Vol. 603 No. 6
58 Mr. G. Murphy asked the Minister for Education and Science the reason the resource teacher assigned to a school (details supplied) in County Cork is being moved; and if this resource teacher will be allowed to continue working with the children they have been working with in this school. [18937/05]
As the Deputy is aware, my Department has issued a letter to all primary schools notifying them of their resource teaching allocation under the new general allocation scheme for the 2005-06 school year. The school referred to by the Deputy has been notified that it has a general allocation of 12.5 hours, based on an enrolment of 49 pupils. The letter also included details of the arrangement under which the school will be clustered with another school to enable the creation of a full-time post, rather than just hiring different part-time teachers for both schools.
Clustering facilitates the assignment of experienced teachers as well as allowing for better training of resource teachers on the basis that permanent posts will retain teachers for longer periods. This ultimately benefits the pupils. In this regard, the school in question has been clustered with one other school in the area.
The school was previously in a clustering arrangement with four other schools. As a result of the allocation of additional resources to schools in the cluster it was necessary to revise the clustering arrangements. The revised clustering arrangement means that the school will no longer be clustered with the previous base school. It is a matter for the board of management of the new base school to determine the teacher who will fill the general allocation post to service the revised cluster.
The posts being provided under the new general allocation scheme are designed to ensure that each school has enough resource teaching hours to meet the needs of children with high incidence special needs, such as dyslexia and children with learning support needs. Resource teaching hours for children with low incidence special needs, such as autism, will continue to be provided on the basis of an individual application for each child.
As regards whether pupils in the school with high incidence special needs and learning support needs will receive support from the resource teacher, it is important to note that this is a decision to be made at school level. Each school will have enough resource teaching hours to provide its pupils with a level of support appropriate to their needs. The school can then use its professional judgment to decide how these hours are divided between different children in the school to ensure that all their needs are met.
Research shows that some children with special needs will respond better with one-to-one tuition. Others, however, do better when taught in small groups. Often it is best for resource teachers to work with children in the classroom rather than taking them away to a separate room, as the children then have to catch up work done by the rest of the class in their absence. The point is that the type of response needed depends on the child. While the new scheme will not prevent schools from giving one-to-one time with the resource teacher to children that need it, it is important to note that one-to-one teaching is not the best option for every child. I am grateful to the Minister for Finance for providing me with the resources to ensure that the new system could be put in place.
As of next September, there will be over 5,000 teachers in our primary schools working directly with children with special needs, including those requiring learning support. This compares to under 1,500 in 1998. Indeed, one out of every five primary school teachers is now working specifically with children with special needs.
The Government, and I as Minister for Education and Science, are deeply committed to improving services for children with special needs. In addition to the massive increase in resource teachers in recent years, the introduction of this new general allocation scheme will ensure a faster and more flexible response for children with special needs.
59 Dr. Twomey asked the Minister for Education and Science the arrangements for the clustering of schools for special needs support; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19751/05]
As the Deputy may be aware, my Department has issued a letter to all primary schools notifying them of their teaching allocation under the new general allocation model for the 2005-06 school year. The letter also includes details of any clustering arrangements that may apply.
One of the objectives of the general allocation model is to maximise the extent of full-time permanent posts available to support the needs of pupils with higher incidence special educational needs, SEN, and learning support teacher requirements. Clustering facilitates the assignment of experienced teachers as well as allowing for better training of resource teachers on the basis that permanent posts will retain teachers for longer periods. This ultimately benefits the pupils. To this end, schools, particularly those with small enrolments, have been grouped in clusters where possible.
Part-time hours have been provided to schools in cases where it was not possible to form a cluster of general allocation hours. Schools that have been allocated part-time permanent hours may be aware of other local schools with part-time permanent hours that, when combined, could form a full-time permanent post. It is open to any such schools wishing to form a cluster by combining these hours to contact my Department's special education section in writing with details of their proposal. It should be noted that these arrangements apply to staffing associated with the general allocation model only.
Where it is not possible for schools to form permanent posts under the general allocation model, such schools may, for the purposes of creating temporary full-time posts, form clusters to combine permanent part-time hours allocated under the general allocation model with hours allocated for individual children with low incidence disabilities or transitional hours retained for children with high incidence disabilities. Again, any schools wishing to form such temporary full-time posts should contact my Department's special education section in writing with details of their proposal. This arrangement will apply for the 2005-06 school year only and is being facilitated on the understanding that, as pupils with an individual allocation of hours leave the school at the end of that school year, the full-time temporary posts will be adjusted to the appropriate reduced level of part-time hours.
My Department is also finalising a circular for schools which will contain detailed information on how the new system will operate. It is intended that this circular will issue before the end of the current school year. It is also intended that this circular will address issues that have been raised by schools with my Department since the system was notified to schools in mid-May.
60 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Education and Science if she intends to provide funding to provide a premises for a school (details supplied) in County Mayo in view of the fact that this school has to vacate its current accommodation by June 2006; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19684/05]
I have already addressed the issue raised here in an earlier question. The school referred to by the Deputy opened in September 1996 with provisional recognition. Having met the criteria for recognition and proven its viability, the school was granted permanent recognition in 2000. Standard practice is that the school authorities are responsible for the securing of interim accommodation which is grant-aided by the Department, pending the securing of permanent recognition. On being granted permanent recognition, a school becomes eligible for capital funding. The rate of progress towards a permanent accommodation solution depends on a number of factors including availability of sites and the Department's budgetary capacity to meet the level of demand.
The school is currently accommodated in prefabricated classrooms on a three quarter acre site in the town. The rental costs of the site and classroom accommodation is grant-aided by my Department at the rate of 95%. My Department is advised that the lease on the site is due to expire in June 2006.
I want to assure the Deputy that we are acutely aware of the urgent need for an accommodation solution for this school particularly given the limitations on the existing arrangement and my Department is doing its utmost to achieve a satisfactory outcome at the earliest possible date.
To that end, the property management section of the Office of Public Works has been actively engaged in seeking a suitable site for a new school building. Soil sampling is being undertaken to verify the suitability of a particular site. The result of the tests and final assessment of site suitability is expected to be concluded and with my Department in a week or two.
61 Mr. Cuffe asked the Minister for Education and Science the position regarding plans for an extension at a school (details supplied) in Dublin 20. [19761/05]
I am pleased to inform the Deputy that I have included the building project for the school in question in my recently announced list of school projects to be progressed through architectural planning in 2005. The building project is at an early stage of architectural planning — stage 1-2-3, detail plans-costs. The stage submission for this project has recently been examined by my Department's technical staff. A revised submission has been sought from the school authority to reflect changes to the school building since the original plans were prepared.
A decision on which school building projects will advance to tender and construction as part of the 2006 schools building and modernisation programme will be taken later in the year.
The school in question will also be receiving grant aid from my Department for security works, including CCTV, under this year's summer works scheme.
62 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of OECD report recommendations which have been implemented at third level to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19742/05]
72 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Education and Science her Department’s opinion on the OECD report on third level education institutions here; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18996/05]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 62 and 72 together.
The OECD review of Irish higher education makes a series of far-reaching recommendations for reform and development of the sector, against the backdrop of the crucial role which has been identified for it in helping to achieve the broad strategic national goal of becoming a leading knowledge-based society. The Government has approved the broad reform agenda outlined by the OECD and also the early bringing forward of legislative proposals to transfer responsibility for management of the institutes of technology from my Department to the Higher Education Authority.
The OECD proposed that research and development issues should be looked at across Government within unified structures. The appointment of the chief science adviser to the Government and the establishment of the Cabinet committee on science technology and innovation, which is supported by a high level interdepartmental committee, will help to fulfil this function and ensure that national objectives are pursued and achieved within a joined up strategy.
In April of this year, I outlined a detailed response to the overall OECD recommendations. I announced my intention to create a strategic innovation fund to incentivise reform and modernisation in the sector. I also signalled a number of other priority actions on which work will now be progressed through the Higher Education Authority and on which further proposals will be developed. These include reform of the funding allocation model, review of a number of human resource issues and the development of a model of new programme approval. I have signalled my intention to develop comprehensive new legislation to give effect to those OECD recommendations that will involve legislative change. I have also made it quite clear that the final shape of future policy proposals for the sector will take account of the views of those working in and with it. To this end, I and my Department have been engaging in an extensive consultation process with stakeholders. I convened a colloquium in January with the HEA, CHIU, DIT and the Council of Directors of Institutes of Technology. At the end of May, my Department organised and chaired a consultative forum on future strategy for research and development which was attended by all relevant bodies in this area. In identifying priority areas for action and for the development of more detailed proposals, it is my intention to continue to consider all relevant inputs.
63 Ms C. Murphy asked the Minister for Education and Science if her attention has been drawn to the impending crisis at a school (details supplied) in County Kildare; when a decision will be made on the matter; and the projected timeframe for availability of additional classrooms. [19770/05]
School building projects are selected for inclusion in the school building and modernisation programme on the basis of priority of need using published criteria. In this regard, an application from the school to which the Deputy refers was received in the planning section of my Department on Thursday last, 9 June 2005, seeking additional accommodation for the 2006-07 school year onwards. There is no indication in the application that the school has any requirement for the coming 2005-06 school year.
The application will be assessed in accordance with the published prioritisation referred to. The project will be assigned a band rating and its progress will be considered in the context of the school buildings and modernisation programme from 2005 onwards. The school authority will be notified when the assessment is completed.
64 Mr. Hogan asked the Minister for Education and Science her plans for the introduction of vetting for all teachers, both full and part-time; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19689/05]
128 Mr. Hayes asked the Minister for Education and Science if vetting will be extended to third level students who require placements with agencies as part of their studies which may give them substantial unsupervised access to children or vulnerable adults; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19691/05]
147 Mr. Hogan asked the Minister for Education and Science when all ancillary school staff will be vetted prior to taking up employment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19690/05]
674 Ms Enright asked the Minister for Education and Science the timescale for the introduction of vetting in the education sector; if vetting processes will be extended to certain third level students; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19939/05]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 64, 128, 147 and 674 together.
The central vetting unit is run by the Garda Síochána and it is therefore the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform who has primary responsibility in this area. The vetting unit is responsible for vetting requests in relation to prospective employees of designated agencies who would have substantial unsupervised access to children and vulnerable adults. The designated agencies comprise over 900 organisations. At present in the education sector, vetting is available in respect of requests for clearance from my Department in relation to bus escorts and special needs assistants provided to children with special educational needs, and to staff working in children detention schools.
A cross-governmental working group, established to put forward proposals for reform of vetting by the central vetting unit, recommended in March 2004 the expansion of its services to include all people working with children and vulnerable adults. To this end, the Minister of State with responsibility for children, Deputy Brian Lenihan, has announced a major increase in the resources to be provided to the Garda vetting unit to improve the level of vetting available to employers who employ people to work with children and vulnerable adults. The initiative includes the more than doubling of staff resources for the unit.
Among the working group's recommendations was the proposal that my Department and the Department of Health and Children explore the possibility of developing an employment history register, similar to the PECS system in Northern Ireland. An implementation group has been established by the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform and discussions between my Department and the Department of Health and Children are ongoing in that context. Although considerable preparatory work examining the issues relating to a PECS system has been undertaken by my Department, given that substantial further work needs to be undertaken it is not possible at this time to provide a timetable for the introduction of a PECS system.
The implementation group is also examining issues relating to the introduction of legislation to ensure the maintenance of a national criminal records system within the Garda Síochána, the disclosure of not just ‘hard' facts but also ‘softer' information, and access to information about — and proof of — criminal convictions for the purposes of litigation. In addition, Part 4 of the Sex Offenders Act 2001 obliges convicted sex offenders, which includes persons convicted abroad as well as in this jurisdiction and before as well as after the commencement of the Act, when seeking or accepting employment or a voluntary position involving unsupervised access to children, to inform their prospective employer of the fact of the conviction. Failure to do so is a criminal offence.
The Teaching Council also has a role here. When it is established, the council will provide the teaching profession, both primary and post-primary, with the means to self-regulate and its functions will include maintaining a register of teachers and if necessary removing the names of those shown to be unfit to teach, including those unfit to teach by reason of the fact that they pose a threat to children.
65 Mr. Timmins asked the Minister for Education and Science if she has received a submission from the board of management and the parents’ association of a school (details supplied) in County Wicklow requesting that the school not lose a teacher for 2005-06; if she will grant this request; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19775/05]
780 Ms O’Sullivan asked the Minister for Education and Science if she will sanction the retention of the current number of teachers for a school (details supplied) in County Wicklow; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19873/05]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 65 and 780 together.
I am aware of the submission of the parents' association of the school referred to by the Deputies and of the board of management's appeal in respect of the loss of a mainstream teaching post.
The staffing of a primary school is determined by reference to the enrolment of the school on 30 September of the previous school year, and by reference to a staffing schedule. The staffing schedule is outlined in primary Circular 15/05, which issued to all primary schools recently.
In the current school year the mainstream staffing of the school in question consists of a principal and 17 class teachers. This is based on an enrolment of 494 pupils at 30 September 2003. In addition, the school has two learning support teachers, one special class teacher, three resource teachers, one home school community liaison teacher and one resource teacher for Travellers.
The mainstream staffing of the school for the 2005-06 school year will consist of a principal teacher and 16 class teachers. This is based on an enrolment of 468 pupils at 30 September 2004. The board of management of the school referred to by the Deputy has appealed the loss of a mainstream staffing post for the 2005-06 school year.
To ensure openness and transparency in the system, such appeals are considered by an independent primary staffing appeals board. The board will meet on the 14 June 2005. This school's appeal will be considered at that meeting and the decision of the appeals board will be conveyed to the board of management of the school shortly thereafter.
I am sure the Deputy will appreciate that it would not be appropriate for me to intervene in the operation of the independent appeals board.
66 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science her proposals to bring pupil-teacher ratios into line with previous commitments and in accordance with best practice throughout the EU; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19773/05]
Significant improvements have been made in the pupil-teacher ratio and in average class size in recent years. The average class size at primary level is now 23.9, down from 26.6 in 1996-97. The pupil-teacher ratio, which includes all the teachers including resource teachers, has fallen from 22.2:1 in the 1996-97 school year to 17.44:1 in 2003-04. Over 4,000 additional teachers have been employed in our primary schools since 1997. In allocating teaching posts regard has been had to the commitments of the Government to reduce class size, tackle educational disadvantage and to provide additional resources for pupils with special educational needs. The additional teaching posts created since 1997 have been deployed to address all of these priorities.
The Deputy will be aware that a review of the allocation system of teaching support for pupils with special educational needs was recently completed. Arising from that review a new model has been introduced to replace that which was notified to schools in June 2004. The introduction of this new system will involve the provision of an estimated additional 340 permanent posts in primary schools from September next. A further 320 posts are being provided on a temporary basis to facilitate the transition to the new system and to ensure continuity of service for children who have previously been given an individual allocation until those children leave the primary school system. The new system will greatly benefit schools and the children in schools that need additional support.
The Deputy will also be aware of the new action plan for educational inclusion, DEIS — Delivering Equality of Opportunity in Schools — which I launched recently. This action plan will result in reduce class sizes in schools serving the most disadvantaged communities to 24:1 at senior level and 20:1 at junior level. 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, those from disadvantaged areas and those in junior classes.
67 Mr. McEntee asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of early education places currently available in the State; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19753/05]
Early education in Ireland covers the period from birth to six years. Almost all five year olds and half of four year olds attend junior infant and senior infant classes in primary schools. Provision for children below the age of four is targeted at specific groups.
