licensed as a taxi for a period but has reverted to private use. The NCT certificate issued in respect of the vehicle as a taxi expired on 27 September 2004. Following a successful NCT on 6 December 2004, a NCT certificate valid until 4 June 2005 was issued for the vehicle. The next test-due date for the vehicle is 5 June 2005. I am satisfied that the relevant statutory requirements are being correctly administered in the case.
578 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Transport if his attention has been drawn to claims (details supplied) relating to a Gulfstream-V jet; if his attention has further been drawn to claims that the plane has flown between Washington DC and destinations that include the Guantanamo Bay prison camp in Cuba and US overseas military bases, as well as Iraq and Afghanistan; that Shannon Airport is used as a refuelling post on such flights and that the flights are for the clandestine transport of enemy combatants to undisclosed locations for extraordinary rendition, that is, flying captured terrorist suspects and prisoners of war from one country to another for detention and interrogation; if he has investigated these claims; if the use of Shannon for such purposes has ever been sought from or notified to the authorities here by the US Government; if such use is compatible with domestic law and the State’s international legal commitments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1411/05]
As stated in a previous reply to a similar question on 23 November 2004, in accordance with the 1944 Chicago Convention on International Civil Aviation aircraft may come into Ireland for technical stops, such as for refuelling purposes, without notifying the Department of Transport. 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.
Furthermore, I understand that the US authorities have confirmed to the Department of Foreign Affairs that the United States 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 authorities have confirmed that they would transit Irish airspace or use Irish airports for this purpose without seeking the authorisation of the Irish authorities. My Department has never received any application from the US Government to operate this aircraft.
579 Mr. Broughan asked the Minister for Transport his views on the fact that there was not a long lead-in to the adoption of the metric signage system. [1492/05]
In order to reflect the scope and complexity of the overall metrication process a significant lead-in period was a feature of the planning for the introduction of metric speed limits on 20 January 2005. A working group carried out a review of speed limit structures and policies from February 2003 to September 2003 against the backdrop of the proposed changeover to the use of metric units of kilometres per hour. The group's report and recommendations were published on the Department's website in early October 2003. The Government decided in February 2004 to proceed with the metrication of speed limits and published the Road Traffic Bill 2004 on 11 June last to provide a legal basis for this policy. The passage of this Bill through the Houses of the Oireachtas took place in the period between 3 November and 15 December 2004 and it was signed into law by the President on 22 December 2004.
The Society of the Irish Motor Industry, SIMI, was represented on the working group and subsequently played an active role on the metrication changeover board that was established to oversee and co-ordinate the implementation of the metrication project country-wide. The technical requirements for speedometer equipment is set down in EU type-approval Directive 75/443/EEC, as amended by Directive 97/39/EC. It is a requirement for the registration and entry into service of new vehicles that their speedometers are type-approved in accordance with Directive 75/443/EEC, as amended. The legal advice available to me is that, under EU single market rules, it is not open to a member state to prohibit the entry into service of motor vehicles on grounds relating to their speedometers where these devices are type-approved in accordance with Directive 75/443/EEC, as amended. We are therefore precluded from insisting that new vehicles entering into service in this State from January 2005 must have metric only, or metric-dominant, speedometers.
SIMI has played a key role in achieving that almost all new vehicles for sale are now fitted with metric only or metric-dominant speedometers.
A particularly successful element of the overall metrication process was the level of consultation with the authorities in Northern Ireland. The metrication changeover board liaised with the authorities in Northern Ireland throughout 2004 and into January 2005 in relation to the introduction of metric speed limits in this jurisdiction. The discussions focused on road safety and, in particular, the provision of traffic signs at Border crossings and initiatives for a public information and awareness campaign in each jurisdiction.
580 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Transport the reason for the delay in issuing guidelines to local authorities regarding the setting of 30 kph speed limits; and when he will do so. [1493/05]
The relevant provisions of the Road Traffic Act 2004 that provide the legislative basis for a new basis for a new system of speed limits based on metric values were commenced with effect from 20 January 2004. Section 9 of the Act relates to the making of speed limit by-laws by the elected members of county and city councils and also provided that the Minister for Transport may issue guidelines relating to the making of special speed limit by-laws.
With the commencement of the provisions in the Road Traffic Act 2004 relating to speed limits generally with effect from 20 January 2005 and the completion of the programme for the provision of the traffic signs necessary to support the actual changeover, county and city councils are now free to embark on the process of making new speed special speed limit by-laws. In support of such process, a draft of new guidelines to assist the local authorities is being finalised and forwarded to county and city councils, the National Roads Authority, the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government and the Garda Síochána for their views. The Department will shortly commence a consultation process with local authorities during which their views on the draft by-laws will be sought. Following the completion of that process, I will issue statutory guidelines in the coming weeks to the local authorities on a formal basis.
581 Ms Harkin asked the Minister for Transport the situation regarding bilateral discussions on open skies policy between Ireland and the US; the timeframe for conclusion of these discussions; and the Government’s position with regard to dual gateway status at Shannon Airport. [1597/05]
In answer to a previous reply on 14 December 2004, I indicated that my officials were in Washington engaging in exploratory discussions with US officials. Since then, both sides have maintained contact.
I have authorised these exploratory discussions against the background where the new board of Shannon Airport is now required to produce a business plan for the airport, and 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.
582 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Transport when a reply will be issued to correspondence (details supplied) forwarded to his office; the reason for the delay in replying to same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1598/05]
I refer the Deputy to my reply to Question No. 397 of Tuesday 5 October 2004. A reply to the correspondence referred to issued on 13 August 2004. There was no undue delay in responding.
583 Mr. P. Breen asked the Minister for Transport if Iarnród Éireann will be investing funds to upgrade the Ennis-Athenry-Galway line in 2005 in order to link up the recently upgraded Ennis-Limerick line. [1599/05]
I am not aware of any proposals by Iarnród Éireann to upgrade the Ennis-Athenry-Galway line in 2005. Based on the success of the enhanced Limerick-Ennis line, the company is examining the possibilities of providing additional regional services in areas where the potential demand would justify the required investment. In addition, the western rail corridor working group is currently carrying out a comprehensive examination of all aspects of the proposal to reopen the western rail corridor, which would encompass the Ennis-Athenry-Galway line. I expect to receive a report from this group in the near future.
584 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport if he has proposals to increase the passenger capacity at the various rail stations throughout County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1600/05]
Iarnród Éireann has submitted proposals to my Department for the enhancement of the Kildare route. The proposals involve significant track work and the upgrading of many of the stations along the line. The completion of the project would result in an increase in both commuter and intercity train journeys along the corridor. The proposals are being assessed by my Department and a response will issue to Iarnród Éireann in the near future.
585 Mr. Costello asked the Minister for Transport if a Gulfstream-V jet (details supplied) has been granted permission to land at any airport here since 15 March 2004; if so, the dates of arrival and departure, country of origin and destination of the flights; the number of passengers and crew; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1650/05]
In accordance with the Chicago Convention on International Civil Aviation 1944, aircraft may come into Ireland for technical stops, such as for refuelling purposes, without notifying the Department of Transport. No notification about this aircraft was received by my Department.
586 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Transport the State, semi-State, State-sponsored and statutory bodies under the aegis of his Department which are not subject to the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act 1997; the reason a body is not subject to the requirements of the Act; and if he envisages proposals to bring any such body within the scope of the Act in the foreseeable future. [1711/05]
The list of bodies under the aegis of the Department of Transport that do not currently come under the remit of the Freedom of Information Acts 1997 and 2003 follows. Proposals to bring these bodies within the scope of the Act are considered from time to time in light of prevailing circumstances.
Transport agencies or bodies not included under Freedom of Information Acts to be included under the Acts later in the year include the Commission for Taxi Regulation and the Medical Bureau of Road Safety. Taking account of commercial, safety, restructuring or competition considerations, transport agencies or bodies not included under the Acts which are not scheduled for inclusion at present include Aer Lingus, Dublin Airport Authority, Shannon Airport Authority, Cork Airport Authority, the Irish Aviation Authority, Bus Átha Cliath, Bus Éireann and Iarnród Éireann.
587 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Transport when an appointment will be scheduled for a person (details supplied) in County Sligo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1846/05]
A driving test will be arranged in due course for the person concerned.
588 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Transport the amount spent in 2004 on national roads projects, including the expenditure by local authorities. [1849/05]
Total Exchequer expenditure on national road improvement and maintenance projects in 2004 was €1.23 billion. Details of expenditure broken down by local authority are held by the NRA, which has been asked to forward the information directly to the Deputy.
589 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Transport the receipts for 2004 in fees for driver testing and the associated costs with operating this process. [1852/05]
In 2004 my Department received €7 million on foot of applications for driving tests. In 2004 my Department spent €9.97 million on staff, accommodation and other services directly involved in the delivery of the driver testing service. However, this sum does not take account of the cost of shared services within my Department, such as human resources and IT, or of services provided by outside bodies such as the Office of Public Works. However, as I indicated in the Second Stage debate on the Driver Testing and Standards Authority Bill last October, the total cost is estimated to be approximately €11 million.
590 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Transport if he will approve the business case for the Kildare Arrow route project; if not, when he will respond to Irish Rail; if funding is available to proceed with the project from 2005; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1870/05]
591 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Transport if he has considered Irish Rail’s plan to provide a DART service on the Maynooth suburban line; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1873/05]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 590 and 591 together.
Iarnród Éireann has submitted a business case to my Department for a greater Dublin integrated rail network, aimed at meeting the projected demand for rail services in the area into the future. Included in the business case are proposals to four-track the Kildare line; to electrify the Kildare and Maynooth lines; to provide an interconnector tunnel linking Heuston to the docklands; to provide a spur off the Maynooth line to Dunboyne; and to expand the capacity of the DART. The Iarnród Éireann proposals, which have a projected overall cost of €3 billion, are being assessed by my Department.
The plan is designed so that it can be implemented in stages. The first stage, the expansion of capacity on the existing DART line, is already under way and is due to be completed later this year. Specific proposals on the four-tracking of the Kildare line have also been received and are being assessed in the context of the overall plan. I expect to be in a position to respond to Iarnród Éireann regarding both the integrated plan and the Kildare route proposals in the near future.
592 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Transport the penalties attached to the offence of breaking vehicle turning bans such as a no right-turn ban at specified hours; and the statutory instruments under which such penalties may be enforced. [1891/05]
The Road Traffic (Traffic and Parking) Regulations 1997 to 2005 and the Road Traffic (Signs) Regulations 1997 to 2005 provide for the prohibition on vehicle turns, such as turns to the right or left, on a public road where the appropriate regulatory traffic sign has been provided by the local authority. A driver who fails to comply with these road traffic regulations commits an offence and, on conviction in court, is liable to a fine not exceeding €800. If an offence is a second or subsequent such offence, he or she is liable to a fine not exceeding €1,500, and if the offence is a third or subsequent such offence committed within 12 months he or she is liable to a fine not exceeding €1,500 or imprisonment for a term not exceeding three months, or both.
594 Mr. Hogan asked the Minister for Transport when a driving test can be allocated to a person (details supplied) in County Carlow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1980/05]
There is no record in my Department of an application for a driving test from the person concerned.
595 Mr. Cregan asked the Minister for Transport the position on the use of mud flaps on the wheels of HGVs; if the regulations are in force here; if so, if there are EU directives on the issue not yet being operated here; if there are statistics on accidents caused by spray from roads; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1988/05]
Irish regulations require that, subject to certain exemptions, every vehicle and every trailer attached to a vehicle should be equipped with wings or other similar devices to catch, so far as practicable, mud or water thrown up by the rotation of the wheels, unless adequate protection is afforded by the body of the vehicle.
Directive 91/226/EEC sets out the technical requirements that a spray suppression system must meet to obtain EC type approval certification for heavy goods vehicles. The purpose of the directive is to ensure that national standards for spray suppression equipment do not constitute barriers to trade. The directive ensures this by setting type approval standards and requiring that the sale of new vehicles fitted with the specified equipment may not be prohibited in any member state.
While the directive does not require member states to make spray suppression systems obligatory, my Department is considering whether it should do so. Statistics relating to road accidents caused by spray from vehicles are not available.
596 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Transport the situation regarding a child who gets hurt on a bus that does not hold an operator’s licence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2084/05]
An applicant for a road passenger transport operator's licence is required to satisfy the Minister that, before being granted the licence, he or she is of "good repute" and "appropriate financial standing" and satisfies the condition as to "professional competence". In considering whether an applicant is of "good repute", I am required to have regard to any conviction which the applicant is required to disclose. Such convictions include offences under the Road Traffic Acts and Road Transport Acts.
It is an offence to operate bus services involving buses carrying at least nine people without holding a road passenger transport operator's licence. An operator is liable to prosecution for such an offence. Any injury to a passenger on a bus is a matter, in the first instance, concerning the passenger and the owner of the bus.
597 Ms Burton asked the Minister for Transport if he has proposals to allocate funding to Dublin Bus under the national development plan for additional buses to serve the Dublin 15 area, including Clonee; if his attention has been drawn to the severe deficiency of buses serving this rapidly growing area and the incapacity of Dublin Bus to provide additional services due to a lack of buses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2087/05]
I understand the management of Dublin Bus is currently examining ways of maximising the utilisation of the existing bus fleet in light of the significant investment made to date under the national development plan and the ongoing changes in demand patterns for Dublin.
It would be premature to make any decisions on investment in additional capacity until my Department is satisfied that existing resources are being utilised in the most efficient and effective manner.
598 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Transport the public appointments made in his Department since the Cabinet reshuffle in September 2004. [2097/05]
The information sought by the Deputy is contained in the following table.
|
Agency |
Name |
Date Appointed |
|
Aer Lingus |
John Sharman (Acting Chairman) |
Appointment extended on 01/09/04 |
|
Dublin Airport Authority |
Mr. Dermot O’Loughlin |
26/10/04 (resigned 03/12/04) |
|
Ms Linda Tanham |
26/10/04 |
|
|
Mr. Arthur Hall |
26/10/04 |
|
|
Mr. Michael Landers |
26/10/04 |
|
|
Cork Airport Authority |
Ms Mary O’Halloran |
07/12/04 |
|
Mr. Tom O’Neill |
07/12/04 |
|
|
Mr. Tony O’Connell |
07/12/04 |
|
|
Mr. Seán Mac Suibhne |
07/12/04 |
|
|
Mr. Garret Lyons |
07/12/04 |
|
|
Shannon Airport Authority |
Mr. Joe Buckley |
07/12/04 |
|
Mr. John McCarthy |
07/12/04 |
|
|
Mr. Eddie O’Grady |
07/12/04 |
|
|
Mr. Paul Dagger |
07/12/04 |
|
|
Advisory Council to the Commission for Taxi Regulation |
Chief Superintendent John Farrelly |
06/10/04 |
|
Mr. Douglas Jordan |
08/10/04 |
|
|
Mr. Derek Dalrymple |
21/10/04 |
|
|
Dublin Transportation Office |
Mr. William Soffe |
24/11/04 |
|
Mr. Pat Mangan |
15/12/04 |
|
|
Mr. Niall Bradley |
15/12/04 |
|
|
Mr. John Tierney |
13/12/04 |
|
|
Mr. Al McHugh |
13/12/04 |
599 Mr. O’Shea asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs when a decision will be reached in regard to whether legislation will be required as part of a national plan on volunteerism (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34246/04]
609 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs his views in regard to a submission (details supplied); the position of his Department on assisting with the objectives of the submission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1051/05]
I propose to take Question Nos. 599 and 609 together.
I refer the Deputies to my replies to previous questions on this matter, in particular my reply to Question No. 54 of 14 December 2004. As indicated in that reply, I am not contemplating the introduction of legislation on volunteering. However, I hope to be in a position over the coming period to announce a number of initiatives in support of volunteering. The organisation referred to by the Deputy and others concerned will be kept informed of such initiatives.
600 Mr. Neville asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the costs of implementation of the Placenames Order (Gaeltacht Districts) 2004. [34315/04]
No additional costs arise from my Department in the implementation of this statutory instrument. My Department consulted the public bodies primarily affected by this order, namely Ordnance Survey Ireland and the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. I am advised that no significant additional costs arise for Ordnance Survey Ireland. As the Deputy will be aware, the order involves no change in the pre-existing requirements in so far as road traffic signs, including directional signs, in a Gaeltacht district are concerned. I understand that some costs will arise for local authorities in altering a relatively small number of existing signs located outside the Gaeltacht over the three-month period before the order takes effect. The provision of road traffic signs on non-national roads and the funding of such signs is a matter for individual local authorities.
601 Mr. O’Shea asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs his proposals to ensure that enterprise support mechanisms in rural areas allow those areas to compete successfully for enterprise development; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34316/04]
602 Mr. O’Shea asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs his proposals to ensure that there are multidimensional policies for rural areas which recognise that a total dependence on agriculture will not sustain the population in rural areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34317/04]
603 Mr. O’Shea asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs his proposals in regard to rural development policy to serve the needs of broader society in rural areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34318/04]
604 Mr. O’Shea asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs his proposals regarding rural development policy being implemented in partnership between public and private organisation and civil society in line with the principle of subsidiarity. [34319/04]
605 Mr. O’Shea asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the progress to date regarding the necessary and urgent need for a significant simplification of EU rural development policy in order that delivery is based on one programming, financing and control system tailored to the needs of rural development; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34320/04]
606 Mr. O’Shea asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs his proposals to give more responsibility to programme partnerships in rural development; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34321/04]
613 Mr. O’Shea asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs his proposals to concentrate rural spending on non-farming investment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1360/05]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 601 to 606, inclusive, and 613 together.
Current policy on rural development is set out in the White Paper on rural development, Ensuring the Future, published in 1999. Over five years later, while there has been significant change in rural areas and indeed throughout the country, the vision of the long-term future of Irish rural society articulated in the White Paper remains the core of rural development policy. The vehicle for delivering the commitments in the White Paper is the national development plan, supplemented by other programmes and measures such as CLÁR and the rural social scheme. Other policy statements and studies, such as the national spatial strategy and the recent Agri Vision 2015 report, help to refine, update and strengthen rural development policy.
An Agreed Programme for Government of June 2002 contained a commitment to giving a clear priority to the protection and development of rural communities. My appointment as a Minister with responsibility for rural development was, and continues to be, the clearest sign of the Government's intentions in that regard.
We need to continue to focus on the fact that some 40% of the population live in rural areas, the majority of whom are not farmers. Consequently, in view of the time that has elapsed since the publication of the White Paper, I am currently considering the desirability of restating our rural development priorities for the coming period. I am heartened that, at EU level, the Commission's thinking on rural development policy, contained in the proposals in the draft regulation on rural development, reflects a positive and strategic vision on the future of rural areas, including farm and non-farming dimensions. The provisions of that regulation relevant to my Department include measures aimed directly at developing basic services in rural areas, supporting small business creation and providing employment opportunities locally. Simplification is an issue which I will be pursuing in the context of negotiations on the draft regulation.
In my address to the National Rural Development Forum in Athlone on 17 January, I identified the key challenge for Ireland as striking the correct balance between financial on-farm support and off-farm economic opportunity. Therefore, we must ask ourselves some hard questions. For example, we must ask whether rural prosperity can best be promoted through focusing the vast majority of the spend on direct farm investment or whether the development of a diversified rural economy and a consequent increase in spend on non-farming investment is the way forward. Allowing for the significant decline in full-time farming and for enhanced educational attainments of our children, it seems that the development of a diversified rural economy is essential.
The total indicative fund available to support rural development during the period 2007 to 2013, subject to budgetary agreement later this year, is almost €96 billion for the whole EU. Due to the increasing prosperity of the country as a whole it will be very difficult to secure as favourable a financial package for Ireland this time around as was secured in respect of the last rural development programme for the period 2000 to 2006. However, together with my colleague the Minister for Agriculture and Food, we will negotiate the best financial deal possible for rural areas.
On enterprise support, the review of enterprise support in rural areas was launched at the recent National Rural Development Forum in Athlone. I, in consultation with my colleagues, the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment and the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism, will now consider how best to advance recommendations in the report, as appropriate. The formulation of the current proposals for EU rural development policy was heavily influenced by the need to meet the targets set in the Lisbon Agenda which aims to make the European Union the most competitive, knowledge-based world economy by 2010. Commissioner Fischer Boel has recently reinforced this central truth stating that "a market oriented CAP and a growth oriented rural development policy are potentially central elements in the Commission's main political priority of promoting the Lisbon Agenda". Accordingly, the socio-economic rural development axis of the draft EU regulation includes provision for the diversification of the rural economy through, for example, the creation of micro-enterprises and rural tourism. I will of course be paying particular attention to this in the negotiations.
The partnership approach in rural development programmes, principally LEADER, are well-established at this stage. The boards of the groups are tripartite in structure, comprising representatives of the local community and development associations, private sector business interests and the local state agencies, including county council representatives. There are 35 local action groups and three national bodies involved in the delivery of LEADER and they cover all rural areas. The budget for the Leader+ and area-based rural development initiatives is almost €150 million for the period 2000 to 2006.
The CLÁR programme, which I initiated in 2001, is also contributing to the development of the most disadvantaged rural areas. It is targeted at areas which have suffered the greatest population decline. This programme co-ordinates existing sources of public and private finance and provides additional stimulus funding for small scale economic and social infrastructure to help rural communities overcome local difficulties and improve the provision of essential services such as water supply, sewerage disposal, local road access and broadband communication.
The programme has vividly demonstrated that small amounts of public funding, specifically targeted, can have a profound and positive impact in disadvantaged rural areas. Expenditure under the programme amounted to €14.14 million in 2002, €8.613 million in 2003 and €12.116 million in 2004. It is estimated that this levered out a further €36 million in related public and private expenditure in those three years. The provision in the Estimates for 2005 is €13.2 million, representing a 9% increase over the 2004 outturn.
While much has been achieved since the publication of the White Paper, I am not complacent. The improvement of the economic and social condition of rural communities will continue to be a priority for me, especially in the context of the critical negotiations now in progress at EU level.
607 D'fhiafraigh Mr. O’Shea den Aire Gnóthaí Pobail, Tuaithe agus Gaeltachta an molfaidh sé don Oifig Logainmneacha na liostaí logainmneacha go léir atá aici a chur ar an Idirlíon agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina leith. [34619/04]
Tá ocht n-ordú logainmneacha déanta agam go dtí seo faoi fhorálacha Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla 2003. Clúdaíonn na horduithe sin ainmneacha na n-aonad riaracháin sna ceantair Ghaeltachta móide ainmneacha na n-aonad riaracháin i sé chontae eile. Tá na horduithe seo go léir ar fáil ar shuíomh Idirlín na Roinne Gnóthaí Pobail, Tuaithe agus Gaeltachta www.pobail.ie. Tugann na horduithe seo na leaganacha Gaeilge de bhreis is 12,000 logainmneacha. Tá sé i gceist go ndéanfar ceithre ordú logainmneacha eile i mbliana a chlúdóidh ainmneacha na n-aonad riaracháin i dtrí chontae eile, móide ainmneacha na n-aonad daonra nach bhfuil clúdaithe faoi orduithe eile. Cuirfidh na horduithe seo breis is 11,000 logainmneacha Gaeilge eile ar fáil ar an suíomh Idirlín.
Anuas ar sin, tá mo Roinn ag scrúdú modhanna faoi láthair chun an t-eolas seo agus taighde iomlán an Bhrainse Logainmneacha a chur ar fáil ar bhealaí leictreonacha eile.
608 Mr. O’Shea asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs his proposals to provide funding for the replacement of obsolete personal alarms for senior citizens (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34620/04]
The purpose of the scheme of community support for older people is to encourage and assist the community's support for older people by means of a community based grant scheme to improve the security of its older members. Funding under the scheme can be provided for small scale security equipment designed to strengthen points of entry to the dwelling; for security lighting and for the once-off cost of installing socially monitored personal alarm systems.
Where socially monitored alarms, or security equipment, previously installed under this scheme are broken or defective and are outside the guarantee period, a limited amount of funding is available towards the cost of replacement. Applicant groups were requested to supply a separate list of all such cases in their application form indicating when the previous alarm was supplied and the reason for its proposed replacement. The group in question did not supply this information. However, if the required information is supplied, my Department will be happy to reconsider the application.
As outlined in the scheme guidelines, the replacement of alarms which remain fully functioning would not be considered simply because of their age or because of claims of obsolescence by the supplier.
610 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the organisations that are providing security lights for the elderly under the security for the elderly grant scheme in the Dublin area for a person (details supplied) in Dublin 12; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1247/05]
The scheme of community support for older people encourages and assists local support for older people by means of a community-based grant scheme to improve the security of its older members. Funding under the scheme can be provided for small scale security equipment designed to strengthen points of entry to the dwelling; for security lighting and for the once-off cost of installing socially monitored personal alarm systems. In 2004 the scheme was expanded to include smoke alarms.
The scheme is administered by community and voluntary organisations throughout the country with support provided by my Department. Any local voluntary or community-based organisation especially those working with or providing support for older people can apply to the Department for funding under the scheme. Before applying, the applicant organisation should satisfy itself that it has the capacity and is in a position to meet the conditions associated with administration of the scheme as set out in the guidelines.
Following is a list of organisations in the Dublin area which received funding to date under the 2004 scheme. The 2005 scheme will be advertised in the coming months.
|
Organisation |
Address |
Telephone Number |
|
Donabate Portrane Senior Citizens |
Annolville, The Burrow, Portrane, Co Dublin |
01 8436707 |
|
Neighbourhood Watch & Edenmore Tenants |
137 Edenmore Avenue, Raheny, Dublin 5 |
01 8484566 |
|
Corbawn & Area Neighbourhood Watch |
10 Corbawn Court, Shankill, Dublin 18 |
01 2821817 |
|
Passionist Mount Argus |
St. Pauls Retreat, Mount Argus, Dublin 6W |
01 4992000 |
|
Inchicore Home Help Service Ltd. |
Unit 4, Iceland Buildings, Ballyfermot, Dublin 10 |
01 6239457 |
|
Naul Senior Citizens |
Hazardstown, Naul, Co Dublin |
01 8413699 |
|
Clondalkin Senior Citizens Social Club |
45 Cappaghmore, Clondalkin, Dublin 22 |
01 4573334 |
|
Carers Association Rathgar |
26 Wesley Road, Rathgar, Dublin 6 |
01 4904554 |
|
National Assoc. of Widows in Ireland |
29 Gardiner Place, Dublin 1 |
01 8728814 |
|
Carers Association Clondalkin |
Unit 3, Dolcan Mall, Tower Road Clondalkin, Dublin 22 |
01 4670797 |
|
Alone |
1 Willie Bermingham Place, Kilmainham Lane, Dublin 8 |
01 6791032 |
|
Finglas Cabra Council for Older People |
Rosehill House, Finglas Road, Finglas, Dublin 11 |
01 8361666 |
|
Fold Housing Assoc Ireland Ltd. |
27 Upper Fitzwilliam Street, Dublin 2 |
01 6328603 |
|
Coolock Darndale Home Help Service |
Cromcastle Rd, Coolock, Dublin 5 |
01 8478410 |
|
Age Action Ireland Ltd. |
30/31 Lower Camden St, Dublin 2 |
01 4756989 |
|
Rush Senior Citizens |
Kenure Demesne, Rush, Co Dublin |
01 8439064 |
|
Beaumont Residents Association |
101 Coolgreena Road, Beaumont, Dublin 9 |
01 6390393 |
|
Lorcan O’Toole Day Care Centre |
Lorcan O’Toole Court, Kimmage Road West, Kimmage, Dublin 12 |
01 4554532 |
|
Ringsend Active Retirement Association |
CYMS, St. Patricks Terrace, Ringsend, Dublin 4 |
|
|
Ballyroan Community Care Group |
c/o 203 Ballyroan Road, Rathfarnham, Dublin 16 |
01 4946675 |
|
SVDP Church of The Three Patrons |
48 Rathgar Road, Rathgar, Dublin 6 |
087 2976178 |
|
Templeogue District Active Retirement |
75 Cypress Grove Road, Templeogue, Dublin 6W |
01 4907298 |
|
Ballyfermot Home Help Service |
Unit 4 Iceland Building, Le Fanu Rd, Ballyfermot, Dublin 10 |
01 62345555 |
|
St. Annes Afternoon Club |
The Parish Centre, St. Annes, Strand Road, Portmarnock |
01 8462685 |
|
Royal Hospital Donnybrook Vol House Ass. |
28 Cullenswood, Off Cullenswood Park, Ranelagh, Dublin 6 |
01 4979600 |
|
Blanchardstown Innercity Home Care Assoc. |
Roselawn Health Centre, Blanchardstown, Dublin 15 |
01 8116070 |
|
Parish Drumcondra Nth. Strand St. Barnabas |
The Rectory, 74 Gracepark Road, Dublin 9 |
01 8372505 |
|
Blanchardstown Carers Resource Centre |
Marian House, The Rise, Main Street, Blanchardstown, Dublin 15 |
01 8119555 |
|
Moorefield Environment Group |
27 Moorefield Lawns, Clondalkin, Dublin 22 |
01 4576762 |
|
SVDP St. Joseph’s Conference Dublin |
Berkeley Road Church, Berkeley Road, Dublin 7 |
|
|
Energy Action Ltd |
Unit 14, Newmarket, Dublin 8 |
014545464 |
|
IWA Lucan |
Broadmeadows, Newcastle Road, Lucan, Co. Dublin |
01 6302415 |
|
Malahide Active Retirement Assoc. |
Avondale, Seamount Road, Malahide, Co. Dublin |
01 8460007 |
611 Mr. Lowry asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the amount which has been distributed to date under the dormant accounts fund; the amount of this which has been given to agencies or organisations in north Tipperary; the date on which it was given; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1308/05]
Decisions on the disbursement of funds from dormant accounts moneys are a matter for the Dormant Accounts Fund Disbursements Board, an independent body established under the Dormant Accounts Acts. The board engaged Area Development Management Limited to administer the initial round of funding on its behalf. To date the board has approved 420 projects for funding totalling approximately €42 million.
Four applications have been approved for projects in north Tipperary totalling €222,687. Details of these applications are as follows: the Autistic Outreach Unit, Ardcroney —€20,000, approved by the board in June 2004; Borrisokane Area Development Company Limited, Borrisokane —€3,000, approved by the board in August 2004; Borrisokane Area Development Company Limited, Borrisokane —€17,687, approved by the board in August 2004; North Tipperary VEC, Nenagh —€182,000, approved by the board in December 2004.
The drawdown of funding is subject to the satisfactory completion of legal contracts between the individual groups and the board. As part of this process, groups are required to submit necessary documentation such as agreed budgets, tax clearance certificates, evidence of insurance etc. to Area Development Management before payments are made. While contracts have been signed in respect of the first three projects listed above, Area Development Management awaits the receipt of certain documentation before it is in a position to make payments in respect of the approved grants.
612 Mr. Lowry asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if he will consider expanding the funding criteria of the dormant accounts fund to include groups and organisations in Area Development Management partnership companies areas; if he will consider some alternative to allow areas which are not CLÁR, RAPID or drugs task force areas to apply for funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1309/05]
Decisions on the disbursement of dormant accounts funds are a matter for the Dormant Accounts Fund Disbursements Board, an independent body established under the Dormant Accounts Acts. The board has engaged Area Development Management Limited to administer the initial round of funding on its behalf which will involve the disbursement of up to €60 million from the fund to assist programmes or projects targeting three broad categories of persons, those affected by social and economic disadvantage, those affected by educational disadvantage and persons with a disability.
The bulk of dormant accounts funding is initially targeted at those areas designated as most disadvantaged, namely, RAPID, CLÁR and drugs task force areas. In this regard, all allocations under this round of funding within the social and economic category are in respect of such areas. However, projects which are not in RAPID, CLÁR or drugs task force areas can qualify for assistance under the educational disadvantage and persons with a disability categories.
The Dormant Accounts (Amendment) Bill 2004, which is before the Oireachtas, provides for key changes in decision-making on disbursements. The arrangements applying to any future rounds of funding including eligible areas may fall for consideration in this context.
614 Mr. O’Shea asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the reason only 900 persons are taking part in the rural social scheme; the further reason there is a disappointing lack of take-up of the scheme in some areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1361/05]
The scheme, the details of which were announced in May 2004, accepted its first participants in July 2004 and the numbers have been increasing steadily since then. Substantial progress has been made in this time. There are 1,026 participants on the rural social scheme. I expect the participant numbers will continue to increase and that all 2,500 places will be availed of by early this year.
615 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if his Department has been approached by an organisation (details supplied) seeking assistance in developing its role; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1588/05]
A request for funding from the organisation in question is being considered by my Department.
616 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the State, semi-State, State-sponsored and statutory bodies under the aegis of his Department which are not subject to the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act 1997; the reason a body is not subject to the requirements of the Act; and if he envisages proposals to bring any such body within the scope of the Act in the foreseeable future. [1712/05]
The State, semi-State, State-sponsored and statutory bodies under the aegis of my Department that are not subject to the Freedom of Information Acts are the National Advisory Committee on Drugs, An Foras Teanga, Arramara Teoranta, the Dormant Accounts Fund Disbursement Board and Waterways Ireland.
Proposals are being developed in the Department of Finance in the context of plans to extend the Freedom of Information Acts to other appropriate bodies by the end of 2005. The question of extending the Freedom of Information Acts to the National Advisory Committee on Drugs is being considered in this context. Extension of the Freedom of Information Acts to Arramara Teoranta will also be considered.
The Dormant Accounts (Amendment) Bill 2004, before the Oireachtas, provides for the dissolution of the board and for the establishment of a new Dormant Accounts Disbursement Board. At such time, consideration will be given to whether the new board should be brought within the scope of the Freedom of Information Acts.
An Foras Teanga and Waterways Ireland are North-South Implementation Bodies established under the British-Irish Agreement Act 1999. Preparation of the code of practice on access to information held by such bodies is at an advanced stage and it is expected to be implemented during 2005. In addition, my Department is covered by freedom of information legislation and any information held by my Department which is common to both the Department and the bodies is subject to this legislation.
617 D'fhiafraigh Mr. O’Shea den Aire Gnóthaí Pobail, Tuaithe agus Gaeltachta an raibh cainteanna aige leis an Aire Cumarsáide, Mara agus Acmhainní Nádúrtha, le Coimisiún Craolacháin na hÉireann, le RTÉ agus le RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta faoi raidió na nóg a chur ar bun agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina leith. [1768/05]
Rinne Coimisiún Craolacháin na hÉireann suirbhé le déanaí chun leibhéal spéise an aosa óig timpeall na tíre i gcláir raidió trí mheán na Gaeilge a thomhas. Bhí an suirbhé comh-mhaoinithe ag an gcoimisiún, ag mo Roinn féin agus ag Foras na Gaeilge.
D'fhoilsigh Coimisiún Craolacháin na hÉireann torthaí an tsuirbhé sin ar 20 Eanáir 2005 agus tá i gceist agam na torthaí sin a phlé leis na páirtithe cuí go luath.
618 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if funding will be allocated to a road (details supplied) in County Mayo from his Department in 2005. [1826/05]
The road in question has been examined by officials of my Department. An estimate for repairs to the road has been obtained from Mayo County Council and the application will be taken into consideration with other cases when funding is next being allocated.
619 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if a company (details supplied) that owns a quarry at a location (details supplied), which received grants from Údarás na Gaeltachta despite not being in the Gaeltacht, will be asked to repay the grant money, even if it was granted in error by An tÚdarás, in the same way that social welfare recipients who recently received double payments in error were asked to pay the money back and in view of the fact that no other State body would have granted money due to the fact that it is not policy to grant money to quarries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1908/05]
In my response to Question No. 40 on 14 December 2004 and to previous questions in the matter, I set out the facts in regard to the grant paid to this company. The position remains unchanged.
620 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the public appointments made in his Department since the Cabinet reshuffle in September, 2004. [2098/05]
No non-Civil Service appointments have been made by me, in my Department, since the Cabinet reshuffle in September 2004.
621 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if a person (details supplied) in County Kerry will be allocated milk quota from the hardship fund; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34144/04]
Allocations of milk quota from the milk quota national reserve are granted on the basis of recommendations from the milk quota appeals tribunal. The tribunal is a body established to consider and advise on applications for additional quota from individual producers who have suffered severe hardship in the context of the milk quota system. The named person has submitted an application for additional quota on the grounds of hardship in the current 2004-05 milk quota year. The tribunal will endeavour to examine all applications before the end of the quota year. All applicants will be notified of the outcome as soon as their cases have been considered.
622 Mr. P. Breen asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if consideration will be given to an application under the 2004 premium scheme for a person (details supplied) in County Clare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34145/04]
The person named submitted four applications under the 2004 EU special beef premium scheme, one dated 11 August 2004, in respect of one animal, one dated 8 October 2004, in respect of one animal, one dated 29 November 2004, in respect of three animals and one dated 10 December 2004, in respect of one animal. The animal in question, which died two days prior to the end of the retention period, was included on the application dated 11 August 2004.
Under the terms and conditions governing the 2004 EU special beef premium scheme, which derive from EU regulations, premium will not be paid if an animal dies or is lost or removed during the retention period due to natural circumstances for example, death of animal following an accident or disease but not sale, provided the applicant notifies the cattle movement monitoring system database within ten working days of any such event. However, where an applicant fails to so notify such an event, additional penalties are also applied.
In the circumstances, therefore, no payment can issue in respect of the animal in question and the animal will, be counted for premium stocking density purposes as required by the EU regulations. Payment in respect of the remaining three applications will issue shortly. The person named had two animals slaughtered under the 2004 slaughter premium scheme. Both of these animals were also eligible for the national envelope top-up on beef breed heifers. The 60% advance payment has issued in respect of both animals.
623 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if she will take steps to bring to a conclusion matters with which her Department was dealing as far back as 1983, and on which representations were made to her in 2004 in relation to the complex issues that need to be brought to a conclusion to enable the farming practices of a person (details supplied) to be vindicated and to continue; and if she will take on an initiative in this matter to achieve a just and final solution in the interests of all concerned. [34196/04]
The undertaking referred to relates to a written undertaking given by my Department in 1997 to the named person. This undertaking has been complied with in full. Arising from this undertaking, a comprehensive review of the named person's milk quota related issues took place in 1997. As a result of this review, which included a series of meetings with the named person, my Department granted a substantial allocation of permanent and temporary milk quota to the named person. The amounts concerned far exceeded any allocation ever given from the national reserve. These additional allocations were part of a full and final settlement offer made to the named person in writing by my Department. This offer was accepted in writing by the named person.
Any outstanding issues relating to an alleged reduction in the named person's milk price and loss of winter milk bonus are entirely a matter between the named person and his milk purchaser. Despite receiving the permanent and temporary additional milk quota allocations to which I have referred, the named person issued proceedings against my Department and a third party in 2003. As a result, it would not be correct of me to comment further on these issues other than to confirm that my Department has dealt very generously with the named party since 1997.
624 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if she will make a statement on the implementation of an undertaking given to examine the milk quota situation, possible super levy obligations, compensation for reduced price and non-payment of milk bonuses, to a person (details supplied), and referred to in a letter from an official of hers of 13 March 1997; if such implementation has taken place; and if she has plans to reach a conclusion on this matter. [34197/04]
The matters referred to in the question relate mainly to litigation undertaken by the person named in the 1980s and specifically to two judgments of the High Court and Supreme Court, delivered in 1985 and 1988 respectively. My Department was not a defendant in this litigation.
Despite the resolution of this litigation in 1988, in favour of the person named, he has continued to pursue certain matters with my Department and indeed other Departments, which he claims are associated with this long concluded litigation. Arising out of the contacts with my Department, substantial allocations of permanent and temporary milk quota were made to the person named. These additional allocations were part of a full and final settlement offer made to the person named and accepted by him. The recent representations made by the person named in 2004 are in reality an attempt to re-open the litigation, concluded in 1988. It was open to the person named to issue proceedings against my Department concerning these issues within six years after the conclusion of the litigation in 1988, which he failed to do.
Proceedings, which may be statute barred, were issued by the person named in 2003 against my Department and a third party on issues connected with allocations of milk quota and other related matters. My Department is fully defending these proceedings.
625 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the amount of capital investment funding which has been allocated to the food and agricultural sector under the national development plan to date; if she will provide a list of the projects funded and the amounts allocated to each to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34286/04]
My Department is responsible for a number of capital investment measures under the national development plan. The table sets out the details of public expenditure under these measures for the period 1 January 2000 to 31 December 2004.
|
Operational Programme |
Measure: Afforestation |
€m |
|
CAP Rural Development Programme |
Afforestation |
423.18 |
|
BMW and S&E Operational Programmes |
Measure: General Structural Improvement |
|
|
Installation Aid for Young Farmers |
18.58 |
|
|
Farm Waste Management |
46.79 |
|
|
Improvement of Dairy Hygiene Standards |
7.60 |
|
|
Improvement of Animal Welfare Standards |
— |
|
|
Animal Carcase Disposal |
0.27 |
|
|
Development of Grain Storage Facilities On Farm |
2.42 |
|
|
Improvement of Cattle Breeding Infrastructures |
3.04 |
|
|
Improvement of Equine Breeding Infrastructure |
4.05 |
|
|
Measure: Alternative Enterprises |
||
|
Development of the Horticulture Sector |
8.10 |
|
|
Development of the Potato Sector |
0.91 |
|
|
Development of the Organic Sector |
1.08 |
|
|
Improvement in Equine Quality |
1.97 |
|
|
Housing/Handling Facilities for Alternative Enterprises |
1.81 |
|
|
Measure: Local Enterprise Development |
||
|
Harvesting |
2.12 |
|
|
Woodland Improvement |
20.51 |
|
|
Forestry Roads |
9.53 |
|
|
Productive Sector Operational Programme |
Measure: Indigenous Industry |
|
|
Production and operations — food industry |
19.50 |
|
|
Measure: Food Industry |
||
|
Food agricultural products — capital investment |
14.78 |
|
|
Total |
586.24 |
626 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the amount of funding to the food and agricultural sector which has been allocated to the research, technology and innovation measure under the national development plan to date; if she will provide a list of all the projects funded and the amounts allocated to each to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34287/04]
In the period 1 January 2000 to 31 December 2004, public expenditure of €71.95 million has been allocated in the food and agriculture sector under the research, technology and innovation measures of the national development plan. The measures concerned are:
|
Measure |
Amount allocated €m |
|
Food Institutional Research Measure |
50.01 |
|
In-Company Research in the food sector |
17.82 |
|
Research Stimulus Fund |
4.12 |
|
Total |
71.95 |
Details of the projects funded and the amounts allocated are set out in the attached appendices.
|
Project Title |
Institution |
Award |
Paid to Date |
|
€ |
€ |
||
|
Surveillance and epidemiology of antibiotic resistance in campylobacter, salmonella and E coli 0157:H7. |
CIT, NUIG, Teagasc/NFC |
411,360 |
320,102 |
|
Contribution of stress responses to the virulence potential of listeria monocytogenes in Irish foods. |
UCC, UL |
545,987 |
491,389 |
|
HACCP implementation in Irish beef abattoirs |
FSAI, Teagasc/NFC |
426,322 |
297,130 |
|
Phytosterols and Oxyphytosterols in foods. |
UCC |
253,948 |
253,948 |
|
Detection and survival of Mycobacterium avium subsp Paratuberculosis. (M. ptb). |
CVRL, NUIG, Teagasc/DPC, UCC |
570,877 |
510,589 |
|
Analysis of the Irish Universities Nutrition Alliance food consumption database for issues relating to food safety and nutrition. |
TCD, UCC |
888,817 |
799,935 |
|
Dissemination and exploitation of results from the “Food Institutional Research Measure” to the Irish Food Industry. |
Teagasc/DPC, UCC |
1,714,614 |
1,335,206 |
|
Investigation of factors affecting salmonella control programmes in pork. |
CVRL, NUIG, UCD |
456,788 |
399,422 |
|
Optimising freeze chill technology for a range of ready to eat meal components. |
Teagasc/NFC, UCD |
355,526 |
319,974 |
|
BACTOOL: Bacteriocins as biological tools for food improvement |
Teagasc/DPC, UCC |
634,869 |
518,783 |
|
High pressure processing application for dairy products. |
Teagasc/DPC, UCC |
379,930 |
341,936 |
|
Development of gluten free cereal based convenience foods. |
Teagasc/NFC, UCC |
507,895 |
447,982 |
|
BACSAFE: elimination of foodborne pathogens using bacteriocins. |
Teagasc/DPC, UCC |
634,869 |
571,382 |
|
Evaluation and application of lactic acid bacteria to improve the quality and safety of the malting and brewing process. |
UCC |
761,843 |
761,843 |
|
Integrated minimal processing and packaging solutions for optimisation of sensory quality of ready-to-use fruits and vegetables. |
UCC, UL |
256,155 |
230,540 |
|
The association of whey proteins and casein during the development of novel milk proteinate/protein concentrate type ingredients for use in consumer foods. |
Teagasc/DPC |
417,966 |
376,169 |
|
Fractionation of whey proteins using novel membrane filtration processes and characterisation of their functionality in model and food systems. |
Teagasc/DPC, NFC, UCC |
469,803 |
422,822 |
|
The use of novel methods and new processing technologies for the development of heat stable dairy ingredients. |
Teagasc/DPC, UCD |
380,921 |
240,135 |
|
Functionality of dairy ingredients in chocolate. |
Teagasc/DPC, UCC |
380,922 |
337,082 |
|
Process improvements in cheese manufacture through rapid measurement of moisture, texture and composition. |
Teagasc/DPC, NFC, UCC, UCD |
627,251 |
499,788 |
|
Role of lipolysis in the biogensis of cheese flavour. |
Teagasc/DPC, UCC |
613,283 |
551,955 |
|
Cheese efficiency. |
Teagasc/DPC |
203,158 |
141,835 |
|
Reduced fat cheese for pizza. |
Teagasc/DPC |
152,369 |
137,131 |
|
Biodiversity of cheese microflora and its role in cheese flavour development. |
Teagasc/DPC, UCC |
634,869 |
571,382 |
|
CLA in dairy functional foods. |
DCU, Teagasc/DPC, UCC |
634,869 |
571,381 |
|
Probiotic functional foods. |
Teagasc/DPC, UCC |
634,869 |
571,382 |
|
Novel nutritional approaches to salmonella reduction in pigs. |
Teagasc/DPC, UCC, UCD |
761,843 |
666,115 |
|
Modifications to existing research facilities. |
UCC |
634,869 |
501,547 |
|
Eating quality and consumer perception of organic and conventially reared muscle foods. |
UCC |
266,642 |
239,978 |
|
Sensory specification: providing direction for innovative new product development. |
UCC |
445,335 |
400,801 |
|
Conjugated linolecic acid: evaluation of health benefits in humans. |
TCD, UCC |
761,800 |
761,800 |
|
Impact assessment of PSE on pigmeat quality from Irish factories and development of new technologies for the rapid determination of this condition following slaughter. |
DCU, Teagasc/DPC, NFC, UCC |
381,020 |
369,666 |
|
Application and further development of non-destructive oxygen sensing technology within the Irish food and food packaging industry. |
UCC |
380,952 |
380,952 |
|
Development of novel functional ingredients for use in the manufacture of convenience type meat / food systems. |
Teagasc/NFC, UCC |
491,084 |
441,975 |
|
Edible films and coatings for foods |
UCC, UCD |
711,020 |
513,342 |
|
Screening techniques for authenticity and safety confirmation in raw materials and food products. |
Teagasc/NFC, UCD |
364,323 |
311,585 |
|
Developing sous vide/freezing systems for ready meals. |
Teagasc/NFC, UCC, UL |
444,355 |
431,812 |
|
Development of organic breads and confectionery. |
DIT, Teagasc/NFC, UCD |
380,387 |
338,271 |
|
Adapting the Danish “food related lifestyle consumer model” (FRL) for market segmentation and predicting consumer trends on markets for prepared consumer foods in Ireland. |
Bord Bia, Teagasc/NFC, UCC |
435,016 |
386,964 |
|
Establishment of functionality and processability of individual muscles from Irish beef carcasses towards development of convenience type beef products from forequarter and some hindquarter beef. |
Teagasc/NFC, UCC |
469,707 |
409,287 |
|
Rapid methods for beef industry. |
Teagasc/NFC |
266,110 |
229,936 |
|
New fresh beef processing procedures to ensure consistent eating quality. |
Teagasc/NFC, UCC |
355,527 |
311,569 |
|
Enhancing healthiness, shelf life and flavour of Irish fresh packaged beef. |
Teagasc/NFC, UCC |
471,858 |
412,846 |
|
Active packaging systems for enhanced quality safety and shelf life of exported fresh beef retail cuts packed in Ireland. |
Teagasc/NFC, UCD |
355,527 |
297,084 |
|
Redevelopment of cooked meat facility at the National Food Centre. |
Teagasc/NFC |
317,435 |
317,435 |
|
Defining the critical limits for the use of chilling as a critical control point in a beef HACCP plan. |
Teagasc/NFC, UCD |
526,633 |
461,964 |
|
A risk assessment on verocytotoxigenic E coli (including E coli 0157:H7) in processed beef products. |
Teagasc/NFC, UCD |
685,458 |
601,752 |
|
Automated diagnostic tests for foodborne pathogens. |
NUIG, Teagasc/NFC |
761,806 |
619,444 |
|
Agri-Food Foresight: forward looking analysis with economic models. |
TCD |
100,733 |
96,423 |
|
Evaluating the potential of Ohmic and radio frequency heating technologies for the production of high quality meat based consumer foods. |
Teagasc/NFC, UCD |
554,882 |
499,394 |
|
Development of ingredient technology for a healthy flavoursome snack food. |
UCD |
304,841 |
274,357 |
|
Efficient cooling of ready meals and ready meal components to improve safety quality and competitiveness. |
Teagasc/NFC, UCD |
380,919 |
335,236 |
|
Impact of sheep genotype and TSE strain type on development and diagnosis of TSE in sheep: will genetic selection for resistance eliminate PrPsc. |
DCU, UCD |
368,224 |
303,964 |
|
A combined bioinformatic, molecular and biochemical approach to the identification and analysis of antimicrobial peptides in hen eggs. |
TCD, UCD |
671,437 |
557,162 |
|
Investigation of the modes of transmission of thermophillic campylobacter in commercially produced broiler flocks and strategies for their prevention and control. |
NUIG, UCD |
520,274 |
483,727 |
|
Analysis of gene and protein expression for the measurement of beef quality |
NUIG, Teagasc/NFC, UCD |
543,066 |
197,562 |
|
The development of a National Food Consumption database for children for risk assessment of food-borne chemicals. |
TCD, UCC |
742,884 |
606,394 |
|
Hemicellulase treatment of flour: a route to innovative bakery products. |
NUIG, Teagasc/NFC |
337,132 |
243,873 |
|
Optibiotics. |
Teagasc/DPC, UCC |
500,000 |
338,967 |
|
Temporal and spatial distribution of PrPbse in BSE infected transgenic mice expressing bovine PrP and expermentally infected cattle and its potential for diagnosis. |
UCD |
798,764 |
489,054 |
|
National food residue database. |
Teagasc/NFC |
250,000 |
123,940 |
|
Flavour and nutraceutically fortified foods enhanced by modified polysaccharide microgels containing targeted and controlled release materials. |
Teagasc/DPC, UCD |
514,382 |
85,731 |
|
Novel physical chemical methodologies for the detection of transmissable spongiform encephalopathies. |
UCD |
399,561 |
283,174 |
|
Verocytotoxigenic E coli 0157:H7V isolates from food animals and humans : DNA profiling and screening of the gene products in human intestinal tissue for assessment of the invasive and toxigenic potential of isolates of different origin. |
Teagasc/NFC, UCD |
626,778 |
308,382 |
|
Consumer orientated development of new functional drinks:meal replacements and supplements. |
UCC, UCD |
707,444 |
420,817 |
|
Development of very tender and extremely juicy large cooked meat joints. |
UCD |
350,000 |
211,403 |
|
Development of innovative raw and cooked cured meat products with enhanced profitibility, quality and safety. |
Teagasc/NFC, UCC |
631,428 |
381,208 |
|
Rapid detection of antibiotic residues in milk using disposable bio-chip sensors. |
DCU, UCC |
380,734 |
306,279 |
|
Development of highly functional cheese sauce incorporating novel enzyme modified cheese. |
Teagasc/DPC |
489,247 |
172,249 |
|
Complete genetic makeup of lactobacillus helveticus DPC 4571: A strain for improved cheese flavour. |
Teagasc/DPC |
365,286 |
303,187 |
|
Functional beverages based on proteolysis of whey. |
Teagasc/DPC, UCC |
400,000 |
209,486 |
|
A rapid robust DNA assay for detecting prohibited animal materials in feedstuffs. |
TCD |
132,156 |
118,037 |
|
Development and evaluation of sensitive methods for the detection of human food borne viruses (NLV’s and Astrovirus) in human and farm animal foods and faeces. |
UCC, UCD |
498,006 |
371,234 |
|
Mycotoxigenic fungi and mycotoxins in food. |
Teagasc/NFC, UCC |
449,940 |
404,946 |
|
A biotechnological system for production of value -added products, bioethanol and methane from non-animal food wastes with emphasis on hygiene aspects. |
NUIG |
191,472 |
67,015 |
|
Biological approaches to nutrient removal in the Irish food sector. |
UCC |
350,568 |
122,699 |
|
Assessment of vermicomposting techniques for the treatment of dairy processing WWT sludge. |
Glanbia |
65,316 |
22,861 |
|
Funding towards the co-ordination of an integrated project in theme area 5 — Food quality and safety of FP6 |
Teagasc/NFC |
20,000 |
20,000 |
|
Funding towards the co-ordination of an integrated project in theme area 5 — Food quality and safety of FP6 |
UCC |
15,000 |
15,000 |
|
Research factors influencing the formation of acrylamide in foods. |
Teagasc/NFC, UCD |
136,544 |
45,515 |
|
Food labelling research. |
Consumer liaison panel |
48,671 |
48,671 |
|
Funding towards the co-ordination of an integrated project in theme area 5 — Food quality and safety of FP6 |
UCD |
5,900 |
5,900 |
|
Development of a cost effective, rapid in vitro model to assess bioavailability of health promoting ingredients from functional foods. |
UCC |
381,297 |
63,550 |
|
Active and intelligent packaging systems for extended shelf-life of soft/semi-soft farm cheeses. |
UCC |
288,705 |
48,118 |
|
MILK-BAR: applications of high pressure for enhanced processing, safety and functionality of dairy products. |
Teagasc/DPC, UCC |
676,164 |
112,694 |
|
The milk proteome: a tool for understanding milk quality and functionality. |
Teagasc/DPC, UCC |
390,700 |
65,117 |
|
Development of healthier meats and meat products. |
Teagasc/NFC, UCC |
614,246 |
102,374 |
|
Understanding the biochemistry and enzymology of cheese ripening and development of novel strategies to enhance the biogenesis of cheese flavour. |
Teagasc/DPC, UCC, UL |
1,038,756 |
173,126 |
|
Optimisation of techniques for the development of heat and serve products from lower value beef and lamb cuts. |
Teagasc/NFC, UCC |
538,664 |
89,778 |
|
Healthy fatty acid-enriched fresh beef: implications for shelf-life, flavour and the health of the consumer. |
Teagasc/NFC, UCD, TCD |
739,961 |
123,327 |
|
New and rapid methods for evaluating the baking characteristics of Irish grown wheat varieties. |
Teagasc/NFC, UCD |
434,108 |
72,351 |
|
Development of a technique to determine the influence of aerial contamination on beef, pork and lamb carcases during slaughter. |
Teagasc/NFC |
159,400 |
26,567 |
|
Control of blown pack spoilage in vacuum packaged beef. |
Teagasc/NFC |
159,400 |
26,567 |
|
Analysis of the myofibrillar and connective tissue components of meat tenderness and their interaction with post-slaughter interventions. |
Teagasc/NFC |
333,608 |
55,601 |
|
Quantification of variation in beef at processor, retailer, consumer level and within certain beef markets to achieve a full palatability assured critical control points (PACCP) system. |
Teagasc/NFC, UCC |
999,543 |
166,591 |
|
Assessment of DNA markers for meat quality traits in Irish beef and pork |
Teagasc/NFC, UCD |
238,539 |
39,756 |
|
Technology transfer in the Irish meat sector |
Teagasc/NFC |
206,824 |
41,365 |
|
Interaction of gene expression pathways, breed and diet on the nutritive and flavour aspects of pigmeat. |
Teagasc/NFC, UCD |
361,108 |
60,185 |
|
Development of a technology commercialisation toolbox for publicly funded food research. |
Teagasc/NFC, DIT |
273,829 |
45,638 |
|
Development of cheese syneresis control technology for improved product consistency. |
Teagasc/DPC, UCD |
517,748 |
86,291 |
|
Novel snack foods containing functional fibre. |
UCD |
468,463 |
78,077 |
|
The impact on product quality of using high voltage pulsed electric fields in hurdle strategies for the preservation of minimally processed non-alcoholic beverages. |
UCD |
498,951 |
83,159 |
|
Electroheat applications for meat processing: ohmic pasteurisation and radio frequency defrosting of meat and meat products. |
UCD |
367,933 |
61,322 |
|
Novel antimicrobial by-products of whey. |
UCD |
462,313 |
77,052 |
|
Increased diversity and functionality of starter cultures for cheese manufacture. |
Teagasc/DPC, UCC |
780,000 |
130,000 |
|
Post-genomics of lactobacillus helveticus DPC4571: Milking the genomes sequence of L. helveticus starter cultures for commercially valuable enzymes. |
Teagasc/DPC, UCC |
580,000 |
96,667 |
|
Exploitation of advances in spray atomisation and agglomeration technologies for the development of novel ingredients for automated beverage vending. |
Teagasc/DPC |
278,667 |
46,455 |
|
Studies on the microbiology and sensory properties of novel low sodium ethnic ready meals. |
Teagasc/NFC, DPC, UL |
446,206 |
55,777 |
|
Developing a stakeholders guide on the vunerability of food and feed chains to dangerous agents and substances. |
UCD |
7,000 |
7,000 |
|
Occurrence of salmonella on pork on the island of Ireland and an assessment of the risk factors contributing to its transmission. |
Teagasc/NFC |
300,000 |
150,000 |
|
50,012,509* |
32,085,700 |
|
Company Name |
Total Approved |
|
Shalveys Poultry Limited |
105,236 |
|
Golden Vale PLC |
152,369 |
|
Quest International Ireland Limited |
208,804 |
|
Green Isle Foods Limited (Roscommon) |
324,862 |
|
The Roaring Water Bay Spirits Co. Ltd. |
36,156 |
|
Green Isle Food Limited (Longford) |
253,948 |
|
Glenisk Limited |
39,119 |
|
Largo Food Exports Limited |
95,992 |
|
Kerry Die Products Limited |
89,263 |
|
The Irish Chocolate Company Ltd. |
442,185 |
|
Pasta Concepts Limited |
98,595 |
|
International Meat Ingredients Ltd. |
217,633 |
|
Robert A Merry & Company Limited |
23,173 |
|
Swissco Limited |
178,874 |
|
Coolmore Fresh Foods Ltd. |
30,934 |
|
William Carr & Sons Ltd. |
33,089 |
|
Cuisine de France Manfuacturing Ltd. |
360,974 |
|
William Connolly and Sons Ltd. |
132,942 |
|
Rye Valley Foods Ltd. |
442,631 |
|
Compsey Creamery Society Ltd. |
31,796 |
|
Allinall Ingredients Limited |
25,390 |
|
Golden Vale PLC |
187,064 |
|
Kepak Longford |
301,655 |
|
Heatherfield Limited |
29,775 |
|
Manor Foods Ltd. |
59,500 |
|
Carton Brothers Ltd. |
327,846 |
|
Silver Hill Foods |
42,840 |
|
Wexford Creamery Limited |
199,984 |
|
Lir Chocolates Limited |
33,277 |
|
Euroflavour Limited |
31,535 |
|
Galtee Meats (Kilbeggan) Limited |
248,950 |
|
United Fish Industries Ltd. |
301,500 |
|
T O’Regan & Sons Limited |
19,776 |
|
Glanbia Consumer Foods Limited |
216,367 |
|
UDV Operations Ireland Ltd. |
223,240 |
|
Lily’s Limited |
119,285 |
|
Ennis Foods Limited |
34,549 |
|
Coolmore Fresh Foods Ltd. |
157,066 |
|
J. E. O’Brien & Sons (Manufacturing) Ltd. |
33,046 |
|
Pasta Concepts Limited |
74,140 |
|
Allinall Ingredients Limited |
11,916 |
|
Glenisk Limited |
109,058 |
|
Diageo Ireland |
325,350 |
|
The Irish Chocolate Company Ltd. |
366,170 |
|
Quality Irish Food Limited |
52,970 |
|
Tayto Limited |
435,150 |
|
Taltech Engineering Holdings Limited |
50,950 |
|
Callan Bacon Company Limited |
32,926 |
|
Largo Food Exports Limited |
106,250 |
|
Leeway Foods Limited |
31,500 |
|
Kilkenny Spring Water Co. Limited |
143,775 |
|
Sunshine Juice Limited |
29,400 |
|
Rose MFG. Co. Limited |
65,700 |
|
Rangeland Foods Limited |
270,000 |
|
H.J. Heinz Frozen and Chilled Foods Ltd. |
72,250 |
|
The Real Meal Company |
143,453 |
|
Goldstar Meats |
309,600 |
|
Lir Chocolates Limited |
33,040 |
|
Swissco Limited |
192,500 |
|
Cadbury Ireland Limited |
444,250 |
|
Nutec |
134,897 |
|
Pasta Concepts Limited |
61,801 |
|
Deli Cuisine Limited |
40,095 |
|
Connacht Gold Co-operative Society Ltd. |
14,924 |
|
Zed Candy Limited |
127,911 |
|
Wexford Creamery Limited |
154,365 |
|
Quest International Ireland Limited |
206,000 |
|
Glenisk Limited |
111,860 |
|
Shalveys Poultry Limited |
137,295 |
|
Bulmers Limited |
293,000 |
|
Drover Foods Limited |
237,615 |
|
AIBP Limited |
101,815 |
|
Dawn Fresh Foods Limited |
137,130 |
|
Glanbia Fresh Pork Limited |
169,190 |
|
Sheelin Meats Limited |
98,190 |
|
Duffy Meats Limited |
209,175 |
|
Green Pastures (Donegal) Limited |
354,195 |
|
Hermitage Pedigree Pigs Limited |
313,075 |
|
Green Isle Foods Portumna Limited |
444,944 |
|
Green Isle Food Limited (Longford) |
336,326 |
|
Fruitfield Foods Limited |
263,332 |
|
Foxway Company |
96,432 |
|
Allinall Ingredients Limited |
89,775 |
|
Swift Fine Foods Limited |
150,674 |
|
James Daly & Sons Limited |
27,510 |
|
Kosy Shack Europe Limited |
31,360 |
|
Tipperary Co-operative Creamery |
275,231 |
|
Pasta Concepts Limited |
64,164 |
|
Castlecool Limited |
169,398 |
|
Hyde Limited |
24,605 |
|
Anthony Donnelly & Sons Fruit Limited |
192,605 |
|
Cuisine de France Manfuacturing Ltd. |
126,200 |
|
Swissco Limited |
300,050 |
|
Oliver Carty Limited |
153,450 |
|
Quality Irish Food Limited |
217,575 |
|
Walsh Family Foods Limited |
166,950 |
|
Shannon Vale Foods Limited |
22,243 |
|
Carbery Milk Products Limited |
424,855 |
|
Lily’s Limited |
149,120 |
|
Leeway Foods Limited |
32,323 |
|
Coghlan’s Bakery Products (Dublin) Ltd. |
27,519 |
|
Green Isle Foods Limited (Naas) |
139,250 |
|
Green Isle Foods Limited (Naas) |
82,500 |
|
Green Isle Foods Limited (Roscommon) |
306,423 |
|
All -Technology (Ireland) Limited |
210,500 |
|
Shannon Minerals Limited |
33,183 |
|
Able Foods Limited |
33,318 |
|
Arrabawn Co-Operative Society Limited |
358,750 |
|
M. & M. Walshe Limited |
32,775 |
|
Leadmore Ireland Limited |
33,250 |
|
Milne Foods Limited |
99,315 |
|
Garryvoe Foods Limited |
31,553 |
|
Martin Quigley (Nenagh) Limited |
32,025 |
|
National Rusks Limited |
33,040 |
|
HL Commodity Foods (Manufacturing) Ltd. |
33,040 |
|
Cill Ide Farm Limited |
32,573 |
|
Greenacres Foods (Ireland) Limited |
87,545 |
|
Bia Gaoth Dobhair Teo |
158,432 |
|
Follain Teoranta |
26,250 |
|
Faughan Foods Limited |
26,433 |
|
Cistí Gugan Barra Teoranta |
24,150 |
|
Bia Gaoth Barra Teoranta |
120,505 |
|
Total |
17,815,552 |
|
Project Title |
Institutions Involved |
Award |
Amount Paid 31/12/04 |
|
€ |
€ |
||
|
Agri-Food Foresight: Forward looking analysis with economic models. |
Teagasc, NUI Maynooth |
60,000 |
31,465 |
|
Measuring and understanding productivity growth in Irish Agriculture |
TCD |
53,000 |
53,000 |
|
Landscape Impact of REPS — A quantitative assessment |
UCD, QUB, Teagasc, ESRI |
225,000 |
167,022 |
|
Parasite resistance in sheep: The genetic basis. |
Teagasc, UCD |
160,000 |
113,889 |
|
Cereal Pathology: Improving the genetic basis of host resistance to fungal diseases |
UCD, N Dakota State University, John Innes Centre, UK |
167,500 |
100,810 |
|
Increasing Dairy Cow Fertility. |
UCD, Teagasc Athenry |
230,000 |
119,646 |
|
Economic restructuring in rural communities: Analysis of responses to new problems and needs. |
NUI Maynooth, Teagasc |
140,000 |
70,274 |
|
Impact of prion protein genotype on reproductive, growth and carcass traits of sheep. |
UCD, Teagasc |
250,000 |
90,201 |
|
Development of a Risk Assessment model for the powdery scab/spraing complex of potatoes using the polymerase chain reaction. |
UCD |
180,000 |
107,169 |
|
Design and development of novel electronic sensors for detecting mastitis. |
Teagasc, DCU |
110,000 |
99,000 |
|
Control of disease in two integrated strawberry production systems. |
NUI Maynooth, Teagasc |
220,000 |
134,068 |
|
Action based research and development of a Web-based distance learning programme. |
UCD, UCC, UCG, NUI Maynooth |
210,000 |
174,130 |
|
An income and viability study of rural households: Income distribution, poverty and economic viability effects of the components of total household incomes. |
ESRI, TCD |
110,000 |
99,000 |
|
Measurement of the competitiveness of Irelands main agricultural commodities. |
NUI Maynooth, Univ. of Missouri, TCD, Teagasc |
21,000 |
21,000 |
|
Mechanisms underlying species variation in the absorption of prion protein by mammalian intestinal mucosa. |
UCD, Central Veterinary Laboratory (DAF) |
65,000 |
37,315 |
|
Sheep A1 using frozen-thawed semen: identifying the best rams. |
UCD, Teagasc |
180,000 |
69,504 |
|
Reduction of fungicide input in Irish cereal farming: biological control of foliar and head blight fungal pathogens of cereals. |
UCD, Letterkenny Institute of Technology, Errigal Eisc Teo. Co. Donegal |
180,000 |
66,480 |
|
Maximising the Biodiversity impacts of REPS. |
BirdWatch Ireland, UCC |
150,000 |
99,852 |
|
Integrated system for biomass fuel production in multiple land use systems based on small-scale willow short rotation and farm-forest production. |
UCD, QUB, Rural Generation Ltd. Derry |
165,000 |
88,100 |
|
Development of on-farm control measures for the reduction of Salmonellosis in slaughter pigs. |
Teagasc, UCD, Central Vet. Lab. |
180,000 |
55,875 |
|
Consequences for Irish agriculture and the dairy industry of alternative dairy policy regimes post 2006. |
Trinity, UCC, QUB |
135,000 |
19,181 |
|
Spatial modelling for rural policy analysis. |
Teagasc, NUI Galway, Univ. of Leeds |
180,000 |
51,908 |
|
Epidemiological studies on and development of a disease preventative programme for Cryptosporidiosis. |
CVL, NI Public Health Lab. Service, Westmeath Co. Council |
100,000 |
62,000 |
|
Development of improved formulations for mushroom casing and the use of rapid physical, chemical and microbiological analytical techniques to characterise them. |
Teagasc, QUB |
160,000 |
50,925 |
|
Gene-flow from cultivated Irish cereals and grasses to wild relatives. |
NUI Maynooth, Teagasc |
180,000 |
101,255 |
|
Spatial analysis of demographic and socio-economic changes in rural Ireland 1996-2000. |
NUI Maynooth, Teagasc |
50,000 |
30,000 |
|
Rural enterprise development & sustainability. |
UCC, NUI Galway, Western Dev. Comm., West Cork LEADER Co-op |
130,000 |
110,634 |
|
A GIS baseline survey of habitat types and vegetation composition in the karst region of the Burren, Co. Clare. |
UCD, Teagasc, Duchas |
125,000 |
82,176 |
|
Total |
4,116,500 |
2,305,880 |
627 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the amount of funding to the food and agricultural sector which has been allocated to the marketing and promotion measure under the national development plan to date; if she will provide a list of all the projects funded and the amounts allocated to each to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34288/04]
In the period 1 January 2000 to 31 December 2004, public expenditure of €28.69 million has been allocated and funded in the food and agriculture sector under the marketing and promotion measure of the national development plan.
The measure is administered by Bord Bia and covers grant assistance to companies to improve their individual marketing capabilities and the board's generic market development activities. These activities include marketing promotion and advertising, market research studies and information publications, development of marketing skills, quality and training.
|
Year |
Company Grants |
Generic Activities |
|
€m |
€m |
|
|
2000 |
Nil |
6.167 |
|
2001 |
1.116 |
5.421 |
|
2002 |
0.813 |
5.922 |
|
2003 |
0.973 |
3.572 |
|
2004 |
0.350 |
4.357 |
|
Total |
3.252 |
25.439 |
|
Company Name |
Amount Paid |
|
€ |
|
|
Allin All Ingredients Ltd |
8,934.47 |
|
Ardrahan Dairy Products |
12,697.38 |
|
Ballyard Foods |
2,407.46 |
|
Bawnor |
12,662.67 |
|
Bellingham Blue Cheese |
3,887.60 |
|
Biscuit Makers |
22,589.59 |
|
Boru Vodka |
41,701.41 |
|
Bunalun Organic Limited |
25,030.41 |
|
Bunratty Mead & Liqueur |
19,046.07 |
|
Carlow Brewing Co. Ltd |
19,046.07 |
|
Carrigaline Farmhouse Cheese |
1,848.08 |
|
Celtic Chocolates |
8,800.19 |
|
Choc Aid |
1,520.00 |
|
Choca Mocca |
4,258.86 |
|
Cistí Gugan Barra |
3,999.28 |
|
Compsey Creamery |
12,231.51 |
|
Cooleeney Cheese |
12,166.71 |
|
Cooley Distillery |
50,789.52 |
|
Coolmore Foods |
22,855.28 |
|
Corleggy Cheese |
2,008.85 |
|
CPAC Foods Ltd |
11,434.17 |
|
Creative Sauces Ltd |
8,906.55 |
|
Crogeen Ltd |
40,631.62 |
|
Derryvilla Farm |
3,980.75 |
|
Dial a Hamper |
19,999.64 |
|
Dingle Peninsula Cheese Ltd |
2,928.86 |
|
Druid Chocolates |
5,952.83 |
|
Durrus Farmhouse Cheese |
5,914.77 |
|
First Ireland Spirits |
24,564.44 |
|
Flahavans |
17,488.67 |
|
Folláin |
9,374.37 |
|
Gallaghers bakery |
15,236.86 |
|
Gallaghers Chocolates |
3,234.02 |
|
Gerry Murphy |
3,415.19 |
|
Glaslough Foods |
4,524.71 |
|
Glenhaven Foods |
27,194.06 |
|
Glenisk Ltd |
21,370.72 |
|
Good Herdsmen |
14,091.68 |
|
Harney Enterprises |
3,172.86 |
|
Heatherfield |
13,979.74 |
|
Hot Irishman |
12,697.00 |
|
Hyde Ltd |
12,688.37 |
|
Inagh Farmhouse Cheese |
5,361.00 |
|
Ina’s Kitchen |
3,030.99 |
|
Infoods |
5,000.23 |
|
Ingredient Solutions Ltd |
14,684.45 |
|
Irish Chocolate Co |
42,314.02 |
|
Irish Food & Drink Exports Ltd |
22,853.94 |
|
Irish Pub Professionals |
12,697.38 |
|
Irish Yogurts Ltd |
19,046.07 |
|
J & L Grubb |
11,681.59 |
|
Kinsale Brewing Co |
8,591.45 |
|
Knockanore Farmhouse Cheese |
3,500.00 |
|
Laragh Stuart |
16,852.51 |
|
Lily O’Briens |
46,201.55 |
|
Lir Chocolates |
32,698.49 |
|
Lisdoon Foods |
461.75 |
|
Malone Food Products |
4,310.16 |
|
Marigot Ltd |
28,652.55 |
|
McCambridge Ltd |
759.93 |
|
Mileens |
2,831.53 |
|
Milish Foods |
282.72 |
|
Morley’s Fine Irish Foods |
2,856.91 |
|
My Own Food Products |
4,564.25 |
|
Natural Ireland Ltd |
3,300.72 |
|
Noodle House Pasta |
2,666.45 |
|
Nore Ingredients Ltd |
22,855.29 |
|
O’Hara’s of Foxford |
38,016.00 |
|
Prinz Drinks |
5,078.95 |
|
Quality Irish Food |
25,237.61 |
|
Radical Fruit Company Ltd |
6,349.00 |
|
Rock Island Foods |
6,672.67 |
|
Rudds |
15,871.72 |
|
Shannon Minerals |
38,092.00 |
|
Sheridans Cheesemongers |
6,121.92 |
|
Sunshine Juice |
1,992.22 |
|
Swissco Ltd |
16,995.37 |
|
The Great American Cookie Co. |
2,500.00 |
|
Tipperary Brewing |
7,116.95 |
|
Tipperary Cuisine |
23,894.86 |
|
Tipperary Organic Ice Cream |
3,952.85 |
|
Torc Truffles |
4,557.78 |
|
Twine Inc |
7,618.43 |
|
Whelans Ltd |
2,299.50 |
|
Whites Bakery |
11,999.02 |
|
Wicklow Fine Foods |
2,539.48 |
|
Total 2001 |
1,116,225.54 |
|
Company Name |
Amount Paid |
|
€ |
|
|
Abbey Blue Cheese (ABO) |
3,000.00 |
|
Allin All Ingredients Ltd |
5,034.51 |
|
Ardrahan Dairy Products |
710.05 |
|
Ballybrado Ltd |
6,550.00 |
|
Bellingham Blue Cheese |
4,442.31 |
|
Benson Food Products |
6,348.00 |
|
Blenders Ltd |
21,458 |
|
Cahill International |
4,131.22 |
|
Carlow Craft Brewery |
19,000.00 |
|
Celtic Chocolates |
7,348.84 |
|
Chivers Ltd |
25,000.00 |
|
Chocaid Com Ltd |
3,000.00 |
|
Chocca Mocca |
1,650.20 |
|
Compsey Creamery Ltd |
45,000.00 |
|
Cooleeney Cheese |
8,986.50 |
|
Dansko Foods Ltd |
3,498.54 |
|
Derryvilla Farm |
9,000.00 |
|
Dromkeen Food Ingredients |
4,988.18 |
|
Druid Chocolates |
1,651.25 |
|
Durrus Farmhouse Cheese |
3,610.65 |
|
Ennis Foods |
38,092.00 |
|
Flair Confectionery Ltd |
396.25 |
|
Foxrock Food Co Ltd |
5,136.03 |
|
Freshways Ltd |
20,000.00 |
|
Gallaghers Bakery |
15,000.00 |
|
Gallweys of Waterford |
2,026.96 |
|
George Mogerley Ltd |
3,840.75 |
|
Glaslough Foods |
3,571.48 |
|
Glenisk Ltd |
30,000.00 |
|
Gourmet Duck Co |
2,648.56 |
|
Green Pastures |
9,938.87 |
|
Heron Quality Foods |
9,500.00 |
|
Hot Irishman |
30,000.00 |
|
Inagh Farmhouse Cheese |
5,000.00 |
|
Ingredient Solutions |
31,760.39 |
|
Irish Food & Drink Exports |
21,000.00 |
|
Irish Yogurts Ltd |
38,731.50 |
|
John O’Sullivan Ltd |
1,000.00 |
|
Lir Chocolates |
14,662.09 |
|
M & S Browne Ltd |
3,200.00 |
|
Marigot |
30,000.00 |
|
Mileens Cheese |
2,856.13 |
|
Mileevin Ltd |
960.72 |
|
Milne Foods Ltd |
3,480.03 |
|
Missy & ’andy's Ice Cream Ltd |
662.32 |
|
Mrs Collins Ice Cream |
1,589.68 |
|
National Food Ingredients |
6,474.43 |
|
Quality Irish Food |
50,750.48 |
|
Radical Fruit Company Ltd |
10,000.00 |
|
Rajdoot |
3,196.71 |
|
Real Food at Home |
6,000.00 |
|
Roaring Water Bay Spirits Co |
4,213.86 |
|
Rock Island Foods |
1,294.10 |
|
Rose Confectionery |
2,000.00 |
|
Rosscarbery Oysters Ltd |
2,294.62 |
|
Shannon Minerals |
40,000.00 |
|
Sheila’s (Mayo) Ltd |
6,000.00 |
|
Silver Pail Ltd |
6,079.21 |
|
South Sligo Cheese Co |
3,405.45 |
|
Stable Diet Ltd |
2,903.80 |
|
Su Si Foods |
1,848.13 |
|
Sunshine Juice |
8,990.31 |
|
Swift fine Foods |
10,000.00 |
|
Swissco Ltd |
29,012.82 |
|
The Country Cooking Co Ltd |
4,890.76 |
|
The Irish Chocolate Company Ltd |
34,343.09 |
|
Tipperary Organic Ice Cream |
10,000.00 |
|
Torc Truffles Ltd |
3,237.33 |
|
Virginia House Trading Co Ltd |
18,523.85 |
|
Zed Gum |
38,297.29 |
|
Total 2002 |
813,218.25 |
|
Company Name |
Amount Paid |
|
€ |
|
|
4e Fulfilment.com Ltd |
15,000.00 |
|
Allin All Ingredients Ltd |
15,474.80 |
|
Ardrahan Dairy Products Ltd |
14,564.33 |
|
Benson Foods |
5,000.00 |
|
Blenders |
12,000.00 |
|
Bunratty Mead & Liqueur |
22,400.00 |
|
Butlers Pantry |
14,000.00 |
|
Cahill International |
3,392.52 |
|
Carlow Craft Brewery Ltd |
3,200.00 |
|
Carrigaline Farmhouse |
3,000.00 |
|
Celtbury Ltd |
20,000.00 |
|
Celtic Chocolates Ltd |
4,000.00 |
|
Chocaid.Com Ltd |
1,000.00 |
|
Cisti Gugan Barra |
18,901.79 |
|
Clonakilty Food Co |
40,000.00 |
|
Cooley Distillery |
27,431.21 |
|
Coolmore |
13,196.00 |
|
Country Cooking Ltd |
14,000.00 |
|
Country Crest |
10,000.00 |
|
Country Kitchen Cuisine Ltd |
8,000.00 |
|
CPAC |
15,600.00 |
|
Cybercolors Ltd |
12,178.73 |
|
Dave & ’Teri's Cookies |
12,000.00 |
|
Derryvilla Farm |
5,000.00 |
|
Druid Chocolates Ltd |
1,552.67 |
|
Dundalk Food Products T/A Malones |
10,618.71 |
|
Durrus Cheese |
4,882.42 |
|
Eastdale, the Real Irish Food Co |
3,250.00 |
|
Ennis Foods Ltd |
30,000.00 |
|
First Ireland Spirits |
43,400.00 |
|
Flahavans |
11,736.07 |
|
Flair Confectionery |
1,080.00 |
|
Folláin Teo |
12,471.12 |
|
Foxrock Food Company Ltd |
5,163.00 |
|
Fruitfield Foods Ltd (Formerly Nestle Irl) |
35,000.00 |
|
Gaelic Heritage |
1,532.00 |
|
Gallwey’s of Waterford |
757.25 |
|
Georgre Mogerley Ltd |
4,000.00 |
|
Glaslough Foods |
15,750.00 |
|
Glenboy Goats Products |
12,000.00 |
|
Glenhaven |
40,000.00 |
|
Glenilen Farm |
2,634.96 |
|
Glenisk Ltd |
3,000.00 |
|
Good Herdsmen Ltd |
20,157.92 |
|
Green Pastures |
6,149.31 |
|
Gubbeen Farmhouse Cheese |
4,500.00 |
|
Harney Enterprises Ltd |
922.20 |
|
Heatherfield Ltd t/a Seerys |
10,959.45 |
|
Hot Irishman Ltd |
3,400.00 |
|
Hyde Ltd |
18,000.00 |
|
Ingredient Solutions |
3,239.61 |
|
Irish Bay Tree Traditional |
398.93 |
|
Irish Food and Drink Exports Ltd |
4,000.00 |
|
J&L Grubb |
15,000.00 |
|
John O’Sullivan & Co |
6,653.50 |
|
Lily O’Briens Chocolates |
40,000.00 |
|
Lios na Grai Ltd |
3,550.00 |
|
Lir |
33,406.10 |
|
M& S Browne Ltd |
8,000.00 |
|
Marchminder Ltd |
7,000.00 |
|
Marigot |
3,500.00 |
|
Mileevin Ltd |
3,453.65 |
|
Moyle Salads |
3,673.00 |
|
My Own Food Products Ltd |
2,593.47 |
|
Nature’s Best |
35,000.00 |
|
Nutrition Supplies & Services Ltd |
26,560.11 |
|
PG Brogan & Company Ltd |
19,033.62 |
|
Protocol Food Ingredients Ltd |
4,463.61 |
|
Quality Irish Foods |
3,500.00 |
|
Roaring Water Bay (Boru Vodka) |
11,893.08 |
|
Rock Island Foods |
1,520.00 |
|
Rosscarbery Oysters Ltd |
1,287.50 |
|
Sam’s Cookies Ltd |
2,000.00 |
|
Shalvey’s Poultry |
17,850.00 |
|
Shannonside Mushroom Mktg Ltd |
5,000.00 |
|
Silver Pail Dairy Ltd |
9,393.04 |
|
Stable Diet |
7394.05 |
|
SuSi Foods Ltd |
787.50 |
|
The Butlers Pantry |
14,000.00 |
|
The Or Organisation Ltd |
3,000.00 |
|
The Porterhouse |
12620.39 |
|
Twine Inc |
4,557.55 |
|
Whelan’s/Elliotts |
2,154.10 |
|
Wildes Irish Chocolates |
3,833.47 |
|
Zed Candy |
40,000.00 |
|
Total 2003 |
972,572.74 |
|
Company Name |
Amount Paid |
|
€ |
|
|
4e Fulfilment.com Ltd |
1,000.00 |
|
Aine’s Chocolates Ltd |
5,023.50 |
|
Allin All Ingredients Ltd |
3,076.89 |
|
Ardrahan Dairy Products Ltd |
5,466.98 |
|
Baking Emporium Ltd |
500.00 |
|
Ballycotton Seafoods Ltd |
424.85 |
|
Blenders Ltd |
2,900.00 |
|
Brids Brown Bread |
468.18 |
|
Carrigaline Farmhouse Cheese |
2,117.70 |
|
Carrigbyrne Farmhouse Cheese Ltd |
1,906.25 |
|
Castle Leslie Gifts & Goodies |
4,500.00 |
|
Celtbury Ltd |
3,400.00 |
|
Celtic Chocolates Ltd |
2,500.00 |
|
Chand Foods Ltd |
1,000.00 |
|
Chivers Ireland Ltd |
3,000.00 |
|
Chocaid.Com Ltd |
872.50 |
|
Cistí Gugan Barra Teo |
8,000.00 |
|
Clonakilty Food Company Ltd |
1,499.95 |
|
Cocoa Bean Handmade Chocolates |
750.00 |
|
Compsey Creamery Ltd |
3,500.00 |
|
Cooleeney Farmhouse Cheese |
6,516.41 |
|
Cooley Distillery Ltd |
3,200.00 |
|
Coolmore Fresh Foods Ltd |
3,000.00 |
|
Corleggy Cheese |
724.55 |
|
Country Cooking Company Ltd |
9,000.00 |
|
Country Crest Ltd |
3,200.00 |
|
Couverture Ltd |
6,500.00 |
|
CPAC Ltd |
4,000.00 |
|
Creative Sauces Ltd |
5,000.00 |
|
Crozier Dairy Prodcuts Ltd |
5,157.81 |
|
Cybercolors Ltd |
3,500.00 |
|
Dansko Foods Ltd |
3,200.00 |
|
Derryvilla Farm |
5,000.00 |
|
Druid Chocolates Ltd |
4,352.25 |
|
Durrus Farmhouse Cheese Ltd |
4,300.18 |
|
Edward Flahavan & Sons Ltd |
3,500.00 |
|
Fermoy Natural Cheese Company Ltd |
1,366.18 |
|
Flair Confectionery |
1,000.00 |
|
Fruitfield Foods Ltd |
3,500.00 |
|
Gallaghers Bakery Ltd |
2,000.00 |
|
Gallaghers Irish Chocolates Ltd |
3,990.00 |
|
Gallweys of Waterford Ltd |
1,511.28 |
|
Galmere Fresh Foods Ltd |
2,000.00 |
|
Garryvoe Foods Ltd |
4,460.11 |
|
Glenhaven Foods (Arklow) Ltd |
3,200.00 |
|
Glyde Farm Produce |
1,270.37 |
|
Green Pastures (Donegal) Ltd |
3,500.00 |
|
Greenacres Foods Irl Ltd |
1,277.76 |
|
Gubbeen Farmhouse Products Ltd |
4,383.94 |
|
Harney Enterprises Ltd |
1,340.90 |
|
Healy Fine Foods Ltd |
1,000.00 |
|
Heatherfield Ltd |
2,719.98 |
|
Heron Quality Foods Ltd |
4,000.00 |
|
Horgans Delicatessens Supplies Ltd |
8,000.00 |
|
Hot Irishman Ltd |
3,350.00 |
|
Hyde Ltd |
20,000.00 |
|
Inagh Farmhouse Cheese Ltd |
10,337.50 |
|
Ina’s Kitchen Desserts Ltd |
2,720.00 |
|
Ingredients Solutions Ltd |
3,200.00 |
|
Irish Flapjack and Muffin Company |
3,387.38 |
|
Irish Yogurts Ltd |
3,600.00 |
|
Itsa Bagel Ltd |
761.55 |
|
J&L Grubb Ltd |
7,381.52 |
|
James Daly & Sons Ltd |
3,000.00 |
|
Kilfera Food Manufacturers Ltd |
1,767.37 |
|
Krawczyk’s West Cork Salami |
2,000.00 |
|
Laragh Stewart Foods Ltd |
5,952.56 |
|
Lily’s Ltd |
3,000.00 |
|
Lir Chocolates Ltd |
3,000.00 |
|
Lundy Foods Ltd |
10,175.00 |
|
M.A.P.P Foods Ltd |
1,945.08 |
|
Mileeven Ltd |
1,707.08 |
|
Milleens Cheese |
1,587.91 |
|
Milne Foods Ltd |
1,744.00 |
|
Mount Callan Farmhouse Cheese |
1,975.68 |
|
My Own Food Products |
2,745.82 |
|
N.S.S Ltd |
2,535.98 |
|
Natural Ireland Ltd |
4,500.00 |
|
Natures Best Ltd |
3,500.00 |
|
Noodle House Organic Pasta |
2,606.13 |
|
Nore Ingredients Ltd |
3,000.00 |
|
Olvi Oils Ltd |
900.94 |
|
Paganini Ltd |
5,000.00 |
|
Port Yarrock Smokery |
689.25 |
|
Protocol Food Ingredients |
2,733.13 |
|
Quality First Ltd |
3,000.00 |
|
Radical Fruit Company Ltd |
6,000.00 |
|
Shannon Minerals Ltd |
3,000.00 |
|
Sheridans Cheesemongers Ltd |
2,840.94 |
|
Silverpail Dairy Ireland |
3,400.00 |
|
Stable Diet Ltd |
4,709.96 |
|
Sunnyside Fruit Farm |
2,000.00 |
|
Sunshine Juice Ltd |
3,846.00 |
|
Susi Foods |
1,294.20 |
|
Swift Fine Foods Ltd |
3,200.00 |
|
Swissco Ltd |
3,200.00 |
|
The Irish Chocolate Company Ltd |
3,000.00 |
|
The Porterhouse |
3,000.00 |
|
The Scullery Fine Foods Specialists Ltd |
2,500.00 |
|
Tipperary Organic Ice Cream Ltd |
8,000.00 |
|
Twine Inc and Organic Herb Company |
3,618.61 |
|
Total 2004 |
349,992.11 |
628 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the amount of funding to the food and agricultural sector which has been allocated to the human resource development measure under the NDP to date; if she will provide a list of all the projects funded and the amounts allocated to each to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34289/04]
In the period 1 January 2000 to 31 December 2004, public expenditure of €66.57 million was allocated in the food and agriculture sector under the human resource development measure of the national development plan. The table below sets out the details of the expenditure under the relevant measures.
|
Measure |
€m |
|
Teagasc agricultural training |
55.95 |
|
International Equine Institute |
1.14 |
|
In-Company training in the food sector |
9.48 |
|
Total |
66.57 |
The expenditure under the various measures covers training and human resource development programmes and is therefore not project based. In the case of Teagasc, the training measures under the national development plan relate to sectoral entry and ongoing training in the agricultural sector. The overall aim of the sectoral entry training is to ensure that entrants to farming acquire the technical and managerial knowledge and skills required to compete in the market place, and that entrants to part-time farming have access to appropriate training in agriculture as well as access to training for other income-generating activities.
The overall aim of the ongoing sectoral training is to update the technical and business knowledge and skills of practising farmers and horticulturists and to meet the specific training needs of rural women and of people engaged in or considering diversified rural enterprises.
The role of the International Equine Institute at the University of Limerick is to support the continued development of the Irish horse industry through its education and training programmes; the provision of in-service and continuing education opportunities for professional and other categories of employees in the industry; the promotion and commissioning of relevant research; the application and dissemination of research information and outcomes and the further development of the industry's international network. This measure provides aid towards the establishment, administrative, teaching and associated costs incurred by the institute in developing and delivering third level non-degree courses in equine science including taught-on-campus and distance learning courses to certificate or diploma level as well as other information courses, seminars and conferences.
Funding for in-company human resource development in the food industry is administered by Enterprise Ireland. Support is targeted at client firms with the capacity and ambition to significantly grow their sales and exports, within the context of support packages for agreed business plans. Significant funding is also allocated to address transectoral priority areas such as food safety, management development and information technology The key areas addressed by the programme are: food safety, competitiveness and improved productivity, management development, innovation management, information technology and logistics, food core skills, food marketing skills and micro food companies.
629 Mr. N. O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the reason for the delay in payment of installation aid to a person (details supplied) in County Cork who was approved on 28 August 2003. [34294/04]
This person is an applicant under the installation aid scheme and submitted an application for payment to my Department on 17 September 2003. However, following an examination of this application, the person concerned appears not to have fulfilled the educational requirements of the scheme. As no reply has yet been received to a request for further information sent to the applicant concerned in relation to his educational qualifications, the application for payment cannot be progressed at this stage.
630 Mr. Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the number of persons who joined the early farm retirement scheme and who now found themselves in a situation in which their assets are seriously devalued; it she will compensate these farmers for their losses; if they will receive a quota from the national reserve; and if she will deal with the fact that the scheme is not indexed. [1032/05]
A total of 10,300 farmers joined the first scheme of early retirement from farming introduced in 1994. Some 2,600 farmers have applied under the second scheme that was introduced in November 2000.
In general, the new single payment scheme introduced in Ireland from 1 January 2005 is applicable to farmers who actively farmed during the reference years 2000, 2001 and 2002, who were paid livestock premia and/or arable aid in one or more of those years and who will continue to farm in 2005.
Farmers who joined the 1994 early retirement scheme, which closed to new applications in December 1999, did not farm during the reference period and cannot establish entitlements under the single payment scheme. Where they transferred their holdings by lease, it was the transferees who were actively farming during the reference years and it is they who will have entitlements established for them. A fundamental plank of the single payment system is that entitlements are attached to the farmer who was actively farming during the reference period, not to the land.
During the course of negotiations with the European Commission on the single payment scheme, Ireland secured agreement to an arrangement that will benefit family members or others who now take over holdings that were farmed by third parties who had leased them during the reference period. Farmers who take over such holdings, by transfer free of charge or by a lease of five or more years at a nominal amount, may apply to the national reserve for payment entitlements under the single payment scheme.
Participants in the early retirement scheme launched in November 2000, who farmed during part or all of the reference period, will have entitlements in their own right and can, before 15 May 2005, use the private contract clause to lease these entitlements to the young farmer who holds the lease of their land under the early retirement scheme. In such circumstances, the retired farmer must establish the entitlements in 2005 on a special form provided by the Department. The qualifying young farmer may or may not have entitlements and land in his or her own right.
As regards index linking of payments, the rate of pension payable under the 1994 scheme of early retirement from farming is the maximum provided for by the European Council regulation under which the scheme was introduced. The regulation does not provide for indexation of payments. My Department's proposals for the scheme included provision for annual increases in pension over the period of the plan. The European Commission rejected this proposal and insisted on legal grounds that a fixed rate be set instead.
631 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food when a person in County Longford (details supplied) will receive a decision regarding a force majeure application which was submitted in March 2004; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1033/05]
The person named applied for consideration of force majeure or exceptional circumstances on 29 January 2004 on the grounds of an outbreak of TB during the reference period.
Having fully examined the circumstances outlined by the person named, my Department is satisfied that force majeure circumstances should apply in this case. The year 2002 will be excluded and the years 2000 and 2001 only, will now be used in the calculation of the provisional single payment entitlements in this case.
The person named was notified of this decision on 17 January 2005 and a statement of provisional entitlements reflecting this position will issue shortly.
632 Mr. Kehoe asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the reason a person (details supplied) in County Wexford was penalised under the REP scheme; the options available to that person; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1034/05]
A penalty of 100% of her annual payment was imposed on the person named because in the course of a compliance inspection on 19 April 2000, listed habitats were found not to be fenced off as her agri-environment plan had specified.
My Department is obliged to recover, within a reasonable period of time, all overpayments under REPS. However, my officials always attempt to reach arrangements that take account of individual circumstances and they will contact the person named in the near future to discuss her situation.
633 Mr. P. Breen asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food, further to Question No. 225 of 10 November 2004, if the application under the new entrant or inheritance measure of the single payment scheme for a person (details supplied) in County Clare has been processed; when a decision will be made; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1035/05]
The person named submitted an application for consideration as a new entrant to farming during the reference years 2000-02 and also an inheritance application in respect of the single payment scheme.
Following processing of his new entrant application it was deemed that the person named did not meet the criteria as a person commencing a farming activity during the reference years as he had submitted area aid application forms and was in receipt of direct payments in all three of the reference years. The inheritance application was also deemed unsuccessful because no entitlements were generated by the transferor during the reference years 2000-02 as he was not in receipt of direct payments in those years. The person named has been given the opportunity to appeal both decisions to the independent single payment appeals committee.
634 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if a person (details supplied) in County Mayo has been awarded their full entitlements. [1118/05]
A certificate of provisional entitlements under the single payment scheme issued to the person named on 7 October 2004. The statement included a detailed breakdown of how the provisional entitlements were calculated. Farmers who are not satisfied with their provisional entitlement statement may seek a review on a form which is available from all local offices of my Department and from my Department's website. To date a review form has not been received from the person named.
635 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food when an appeal for entitlements due to force majeure exceptional circumstances will be finalised for a person (details supplied) in County Mayo. [1119/05]
The person named has been notified that the circumstances outlined in his single payment scheme application for consideration of force majeure or exceptional circumstances did not satisfy the criteria laid down under Article 40 Council Regulation (EC) No. 1782/2003. Following this decision the person named submitted an appeal to the independent single payment appeals committee. This appeal is listed for examination at this week’s sitting of the 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.
636 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the reason a person (details supplied) in County Mayo did not receive an extensification payment for 2001; and when this appeal for payment will be dealt with. [1120/05]
A payable order for €1,511.40 issued to the person named on 21 January 2005 representing his full entitlement to 2001 extensification premium on a total of 22.9 animals that had already qualified for payment of 2001 suckler cow premium and 2001 special beef premium on his holding.
637 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food when a decision will be made available on the further appeal by persons (details supplied) in County Mayo under the single payment scheme force majeure and exceptional circumstances. [1121/05]
The persons named applied for force majeure on the grounds of brucellosis depopulation of their herd during 2000. While epizootic disease is acceptable as force majeure, it was not applied in this case, as the exclusion of 2000 from premia entitlements for the persons named during the reference period 2000 to 2002 would have resulted in a significantly lower single payment entitlement.
The persons named appealed this decision to the independent single payment appeals committee and the findings of the appeals committee were that the original decision taken by my Department should be upheld. Further appeals have been received, similar to the initial force majeure application, requesting that the single payment entitlement be based on production levels in 2003 and 2004 rather than in the reference period, 2000 to 2002. There are no provisions within the regulations governing the single payment scheme to permit the use of 2003 and 2004 as reference years.
638 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the position regarding an appeal under force majeure and exceptional circumstances for a person (details supplied) in County Mayo. [1122/05]
The person named, having been notified that the circumstances outlined by him did not satisfy the criteria for force majeure or exceptional circumstances under Article 40 of Council Regulation (EC) No. 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 25 November 2004. The appeals committee found that as the illness suffered by the person considerably pre-dated the reference period, the original decision taken by my Department should be upheld.
In his application and subsequent appeal the person named had requested my Department to grant him entitlements in respect of stock that he would have kept in the reference period, but was unable to do so because of the circumstances outlined. However, there are no provisions in the force majeure regulations whereby additional entitlements can be granted in such circumstances.
639 Mr. J. O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food her views on the development of genetically modified crops; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1214/05]
The Government's position on genetically modified organisms has been consistent from the outset. This position was adopted arising from the report of the interdepartmental group on modern biotechnology, published in October 2000, which recommended a positive but precautionary approach towards genetically modified organisms and biotechnology in general.
While I acknowledge the potential benefits from the use of modern biotechnology it is critically important that the approval of genetically modified organisms is carried out under the most stringent controls and based on full scientific evidence to ensure that human health and the environment are fully safeguarded. I am satisfied that such safeguards are in place with the adoption by the Council and European Parliament over the past number of years of a raft of regulations on genetically modified organisms which also provide for consumer choice through the labelling provisions.
The genetic modification area of direct relevance to my Department is that dealing with the co-existence of GM crops alongside non-GM crops. The Commission has decided that co-existence should be addressed at member state level and has provided a series of guidelines to assist in dealing with the issues that arise. All member states, including Ireland, are drawing up strategies and best practices to provide for effective co-existence arrangements and the interdepartmental or interagency working group charged with coming up with recommendations hope to submit a finalised report to my Department in the near future.
640 Mr. Hogan asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if she will take action to ensure the continuation of production at the Carlow sugar factory of a company (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1259/05]
673 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the position regarding her Department’s investigation of the proposed closure of the Carlow sugar factory; the position regarding agreements between her Department and the relevant company in relation to the golden shore aspect of such agreement; her plans to meet the relevant concerned bodies; the result of meetings she has had in regard to this closure; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1959/05]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 640 and 673 together.
The recent decision by Greencore Group plc — Irish Sugar Limited to close its sugar plant in Carlow and to consolidate all of its sugar manufacturing in Mallow was a commercial decision taken by the board. The company made the decision in the light of the increasing competition in the sugar market and taking account of the reality that changes will occur in the industry as a consequence of the reform of the EU sugar regime. The trend towards rationalisation and increased productivity in the sugar sector has been evident throughout the European Union for some time. In the EU 15, for example, the number of sugar plants declined from 240 to 135 between 1990 and 2001, while employment in the sector declined from 37,000 to just over 20,000 over the same period.
Greencore's rationalisation programme involves an investment of €20 million to €25 million which clearly demonstrates a commitment to maintaining an efficient sugar processing industry in Ireland. I am confident that the company and the beet growers will be able to work out satisfactory arrangements to meet the new situation. Meanwhile, I will continue my efforts to ensure that the future shape of the EU sugar regime will be consistent with the continuance of an efficient sugar beet growing and processing industry in this country.
As Minister, I hold a special share in Greencore plc. That share has the same monetary value as any other share in the company but has conditions attached which prevent the company from engaging in certain activities without the prior written consent of the Minister. It does not empower me to become involved in operational matters or ordinary business decisions made by the company.
The special share prevents the disposal of the controlling interest in Irish Sugar Limited or the sugar assets and prevents a single shareholder or group of shareholders acting together from gaining control of Greencore plc.
I have had several meetings with stakeholders about the future of sugar beet growing and processing in this country in the context of the forthcoming reform of the EU sugar regime. However, I have had no meetings specifically related to Greencore's rationalisation programme which is a commercial matter for the company.
641 Mr. McGuinness asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if a force majeure application in the name of a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny will be reviewed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1274/05]
The person named, having been notified that the circumstances outlined by him did not satisfy the criteria for force majeure or exceptional circumstances under Article 40 of Council Regulation (EC) No. 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 6 November 2004. The appeals committee found that the original decision taken by my Department should be upheld.
My Department has re-examined the additional medical evidence submitted on appeal and is now satisfied that force majeure can be applied in respect of the serious degeneration of the medical condition of the person named in 2000. Consequently, the year 2000 will be excluded and only the years 2001 and 2002 will be used in the calculation of the single payment entitlement. An amended statement of provisional entitlements reflecting this position will issue shortly to the person named.
642 Mr. McGuinness asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the progress in relation to an application under the milk quota scheme in the name of a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny; if a decision will be expedited; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1275/05]
Allocations of milk quota from the milk quota national reserve are granted on the basis of recommendations from the milk quota appeals tribunal. The tribunal is a body established to consider and advise on applications for additional quota from individual producers who have suffered severe hardship in the context of the milk quota system. The named person has submitted an application for additional quota on the grounds of hardship in the current 2004-05 milk quota year. The tribunal will endeavour to examine all applications before the end of the quota year. All applicants will be notified of the outcome as soon as their case has been considered.
643 Mr. McGuinness asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if an application under force majeure in the name of a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny will be reviewed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1276/05]
An application for consideration under the force majeure or exceptional circumstances measure of the single payment regulations was submitted by the person named 6 February 2004. The person named has been notified that the circumstances outlined by him do not satisfy the criteria for force majeure or exceptional circumstances under Article 40 of Council Regulation (EC) No. 1782/2003. The person named has been advised that he may appeal this decision to the independent single payment appeals committee who will carry out a full review of the circumstances outlined.
644 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the number of farmers who are still awaiting notification of their entitlements under the single farm payment; if she will provide a breakdown of these figures on a county basis and the figures for those still awaiting a decision on their force majeure application; if these farmers will still be eligible to submit force majeure applications, appeals and applications under the national reserve; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1288/05]
659 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the number of farmers still awaiting initial formal notification of their entitlement under the single farm payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1574/05]
660 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the number of farmers still awaiting a decision on their force majeure application; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1575/05]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 644, 659 and 660 together.
To date 131,806 farmers have received notification of their provisional single farm payment entitlement. This leaves a balance of 9,611 farmers who have not yet been notified. These farmers are awaiting processing of applications under various measures of the single payment regulations such as force majeure, new entrant and inheritance cases. The break down per county of these 9,611 cases is as follows:
|
Number |
|
|
Carlow |
159 |
|
Cavan |
289 |
|
Clare |
397 |
|
Cork |
1,063 |
|
Donegal |
444 |
|
Dublin |
54 |
|
Galway |
854 |
|
Kerry |
614 |
|
Kildare |
191 |
|
Kilkenny |
306 |
|
Laois |
308 |
|
Leitrim |
157 |
|
Limerick |
459 |
|
Longford |
137 |
|
Louth |
142 |
|
Mayo |
899 |
|
Meath |
374 |
|
Monaghan |
310 |
|
Offaly |
283 |
|
Roscommon |
349 |
|
Sligo |
220 |
|
Tipperary |
715 |
|
Waterford |
235 |
|
Westmeath |
184 |
|
Wexford |
316 |
|
Wicklow |
152 |
A total of 1,545 farmers who submitted applications in the first application period are awaiting a decision on their force majeure application. The large majority of these relate to cases where my Department sought additional information in support of the application. In excess of 2,500 applications received in the second application period for force majeure are being processed. However, the applicants in the second application period have generally already been notified of their provisional single payment entitlements.
All farmers who have not yet received a notification of their single payment entitlements will have a period of four weeks, following receipt of that notification, to request a review of their entitlements and will have a right to appeal to the independent single payment appeals committee if dissatisfied with the outcome of that review. Farmers who wished to submit an application under the force majeure or exceptional circumstances measure or to apply to the single payment national reserve could have done so on the basis of being eligible under one or more of the categories specified. It was therefore not necessary to have received a notification of entitlements prior to submitting an application under either of these measures.
645 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food her plans to provide for oral hearings under the decision process for the allocation of the national reserve; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1289/05]
There are no plans to provide for oral hearings under the decision process for the allocation of entitlements from the single payment national reserve. Applicants who are not happy with my Department's decisions on the national reserve may seek to have the decisions reviewed within the Department and if unhappy with the outcome of the review, they may appeal to the single payment appeals committee, which operates under the independent chairmanship of Mr. John Duggan. The appeals committee has already dealt satisfactorily with appeals on decisions under force majeure and I have no doubt it will also deal effectively with any appeals received on decisions made in relation to the 2005 single payment national reserve.
646 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if she will outline the ownership of the Irish sugar quota; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1294/05]
Under the EU sugar regime, which runs until 30 June 2006, there is no provision for the buying and selling of sugar quotas and therefore the question of quota ownership does not arise. The EU regulations stipulate that the national sugar quota must be allocated to the sugar manufacturing enterprises in the member state. Accordingly, the entire Irish sugar quota has been used by Irish Sugar Limited, which is the only sugar manufacturer in this country. The company in turn places contracts with farmers to grow sugar beet sufficient to manufacture the sugar quota. There is no specific quota for sugar beet.
The issue of quota ownership has been raised in the context of the Commission's proposals for reform of the EU sugar regime. The proposals envisage the possibility of cross-border mobility of sugar quotas in the future. Several member states, including Ireland, are opposed to this idea. If the proposal for quota mobility is maintained, then the Commission will also propose appropriate rules to deal with that situation. I have already sought the Attorney General's advice on the matter of quota ownership. However, one of my main priorities in the upcoming negotiations is to ensure that mobility of quota is not allowed.
647 Mr. N. O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if consideration will be given to an application for the single payment scheme under the force majeure and exceptional circumstances in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Cork. [1304/05]
An application for consideration under the force majeure or exceptional circumstances measure of the single payment regulations was submitted by the person named on 22 January 2004.
The person named has been notified that the circumstances outlined by him do not satisfy the criteria for force majeure or exceptional circumstances under Article 40 of Council Regulation (EC) No. 1782/2003. The person named has been advised that he may appeal this decision to the independent single payment appeals committee which will carry out a full review of the circumstances outlined.
648 Mr. Kehoe asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food, further to Question No. 359 of 17 November 2004, the status of the appeal for the single payment scheme for a person (details supplied) in County Wexford; when a decision will be made; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1305/05]
The person named having been notified that the circumstances outlined in his application did not satisfy the criteria for force majeure or exceptional circumstances under Article 40 of Council Regulation (EC) No. 1782/2003, appealed this decision and submitted additional medical evidence in support of his case.
My Department has, following the re-examination of the circumstances outlined, including the additional information submitted on appeal, decided that the reference years 2000, 2001 and 2002 will be excluded from the calculation of the single farm payment entitlements for the person named and the entitlements will be based on the reference years 1997, 1998 and 1999. A statement of provisional entitlements reflecting this position will issue shortly to the person named.
649 Mr. McGuinness asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if an application will be expedited for milk quota from the appeals tribunal in the name of a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary. [1351/05]
Allocations of milk quota from the milk quota national reserve are granted on the basis of recommendations from the milk quota appeals tribunal. The tribunal is a body established to consider and advise on applications for additional quota from individual producers who have suffered severe hardship in the context of the milk quota system.
The named person has submitted an application for additional quota on the grounds of hardship in the current 2004-05 milk quota year. The tribunal will endeavour to examine all applications before the end of the quota year. All applicants will be notified of the outcome as soon as their case has been considered.
650 Mr. P. Breen asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food, further to Question No. 343 of 23 November 2004, when a person (details supplied) in County Clare will receive headage payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1352/05]
Since I replied to Question No. 343 of 23 November 2004, payments have issued under both the 2004 suckler cow premium scheme and the 2004 area based compensatory allowance scheme. A 60% advance instalment in respect of three animals applied on under the suckler cow scheme amounting to €403.47 issued on 29 December 2004. Payment of full entitlement under the area based compensatory allowance scheme amounting to €927.91 issued on 29 December 2004. These payments issued to the solicitors acting on behalf of the person named. Balancing payments under the suckler cow scheme will start at the end of March.
651 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the reason a person (details supplied) in County Longford has not been awarded any entitlements under the decoupling proposals; if steps will be taken to ensure that this person is allocated appropriate entitlements; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1353/05]
The person named, having been notified that the circumstances outlined by him did not satisfy the criteria for force majeure or exceptional circumstances under Article 40 of Council Regulation (EC) No. 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 19 November 2004. The appeals committee found that the original decision taken by my Department should be upheld.
However, following further representations and additional information received, my Department has re-examined the circumstances of this case and is satisfied that force majeure should be applied. As a result the single farm payment entitlements will be based on the earlier reference period, 1997, 1998 and 1999 and the reference period 2000 to 2002 will be excluded. An updated statement of provisional single payment entitlements, reflecting this position, will issue shortly to the person named.
652 Mr. P. Breen asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if her Department will agree that a person (details supplied) in County Clare pay reduced instalments on a refund for an early retirement farm scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1354/05]
It is a requirement of EU Council Regulation 1257/1999, under which the early retirement scheme operates, that the early retirement pension may only be paid as a supplement to any national retirement pension payable. This means that any national retirement pension to which a participant becomes entitled, whether before or after entry to the scheme, must be deducted from the early retirement pension. The overpayment in this case arose because the person named was, for a time, receiving both a national retirement pension from the Department of Social and Family Affairs and the full amount of the early retirement pension.
My Department is obliged to recover, within a reasonable period of time, all overpayments under the scheme. However, my officials always attempt to reach arrangements that take account of individual circumstances and they will contact the person named in the near future to discuss his situation with a view to reaching agreement on an acceptable repayment schedule.
653 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the reason persons who are jointly farming cannot have a herd number registered in both names; her plans to have this matter addressed and the computer system updated; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1377/05]
The herd number system is an administrative arrangement under the disease eradication schemes and is designed primarily for the purposes of disease control.
The criteria used in assessing applications for a herd number principally include independent management of the holding, separate housing and fodder, the availability of adequate testing facilities and without the possibility of intermixing with cattle from any other herd. In effect, a herd number is issued in respect of a distinct epidemiological unit.
My Department, as a matter of policy and consistent with Irish and EU legal provisions, when issuing a herd number registers one individual person as the "keeper" of the animals. When a company, institution or multiple persons wish to register an interest in the herd number they are registered as "herdowners" and are asked to nominate the keeper who is to be the initial point of contact in regard to animal inspections, testing, identification, records etc. and who is legally responsible for the day-to-day care and welfare of the animals. The "keeper" is not necessarily the owner of the animals and the role of "keeper" on the computer system is a non-payee role to prevent any payments being made for example, reactor payments under the disease eradication programmes, directly to a keeper who is not also registered as a "herdowner". In the event that the keeper and owner are one and the same person, she or he is assigned both roles. I have no proposals to change the present system.
The first phase of the new animal health computer system, which involves the replacement and enhancement of the current cattle disease testing system while at the same time providing functionality in relation to broader veterinary and animal health activities and laying the foundation for future expansion of the system in those areas, is being rolled out at present to all district veterinary offices. Roll-out should be completed by the end of next month. The animal health computer system has been designed to allow veterinary practitioners and the Department electronically to exchange data relating to disease tests. This will provide greater efficiencies for both the Department and veterinary practitioners.
The new system will augment other computer systems developed by the Department in recent years, particularly those relating to cattle traceability, thus providing further consumer assurance in the area of food safety. The system will share data with a number of systems including cattle movement monitoring system and the bovine tagging and registration system thereby providing a complete picture of an animal's life cycle.
654 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if a farmer is entitled to stack entitlements granted under the single farm payment force majeure scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1379/05]
My Department has received confirmation from the European Commission that farmers who have benefited under any of the measures introduced as part of the single payment scheme such as force majeure can apply to consolidate their entitlements provided they satisfy the provisions set out in the relevant EU Regulations.
655 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if a farmer is entitled to stack entitlements granted under the single farm payment national reserve scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1380/05]
My Department has been in contact with the European Commission with a view to clarifying certain aspects of the single payment scheme regulation, including the question raised by the Deputy and we are awaiting a reply at present. The Deputy will appreciate that Ireland took the lead in Europe in setting up the single payment scheme and, consequently, certain technical and legal issues were bound to arise which will require ongoing clarification.
Under Articles 13(4) and 18(2) of European Commission Regulation 795/2004 it appears that a farmer who meets the condition for applying under two or more specific provisions under the regulations governing the single payment scheme, may receive the benefit of the most advantageous single provision only. This would indicate that in certain situations a farmer may not be allowed to consolidate — stack — entitlements allocated from the national reserve. For example, if a farmer receives an allocation of entitlements from the national reserve under category B based on the fact that he/she had leased in land on a long-term lease during the reference period, then it would appear that he/she would not be allowed stack his/her entitlements as the benefit of the leased in land has already been received in his/her allocation of entitlements from the reserve.
As soon as remaining issues have been clarified by the European Commission my Department will publish guidelines for farmers who may be thinking about availing of the stacking arrangements for 2005.
656 Mr. Crawford asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the number of animal tags which have been provided for in each of the past seven years; the number which had to have both tags replaced in each of those years; the number which had to have one tag replaced; if she has satisfied herself that this is the best form of identification available; if there is any research being carried out to improve the system of finding an alternative; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1482/05]
The numbers of new and replacement bovine animal identification ear tags issued during the last seven years are set out in the following table.
|
Calendar Year |
No. of New Tags Sets |
No. of replacement Pairs of Tags |
No. of replacement Single Tags |
|
1998 |
2,560,891 |
71,197 |
283,300 |
|
1999 |
3,181,250 |
83,753 |
366,694 |
|
2000 |
2,371,142 |
83,885 |
329,594 |
|
2001 |
2,435,235 |
81,596 |
275,266 |
|
2002 |
3,070,817 |
85,249 |
274,237 |
|
2003 |
2,301,898 |
93,871 |
271,514 |
|
2004 |
2,277,262 |
104,868 |
272,720 |
The increase in the number of tags issued in 1999 arose because of a change in the tag numbering format from 1 January 1999. The increase in the number of tags issued in 2002 reflects the initiative undertaken by my Department in tagging the remaining portion of the national herd that up to that time had been tagged using a single brass tag. The entire bovine population is now tagged with double plastic tags and this is reflected in the overall number of replacement tags requested.
I am satisfied that the current system of double tagging bovine animals with plastic tags is the most efficient and practical form of identification available at present. However, my Department is currently researching the possible future use of electronic means of identification for bovine animals.
657 Mr. Crawford asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the number of animals which have been recorded here in each of the past ten years; the average age of breeding cows; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1571/05]
I understand that the question from the Deputy relates to bovine animals only. Going back to 1994, which was prior to the introduction to the CMMS system, the most comprehensive data available to the Department on animal numbers are derived from the number of animals tested annually under the bovine tuberculosis testing scheme. According to statistics from this scheme, the number of bovine animals recorded in Ireland in the last ten years is as follows:
|
Year |
Cattle Population |
|
1994 |
7,137,696 |
|
1995 |
7,174,016 |
|
1996 |
7,412,933 |
|
1997 |
7,725,634 |
|
1998 |
7,946,989 |
|
1999 |
7,569,735 |
|
2000 |
7,032,407 |
|
2001 |
7,097,430 |
|
2002 |
7,025,096 |
|
2003 |
6,936,820 |
As regards the average age of breeding cows, calf birth recording commenced only in 1996. Thus, there is insufficient information available on the age of some 600,000 pre-1996 born animals to allow the calculation of an accurate figure for the average age of breeding cows.
658 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the reason a statement concerning the level of decoupling payment to a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath has not yet issued; and if this statement will issue immediately. [1573/05]
A statement of provisional entitlements has not yet issued to the person named due to a difficulty with an area aid application lodged by the person named during the reference years. On this area aid application a parcel declared as forage was subsequently identified as forestry. Officials of my Department are in direct contact with the person named with a view to resolving this issue, following which a statement of provisional entitlements will issue.
661 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the number of farmers still awaiting a decision on their appeal of the force majeure decision; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1576/05]
To date the independent single payment appeals committee has examined 2,375 appeals in respect of decisions taken by my Department under the force majeure-exceptional circumstances measure of the single payment regulations. Some 36 of these cases remain open because the appeals committee has requested additional information from the appellants. A further 270 cases, submitted to the appeals committee in the last two weeks, are awaiting decision.
662 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the number of applications received under the national reserve scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1577/05]
669 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the number of applications received under each category of the national reserve scheme; when she hopes to inform applicants of the decision on their application; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1853/05]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 662 and 669 together.
The total number of applications received in the national reserve section of my Department up to 21 January 2005 was 13,600. However, additional application forms lodged in the local offices of my Department on Friday last are being returned to the national reserve section at Michael Davitt House, Castlebar. A final figure will not therefore be available until next week and I will arrange to have details sent to the Deputy as soon as the information becomes available. The details requested in relation to the number of applications by category are not yet available, but will be sent to the Deputy as soon as the information becomes available.
A farmer must have an eligible hectare of land for each payment entitlement allocated from the national reserve. Therefore, in processing applications, priority, from a timing point of view, will be given to applications from farmers who may qualify for additional single payment entitlements from the national reserve as distinct from farmers who may qualify for a top-up on existing entitlements. Farmers in the former category will need to know the number of payment entitlements to which they will be entitled before submitting their 2005 single payment application form the closing date for which is likely to be 15 May 2005. Accordingly, I hope to notify such farmers in plenty of time before the closing date for their single payment application. The amounts to be allocated will be notified to all farmers subsequently.
663 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if a person (details supplied) in County Kerry will be granted additional milk quota as a hardship case; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1579/05]
Allocations of milk quota from the milk quota national reserve are granted on the basis of recommendations from the milk quota appeals tribunal. The tribunal is a body established to consider and advise on applications for additional quota from individual producers who have suffered severe hardship in the context of the milk quota system.
The named person has submitted an application for additional quota on the grounds of hardship in the current 2004-05 milk quota year. The tribunal will endeavour to examine all applications before the end of the quota year. All applicants will be notified of the outcome as soon as their case has been considered.
664 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food when a decision will be made on the appeal by a person (details supplied) in County Kerry to be accepted as a force majeure case; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1580/05]
The person named, having been notified that the circumstances outlined by her did not satisfy the criteria for force majeure— exceptional circumstances under Article 40 of Council Regulation (EC) No. 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 29 November 2004. The findings of the appeals committee were that the original decision taken by my Department should be upheld. However, following further representations and additional information received, my Department has re-examined the circumstances of this case and is satisfied that force majeure should be applied. As a result the single farm payment entitlements will be based on 2000 only and the years 2001 and 2002 will be excluded. An updated statement of provisional entitlements, reflecting this position, will issue shortly to the person named.
665 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food when a decision will be made on an application by a person (details supplied) in County Roscommon under force majeure; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1581/05]
The person named, having been notified that the circumstances outlined by him did not satisfy the criteria for force majeure— exceptional circumstances under Article 40 of Council Regulation (EC) No. 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 21 January 2005. The findings of the appeals committee were that the original decision taken by my Department should be upheld.
The person named had been under the care of his local GP since 1995 and in 1999 applied to participate in the early retirement scheme. Prior to his commencement in the early retirement scheme in 2000, the person named established a number of entitlements during that year. These entitlements may be activated and leased to the transferee in 2005. After the expiration of the lease the entitlements will return to the person named and may then be either leased out or transferred to a family member.
666 Mr. Hayes asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food when suckler cow premium will be awarded to a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary. [1582/05]
The person named applied for premium on 29 animals under the 2004 suckler cow premium scheme. The application has been processed and payment of his 60% advance instalment amounting to €3900.21 issued on 20 January 2005. Balancing payments will be made in March or April 2005.
667 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the State, semi-State, State-sponsored and statutory bodies under the aegis of her Department which are not subject to the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act 1997; the reason a body is not subject to the requirements of the Act; and if she envisages proposals to bring any such body within the scope of the Act in the foreseeable future. [1713/05]
The State, semi-State, State-sponsored and statutory bodies under the aegis of my Department that are not subject to the Freedom of Information Acts are the Veterinary Council and Coillte Teoranta. The extension of the FOI Acts to the above bodies is being considered in the context of proposals being developed in the Department of Finance to extend the coverage of the FOI Acts by the end of 2005.
668 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if the decoupling payments for the herd of a person (details supplied) will be based on stock levels in 2001; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1830/05]
A certificate of provisional entitlement under the single payment scheme issued to the person named on 5 October 2004. The statement included a detailed breakdown of how the provisional entitlements were calculated.
Farmers who are not satisfied with their provisional entitlement statement may seek a review on a form which is available from all local offices of my Department and from my Department's website. To date, the person named has not submitted a request for a review.
Prior to the issue of provisional entitlements, applications were invited from those farmers who considered that their farming activities during the reference years, 2000-02, had been adversely affected by force majeure circumstances; however, no such application was received from the person named.
670 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the number of farmers awaiting a decision on their application under the new entrant scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1854/05]
My Department has received and is processing 7,288 applications under the new entrants and new entrants with inheritance measures of the single payment scheme. Of this total, 2,295 applications are new entrants only and the balance of 4,993 are new entrants combined with Inheritance.
Some 4,092 applicants have received a decision in respect of their application and a further 2,868 have received correspondence from the single payment unit, Portlaoise requesting additional information in support of their applications. The remaining 328 cases have been processed and decision letters will issue shortly. A further 88 applications have been received in the past fortnight and processing of these has not yet commenced.
671 Mr. Gregory asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if her Department provides a veterinary inspector to monitor the Ward Union Hunt and coursing meetings; if her Department staff have sufficient resources to continue this work in the interest of animal welfare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1956/05]
Statutory responsibility for the monitoring of the Ward Union Hunt rests with my colleague, the Minister for Environment, Heritage and Local Government, under the provisions of the Wildlife Act 1976. However, officials from my Department, at the request of the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government, monitor the welfare of deer hunted by the Ward Union Hunt Club. This is carried out on a spot check basis by checking the compliance with the self-regulating hunting code of practice as drawn up by that Department.
In regard to coursing meetings, statutory responsibility rests with my colleague, the Minister for Arts, Sports and Tourism. At the request of that Department, officials from my Department monitor animal welfare at a number of these meetings on an annual basis.
To date, my Department has had sufficient resources to carry out this monitoring. However, in view of the statutory responsibilities for these areas, my officials have been in discussion with officials from both of the above mentioned Departments regarding the arrangements for the monitoring of welfare aspects in the longer term.
672 Mr. Gregory asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the number of deer farms in the State; the number in each county; the purpose of the farms; the number of deer farms which provide venison for home consumption and solely for export; if deer is farmed for any other purpose; and, if so, the person by whom. [1957/05]
The number of deer farms in the State is estimated at 250. A breakdown by county is not readily available.
Deer farmers are engaged in raising deer for the production of venison with some farmers being involved in breeding animals and selling the calves while others are involved in finishing animals until they are ready for slaughter. Deer farming is geared exclusively to the production of venison.
The main outlet for Irish venison is the export market where 70% of production is sent, mainly to the UK. Development of the sector is affected by the low volumes involved. However, Irish venison is a specialised, high quality product and markets have been established here and abroad in the retail and catering sectors.
674 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if, in view of significant in fees and charges to the seed potato certification scheme 2005, she considered a possible review and reconsideration of these new charges. [1983/05]
The proposed fees under the seed potato certification scheme form part of the recommendations of the recent expenditure review of programmes in the potato sector. These fees relate to field charges only and will be phased in over five years. They will also be subject to an annual review.
The expenditure review initiative forms an important element of the Government's effort to secure value for money from public expenditure. The intention of such reviews is to provide a basis for decisions on resource allocation as was the case in this instance.
I have already revised the PCN testing element of the fees but do not propose any further changes for this year. I am confident that the fees are both reasonable and necessary and will bring commercial focus to the area of seed production which will ultimately be for the benefit of the industry as a whole.
675 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the preventative means which the Government has introduced to prevent ring rot and brown rot from imported seed potatoes. [1984/05]
My Department has both statutory measures and contingency plans in place to counter threats from ring rot and brown rot. These measures are integrated with EU measures to prevent the introduction and spread of these diseases. Seed is regarded as the most likely source of introduction of the diseases and therefore is the focus of attention. No seed potatoes are allowed into Ireland from outside the EU. In the case of seed emanating from within the EU, only basic seed or seed from high grade seed areas may be marketed in Ireland. All seed imports are closely monitored by my Department. An inspection, sampling and testing regime based on risk analysis is carried out and to date all samples have proved negative for both ring rot and brown rot. Last year 600 samples were taken under the survey targeted at risk material and involving seed and ware producers, processing plants and imports from the EU and third countries. In addition, water samples were taken for brown rot detection and again all results were negative.
Growers and traders are regularly advised as to what precautions should be taken to reduce the risks of an outbreak and spread of ring rot or brown rot. Such measures include good rotation and hygiene and the purchase of seed from reliable sources. All movements of potatoes must be accompanied by the relevant registration number to facilitate traceability in the event of a disease outbreak.
676 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the number of seed potato growers in operation in 2004; and the total acreage farmed. [1985/05]
In 2004 the total number of applicants under the seed potato certification scheme was 231 and the total area classified under the scheme was 1,357 hectares. In addition, 210 growers produced 1,203 hectares of home saved seed. Some growers produced seed potatoes under both categories.
677 Mr. Connaughton asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the reason the 2004 suckler cow grant has not been awarded to a person (details supplied) in County Galway; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2075/05]
The person named applied for premium on eight animals under the 2004 suckler cow premium scheme. Payment of his 60% advance instalment amounting to €1,075.92 issued on 16 October 2004.
When processing the application for the balance payment it was found that two animals were sold inside the six months retention period and so required replacing. CMMS records showed that there was only one suitable replacement. Correspondence issued to the herdowner on 6 January 2005 informing him that one animal disposed of inside retention and not replaced was to be rejected from his claim with a consequential penalty. He was given the option of seeking a review.
The person named submitted medical evidence with a request to have his case re-examined. Based on this new information it has now been decided that the animal in question will be deleted from his application without penalty. The application is currently being processed for balancing payment on seven eligible animals. Balancing payments are expected to start at the end of March or early April.
678 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the action she intends to take to address the shortcomings and drop in U grades identified with the mechanical graders; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2078/05]
Automated beef carcase classification machines were approved for use in Ireland on the basis of a certification test conducted in 2003 in accordance with the provisions of EU Regulation 1215/2003 that set out the technical standards required of the machines before they could be approved.
The machines were calibrated in the EU supervised trial on the basis of classification carried out on a sample of cattle representative of the national kill, a condition of the aforementioned EU regulation. The data on which the machines were calibrated were derived from the average of the classification results of the five top experts in the EU assembled for this purpose.
It is important to emphasise that machine classification is the preferred option of farmers because it removes any element of subjectivity associated with human classification. Machines were commissioned on a phased basis commencing last October and are currently in use in 22 of the 26 export approved meat plants. Consequently, in the last quarter of 2004, 40% of carcases were classified using the automated classification system while 60% of carcases were classified manually.
Based on the limited data available to date I am informed that the machines are working satisfactorily. While selective use was made in recent press reports of deficiencies in returns in certain classification categories, improved returns in other categories were ignored. In relation to U grades in particular, comparison of returns using machines are broadly similar to the quarterly figures for past two years. My officials are continuing to monitor and inspect the output of machine classification and liaise regularly with the machine manufacturer in regard to the prediction model in use.
679 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if she will waive the penalties on the 2004 suckler cow payment of a person (details supplied) in view of the medical circumstances; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2077/05]
The person named applied for premium on 30 animals under the 2004 suckler cow premium scheme. Payment of the 60% advance instalment amounting to €4034.70 issued on 19 October 2004.
When processing the application for balance payment it was found that four animals were sold inside the six months retention period and so required replacing. CMMS records show that no replacements took place within the required 20 days period. Correspondence issued to the herdowner on 11 January 2005 advising him that the four animals in question were to be rejected from his claim with a resultant penalty to be applied in accordance with clauses 31 and 40 of the terms and conditions of the scheme. He was given the opportunity to seek a review of this decision by contacting his district livestock office.
The person named has submitted a request to have his case re-examined. In light of new information provided by him, the four animals will be deleted from his application now without penalty. He will be paid the balance in respect of 26 animals less advances paid on the four animals deleted, when balancing payments commence in late March or early April.
680 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if her attention has been drawn to the circumstances of a person (details supplied) in County Sligo; if their established entitlements will be activated first; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2079/05]
The person named is a participant in the early retirement scheme for farmers since 2002. She was farming during the reference period and drew down livestock premia payments during the three reference years, 2000, 2001 and 2002. Accordingly, there will be entitlements established for her.
Farmers, including early retirement scheme participants, who have leased out or are intending to lease out their lands before the closing date for receipt of forms under the 2005 single payment scheme may also lease out their entitlements with the land to the same farmer. This provision was specifically obtained during negotiations by Ireland to accommodate early retirement scheme participants.
A lease agreement which is in place by the closing date for receipt of applications for the single payment in 2005 may be considered as the lease of the entitlements with land, to the same farmer, if a clause is included in the lease agreement indicating that the farmer intends to lease with the land, the payment entitlements to be established — the number of entitlements may not be higher than the number of hectares leased or being leased; the lessor must apply to establish the entitlements, on a special form to be provided, and attach a copy of the lease agreement; and the lessee is required to apply for the single payment and attach a copy of the lease agreement to the application.
On expiry of the lease contract, the entitlements will revert to the lessor who may use them himself or herself or he or she may renew the existing lease contract or continue to lease them with the land to another farmer. However, since the person named in this case is a participant in the early retirement scheme, she will be precluded from using the entitlements because of her obligations under that scheme but she may continue to lease them out with the land to another lessee.
681 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food when persons (details supplied) in County Mayo will be notified of their entitlements under the inheritance measure of the single payment scheme. [2080/05]
The persons named have submitted an application for consideration in respect of the inheritance measure of the single payment scheme. Following initial examination of the documentation submitted, the persons named have been requested to submit additional information and documentation in respect of their application. On receipt of this information a decision will be made and a notification of that decision will issue promptly to them.
682 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the public appointments made in her Department since the Cabinet reshuffle in September, 2004. [2099/05]
The Deputy will be aware that the majority of appointments to my Department are made through the Public Appointments Service. However, the following appointments were made since the Cabinet reshuffle in September 2004 to my office and the Ministers of State's offices.
|
Minister Coughlan |
Minister of State Smith |
Minister of State Browne |
|
1 Press Adviser |
1 Personal Assistant |
1 Personal Assistant |
|
1 Special Adviser |
1 Personal Secretary |
1 Temporary Clerical Officer |
|
1 Personal Assistant |
2 Civilian Drivers |
2 Civilian Drivers |
|
1 Personal Secretary |
||
|
1 Temporary Clerical Officer |
Those appointments were made on a contract basis and will terminate when the Minister and Ministers of State cease to hold that office.
683 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the reason the 6% reduction in the SFP provisional entitlement does not correspond with a 6% reduction in land mass; if she will review this situation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2109/05]
The reductions reflected in the single payment provisional entitlements are those provided for in the European Council Regulation 1782/2003, which introduced the single payment scheme. There is no provision in the regulations to allow a corresponding reduction in land mass.
However, there are provisions to allow farmers to consolidate their entitlements on fewer hectares than they declared on average during the reference period. These provisions may be applied to the following categories of farmers: farmers who have afforested some of their land since the beginning of the reference period; farmers who have disposed of land to a public authority for non-agricultural use; and farmers who had land leased-rented in during the reference period but the lease-rental agreement has since expired.
The concessions relating to consolidating or stacking entitlements cannot be applied to any farmer who declares fewer hectares than entitlements because s/he disposed of land by way of sale or lease other than sale of land to a public authority for non-agricultural use.
684 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if she will define flocks of high genetic merit as described as part of the EU ram genotyping programme; the arrangements she intends to put in place prior to April 2005; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2125/05]
The question of defining sheep flocks of high genetic merit for the purpose of the genotype programme is under examination in my Department with a view to introducing, by April, a breeding programme to select for resistance to TSE's in each of our native sheep breeds, and other breeds which form a significant population here.
685 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the status of an application (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34127/04]
I am informed by the Registrar of Titles that this is an application for first registration which was lodged on 30 October 2003 dealing No. D2003CR009352H refers.
I understand that due to the complicated nature of these type of cases, which require examination of an applicant's entitlement to the property concerned, it is not possible to estimate a date of completion at this time. Queries raised by the Land Registry in December 2004 have been responded to and that the matter is receiving attention in the Land Registry and will be completed as soon as possible.
686 Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the status of the funding application under the equal opportunity child care programme submitted on 29 January 2004 by a company (details supplied) regarding Kids Zone, operating out of a temporary building at The Mall, Ballyshannon, County Donegal; and if this application will be expedited in view of the fact that failure to do so may leave the community without child care facilities in July 2005 when the group is required to vacate its temporary premises. [34128/04]
On 10 December 2004, I approved capital grant assistance of €1.3 million in respect of an application from the group in question, subject to the group's being able to comply with a number of conditions in relation to the completion of the project. I understand that my Department's child care directorate advised the group of my decision in early December.
Area Development Management Limited has been engaged to administer the equal opportunities child care programme on behalf of my Department and it will be in contact directly with the group regarding the conclusion of a contractual agreement which is necessary in order to draw down the grant.
687 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if the maximum support and assistance will be given to persons (details supplied) in their appeal for refugee status and to the child with a disability. [34129/04]
This person, a Nigerian national, arrived in the State on 14 June 2004 and applied for asylum. Her application was refused following consideration of her case by the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner and, on appeal, by the Refugee Appeals Tribunal. This person is the parent of an Irish born child.
Subsequently, in accordance with the Immigration Act 1999, as amended, she was informed by letter dated 6 December 2004, that it was proposed to make a deportation order in her case. She was given the options, to be exercised within 15 working days, of making representations to the Minister setting out reasons she should be allowed to remain temporarily in the State; leaving the State before the deportation order is made or consenting to the making of a deportation order.
In the normal course of events, this person's case file, including all representations submitted, falls to be considered under section 3(6) of the Immigration Act 1999, as amended, and under section 5 of the Refugee Act 1996, as amended — prohibition of refoulement. However, this person, as the parent of an Irish born child, may, if she so wishes, apply to have her application considered under the new arrangements introduced by me for the consideration of applications for permission to remain made by the non-national parents of Irish born children born before 1 January 2005. An information notice setting out details of the new arrangements and the appropriate application form is available from the Department’s website www.justice.ie. Application forms are also available from Garda district headquarters stations outside Dublin, at all reception and integration agency accommodation centres countrywide and from various non-governmental organisations working with immigrants and asylum seekers.
688 Mr. O’Dowd asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if a person (details supplied) in County Louth will be granted permission to remain here. [34149/04]
The person in question entered the State with her daughter on 25 November 2002 and applied for asylum on the same day. She withdrew her asylum application on 4 January 2003 and applied for residency on the basis of parentage to an Irish born child. She was informed by letter dated 11 February 2004 that the Minister proposed to make a deportation order in respect of her and her child. She was given the options of making representations within 15 working days setting out the reasons she should not be deported, that is, be allowed to remain temporarily in the State; leaving the State before the order was made; or consenting to the making of the deportation order. No representations were received from or on her behalf. She was subsequently informed by letter dated 13 July 2004 that a deportation order had been signed in respect of her and her child.
On 31 July 2004, two of the applicant's children arrived in the State as unaccompanied minors and were reunited with their mother. On 24 August 2004 the applicant made a second application for asylum which then included her three children. Her claim for refugee status was refused on 6 October 2004. The applicant then appealed this decision and her appeal was refused on 7 December 2004.
The applicant was informed on 6 January 2005 that the Minister proposed to make a deportation order in respect of her and her three children. She was given the options of making representations within 15 working days along the lines already stated above.
No representations have been received to date and, ordinarily, I would expect the case file to be submitted to me for a decision in due course, irrespective of whether representations are received. However, as the applicant is the parent of an Irish born child, she may, if she so wishes, apply for permission to remain in the State in accordance with the revised arrangements, publicly announced on 15 January 2005, regarding the granting of permission to remain in the State to non-nationals who are the parents of an Irish born child born in the State before 1 January 2005. If the person concerned does so, and is successful in her application, the issue of deportation will no longer arise.
689 Mr. Noonan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will reconsider his decision to refuse a visa to a person (details supplied). [34150/04]
The application in question was received in my Department in October 2004. The visa officer, having considered the application, was not satisfied on the basis of the documentation supplied that the applicant would observe the conditions of a study visa and refused the application. Credibility is central to the visa determination process. Not surprisingly, inconsistencies or omissions on the face of an application can cause the visa officer to conclude that it is not reasonable in all the circumstances to conclude that a visa should be granted. In this regard there was no evidence that the applicant could support herself financially for the duration of her studies, or of her qualifications. The application also contained some inconsistencies.
The application is now over five months out of date. It is open to the applicant to make a fresh application. Any such application should include up to date supporting documentation, including evidence of the applicant's educational qualifications and financial status along with official evidence of the award of any grant or scholarship and the application will be considered anew.
690 Mr. Costello asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the amount of savings that were effected to date by the closure of the Curragh Prison and Fort Mitchell; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34161/04]
Overall, overtime expenditure for the Irish Prison Service was reduced from €58.9 million in 2003 to approximately €45.5 million in 2004. This saving can be attributed to a rigorous control of overtime in each institution. The overtime savings arising from the closure of Fort Mitchel and the Curragh places of detention, are also included in this figure.
It is difficult to quantify the precise savings related to the closure of the Curragh and Fort Mitchel. Staff who were redeployed from these prisons remain on the payroll. However, their redeployment has led to a reduction in overtime costs in the prisons to which they were redeployed and has contributed to the overall saving of approx. €13 million overtime in the Prison Service for 2004. In addition, savings were also achieved in the running costs of both institutions amounting to approximately €1.4 million.
691 Mr. Costello asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the daily average number of prisoners in each of the State prisons and institutions; the capacity of each of these institutions; the number of prison staff in each institution; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34162/04]
The latest approved figures relating to the average number of prisoners in each of the State prisons and institutions are contained in the annual report for 2003 which was published recently. For ease of reference, these are set out in the following table:
|
Institution |
Daily Average |
Bed Capacity (as at 1 June 2003) |
|
Mountjoy Prison |
460 |
466 |
|
Dóchas Centre |
81 |
70 |
|
St. Patrick’s Institution |
188 |
197 |
|
Cork Prison |
268 |
270 |
|
Limerick Prison (Male) |
169 |
168 |
|
Limerick Prison (Female) |
16 |
16 |
|
Castlerea Prison |
195 |
182 |
|
Cloverhill Prison |
375 |
406 |
|
Wheatfield Prison |
375 |
378 |
|
Portlaoise Prison |
128 |
203 |
|
Arbour Hill Prison |
138 |
139 |
|
Fort Mitchel* |
94 |
102 |
|
The Training Unit |
86 |
94 |
|
The Curragh* |
98 |
94 |
|
Midlands Prison |
384 |
515 |
|
Loughan House |
71 |
85 |
|
Shelton Abbey |
50 |
56 |
|
Total |
3,176 |
3,441 |
|
Institution |
Staff |
|
Mountjoy Prison |
513.47** |
|
Midlands Prison |
393.5** |
|
Cloverhill Prison |
372.33** |
|
Wheatfield Prison |
316 |
|
Portlaoise Prison |
310.38** |
|
Cork Prison |
263.38** |
|
Limerick Prison |
219.42** |
|
St. Patrick’s Institution |
178.88** |
|
Castlerea Prison |
163.38** |
|
Arbour Hill Prison |
116.31** |
|
Dóchas Centre |
90.58** |
|
Fort Mitchel |
13.50** |
|
The Curragh |
11.44** |
|
Training Unit |
74.32** |
|
Loughan House |
43.42** |
|
Shelton Abbey |
37.76** |
|
Total |
3,118.07*** |
692 Mr. Costello asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the state of negotiations with the Prison Officers Association on the industrial dispute on overtime; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34163/04]
The Deputy will be aware that following extensive negotiations between the Irish Prison Service and the Prison Officers Association, a limited number of financial issues were the subject of a referral to arbitration, the hearings of which took place on 22 October and 1 November 2004. The arbitrator released his findings on Monday, 24 January 2005 and officials of the Irish Prison Service were engaged in further discussions with the Prison Officers Association at the Labour Relations Commission yesterday, Tuesday, 25 January 2005. Discussions are not yet concluded.
693 Mr. English asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if the requirement that a person be resident here for five years before he or she can make an application for Irish citizenship applies from the date the person entered Ireland regardless of the number of times he or she may have changed employer (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34185/04]
The Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended, provides that an applicant for a certificate of naturalisation must have had a year's continuous residence in the State immediately before the date of application and, during the eight years immediately preceding that period, had a total residence in the State amounting to four years.
In determining whether an applicant satisfies this residency requirement, periods for which the permission of the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform was not granted, or where permission was granted for the purposes of study or seeking to be recognised as a refugee, cannot be reckoned. All other periods are reckonable.
It is, therefore, the case that time spent in employment in the circumstances detailed by the Deputy is reckonable for naturalisation purposes, irrespective of any change of employer.
694 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if the safety of a person (details supplied) will be protected by granting him asylum here; if he will be given the maximum support and assistance; and if this humanitarian case will be given priority. [34188/04]
The person referred to by the Deputy made an asylum claim in Ireland on 19 January 2004. Following investigation, it was determined by the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner, and later upheld on appeal by the Office of the Refugee Appeals Tribunal by letter of 20 May 2004, that the UK was the appropriate country pursuant to the provisions of the Dublin II Regulation (EC) No. 343/2003 to process his application as he had already made an asylum claim there on 22 July 2003. The person concerned was kept informed of developments throughout the course of his asylum application in Ireland and would have been made aware of it coming under the terms of the regulation.
The UK accepted responsibility for his case on 15 March 2004 and a transfer order was signed on 19 April 2004 in respect of him requiring him to return to the UK.
Judicial review proceedings have been instituted in this case. The matter is, therefore, sub judice and I am precluded from making any further comment at this stage.
695 Mr. Costello asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he proposes to change the censorship laws to regulate video games; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34202/04]
I am considering a review of the law in relation to this matter. Any proposals for changes to the legislation which might result from such a review would be brought before the Government and announced in the usual manner.
696 Mr. Costello asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will reconsider his refusal to grant a visa to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34203/04]
The application in question was to enable the wife of a non-EEA national to come and reside with him in the State. The non-EEA national concerned was granted permission to remain in the State for a three-year period from May 2004, following a failed asylum application. It seems he then travelled home and underwent a marriage ceremony in June 2004, resulting in the visa application. Having given full consideration to the application, the visa was refused because the visa officer was not satisfied, on the basis of the documentation supplied, that the applicant could be fully supported by her spouse in the State without the possible need to have recourse to public funds.
An appeal against the refusal of the visa application was received, but the visa appeals officer, having re-examined the visa application and additional information provided, upheld the original decision.
It is open to the applicant to make a fresh application enclosing up to date supporting documentation and the application will of course be considered anew. In this regard, a P60 and current payslips should be submitted as evidence of continuing employment and salary level. Evidence of the husband's travel to his home country with the original of the marriage certificate should also accompany any new application.
697 Mr. Costello asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the arrangements which have been made with mobile phone companies by his Department and the Garda Síochána; the number of masts that have been erected on or at Garda stations, by county; the number of mobile telephones that have been issued to gardaí; and the details of the service supplied, with the value of the package to the Garda Síochána; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34204/04]
I am advised by the Garda Síochána that there are currently 181 masts in use by O2. None of these masts is owned by O2. A breakdown by county is set out in the following table.
I am also advised by the Garda authorities that there are 998 mobile phones on official issue within the Garda Síochána. There are no charges levied against these phones when calling within the 086 network or when calling Garda stations that are attached to the Government VPN.
With regard to the value of the package to the Garda Síochána, it is not possible to provide a definitive figure as some of the services provided under the terms of the agreement, such as calls within the 086 network and replacement masts, are provided free of charge to the Garda Síochána. Amounts relating to mobile usage for which charges apply are deducted from the gross fees paid to the Office of Public Works in accordance with the terms of the agreement with O2. I am advised by the Office of Public Works that since the agreement came into place in June 1997 up to the end of September 2004, an amount of €4.97 million has been offset against gross licences fees of €12.75 million due from O2 resulting in net receipts of €7.78 million.
|
County |
No. of Masts in use by O2 |
|
Carlow |
2 |
|
Cavan |
3 |
|
Clare |
6 |
|
Cork |
19 |
|
Donegal |
7 |
|
Dublin |
45 |
|
Galway |
9 |
|
Kerry |
14 |
|
Kildare |
4 |
|
Kilkenny |
2 |
|
Laois |
1 |
|
Leitrim |
1 |
|
Limerick |
10 |
|
Longford |
1 |
|
Louth |
4 |
|
Mayo |
5 |
|
Meath |
6 |
|
Monaghan |
6 |
|
Offaly |
1 |
|
Roscommon |
3 |
|
Sligo |
4 |
|
Tipperary |
8 |
|
Waterford |
3 |
|
Westmeath |
1 |
|
Wexford |
9 |
|
Wicklow |
7 |
698 Mr. Costello asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will respond to correspondence (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34214/04]
I note that this matter has been carefully considered by the Humans Rights Commission in accordance with the criteria set out in the Human Rights Commission Act 2000 and the commission's internal guidelines concerning the holding of inquiries and the provision of assistance.
The clear policy underpinning the Human Rights Commission Act 2000 is the establishment of a national independent human rights institution in line with the provisions of the UN Paris Principles applicable to such bodies. As Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform I have no function in this matter, nor would it be appropriate for me to comment further.
699 Mr. Kehoe asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform when an application for a holiday visa for a person (details supplied) will be processed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34217/04]
The visa application was approved.
700 Mr. Glennon asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position regarding the need for the redevelopment of the Garda station in Swords, County Dublin; his plans in respect of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34224/04]
There are plans to build a new Garda station in Swords, County Dublin. The construction of a new station in Swords will depend on a number of factors, including the availability of financial and other resources and priorities within the Garda building programme. Accordingly, it is not possible at this stage to say when this project will commence. I can say, however, that as an interim measure the Office of Public Works has been requested to provide suitable accommodation on the adjacent site to alleviate the conditions prevailing at the station.
701 Mr. Costello asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the method of compiling statistics on anti-social behaviour; the way in which they are reflected in the annual Garda report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34239/04]
The Deputy will be aware from the latest Garda annual report that there were almost 1,100,-22%, fewer serious assaults and over 2,300,-23%, fewer minor assaults in 2003 compared to 2002. There were almost 2,000,-22%, fewer criminal damage cases and 2,400,-4%, fewer public order offences in 2003 compared to 2002.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that there is no specific crime classification of anti-social behaviour and, therefore, statistics are not compiled under such a heading. There are a variety of offences, recorded as intoxicating liquor offences, public order offences, assaults and other offences which may be considered as anti-social behaviour. These offences may be either headline or non-headline offences.
I understand that the compilation of all offences are subject to the crime counting rules and these rules are published in the Garda annual report for 2003 and previous years. I am further informed that gardaí dealing with public order offences, assaults and other such offences, record them on PULSE and those records are used to produce the statistical data contained in the Garda annual report.
702 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if there is evidence of criminality in the voting practices of persons in the general election 1982 in the Dublin North Central constituency; and if he will work with the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government on this issue. [34240/04]
I am informed by the Garda authorities that following a complaint and subsequent Garda investigation into alleged personation at the 1982 general election, two persons were charged with offences contrary to section 3 of the Prevention of Electoral Abuses Act 1923. The charges were subsequently dismissed by a judge of the District Court. The Prevention of Electoral Abuses Act 1923 was subsequently amended by the Prevention of Electoral Abuses Act 1982, which is within the area of responsibility of the Minister for Environment, Heritage and local Government.
703 Mr. English asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he intends to roll out the drugs court nationwide; when this is likely to happen; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34241/04]
The pilot drug court programme was launched in the Dublin District Court on 9 January 2001. Dublin's north inner city was chosen as the location from which to operate the pilot drug court. The pilot drug court programme marked a major policy initiative in the criminal justice system and was designed as an alternative measure for dealing with less serious and non-violent drug offenders. The project was evaluated by expert consultants at the end of the 18-month period in July 2002. They recommended that the pilot project be extended and the catchment area be widened to include the Dublin 7 area.
I welcomed the recommendations contained in the report and supported the extension of the drug court to the full Dublin 7 catchment area. A further evaluation of the operation of the court in the extended area will be carried out shortly with the Courts Service, after which an informed decision can be taken in relation to its further expansion.
704 Mr. O’Shea asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his proposals in regard to turning the Land Registry and the Registry of Deeds into a semi-State body; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34282/04]
The Registration of Deeds and Title Bill, which is currently before the Seanad, provides for the modernisation of operations and procedures in the Registry of Deeds and amends aspects of the law relating to the registration of title with a view to providing the Land Registry with the means to operate an electronic conveyancing system. As part of the change programme in my Department, I intend to seek Government approval in due course to introduce amendments to the Bill which will have the effect of putting the registries on a new organisational and managerial footing and will underpin the modernisation process.