Outside of junior classes in primary schools, my Department's main role in the area of early childhood education encompasses pre-school provision for children from disadvantaged areas, Traveller children and those with special needs.
The Early Start pre-school project was established in 40 primary schools in designated areas of urban disadvantage in Dublin, Cork, Limerick, Waterford, Galway, Drogheda and Dundalk during 1994 and 1995. There are a total of 1,680 places in Early Start centres.
The new action plan for educational inclusion, DEIS — Delivering Equality Of Opportunity In Schools — which I launched on 30 May, provides for a standardised system for identifying levels of disadvantage and a new integrated school support programme, SSP, which will bring together and build upon a number of existing interventions for schools with a concentrated level of disadvantage.
The action plan aims to concentrate early childhood education actions on those children, aged from three up to school enrolment, who will subsequently attend the 150 urban-town primary schools, participating in the new school support programme, and identified as serving the most disadvantaged communities. The early childhood education actions under the new plan will be well targeted and my Department will work in partnership with other Departments and agencies with a view to meeting the overall care and education needs of the children involved in an integrated way. A strong emphasis will be placed on adding value to the work of other providers by embedding quality early learning within child care provision.
The future direction of the Early Start programme will be considered in rolling out the new action plan.
A survey to assess levels of disadvantage in primary schools is currently being carried out with the assistance of the Educational Research Centre and this will assist my Department in identifying the primary school communities to be targeted for early education support under the action plan. The plan will be implemented on a phased basis, starting in the next school year.
My Department currently funds 48 pre-school classes for Traveller children. In the special needs sector, there are currently 14 pre-school classes for children with autism located throughout the country. In addition to this, ten stand-alone autism facilities that provide an applied behavioural analysis, ABA, model of response to children with autism cater for a number of children of pre-school age. My Department has also sanctioned the establishment of a pre-school for six children with hearing impairment on a pilot basis.
The bulk of pre-school places in the country are financed by the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform, which has provided unprecedented levels of funding for child care in recent years. The Department of Health and Children also provides grants to child care groups, including to community groups in areas of social and economic disadvantage.
68 Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Education and Science if her attention has been drawn to the difficulties being experienced by staff and pupils at a school (details supplied) in County Donegal regarding the shortage of space; if her attention has further been drawn to the fact that a child with special needs is being taught in the staff toilets; and if she will report on the number of other schools across the State which have similar arrangements due to gross overcrowding in their schools. [19780/05]
My Department is considering an extension project at the school to which the Deputy refers in the context of the overall school building and modernisation programme 2005-2009. The project has been assessed and will be prioritised using the published prioritisation criteria. The project will provide a general purposes room and ancillary accommodation.
In 2002, following a specific approach from the school authorities regarding the need to provide facilities for a special needs pupil, the Office of Public Works acting on my Department's behalf discussed two options with the school authorities — one was to provide a prefab or alternatively to convert existing toilet facilities to meet the need identified by the school. The Office of Public Works subsequently reported to my Department that the school authority rejected the option of using the prefabricated accommodation and opted instead to convert an adjoining boys and girls toilet by removing sanitary ware but leaving the original divisional wall in order to provide separate accommodation for the full-time and part-time support teacher. At the time a grant in the amount of €5,385 was sanctioned by my Department to cover the full cost of the conversion project.
In relation to the position of schools generally clearly the rapid expansion in the number of teachers allocated to schools by this Government to respond to children with special needs has placed pressure on existing accommodation, particularly in smaller schools. We have been making significant inroads in dealing with the needs of such schools through the significant expansion of the school building programme in recent years and through measures like the devolved initiatives.
My Department is not aware of any school where a directly comparable conversion of existing building space was carried out by a school.
69 Ms McManus asked the Minister for Education and Science the actions she intends to take arising from the report, Literacy and Numeracy in Disadvantaged Schools, which found that in some schools up to 50% of pupils have literacy problems; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19665/05]
In 2004, the inspectorate of my Department carried out a focused evaluation of educational provision in the areas of literacy and numeracy development in 12 primary schools with a high concentration of pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds.
The purposes of the evaluation were to report on the quality of provision for literacy and numeracy development in the selected schools; to identify the issues that impact on literacy development in the selected schools; and to recommend policies and strategies that would contribute to improvement in children's literacy and numeracy achievement.
The analysis and conclusions of the inspectorate's report, Literacy and Numeracy in Disadvantaged Schools, has added significantly to our understanding of the educational contexts of schools in disadvantaged settings. The report identifies challenges for the wider educational community in tackling poor attendance and in addressing low levels of achievement in literacy and numeracy among pupils in disadvantaged areas.
The report has provided school principals, teachers and boards of management with advice on planning for improvement and development and will assist individual schools in reviewing current practice and provision for pupils in literacy and numeracy. The report emphasises the significant role of school principals and of school management in making literacy and numeracy a key priority.
In the context of a special initiative under the Sustaining Progress social partnership agreement, targeted interventions are being implemented in primary schools serving disadvantaged communities aimed at ensuring that pupils with serious literacy difficulties are supported in improving their attainment levels.
DEIS — Delivering Equality of Opportunity in Schools — the new action plan for educational inclusion that I launched in May, will have a significant impact on the quality of educational provision in disadvantaged settings and will directly address many of the issues identified in the inspectorate's report. A key underlying principle of the plan is that of early intervention, including assisting children who are having difficulty learning to read and write at an early stage before the problem becomes entrenched. In implementing the action plan a number of measures will be rolled out, starting in the next school year, to tackle literacy and numeracy problems in primary schools serving disadvantaged communities.
These measures will include a new advisory service at primary level; more access to initiatives such as reading recovery and maths recovery, which enable intensive, individualised teaching to be provided to the lowest attaining pupils at an early stage, when intervention can be most effective; and a new family literacy project.
The National Educational Welfare Board will also have a key role to play in the successful implementation of the action plan and additional resources have been made available to support the continuing development of the services provided by the board. The budget which has been allocated to the NEWB for 2005 is up by 20% on the 2004 allocation, to nearly €8 million.
70 Ms O’Sullivan asked the Minister for Education and Science if she has received the report she commissioned into use of moneys paid by her Department to Coláiste Mhuire Marino-Marino Institute of Education; if she intends to publish the report; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19649/05]
As the Deputy is aware, issues were raised in a number of quarters about the funding provided by my Department to Coláiste Mhuire Marino-Marino Institute of Education for the training of primary teachers.
I announced, on 6 May, that I had asked PricewaterhouseCoopers to "examine the question of the use of monies paid by the Department of Education and Science to Coláiste Mhuire Marino-Marino Institute of Education". While I indicated that there was nothing to suggest that funding provided by my Department to Coláiste Mhuire Marino-Marino Institute of Education has not been applied solely and properly for its intended purposes, I felt that it was important to secure confirmation that this is indeed the case.
In addition to the provision of funding for training primary teachers at undergraduate and post-graduate levels, PricewaterhouseCoopers has been asked to look at funding provided by the Department of Education and Science to Coláiste Mhuire Marino-Marino Institute of Education for expenditure on items of a capital nature in relation to training primary teachers; in-service national programmes-support services, focusing on curriculum changes and specific topics relating to teaching and learning; and the scrúdú cáilíochta sa Ghaeilge, SCG.
In order to ensure that the examination is as comprehensive as possible, PricewaterhouseCoopers is covering the period from 2001 to date.
My officials are in ongoing contact with PricewaterhouseCoopers and indications have been received that steady progress is being made on the work which is currently at an advanced stage. I understand that the examination will be completed shortly.
When initially establishing the examination, I indicated my intention to make the findings of the report public. This remains my position.
71 Mr. O’Shea asked the Minister for Education and Science the position regarding her consideration of a report from the NCCA recommending that all 450,000 primary school pupils should be tested for literacy and numeracy in first class and fifth class; if she intends to implement this proposal; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19669/05]
77 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Education and Science if she intends to introduce a national student report card in line with recommendations from the NCCA. [19764/05]
86 Mr. O’Dowd asked the Minister for Education and Science when the system of standardised testing will be introduced at primary level; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19723/05]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 71, 77 and 86 together.
As I have said before, I see great potential for a new system of standardised testing to provide valuable information which will help everyone involved in education — parents, teachers and policymakers — to play their part in enabling each child to reach his or her full potential.
The results of standardised tests will help parents to understand where their child is at compared to the national norm. They will assist teachers in planning their students' learning and enable them to establish which children need extra help and they will inform policy-making at national level by providing invaluable information about attainment levels in our schools. This is especially crucial in relation to evaluating the outcomes of additional investment in disadvantaged schools. It is vital that we can identify the interventions that make a difference for students.
The NCCA advice, which was prepared at my Department's request, recommends that all pupils in primary schools should be tested in literacy and numeracy at the end of first or the beginning of second class and again at the end of fourth or the beginning of fifth class. It recommends that this requirement should be introduced as soon as is feasible, while taking account of the need for professional development for teachers and principals, arranging the necessary administrative structures and the provision of funding for the purchase of tests.
The NCCA's report also proposes that it should develop and pilot a common template for recording assessment information and reporting such information to parents during the coming academic year. The national report card template would facilitate common procedures for recording and reporting on the overall progress of individual students, including their standardised test results, as they advance through the system and particularly at the point of transfer to post-primary school. It should provide data on a pupil's attainment that is easily understood by both parents and teachers alike.
With a view to introducing a national system of standardised testing as soon as is feasible, I will be asking the NCCA to commence work shortly on developing a national report card template and to proceed with the development of its guidelines for teachers on assessment policy and practice, as part of the necessary groundwork that must be in place before specific requirements and implementation dates can be set for schools.
73 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Education and Science the steps she is taking to assist schools in catering for the increasingly diverse cultural and ethnic nature of the pupil base, particularly at primary level; if her attention has been drawn to concerns expressed by teachers at the lack of resources available to them to cope with the changing nature of the pupil base; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19673/05]
My Department's approach to the increasingly diverse cultural and ethnic nature of the pupil base in our schools is twofold — to promote and facilitate the delivery of an intercultural education for all children and to provide the specific supports needed by children whose first language is not English to help them to succeed at school.
Intercultural education revolves around respecting and celebrating diversity as well as promoting equality and human rights within and outside the whole school community. Last month, I launched Intercultural Education in the Primary School: Guidelines for Schools. This valuable resource was prepared by the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment, NCCA, to support teachers and schools in developing a more inclusive learning environment and in providing students with knowledge and skills they need to participate in a multicultural world. My Department provided €167,000 to ensure that every primary teacher in the country will receive a copy of this document in either English or in Irish. Corresponding guidelines for intercultural education in post-primary schools are currently being prepared and will be available later this year.
In relation to the provision of resources to enable children with low levels of competence in the English language to succeed at school, extra staffing and materials are available to schools to help them meet the needs of such students.
In the current school year, my Department has provided over 600 language support teachers to help pupils who have significant language difficulties, representing an investment of €27 million. Over 400 of these teachers are working in primary schools with approximately 6,000 children. As well as these teaching posts, my Department has provided grant aid to 350 primary schools, each of which has fewer than 14 pupils in need of assistance with language. Over 2,000 international students are benefiting from this form of support.
Schools granted full language support teacher posts receive additional financial support to enable the purchase of resource materials suitable for use within the language support class or mainstream class.
A further additional resource will be available to teachers shortly in the form of guidelines on teaching students who do not have English as their first language. These are currently at an advanced stage of preparation by the NCCA.
74 Ms Lynch asked the Minister for Education and Science the steps she intends to take to ensure that there is a full breakdown of recipients of third level grants available within a reasonable period, broken down by country and socio-economic background, in order that the fairness of the current grants scheme can be assessed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19664/05]
In my reply to Parliamentary Question Number 55 of 26 April 2005 in relation to the availability of a statistical breakdown of grantholders by socio-economic background, I referred to the fact that the most recent data on participation rates at third level is that published in the HEA review of higher education participation in 2003, which showed that participation in higher education among the school leaver age cohort has passed the 50% mark for the first time. The study puts the overall transfer rate to higher education at 54% in 2003, as against 44% in 1998, 36% in 1992, 25% in 1986 and 20% in 1980. This data are based on a full census of entrants.
The study also contains findings relating to the socio-economic breakdown of entrants in that year which are based on a sample of new entrants in 2003. It should be noted that previous studies on participation by socio-economic group, the Clancy reports, conducted in relation to 1998, 1992, 1986 and 1982 were based on a census of new entrants in those years. A follow up to previous Clancy studies based on a census of entrants in 2004 is under way and will provide a full picture of progress in relation to higher education participation by socio-economic group since 1998.
While final analysis and comparison with previous Clancy studies, together with any policy conclusions, should await the outcome of the full survey which will be available later this year, the study of 2003 entrants nonetheless provides some interesting pointers. It suggests that participation rates of some of the lower socio-economic groups, particularly skilled manual and semi-skilled and unskilled manual and other non-manual workers, have increased substantially.
In relation to the number of students receiving financial assistance under the student support schemes, the most recent figures show that over 56,000 students benefited under the schemes in 2003-04, of whom approximately 11,500 benefited from top-up grants as well as the basic maintenance grant. The top-up grant was introduced by this Government to provide greater assistance to the most disadvantage students, and in this regard it should be noted that the maximum amount of grant support available this year is €4,855, including the top-up grant, compared to just €2,032 in 1996-97.
My Department fully recognises the importance of statistics in analysing the effectiveness and fairness of the student grant schemes. In so far as data in relation to the socio-economic backgrounds of grant holders are concerned, limited data have been collected by my Department in the past with specific reference to the higher education grants scheme administered by the local authorities. Following consultations with the Irish Vocational Education Association, new arrangements have recently been introduced to compile a more comprehensive statistical breakdown of grant holders under the schemes administered by the VECs. This complements arrangements in place in respect of the higher education grants scheme. While the majority of awarding bodies have at this stage returned completed forms for 2003-04, officials in my Department are continuing to communicate with those from whom completed forms are still outstanding.
On receipt of completed statistical forms for 2003-04 from all awarding bodies, my Department will be a position to compile and analyse the relevant statistics in respect of socio-economic background and other relevant classifications for that year. Statistical forms in respect of the 2004-05 academic year will issue to the awarding bodies shortly.
Looking to the future, at the request of my Department the HEA has been working with the universities and institutes of technology to develop an electronic student record system which is intended to provided more detailed information on students, including their socio-economic backgrounds. I have asked the HEA to examine how this might provide more timely and reliable data on the socio-economic backgrounds of grant-holders as I fully accept that the existing time-lags in the provision of data are not acceptable.
75 Mr. Bruton asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of children currently awaiting a NEPS assessment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19688/05]
The National Educational Psychological Service, NEPS, does not normally keep waiting lists of children requiring assessment in the sense of lists of names that are dealt with in chronological order. NEPS operates a staged assessment process whereby each school takes responsibility for initial assessment, educational planning and remedial intervention, in consultation with its assigned NEPS psychologist. Only if there is a failure to make reasonable progress in spite of the school's best efforts will a child be referred for individual psychological assessment. This system allows the psychologists to give early attention to urgent cases and also to help many more children indirectly than could be seen individually.
As the end of the 2004-05 school year approaches, NEPS management is conducting a survey to ascertain how many children have been through the staged assessment process in school but who still need an individual psychological assessment. As soon as the information has been collated, it will be made available to the Deputy. Every effort will be made to ensure that urgent assessment needs will be met as soon as possible.
76 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Education and Science if more than 1,000 primary schools have no educational psychologist and 20% of secondary schools are without one; the steps which are being taken to deal with this situation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19660/05]
While it is true that more than 1,000 primary schools and 13% of post-primary schools do not have NEPS psychologists assigned to them, it is important to note that all schools have access to psychological assessments, either directly through the National Educational Psychological Service, NEPS, for those schools currently served by NEPS, or through the scheme for commissioning psychological assessments, SCPA, for those that do not currently have NEPS psychologists assigned to them.
All schools that do not have NEPS psychologists assigned to them may avail of this scheme whereby they can commission assessments from a member of the panel of private psychologists approved by NEPS, and NEPS will pay the fees directly to the psychologists concerned. Details of this scheme, including the conditions that apply to it, are available on my Department's website.
The complement of psychologists in NEPS has increased almost three-fold from 43 psychologists on establishment to 128 psychologists at present.
NEPS also provides assistance to all schools that suffer from critical incidents, regardless of whether they have a NEPS psychologist assigned to them. Also, in relation to all schools, NEPS processes applications for reasonable accommodations in certificate examinations.
On behalf of my Department, the Public Appointments Service has recently initiated a new recruitment competition for NEPS. Any increase in the overall numbers of psychologists in NEPS must take account of Government policy on public sector numbers.
78 Ms O. Mitchell asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of children carried by school bus transport each day at both primary and secondary level; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19707/05]
The number of children availing of school transport services in a school year varies from time to time. However, the average number of children availing of school transport daily is 138,000. This includes approximately 8,000 children with special educational needs.
79 Mr. P. Breen asked the Minister for Education and Science when the legislation to establish a register of persons considered unsafe to work with children will be published; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19749/05]
A cross-governmental working group was established to put forward proposals for reform of vetting by the central vetting unit run by the Garda Síochána. Among its recommendations was the proposal that the Departments of Education and Science and Health and Children explore the possibility of developing an employment history register, similar to the PECS system in Northern Ireland. An implementation group has been established by the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform and discussions between my Department and the Department of Health and Children are ongoing in that context. Although considerable preparatory work examining the issues relating to a PECS system has been undertaken by my Department, these discussions are at an early stage. In addition, my Department will be convening meetings with the relevant interested parties to explore the issues involved.
The Teaching Council also has a role here. Once it is formally established, the council will provide the teaching profession, both primary and post-primary, with the means to self-regulate and its functions will include maintaining a register of teachers and if necessary removing the names of those shown to be unfit to teach, including those unfit to teach by reason of the fact that they pose a threat to children.
80 Mr. Gogarty asked the Minister for Education and Science if any contact has been made with UK manufacturers of school buses with a view to purchasing new models with seat belts; if so, the current availability and timeframe for delivery of such buses; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19758/05]
My Department, at the invitation of a UK manufacturer, recently viewed a demonstrator bus at Bus Éireann's headquarters in Broadstone, Dublin. The bus was fitted with three seats on one of the aisle and two seats on the other. All seats were fitted with seat belts.
In fact, this is the third demonstrator bus viewed by officials of my Department and Bus Éireann. The other two vehicles, which were not manufactured in the UK, were used on trial runs in April.
The question of acquiring vehicles to replace or supplement the existing school bus fleet is under consideration. However, it should be borne in mind that many of the buses used for school transport are privately owned.
81 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Education and Science if she has received proposals from her Department in regard to role and functions of the National Adult Literacy Council arising from the recent review undertaken; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19683/05]
The National Adult Learning Council was formed in March 2002 on an ad hoc basis with the intention that it would be established as a statutory body under section 54 of the Education Act 1998. Following the formation of the ad hoc council, concerns emerged that the functions envisaged for the council were too wide-ranging and were not sufficiently focused. Additionally, a number of developments had occurred which would impact on the work of the council, including the establishment of the National Qualifications Authority of Ireland and the Further and Higher Education and Training Awards Councils.
My Department undertook a strategic review of the role and functions of the council to address these concerns. I am awaiting proposals from my Department as to the role and functions of the council in the light of the review. I expect to be in a position to take a decision in this matter in the near future.
82 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Education and Science if she plans to commission a study into the benefits of seat belt use versus compartmentalisation for primary and second level students using school buses. [19767/05]
124 Mr. Cuffe asked the Minister for Education and Science if her Department has organised a study into the risks involved with the use of various seat belts on school buses for children of various age groups. [19762/05]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 82 and 124 together.
Legislation regarding the fitting and wearing of seat belts in public service vehicles including school buses is the responsibility of my colleague, the Minister for Transport.
EU Directive 2003/20 requires seat belts to be used where they are fitted. This directive must be transposed into national law by 9 May 2006.
Separately, proposals to extend the requirement for seat belts in all new vehicles, except for city buses used in stage stop routes, have been developed at EU level. When the directive is adopted, all new school buses being registered from a future date will require to be fitted with seat belts.
The suitability of different restraint mechanisms is under active consideration by my Department in consultation with the Department of Transport and Bus Éireann.
83 Mr. Crowe asked the Minister for Education and Science her views on whether her Department’s new approach to tackling educational disadvantage highlights a substantial policy failure within the Government on the commitment to delivering educational equality, particularly in the context of literacy and numeracy in poorer areas; her plans for a more integrated approach, highlighting timescales and budget allocations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19756/05]
The new action plan for educational inclusion, DEIS — Delivering Equality Of Opportunity In Schools — which I launched recently, aims to ensure that the educational needs of children and young people from disadvantaged communities are prioritised and effectively addressed.
The plan provides for a standardised system for identifying levels of disadvantage and a new integrated school support programme, SSP, which will bring together and build upon a number of existing interventions for schools with a concentrated level of disadvantage. Approximately 600 primary schools, comprising 300 urban-town and 300 rural, and 150 second level schools, will be included in the school support programme. The new action plan will be introduced on a phased basis starting in the next school year and will involve an additional annual investment of €40 million on full implementation. It will also involve the provision of some 300 additional posts across the education system.
Since 1997, the Government has increased funding on specific measures at primary and second level to tackle educational disadvantage by some 130% — from some €50 million in 1998 to about €120 million in the current year. The additional €40 million annual investment under this action plan on full implementation will represent a 33% increase on current expenditure and a three-fold increase in spending in this area since 1998.
A key underlying principle of DEIS is that of early intervention, including assisting children who are having difficulty learning to read and write at an early stage before the problem becomes entrenched. In implementing the action plan a number of measures will be rolled out, starting in the next school year, to tackle literacy and numeracy problems in schools serving disadvantaged communities. These measures will include a new advisory service at primary level; more access to initiatives such as reading recovery and maths recovery, which enable intensive, individualised teaching to be provided to the lowest attaining pupils at an early stage, when intervention can be most effective; targeted extension of the successful demonstration library project at second level — 40 more schools will benefit on a phased basis; and a new family literacy project.
Other key measures to be implemented on a phased basis over the next five years include the following: targeted early childhood education provision for 150 school communities; extended availability of home-school-community liaison and school completion programme services; the 150 urban-town primary schools with the highest concentrations of disadvantage will be targeted to benefit from maximum class sizes of 20:1 in junior classes and 24:1 in senior classes; rural primary schools participating in the new school support programme will be targeted to benefit from access to a teacher-co-ordinator serving a cluster of schools. Rural primary schools that cannot be clustered will be provided with financial support as an alternative to teacher-co-ordinator support; measures will be implemented to enhance student attendance, educational progression, retention and attainment; measures will be put in place to support the recruitment and retention of principals and teaching staff in schools serving disadvantaged communities; and professional development for principals, teachers and other personnel in schools participating in the SSP will be enhanced.
Central to the success of the action plan will be an increased emphasis on planning at school and school cluster level, target-setting and measurement of progress and outcomes to ensure that the increased investment is matched by an improvement in educational outcomes for the children and young people concerned.
84 Mr. O’Dowd asked the Minister for Education and Science if a new round of PPP school buildings will be announced; if any changes will be made to the PPP contract based on the experience of PPPs in education to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19724/05]
My colleague, the Minister for Finance, provided a capital envelope of €555 million in respect of education PPPs for the period 2005 to 2009 and I am examining how this may be best utilised. This examination covers both schools and the third level sector.
A key rationale underpinning the decision to proceed with the initial bundle of five schools was to test the PPP procurement method in the case of schools to learn from the experience and thereby to inform future usage of a PPP approach to procuring schools.
Based on the experience to date from the use of the PPP process for the National Maritime College and the schools project, a number of issues are under active consideration by my Department and will inform my decision on the allocation of the funds available to me for PPP development. These include the type of PPP model to be used, the level of operation and service to be included in any new programme, how the projects should be bundled so as to provide the most cost effective procurement and the size and geographical spread of the bundles. My Department is also in the process of examining the market interest in the different types of PPP model that are under consideration for a future programme.
As I have previously indicated, in respect of further PPP school building projects, new schools on greenfield sites that have been prioritised using the criteria agreed with the education partners, and published by my Department, fit the PPP model best as distinct from projects that involve modernisation and upgrading of existing buildings.
I intend to announce my plans for a further PPP programme in the near future.
85 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Education and Science if her attention has been drawn to the decision by the joint managerial body not to release teachers for oral, practical and in-service training from September 2005; the steps she intends to take arising from this decision in view of the possible disruption to exams; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19661/05]
I am aware that the joint managerial body has stated that it will advise its member schools not to release teachers for examinations — oral and practical — and in-service training from September 2005. The JMB and the other management bodies have raised the need for new arrangements to be put in place for activities such as the examinations and in-service training to ensure that they take place outside of school time because it is considered that current arrangements seriously disrupt schools and create major difficulties for school authorities.
Sustaining Progress, the social partnership agreement 2003-05, which set out the modernisation agenda for teachers, acknowledged that existing in-service training delivery arrangements are a cause of disruption in schools which may impact on students. Sustaining Progress also indicated that there was agreement among the education partners that the present in-service training delivery is unsatisfactory and that new arrangements need to be developed and agreed. As provided for in the agreement, discussions are in train with the school management authorities and the teacher unions to address the need for new arrangements and to agree a new model for the delivery of in-service training. The issues surrounding the oral and practical examinations are also being explored in the context of these discussions.
As an initial step, however, a number of significant developments have been put in place by my Department which have made progress in diminishing the impact of in-service training on school life. Among these developments have been the establishment of a co-ordination committee for national programmes-support services at post-primary level which has developed a nationwide calendar of in-service training provision to avoid undue disruption in an individual school. The work of this committee will feed into the biannual second level support service brochure and ongoing school-specific Education Centre calendar, both of which highlight the in-service training available for individual schools thus enabling management authorities to ensure that any disruption is minimised.
There would be serious implications for students if there was a refusal to release teachers for exams. The process of Sustaining Progress is designed to ensure that such difficulties can be discussed and avoided by proper engagement by all parties.
87 Mr. Crawford asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of males entering the primary teaching profession for the 2003-04 and 2004-05 academic year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19747/05]
According to my Department's records, 180 male teachers were appointed for the first time as permanent or temporary qualified teachers at primary level in the 2003-04 school year; 184 such male teachers were appointed in the current school year, 2004-05.
I am aware of the decreasing number of males entering the teaching profession and I know that the situation is particularly acute at primary level.
I would point out that the relatively low number of males in the teaching force is a feature common to all OECD countries. Indeed, OECD statistics show the situation in Ireland to be close to the OECD average.
It is important to attract more men into teaching for a number of reasons, not least of which is the positive role models that teachers provide in children's lives and the desirability of having both male and female role models in our schools.
A report on attracting more men into primary teaching is currently being compiled by a committee comprised of representatives of the colleges of education, the Institute of Guidance Counsellors, the INTO and officials of my Department.
The main objective of this committee is to make recommendations on strategies and initiatives to increase the number of males entering primary teaching. It is expected that the committee will make recommendations in respect of both short-term and long-term strategies.
The work of the committee is almost complete and I understand I can expect to receive the committee's report within a few weeks.
88 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Minister for Education and Science if it is intended to proceed with changes to the structure and content of the leaving certificate examination as recommended by the NCCA; if not, her reasons for rejecting the recommendations; if it is intended to publish the report; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19675/05]
100 Mr. Crowe asked the Minister for Education and Science her views on the proposals of the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment for reform of the leaving certificate, particularly in terms of dealing with pressure on students, drop out rates, the maths crisis and tackling educational disadvantage; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19755/05]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 88 and 100 together.
It is essential that our education system is positioned to maintain excellence, relevance, quality and inclusiveness in a changing climate. I have just launched DEIS, a focused five-year plan to combat educational disadvantage. It is important that the implementation of senior cycle reform would complement and further this work.
The NCCA proposals are ambitious and far-reaching. Senior cycle reform has the potential to promote greater inclusion and effective participation, to provide greater curriculum balance and choice and to contribute to a more positive learning culture in schools. I recognise that potential exists to improve the senior cycle education experience. It is crucial that reforms will promote cohesion and equity in society and enable students to develop their talents, prepare for adult life, for lifelong learning and employment in the knowledge society. The education system must also continue to play its part in promoting Ireland's competitiveness and growth. These are major considerations of fundamental importance to our future, and our children's future.
It is vital that the implications of the proposals be considered thoroughly and that changes adopted are effective in supporting strategic change which promotes increased relevance, quality and equity in the system. I am having the NCCA's advice fully examined within my Department. I want to ensure that change is carefully managed, well-resourced and that the best elements of the current system, including public confidence in its integrity, objectivity and quality, are retained. I will engage in further discussions with the council and with stakeholders on the proposals and priorities for the future, with a view to making decisions as soon as possible.
As regards mathematics specifically, the NCCA is currently advancing a review of mathematics in post-primary education at the request of my Department.
Since the NCCA's advice is already publicly available on the NCCA's website at www.ncca.ie. I do not intend publishing it separately.
89 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Education and Science the alternative in the event that a site is not purchased and construction of a permanent building for a school (details supplied) in County Mayo does not commence. [19772/05]
137 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Education and Science the position in relation to the site for a school (details supplied) in County Mayo. [19771/05]
682 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Education and Science if a site has been identified for a school (details supplied) in County Mayo; if she will meet a deputation from the school; the date and time that she will meet this deputation; and if parents and pupils will have to march on the street to get a new school. [19007/05]
783 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of sites which the OPW looked at for a school (details supplied) in County Mayo. [19970/05]
784 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Education and Science when she will make a decision regarding a site for a school (details supplied) in County Mayo. [19971/05]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 89, 137, 682, 783 and 784 together.
The school referred to by the Deputy opened in September 1996 with provisional recognition. Having met the criteria for recognition and proven its viability, the school was granted permanent recognition in 2000. Standard practice is that the school authorities are responsible for the securing of interim accommodation which is grant-aided by the Department, pending the securing of permanent recognition. On being granted permanent recognition, a school becomes eligible for capital funding. The rate of progress towards a permanent accommodation solution depends on a number of factors including availability of sites and the Department's budgetary capacity to meet the level of demand.
The school is currently accommodated in prefabricated classrooms on a three quarter acre site in the town. The rental costs of the site and classroom accommodation is grant-aided by my Department at the rate of 95%. My Department is advised that the lease on the site is due to expire in June 2006.
I want the assure the Deputy that we are acutely aware of the urgent need for an accommodation solution for this school particularly given the limitations on the existing arrangement and my Department is doing its utmost to achieve a satisfactory outcome at the earliest possible date.
To that end, the property management section of the Office of Public Works has been actively engaged in seeking a suitable site for a new school building. Soil sampling is being undertaken to verify the suitability of a particular site. The result of the tests and final assessment of site suitability is expected to be concluded and with my Department in a week or two.