705 Mr. Costello asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his views on the allegations in correspondence from a person (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34283/04]
744 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his views on whether the case of a person (details supplied) should be heard at the Morris tribunal; and if he has other alternatives to inquire into the case of this person. [1355/05]
745 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he has satisfied himself that allegations of corruption made by a person (details supplied) in County Donegal were investigated properly; if the Minister misled Dáil Éireann in a previous answer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1356/05]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 705, 744 and 745 together.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that, to date, the complainant has made a number of allegations in relation to various matters and has lodged some documentation with the Garda. However, I am further informed that the complainant has declined to make a written statement to gardaí substantiating his allegations. I am also informed that the documentation lodged with the Garda does not reveal any new evidence or allegations that have not already been investigated by various officers since June 1994. However, I understand that an inspector has now been assigned to re-interview the complainant in relation to the contents of the documents, and to obtain a statement from the complainant, if he wishes to make one.
I can inform the Deputies that any specific allegations the complainant makes in relation to Garda or in relation to criminal activity will be fully investigated. However, I am sure the Deputies will appreciate that without his co-operation the Garda is unable to conclude the matter.
In relation to the Morris tribunal, I understand that the complainant has lodged his complaint with the Morris tribunal and that a garda was appointed to investigate three specific complaints made by the complainant to the tribunal. However, I am informed that, when interviewed, the complainant declined to make a statement to gardaí and indicated he would not co-operate with gardaí. However, preparations are being made to afford him another opportunity to do so. Finally, I emphatically reject any allegation that I mislead the Dáil in previous answers to questions on this matter.
706 Mr. O’Shea asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the progress which has been made regarding the installation of closed circuit television in Waterford city; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34296/04]
707 Mr. O’Shea asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if there are proposals to install closed circuit television in Dungarvan, County Waterford. [34297/04]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 706 and 707 together.
As the Deputy is aware, 17 locations throughout the country, including Waterford, are set to receive town centre CCTV systems. This expansion is being implemented on a phased basis as follows: phase 1 — Bray, Dundalk, Dún Laoghaire, Finglas, Galway and Limerick; phase 2 — Athlone, Clondalkin, Tallaght and Waterford; phase 3 — Ballyfermot, Carlow, Castlebar, Clonmel, Ennis, Kilkenny and Sligo. The installation of the phase 1 systems in Bray, Dundalk, Dún Laoghaire and Limerick has been completed and these systems are now fully operational. Some 13 of the 18 cameras in Galway are now fully operational. It is proposed to install the final five cameras in tandem with the major redevelopment works currently being undertaken by Galway City Council in the Eyre Square area.
The issue regarding the provision of suitable space to accommodate the monitoring of CCTV cameras in Finglas Garda station is currently being considered, in conjunction with the Office of Public Works, with regard to the overall accommodation needs of Finglas Garda station. It is hoped that work can proceed to completion in Finglas in 2005.
The second phase of Garda CCTV systems will be installed in Athlone, Clondalkin, Tallaght and Waterford. Installation of the CCTV systems is of necessity a detailed, complex and lengthy process. The Garda authorities are giving careful consideration to a restructuring of the manner in which these Garda CCTV systems go to tender.
I am anxious to accelerate the implementation of the remaining CCTV programme, and reduce as far as possible the workload of the Garda Síochána in this regard. To that regard I have asked the Commissioner to submit proposals for a revised tender document for the 11 locations in the remaining two phases, with a view to achieving implementation in priority locations by the end of 2006.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that an application for a Garda CCTV system in Dungarvan has been received by the CCTV advisory committee. This committee was established by the Garda Commissioner to advise on all matters relating to CCTV systems. This application is currently under consideration by the advisory committee along with applications from other cities and towns throughout the country.
708 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will report on the procedures for appointing judges; if political party affiliations of candidates are a factor in their appointments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34622/04]
The Judicial Appointments Advisory Board was established pursuant to the Courts and Court Officers Act 1995. The purpose of the board is to assess applicants for judicial office and inform the Government of their suitability. The board consists of the Chief Justice, the Presidents of the High Court, Circuit Court and District Court, the Attorney General, nominated representatives of the Bar Council and the Law Society and three persons nominated by the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform.
Section 14 of the Act enables the board to adopt such procedures as it thinks fit to carry out its functions. In practice, the board places advertisements for applications for judicial appointments in the national press and requires applicants to complete a detailed application form which includes questions on their practice, their professional qualifications, education, character etc.
Under section 16 of the Act, where a judicial office stands vacant or before a vacancy in a judicial office arises, the board, at the request of the Minister, submits to the Minister the names of all persons who have informed the board of their wish to be considered for appointment to that judicial office and the names of at least seven persons whom it recommends for appointment.
Section 16 also provides that the Government, when advising the President in relation to the appointment of a person to a judicial office, must first consider persons who have been recommended by the board. It is important to note that the board cannot submit nor recommend the name of a person unless that person meets the eligibility requirements set out by law in relation to the post in question. Furthermore, the board cannot recommend the name of any person unless in the opinion of the board the person concerned has displayed in his or her practice as a solicitor or barrister a degree of competence and a degree of probity appropriate to and consistent with the appointment concerned, is suitable on grounds of character and temperament, is otherwise suitable, and complies with section 19 of the Act — this section provides that a person who wishes to be considered for appointment to judicial office must undertake in writing his or her agreement, if appointed to judicial office, to take such training as may be required by the Chief Justice or the President of the court to which the person concerned is appointed.
Section 17 of the Act provides that the procedures do not apply where the Government proposes to advise the President to appoint to judicial office a person who is already a judge or, subject to certain conditions, holds certain European or international judicial offices as set out in section 5 of the Courts (Supplemental Provisions) Act 1961, as amended.
The Standards in Public Office Act 2001 requires applicants to certify that their tax affairs are in order. Section 22(1) of the Act prohibits the board from recommending a person for judicial office unless the person has furnished to the board a tax clearance certificate and a statutory declaration that their tax affairs are in order.
In accordance with section 11 of the Court and Court Officers Act 2002, the board is required to make an annual report of its activities. The most recent report — for 2003 — was received last year and laid before both Houses of the Oireachtas.
I am satisfied that the present system for appointing judges — strengthened by the provisions of the Courts and Court Officers Act 1995 and subsequent statutory provisions — is the most practical system that can apply consistent with the requirements of the Constitution.
709 Mr. P. Breen asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the status of a person (details supplied) in County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34623/04]
The position is that the person concerned arrived in the State on 30 November 2000 and claimed asylum. His application was refused and he was notified of this recommendation by letter of 6 March 2002. His subsequent appeal was refused and he was notified of this recommendation by letter of 30 September 2002. He was notified of my decision to refuse him refugee status by letter of 27 November 2002 in which he was informed of the three options open to him at that point, namely, to leave the State before the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform made a deportation 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 as to why he should not be deported, that is, why he should be allowed to remain temporarily in the State.
His case was examined under section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999 and section 5 of the Refugee Act 1996, prohibition of refoulement, including consideration of all representations received on his behalf. On 3 August 2004 a deportation order was made in respect of this person. The order was served on him by registered post and he presented himself as requested to the Garda national immigration bureau on Thursday, 6 January 2005. He is due to present himself again on Thursday, 3 February 2005 when it is envisaged that arrangements can be made to remove him from the State. The enforcement of the deportation order is a matter for the Garda national immigration bureau.
710 Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will report on the work to date of the working group on equality proofing established under the Programme for Prosperity and Fairness; and the group’s plan of work to the end of 2006. [1017/05]
767 Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will report on the work to date of the working group on equality proofing established under the Programme for Prosperity and Fairness; and the group’s plan of work to the end of 2006. [1657/05]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 710 and 767 together.
The working group on equality proofing was established under the social partnership agreement, Programme for Prosperity and Fairness, PPF. It continues its work in the context of the successor agreement, Sustaining Progress. Paragraph 5.5.2 of Sustaining Progress provides for the proofing of policies and services in the public sector to avoid unanticipated negative impact on any of the groups protected under the equality legislation, to ensure policy coherence and best use of resources. The primary task of the working group is to develop tools so that an efficient and effective proofing process can be applied. The working group is building on the experience of gender-proofing under the national development plan, NDP, poverty-proofing and the experience of the Northern Ireland authorities of their analogous processes.
The working group in the period up to end 2002 commenced a number of pilot initiatives, including, first, a joint research project by the Equality Authority and the Combat Poverty Agency to support the focus on inequalities leading to poverty within the poverty-proofing guidelines. Second, the city and county development boards, CDBs, applied a template to enable them to equality-proof their strategy plans. The Equality Authority published a review of the outcomes of this process entitled "Equality Commitments in City/County Development Board Strategy Plans". Third, quality customer service under the strategic management Initiative, SMI, includes an emphasis on equality and diversity. A support pack was developed and circulated to all Departments. The pack focuses on practical approaches to accommodating diversity, to securing accessibility and to putting in place equal status policies. Fourth, the Equality Authority developed a voluntary scheme to conduct equality reviews and action plans in workplaces. Funding was provided by my Department to contribute towards the cost of consultants. Fifth, FÁS commenced piloting an equality proofing exercise focusing on employment services. Sixth, the Community Workers Co-operative was resourced to develop a manual on equality proofing for community and voluntary groups to assist them in engaging in this process.
In the period since 2002, work on these initiatives continued and a further set of activities was commenced. This included piloting an integrated approach to proofing, involving simultaneously poverty, gender and equality proofing. The Department of Social and Family Affairs, the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform and the Equality Authority completed an integrated proofing template. Two policies, the national action plan against racism and the back to education allowance expenditure review were used to pilot the template and a report, Integrated Proofing: Learning from Pilots, was presented to the working group on equality proofing at the end of 2004.
An equal status review in the North Western Health Board has taken place and the report of the process, including an equal status review template, is expected to become available around mid-2005. Follow-up to the pilot projects on equality proofing in FÁS is ongoing with additional areas now being targeted for equality proofing during 2005. A detailed report on the activities of the working group on equality proofing covering the period 2002 to 2004 is currently being prepared and will be submitted to the steering group on Sustaining Progress shortly.
The 2005 work plan for the working group on equality proofing identified a number of main areas. It recognised that work on equality proofing should now focus on rolling out in the public service the learning process from the equality-integrated proofing exercises already carried out.
During 2005 the working group intends to have carried out a further three to four equality proofing exercises on key policy initiatives. Also the working group is to further test the integrated proofing template. The particular initiatives and policies to be proofed have yet to be identified by the working group.
The working group will continue to monitor research on statute-based proofing systems and is currently examining recent reports on section 75 in Northern Ireland — the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland's report on the implementation of the section 75 statutory duties and an independent report entitled, The Section 75 Equality Duty — An Operational Review.
711 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform when an appeal decision will be made in the case of a person (details supplied) for a holiday visa; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1018/05]
An appeal in this case has not been lodged with my Department. The person in question made a visa application in August 2004 for the stated purpose of a holiday with his aunt and uncle who are resident in the State. The applicant stated on his visa application form that he is a student in his home country, yet no documentation was submitted to support this claim. No evidence of finances was submitted to show how the applicant intended to maintain himself while in the State. The application was supported by an unsigned letter which did not confirm the duration of the proposed journey to the State. The application was refused because the visa officer was unable to conclude, on the basis of the documentation supplied to my Department, that the applicant would observe the conditions of the visa.
712 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform when a decision will be made regarding persons (details supplied) in County Kildare who have applied for permission to remain here for an extended period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1019/05]
713 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if persons (details supplied) in County Kildare can apply for residency status; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1020/05]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 712 and 713 together.
This Cameroonian couple arrived in the State on 3 February 2003 and applied for asylum. Their application was refused following consideration of their case by the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner and, on appeal, by the Refugee Appeals Tribunal. The couple are the parents of Irish born children. Subsequently, in accordance with the Immigration Act 1999, as amended, they were informed by letter dated 14 January 2005, that it was proposed to make deportation orders in their case. They were given the options, to be exercised within 15 working days, of making representations to the Minister setting out reasons that they should be allowed to remain temporarily in the State, leaving the State before deportation orders are signed or consenting to the making of deportation orders.
In the normal course of events, the couple's case files, including all representations submitted, would be considered under section 3(6) of the Immigration Act 1999, as amended and under section 5 of the Refugee Act 1996, as amended. However, this couple, as the parents of Irish born children, may, if they so wish, apply to have their application considered under the new arrangements introduced by me for the consideration of applications for permission to remain made by the non-national parents of Irish born children born before 1 January, 2005.
An information notice setting out details of the new arrangements and the appropriate application form is available from the Department's website www.justice.ie. Application forms are also available from Garda district headquarters stations outside Dublin, at all Reception and Integration Agency accommodation centres countrywide and from various non-governmental organisations working with immigrants and asylum seekers.
714 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform when revised arrangements for the consideration of applications for permission to remain made by parents of Irish born children will commence; and when details of the revised arrangements will be made available. [1071/05]
The details of the revised arrangements for the consideration of applications for permission to remain in the State made by the non-national parents of Irish born children born before 1 January 2005 were publicly announced on 15 January 2005. Applications should be made on form IBC/05 which is available on the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform website at www.justice.ie. Hard copies of the form are available at the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform, 13-14 Burgh Quay, Dublin 2, Garda district headquarters stations outside Dublin and at all Reception and Integration Agency accommodation centres country wide. Forms will also be distributed to various non-governmental organisations working with immigrants and asylum seekers.
715 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if a dealing (details supplied) will be expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1072/05]
I am informed by the Registrar of Titles that this is an application under section 49, acquisition of title by virtue of long possession, under the Registration of Title Act 1964, which was lodged on 16 September 2004. Dealing Number D2004PS019909H refers. I understand that due to their complicated nature, applications under section 49, which require detailed examination of claims for registration as owners, can take some time to process. Accordingly, it is not possible to estimate a completion date at this stage.
I am further informed that queries issued to the lodging solicitors on 10 January 2005 and that the application cannot proceed until these queries have been satisfactorily resolved. However, on receipt of a satisfactory reply to the queries raised the matter will receive further attention in the Land Registry and will be completed as soon as possible.
716 Mr. O’Connor asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will approve a project (details supplied) in Dublin 24; his views on the need for this important Garda diversion project; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that a management committee is in place which includes representatives of the local community and the Garda Síochána who are strong supporters of this project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1073/05]
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. The number of projects has grown from 12 in 1997 to 64 at present, a process made possible, in part, by funding under the National Development Plan 2000-2006. The locations of new projects are decided upon by the Garda authorities in conjunction with my Department. There are currently three Garda youth diversion projects, KEY, JAY and YEW, operating in the Tallaght area, which collectively cater for 134 participants and which received funding of €333,074 in 2004. In addition, there is one sergeant and four garda juvenile liaison officers operating from Tallaght Garda station.
I am committed to the continuing development and, as resources permit, the expansion of Garda youth diversion projects. Proposals made by the Garda Síochána to my Department on establishing further projects are examined within the context of available resources. All applications relating to the establishment of further projects should follow the establishment process as set out in the Garda youth diversion project guidelines which I launched in 2003. The 11 establishment guidelines give a clear structure to the application process from the initial expression of interest to the final submission of the proposal and cover issues such as the pre-establishment phase, consultation, memorandum of understanding, legal structure, co-ordinator's job description and catchment area.
A budget of €5.471 million has been provided for the Garda youth diversion projects and local drugs task force projects in 2005. It is expected that this amount will be required to meet the funding needs of the projects currently in operation. It is not envisaged that additional youth diversion projects will be established in the short term. However, the possibility of funding further projects in light of prevailing budgetary conditions remains, and in this context the application for the project referred to by the Deputy will be kept under review.
717 Mr. O’Connor asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will initiate a comprehensive review of the policing needs of Tallaght, Dublin 24; if he will include in that review consideration of the Garda Síochána needs of Tallaght; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1074/05]
I have been informed by the Garda authorities, which are responsible for the detailed allocation of Garda personnel, that the personnel strength of Tallaght Garda station as at 18 of January 2005 was 172, all ranks. The personnel strength of Tallaght Garda station as at 1 January 1998 was 133, all ranks. This represents an increase of 39, or 29.3%, in the number of personnel allocated to Tallaght Garda station since that date.
In relation to Garda resources generally, I am, of course, very pleased that 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 An Agreed Programme for Government in this regard. This is a key commitment in the programme for Government, and its implementation will significantly strengthen the operational capacity of the force.
I am advised that local Garda management report that a high-profile policing operation is currently in place in Tallaght. This operation is carefully targeting areas of serious anti-social behaviour, burglaries, robberies, cash in transit and licensed premises. All major shopping centres are closely policed.
During 2004 the public parks policing project met on a number of occasions to discuss serious incidents of anti-social behaviour in public parks and other open spaces. This project involves parks personnel of South Dublin County Council, park rangers, community representatives and gardaí. I am advised that this project has proven to be very successful in reducing the level of incidents in such areas, and that community representatives have endorsed this success at the project meetings. As part of this project, gardaí have targeted specific black spots where large groups have caused trouble for residents and, in particular, the Garda mountain bike unit has proven of huge benefit to the policing of these areas.
I am further informed that Tallaght community gardai are also committed to the RAPID project which tackles social exclusion in west Tallaght. In addition, Garda clinics are currently in place in Killinarden, Jobstown and Fettercairn-Brookfield, for one hour each week. These clinics are a joint venture between gardaí and South Dublin County Council personnel attached to the housing allocation unit with the four estate management teams. The area is policed with eight community gardaí with ful-time responsibility for west Tallaght. They are assisted by other units in policing the area on a 24-hour basis. All communities are kept up to date on general policing, crime and public order issues.
Garda personnel deployments throughout the country, together with overall policing arrangements and operational strategy are continually monitored and reviewed. Such monitoring ensures that optimum use is made of Garda resources, and the best possible service is provided to the public. I am advised that local Garda management are satisfied that the current resources available in Tallaght are sufficient to deal with the policing demands of the district. Resources are augmented from within the district-division as required and the area is also patrolled by the district detective unit and divisional traffic unit as required.
However, the situation will be kept under review and the policing needs of Tallaght will continue to be fully considered within the context of the overall needs of Garda districts and divisions throughout the country. The Commissioner will now be drawing up plans on how best to distribute and manage these additional resources. Clearly, of course, 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 very significantly increase the number of gardaí allocated to traffic duties as part of the new Garda traffic corps. One thing I have already promised 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.
718 Mr. Bruton asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will report on the arrangements whereby persons who have married an Irish national obtain automatic right to residency and citizenship here; the protections in place to prevent abuses of this arrangement and to advise Irish nationals on the way in which to protect themselves in such a situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1075/05]
I presume the Deputy is referring to non-EEA spouses of Irish nationals. Marriage to an Irish national does not grant any automatic right to residency in the State solely on that basis. Neither does it grant an automatic right to Irish citizenship following the coming into force of the Immigration and Citizenship Act 2001 which abolished the previous system of post-nuptual citizenship.
The immigration division of my Department has growing experience of marriages being entered into for the sole purpose of enabling the non national in question gain entry to the State. Frequently in these circumstances the Irish national may be totally unaware that this is the intention of the non national and will feel aggrieved by the perception that the immigration authorities are interfering with their private life in refusing to allow their spouse to enter or remain in the State. On occasion the Irish national may be a willing party for their own personal benefit. 'Convenience' marriages for the purpose of circumventing normal immigration controls are experienced by immigration jurisdictions worldwide and, in this regard, holiday and internet romances would feature frequently.
In order to prevent abuses of the system, in so far as is possible and without unduly interfering with the Irish citizen's private circumstances, the immigration division will seek to establish various matters. These include the context in which the marriage took place, the validity of the marriage and whether the couple are residing in a family unit. This may involve requesting supporting documentation as evidence of the relationship or an interview by the immigration authorities of either or both parties.
My Department is not in a position to advise persons as to how to protect themselves in such a situation as suggested by the Deputy. It is open to them to contact a solicitor in this regard.
719 Mr. P. Breen asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform further to Parliamentary Question No. 1081 of 29 September 2004, if a person (details supplied) in County Clare can remain here on humanitarian grounds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1076/05]
741 Mr. P. Breen asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the reason a person (details supplied) in County Clare will be deported in view of the unstable situation in their country; if he will overturn his decision of 11 January 2005 on humanitarian grounds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1291/05]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 719 and 741 together.
I refer the Deputy to the reply I gave to him to Parliamentary Question No. 1081 on 29 September 2004 in relation to the same person, in which I indicated that a decision was yet to be made in respect of his application for leave to remain in the State. Since then, 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) and all representations received on his behalf were considered. On 10 December 2004 a deportation order was made in respect of this person. In coming to this decision, consideration was given to extensive country of origin information drawn from different independent sources, including the UNHCR, in evaluating the safety of making returns to third countries. I am satisfied that in the current case the requirements of section 5 of the Refugee Act, 1996 (Prohibition of Refoulement) have been complied with and that no refoulement matters arise.
The deportation order was served on this person by registered post and he presented himself, as requested, to the Garda national immigration bureau, GNIB, on Thursday, 20 January 2005. He will be required to present himself on further occasions pending the making of arrangements by the GNIB made to remove him from the State. The enforcement of the deportation order is a matter for the GNIB.
720 Ms McManus asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the legal age of sexual consent for females and males; if there is a difference for gay and lesbian couples; the position regarding a case in which a minor and another minor is involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1077/05]
The common age of consent for both heterosexual and homosexual relations under Irish law is 17 years. However, consensual homosexual relations between females is not an offence except where one of the parties is under 15 years of age. Under Section 1(1) of the Criminal Law Amendment Act 1935, unlawful carnal knowledge of a girl under the age of 15 years is an offence punishable with a maximum sentence of life imprisonment. Under Section 2 (1) of the Act, unlawful carnal knowledge of a girl aged between 15 and 17 years is an offence punishable in the case of a first conviction by a maximum prison sentence of five years and in the case of a second or any subsequent conviction by a maximum prison sentence of ten years. Consent is not a defence.
Under section 3 of the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Act 1993 an act of buggery with a person, male or female, under the age of 15 years is an offence punishable with a maximum sentence of life imprisonment. Where the person against whom the act has been committed is between 15 and 17 years of age the offence is punishable in the case of a first conviction by a maximum prison sentence of five years and in the case of a second or any subsequent offence by a maximum prison sentence of ten years. Again, consent is not a defence.
A discussion paper on the law on sexual offences was published some time ago by my Department. The first legislation to arise from an analysis of the views received on the paper resulted in the Sex Offenders Act 2001. The paper also addressed the matters raised in the Deputy's question. If I consider, following the examination of the responses received to that discussion paper, which is ongoing, that any of these matters require statutory intervention, I will seek the approval of the Cabinet to prepare the necessary legislative proposals.
721 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will list the various types of visa processed by his Department for entry into the State; the details of the application form and documentation required in each case; the average waiting time for processing each type of visa; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1151/05]
There are two categories of visa, single journey and multi journey. Within both categories there are two types, type one granting the applicant permission to remain in the State for a period up to three months and type two granting the applicant permission to remain for extended periods over three months. Visas to enter the State are sought for a number of reasons: holiday visit, business, conference, employment, exam, interview, join parent or spouse, medical reasons, religious events, sports tournaments, study purposes, training. Information requested on the application form covers in general: personal details including citizenship and travel document information; details of any family members who intend to travel to the State with the applicant or join them thereafter; employment details in country of residence, or study details as appropriate; purpose of journey and proposed entry and departure dates — determines what type of visa is required; details of the applicant's reference in Ireland; details of any previous applications for Irish visas and the outcome of each. The application form is available free of charge from both the Department of Foreign Affairs visa office and from Irish Embassies and Consulates abroad.
Every effort is being made to process applications as quickly as possible. Decisions on applications are currently taking, on average, four to six weeks to process. This is due to the high volume of applications received.
722 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the average waiting time for processing each Land Registry registration on a county basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1153/05]
The information requested by the Deputy is set out as follows:
|
County |
Average Waiting Time (months) |
|
Carlow |
11.2 |
|
Cavan |
15 |
|
Clare |
6.7 |
|
Cork |
3.0 |
|
Donegal |
14.9 |
|
Dublin |
3.4 |
|
Galway |
12.7 |
|
Kerry |
10.3 |
|
Kildare |
1.8 |
|
Kilkenny |
13.2 |
|
Laois |
11.0 |
|
Leitrim |
12.9 |
|
Limerick |
7.6 |
|
Longford |
11.9 |
|
Louth |
8.5 |
|
Mayo |
13.5 |
|
Meath |
9.1 |
|
Monaghan |
10.4 |
|
Offaly |
12.7 |
|
Roscommon |
7.2 |
|
Sligo |
7.0 |
|
Tipperary |
6.0 |
|
Waterford |
2.2 |
|
Westmeath |
8.8 |
|
Wexford |
13.2 |
|
Wicklow |
2.0 |
I have been informed by the Registrar of Titles that this information was calculated on the following basis. The total number of dealings on hands in the Land Registry at 31 December 2004 was 163,678. Of these, 41,233 were the subject of queries and cannot be proceeded with until a satisfactory reply is received. The "live" arrear was therefore 122,445. The total number of cases completed during 2004 was 201,308. Therefore the overall national average waiting time in respect of the "live" arrear is 7.3 months.
I can further inform the Deputy that the length of time taken to complete cases varies depending on a number of factors, including the complexity of the case, investigation of title requirements, the completeness of the documentation presented, mapping requirements, the volume of business being transacted, the level of resources available at any particular time and the time at which the present computerised system was introduced in the Land Registry for each county. Where a case is urgent and this is brought to the attention of the Land Registry, in accordance with it's customer service policy, the matter is dealt with expeditiously.
Every effort is being made to process applications as quickly as possible. Decisions on applications are currently taking, on average, four to six weeks to process. This is due to the high volume of applications received.
723 Ms O. Mitchell asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the progress to date in establishing a dedicated traffic corps; the predicted timescale for the creation of the full complement of the corps; the way in which this corps will differ in its operation and functions from the existing traffic divisions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1157/05]
In relation to Garda resources generally, I am very pleased that 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 An Agreed Programme for Government in this regard. I announced the establishment within the Garda Síochána of the traffic corps on 23 November 2004. I am informed by the Garda authorities that the number of gardaí assigned to the traffic corps will increase on a phased basis from the current approved level of 531 to 1,200 by 2008. This will be done in tandem with the recruitment of almost 1,100 recruits in each of the next three years resulting in the net increase in the strength of the force to 14,000.
As each cycle of recruit training is completed, the Garda Commissioner will assign these new members to the areas of greatest need with certain priorities, in particular the traffic corps. The recruitment campaign to take on additional gardaí was launched on 25 November, 2004 and over 10,500 applications were received. In each quarter, for the next three years, around 274 recruits will be taken into the college. Arrangements are in place for the intake of 274 students to the Garda College on 7 February 2005.
The Government has approved the appointment of an additional officer at the rank of assistant commissioner, who will be the head of the traffic corps, and an appointment will be made in the very near future. The traffic corps will have a dedicated and identifiable budget, and formal arrangements for this within the Garda budget are now being put in place.
The Garda strategic review of traffic policing, which I published also on 23 November, is the blueprint for the activities of the traffic corps. Work is currently under way on the development of proposals for the elaboration and implementation of the traffic corps' strategy, including proposals on the structural aspects of road traffic law enforcement. These proposals will be considered for adoption by the new head of the traffic corps and other senior management of the Garda Síochána. Every effort is being made to process applications as quickly as possible. Decisions on applications are currently taking, on average, four to six weeks to process. This is due to the high volume of applications received.
724 Cecilia Keaveney asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position in relation to a Land Registry application by persons (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1161/05]
I am informed by the Registrar of Titles that this is an application under section 49, acquisition of title by virtue of long possession, under the Registration of Title Act 1964, which was lodged on 3 March 2004. Dealing Number D2004WS002605V refers. I understand that due to their complicated nature, applications under section 49, which require detailed examination of claims for registration as owners, can take some time to process. Accordingly, it is not possible to estimate a completion date at this stage.
I am however further informed that queries which issued to the lodging solicitors have now been replied to and that the application is receiving attention in the Land Registry and will be completed as soon as possible. Every effort is being made to process applications as quickly as possible. Decisions on applications are currently taking, on average, four to six weeks to process. This is due to the high volume of applications received.
725 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform when a decision will be made on an application made by a person (details supplied) for assistance based on the grounds that they are married to an Irish citizen. [1168/05]
An application for permission to remain in the State based on marriage to an Irish national was received from the person concerned in July 2004. Applications of this type are dealt with in chronological order and currently take approximately 16 months to process.
726 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if a person (details supplied) in County Kildare will be given leave to remain here for an extended period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1191/05]
781 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will grant an extension of residency to a person (details attached) in County Kildare; if his attention has been drawn to the possible dangers to which this person is likely to be exposed if returned to her homeland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1673/05]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 762 and 781 together.
The position is that the person concerned arrived in the State on 23 October, 2002 and claimed asylum. Her application was refused and she was notified of this recommendation by letter of 10 July 2003. Her subsequent appeal was refused and she was notified of this recommendation by letter of 30 September 2003. She was notified of my decision to refuse her refugee status by letter of 14 January 2004 in which she was informed of the three options open to her at that point, i.e., to leave the State before the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform made a deportation in respect of her; to consent to the making of a deportation order in respect of her; or to make written representations, within 15 working days, to the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform setting out reasons as to why she should not be deported, i.e. why she should be allowed to remain temporarily in the State.
Her case was examined under section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999 and section 5 of the Refugee Act 1996 (Prohibition of Refoulement), including consideration of all representations received on her behalf. On 3 August 2004 a deportation order was made in respect of this person. The order was served on her by registered post and she presented herself as requested to the Garda national immigration bureau on Thursday, 13 January 2005. She is due to present herself again on Thursday, 3 February 2005 when it is envisaged that arrangements can be made to remove her from the State.
My Deparment uses extensive country of origin information drawn from different independent sources, including the UNHCR, in evaluating the safety of making returns to third countries. I am satisfied that in the current case the requirements of section 5 of the Refugee Act 1996 (Prohibition of Refoulement) have been complied with and that no refoulement matters arise. The enforcement of the deportation order is a matter for the Garda national immigration bureau.
727 Mr. McGuinness asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if an application by a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny to stay here on humanitarian grounds will be expedited. [1210/05]
This person arrived in the State on 31 July 2003 and applied for asylum. His application was, in turn, considered by the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner and the Refugee Appeals Tribunal, both of which considered that he did not meet the criteria for recognition as a refugee. The recommendations of both bodies were communicated to the person concerned. In accordance with section 17(1) of the Refugee Act 1996, as amended, my Department will be in contact with this person, by letter, in the coming days to inform him as to his current position in the State.
728 Mr. McGuinness asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the status of an application for funding by a person (details supplied); when a decision is likely to be made in this case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1211/05]
In December 2004, I considered the appraisal of a capital grant application under the equal opportunities childcare programme, EOCP, 2000-2006, from the group in question. The Deputy may be aware that over €132,500 in capital and staffing grant assistance has already been approved to the group.
The amount of capital funding available under the EOCP is limited and funding is prioritised to those projects which most closely focus on the aims and criteria of the programme, which clearly support the child care needs of parents in employment, education and training and which fill gaps in the availability of child care at local level. Consequently, factors taken into consideration during the appraisal of applications for capital grant assistance include ensuring that there is a regional and local spread of child care services to meet local need; ensuring value for money when considered in relation to the current guidelines on building costs; showing evidence of demand in the area for the level of service being proposed; and avoiding competition between services which would adversely affect their sustainability.
As the application in question has not fulfilled the relevant criteria and in the light of all information currently available, I concurred with the programme appraisal committee of the EOCP and did not make funding available to the project on this occasion. However, should the group wish to offer additional material to substantiate that submitted in its original application, it is open to the group to submit an appeal to my Department which will be appraised by ADM Limited and considered by the programme appraisal committee.
729 Mr. McGuinness asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if an application by a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny to stay here on humanitarian grounds will be expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1212/05]
The person in question arrived in the State on 10 June 2003 and applied for asylum. His application was refused following consideration of his case by the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner and, on appeal, by the Refugee Appeals Tribunal. Subsequently, in accordance with the Immigration Act 1999, as amended, he was informed by letter dated 11 November 2004, that it was proposed to make a deportation order in his case. He was given the options, to be exercised within 15 working days, of making representations to the Minister setting out reasons she should be allowed to remain temporarily in the State, leaving the State before the deportation order is made or consenting to the making of a deportation order.
This person's case file, including all representations submitted, will be considered under section 3(6) of the Immigration Act 1999, as amended, and section 5 of the Refugee Act 1996 — Prohibition of Refoulement. I expect the case file to be passed to me for decision in due course.
730 Mr. McGuinness asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will expedite a decision in the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 15 who has applied to stay here on humanitarian grounds; if a temporary identification card will be issued given that this person has been here for five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1213/05]
The person concerned arrived in the State on 27 April, 2000 and applied for asylum on the same day. His wife entered the State on 8 August 2000 and applied for asylum on the same day. His application was refused following consideration of his case by the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner and, on appeal, by the Refugee Appeals Tribunal. Subsequently, in accordance with section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999, as amended, he was informed by letter dated 31 October 2002, that the Minister proposed to make a deportation order in respect of him. He was given the options, to be exercised within 15 working days, of making representations to the Minister setting out the reasons he should be allowed to remain temporarily in the State, leaving the State before an order is made or consenting to the making of a deportation order. Representations have been received on behalf of the person concerned.
This person's case file, including all representations submitted, will be considered under section 3(6) of the Immigration Act 1999, as amended, and section 5 of the Refugee Act 1996 (Prohibition of Refoulement). I expect the file to be passed to me for decision in due course. Persons in these circumstances — who have been refused declarations as refugees and are awaiting decisions as to their deportations — are not issued with temporary identification cards.
731 Mr. Ellis asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if his Department will complete work on a land dealing (details supplied) in County Leitrim. [1229/05]
I am informed by the Registrar of Titles that this is an application under section 49, acquisition of title by virtue of long possession, under the Registration of Title Act 1964, which was lodged on 11 December 2003. Dealing Number D2003WS012236J refers. I understand that due to their complicated nature, applications under section 49, which require detailed examination of claims for registration as owners, can take some time to process. Accordingly, it is not possible to estimate a completion date at this stage. I am further informed that queries which issued to the lodging solicitors have now been replied to and that the application is receiving attention in the Land Registry and will be completed as soon as possible.
732 Mr. Curran asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position regarding the installation of the closed circuit television system in Clondalkin; and when this system will be operational. [1243/05]
As the Deputy is aware, 17 locations throughout the country, including Clondalkin, are set to receive town centre CCTV systems. This expansion is being implemented on a phased basis as follows: phase 1 — Bray, Dundalk, Dún Laoghaire, Finglas, Galway and Limerick; phase 2 — Athlone, Clondalkin, Tallaght and Waterford; phase 3 — Ballyfermot, Carlow, Castlebar, Clonmel, Ennis, Kilkenny and Sligo. The installation of the phase 1 systems in Bray, Dundalk, Dún Laoghaire and Limerick has been completed and these systems are now fully operational. Some 13 of the 18 cameras in Galway are now fully operational. It is proposed to install the final five cameras in tandem with the major redevelopment works currently being undertaken by Galway City Council in the Eyre Square area.
The issue regarding the provision of suitable space to accommodate the monitoring of CCTV cameras in Finglas Garda station is currently being considered, in conjunction with the Office of Public Works, with regard to the overall accommodation needs of Finglas Garda station. It is hoped that work can proceed to completion in Finglas in 2005.
The second phase of Garda CCTV systems will be installed in Athlone, Clondalkin, Tallaght and Waterford. Installation of the CCTV systems is of necessity a detailed, complex and lengthy process. The Garda authorities are giving careful consideration to a restructuring of the manner in which these Garda CCTV systems go to tender.
I am anxious to accelerate the implementation of the remaining CCTV programme, and reduce as far as possible the workload of the Garda Síochána in this regard. I have therefore asked the Commissioner to submit proposals for a revised tender document for the 11 locations in the remaining two phases, with a view to achieving implementation in priority locations by the end of 2006.
733 Mr. Costello asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the value of cocaine seized by the State authorities in each of the past ten years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1244/05]
I am informed by the Garda authorities that the value of cocaine seizures made in each of the past ten years is as set out as follows. Seizures made by the Customs authorities are a matter for my colleague, the Minister for Finance.
|
Year |
Value |
|
€ |
|
|
1994 |
4,672 |
|
1995 |
2,214,444 |
|
1996 |
65,214,360 |
|
1997 |
1,119,411 |
|
1998 |
33,843,103 |
|
1999 |
8,690,575 |
|
2000 |
1,832,604 |
|
2001 |
540,913 |
|
2002 |
3,225,368 |
|
2003 |
10,915,786 |
|
2004* |
*Figures for 2004 are not yet available.
734 Mr. Costello asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his views on the findings of the non-governmental organisation response to the Government’s first report on the UN Convention on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination in which Amnesty International, the Irish Council for Civil Liberties and the Irish Bishops’ Conference asserted that the Government’s policies and ministerial statements have acted to increase racism; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1245/05]
Ireland ratified the UN Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Racial Discrimination, CERD, on 29 December 2000 and the convention entered into force here on 28 January 2001. In line with Article 9 of the Convention, Ireland submitted its first report, which covers the legislative, judicial, administrative and other measures adopted to give effect to the provisions of the Convention, to the UN early in 2004. In accordance with established practice, Ireland's report was drawn up after widespread consultation with the NGO community.
On 2 and 3 of March next, an Irish delegation, led by Minister of State, Deputy Frank Fahey, will be present at the UN in Geneva for a dialogue with the CERD committee on Ireland's first report and on our implementation of the Convention. I understand that the CERD committee procedures allow for civil society groups to submit "shadow" reports in advance of this dialogue which comment on the report of the state party. It is in this context that the NGO alliance have submitted its report. I will make funds available to assist a number of NGOs with their travel costs to attend the session, as observers, in Geneva.
As to the specific criticisms referred to by the Deputy, I cannot agree with them. It is has always been both my and the Government's position that combating racism and accommodating diversity are key priorities of the Government. Tomorrow, along with the Taoiseach and the Minister of State, Deputy Frank Fahey, I will launch the national action plan against racism, NPAR, a commitment which arises from the World Conference Against Racism in South Africa in 2001 and which was reaffirmed in Sustaining Progress. A lengthy consultation phase involving Departments, social partners and NGOs preceded the drafting of the NPAR.
The Deputy will be aware that the recent Know Racism programme completed its three year programme at the end of 2003. Some €4.3 million was spent under the programme including €1.3 million in grants to 450 successful projects involving community groups and organisations for the development of local anti-racism initiatives. The Know Racism programme has been evaluated and the lessons learnt will be incorporated into the national action plan against racism. To assist continuity, an 'end of term report' for Know Racism and an independent evaluation, carried out by Ms Siobhan Lynam, will be published in the same volume as the plan.
There are other developments in Government policy which I would like to draw to the attention of the Deputy. Ireland has one of the most comprehensive anti-discrimination codes in Europe. Discrimination and harassment in relation to and within employment on nine grounds including race, religion and membership of the Traveller community are outlawed by the Employment Equality Act 1998. Discrimination and harassment on the same grounds in the supply of goods or services, education or accommodation are prohibited by the Equal Status Act 2000. Independent and effective bodies in the Equality Authority and Equality Tribunal ensure effective implementation of our anti-discrimination code. The infrastructure is there and I would urge people to use it.
The Garda Síochána has established a racial and intercultural office responsible for co-ordinating, monitoring and advising on all aspects of policing in the area of racial, ethnic and cultural diversity. The office is a point of contact for a wide range of groups and agencies that represent ethnic communities.
Furthermore, this Government established the Human Rights Commission in 2001. The commission, as the Deputy is well aware is an independent statutory body charged with the task of keeping under review the adequacy and effectiveness of our laws in relation to the protection of human rights in their widest sense.
The NGO report, referred to by the Deputy, makes a number of comments on the asylum determination process and on services available to asylum seekers. I cannot support the general thrust of the report on the issue of asylum which fails to take account of the significant developments which have taken place in this policy area in recent years. This is illustrated by the fact, in particular, that processing of applications is moving more strongly with waiting times for decisions being reduced to months. In addition, the number of applications in the asylum system has been reduced substantially from some 6,500 in September 2001 to some 1,000 at the end of December 2004.
In 2005 my Department alone will provide some €125 million for asylum and integration services including some €71 million for provision of accommodation. In 2003 some €353 million was spent across Government Departments on services to asylum seekers and related immigration functions.
As the Deputy is aware, processing is undertaken by independent statutory agencies, namely, the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner and the Refugee Appeals Tribunal which are highly resourced and experienced in dealing with cases including those in respect of vulnerable groups. Comprehensive legal advice services are provided by the State funded refugee legal service at all stages of the asylum process. After a fair, transparent and independent asylum determination process — which compares with the best in the world — the fact is, that in the region of 90% of applicants are found not to be refugees.
In relation to services for asylum seekers the Reception and Integration Agency, RIA, is responsible for the accommodation of asylum seekers in direct provision. The system of direct provision was put in place to ensure that the basic needs of asylum seekers, including food and shelter were met. The agency strives to ensure a high standard of accommodation, food and ancillary services to asylum seekers at each centre. All centres are inspected on a regular basis both by staff of the agency and by an independent contractor which specialises in accommodation standards in the tourism sector. Asylum seekers are provided with health care, including mental health services, on the same basis as the indigenous population.
The Eastern Regional Health Authority, now subsumed into the Health Service Executive, published the regional health strategy for ethnic minorities in 2004. While specific health needs should be addressed in line with the actions proposed in the strategy, I welcome the 'priority service issue recommendations' which include the provision of cultural awareness and anti-discrimination training for staff in the health services.
I have pointed out on a number of occasions that it is not intended to provide asylum seekers with access to employment which, in any event, is prohibited by the Refugee Act 1996. Such a change in policy would undoubtedly increase asylum applications and undermine all legislative changes and progress in processing times achieved to date and which I have referred to previously in my reply.
On the issue of immigration, also raised in the NGO alliance's response, it is a fact that over recent years this State has operated what is probably the most open system of legal migration in Europe and beyond. The valuable contribution which the many thousands of legal migrants are making to our economy and our society is fully recognised. However, we cannot ignore the abuses of our immigration system which occur because a minority of people choose not to use our legal migration routes but rather attempt to enter the State illegally. As I have said in this House, I am working on proposals for a comprehensive immigration and residence Bill which will provide a fair and sensible legislative framework for dealing with all aspects of the entry and stay in the State of non-nationals, whether as long-term migrants who wish to establish themselves and their families here in employment or enterprise, or as temporary visitors for work, study or recreational purposes.
As regards the NGO alliance's comments on the citizenship referendum, the overwhelming decision of the people in that referendum clearly reaffirmed the Government's view that it was a necessary step in order to address an abuse of our citizenship laws by persons with no link to the State seeking to establish an entitlement to residence by the act of giving birth on the island of Ireland.
735 Mr. Neville asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of prison service staff who have reported unfit for duty due to work related stress for 2003 and 2004. [1256/05]
I am advised by the director general of the Irish Prison Service that 12 prison service staff reported unfit for duty due to work related stress in 2003. The corresponding figure for 2004 is 23 but this may be subject to a slight revision upwards pending reconciliation of year end returns. The director general will arrange for the final figures for 2004 to be forwarded directly to the Deputy once they become available.
736 Mr. Neville asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of gardaí who have reported ill and unfit for duty due to work related stress for 2003 and 2004. [1257/05]
I have been informed by the Garda authorities, who are responsible for the detailed allocation of Garda personnel, that the total number of Garda personnel — all ranks — who were absent on long-term sick leave suffering from stress during 2003 and 2004 was as follows:
|
Year |
|
|
2003 |
19 |
|
2004 |
30 |
Of those, the number confirmed as suffering from work-related stress was as follows:
|
2003 |
5 |
|
2004 |
4 |
The number of Garda personnel who reported ill and unfit for duty on a short-term basis due to stress is not available.
737 Mr. O’Shea asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if his attention has been drawn to any charities registered in the State that are or may be used by terrorist organisations for fund-raising and money laundering; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1260/05]
I am informed by the Garda authorities that there is no evidence that any charity based in this jurisdiction is being used to facilitate the activities of terrorist organisations. I should add that Ireland is fully committed to implementing its international obligations in relation to terrorism and the financing of terrorism, as set out, inter alia, in a number of United Nations Security Council resolutions. In general, these resolutions require UN member states to criminalise the financing of terrorism; to freeze the funds, financial assets or economic resources of terrorists and terrorist entities; and to prohibit the provision of financial services to terrorists and terrorist entities.
Effect has been given to these UN resolutions within the European Union by means of implementing instruments which have direct application in all EU member states, including Ireland.
738 Mr. McGuinness asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the progress in the search for a missing person (details supplied); if Operation Trace has completed its investigation; if new information was uncovered by this investigation; if the search is ongoing; if so, the guise under which it is so; the number of officers or gardaí trained to date under the Jerry McCabe fellowship, John Jay College, New York; if this training is ongoing; if officers or gardaí have been trained at the international centre for exploited and missing children; if the services of this organisation have been availed of; if a dedicated missing persons unit will be set up based on an American or European model of best practise; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1261/05]
I am informed by the Garda authorities that a review of the investigation into the case of the missing person referred to is taking place at present and that the review is not completed yet. I also understand from the Garda authorities that Operation Trace is ongoing and any new matter coming to light is fully investigated by personnel from the national bureau of criminal investigations.
The McCabe fellowship foundation was established in 1996 and provides for the regular exchange of personnel from the Garda Síochána with the New York police department. To date 45 participants from the Garda Síochána and 22 from the New York police department have completed the exchange programme. The programme is based on a two week period and provides for opportunities to identify best practice in relation to policing requirements for the two organisations. Since it's foundation three gardaí have completed an MA in criminology and one completed an MA in forensic psychology at John Jay College, New York.
The Garda missing persons bureau has responsibility for the compilation and updating of data relating to missing persons, along with the administration of the Irish missing children's website —www.missingkids.ie— launched in September, 2004 in association with the International Centre for Missing and Exploited Children.
The establishment of a national missing persons unit has been proposed on previous occasions and the matter is kept under ongoing review by the Garda authorities. At present, local Garda management take direct responsibility for missing person cases. Special investigation teams, for example, the national bureau of criminal investigation or the technical bureau are called upon if deemed necessary.
The Garda authorities have assured me that every effort is made to locate all missing persons and that they consider the current procedures for dealing with missing persons to be adequate.
739 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of times to date on which section 24 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2002 which amends the Criminal (Public Order) Act 1994, has been used by the Garda Síochána; the number of times the legislation has been used and the object referred to it has been a caravan or other temporary dwelling; if it has been used principally to address unauthorised camping by a member of the Traveller community as was suggested when the legislation was introduced; the number of times the use of legislation has resulted in court proceedings; the number of times a caravan or caravans have been confiscated and impounded by the Garda under the powers conferred by the legislation; if these figures can be broken down by Garda divisional areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1262/05]
740 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of times the powers granted to the Garda Síochána under section 24 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2002 have been invoked by a member of the Garda Síochána; the number of times any such invocation has resulted in arrest or charge; the number of times such arrest or charge has resulted in subsequent Court prosecution or conviction; the number of times a caravan or caravans have been impounded under the confiscate and impound legislation; if he will provide the foregoing figures by reference to Garda division; the categories of classification which are used in the statistics and the records maintained regarding the identity of persons against whom section 24 powers have been invoked; if categories of classification referred to in the statistics and the records maintained identify a class of persons affected as Travellers, the number of such Travellers who have been identified in the statistics as affected by the section; if categories of classification referred to in the statistics and the records maintained identify classes of persons as non-Traveller, the number of non-Travellers who have been identified in the statistics as affected by the section; if no such categories of classification are apparent from the statistics, if he proposes to direct that such categories be compiled to ascertain the impact of the legislation on the Traveller community; the provisions which have been made administratively for guidance and oversight for members of the Garda Síochána in the invocation of this provision; the directions, considerations and administrative guidelines which have been put in place either by him or the Garda Commissioner regarding the disposal or storage of property seized in this regard. [1263/05]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 739 and 740 together.
I wish to advise the Deputy that it has not been possible to compile the information requested in the timeframe allowed. In effect the Deputy's questions require extensive research right across the Garda force and the application of Garda time and resources which are needed for other purposes. I will arrange for the information to be forwarded directly to the Deputy at the earliest possible opportunity.
742 Mr. P. Breen asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform further to Parliamentary Question No. 279 of 7 December 2004, the specific income limits in relation to a person (details supplied) in County Clare in bringing their family here; the reasons for refusal in this case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1292/05]
At the outset I should say that I fully acknowledge that decisions in these matters should recognise the needs of persons coming to Ireland to work and be in accordance with the broad needs of the Irish economy, including the safeguarding of public resources. The general rule is that the grant of a visa is subject to the worker being able to support the family without recourse to public funds.
When assessing applications of this type, the visa officer will consider, amongst other factors, whether the level of salary of the worker would come within the ambit of qualifying for payment from public funds. In this regard, the criteria set by the Department of Social and Family Affairs for eligibility for family income supplement payment, FIS, is used — the criteria, which may change from time to time, are available onthat Department's website www.welfare.ie/publications/sw22.html. If the level of the worker’s income as evidenced by his or her payslips or P60 would qualify for FIS payments, the application for a visa is generally refused as it is evident that the family can seek recourse to public funds. The visa officer will expect to see sufficient evidence of the financial status of the applicant, in the form of several payslips, and detailed bank statements covering, at a minimum, a two to three month period. The documentation supplied should demonstrate a consistent financial history and evidence of regular income.
In the case of the person referred to by the Deputy, the application was refused for reasons of finances — specifically that insufficient evidence of finances was supplied. In this case the evidence supplied was not sufficient to enable the visa and appeals officers conclude that the individual in question had adequate funds available to enable them live in the State without recourse to public funds. The initial application was accompanied by a single bank statement covering a three month period. No payslips were supplied in support of the application. As part of the subsequent appeal against this refusal decision, the applicant supplied an additional bank statement covering another three month period, however, again, no payslips were supplied.
On the basis of the information supplied, the application was refused as it was deemed that the applicant was unable to support his spouse without recourse to public funds.
743 Mr. Lowry asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the courses which have been transferred from the Garda training college; the dates on which the transfers occurred; the courses which he or the Garda Commissioner plan to transfer out of the college and the dates on which the transfers will take effect; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1307/05]
I have been informed by the Garda authorities that to date no training courses have been transferred from the Garda college. As part of my proposal to increase the strength of the force to 14,000, in line with the Government's commitment set out in An Agreed Programme for Government, each quarter, for the next three years, around 274 recruits will be taken into the college, amounting to almost 1,100 recruits each year. To facilitate this accelerated recruitment, a significant enhancement of the Garda college facilities is underway.
A new four-storey block will be built which will provide for central administration and free up the teaching blocks for classroom use. New library and gymnasium facilities will also be provided and existing catering and canteen facilities will be expanded. The plans for all of this are being advanced by the Office of Public Works and construction will be completed by the end of this year in time for the peak inflow of new recruits to the college. Work will also be undertaken to relocate the tactical training facility, which will be displaced by the new building.
In addition, the Garda Commissioner is to temporarily move the majority of in-service training out of the Garda college to a new location. This will enable the Garda college to concentrate mainly on training new recruits arising from the accelerated recruitment campaign. The OPW advertised in October 2004 for expressions of interest in the provision of the new accommodation for in-service training, and is now considering the proposals received. This outsourced facility will provide accommodation for up to 100 gardaí, with classroom and lecture facilities.
I am advised that It is proposed to deliver management, supervisory and continuous professional development programmes outside of the Garda college with effect from 4 April 2005.
746 Mr. Carey asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 11 will be examined to establish the reason they have been refused permission to re-enter the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1357/05]
By way of background, it should be noted that a visa is not itself a guarantee of entry into the State. It is instead only a form of pre-entry clearance issued in order to assist with the immigration process. The decision to grant or refuse permission to enter the State rests with the immigration officer at the port of entry. The dates specified on a visa refer only to the period during which the visa is valid for presentation, and does not refer to the length of time the bearer may remain in the State, which is determined by the Garda national immigration bureau when the bearer presents for registration.
In the case of the person referred to by the Deputy, the person in question was granted a single journey visa on 24 November 2004 by my Department. This visa was for use by the bearer, before 22 June 2005 for a single entry into the State only. A person in possession of a single journey visa, who intends to leave and subsequently re-enter the state at a later date, must apply for a re-entry visa to the visa office of the Department of Foreign Affairs, prior to their departure from the State. Failure to apply for and obtain a valid re-entry visa, as happened in the case referred to by the Deputy, will result in re-entry into the State being refused by the immigration officer at point of entry.
747 Mr. O’Dowd asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position regarding an application for naturalisation for a person (details supplied) in County Louth; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1358/05]
An application for a certificate of naturalisation from the person referred to by the Deputy was received in the citizenship section of my Department on 15 August, 2003. The average processing time for such applications is currently 24 months. On the basis of the current average processing time, therefore, it is likely that the application of the individual concerned will be finalised around August 2005. I will inform both the applicant and the Deputy as soon as I have reached a decision on the application.
748 Mr. P. Breen asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will give consideration to an application by a person (details supplied) in County Clare for a dependant visa for a spouse; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1359/05]
The visa application in question was received in my Department on 22 December 2004. The application was examined and considered by a Visa Officer who took the decision to refuse a visa. This decision was forwarded to the Department of Foreign Affairs on 19 January 2005 and the applicant will be notified via the Irish Mission in their country of origin at the earliest possible opportunity.
749 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if his attention has been drawn to claims (details supplied) relating to a Gulfstream V jet; if his attention has further been drawn to claims that the plane has flown between Washington DC and destinations that include the Guantanamo Bay prison camp in Cuba and US overseas military bases, as well as Iraq and Afghanistan; that Shannon Airport is used as a refuelling post on such flights and that the flights are for the clandestine transport of enemy combatants to undisclosed locations for extraordinary rendition, that is, flying captured terrorist suspects and prisoners of war from one country to another for detention and interrogation; if he has investigated these claims; if the use of Shannon for such purposes has ever been sought from or notified to the authorities here by the US Government; if such use is compatible with domestic law and the State’s international legal commitments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1410/05]
I refer the Deputy to my reply to Parliamentary Question No. 78 of 3 November 2004. I am aware of the various reports made in relation to the civilian-registered aircraft in question. The regulation of such aircraft is primarily a matter for my colleague, the Minister for Transport, who has made inquiries in the matter and whose findings have been outlined to this House in replies to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 218 of 7 October 2004; 406 of 19 October 2004; 356 of 2 November 2004; and 312 of 23 November 2004.
Neither the Government nor I have any information to indicate that military prisoners are being transported through Irish airports. I understand that the US authorities have confirmed to the Department of Foreign Affairs that Irish airports are not used for this purpose and that they would not seek to do so in the future without seeking the authorisation of the Irish authorities.
Moreover, I assure the Deputy that the Garda Síochána would conduct a full investigation in any case in which a credible complaint of criminal activity, such as holding a person in unlawful custody, is made to include, where appropriate, an inspection of an aircraft in this jurisdiction.
750 Mr. Boyle asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of Peace Commissioners who operate in the State by local authority administrative area. [1425/05]
The roll of Peace Commissioners is currently maintained by reference to Garda sub-district area, and not by local authority city or county. Consequently, Garda sub-district boundaries are not coterminous with local authority administrative area boundaries in the five cities and 29 counties identified in the Local Government Act 2001.
There are 6,808 serving Peace Commissioners, of which 6,587 are available to the general public and a further 221 were appointed in an ex officio capacity, mostly to Prisons and Places of Detention but also to Banc Ceannais na hÉireann, the Revenue Commissioners, the Garda Training College and a number of Departments.
A Peace Commissioner is normally appointed to serve a county and the immediately adjoining counties. Appointments are made in consultation with the Garda Síochána following an assessment of need in respect of an area for which a nomination has been received.
The table details the numbers appointed to each county.
|
County |
Appointments to Serve the General Public |
Ex-Officio Appointments |
Total |
|
Carlow |
62 |
62 |
|
|
Cavan |
143 |
3 |
146 |
|
Clare |
200 |
200 |
|
|
Cork |
950 |
24 |
974 |
|
Donegal |
289 |
289 |
|
|
Dublin |
1,258 |
154 |
1,412 |
|
Galway |
347 |
347 |
|
|
Kerry |
295 |
295 |
|
|
Kildare |
157 |
2 |
159 |
|
Kilkenny |
147 |
1 |
148 |
|
Laois |
114 |
13 |
127 |
|
Leitrim |
75 |
75 |
|
|
Limerick |
417 |
4 |
421 |
|
Longford |
72 |
72 |
|
|
Louth |
134 |
134 |
|
|
Mayo |
331 |
331 |
|
|
Meath |
146 |
146 |
|
|
Monaghan |
83 |
83 |
|
|
Offaly |
96 |
96 |
|
|
Roscommon |
153 |
7 |
160 |
|
Sligo |
110 |
110 |
|
|
Tipperary |
316 |
10 |
326 |
|
Waterford |
157 |
157 |
|
|
Westmeath |
120 |
120 |
|
|
Wexford |
277 |
277 |
|
|
Wicklow |
138 |
3 |
141 |
|
Total |
6,587 |
221 |
6,808 |
751 Mr. Boyle asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the status of the application of a person (details supplied). [1426/05]
The person, a Cameroonian national, arrived in the State on 22 April 2003 and applied for asylum. Her application was refused following consideration of her case by the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner and, on appeal, by the Refugee Appeals Tribunal. She is the parent of an Irish born child.
Subsequently, in accordance with the Immigration Act 1999, as amended, she was informed by letter dated 30 June 2004 that it was proposed to make a deportation order in her case. She was given the options, to be exercised within 15 working days, of making representations to the Minister setting out reasons that she should be allowed to remain temporarily in the State, leaving the State before a deportation order is signed or consenting to the making of a deportation order.
In the normal course of events her case file, including all representations submitted, would be considered under section 3(6) of the Immigration Act 1999, as amended and under section 5 of the Refugee Act 1996, as amended (prohibition of refoulement).
However, this person, as the parent of an Irish born child, may, if she so wishes, apply to have her application considered under the new arrangements introduced by me for the consideration of applications for permission to remain made by the non-national parents of Irish born children born before 1 January 2005. An information notice setting out details of the new arrangements and the appropriate application form is available from the Department's website www.justice.ie. Application forms are also available from Garda district headquarters stations outside Dublin, at all Reception and Integration Agency accommodation centres countrywide and from various non-governmental organisations working with immigrants and asylum seekers.
752 Mr. Boyle asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the status of the application of a person (details supplied). [1427/05]
It is not the practice to comment in detail on individual asylum applications. As the Deputy will be aware, applications for refugee status in the State are determined by an independent process comprising the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner and the Refugee Appeals Tribunal which make recommendations to the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform on whether such status should be granted. A final decision on this application will be made upon receipt of the decision of the Refugee Appeals Tribunal.
753 Mr. Boyle asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the status of the application of a person (details supplied). [1428/05]
The person in question arrived in the State on 1 August 2001 and applied for asylum. His application was refused following consideration of his case by the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner and on appeal by the Refugee Appeals Tribunal.
Subsequently, in accordance with the Immigration Act 1999, as amended, he was informed by letter dated 22 October 2004, that it was proposed to make a deportation order in his case. He was given the options, to be exercised within 15 working days, of making representations to the Minister setting out reasons that he should be allowed to remain temporarily in the State, leaving the State before the deportation order is made or consenting to the making of a deportation order.
This person's case file, including all representations submitted, will be considered under section 3(6) of the Immigration Act 1999, as amended, and section 5 of the Refugee Act 1996 (prohibition of refoulement). I expect the case file to be passed to me for decision in due course.
754 Mr. Boyle asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the status of the application of persons (details supplied). [1429/05]
This Cameroonian couple arrived in the State on 19 January 2002 and 21 December 2001 respectively and applied for asylum. Their applications were refused following consideration of their case by the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner and, on appeal, by the Refugee Appeals Tribunal. The couple are the parents of an Irish born child.
Subsequently, in accordance with the Immigration Act 1999, as amended, they were informed by letters dated 12 March 2003 and 28 October 2004 respectively, that it was proposed to make deportation orders in their case. They were given the options, to be exercised within 15 working days, of making representations to the Minister setting out reasons that they should be allowed to remain temporarily in the State, leaving the State before deportation orders are signed or consenting to the making of deportation orders.
In the normal course of events, the couple's case files, including all representations submitted, would be considered under section 3(6) of the Immigration Act 1999, as amended and under section 5 of the Refugee Act 1996, as amended (prohibition of refoulement).
However, this couple, as the parents of an Irish born child may, if they so wish, apply to have their application considered under the new arrangements introduced by me for the consideration of applications for permission to remain made by the non-national parents of Irish born children born before 1 January 2005. An information notice setting out details of the new arrangements and the appropriate application form is available from the Department's website www.justice.ie. Application forms are also available from Garda district headquarters, stations outside Dublin, at all Reception and Integration Agency accommodation centres countrywide and from various non-governmental organisations working with immigrants and asylum seekers.
755 Mr. Boyle asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the status of the application of a person (details supplied). [1430/05]
An application for permission to remain in the State based on marriage to an Irish national was received from the person concerned in May 2004. Applications of this type are dealt with in chronological order and currently take approximately 16 months to process.
756 Mr. Boyle asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the status of the application of a person (details supplied). [1431/05]
This person arrived in the State on 8 May 2003 and applied for asylum. His application was in turn considered by the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner and the Refugee Appeals Tribunal, both of whom considered that he did not meet the criteria for recognition as a refugee. The recommendations of both bodies were communicated to the person concerned.
In accordance with section 17(1) of the Refugee Act 1996, as amended, my Department will be in contact with this person by letter in the coming days to inform him as to his current position in the State.
757 Mr. Boyle asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the status of the application of a person (details supplied). [1432/05]
I can inform the Deputy that permission to remain in the State was granted to the person in question on 17 January 2005.
758 Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the reason for the denial on appeal of a visa to a person (details supplied). [1647/05]
The visa application in question was to enable the wife of a non-EEA national employed under the work permit scheme to reside with him in the State. A worker employed under the work permit scheme may be joined by a spouse and minor children after a worker has been in the State for one year and has been offered a contract for a further year. The worker must also be able to fully support the family members in question without the need to have recourse to public funds. The application in question was refused as the supporting documentation did not show that the worker in question was in a position to fully support his family. The immigration status of the worker was also taken into account as his work permit and his permission to remain were shortly due to expire.
When assessing applications of this type the visa officer will consider, among other factors, whether the level of salary of the worker would come within the ambit of qualifying for payment from public funds. In this regard, the criteria set by the Department of Social and Family Affairs for eligibility for family income supplement payment is used . If the level of the worker’s income as evidenced by his or her payslips and P60 would come within the ambit of qualifying for FIS payments, the application for a visa is generally refused.
An appeal was made against the decision to refuse the application. The appeal was supported by additional evidence of finances and evidence that the reference's work permit had been renewed for a further year. The application was re-examined by the appeals officer who was satisfied that the issue of the immigration status of the worker had been resolved. However, the new payslips, while showing a recent increase in income, demonstrated that the level of income would still come within the ambit of qualifying for FIS payments. For this reason the appeals officer decided to uphold the initial decision to refuse a visa.
It is of course open to the person to make a fresh application supported by current documentation. In this regard, evidence that the recent increase to the worker's salary is ongoing will be taken into account.
759 Mr. Costello asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the Gaming and Lotteries Act 1956 is widely breached; the measures taken for enforcing the provisions of the Act; the number of prosecutions in each of the past five years for breaches of the Act; if he has plans to review the Act; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1648/05]
The Garda Síochána is responsible for the investigation of complaints of breaches of the Gaming and Lotteries Acts and the provisions of the Acts are part of the general enforcement measures employed by them. I have been informed by the Garda authorities that statistics for 2004 are not yet available. However, the number of proceedings commenced and convictions for the four years up to and including 2003 are as follows:
|
Year |
Proceedings Commenced |
Convictions |
|
2000 |
38 |
21 |
|
2001 |
120 |
35 |
|
2002 |
2 |
1 |
|
2003 |
13 |
4 |
An extensive review of the Gaming and Lotteries Acts 1956 — 1986 was carried out in 2000 by an interdepartmental group which made recommendations for legislative amendments in this area. Draft legislation is under consideration in my Department to update key elements of the provisions relating to gaming. These new provisions will focus in particular on the area of gaming stake and prize money limits.
760 Mr. Costello asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if his Department will fund a project (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1649/05]
I have been advised by management of the Probation and Welfare Service that the stated aim of the project, which is the subject of this parliamentary question, is to engage and provide identified young offenders and ex prisoners aged 16 — 24 years from Cabra with a series of interventions relating to information and access to training and employment. The particular target group are persons who are serving or have served a custodial sentence in a prison or place of detention.
While the Probation and Welfare Service does not make referrals to this project, it has supported the project on an informal basis since its inception. One of the local probation and welfare officers attends monthly committee meetings of the project and offers advice and support to the link worker employed by the project.
My Department, through the Probation and Welfare Service, funds the linkage programme which is a national training and employment initiative which provides a dedicated service to offenders. Its specific remit is to plan and implement training and employment placements for offenders referred by the Probation and Welfare Service. After placement, the Probation and Welfare Service support and liaise with existing agencies.
It is the view of the Probation and Welfare Service management that the service provided by the project being referred to by the Deputy overlaps with that which is provided by the Probation and Welfare Service and other co-ordinated agencies. It overlaps with and duplicates the work of the training and employment officers in the linkage programme.
My Department through the Probation and Welfare Service fund and work in association with voluntary bodies in the provision of relevant services. As projects already exist, funded by my Department, which provide the services being offered by the project referred to and following advice received from the management of the Probation and Welfare Service, I regret that I cannot in the current economic climate provide funding to this project.
761 Mr. Ellis asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if his Department will expedite the registration of property in the name of a person (details supplied). [1651/05]
I am informed by the Registrar of Titles that this is an application for transfer which was lodged on 11 December 2003. Dealing Number D2003CS012725Y refers.
I am also informed that this application is associated with an application for rectification of boundaries which was lodged on 12 September 2001. Dealing Number D2001CS006822J refers.
I am further informed that a query issued in relation to the 2001 application on 1 December 2004 and that the applications concerned will receive further consideration by the Land Registry as soon as a satisfactory reply to this query has been received.
762 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if, in relation to the staff employed by the Minister of State, Deputy Fahey, on his constituency duties, Government guidelines were breached concerning the number employed; the period during which these guidelines were breached; the number of personnel involved; the cost to his Department of this error; and if it is intended to recoup this money. [1652/05]
The guidelines on staffing of ministerial offices allows for the employment of a total of five staff in a Minister of State's constituency office. The total number of staff currently employed in the Minister of State's constituency office is five.
My previous reply to the Deputy's Question No. 204 of 1 December 2004 indicated a total of seven staff employed in the constituency office. Since then one clerical officer who was on maternity leave has availed of a career break and another clerical officer has been transferred to another division of the Department. Both of these staff are employed directly by my Department and were in place when the Minister took up duty. Civil Service staff assigned to constituency office duties may be reassigned between divisions from time to time and therefore the question of recoupment of salary does not arise. One of the staff in question who was on maternity leave never attended for duty in the office in the period since the Minister of State took up duty and the other staff member attended for a period of 14 weeks prior to her reassignment to other duties. The temporary overlap which arose in this case facilitated a smooth transition following a change in personnel in the Minister of State's constituency office.
763 Ms Enright asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform further to Parliamentary Question No. 439 of 30 November 2004, the progress which has been made with regard to an application for habitual residency for a person (details supplied) in County Offaly. [1653/05]
795 Ms Enright asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform further to Parliamentary Question No. 439 of 30 November 2004, the progress which has been made on behalf of a person (details supplied) in County Offaly who has applied for habitual residency; when this matter will be progressed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2054/05]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 763 and 795 together.
My Department has recently made a decision on the application in question. The person concerned has been informed of the options now open to her regarding her residency in the State.
764 Ms O’Sullivan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform when a decision will be made on an application for naturalisation submitted in 2002 by a person (details supplied) in County Limerick; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1654/05]
An application for a certificate of naturalisation from the person referred to by the Deputy was received in the citizenship section of my Department in July 2002.
The application concerned is in the final stages of processing and I understand that it will be submitted to me in the very near future. I will inform both the Deputy and the applicant as soon as a decision has been reached in this case.
765 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform when a decision will be made on an application by a person (details supplied) in County Roscommon for a change of status on their visa; the reason for the delay in replying to same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1655/05]
An application for permission to remain in the State based on marriage to an Irish national was received from the person concerned in December 2004. Applications of this type are dealt with in chronological order and currently take approximately 16 months to process.
766 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if the Land Registry Office will expedite a dealing for a person (details supplied) in County Mayo. [1656/05]
I am informed by the Registrar of Titles that is an application for transfer of part which was lodged on 10 February 2003. Dealing No. D2003SM01242C refers.
I am further informed that this application was completed on 21 January 2005.
768 Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will report on the findings of the gardaí who participated in the Government technical team that visited the tsunami-affected region, and on the present and future role of the gardaí in the tsunami humanitarian relief effort. [1658/05]
I am informed by the Garda authorities that the Garda evaluation team on duty in the tsunami-affected region is based in Thailand, where investigations are being headed by the national police authorities. Owing to the numbers of fatalities resulting and the large number of nationalities involved, a Disaster Victim Identification Information Management Centre was established, with agreed internationally accepted identification procedures being strictly adopted.
The primary function of the Garda evaluation team is to assist in locating Irish citizens reported missing and feared dead. In attending to this task, the evaluation team liaise with and support the efforts of the officials from the Department of Foreign Affairs on location in Thailand, including attendance at daily conferences at the DVIIMC to deal with issues relating to Irish citizens who have been assessed as being at high risk — i.e. reported missing and feared dead — following the tsunami. Following the tsunami, four Irish citizens were assessed as high risk. In such cases all relevant samples-materials have been obtained from families and forwarded to the evaluation team for entry and comparison against records established in the DVIIMC in Thailand. The samples obtained relate to DNA, fingerprints, dental records and full descriptive particulars. To date, the bodies of two of these citizens have been recovered, positively identified and repatriated.
In order to support the efforts of the evaluation team, the Garda Síochána has established an incident room in Dublin to channel all inquiries from the team, to liaise with the Department of Foreign Affairs here and with the family members of Irish citizens in the high risk category. Daily contact is maintained between the evaluation team, the Department of Foreign Affairs on location and in Dublin and the established incident room, and requirements are reviewed daily.
Currently two Irish citizens remain in the high risk category. All relevant information to assist in their identification has been forwarded to the DVIIMC and included in its identification system. The evaluation team, together with the Garda authorities in Dublin and the Department of Foreign Affairs officials at home and on location, will continue to do everything possible to assist in the location of these citizens.
On 17 January 2005, following a formal request received, the Garda Commissioner approved the deployment of a Garda fingerprint expert to the DVIIMC to assist the Thai authorities with the process of identifying tsunami victims. No further requests for additional Garda assistance have been received to date. Should any such further requests be received they will be given the fullest consideration.
769 Mr. Costello asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of indictable offences recorded in respect of the years 1994 to date; the number of indictable offences detected in the sense that the Garda has satisfied itself regarding the identity of the culprit; the number of offences detected as having been committed by a person while on court bail; and the number of convictions ultimately recorded, that is, not necessarily in the year in which the offence was committed, for those offences in respect of the latter figures. [1659/05]
I wish to inform the Deputy that the number of indictable offences recorded and detected, indictable offences committed by persons on bail and convictions for previous years are published in the annual reports of the Garda Síochána for the years 1994 to 1999. The 1999 annual report only provides indictable offences committed on bail and convictions for previous years for the first nine months of that year, due to the introduction of the PULSE system.
The number of headline offences recorded and detected for the years 2000 to 2003 is published in the respective annual reports. However, I am informed by the Garda authorities that it has not been possible to compile the bail and previous years conviction statistics for the years 2000 to 2003 within the time available. I will arrange for the information to be forwarded directly to the Deputy at the earliest possible opportunity.
770 Mr. Boyle asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if the Garda Síochána has received complaints regarding the activities of the Dunhallow Hunt in north Cork over the past five years; if so, the nature of the complaints and the measures taken by the Garda in response; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1660/05]
I am informed by the Garda authorities that during the period in question there was one complaint of minor criminal damage in relation to the Dunhallow Hunt. However, the Garda could not advance the matter as the complainant did not wish to pursue the complaint.
771 Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his plans to ensure that sexual assault forensic testing is available in every county, in order that no person is required to travel unreasonable distances in order to report and successfully prosecute these crimes. [1661/05]
I can inform the Deputy that my Department is represented on a working group looking at the question of the treatment services which should be available to victims of sexual violence, including the question of forensic medical examinations. This working group, which is under the auspices of the National Steering Committee on Violence against Women, is being chaired by the Department of Health and Children, which is responsible for the provision of such medical and treatment services.
772 Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if it is proper that a Garda participate in an interrogation of a person suspected of dealing drugs at a time when the Garda is acting in a private capacity; if any such instance has been drawn to his attention; if so, if he discussed it with the Garda Commissioner; and if such actions are grounds for disciplinary action to be taken against the Garda in question. [1663/05]
While I am always anxious to reply comprehensively to questions from Deputies, I regret that in this instance, without specific details being made available by the Deputy, it is not possible for me to comment in relation to the incident to which he refers.
773 Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the status of investigations of the killings of six non nationals in 2004; the cases in which arrests have been made; the cases in which suspects have been charged; and if any of these murders is being treated as a hate crime. [1664/05]
I am informed by the Garda authorities that investigations are ongoing in the cases of non nationals murdered in 2004. The Deputy will appreciate it is not the practice to indicate whether arrests have been made or to speculate as to what motives may have been involved in the killings.
774 Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the estimated initial and annual costs of mandatory drug testing in prisons; the type of testing kits to be used; the prison staff that will be responsible for administering the tests; the company providing the testing kits; and the penalties to be imposed for a positive test. [1665/05]
As envisaged in the Programme for Government, the introduction of mandatory drug testing will be central to supporting future policy on drug supply and demand reduction in prisons. Already prisoners accommodated in the open centres at Shelton Abbey and Loughan House and in the designated drug free areas of the training unit in the Mountjoy Complex, St. Patrick's Institution and Wheatfield Prison are required to undergo frequent drug tests to confirm their drug-free status. Mandatory drug testing will, however, operate across the whole prison system. Provision for mandatory drug testing, and the penalties that may be imposed arising from a ‘positive' test, will be made in the proposed new prison rules, which are at an advanced stage of preparation. Precise costings, staff responsibilities and procedures in relation to mandatory drug testing will be determined on finalisation of the new prison rules.
775 Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the changes which have occurred since the 1965 decision to disband the Garda Band on the grounds of opinion of the then Minister of Justice that it had outlived its usefulness and that the cost of maintaining it was excessive, wasteful and out of all proportion to any purpose served, and of the opinion of the Minister for Finance that the cost of the Garda Band was totally unjustifiable. [1666/05]
In 1965, the then Minister for Justice announced his decision to dissolve the band which had a total strength at that time of 35. Following a recommendation in the report of the Conroy Commission (1970) the band was re-established by the Minister in 1972, in time for celebrations marking the 50th anniversary of the force, "because of its significance as a morale booster" for the force. The Garda Commissioner proposed a total strength of 40 to include three reserves. A total strength of 40 was approved by the Minister and recruitment proceeded on that basis.
On 1 September 1972, Sergeant T. J. Boyle was appointed Bandmaster. He was promoted to Inspector and Superintendent and served until his retirement in October 1988. During his tenure the title of the post was changed to musical director.
In 1978, women were recruited to the Garda Band for the first time.
Prior to abolition of the band in 1965, and before the 40-hour week and duty rosters, members devoted about half their time to ordinary police duties. Since its re-establishment, members are engaged full-time on band duty and — as is the case with all "Regulation 14" gardaí— persons recruited to the band after 26 April 1990 are not entitled to transfer to other duties. Members who have obtained the rank of Sergeant or Inspector while serving in the band are not eligible for transfer in the same rank to any other section or part of the Garda Síochána unless they have passed the Sergeant or Inspector promotion examination, as appropriate.
The terms of Regulation 14 of the Garda Síochána (Admissions and Appointments) Regulations 1988 provide that: "Where the Commissioner is satisfied that a person has special technical qualifications which justify his appointment and enrolment under this Regulation as a member .... the Commissioner may, with the consent of the Minister, duly appoint and enrol the person as a member without regard to the requirements of Regulation 11." Regulation 11 stipulates the necessity for a period of training before appointment.
The band that was disbanded in December 1965 was mainly a marching ensemble — called the Garda Military Band to distinguish it from the Garda Ceili Band — whose services were mainly required during the summer months and as a result did not have an opportunity to perform on more than 40 to 50 engagements per annum, mainly of a local nature.
The present band, which is a continuation of the reformed band of 1972, is a reflection of the changes that have taken place in the Garda Síochána over the last number of years. Operations are now on a national basis, with engagements extending to all parts of Ireland. I am informed by the Garda authorities that the band has performed on a number of occasions in Northern Ireland, the UK and Europe. The nature of the engagements vary from official Garda functions, all major sporting events, TV and broadcast media to a schools programme covering primary, secondary and third level establishments. Major music festivals, religious services and community based initiatives are also catered for.
776 Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will report on the new evidence of effectiveness of electronic tagging of offenders with regard to cost saving, reducing the prison population and reducing reoffending that has come to light since his reply to a parliamentary question in March 2003 in which he indicated that the evidence was inconclusive. [1668/05]
777 Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his views on the electronic tagging of sex offenders; and if he has plans to introduce such a scheme. [1669/05]
The use of electronic tagging systems to monitor offenders in other jurisdictions is an issue which my Department has kept under review for some time.
As I have explained in my previous replies to the House on this matter, difficulties have been encountered in other jurisdictions in developing fully effective electronic tagging systems, but recent developments in technology may provide solutions to these.
These developments are now being considered by my Department, in consultation with the Prison and Probation and Welfare Services, with a view to drawing up an enabling provision in the Criminal Justice Bill which will allow me to introduce electronic tagging in appropriate cases when the technology has advanced sufficiently. Details of the provision will be announced in the normal way. I can say at this stage that it will address the use of electronic monitoring as an alternative to custody in certain circumstances as well as the monitoring of suitable offenders released from prison before completion of their full sentences.
778 Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his plans for expanding drug treatment and counselling in prisons; the number of prisoners who currently avail of these services; if there is a waiting list for these services in prisons; if so, the number of prisoners on this list and the estimated length of wait involved; and the current expenditure on drug treatment and counselling in prisons. [1670/05]
Drug treatment services for prisoners involve a significant multidimensional input by a diverse range of general and specialist services provided both by the Irish Prison Service and visiting statutory and non-statutory organisations. Particular initiatives put in place include drug detoxification, substitution therapies, drug free programmes involving one-to-one counselling, accommodation in drug free areas, health interventions, vaccination programmes and treatment for viral illnesses as well as drug misuse awareness programmes. In addition, the Irish Prison Service provides prisoners with a range of opportunities to encourage them to aspire to a substance-free lifestyle, before and after release, thereby reducing demand for illicit substances.
Many staff appointments have been made in this area in recent years and specific new expertise now in place includes the services of a pharmacist; deputy governor with responsibility for drugs-related staff training; co-ordinator of drug treatment services (prisons), appointed by the Eastern Regional Health Authority; three-person probation and welfare service team led by a senior probation and welfare officer; and a consultant psychiatrist in addictions appointed by the Northern Area Health Board to provide sessions at the Mountjoy complex.
Arrangements for a similar appointment by the South Western Area Health Board to provide sessions at Cloverhill and Wheatfield prisons are in the process of being implemented; and co-ordinator of prison nursing and 84 additional professional nurses.
There has been a significant expansion of methadone maintenance in recent years and up to 500 prisoners are in receipt of methadone on any given day, a large number of prisoners undergo detoxification each week, there are nine spaces available on drug detoxification/treatment programme in Mountjoy Prison which is run every seven weeks and over 400 prisoners are accommodated in drug free areas where they co-operate with testing to ensure their continuing drug free status. There is an additional number of prisoners in receipt of addiction counselling. It is not the practice to maintain a central record of the number of prisoners engaged in such counselling or to maintain a waiting list of prisoners for drug treatment. However, it is accepted that the difficulties in appointing particular specialist staffing, for example, certain medical staff, addiction counsellors and psychologists, has impacted on the ability of some prisoners to access treatment and support in a timely manner.
Given the diverse range of general and specialist services providing drug treatment, which are not funded by my Department, it is not possible to readily estimate the exact extent of expenditure on drug treatment services. The compilation of such information would require a disproportionate and inordinate amount of staff time and effort to prepare and could not be justified in current circumstances where there are other significant demands on resources.
As regard current and further planned expansion in drug treatment services, the recent appointment of psychologists, including in the Mountjoy complex, will facilitate expansion of counselling services for prisoners with addictions. In addition, it is anticipated that a number of Addiction Counsellors will be appointed in the near future. I am currently considering further supply and demand reduction measures in context of an overall drugs policy for the Irish Prison Service.
779 Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will reconsider his position on extending to asylum seekers the right to work while their applications are in progress, in view of recent figures showing a sharp drop in asylum seekers over the past two years. [1671/05]
As I have previously indicated in response to Parliamentary Questions No. 308 of 9 November 2004 and No. 429 of 30 November 2004, it is not proposed to allow asylum applicants to take up paid employment pending a final decision being made on their applications.
I believe that extending the right to work to asylum seekers, which would require legislative change, would have a very negative impact on asylum applications which fell by some 40% in 2004 as compared with 2003 and would impact negatively on the very considerable progress which has been made in terms of the reduction in timescales for processing applications and the number of cases in the asylum determination system for more than six months which are being reduced on an ongoing basis following considerable investment by the State in this area.
By way of illustration, I would refer the Deputy to the fact that a considerable increase in asylum numbers was experienced in the aftermath of the July 1999 decision to allow asylum seekers access to the labour market. This led to a three fold increase in the average number of applications per month, rising to 1,217 applications in December 1999 as compared to an average of 364 per month for the period January to July 1999.
Considerable progress has been made in the processing of asylum applications with the number of applications over six months in the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner, ORAC, and the Refugee Appeals Tribunal, RAT, standing at 1,144 at the end of December, 2004, as compared to some 6,500 applications outstanding at the end of September 2001.
Furthermore, the Deputy will also wish to be aware of the new arrangements for the speedier processing of asylum applications which I announced on 24 January 2005 and were implemented with immediate effect from 25 January. The new arrangements apply to nationals of those states which are subject to prioritisation orders for the purposes of asylum processing, namely, Nigeria, Romania, Bulgaria, Croatia and South Africa. These new arrangements include the reduction of processing timescales both at the initial stage in ORAC from the current six weeks to around three weeks, and for appeal determinations in RAT from an average of five weeks down to three weeks.
Any significant increase in asylum applications would also have a negative impact on our capacity to accommodate applicants while they are awaiting a determination of their claims. As things stand at the moment, the ongoing provision of services to meet the reception, health, welfare and accommodation needs of asylum seekers is an enormous challenge for all State agencies involved. The total cost to the State of the provision of asylum and immigration related services was in the region of €353 million in 2003.
I firmly believe that the greatest service we can provide to those who should be recognised as refugees is to ensure that their claims are decided speedily and that nothing is done which undermines this policy priority by attracting large numbers of non-genuine applicants to the detriment of genuine applicants. The structures currently in place provide the State with an asylum system that meets the highest international standards and fulfils our international obligations under the Geneva Convention to those seeking asylum. Overloading the process with large numbers of new applicants who come here under the misguided expectation that they will be able to work would be totally contrary to these obligations and could completely negate the major investment in effort, time and resources which has gone into bringing our overall strategy to its current status.
780 Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform when the age of criminal responsibility will be increased to 12 as provided for in the Children Act 2001. [1672/05]
I have no plans at present to raise the age of criminal responsibility.
782 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if extended residency status will be granted to a person (details supplied) in County Longford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1674/05]
The person in question, a Congolese national arrived in the State on 5 October 1998 and applied for asylum. His wife and two children arrived in the State on 7 March 1999. His application was refused following consideration of his case by the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner and, on appeal, by the Refugee Appeals Tribunal. This person is the parent of Irish-born children.
Subsequently, in accordance with the Immigration Act 1999, as amended, he was informed by letter dated 16 January 2002, that it was proposed to make a deportation order in his case. He was given the options, to be exercised within 15 working days, of making representations to the Minister setting out reasons that he should be allowed to remain temporarily in the State, leaving the State before a deportation order is signed or consenting to the making of a deportation order. In the normal course of events, his case file, including all representations submitted, would be considered under section3(6) of the Immigration Act 1999, as amended and under section 5 of the Refugee Act 1996, as amended, prohibition of refoulement.
However, this person, as the parent of Irish-born children, may, if he so wishes, apply to have his application considered under the new arrangements introduced by me for the consideration of applications for permission to remain made by the non-national parents of Irish-born children born before 1 January 2005. An information notice setting out details of the new arrangements and the appropriate application form is available from the Department's website, www.justice.ie. Application forms are also available from Garda district headquarters, stations outside Dublin, at all Reception and Integration Agency accommodation centres countrywide and from various non-governmental organisations working with immigrants and asylum seekers.
783 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the State, semi-State, State-sponsored and statutory bodies under the aegis of his Department which are not subject to the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act 1997; the reason a body is not subject to the requirements of the Act; and if he envisages proposals to bring any such body within the scope of the Act in the foreseeable future. [1714/05]
The bodies under the aegis of my Department that are not subject to the Freedom of Information (FOI) Acts are Censorship of Films Appeals Board; Censorship of Publications Appeals Board; Criminal Injuries Compensation Tribunal; Human Rights Commission; Registration of Title Rules Committee; the Garda Síochána; Garda Síochána Complaints Board; Garda Síochána Complaints Appeal Board; National Crime Council; District Court Rules Committee; Circuit Court Rules Committee; Superior Court Rules Committee; Committee on Court Practice and Procedure; Judicial Advisory Appointment Board; Forensic Science Laboratory; Office of the State Pathologist; Office of the Director of Equality Investigations; Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner; and the Office of the Refugee Tribunal.
Proposals for extending FOI are being developed at present in the Department of Finance in the context of plans to extend FOI to other appropriate bodies by the end of 2005. The question of extending FOI to the above bodies is being considered in this context.
784 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he intends to carry out a review of the number of 24 hour Garda stations in the State with a view to opening new 24 hour stations to reflect population changes in the State with particular emphasis on the north east Kildare towns of Maynooth, Leixlip and Celbridge; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1879/05]
I am informed by the Garda authorities that there are currently no plans to extend the number of Garda stations open to the public on a 24-hour basis.
785 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the personnel strength in the Carlow/Kildare division as of 1 January 2005; and the number nationally on the same date. [1887/05]
I have been informed by the Garda Authorities, who are responsible for the detailed allocation of Garda personnel, that the personnel strength of the Garda Síochána as at 1 January 2005 was 12,209 (all ranks). I am further informed that the personnel strength of Carlow-Kildare Division as at 1 January 2005 was 323 (all ranks).
In relation to Garda resources generally, I am, of course, very pleased that 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 An Agreed Programme for Government commitment in this regard. 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 additional resources. Clearly, of course, 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 very significantly increase the number of gardaí allocated to traffic duties as part of the new Garda Traffic Corps. One thing I have already promised 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.
786 Ms B. Moynihan-Cronin asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the role of his Department in co-ordination of rape crisis and sexual assault centres around the country; the support which is provided by his Department to these services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1893/05]
I can inform the Deputy that my Department has no role in relation to the co-ordination of rape crisis and sexual assault centres. This role is performed by the Rape Crisis Network Ireland which is funded through the Department of Health and Children.
As regards the support which my Department gives to rape and sexual assault victims I can inform the Deputy that my Department has recently provided joint funding for comprehensive research into attrition rates in rape cases. The research, entitled, The Understanding of Attrition, Early Withdrawal, the Trial Process and Identifying Possible Changes to Support Complainants in Rape Cases, is being carried out by the Department of Law at the National University of Ireland, Galway and the Rape Crisis Network Ireland. This research should provide a greater understanding as to why some victims choose not to report cases to the Garda, what can be done about underreporting and why, of the cases that are reported, only a relatively small percentage result in a court hearing.
I can also inform the Deputy that my Department is represented on a working group looking at the question of the treatment services which should be available to victims of sexual violence, including the question of forensic medical examinations. This working group, which is under the auspices of the National Steering Committee on Violence against Women, is being chaired by the Department of Health and Children, which is responsible for the provision of such treatment services.
The question of other support services for victims of rape and sexual assault appropriate to the responsibilities of my Department are also under consideration at present.
787 Mr. Noonan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will discuss with the Garda Commissioner the setting up of an early warning and communications system on child abduction along the lines of AMBER Alert in the United States; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1909/05]
I am informed by the Garda authorities that while the AMBER alert system is used very effectively in the United States of America, its effectiveness is due to the fact that it is designed to work towards achieving a uniform information/publicity plan across different states and to minimize potential delays due to confusion among varying jurisdictions.
The Garda Síochána differs in that it is a national police force operating in one jurisdiction. I understand that the Garda authorities are satisfied that Irish cases of missing persons that would meet the AMBER alert plan's criteria are all investigated fully.
788 Mr. Haughey asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the details of his recent announcement to allow parents of Irish born children remain in the State; if an application form will be sent to a person (details supplied) in Dublin 5; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1962/05]
The details of the revised arrangements for the consideration of applications for permission to remain in the State made by the non-national parents of Irish born children born before 1 January 2005 was publicly announced on 15 January 2005.
Applications should be made on form IBC/05 which is available on the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform website www.justice.ie. Hard copies of the form are available at the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform, 13-14 Burgh Quay, Dublin 2, Garda district headquarters stations outside Dublin and at all Reception and Integration Agency accommodation centres country wide. Forms have also been distributed to various non-governmental organisations working with immigrants and asylum seekers.
789 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if all victims of the Dublin and Monaghan bombings of 1972, 1973 and 1974 will be treated in a caring and flexible manner in relation to compensation and other support. [1965/05]
As I have stated on many occasions, the bombings which took place in Dublin and Monaghan on Friday, 17 May 1974 were among the most tragic occurrences in the history of this island. Once again, I would like to express my deepest sympathies to those injured, their families and the families of those killed.
As the Deputy will be aware, the Government has established the Remembrance Commission and fund. The commission administers the fund under the terms of the Scheme of Acknowledgement, Remembrance and Assistance for Victims in this Jurisdiction of the Conflict in Northern Ireland. The fund has a total budget of €9 million over three years. The scheme makes assistance available to persons injured, or to survivors of persons fatally injured, since 1969, as a direct result of the conflict in Northern Ireland, where the injury or death occurred in this jurisdiction or where the victim was normally resident in this jurisdiction at the time of their injury or death.
Survivors of the Dublin and Monaghan bombings are eligible to apply for assistance under this scheme. I am confident that all applicants are treated in a caring, fair and equitable manner. I have been advised that since the commencement of the scheme in excess of €450,000 has been paid to victims or surviving family members of these bombings. Furthermore, in 2004, €226,650 in funding was made available to victim support groups to assist those trying to come to terms with their loss and or bereavement. A donation of €1.25 million has also been paid to the Northern Ireland memorial fund.
At all times, my officials ensure that all persons are treated in a caring and respectful manner. I am assured that all applicants for assistance from the remembrance fund are being given the maximum support, assistance and flexibility, within the confines of the above-named scheme, and are being treated with all due respect, sensitivity and care.
790 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he still believes in due process and respect for human rights while managing the justice system; and if there have been changes in relation to these important legal issues. [1966/05]
In so far as I can understand the import of the Deputy's question, let me say that due process or trial in due course of law in the sense that the term describes the regular application of the criminal law through the courts, is a constitutional principle.
Apart from constitutional rights, I remind the Deputy that as Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform I piloted the European Convention on Human Rights Act 2003, which incorporated the Convention into Irish law, through the Oireachtas. I might also remind the Deputy that, in so far as my areas of responsibility are concerned, I have made full use of the provisions of the Human Rights Commission Act 2000 to refer all legislative proposals emanating from my Department with human rights implications to the Human Rights Commission for its consideration.
791 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of offenders in respect of whom a community service order was made in 2003; the number across each probation and welfare area; the number of males and females in each area; the number and type of offences for which community service orders were imposed; the estimated average weekly cost of each community service order; his further plans in relation to community service orders; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2049/05]
Community Service is a valuable sanction available to the courts as an alternative to imprisonment. It is used mainly in the District Courts, which of course deal with minor offences, but it has been used in a small number of cases in higher courts and is administered by the Probation and Welfare Service.
The aim of Community Service is to re-integrate the offender into the community through positive and demanding unpaid work for between 40 and 240 hours.
I wish to advise the Deputy that I have no further plans in relation to Community Service orders at this time.
The estimated average cost of a Community Service order, based on 2001 figures, which is the most recent figures available, is €1,500. This estimate includes the cost to the Service of staff time associated with supervising an offender (with appropriate overheads) and an estimate of the cost to the Probation and Welfare Service of an offender's participation.
The other statistics requested by the Deputy are set out in tabular form.
|
Region |
Male |
Female |
Total |
|
Eastern |
314 |
34 |
348 |
|
Southern |
287 |
20 |
307 |
|
Western |
229 |
9 |
238 |
|
Total |
830 |
63 |
893 |
|
Type of Offence |
Number of Community Service Orders |
|
Assault |
136 |
|
Sexual Offences |
2 |
|
Arson |
3 |
|
Burglary |
33 |
|
Malicious Damage |
55 |
|
Robbery |
15 |
|
Embezzlement, Fraud and Extortion |
18 |
|
Forgery |
10 |
|
Larceny |
108 |
|
Receiving Stolen Goods |
15 |
|
Shoplifting |
7 |
|
Driving Offences |
134 |
|
Interfere with mechanism of MPV |
2 |
|
Passenger in a stolen car |
9 |
|
Unauthorised taking of MPV |
18 |
|
Breach of Barring/Protection Order |
1 |
|
Breach of Peace |
116 |
|
Drugs offences |
52 |
|
Drunkenness Offences |
37 |
|
Failure to Appear after remand on bail |
6 |
|
Possession of an offensive weapon |
11 |
|
Possession of firearms |
1 |
|
Possession of h/b implements |
3 |
|
Miscellaneous |
101 |
|
Total |
893 |
792 Ms Enright asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform further to Parliamentary Question No. 290 of 7 July 2004, if he will consider the appeal of a person (details supplied) in County Offaly to remain here with his family; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2050/05]
The person concerned was informed on 23 June 2004, in accordance with section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999 as amended, that it was proposed to make a deportation order in his case. He was given the options of making representations within 15 working days to the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform setting out reasons that he should be allowed to remain in the State, to voluntarily leave the State or to consent to the making of a deportation order.
In the normal course of events, the person's file including all representations submitted, would be considered under Section 3(6) of the Immigration Act 1999, as amended, and under section 5 of the Refugee Act 1996, as amended, prohibition of refoulement.
However, as the parent of Irish born children, he may, if he so wishes, apply to have his application considered under the new arrangements introduced by me for the consideration of applications for permission to remain made by the non-national parents of Irish born children born before 1 January, 2005. An information notice setting out details of the new arrangements and the appropriate application form is available from the Department's website, www.justice.ie. Application forms are also available from Garda district headquarters stations outside Dublin, at all Reception and Integration Agency accommodation centres countrywide and from various non-governmental organisations working with immigrants and asylum seekers.
793 Mr. Connaughton asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the type of communication there is between the Garda headquarters at Tuam, County Galway and the outlying stations, particularly when there is no Garda on duty in the outlying areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2052/05]
I have been informed by the Garda authorities that communication between Tuam district headquarters station and its sub-district stations is provided via radio and telephone.
In the event that a member of the public telephones a sub-district station that is not manned, the phones in the sub-district station will be call diverted to the district headquarters station where the calls will be answered. In addition, personal callers to an unmanned sub-district station have access to a public access call box service otherwise known as the "Green man". This device allows the caller to make direct voice contact with Garda personnel at the district headquarters.
794 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the progress made in regard to correspondence (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2053/05]
I am happy to inform the Deputy that I appointed the individual concerned as a Peace Commissioner in the last week. Correspondence to that effect issued recently to both the Deputy and to the individual in question.
796 Mr. J. O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of prosecutions in recent years under the firearms legislation for not having a licence or other breaches of legislation. [2055/05]
797 Mr. J. O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the average age profile of licensed firearms holders here. [2056/05]
798 Mr. J. O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of cases of stolen firearms in 2002, 2003 and 2004; the type or category of firearm that was stolen in each case; and the location from which the firearm in each case was stolen. [2057/05]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 796 to 798, inclusive, together.
The number of prosecutions for possession of a firearm, which includes possession, use or carriage of a firearm or ammunition which is not authorised by a firearm certificate, and the discharge of a firearm are outlined in the following table.
|
Year |
Possession of firearms |
Discharge of a firearm |
|
2001 |
123 |
20 |
|
2002 |
187 |
37 |
|
2003 |
148 |
41 |
|
2004* |
179 |
38 |
*Figures for 2004 are provisional/operational and liable to change.
The Garda authorities inform me that the average age of a licensed firearm holder is 49 years.
A breakdown of the number of firearms stolen by type or category and by location is not readily available. However, I am informed by the Garda authorities that they are compiling the figures and they will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as they are available.
799 Mr. J. O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform further to Parliamentary Question No. 292 of 7 December 2004, the reason he has failed to furnish the information sought; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2058/05]
The delay in submitting a reply to the Deputy's original question, No. 292 of 7 December 2004, arose as a result of the time required to ensure the accuracy of the information requested. I regret any inconvenience that this delay may have caused.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that the available information as to age, make and model of the oldest Garda car in each Garda divisional unit is as set out in the following table, which also details the average age of all cars in each division. The average age of the cars in the Garda fleet is 2.59 years.
|
Division |
Age of Vehicle |
Duty |
Make and Model |
Average age of cars in Division |
|
Carlow — Kildare |
7.67 |
Drugs |
Seat Cordoba 1.4 |
2.46 |
|
Cavan — Monaghan |
4.95 |
Patrol |
Nissan Almera 1.4 |
2.34 |
|
Clare |
5.57 |
Drugs |
Renault Megane 1.0 |
2.40 |
|
Cork City |
8.21 |
Drugs |
Hyundai Lantra 1.0 |
2.38 |
|
Cork North |
6.43 |
Telecoms |
Toyota Corolla 1.0 |
1.93 |
|
Cork West |
6.43 |
Escorts |
Toyota Corolla 1.0 |
2.05 |
|
Donegal |
10.25 |
n/a |
n/a |
2.34 |
|
DMR East |
6.34 |
Drugs |
Toyota Corolla 1.0 |
2.73 |
|
DMR N.C. |
8.44 |
Detective Branch |
Citroen Xantia 1.0 |
3.56 |
|
DMR North |
7.83 |
n/a |
n/a |
3.03 |
|
DMR South |
7.91 |
Drugs |
Mazda 323 1.5GLX |
2.82 |
|
DMR S.C. |
8.22 |
Warrants / Summons |
Volkswagen Vento 1.9D |
3.33 |
|
DMR West |
7.92 |
Drugs |
Opel Astra 1.4 |
3.02 |
|
DMR Traffic |
7.91 |
Escorts |
Opel Astra 1.4 |
3.82 |
|
Galway West |
5.95 |
n/a |
n/a |
3.09 |
|
Kerry |
4.89 |
Patrol |
Nissan Almera 1.4 |
1.75 |
|
Louth-Meath |
6.51 |
Patrol |
Toyota Corolla 1 |
2.74 |
|
Laois-Offaly |
6.13 |
Telecoms |
Volkswagen Polo 1.4 |
2.57 |
|
Longford-Westmeath |
4.43 |
Drugs |
Seat Cordoba 1.4 |
2.00 |
|
Limerick |
5.45 |
Community Police |
Fiat Punto 60 1.3 |
2.34 |
|
Mayo |
6.47 |
Patrol |
Toyota Corolla 1.0 |
2.50 |
|
Roscommon-Galway East |
4.43 |
Detective Branch |
Toyota Avensis 1.0 |
2.04 |
|
Sligo-Leitrim |
7.91 |
Warrants / Summons |
Opel Astra 1.4 |
2.56 |
|
Tipperary |
6.59 |
Drugs |
Seat Cordoba 1.4 |
2.33 |
|
Waterford-Kilkenny |
6.43 |
Telecoms |
Toyota Corolla 1.0 |
2.24 |
|
Wexford |
6.26 |
Drugs |
Toyota Corolla 1.0 |
2.18 |
As can be clearly seen from the table, only five of these cars are being used as patrol vehicles. I am further informed that these vehicles will be replaced over the coming year.
800 Mr. J. O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 445 of 30 November 2004 and 208 of 15 December 2004, the reasons he has failed to furnish the information sought; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2059/05]
The information requested by the Deputy in Parliamentary Question No. 445 of 30 November, 2004 and 208 of 15 December, 2004 concerning the amounts paid to lawyers issued to him in my letter of 19 January, 2005.
801 Mr. J. O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform further to Parliamentary Question No. 287 of 7 December 2004, the reason he has failed to furnish the information sought; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2060/05]
The Deputy will recall that it was not possible to compile the information requested by him in his Parliamentary Question No. 287 of Tuesday, 7 December 2004 in the time frame available, and I undertook to contact him again when the information was to hand. I understand that it was necessary for the Garda authorities to contact each Garda district in order to obtain the information requested.
Section 4 of the Intoxicating Liquor Act 2003 provides that a licensee shall not, on the licensed premises (a) supply, or permit any person to supply, intoxicating liquor — (i) to a drunken person, or (ii) to any person for consumption by a drunken person; (b) permit a drunken person to consume intoxicating liquor; (c) permit drunkenness to take place in the bar, or (d) admit any drunken person to the bar.
The following tables give details of the number of offences under section 4 of the Intoxicating Liquor Act 2003 in 2003 and 2004. I am informed by the Garda authorities that the breakdown of prosecutions under the Act in the manner requested by the Deputy is not readily available and could only be provided by the disproportionate expenditure of Garda time and resources.
|
Prosecutions |
Convictions |
Pending |
Dismissed/ Struck out |
|
|
Total |
1 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
|
Prosecutions |
Convictions |
Pending |
Dismissed/ Struck out |
|
|
Total |
25 |
9 |
12 |
4 |
Figures for 2004 are provisional/operational and liable to change.
The new provisions were explained to holders of licensed premises by local Garda officers in the series of seminars organised for that purpose.
I have asked the Garda Commissioner to ensure that the provisions of section 4 will be uniformly enforced throughout the State.
802 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the public appointments made in his Department since the Cabinet reshuffle in September, 2004. [2100/05]
The Information requested by the Deputy is set out as follows:
|
Appointed to |
Name |
Date of Appointment |
|
National Disability Authority |
Mr. James Martin |
21 October, 2004 |
|
Equality Authority |
Ms. Sally Ann Kinahan |
7 October, 2004 |
|
Refugee Appeals Tribunal |
Mr. Declan McHugh BL |
10 October, 2004* |
|
Ms. Judy Blake BL |
20 October, 2004 |
|
|
Mr. Sean Deegan BL |
20 December, 2004 |
|
|
Mr. Noel Whelan BL |
20 December, 2004 |
|
|
Mr. Joseph Barnes BL |
17 January, 2005 * |
|
|
Mr. David Goldberg SC |
20 January, 2005 |
|
|
Mr. Paul A. McGarry BL |
21 January, 2005 * |
|
|
Castlerea Prison Visiting Committee |
Ms. Mary Hoade |
9 November, 2004 |
|
Ms. Eileen Morris |
17 December, 2004 |
|
|
Ms. Marie Cleary |
17 December, 2004 |
|
|
Mr. Michael Geraghty |
17 December, 2004 |
|
|
Cork Prison Visiting Committee |
Mr. Oliver Cleary |
6 December, 2004 |
|
Limerick Prison Visiting Committee |
Mr. Pat Driscoll |
15 November, 2004 |
|
Mr. Michael O’Shea |
15 November, 2004 |
|
|
Loughan House Place of Detention Visiting Committee |
Mr. Eugene Delaney |
20 December, 2004 |
|
Ms. Rita Delahunty |
20 December, 2004 |
|
|
Midlands Prison Visiting Committee |
Ms. Jody Gunning |
15 November, 2004 |
|
Mr. John Sheehy |
6 January, 2005 |
|
|
Mr. Jim Casey |
6 January, 2005 |
|
|
Mountjoy Prison Visiting Committee |
Mr. Liam Hogan |
6 January, 2005 |
|
Mr. Stephen Langton |
6 January, 2005 |
|
|
Portlaoise Prison Visiting Committee |
Mr. Walter Lacey |
20 December, 2004 |
|
Ms. Eithne Reddy |
6 January, 2005 |
|
|
St. Patrick’s Institution Visiting Committee |
Mr. Anthony Gavin |
17 December, 2004 |
|
Wheatfield Prison Visiting Committee |
Mr. John O’Neill |
8 November, 2004 |
|
Mr. Stephen O’Neill |
8 November, 2004 |
|
|
Mr. Gerry Hannon |
17 December, 2004 |
|
|
Ms. Elva MacKay |
17 December, 2004 |
|
|
Ms. Teresa Clarke |
17 December, 2004 |
|
|
Films Appeal Board |
Ms. Nicola Byrne |
22 November, 2004 |
|
Part-Time Assistant Censors |
Mr. Mark Brennan |
October 2004 |
|
Ms. Patricia Murphy |
October 2004 |
|
|
Ms. Dani McCafferty |
October 2004 |
|
|
Mr. P. J. Sheridan |
October 2004 |
|
|
Ms. Alison Foley |
November 2004 |
|
|
Private Security Authority** |
Ms. Michele Doyle (Chairperson) |
28 October, 2004 |
|
Mr. Kevin McMahon |
28 October, 2004 |
|
|
Mr. Liam O’Dubin |
28 October, 2004 |
|
|
Ms. Catherine Byrne |
28 October, 2004 |
|
|
Mr. Ray Guinan |
28 October, 2004 |
|
|
Mr. Bill Brown |
28 October, 2004 |
|
|
Ms. Margaret Lovett |
28 October, 2004 |
|
|
Ms. Mary C. Barrett |
28 October, 2004 |
|
|
Ms. Esther Lynch |
6 January, 2005 |
|
|
Asst. Garda Commissioner Pat Crummey |
28 October, 2004 |
803 Mr. Timmins asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position in relation to the case of persons (details supplied) in County Wicklow; if they need to reapply under the revised arrangements for residency for permission to remain in the State on the basis of parentage of an Irish child born before 1 January, 2005; if this can be examined; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2107/05]
This Nigerian couple arrived separately in the State on 23 April 2002 and 09 October 2002 whereupon they applied for asylum. They withdrew from the asylum process and sought residency on the basis of their parentage of a child born in Ireland in 2002.
Subsequently, in accordance with the Immigration Act 1999, as amended, they were informed by letter dated 3 September 2004 that it was proposed to make deportation orders in their case. They were given the options, to be exercised within 15 working days, of making representations to the Minister setting out reasons that they should be allowed to remain temporarily in the State, leaving the State before deportation orders are signed or consenting to the making of deportation orders.
In the normal course of events, the couple's case files, including all representations submitted, would be considered under section 3(6) of the Immigration Act, 1999, as amended and under section 5 of the Refugee Act, 1996, as amended (Prohibition of Refoulement).
However, this couple, as the parents of Irish born children, may, if they so wish, apply to have their application considered under the new arrangements introduced by me for the consideration of applications for permission to remain made by the non-national parents of Irish born children born before 1 January 2005. An information notice setting out details of the new arrangements and the appropriate application form is available from the Department's website www.justice.ie. Application forms are also available from Garda district headquarters stations outside Dublin, at all Reception and Integration Agency accommodation centres country-wide and from various non-governmental organisations working with immigrants and asylum seekers.
804 Mr. Timmins asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position in relation to the case of persons (details supplied) in County Wicklow; if they need to reapply under the revised arrangements for residency for permission to remain in the State on the basis of parentage of an Irish child born before 1 January, 2005; if this can be examined; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2108/05]
The persons concerned already have status in the State on the basis of their parentage of an Irish born child. There is no requirement for them to apply again under the revised arrangements, announced publically on 15 January 2005, for the consideration of applications for permission to remain in the State made by the non-national parents of Irish born children born before 1 January 2005.
805 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the position regarding the on-line teacher training course run by a college (details supplied) and other developments in this area. [34122/04]
1129 Mr. J. Higgins asked the Minister for Education and Science if consideration will be given to suspending the on-line H.Dip course for primary teachers run by a company (details supplied) in order that a comprehensive debate regarding teacher training involving student teachers, teacher’s unions and the general public can take place. [1483/05]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 805 and 1129 together.
The college referred to by the Deputies is a privately-owned institution providing a privately-run course which has been accredited by the Higher Education and Training Awards Council. In order for the course to secure HETAC accreditation, the college complied with HETAC's quality assurance and validation requirements. The graduate diploma conferred at the end of this course is recognised by my Department for the purposes of primary teaching.
I would like to assure the Deputy that my Department's inspectorate monitors 10% of the final teaching practice students from the college in question, as is the case for the students of the five colleges of education at undergraduate and post-graduate levels. This process aims to assess the quality of the teaching practice dimension of pre-service education in individual colleges and throughout the system. It also strives to provide information on teaching practice to the Department and the individual colleges.
In the case of the college which is the subject of the Deputies' questions, this evaluation process has just been completed by the inspectorate for the first cohort of the college's students who are due to graduate in June 2005.
Analysis and assessment of this work in currently under way and the outcome of this work will be provided to the college covered by the Deputies' questions as well as the five colleges of education in a series of meetings with the Department's inspectorate. The provision of feedback to the colleges is a normal practice and it is a valuable means of improving the quality of teaching provided to students.
806 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Education and Science her views on the concerns of the parents of a person (details supplied) in County Laois; the options which are available to the family to assist them to overcome these problems; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34123/04]
The Deputy will be aware that my Department is proposing a new system for the allocation of resource teaching supports to pupils with special educational needs. This system will involve a general teaching allocation for all primary schools to cater for pupils with higher incidence special educational need, i.e., those with borderline mild and mild general learning disability, specific learning disability, and those with learning support needs. An additional 350 teacher posts are being provided to facilitate the introduction of the new system.
I am conscious of difficulties that could arise in relation to this model, particularly for children in small and rural schools, if it were implemented as currently proposed. Accordingly, I am having the proposed model reviewed to ensure that it provides an automatic response for pupils with common mild learning disabilities, without the need for cumbersome individual applications, while at the same time ensuring that pupils currently in receipt of service continue to receive the level of service appropriate to their needs. The review will involve consultation with representative interests and the National Council for Special Education before it is implemented in the next school year.
I should emphasise that individual applications may continue to be made for specific resource teacher allocations in respect of pupils with lower-incidence special educational needs.
This pupil's special educational needs appear to be within the high incidence category. Therefore, it would be expected that these needs can be met from within the current resource and learning support teaching allocation available to the school. The school currently has the services of one learning support post, and 12.5 hours part-time resource teaching. It is a matter for the school to deploy these resources to meet the special educational needs of the pupils in the school.
807 Mr. Kehoe asked the Minister for Education and Science the status of the application for a special needs assistant for a person (details supplied) in County Wexford; when a decision will be made available to the school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34152/04]
My Department has no record of an application for special needs assistant support being received for the pupil in question. My officials have also confirmed with the National Council for Special Education that no such application has been received by the local special education needs organiser. Any application for special needs assistant support should be submitted by the school to the local special education needs organiser.
808 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Education and Science if the proposed necessary extension and repairs will be made to a school (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34190/04]
The extension and refurbishment project at the school to which the Deputy refers has been assessed in accordance with the published prioritisation criteria, which was revised following consultation with the education partners and is considered suitable for consideration for funding under one of the devolved initiatives.
The Deputy will be aware that I recently announced the first phase of the 2005 school building programme which provided details of 122 major school building projects country wide which will prepare tenders and move to construction during 2005.
This announcement is the first in a series of announcements I plan to make in the coming period in relation to the schools building and modernisation programme that will include: details of schools identified as suitable for construction under public private partnerships; an expansion of the number of schools that will be invited to deliver their building projects on the basis of devolved funding; details of schools with projects approved under the 2005 summer works scheme; schools whose projects will further progress through the design process; schools that will be authorised to commence architectural planning.
809 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science if a proper educational plan will be put in place for a person (details supplied) in Dublin 9 and the maximum support and advice given in the case. [34208/04]
I can confirm that no application for special educational needs support has been received either by my Department or the National Council for Special Education for the pupil concerned. If it is the case that the school authorities want to discuss issues in connection with an educational plan or the supports that are available, it should make contact with its local special educational needs organiser. Schools have been notified by the National Council for Special Education of the contact details for the SENO attached to each school.
810 Ms O. Mitchell asked the Minister for Education and Science if the cap imposed in 2002 on numbers enrolling in colleges of further education is permanent; and if such colleges should plan accordingly. [34212/04]
I assume the Deputy is referring to the number of places approved annually for post-leaving certificate courses. Information relating to the uptake of PLC places in 2004-05 by vocational education committees and individual schools and colleges outside the VEC system is currently being analysed by my Department. The approval process for PLC places for the academic year 2005-06 will take account of enrolment trends, applications from VECs, schools and colleges for course approval and the totality of demands for courses and teaching resources across the system.
811 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the current rate of capitation payments to voluntary secondary schools; and if he will compare this to the rate payable for students in schools operating under the VEC system. [34213/04]
1101 Mr. Costello asked the Minister for Education and Science the capitation grant for both a VEC and a voluntary secondary school for each of the years 2000-2005; the difference for each year since the differential policy began; the reason the capitation grant to the voluntary sector exceeds that to the VEC sector; if she intends to retain the present capitation differential between the two sectors or restore parity; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1246/05]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 811 and 1101 together.
As the Deputies will be aware differing funding arrangements have evolved for the different school types at second level. At the core of all arrangements is a reliance upon capitation as the principle determinant of funding. There are however significant differences in the approaches to the funding of back-up services such as for secretaries and caretakers.
Voluntary secondary schools, in the free education scheme, which are privately owned and managed, are funded by way of per capita grants towards recurrent costs, with additional financial assistance towards services such as care taking and secretarial. Financial allocations for vocational schools and community colleges are made to the VECs as part of a block grant that in addition to specific provision for teacher, clerical-administrative and maintenance staffing pay costs also covers VEC overheads and other activities other than the second level programme. As VECs are given a high level of autonomy in the management and appropriation of their budgets, I am not in a position to provide details of funding allocated by VECs to its schools in the VEC sector on a per capita basis as requested by the Deputies.
There have been significant improvements in the level of funding for schools. The standard per capita grant which stood at €233.60 per pupil in September 1999, was increased to €233.60 per pupil in September 2000, to €256.50 per pupil in September 2001, to €266 per pupil in September 2002, to €274 per pupil in January 2004, and has been increased by a further €12 to €286 per pupil from 1 January 2005. In addition, schools have also benefited significantly by the introduction of grants in September 2000 under the school services support initiative. The initial grant of €25 per pupil was increased to €63.49 per pupil in September 2001, to €88.88 per pupil in September 2002, to €99 per pupil in January 2003 and has been increased by a further €4 to €103 per pupil from 1 January 2005. VECs have benefited in their overall budgets from equivalent funding increases.
Funding for voluntary secondary schools has been further enhanced by the introduction of a range of equalisation measures designed to reduce the historic anomalies in the funding arrangements between secondary schools and the other second level school sectors. Under the schools services support initiative, secondary schools have benefited from further significant increases that have brought the grant in the case of such schools to €131 per pupil from 1 January 2004 and to €145 from 1 January 2005. These increases are in addition to the range of equalisation grants of up to €15,554 per school or, €44.44 per pupil, per annum that was approved for secondary schools in December 2001. As the funding provided under the schools support services fund is flexible, schools are permitted discretion as to the manner in which support services are provided. In particular it allows schools experiencing difficulties in the provision of secretarial, care taking and maintenance services to make an impact in those areas.
I am committed to improving further the funding position of secondary schools in the light of available resources and to address the issue of equity highlighted by the voluntary school sector.
812 Mr. Aylward asked the Minister for Education and Science the reason no response has yet issued to the school of a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny, with regard to an application for resource teaching. [34230/04]
I can confirm that my Department has no record of receiving a recent application for resource teaching support for the pupil in question. My Department sanctioned four hours resource teaching support for the pupil on 14 July 2003 and this is the maximum support available for the pupil's disability category. The pupil also has the services of a full time special needs assistant.
813 Ms O. Mitchell asked the Minister for Education and Science if a decision will be made in the case of the home tuition grant application for a person (details supplied) in Dublin 16. [34231/04]
The home tuition scheme is primarily intended to provide compensatory instruction for pupils who have a medical ailment that is likely to cause major disruption of their attendance at school. The scheme may also apply to pupils who cannot attend school at all, or are absent for a significant proportion of the school year.
I understand that the pupil in question is enrolled in a mainstream school with the support of five hours per week resource teaching.
The Deputy will be aware that my Department is currently undertaking a review of the home tuition scheme and my officials are endeavouring to have this completed as quickly as possible. A response to the application for home tuition for the pupil in question will be conveyed to the parents as soon as the review has been completed.
814 Ms O. Mitchell asked the Minister for Education and Science when it is envisaged that the review of the home tuition grant scheme will be completed; and when new applications will be processed. [34232/04]
The home tuition scheme is primarily intended to provide compensatory instruction for pupils who have a medical ailment likely to cause major disruption of their attendance at school. My Department continues to provide home tuition grants to pupils who cannot attend school at all, or are absent for a significant proportion of the school year.
My Department is endeavouring to have the review completed as quickly as possible. In the meantime, existing home tuition grants have been extended until the end of the current school year or earlier, if a school placement has been sourced in the intervening period.
815 Mr. O’Shea asked the Minister for Education and Science her urgent proposals regarding the weight of students’ school bags at first and second level (details supplied). [34233/04]
Arrangements are being made by my Department to issue a further circular letter to all primary and post-primary schools highlighting the importance of schools' and parents' awareness of problems posed by the weight of pupils' schoolbags and drawing the attention of schools in particular to the recommendations contained in the report of the Working Group on the Weight of Schoolbags.
Arrangements are also in train to have a copy of the report of the working group published on my Department's website.
816 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science if urgent assistance and the maximum support will be given to a school (details supplied) in Dublin 9 for roof repairs. [34234/04]
1066 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science if action will be taken to repair the roof at a school (details supplied) in Dublin 9 and if the maximum support and assistance will be given. [34576/04]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 816 and 1066 together.
The school to which the Deputy refers has submitted an application for grant aid under the summer works scheme 2005 for roof repairs and mechanical works. All SWS applications are currently being assessed in the school planning section of my Department. I intend to publish the list of successful applicants in the near future.
817 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Education and Science the reason a person (details supplied) is to lose her one hour per day resource teaching hours; her views on whether putting this person in group resource with children who have dyslexia is totally unsuitable; if the decision will be rescinded; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34265/04]
The Deputy will be aware that my Department is proposing a new system for the allocation of resource teaching supports to pupils with special educational needs. This system will involve a general teaching allocation for all primary schools to cater for pupils with higher incidence SEN, i.e., those with borderline mild and mild general learning disability, specific learning disability, and also those with learning support needs. This pupil's SEN appear to be within the high incidence category. Therefore, it would be expected that these needs can be met from within the current resource-learning support teaching allocation available to the school. The school currently has the services of three full-time resource teaching posts, one shared resource teaching post, two full-time learning support posts and one shared learning support post.
It is a matter for the school to deploy these resources to meet the SEN of the pupils in the school. I emphasise that individual applications may continue to be made for specific resource teacher allocations in respect of pupils with lower-incidence special educational needs.
818 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of psychologists and other staff assigned to the assessment and processing of applications for special needs assistance; the average length of time taken from the submission of a request for a special needs assistant to the date on which the school is given approval; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34266/04]
The Deputy may be aware that the National Council for Special Education assumed responsibility for processing applications for special needs assistant support from 1 January 2005.
I am satisfied that the establishment of the NCSE will greatly enhance the provision of services for children with special educational needs and result in a timely response to schools which have made application for SEN supports. The local service delivery aspect of the council's operation will be the responsibility of special educational needs organisers. Up to 70 SENOs have been employed, all of whom have a qualification and previous work experience relating to service delivery to children with disabilities. The SENOs will be responsible for co-ordinating and facilitating delivery of educational services to children with disabilities at local level. In particular, the SENOs will be a focal point of contact for parents or guardians and schools, and will process applications for resources for children with disabilities who have special educational needs. This will also involve regular and detailed engagement with organisations such as health authorities, the Department, including administrative divisions, the Inspectorate and the National Educational Psychological Service.
819 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science if and when funding will be offered to a school (details supplied) in County Kildare to facilitate relocation of students currently using the physical education hall as a classroom to a portakabin, in view of the fact that all students will be precluded from using the hall for its intended use over the winter period for physical education classes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34267/04]
An application for temporary accommodation has been received from the school authority to which the Deputy refers. All applications for temporary accommodation for the 2005-06 school year are currently being assessed in the school planning section of my Department. I intend to publish a list of the successful applicants shortly.
820 Mr. Kehoe asked the Minister for Education and Science the assistance which is being made available to a person (details supplied) in County Wexford to help them enter the secondary school of choice; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34268/04]
The school to which the Deputy refers is heavily oversubscribed as a result of a significant number of pupils enrolling from outside its catchment area. The development of this type of situation can impact negatively on pupils who reside within the catchment area and who are entitled, as of right, to a place in a particular school. It also invariably impacts negatively on the school or schools to which these pupils should rightly attend and in which considerable capital investment has been made for this purpose. It is a matter for all school authorities, in the context of their enrolment policies, to limit enrolment to within their catchment areas to ensure that such situations do not arise. A school authority may offer places to pupils from outside the catchment area only if it does not have negative repercussions for additional accommodation and or transport costs. However, where a school refuses to enrol a pupil, the school is obliged to inform parents of their right under section 29 of Education Act 1998 to appeal that decision to the Secretary General of my Department.
Section 29 of the Education Act 1998, provides parents with an appeal process where a board of management of a school or a person acting on behalf of the board refuses enrolment of a student. An appeal will generally not be admitted unless it is made within 42 calendar days from the date the decision of the board of management was notified to the parent or student concerned. However, a longer period for making appeals may be allowed as an exception where it is accepted that circumstances did not permit the making of an appeal within the 42 day limit.
Where an appeal under section 29 is upheld, the Secretary General of my Department may direct a school to enrol a pupil.
821 Mr. Murphy asked the Minister for Education and Science if a classroom assistant will be provided immediately for a person (details supplied) in County Cork. [34269/04]
My Department is currently considering an application for special needs assistant support for the pupil in question and my officials are liaising with my Department's inspectorate in this regard. The application will be considered in the context of the pupil's care needs and the deployment of the existing level of SNA support available in the school. I understand that the school currently has the services of three SNAs. A decision will be conveyed to the school authorities as quickly as possible.
822 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Education and Science if she will reconsider the financial burden being put on schools which are now required to pay for collection of bins by local authorities; and if this cost will be offset by making it refundable from her Department to avoid adding to the financial burden which requires extensive fund raising on behalf of many schools in the country. [34307/04]
Schools' running costs are met by my Department's scheme of capitation grants. These grants are intended to contribute towards the general operating costs of national schools which would include heating, lighting, cleaning, insurance, painting, teaching aids and other miscellaneous charges.
The capitation grant for primary schools has been increased substantially in recent years. Since 1997 the standard rate of capitation grant has been increased from £45, €57.14, per pupil to €121.58 with effect from 1 January 2004, an increase of almost 113% in the period. Provision has been made for a further increase of €12 per pupil in the capitation grant with effect from 1 January 2005 bringing the standard rate to €133.58.
There have also been significant improvements in the level of funding for second level schools. The standard per capita grant now amounts to €286 as against the rate of €224.74 that applied in 1997. This increase will bring the per capita grant in the case of disadvantaged schools to €324 per pupil. In addition, under the school services support fund initiative, secondary schools have benefited from further significant increases in the support grant. This grant which was introduced in September 2000 has been increased from €25 per pupil to the current rate of €103 from 1 January 2005.
Funding for voluntary secondary schools has been further enhanced by the introduction of a range of equalisation measures that are designed to reduce the historic anomalies in the funding arrangements for the different school types at second level. Under the terms of recent equalisation measures, the support grant has in the case of voluntary secondary schools been significantly enhanced to €145 per pupil from 1 January 2005. These increases are in addition to the range of equalisation grants of up to €15,554 per school per annum that have also been approved for voluntary secondary schools.
Local authority service and other charges payable to the various local authorities do not come within the remit of my Department. It would be a matter for the local authorities to decide whether schools are liable to pay such charges. Where it is decided that schools are liable for such charges, the cost would form part of the normal running costs of schools and would fall to be met from the capitation funding which schools have received from my Department.
It would not be feasible for my Department to introduce specific schemes whereby grant assistance would be provided to schools in respect of individual charges such as bin collections.
823 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the date on which the tenders for a project (details supplied) were agreed; the date on which work started on the project; the reason for delays between these respective dates; the estimated construction period; if the project is on schedule; if it is behind schedule; if behind schedule, the reason for the delays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34331/04]
839 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the date on which the tenders for a project (details supplied) were agreed; the date on which work started on the project; the reason for delays between these respective dates; the estimated construction period; if this project is on schedule; if it is behind schedule; if behind schedule, the reason for the delays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34347/04]
866 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the date on which the tenders for a project (details supplied) were agreed; the date on which work started on the project; the reason for delays between these respective dates; the estimated construction period; if this project is on schedule; if it is behind schedule; if behind schedule, the reason for the delays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34374/04]
871 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the date on which the tenders for a project (details supplied) were agreed; the date on which work started on the project; the reason for delays between these respective dates; the estimated construction period; if this project is on schedule; if it is behind schedule; if behind schedule, the reason for the delays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34379/04]
914 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the date on which the tenders for a project (details supplied) were agreed; the date on which work started on the project; the reason for delays between these respective dates; the estimated construction period; if the project is on schedule; if it is behind schedule; if behind schedule, the reason for the delays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34422/04]
985 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the date on which the tenders for a project (details supplied) were agreed; the date on which work started on the project; the reason for delays between these respective dates; the estimated construction period; if this project is on schedule; if it is behind schedule; if behind schedule, the reason for the delays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34493/04]
1054 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the date on which the tenders for a project (details supplied) were agreed; the date on which work started on the project; the reason for delays between these respective dates; the estimated construction period; if this project is on schedule; if it is behind schedule; if behind schedule, the reason for the delays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34562/04]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 823, 839, 866, 871, 914, 985 and 1054 together.
The projects referred to by the Deputy were listed to proceed to tender and construction as part of the 2004 school building programme. These projects did not proceed as quickly as envisaged due mainly to issues relating to planning permission, design teams being slower than anticipated in progressing projects and the need to revise briefs with reference to special needs requirements. It is envisaged that these projects will proceed as quickly as possible in 2005.
The day-to-day management of projects is a matter for each school and their design teams. The specific information requested by the Deputy is not readily available in my Department in the format requested by him.
824 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the date on which the tenders for a project (details supplied) were agreed; the date on which work started on the project; the reason for delays between these respective dates; the estimated construction period; if this project is on schedule; if it is behind schedule; if behind schedule, the reason for the delays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34332/04]
829 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the date on which the tenders for a project (details supplied) were agreed; the date on which work started on the project; the reason for delays between these respective dates; the estimated construction period; if this project is on schedule; if it is behind schedule; if behind schedule, the reason for the delays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34337/04]
830 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the date on which the tenders for a project (details supplied) were agreed; the date on which work started on the project; the reason for delays between these respective dates; the estimated construction period; if this project is on schedule; if it is behind schedule; if behind schedule, the reason for the delays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34338/04]
853 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the date on which the tenders for a project (details supplied) were agreed; the date on which work started on the project; the reason for delays between these respective dates; the estimated construction period; if this project is on schedule; if it is behind schedule; if behind schedule, the reason for the delays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34361/04]
855 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the date on which the tenders for a project (details supplied) were agreed; the date on which work started on the project; the reason for delays between these respective dates; the estimated construction period; if this project is on schedule; if it is behind schedule; if behind schedule, the reason for the delays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34363/04]
858 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the date on which the tenders for a project (details supplied) were agreed; the date on which work started on the project; the reason for delays between these respective dates; the estimated construction period; if this project is on schedule; if it is behind schedule; if behind schedule, the reason for the delays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34366/04]
860 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the date on which the tenders for a project (details supplied) were agreed; the date on which work started on the project; the reason for delays between these respective dates; the estimated construction period; if this project is on schedule; if it is behind schedule; if behind schedule, the reason for the delays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34368/04]
873 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the date on which the tenders for a project (details supplied) were agreed; the date on which work started on the project; the reason for delays between these respective dates; the estimated construction period; if this project is on schedule; if it is behind schedule; if behind schedule, the reason for the delays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34381/04]
874 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the date on which the tenders for a project (details supplied) were agreed; the date on which work started on the project; the reason for delays between these respective dates; the estimated construction period; if this project is on schedule; if it is behind schedule; if behind schedule, the reason for the delays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34382/04]
875 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the date on which the tenders for a project (details supplied) were agreed; the date on which work started on the project; the reason for delays between these respective dates; the estimated construction period; if this project is on schedule; if it is behind schedule; if behind schedule, the reason for the delays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34383/04]
885 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the date on which the tenders for a project (details supplied) were agreed; the date on which work started on the project; the reason for delays between these respective dates; the estimated construction period; if this project is on schedule; if it is behind schedule; if behind schedule, the reason for the delays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34393/04]
886 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the date on which the tenders for a project (details supplied) were agreed; the date on which work started on the project; the reason for delays between these respective dates; the estimated construction period; if this project is on schedule; if it is behind schedule; if behind schedule, the reason for the delays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34394/04]
887 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the date on which the tenders for a project (details supplied) were agreed; the date on which work started on the project; the reason for delays between these respective dates; the estimated construction period; if this project is on schedule; if it is behind schedule; if behind schedule, the reason for the delays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34395/04]
890 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the date on which the tenders for a project (details supplied) were agreed; the date on which work started on the project; the reason for delays between these respective dates; the estimated construction period; if this project is on schedule; if it is behind schedule; if behind schedule, the reason for the delays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34398/04]
891 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the date on which the tenders for a project (details supplied) were agreed; the date on which work started on the project; the reason for delays between these respective dates; the estimated construction period; if this project is on schedule; if it is behind schedule; if behind schedule, the reason for the delays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34399/04]
892 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the date on which the tenders for a project (details supplied) were agreed; the date on which work started on the project; the reason for delays between these respective dates; the estimated construction period; if this project is on schedule; if it is behind schedule; if behind schedule, the reason for the delays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34400/04]
893 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the date on which the tenders for a project (details supplied) were agreed; the date on which work started on the project; the reason for delays between these respective dates; the estimated construction period; if this project is on schedule; if it is behind schedule; if behind schedule, the reason for the delays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34401/04]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 824, 829, 830, 853, 855, 858, 860, 873 to 875, inclusive, 885 to 887, inclusive, 890 to 893, inclusive, together.
Construction is under way on the projects referred to by the Deputy. It is envisaged that many of these projects will be completed in the latter half of 2005.
The day-to-day management of projects is a matter for each school authority and their design teams. The specific information requested by the Deputy in relation to each project is not readily available in my Department in the format requested by him.
825 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the date on which the tenders for a project (details supplied) were agreed; the date on which work started on the project; the reason for delays between these respective dates; the estimated construction period; if this project is on schedule; if it is behind schedule; if behind schedule, the reason for the delays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34333/04]
834 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the date on which the tenders for a project (details supplied) were agreed; the date on which work started on the project; the reason for delays between these respective dates; the estimated construction period; if this project is on schedule; if it is behind schedule; if behind schedule, the reason for the delays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34342/04]
838 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the date on which the tenders for a project (details supplied) were agreed; the date on which work started on the project; the reason for delays between these respective dates; the estimated construction period; if this project is on schedule; if it is behind schedule; if behind schedule, the reason for the delays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34346/04]
845 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the date on which the tenders for a project (details supplied) were agreed; the date on which work started on the project; the reason for delays between these respective dates; the estimated construction period; if this project is on schedule; if it is behind schedule; if behind schedule, the reason for the delays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34353/04]
846 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the date on which the tenders for a project (details supplied) were agreed; the date on which work started on the project; the reason for delays between these respective dates; the estimated construction period; if this project is on schedule; if it is behind schedule; if behind schedule, the reason for the delays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34354/04]
847 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the date on which the tenders for a project (details supplied) were agreed; the date on which work started on the project; the reason for delays between these respective dates; the estimated construction period; if this project is on schedule; if it is behind schedule; if behind schedule, the reason for the delays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34355/04]
848 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the date on which the tenders for a project (details supplied) were agreed; the date on which work started on the project; the reason for delays between these respective dates; the estimated construction period; if this project is on schedule; if it is behind schedule; if behind schedule, the reason for the delays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34356/04]
849 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the date on which the tenders for a project (details supplied) were agreed; the date on which work started on the project; the reason for delays between these respective dates; the estimated construction period; if this project is on schedule; if it is behind schedule; if behind schedule, the reason for the delays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34357/04]
863 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the date on which the tenders for a project (details supplied) were agreed; the date on which work started on the project; the reason for delays between these respective dates; the estimated construction period; if this project is on schedule; if it is behind schedule; if behind schedule, the reason for the delays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34371/04]
864 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the date on which the tenders for a project (details supplied) were agreed; the date on which work started on the project; the reason for delays between these respective dates; the estimated construction period; if this project is on schedule; if it is behind schedule; if behind schedule, the reason for the delays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34372/04]
880 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the date on which the tenders for a project (details supplied) were agreed; the date on which work started on the project; the reason for delays between these respective dates; the estimated construction period; if this project is on schedule; if it is behind schedule; if behind schedule, the reason for the delays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34388/04]
911 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the date on which the tenders for a project (details supplied) were agreed; the date on which work started on the project; the reason for delays between these respective dates; the estimated construction period; if the project is on schedule; if it is behind schedule; if behind schedule, the reason for the delays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34419/04]
917 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the date on which the tenders for a project (details supplied) were agreed; the date on which work started on the project; the reason for delays between these respective dates; the estimated construction period; if the project is on schedule; if it is behind schedule; if behind schedule, the reason for the delays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34425/04]
925 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the date on which the tenders for a project (details supplied) were agreed; the date on which work started on the project; the reason for delays between these respective dates; the estimated construction period; if the project is on schedule; if it is behind schedule; if behind schedule, the reason for the delays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34433/04]
927 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the date on which the tenders for a project (details supplied) were agreed; the date on which work started on the project; the reason for delays between these respective dates; the estimated construction period; if the project is on schedule; if it is behind schedule; if behind schedule, the reason for the delays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34435/04]
928 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the date on which the tenders for a project (details supplied) were agreed; the date on which work started on the project; the reason for delays between these respective dates; the estimated construction period; if the project is on schedule; if it is behind schedule; if behind schedule, the reason for the delays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34436/04]
929 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the date on which the tenders for a project (details supplied) were agreed; the date on which work started on the project; the reason for delays between these respective dates; the estimated construction period; if the project is on schedule; if it is behind schedule; if behind schedule, the reason for the delays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34437/04]
935 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the date on which the tenders for a project (details supplied) were agreed; the date on which work started on the project; the reason for delays between these respective dates; the estimated construction period; if the project is on schedule; if it is behind schedule; if behind schedule, the reason for the delays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34443/04]
950 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the date on which the tenders for a project (details supplied) were agreed; the date on which work started on the project; the reason for delays between these respective dates; the estimated construction period; if this project is on schedule; if it is behind schedule; if behind schedule, the reason for the delays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34458/04]
954 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the date on which the tenders for a project (details supplied) were agreed; the date on which work started on the project; the reason for delays between these respective dates; the estimated construction period; if this project is on schedule; if it is behind schedule; if behind schedule, the reason for the delays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34462/04]
957 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the date on which the tenders for a project (details supplied) were agreed; the date on which work started on the project; the reason for delays between these respective dates; the estimated construction period; if this project is on schedule; if it is behind schedule; if behind schedule, the reason for the delays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34465/04]
958 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the date on which the tenders for a project (details supplied) were agreed; the date on which work started on the project; the reason for delays between these respective dates; the estimated construction period; if this project is on schedule; if it is behind schedule; if behind schedule, the reason for the delays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34466/04]
961 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the date on which the tenders for a project (details supplied) were agreed; the date on which work started on the project; the reason for delays between these respective dates; the estimated construction period; if this project is on schedule; if it is behind schedule; if behind schedule, the reason for the delays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34469/04]
967 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the date on which the tenders for a project (details supplied) were agreed; the date on which work started on the project; the reason for delays between these respective dates; the estimated construction period; if this project is on schedule; if it is behind schedule; if behind schedule, the reason for the delays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34475/04]
984 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the date on which the tenders for a project (details supplied) were agreed; the date on which work started on the project; the reason for delays between these respective dates; the estimated construction period; if this project is on schedule; if it is behind schedule; if behind schedule, the reason for the delays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34492/04]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 825, 834, 838, 845 to 849 inclusive, 863, 864, 880, 911, 917, 925, 927 to 929 inclusive, 935, 950, 954, 957, 958, 961, 967 and 984 together.
As part of the expansion of the devolved schemes initiatives for primary school building works the schools referred to by the Deputy were allocated a predetermined grant to enable the school management authorities to provide additional accommodation and/or improvements works.
The initiatives facilitate the boards of management by allowing them to address their accommodation and building priorities. It also provides a guaranteed amount of funding and gives boards of management control and responsibility for the building project.
As the initiatives are devolved it is the responsibility of each school management authority to determine the date the project proceeds to tender, the date the tender is accepted, the duration of the contract period and most importantly to manage the post contract control in respect of both costs and provision.
826 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the date on which the tenders for a project (details supplied) were agreed; the date on which work started on the project; the reason for delays between these respective dates; the estimated construction period; if this project is on schedule; if it is behind schedule; if behind schedule, the reason for the delays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34334/04]
827 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the date on which the tenders for a project (details supplied) were agreed; the date on which work started on the project; the reason for delays between these respective dates; the estimated construction period; if this project is on schedule; if it is behind schedule; if behind schedule, the reason for the delays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34335/04]
828 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the date on which the tenders for a project (details supplied) were agreed; the date on which work started on the project; the reason for delays between these respective dates; the estimated construction period; if this project is on schedule; if it is behind schedule; if behind schedule, the reason for the delays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34336/04]
831 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the date on which the tenders for a project (details supplied) were agreed; the date on which work started on the project; the reason for delays between these respective dates; the estimated construction period; if this project is on schedule; if it is behind schedule; if behind schedule, the reason for the delays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34339/04]
832 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the date on which the tenders for a project (details supplied) were agreed; the date on which work started on the project; the reason for delays between these respective dates; the estimated construction period; if this project is on schedule; if it is behind schedule; if behind schedule, the reason for the delays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34340/04]
835 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the date on which the tenders for a project (details supplied) were agreed; the date on which work started on the project; the reason for delays between these respective dates; the estimated construction period; if this project is on schedule; if it is behind schedule; if behind schedule, the reason for the delays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34343/04]
841 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the date on which the tenders for a project (details supplied) were agreed; the date on which work started on the project; the reason for delays between these respective dates; the estimated construction period; if this project is on schedule; if it is behind schedule; if behind schedule, the reason for the delays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34349/04]
842 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the date on which the tenders for a project (details supplied) were agreed; the date on which work started on the project; the reason for delays between these respective dates; the estimated construction period; if this project is on schedule; if it is behind schedule; if behind schedule, the reason for the delays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34350/04]
843 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the date on which the tenders for a project (details supplied) were agreed; the date on which work started on the project; the reason for delays between these respective dates; the estimated construction period; if this project is on schedule; if it is behind schedule; if behind schedule, the reason for the delays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34351/04]
844 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the date on which the tenders for a project (details supplied) were agreed; the date on which work started on the project; the reason for delays between these respective dates; the estimated construction period; if this project is on schedule; if it is behind schedule; if behind schedule, the reason for the delays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34352/04]
862 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the date on which the tenders for a project (details supplied) were agreed; the date on which work started on the project; the reason for delays between these respective dates; the estimated construction period; if this project is on schedule; if it is behind schedule; if behind schedule, the reason for the delays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34370/04]
867 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the date on which the tenders for a project (details supplied) were agreed; the date on which work started on the project; the reason for delays between these respective dates; the estimated construction period; if this project is on schedule; if it is behind schedule; if behind schedule, the reason for the delays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34375/04]
868 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the date on which the tenders for a project (details supplied) were agreed; the date on which work started on the project; the reason for delays between these respective dates; the estimated construction period; if this project is on schedule; if it is behind schedule; if behind schedule, the reason for the delays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34376/04]
869 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the date on which the tenders for a project (details supplied) were agreed; the date on which work started on the project; the reason for delays between these respective dates; the estimated construction period; if this project is on schedule; if it is behind schedule; if behind schedule, the reason for the delays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34377/04]
870 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the date on which the tenders for a project (details supplied) were agreed; the date on which work started on the project; the reason for delays between these respective dates; the estimated construction period; if this project is on schedule; if it is behind schedule; if behind schedule, the reason for the delays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34378/04]
877 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the date on which the tenders for a project (details supplied) were agreed; the date on which work started on the project; the reason for delays between these respective dates; the estimated construction period; if this project is on schedule; if it is behind schedule; if behind schedule, the reason for the delays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34385/04]
878 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the date on which the tenders for a project (details supplied) were agreed; the date on which work started on the project; the reason for delays between these respective dates; the estimated construction period; if this project is on schedule; if it is behind schedule; if behind schedule, the reason for the delays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34386/04]
879 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the date on which the tenders for a project (details supplied) were agreed; the date on which work started on the project; the reason for delays between these respective dates; the estimated construction period; if this project is on schedule; if it is behind schedule; if behind schedule, the reason for the delays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34387/04]
881 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the date on which the tenders for a project (details supplied) were agreed; the date on which work started on the project; the reason for delays between these respective dates; the estimated construction period; if this project is on schedule; if it is behind schedule; if behind schedule, the reason for the delays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34389/04]
883 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the date on which the tenders for a project (details supplied) were agreed; the date on which work started on the project; the reason for delays between these respective dates; the estimated construction period; if this project is on schedule; if it is behind schedule; if behind schedule, the reason for the delays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34391/04]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 826 to 828, inclusive, 831, 832, 835, 841 to 844, inclusive, 862, 867 to 870, inclusive, 877 to 879, inclusive, 881 and 883 together.
Construction is well under way on the projects referred to by the Deputy. It is envisaged that these projects will be completed in the latter half of 2005.
The day-to-day management of projects is a matter for each school and their design teams. The specific information requested by the Deputy in relation to each project is not readily available in my Department in the format requested by him.
833 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the date on which the tenders for a project (details supplied) were agreed; the date on which work started on the project; the reason for delays between these respective dates; the estimated construction period; if this project is on schedule; if it is behind schedule; if behind schedule, the reason for the delays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34341/04]
851 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the date on which the tenders for a project (details supplied) were agreed; the date on which work started on the project; the reason for delays between these respective dates; the estimated construction period; if this project is on schedule; if it is behind schedule; if behind schedule, the reason for the delays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34359/04]
852 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the date on which the tenders for a project (details supplied) were agreed; the date on which work started on the project; the reason for delays between these respective dates; the estimated construction period; if this project is on schedule; if it is behind schedule; if behind schedule, the reason for the delays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34360/04]
854 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the date on which the tenders for a project (details supplied) were agreed; the date on which work started on the project; the reason for delays between these respective dates; the estimated construction period; if this project is on schedule; if it is behind schedule; if behind schedule, the reason for the delays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34362/04]
859 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the date on which the tenders for a project (details supplied) were agreed; the date on which work started on the project; the reason for delays between these respective dates; the estimated construction period; if this project is on schedule; if it is behind schedule; if behind schedule, the reason for the delays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34367/04]
872 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the date on which the tenders for a project (details supplied) were agreed; the date on which work started on the project; the reason for delays between these respective dates; the estimated construction period; if this project is on schedule; if it is behind schedule; if behind schedule, the reason for the delays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34380/04]
888 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the date on which the tenders for a project (details supplied) were agreed; the date on which work started on the project; the reason for delays between these respective dates; the estimated construction period; if this project is on schedule; if it is behind schedule; if behind schedule, the reason for the delays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34396/04]
889 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the date on which the tenders for a project (details supplied) were agreed; the date on which work started on the project; the reason for delays between these respective dates; the estimated construction period; if this project is on schedule; if it is behind schedule; if behind schedule, the reason for the delays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34397/04]
903 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the date on which the tenders for a project (details supplied) were agreed; the date on which work started on the project; the reason for delays between these respective dates; the estimated construction period; if the project is on schedule; if it is behind schedule; if behind schedule, the reason for the delays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34411/04]
905 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the date on which the tenders for a project (details supplied) were agreed; the date on which work started on the project; the reason for delays between these respective dates; the estimated construction period; if the project is on schedule; if it is behind schedule; if behind schedule, the reason for the delays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34413/04]
910 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the date on which the tenders for a project (details supplied) were agreed; the date on which work started on the project; the reason for delays between these respective dates; the estimated construction period; if the project is on schedule; if it is behind schedule; if behind schedule, the reason for the delays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34418/04]
946 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the date on which the tenders for a project (details supplied) were agreed; the date on which work started on the project; the reason for delays between these respective dates; the estimated construction period; if this project is on schedule; if it is behind schedule; if behind schedule, the reason for the delays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34454/04]
997 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the date on which the tenders for a project (details supplied) were agreed; the date on which work started on the project; the reason for delays between these respective dates; the estimated construction period; if this project is on schedule; if it is behind schedule; if behind schedule, the reason for the delays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34505/04]
1016 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the date on which the tenders for a project (details supplied) were agreed; the date on which work started on the project; the reason for delays between these respective dates; the estimated construction period; if this project is on schedule; if it is behind schedule; if behind schedule, the reason for the delays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34524/04]
1030 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the date on which the tenders for a project (details supplied) were agreed; the date on which work started on the project; the reason for delays between these respective dates; the estimated construction period; if this project is on schedule; if it is behind schedule; if behind schedule, the reason for the delays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34538/04]
1042 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the date on which the tenders for a project (details supplied) were agreed; the date on which work started on the project; the reason for delays between these respective dates; the estimated construction period; if this project is on schedule; if it is behind schedule; if behind schedule, the reason for the delays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34550/04]
1052 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the date on which the tenders for a project (details supplied) were agreed; the date on which work started on the project; the reason for delays between these respective dates; the estimated construction period; if this project is on schedule; if it is behind schedule; if behind schedule, the reason for the delays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34560/04]
1059 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the date on which the tenders for a project (details supplied) were agreed; the date on which work started on the project; the reason for delays between these respective dates; the estimated construction period; if this project is on schedule; if it is behind schedule; if behind schedule, the reason for the delays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34567/04]
1060 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the date on which the tenders for a project (details supplied) were agreed; the date on which work started on the project; the reason for delays between these respective dates; the estimated construction period; if this project is on schedule; if it is behind schedule; if behind schedule, the reason for the delays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34568/04]
1062 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the date on which the tenders for a project (details supplied) were agreed; the date on which work started on the project; the reason for delays between these respective dates; the estimated construction period; if this project is on schedule; if it is behind schedule; if behind schedule, the reason for the delays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34570/04]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 833, 851, 852, 854, 859, 872, 888, 889, 903, 905, 910, 946, 997, 1016, 1030, 1042, 1052, 1059, 1060 and 1062 together.
Construction is completed on all of the projects referred to by the Deputy. All of these projects commenced construction prior to 2004.
836 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the date on which the tenders for a project (details supplied) were agreed; the date on which work started on the project; the reason for delays between these respective dates; the estimated construction period; if this project is on schedule; if it is behind schedule; if behind schedule, the reason for the delays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34344/04]
840 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the date on which the tenders for a project (details supplied) were agreed; the date on which work started on the project; the reason for delays between these respective dates; the estimated construction period; if this project is on schedule; if it is behind schedule; if behind schedule, the reason for the delays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34348/04]
882 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the date on which the tenders for a project (details supplied) were agreed; the date on which work started on the project; the reason for delays between these respective dates; the estimated construction period; if this project is on schedule; if it is behind schedule; if behind schedule, the reason for the delays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34390/04]
899 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the date on which the tenders for a project (details supplied) were agreed; the date on which work started on the project; the reason for delays between these respective dates; the estimated construction period; if this project is on schedule; if it is behind schedule; if behind schedule, the reason for the delays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34407/04]
915 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the date on which the tenders for a project (details supplied) were agreed; the date on which work started on the project; the reason for delays between these respective dates; the estimated construction period; if the project is on schedule; if it is behind schedule; if behind schedule, the reason for the delays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34423/04]
916 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the date on which the tenders for a project (details supplied) were agreed; the date on which work started on the project; the reason for delays between these respective dates; the estimated construction period; if the project is on schedule; if it is behind schedule; if behind schedule, the reason for the delays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34424/04]
936 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the date on which the tenders for a project (details supplied) were agreed; the date on which work started on the project; the reason for delays between these respective dates; the estimated construction period; if the project is on schedule; if it is behind schedule; if behind schedule, the reason for the delays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34444/04]
937 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the date on which the tenders for a project (details supplied) were agreed; the date on which work started on the project; the reason for delays between these respective dates; the estimated construction period; if the project is on schedule; if it is behind schedule; if behind schedule, the reason for the delays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34445/04]
1031 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the date on which the tenders for a project (details supplied) were agreed; the date on which work started on the project; the reason for delays between these respective dates; the estimated construction period; if this project is on schedule; if it is behind schedule; if behind schedule, the reason for the delays; and if she will make a statement in the matter. [34539/04]
1063 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the date on which the tenders for a project (details supplied) were agreed; the date on which work started on the project; the reason for delays between these respective dates; the estimated construction period; if this project is on schedule; if it is behind schedule; if behind schedule, the reason for the delays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34571/04]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 836, 840, 882, 899, 915, 916, 936, 937, 1031 and 1063 together.
The projects referred to by the Deputy were listed to proceed to tender and construction as part of the 2004 school building programme. The tendering process is either under way or completed on these projects and it is envisaged that they will proceed to construction as early as possible in 2005.
The day-to-day management of projects is a matter for each school and their design teams. The specific information requested by the Deputy in relation to each project is not readily available in my Department in the format requested by him. In broad terms there are many reasons which can cause unexpected delays in the pace at which some projects advance. These include an appeal of planning permission by third parties to An Bord Pleanála, contractors withdrawing tenders and design teams being slower than anticipated in getting projects tendered.