As the board and patron are already aware, the provision of interim accommodation remains the responsibility of the board until such time as my Department is in a position to provide a permanent solution. However, I am sure that all partners will work together to secure alternative interim accommodation should that be required pending the provision of permanent accommodation.
As the Department is actively engaged in securing the school's future accommodation needs, a meeting would not serve any useful purpose at this time.
90 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Minister for Education and Science if she will list the sections of the Children Act 2001 for which her Department has responsibility, which are already in operation; if she will list those sections that have yet to be brought into operation; if any timetable has been set for the implementation of the remaining sections; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19676/05]
Part 10 of the Children Act 2001 relates to the governance and operation of children detention schools. Section 159(1) of the Act has been commenced for the purpose of allowing three representatives of children detention schools to be appointed to the Special Residential Services Board. However, Part 10 of the Act cannot be commenced more fully at this time as its effect will include replacing the existing industrial and reformatory schools with children detention schools. While boys aged between 17 and 21 who are convicted of a criminal offence may be sent to a place of detention, there is no equivalent place at present for female offenders who may be imprisoned from the age of 17 years.
It is intended that the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform will provide a facility for young women similar to that provided for boys. The timing of the commencement of Part 10 of the Act is contingent upon such a facility becoming available. Pending commencement, industrial and reformatory schools continue to be governed by the Children Acts.
91 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of children at primary level in classes of more than 35; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19694/05]
149 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of children at primary level in classes of more than 30; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19693/05]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 91 and 149 together.
Completed data are not available for the current school year because a number of outstanding queries on returns from a small number of schools must be resolved before the current primary census is finalised. When the information is available I will forward it to the Deputy.
92 Mr. Sherlock asked the Minister for Education and Science if she will take action to prevent publishers of school books from reprinting text books with minor textual changes, forcing parents and schools to discard expensive books after a short period of time; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19681/05]
Apart from a small number of prescribed texts at second level, mainly in the case of language subjects, school books are not approved or prescribed by my Department at first or second level. Decisions on which books to use are taken at school level.
School authorities have been advised that book selections should be changed only to the extent that is necessary. However, text books have to be changed periodically to enable students' work to be kept educationally stimulating and to ensure that content and methodology are kept up to date.
My Department operates a grant scheme towards the cost of providing school text books for pupils from low-income families in schools at first and second level. For the purposes of these grants, a needy pupil is a pupil from a family where there is genuine hardship because of unemployment, prolonged illness of a parent, large family size with inadequate means, single parenthood, or other family circumstances such as substance abuse, which would indicate a similar degree of financial hardship. Principal teachers administer the book grant schemes in schools in a flexible way under the terms of the schemes based on their knowledge of particular circumstances in individual cases. Many schools operate book rental schemes and second-hand book exchanges.
A total of €3,961,683.89 was paid by my Department in respect of the school books grant scheme in primary schools for the 2004-05 school year. This figure includes €3,272,733.40 in respect of the loan-rental scheme.
The total expenditure in post-primary schools for the 2004-05 school year was €6.359 million, which includes €221,240 in respect of the book rental-loan schemes seed capital.
93 Mr. McCormack asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of students who failed to make the transition from primary to secondary education in 2003 and 2004; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19717/05]
The specific information requested by the Deputy is not available at present. However, the National Economic and Social Forum report of 2002 on early school leaving cited, as a broad estimate, that around 1,000 children do not transfer from primary to post-primary on an annual basis. There is some doubt attached to this estimated figure of 1,000, which may be an over-statement of the true position at this stage.
The Education Welfare Act 2000 and the establishment of the National Educational Welfare Board provides a comprehensive framework for promoting regular school attendance and tackling the problems of absenteeism and early school leaving. To discharge its responsibilities, the board is developing a nationwide service to provide welfare-focused services to children, families and schools. The board currently has an authorised staffing complement of 94.
My Department also operates a number of programmes at both primary and post-primary level to tackle the problem of early school leaving.
The Giving Children an Even Break programme provides additional financial and teaching supports for children in primary schools from disadvantaged backgrounds who are most at risk of educational disadvantage and early school leaving.
A key role in this regard is also played by the home-school-community liaison, HSCL, scheme which helps parents to develop their skills as the primary educators of their children and also addresses issues in the community impinging on learning and educational participation.
The school completion programme directly targets those in danger of dropping out of the education system by targeting individual young people of school going age, both in and out of school, and arranging supports to address inequalities in education access, participation and outcomes.
Both the HSCL scheme and all 82 school completion programme projects operate transfer programmes which are very important in assisting pupils in making the transition from primary to post-primary level.
The new action plan for educational inclusion, DEIS — Delivering Equality Of Opportunity In Schools — which I launched recently, focuses on addressing the educational needs of children and young people from disadvantaged communities. The plan provides for a standardised system for identifying levels of disadvantage and a new integrated school support programme, SSP, which will bring together and build upon a number of existing interventions for schools with a concentrated level of disadvantage. The new action plan will be introduced on a phased basis starting in the next school year and will involve an additional annual investment of €40 million on full implementation. It will also involve the provision of some 300 additional posts across the education system.
A continuing emphasis will be placed on the development of effective transfer programmes by building on the existing work of the HSCL scheme and the school completion programme in this area. An additional guidance counselling provision, being made available for second level schools having the highest concentrations of disadvantage, will also assist in this regard.
94 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the progress being made on the implementation of the recommendations of the task force on the physical sciences; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19741/05]
My Department continues to progress the recommendations of the task force on the physical sciences as resources permit in collaboration and consultation with the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Forfás and industry.
Significant progress has been made in a range of areas pertaining to my Department. For example: a new science curriculum has been introduced at primary level supported by a resource grant in December 2004 of €1000 per school plus €10 per pupil; revised syllabi in junior certificate science and in leaving certificate physics, chemistry and biology have been introduced. Work on the revision of the two remaining leaving certificate subjects — agricultural science and physics and chemistry combined — is well advanced. The introduction of the revised syllabi has been supported by comprehensive in-service programmes for teachers; additional equipment grants have been provided to schools, and laboratories continue to be refurbished as part of the ongoing schools building programme. In that context, €16 million was issued to schools in 2004 to support the implementation of the revised junior certificate science syllabus; a review of grading of subjects in the leaving certificate and initial reports on teacher training have been undertaken; a review of mathematics at post-primary level is being undertaken by the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment; and investment in the programme of research in third level institutes is continuing apace to enhance and promote world class standards in research, innovation and development. Between this programme and the various grants to the research councils, and other sources, an estimated €101.5 million will be invested in third level institutions in 2005.
The discover science and engineering programme, operated under the aegis of Forfás with the collaboration of the education sector, was launched in October 2003 to bring together existing science awareness activities in a unified strategy. I have recently announced a provision of €750,000 towards the cost of the BA festival of science which is being hosted by Trinity College this year. This is one of the world's leading science events and will be attended by some 3,000 delegates, with an estimated 7,000 to 10,000 people enjoying some part of the programme.
95 D'fhiafraigh Mr. McGinley den Aire Oideachais agus Eolaíochta an bhfuil iarratas ina Roinn le haghaidh halla spóirt do Phobalscoil Ghaoth Dobhair, cén staid ag a bhfuil an t-iarratas faoi láthair; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [19242/05]
An tionscadal maidir leis an Halla um Chorpoideachas sa Phobalscoil Ghaoth Dobhair, rinneadh é a mheas de réir na gcritéar tosaíochta a foilsíodh cheana féin agus a rinneadh a athbhreithniú an bhliain seo caite tar éis dul i gcomhairle leis na páirtithe oideachais.
Déanfar an tionscadal a chur san áireamh i gcomhthéacs an Chláir 2005-2009 um Thógáil agus um Nuachóiríocht Scoileanna.
96 Mr. Noonan asked the Minister for Education and Science when the Grangegorman Development Authority will begin its work; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19719/05]
The Dáil passed all Stages of the Grangegorman Development Agency Bill on 1 June 2005. The Second Stage reading of the Bill is scheduled to commence in the Seanad on 14 June 2005.
The purpose of this Bill is to establish an agency whose function, in the first instance, is to prepare a strategic planning scheme for the Grangegorman site. The plan must provide for the needs of the Dublin Institute of Technology, the Health Service Executive and the Ministers for Education and Science and Health and Children. The Bill provides for wide-ranging consultation with all the parties that may have an involvement in the site. This ranges from those who are directly concerned — local residents, the DIT, the HSE and the Dublin City Council — to those parties whose future involvement may have a bearing on the site reaching its full potential such as the IDA and Dublin Bus. The Department of Transport will also have a major input because of the public transport requirements of the developed site.
It is my intention, once the necessary legislative framework is in place, to establish the agency as soon as possible thereafter so that it can then commence carrying out the functions given to it in the legislation.
97 Ms McManus asked the Minister for Education and Science if she will address the serious concerns regarding the impact the introduction of the weighted system of allocation of resource teaching support will have on resource teachers and resource hours; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19666/05]
As the Deputy is aware, a new scheme for allocating resource teachers to schools to cater for the needs of children with high-incidence special needs and learning support needs was announced last month. The reason for the new scheme is simple. Children with special needs such as dyslexia or mild learning difficulties are found in almost every school. It makes sense then that every school should have a number of resource teaching hours based on the number of pupils in the school.
This is a major improvement on the previous system, under which children with high incidence special needs required a psychological assessment before they were given resource teaching hours by the Department. This was a time-consuming process that often led to delays in children getting the support they needed. Resource teachers will now be in place in the school from the start of the school year so that children who need their assistance can get it straight away.
Under the new arrangement disadvantaged schools, boys schools and mixed schools get extra resources as research shows that pupils in these schools are more likely to have learning difficulties.
To ensure that every school has enough resource teaching hours to meet the needs of its pupils, an extra 660 resource teaching posts are being put in place for next September. A total of 340 of these are permanent posts and 320 are temporary posts being provided to ensure that children who had been given an individual allocation of resource teaching hours by my Department will keep these in situations where the general allocation to the school would not be sufficient to allow the school to provide these hours from within its general allocation.
The provision of these temporary posts will ensure that no child who has been allocated a specific number of hours with a resource teacher by my Department will lose these under these new arrangements. In fact, the reality is that the majority of schools are gaining resource teaching hours under the new scheme.
Addressing the concerns of small and rural schools was, as the Deputy will be aware, the reason I initiated a review of the original general allocation model which had been announced last year, to come into effect in the 2005-06 school year. Following this review, a special improved ratio for small schools has been introduced to ensure that they are given resource teaching hours on a more favourable basis.
I would like to stress that despite misleading claims to the contrary, the new scheme does not prevent schools from giving one-to-one time with a resource teacher to any child who needs such support. Rather, it ensures that each school has enough resources to ensure that each child gets a level of support appropriate to their individual needs.
The school can then use its professional judgement to decide how these hours are divided between different children in the school to ensure that all their needs are met. Research shows that some children with special needs will respond better with one-to-one tuition. Others, however, do better when taught in small groups. Often it is best for resource teachers to work with children in the classroom rather than taking them away to a separate room, as the children then have to catch up work done by the rest of the class in their absence. The point is that the type of response needed depends on the child. While the new scheme will not prevent schools from giving one-to-one time with the resource teacher to children that need it, it is important to note that one-to-one teaching is not the best option for every child.
I am grateful to the Minister for Finance for providing me with the resources to ensure that the new system could be put in place.
As of next September there will be over 5,000 teachers in our primary schools working directly with children with special needs, including those requiring learning support. This compares to under 1,500 in 1998. Indeed, one out of every five primary school teachers is now working specifically with children with special needs.
The Government, and I as Minister for Education and Science, is deeply committed to improving services for children with special needs. I believe that, in addition to the massive increase in resource teachers in recent years, the introduction of this new general allocation scheme will ensure a faster and more flexible response for children with special needs.
98 Mr. Broughan asked the Minister for Education and Science her views on the recent decision of the Supreme Court banning the publication of inspectors reports on primary schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19655/05]
The judgment of the Supreme Court issued on 31 May 2005 clarifies that it is within the discretion of the Minister for Education and Science under section 53 of the Education Act 1998 to decide whether or not to release information on schools. This discretionary power applies to the publication of school inspection reports.
In the light of growing demand for information on school quality, we need to make more information on schools available. However, this information must be balanced and must take account of the wide range of work undertaken by the schools. As I have stated on numerous occasions, I am totally opposed to the publication of crude league tables based on examination results. School inspection reports provide balanced evaluations of the work of schools and I am convinced that their wider availability could be very beneficial to students, parents, teachers and schools.
It is my intention to move to a situation where my Department will make school inspection reports more widely available. I intend to proceed on this in a planned and well thought out way. I have asked the inspectorate to consult with the education partners on how best we can achieve this.
99 Mr. Boyle asked the Minister for Education and Science the plans in place to purchase a site and build a new permanent school for a school (details supplied) in County Mayo before September 2006. [19759/05]
The school referred to by the Deputy opened in September 1996 with provisional recognition. Having met the criteria for recognition and proven its viability, the school was granted permanent recognition in 2000. Standard practice is that the school authorities are responsible for the securing of interim accommodation which is grant-aided by the Department, pending the securing of permanent recognition. On being granted permanent recognition, a school becomes eligible for capital funding. The rate of progress towards a permanent accommodation solution depends on a number of factors including availability of sites and the Department's budgetary capacity to meet the level of demand.
The school is currently accommodated in prefabricated classrooms on a three quarter acre site in the town. The rental costs of the site and classroom accommodation is grant-aided by my Department at the rate of 95%. My Department is advised that the lease on the site is due to expire in June 2006.
I assure the Deputy that we are acutely aware of the urgent need for an accommodation solution for this school particularly given the limitations on the existing arrangement and my Department is doing its utmost to achieve a satisfactory outcome at the earliest possible date.
To that end the property management section of the Office of Public Works has been actively engaged in seeking a suitable site for a new school building. Soil sampling is being undertaken to verify the suitability of a particular site. The result of the tests and final assessment of site suitability is expected to be concluded and with my Department in a week or two.
101 Mr. Bruton asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of psychologists employed by the National Educational Psychological Service; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19687/05]
The complement of psychologists in NEPS has increased almost three-fold from 43 psychologists on establishment to 128 psychologists at present.
All schools that do not currently have NEPS psychologists assigned to them may avail of the scheme for commissioning psychological assessments, SCPA, whereby the schools can commission assessments from a member of the panel of private psychologists approved by NEPS, and NEPS will pay the fees directly to the psychologists concerned. Details of this scheme, including the conditions that apply to it, are available on my Department's website.
NEPS also provides assistance to all schools that suffer from critical incidents, regardless of whether or not they have a NEPS psychologist assigned to them. In addition, in respect of all schools, NEPS processes applications for reasonable accommodations in certificate examinations.
On behalf of my Department, the Public Appointments Service has recently initiated a new recruitment competition for NEPS. Any increase in the overall numbers of psychologists in NEPS must take account of Government policy on public sector numbers.
102 Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Education and Science her plans to end the funding crisis in regard to Educate Together schools and the ongoing difficulties this is causing in terms of their development (details supplied). [19781/05]
142 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Education and Science the level of funding allocated by her Department to the Educate Together group; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19728/05]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 102 and 142 together.
I am not aware of any funding crisis in Educate Together schools. These schools qualify on the same basis as other primary schools for various Department grants, including capitation and ancillary services grants, both of which have been increased significantly in recent years.