837 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the date on which the tenders for a project (details supplied) were agreed; the date on which work started on the project; the reason for delays between these respective dates; the estimated construction period; if this project is on schedule; if it is behind schedule; if behind schedule, the reason for the delays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34345/04]
850 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the date on which the tenders for a project (details supplied) were agreed; the date on which work started on the project; the reason for delays between these respective dates; the estimated construction period; if this project is on schedule; if it is behind schedule; if behind schedule, the reason for the delays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34358/04]
865 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the date on which the tenders for a project (details supplied) were agreed; the date on which work started on the project; the reason for delays between these respective dates; the estimated construction period; if this project is on schedule; if it is behind schedule; if behind schedule, the reason for the delays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34373/04]
908 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the date on which the tenders for a project (details supplied) were agreed; the date on which work started on the project; the reason for delays between these respective dates; the estimated construction period; if the project is on schedule; if it is behind schedule; if behind schedule, the reason for the delays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34416/04]
938 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the date on which the tenders for a project (details supplied) were agreed; the date on which work started on the project; the reason for delays between these respective dates; the estimated construction period; if the project is on schedule; if it is behind schedule; if behind schedule, the reason for the delays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34446/04]
943 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the date on which the tenders for a project (details supplied) were agreed; the date on which work started on the project; the reason for delays between these respective dates; the estimated construction period; if the project is on schedule; if it is behind schedule; if behind schedule, the reason for the delays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34451/04]
962 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the date on which the tenders for a project (details supplied) were agreed; the date on which work started on the project; the reason for delays between these respective dates; the estimated construction period; if this project is on schedule; if it is behind schedule; if behind schedule, the reason for the delays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34470/04]
966 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the date on which the tenders for a project (details supplied) were agreed; the date on which work started on the project; the reason for delays between these respective dates; the estimated construction period; if this project is on schedule; if it is behind schedule; if behind schedule, the reason for the delays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34474/04]
970 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the date on which the tenders for a project (details supplied) were agreed; the date on which work started on the project; the reason for delays between these respective dates; the estimated construction period; if this project is on schedule; if it is behind schedule; if behind schedule, the reason for the delays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34478/04]
972 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the date on which the tenders for a project (details supplied) were agreed; the date on which work started on the project; the reason for delays between these respective dates; the estimated construction period; if this project is on schedule; if it is behind schedule; if behind schedule, the reason for the delays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34480/04]
977 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the date on which the tenders for a project (details supplied) were agreed; the date on which work started on the project; the reason for delays between these respective dates; the estimated construction period; if this project is on schedule; if it is behind schedule; if behind schedule, the reason for the delays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34485/04]
981 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the date on which the tenders for a project (details supplied) were agreed; the date on which work started on the project; the reason for delays between these respective dates; the estimated construction period; if this project is on schedule; if it is behind schedule; if behind schedule, the reason for the delays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34489/04]
996 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the date on which the tenders for a project (details supplied) were agreed; the date on which work started on the project; the reason for delays between these respective dates; the estimated construction period; if this project is on schedule; if it is behind schedule; if behind schedule, the reason for the delays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34504/04]
1003 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the date on which the tenders for a project (details supplied) were agreed; the date on which work started on the project; the reason for delays between these respective dates; the estimated construction period; if this project is on schedule; if it is behind schedule; if behind schedule, the reason for the delays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34511/04]
1015 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the date on which the tenders for a project (details supplied) were agreed; the date on which work started on the project; the reason for delays between these respective dates; the estimated construction period; if this project is on schedule; if it is behind schedule; if behind schedule, the reason for the delays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34523/04]
1022 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the date on which the tenders for a project (details supplied) were agreed; the date on which work started on the project; the reason for delays between these respective dates; the estimated construction period; if this project is on schedule; if it is behind schedule; if behind schedule, the reason for the delays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34530/04]
1024 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the date on which the tenders for a project (details supplied) were agreed; the date on which work started on the project; the reason for delays between these respective dates; the estimated construction period; if this project is on schedule; if it is behind schedule; if behind schedule, the reason for the delays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34532/04]
1025 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the date on which the tenders for a project (details supplied) were agreed; the date on which work started on the project; the reason for delays between these respective dates; the estimated construction period; if this project is on schedule; if it is behind schedule; if behind schedule, the reason for the delays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34533/04]
1036 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the date on which the tenders for a project (details supplied) were agreed; the date on which work started on the project; the reason for delays between these respective dates; the estimated construction period; if this project is on schedule; if it is behind schedule; if behind schedule, the reason for the delays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34544/04]
1041 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the date on which the tenders for a project (details supplied) were agreed; the date on which work started on the project; the reason for delays between these respective dates; the estimated construction period; if this project is on schedule; if it is behind schedule; if behind schedule, the reason for the delays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34549/04]
1056 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the date on which the tenders for a project (details supplied) were agreed; the date on which work started on the project; the reason for delays between these respective dates; the estimated construction period; if this project is on schedule; if it is behind schedule; if behind schedule, the reason for the delays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34564/04]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 837, 850, 865, 908, 938, 943, 962, 966, 970, 972, 977, 981, 996, 1003, 1015, 1022, 1024, 1025, 1036, 1041 and 1056 together.
Construction is completed on all of the projects referred to by the Deputy. Most of these projects commenced construction prior to 2004.
856 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the date on which the tenders for a project (details supplied) were agreed; the date on which work started on the project; the reason for delays between these respective dates; the estimated construction period; if this project is on schedule; if it is behind schedule; if behind schedule, the reason for the delays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34364/04]
The current position relating to proposed works at the school referred to by the Deputy is that the school applied for and was successful in securing funding under the 2004 summer works scheme, SWS, for the first phase of the replacement of the roof. This was completed in 2004. An application under the 2005 SWS has been received from the school management for the second phase of roof replacement. As I outlined in early December, when setting out details of the schools building and modernisation programme, I will announce in February details of the schools that will receive funding based on the applications being processed by my officials.
857 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the date on which the tenders for a project (details supplied) were agreed; the date on which work started on the project; the reason for delays between these respective dates; the estimated construction period; if this project is on schedule; if it is behind schedule; if behind schedule, the reason for the delays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34365/04]
My Department is in consultation with the school authority referred to by the Deputy regarding the delivery of this project. Documentation received in December from the school's design team is being reviewed. Officials in the school building section of my Department will communicate with the school authority shortly.
861 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the date on which the tenders for a project (details supplied) were agreed; the date on which work started on the project; the reason for delays between these respective dates; the estimated construction period; if this project is on schedule; if it is behind schedule; if behind schedule, the reason for the delays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34369/04]
Tenders for the project to which the Deputy refers were not agreed and, therefore, work did not start. The original plan was to locate this project on a greenfield site. Since then other options have been considered. When a decision is made on the most appropriate delivery method for this project, I will inform the parties concerned.
876 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the date on which the tenders for a project (details supplied) were agreed; the date on which work started on the project; the reason for delays between these respective dates; the estimated construction period; if this project is on schedule; if it is behind schedule; if behind schedule, the reason for the delays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34384/04]
901 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the date on which the tenders for a project (details supplied) were agreed; the date on which work started on the project; the reason for delays between these respective dates; the estimated construction period; if the project is on schedule; if it is behind schedule; if behind schedule, the reason for the delays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34409/04]
904 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the date on which the tenders for a project (details supplied) were agreed; the date on which work started on the project; the reason for delays between these respective dates; the estimated construction period; if the project is on schedule; if it is behind schedule; if behind schedule, the reason for the delays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34412/04]
906 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the date on which the tenders for a project (details supplied) were agreed; the date on which work started on the project; the reason for delays between these respective dates; the estimated construction period; if the project is on schedule; if it is behind schedule; if behind schedule, the reason for the delays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34414/04]
923 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the date on which the tenders for a project (details supplied) were agreed; the date on which work started on the project; the reason for delays between these respective dates; the estimated construction period; if the project is on schedule; if it is behind schedule; if behind schedule, the reason for the delays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34431/04]
932 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the date on which the tenders for a project (details supplied) were agreed; the date on which work started on the project; the reason for delays between these respective dates; the estimated construction period; if the project is on schedule; if it is behind schedule; if behind schedule, the reason for the delays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34440/04]
960 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the date on which the tenders for a project (details supplied) were agreed; the date on which work started on the project; the reason for delays between these respective dates; the estimated construction period; if this project is on schedule; if it is behind schedule; if behind schedule, the reason for the delays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34468/04]
975 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the date on which the tenders for a project (details supplied) were agreed; the date on which work started on the project; the reason for delays between these respective dates; the estimated construction period; if this project is on schedule; if it is behind schedule; if behind schedule, the reason for the delays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34483/04]
976 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the date on which the tenders for a project (details supplied) were agreed; the date on which work started on the project; the reason for delays between these respective dates; the estimated construction period; if this project is on schedule; if it is behind schedule; if behind schedule, the reason for the delays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34484/04]
983 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the date on which the tenders for a project (details supplied) were agreed; the date on which work started on the project; the reason for delays between these respective dates; the estimated construction period; if this project is on schedule; if it is behind schedule; if behind schedule, the reason for the delays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34491/04]
1005 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the date on which the tenders for a project (details supplied) were agreed; the date on which work started on the project; the reason for delays between these respective dates; the estimated construction period; if this project is on schedule; if it is behind schedule; if behind schedule, the reason for the delays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34513/04]
1008 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the date on which the tenders for a project (details supplied) were agreed; the date on which work started on the project; the reason for delays between these respective dates; the estimated construction period; if this project is on schedule; if it is behind schedule; if behind schedule, the reason for the delays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34516/04]
1061 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the date on which the tenders for a project (details supplied) were agreed; the date on which work started on the project; the reason for delays between these respective dates; the estimated construction period; if this project is on schedule; if it is behind schedule; if behind schedule, the reason for the delays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34569/04]
1065 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the date on which the tenders for a project (details supplied) were agreed; the date on which work started on the project; the reason for delays between these respective dates; the estimated construction period; if this project is on schedule; if it is behind schedule; if behind schedule, the reason for the delays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34573/04]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 876, 901, 904, 906, 923, 932, 960, 975, 976, 983, 1005, 1008, 1061 and 1065 together.
The projects referred to by the Deputy were listed to proceed to tender and construction as part of the 2004 school building programme. These projects did not proceed as quickly as envisaged due mainly to issues relating to planning permission, sites or design teams being slower than anticipated in progressing projects. It is envisaged that these projects will proceed as quickly as possible in 2005. The day-to-day management of projects is a matter for each school authority and their design teams. The specific information requested by the Deputy is not readily available in my Department in the format requested by him.
884 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the date on which the tenders for a project (details supplied) were agreed; the date on which work started on the project; the reason for delays between these respective dates; the estimated construction period; if this project is on schedule; if it is behind schedule; if behind schedule, the reason for the delays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34392/04]
895 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the date on which the tenders for a project (details supplied) were agreed; the date on which work started on the project; the reason for delays between these respective dates; the estimated construction period; if this project is on schedule; if it is behind schedule; if behind schedule, the reason for the delays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34403/04]
896 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the date on which the tenders for a project (details supplied) were agreed; the date on which work started on the project; the reason for delays between these respective dates; the estimated construction period; if this project is on schedule; if it is behind schedule; if behind schedule, the reason for the delays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34404/04]
897 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the date on which the tenders for a project (details supplied) were agreed; the date on which work started on the project; the reason for delays between these respective dates; the estimated construction period; if this project is on schedule; if it is behind schedule; if behind schedule, the reason for the delays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34405/04]
898 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the date on which the tenders for a project (details supplied) were agreed; the date on which work started on the project; the reason for delays between these respective dates; the estimated construction period; if this project is on schedule; if it is behind schedule; if behind schedule, the reason for the delays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34406/04]
907 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the date on which the tenders for a project (details supplied) were agreed; the date on which work started on the project; the reason for delays between these respective dates; the estimated construction period; if the project is on schedule; if it is behind schedule; if behind schedule, the reason for the delays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34415/04]
909 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the date on which the tenders for a project (details supplied) were agreed; the date on which work started on the project; the reason for delays between these respective dates; the estimated construction period; if the project is on schedule; if it is behind schedule; if behind schedule, the reason for the delays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34417/04]
912 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the date on which the tenders for a project (details supplied) were agreed; the date on which work started on the project; the reason for delays between these respective dates; the estimated construction period; if the project is on schedule; if it is behind schedule; if behind schedule, the reason for the delays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34420/04]
913 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the date on which the tenders for a project (details supplied) were agreed; the date on which work started on the project; the reason for delays between these respective dates; the estimated construction period; if the project is on schedule; if it is behind schedule; if behind schedule, the reason for the delays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34421/04]
918 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the date on which the tenders for a project (details supplied) were agreed; the date on which work started on the project; the reason for delays between these respective dates; the estimated construction period; if the project is on schedule; if it is behind schedule; if behind schedule, the reason for the delays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34426/04]
919 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the date on which the tenders for a project (details supplied) were agreed; the date on which work started on the project; the reason for delays between these respective dates; the estimated construction period; if the project is on schedule; if it is behind schedule; if behind schedule, the reason for the delays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34427/04]
921 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the date on which the tenders for a project (details supplied) were agreed; the date on which work started on the project; the reason for delays between these respective dates; the estimated construction period; if the project is on schedule; if it is behind schedule; if behind schedule, the reason for the delays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34429/04]
924 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the date on which the tenders for a project (details supplied) were agreed; the date on which work started on the project; the reason for delays between these respective dates; the estimated construction period; if the project is on schedule; if it is behind schedule; if behind schedule, the reason for the delays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34432/04]
926 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the date on which the tenders for a project (details supplied) were agreed; the date on which work started on the project; the reason for delays between these respective dates; the estimated construction period; if the project is on schedule; if it is behind schedule; if behind schedule, the reason for the delays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34434/04]
930 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the date on which the tenders for a project (details supplied) were agreed; the date on which work started on the project; the reason for delays between these respective dates; the estimated construction period; if the project is on schedule; if it is behind schedule; if behind schedule, the reason for the delays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34438/04]
933 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the date on which the tenders for a project (details supplied) were agreed; the date on which work started on the project; the reason for delays between these respective dates; the estimated construction period; if the project is on schedule; if it is behind schedule; if behind schedule, the reason for the delays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34441/04]
934 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the date on which the tenders for a project (details supplied) were agreed; the date on which work started on the project; the reason for delays between these respective dates; the estimated construction period; if the project is on schedule; if it is behind schedule; if behind schedule, the reason for the delays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34442/04]
939 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the date on which the tenders for a project (details supplied) were agreed; the date on which work started on the project; the reason for delays between these respective dates; the estimated construction period; if the project is on schedule; if it is behind schedule; if behind schedule, the reason for the delays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34447/04]
940 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the date on which the tenders for a project (details supplied) were agreed; the date on which work started on the project; the reason for delays between these respective dates; the estimated construction period; if the project is on schedule; if it is behind schedule; if behind schedule, the reason for the delays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34448/04]
941 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the date on which the tenders for a project (details supplied) were agreed; the date on which work started on the project; the reason for delays between these respective dates; the estimated construction period; if the project is on schedule; if it is behind schedule; if behind schedule, the reason for the delays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34449/04]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 884, 895 to 898, inclusive, 907, 909, 912, 913, 918, 919, 921, 924, 926, 930, 933, 934, 939, 940 and 941 together.
Construction on the projects referred to by the Deputy commenced in 2004. It is envisaged that most of these projects will be completed in the latter half of 2005. The day-to-day management of projects is a matter for each school and its design team. The specific information requested by the Deputy regarding each project is not available in my Department in the format requested by him.
894 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the date on which the tenders for a project (details supplied) were agreed; the date on which work started on the project; the reason for delays between these respective dates; the estimated construction period; if this project is on schedule; if it is behind schedule; if behind schedule, the reason for the delays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34402/04]
900 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the date on which the tenders for a project (details supplied) were agreed; the date on which work started on the project; the reason for delays between these respective dates; the estimated construction period; if the project is on schedule; if it is behind schedule; if behind schedule, the reason for the delays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34408/04]
902 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the date on which the tenders for a project (details supplied) were agreed; the date on which work started on the project; the reason for delays between these respective dates; the estimated construction period; if the project is on schedule; if it is behind schedule; if behind schedule, the reason for the delays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34410/04]
922 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the date on which the tenders for a project (details supplied) were agreed; the date on which work started on the project; the reason for delays between these respective dates; the estimated construction period; if the project is on schedule; if it is behind schedule; if behind schedule, the reason for the delays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34430/04]
931 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the date on which the tenders for a project (details supplied) were agreed; the date on which work started on the project; the reason for delays between these respective dates; the estimated construction period; if the project is on schedule; if it is behind schedule; if behind schedule, the reason for the delays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34439/04]
947 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the date on which the tenders for a project (details supplied) were agreed; the date on which work started on the project; the reason for delays between these respective dates; the estimated construction period; if this project is on schedule; if it is behind schedule; if behind schedule, the reason for the delays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34455/04]
948 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the date on which the tenders for a project (details supplied) were agreed; the date on which work started on the project; the reason for delays between these respective dates; the estimated construction period; if this project is on schedule; if it is behind schedule; if behind schedule, the reason for the delays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34456/04]
951 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the date on which the tenders for a project (details supplied) were agreed; the date on which work started on the project; the reason for delays between these respective dates; the estimated construction period; if this project is on schedule; if it is behind schedule; if behind schedule, the reason for the delays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34459/04]
952 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the date on which the tenders for a project (details supplied) were agreed; the date on which work started on the project; the reason for delays between these respective dates; the estimated construction period; if this project is on schedule; if it is behind schedule; if behind schedule, the reason for the delays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34460/04]
953 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the date on which the tenders for a project (details supplied) were agreed; the date on which work started on the project; the reason for delays between these respective dates; the estimated construction period; if this project is on schedule; if it is behind schedule; if behind schedule, the reason for the delays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34461/04]
956 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the date on which the tenders for a project (details supplied) were agreed; the date on which work started on the project; the reason for delays between these respective dates; the estimated construction period; if this project is on schedule; if it is behind schedule; if behind schedule, the reason for the delays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34464/04]
974 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the date on which the tenders for a project (details supplied) were agreed; the date on which work started on the project; the reason for delays between these respective dates; the estimated construction period; if this project is on schedule; if it is behind schedule; if behind schedule, the reason for the delays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34482/04]
1006 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the date on which the tenders for a project (details supplied) were agreed; the date on which work started on the project; the reason for delays between these respective dates; the estimated construction period; if this project is on schedule; if it is behind schedule; if behind schedule, the reason for the delays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34514/04]
1007 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the date on which the tenders for a project (details supplied) were agreed; the date on which work started on the project; the reason for delays between these respective dates; the estimated construction period; if this project is on schedule; if it is behind schedule; if behind schedule, the reason for the delays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34515/04]
1037 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the date on which the tenders for a project (details supplied) were agreed; the date on which work started on the project; the reason for delays between these respective dates; the estimated construction period; if this project is on schedule; if it is behind schedule; if behind schedule, the reason for the delays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34545/04]
1038 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the date on which the tenders for a project (details supplied) were agreed; the date on which work started on the project; the reason for delays between these respective dates; the estimated construction period; if this project is on schedule; if it is behind schedule; if behind schedule, the reason for the delays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34546/04]
1051 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the date on which the tenders for a project (details supplied) were agreed; the date on which work started on the project; the reason for delays between these respective dates; the estimated construction period; if this project is on schedule; if it is behind schedule; if behind schedule, the reason for the delays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34559/04]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 894, 900, 902, 922, 931, 947, 948, 951, 952, 953, 956, 974, 1006, 1007, 1037, 1038 and 1051 together.
Construction is under way on the projects referred to by the Deputy. It is envisaged that many of these projects will be completed in the latter half of 2005.
The day-to-day management of projects is a matter for each school authority and their design teams. The specific information requested by the Deputy with regard to each project is not readily available in my Department in the format requested by him.
920 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the date on which the tenders for a project (details supplied) were agreed; the date on which work started on the project; the reason for delays between these respective dates; the estimated construction period; if the project is on schedule; if it is behind schedule; if behind schedule, the reason for the delays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34428/04]
986 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the date on which the tenders for a project (details supplied) were agreed; the date on which work started on the project; the reason for delays between these respective dates; the estimated construction period; if this project is on schedule; if it is behind schedule; if behind schedule, the reason for the delays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34494/04]
988 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the date on which the tenders for a project (details supplied) were agreed; the date on which work started on the project; the reason for delays between these respective dates; the estimated construction period; if this project is on schedule; if it is behind schedule; if behind schedule, the reason for the delays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34496/04]
990 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the date on which the tenders for a project (details supplied) were agreed; the date on which work started on the project; the reason for delays between these respective dates; the estimated construction period; if this project is on schedule; if it is behind schedule; if behind schedule, the reason for the delays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34498/04]
992 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the date on which the tenders for a project (details supplied) were agreed; the date on which work started on the project; the reason for delays between these respective dates; the estimated construction period; if this project is on schedule; if it is behind schedule; if behind schedule, the reason for the delays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34500/04]
994 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the date on which the tenders for a project (details supplied) were agreed; the date on which work started on the project; the reason for delays between these respective dates; the estimated construction period; if this project is on schedule; if it is behind schedule; if behind schedule, the reason for the delays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34502/04]
1000 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the date on which the tenders for a project (details supplied) were agreed; the date on which work started on the project; the reason for delays between these respective dates; the estimated construction period; if this project is on schedule; if it is behind schedule; if behind schedule, the reason for the delays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34508/04]
1017 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the date on which the tenders for a project (details supplied) were agreed; the date on which work started on the project; the reason for delays between these respective dates; the estimated construction period; if this project is on schedule; if it is behind schedule; if behind schedule, the reason for the delays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34525/04]
1021 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the date on which the tenders for a project (details supplied) were agreed; the date on which work started on the project; the reason for delays between these respective dates; the estimated construction period; if this project is on schedule; if it is behind schedule; if behind schedule, the reason for the delays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34529/04]
1023 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the date on which the tenders for a project (details supplied) were agreed; the date on which work started on the project; the reason for delays between these respective dates; the estimated construction period; if this project is on schedule; if it is behind schedule; if behind schedule, the reason for the delays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34531/04]
1032 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the date on which the tenders for a project (details supplied) were agreed; the date on which work started on the project; the reason for delays between these respective dates; the estimated construction period; if this project is on schedule; if it is behind schedule; if behind schedule, the reason for the delays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34540/04]
1033 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the date on which the tenders for a project (details supplied) were agreed; the date on which work started on the project; the reason for delays between these respective dates; the estimated construction period; if this project is on schedule; if it is behind schedule; if behind schedule, the reason for the delays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34541/04]
1039 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the date on which the tenders for a project (details supplied) were agreed; the date on which work started on the project; the reason for delays between these respective dates; the estimated construction period; if this project is on schedule; if it is behind schedule; if behind schedule, the reason for the delays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34547/04]
1040 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the date on which the tenders for a project (details supplied) were agreed; the date on which work started on the project; the reason for delays between these respective dates; the estimated construction period; if this project is on schedule; if it is behind schedule; if behind schedule, the reason for the delays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34548/04]
1058 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the date on which the tenders for a project (details supplied) were agreed; the date on which work started on the project; the reason for delays between these respective dates; the estimated construction period; if this project is on schedule; if it is behind schedule; if behind schedule, the reason for the delays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34566/04]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 920, 986, 988, 990, 992, 994, 1000, 1017, 1021, 1023, 1032, 1033, 1039, 1040 and 1058 together.
As part of the expansion of the devolved schemes initiatives for primary school building works, the schools referred to by the Deputy were allocated a predetermined grant to enable the school management authorities to provide additional accommodation and-or improvements works. The initiatives facilitate the boards of management by allowing them to address their accommodation and building priorities. It also provides a guaranteed amount of funding and gives boards of management control and responsibility for the building project.
As the initiatives are devolved, it is the responsibility of each school management authority to determine the date the project proceeds to tender, the date the tender is accepted, the duration of the contract period and most importantly to manage the post contract control in respect of both costs and provision.
942 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the date on which the tenders for a project (details supplied) were agreed; the date on which work started on the project; the reason for delays between these respective dates; the estimated construction period; if the project is on schedule; if it is behind schedule; if behind schedule, the reason for the delays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34450/04]
944 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the date on which the tenders for a project (details supplied) were agreed; the date on which work started on the project; the reason for delays between these respective dates; the estimated construction period; if this project is on schedule; if it is behind schedule; if behind schedule, the reason for the delays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34452/04]
945 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the date on which the tenders for a project (details supplied) were agreed; the date on which work started on the project; the reason for delays between these respective dates; the estimated construction period; if this project is on schedule; if it is behind schedule; if behind schedule, the reason for the delays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34453/04]
949 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the date on which the tenders for a project (details supplied) were agreed; the date on which work started on the project; the reason for delays between these respective dates; the estimated construction period; if this project is on schedule; if it is behind schedule; if behind schedule, the reason for the delays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34457/04]
955 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the date on which the tenders for a project (details supplied) were agreed; the date on which work started on the project; the reason for delays between these respective dates; the estimated construction period; if this project is on schedule; if it is behind schedule; if behind schedule, the reason for the delays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34463/04]
959 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the date on which the tenders for a project (details supplied) were agreed; the date on which work started on the project; the reason for delays between these respective dates; the estimated construction period; if this project is on schedule; if it is behind schedule; if behind schedule, the reason for the delays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34467/04]
963 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the date on which the tenders for a project (details supplied) were agreed; the date on which work started on the project; the reason for delays between these respective dates; the estimated construction period; if this project is on schedule; if it is behind schedule; if behind schedule, the reason for the delays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34471/04]
964 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the date on which the tenders for a project (details supplied) were agreed; the date on which work started on the project; the reason for delays between these respective dates; the estimated construction period; if this project is on schedule; if it is behind schedule; if behind schedule, the reason for the delays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34472/04]
965 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the date on which the tenders for a project (details supplied) were agreed; the date on which work started on the project; the reason for delays between these respective dates; the estimated construction period; if this project is on schedule; if it is behind schedule; if behind schedule, the reason for the delays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34473/04]
968 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the date on which the tenders for a project (details supplied) were agreed; the date on which work started on the project; the reason for delays between these respective dates; the estimated construction period; if this project is on schedule; if it is behind schedule; if behind schedule, the reason for the delays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34476/04]
969 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the date on which the tenders for a project (details supplied) were agreed; the date on which work started on the project; the reason for delays between these respective dates; the estimated construction period; if this project is on schedule; if it is behind schedule; if behind schedule, the reason for the delays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34477/04]
971 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the date on which the tenders for a project (details supplied) were agreed; the date on which work started on the project; the reason for delays between these respective dates; the estimated construction period; if this project is on schedule; if it is behind schedule; if behind schedule, the reason for the delays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34479/04]
973 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the date on which the tenders for a project (details supplied) were agreed; the date on which work started on the project; the reason for delays between these respective dates; the estimated construction period; if this project is on schedule; if it is behind schedule; if behind schedule, the reason for the delays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34481/04]
978 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the date on which the tenders for a project (details supplied) were agreed; the date on which work started on the project; the reason for delays between these respective dates; the estimated construction period; if this project is on schedule; if it is behind schedule; if behind schedule, the reason for the delays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34486/04]
979 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the date on which the tenders for a project (details supplied) were agreed; the date on which work started on the project; the reason for delays between these respective dates; the estimated construction period; if this project is on schedule; if it is behind schedule; if behind schedule, the reason for the delays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34487/04]
982 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the date on which the tenders for a project (details supplied) were agreed; the date on which work started on the project; the reason for delays between these respective dates; the estimated construction period; if this project is on schedule; if it is behind schedule; if behind schedule, the reason for the delays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34490/04]
987 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the date on which the tenders for a project (details supplied) were agreed; the date on which work started on the project; the reason for delays between these respective dates; the estimated construction period; if this project is on schedule; if it is behind schedule; if behind schedule, the reason for the delays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34495/04]
989 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the date on which the tenders for a project (details supplied) were agreed; the date on which work started on the project; the reason for delays between these respective dates; the estimated construction period; if this project is on schedule; if it is behind schedule; if behind schedule, the reason for the delays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34497/04]
991 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the date on which the tenders for a project (details supplied) were agreed; the date on which work started on the project; the reason for delays between these respective dates; the estimated construction period; if this project is on schedule; if it is behind schedule; if behind schedule, the reason for the delays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34499/04]
993 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the date on which the tenders for a project (details supplied) were agreed; the date on which work started on the project; the reason for delays between these respective dates; the estimated construction period; if this project is on schedule; if it is behind schedule; if behind schedule, the reason for the delays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34501/04]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 942, 944, 945, 949, 955, 959, 963, 964, 965, 968, 969, 971, 973, 978, 979, 982, 987, 989, 991 and 993 together.
Construction on the projects referred to by the Deputy commenced in 2004 and it is envisaged that these projects will be completed in the latter half of 2005. The day-to-day management of projects is a matter for each school and their design teams. The specific information requested by the Deputy on each project is not readily available in my Department in the format requested by him.
980 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the date on which the tenders for a project (details supplied) were agreed; the date on which work started on the project; the reason for delays between these respective dates; the estimated construction period; if this project is on schedule; if it is behind schedule; if behind schedule, the reason for the delays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34488/04]
The authorities of the school in question were offered grant aid under the 2004 devolved permanent accommodation initiative to provide additional permanent classroom accommodation but declined to take part in the scheme.
The level of accommodation required at the school is currently being reassessed by the planning section of my Department. The school authorities will be contacted on the matter in due course.
995 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the date on which the tenders for a project (details supplied) were agreed; the date on which work started on the project; the reason for delays between these respective dates; the estimated construction period; if this project is on schedule; if it is behind schedule; if behind schedule, the reason for the delays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34503/04]
998 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the date on which the tenders for a project (details supplied) were agreed; the date on which work started on the project; the reason for delays between these respective dates; the estimated construction period; if this project is on schedule; if it is behind schedule; if behind schedule, the reason for the delays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34506/04]
999 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the date on which the tenders for a project (details supplied) were agreed; the date on which work started on the project; the reason for delays between these respective dates; the estimated construction period; if this project is on schedule; if it is behind schedule; if behind schedule, the reason for the delays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34507/04]
1001 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the date on which the tenders for a project (details supplied) were agreed; the date on which work started on the project; the reason for delays between these respective dates; the estimated construction period; if this project is on schedule; if it is behind schedule; if behind schedule, the reason for the delays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34509/04]
1002 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the date on which the tenders for a project (details supplied) were agreed; the date on which work started on the project; the reason for delays between these respective dates; the estimated construction period; if this project is on schedule; if it is behind schedule; if behind schedule, the reason for the delays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34510/04]
1004 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the date on which the tenders for a project (details supplied) were agreed; the date on which work started on the project; the reason for delays between these respective dates; the estimated construction period; if this project is on schedule; if it is behind schedule; if behind schedule, the reason for the delays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34512/04]
1009 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the date on which the tenders for a project (details supplied) were agreed; the date on which work started on the project; the reason for delays between these respective dates; the estimated construction period; if this project is on schedule; if it is behind schedule; if behind schedule, the reason for the delays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34517/04]
1010 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the date on which the tenders for a project (details supplied) were agreed; the date on which work started on the project; the reason for delays between these respective dates; the estimated construction period; if this project is on schedule; if it is behind schedule; if behind schedule, the reason for the delays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34518/04]
1011 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the date on which the tenders for a project (details supplied) were agreed; the date on which work started on the project; the reason for delays between these respective dates; the estimated construction period; if this project is on schedule; if it is behind schedule; if behind schedule, the reason for the delays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34519/04]
1012 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the date on which the tenders for a project (details supplied) were agreed; the date on which work started on the project; the reason for delays between these respective dates; the estimated construction period; if this project is on schedule; if it is behind schedule; if behind schedule, the reason for the delays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34520/04]
1013 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the date on which the tenders for a project (details supplied) were agreed; the date on which work started on the project; the reason for delays between these respective dates; the estimated construction period; if this project is on schedule; if it is behind schedule; if behind schedule, the reason for the delays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34521/04]
1014 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the date on which the tenders for a project (details supplied) were agreed; the date on which work started on the project; the reason for delays between these respective dates; the estimated construction period; if this project is on schedule; if it is behind schedule; if behind schedule, the reason for the delays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34522/04]
1018 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the date on which the tenders for a project (details supplied) were agreed; the date on which work started on the project; the reason for delays between these respective dates; the estimated construction period; if this project is on schedule; if it is behind schedule; if behind schedule, the reason for the delays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34526/04]
1019 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the date on which the tenders for a project (details supplied) were agreed; the date on which work started on the project; the reason for delays between these respective dates; the estimated construction period; if this project is on schedule; if it is behind schedule; if behind schedule, the reason for the delays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34527/04]
1020 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the date on which the tenders for a project (details supplied) were agreed; the date on which work started on the project; the reason for delays between these respective dates; the estimated construction period; if this project is on schedule; if it is behind schedule; if behind schedule, the reason for the delays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34528/04]
1026 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the date on which the tenders for a project (details supplied) were agreed; the date on which work started on the project; the reason for delays between these respective dates; the estimated construction period; if this project is on schedule; if it is behind schedule; if behind schedule, the reason for the delays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34534/04]
1027 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the date on which the tenders for a project (details supplied) were agreed; the date on which work started on the project; the reason for delays between these respective dates; the estimated construction period; if this project is on schedule; if it is behind schedule; if behind schedule, the reason for the delays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34535/04]
1028 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the date on which the tenders for a project (details supplied) were agreed; the date on which work started on the project; the reason for delays between these respective dates; the estimated construction period; if this project is on schedule; if it is behind schedule; if behind schedule, the reason for the delays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34536/04]
1029 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the date on which the tenders for a project (details supplied) were agreed; the date on which work started on the project; the reason for delays between these respective dates; the estimated construction period; if this project is on schedule; if it is behind schedule; if behind schedule, the reason for the delays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34537/04]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 995, 998, 999, 1001, 1002, 1004, 1009 to 1014, inclusive, 1018 to 1020, inclusive, and 1026 to 1029, inclusive, together.
Construction is well under way on the projects referred to by the Deputy. It is envisaged that these projects will be completed in the latter half of 2005.
The day-to-day management of projects is a matter for each school and their design teams. The specific information requested by the Deputy in regard to each project is not readily available in my Department in the format requested by him.
1034 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the date on which the tenders for a project (details supplied) were agreed; the date on which work started on the project; the reason for delays between these respective dates; the estimated construction period; if this project is on schedule; if it is behind schedule; if behind schedule, the reason for the delays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34542/04]
1035 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the date on which the tenders for a project (details supplied) were agreed; the date on which work started on the project; the reason for delays between these respective dates; the estimated construction period; if this project is on schedule; if it is behind schedule; if behind schedule, the reason for the delays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34543/04]
1043 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the date on which the tenders for a project (details supplied) were agreed; the date on which work started on the project; the reason for delays between these respective dates; the estimated construction period; if this project is on schedule; if it is behind schedule; if behind schedule, the reason for the delays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34551/04]
1044 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the date on which the tenders for a project (details supplied) were agreed; the date on which work started on the project; the reason for delays between these respective dates; the estimated construction period; if this project is on schedule; if it is behind schedule; if behind schedule, the reason for the delays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34552/04]
1045 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the date on which the tenders for a project (details supplied) were agreed; the date on which work started on the project; the reason for delays between these respective dates; the estimated construction period; if this project is on schedule; if it is behind schedule; if behind schedule, the reason for the delays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34553/04]
1046 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the date on which the tenders for a project (details supplied) were agreed; the date on which work started on the project; the reason for delays between these respective dates; the estimated construction period; if this project is on schedule; if it is behind schedule; if behind schedule, the reason for the delays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34554/04]
1047 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the date on which the tenders for a project (details supplied) were agreed; the date on which work started on the project; the reason for delays between these respective dates; the estimated construction period; if this project is on schedule; if it is behind schedule; if behind schedule, the reason for the delays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34555/04]
1048 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the date on which the tenders for a project (details supplied) were agreed; the date on which work started on the project; the reason for delays between these respective dates; the estimated construction period; if this project is on schedule; if it is behind schedule; if behind schedule, the reason for the delays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34556/04]
1049 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the date on which the tenders for a project (details supplied) were agreed; the date on which work started on the project; the reason for delays between these respective dates; the estimated construction period; if this project is on schedule; if it is behind schedule; if behind schedule, the reason for the delays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34557/04]
1050 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the date on which the tenders for a project (details supplied) were agreed; the date on which work started on the project; the reason for delays between these respective dates; the estimated construction period; if this project is on schedule; if it is behind schedule; if behind schedule, the reason for the delays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34558/04]
1055 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the date on which the tenders for a project (details supplied) were agreed; the date on which work started on the project; the reason for delays between these respective dates; the estimated construction period; if this project is on schedule; if it is behind schedule; if behind schedule, the reason for the delays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34563/04]
1057 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the date on which the tenders for a project (details supplied) were agreed; the date on which work started on the project; the reason for delays between these respective dates; the estimated construction period; if this project is on schedule; if it is behind schedule; if behind schedule, the reason for the delays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34565/04]
1064 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the date on which the tenders for a project (details supplied) were agreed; the date on which work started on the project; the reason for delays between these respective dates; the estimated construction period; if this project is on schedule; if it is behind schedule; if behind schedule, the reason for the delays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34572/04]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 1034, 1035, 1043 to 1050, inclusive, 1055, 1057 and 1064 together.
Construction on the projects referred to by the Deputy commenced in 2004 and it is envisaged that these projects will be completed in the latter half of 2005.
The day-to-day management of projects is a matter for each school and its design team. The specific information requested by the Deputy in regard to each project is not readily available in my Department in the format requested by him.
1053 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the date on which the tenders for a project (details supplied) were agreed; the date on which work started on the project; the reason for delays between these respective dates; the estimated construction period; if this project is on schedule; if it is behind schedule; if behind schedule, the reason for the delays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34561/04]
The school referred to by the Deputy was listed as a refurbishment-extension project for proceeding to tender and construction as part of the 2004 school building programme. Following discussions and correspondence with the Department, the board of management has advised the Department that it will purchase a site for a new school provided the project is changed to a new school. The Department has agreed to facilitate this request being explored provided it can be achieved within the existing budget set for the project.
The Department has made it clear to the board of management that the onus is on it to explore the new school option within an indicative timescale set by the Department. It is envisaged that interaction with the Department will be kept to a minimum. However, in the event of it not proving possible to progress the new school option for reasons such as site acquisition, budget issues etc., the project will revert back to a refurbishment-extension of the existing school. The board of management has accepted this and is currently working on the acquisition of a site following which they have been authorised to engage a design team to commence design work on the school.
1067 Mr. Hogan asked the Minister for Education and Science the names of all primary and post primary schools that are the subject of an application for financial resources to extend, amalgamate or construct a new school for Counties Carlow and Kilkenny; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1043/05]
The information sought by the Deputy is not readily available in my Department. However, if the Deputy has a query about any specific school, I would be happy to provide the information for him.
1068 Mr. Hayes asked the Minister for Education and Science when a full-time resource teacher will be allocated to a school (details supplied) in County Tipperary. [1044/05]
As the Deputy will be aware, the allocation of teaching resources for special needs comprises two elements, a general allocation based on overall pupil numbers in respect of high incidence disability categories and learning support needs and individual specific allocations in respect of specified low incidence disability categories.
Any applications for individual allocations made by this school should, since 1 January 2005, be sent to the special educational needs organiser for the school who will process it in accordance with the relevant criteria.
The school has also been notified of its provisional entitlement under the general allocation system. However, my Department is currently reviewing that system with a view to easing any difficulties that may have been caused for small or rural schools under the original proposals.
The school in question currently has an enrolment of 60 pupils and has the services of one full-time, shared learning support teacher post — not based in the school — and five hours per week resource teacher support. There will be no diminution in the level of these services pending the outcome of the review.
1069 Mr. Hayes asked the Minister for Education and Science when a school (details supplied) in County Tipperary will be relocated to a new site. [1045/05]
My Department has acquired a site for the relocation of the school to which the Deputy refers and the provision of a new school building has been assessed in accordance with the published prioritisation criteria, which were revised following consultation with the education partners. Progress on this project is being considered in the context of the school building programme and the Deputy will be aware that I recently announced the first phase of the 2005 school building programme which provided details of 122 major school building projects country wide which will prepare tenders and move to construction during 2005.
This announcement is the first in a series of announcements I plan to make in the coming period in relation to the schools building and modernisation programme that will include details of schools identified as suitable for construction under public private partnerships; an expansion of the number of schools that will be invited to deliver their building projects on the basis of devolved funding; details of schools with projects approved under the 2005 summer works scheme; schools whose projects will further progress through the design process; and schools that will be authorised to commence architectural planning.
The school in question has also made an application for grant-aid under the temporary accommodation scheme for 2005. Applications under this scheme are currently being assessed in school planning section. Successful applicants will also be announced shortly.
1070 Mr. P. Breen asked the Minister for Education and Science further to Parliamentary Question No. 213 of 24 November 2004, if the application for a person (details supplied) in County Clare has been examined; if so, when the person can attend the autistic unit at a national school in County Clare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1046/05]
I am aware of the case referred to by the Deputy. An application for special needs assistant support for the person in question was received in my Department on 28 October 2004. My officials are liaising with my Department's inspectorate and the National Educational Psychological Service, NEPS, regarding the application. A decision will be conveyed to the school as soon as this process has been completed.
1071 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of places reserved for disadvantaged students at UCD and TCD; and if she will make a statement on the low number of poor students attending third level institutions. [1047/05]
The special rates of maintenance grant for disadvantaged students, usually referred to as top-up grants, were introduced with effect from the 2000-01 academic year. The latest data indicates that more than 11,500 benefited in 2003-04. This is a significant achievement and means that we are well ahead of the target in the report of the action group on access to third level education which proposed that at least 9,000 students should qualify by 2006-07.
In order to qualify for the special rate of maintenance grant a candidate must meet a number of conditions, including the following: He or she must already qualify for one of my Department's ordinary maintenance grants; total reckonable income must not exceed the specified limit for the academic year in question; and on the operative date the income into the household must include one of the specified long-term social welfare payments.
To be eligible under the special rates of maintenance grants scheme for the 2004-05 academic year, the total reckonable income limit, which is based on the 2003 tax year, must not exceed €14,693 net of standard exclusions, as set out in the maintenance grants scheme 2004 and, where applicable, net of child dependant allowance. Figures provided by third level institutions on an entry scheme to six of the universities and the Dublin Institute of Technology from designated disadvantaged schools indicate that access programmes being funded by the Department of Education and Science and the Higher Education Authority are having a positive impact on higher education entry by students from those schools. Numbers of entrants to the seven institutions participating in this scheme have more than doubled from 300 in 2001 to 700 in the current academic year, 2004-05, with in the region of 117 of those entering UCD and 86 entering TCD. It should be noted that these figures do not include many other students from linked schools, further education colleges and communities entering both these and all other third level institutions through the CAO.
The HEA is undertaking a full national survey of participation in higher education. This survey will provide up to date information on the trends of participation by students from the various socio-economic groups and provide a backdrop to the review of the effectiveness and efficiency of the existing funding programmes for access which I have asked the national office to undertake.
The Deputy will be aware that on 6 December last the national office for equity of access to higher education of the HEA published an action plan 2005-07, the objective of which is to progress a number of important goals over the next three years towards ensuring the continued and increased participation of students from all under-represented groups, including those from disadvantaged areas. Priority areas for action identified by the plan include the development of a national framework of equity of access policies and initiatives towards the linking of all disadvantaged regions, schools and communities, with at least one higher education institution, in tandem with improved systems for the ongoing monitoring of progress in achieving equity of access to higher education. The plan was drawn up by the national office with the assistance of an advisory group and in consultation with a range of education and social partners.
1072 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for Education and Science when physical education facilities will be provided at a school (details supplied) in County Dublin; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1048/05]
An extension project, including the provision of a PE hall, at the school to which the Deputy refers has been included on the recently announced list of projects to proceed to tender and construction in the next 12 to 15 months.
My Department's building unit has arranged a general information meeting in order to guide schools that are on this list through the process involved in moving projects to tender and construction. The meeting will take place on 31 January 2005 and the school referred to by the Deputy has been invited to attend.
1073 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science if a school (details supplied) in Dublin 3 will be given the maximum support in 2005 in relation to staffing and resources. [1049/05]
Teacher allocations to second level schools are approved annually by my Department in accordance with established rules based on recognised pupil enrolment. Each school management authority is required to organise its time-table and subject options having regard to pupils needs within the limit of its approved teacher allocation. Apart from meeting the requirements in respect of the provision of the core subjects, the curriculum offered in individual second level schools is a matter for the authorities of the school concerned, having regard to its approved teacher allocation.
The rules for allocating teaching resources provide that where a school management authority is unable to meet its curricular commitments, my Department will consider applications for additional short-term support, namely curricular concessions. An independent appeals mechanism is available to school authorities who wish to appeal the adequacy of their teacher allocation.
The funding arrangements for voluntary secondary schools, including the school referred to by the Deputy, are structured mainly on the basis of capitation grants with additional grants for secretarial and caretaking services. There have been significant improvements in the level of funding for voluntary secondary schools. I was particularly pleased to announce an aggregate increase of €26 per pupil from 1 January 2005 in the standard per capita grant and support services grant for voluntary secondary schools.
For a secondary school with 500 pupils, this amounts to additional funding since 1997 of up to €119,000 per annum and annual grants of €255,761 — or €275,000 in the case of disadvantaged schools — towards general expenses and support services. Schools are afforded considerable flexibility in the use of resources to cater for the needs of their pupils. These significant increases in the funding of secondary schools are a clear demonstration of my commitment to prioritise available resources to address the needs of schools.
1074 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Education and Science the reason for the delay in providing a national school place for a person (details supplied) when the NEP service is available; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1050/05]
The correspondence referred to concerns an application from parents in November 2004, to enrol their child in a mainstream national school. I understand that a response to this application is awaited. I wish to inform the Deputy that the enrolment of a pupil in a national school is a matter for the school's board of management.
I further understand that the National Educational Psychological Service, NEPS, carried out a full educational assessment of this child recently. A copy of the assessment, which includes advice on the most appropriate educational provision was made available to the parents. It is a matter for the parents to consider the contents of the assessment report. NEPS will continue to offer support in this case. The National Educational Welfare Board is also liaising with the family.
1075 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Education and Science the reason the special needs assistance hours for a person (details supplied) in County Mayo are being reduced; and if this help can be restored. [1131/05]
I can confirm that my Department received an application from the school to increase the level of special needs assistant, SNA, support from part-time to full-time for the pupil concerned as he has progressed to first class and will be in attendance for the full school day. Based on the information submitted by the school, my Department's professionals concluded that the appropriate level of SNA support warranted by the pupil was a lesser allocation than that originally sanctioned.
As the Deputy will be aware, special needs assistants may be approved to support pupils who have a significant medical need for such assistance, a significant impairment of physical or sensory function or where their behaviour is such that they are a danger to themselves or other pupils. The criteria used for the assessment of the need for such support is outlined in my Department's circular 07/02.
A review of SNA provision in primary schools commenced in September 2004 and is continuing. The review is concerned with the level and deployment of SNA posts in mainstream classes. The intention is to ensure that the level of approved SNA support in schools and the manner in which that support is being allocated, are such as to ensure that the special care needs of pupils are being appropriately met. The school in question will be visited shortly as part of this review. My officials have been in contact with the school and have explained that the pupil concerned may retain the existing level of SNA support until the above review has been completed.
1076 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Education and Science the reason for the refusal of a special needs assistant to a person (details supplied) in County Mayo. [1132/05]
I can confirm that my Department has considered an application for a special needs assistant, SNA, for the pupil in question. As outlined in my Department's circulars, special needs assistant, SNA, support may be approved for a pupil who has a significant medical need for such assistance, a significant impairment of physical or sensory function or where his or her behaviour is such that he or she is a danger to himself or herself or other pupils. Taking the above criteria into consideration and based on the information that was submitted to my Department, the pupil referred to by the Deputy did not qualify for SNA support.
1077 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Education and Science the reason the qualifications of a person (details supplied) in County Mayo were deemed sufficient, then insufficient, due to a technicality; her views on whether not giving this person an increment for a full year teaching is undermining the profession; the way in which this person can check the authenticity of the payments received in view of the fact that her Department could not provide a breakdown of the amount owed for January 2002 to May 2003; the reason there was no reference to increment entitlement under the aforementioned agreement; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1133/05]
In accordance with standard practice, a person appointed to a publicly advertised teaching post in a community school and who does not meet the qualification requirements for that post is paid at the unqualified rate. My Department agreed with teacher union representatives a change to the standard of qualification required for appointment to special needs teaching posts. These arrangements are set out in circular letter PPT 06/04 and came into effect from 1 September 2003. They provide for preference to be given in the selection process to recognised teachers who hold a relevant postgraduate qualification in the area of special needs education. They also provide that, with effect from 1 September 2003, a recognised teacher lacking only such a specialist qualification may be appointed at the qualified rate of pay to a special needs post provided no other more suitably qualified candidate is available and that the teacher is suitable in all other respects.
The person concerned has been dealt with in accordance with the terms of that agreement which is of general application to all teachers. This agreement does not extend to service prior to 1 September 2003. The person concerned has been paid at the appropriate rate of incremental salary since 1 September 2003 in accordance with the terms of circular letter PPT 06/04 and the agreed scheme for the award of incremental credit as set out in circular letter PPT 09/02. The remuneration of the person concerned has been issued through my Department's payroll service since September 2002. I am arranging for a breakdown of the moneys issued by my Department to be forwarded to the person concerned as soon as possible.
1078 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Education and Science her views on whether it is fair that a certain minority of teachers received nothing for supervision work carried out between September 2001 and March 2003 for part-time and substitute teachers. [1134/05]
An agreement was reached between the managerial authorities of second level schools, my Department and the teachers' unions for the provision of funding for supervision and substitution duties in post-primary schools in 2002 and a circular to this effect was issued in July 2002. Permanent, temporary wholetime and eligible part-time teachers who served in a voluntary secondary or community/comprehensive school during the 2001-02 school year were eligible to claim payment for that school year and the agreed scheme for payment of supervision and substitution duties was implemented in full in the 2002-03 school year and has been in operation since then. Under the agreed scheme, schools are given an allocation of hours for substitution and supervision each year, based on the number of whole time equivalent teachers in the school. Where teachers do not take up the total hours allocated for supervision/substitution, a grant for the balance of hours is issued to the management authority. The school management may offer the balance of hours available to substitute and/or part-time staff, and pay them out of this grant.
1079 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Minister for Education and Science the ways in which a person (details supplied) in Dublin 12 can be assisted by the State or State agencies to further their education under certain circumstances; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1135/05]
Under the free fees initiative, my Department meets the tuition fees of eligible students who are attending full-time undergraduate courses, which must be of at least two years duration, at approved colleges. Eligible students are those who are first time undergraduates, who hold EU nationality or official refugee status or have been ordinarily resident in an EU member state for at least three of the five years preceding their entry to an approved course.
My Department funds three means-tested maintenance grant schemes for third level education students in respect of attendance on approved courses in approved third level institutions and one grant scheme in respect of post leaving certificate courses. These include the higher education grants scheme; the vocational education committees' scholarship scheme; the third level maintenance grants scheme for trainees; maintenance grants scheme for students attending post leaving certificate courses. The statutory framework for the higher education grants schemes is set out in the Local Authorities (Higher Education Grants) Acts, 1968 to 1992. It is the local authorities which, on behalf of my Department, administer this scheme. The vocational education committees' scholarship scheme, the third level maintenance grants scheme for trainees and the scheme for post leaving certificate students are administered, on behalf of my Department, by the vocational education committees.
All four schemes have similar provisions which govern the award of a grant. Students who are entering approved courses for the first time are eligible for grants where they satisfy the relevant conditions as to age, residence, means, nationality and previous academic attainment. An application for a grant must be made to the relevant local authority or vocational education committee. Decisions on applications are taken by these bodies based on the terms of the schemes which issue from my Department.
The national development plan, with assistance from the European social fund, provides for a third level access fund aimed at tackling under-representation by disadvantaged students in third-level education. The third level access fund includes initiatives such as the special rates of maintenance grant; the European social fund aided fund for students with disabilities; the European social fund aided student assistance fund; the European social fund aided partnership fund. Eligibility to the special rates of maintenance grant is determined by reference to an income threshold and receipt of an approved long-term social welfare payment. To be eligible, applicants must first qualify for the ordinary maintenance grant. The fund for students with disabilities aims to assist students with disabilities in third level institutions and post leaving certificate colleges to participate in further and higher education. The purpose of the fund is to provide students with serious physical and/or sensory disabilities with grant assistance towards the cost of special equipment, special materials and technological aids, targeted transport services, personal assistants and sign language interpreters. The fund operates on a discretionary basis. Applications for funding should be made by the disability/access officer in the institution, or by the principal in a post leaving certificate college. Students should discuss their particular disability, and equipment or services required, with their institution or post leaving certificate college.
In publicly funded third level institutions there is a student assistance fund. The objective of the fund is to assist students in a sensitive and compassionate manner who might otherwise, because of financial reasons, suffer severe hardship or be unable to continue their third level studies. Applications for funding should be made by the individual student to the access officer in their institution. The fund is administered on a confidential, discretionary basis.
The final initiative under the third level access fund is the millennium partnership fund for disadvantage. The objective of this fund is to support students from disadvantaged areas with regard to retention and participation in further or higher education courses. Partnership companies and community groups manage the fund locally. Area Development Management manages the fund for the Department of Education and Science. Under the fund, eligible actions may include, although will be dependent on the individual partnership or community group financial supports to meet student participation costs; provision of information, such as guidance and mentoring; study supports including tuition, study skills.
From correspondence supplied, the candidate referred to by the Deputy was unsuccessful in his application to his local partnership company for assistance under the millennium partnership fund to his local partnership company. Decisions on eligibility for assistance under the fund are taken at a local level by the community groups and partnership companies administering the fund, based on the allocation that they have available to them in any given year, and the criteria governing the fund. My Department has no involvement with the local application/decision making process.
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 member states. The maximum level of qualifying fee for tax relief purposes in the current academic year 2004-05 is €3,175. The maximum level on such qualifying fees will be increased from €3,175 to €5,000 per year for the academic year 2005-06. Further details and application forms to claim tax relief on tuition fees are available from the Revenue Commissioners.
1080 Mr. O’Connor asked the Minister for Education and Science the contacts made with a school (details supplied) in Dublin 24 in respect of her announcements in January 2005 regarding the primary schools tendering and construction list; the works at the school which will be sanctioned in that regard; the information now required to be provided by the school to allow the works to proceed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1136/05]
1082 Mr. O’Connor asked the Minister for Education and Science the contacts made with schools (details supplied) in respect of her announcements in January 2005 regarding the primary schools tendering and construction list; the works at the schools which will be sanctioned in that regard; the information now required to be provided by the schools to allow the works to proceed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1138/05]
1083 Mr. O’Connor asked the Minister for Education and Science the contacts made with a school (details supplied) in Dublin 24 in respect of her announcements in January 2005 regarding the primary schools tendering and construction list; the works at the school which will be sanctioned in that regard; the information now required to be provided by the school to allow the work to proceed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1139/05]
1084 Mr. O’Connor asked the Minister for Education and Science the contacts made with a school (details supplied) in Dublin 24 in respect of her announcements in January 2005 regarding the primary schools tendering and construction list; the works at the school which will be sanctioned in that regard; the information now required to be provided by the school to allow the works to proceed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1140/05]
1085 Mr. O’Connor asked the Minister for Education and Science the contacts made with a school (details supplied) in Dublin 24 in respect of her announcements in January 2005 regarding the primary schools tendering and construction list; the works at the school which will be sanctioned in that regard; the information now required to be provided by the school to allow the works to proceed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1141/05]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 1080 and 1082 to 1085, inclusive, together.
The projects are listed for proceeding to tender and construction over the next 12 to 15 months. My Department's building unit has arranged a general information meeting for all such schools to guide them through the process involved in moving projects to tender and construction. The meeting will take place on 1 February in Tullamore and the schools have been invited to attend.
1081 Mr. O’Connor asked the Minister for Education and Science her plans to fund the major development plans in respect of the Institute of Technology, Tallaght; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1137/05]
In November 2004, I announced the end to the freeze on third level capital funding following the report of the review group on the prioritisation of all capital projects in the third level sector, the Kelly report, when I gave immediate approval for key projects in the sector. The projects selected were identified as being of a high national priority and include a number of new facilities to support the provision of additional health skills places and the expansion of teacher training places. I also announced the re-introduction of a devolved grant scheme for minor capital works in the institutes of technology sector. The Institute of Technology, Tallaght received funding under this scheme.
These announcements are the first steps in the process of addressing the infrastructural deficit in the third level sector. There are many further higher education projects recommended for funding in the Kelly report, including the projects at the Tallaght institute. I will be shortly considering how best to advance a number of these projects in the context of the capital envelope of funding available to me.
1086 Mr. P. Breen asked the Minister for Education and Science if two full time special needs assistants will be sanctioned for a primary school in County Clare (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1142/05]
My Department has received an application for special needs assistant support for the pupil in question. A decision on the application will be conveyed to the school authorities as soon as possible.
1087 Ms McManus asked the Minister for Education and Science the position with regard to necessary renovations to Marine House and sanction of this accommodation until 2008 for a school (details supplied) in County Wicklow; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1143/05]
An application has been received from the school towards the cost of renting and renovating the premises which it occupies. This application is under consideration in the school planning section of my Department. A decision will be taken in the matter as quickly as possible.
1088 Mr. O’Connor asked the Minister for Education and Science her views on the accessing college education project (details supplied) in Tallaght West, Dublin 24; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1144/05]
I am familiar with the project and attended the project's annual awards ceremony on 15 December last. The accessing college education programme since its foundation in 1998 as a pilot project, has demonstrated that, by working closely together, schools, students, their families and third level colleges can build confidence in young people to fulfil their true potential. The programme has proved to be of great benefit to participants from St. Aidan's Community School, Jobstown Community College and Killinarden Community School.
The programme receives funding from my Department, with over €250,000 being provided since 1998. In 2004 my Department provided a grant of €80,800 to the programme to encourage more young people to take the next step towards staying in education. It is imperative that locally-based innovations like the accessing college education programme are encouraged and promoted. I am delighted that my Department has been able to support the project through the provision of grants over the last number of years. More importantly, I am determined that wider national policy initiatives for improving access to higher education will support and complement the efforts of projects like the accessing college education programme in the future.
1089 Mr. P. Power asked the Minister for Education and Science the pupil-teacher ratio across the primary school sector; the trends in pupil-teacher ratio and class sizes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1158/05]
Significant improvements have been made in the pupil-teacher ratio at primary level in recent years. The ratio has fallen from 22.2:1 in the 1996-97 school year to 17.44:1 in the 2003-04 school year. Figures for the current school year are not yet available. In line with Government policy, my Department will continue to provide further reductions in the pupil-teacher ratio within available resources and subject to spending priorities within the education sector. Priority will be given to pupils with special needs and those from disadvantaged areas and junior classes.
1090 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Minister for Education and Science the reason, contrary to expectations, that psychiatric hospitals such as St. Ita’s, Portrane and St. Luke’s, Clonmel were not included in the list of additional institutions to fall within the remit of the Residential Institutions Redress Board under the Residential Institutions Redress Act 2002 (Additional Institutions) Order 2004; if she proposes to include such institutions at some future date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1181/05]
Section 4 of the Residential Institutions Redress Act 2002 provides a mechanism whereby additional institutions may be considered for inclusion in the Schedule to the Act. Since the enactment of the legislation my Department has received correspondence from both individuals and survivor groups identifying a number of additional institutions that may be eligible for inclusion. Consultations have taken place between my Department and other Departments which may have provided a regulatory function in the operation of these facilities in order to ascertain the case for their inclusion under the Act.
As a result of those consultations and following consideration of the matter, I signed an order on 9 November 2004 which provided for the inclusion of 13 additional institutions to the Schedule. Further consultations are taking place concerning other institutions, including St. Ita's, Portrane and St. Luke's, Clonmel, and I will consider the position of these institutions when this process has been completed.
1091 Ms McManus asked the Minister for Education and Science when the plan to amalgamate two schools (details supplied) in County Wicklow will receive sanction to proceed; if land will be provided for this purpose in view of any proposal to site another school on this site; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1182/05]
My Department welcomes the proposal from the boards of management of the schools in question to amalgamate. To progress the matter, a technical examination of the existing school buildings was carried out to ascertain if either would be suitable to act as a host for the newly emerging school. Unfortunately, neither was deemed suitable and my Department now intends to proceed by way of acquisition of a greenfield site. As soon as a suitable site is acquired, delivery of the building will be considered in the context of the school building programme.
In addition, my Department recently assessed the broader long-term needs at primary and post-primary level in the area in question. It is now planning for the provision of suitable cost-effective solutions to meet the needs identified.
1092 Mr. McGuinness asked the Minister for Education and Science the reason an application for a new school (details supplied) made in 1985 has not been progressed; if the submission made by the school dated 9 December 2004 has been considered; if so, the progress it has made; if she will expedite the plans for this school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1207/05]
The project at the school has been assessed in accordance with the published prioritisation criteria, which were revised following consultation with the education partners. The assessment made by the school in December last was taken into consideration in this procedure. The project will be considered under the 2005 school building programme.
I recently announced the first phase of the 2005 school building programme which provided details of 122 major school building projects country wide which will prepare tenders and move to construction during 2005. This announcement is the first in a series I plan to make in the coming period on the schools building and modernisation programme that will include details of schools identified as suitable for construction under public private partnerships; an expansion of the number of schools that will be invited to deliver their building projects on the basis of devolved funding; details of schools with projects approved under the 2005 summer works scheme; schools whose projects will further progress through the design process; schools that will be authorised to commence architectural planning.
1093 Mr. O’Connor asked the Minister for Education and Science if her Department will fund required works at a school (details supplied) in Dublin 24; if her attention has been drawn to the needs of the school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1208/05]
The school submitted an application for grant aid under the summer works scheme 2005 for alteration works to the school entrance, secretary's office and general purpose hall. All summer works scheme applications are being assessed in the school planning section of my Department. I intend to publish the list of successful applicants shortly.
1094 Mr. O’Connor asked the Minister for Education and Science if her Department will deal with the application from a school (details supplied) in Dublin 24 in respect of security works to protect the school from vandalism; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1209/05]
The school submitted an application for grant aid under the summer works scheme 2005 for security works to the school building. All summer works scheme applications are being assessed in the school planning section of my Department. I intend to publish the list of successful applicants shortly.
1095 Mr. Gogarty asked the Minister for Education and Science the studies that have been carried out into the applied behaviour analysis method of teaching autistic children; if any pilot schemes are in place; if so, when they began; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1216/05]
My Department has not conducted any specific studies into the applied behaviour analysis method of teaching children with autism. However, my inspectorate has conducted an evaluation of provision for pupils with autism, using a sample of schools across various settings. Centres supported by my Department and using an applied behaviour analysis approach, but generally not exclusively so, were among the settings evaluated. Provision for children with autism was the focus of the evaluation rather than any particular approach. Individual reports were furnished to each centre and school evaluated. A composite report on the overall evaluation is being prepared at present and will be available later this year.
My Department has acknowledged the demand by parents of autistic children for educational provision with an applied behaviour analysis component. To this end, my Department is funding six applied behaviour analysis pilot schemes that have been subject to evaluation under the current review of education provision for children on the autistic spectrum. These units were established on a pilot basis as they were set up outside of the normal mainstream educational structures and continue to operate on that basis. In addition to the review referred to above, and as the structures that have been put in place to support the applied behaviour analysis units have only been developed in recent years, the Department is exploring how the resourcing of this type of provision can be put on a more systematic basis. As this process is ongoing, the Department will continue to support the units in question so that provision is available for the children involved.
1096 Mr. Neville asked the Minister for Education and Science the position regarding construction of a school (details supplied) in County Limerick. [1217/05]
Construction work is under way on the new school and it is envisaged that it will be completed in the latter half of 2005.
1097 Mr. Kehoe asked the Minister for Education and Science if new guidelines have been introduced for UK qualified primary school teachers regarding religious education training; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1218/05]
I am not aware of any proposal being developed within my Department to introduce guidelines for UK qualified primary school teachers in regard to religious education training. The position regarding religious education in primary schools is governed by paragraphs 68 and 69 in the rules and regulations for primary schools. A deed of variation was agreed between the education partners in 1997 covering religious education in all primary schools. In addition, as provided by the 1998 Education Act, my Department recognises the rights of the different church authorities to design curricula in religious education at primary level as well as supervising their teaching and implementation. Consequently, although religious education is part of the curriculum for primary schools and schools are obliged to allocate 30 minutes per day for religious instruction, the content of the religion programme is determined by the patron of a particular school.
The position regarding suitable and appropriate qualification in religious education is generally a matter for the various religious denominations. In Roman Catholic primary schools there are English-trained teachers working in primary schools who have an appropriate qualification in religious education. For those UK qualified teachers who require a qualification in religious education, an on-line training course, leading to the award of a Catholic certificate in religious education is available in Northern Ireland and England. One college of education in the State is exploring the development of an appropriate accredited programme in this area and this would be open to UK qualified teachers.
School management authorities in other Christian primary schools do not require a qualification in religious education. Most of these schools follow a religious education programme titled, Follow Me. This programme has an in-service component to assist teachers in the teaching of religion and it is available to Church of Ireland, Methodist, and Presbyterian schools. Teaching materials are available for these primary schools and in-service is given to all teachers, including UK qualified teachers. No further training is planned in this area.
The Muslim, Jewish and Educate Together schools have their own arrangements in place with regard to qualification and training requirements for the teaching of religion in their schools.
1098 Mr. Kehoe asked the Minister for Education and Science the reason for the delay in processing the provisional recognition for a primary school teacher qualified in the UK (details supplied); the person who is dealing with the case; when the provisional recognition will be granted; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1219/05]
The application for provisional recognition referred to by the Deputy was submitted to my Department in November, 2004 and received consideration within the primary administration section and the inspectorate. The documentation required of applicants, as outlined in circular 25/00, includes a request for detailed information on course content, normally provided by the teacher education institution concerned. The applicant, who was awarded qualified teacher status in July, 2004 following completion of an employment-based graduate training programme, did not provide sufficient details of course content. As a result, further information has been requested. On receipt of this information, the application will receive further consideration.
1099 Ms O. Mitchell asked the Minister for Education and Science if she will take action to resolve the tragic situation surrounding the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 16. [1231/05]
These matters are the subject of proceedings brought by the person concerned before the Employment Appeals Tribunal in which the school authority and my Department have been named. They are being dealt with through the legal representatives engaged by both sides. The hearing into his claim is continuing and it would be inappropriate for me to comment further on the matters before the tribunal.
1100 Dr. Cowley asked the Minister for Education and Science the reason a person (details supplied) in County Mayo cannot obtain grant assistance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1232/05]
Under the terms of the third level student support schemes — clause 7.6 of the higher education grants scheme — maintenance grants are not payable to candidates who already hold an undergraduate degree and are pursuing a second undergraduate degree. Similarly tuition fees are not payable in respect of a second period of college attendance at the same level. As the student referred to by the Deputy already holds a Bachelor of Religious Science degree, she is ineligible for a higher education grant or to benefit under the free fees initiative in respect of her nursing studies. As the rules governing the schemes are of general application, exceptions cannot be made in individual instances.
Tax relief, however, is available in respect of undergraduate fees paid in publicly funded colleges here and in other EU member states, as well as in private colleges in the State. This relief applies at the standard rate of tax and is available to full-time and part-time postgraduate students. Further details and conditions of this tax relief are available from local tax offices.
1102 Ms O’Sullivan asked the Minister for Education and Science if she will take action to an e-mail she received from persons (details supplied) in County Galway; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1248/05]
The decision on eligibility for third level grants is a matter for the relevant local authority or vocational education committee who administer the terms of the various student maintenance grant schemes under the aegis of my Department. 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.
My Department understands from officials at County Galway vocational education committee, the body responsible for assessing the application in this instance, that they had been in communication with the candidate's mother with regard to the documents required to accompany the official grant application. A letter has issued to the candidate confirming his eligibility to the maintenance grant under the provisions of the vocational education committee scholarship scheme.
1103 Ms O’Sullivan asked the Minister for Education and Science if she will provide in tabular form on a county basis, the number of children for whom a completed application form for learning support awaits a decision in her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1249/05]
Learning support is not allocated on the basis of applications in respect of individual pupils. Accordingly the information sought by the Deputy is not available. In general, schools are advised to consult the learning support guidelines which have issued from my Department. The Deputy will be aware of the new system for resource teacher allocation which involves a general allocation for all primary schools to cater for pupils with higher incidence special educational needs, such as borderline mild and mild general learning disability and specific learning disability. This system also applies to those with learning support needs such as functioning at or below the tenth percentile on a standardised test of reading and mathematics.
1104 Ms O’Sullivan asked the Minister for Education and Science if she will provide in tabular form the number of children on a county basis, who are waiting for assessment by the national educational psychological service psychologists; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1250/05]
Provision of individual psychological assessments is part of the work of the educational psychologists in the national educational psychological service. The psychologists do not keep waiting lists of children requiring assessment in the sense of lists of names that are dealt with in chronological order. School authorities refer children for assessment and discuss the relative urgency of each case during the psychologist's visits. This allows the psychologists to give early attention to urgent cases and such children will be seen or referred on in a matter of weeks, if not days. In order to respond to non-urgent needs and to add value to the psychological service, the national educational psychological service is pursuing a policy of enhancing the skills of teachers in the areas of group and individual testing, programme development and behavioural management. This means that many children's needs can be speedily met without the necessity for individual psychological assessment, although the psychologists are available as consultants to teachers and parents, therefore helping the children in an indirect way. This helps to reduce waiting times for individual assessment.
The national educational psychological service is being developed on a phased basis over a number of years and has not yet reached its full staffing complement. Pending expansion of its service to all schools, my Department has allocated funding to the national educational psychological service to allow for the commissioning of psychological assessments from private practitioners. The national educational psychological service has issued details of how to avail of the scheme for commissioning psychological assessments to all schools and these also appear on my Department's website.
The national educational psychological service is conducting a review of the operation of the scheme. According to the figures available for the school year 2003-2004, 1,237 schools availed of the scheme. Of these, approximately 600 did not use their full entitlement of two assessments per 100 pupils. In addition, close to 400 schools that are eligible to avail of the scheme have never used it. This seems to indicate that the demand for assessments is being met. The review of the scheme will examine ways in which it may be used more flexibly to respond to any unmet needs for assessment.
1105 Ms O’Sullivan asked the Minister for Education and Science if her Department has received a business plan from the Union of Secondary Students; when the plan will be considered; when, in the context of the plan and the request of the union for core funding, a decision will be made on providing funding for the running of the union; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1251/05]
My Department has received a business plan from the Union of Secondary Students. This is being considered in the context of a request from the Union of Secondary Students for my Department to fund its operation. A response will be issued to the union in due course.
1106 Mr. McGuinness asked the Minister for Education and Science if a copy of the report drawn up by her officials regarding a vocational school (details supplied) in Kilkenny is available; the actions she intends to take arising from the report; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1252/05]
A whole school evaluation was conducted by my Department's inspectorate on Kilkenny city vocational school during the last school term. Following an oral presentation of the findings to the chief executive officer of the vocational education committee, boards of management in the school and the staff a written report was sent to the chief executive, the boards of management of the school and the principal towards the end of December 2004. Following allegations that payments were made to students for attendance at the school, I requested County Kilkenny vocational education committee to conduct an investigation into that matter.
The chief executive officer of County Waterford vocational education committee undertook that investigation on behalf of County Kilkenny vocational education committee. That report has been provided to the vocational education committee and I am informed that it has established a sub-committee to consider all aspects of the reports and to advance the matter. My Department has received the report from County Kilkenny vocational education committee and is studying the recommendations of both reports with a view to taking actions as appropriate.
1107 Mr. McGuinness asked the Minister for Education and Science the progress for an application made for a special needs assistant and a teacher for a school (details supplied) in County Kilkenny; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1253/05]
My Department has approved an additional teaching post and three special needs assistant posts at the school concerned to support the additional pupil intake. The school authorities were notified on 10 January 2005.
1108 Ms O. Mitchell asked the Minister for Education and Science the status of the application for a capital grant for additional classrooms for a school (details supplied) in Dublin 16 which was submitted in January 2002. [1254/05]
The school planning section of my Department does not have an active application for additional classrooms from the school to which the Deputy refers. However, it is understood that an extension comprising classrooms was recently built at the school which is a private, fee-paying facility.
1109 Ms O. Mitchell asked the Minister for Education and Science when the long promised and urgently required sports hall for a school (details supplied) in Dundrum will be provided. [1255/05]
The provision of a PE hall at the school to which the Deputy refers has been assessed in accordance with the published prioritisation criteria, which were revised following consultation with the education partners. Progress on this project is being considered in the context of the school building programme.
The first phase of the 2005 school building programme was recently announced, providing details of 122 major school building projects which will prepare tenders and move to construction during 2005. This announcement is the first in a series I plan to make in the coming period on the schools building and modernisation programme that will include details of schools identified as suitable for construction under public private partnerships; an expansion of the number of schools that will be invited to deliver their building projects on the basis of devolved funding; details of schools with projects approved under the 2005 summer works scheme; schools whose projects will further progress through the design process; schools that will be authorised to commence architectural planning.
1110 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Education and Science the action she is taking to upgrade and equip post-primary science laboratories; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1293/05]
Capital funding is provided from the annual second level capital allocation for the refurbishment of science laboratories undertaken as part of an overall refurbishment programme of a second level school, for the upgrading of science facilities exclusively or by provision of new facilities in the case of new or extended schools. I have also provided for class materials, basic general equipment and chemicals for practical work for the sciences. My Department spent in excess of €13 million in 2004 to facilitate the introduction of a revised junior science syllabus. Schools received a basic grant of €3500 per science laboratory to enable them to provide the new curriculum. Additional funding was made available to schools where other specified equipment was required. In addition, certain schools identified as needing new or refurbished science laboratories as a result of a 1998 national survey received funding.
Schools may apply under the summer works scheme for funding to refurbish science laboratories. Four schools received funding for this purpose under the scheme in 2004.
1111 Mr. N. O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Education and Science the names of the members of the board of management of a school (details supplied) in County Cork. [1302/05]
The information requested by the Deputy is not available in my Department. My Department maintains a record of the names of trustees or owners of all second level schools. However, information concerning the members of boards of management of second level schools is not kept.
1112 Mr. Kehoe asked the Minister for Education and Science the status of the appeal against the decision to refuse resource hours for a person (details supplied) in County Wexford; when a decision will be made available; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1303/05]
An application for four hours resource teaching support was received by my Department for the pupil referred to by the Deputy. As the National Council for Special Education has taken over responsibility for such matters with effect from 1 January 2005, the application has been referred to the council. My officials have been informed by the council that the matter has been referred to the local special education needs organiser who will make direct contact with the school authorities regarding the matter.
1113 Mr. O’Shea asked the Minister for Education and Science if an application by a school in County Waterford for a special needs assistant for a person (details supplied) will be expedited; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1330/05]
An application has been received for special needs assistant support for the pupil concerned and is with the national council for special education. The matter has been referred to the local special educational needs organiser who will make contact with the school authorities regarding the matter.
1114 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for Education and Science if she will authorise the board of management of a school (details supplied) in County Kerry to extend and refurbish the school itself under the pilot scheme introduced in 2003; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1337/05]
The extension and refurbishment project at the school to which the Deputy refers has been assessed in accordance with the published prioritisation criteria, which was revised following consultation with the education partners and is considered suitable for consideration for funding under one of the devolved initiatives.
I recently announced the first phase of the 2005 school building programme which provided details of 122 major school building projects which will prepare tenders and move to construction during 2005. This announcement is the first in a series I plan to make in the coming period on the schools building and modernisation programme that will include details of schools identified as suitable for construction under public private partnerships; an expansion of the number of schools that will be invited to deliver their building projects on the basis of devolved funding; details of schools with projects approved under the 2005 summer works scheme; schools whose projects will further progress through the design process; schools that will be authorised to commence architectural planning.
1115 Mr. Connaughton asked the Minister for Education and Science the reason approval has not been given to the building of a new school as a result of the amalgamation of schools (details supplied) in County Galway; if her attention has been drawn to the fact that negotiations have been ongoing for eight years and that there is a severe structural defect concerning the roof in one of the schools; the plans she has to progress the amalgamation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1338/05]
The provision of accommodation for the amalgamated school in County Galway referred to has been assessed in accordance with the published prioritisation criteria, which was revised following consultation with the education partners. Progress on this project is being considered in the context of the schools building programme.
I recently announced the first phase of the 2005 school building programme which provided details of 122 major school building projects which will prepare tenders and move to construction during 2005.This announcement is the first in a series I plan to make in the coming period on the schools building and modernisation programme that will include details of schools identified as suitable for construction under public private partnerships; an expansion of the number of schools that will be invited to deliver their building projects on the basis of devolved funding; details of schools with projects approved under the 2005 summer works scheme; schools whose projects will further progress through the design process; schools that will be authorised to commence architectural planning.
1116 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Education and Science the mechanisms she intends to put in place for disenfranchised teachers to approach boards of management for moneys owed to them for unpaid supervision and substitution in view of the fact that she will not make a token allocation available to substitute teachers left out of the initial agreement and has not included such hours’ service under the part-time work legislation of 2001 (details supplied). [1339/05]
Prior to the introduction of the supervision and substitution scheme in 2002, supervision was carried out on a voluntary basis in schools under local arrangements between the school authorities and the teachers. An agreement was reached between the managerial authorities of second level schools, my Department and the teachers' unions for the provision of funding for supervision and substitution duties in post-primary schools in 2002 and a circular to this effect was issued in July 2002. The agreed scheme for payment of supervision and substitution duties was implemented in full in the 2002-03 school year and has been in operation since then.
Under the terms of the agreement, permanent, temporary wholetime and eligible part-time teachers who served in a voluntary secondary or community/comprehensive school during the 2001-02 school year were eligible to claim payment for that school year. There is no provision for payment for supervision duties performed on a voluntary basis to staff in any other category of employment in second level schools during the 2001-02 school year.
1117 Mr. Gregory asked the Minister for Education and Science if part-payments of capitation grants will be considered for schools in which pupils may only attend for part of the school year. [1340/05]
The amount of capitation grant paid to a particular primary school is determined by the number of pupils validly enrolled in the school at the 30 September of the school year in question, subject to a minimum grant being paid to schools with enrolments of less than 60 pupils. In the case of schools with enrolments of 60 or more pupils, partial grants are paid in respect of pupils enrolled after 30 September, provided the pupils concerned were not enrolled and included for capitation purposes in another school in that school year.
1118 Mr. Carey asked the Minister for Education and Science the appropriate provision her Department will make for the education of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 15 in view of the fact that they have failed to gain admission to a school on appeal under section 29 of the Education Act 1998; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1341/05]
As an interim measure my Department has sanctioned ten hours per week home tuition for the pupil referred to by the Deputy. l have asked my officials to liaise with the national education welfare board with a view to sourcing a suitable educational placement for the pupil concerned.
1119 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Education and Science the reason the services of qualified teachers in fixed EPT contracts who took up resource posts in 2002 are deemed unworthy of recognition in view of the fact that their pension, years of service and standard of living are affected by the anomaly of the recognition of the rights of part-time teachers, teachers in other related areas with teaching qualifications and teachers in fixed-term contracts being deemed worthy of back payments and often incremental credit; and her plans to address and remedy this matter. [1342/05]
In accordance with standard practice, a person appointed to a publicly advertised teaching post in a community, comprehensive or vocational school and who does not meet the qualification requirements for that post is paid at the unqualified rate. Teaching service that is given in an unqualified capacity is not reckonable for incremental credit purposes. It is also not reckonable for the purposes of the secondary teachers' pension scheme.
The terms and conditions of employment of teachers are agreed at the teachers conciliation council. This council is comprised of representatives of teachers' unions, school management organisations and of the Departments of Finance and of Education and Science. Agreements reached at the teachers conciliation council are of general application to all teachers and can be amended only by further agreement of the council.
My Department agreed with teacher union representatives a change in the standard of qualification required for appointment to special needs teaching posts. These arrangements are set out in circular letter PPT 06/04 and came into effect from 1 September 2003. They provide for preference to be given in the selection process to recognised teachers who hold a relevant postgraduate qualification in the area of special needs education. They also provide that, with effect from 1 September 2003, a recognised teacher lacking only such a specialist qualification may be appointed at the qualified rate of pay to a special needs post provided no other more suitably qualified candidate is available and that the teacher is suitable in all other respects.
1120 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Education and Science if she will report on the operation of section 50 of the Finance Act 1999 in respect of tax relief for student accommodation; if she will outline the role of the certifying third level institution in respect of determining the adequacy of supply of student accommodation within a local catchment area; her views on whether any conflict of interest arises for such an institution which has its own student residences; the body which arbitrates on a situation in which an institution and a developer are in conflict regarding the adequacy of supply of accommodation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1343/05]
In recognition of the difficulties students can experience in obtaining suitable accommodation and following consultation with third level colleges, a special tax incentive was introduced to encourage the provision of student-rented residential accommodation in section 50 of the Finance Act, 1999. The tax relief gives 100% deduction of construction, conversion or refurbishment expenditure, which can be offset against all rental income whether derived from the premises in question or other lettings. The requirements of the section 50 tax incentive scheme apply for ten years from the date the property is first let to students. The scheme is available for expenditure up to 31 July 2006 where an application for planning permission has been lodged with a planning authority by 31 December 2004. The scheme is intended to increase the availability of dedicated student housing and represents a targeted response to the underlying issue of an accommodation shortage.
Crucial to the smooth operation of the scheme is the need to achieve equilibrium between supply of adequate student accommodation and demand for such accommodation particularly as oversupply would mean that a targeted measure involving tax expenditure was not meeting the effectiveness test within the requirements of securing value for money. Third level institutions are best placed to assess the extent of demand based on student numbers, need for rented accommodation, existing supply issues and related factors. Accordingly, the guidelines that underpin the workings of the scheme require that there should be early consultation with educational institutions for any proposed development. Institutions that have satisfied themselves that the supply and demand equation is in balance in respect of their students cannot reasonably be required to certify a demand that does not exist given that the legislation imposes on them a role in ensuring that the scheme meets its purpose.
For these reasons and to protect the interests of all parties including prospective developers, it is critical that before planning of a development commences for which tax relief may be sought, that there is dialogue and consultation between the developer and the relevant institution.
1121 Ms O’Sullivan asked the Minister for Education and Science her plans with regard to the proposed weighted scheme for special needs resources in schools; if the proposed allocations on the basis of number of pupils, gender and so on will go ahead; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1344/05]
The proposed new system of teacher allocation involves a general allocation to all primary schools to cater for pupils with higher-incidence special educational needs, that is, pupils with borderline mild and mild general learning disability and specific learning disability. The allocation is also intended to support those with learning support needs, that is, those functioning at or below the tenth percentile on a standardised test of reading and/or mathematics. An additional 350 teacher posts are being provided to facilitate the introduction of the new system. Individual applications may continue to be made for specific resource teacher allocations in respect of pupils with lower-incidence special educational needs.
I am conscious of difficulties that could arise with this model, particularly for children in small and rural schools, if it were implemented as proposed. Accordingly, I am having the proposed model reviewed to ensure that it provides an automatic response for pupils with common mild learning disabilities, without the need for cumbersome individual applications, while at the same time ensuring that pupils in receipt of service continue to receive the level of service appropriate to their needs. The review will involve consultation with representative interests and the national council for special education before it is implemented in the next school year.
1122 Mr. Ferris asked the Minister for Education and Science when her Department intends to purchase a site for a new national school (details supplied). [1345/05]
The property management section of the Office of Public Works, which acts on behalf of my Department for site acquisitions, is continuing to explore the possibility of acquiring a site for a new national school at Blennerville, Tralee, County Kerry. Due to the commercial sensitivities of site acquisitions, it is not proposed at this stage to identify specific sites to be acquired. However, this information will be placed on my Department's website when the relevant acquisitions have been completed.
1123 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Education and Science the resource entitlements of a school (details supplied) in County Roscommon; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1346/05]
The proposed new system of resource teacher allocation to pupils with special educational needs. The proposed new system of teacher allocation involves a general allocation to all primary schools to cater for pupils with higher-incidence special educational needs, that is, pupils with borderline mild and mild general learning disability and specific learning disability. The allocation is also intended to support those with learning support needs, that is, those functioning at or below the tenth percentile on a standardised test of reading and/or mathematics. An additional 350 teacher posts are being provided to facilitate the introduction of the new system.
Individual applications may continue to be made for specific resource teacher allocations in respect of pupils with lower-incidence special educational needs. I am conscious of difficulties that could arise with this model, particularly for children in small and rural schools, if it were implemented as proposed. Accordingly, I am having the proposed model reviewed to ensure that it provides an automatic response for pupils with common mild learning disabilities, without the need for cumbersome individual applications, while at the same time ensuring that pupils in receipt of service continue to receive the level of service appropriate to their needs. The review will involve consultation with representative interests and the National Council for Special Education before it is implemented in the next school year.
1124 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of outstanding applications for home tuition with her Department; the average time taken to process each application; the reason for the delay in approving these applications; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1373/05]
The home tuition scheme is primarily intended to provide compensatory instruction for pupils who have a medical ailment that is likely to cause major disruption of their attendance at school. My Department continues to provide home tuition grants to pupils who cannot attend school at all, or are absent for a significant proportion of the school year.
My officials are currently undertaking a review of the home tuition scheme. One of the matters being considered is the extent to which home tuition grants should be paid to children who are also enrolled in schools. Pending the outcome of the review, existing home tuition grants have been approved until the end of the current school year.
There are currently some 200 applications for home tuition in my Department. Approximately 150 of these are not affected by the review and will be processed in the normal manner over the coming four to six weeks. The remaining approximate 50 applications are being examined as part of the review.
1125 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Education and Science if an application will be approved for home tuition for a person (details supplied) in County Roscommon; the reason for the delay in approving the application; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1374/05]
The Deputy will be aware that my Department is currently undertaking a review of the home tuition scheme and my officials are endeavouring to have this completed as quickly as possible. A response to the application for home tuition for the child in question will be conveyed to the parents as soon as the review has been completed.
I understand from my officials that the pupil in question is currently receiving 12 hours per week pre-school service from the Brothers of Charity Services. Any other interventions being provided for the pupil in question will be taken into consideration when determining the appropriate level of home tuition provision.
1126 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Education and Science her plans to provide a permanent site for a school (details supplied) in County Mayo; the reason this school was not included in the multi-annual funding programme for major school building projects announced recently; the length of time her Department has been looking for a site for this school; the progress which has been made on this matter; the sites which have been looked at; and when she expects to obtain a site for this school. [1375/05]
The property management section of the Office of Public Works, which acts on behalf of my Department in relation to site acquisitions generally, is currently exploring the possibility of acquiring a site for the school referred to by the Deputy.
Due to the commercial sensitivities of site acquisitions, the information requested by the Deputy is not available for release at present. The question of the provision of new accommodation for the school will be considered further when a site has been acquired.
1127 Mr. Boyle asked the Minister for Education and Science the prospect of additional school space being provided at a school (details supplied) in County Cork. [1415/05]
The extension and refurbishment project at the school to which the Deputy refers has been assessed in accordance with the published prioritisation criteria, which were revised following consultation with the education partners, and is considered suitable for consideration for funding under one of the devolved initiatives.
The Deputy will be aware that I recently announced the first phase of the 2005 school building programme which provided details of 122 major school building projects country wide which will prepare tenders and move to construction during 2005. This announcement is the first in a series of announcements I plan to make in the coming period in relation to the schools building and modernisation programme that will include details of schools identified as suitable for construction under public private partnerships; an expansion of the number of schools that will be invited to deliver their building projects on the basis of devolved funding; details of schools with projects approved under the 2005 summer works scheme; schools whose projects will further progress through the design process; and schools that will be authorised to commence architectural planning.
1128 Mr. Boyle asked the Minister for Education and Science the progress made towards providing improved school facilities in Ballygarvan, County Cork. [1416/05]
The property management section of the Office of Public Works, which acts on behalf of my Department in relation to site acquisitions generally, is continuing with 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. However, this information will be placed on my Department's website when the relevant acquisitions have been completed. The question of the provision of new accommodation for the school will be considered further when a site has been acquired.
1130 Mr. J. Higgins asked the Minister for Education and Science if she will fund the essential resources for teaching practice needed by student teachers. [1484/05]
The position is that teaching practice is an integral part of the curriculum for the training of both primary and post-primary teachers. It is not a paid activity because it is viewed as training rather than employment. On that basis, my Department does not provide special financial assistance for students towards costs associated with teaching practice.
The Deputy will be aware that teacher education programmes provided in approved third level institutions are, however, approved courses for the purposes of the higher education grants scheme. Under the terms of the scheme, grant holders who are required to participate in off-campus placement as part of their course of study may have their grant entitlement paid in the normal manner. Accordingly, student teachers who are eligible for grant assistance continue to receive their entitlements while undertaking teaching practice.
In addition, my Department allocates funding each year to third level institutions under the student assistance fund. This fund is available in order to assist students who may be experiencing difficulties in continuing their studies because of financial hardship. The disbursement of this funding is a matter for individual institutions in line with guidelines issued by my Department. My Department has no plans at present to introduce a scheme of financial assistance, over and above the current provision, for trainee teachers to cover costs associated with teaching practice.
1131 Ms O’Sullivan asked the Minister for Education and Science when she expects to be able to release funding for the construction of an extension to a school (details supplied) in County Clare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1485/05]
The project referred to by the Deputy is listed for proceeding to tender and construction over the next 12 to 15 months.
My Department's building unit has arranged a general information meeting for all such schools to guide them through the process involved in moving projects to tender and construction. The meeting will take place on 1 February in Tullamore and the school in question has been invited to attend.
1132 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Education and Science the reason for the delay in replying to correspondence (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1486/05]
On the basis of the information received from Bus Éireann, my Department is not in a position to approve a service in this case as the minimum number of eligible children required from a distinct locality has not been met. A school transport service may be established where there are seven or more eligible pupils from a distinct locality offering for transport to school. In order to be eligible pupils must live 3.2 km. or more from their nearest school and be attending that school. Bus Éireann has confirmed that the distance to the school is measured taking the shortest vehicular route. The families of eligible children have been offered grant aid towards the cost of private transport arrangements.
1133 Mr. Crowe asked the Minister for Education and Science if her attention has been drawn to the cold and damp conditions being experienced by staff and pupils in a chalet by a school (details supplied) in Dublin 5; and the length of time these unsatisfactory conditions will prevail. [1487/05]
An application for temporary accommodation has been received from the school authority to which the Deputy refers. All applications for temporary accommodation for the 2005-06 school year are currently being assessed in the school planning section of my Department. I intend to publish a list of the successful applicants shortly.
1134 Mr. Costello asked the Minister for Education and Science if she will provide sufficient funding in the summer works scheme to enable a school (details supplied) to mend the school roof; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1490/05]
A key feature in the modernisation of school buildings is the summer works scheme, SWS, which was widely welcomed when introduced earlier this year. In the current year €31 million was allocated to that scheme, covering 448 projects in 291 primary schools and 157 post-primary schools.
For 2005, I am planning to increase the SWS allocation to €60 million. This will allow me to both increase the number of projects funded and extend the scope of the works covered by funding some more substantial projects than was possible under last year's programme. This level of funding will make a significant impact in upgrading and modernising school buildings.
Applications under the 2005 scheme, including that from the school in question, are currently being assessed in my Department and I intend to publish a list of successful applicants shortly.
1135 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science if there is an education welfare service operational in each county; and the contact address for this service in each county. [1491/05]
Since its formal launch in December 2003, the aim of the National Educational Welfare Board has been to provide a service to the most disadvantaged areas and most at-risk groups. Five regional teams have been established with bases in Dublin, Cork, Limerick, Galway and Waterford and staff have been deployed in areas of greatest disadvantage and in areas designated under the Government's RAPID programme. Some 13 towns with significant school going populations, 12 of which are designated under the Government's RAPID programme, also now have an educational welfare officer allocated to them. In addition, the board will follow up on urgent cases nationally where children are not currently receiving an education.
In response to a request from the board, my Department approved the recruitment of an additional ten staff in November 2004 to meet identified needs. Decisions relating to the assignment of the additional staff to specific areas are a matter for the board which is an independent statutory agency.
My Department has asked the board to convey contact details to the Deputy directly.
1136 Mr. Aylward asked the Minister for Education and Science if her attention has been drawn to the fact that planning permission for a project has been granted to the board of management of a national school (details supplied) in County Kilkenny; and if she will give approval for the project to proceed without further delay. [1692/05]
The extension and refurbishment project at the school to which the Deputy refers has been assessed in accordance with the published prioritisation criteria, which were revised following consultation with the education partners and will be considered under the 2005 school building programme. The Deputy will be aware that I recently announced the first phase of the 2005 school building programme which provided details of 122 major school building projects country wide which will prepare tenders and move to construction during 2005.
This announcement is the first in a series of announcements I plan to make in the coming period in relation to the schools building and modernisation programme that will include details of schools identified as suitable for construction under public private partnerships; an expansion of the number of schools that will be invited to deliver their building projects on the basis of devolved funding; details of schools with projects approved under the 2005 summer works scheme; schools whose projects will further progress through the design process; and schools that will be authorised to commence architectural planning.
1137 Dr. Cowley asked the Minister for Education and Science if she will take immediate steps to resolve the situation whereby persons are left without special needs teachers, as in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Mayo; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1693/05]
I can confirm that my Department has received an application for special education supports for the pupil in question. My officials will investigate the matter and a decision will be conveyed to the school authorities as soon as possible.
1138 Ms Enright asked the Minister for Education and Science when the list of 122 school building projects announced for 2005 will be reviewed to ascertain the progress being made across all building works to be undertaken; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1694/05]
1139 Ms Enright asked the Minister for Education and Science the stage in the building process of each of the 122 projects announced for 2005 which are as yet without planning permission; the number of the 122 projects which are for new school buildings and the number for school extensions to existing structures; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1695/05]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 1138 and 1139 together.
The 122 projects are listed to go to tender and construction over the next 12 to 15 months. The projects will proceed on a rolling basis when the schools concerned and their design teams are in a position to advise my Department that their project has advanced to the point where tenders can be sought. The 122 projects are made up of 22 new schools and 100 extension-refurbishment projects.
My Department's building unit has arranged general information meetings for schools to guide them through the process involved in moving projects to tender and construction. These meetings will take place on 31 January and 1 February in Tullamore and the schools have been invited to attend.
1140 Mr. Sherlock asked the Minister for Education and Science if a school (details supplied) in County Cork will be included in the schools building programme 2005. [1696/05]
The extension and refurbishment project at the school to which the Deputy refers has been assessed in accordance with the published prioritisation criteria, which was revised following consultation with the education partners and is considered suitable for consideration for funding under one of the devolved initiatives. The Deputy will be aware that I recently announced the first phase of the 2005 school building programme which provided details of 122 major school building projects country wide which will prepare tenders and move to construction during 2005.
This announcement is the first in a series of announcements I plan to make in the coming period in relation to the schools building and modernisation programme that will include details of schools identified as suitable for construction under public private partnerships; an expansion of the number of schools that will be invited to deliver their building projects on the basis of devolved funding; details of schools with projects approved under the 2005 summer works scheme; schools whose projects will further progress through the design process; and schools that will be authorised to commence architectural planning.
1141 Mr. Sherlock asked the Minister for Education and Science if a school (details supplied) in County Cork will be included in the schools building programme 2005. [1697/05]
The extension and refurbishment project at the school to which the Deputy refers has been assessed in accordance with the published prioritisation criteria, which was revised following consultation with the education partners. The Deputy will be aware that I recently announced the first phase of the 2005 school building programme which provided details of 122 major school building projects country wide which will prepare tenders and move to construction during 2005.
This announcement is the first in a series of announcements I plan to make in the coming period in relation to the schools building and modernisation programme that will include details of schools identified as suitable for construction under public private partnerships; an expansion of the number of schools that will be invited to deliver their building projects on the basis of devolved funding; details of schools with projects approved under the 2005 summer works scheme; schools whose projects will further progress through the design process; and schools that will be authorised to commence architectural planning.
1142 Mr. Sherlock asked the Minister for Education and Science if a school (details supplied) in County Cork will be included in the schools building programme 2005. [1698/05]
The building project for the school referred to by the Deputy is at an early stage of architectural planning. I recently announced details of 122 major school building projects that will progress to tender and construction phase over the next 12 to 15 months under the €3.4 billion multi-annual funding secured for the years 2005-09.
I am anxious to ensure that a consistent flow of projects to tender and construction can be sustained into the future. I plan to make a number of announcements in the near future in relation to the schools building and modernisation programme including details of those school projects which will further progress through the design process.
All projects in architectural planning, including the school in question, will be considered as part of this process.
1143 Mr. Sherlock asked the Minister for Education and Science if a school (details supplied) in County Cork will be included in the schools building programme 2005. [1699/05]
The project referred to by the Deputy is listed for proceeding to tender and construction over the next 12 to 15 months.
My Department's building unit has arranged a general information meeting for all such schools to guide them through the process involved in moving projects to tender and construction. The meeting will take place on 1 February in Tullamore and the school in question has been invited to attend.
1144 Mr. Sherlock asked the Minister for Education and Science if a school (details supplied) in County Cork will be included in the schools building programme 2005. [1700/05]
The extension and refurbishment project at the school to which the Deputy refers has been assessed in accordance with the published prioritisation criteria, which was revised following consultation with the education partners. The Deputy will be aware that I recently announced the first phase of the 2005 school building programme which provided details of 122 major school building projects country wide which will prepare tenders and move to construction during 2005.
This announcement is the first in a series of announcements I plan to make in the coming period in relation to the schools building and modernisation programme that will include details of schools identified as suitable for construction under public private partnerships; an expansion of the number of schools that will be invited to deliver their building projects on the basis of devolved funding; details of schools with projects approved under the 2005 summer works scheme; schools whose projects will further progress through the design process; and schools that will be authorised to commence architectural planning.
1145 Mr. Sherlock asked the Minister for Education and Science if a school (details supplied) in County Cork will be included in the schools building programme 2005. [1701/05]
The application for a new school building for the school to which the Deputy refers has been assessed in accordance with the published prioritisation criteria, which was revised following consultation with the education partners. The Deputy will be aware that I recently announced the first phase of the 2005 school building programme which provided details of 122 major school building projects country wide which will prepare tenders and move to construction during 2005.
This announcement is the first in a series of announcements I plan to make in the coming period in relation to the schools building and modernisation programme that will include details of schools identified as suitable for construction under public private partnerships; an expansion of the number of schools that will be invited to deliver their building projects on the basis of devolved funding; details of schools with projects approved under the 2005 summer works scheme; schools whose projects will further progress through the design process; and schools that will be authorised to commence architectural planning.
1146 Mr. Sherlock asked the Minister for Education and Science if a school (details supplied) in County Cork will be included in the schools building programme 2005. [1702/05]
My Department's planning and building unit is not in receipt of an application for the provision of an extension-major refurbishment at the school referred to by the Deputy.
1147 Mr. Sherlock asked the Minister for Education and Science if a school (details supplied) in County Cork will be included in the schools building programme 2005. [1703/05]
The extension and refurbishment project at the school to which the Deputy refers has been assessed in accordance with the published prioritisation criteria, which was revised following consultation with the education partners. The Deputy will be aware that I recently announced the first phase of the 2005 school building programme which provided details of 122 major school building projects country wide which will prepare tenders and move to construction during 2005.
This announcement is the first in a series of announcements I plan to make in the coming period in relation to the schools building and modernisation programme that will include details of schools identified as suitable for construction under public private partnerships; an expansion of the number of schools that will be invited to deliver their building projects on the basis of devolved funding; details of schools with projects approved under the 2005 summer works scheme; schools whose projects will further progress through the design process; and schools that will be authorised to commence architectural planning.
1148 Mr. Bruton asked the Minister for Education and Science the State, semi-State, State-sponsored and statutory bodies under the aegis of her Department which are not subject to the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act 1997; the reason a body is not subject to the requirements of the Act; and if she envisages proposals to bring any such body within the scope of the Act in the foreseeable future. [1715/05]
The State, semi-State, State sponsored and statutory bodies under the aegis of my Department that are not currently subject to the Freedom of Information Acts are as follows:
Education Support Centres
Further Education and Training Council
Gaisce
Higher Education and Training Council
National Centre for Guidance in Education (Offshoot of Léargas)
National Qualifications Authority of Ireland
An Chomhairle um Oideachas Gaeltachta agus Gaelscolaíochta
Advisory Council for English Language Schools
Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies
Integrate Ireland and Training Ltd
International Education Board of Ireland
Irish Research Council for Science Engineering and Technology
Irish Research Council for Humanities and Social Sciences
Royal Irish Academy of Music
Royal Irish Academy
Vocational Educational Committees (33)
Centre for Early Childhood Development and Education
Léargas
National Council for Technology in Education
National Council for Special Education
National Education Welfare Board
National University of Ireland
State Exams Commission
Commission to inquire into Child Abuse Residential Institutions Redress Board
Residential Institutions Redress Review Committee
Child Detention Centres
Proposals for extending FOI are being developed in the Department of Finance in the context of plans to extend FOI to other appropriate bodies by the end of 2005. The question of extending FOI to some of the bodies listed is being considered in this context.
1149 Mr. Hayes asked the Minister for Education and Science the progress made in regard to applications from the board of management of a school (details supplied) in County Tipperary. [1718/05]
The extension project at the school to which the Deputy refers has been assessed in accordance with the published prioritisation criteria, which were revised following consultation with the education partners. Progress on this project is being considered in the context of the school building programme. The school has also submitted an application for grant-aid under the summer works scheme 2005. Applications under this scheme are currently being assessed. The Deputy will be aware that I recently announced the first phase of the 2005 school building programme which provided details of 122 major school building projects country wide which will prepare tenders and move to construction during 2005.
This announcement is the first in a series of announcements I plan to make in the coming period in relation to the schools building and modernisation programme that will include details of schools identified as suitable for construction under public private partnerships; an expansion of the number of schools that will be invited to deliver their building projects on the basis of devolved funding; details of schools with projects approved under the 2005 summer works scheme; schools whose projects will further progress through the design process and schools that will be authorised to commence architectural planning.
1150 Mr. Hayes asked the Minister for Education and Science the progress which has been made in regard to applications from the board of management of a school (details supplied) in County Tipperary. [1719/05]
The project at the school to which the Deputy refers has been assessed in accordance with the published prioritisation criteria, which were revised following consultation with the education partners. Progress on this project is being considered in the context of the school building programme and the Deputy will be aware that I recently announced the first phase of the 2005 school building programme which provided details of 122 major school building projects country wide which will prepare tenders and move to construction during 2005.
This announcement is the first in a series of announcements I plan to make in the coming period in relation to the schools building and modernisation programme that will include details of schools identified as suitable for construction under public private partnerships; an expansion of the number of schools that will be invited to deliver their building projects on the basis of devolved funding; details of schools with projects approved under the 2005 summer works scheme; schools whose projects will further progress through the design process and schools that will be authorised to commence architectural planning.
1151 Mr. Sherlock asked the Minister for Education and Science if a school (details supplied) in County Cork will be included in the schools building programme 2005. [1720/05]
The extension and refurbishment project at the school to which the Deputy refers has been assessed in accordance with the published prioritisation criteria, which was revised following consultation with the education partners and is considered suitable for consideration for funding under one of the devolved initiatives. The Deputy will be aware that I recently announced the first phase of the 2005 school building programme which provided details of 122 major school building projects country wide which will prepare tenders and move to construction during 2005.
This announcement is the first in a series of announcements I plan to make in the coming period in relation to the schools building and modernisation programme that will include details of schools identified as suitable for construction under public private partnerships; an expansion of the number of schools that will be invited to deliver their building projects on the basis of devolved funding; details of schools with projects approved under the 2005 summer works scheme; schools whose projects will further progress through the design process and schools that will be authorised to commence architectural planning.
1152 Mr. Sherlock asked the Minister for Education and Science if a school (details supplied) in County Cork will be included in the schools building programme 2005. [1721/05]
I am pleased to advise the Deputy that a grant of €275,000 was sanctioned in 2004 to enable the management authorities of the school in question to provide additional accommodation. To date planning permission and the fire safety certificate have been received from the local authority, tenders have been sought and a builder is expected to commence works on site shortly.
1153 Mr. Deasy asked the Minister for Education and Science if the hours of special needs assistants in schools have been reduced; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1722/05]
Special needs assistants may be approved to support pupils who have a significant medical need for such assistance, a significant impairment of physical or sensory function or where their behaviour is such that they are a danger to themselves or other pupils. The criteria used for the assessment of the need for such support are outlined in my Department's circular 07/02. The hours of special needs assistants in schools are not being reduced. However a review of SNA provision in primary schools commenced in September 2004 and is continuing. The review is concerned with the level and deployment of SNA posts in mainstream classes. The intention is to ensure that the level of approved SNA support in schools, and the manner in which that support is being allocated, are such as to ensure that the special care needs of pupils are being appropriately met.
1154 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for Education and Science if nine special needs assistants will be provided for schools (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1723/05]
My Department is currently considering an application for special needs assistant support for eight pupils in the school referred to by the Deputy. My officials are liaising with my Department's inspectorate in this regard. The application will be considered in the context of the pupils' care needs and the deployment of the existing level of SNA support available in the school. I understand that the school currently has the services of six SNAs. A decision will be conveyed to the school authorities as quickly as possible.
1155 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Education and Science further to Parliamentary Question No. 139 of 14 October, 2004, if she will approve funding for this project; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1724/05]
The building project for the school referred to by the Deputy is at an early stage of architectural planning. I recently announced details of 122 major school building projects that will progress to tender and construction phase over the next 12-15 months under the €3.4 billion multi annual funding secured for the years 2005-9.
I am anxious to ensure that a consistent flow of projects to tender and construction can be sustained into the future. I plan to make a number of announcements in the near future in relation to the schools building and modernisation programme including details of those school projects which will further progress through the design process. All projects in architectural planning, including the school in question, will be considered as part of this process.
1156 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Education and Science further to Parliamentary Question No. 132 of 14 October, 2004, the date on which this review will be completed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1725/05]
The review referred to by the Deputy is ongoing. However, I am pleased to inform the Deputy, that as an interim measure, I have decided to fill the four vacancies in question. These posts will be advertised in the national newspapers in the coming week.
1157 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Education and Science further to Parliamentary Question No. 395 of 29 September, 2004, when a decision will be made on the application to approve funding for an extension to a school (details supplied) in County Galway; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1726/05]
The extension project at the school to which the Deputy refers has been assessed in accordance with the published prioritisation criteria, which was revised following consultation with the education partners and is considered suitable for consideration for funding under one of the devolved initiatives. The Deputy will be aware that I recently announced the first phase of the 2005 school building programme which provided details of 122 major school building projects country wide which will prepare tenders and move to construction during 2005.
This announcement is the first in a series of announcements I plan to make in the coming period in relation to the schools building and modernisation programme that will include details of schools identified as suitable for construction under public private partnerships; an expansion of the number of schools that will be invited to deliver their building projects on the basis of devolved funding; details of schools with projects approved under the 2005 summer works scheme; schools whose projects will further progress through the design process and schools that will be authorised to commence architectural planning.
1158 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for Education and Science if her attention has been drawn to the severe difficulties being experienced by parents in the Mullingar area in trying to secure a school place for children commencing school, and the urgent necessity to provide additional schools to cope with the significant increase in population and the projected increase over the next decade; if an appropriate survey has been carried out to determine the actual requirements for school space thereby arising; if, in this context, contact has been made with Westmeath County Council which has rezoned lands for educational infrastructural purposes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1727/05]
The Mullingar catchment area is currently served by 21 primary schools including a gaelscoil and a new multi-denominational school which commenced operation last September.
Excluding the gaelscoil, which has developed to an eight teacher school, as expected, and the new multi-denominational school which is currently developing, the total number of extra primary school pupils which came on stream in the Mullingar catchment area between the school years 1999-2000 and 2003-04 is 190. At current pupil-teacher ratios, this equates to approximately an extra 6.5 class groups. While this would have a significant impact on a single school, it is not unreasonable to expect that 19 schools could, between them, cater for this number.
In recent years my Department has provided temporary accommodation in a number of primary schools in the area to ease pressure. This includes extra provision at two schools which, between them, are catering for almost 100 of the 190 extra pupils referred to earlier. Two other schools received funding under the new devolved initiatives to improve accommodation. It is important to understand that many parents, when enrolling pupils, do so in a number of schools. This can have the effect of distorting pre-enrolment lists and creating the impression that there is a shortage of places. In addition some parents may be disappointed in not obtaining a school of first choice. This can also be interpreted as representing a shortage of places. However, my Department's role in any given area is to ensure that schools can between them cater for the number of pupils presenting and I am satisfied that this is the case currently in Mullingar. In this regard, while I note that there is pressure on some schools for places, the enrolment in one school, in particular, in the town centre has declined by 50 pupils in the past five years. Furthermore, in the Mullingar town plan for 2002-2008, the local authority specifically states "the existing school infrastructure is considered to be of a capacity to meet the needs of the school-going population over the period of the plan".
Notwithstanding this, I accept that Mullingar is a developing town and a considerable population increase is projected in the coming years. I am taking a number of steps to ensure its future needs are met in a timely fashion. First, a number of extension projects at both primary and post primary level will progress under the school building programme from 2005 onwards. Second, the possible extension of the gaelscoil to 16 classrooms to provide an extra 240 pupil places is under consideration together with the development of the new multi-denominational school to 16 classrooms providing yet another 480 pupil places. Third, a senior Department inspector recently visited all primary schools in the area and his findings will form part of an in depth analysis of both primary and post primary infrastructural provision in Mullingar which will be carried out early in the new year. This analysis will include discussions with the local authority.
1159 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Education and Science the educational support which will be provided to a person (details supplied) in County Mayo; if her Department has received an application for special education resources for this person following his NEPS assessment in April 2004; the decision which has been made on the application; when this matter will be finalised; and when this child will be helped. [1728/05]
My Department has received an application for resource teaching support for the pupil in question.
The school referred to by the Deputy currently has the services of a shared learning support teacher. It would be expected that the pupil's SEN can be met from within the current learning support teaching allocation available to the school.
1160 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Education and Science the reason resource teaching hours approved for a person (details supplied) in County Mayo two years ago were never received by same; if the immediate reassessment of this person’s educational needs will be arranged; and if special needs assistance and resource teaching hours will be provided to this person. [1729/05]
My Department has no record of receiving an application for special needs assistant (SNA) support for the child concerned.
My officials will contact the school shortly concerning the application for resource teaching support.
1161 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Education and Science the position in relation to the application for a permanent school building for a school (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1730/05]
The project at the school to which the Deputy refers has been assessed in accordance with the published prioritisation criteria, which were revised following consultation with the education partners. Progress on this project is being considered in the context of the school building programme and the Deputy will be aware that I recently announced the first phase of the 2005 school building programme which provided details of 122 major school building projects country wide which will prepare tenders and move to construction during 2005.
This announcement is the first in a series of announcements I plan to make in the coming period on the schools building and modernisation programme that will include details of schools identified as suitable for construction under public private partnerships; an expansion of the number of schools that will be invited to deliver their building projects on the basis of devolved funding; details of schools with projects approved under the 2005 summer works scheme; schools whose projects will further progress through the design process and schools that will be authorised to commence architectural planning.
1162 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Education and Science if she will sanction the provision of additional temporary accommodation for a school (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1731/05]
An application for temporary accommodation has been received from the school authority to which the Deputy refers. All applications for temporary accommodation for the 2005-06 school year are currently being assessed in the school planning section of my Department. I intend to publish a list of the successful applicants shortly.
1163 Mr. Connolly asked the Minister for Education and Science her views on the extent to which continual assessment of students work will become a feature of the leaving certificate examination; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1732/05]
The approved subjects in the leaving certificate curriculum are currently assessed in a variety of ways. While all subjects are assessed by means of a terminal written examination, the use of additional modes of assessment which are completed in advance of the June examinations is increasing.
In the case of the languages Irish, French, German, Spanish, Italian, Russian and Japanese there is a combination of a terminal written examination, oral and aural examinations. In agricultural science and agricultural economics there is a written examination paper and a project while, in the case of engineering and construction studies there are three components, written, practical and project. Art has a written paper and separate practical components. Music has a written paper, an aural test and a practical performance test and, in some cases, depending on the elective chosen an additional written paper or portfolio. There are course work elements also in home economics, religious education and link modules of the leaving certificate vocational programme (LCVP). In the revised history and geography syllabi, which will be examined for the first time in 2006, 20% of total marks will be allocated to a research study and a geographical investigation, respectively, which candidates will be complete in advance of the terminal written examination.
In the leaving certificate applied programme, assessment takes place over two years and credits are awarded for the satisfactory completion of modules, the performance of student tasks and performance in the written terminal examinations. Final examinations count for 34% of the overall mark. As leaving certificate syllabi are revised by the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment, assessment components in addition to written terminal examination are being introduced where appropriate. I am conscious that the feedback in the consultation process on the future of senior cycle indicated that while the established leaving certificate is seen to attract high levels of public confidence, respondents overwhelmingly considered that the transition year, the LCA and the LCVP programmes offer greater relevance to the life experiences of learners, provide better for the development of personal and social skills and for a balance between academic and practical skills, and use more appropriate teaching and learning and assessment methods. The responses also show a clear demand for greater focus on practical work in assessment, for more flexibility, and for assessment to be spread more evenly throughout programmes.
These viewpoints need to be balanced against the concerns expressed in various fora regarding local assessment of the leaving certificate by class teachers and the fact that trends internationally in high stakes examinations are towards external assessment. There is also a high level of public belief and confidence that a centrally driven externally examined system suits the Irish context. The feasibility of any large scale move towards more frequent continuous assessment for the leaving certificate must be considered in the light of these factors.
I am aware that the NCCA proposals for future reform of the senior cycle stress the importance of providing for an increased emphasis on a wider range of modes of assessment such as practical-portfolio-project work and continuous assessment, with assessment events spread out during courses of study and available at a number of points during the two or three year cycle. The proposals envisage that assessment would continue to be carried out externally in the vast majority of cases. While I have some concerns about the logistics, feasibility and cost of such an approach across the extensive range of subject options and programmes proposed for senior cycle, I look forward to further consideration of the matter when I receive the next stage of the NCCA advice on the proposals shortly. This will enable my Department to assess the implications of the proposals.
It must be acknowledged that the leaving certificate is an independent objective assessment which is highly regarded internationally. We must ensure that, as our education system continues to evolve in the knowledge society, reforms build on the existing strengths of the system while addressing its weaknesses. We need reforms that are designed to ensure that our system has integrity, relevance and quality for all our students, including those that are currently served well and those that have needs that are not being met as well as they could.
1164 Mr. Connolly asked the Minister for Education and Science the nature of the new national testing system for primary schools agreed before Christmas 2004 with the INTO; if it differs substantially from the scheme proposed by her predecessor, Deputy Dempsey; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1733/05]
No agreement has been concluded as yet in regard to the implementation of standardised testing. I do not intend to make any decisions with regard to introducing standardised testing in primary schools until I have carried out a thorough exploration of all the issues relating to the announcement made by my predecessor last July. I am currently awaiting advice on the matter which the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA) is preparing, through its usual consultative and partnership processes. I expect this in the early part of this year. Then, I will be in a position to engage in further consultations, as appropriate, with the relevant partners including teachers and parents.
The judicious use of standardised test results has high value, as one of a range of modes of assessment, in helping teachers make more informed decisions in relation to the instruction of pupils, in informing parents of pupils' progress and in providing information essential to the identification of pupils that may require additional support. At classroom level, information from standardised tests can be particularly useful in informing individual and group teaching. The fact that more than 95% of our primary schools currently use such tests in some way is testimony to the value that our teachers ascribe to them. Standardised test results also have an important role to play at the level of the whole school as they provide valuable information for teachers, principals and boards of management when engaging in self-evaluation, a vitally important stage in planning the development and improvement of the individual school. On a national level, there is need for more regular information than is currently available on trends in pupil progress and on levels of achievement within our education system.
We now have an opportunity to explore the potential of systematised standardised testing in this regard. A considered and balanced policy on standardised testing will benefit pupils, teachers, parents and the system.
I am pleased to hear the Irish National Teachers' Association (INTO) statement that it supports the development of an agreed national assessment policy for primary schools and that it will work positively with me to introduce forms of assessment that are appropriate to the learning needs of pupils and the information needs of the system. I look forward to engaging with them as one of the key partners in my exploration of standardised testing after the NCCA advice is received.
1165 Mr. Hayes asked the Minister for Education and Science the progress which has been made in regard to applications from the board of management of a school (details supplied) in County Tipperary. [1734/05]
I am pleased to inform the Deputy that construction recently commenced on a new four classroom school building for the school referred to by the Deputy.
It is envisaged the new school will be completed in the latter half of 2005.
1166 Mr. Hayes asked the Minister for Education and Science the progress which has been made in regard to applications from the board of management of a school (details supplied) in County Tipperary. [1735/05]
The large scale project at the school to which the Deputy refers has been assessed in accordance with the published prioritisation criteria, which were revised following consultation with the education partners and will be considered under the 2005 school building programme. The school has also made an application for funding under the summer works scheme 2005 (SWS). Applications under this scheme are currently being assessed in my Department. The Deputy will be aware that I recently announced the first phase of the 2005 school building programme which provided details of 122 major school building projects country wide which will prepare tenders and move to construction during 2005.
This announcement is the first in a series of announcements I plan to make in the coming period in relation to the schools building and modernisation programme that will include details of schools identified as suitable for construction under public private partnerships; an expansion of the number of schools that will be invited to deliver their building projects on the basis of devolved funding; details of schools with projects approved under the 2005 summer works scheme; schools whose projects will further progress through the design process and schools that will be authorised to commence architectural planning.
1167 Mr. Hayes asked the Minister for Education and Science the progress which has been made in regard to applications from the board of management of a school (details supplied) in County Tipperary. [1736/05]
In 2003 a grant of €250,000 was sanctioned to enable the management authorities of the school in question to provide additional accommodation.
The plans for the additional accommodation were appealed by a third party to An Bord Pleanála but planning permission was recently granted for the project. The board of management now needs to arrange for tenders to be obtained. Construction is expected to commence later this year.
1168 Mr. Hayes asked the Minister for Education and Science the progress which has been made in regard to applications from the board of management of a school (details supplied) in County Tipperary. [1737/05]
The project at the school to which the Deputy refers has been assessed in accordance with the published prioritisation criteria, which were revised following consultation with the education partners and will be considered under the 2005 school building programme. The Deputy will be aware that I recently announced the first phase of the 2005 school building programme which provided details of 122 major school building projects country wide which will prepare tenders and move to construction during 2005.
This announcement is the first in a series of announcements I plan to make in the coming period in relation to the schools building and modernisation programme that will include details of schools identified as suitable for construction under public private partnerships; an expansion of the number of schools that will be invited to deliver their building projects on the basis of devolved funding; details of schools with projects approved under the 2005 summer works scheme; schools whose projects will further progress through the design process and schools that will be authorised to commence architectural planning.
1169 Mr. Hayes asked the Minister for Education and Science the progress which has been made in regard to applications from the board of management of a school (details supplied) in County Tipperary. [1738/05]
The extension and refurbishment project at the school to which the Deputy refers has been assessed in accordance with the published prioritisation criteria, which were revised following consultation with the education partners. Progress on this project is being considered in the context of the school building programme and the Deputy will be aware that I recently announced the first phase of the 2005 school building programme which provided details of 122 major school building projects country wide which will prepare tenders and move to construction during 2005.
This announcement is the first in a series of announcements I plan to make in the coming period in relation to the schools building and modernisation programme that will include details of schools identified as suitable for construction under public private partnerships; an expansion of the number of schools that will be invited to deliver their building projects on the basis of devolved funding; details of schools with projects approved under the 2005 summer works scheme; schools whose projects will further progress through the design process and schools that will be authorised to commence architectural planning.
The school in question has also submitted an application for grant-aid under the summer works scheme 2005. Applications under this scheme are currently being assessed and I intend to publish a list of successful applicants shortly.
1170 Mr. Hayes asked the Minister for Education and Science the progress which has been made in regard to applications from the board of management of a school (details supplied) in County Tipperary. [1739/05]
The extension project at the school to which the Deputy refers has been assessed in accordance with the published prioritisation criteria, which were revised following consultation with the education partners. Progress on this project is being considered in the context of the school building programme and the Deputy will be aware that I recently announced the first phase of the 2005 school building programme which provided details of 122 major school building projects country wide which will prepare tenders and move to construction during 2005.
This announcement is the first in a series of announcements I plan to make in the coming period in relation to the schools building and modernisation programme that will include details of schools identified as suitable for construction under public private partnerships; an expansion of the number of schools that will be invited to deliver their building projects on the basis of devolved funding; details of schools with projects approved under the 2005 summer works scheme; schools whose projects will further progress through the design process and schools that will be authorised to commence architectural planning.
The school in question has also submitted an application for grant-aid under the summer works scheme 2005. Applications under this scheme are currently being assessed. I intend to publish a list of successful applicants shortly.
1171 Mr. Hayes asked the Minister for Education and Science the progress which has been made in regard to applications from the board of management of a school (details supplied) in County Tipperary; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1740/05]
1173 Mr. Hayes asked the Minister for Education and Science the progress which has been made in regard to applications from the board of management of a school (details supplied) in County Tipperary. [1742/05]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 1171 and 1173 together.
The large-scale project at the school to which the Deputy refers has been assessed in accordance with the published prioritisation criteria, which were revised following consultation with the education partners. The project has been assigned a band rating and its progress is being considered in the context of the school building programme from 2005 onwards. Progress on this project is being considered in the context of the school building programme.
The Deputy will be aware that I recently announced the first phase of the 2005 school building programme which provided details of 122 major school building projects countrywide which will prepare tenders and move to construction during 2005. This announcement is the first in a series of announcements I plan to make in the coming period in relation to the school building programme and modernisation programme that will include details of schools identified as suitable for construction under public private partnerships; an expansion of the number of schools that will be invited to deliver their building projects on the basis of devolved funding; details of schools with projects approved under the 2005 summer works scheme; schools whose projects will further progress through the design process; and schools that will be authorised to commence architectural planning.
The school in question has also made an application for grant aid under the temporary accommodation scheme for 2005. Applications under this scheme are currently being assessed in the school planning section. Successful applicants will also be announced shortly.
1172 Mr. Hayes asked the Minister for Education and Science the progress which has been made in regard to applications from the board of management of a school (details supplied) in County Tipperary. [1741/05]
1174 Mr. Hayes asked the Minister for Education and Science the progress which has been made in regard to applications from the board of management of a school (details supplied) in County Tipperary. [1743/05]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 1172 and 1174 together.
The project at the school to which the Deputy refers has been assessed in accordance with the published prioritisation criteria, which were revised following consultation with the education partners. Progress on this project is being considered in the context of the school building programme.
The Deputy will be aware that I recently announced the first phase of the 2005 school building programme which provided details of 122 major school building projects countrywide which will prepare tenders and move to construction during 2005. This announcement is the first in a series of announcements I plan to make in the coming period in relation to the school building and modernisation programme that will include details of schools identified as suitable for construction under public private partnerships; an expansion of the number of schools that will be invited to deliver their building projects on the basis of devolved funding; details of schools with projects approved under the 2005 summer works scheme; schools whose projects will further progress through the design process; and schools that will be authorised to commence architectural planning.
1175 Mr. Hayes asked the Minister for Education and Science the progress which has been made in regard to applications from the board of management of a school (details supplied) in County Tipperary. [1744/05]
The project at the school to which the Deputy refers has been assessed in accordance with the published prioritisation criteria, which were revised following consultation with the education partners and will be considered under the 2005 school building programme.
The Deputy will be aware that I recently announced the first phase of the 2005 school building programme which provided details of 122 major school building projects countrywide which will prepare tenders and move to construction during 2005. This announcement is the first in a series of announcements I plan to make in the coming period in relation to the schools building and modernisation programme that will include details of schools identified as suitable for construction under public private partnerships; an expansion of the number of schools that will be invited to deliver their building projects on the basis of devolved funding; details of schools with projects approved under the 2005 summer works scheme; schools whose projects will further progress through the design process; and schools that will be authorised to commence architectural planning.
1176 Mr. Hayes asked the Minister for Education and Science the progress which has been made in regard to applications from the board of management of a school (details supplied) in County Tipperary. [1745/05]
The project at the school to which the Deputy refers has been assessed in accordance with the published prioritisation criteria, which were revised following consultation with the education partners and will be considered under the 2005 school building programme.
The Deputy will be aware that I recently announced the first phase of the 2005 school building programme which provided details of 122 major school building projects countrywide which will prepare tenders and move to construction during 2005. This announcement is the first in a series of announcements I plan to make in the coming period in relation to the schools building and modernisation programme that will include details of schools identified as suitable for construction under public private partnerships; an expansion of the number of schools that will be invited to deliver their building projects on the basis of devolved funding; details of schools with projects approved under the 2005 summer works scheme; schools whose projects will further progress through the design process; and schools that will be authorised to commence architectural planning.
1177 Mr. Hayes asked the Minister for Education and Science the progress which has been made in regard to applications from the board of management of a school (details supplied) in County Tipperary. [1746/05]
My Department has no record of an application for capital works from the school to which the Deputy refers.
1178 Mr. Hayes asked the Minister for Education and Science the progress which has been made in regard to applications from the board of management of a school (details supplied) in County Tipperary. [1747/05]
The school to which the Deputy refers has submitted an application for grant aid under the summer works scheme 2005, SWS. All SWS applications are currently being assessed in the school planning section of my Department and I intend to publish the list of successful applicants shortly.
1179 Mr. Hayes asked the Minister for Education and Science the progress which has been made in regard to applications from the board of management of a school (details supplied) in County Tipperary. [1748/05]
The extension and refurbishment project at the school to which the Deputy refers has been assessed in accordance with the published prioritisation criteria, which were revised following consultation with the education partners and will be considered under the 2005 school building programme.
The Deputy will be aware that I recently announced the first phase of the 2005 school building programme which provided details of 122 major school building projects countrywide which will prepare tenders and move to construction during 2005. This announcement is the first in a series of announcements I plan to make in the coming period in relation to the school building programme and modernisation programme that will include details of schools identified as suitable for construction under public private partnerships; an expansion of the number of schools that will be invited to deliver their building projects on the basis of devolved funding; details of schools with projects approved under the 2005 summer works scheme; schools whose projects will further progress through the design process; and schools that will be authorised to commence architectural planning.
The school in question has also made an application for grant aid under the temporary accommodation scheme for 2005. Applications under this scheme are currently being assessed in the school planning section. I will be announcing the successful applicants shortly.
1180 Mr. Hayes asked the Minister for Education and Science the progress which has been made in regard to applications from the board of management of a school (details supplied) in County Tipperary. [1749/05]
The project at the school to which the Deputy refers has been assessed in accordance with the published prioritisation criteria, which were revised following consultation with the education partners and will be considered under the 2005 school building programme. Progress on this project is being considered in the context of the school building programme.
The Deputy will be aware that I recently announced the first phase of the 2005 school building programme which provided details of 122 major school building projects countrywide which will prepare tenders and move to construction during 2005. This announcement is the first in a series of announcements I plan to make in the coming period in relation to the school building programme and modernisation programme that will include details of schools identified as suitable for construction under public private partnerships; an expansion of the number of schools that will be invited to deliver their building projects on the basis of devolved funding; details of schools with projects approved under the 2005 summer works scheme; schools whose projects will further progress through the design process; and schools that will be authorised to commence architectural planning.
1181 Mr. Hayes asked the Minister for Education and Science the progress which has been made in regard to applications from the board of management of a school (details supplied) in County Tipperary. [1750/05]
The project at the school to which the Deputy refers has been assessed in accordance with the published prioritisation criteria, which were revised following consultation with the education partners. Progress on this project is being considered in the context of the school building programme.
The Deputy will be aware that I recently announced the first phase of the 2005 school building programme which provided details of 122 major school building projects countrywide which will prepare tenders and move to construction during 2005. This announcement is the first in a series of announcements I plan to make in the coming period in relation to the school building programme and modernisation programme that will include details of schools identified as suitable for construction under public private partnerships; an expansion of the number of schools that will be invited to deliver their building projects on the basis of devolved funding; details of schools with projects approved under the 2005 summer works scheme; schools whose projects will further progress through the design process; and schools that will be authorised to commence architectural planning.
1182 Mr. Hayes asked the Minister for Education and Science the progress which has been made in regard to applications from the board of management of a school (details supplied) in County Tipperary. [1751/05]
The project at the school to which the Deputy refers has been assessed in accordance with the published prioritisation criteria, which were revised following consultation with the education partners. Progress on this project is being considered in the context of the school building programme.
The Deputy will be aware that I recently announced the first phase of the 2005 school building programme which provided details of 122 major school building projects countrywide which will prepare tenders and move to construction during 2005. This announcement is the first in a series of announcements I plan to make in the coming period in relation to the school building programme and modernisation programme that will include details of schools identified as suitable for construction under public private partnerships; an expansion of the number of schools that will be invited to deliver their building projects on the basis of devolved funding; details of schools with projects approved under the 2005 summer works scheme; schools whose projects will further progress through the design process; and schools that will be authorised to commence architectural planning.
1183 Mr. Hayes asked the Minister for Education and Science the progress which has been made in regard to applications from the board of management of a school (details supplied) in County Tipperary. [1752/05]
The project at the school to which the Deputy refers has been assessed in accordance with the published prioritisation criteria, which were revised following consultation with the education partners. Progress on this project is being considered in the context of the school building programme.
The Deputy will be aware that I recently announced the first phase of the 2005 school building programme which provided details of 122 major school building projects countrywide which will prepare tenders and move to construction during 2005. This announcement is the first in a series of announcements I plan to make in the coming period in relation to the school building programme and modernisation programme that will include details of schools identified as suitable for construction under public private partnerships; an expansion of the number of schools that will be invited to deliver their building projects on the basis of devolved funding; details of schools with projects approved under the 2005 summer works scheme; schools whose projects will further progress through the design process; and schools that will be authorised to commence architectural planning.
1184 Mr. McCormack asked the Minister for Education and Science if the position of a national school teacher at a school (details supplied) in County Mayo will be reinstated due to rising pupil numbers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1753/05]
The staffing of a primary school is determined by reference to the enrolment of the school on 30 September of the previous school year. The actual number of mainstream posts sanctioned is determined by reference to a staffing schedule and is finalised for a particular year following discussions with the education partners.
The mainstream staffing of the school referred to by the Deputy for the current school year is a principal and two mainstream class teachers based on the enrolment of 77 pupils on 30 September 2003. According to data submitted to my Department by the board of management, the enrolment on 30 September 2004 was 85 pupils. The staffing for the 2005-06 school year will be determined on the basis of this figure in accordance with the agreed staffing schedule which is expected to be notified to boards of management in February-March 2005.
1185 Mr. Hogan asked the Minister for Education and Science if she will review the decision in respect of the need to provide a building that will accommodate a school (details supplied) in County Kilkenny as well as the establishment of a second level facility for those pupils; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1754/05]
The building project for the school referred to by the Deputy is at an early stage of architectural planning. My officials are currently examining the current and future enrolment levels for the school in consultation with my Department's inspectorate with a view to finalising deliberations on the matter. Further contact will be made with the school authorities when this process is complete.
I recently announced details of 122 major school building projects that will progress to tender and construction phase over the next 12-15 months under the €3.4 billion multi annual funding secured for the years 2005-09. I am anxious to ensure that a consistent flow of projects to tender and construction can be sustained into the future. I plan to make a number of announcements in the near future in relation to the schools' building and modernisation programme, including details of those school projects which will further progress through the design process. All projects in architectural planning, including the school in question, will be considered as part of this process.
1186 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science the position in regard to the provision of the extra facilities at a school (details supplied) in County Kildare; the extent to which these facilities will be adequate to meet requirements in the future; her proposals in this regard; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1755/05]
I am pleased to inform the Deputy that construction work is well under way on the new school referred to by the Deputy. It is envisaged that the school will be completed in the latter half of 2005. My Department's school planning section has no request for any additional facilities for this school.
1187 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science the extent to which the project for the provision of extra facilities at a school (details supplied) has advanced; if she intends further initiatives in this regard in the current year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1756/05]
I am pleased to inform the Deputy that construction work is well under way on the extension at the school referred to by the Deputy. It is envisaged that the extension will be completed in the latter half of 2005. My Department's school planning section has no request for any additional facilities for this school.
1188 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science the extent of the progress in relation to the provision of the extra facilities required at a school (details supplied) in County Kildare; if the current project is likely to meet in full the likely requirements; if not, the way in which she will respond; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1757/05]
I am pleased to inform the Deputy that construction is well under way on a seven classroom extension at the school in question. It is envisaged that the extension will be completed in the latter half of 2005. The need for further accommodation in the area referred to by the Deputy is currently under consideration by the officials in the planning unit of my Department.
1189 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science the outcome of the evaluation of primary and second level school requirements in the Naas, Sallins and Kill areas of County Kildare; the likely impact of discussions arising therefrom; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1758/05]
I am aware that Naas, Sallins and Kill, like many areas located within close proximity to Dublin, continue to experience population growth, a position that almost inevitably places some strain on existing educational provision. However, a range of significant measures have been undertaken by my Department to address the current and future need for pupil places in these areas.
At primary level an entire new school has been provided at Killashee while temporary accommodation has been provided at Scoil Corbain, St. Conleth's and St. Mary's National School and St. Conleth's Naofa in Naas. Temporary accommodation has also been provided at one of the two nearby national schools at Caragh.
At Sallins national school, a seven classroom extension is under construction. When completed, this extension will increase capacity from nine to 16 classrooms. Further expansion at this school is being considered. A brand new state of the art 16-classroom school together with a double autistic unit is under construction in Naas town. This project in particular will assist in easing any difficulties for primary pupil places in Naas.
Additionally, there are proposals to improve accommodation at St. David's national school, at Kill national school and at Two Mile House national school. The accommodation needs of the national schools at Ballycane, Caragh and Convent of Mercy in Naas are also currently being assessed.
At post-primary level, the management authority of St. Patrick's post-primary school, County Kildare VEC, is currently progressing plans to relocate the school and extend capacity to 1000 pupils. Additionally, an extension project is under construction at St. Mary's College, which will increase capacity at the school to 900 pupils. A similar extension is under construction at Meánscoil Iognáid Rís and further accommodation needs at the school are currently in planning.
All of these initiatives represent huge capital investment and demonstrate my commitment to meeting the needs of the areas concerned. The school planning section of my Department will keep the position under review to ensure that any additional emerging needs are met as expeditiously as possible.
1190 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science the extent to which she has met or intends to so do the requirements as set out by the school authorities at a school (details supplied) in County Kildare; if she intends to take any initiatives in this regard in the current year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1759/05]
The building project for the school referred to by the Deputy is at an early stage of architectural planning. Department officials are currently examining an amended stage three submission and the school authorities will be kept advised of developments.
I recently announced details of 122 major school building projects that will progress to tender and construction phase over the next 12 to 15 months under the €3.4 billion multi annual funding secured for the years 2005-09.
I am anxious to ensure that a consistent flow of projects to tender and construction can be sustained into the future. I plan to make a number of announcements in the near future in relation to the schools' building and modernisation programme, including details of those school projects which will further progress through the design process. All projects in architectural planning, including the school in question, will be considered as part of this process.
1191 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science the extent to which she expects to meet the special needs or other teaching requirements for all primary and second level schools throughout County Kildare in the current year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1760/05]
Significant improvements have been made in the pupil-teacher ratio at primary level in recent years. The ratio has fallen from 22.2:1 in the 1996-97 school year to 17.44:1 in the 2003-04 school year. Arising from these improvements, class sizes have reduced in the same period. I am committed to reducing class sizes still further. This, however, can only be done on a phased basis and the priority will be given to pupils with special needs and those from disadvantaged areas and junior classes.
Regarding teaching supports for pupils with special needs, the Deputy will be aware that my Department has recently developed a new system for the allocation of teaching support in all primary schools. The proposed new system for resource teacher allocation involves a general allocation for all primary schools to cater for pupils with 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 tenth percentile on a standardised test of reading and/or mathematics. An additional 350 teacher posts are being provided to facilitate the introduction of the new system.
I am conscious of difficulties that could arise in relation to the proposed new model, particularly for children in small and rural schools, if it were implemented as currently proposed. Accordingly I will be reviewing the proposal to ensure that it provides an automatic response for pupils with common higher incidence special educational needs. The review will involve consultation with educational interests and the National Council for Special Education, NCSE, before it is implemented in September 2005. In addition, all schools may continue to apply for separate specific allocations in respect of pupils with lower incidence disabilities.
The NCSE which was established recently and which has become operational from 1 January 2005 will be responsible for processing applications for special educational needs, SEN, based on the assessed needs of pupils in primary schools generally, including County Kildare. Some 70 special educational needs organisers have been recruited throughout the country and will be a focal point of contact for schools and parents.
I can confirm also that the following special needs provision at primary level in County Kildare has been sanctioned by my Department to cater for the special educational needs, SEN, of pupils: nine special classes for pupils with autism at a pupil-teacher ratio of 6:1; six special classes for pupils with mild general learning disabilities at a pupil-teacher ratio of 11:1; and one special class for pupils with moderate general learning disabilities at a pupil-teacher ratio of 8:1. In addition to these special classes, there are three special schools in operation in the Kildare area catering for approximately 157 pupils with special needs with a pupil-teacher ratio ranging from 6:1 to 11:1.
My Department also provides funding for the Saplings project, a facility sanctioned on a pilot basis which uses applied behavioural analysis methodologies for children with autism. There are approximately 30 children enrolled in the facility.
With regard to post-primary education, teacher allocations to second level schools are approved annually by my Department in accordance with established rules based on recognised pupil enrolment. Each school management authority is required to organise its timetable and subject options having regard to pupils needs within the limit of its approved teacher allocation. Apart from meeting the requirements in relation to the provision of the "core subjects", the curriculum offered in individual second level schools is a matter for the authorities of the school concerned having regard to its approved teacher allocation.
My Department allocates resource teacher support and special needs assistant support to second level schools and VECs to cater for students with special educational needs. The nature and level of support provided in each case is based on the professionally assessed needs of the individual student.
1192 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science her proposals for the future of a school (details supplied) in County Kildare; if extra improvements or facilities are likely in the current year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1761/05]
My Department has not received an application for additional facilities from the school to which the Deputy refers.
1193 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science the extent to which the full requirement in terms of extra facilities, teaching staff or other needs are currently met at a school (details supplied) in County Kildare; if she has proposals in this regard in the current year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1762/05]
I am pleased to inform the Deputy that construction is well under way on a six classroom extension at the school in question. It is envisaged that the extension will be completed in the latter half of 2005.
Regarding teaching staff, the staffing of a primary school is determined by reference to the enrolment of the school on 30 September of the previous school year. The actual number of mainstream posts sanctioned is determined by reference to a staffing schedule and is finalised for a particular year following discussions with the education partners.
The mainstream staffing for the school referred to by the Deputy for the current school year is a principal and 21 mainstream class teachers based on the enrolment of 593 pupils on 30 September 2003. According to data submitted to my Department by the board of management the enrolment on 30 September 2004 was 586 pupils. The staffing for the 2005-06 school year will be determined on the basis of this figure in accordance with the agreed staffing schedule which is expected to be notified to boards of management in February-March 2005.
In relation to teaching supports for pupils with special needs at this school, the Deputy will be aware that my Department has recently developed a new system for the allocation of teaching support in all primary schools. The proposed new system for resource teacher allocation involves a general allocation for all primary schools to cater for pupils with 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 tenth percentile on a standardised test of reading and/or mathematics. An additional 350 teacher posts are being provided to facilitate the introduction of the new system.
I am conscious of difficulties that could arise in relation to the proposed new model, particularly for children in small and rural schools, if it were implemented as currently proposed. Accordingly I will be reviewing the proposal to ensure that it provides an automatic response for pupils with common higher incidence special educational needs. The review will involve consultation with educational interests and the National Council for Special Education, NCSE, before it is implemented in September 2005. In addition, all schools may continue to apply for separate specific allocations in respect of pupils with lower incidence disabilities. The school currently has the service of seven full-time resource teaching posts and two full-time learning support teaching posts. The NCSE which was established recently, and which has become operational from 1 January 2005, will be responsible for processing applications for special educational needs, SEN, based on the assessed needs of pupils in primary schools generally. Some 70 special educational needs organisers have been recruited throughout the country and will be a focal point of contact for schools and parents.
1194 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science the extent to which the full requirement in terms of extra facilities, teaching staff or other needs are currently met at a school (details supplied) in County Kildare; if she has proposals in this regard in the current year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1808/05]
I am pleased to inform the Deputy that construction is well under way on a seven classroom extension at the school in question. It is envisaged that the extension will be completed in the latter half of 2005.
Regarding teaching staff, the staffing of a primary school is determined by reference to the enrolment of the school on 30 September of the previous school year. The actual number of mainstream posts sanctioned is determined by reference to a staffing schedule and is finalised for a particular year following discussions with the education partners.
The mainstream staffing for the school referred to by the Deputy for the current school year is a principal and 21 mainstream class teachers based on the enrolment of 599 pupils on 30 September 2003. According to data submitted to my Department by the board of management, the enrolment on 30 September 2004 was 597 pupils. The staffing for the 2005-06 school year will be determined on the basis of this figure in accordance with the agreed staffing schedule which is expected to be notified to boards of management in February-March 2005.
Regarding teaching supports for pupils with special needs, the Deputy will be aware that my Department has recently developed a new system for the allocation of teaching support in all primary schools. The proposed new system for resource teacher allocation involves a general allocation for all primary schools to cater for pupils with 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 tenth percentile on a standardised test of reading and/or mathematics. An additional 350 teacher posts are being provided to facilitate the introduction of the new system.
I am conscious of difficulties that could arise in relation to the proposed new model, particularly for children in small and rural schools, if it were implemented as currently proposed. Accordingly I will be reviewing the proposal to ensure that it provides an automatic response for pupils with common higher incidence special educational needs. The review will involve consultation with educational interests and the National Council for Special Education, NCSE, before it is implemented in September 2005. In addition, all schools may continue to apply for separate specific allocations in respect of pupils with lower incidence disabilities. The school currently has the service of four full-time resource teaching posts and two full-time learning support teaching posts.
The NCSE which was established recently and which has become operational from 1 January 2005 will be responsible for processing applications for special educational needs, SEN, based on the assessed needs of pupils in primary schools generally. Some 70 special educational needs organisers have been recruited throughout the country and will be a focal point of contact for schools and parents.
1195 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science the position in regard to the provision of further facilities at a school (details supplied) in County Kildare; if she expects to be in a position to augment the project in the current year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1809/05]
The refurbishment project at the school to which the Deputy refers has been assessed in accordance with the published prioritisation criteria, which were revised following consultation with the education partners. Progress on this project is being considered in the context of the school building programme. The Deputy will be aware that I recently announced the first phase of the 2005 school building programme which provided details of 122 major school building projects countrywide which will prepare tenders and move to construction during 2005. This announcement is the first in a series of announcements I plan to make in the coming period in relation to the school building programme and modernisation programme that will include details of schools identified as suitable for construction under public private partnerships; an expansion of the number of schools that will be invited to deliver their building projects on the basis of devolved funding; details of schools with projects approved under the 2005 summer works scheme; schools whose projects will further progress through the design process; and schools that will be authorised to commence architectural planning.
1196 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science her proposals in conjunction with the Kildare VEC for the replacement of facilities at a school (details supplied) in County Kildare; if agreement has been reached on the location of the required facilities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1810/05]
A proposal for the relocation of the school in question to an alternative site was put to my Department and accepted in principle, subject to the resolution of a number of issues regarding cost, location etc. Discussions have been held with the County Kildare Vocational Education Committee, the local authority and representatives of a developer on the matter. The vocational education committee is progressing the architectural planning of a new school building at present.
1197 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science the full extent of extra facilities required at a school (details supplied) in County Kildare; if she expects to be in a position to approve the project in the current year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1811/05]
That construction has commenced on an extension project at the school to which the Deputy refers. The project is due to be completed in early 2005.
1198 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science the position in regard to the provision of the extra facilities required at a school (details supplied) in County Kildare; when the project will advance to construction stage; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1812/05]
1200 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science the position in regard to the provision of the extra facilities required at a school (details supplied) in County Kildare; when the project will advance to construction stage; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1814/05]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 1198 and 1200 together.
Extension projects at the schools to which the Deputy refers have been included on the recently announced list of projects to proceed to tender and construction in the next 12 to 15 months. My Department's building unit has arranged a general information meeting in order to guide schools that are on this list through the process involved in moving projects to tender and construction. The meeting will take place on 31 January 2005 and the schools in question have been invited to attend.
1199 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science the position in regard to the provision of the extra facilities required at a school (details supplied) in County Kildare; when the project will advance to construction stage; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1813/05]
The project referred to by the Deputy is listed for proceeding to tender and construction over the next 12 to 15 months. My Department's building unit has arranged a general information meeting for all such schools to guide them through the process involved in moving projects to tender and construction. The meeting will take place on 1 February in Tullamore and the school in question has been invited to attend.
1201 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science the number and location of primary schools throughout County Kildare in respect of which approval has been given for the provision of extra or replacement facilities or extra teachers in the past 12 months; the number likely to receive such approval in the current year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1815/05]
1202 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science the number and location of second level schools throughout County Kildare in respect of which approval has been given for the provision of extra or replacement facilities or extra teachers in the past 12 months; the number likely to receive such approval in the current year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1816/05]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 1201 and 1202 together.
The information sought by the Deputy is not readily available in the format requested. However, if the Deputy has a query about any specific school, I would be happy to provide the information for him.
1203 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science the position in regard to the acquisition of a site for a new national school at Kill, County Kildare; if her attention has been drawn to the need to expedite the process in view of the proximity of the present school to a major road works project and a consequent safety concern arising therefrom; if she expects to achieve progress in this regard in the current year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1817/05]
The property management section of the Office of Public Works, which acts on behalf of my Department in relation to site acquisitions generally, is continuing to explore the possibilities of acquiring a site for a new national school at Kill, County Kildare. Due to the commercial sensitivities of site acquisitions, it is not proposed at this stage to identify specific sites to be acquired. However, this information will be placed on my Department's website when the relevant acquisitions have been completed. My Department is aware of the urgency of the case and every effort is being made to acquire a site as soon as possible.
1204 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science the extent to which she expects the project for the extra facilities required at a school (details supplied) in County Kildare to proceed in the current year; the number of pupils attending the school; the extra places required; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1818/05]
There are currently 242 pupils attending the school to which the Deputy refers. The projected long-term accommodation requirement is for a principal plus 11 classroom assistants. The project at the school has been assessed in accordance with the published prioritisation criteria, which were revised following consultation with the education partners.
Progress on this project is being considered in the context of the school building programme. The Deputy will be aware that I recently announced the first phase of the 2005 school building programme which provided details of 122 major school building projects countrywide which will prepare tenders and move to construction during 2005. This announcement is the first in a series of announcements I plan to make in the coming period in relation to the school building programme and modernisation programme that will include details of schools identified as suitable for construction under public private partnerships; an expansion of the number of schools that will be invited to deliver their building projects on the basis of devolved funding; details of schools with projects approved under the 2005 summer works scheme; schools whose projects will further progress through the design process; and schools that will be authorised to commence architectural planning.
1205 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science the position in regard to the extra facilities required at a school (details supplied) in County Kildare; if she expects the project to advance in the current year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1819/05]
The extension project at the school to which the Deputy refers has been assessed in accordance with the published prioritisation criteria, which were revised following consultation with the education partners.
Progress on this project is being considered in the context of the school building programme. The Deputy will be aware that I recently announced the first phase of the 2005 school building programme which provided details of 122 major school building projects countrywide which will prepare tenders and move to construction during 2005. This announcement is the first in a series of announcements I plan to make in the coming period in relation to the school building programme and modernisation programme that will include details of schools identified as suitable for construction under public private partnerships; an expansion of the number of schools that will be invited to deliver their building projects on the basis of devolved funding; details of schools with projects approved under the 2005 summer works scheme; schools whose projects will further progress through the design process; and schools that will be authorised to commence architectural planning.
1206 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science when it is likely that the provision of the permanent buildings required at a school (details supplied) in County Kildare will receive approval; if it will happen in the current year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1820/05]
The project at the school to which the Deputy refers has been assessed in accordance with the published prioritisation criteria, which were revised following consultation with the education partners.
Progress on this project is being considered in the context of the school building programme. The Deputy will be aware that I recently announced the first phase of the 2005 school building programme which provided details of 122 major school building projects countrywide which will prepare tenders and move to construction during 2005. This announcement is the first in a series of announcements I plan to make in the coming period in relation to the school building programme and modernisation programme that will include details of schools identified as suitable for construction under public private partnerships; an expansion of the number of schools that will be invited to deliver their building projects on the basis of devolved funding; details of schools with projects approved under the 2005 summer works scheme; schools whose projects will further progress through the design process; and schools that will be authorised to commence architectural planning.
1207 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science the full extent of the extra facilities required at a school (details supplied) in County Kildare; if she expects to be in a position to meet this requirement in full in the current year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1821 /05]
An application for temporary accommodation has been received from the school authority to which the Deputy refers. All applications for temporary accommodation for the 2005-2006 school year are currently being assessed in the school planning section of my Department. I intend to publish a list of the successful applicants shortly.
1208 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science the full extent of the extra places and facilities required at a school (details supplied) in County Kildare; if she expects to be in a position to advance this project in the current year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1822/05]
Phase two of the extension project at the school to which the Deputy refers, which will increase capacity at the school to 900 pupil places, has been assessed in accordance with the published prioritisation criteria, which were revised following consultation with the education partners.
Progress on this project is being considered in the context of the school building programme. The Deputy will be aware that I recently announced the first phase of the 2005 school building programme which provided details of 122 major school building projects countrywide which will prepare tenders and move to construction during 2005. This announcement is the first in a series of announcements I plan to make in the coming period in relation to the school building programme and modernisation programme that will include details of schools identified as suitable for construction under public private partnerships; an expansion of the number of schools that will be invited to deliver their building projects on the basis of devolved funding; details of schools with projects approved under the 2005 summer works scheme; schools whose projects will further progress through the design process; and schools that will be authorised to commence architectural planning.
1209 Mr. Hayes asked the Minister for Education and Science the progress which has been made in regard to applications from the board of management of a school (details supplied) in County Tipperary. [1823/05]
The project at the school to which the Deputy refers has been assessed in accordance with the published prioritisation criteria, which were revised following consultation with the education partners and will be considered under the 2005 school building programme.