Each year my Department provides grant assistance to the primary school management bodies, including Educate Together, to defray costs incurred in the running of their organisations. The level of grant paid for Educate Together in 2005 is €41,133.
Educate Together has submitted an application for additional funding to my Department. My Department is currently engaged in discussions with Educate Together. The provision of some additional funding in 2005 is under discussion along with the organisation's longer term needs.
103 Mr. J. O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of education welfare officers currently employed by the NEWB; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19729/05]
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 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.
The service is developing on a continuing basis and the board received sanction in late 2004 from my Department for an additional ten educational welfare officers. This brings its total authorised staffing complement to 94, comprising 16 HQ and support staff, five regional managers, 11 senior educational welfare officers and 62 educational welfare officers.
The board has indicated to my Department that it is in the process of filling 13 positions arising from the current recruitment process including one senior educational welfare officer post and 12 educational welfare officer posts. I understand that it is the intention of the board to have the positions filled prior to the commencement of the next school year.
104 Ms C. Murphy asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of special needs assistants assigned to schools in County Kildare; the number of these which will have their contracts renewed prior to the ending of the 2004-05 school year; if a more formal structure will be put in place for special needs assistants in view of the fact that many are investing their own funds in training and have built up valuable experience; if she intends to introduce specific contracts for special needs assistants; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19769/05]
There were 273.31 whole-time equivalent special needs assistants, also known as SNAs, employed in 80 primary schools in County Kildare on my Department's payroll at the end of May 2005. It is not possible to say how many of these will have their contracts renewed for the new school year. Responsibility for the recruitment and employment of SNAs rests with the relevant school authorities.
SNAs are assigned to schools to meet the care needs of individual children who have been assessed by a psychologist as needing this type of support. I can confirm that there has been no change to the criteria or guidelines for allocating SNA support to schools and I can further confirm that there are no plans to review the criteria or guidelines under which SNA support is allocated.
Applications for SNA support are now dealt with by the National Council for Special Education which processes all applications for support from schools and communicates the decisions directly to the schools. At this stage, the council has dealt with all new applications from schools for SNAs that will be required from the beginning of September 2005.
However, in order to ensure that resources are used in the most effective manner, a review has been conducted in recent months to establish whether primary schools have the level of SNA support that they need for children in their care, whether they have resources which they no longer need or whether they need extra resources.
The review has found that some schools no longer have the care needs for which the SNA was originally sanctioned, that is, in some cases the child may have left the school while in other cases the care needs of the child have diminished as the child has progressed through the school. In this regard, the schools where surplus SNA support was identified have been advised that they may retain this surplus until the end of the current school year.
My Department is engaged in discussions with the trade union representing SNAs, under the auspices of the Labour Relations Commission, on a number of issues relating to the employment of SNAs, including the issues raised by the Deputy. In the circumstances, it would not be appropriate for me to comment specifically on any of these issues.
The Deputy will be aware that this Government has put in place an unprecedented level of support for children with special needs. Indeed, since 1998, the number of SNAs has increased from under 300 to nearly 6,000 nationally. In addition to this, more effective systems, such as the establishment of the National Council for Special Education, have been put in place to ensure that children get support as early as possible.
105 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Education and Science if she is considering introducing ECDL or a comparable information and communications technology course as a second level subject. [19768/05]
A number of schools currently facilitate students in completing ECDL, particularly in transition year. However, I have no plans to introduce information and communications technology, ICT, as a discrete examination subject for second level students.
Recent thinking on ICT in schools is that the best way to learn ICT skills is to apply them in meaningful context. Based on this, the focus in Ireland is on developing and promoting the use of ICT as a tool for learning across the curriculum. The National Council for Curriculum and Assessment, NCCA, is currently developing a framework for ICT in curriculum and assessment. This will outline the kinds of ICT learning experiences that students should have during key phases of their schooling and will provide guidance on how these can be provided by integrating ICT across the curriculum. This is in line with current international practice.
106 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for Education and Science the supports or programmes her Department offers to encourage secondary school pupils in disadvantaged areas to progress to higher or further education; the success of these supports and programmes in encouraging students in these areas to progress to third level institutions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19778/05]
In 1980 3% of socio-economically disadvantaged school-leavers entered higher education. According to the most recent national survey data available for 1998 — Clancy 2001, that figure has risen to between 20 and 30% of school-leavers from the most under-represented groups. While this represents a significant improvement it is below the current average participation rate of 54% for all young people.
A recent sample survey of 10% of entrants to higher education in 2003 carried out on behalf of the HEA is providing indications that the participation rate of socio-economically disadvantaged groups has increased further since 1998-37% for the most under-represented unskilled group in the 1998 report. This report also indicates that admission rates to higher education from all counties in the state and 17 of the 21 Dublin postal districts, including many districts with areas of concentrated disadvantaged, have risen since 1998. It is also clear, however, that while there is welcome improvement, some counties and districts have admission rates which are below the national average and it is here that we need to continue to focus our efforts. A full study of access in 2004, currently being carried out on behalf of the HEA and scheduled for publication later this year, will give a more comprehensive review of both the social background of new entrants and trends in admission by county or postal district of origin.
Improvements in participation rates reflect the outcome of how State funding measures have over the last decade increasingly focused on improving the progress and performance of young people from areas of socio-economic disadvantage, firstly in primary and second level education then in the transition to further and higher education.
Measures directed at improving participation in higher education include the establishment in August 2003 of a National Office for Equity of Access to Higher Education within the HEA as a co-ordinating unit to lead work nationally on achieving equity of access to higher education, co-ordinate funding and resources, and monitor and report on progress.
In December 2004 the national office published a three-year action plan for the period 2005-07, which sets out a range of practical steps which need to occur so that more opportunities are created for groups who have to date been under-represented in the sector, such as socio-economically disadvantaged school-leavers. This will include arrangements so that all disadvantaged regions, schools and communities, in particular those with low levels of representation, are linked to access activities and programmes in at least one higher education institution in their region.
A priority area for action in the plan is evaluation of access programmes which have been established in higher education institutions to ascertain what strategies and partnerships work best in achieving equity of access to higher education for all under-represented groups. This work has commenced and building upon the outcome the national office will develop and support the implementation of a national framework of access policies and initiatives for each target group, including young people from socio-economically disadvantaged areas.
The national office also manages a number of funding programmes to widen access and support the participation of under-represented groups in higher education. These include the HEA strategic initiative funding, improving access, through which €7.3 million is ring-fenced annually for widening access programmes in HEA funded institutions. This scheme has supported a range of pre and post-entry actions and interventions on the part of 11 third level institutions towards increasing access as well as supporting the subsequent participation and completion of students from disadvantaged areas, including work with primary and second level schools, extra tuition, further education links, foundation courses, direct entry arrangements, learning support and financial support.
A review of the scheme was published by the HEA in October 2004. Towards a National Strategy — Initial Review of HEA Targeted Initiatives to Widen Access to Higher Education, provides an overview of the outcomes and impact of initiatives to date and also identifies where further progress needs to occur. There are similar access programmes in the institute of technology, non-HEA, sector which will be reviewed as part of the overall evaluation of access programmes currently under way.
A number of other funding programmes have also contributed to increased participation by young people from disadvantaged areas including the student assistance fund which provides financial support to students who require additional support to enable them to fully benefit from their third level studies —€5.6 million was allocated under this fund in 2004-05; and the millennium partnership fund for disadvantage through which €1.85 million was allocated in 2004-05 to 68 partnerships and community groups.
In addition, my Department provided grants of approximately €460,000 in 2004 to specific projects such as the Ballymun initiative for third level education; Clondalkin higher education access project; the accessing college education project, based in Tallaght; the Limerick community based education initiative; the Trinity access programme; the Blanchardstown area partnership; the northside partnership based in Coolock and the Wexford campus of the Institute of Technology Carlow.
The national office will be monitoring and reporting on progress in implementing the action plan and reaching national and institutional targets on equity of access to higher education.
107 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Education and Science if she intends to implement the recommendations contained in the recent report, Second Level Student Councils in Ireland, produced by the children’s research centre in Trinity College, Dublin; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19659/05]
The research report referred to by the Deputy was commissioned by the working group on student councils in second level schools. The working group was established by the National Children's Office in June 2003, in co-operation with my Department, to promote the establishment of democratic student councils in second level schools. All of the partners in education and 11 second level students are members of the group. Officials of my Department are also participating in the working group.
In order to develop a better understanding of the operation of student councils and discover the needs of students, teachers, principals and schools, the working group contracted the children's research centre at Trinity College to carry out the research. The aim of the research study was to describe barriers, enablers and supports to the development and operation of student councils in Ireland as perceived by key stakeholders and to situate this within the international context. The research raises issues and makes recommendations for the development and support of student councils and is still being considered by the working group. The research report was formally launched by my colleague, the Minister of State with responsibility for children, Deputy Brian Lenihan, on 25 April last.
The working group will make a final report on their findings, including a proposed three year strategy to support the establishment and development of student councils, to my colleague, the Minister for children, by the end of June 2005. I will consider the recommendations contained in the research report in the context of the final report from the working group when it becomes available.
108 Mr. Costello asked the Minister for Education and Science if her attention has been drawn to results of a survey of 250 joint managerial body members which showed that some principals were working up to 70 hours per week and that many are also forced to work during holiday periods; her plans to ease the workload on principals through the provision of administrative support or other measures; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19658/05]
I am very aware of the administrative burden currently placed on schools and the effect this has on the workload of principals. I have started a process of review of the administrative burden imposed on schools arising from departmental and legislative requirements. I believe we can collectively seek opportunities to ensure that this burden is kept to the minimum, consistent with achieving the worthwhile and indeed essential objectives of legislation in recent years.
The core purpose of the review I have set in motion is to focus sharply upon administrative processes and consequent administrative burdens which arise within the school as a result of regulations and-or departmental requirements and to consider what scope exists for alleviating these or having them performed in a more efficient and less demanding manner from the perspectives of the school.
My Department wrote to the various representative bodies last March inviting them to consider where and in what way present processes can be improved upon. A number of submissions have been received to date, including one from the joint managerial body, JMB, incorporating the key findings of the JMB survey of its members to which the Deputy refers. My Department is currently in communication with the JMB with a view to arranging a follow up meeting to discuss their submission.
109 Ms Lynch asked the Minister for Education and Science if she has received the report of the committee examining ways of attracting more men into primary teaching; the main findings of the report; the action she intends to take to ensure a better gender balance in the teaching profession; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19663/05]
I understand that the committee examining this issue held its final meeting recently and agreed the core elements of the report and that the final text of their report is being drafted at present. I expect to receive its report shortly.
The relatively low levels of men in the primary teaching forces, which is a feature common to all OECD countries, is an issue that is of concern to me. I believe it is important to attract more men into teaching for a number of reasons, not least of which is the positive role models that teachers provide in children's lives and the desirability of having both male and female role models in our schools.
I genuinely believe that teaching should be seen as an attractive profession for the best candidates of both genders. Teaching is fulfilling work which makes a huge social contribution. With the increases in teachers' salaries under partnership agreements and benchmarking in recent years, it is also now a well-paid job.
This Government wants to attract and reward the best teachers. In addition to increasing teachers' salaries, we have also undertaken other initiatives to enhance the status of the profession. Not least of these is the establishment of the Teaching Council as a professional regulatory body.
I know, however, that a particular focused effort must be made to encourage more men to become teachers, particularly at primary level. I look forward to receiving the committee's report, which I understand will make recommendations in respect of both short-term and long-term strategies for attracting more men into the profession.
110 Mr. Crawford asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of special schools in the State which are not covered by the National Educational Psychological Service; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19692/05]
All schools have access to psychological assessments, either directly through the National Educational Psychological Service, NEPS, for those schools currently served by NEPS, or through the scheme for commissioning psychological assessments, SCPA, for those that do not currently have NEPS psychologists assigned to them.
All schools that that do not have NEPS psychologists assigned to them may avail of this scheme, whereby they can commission assessments from a member of the panel of private psychologists approved by NEPS, and NEPS will pay the fees directly to the psychologists concerned. Details of this scheme, including the conditions that apply to it, are available on my Department's website.
At present, 87 special schools do not have a NEPS psychologist directly assigned to them. However, it should be pointed out that many schools for children with disabilities receive psychological support from voluntary bodies or the Health Service Executive.
The complement of psychologists in NEPS has increased almost three-fold from 43 psychologists on establishment to 128 psychologists at present.
NEPS also provides assistance to all schools that suffer from critical incidents, regardless of whether or not they have a NEPS psychologist assigned to them. Also, in relation to all schools, NEPS processes applications for reasonable accommodations in certificate examinations.
On behalf of my Department, the Public Appointments Service has recently initiated a new recruitment competition for NEPS. Any increase in the overall numbers of psychologists in NEPS must take account of Government policy on public sector numbers.
111 Ms Enright asked the Minister for Education and Science the average case load of each education welfare officer at present; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19686/05]
The Education (Welfare) Act 2000 established the National Educational Welfare Board as the single national body with responsibility for school attendance. The Act provides a comprehensive framework promoting regular school attendance and tackling the problems of absenteeism and early school leaving. The general functions of the board are to ensure that each child attends a recognised school or otherwise receives a certain minimum education.
To discharge its responsibilities, the board is developing a nationwide service that is accessible to schools, parents-guardians and others concerned with the welfare of young people. For this purpose, educational welfare officers, EWOs, are being appointed and deployed throughout the country to provide a welfare-focused service to support regular school attendance and discharge the board's functions locally.
The service is developing on a continuing basis and the board received sanction in late 2004 from my Department for an additional ten educational welfare officers. This brings its total authorised staffing complement to 94, comprising 16 HQ and support staff, five regional managers, 11 senior educational welfare officers and 62 educational welfare officers.
The board is in the process of making 13 appointments arising from the recent recruitment campaign, including one senior educational welfare officer and 12 educational welfare officers.
These appointments will bring the number of service delivery staff to its authorised complement and will enable the board to further roll out its services at local level around the country.
Five regional teams have been established by the board with bases in Dublin, Cork, Limerick, Galway and Waterford and staff are deployed in areas of greatest disadvantage and in areas designated under the Government's RAPID programme. Thirteen 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 follows up on urgent cases nationally where children are not currently receiving an education.
The budget which has been allocated to the NEWB for 2005 is €7.8 million, an increase of €1.3 million or 20% on the 2004 allocation.
The National Educational Welfare Board has indicated to my Department that the average caseload of each educational welfare officer as at May 2005 was approximately 200. The board is continuously reviewing the protocols for prioritising children and families who require intervention in order to ensure that children with greatest need gain maximum impact from available resources, and to work with local agencies in prioritising children's and family needs.
112 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Education and Science the action she is taking to upgrade schools in County Roscommon; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18995/05]
I draw the Deputy's attention to the series of announcements I have made so far this year as part of the 2005-09 school building and modernisation programme. These announcements, which were published in county order, outline: schools with major building projects allowed to move to tender and construction; schools 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 authorised to commence architectural planning.
Applications for capital works from schools in County Roscommon which are not included in these announcements are being assessed and considered for inclusion in further announcements as part of the 2005-09 school building and modernisation programme.
In order to assist primary school authorities to complete general upkeep and maintenance, an annual grant is paid to schools under the grant scheme for minor works. This is also known as the devolved grant. The level of grant paid amounts to €3,809 per school plus €12.70 per pupil.
113 Mr. Timmins asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of primary schools in County Wicklow which have concessionary teachers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19776/05]
There are six primary schools in County Wicklow with concessionary teaching posts.
114 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Education and Science the circumstances under which the Government agreed to an extension of four years in the term of office of the president of UCC; if it is planned to extend this facility to any other head of a third level college; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19652/05]
Under the Universities Act 1997, any amendment to the superannuation scheme of University College Cork requires the approval of the Higher Education Authority and the consent of the Minister for Education and Science and the consent of the Minister for Finance. I recently consented to an amendment to the superannuation scheme of University College Cork as did my colleague the Minister for Finance.
The amendment provided that the present holder of the Office of President of University College Cork shall hold office for a period of ten years from 26 January 1999. By making such provision, the amendment removed the requirement to retire at age 65 from the present holder of the office. The text of the amendment is contained in statute J of UCC. As is required under the provisions of the Universities Act 1997, the statute will be laid before both Houses of the Oireachtas in due course, as a statutory instrument.
The Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2004 removed the requirement to retire on age grounds from most public servants who were appointed on or after 1 April 2004.
115 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Education and Science if her attention has been drawn to the call from the TUI for the extension of the leaving certificate timetable beyond the current 13 days and the better distribution of core subjects throughout the exam period; her views on the call made; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19662/05]
On foot of a Government decision, the then Minister for Education and Science formally established the State Examinations Commission on 6 March 2003. The commission now has statutory responsibility for operational matters relating to the certificate examinations, such as the timetabling of examinations.
I have asked officials from my Department to discuss the matter with the State Examinations Commission.
116 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Education and Science the reason she is unable to provide details of the number of school days taken by unqualified teachers; the steps she intends to take to ensure that such information is made available; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19674/05]
My Department's payroll can provide information on the number of days for which unqualified temporary and substitute teachers were employed.
In the 2003-04 school year, 139,570 substitution days were paid to unqualified teachers. In the same year, 165,087 days in respect of temporary teacher appointments were paid to unqualified teachers. However, I should point out that, as the teacher's payroll system is structured to pay temporary teachers in respect of a seven day week, this figure is somewhat inflated as it includes week-ends and school closures and does not specifically take account of school days. Due to the complexities involved in compiling this data and having regard to the staffing resources available to my Department, it is not intended to extract details of the number of school days worked by individual temporary unqualified teachers.
The Deputy may be interested to note however that my officials have recently written to the boards of management of all primary schools employing an unqualified teacher. The boards have been directed to employ fully qualified primary teachers for any vacancy arising in the coming school year.
117 Mr. English asked the Minister for Education and Science if safety belts will be fitted on all school transport vehicles; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19745/05]
831 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science her plans to ensure the provision of seat belts in all school buses throughout the country; if she is prepared to meet this requirement by September 2005; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20102/05]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 117 and 831 together.
There is at present no legal requirement to wear seat belts in buses, including school buses, in this country. However, EU Directive 2003/20 requires seat belts to be used where they are fitted. This directive must be transposed into national law by 9 May 2006.
Separately, proposals to extend the requirement for seat belts to be fitted in all new vehicles, except for city buses used in stage stop routes, have been developed at EU level. When the directive is adopted, all new school buses being registered from a future date, yet to be determined, will require to be fitted with seat belts. It is not expected that this directive will provide for any mandatory retrofitting of seat belts in existing buses.
The question of the fitting and the mandatory use of seat belts on school buses, outside of these legislative requirements, is at present under consideration in my Department. Before any decision is made, the issue of the type, or types, of seat belt to be fitted must be determined having regard to the differing sizes of the student passengers being carried. My Department is working closely with the Department of Transport and Bus Éireann on this issue and any decisions reached will be guided by expert advice.
Whatever conclusion is reached, the provision of seat belts on school buses, if that is what is recommended, would have to introduced on a phased basis having regard to the logistical difficulties involved in sourcing right-hand drive buses equipped with any appropriate seat belts and the fact that not all the buses in the current fleet may be suitable for the retrofitting of seat belts.
118 Mr. Gogarty asked the Minister for Education and Science if her attention has been drawn to the fact that the conditions at a school (details supplied) in County Dublin have continued to deteriorate and that maintenance funding is no longer effective; the reason there is an ongoing delay in sorting out the serious overcrowding problems in the school; if there are plans to find an alternative suitable location for the school as a matter of urgency; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19757/05]
The school planning section of my Department is in receipt of an application for major capital funding from the school to which the Deputy refers. The application has been assessed in accordance with the published prioritisation criteria for large scale projects which were revised following consultation with the education partners last year. Progress on the application is being considered in the context of the school building programme from 2005 onwards.
I am pleased to inform the Deputy that earlier this year I approved funding for the school under the summer works scheme to upgrade its toilet facilities. It will be open to the school to apply for further funding for other improvement works under the 2006 scheme when it is announced later this year.
119 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Minister for Education and Science when the 3:2 rule will no longer be necessary on school bus transport; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19713/05]
148 Mr. Boyle asked the Minister for Education and Science if she plans to end the practise of school buses carrying more passengers than can be seated. [19760/05]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 119 and 148 together.
The loading of all school buses is determined by the relevant sections of the Road Traffic (Construction, Equipment and Use of Vehicles) Regulations which are laid down by the Department of Transport. The licensed carrying capacity of all vehicles engaged in school transport is based on a ratio of three pupils for every two adult seats, in accordance with relevant legislation.
My Department has been in discussions with Bus Éireann with a view to phasing out the three for two arrangement over the next two or three years. Indeed, the discussions have been advanced to a stage at which it is possible to confirm that the necessary steps are now being taken to commence the general phasing out of this arrangement from next September.
The wearing of seat belts and the three for two rule are intrinsically linked, which means that school children who are travelling on buses equipped with seat belts from next May will also be provided with a single seat.
Separately, proposals to extend the requirement for seat belts to be fitted in all new vehicles, except for city buses used in stage stop routes, have been developed at EU level. When the directive is adopted, all new school buses being registered from a future date will require to be fitted with seat belts. It is not expected that this directive will provide for any mandatory retrofitting of seat belts in existing buses.
120 Dr. Cowley asked the Minister for Education and Science the reason she has decided to reduce a three teacher school (details supplied) in County Mayo to a two teacher school; if she will overturn this decision and take steps to ensure the continuation of this school. [19779/05]
778 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Education and Science if a teacher will not be removed from a school (details supplied) in County Mayo for one year. [19849/05]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 120 and 778 together.
The staffing of a primary school is determined by reference to the enrolment of the school on 30 September of the previous school year and by reference to a staffing schedule. This staffing schedule is outlined in primary Circular 15/05 which issued to all primary schools recently. This is in line with guidelines agreed between my Department and the education partners.
In the current school year the mainstream staffing of the school referred to by the Deputy comprises of a principal and two mainstream class teaching posts. This is based on an enrolment of 50 pupils at 30 September 2003.
The mainstream staffing of the school for the 2005-06 school year will consist of a principal and one mainstream class teaching post. This is based on an enrolment of 45 pupils at 30 September 2004.
To ensure openness and transparency in the system an independent appeals board is now in place to decide on any appeals. The criteria under which an appeal can be made are set out in Department primary Circular 19/02.
The board of management of the school has submitted an appeal to the staffing appeals board. The appeal will be considered by the appeals board at a meeting which is scheduled to take place on 14 June. The board of management will be notified of the outcome of the appeal as soon as possible thereafter.
I am sure the Deputy will appreciate that it would not be appropriate for me to intervene in the operation of the independent appeals board.
121 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of pupils who enrolled in junior infants in ordinary classes in September 2004; the breakdown of the ages of the pupils involved; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19777/05]
Completed data are not available for the current school year because a number of outstanding queries on returns from a small number of schools must be resolved before the current primary census is finalised.
I will forward the information sought directly to the Deputy as soon as it is available.
122 Mr. Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of parents who applied for a place in a Lucan primary school and who have been forced to send their children elsewhere in September 2005. [19765/05]
It is important to understand that my Department's main responsibility is to ensure that schools in an area can, between them, cater for all pupils seeking places. This may result in parents not obtaining a place in the school of their first choice for their child.
There are ten primary schools in the Lucan area including two new state of the art multi-denominational schools and a new Gaelscoil due to commence operation in September 2005. These developments, together with a number of extensions to existing schools, the provision of temporary accommodation and the reorganisation of one school to enable the enrolment of an additional two junior infant classes, has increased capacity significantly in the area. Through a combination of these measures, the school planning section of my Department is satisfied that, between them, the schools have adequate accommodation to cater for current demand.
My Department continues to monitor school needs in the Lucan area. In this regard all schools have been requested to submit their pre-enrolment lists with the date of birth of prospective pupils so that any newly emerging needs can be addressed as expeditiously as possible.
123 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for Education and Science the total number of persons who have made compensation applications to the Residential Institutions Redress Board at the latest date for which figures are available; the way in which the number of applications compares with the original estimate made by her Department; the latest estimate of the number of applications; the total amount paid out in awards to date and the estimated likely total liability of the State; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19671/05]
The Residential Institutions Redress Board is an independent body established under statute in December 2002 to provide financial redress to persons who, as children, were abused while resident in industrial schools, reformatories or other institutions that were subject to State regulation or inspection.
To date, the board has received 6,300 applications and has processed some 3,277 of these cases at a total cost of approximately €253 million.
The board has prepared its second annual report which covers the period 1 January 2004 to 31 December 2004. This report was laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas on 13 April 2005 and is available on the board's website at www.rirb.ie. In its 2004 report, the board states that, based on the pattern of receipt of applications to date, it anticipates receiving between 7,500 and 8,000 applications by the final date for receipt of applications on 15 December 2005, though it emphasises that this is a tentative estimate.
The redress scheme has now been in operation for almost two and a half years, and the board will continue to accept applications until 15 December 2005. At that stage, it will be possible to determine the total number of applications under the scheme but, as it will take the board some considerable time to deal with all applications, the final cost of the scheme may not be known until some time in 2007. Based on the total number of applications the redress board expects to receive up to the end of this year, and allowing for legal and administration costs, the estimated total cost of the scheme will be somewhere in the region of €680 million and €730 million.
The Department of Education and Science's estimate prior to the establishment of the redress board was that the amount of compensation would be €508 million, not including legal and administration costs. Including legal and administration costs, the cost of awards under this estimate would be €610 million.
I should add that the final cost of the redress scheme must be viewed in the context of the Government's concern to provide reasonable compensation towards the hurt and suffering experienced by victims of abuse and the very substantial costs that would have been incurred in any event if no such scheme had been established and if cases had been processed in the normal manner through the courts.
125 Mr. Neville asked the Minister for Education and Science the manner in which the general allocation system is being introduced for children with special educational needs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19721/05]
As the Deputy is aware, a new scheme for allocating resource teachers to schools to cater for the needs of children with high-incidence special needs and learning support needs was announced last month. The reason for the new scheme is simple. Children with special needs such as dyslexia or mild learning difficulties are found in almost every school. It makes sense then that every school should have a number of resource teaching hours based on the number of pupils in the school.
This is a major improvement on the previous system, under which children with high incidence special needs required a psychological assessment before they were given resource teaching hours by the Department. This was a time-consuming process that often led to delays in children getting the support they needed. Resource teachers will now be in place in the school from the start of the school year so that children who need their assistance can get it straight away.
Under the new arrangement disadvantaged schools, boys schools and mixed schools get extra resources, as research shows that pupils in these schools are more likely to have learning difficulties.
To ensure that every school has enough resource teaching hours to meet the needs of its pupils, an extra 660 resource teaching posts are being put in place for next September. A total of 340 of these are permanent posts and 320 are temporary posts being provided to ensure that children who had been given an individual allocation of resource teaching hours by my Department will keep these in situations where the general allocation to the school would not be sufficient to allow the school to provide these hours from within its general allocation.
The provision of these temporary posts will ensure that no child who has been allocated a specific number of hours with a resource teacher by my Department will lose these under these new arrangements. In fact, the reality is that the majority of schools are gaining resource teaching hours under the new scheme.
Addressing the concerns of small and rural schools was, as the Deputy will be aware, the reason why I initiated a review of the original general allocation model which had been announced last year, to come into effect in the 2005-06 school year. Following this review, a special improved ratio for small schools has been introduced to ensure that they are given resource teaching hours on a more favourable basis.
I would like to stress that despite misleading claims to the contrary, the new scheme does not prevent schools from giving one-to-one time with a resource teacher to any child who needs such support. Rather, it ensures that each school has enough resources to ensure that each child gets a level of support appropriate to their individual needs.
The school can then use its professional judgement to decide how these hours are divided between different children in the school to ensure that all their needs are met. Research shows that some children with special needs will respond better with one-to-one tuition. Others, however, do better when taught in small groups. Often it is best for resource teachers to work with children in the classroom rather than taking them away to a separate room, as the children then have to catch up work done by the rest of the class in their absence. The point is that the type of response needed depends on the child. While the new scheme will not prevent schools from giving one-to-one time with the resource teacher to children that need it, it is important to note that one-to-one teaching is not the best option for every child.
I am grateful to the Minister for Finance for providing me with the resources to ensure that the new system could be put in place.
As of next September there will be over 5,000 teachers in our primary schools working directly with children with special needs, including those requiring learning support. This compares to under 1,500 in 1998. Indeed, one out of every five primary school teachers is now working specifically with children with special needs.
The Government, and I as Minister for Education and Science, are deeply committed to improving services for children with special needs. I believe that, in addition to the massive increase in resource teachers in recent years, the introduction of this new general allocation scheme will ensure a faster and more flexible response for children with special needs.
126 Mr. Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Education and Science the reason Government spending of €160 million on information and communications technology in schools is only half that of Northern Ireland; if there are plans to increase investment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19766/05]
In respect of the funding being provided for ICT in our schools, it is important to note the significant developments in recent years and the fact that a major project is under way at present to bring broadband connectivity to all recognised schools. This project is being undertaken in partnership with industry, following the establishment of a three year joint Government-IBEC-TIF fund. Combining Government and industry investment means that Irish schools benefit from more expenditure than just that which is being provided from Exchequer funds.
The broadband connectivity is being provided via a schools national broadband network supported by HEAnet, which will provide managed Internet access, e-mail, security controls and other services designed to enhance the educational process. A broadband support service is being provided by the NCTE to assist schools with advice and information relating to the roll-out and ongoing use of their broadband connectivity within the schools network.
The provision of always-on high speed Internet access for schools represents a major development in the ICT in schools programme to integrate technology into teaching and learning and equip our young people for full participation in the information society.
The roll-out of broadband to schools will enable them to capitalise on the potential that other significant Government investment in IT infrastructure and ICT training for teachers in recent years has to improve learning opportunities.
127 Ms B. Moynihan-Cronin asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of schools at primary level and secondary level inspected by the Health and Safety Authority in each of the past five years; the number of cases in which adverse findings were made by the inspectors; the steps she is taking to ensure that all schools are brought up to an acceptable level and that such inspections be no longer required; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19668/05]
144 Ms Burton asked the Minister for Education and Science the steps she intends to take to deal with the intolerable conditions in a number of primary schools identified in the recent report from the Health and Safety Authority; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19654/05]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 127 and 144 together.
In accordance with the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 1989, it is the responsibility of school management authorities to have a safety statement in place in their schools. Schools are obliged to identify possible hazards, assess the risks to health and safety and to put appropriate safeguards in place.
It is open to school management authorities or individuals to make direct contact with the Health and Safety Authority in relation to matters of concern to them and the Department would not necessarily be aware of such communications. Where they are issued, notifications from the Health and Safety Authority are sent to the management authorities of schools in the first instance.