The Deputy will be aware that I recently announced the first phase of the 2005 school building programme which provided details of 122 major school building projects countrywide which will prepare tenders and move to construction during 2005. This announcement is the first in a series of announcements I plan to make in the coming period in relation to the school building programme and modernisation programme that will include details of schools identified as suitable for construction under public private partnerships; an expansion of the number of schools that will be invited to deliver their building projects on the basis of devolved funding; details of schools with projects approved under the 2005 summer works scheme; schools whose projects will further progress through the design process; and schools that will be authorised to commence architectural planning.
1210 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Education and Science if her attention has been drawn to a planning application which compromises a site which had been earmarked for a primary school (details supplied) in Dublin 18; if her Department has made observations on the planning application either to Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council or to An Bord Pleanála; her plans to meet the anticipated primary school needs for the planned population in this general area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1824/05]
My Department has been in communication with the planning department of Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council regarding future school requirements in the Cherrywood local area plan. The exact location of reserved sites for schools will be the subject of further discussions with the local authority which is in the process of preparing a draft plan for public consultation.
The site referred to by the Deputy was a reserved school site in the previous Cherrywood draft area plan which was not adopted by the local authority. The development of the Cherrywood area, including the reservation of sites for future school use, is now being dealt with under the new local area plan.
1211 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Education and Science if persons (details supplied) in County Sligo will be granted the maintenance grant top-up in view of their financial difficulties; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1833/05]
The report of the action group on access to third level education makes detailed recommendations concerning the introduction of special rates of maintenance grants for disadvantaged students, usually referred to as "top-up" grants. The target group of "those most in need" has been defined in terms of the dependants of people receiving long-term welfare payments, where the necessary conditions are fulfilled. The special rates of grant are also available to mature students who meet the prescribed conditions. To qualify for the top-up grant all candidates must satisfy the following conditions: qualify for the ordinary maintenance grant in respect of the academic year 2004-05; total reckonable income limit in the tax year to 31 December 2003 must not exceed €14,693 net of standard exclusions, as set out in the 2004 maintenance grants schemes and net of CDA payments, where applicable; as at 31 December 2003, the reckonable income of parent (s)/guardian(s), the candidate himself-herself, or the income of the spouse-partner, as the case may be, must include one of the eligible social welfare payments prescribed under the scheme.
When a student submits an application for grant assistance the application will automatically be assessed for the special rate of grant where the income includes one of the eligible social welfare payments prescribed under the scheme. Decisions on applications are taken by the awarding authority based on the conditions and terms issued by my Department. The awarding authorities do not refer individual applications to my Department except in exceptional cases where for example advice or instruction regarding a particular condition is desired. It appears that no such advice or instruction has, to date, been sought in the case of the student, referred to by the Deputy.
If an individual applicant considers that she or he has been unjustly refused the special rate of maintenance grant, 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 conditions correctly in his/her case, a letter outlining the position may be sent to my Department. No appeal has been received in the student support unit of my Department from the student referred to by the Deputy. It is not open to me or to my Department to depart from the terms of the schemes in individual cases.
1212 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Education and Science if her attention has been drawn to the fact that, due to a lack of personnel, pupils can be absent from school for up to 60 days; the steps she has in place to ensure that contact is made with an absent pupil by the relevant officials after 20 days; if the relevant officials will be appointed to deal with the difficulties; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1845/05]
Since its formal launch in December 2003, the aim of the National Educational Welfare Board has been to provide a service to the most disadvantaged areas and most at-risk groups. Five regional teams have been established with bases in Dublin, Cork, Limerick, Galway and Waterford and staff have been deployed in areas of greatest disadvantage and in areas designated under the Government's RAPID programme. Thirteen towns with significant schoolgoing populations, 12 of which are designated under the Government's RAPID programme, also now have an educational welfare officer allocated to them. In addition, the board will follow up on urgent cases nationally where children are not currently receiving an education.
During the summer of 2004, the board undertook a survey on the levels of school attendance for the school year 2003-2004. This is the first time that data on school attendance at national level have been collected. The findings of the survey support the targeting policy followed by the board to date in appointing educational welfare officers to the areas of greatest disadvantage. In response to a request from the board my Department approved the recruitment of an additional ten staff in November 2004 to meet identified needs. Decisions relating to the assignment of the additional staff to specific areas are a matter for the board which is an independent statutory agency.
Schools are required to refer students absent for more than 20 days cumulatively during the school year, or where a school principal wishes to express concern about the attendance pattern of a particular student. Staff of the NEWB make contact with the school to establish reasons for the absences, and what steps have been taken to date by the school to improve the child's attendance. An educational welfare officer may then contact the parent in question to advise and support the parent regarding the need for the child to attend school regularly. In RAPID designated areas, EWOs offer an intensive service to schools and parents. Outside these designated areas, the NEWB offers an urgent service, where cases of chronic absenteeism are followed up in consultation with schools. The appointment of ten extra staff to counties which up to now have not had the benefit of the presence of an EWO will enable the NEWB to extend the intensive service. In addition, the budget of €7.8 million for the NEWB in 2005 represents an increase of €1.3 million or 20% on the 2004 allocation. This provision will enable the board to continue to develop its services in 2005.
1213 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science if, arising from the local elections in 2004, new vocational education committees have been established in all areas; if not, if she will identify the VECs that have not been formulated yet; and the reasons for the delay. [1847/05]
Pursuant to section 7 of the Vocational Education (Amendment) Act 2001, the revised composition of the new vocational education committees provides, for the first time, for the election of members by parents and VEC staff. In addition to members elected by the local authority from among the members of the local authority concerned, the Act provides for the appointment by the local authority of a further four members from among nominated representatives of community, voluntary and other interests as set out in the Act.
The first meeting of the new committees have been held or have been fixed in the case of all VECs except in the case of Dun Laoghaire, County Donegal, County Dublin, County Kildare and County Meath. I understand the reason for delay is due to the finalising of the appointment process by the local authorities of the further four members referred to already. It is expected that this appointment process will be completed shortly and that the first meeting of the new committees concerned can take place in February.
1214 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Education and Science when tenders will be invited for a new school (details supplied) in County Kildare; the anticipated timeframe for construction; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1856/05]
The project referred to by the Deputy is listed for proceeding to tender and construction over the next 12 to 15 months. My Department's building unit has arranged a general information meeting for all such schools to guide them through the process involved in moving projects to tender and construction. The meeting will take place on 1 February in Tullamore and the school in question has been invited to attend.
1215 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Education and Science when tenders will be invited for the required extension to a school (details supplied) in County Kildare; the anticipated timetable for construction; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1857/05]
An extension project at the school to which the Deputy refers was included on the recently announced list of projects to proceed to tender and construction in the next 12 to 15 months.
My Department's building unit has arranged a general information meeting to guide schools that are on this list through the process involved in moving projects to tender and construction. The meeting will take place on 31 January 2005 and the school in question has been invited to attend.
1216 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Education and Science when she will announce the allocation of grants towards the purchase of temporary accommodation for national schools; if her attention has been drawn to the serious problem with accommodation at a school (details supplied) in County Kildare at which the physical education hall is being used for classes; if she will include this school in her allocation of temporary accommodation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1858/05]
An application for temporary accommodation has been received from the school authority to which the Deputy refers. All applications for temporary accommodation for the 2005-06 school year are currently being assessed in the school planning section of my Department. I intend to publish a list of the successful applicants shortly.
1217 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Education and Science when she will announce the allocation of grants towards the purchase of temporary accommodation for national schools; if her attention has been drawn to the serious problem with accommodation at a school (details supplied) in County Kildare at which the physical education hall is being used for classes; if she will include this school in her allocation of temporary accommodation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1859/05]
All applications for temporary accommodation for the 2005-06 school year are currently being assessed in the school planning section of my Department. I intend to publish a list of the successful applicants shortly. However, no application for temporary accommodation has been received from the school authority to which the Deputy refers.
1218 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Education and Science when she will announce the allocation of grants towards the purchase of temporary accommodation for national schools; if her attention has been drawn to the serious problem with accommodation at a school (details supplied) in County Kildare at which no facilities are available for resource teaching; if she will include this school in her allocation of temporary accommodation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1860/05]
Applications for temporary accommodation for the 2005-06 school year are currently being assessed in the school planning section of my Department. I intend to publish a list of the successful applicants shortly. However, no application for temporary accommodation has been received from the school authority to which the Deputy refers.
1219 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Education and Science if she will sanction the invitation of tenders for the required extension to a school (details supplied) in County Kildare in 2005; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1861/05]
The building project for the school referred to by the Deputy is at an early stage of architectural planning. Department officials are currently examining an amended stage 3 submission and the school authorities will be kept advised of developments.
I recently announced details of 122 major school building projects that will progress to tender and construction phase over the next 12 to 15 months under the €3.4 billion multi-annual funding secured for the years 2005-09. I am anxious to ensure that a consistent flow of projects to tender and construction can be sustained into the future. I plan to make a number of announcements in the near future in relation to the schools building and modernisation programme including details of those school projects which will further progress through the design process.
All projects in architectural planning, including the school in question, will be considered as part of this process.
1220 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Education and Science if she will sanction the invitation of tenders for the required extension to a school (details supplied) in County Kildare in 2005; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1862/05]
The project at the school to which the Deputy refers has been assessed in accordance with the published prioritisation criteria, which were revised following consultation with the education partners. Progress on this project is being considered in the context of the school building programme and the Deputy will be aware that I recently announced the first phase of the 2005 programme that provided details of 122 major school building projects countrywide which will prepare tenders and move to construction during 2005.
This is the first in a series of announcements I plan to make in the coming period in relation to the schools building and modernisation programme that will include details of schools identified as suitable for construction under public private partnerships; an expansion of the number of schools that will be invited to deliver their building projects on the basis of devolved funding; details of schools with projects approved under the 2005 summer works scheme; schools whose projects will further progress through the design process; and schools that will be authorised to commence architectural planning
1221 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Education and Science if she will sanction the invitation of tenders for the required renovations to a school (details supplied) in County Kildare in 2005; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1863/05]
The project at the school to which the Deputy refers has been assessed in accordance with the published prioritisation criteria, which were revised following consultation with the education partners. Progress on this project is being considered in the context of the school building programme and the Deputy will be aware that I recently announced the first phase of the 2005 programme that provided details of 122 major school building projects countrywide which will prepare tenders and move to construction during 2005.
This is the first in a series of announcements I plan to make in the coming period in relation to the schools building and modernisation programme that will include details of schools identified as suitable for construction under public private partnerships; an expansion of the number of schools that will be invited to deliver their building projects on the basis of devolved funding; details of schools with projects approved under the 2005 summer works scheme; schools whose projects will further progress through the design process; and schools that will be authorised to commence architectural planning
1222 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Education and Science if she will sanction the invitation of tenders for the required 17 additional classrooms for a school (details supplied) in County Kildare in 2005; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1864/05]
Phase 2 of the extension project at the school to which the Deputy refers has been assessed in accordance with the published prioritisation criteria, which were revised following consultation with the education partners.
Progress on this project is being considered in the context of the school building programme and the Deputy will be aware that I recently announced the first phase of the 2005 programme that provided details of 122 major school building projects countrywide which will prepare tenders and move to construction during 2005.
This is the first in a series of announcements I plan to make in the coming period in relation to the schools building and modernisation programme that will include details of schools identified as suitable for construction under public private partnerships; an expansion of the number of schools that will be invited to deliver their building projects on the basis of devolved funding; details of schools with projects approved under the 2005 summer works scheme; schools whose projects will further progress through the design process; and schools that will be authorised to commence architectural planning
1223 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Education and Science if her Department has the authority to compulsorily purchase lands in Kill to provide a new national school; if these powers are available, the reason they are not used; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1865/05]
Although my Department does not have the authority to compulsorily purchase lands for the provision of educational facilities, I wish to assure the Deputy that the property management section of the Office of Public Works, which acts on behalf of my Department in relation to site acquisitions generally, is continuing to explore all possibilities in relation to the acquisition of a site for a new national school in Kill. Every effort is being made to ensure that a site is acquired as soon as possible.
Due to the commercial sensitivities of site acquisitions, it is not proposed at this stage to identify specific sites to be acquired. However, this information will be placed on my Department's website when the relevant acquisitions have been completed.
1224 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Education and Science if permanent recognition of a school (details supplied) in County Kildare has been sanctioned; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1866/05]
1225 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Education and Science if she will sanction an additional grant to a school (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1867/05]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 1224 and 1225 together.
The school to which the Deputy refers commenced operation with provisional recognition from my Department in September 2002. Newly established schools are generally required to undergo a period of provisional recognition, during which the operation of the school and the growth of pupil numbers are monitored.
An application for permanent recognition has been received from the school authority and is currently under consideration in the school planning section of my Department. As part of the examination, factors such as the long-term viability of the school, current and projected enrolments and suitability of accommodation will be considered.
I also confirm that an application for grant aid towards the cost of relocating the school was received. I am pleased to be able to inform the Deputy that all payments due to the school in this respect have been approved.
1226 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Education and Science the total cost involved in carrying out the asbestos remediation works to a school (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1868/05]
The roof of the community school in question has been surveyed by the health and safety unit of the Office of Public Works which manages the asbestos remediation programme on behalf of my Department and the presence of asbestos has been confirmed.
The Office of Public Works has been authorised to carry out all necessary roof works to the school in question. It is not possible to release estimated costings for school building projects as its disclosure could prejudice the tender outcome and could result in financial loss to the Department.
1227 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Education and Science when she will announce the allocation of funds towards the summer works scheme 2005; if her attention has been drawn to the urgent need to address the provision of a covered walkway at a school (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1869/05]
A key plank in the modernisation of school buildings is the summer works scheme, SWS, which was widely welcomed when introduced earlier this year. In the current year €31 million was allocated to that scheme covering 448 projects in 291 primary schools and 157 post-primary schools.
1228 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Education and Science the extent of the educational welfare officer service in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1880/05]
Since its formal launch in December 2003, the aim of the National Educational Welfare Board has been to provide a service to the most disadvantaged areas and most at-risk groups. Five regional teams have been established with bases in Dublin, Cork, Limerick, Galway and Waterford and staff have been deployed in areas of greatest disadvantage and in areas designated under the Government's RAPID programme. Some 13 towns with significant school going populations, 12 of which are designated under the Government's RAPID programme, also now have educational welfare officers allocated to them. In addition, the board will follow up on urgent cases nationally where children are not currently receiving an education.
During the summer of 2004, the board undertook a survey of the levels of school attendance for the school year 2003-04. This is the first time that data on school attendance at national level have been collected. The findings of the survey support the targeting policy followed by the board to date in appointing educational welfare officers to the areas of greatest disadvantage.
In response to a request from the board my Department approved the recruitment of an additional ten staff in November 2004 to meet identified needs. Decisions relating to the assignment of the additional staff to specific areas are a matter for the board which is an independent statutory agency. The board has indicated that when the additional staff are recruited, an educational welfare officer will be assigned to County Kildare.
For 2005, I am planning to increase the SWS allocation to €60 million. This will allow me to both increase the number of projects funded and extend the scope of the works covered by funding some more substantial projects than was possible under last year's programme. This level of funding will make a significant impact in upgrading and modernising school buildings.
Applications under the 2005 scheme, including that from the school in question, are currently being assessed in my Department and I intend to publish a list of successful applicants shortly.
1229 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Education and Science when the new national school for Naas, County Kildare will be completed; and when it will be opened. [1882/05]
I am pleased to inform the Deputy that construction is well underway on the new 16 classroom school at Sallins Road, Naas. It is envisaged that the new school will be completed in the latter half of 2005.
1230 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Education and Science the percentage of national schools in the State which have access to educational psychologists; and the percentage in County Kildare which have access to educational psychologists. [1883/05]
The percentage of national schools in the State with access to the psychological service provided by the National Educational Psychological Service, NEPS, is 53%, representing 63% of pupils in the sector. In County Kildare. The percentage of national schools with access to NEPS is 40%-52% of pupils.
Those schools that do not have access to the NEPS service are entitled to avail of the scheme for commissioning psychological assessments. All schools, therefore, have some access to psychologists.
1231 Ms B. Moynihan-Cronin asked the Minister for Education and Science the position regarding the school projects sanctioned by her recently to proceed to tender and or construction; the projects in County Kerry which have been approved; the timescale involved for these projects; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1894/05]
The recently announced list of projects for proceeding to tender and construction over the next 12 to 15 months includes six projects in County Kerry. The projects in question are: Lisivigeen mixed NS, Killarney; St. Gertrudes, Scairt Liath; Nano Nagle Special NS, Lixnaw; Rathmore NS, Kenmare NS; and Presentation SS, Milltown.
My Department's building unit has arranged general information meetings for all such schools to guide them through the process involved in moving projects to tender and construction. The meetings will take place on 31 January and 1 February in Tullamore and all the schools in question have been invited to attend.
1232 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Education and Science if her attention has been drawn to the fact that it is common practice for schools to direct that no first aid be applied in the event of an injury to children, that schools are refusing to administer the very basic application of antiseptic and sterile dressing due to litigation fears and that in a great many cases no first aid kits are kept or maintained; and if she has plans to give teachers the basics in first aid training and to ensure that first aid kits are maintained and accessible in every classroom in the country. [1897/05]
In accordance with the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 1989, it is the responsibility of individual school management authorities to have a safety statement in place in their schools. The statement should identify potential hazards, assess the risks to health and safety and put appropriate provision in place to safeguard the safety and health of employees and pupils. The safety statement should be reviewed on a regular basis.
No teacher can be required to administer medicine or drugs to pupils. However, where teachers are willing to administer medicines, this should only be done under strictly controlled guidelines and with the specific authorisation of the authorities of the school concerned.
In practical terms, individual school authorities are best placed to assess the detail of their own health and safety requirements. The Health and Safety Authority is the body with national responsibility for health and safety matters in the workplace. It is open to school management authorities to make direct contact with the Health and Safety Authority in relation to specific matters of concern to them.
1233 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Education and Science if she has plans to avert the closure of Dunsink Observatory; her views on whether the important buildings will be liable to vandalism when it is not occupied full time; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1898/05]
I understand that the Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies has no intention of closing Dunsink and that the institute continues to regard it as a valuable resource which it is seeking to develop for the benefit of science and the institute.
The Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies, in its strategy statement, identified the conduct of regular reviews of the academic work of its three constituent schools as a critical factor for its success. I understand from the institute that it established independent panels of international experts during 2004 to carry out such reviews of the research work of its three constitutent schools.
The council of the institute and the School of Cosmic Physics accepted the recommendations of the external review group that the research staff of the astronomy section, based in Dunsink, should be relocated with the astrophysics section and arrangements are being examined to progress this issue. The institute will continue with its current security arrangements at Dunsink following any relocation of its research staff.
1234 Ms Enright asked the Minister for Education and Science if a person (details supplied) in County Laois will continue, under the new weighted system developed within primary schools, to receive individual special needs tuition for 2.5 hours weekly; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1899/05]
The Deputy will be aware that my Department is proposing a new system for the allocation of resource teaching supports to pupils with special educational needs, SEN. This system will involve a general teaching allocation for all primary schools to cater for pupils with higher incidence SEN, that is, those with borderline mild and mild general learning disability specific learning disability, and also those with learning support needs. An additional 350 teacher posts are being provided to facilitate the introduction of the new system.
I am conscious of difficulties that could arise in relation to this model, particularly for children in small and rural schools, if it were implemented as currently proposed. Accordingly, I am having the proposed model reviewed to ensure that it provides an automatic response for pupils with common mild learning disabilities, without the need for cumbersome individual applications, while at the same time ensuring that pupils currently in receipt of service continue to receive the level of service appropriate to their needs. The review will involve consultation with representative interests and the National Council for Special Education before it is implemented in the next school year.
I should emphasise that individual applications may continue to be made for specific resource teacher allocations in respect of pupils with lower-incidence special educational needs.
This pupil's SEN appear to be within the high incidence category. Therefore, it would be expected that these needs can be met from within the current resource learning support teaching allocation available to the school. The school currently has the services of one learning support post and 12.5 hours part-time resource teaching. It is a matter for the school to deploy these resources to meet the SEN of the pupils in the school.
1235 Mr. McCormack asked the Minister for Education and Science the position regarding the sanctioning of extra hours for a resource teacher appointed to a school (details supplied) in County Mayo or the possibility of appointing a second resource teacher to cover the rising and urgent need of this service in view of the fact that hours were granted for a person but have not come into effect and that this person will be entering fourth class in September 2005 and is unable to read; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1948/05]
The Deputy will be aware that my Department is proposing a new system for the allocation of resource teaching supports to pupils with special educational needs, SEN. This system will involve a general teaching allocation for all primary schools to cater for pupils with higher incidence SEN, that is, those with borderline mild and mild general learning disability, specific learning disability and also those with learning support needs. An additional 350 teacher posts are being provided to facilitate the introduction of the new system. It will also allow for individual allocations in respect of pupils with lower incidence SEN.
I am conscious of difficulties that could arise in relation to this model, particularly for children in small and rural schools, if it were implemented as currently proposed. Accordingly, I am having the proposed model reviewed to ensure that it provides an automatic response for pupils with common mild learning disabilities, without the need for cumbersome individual applications, while at the same time ensuring that pupils currently in receipt of service continue to receive the level of service appropriate to their needs. The review will involve consultation with representative interests and the National Council for Special Education before it is implemented in the next school year.
The pupil referred to by the Deputy comes within the higher incidence SEN category. It would be expected that the pupil's SEN can be met from within the current resource learning support teaching allocation available to the school. The school currently has the services of a learning support teacher together with the services of a resource teacher. The deployment of these resources is a matter for the school concerned.
1236 Mr. Dennehy asked the Minister for Education and Science when a new school will be provided in County Cork (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1949/05]
The property management section of the Office of Public Works, which acts on behalf of my Department in relation to site acquisitions generally, is continuing with 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. However, this information will be placed on my Department's website when the relevant acquisitions have been completed.
1237 Mr. Dennehy asked the Minister for Education and Science if negotiations for land needed for a new school (details supplied) have been completed; if not, the reason for the delay; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1950/05]
The property management section of the Office of Public Works, which acts on behalf of my Department in relation to site acquisitions generally, is continuing with 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. However, this information will be placed on my Department's website when the relevant acquisitions have been completed.
1238 Mr. Haughey asked the Minister for Education and Science the position regarding alternative accommodation for a school (details supplied) in Dublin 9; when the analysis of the overall future provision of primary education in this general area will be completed and the broader examination completed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1963/05]
The analysis and review of overall future provision for primary education in the general area of the school referred to by the Deputy are ongoing. Discussions are also taking place with the primary education providers in the area to determine the likely demand for primary school places in the medium to long term and to determine how existing provision can be maximised to cater for this demand.
This review, which will be completed as quickly as possible, is taking the long-term accommodation needs of the school referred to by the Deputy into consideration.
1239 Ms Burton asked the Minister for Education and Science the progress which has been made in respect of the acquisition and purchase of a site for the proposed second level school promised for 2005 in Dublin 15 (details supplied); and the reason she has made no provision for the capital funding for this school in the recent capital funding announcements for second level schools in 2005. [2034/05]
My recent announcement related to the first phase only of the 2005 school building programme and provided details of 122 major school building projects countrywide which are ready to proceed to tender and construction during 2005. This is the first in a series of announcements I plan to make in the coming period in relation to the schools building and modernisation programme that will include: details of schools identified as suitable for construction under public private partnerships; an expansion of the number of schools that will be invited to deliver their building projects on the basis of devolved funding; details of schools with projects approved under the 2005 summer works scheme; schools whose projects will further progress through the design process; and schools that will be authorised to commence architectural planning.
With regard to the proposed new post-primary school to serve emerging needs in the Dublin 15 area, as the Deputy will be aware, this will be located at Phibblestown. Negotiations regarding the acquisition of the site are at an advanced stage. Plans for the delivery of the school building will be made when the site has been acquired.
1240 Ms Burton asked the Minister for Education and Science if a permanent site has been acquired or purchased for a school (details supplied) in Dublin 15; and the reason she has made no provision for the capital funding of this school in the recent capital funding announcements for primary schools in 2005. [2035/05]
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 discussion with the landowner of a possible site identified for a new national school for the area referred to by the Deputy. The acquisition of a site in this area is being treated as urgent.
Due to the commercial sensitivities of site acquisitions, it is not proposed at this stage to identify specific sites to be acquired. However, this information will be placed on my Department's website when the relevant acquisitions have been completed. The question of the provision of new accommodation for the school will be considered further when a site has been acquired.
1241 Ms Burton asked the Minister for Education and Science the position in respect of the refurbishment and rebuilding of a school (details supplied) as promised by her Department in 2001 and 2002; if her attention has been drawn to the severe deterioration in the quality of the school; and if she will make capital funding available for the school in 2005. [2036/05]
The large-scale project at the school to which the Deputy refers has been assessed in accordance with the published prioritisation criteria, which were revised following consultation with the education partners.
Progress on this project is being considered in the context of the school building programme and the Deputy will be aware that I recently announced the first phase of the 2005 programme that provided details of 122 major school building projects country wide which will prepare tenders and move to construction during 2005.
This is the first in a series of announcements I plan to make in the coming period in relation to the schools building and modernisation programme that will include details of schools identified as suitable for construction under public private partnerships; an expansion of the number of schools that will be invited to deliver their building projects on the basis of devolved funding; details of schools with projects approved under the 2005 summer works scheme; schools whose projects will further progress through the design process; and schools that will be authorised to commence architectural planning.
1242 Ms Burton asked the Minister for Education and Science the position in relation to the long promised gym for a school (details supplied) in Dublin 15; and the reason she has made no provision for this long promised facility in the recent capital funding announcements. [2037/05]
The large-scale project at the school to which the Deputy refers has been assessed in accordance with the published prioritisation criteria, which were revised following consultation with the education partners.
Progress on this project is being considered in the context of the school building programme and the Deputy will be aware that I recently announced the first phase of the 2005 programme that provided details of 122 major school building projects country wide which will prepare tenders and move to construction during 2005.
This is the first in a series of announcements I plan to make in the coming period in relation to the schools building and modernisation programme that will include details of schools identified as suitable for construction under public private partnerships; an expansion of the number of schools that will be invited to deliver their building projects on the basis of devolved funding; details of schools with projects approved under the 2005 summer works scheme; schools whose projects will further progress through the design process; and schools that will be authorised to commence architectural planning.
1243 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Education and Science the exact hours given to a person (details supplied) in County Mayo by a special needs assistant; if the hours have been increased of late; and if this person has been provided with a laptop computer. [2038/05]
I can confirm that my Department received an application from the school to increase the level of special needs assistant, SNA, support from part-time to full-time for the pupil concerned as he has progressed to first class and will be in attendance for the full school day.
Based on the information submitted by the school, my Department's professionals concluded that the appropriate level of SNA support warranted by the pupil was a lesser allocation than that originally sanctioned.
As the Deputy will be aware, special needs assistants may be approved to support pupils who have a significant medical need for such assistance, a significant impairment of physical or sensory function or where their behaviour is such that they are a danger to themselves or other pupils. The criteria used for the assessment of the need for such support is outlined in the Department's Circular 07/02.
A review of SNA provision in primary schools commenced in September 2004 and is continuing. The review is concerned with the level and deployment of SNA posts in mainstream classes. The intention is to ensure that the level of approved SNA support in schools, and the manner in which that support is being allocated, are such as to ensure that the special care needs of pupils are being appropriately met. The school in question will be visited shortly as part of this review. My officials have been in contact with the school and have explained that the pupil concerned may retain the existing level of SNA support until the above review has been completed.
The position regarding the need for a laptop computer is that my Department's inspectorate advised that the school has an adequate supply of desktop computers and a laptop computer which may be used to assist the pupil. In the circumstances, the provision of a further laptop is not warranted. This position was confirmed to the school by letter on 5 May 2004.
1244 Ms Enright asked the Minister for Education and Science if she will provide in tabular form the number of children from the Traveller community with special needs who are currently enrolled at fee paying post-primary schools around the country; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2039/05]
1245 Ms Enright asked the Minister for Education and Science if she will supply in tabular form the number of children from the Traveller community with special needs who are currently enrolled at post-primary schools within the free education scheme around the country; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2040/05]
1248 Ms Enright asked the Minister for Education and Science if she will supply in tabular form the number of children with special needs who are currently enrolled at post-primary schools within the free education scheme around the country; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2043/05]
1250 Ms Enright asked the Minister for Education and Science if she will supply in tabular form the number of children with special needs who are currently enrolled at fee paying post-primary schools around the country; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2045/05]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 1244, 1245, 1248 and 1250 together.
Where a pupil with special educational needs enrols in a post-primary school, it is open to the school to apply to my Department for additional teaching support and-or special needs assistant support for the pupil.
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. In the current school year to date additional teaching support has been granted in respect of approximately 14,560 pupils with special educational needs enrolled in schools within the free education scheme; special needs assistant support has been granted in respect of approximately 2,050 pupils within the free education scheme; additional teaching support has been granted in respect of approximately 410 pupils with special educational needs enrolled in fee-charging second level schools; and special needs assistant support has been granted in respect of approximately 49 pupils enrolled in fee-charging second level schools.
Regarding the number of Traveller pupils with special educational needs, the position is that records held by the Department, in relation to provision for special education at post-primary, do not indicate whether the pupils concerned are members of the Traveller community. 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.
1246 Ms Enright asked the Minister for Education and Science if she will supply in tabular form the number of children from the Traveller community with special needs who are currently enrolled at fee paying primary schools around the country; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2041/05]
1247 Ms Enright asked the Minister for Education and Science if she will supply in tabular form the number of children from the Traveller community with special needs who are currently enrolled at primary schools within the free education scheme around the country; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2042/05]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 1246 and 1247 together.
My Department does not keep information on children with special needs by cultural background.
1249 Ms Enright asked the Minister for Education and Science if she will supply in tabular form the number of children with special needs who are currently enrolled at primary schools within the free education scheme around the country; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2044/05]
1251 Ms Enright asked the Minister for Education and Science if she will supply in tabular form the number of children with special needs who are currently enrolled at fee paying primary schools around the country; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2046/05]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 1249 and 1251 together.
The special educational needs spectrum may be seen to range from those with learning support needs to those with more severe educational and or care needs. My Department does not keep records of pupils in receipt of learning support as this is determined by the school principal in collaboration with the class teacher and the learning support teacher.
My Department conducted a census of pupils with special educational needs in non-fee paying primary schools during the 2003-04 school year. This information is currently held in a format that is not readily accessible.
My Department does not keep records on children with special needs attending fee paying primary schools and consequently the information requested by the Deputy is not available.
1252 Mr. McGuinness asked the Minister for Education and Science if the cost of a course undertaken by a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny will be covered; if their application will be expedited; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2047/05]
I am pleased to inform the Deputy that my Department has reimbursed the person concerned for costs incurred while participating in the course in question. A payable order issued to the person concerned on 17 January 2005.
1253 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Education and Science if she will immediately sanction the provision of 20 hours of special needs assistance support and five hours of resource teaching for a person at a school (details supplied) in Dublin 4; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2048/05]
My Department sanctioned five hours special needs assistant, SNA, support for the pupil in question on 1 November 2004. The school subsequently requested additional SNA support for this pupil and provided further information in support of their request. The case was reviewed and the advice was that no additional SNA support was warranted. This decision was recently conveyed to the school.
The Deputy may be aware that a review of SNA provision in primary schools commenced in September 2004 and is continuing. The review is concerned with the level and deployment of SNA posts in mainstream classes. The intention is to ensure that the level of approved SNA support in schools, and the manner in which that support is being allocated, are such as to ensure that the special care needs of pupils are being appropriately met. The school in question is due to be reviewed shortly and the result of the review will be notified to the school authorities as soon as it becomes available. The school is aware of the proposed review.
My officials will contact the school shortly concerning the application for resource teaching support.
1254 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Education and Science the public appointments made in her Department since the Cabinet reshuffle in September, 2004. [2101/05]
Since my appointment as Minister for Education and Science I have made the following public appointments to my Department: Averil Power, special adviser, and Carl Gibney, personal assistant.
Arrangements are currently being finalised in relation to a third public appointment and I will be in touch with the Deputy as soon as this process is concluded.
1255 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Education and Science when she plans to publish the multi-annual school building programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2115/05]
The Deputy will be aware that I recently announced the first phase of the 2005 school building programme which provided details of 122 major school building projects country wide which will prepare tenders and move to construction during 2005.
This is the first in a series of announcements I plan to make in the coming period in relation to the schools building and modernisation programme that will include details of schools identified as suitable for construction under public private partnerships; an expansion of the number of schools that will be invited to deliver their building projects on the basis of devolved funding; details of schools with projects approved under the 2005 summer works scheme; schools whose projects will further progress through the design process; and schools that will be authorised to commence architectural planning.
1256 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Education and Science further to departmental correspondence, if she will approve a revised band rating and associated funding for a school (details supplied) in County Roscommon; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2116/05]
The Deputy will be aware that I recently announced the first phase of the 2005 school building programme which provided details of 122 major school building projects country wide which will prepare tenders and move to construction during 2005.
This is the first in a series of announcements I plan to make in the coming period in relation to the schools building and modernisation programme that will include details of schools identified as suitable for construction under public private partnerships; an expansion of the number of schools that will be invited to deliver their building projects on the basis of devolved funding; details of schools with projects approved under the 2005 summer works scheme; schools whose projects will further progress through the design process; and schools that will be authorised to commence architectural planning.
1257 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Education and Science if she will approve a revised band rating and associated funding for a school (details supplied) in County Roscommon; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2117/05]
The Deputy will be aware that I recently announced the first phase of the 2005 school building programme which provided details of 122 major school building projects country wide which will prepare tenders and move to construction during 2005.
This is the first in a series of announcements I plan to make in the coming period in relation to the schools building and modernisation programme that will include details of schools identified as suitable for construction under public private partnerships; an expansion of the number of schools that will be invited to deliver their building projects on the basis of devolved funding; details of schools with projects approved under the 2005 summer works scheme; schools whose projects will further progress through the design process; and schools that will be authorised to commence architectural planning.
1258 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Education and Science if she will approve a revised band rating and associated funding for a school (details supplied) in County Longford; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2118/05]
The large-scale refurbishment project at the school to which the Deputy refers has been assessed in accordance with the published prioritisation criteria, which were revised following consultation with the education partners. Progress on this project is now being considered in the context of the schools building programme.
The school has also submitted an application for funding under the summer works scheme 2005. Applications under this scheme are currently being assessed.
The Deputy will be aware that I recently announced the first phase of the 2005 school building programme which provided details of 122 major school building projects countrywide which will prepare tenders and move to construction during 2005.
This is the first in a series of announcements I plan to make in the coming period in relation to the schools building and modernisation programme that will include details of schools identified as suitable for construction under public private partnerships; an expansion of the number of schools that will be invited to deliver their building projects on the basis of devolved funding; details of schools with projects approved under the 2005 summer works scheme; schools whose projects will further progress through the design process; and schools that will be authorised to commence architectural planning.
1259 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Education and Science if she will approve funding for an extension to a primary school (details supplied) in County Roscommon; when she will make a decision on the application; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2120/05]
The extension and refurbishment project at the school to which the Deputy refers has been assessed in accordance with the published prioritisation criteria, which was revised following consultation with the education partners, and is considered suitable for consideration for funding under one of the devolved initiatives.
The Deputy will be aware that I recently announced the first phase of the 2005 school building programme which provided details of 122 major school building projects countrywide which will prepare tenders and move to construction during 2005.
This is the first in a series of announcements I plan to make in the coming period in relation to the schools building and modernisation programme that will include details of schools identified as suitable for construction under public private partnerships; an expansion of the number of schools that will be invited to deliver their building projects on the basis of devolved funding; details of schools with projects approved under the 2005 summer works scheme; schools whose projects will further progress through the design process; and schools that will be authorised to commence architectural planning.
1260 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Education and Science if she will approve funding for a school (details supplied) in County Roscommon; the reason it was not included in the 2005 allocation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2123/05]
The extension and refurbishment project at the school to which the Deputy refers has been assessed in accordance with the published prioritisation criteria, which was revised following consultation with the education partners, and is considered suitable for consideration for funding under one of the devolved initiatives.
The Deputy will be aware that I recently announced the first phase of the 2005 school building programme which provided details of 122 major school building projects countrywide which will prepare tenders and move to construction during 2005.
This is the first in a series of announcements I plan to make in the coming period in relation to the schools building and modernisation programme that will include details of schools identified as suitable for construction under public private partnerships; an expansion of the number of schools that will be invited to deliver their building projects on the basis of devolved funding; details of schools with projects approved under the 2005 summer works scheme; schools whose projects will further progress through the design process; and schools that will be authorised to commence architectural planning.
1261 Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Defence the amount which an ex-Army sergeant receives in retirement pension having served 31 years, as in the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 12. [34135/04]
The details of an individual's pension are regarded as confidential to the individual concerned and are not disclosed to other parties except with the individual's consent or as required by law.
The basic pension payable to a retired sergeant is €218.59 a week for 21 years' service. Where service exceeds 21 years, the pension is increased by an additional €7.53 for each further year of service up to a maximum of 31 years' service. This extra payment ceases to be payable when the pensioner qualifies for a social welfare retirement pension or an old age contributory pension.
1262 Mr. Deasy asked the Minister for Defence the number of persons who are members of either the old IRA or Cumann na mBan and who are in receipt of pensions in respect of the War of Independence. [34186/04]
1263 Mr. Deasy asked the Minister for Defence the names of members of the old IRA who are in receipt of pensions in respect of their service in the War of Independence in Waterford city and county; and the units of the organisation they served in. [34187/04]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 1262 and 1263 together.
There are eight individuals in receipt of a pension or allowance from my Department relating to the War of Independence, none of whom belonged to units based in Waterford city or county.
1264 Mr. Hogan asked the Minister for Defence the reason a person (details supplied) is to be discharged from the Defence Forces in April 2006; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34292/04]
The military authorities have advised that the individual in question enlisted in the Defence Forces on 3 May 1994, being engaged to serve for a fixed term of five years in the Permanent Defence Force, PDF. The individual, having satisfied the various criteria required for an "extension in service"— for personnel who enlisted after 1 January 1994 — was permitted on 2 May 1999 to extend his original term of service by four years so as to complete nine years service in the PDF. On 2 May 2003, his term of service was again extended so as to permit him to complete 12 years PDF service in total. The individual's service engagement in the PDF expires on 2 May 2006, at the end of this 12 year period.
1265 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Minister for Defence the skills and resources available in the Army to assist civilians in the event of a major crisis such as a flood, storm or nuclear accident at Sellafield. [34580/04]
The Defence Forces have contingency plans in place in relation to the provision of aid to the civil power (meaning in practice to assist, when requested, the Garda Síochána), and the provision of assistance to the civil authorities for a range of emergency situations. A detailed review of capacities and procedures to deal with a range of emergency situations was undertaken by the military authorities, following on from the events of 9/11. It included, inter alia, an update of the threat assessment; intensive contacts with other State agencies; a reassessment of operations orders relating to vital installations, alert systems, the Army Ranger wing, ordnance and engineer assets in terms of explosive ordnance disposal and specialist search and a review of equipment, including the need for air defence. Guidance documents pertaining to aid to the civil power and aid to the civil authorities were also re-assessed. All matters arising were addressed and all procedures updated as required.
The primary responsibility for dealing with storms, floods and an incident in Sellafield lies with the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government and the emergency services. The capacity of the Defence Forces to assist these authorities in dealing with these major emergencies is kept under constant review. Plans and procedures are updated as necessary and such additional equipment as is required to address any perceived deficiencies, is acquired on the basis of identified priorities. Training and preparation for such events is also provided for in the Defence Forces annual training plan.
1266 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Minister for Defence the position regarding Army numbers and further recruitments for 2005. [34581/04]
1289 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence if the current strength of the Defence Forces is adequate to meet all eventualities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2008/05]
1290 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence if he intends to increase the strength of the Army, Naval Service or Air Corps; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2009/05]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 1266, 1289 and 1290 together.
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.
The strength of the Permanent Defence Force (comprising the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service) as of 31 December 2004 was as follows:
|
Army |
8,369 |
|
Air Corps |
871 |
|
Naval Service |
1,053 |
|
Total P.D.F. |
10,293 |
In addition, there were 258 recent recruits undergoing training on 31 December 2004. It is my intention to maintain the established Government policy of ongoing recruitment to the Defence Forces. Recruitment into the Permanent Defence Force will continue to maintain the strength at a level required to meet military needs and as set out in the White Paper, which consists of 10,500 Permanent Defence Force in all ranks. The Government remains fully committed to the policy of ongoing recruitment to ensure that an overall PDF strength of 10,500 is maintained.
1267 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Minister for Defence if Ireland can send troops on humanitarian missions without the consent of Dáil Éireann. [34582/04]
I am glad to say that the Defence Forces have always responded to humanitarian crises by offering their skills and services to those in need. Defence Forces regulations provide that volunteer members of the Permanent Defence Force can be seconded by the Minister for Defence, with their agreement and with the consent of the Minister for Finance, for periods of up to one year. In the case of the current disaster in south-east Asia, volunteer Defence Forces personnel have been seconded to the United Nations Joint Logistics Centre (UNJLC) in Colombo, Sri Lanka. Defence Forces personnel have provided assistance in the past on a similar basis in response to crises in Honduras, Rwanda and Mozambique.
1269 Mr. Neville asked the Minister for Defence the number of Defence Force members who reported sick and unfit for duty due to work related stress for 2003 and 2004. [1286/05]
The military authorities advise that the information requested by the Deputy is not readily available in either electronic or paper format. Such information could only be obtained from the existing medical records of individual personnel by examining all sick reports on their files for 2003 and 2004 in order to identify those recorded as suffering from stress or stress related illnesses. It would then be necessary to examine the individual clinical records of each of these people to discover whether there might be any work related matter contributing to their condition. This task would involve an inordinate amount of time and resources.
The Defence Forces have a comprehensive protocol for training in stress management and for the conduct of after incident stress debriefs. In addition to the professional services of Medical Corps personnel, the Defence Forces have 33 personnel trained in stress management by the Stress Management Institute, Dublin. Stress awareness programmes are conducted for military personnel prior to their departure for overseas service. Suitably trained personnel also travel with a medical officer to overseas units to conduct stress briefing for personnel, prior to their repatriation from overseas service. With regard to critical incident stress management, there are currently some 30 personnel trained in critical incident stress management (CISM) in the Defence Forces. Their training is based on training received from the International Critical Incident Stress Foundation.
1270 Mr. Gregory asked the Minister for Defence if a special medal of recognition of service will be considered for all members of the FCA; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1368/05]
Members of the second line reserve, which consists of An Fórsa Cosanta Áitiúil and An Slua Muirí, (now being re-named as the Army Reserve and the Naval Service Reserve, respectively) are awarded An Bonn Seirbhíse on completing seven years satisfactory service. A bar is added to the medal on completing 12 years satisfactory service and a second bar on completing 21 years satisfactory service. Service in the second line reserve is rendered on a voluntary part-time basis. Specific Defence Forces regulations apply to the organisation and administration of that body. These regulations provide for such matters as the assessment of conduct during service on a broader and more general basis than would be appropriate in the context of the Permanent Defence Force. However, members of the second line reserve and the Permanent Defence Force are treated similarly in that completion of a specified period of satisfactory service is recognised by the award of service medals and bars. The relevant periods required in the case of the second line reserve compare very favourably with those required of members of the Permanent Defence Force. On discharge, members of the second line reserve are issued with a certificate of discharge. A statement of service can also be obtained on request. There are currently no plans to change the relevant regulations to provide for other additional categories of medal.
1271 Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Defence if Irish military helicopters have been offered for UN relief work in the tsunami affected regions. [1640/05]
No request was received by me for helicopter support nor was this ever a matter actively considered by me or the senior management in my Department or in the Defence Forces. It is not within our capacity to deploy and support the current fleet overseas. As Deputies will be aware, I have recently signed contracts for new helicopters for the Air Corps on the basis that the current fleet is coming to the end of its useful life. The helicopters we are procuring are designed solely to meet current requirements here at home. There are no plans, now or for the future, to deploy helicopters, or any other air assets, in support of overseas missions. However, should that become a requirement which needs to be met by the Defence Forces, it will obviously be examined in light of the relevant circumstances at that time.
1274 Mr. McGuinness asked the Minister for Defence if he will provide the names and addresses of the families of the 47 soldiers killed in the Lebanon, to the Lebanese Veterans Organisation and the representative of the Lebanese Government due to the fact that it intends to honour the families concerned. [1643/05]
As the Deputy will appreciate, the release of the addresses of the next-of-kin would represent personal information and, as such, it would not be appropriate for the Department to release it to the organisation. In the absence of a written submission from the organisation setting out what is proposed it is not possible for my Department to consider this matter further. However, the Department would be willing, on receipt of further information, to explore what exactly the organisation is proposing and examine the possibility of forwarding the necessary details to the next-of-kin of deceased personnel in due course.
1277 Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Defence his plans for the evolving role of the Air Corps in relation to search and rescue, national defence, EU defence, NATO’s partnership for peace and UN peacekeeping and humanitarian missions. [1646/05]
Two contracts have been signed for the provision of six new helicopters for the Air Corps, at a total cost of over €61 million — four new AB 139 helicopters and two EC 135 helicopters. Their primary role will be that of general purpose military operations and training. Primary taskings will include training and operations with the Army, security and aid to the civil power, military exercises, infantry interoperability training and limited troop transport. However, these helicopters will also be available to perform inland search and rescue, air ambulance, aid to the civil community and VIP transport tasks. The new aircraft when delivered will replace the existing helicopter assets, which comprise seven Alouettes, four Dauphins and one Gazelle. The helicopters we are procuring are designed solely to meet current requirements here at home. There are no plans, now or for the future, to deploy helicopters, or any other air assets, in support of overseas missions. However, should that become a requirement which needs to be met by the Defence Forces, it will obviously be examined in light of the relevant circumstances at that time.
1278 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Defence the State, semi-State, State-sponsored and statutory bodies under the aegis of his Department which are not subject to the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act 1997; the reason a body is not subject to the requirements of the Act; and if he envisages proposals to bring any such body within the scope of the Act in the foreseeable future. [1716/05]
The State, semi-State, State-sponsored and statutory bodies under the aegis of my Department that are not subject to the Freedom of Information Acts are the Civil Defence Board, Coiste an Asgard and the Irish Red Cross Society. Proposals for extending FOI are being developed at present in the Department of Finance with a view to extending FOI to other appropriate bodies by the end of 2005. The question of extending FOI to the Civil Defence Board and Coiste an Asgard is being considered in this context. It is not proposed to apply the Act to the Irish Red Cross Society. The society is a voluntary autonomous body and, having regard to that, to its international character and to the type of work that it does, it is not considered to be an appropriate entity for inclusion under the Act.
1279 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Defence the reasons the practice of notification of residents adjacent to the Curragh has being discontinued by the Army; if he will investigate the matter and seek to have the courtesy notification re-introduced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1975/05]
I am advised by the military authorities that the practice of informing local residents when a night training exercise is planned remains in force at the Curragh. The military authorities have undertaken to regularise the process to ensure that the individual concerned is informed of such activities in the future.
1280 Mr. Cregan asked the Minister for Defence the number of military hospitals or facilities around the country; the size, staff and bed capacity of each; the number of patients per night and number of day procedures and visits; the purpose of retaining a large military medical establishment; the reason the facilities should not be amalgamated or linked in full or partially with the general medical system in the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter, to include a report on any feasibility studies regarding cooperation with the health services already undertaken. [1986/05]
The reorganisation of the Medical Corps, which was effected as part of the Defence Forces review implementation plan in November 1998, redirected the focus of military medical care in the Defence Forces from a predominantly hospital based service to one in which primary, occupational and field support would continue to be further developed. The Medical Corps facilities currently consist of St. Bricin's Military Hospital, Dublin and three military medical facilities located at the headquarters of each of the field medical companies in Cork and Athlone and at medical detachment supply and services unit in the Curragh. These military medical facilities have associated infirmaries for the care of "living-in" personnel (largely recruits and other training course students) who may become injured or ill. There are appointments for a physician at each MMF. There are currently X-ray, pharmacy and screening audiometry facilities at each MMF and physiotherapy facilities at MMF Cork and Curragh.The range of services provided by the Medical Corps include a military occupational medical service; a primary medical care service; a secondary medical care service; a preventive medical service; provision of medicines and dressings; dental services; a field medical service; training; maintenance of medical records; and medico-legal services. The detailed statistical information in relation to staffing, bed capacity and occupancy and the numbers of procedures carried out at these facilities are not readily available. I will write to the Deputy when they become available. In 2001, a feasibility study was carried out into an outline proposal from the Northern Area Health Board for the potential use of part of St. Bricin's Hospital for acute day case ophthalmic surgery as a pilot project. Detailed examination and analysis indicated that this project would not have been cost effective or attractive for the NAHB in terms of a limited throughput of civilian patient numbers as against a quite significant level of relative capital costs. In the event, the NAHB secured access to suitable facilities elsewhere in Dublin. The Department is always available for discussions in the future if the NAHB, or any other public health agency, wishes to explore the potential for a mutually beneficial collaboration, which would serve to enhance the respective service delivery priorities of the various parties.
1281 Mr. Cregan asked the Minister for Defence the situation in relation to Army pensions; the reason pensions are based on a maximum of 21 years service, in view of the fact that many persons have worked for 30 years or more; if this is different from the norm in other EU countries; the reason Army pensions are not based on the normal public service system; and if he has plans to make pensions more related to service done. [1991/05]
Retirement benefits by way of pension or gratuity are granted to retiring members of the Permanent Defence Force under the Defence Forces pensions schemes. Under those schemes, the minimum service required to qualify for a pension in the case of NCOs and privates is 21 years and maximum pension accrues over a period of 31 years. Pensions are not pay-related as such but are flat rates which vary according to rank and service. In all cases, pensions are payable immediately on retirement regardless of age. Thus, minimum pension may be payable to retiring NCOs and privates from as young as age 39 years and maximum pension from age 49 years. The Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2004 was enacted in March 2004 following Government consideration of the final report of the Commission on Public Service Pensions. The Act provides, inter alia, for the introduction of new pension arrangements for military personnel recruited on or after 1 April 2004. The new arrangements will include a minimum pension age of 50 years; the accrual of maximum pension benefits over a period of 30 years; and, in line with public service pension arrangements generally, the calculation of benefits by reference to service and pensionable remuneration on retirement.
Discussions regarding the new pension arrangements are ongoing between my Department and the Defence Forces representative associations under the PDF conciliation and arbitration scheme. In the Civil Service, the local authorities and the health services, maximum pension benefits generally accrue over a period of 40 years and pension benefits are not payable before the age of 60 years in the case of employees already serving on 31 March 2004, and 65 years for those recruited since that date. The higher minimum pension age of 65 was provided for in the Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2004. In certain other areas of the public service, such as the Garda Síochána and the fire service, maximum pension benefits accrue over a shorter period of 30 years and lower minimum pension ages are in place. For example, the minimum pension age for members of the Garda Síochána is 50 years for those already serving on 31 March 2004 and 55 for those recruited after that date. In the case of firefighters, the minimum pension age is 55 years regardless of when recruited. Pension arrangements for military personnel vary widely across the EU and it is difficult to make realistic or meaningful comparisons between the superannuation arrangements applicable to the PDF and to the armed forces in other EU states. This is due to such factors as the widely varied and differing standards applicable to the occupational pension arrangements in those countries, national military manpower policy considerations (e.g. recruitment, retention etc.), State social insurance arrangements and the manner in which these integrate with the occupational pension codes.
1283 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence the number of personnel currently serving overseas; the extent to which further deployments are likely to take place in the near future, other than those ongoing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2002/05]
Currently, a total of 772 Defence Forces personnel are serving overseas, full details of which are listed in the following table. Ireland has offered, through the UN Standby Arrangements System (UNSAS), to provide up to 850 military personnel, configured as a light infantry mounted battalion, for overseas service at any one time. This figure equates to 10% of Ireland's standing Army and demonstrates Ireland's commitment to the cause of international peace. This is the maximum sustainable commitment that Ireland can make to overseas peacekeeping operations. It should be appreciated that at any one time one group of personnel will have just returned from service, one will be on overseas duty and a further group will be in training. There are no plans at this time to increase the level of our commitment to UNSAS.
Ireland receives requests from time to time in relation to participation in various missions and these are considered on a case-by-case basis. However, we are currently fairly close to the limit of our sustainable commitments. It is appropriate that we keep some level of resources in reserve, should we need to reinforce existing missions or to take on additional missions at short notice. Apart from the secondment of four officers of the Permanent Defence Force on a volunteer basis to the United Nations Joint Logistics Centre in Sri Lanka following on the recent tsunami disaster, no other deployments are planned or envisaged at this time.
|
Number |
||
|
1. |
UN Missions |
|
|
(i) |
UNIFIL (United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon) |
5 |
|
(ii) |
UNTSO (United Nations Truce Supervision Organisation) — Israel, Syria and Lebanon |
13 |
|
(iii) |
UNFICYP (United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus) |
1 |
|
(iv) |
MINURSO (United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara) |
4 |
|
(v) |
UNMIK (United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo) |
4 |
|
(vi) |
MONUC (United Nations Mission in Democratic Republic of the Congo) |
3 |
|
(vii) |
ONUCI (United Nations Mission in Ivory Coast) |
2 |
|
(viii) |
UNMIL (United Nations Mission in Liberia) FHQ |
6 |
|
UNMIL 92th Inf. Bn. |
428 |
|
|
TOTAL |
466 |
|
|
UN Mandated Missions |
||
|
(ix) |
EUFOR (EU-led Mission Operation in Bosnia and Herzegovina |
53 |
|
(x) |
KFOR (International Security Presence in Kosovo) |
208 |
|
(xi) |
ISAF (International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan) |
7 |
|
Total number of personnel serving with UN missions |
734 |
|
|
2. |
EU Missions |
|
|
(i) |
European Union Monitor Mission (EUMM) to the former Yugoslavia |
5 |
|
(ii) |
European Union Mission to the African Union Monitoring Mission to Darfur |
1 |
|
TOTAL NUMBER OF PERSONNEL SERVING WITH EU MISSIONS |
6 |
|
|
3. |
Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) |
|
|
(i) |
OSCE Mission to Bosnia & Herzegovina |
1 |
|
(ii) |
OSCE Mission in Croatia |
1 |
|
(iii) |
OSCE Presence in Albania |
1 |
|
(iv) |
OSCE Mission in FRY |
1 |
|
(v) |
OSCE Mission in Macedonia |
1 |
|
(vi) |
OSCE Mission in Georgia |
5 |
|
(vii) |
Staff Officer, Higher Level Planning Group, Vienna |
1 |
|
Total number of personnel serving OSCE |
11 |
|
|
4. |
Head of Military Staff (Brussels) |
1 |
|
5. |
EU Military Staff (Brussels) |
6 |
|
6. |
Liaison Office of Ireland, PfP (Brussels) |
2 |
|
7. |
Permanent Representative to EU (Brussels) |
3 |
|
8. |
Military Representatives/ Advisers |
|
|
(i) |
Military Adviser, Permanent Mission to UN, New York |
1 |
|
(ii) |
Military Adviser, Irish Delegation to OSCE, Vienna |
1 |
|
(iii) |
Military Representative to Partnership Co-ordination Cell/Supreme |
1 |
|
Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE), Mons, Belgium |
||
|
9. |
Appointments — UN HQ (New York) |
|
|
Officers seconded to DPKO (Department of Peace Keeping Operations) |
2 |
|
|
10. |
Other Assignments — UNJLC (Sri Lanka) |
|
|
Officers seconded to the United Nations Joint Logistics Centre |
4 |
|
|
TOTAL NUMBER DEFENCE FORCES PERSONNEL SERVING OVERSEAS |
772 |
1284 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence the number of trained military personnel available on a 24-hour basis for air and sea rescue missions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2003/05]
The Irish Coast Guard has overall responsibility for the provision of maritime search and rescue services within the Irish search and rescue region. The Air Corps had been providing search and rescue services but withdrew in October 2004 following a hand-over of this role to CHCI, a private operator, which also provides the service at the country's other SAR bases at Dublin, Shannon and Waterford. The changeover from the Air Corps to CHCI will not in any way downgrade or diminish the level of service provided to mariners or to our island communities. The Defence Forces are already committed to providing support to the civil authorities specifically in relation to search and rescue. In this regard, the Naval Service and the Air Corps will continue to provide support to the Coast Guard as the need arises and within their available capacity. Air Corps pilots will continue to train in search and rescue techniques and to provide a limited non-maritime search and rescue response. The specification for the new helicopters being acquired for the Air Corps includes a search and rescue capability. Search and rescue capability requires a wide range of available skills, piloting, winching, medical, vessel crewing, radar etc. I am advised by the military authorities that the availability of these skills within the Defence Forces is sufficient to meet their continuing commitments in this area. The provision of a 24 hour response is not among these commitments.
1286 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence the extent to which the number of women in the Army, by rank has increased or decreased over the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2005/05]
1287 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence the extent to which the number of women in the Naval Service, by rank, has increased or decreased over the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2006/05]
1288 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence the extent to which the number of women in the Air Corps, by rank,has increased or decreased over the past five years. [2007/05]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 1286 to 1288, inclusive, together.
The strength of females in the Army, Naval Service and Air Corps by rank within these services, is provided in the following table. The figures provided are as at 31 December 2000 to 31 December 2004. In the five year period 2000-04 inclusive, the strength of female personnel in the Permanent Defence Force grew from 429 to 514. This constitutes an increase of 20% in the number of females serving over this period.
|
Lt Gen |
Maj Gen |
Brig Gen |
Col |
Lt Col |
Comdt |
Capt |
Lt |
Total Offrs |
SM |
BQMS |
CS |
CQMS |
SGTS |
CPLS |
Total NCOs |
PTES |
Cadets |
Total |
|
|
31/12/00 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
7 |
32 |
22 |
61 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
11 |
39 |
52 |
232 |
14 |
359 |
|
31/12/01 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
11 |
28 |
31 |
70 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
12 |
55 |
69 |
248 |
5 |
392 |
|
31/12/02 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
12 |
30 |
28 |
70 |
0 |
0 |
3 |
1 |
10 |
71 |
85 |
221 |
13 |
389 |
|
31/12/03 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
11 |
30 |
33 |
75 |
0 |
0 |
3 |
1 |
10 |
87 |
101 |
206 |
15 |
397 |
|
31/12/04 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
14 |
35 |
33 |
83 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
1 |
10 |
100 |
113 |
220 |
18 |
434 |
|
Lt Gen |
Maj Gen |
Brig Gen |
Col |
Lt Col |
Comdt |
Capt |
Lt |
Total Offrs |
SM |
BQMS |
CS |
CQMS |
SGTS |
CPLS |
Total NCOs |
PTES |
Cadets |
Total |
|
|
31/12/00 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
6 |
6 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
36 |
5 |
47 |
|
31/12/01 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
6 |
6 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
39 |
6 |
51 |
|
31/12/02 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
14 |
14 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
40 |
6 |
60 |
|
31/12/03 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
14 |
16 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
44 |
5 |
66 |
|
31/12/04 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
3 |
16 |
19 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
2 |
36 |
2 |
59 |
|
Lt Gen |
Maj Gen |
Brig Gen |
Col |
Lt Col |
Comdt |
Capt |
Lt |
Total Offrs |
SM |
BQMS |
CS |
CQMS |
SGTS |
CPLS |
Total NCOs |
PTES |
Cadets |
Total |
|
|
31/12/00 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
2 |
4 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
4 |
5 |
13 |
1 |
23 |
|
31/12/01 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
2 |
4 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
4 |
5 |
14 |
2 |
25 |
|
31/12/02 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
2 |
3 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
5 |
6 |
13 |
1 |
23 |
|
31/12/03 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
2 |
3 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
7 |
8 |
9 |
1 |
21 |
|
31/12/04 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
1 |
3 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
9 |
10 |
7 |
1 |
21 |
1291 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for Defence the numbers that have taken part and have been commissioned through commissioning from the ranks early commissioning from the ranks electrical and commissioning from the ranks IT, and the numbers that have joined the Defence Forces through direct entry (details supplied) since 1999 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2010/05]
1292 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for Defence when the Defence Forces will proceed with the commissioning from the ranks late course as initially proposed by the Feely report on commissioning; the reason, seven years after the flag officer command officers in the Naval Service urgently requested that this course be sanctioned, no progress has been made on this scheme; his further plans in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2011/05]
1293 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for Defence the number of short-term commissions, direct entry appointed in the Naval Service each year since 1997; the appointment of each officer; the number of these officers that currently remain in the Naval Service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2012/05]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 1291 to 1293, inclusive, together.
A total of 28 non-commissioned officers have been commissioned as officers in the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service since 1999. The numbers and categories commissioned in each year are detailed in the following tabular statement.
|
Year |
No. |
Category |
|
1999 |
2 |
2 — Electrical Engineer Officers, Naval Service |
|
2000 |
18 |
3 — Information Technology, 15 Line Officers |
|
2001 |
8 |
8 — Watchkeeping Officers, Naval Service |
Potential officers courses are held for non-commissioned personnel from time to time within the Defence Forces. Personnel who successfully complete such courses are commissioned as officers in the Permanent Defence Force. In addition, from time to time non-commissioned personnel who hold appropriate qualifications are commissioned to fill specialist appointments where vacancies arise. Eligible non-commissioned personnel may also apply for the annual cadetship competitions. Since 1999 a total of nine enlisted personnel have accepted cadetships from the cadetship competitions. The requirement for potential officer courses and commissioning from the ranks competitions is reviewed from time to time and is being specifically addressed in the context of the integrated personnel management system which is one of the major policy initiatives provided for in the White Paper on Defence and in the programme for Government.
Draft conditions governing the appointment of enlisted personnel of the Permanent Defence Force to be officers of the Naval Service are under discussion with the representative associations. As the discussions with the representative associations are ongoing, it would not be appropriate to comment on any of the specifics of the proposed draft conditions. However, it is my intention that a potential officers course will be run as soon as these discussions are completed. The Feely report referred to by the Deputy was an internal military discussion document and was not endorsed as Defence Force policy. It does not form my Department's policy in the area of commissioning from the ranks.
Since 1998, a total of 32 officers have been appointed on short service commissions from direct entry competitions held to appoint qualified personnel to the Naval Service. The detail of the numbers appointed, by category, in each year are outlined in the following tabular statement;
|
Year |
Number Appointed |
Naval Service Category |
|
1998 |
9 |
9 Watchkeeping Officers |
|
2000 |
2 |
2 Watchkeeping Officers |
|
2001 |
3 |
2 Watchkeeping Officers 1 Marine Engineer Officer |
|
2002 |
8 |
4 Watchkeeping Officers, 4 Marine Engineer Officers |
|
2003 |
5 |
2 Watchkeeping Officers, 3 Marine Engineer Officers |
|
2004 |
4 |
2 Watchkeeping Officers 2 Marine Engineer Officers |
|
2005 to date |
1 |
1 Marine Engineer Officer |
1295 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for Defence the number of short-term commissioned officers whose contracts have not been renewed by the Naval Service each year for the past five years even though the officers themselves wanted to remain on as Naval Service personnel; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2015/05]
The military authorities advise that the information sought is not immediately available due to archival work being carried out at present on the relevant records. I will write to the Deputy with the information as soon as it becomes available.
1297 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Defence the public appointments made in his Department since the Cabinet reshuffle in September, 2004. [2102/05]
Since my appointment as Minister for Defence the only appointments I have made were to the Civil Defence Board, which is a body under the aegis of my Department. Chief Supt. John T. Farrelly was appointed to the board in October 2004, on the nomination of the Commissioner of the Garda Síochána. Commandant Kevin Houston was appointed in November 2004 on the nomination of the Chief of Staff of the Defence Forces.
1298 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence if he has satisfied himself regarding the adequacy of clothing and equipment issued to the Defence Forces serving overseas in view of the climatic conditions in the various jurisdictions to which they are deployed now or may be deployed in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2128/05]
The safety and health of Irish personnel serving overseas is always of paramount concern to me and it is my policy and practice to ensure that Defence Forces personnel are appropriately equipped to carry out their mission. The ongoing equipment modernisation programme ensures that the Defence Forces are fully equipped with the most modern of equipment for their day-to-day roles on overseas missions. Particular regard is taken of factors such as climatic conditions in areas of operations overseas.
From a health perspective, every reasonable step is taken to ensure the good health of our personnel on overseas missions. In Liberia, the level of medical equipment deployed with our troops serving with UNMIL is superior to any previously deployed with any Irish contingent on UN service and is considerably more sophisticated than the UN requirement. In addition, extensive standard operating procedures have been put in place in Liberia to ensure the health of personnel, in particular, procedures for personal hygiene, covering up fully at night to avoid insect and mosquito bites, use of repellents, maintaining hydration and so on.
1299 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will receive the cull ewe payment. [34133/04]
Payment for de-stocking compensation issued from my Department to the person named on 17 December 2004.
1300 Cecilia Keaveney asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the reason for the delay in having a property (details supplied) in County Donegal transferred into the State’s ownership; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34134/04]
I am advised by the Office of Public Works that the legal documents allowing Northburg Castle to be taken into State guardianship are still awaited from the solicitor acting on behalf of the castle's owner. All other action required by the State to progress the matter has been undertaken.
1301 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will introduce more legislation in order to reduce carbon emissions. [34154/04]
1345 Mr. Haughey asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the measures being taken to reduce carbon emissions here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1270/05]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 1301 and 1345 together.
The Government's comprehensive approach to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, including carbon dioxide, in the most efficient and equitable manner is set out in the national climate change strategy. This has been complemented by the implementation, from this month, of the pilot phase of the EU emission trading scheme which provides larger installations with a strong financial incentive to reduce carbon emissions.
Work is currently in progress in my Department on a review of the national climate change strategy, taking account of developments since its publication four years ago. I intend that this review will be completed early this year. It is a matter for Departments with direct responsibility for the sectors identified in the strategy to decide on the need, if any, for legislation or further legislation in order to meet the various sectoral objectives. In relation to the sectors falling within my jurisdiction such as the residential and waste sectors, the measures directed towards carbon emission reductions do not at present include proposals for further legislation.
1302 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will examine all planning laws in order to respect environmental and tourist sites. [34155/04]
1304 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if grants of planning permission in sensitive tourist areas will have to adhere to strict planning standards in order that they blend in with the environment. [34157/04]
1305 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if the environment is taken into consideration when planning and developing the tourist industry here; and if he will work with the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism on this issue. [34158/04]
1342 Mr. Haughey asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if adequate planning laws are in place to ensure that all new houses are environmentally sound and blend in with the landscape in rural areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1267/05]
1344 Mr. Haughey asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he has satisfied himself that tourist issues are given adequate consideration in the planning laws; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1269/05]
1347 Mr. Haughey asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the role played by his Department in preparing guidelines for local authorities which facilitate the construction of more one-off rural houses; if adequate safeguards are in place to ensure that important environmental and tourist sensitive areas are protected in this context; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1272/05]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 1302, 1304, 1305, 1342, 1344 and 1347 together.
In March 2004 my Department published draft guidelines for planning authorities on sustainable rural housing. I expect to be in a position to issue the guidelines in final statutory form shortly. The guidelines encompass the overall policy approach to be adopted in the making of local authority development plans and in dealing with individual planning applications for houses in rural areas, including the wastewater disposal, access, design and siting considerations that should be taken into account in determining the best locations for houses.
The guidelines indicate that housing development in rural areas should be of a high quality and should complement its surroundings. The guidelines emphasise the importance of applicants, their agents and the planning authority taking a collaborative approach in ensuring that the choice and location of site, together with the design and development approach chosen, is harmonious with the physical environment of the site.
The guidelines make it clear that protecting water quality must be considered in determining whether a given site is suitable for development. In this regard, the guidelines advise that the development plan should clearly indicate those areas where ground-water quality is a critical issue and where particular requirements may apply, with an indication of the requirements with which applicants may be obliged to comply.
Under the Planning and Development Act 2000, planning authorities are required to include objectives in their development plans for the conservation and protection of the environment. Authorities are also required to include any necessary objectives in their plans to preserve the character of the landscape, including the preservation of views and prospects and the amenities of places and features of natural beauty or interest. It is also open to authorities to include objectives in their development plans to regulate, promote or control tourism development. Fáilte Ireland, as a prescribed consultee on all draft development plans and draft regional planning guidelines under the planning and development regulations 2001, has the opportunity as appropriate to ensure that tourism issues are considered in the making of such plans and guidelines. Planning authorities are also required to seek the views of Fáilte Ireland on any development which might obstruct or detract from the value of any tourist amenity or tourist amenity works or which would involve the carrying out of works to architecturally valuable structures. I am satisfied that these requirements ensure that environmental and tourism considerations are incorporated into the consideration by planning authorities of development proposals.
While primary policy responsibility for the development of the tourism industry rests with my colleague, the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism, my Department is actively cooperating with the Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism in the ongoing implementation of the recommendations of the report of the tourism policy review group.
1303 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will consider increasing the size and number of national parks in order to protect key environmental and tourism interests. [34156/04]
1346 Mr. Haughey asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he has satisfied himself with the number of national parks in the State; if the number of such parks can be increased and the size of the existing parks extended; if his Department has other mechanisms at its disposal to ensure that important parts of the countryside are protected; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1271/05]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 1303 and 1346 together.
At present there are six national parks in the State. These are in the Wicklow Mountains, Killarney, the Burren, Connemara, Ballycroy, County Mayo and Glenveagh. Ireland's national parks are State-owned and are managed in accordance with the guidelines set down by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature. The IUCN, which is affiliated to the United Nations, is the international authority which sets the criteria for the protected areas of the world. Over the years, the Government has pursued a policy of increasing the number and size of our national parks where possible. This has resulted in a growth in the number of national parks from one in 1972, to six at the present time. Moreover, we have continued to enlarge the area of these parks through the acquisition of adjacent habitat-rich lands as they become available.
Apart from the State purchase of habitat-rich lands by agreement, the National Parks and Wildlife Service of my Department has other mechanisms available to ensure that important parts of the countryside are protected. These are the designation and protection of ecologically important areas under the European Union (Natural Habitats) Regulations 1997, which transpose the 1979 EU Birds and 1992 EU Habitats Directives, as well as the Wildlife (Amendment) Act 2000. The 1997 regulations provide the basis for protecting special protection areas for birds and special areas of conservation for habitats and species whose conservation is of international importance. Under the Wildlife (Amendment) Act 2000, natural heritage areas, whose conservation is of national importance, are designated. These designated areas, which in total constitute about 14% of the national territory, are mainly situated in privately-owned lands.
1306 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the measures he plans to take to preserve the Margaritifera mussel, which is on the verge of extinction here according to a report by the Heritage Council. [34182/04]
The freshwater pearl mussel, Margaritifera, is a protected species under the Wildlife Acts 1976 and 2000. Designation of special areas of conservation, or SACs, for margaritifera is also required by the EU Habitats Directive. Ireland has proposed 21 sites as candidate SACs for two sub-species of margaritifera. My Department commenced monitoring four margaritifera SACs last year and will be carrying out surveys of an additional five margaritifera SACs this year. During 2005 my Department will initiate intensive research on further developing the scientific basis for draft margaritifera water quality standards, on which work was initiated last year.
In working on the conservation of margaritifera, my Department is assisted by the expertise of an experienced scientist, retained on contract to advise on the conservation and restoration of the species. Recent work undertaken for my Department has demonstrated that there is a serious problem with the conservation status of our margaritifera populations. This applies to both of the sub-species known to exist in Ireland, margaritifera margaritifera, which is relatively widespread and margaritifera durrovensis, found only in part of the River Nore.
Particular attention was drawn to the species last summer, when there was an algal bloom in the Owenriff River in County Galway, and the margaritifera population there was found to have been severely affected. My Department is participating in a working group set up to investigate possible causes of the algal bloom in the Owenriff, and to determine best management practice in the Owenriff catchment. The group consists of representatives from the National Parks and Wildlife Service of my Department, the Forest Service, the Western Regional Fisheries Board, Galway County Council, which is the lead local authority for the western river basin district board, and from Coillte Teoranta. Remedies for all catchment activities perceived as being problematic will be explored with the appropriate planning authority, Galway County Council. In the medium term all these issues will be addressed in conjunction with the western river basin district in the context of the river basin management plan.
My Department will adapt approaches developed in the Owenriff for wider implementation in margaritifera catchments mainly in the context of the river basin management plans required under the water framework directive. This will be on the basis that only catchment wide measures will achieve the necessary controls on excessive situation and nutrient enrichment, which are causing the decline of margaritifera in Ireland and in Europe. River basin authorities have been informed of the location and conservation status of margaritifera populations. Populations identified as of particular concern will require intensive monitoring and investigation and the development of a programme of measures to ensure that the water quality requirements of margaritifera are met.
In relation to margaritifera durrovensis in the river Nore, my Department will begin a series of programmes aimed at developing strategies to stabilise the population of this critically endangered sub-species. This will consist of the development of a species action plan, a fluvial audit of the Nore, a translocation programme, development of rehabilitation measures and the establishment of a captive breeding programme. In addition my Department will ensure that the water quality requirements of this species are met by the river basin management plan.
1307 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government when he first signalled his intention to review the terms on which grants are made available to persons with a disability to adapt their home; if his Department has undertaken research into the average cost of adaptations needed to accommodate a person with a disability; the details of the range of costs involved for different types of work; and if he intends to announce the results of the review and increase the maximum grant levels in order that they keep pace with the cost of necessary adaptation work. [34194/04]
1387 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government when the maximum value of the disabled persons grants was last adjusted by his Department; the move in the index of housebuilding costs since the grant was last changed; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that many required modifications in the homes of persons with a disability cost far more than the maximum grant permitted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2082/05]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 1307 and 1387 together.
The review of the disabled persons grant scheme, which was first signalled in March 2003, is currently being finalised in my Department. The cost of the works needed to adapt a dwelling to meet the needs of a disabled person can vary greatly, depending on the level of disability of the applicant and the location and type of dwelling to be adapted. For example, research done for the City and County Managers' Association in a sample of local authority areas indicated that in 2002, the average cost of providing an extension to an existing dwelling could range from €16,500 to €25,000 and the provision of bathroom facilities from €7,000 to €15,000. The current maximum disabled persons grant of €20,320 was set in 2001. The house building cost index has increased by 8.8% in the period from December 2001 to November 2004.
Submissions received from disability support groups in the context of the review have highlighted the costs involved for disabled people in undertaking adaptations to their homes. While the disabled persons grants scheme, like other housing grant schemes operated by my Department is intended to assist persons in the provision of additional accommodation or in carrying out works of adaptation, it is not designed to cover the full cost of works for all applicants. Local authorities may provide reconstruction loans to qualified applicants who have difficulty in obtaining finance to meet the balance of the cost. In the light of the increased level of demand for assistance under the scheme it is important to ensure that the funding available is directed at those in greatest need of such assistance. On completion of the current review, I will be in a position to determine the changes required to the regulations governing the scheme with a view to achieving this aim.
1308 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the status of Kilcock, County Kildare in the context of urban renewal; if funds have been or will be allocated in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34219/04]
A strategy document prepared by Kildare County Council under the urban and village renewal measure of the southern and eastern regional operational programme, 2000-06, proposes extensive works at the Square, Kilcock in 2006. The works proposed include significant improvements to footpaths and pedestrian areas, together with soft landscaping and provision of street furniture. Local authorities will be notified shortly of their grant allocations for 2005/06 under the above measure.