In practical terms, individual school authorities are best placed to assess the detail of their own health and safety requirements.
Provision is built into the school building programme to enable schools address urgent health and safety problems. Primary schools are given an annual allocation, currently amounting to €3,809 plus €12.70 per pupil, under the grant scheme for minor works which can be used entirely at the discretion of school management to address basic health and safety issues relating to school infrastructure.
The summer works scheme was introduced during 2004 which provides capital grants for small scale refurbishment works at primary and post-primary schools. The level of funding that is provided is based on the cost estimate provided by the school's design team at application stage. Responsibility for the delivery of the projects is entirely devolved out to the schools and their design teams. The scope of works covered under this scheme is intended to address health and safety issues in all schools as well as improvement works to the existing fabric of the buildings.
A total of €31 million was spent in 2004 on 292 primary projects and 158 post-primary projects under this scheme. The 2005 programme provides for 380 primary school projects and 234 post-primary school projects that will be grant-aided at a total cost of approximately €64.4 million.
The Department also sets aside a contingency sum each year to deal with emergency works in primary and post-primary schools, including health and safety works. Urgently required health and safety works relating to asbestos removal, radon mitigation or dust extraction may be grant-aided under the remediation programmes operated by the school building section of my Department.
In addition to the summer works scheme, I have made a number of announcements regarding the 2005 schools building and modernisation programme. This year alone, €270 million will be allocated to primary schools and €223 million to post-primary schools for building works. This represents an increase of 14% on the 2004 allocation.
The programmes supported will include: 141 major building projects already on site and more due to go on site in the near future; 122 major school building projects country wide which will go to tender and construction during 2005 or early 2006; 192 primary schools which have been invited to take part in the small and rural schools initiative and the devolved scheme for providing additional accommodation; up to 120 schools which have been given approval to rent temporary premises pending delivery of a permanent solution to their long-term accommodation needs; 43 schools which have been authorised to start architectural planning of their major projects; and 124 schools to progress through architectural planning.
The new schools building and modernisation programme 2005-2009 will be underpinned not just by a significant increase in overall funding but also by major improvements in the administration of the funding. Devolving more funding to local level through the summer works scheme and the small and rural schools initiative will allow schools to move ahead more quickly with smaller projects.
129 Mr. J. O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Education and Science the recommendations of the McIver report progressed to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19726/05]
The McIver report on the PLC sector contains 21 over-arching recommendations, incorporating over 90 sub-recommendations.
Having regard to the number and scope of the recommendations in the report, consultations have been held with management and staff interests with regard to such issues as the prioritisation of recommendations, the structural changes envisaged in the report, their implications and associated costs.
The Department has made it clear that the recommendations of the PLC review cannot be dealt with in isolation and will have to be considered in the light of the totality of provision for further and adult education. This will require a realignment of the structures that have evolved in a pragmatic fashion to cater for particular needs at a given time. Initial discussions with the management side have been concluded and a joint meeting with management and staff representatives has been scheduled for later this month.
130 Ms Burton asked the Minister for Education and Science the circumstances in which non-approved colleges and courses appeared on her Department’s website; the colleges or courses that have now been removed; the steps she is taking to ensure that such errors do not occur again; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19653/05]
My Department's website, to which the Deputy refers, contains a provisional list of courses which are approved by me in the context of allowing students from outside the European economic area and Switzerland access to the labour market.
My Department has recently commenced the compilation of a register of courses which meet criteria in relation to duration and quality. The register is now being used by the Garda National Immigration Bureau for the purpose of issuing work permits to eligible students. This register of courses is being updated on a monthly basis. New courses will be added and there will also be deletions from the register where courses are no longer found to meet the criteria.
Following a review of the register during May 2005, three courses which had been included in April were removed from the register in the light of new information received by my Department; 536 new programmes were added to the register in the same period.
I intend that the present arrangements, which are provisional, will operate until March 2006 when they will be reviewed pending emerging developments in relation to the implementation of the Report on the Internationalisation of Irish Education Services.
131 Mr. Deasy asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of leaving certificate students who gain exemptions from the need to take the Irish examination; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19746/05]
In the 2004-05 school year 2,951 leaving certificate pupils have gained an exemption from the study of Irish. The number of pupils exempt from the study of Irish fluctuates annually depending on pupils applying who meet the criteria as set down by my Department.
My Department has issued guidelines in relation to the granting of exemptions from the study of Irish to primary and post-primary schools.
My Department's guidelines in relation to an exemption from Irish at post-primary level are outlined at rule 46 of the Rules and Programmes for Secondary Schools and circular letter M10/94.
Under the terms of this circular, my Department has delegated authority to the principals of second level schools to grant the exemptions provided that the pupil meets the criteria as set down.
Exemptions may be granted by school authorities for pupils whose primary education up to 11 years of age was received in Northern Ireland or outside Ireland; pupils who were previously enrolled as recognised pupils in a primary school or second level school who are being re-enrolled after a period spent abroad, provided that at least three years have elapsed since the previous enrolment in the State and the pupil is at least 11 years of age on re-enrolment; certain categories of pupils with special educational needs as set out in Circular M10/94; or pupils from abroad, who have no understanding of English, when enrolled.
132 Mr. Coveney asked the Minister for Education and Science the amount spent by her Department on the provision of prefabricated buildings at secondary level for the 2004-05 academic year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19702/05]
My Department's records are held on a calendar year basis rather than by academic year and the information which I am providing reflects that position.
Since the start of 2004 my Department has spent €5,529,738 on the purchase of prefabricated buildings at post-primary level. This expenditure was for the supply and installation of the prefabricated buildings including associated site works and other related costs such as compliance with planning permission conditions, professional fees, connections for water, electricity and sewage.
The total expenditure for 2004 and 2005 on post-primary school buildings is €386 million and the expenditure on the purchase of prefabricated buildings represents less that 1.5% of the overall outlay.
In addition to the expenditure on the purchase of prefabricated buildings my Department also provided €129,457 on the refurbishment of prefabricated buildings and €77,427 on the rental of prefabricated buildings in 2004 at post-primary level.
133 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Education and Science if she has resolved the issues of persons (details supplied) who wish to retain the right to send their children to a school in County Wexford; if her attention has been drawn to the fact that there is room in the school for the children concerned; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19651/05]
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 the 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.
134 Ms B. Moynihan-Cronin asked the Minister for Education and Science the timetable for meeting the commitment on class sizes given in An Agreed Programme for Government within the lifetime of this administration; if she will put in place the steps needed to ensure the recruitment of the additional teachers and the provision of the extra classrooms required; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19667/05]
768 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Education and Science the steps she is taking to deliver on the commitment in the programme for Government to introduce class sizes of 20 pupils to one teacher; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19790/05]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 134 and 768 together.
Significant improvements have been made in the pupil teacher ratio and in average class size in recent years. The average class size at primary level is now 23.9, down from 26.6 in 1996-97. The pupil teacher ratio, which includes all the teachers including resource teachers, has fallen from 22.2:1 in the 1996-97 school year to 17.44:1 in 2003-04. Over 4,000 additional teachers have been employed in our primary schools since 1997. In allocating teaching posts regard has been had to the commitments of the Government to reduce class size, tackle educational disadvantage and to provide additional resources for pupils with special educational needs. The additional teaching posts created since 1997 have been deployed to address all of these priorities.
The Deputies will be aware that a review of the allocation system of teaching support for pupils with special educational needs was recently completed. Arising from that review a new model has been introduced to replace that which was notified to schools in June 2004. The introduction of this new system will involve the provision of an estimated additional 340 permanent posts in primary schools from September next. A further 320 posts are being provided on a temporary basis to facilitate the transition to the new system and to ensure continuity of service for children who have previously been given an individual allocation until those children leave the primary school system. The new system will greatly benefit schools and the children in schools that need additional support.
The Deputies will also be aware of the new action plan for educational inclusion, DEIS — Delivering Equality of Opportunity in Schools — which I launched recently. This action plan will result in reduced class sizes in schools serving the most disadvantaged communities to 24:1 at senior level and 20:1 at junior level. In line with Government policy, my Department will continue to provide further reductions in the pupil teacher ratio, with priority given to pupils with special needs, those from disadvantaged areas and those in junior classes.
Each year my Department decides on the number of places to be provided on the teacher training programmes, both in respect of school leavers and post graduate applicants, in the colleges of education having regard to the projected demand for qualified primary teachers. This process will continue in the future.
Any requirement for additional accommodation arising from the creation of additional teaching posts will be considered in the context of the school building and modernisation programme.
135 Mr. O’Shea asked the Minister for Education and Science if she has finalised the institutions to be added to the list under the Residential Institutions Redress Act 2002; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19670/05]
Section 4 of the Residential Institutions Redress Act 2002 enables additional institutions, in which children were placed and resident and in respect of which a public body had a regulatory or inspection function, to be added to 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 in the Schedule. Accordingly, 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.
On 9 November 2004, I signed an order which provided for the inclusion of 13 additional institutions in the Schedule.
Further consultations are taking place in relation to a number of institutions and the position in relation to these institutions will be considered shortly.
136 Mr. P. Breen asked the Minister for Education and Science if her Department will bring forward a policy on the use of mobile phones in schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19725/05]
In accordance with the Education Act 1998, individual school authorities are responsible for the day-to-day running of schools. It is a matter for each school authority to establish rules on what is and is not acceptable for students to do while on the school premises, provided that those rules are lawful, fair and reasonable.
The National Centre for Technology in Education, in its advice sheet for schools on mobile phones, recommends that the management of mobile phone use by students should be incorporated into the school's ICT plan and acceptable use policy.
138 Mr. Broughan asked the Minister for Education and Science if her attention has been drawn to the concern expressed at the launch of the National Education Welfare Board’s first strategic plan that the development of the board’s work had been inhibited by a lack of funding; the steps being taken to provide the board with the resources to discharge all its duties, including the appointment of education welfare officers in all counties; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19656/05]
The Education (Welfare) Act 2000 established the National Educational Welfare Board as the single national body with responsibility for school attendance. The Act provides a comprehensive framework promoting regular school attendance and tackling the problems of absenteeism and early school leaving. The general functions of the board are to ensure that each child attends a recognised school or otherwise receives a certain minimum education. The priority I attach to supporting the NEWB in delivering on this goal is evident from the fact that the budget allocated to the NEWB for 2005 is up by 20% on the 2004 allocation to nearly €8 million.
To discharge its responsibilities, the board is developing a nationwide service accessible to schools, parents-guardians and others concerned with the welfare of young people. For this purpose, educational welfare officers or EWOs are being appointed and deployed throughout the country to provide a welfare-focused service to support regular school attendance and to discharge the board's functions locally.
The service is developing on a continuing basis and the board received sanction in late 2004 from my Department to recruit an additional ten educational welfare officers. This brings its total authorised staffing complement to 94, comprising 16 headquarters and support staff, five regional managers, 11 senior educational welfare officers and 62 educational welfare officers. These additional posts will ensure that every county will have an educational welfare service. I understand the board is in the process of filling 13 positions arising from the current recruitment process, including one senior educational welfare officer post and 12 educational welfare officer posts. The intention of the board is to have the positions filled prior to the commencement of the next school year.
To date, the board has focused the resources available to it on providing a service to the most disadvantaged areas and most at risk groups. Five regional teams have now 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.
The board issued an information leaflet to 330,000 families and 4,000 schools in March 2004. The leaflet targeted parents and guardians of children aged between six and 16 years of age and young people aged 16 and 17 who have left school early to start work. It outlined the role parents and guardians play in ensuring that their children do not miss out on education and training and also gave information about the National Educational Welfare Board. In addition, the board launched a new lo-call telephone number to inform parents and guardians about their legal role and responsibilities under the Education (Welfare) Act 2000.
Guidelines were issued by the NEWB to all primary and second level schools in January of this year on reporting student absences. The guidelines provide step-by-step advice on how and when school attendance returns should be made and on how a new website established by the NEWB can be used by schools to comply with their legal obligations to report student absences to the board.
The NEWB collated the first hard data on school attendance nationally during the summer of 2004. The data revealed the level of non-school attendance in Ireland for the first time. Two core themes were immediately apparent from the data, namely, that absenteeism is prevalent throughout the country and it is significantly worse in disadvantaged areas. Under the terms of the Education (Welfare) Act 2000, one of the functions of the board is to conduct and commission research into the reasons for non-attendance on the part of students and into the strategies and programmes designed to prevent it. The board is in the process of establishing two research projects in 2005, one of which will focus on an analysis of student absenteeism returns.
The first assessments of children being educated in places other than in recognised schools, for example, the home, have been carried out by authorised persons specially trained for the work. By the end of March 2005, 40 children had been registered as being in receipt of a "certain minimum education". Assessments have also taken place in a number of independent schools and these children will also be registered. I understand the board issued the first school attendance notices or SANs to parents in March 2005. SANs are legal notices requiring the parent to send the child to a named school for a specified period of time. They are the first step in taking legal action against parents who have failed over time to co-operate with educational welfare officers to ensure that their children attend school and where the board considers that parents could do more to uphold their children's right to an education.
I will keep the issue of the NEWB's staffing under review in the light of the roll-out of services and any further proposals the board may put to me on clearly identified priority needs.
139 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for Education and Science the provisions she is putting in place to cater for the projected increase in the student population in the years ahead; if she will publish the report prepared by her officials on this subject; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19672/05]
My Department takes account of projected changes in population when identifying requirements for future educational provision. It is my intention to make the latest projections publicly available shortly.
140 Mr. Costello asked the Minister for Education and Science her plans to try to relocate almost 70 special needs assistants with a view to retaining their experience within the educational sector in regard to the decision to dispense with the services of same from summer 2005; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19657/05]
Special needs assistants or SNAs are assigned to schools to meet the care needs of individual children who have been assessed by a psychologist as needing this type of support. There has been no change to the criteria or guidelines for allocating SNA support to schools and I further confirm that there are no plans to review the criteria or guidelines under which SNA support is allocated. Applications for SNA support are now dealt with by the National Council for Special Education which processes all applications for support from schools and communicates the decisions directly to the schools.
However, to ensure that resources are used in the most effective manner, a review has been conducted in recent months to establish whether primary schools have the level of SNA support they need for children in their care, whether they have resources they no longer need or whether they need extra resources. The review has found that some schools no longer have the care needs for which the SNA was originally sanctioned, that is, in some cases the child may have left the school, while in other cases the care needs of the child have diminished as the child has progressed through the school. In this regard, the schools where surplus SNA support was identified have been advised that they may retain this surplus until the end of the current school year.
My Department is engaged in discussions with the trade union representing SNAs, under the auspices of the Labour Relations Commission, on a number of issues relating to the employment of SNAs, including the matters raised by the Deputy. In the circumstances it would not be appropriate for me to comment specifically on any of these matters. It has always been the case that where the care needs of a child no longer justify SNA support, that support should no longer have been available to the school.
The Deputy will be aware that this Government has put in place an unprecedented level of support for children with special needs. Since 1998 the number of SNAs has increased from under 300 to nearly 6,000 nationally. In addition, more effective systems, such as the establishment of the National Council for Special Education, have been put in place to ensure that children get support as early as possible.
141 Mr. S. Ryan asked the Minister for Education and Science if her attention has been drawn to the call made by the Irish language commissioner, Mr. Seán Ó Cuirreáin, for a review of Irish language education in primary and secondary schools; her response to this call; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19678/05]
The recent report of the Irish Language Commissioner highlighted the fact that despite appreciable time devoted to Irish in the school system many students emerge from primary and post-primary education without achieving a reasonable command of the language. Particular concerns were raised about students' command of the spoken language. While I accept that the standard of oral Irish in particular of many of our young people is not as it should be, it is important to note that significant efforts have been made by my Department in recent years to improve standards in the teaching and learning of Irish in our schools.