1309 Mr. Ferris asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the reason he abstained on a vote at the Council of Ministers on 20 December 2004 at which a proposal to authorise a genetically modified animal feed (details supplied) was rejected. [34245/04]
The European Commission's proposal to authorise the import into the European Community of genetically modified oilseed rape GT73 for use as animal feed and for processing has not been rejected by the Environment Council. At the Council of 20 December 2004, there was, under the qualified majority voting procedures, insufficient agreement to either accept or reject the Commission's proposal. Ireland was among a number of member states who abstained on the proposal. Our abstention had regard to the long-standing positive but precautionary approach to modern biotechnology endorsed by successive Governments; the favourable opinion available to me on the product from the Environmental Protection Agency as Irish competent authority for the purposes of the relevant Directive (2001/18/EC), following the agency's consultations with other relevant State agencies; the views of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Environment and Local Government; as well as the outcome of the earlier discussion of, and vote on, the product at the regulatory committee for the purposes of Directive 2001/18/EC.
1310 Mr. Neville asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if the Patrickswell/Adare sewerage scheme will commence construction in 2005. [34274/04]
The Patrickswell/Adare sewerage scheme is included in my Department's Water Services Investment Programme 2004-06 as a scheme to commence construction in 2005. My Department has approved Limerick County Council's fee proposals for the appointment of consultants to prepare contract documents for the scheme. Once the contract documents have been submitted to and approved by my Department, the council will be able to invite tenders for the construction of the scheme.
1311 Mr. Neville asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will allocate the necessary funding to install central heating in the 710 houses, including 100 occupied by elderly tenants, in the rented stock of Limerick County Council, which require central heating. [34275/04]
The management, maintenance and improvement of their rented dwellings, including the installation of central heating is primarily the responsibility of local authorities to be financed from their own resources. My Department introduced a scheme in July 2004 for the installation of central heating in existing local authority rented dwellings. The scheme provided a contribution of €5,600 or up to 80% of the cost, whichever is the lesser, for each approved dwelling. The Department's contribution under the 2004 scheme was €12 million, of which Limerick County Council received some €119,000.
A sum of €30 million is being provided by my Department as its contribution to the scheme in 2005 and applications will be invited shortly from local authorities for the funding. My Department has required, since 1994, that central heating be provided during construction in new local authority dwellings and included in the overall cost of schemes. Where capital funding is provided under regeneration and remedial programmes operated by my Department for upgrading of local authority dwellings, the provision of central heating normally forms part of the work undertaken.
1312 Mr. Bruton asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he has examined the housing options for lone parents engaged in part-time work who seek to acquire an affordable home; if his Department has done any working examples of the way in which a person on one-parent family allowance doing part-time work and paying for child care would be able to afford to purchase under the affordable housing scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34276/04]
The administration of the various affordable housing schemes is a matter for each local authority in accordance with general terms and conditions set by my Department. It is a matter for local authorities to determine the priority accorded to persons, including lone parents, to whom affordable houses are allocated. They must examine each application for affordable housing on its merits having regard, inter alia, to such factors as the amount of deposit available and ability to make repayments. In this regard, they have been advised that mortgage repayments should not exceed 35% of a household’s net income. To further assist affordability, a graded mortgage subsidy based on the level of household income, of between €1,300 and €2,550, is available to assist with repayments.
The terms of the various affordable housing schemes will continue to be kept under review. In this regard, the NESC report, Housing in Ireland: Performance and Policy, which was published at the end of 2004, outlines the factors underpinning the development of the housing sector in Ireland. In the light of the report, the Government will consider any further changes required to the terms and conditions of the various housing schemes, within the resources available, to better address our aims.
1313 Mr. Bruton asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the income thresholds and the level of subsidy towards repayments available to persons on shared ownership or affordable housing; the date on which these thresholds and subvention levels were last changed; the value that the thresholds would now have reached if the income threshold had been indexed to the average industrial wage and if the subvention had been indexed to the rent proportion of the index of average purchased under shared ownership; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34277/04]
Under the affordable housing scheme launched in March 1999, a mortgage subsidy is payable to qualifying households based on income bands. A similar subsidy applies under the shared ownership scheme towards the rent payments for that portion of the equity not yet purchased.
The qualifying income limits and the amounts of the rent and mortgage subsidies under the shared ownership and affordable housing schemes respectively were revised in January 2002 for transactions completed on or after 1 January 2000 and are as shown in the following table.
|
Household Income per annum |
Mortgage/Rent Subsidy payable per annum |
|
€13,000 and under |
€2,550 |
|
€13,001 to €15,500 |
€2,300 |
|
€15,501 to €18,000 |
€2,050 |
|
€18,001 to €20,500 |
€1,800 |
|
€20,501 to €23,000 |
€1,550 |
|
€23,001 to €25,500 |
€1,300 |
|
Over €25,500 |
Nil |
If the income limits were increased in line with the growth in the average industrial wage since 2000, the maximum qualifying income would have risen from €25,500 to about €31,800.
The information requested regarding the value of the thresholds if the subvention had been indexed to the rent proportion and average purchased under the shared ownership is not available in my Department. Data are currently collected on shared ownership scheme transactions under a number of house price ranges rather than on the average price of dwellings purchased and a feature of the scheme is that different equity stakes can be purchased so the rent proportion differs from purchaser to purchaser. Furthermore, purchasers can also increase the size of the equity portion during the course of the scheme.
Since 2000, there have been significant improvements to the shared ownership scheme and the access to affordable housing has been significantly enhanced through increased output under the 1999 scheme. This will grow in future years as additional units come through under Part V of the Planning and Development Acts 2000-2002 and the affordable housing initiative.
I also announced increases in the income limits for the shared ownership and affordable housing schemes and house purchase loans in July of this year, together with increases in the loan limits, in line with growth in average wage costs and house price inflation. These targeted measures are important mechanisms of providing access to affordable housing for low and modest income households by providing them with a house at a discounted price. With the increased availability of such housing, the funding of a loan becomes a less critical barrier to house purchase particularly with the growth in disposable incomes and historically low interest rates.
Nonetheless, the terms and conditions of these schemes will continue to be kept under review with reference to the housing forum, which has been charged under Sustaining Progress to review the effectiveness of all social and affordable housing programmes, and in light of the NESC report which was published just before the end of 2004.
1314 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if and when tenants at a location (details supplied) in County Kildare will be allowed to purchase the dwellings of which they are tenants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34278/04]
This project was funded under the voluntary housing capital loan and subsidy scheme which supports the provision of housing accommodation by approved voluntary bodies. There is no provision in my Department's voluntary housing capital assistance and capital loan and subsidy schemes for the purchase of individual houses by tenants and there are no plans to introduce such a provision.
A tenant purchase scheme is not considered desirable at this stage of the development of the voluntary housing sector, as the sale of individual housing units could undermine the capacity and resources of voluntary housing bodies to manage and maintain their estates and continue to provide further housing projects to meet pressing demands.
However, residents of more than one year's duration of houses provided under the scheme who wish to become owner occupiers may, on surrendering their house to the approved voluntary housing body, qualify for the following benefits: special mortgage allowance of €11,450 over five years for mortgages created on or after 1 January 2002 to assist with mortgage repayments; the shared ownership scheme without having to satisfy the income eligibility criteria; improvement works in lieu scheme in respect of the dwelling they are acquiring; low cost housing sites scheme and exemption from the income limits for local authority loans. Full details of these options are available from local authorities.
1315 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will review the hotel development at the historical Trim Castle, County Meath, and investigate the waste of taxpayers’ money, in the region of €300,000, on this development. [34298/04]
My Department has no role in the development of a hotel at Trim Castle, County Meath.
The then Department of Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands made a contribution of €63,487 or IR£50,000 to Trim Town Council towards the cost of site acquisition and development for a public carpark which would serve visitors to Trim Castle. The greater portion of that site is no longer in the possession of the local authority, having being disposed of to the developers of a proposed new adjacent hotel which will provide car parking in the area. In the changed financial and procurement circumstances involved, the local authority has been requested to refund the Department's contribution. This implies no criticism of the judgment of the local authority to pursue a different approach in the circumstances which have arisen but reflects my Department's conclusion that it would not now be appropriate for the earlier State grant to be retained.
As regards other expenditure by the local authority on this site, a separate statutory procedure is in progress for investigation of objections to the audit of Trim Town Council. This investigation is being carried out by the appropriate local government auditor, who will produce a report for presentation to the council in due course.
1316 Mr. P. Breen asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the status of a sewerage scheme (details supplied) in County Clare; if construction will commence in 2005; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34308/04]
1317 Mr. P. Breen asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the status of a sewerage scheme (details supplied) in County Clare; if construction will commence in 2005; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34309/04]
1318 Mr. P. Breen asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the status of a sewerage scheme (details supplied) in County Clare; if construction will commence in 2005; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34310/04]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 1316 to 1318, inclusive, together.
The Feakle, Scarriff and Quilty/Mullagh sewerage schemes, which are being procured as a grouped project, have been approved for construction in my Department's Water Services Investment Programme 2004-2006. Further consideration will be given by my Department to Clare Council Council's contract documents on receipt of a certificate of completion of planning from the council and confirmation of the issue of a foreshore licence for the Quilty scheme.
1319 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government given that Britain and Ireland were hit by the equivalent of a tsunami in the 17th century or thereabouts; if his attention has been drawn to concerns regarding the possibility of such an occurrence again; the preparations which have been made to deal with such a calamity or a similar natural disaster; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34593/04]
I understand there is historical evidence that the south coast of Ireland experienced a tsunami following the Lisbon earthquake in the early 18th century and that there is also geological evidence that Ireland may have experienced the effects of similar tsunamis in pre-historic times.
Issues relating to the potential risk of Ireland being hit by tsunamis in the future are currently being studied by the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources. These issues include the feasibility of an early warning system, a suitable communications response and the establishment of an appropriate research programme to support policy and decision making. Issues regarding national planning to deal with emergencies of this nature are a matter for the Government task force on emergency planning, chaired by the Minister for Defence, and for the office of emergency planning in the Department of Defence.
1320 Mr. Neville asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will supply funding for the upgrading of estates (details supplied) in County Limerick. [34594/04]
Limerick County Council recently submitted an application to my Department for funding under the remedial works scheme for the refurbishment of the Sharwood and Castleview estates in Newcastle West. The proposals are currently under examination in my Department and a decision will be made on them as soon as possible.
1321 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the number of prosecutions instigated by his Department against game shooters for breaches of the hunting provisions of the Wildlife Acts 1976-2000 for each of the years 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003 and 2004. [1021/05]
1322 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the number of prosecutions initiated by his Department against game shooters for breaches of the hunting provisions of the Wildlife Acts 1976-2000 which succeeded in the courts in each of the years 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003 and 2004. [1022/05]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 1321 and 1322 together.
The information sought is being compiled and will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as possible.
1323 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the number of hunting licences issued by him to game shooters under the Wildlife Acts 1976-2000 for each of the years 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003 and 2004. [1023/05]
The following table gives a breakdown of the licenses issued to game shooters under the Wildlife Acts 1976 and 2000 during the years in question.
|
Licence |
2000 |
2001 |
2002 |
2003 |
2004 |
|
Deer |
1,763 |
1,902 |
2,018 |
2,215 |
2,443 |
|
Foreshore |
575 |
511 |
429 |
239 |
616 |
|
Pen-reared Game Birds |
61 |
52 |
48 |
51 |
56 |
|
Out of State Shooters* |
2,962 |
2,670 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
TOTAL |
5,361 |
5,135 |
2,495 |
2,505 |
3,115 |
*Under the Firearms (Firearm Certificates for Non Residents) Act 2000, the licensing function for non-residents visiting Ireland and wishing to hunt and shoot transferred from the Department of Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands to the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform with effect from 1 March 2002.
1324 Mr. O’Shea asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government when he will make a decision regarding the Woodstown archaeological site in County Waterford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1024/05]
The Viking site at Woodstown was discovered during the course of archaeological investigations in advance of the construction of the N25 Waterford bypass which were being carried out on behalf of Waterford City Council under the auspices of the NRA. A report on the outcome of these archaeological investigations which identified a previously unknown Viking site was submitted to my Department and is available on the NRA website.
My Department issued directions under the National Monuments Acts 1930 to 2004 requiring further studies to be carried out by the road developers to establish the archaeological potential of a marsh area at the western end of the site and the reports on the results of these additional investigations have been submitted. The above earlier reports are being examined with a view to preparing further directions for issue to the road authority regarding the site. These would issue following consultation with the National Museum in accordance with the provisions of the National Monuments Acts 1930 to 2004. I intend that this process will be completed as soon as possible.
1325 Mr. O’Shea asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the proposals he has to fund an extension to the Adamstown water treatment plant, County Waterford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1025/05]
The Adamstown water treatment plant is being extended as part of the east Waterford water supply scheme, stage 2, phase 2, which has been approved for construction in my Department's Water Services Investment Programme 2004 — 2006, at an estimated cost of €20.25 million. Contract documents for the civil and mechanical and electrical works related to the Adamstown extension are under examination in my Department and will be dealt with as quickly as possible.
1326 Mr. Haughey asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will give details of the report prepared by a company (details supplied) for his Department on building land; the terms of reference of this report; if the report has been published; the action he now proposes to take in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1026/05]
The report in question was published on 15 December 2004 and is available in the Oireachtas Library. The consultant author was requested to provide an economic proofing of a possible scheme aimed at accelerating the supply of land for affordable housing development, based on the principle of "use it or lose it".
In broad terms, the proposed scheme would have opened on the following lines: a local authority would identify suitable plots of land for development following an examination of housing needs; the land would be designated for acquisition by the local authority and the owner would be given a specified period in which to secure planning permission; once the landowner secured planning permission, a further time limit would be set for the completion of the development; if the landowner failed to comply, the local authority could acquire the land by compulsory purchase; the price paid for such land would be at a specified percentage above agricultural value; and if a local authority acquired land in this manner, it would be required to develop it or procure its development within a specified timeframe.
The economic proofing of this proposal was carried out by reference to the position in three housing authorities, two urban and one rural. The analysis included a profile of development land available for housing in the areas concerned, the identification of any factors impeding its supply to the market, including the possible hoarding of land, and an evaluation of the market and other impacts of the proposal.
My Department is considering the findings of this report, as well as the ninth progress report of the All-party Oireachtas Committee on the Constitution on the subject of property rights, and report No. 112 of the National Economic and Social Council —"Housing in Ireland: Performance and Policy".
1327 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the detailed breakdown in both tonnage and percentages of waste here, that is, household waste, industrial waste, commercial waste, building waste and agricultural waste; and the amount recycled each year. [1027/05]
National waste statistics are collated and published by the EPA. Its most recent report, the National Waste Database 2003 Interim Report, shows 3,001,016 tonnes of municipal — household and commercial — waste was generated in that year and that 28.4% was recovered. This continues a positive trend — equivalent rates for 2002 and 2001 were 21% and 13% respectively — and suggests that we may significantly exceed our diversion of municipal waste from landfill target of 35% by 2013.
Household waste accounted for 1,596,501 tonnes of municipal waste in 2003, of which 13% was recovered. While this is an improvement over the 9% household waste recovery reported for 2002, it will be a challenge to deliver a household waste recovery and recycling rate of 50% by 2013. Commercial waste accounted for a further 1,332,735 tonnes of municipal waste and some 47% of commercial waste was recovered, a further significant improvement.
Recovery rates for other waste streams are also encouraging. Some 1,006,287 tonnes of packaging waste were generated in 2003 but 41.7% was recovered. This suggests that we are on target for our 2005 target of 50% recovery. Of 1,683,477 tonnes of biodegradable waste, 32% was recovered, representing a reduction in the amount of biodegradable waste landfilled.
Statistics for industrial, construction and agricultural waste were last generated for the National Waste Database Report 2001. The recovery of construction and demolition waste was then estimated to have increased from 1,171,572 tonnes or 43.3% in 1998 to 2,364,886 tonnes or 65.4% in 2001. The recovery rate of industrial waste was estimated to be at 25.5% in 2001. Agriculture is the biggest single waste source in Ireland and in 2001 accounted for more than 56 million tonnes of waste generated. A high proportion of agricultural waste is land spread, which constitutes a recovery activity, but detailed figures on recovery rates are not available.
1328 Mr. Neville asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the position regarding the five year housing plan submitted by Limerick County Council to his Department. [1126/05]
A letter conveying my Department's approval to Limerick County Council's Action Plan for Social and Affordable Housing 2004-2008 issued on 23 December 2004.
1329 Mr. O’Connor asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his plans to review the shared ownership scheme to ensure that it continues to make a major impact in respect of those persons in need of housing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1127/05]
In addition to a number of technical changes which were made to the shared ownership scheme with effect from 1 January 2003, I announced last July that significant improvements to the loan and income eligibility limits for shared ownership and affordable housing schemes had been made. The revised income limit was increased to €36,800 for a single income household and €92,000 for a two income household, while the maximum loan that can be advanced for a local authority house purchase is €165,000. In addition, the period for which local authorities may advance loans has been extended from 25 years to 30 years.
Notwithstanding these improvements, the terms of the scheme will continue to be kept under review. In this regard, the NESC report, "Housing in Ireland: Performance and Policy", which was published at the end of 2004, outlines the factors underpinning the development of the housing sector in Ireland. In light of the report, the Government will consider any further changes required to the terms and conditions of the various housing schemes, within the resources available, to better address our aims.
1330 Mr. O’Connor asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the legal status of the €20 planning objections charge currently enforced by local authorities; the effect which recent European Court decisions have on the issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1128/05]
On 23 January 2003, the European Commission issued Ireland with a reasoned opinion to the effect that the €20 fee for making a submission on a planning application which requires environmental impact assessment is contrary to the public participation provisions of Directive 85/337/EEC on environmental impact assessment, EIA. A reply issued to the European Commission on 16 May 2003, responding to each of the points raised in the reasoned opinion and setting out our contention that the imposition of a €20 participation fee is not in conflict with the provisions of the directive.
On 22 July 2003, the European Commission issued a press release in which it stated its intention to refer the case to the European Court of Justice. No official communication has been received from the Commission to date. I have no plans to amend the relevant regulations, which reflect an approach endorsed by the Oireachtas in the context of the Planning and Development Act 2000.
1331 Mr. O’Connor asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will make additional resources available to South Dublin County Council to allow the council tackle the huge problem of litter in communities; if his attention has been drawn to the importance of this issue in Brittas, Firhouse, Greenhills, Templeogue, Tallaght and other parts of Dublin south west; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1129/05]
Each local authority determines its level of expenditure on individual local services, including its anti-litter operations, as part of its annual estimates process. Such expenditure is funded from a variety of sources, including the local government fund, rates, fees and charges. In addition, since 1997 my Department has allocated a total of more than €4.35 million in grants to local authorities for public education and awareness initiatives against litter. South Dublin County Council received €110,000 in grant aid during this period. I envisage making further allocations of this kind to local authorities in 2005.
My Department also provides financial support for two national anti-litter initiatives, that is, the An Taisce led project, "National Spring Clean", and the Irish business against litter — IBAL — national litter league, and has developed the national litter pollution monitoring system currently being implemented by local authorities. Those initiatives are aimed at raising public participation in local awareness and clean-up actions and encouraging more rigorous and targeted action by local authorities to tackle litter pollution in their functional areas.
Primary responsibility for developing and implementing responses to the litter problem rests appropriately with local authorities. In all the circumstances, it is not proposed to earmark additional sources of funding to local authorities for litter prevention.
1332 Mr. O’Connor asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will report on his efforts to have the Sellafield plant closed; if his attention has been drawn to the huge interest in this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1130/05]
In accordance with the commitment in the agreed programme for Government, the policy of this Government is to bring about the safe and orderly closure of Sellafield. This is based on our concerns about the potential hazards arising from a nuclear accident or incident, the impacts of radioactive discharges on the marine environment, concerns about the generation, management and disposal of radioactive waste and the risk posed by the associated transport of radioactive materials through the Irish Sea.
The UK response to these concerns is that radioactive discharges from Sellafield pose no threat to human health or the environment, that the Sellafield plant and related transports are safe and secure and that the legacy wastes arising from the UK's nuclear programmes are being addressed through the establishment of the Nuclear Decommissioning Agency.
Ongoing contact through correspondence and meetings at ministerial, official and expert level is being maintained with the UK authorities regarding a range of issues surrounding the Sellafield nuclear plant. These contacts are productive and reflect an increasing recognition by the UK Government of the serious concerns held by the Irish Government about Sellafield. There remains, however, a significant difference of views between the Irish and UK Governments regarding the continued operation of Sellafield.
The Government also initiated international legal proceedings against the UK under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, UNCLOS, regarding the Sellafield MOX plant. The current position with the litigation by Ireland under UNCLOS is that the arbitration remains suspended pending resolution of jurisdictional issues in the dispute, which were raised by the European Commission. However, the tribunal in the case issued an order on 24 June 2003 after hearing an application by Ireland for provisional measures.
The provisional measures award and orders recommended that Ireland and the UK enter into dialogue to improve cooperation and consultation between the two governments and report to the tribunal on specified dates. The most recent report to the tribunal was submitted on schedule by both parties on 30 November 2004. In line with the obligation on both parties to improve cooperation and coordination arrangements, complex discussions, confidential to the tribunal and the parties pending outcomes, are at present continuing.
It was my stated intention to report on progress arising from this process at the appropriate instance and the signing of an agreement on notification and exchange of information arrangements between Ireland and the UK on 10 December 2004 afforded the two parties an opportunity to do so. The agreed package of measures announced is designed to address a wide range of issues related to nuclear safety and includes, inter alia, the facilitating of visits to Sellafield by the Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland and the Garda Síochána, provision of access for the institute to the UK’s radiation monitoring system and a series of initiatives to develop and improve existing co-operation arrangements between both Governments.
As well as contacts with ministerial colleagues, my officials and scientific experts from the institute continue to meet their UK counterparts on a regular basis, during which Ireland's concerns regarding operations at Sellafield are raised. Such contacts continue to be productive. However, there remains a significant difference of views about operations at Sellafield. The UK response to concerns raised by Ireland is that operations at Sellafield are safe and do not adversely impact on the environment. This Government holds a significantly different view and has at every opportunity expressed these views directly to the UK Government and its relevant authorities at all levels. The Government will continue to explore further options regarding to Sellafield as they become available.
I am aware of the deep public interest in this area and I will continue to highlight Ireland's concerns on Sellafield and the nuclear industry generally to my UK ministerial counterparts.
1333 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the steps he intends to take to reduce air pollution in cities; if he intends to introduce legislation to allow local authorities to random test for smoke emissions and to impose fines for those in breach of emission limits; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1149/05]
Air quality assessment is the responsibility for the Environmental Protection Agency, EPA, and air quality management a matter for local authorities informed by air quality measurement data. The EPA's air quality monitoring annual report 2002 indicates that the limit values for pollutants under the EU air quality directives on ambient air quality were not being exceeded in 2002 and from the Dublin City Council air quality monitoring annual report 2003-2004 and preliminary EPA data I understand this to be the position also for 2003. Copies of both reports are available in the Oireachtas Library.
Air quality in Ireland is, therefore, generally good with the main concern in cities arising from vehicle emissions. Measures to combat this include EU vehicle emission control and cleaner fuel specifications, a VRT system favouring smaller cars and a 50% rebate for hybrid vehicles, the national car test and significant investment in public transport infrastructure and projects such as the Dublin Port Tunnel, town bypasses and so forth. In budget 2005, the Minister for Finance announced his intention to introduce a further duty differential for sulphur free fuels this year as an environmental measure.
Under the Air Pollution Act 1987, the occupier of any premises other than a private dwelling is required to use the best practicable means to limit and, if possible, to prevent emissions, including smoke emissions, from such premises. In addition, the occupier of any premises is prohibited from causing or permitting an emission in such a quantity or manner as to be a nuisance. The Act provides local authorities with powers to prevent or limit air pollution and penalties include fines and/or imprisonment upon conviction.
Emissions of smoke from the burning of solid fuel have been significantly reduced by the ban on the marketing, sale and distribution of bituminous coal in 16 urban areas which is enforced by relevant local authorities and includes the taking of prosecutions as appropriate. In addition, a 2002 agreement with the Solid Fuel Trade Group has led to significant reductions of sulphur in all coals and petcoke sold nationally as well as increased smokeless fuel penetration in a number of additional urban areas. Moreover, I intend shortly to seek Government approval for a strategy to further reduce national emissions of certain transboundary air pollutants by 2010.
Against this background, the promotion of new legislation in this area is not envisaged at this time.
1334 Ms O. Mitchell asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if uniformity of approach to all senior citizens across local authorities in respect of bin charges will be respected. [1160/05]
1341 Ms O’Sullivan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will, in conjunction with the Minister for Social and Family Affairs, establish a national waiver scheme for refuse charges; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1266/05]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 1334 and 1341 together.
The provision by a local authority of a waiver in respect of all or part of a charge in respect of the provision of a waste service by, or on behalf of, that authority is solely a matter for the local authority concerned. However, inconsistencies in the availability of waivers and related issues connected with waste charges have been brought to my Department's attention in discussions with the social partners in the context of the Sustaining Progress special initiatives and, more recently, in the context of the move to pay-by-use charges. This matter is the subject of continuing discussion with the Department of Social and Family Affairs.
1335 Mr. O’Dowd asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will provide a comprehensive list of all meetings attended by a person (details supplied) since the beginning of that person’s contract with his Department; the date on which the meetings occurred; the persons who attended those meetings; the subject discussed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1177/05]
1336 Mr. O’Dowd asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government when the steering group to oversee the work of consultants in implementing a communications strategy for the national spatial strategy was set up; the dates it met; the dates on which a person (details supplied) attended; the names of those on the steering group; the person who appointed them; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1178/05]
I propose to take Question Nos. 1335 and 1336 together.
It would not be practicable to prepare a comprehensive list of all meetings attended by the person concerned over the period of some two and a half years for which she has been contracted to my Department. The Department's records indicate, however, that the person concerned attended, inter alia, the following meetings.
|
Meeting |
Date of Meeting |
Details of Meeting |
|
Assessment panel |
7 April 200312 May 2003 |
The purpose was to evaluate tenders received for the awareness campaign. The membership of the panel comprised the followig departmental officials: K. Kelleher, L. Whelan, F. Ó Coigligh, B. Leech, D. Kearney, J. Kiernan (Department officials) as well as the person concerned. |
|
Steering committee and communications subgroup |
25 June 20033 July 20039 July 200316 July 200323 July 200322 August 200328 August 200310 September 200316 September 200324 September 20039 October 200321 October 20034 November 200314 November 200326 November 20033 December 200319 December 20037 January 200412 January 20043 March 200411 March 200419 May 20049 June 200421 September 200412 October 200419 October 200425 November 2004 |
The purpose was to oversee the implementation of the campaign. The membership of the committee was J. Kelleher, P. Macken, J. McCarthy, B. Leech, B. Linehan, D. Kearney, J. Kiernan, P. Morrissey, P. Fenton (Department officials) as well as the person concerned. The subgroup comprised some of the members of the committee including the person concerned. Meetings were also attended by different representatives of the consultant who was awarded the contract for the campaign. |
|
Meeting with the Minister and an advisory group representative of thirteen organisations. |
11 March 2004 |
The purpose of the meeting was to consult various stakeholders on the waste awareness campaign. J. McCarthy (Department official) also attended. |
|
Meeting |
Date of Meeting |
Details of Meeting |
|
Meetings of the tender evaluation team for the awareness campaign |
22 October 200328 October 2003 |
The membership of the team comprised P. Greene, M. Murphy, M. Ryan and D. Walsh (Department officials) as well as the person concerned. |
|
Meetings with the successful tenderer to oversee the implementation of the awareness campaign |
15 January 200429 January 200424 March 200413 April 2004 |
The meetings were attended by some members of the above team as well as representatives of the campaign consultant. |
|
Meeting |
Date of Meeting |
Details of Meeting |
|
Meeting of the steering group |
1 December 200315 January 20046 February 2004 |
The purpose of the steering group was to recommend a consultant to carry out the review. The membership of the group comprised T. Corcoran, J. Fitzgerald (Department officials), F. Foster (Department of Finance), J. Fitzgerald (Dublin city manager), D. O’ Donoghue (Galway city manager) as well as the person concerned. |
|
Meeting |
Date of Meeting |
Details of Meeting |
|
Discussion of a potential awareness campaign |
12 February 2003 |
Meeting between the person concerned and D. Fadden (Department official). |
|
Meeting of the tender assessment group |
25 June 2003 |
The group, comprised B. Pocock, P. McNally, W. Cumming (Department officials) as well as the person concerned. |
|
Meeting of the same group and representatives of the successful tenderer |
3 July 2003 |
The purpose was to discuss the plan for the campaign. |
|
Meeting |
Date of Meeting |
Details of Meeting |
|
Meetings in Waterford |
11 March 20037 May 200331 October 2003 |
To prepare arrangements for the informal meetings of EU Environment Ministers in 2004. N. Behan (Department official) also attended. |
|
EU Environment Informal Council, Waterford |
14-16 May 2004 |
Collaborated with Department staff in coordinating arrangements for Council. |
|
Meeting with D. Murphy (Director Met Éireann) |
22 December 2004 |
To advise on Met Éireann’s communication requirements. |
|
Meeting with B. Linehan (Department official) |
19 January 2005 |
Preliminary discussion to assess the scope of ENFO’s publications. |
|
Meeting |
Date of Meeting |
Details of Meeting |
|
Attendance at various international meetings as part of a delegation led by the Minister |
Details are set out in reply to Questions Nos. 1335 and 1336 on today’s Order Paper. |
|
|
Study tour to Holland in relation to waste |
21 to 23 January 2004 |
The group comprised J. McCarthy, P. Macken, B. O’Neill, J. Burns (Department officials), local authority environmental awareness officers and journalists. |
|
Informal meeting of EU Environment Ministers in Athens |
2 to 4 May 2003 |
The person concerned accompanied Minister of State Deputy Gallagher and G. Tallon and N. Behan (Department officials). |
|
Meeting |
Date of meeting |
Details of meeting |
|
Steering Committee to oversee and manage the communications contract |
2 November 200011 December 20008 January 200117 January 200129 January 20015 February 200121 February 20014 May 200125 July 20023 September 20021 October 20023 October 20026 November 2002 |
The steering committee was composed of representatives of the Department’s spatial planning unit, the Department’s communications coordinator (2000 to 2002), the Department’s communications consultant (July 2002 onwards) and the NDP/Structural Funds unit of the Department of Finance. |
|
Workshop in relation to communications message planning. |
14 November 2002 |
The workshop was in relation to the launch of the NSS. |
1337 Mr. O’Dowd asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the names of those who tendered for the contract for communications elements related to initiatives on local government funding; the name of the successful company or companies; if this was the lowest tender; the nature of the work involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1179/05]
A communications element did not form part of the request for tenders for the review of local government financing which is currently being undertaken by Indecon International Economic Consultants in association with the Institute of Local Government Studies.
1338 Mr. O’Dowd asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the names of those who tendered for the contract for placing advertisements relating to the National Inventory of Architectural Heritage; the name of the successful company; if this was the lowest tender; the nature of the work involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1180/05]
Three valid tenders were received to promote the National Inventory of Architectural Heritage publications. They were from: QMP, Bates Ireland — now Hunter-Redcell and Ican. The successful tenderer was Bates Ireland. Although its tender was not the lowest it was considered to be the most economically advantageous.
The purpose of the contract is to advertise architectural heritage surveys as they are published on a county by county basis by designing press and radio adverts and placing them with relevant local media.
1339 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he received a letter from the Taoiseach concerning the housing needs of persons (details supplied) in County Roscommon; if he has contacted Roscommon County Council on the matter; if he has received a reply from Roscommon County Council; and if he has satisfied himself that Roscommon County Council discharged its statutory responsibilities in this matter. [1264/05]
I have received correspondence from the Taoiseach as well as correspondence directly from the person referred to in the question about his family's accommodation position.
My function in relation to Travellers is to ensure that there is an adequate legislative and financial framework in place within which local authorities, relevant voluntary bodies and Traveller organisations may provide or be assisted in the provision, management and maintenance of accommodation for Travellers. I am precluded by section 11(9) of the Housing Act 1988 from directing a local authority concerning the letting of a dwelling to any individual person.
From inquiries made from Roscommon County Council, I understand that the council has made offers of both temporary and permanent accommodation in this case. In late 2000, a site owned by the council, two kilometres from Boyle, was identified, services were provided on the site and a new mobile home was provided on the site for the family in question. The family was informed that this site was being provided as an interim solution, pending the provision of permanent accommodation. The family did not accept the offer and left County Roscommon in December 2000, returning in September 2001.
In September 2002, the family was offered tenancy of a house approximately 1.6 kilometres from Boyle town. It was made clear to the family that this house would be extended to meet its needs. The council has already provided temporary facilities at this site — a parking area for the mobile home and sanitary services — that could be used while the existing house is being extended. This offer of accommodation, which I understand has been refused, is still open to the family. The council further informed me that it has not identified any other suitable house to meet the needs of this family. I am satisfied that the council is making all reasonable efforts to provide for the accommodation needs in this case.
1340 Mr. Neville asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the position regarding the provision of a sewerage scheme for Askeaton, County Limerick. [1265/05]
The Askeaton sewerage scheme, which is being advanced as part of a grouped project, is included in my Department's Water Services Investment Programme 2004 — 2006 as a scheme to commence construction this year. My Department is awaiting the submission by Limerick County Council of a preliminary report for the scheme.
1343 Mr. Haughey asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if guidelines will be drawn up to ensure that new one-off rural houses can be reserved for those working in agriculture; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1268/05]
In March 2004, guidelines for planning authorities on sustainable rural housing were published in draft form to give all those interested an opportunity to comment before the guidelines are finalised. I expect to be in a position to issue the guidelines in final statutory form shortly.
It is a central objective of the guidelines to facilitate people who are part of or contribute to rural communities to gain planning permission for their housing proposals, subject to normal planning requirements in matters such as siting, waste water treatment and safe access. The guidelines call for development plans to incorporate examples and suggestions as to the broad categories of circumstances which would indicate that proposals for rural housing development are intended to meet the needs of a person who is part of the rural community. Such examples would include farmers, their sons and daughters and or any persons taking over the ownership and running of farms, as well as people who have lived most of their lives in rural areas and are building their first homes and those in part-time occupations where the predominant occupation is farming or is natural resource related.
The examples given are of an illustrative nature and are not intended to be exhaustive. The guidelines ask each planning authority to make its own assessment, in the context of its development plan, of the scope and extent of rural housing needs to be considered taking into account local conditions and relevant planning issues.
In addition, the guidelines point to the need to attach appropriate conditions to permissions for houses in rural areas in the vicinity of the larger cities and towns, intended for those who are part of the rural community, requiring that such houses be occupied for a specified period by the applicants and/or their families. Applying such a requirement in appropriate cases enables planning authorities to respond positively to applications from such persons in the areas where development pressure is acute, for example, in the vicinity of the larger cities and towns. It is considered reasonable that an applicant getting permission in such an area on the basis of having an identified rural housing need should be asked to comply with such an occupancy condition.
1348 Mr. Haughey asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he has considered the new development plans for Wicklow, Kerry and Donegal; if those plans will facilitate an increase in one-off rural houses which may destroy environmental and tourist sensitive areas in these counties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1273/05]
The determination of the policies and objectives to be incorporated in any individual development plan is primarily a matter for planning authorities in accordance with the relevant statutory requirements. Under the Planning and Development Act 2000, planning authorities are required to prepare a development plan every six years and to send notice and a copy of the draft development plan to my Department.
My Department issued comments about the draft county development plans for Kerry in April and October 2003 and Wicklow in September 2004. These comments raised a variety of issues, including matters relating to the rural policy framework set out under the national spatial strategy, the draft guidelines on sustainable rural settlement and the need for plans to reflect relevant regional planning guidelines policies. The local authorities were asked to take account of the issues raised in finalising their development plans.
The current Donegal county development plan is in the process of being reviewed and, on foot of a request from the planning authority at the commencement of the review process for submissions/observations, my Department issued comments in October 2004. I do not consider that any of the plans referred to, if properly implemented, will compromise environmental and/or tourist sensitive areas in those counties.
1349 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will furnish a response to correspondence (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1372/05]
1378 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government when a person (details supplied) in County Roscommon will receive a top up payment for the purchase of bog; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1904/05]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 1349 and 1378 together.
My Department concluded an agreement with the farming pillar under Sustaining Progress in July 2004. A major part of this agreement involved increased rates of compensation for the cessation of turf cutting in bogs that have been statutorily proposed for designation. The new rates are deemed to reflect the increase in the value of bogs since the original scheme was launched in March 1999.
Under the cessation of turf cutting scheme, all sales of bogs and turbary rights are entered into voluntarily. All parties entering into an agreement prior to the new rates being announced agreed to the compensation rates applicable at that time. The revised rates will apply to all vendors who agree to sell their bog/turbary to my Department after the date of the current agreement. As an exceptional measure I have agreed that the new rates will be applied retrospectively by means of an additional ex gratia payment in respect of any earlier purchases of raised bogs included in the December 2002 designation proposals.
The new rates include a scaled incentive payment up to a maximum of €6,000, additional to the rate per acre for purchase of bog or turbary. For people whose bogs were statutorily proposed for designation prior to 1999 and who have already sold to the Department, it was agreed that the new additional scaled incentive payment would be applied retrospectively, with the previous €1,270 or £1,000 bonus, where already paid, being deducted. I am advised that the person named is in this pre-1999 category and is due to receive a payment which will issue shortly.
1350 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the action he is taking to address the delays in collecting farm plastic through the farm relief services; the revenue collected in each of the past five years from the collection levy for farm plastics; the average waiting time for the collection of material; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1378/05]
Under the Waste Management (Farm Plastics) Regulations 2001, producers, that is, manufacturers and importers of farm plastics such as silage bale wrap and sheeting, are required to take steps to recover farm plastics waste which they have placed on the market or alternatively to contribute to, and participate in, compliance schemes to recover the waste in question. The farm plastics recovery scheme operated by the Irish Farm Film Producers Group, IFFPG, is the sole "approved body" in Ireland for the purposes of implementing a compliance scheme for the recovery of farm plastics waste and has operated successfully to date.
Under the IFFPG scheme, producers apply a levy on the sale of farm plastics which in turn is transferred to the IFFPG for use in funding the collection and recovery of farm plastics waste. The IFFPG is a not for profit organisation and the rate of levy applied is set by the company so that its operational costs are covered. The engagement of collection companies to collect farm plastics waste is a matter for the IFFPG.
1351 Mr. Boyle asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will shortly implement the relevant section of recent local Government legislation to allow for the formation through election of new town councils; and if such elections will be held in the urban areas of Ballincollig, Carrigaline and Douglas in County Cork. [1417/05]
The Local Government Act 2001 modernises the legislative framework, supports community involvement with local authorities in a more participative local democracy and underpins generally the programme of local government renewal, including the position of county and city councils as the primary units of local government.
The Act takes account of the recommendations of the 1996 report of the reorganisation commission towards cohesive local government, town and county, regarding improved accessibility, interaction and linkages for all towns within their local county council areas as the way forward. Section 185 of the Act provides that qualified electors of a town having a population of at least 7,500 as ascertained at the last preceding census and not having a town council may make a proposal for the establishment of such a council, in line with the population threshold recommended in that report. Under the relevant provisions of the Act, which I hope to commence in the near future, a proposal to establish a town council is, therefore, a matter for the local community in the first instance and a decision on whether to proceed further with such a proposal is a reserved function of the relevant county council, following a public consultation process.
1352 Mr. Boyle asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he intends in the near future to extend the functions of town councils, which previously had been town commissions. [1418/05]
The Local Government Act 2001 has been designed to provide a modern legislative framework for all local authorities. Under the Act all town councils, including former town commissioners, may take action to promote the community interest; exercise a representational role, with an office of mayor and structured linkage to the county council; provide local amenities and raise a local community contribution; make local by-laws and have statutory input to the local development plan process under the planning code.
Certain town councils, other than former town commissions, are under the relevant statutory service codes responsible for certain mainline functions in the housing, roads and sanitary services areas. The Oireachtas, in its comprehensive review and restatement of local government legislative powers in recent years, did not extend responsibility for such mainline functions to additional town councils and legislation would be required to amend this position. I will keep the position generally under review in the ongoing local government modernisation programme with the aim of ensuring good accessible service delivery at town and county level.
1353 Mr. Boyle asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he has received representations to reduce the acreage of a special area of conservation (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he has given consideration to these representations. [1419/05]
The lands known locally as the Spit of Inch are located in candidate special area of conservation, cSAC, 000343 Castlemaine Harbour. While I have received representations recently concerning the use of the lands at Inch, these did not seek reduction of the extent of the cSAC. An appeal was lodged in 1997 against inclusion of lands at Inch in the cSAC, but, in view of High Court proceedings, the appellants did not pursue the appeal.
1354 Mr. Boyle asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the measures being considered to improve water supply in Belgooly, County Cork. [1420/05]
The Belgooly water and sewerage scheme has been approved for funding in my Department's Water Services Investment Programme 2004-2006, under theserviced land initiative, at an overall estimated cost of €1.05 million. Cork County Council's preliminary report for the water element of the scheme, and an associated application for increased funding, are under examination in my Department and will be dealt with as quickly as possible.
1355 Mr. Boyle asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he has examined the effect of the ban on hare coursing in Northern Ireland and the way in which such a ban might impact here. [1421/05]
I am aware that the Northern Ireland authorities have recently renewed a ban on hare coursing in their jurisdiction which was introduced in January 2004. In the experience of my Department's National Parks and Wildlife Service, the main determinant of hare population levels is the availability of suitable habitats and land management practice and capture of hares for coursing does not significantly impact on their conservation.
The licensing provisions of the Wildlife Acts 1976 and 2000 are designed to regulate the hunting of wildlife at sustainable levels. The licence issued under section 26(3) of the Wildlife Act 1976, as amended, to the Irish Coursing Club for the season 2004-2005, prescribes a number of conditions relevant to conservation and prohibits the export of hares out of this jurisdiction. No Northern Ireland based coursing club is covered by the licence.
A steering group comprising members of staff from my Department and from the environment and heritage service of the Department of the Environment in Northern Ireland has been set up to draft an all-Ireland species action plan for the Irish hare. Work on drafting this plan commenced in June 2003 and is expected to be finalised by March 2005. A survey to estimate hare numbers in Ireland is expected to be one of the strategies proposed in the plan. Once the plan has been finalised implementation of identified strategies will commence.
1356 Mr. Boyle asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he has satisfied himself that sufficient legislative protection exists to protect the stock of holly trees in the country. [1422/05]
The holly is a common shrub or small tree of deciduous woodlands and hedgerows, especially in upland areas. I am aware of concerns recently expressed regarding the impact of cutting of holly from hedgerows. Cutting of holly for traditional Christmas use can indeed cause unsightly localised damage but holly is extremely resilient and grows back strongly after having been cut. This is one of the reasons it is a successful hedgerow tree.
Holly has not been a protected species under the Wildlife Acts and it is not considered appropriate at this stage to change this position.
1357 Mr. Boyle asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the varying policies of local authorities towards the construction of timber frame housing; and if his Department has a policy encouraging local authorities to develop such housing. [1423/05]
It is open to local authorities to consider alternative methods of construction for housing projects as a substitute to the traditional masonry construction method provided such alternative construction methods comply with the building regulations and my Department's social housing design guidelines.
My Department published, for public consultation, an independent study in December 2003 on the use of timber frame housing in Irish conditions. The study acknowledges the potential for increased use of timber framed housing in Ireland and recommended that a number of pilot social housing projects should be developed using alternative methods of construction. My Department is in contact with a number of local authorities in this regard.
1358 Mr. Morgan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his Department’s policy regarding the provision of houses, both SI and scheme houses, for single male applicants. [1442/05]
Single men who are unable to provide housing for themselves from their own resources are entitled to apply for social housing which is provided by either a local authority or a voluntary housing body. While it is a matter for individual local authorities to decide on the allocation of houses to single persons and other categories on their waiting lists in accordance with their schemes of letting priorities, my Department continues to advise local authorities of the need to provide a reasonable mix of dwellings suited to the different kinds of households already on waiting lists and to plan their future programmes taking account of the estimated size and type of households likely to be seeking housing in the future.
1359 Mr. Morgan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government when his Department will give approval for the Gweedore sewerage scheme in County Donegal to go out to tender. [1443/05]
The Gweedore sewerage scheme is included in my Department's water services investment programme 2004-06 to start construction in 2005. A certificate of completion of planning is awaited from Donegal County Council to enable my Department to finalise its consideration of the contract documents for the scheme.
1360 Cecilia Keaveney asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the position in relation to a group water scheme (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1445/05]
Contract three of stage 1 of the Desertegney water supply scheme, which is a public rather than a group water scheme, is included in my Department's water services investment programme 2004-06 to commence construction as soon as possible. Additional information is awaited from Donegal County Council to allow my Department to finalise its consideration of the contract documents for the scheme.
1361 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the position in respect of a project (details supplied) in County Mayo; the nature of the delay in this project; if a working group was set up between the community, the OPW and the council; when he expects the planning process for the project to be sorted out; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1446/05]
A sum of €3.81 million has been allocated by my Department under the National Development Plan 2000-2006 for the construction of a new visitor centre to serve Ballycroy National Park, County Mayo. This is Ireland's sixth national park, established in 1998, and it incorporates some 11,800 hectares of blanket bog. An attractive and extensive site of 42.3 hectares has been purchased by my Department for the visitor centre in the village of Ballycroy. To advance the project in a spirit of co-operation and mutual understanding, a working group consisting of officials of my Department as well as representatives of local community and tourism groups, Mayo County Council and the Office of Public Works was established and has met frequently, most recently on 13 December 2004.
A planning application for the proposed visitor centre was lodged with Mayo County Council by the Office of Public Works on behalf of my Department last summer. Additional detailed information requested by the council is being finalised at present and I expect that this will be supplied to Mayo County Council by mid-February at the latest. Subject to planning approval being obtained, I am optimistic that this project can proceed and that Ballycroy National Park, County Mayo, will have an excellent new visitor centre before long.
1362 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the destination, purpose and duration of each overseas trip taken by him between June 2002 and September 2004; the number and grade of civil servants who travelled on each of these trips; the names and roles of non-civil servants who travelled on each of these trips; if the travel tickets were booked centrally for each trip; if the travel costs were paid centrally for all persons on each trip; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1447/05]
The information sought in respect of foreign travel undertaken by my predecessor between June 2002 and September 2004 is set out in the following table. The travel tickets in each case were booked centrally and paid for by my Department in respect of scheduled flights. The Department of Defence bears the costs in respect of travel by Government jet. The table shows those attending the meetings although in some cases officials would have travelled on different dates.
|
Date |
Destination |
Official Party Attending Meeting |
Purpose of Trip |
|
2002 |
|||
|
18-20 July 2002 |
Denmark (Sonderberg) |
Assistant Secretary Private Secretary |
Danish Informal Environment Council |
|
30 Aug-5 Sept. 2002 |
Johannesburg |
Secretary General, Assistant Secretary, 2 Principal Officers, Private Secretary, Monica Leech (Communications Consultant), Press Officer |
World Summit on Sustainable Development, |
|
20-21 October 2002 |
The Hague |
Assistant Secretary, Principal Officer, Assistant Principal Officer, Administrative Officer, Higher Executive Officer, Private Secretary, Monica Leech (Communications Consultant), Press Officer |
Ospar Arbitration Oral Hearing, |
|
8-9 December 2002 |
Brussels |
Assistant Secretary, 2 Principal Officers, Economist, Private Secretary, Monica Leech (Communications Consultant), Press Officer |
Environment Council |
|
2003 |
|||
|
15-20 January 2003 |
London |
Assistant Secretary, Principal Officer, Assistant Principal Officer, Private Secretary |
3rd Meeting of the British Irish Council Environment Sector |
|
13-16 February 2003 |
Edinburgh |
Assistant Secretary, Private Secretary, Press Officer |
Meeting with Scottish Minister for Social Justice |
|
3-4 March 2003 |
Brussels |
Assistant Secretary, Principal Officer, Private Secretary, Press Officer |
Environment Council |
|
7-19 March 2003 |
Brazil |
Private Secretary, Press Officer |
St. Patrick’s Day Visit |
|
25 April-1 May 2003 |
New York |
Assistant Secretary, Principal Officer, Assistant Principal Officer, Higher Executive Officer, Private Secretary Monica Leech (Communications Consultant), Press Officer |
UN Commission on Sustainable Development |
|
20- 23 May 2003 |
Kiev |
Assistant Secretary, Principal Officer, Senior Adviser, Private Secretary, Monica Leech (Communications Consultant) |
5th Ministerial UNECE Conference Environment for Europe in Kiev |
|
14-18 September 2003 |
Prague; Ljubljana, Slovenia (via Munich); Warsaw (via Vienna); Budapest |
2 Assistant Secretaries, Principal Adviser, Principal Officer, Assistant Principal Officer, Private Secretary |
Pre-Presidency Visit to Accession Countries and attendance at the 13th Conference of Ministers for Regional Planning in Slovenia |
|
4-6 October 2003 |
Rome |
Assistant Secretary, Principal Officer, Private Secretary |
Informal high-level meeting preparing for COP 9 (UN Climate Change Convention) |
|
19-20 November 2003 |
Stockholm |
Assistant Secretary, Principal Officer, Assistant Principal Officer, Private Secretary Monica Leech (Communications Consultant), Press Officer |
Pre-Presidency Visit |
|
27 November-1 December 2003 |
London |
Assistant Secretary, 2 Principal Officers, Private Secretary, Press Officer |
Meetings with Office of the Mayor of London, Meeting with Secretary of State, Margaret Beckett |
|
10-11 December 2003 |
Milan |
Minister of State, Deputy Gallagher, Assistant Secretary, Principal Officer, 2 Assistant Principal Officers, Senior Adviser, 2 Private Secretaries, Press Officer |
Ninth Session of the Conference of the Parties to U N Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP 9) |
|
17 December 2003 |
Berlin |
Assistant Secretary, Principal Officer, Assistant Principal Officer, Private Secretary, Press Officer |
Pre-Presidency Visit |
|
2003 (Irish Presidency Period) |
|||
|
19-20 January 2004 |
Brussels |
Assistant Secretary, Principal Officer, Private Secretary, Press Officer |
Minister’s address to Environment Committee of the European Parliament |
|
11-20 February 2004 |
Malaysia |
Assistant Secretary, 3 Principal Officers, 3 Assistant Principal Officers, 3 Higher Executive Officers, 2 Clerical Officers, Private Secretary, Principal Adviser, 3 Inspectors Grade 1, 3 Inspectors Grade 3. Monica Leech (Communications Consultant), Press Officer Forestry Inspector, Department of Agriculture Botanist Grade 11, OPW Tom McLoughlin, Senior Scientific Officer Level 2, EPA Tara Shine, Consultant, Overseas Development Aid, Department of Foreign Affairs |
Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity in Malaysia |
|
1-2 March 2004 |
Brussels |
Minister of State Gallagher, Assistant Secretary, 4 Principal Officers, Higher Executive Officer, 2 Private Secretaries |
EU Environment Council |
|
18- 21 April 2004 |
Paris |
Assistant Secretary, Principal Officer, Assistant Principal, Administrative Officer, Private Secretary, Monica Leech (Communications Consultant), Press Officer |
OECD — Environmental Policy Committee (EPOC) Ministerial Meeting in Paris |
|
24-30 April 04 |
New York |
Assistant Secretary, 2 Principal Officers, 2 Assistant Principal Officers, 2 Higher Executive Officers, Private Secretary, 3 Clerical Officers, Press Officer |
Commission on Sustainable Development |
|
27-28 June 2004 |
Luxembourg |
Minister of State Gallagher, Assistant Secretary, 2 Principal Officers, Engineering Inspector, 2 Private Secretaries, Press Officer. |
EU Environment Council |
1363 Mr. O’Shea asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the progress which has been made in regard to the decentralising of 200 members of his Department staff to Waterford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1448/05]
1365 Mr. O’Shea asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the progress which has been made in regard to decentralising 200 staff of the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government to Waterford; the progress which has been made in regard to acquiring a premises; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1583/05]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 1363 and 1365 together.
My Department is co-operating with the Department of Finance, the decentralisation implementation group, DIG, and the Office of Public Works to ensure the active implementation of the Government's decentralisation programme for it. The programme involves relocation of staff to the four locations of Wexford, Waterford, New Ross and Kilkenny. Following the recent Government decision on the first phase of moves under the programme, the transfer of my Department's headquarters to Wexford is included in the list of those organisations considered potential early movers.
A total of 495 applications had been received at the central applications facility, CAF, by the priority cut-off date, 7 September 2004, in respect of the 661 posts to be decentralised from my Department's Dublin offices which are fillable through the CAF. A total of 31 staff from my Department's Dublin offices have applied for decentralisation to the proposed locations. Some 139 staff of my Department have also applied for decentralisation to other Government Departments or agencies.
An implementation plan, which sets out the broad issues to be addressed in implementing the decentralisation programme for my Department, has been submitted to the DIG. My Department will be submitting a revised implementation plan to the DIG by 31 March 2005.
As regards property requirements for Waterford, the Office of Public Works is currently evaluating a number of options in Waterford. This process has yet to be finalised.
1364 Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if the Government will honour its commitment to the European civil protection mechanism and send firefighters to assist disaster relief in the tsunami-affected regions; if not, the reason therefor; and the further reason no fire fighters were sent to Bam, Iran, in 2004 when the mechanism was last activated. [1540/05]
No formal request for search and rescue assistance was received through the EU monitoring and information centre in respect of the recent tsunami disaster. As indicated in the replies to Questions Nos. 954 and 955 of 27 January 2004 and Question No. 65 of 29 April 2004, Ireland was not in a position to send search and rescue teams to Bam at the time of the earthquake in 2004.
1366 Mr. Connolly asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the recent findings in the UK Office for Nuclear Public Safety’s report on the preparedness of a plant (details supplied) to cope with a major terrorist attack; and the inadequacy of the plant’s security and emergency measures to deal with such an eventually as detailed in the report; if he proposes to convey concerns to the UK authorities in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1677/05]
I assume the question relates to the final report of the security working group of the British Nuclear Fuels Ltd. national stakeholder dialogue. This report was published in December 2004 and is available on the UK Environment Council website, www.the-environment-council.org.uk. While the Office of Civil Nuclear Security, the body specifically responsible for the security of civil nuclear sites in the UK, participated in the dialogue, that office reports separately on an annual basis to the Secretary of Trade and Industry in the UK. The most recent report of the office is available atwww.dti.gov.uk/energy/nuclear/safety/dcns_report3.pdf and covers the period April 2003 to March 2004.
The stakeholder report represents a wide range of views including those who advocate the safe cessation of operations at Sellafield as well as those who support the continuation of nuclear activities. It was compiled for the national stakeholder dialogue to inform the decision-making process of British Nuclear Fuels Ltd. regarding the improvement of its overall environmental performance. The report reached numerous conclusions across a range of topics and made recommendations. With regard to national resources to deal with a major emergency, it recommended that resources should be put into emergency planning and post incident response by the UK Government and the NDA.
The report is not focused on the threat to Ireland but many of the issues raised are relevant to Irish concerns. These issues are repeatedly raised at ministerial level and also at official level in meetings between officials of my Department and their UK counterparts. Security related issues formed part of the international legal proceedings brought by the Government against the UK in respect of the Sellafield MOX plant under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, UNCLOS.
In response to the security concerns raised by the Irish Government, the UK authorities have given assurances that they are satisfied that arrangements for ensuring security in the UK's civil nuclear industry are robust, that additional measures put in place since September 2001 to reinforce security are appropriate and that these security arrangements are subject to continual review. The UK has also indicated that the Royal Air Force maintains a high state of readiness in the air defence of the UK, including the defence of particularly sensitive targets and its state of readiness is kept under constant review.
The assurances and information on nuclear security issues from the UK authorities are received by the Irish Government in good faith. Ireland understands that sensitive security information must be guarded and that dissemination of such information must be contained in a highly secure manner. This point has been emphasised in exchanges with the UK. Discussions are ongoing to put in place an improved mechanism for security information exchange between the UK and Ireland. Any matters raised in this report which have relevance to the security and safety interests of Ireland in respect of Sellafield will be included in these discussions.
I was particularly pleased to sign, on behalf of Ireland, an agreement on notification and exchange of information arrangements regarding nuclear matters with the UK on 10 December 2004. Both Governments used this occasion to announce a package of measures designed to address a wide range of issues related to nuclear safety. The package includes, inter alia, the facilitating of visits to Sellafield by the Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland and the Garda Síochána, provision of access for the Institute to the UK’s radiation monitoring system and a series of initiatives to develop and improve existing co-operation arrangements between both Governments. These initiatives serve to ensure that the concerns of the Government in respect of Sellafield are conveyed to the UK and articulated at the highest levels. This, in turn, will ensure that effective procedures and systems are in place to address these concerns, assist the Irish authorities in assessing the risk posed by Sellafield to Ireland in an informed manner and facilitate continuing ongoing development of existing emergency plans for Ireland in accordance with international best practice.
1367 Mr. O’Shea asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his proposals in regard to the concerns of the Irish Hardware and Building Materials Association arising from the recent changes to the retail planning guidelines (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1678/05]
1383 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will address the concerns raised in correspondence (details supplied); the impact that the proposed changes will have on the industry; the research carried out by his Department before the decision was made; the number of submissions received by him regarding the changes; the number of delegations he met in respect of the matter; the number of submissions received from overseas companies expressing an interest in making applications similar to the stated proposal; the position regarding said applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1958/05]
1384 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the considerations he has given in regard to correspondence (details supplied); his plans to address the concerns contained in same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1972/05]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 1367, 1383, and 1384 together.
I recently announced my decision to amend the retail planning guidelines to provide that the floorspace cap on retail warehouses will no longer apply within the functional areas of the four Dublin local authorities and in the other national spatial strategy gateways. The gateway towns and cities are Athlone-Tullamore-Mullingar, Cork, Dublin, Dundalk, Galway, Letterkenny, Limerick-Shannon, Sligo and Waterford. This modification to the guidelines will only apply in areas subject to integrated area plans, IAPs, under the Urban Renewal Act 1998. This change will take effect from 1 February 2005.
The amendment to the retail planning guidelines follows a review of the floorspace cap on retail warehouses set in the guidelines, which came into effect on 1 January 2001. The guidelines prescribe a maximum floor area of 6,000 sq. m. gross retail floorspace for large-scale single retail warehouse development. This cap has been reviewed, taking account of the need to promote effective competition in this sector of retailing and of ongoing developments in retail formats, while underpinning proper planning and sustainable development. To assist in carrying out the review, interested parties were invited to make submissions to my Department. Some 71 submissions were received and assessed. These submissions were fully taken into account in the finalisation of the review.
I did not meet any delegations in respect of the review of the retail planning guidelines. The overseas companies which expressed an interest in entering the Irish market if the floorspace cap was adjusted were IKEA and Costco Wholesale UK. A number of interests, including the Competition Authority and the Construction Industry Federation, argued strongly for the abolition of the floorspace cap on retail warehouses.
I am aware of the concerns raised in the correspondence from the Irish Hardware and Building Materials Association. However, the changes to the guidelines are of a limited nature in that they are confined to IAP areas in the gateways designated by the national spatial strategy. The overall policy objectives of the retail planning guidelines including normal planning requirements, will continue to apply to any proposals for the development of retail warehouses in excess of 6,000 sq. m. The revised guidelines clearly indicate that any proposal for an individual retail warehouse with a floorspace in excess of 6,000 sq. m. gross in order to be acceptable from a planning viewpoint would need, inter alia, to be accompanied by a detailed traffic impact assessment and be supported by the licensing infrastructure. It will be a matter for the development management process to apply the relevant criteria to any planning application that may come forward from the private sector.
The amendment to the retail planning guidelines should facilitate wider consumer choice and greater competition. It should also ensure that any such development entering the market does so on a basis which contributes to the economic and social objectives of the Government's urban renewal programme and the national spatial strategy.
1368 Mr. Bruton asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the State, semi-State, State-sponsored and statutory bodies under the aegis of his Department which are not subject to the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act 1997; the reason a body is not subject to the requirements of the Act; and if he envisages proposals to bring any such body within the scope of the Act in the foreseeable future. [1717/05]
The State, semi-State, State-sponsored and statutory bodies under the aegis of my Department, which are not yet subject to the Freedom of Information Acts are as follows: the building regulations advisory board; the Dublin Docklands Development Authority; the Local Government Management Services Board; the Private Residential Tenancies Board; the Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland; and Temple Bar Renewal Limited.
Proposals for extending FOI are being developed at present in the Department of Finance in the context of plans to extend FOI to other appropriate bodies by the end of 2005. The question of extending FOI to the above bodies is being considered in this context.
1369 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the fact that, due to a lack of coherent national level governmental commitments to services, a centre (details supplied) is experiencing difficulties in providing adequate services to victims of assaults in Sligo and Leitrim; if funding will be ring-fenced for delivery of services to enable it to plan service provision strategically for the future; if his Department is committed to a national funding framework for VAW; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1843/05]
My Department has no role in the provision of funding for rape crisis centres. My Department has responsibility for homelessness and, as part of this, provides some funding for accommodation related costs to refuges for victims of domestic violence. The Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform, through its role as chair of the national steering committee on violence against women, has overall responsibility for issues relating to violence against women.
1370 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the amount spent in 2004 on non-national roads, including the expenditure by local authorities. [1849/05]
In 2004, grants totalling €480.2 million were paid by my Department to local authorities in respect of non-national roads. Information regarding expenditure outturn in 2004 on non-national roads by local authorities from their own resources is not yet available in my Department.
1371 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the amount of money collected nationally in 2004 on the issuing of vehicle driving licences. [1850/05]
Total receipts from driving licence duties amounted to €8.29 million in 2004.
1372 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he has received an application for supplementary funding for roads in the Turnings area of Straffan, County Kildare, from Kildare County Council, in the context of the Ryder Cup 2006; if he will approve a supplementary grant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1876/05]
In April 2004 Kildare County Council wrote to my Department seeking additional funding of €325,000 for improvements to the road from Straffan Bridge to Sallins via Turnings. The council was informed that the proposed work would be appropriate to the restoration improvement programme and that it would be open to it to seek approval to carry out the scheme in 2004 on the basis that the expenditure could be recouped as a first charge in 2005 against the restoration improvement grant or to consider including the scheme in the restoration programme for works from 2005 onwards. Kildare County Council did not proceed with either of these options.
1373 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the serious problem facing applicants for disabled person’s grants in County Kildare; if he will make a supplementary sum available of €3.6 million to the council to clear the backlog on the basis of 100% funding from his Department, thereby releasing the council from providing its 33%; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1878/05]
It is a matter for local authorities to decide on the level of funding to be provided for the disabled persons grant scheme in their area from within the allocation notified to them for disabled persons and essential repairs grants by my Department and to manage the operation of the schemes from within this allocation. My Department recoups to local authorities two thirds of their expenditure on the payment of individual grants and it is a matter for the authorities to fund remaining one third from their own revenue resources, with amounts provided for that purpose in their annual estimates of expenses. All authorities have been asked to indicate their capital requirements and proposals for the funding of their own one third contribution for these schemes in 2005. On receipt of this information, the available funding will be allocated to authorities.
The requirements of Kildare County Council, when clarified to my Department, will be considered in this context. Details of the funding available for the payment of disabled persons and essential repairs grants will be published shortly in the Revised Estimates for Public Services 2005. Officials from my Department met with council officials last November to discuss the operation of the disabled persons and essential repairs grant schemes in Kildare. The council undertook to examine further certain aspects of the operation of the scheme and to revert to my Department in this regard. A response from the council is awaited.
1374 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he intends to reapprove the community warden service in Naas town, County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1881/05]
Naas Town Council is one of five pilot local authorities for the community warden service, the others being Galway City Council, Galway County Council, Leitrim County Council and Wexford County Council. Following a recent independent review and evaluation of the pilot service, I have decided to continue the pilots for one more year and the relevant local authorities have been informed accordingly. This will allow further implementation issues to be examined, and best practice as identified in the review to be implemented in the pilot authorities. My Department will continue to fund the pilots for the further year, net of any direct service revenue such as, for example, fine income.
1375 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government when a person (details supplied) in County Roscommon will receive a top-up payment for the purchase of bog; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1901/05]
My Department concluded an agreement with the farming pillar under Sustaining Progress in July 2004. A major part of this agreement involved increased rates of compensation for the cessation of turf cutting in bogs that have been statutorily proposed for designation. The new rates are deemed to reflect the increase in the value of bogs since the original scheme was launched in March 1999.
The new rates include a scaled incentive payment up to a maximum of €6,000, additional to the rate per acre for purchase of bog or turbary. For people whose bogs were statutorily proposed for designation prior to 1999 and who have already sold to the Department, it was agreed that the new additional scaled incentive payment would be applied retrospectively, with the previous €1,270 —£1,000 — bonus, where already paid, being deducted. My Department is at present examining the entitlement of the persons named to an additional payment under this provision of the agreement.
1376 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government when a person (details supplied) in County Roscommon will receive a top-up payment for the purchase of bog; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1902/05]
My Department provides compensation for persons who cease to cut turf, and who are owners of land or turbary rights in bogs that have been statutorily proposed for designation as a special area of conservation or a natural heritage area. This cessation of turf cutting scheme was originally launched in March 1999 and provided standard rates for the purchase of raised and blanket bog. In July 2004 my Department concluded an agreement with the farming pillar under Sustaining Progress which provided for increased rates of compensation payable under the scheme.
I am advised that the land owned by the person named was sold voluntarily to the Department in 1996 before the introduction of the cessation of turf cutting scheme. As this land was not disposed of under the scheme, no entitlement to any further payments applies.
1377 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government when a person (details supplied) in County Roscommon will receive a top-up payment for the purchase of bog; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1903/05]
1379 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government when a person (details supplied) in County Roscommon will receive a top-up payment for the purchase of bog; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1905/05]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 1377 and 1379 together.
My Department concluded an agreement with the farming pillar under Sustaining Progress in July 2004. A major part of this agreement involved increased rates of compensation for the cessation of turf cutting in bogs that have been statutorily proposed for designation. The new rates are deemed to reflect the increase in the value of bogs since the original scheme was launched in March 1999.
The new rates include a scaled incentive payment up to a maximum of €6,000, additional to the rate per acre for purchase of bog or turbary. For people whose bogs were statutorily proposed for designation prior to 1999 and who have already sold to the Department, it was agreed that the new scaled additional incentive payment would be applied retrospectively, with the previous €1,270 —£1,000 — bonus, where already paid, being deducted.
I am advised that both persons named are in this pre-1999 category and are due to receive payments, which will issue shortly in each case.
1380 Mr. Gregory asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if the regional manager and deputy regional manager of the north eastern region, of the national park and wildlife service reported that the Ward Union Hunt Club should not be granted a licence to hunt its captive farmed deer in the 2004-05 season; the reason their professional advice was ignored; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1953/05]
1381 Mr. Gregory asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the reason a licence was granted to the Ward Union Hunt Club to hunt its captive farmed deer in contravention of the Wildlife (Amendment) Act 2000, wherein wild animals are clearly defined. [1954/05]
1382 Mr. Gregory asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if the opinion of the Attorney General was sought before granting a licence to the Ward Union Hunt Club for the 2004-05 season in view of the definition of wild animals contained in the Wildlife (Amendment) Act 2000; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1955/05]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 1380 to 1382, inclusive, together.
Section 26(1) of the Wildlife Act 1976 provides that the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government may grant to the master or other person in charge of a pack of stag hounds, a licence authorising the hunting of deer by that pack, during such period or periods as is or are specified in the licence. Legal advice was obtained through the Attorney General's office in 1999 confirming the long-standing interpretation of section 26, to the effect that it provides for the licensing of carted deer hunting irrespective of the status of the deer, wild or captive.
Two regional wildlife officials of my Department raised legal issues in prospect of the 2004-05 season relating to possible implications of a definition of "wild animal" in the Wildlife (Amendment) Act 2000, that is, that if the deer hunted by the Ward Union hunt were not covered by that definition, the hunt might not, in consequence, require a licence under the Wildlife Acts. This issue was carefully considered in my Department and the conclusion was that since the term "wild animal" was nowhere used in section 26(1) of the Wildlife Act 1976, the operation of that provision could not be considered to be affected by the issue raised. On this basis, it was determined that the Ward Union hunt required to be licensed and a licence was granted for the 2004-05 season.
1385 Mr. Carey asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he has received proposals from Dublin City Council for the introduction of a sales scheme for flats and maisonettes; if these proposals have been examined; when he expects to be in a position to draw up a sale scheme for the purchase of these housing units; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1981/05]
1389 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he has received proposals from Dublin City Council for a scheme to provide for the sale of flats and apartments to their tenants; if he has completed his examination of the proposal; if his recommendations will enable tenants of two storey maisonettes, originally designed for the housing of senior citizens, to participate in such a sale scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2076/05]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 1385 and 1389 together.
Draft proposals involving a scheme for the sale of flats were submitted to my Department by Dublin City Council in June 2004. Officials of my Department have met council officials on a number of occasions concerning the proposals. These discussions are ongoing and further consultations with both Dublin City Council and other housing authorities will be required before final decisions are made on the draft proposals. I am not yet in a position to say when the discussions and consultations will be completed.
1386 Mr. Bruton asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will report on the initiatives undertaken in the pilot areas in which local authorities are developing housing options for persons who have been in receipt of rent supplement for a sustained period from a health board; when it is intended to extend these options to the Dublin area; and the eligibility which will apply. [2081/05]
Under the rental accommodation scheme announced by the Government in July 2004, local authorities will, over a four-year period, progressively assume responsibility for accommodating supplementary welfare allowance, SWA, rent supplement recipients of 18 months or more continuous duration with a long-term housing need.
The rental accommodation scheme is a collaborative project between my Department, local authorities, the Department of Social and Family Affairs and the community welfare service. All local authorities will implement the new arrangements during 2005. Roll out has commenced in an initial group of lead authorities, namely Dublin, Galway and Limerick city councils, South Dublin, Donegal, Offaly-Westmeath county councils and Drogheda Borough Council. The main actions to date have been to put in place the structures necessary to commence the project, identify and resolve, where possible, any issues arising and to engage resources needed to support the implementation of the scheme.
My Department has established a project implementation team to oversee and guide the implementation process. Programme managers have also been appointed initially to assist the lead authorities but thereafter to be available to support other authorities over the implementation period. Regional and local implementation groups, initially in the lead authority areas, are being established to ensure effective ongoing liaison and co-operation locally between housing authorities, health boards and other welfare agencies.
Work has commenced in the lead authorities towards identifying persons on rent supplement in need of long-term housing support. Starting with persons who have been in receipt of rent supplement for 18 months or more, community welfare officers in health boards are reviewing each case and, subject to eligibility criteria, will transfer a file to the relevant housing authority for the purposes of establishing long-term housing need. Persons will be assessed as having a long-term housing need where the local authority considers that they are likely to require housing support for the foreseeable future and are unlikely to be in a position to provide for their accommodation needs from their own resources. Certain categories of person are ineligible for support under the scheme. These are asylum seekers or other non-nationals who do not have leave to remain in the State permanently and people availing of transitional retention measures, such as back to work allowance recipients.
Where a long-term housing need is identified by the local authority, it will set about sourcing suitable accommodation for the household under the rental accommodation scheme as quickly as possible. Local authorities will provide accommodation mainly through availability contracts with landlords. The use of public private partnership type arrangements to put in place long-term contracts for the supply of rented accommodation will be a feature of the scheme.
1388 Mr. Morgan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the ratio of playgrounds to population in the State; and the ratio of playgrounds to population in each local authority area. [2083/05]
Comprehensive statistics on the number of playgrounds in the State or in individual local authority areas are not available in my Department. However, under the initiative delivering value for people-service indicators in local authorities announced early last year, local authorities are required to report annually on their performance against 42 service indicators.
One of these indicators relates to playgrounds and this will enable comparisons to be made across local authorities on their performance in this area. Specifically, the indicator will show the number of children's playgrounds per 1,000 population provided directly by the local authority and facilitated by the local authority. I understand that data in respect of 2004 are currently being compiled. I expect to receive a report towards the middle of the year.
1390 Mr. J. O’Keeffe asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if funding will be made available for the development of the relief road at Bantry in west Cork; and the timetable proposed. [2085/05]
In August 2004 my Department sought applications from local authorities for funding for non-national roads in 2005 under the EU co-financed specific improvements grants scheme. The initial selection of projects to be submitted for consideration for funding under this scheme is a matter for local authorities. No application was submitted by Cork County Council in respect of a relief road at Bantry.
1391 Mr. Kirk asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will consider raising the ceiling on grant aid in respect of thatched roof dwelling houses in view of the importance of preserving such dwellings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2086/05]
My Department operates a scheme of grants to assist in the renewal and repair of traditional thatched roofs and has in recent years introduced significant improvements to the assistance available under the scheme. The basic maximum grant was increased in 1999 from €3,047 — £2,400 — to €3,810 and from €4,571 — £3,600 — to €5,720 for houses on specified offshore islands. The grants may meet two thirds of the approved cost of thatching works, subject to the maximum limits.
My Department also introduced a new measure to assist lower income households, for which the cost of maintaining a thatched roof imposed a particular burden. Householders with medical cards are eligible for thatching grants up to a maximum of €6,350 or €8,260 in the case of the specified offshore islands. In addition, in such cases the grant may cover up to 80% of the approved cost of the works, again subject to the maximum grant limits. While there are no proposals to increase the rate of thatching grants at this stage, my Department keeps the terms of the scheme under review.
1392 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the public appointments made in his Department since the Cabinet reshuffle in September, 2004. [2103/05]
I assume the question refers to persons appointed as temporary civil servants to my Department during the relevant period. The appointments set out in the following table have been made since September 2004:
|
Name |
Function |
|
Seán Fitzpatrick |
Press Officer* |
|
David Grant |
Special Adviser to the Minister, Deputy Roche |
|
Geraldine Cole |
Personal Assistant to the Minister, Deputy Roche |
|
Ciara Furlong |
Personal Secretary to the Minister, Deputy Roche |
|
Katherine Woods |
Personal Assistant to the Minister of State, Deputy O’Keeffe |
|
Donal Howard |
Personal Secretary to the Minister of State, Deputy O’Keeffe |
|
Tom Gately |
Civilian Driver to the Minister of State, Deputy O’Keeffe |
|
Michael Daly |
Civilian Driver to the Minister of State, Deputy O’Keeffe |
*Provides a service to the Department generally, as well to the offices of the Minister and Ministers of State.
1393 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government further to Parliamentary Question No. 632 of 23 November 2004, if he will approve funding for the upgrade to the south Roscommon water supply and Killeglan springs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2114/05]
1394 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government further to Parliamentary Question No. 241 of 29 May 2003, the position in relation to an application for funding to upgrade a water supply (details supplied) in County Roscommon; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2127/05]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 1393 and 1394 together.
The south Roscommon regional and Arigna regional water supply schemes, together with a number of other schemes, are being advanced as a grouped project that has been included in my Department's water services investment programme 2004-06 to commence construction this year. Roscommon County Council's design review report, on which contract documents for the grouped project will be based, is under examination in my Department on foot of additional information requested by the Department and submitted by the council last month. It will be dealt with as quickly as possible.