The revised Irish language programme at primary level places a strong emphasis on oral Irish. This programme, which has been implemented in all schools since September 2003 and which is supported by extensive in-service training by the primary curriculum support programme, should bring significant improvement to the standard of spoken Irish over time. This development at primary level complemented similar curricular changes at second level where syllabus reform is ongoing.
Significant improvements are being made in terms of the provision of materials and resources for the teaching of Irish. An Chomhairle um Oideachas Gaeltachta agus Gaelscolaíochta has been established to progress this area and to provide support services for schools. Funding has been provided to An Chomhairle to support this task and I know this is an area that will need further work. Evaluations by my Department's inspectorate of the teaching and learning of Irish in our schools provide useful analysis to underpin future policy making in this area.
The inspectorate in its 2002 publication, "50 School Reports — What Inspectors Say", has reported that the teaching of Irish is good in the majority of primary schools with the strongest aspects being the teaching of reading, poetry and writing. However, oral language attainment is generally poor despite considerable time being devoted to this aspect of Irish. This resonates with a view expressed by the Coimisinéir Teanga that insufficient attention is given to the use of Irish as a medium of communication in lessons taught. The Coimisinéir Teanga has pointed to other issues which I will consider in the context of developing ongoing policy responses.
At post-primary level, subject inspection reports indicate that inspectors regularly observe a good standard in the teaching and learning of Irish and that students demonstrate a good knowledge of texts being studied. However, there is concern that Irish is not used as the language of instruction in many classes, that Irish is taught through English in a significant number of classrooms and that the level of exemptions from Irish is too high.
My Department is currently engaged in a number of evaluation activities relating to the teaching and learning of Irish. These include a focused evaluation of Irish in 45 primary schools and an evaluation of the teaching and learning of Irish in the junior cycle in 75 post-primary schools. Both of these evaluations will be completed in 2005 and reports will be published subsequently. A report on standards of Irish in sixth class in primary schools is being prepared by Dr. John Harris and will be finalised later in 2005. This report will look at changes in pupil achievement levels between the years 1985 and 2003.
Also, at the request of my Department the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment or NCCA is carrying out a review of languages in the post-primary curriculum. This will include Irish. I am confident the reports will both inform us of good practice within the system and point to areas requiring improvement.
The inspectorate of my Department, on foot of a major review of Irish language policies carried out in the Department last year, has recently prepared an internal report for policy discussion regarding areas where further improvements could be made. The Coimisinéir Teanga, along with other interest groups, contributed to that process. It is important to note that the issue of promoting the Irish language is not one that can be advanced by schools alone. Societal attitudes to the Irish language certainly impact on students' desire to learn it.
This Government has demonstrated a clear commitment to promoting our national language. It is hoped the continuing initiatives in education, along with the increased emphasis on the use of Irish in the Official Languages Act, will in time create a positive climate whereby students will realise the value of learning our native language and, as a consequence, language competence will prosper.
143 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of further education places to be agreed for the 2005-2006 academic year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19727/05]
The full-time programmes within the further education sector that are funded by my Department and managed and delivered by the vocational education committees are Youthreach, senior Traveller training programmes, the vocational training opportunities scheme and post-leaving certificate courses. In excess of 39,000 places will be provided on these programmes in 2005-06. This comprises in the region of 30,000 places on post-leaving certificate programmes, 5,000 places on the vocational training opportunities scheme, over 3,200 places on the Youthreach programme and almost 1,100 places on senior Traveller training programmes. In addition, 7,000 places will be available for part-time further and adult education options under the Back to Education initiative, catering for over 15,000 adults. Grants are provided to VECs for adult literacy and community education. The adult literacy programme caters for approximately 30,000 participants per annum.
145 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Education and Science the plans in place to invest in strategic research and development at third level to help ensure that Ireland has security of energy production in all forms by 2012 as oil production begins to peak, prices start to rise sharply and economic systems come under strain (details supplied). [19763/05]
The Deputy may be aware that the policy issues associated with renewable energy sources are matters for my colleague, the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources. A dedicated agency, Sustainable Energy Ireland or SEI was established under the aegis of his Department for the purpose of addressing these issues, including the commissioning of appropriate research.
However, my Department, through the programme for research in third level institutions or PRTLI has provided for the establishment of a number of centres which, inter alia, conduct research in this area. These include the Environment Research Institute in University College Cork, the Urban Institute in University College Dublin and the Environmental Change Institute in University College Galway. In addition, both the institutes of technology and the Irish Research Council for Science, Engineering and Technology may, from time to time, commission individual researchers to undertake projects on the issue identified by the Deputy.
As regards investment in research, a team of international experts recently undertook an impact assessment on PRTLI. It noted the positive impact of the programme on higher education institutions and the valuable contribution it made to the national research effort. The Higher Education Authority is currently engaged in a series of consultations with stakeholders on the development of a successor programme.
146 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science if her attention has been drawn to the concerns of parents, teachers and school management authorities at the prospect of proposed changes in the allocation of special needs teaching assistants at various schools throughout the country; if her attention has been drawn to the need to retain in full and enhance the availability of teaching assistants to an even greater degree with particular reference to areas of social or economic deprivation; if she will give an undertaking that no school will be detrimentally affected by any such changes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19774/05]
As the Deputy is aware, a new scheme for allocating resource teachers to schools to cater for the needs of children with high-incidence special needs and learning support needs was announced last month. The reason for the new scheme is simple. Children with special needs, such as dyslexia or mild learning difficulties, are found in almost every school. It makes sense then that every school should have a number of resource teaching hours based on the number of pupils in the school.
This is a major improvement on the previous system under which children with high incidence special needs required a psychological assessment before they were given resource teaching hours by the Department. This was a time-consuming process that often led to delays in children getting the support they needed. Resource teachers will now be in place in the school from the start of the school year so that children who need their assistance can get it straight away.
Under the new arrangement disadvantaged schools, boys schools and mixed schools get extra resources, as research shows that pupils in these schools are more likely to have learning difficulties. To ensure that every school has enough resource teaching hours to meet the needs of its pupils, an extra 660 resource teaching posts are being put in place for next September. Some 340 of these are permanent posts and 320 are temporary posts being provided to ensure that children who had been given an individual allocation of resource teaching hours by my Department will keep these in situations where the general allocation to the school would not be sufficient to allow the school to provide these hours from within its general allocation. The provision of these temporary posts will ensure that no child who has been allocated a specific number of hours with a resource teacher by my Department will lose these under these new arrangements.
The majority of schools are gaining resource teaching hours under the new scheme. Addressing the concerns of small and rural schools was, as the Deputy will be aware, the reason I initiated a review of the original general allocation model which had been announced last year to come into effect in the 2005-06 school year. Following this review, a special improved ratio for small schools has been introduced to ensure that they are given resource teaching hours on a more favourable basis.
Despite misleading claims to the contrary, the new scheme does not prevent schools from giving one-to-one time with a resource teacher to any child who needs such support. Rather, it ensures that each school has enough resources to ensure that each child gets a level of support appropriate to their individual needs. The school can then use its professional judgment to decide how these hours are divided between different children in the school to ensure that all their needs are met.
Research shows that some children with special needs will respond better with one-to-one tuition. Others, however, do better when taught in small groups. Often it is best for resource teachers to work with children in the classroom rather than taking them away to a separate room, as the children then have to catch up on work done by the rest of the class in their absence. The point is that the type of response needed depends on the child. While the new scheme will not prevent schools from giving one-to-one time with the resource teacher to children that need it, it is important to note that one-to-one teaching is not the best option for every child.
I am grateful to the Minister for Finance for providing me with the resources to ensure that the new system could be put in place. As of next September there will be more than 5,000 teachers in our primary schools working directly with children with special needs, including those requiring learning support. This compares to under 1,500 in 1998. One out of every five primary school teachers is now working specifically with children with special needs.
The Government and I, as Minister for Education and Science, are deeply committed to improving services for children with special needs. In addition to the massive increase in resource teachers in recent years, the introduction of this new general allocation scheme will ensure a faster and more flexible response for children with special needs.
150 Mr. Bruton asked the Taoiseach the population in each of the 18 Dublin Garda districts at the last census. [18945/05]
The information requested by the Deputy is contained in the following table:
|
Garda District |
Population 2002 |
|
|
1000F |
Pearse Street |
17,972 |
|
1070G |
Kevin Street |
42,505 |
|
1200K |
Donnybrook |
42,262 |
|
1300E |
Crumlin |
59,513 |
|
1372B |
Tallaght |
128,412 |
|
1470B |
Terenure |
55,273 |
|
1500H |
Santry |
55,595 |
|
1530L |
Coolock |
110,594 |
|
1570K |
Raheny |
86,504 |
|
1700M |
Blanchardstown |
116,099 |
|
1710H |
Lucan |
69,292 |
|
1721C |
Clondalkin |
68,190 |
|
1800G |
Store Street |
12,485 |
|
1830K |
Fitzgibbon Street |
37,626 |
|
1870H |
Bridewell County Dublin |
23,033 |
|
1900C |
Dún Laoghaire |
72,169 |
|
1930E |
Bray |
68,658 |
|
1970D |
Blackrock County Dublin |
83,499 |
|
Total Dublin area |
1,149,681 |
151 Mr. McGuinness asked the Taoiseach the costs paid from Exchequer funds to 31 December 2004 of all commissions, inquiries and tribunals commenced since 1995 by his Department; the title of the commission, inquiry and tribunal; the estimated date of completion of same; the estimated final cost of each commission, inquiry and tribunal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18946/05]
Costs relating to the McCracken Tribunal, Dunnes payments, the Moriarty Tribunal, payments to Messrs. Haughey and Lowry, and the Independent Commission of Inquiry have been made from Exchequer funds by my Department in the period to which the Deputy refers. The total cost to 31 December 2004 for each is given in the following table:
|
Year of Appointment |
Expenditure to 31 December 2004 |
Estimated Date of Completion |
|
|
€ |
|||
|
McCracken Tribunal |
1997 |
6,655,332 |
Completed |
|
Moriarty Tribunal |
1997 |
18,643,249 |
January 2006 |
|
Independent Commission of Inquiry |
2000 |
3,063,145 |
June 2005 |
The McCracken Tribunal, Dunnes payments, was completed in 1997. The Moriarty Tribunal is expected to be completed by 11 January 2006. The estimated costs for the tribunal for 2005 amounts to €10.552 million, giving total expected costs to the end of 2005 of €29.195 million. However, €6.5 million of this estimate is to cover costs, such as report publication and some element of award of legal costs in the event that the tribunal completes its work in 2005. As regards estimated future liabilities for costs, it is impossible to predict what costs may be awarded and to whom by the sole member of the tribunal.
The Independent Commission of Inquiry is expected to conclude in June 2005. An allocation of €257,000 has been included in the 2005 Estimates to cover the work of the commission bringing final costs to the end of 2005 of €3,320,145.
152 Mr. Durkan asked the Taoiseach the number of civil and public servants on a county basis who have been relocated in accordance with the Government’s programme for decentralisation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18947/05]
Some 42 staff from my Department have applied through the central applications facility to relocate under the Government's decentralisation programme. The breakdown by county is outlined in the following table:
|
County |
Number of applicants |
|
Louth |
4 |
|
Galway |
3 |
|
Waterford |
1 |
|
Wicklow |
1 |
|
Meath |
2 |
|
Kerry |
2 |
|
Sligo |
3 |
|
Leitrim |
1 |
|
Kildare |
6 |
|
Clare |
1 |
|
Donegal |
6 |
|
Limerick |
1 |
|
Mayo |
3 |
|
Tipperary |
3 |
|
Offaly |
2 |
|
Cork |
2 |
|
Dublin |
1 |
While none of the staff from my Department has relocated as yet, the process of relocation has commenced and my Department is currently involved in transfer arrangements with other Departments on behalf of a number of our staff.
153 Mr. Allen asked the Taoiseach the most up-to-date information on his travels abroad for the St. Patrick’s Day celebrations; the persons who travelled with him in his official party; the duration of the visit; and the total cost. [19184/05]
I travelled to the United States of America on 15 March for St. Patrick's Day, returning on 18 March. My programme included visits to Syracuse, New York, Baltimore and Washington. I was accompanied by the second Secretary General of my Department, the director of the Northern Ireland division, the Government Press Secretary, special adviser, private secretary, personal assistant and security officer. The Minister for Foreign Affairs travelled separately to the US and joined me in Washington. He accompanied me on the return journey. The cost arising to my Department for the visit has not yet been finalised. It currently stands at €27,549.
154 Mr. N. O’Keeffe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if a grant of €30,000 will be approved in respect of a helpline service (details supplied) in County Cork. [19223/05]
The Deputy's question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, my Department has requested the parliamentary affairs division of the executive to arrange to have this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.
155 Mr. Quinn asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if recommendation 1117 (1989) of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe has been implemented; if not, the steps which are being taken to implement it; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19267/05]
The Minister for Foreign Affairs may also have a contribution to make on this matter.
I understand that recommendation 1117 (1989) of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe was made to the Committee of Ministers and not to the member states. I understand also that the Committee of Ministers did not adopt the recommendation directly, but did consider it important that member states keep the need for appropriate legal measures under review. The Committee of Ministers also noted with satisfaction that the European Committee on Legal Co-operation has referred this matter to the Committee of Experts on Family Law to allow for the substantive issue to be studied in detail.
156 Mr. Kehoe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children when the funding package submitted for approval from the indicative funding available to the intellectual disability services in the south east will be approved; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18970/05]
The Deputy's question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, my Department has requested the parliamentary affairs division of the Executive to arrange to have this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.
157 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the average cost for a plastic surgery operation under the national treatment purchase fund when compared to the cost of the operation under the standard Health Service Executive route. [18971/05]
158 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the average cost for cardiac surgery under the national treatment purchase fund when compared to the cost of the operation under the standard Health Service Executive route. [18972/05]
159 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the average cost for a prostate operation under the national treatment purchase fund when compared to the cost of the operation under the standard Health Service Executive route. [18973/05]
160 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the average cost for a tonsils operation under the national treatment purchase fund when compared to the cost of the operation under the standard Health Service Executive route. [18974/05]
161 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the average cost for a cataracts operation under the national treatment purchase fund when compared to the cost of the operation under the standard Health Service Executive route. [18975/05]
162 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the average cost for a varicose veins operation under the national treatment purchase fund when compared to the cost of the operation under the standard Health Service Executive route. [18976/05]
163 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the average cost for a hernia operation under the national treatment purchase fund when compared to the cost of the operation under the standard Health Service Executive route. [18977/05]
164 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the average cost for a gall bladder operation under the national treatment purchase fund when compared to the cost of the operation under the standard Health Service Executive route. [18978/05]
167 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the average cost for a hip operation under the national treatment purchase fund when compared to the cost of the operation under the standard Health Service Executive route. [18981/05]
168 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the average cost for a knee operation under the national treatment purchase fund when compared to the cost of the operation under the standard Health Service Executive route. [18982/05]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 157 to 164, inclusive, and Questions Nos. 167 and 168 together.
My Department does not maintain data on the average cost of the specific operations arranged by the national treatment purchase fund or NTPF. My Department has, therefore, asked the chief executive of the NTPF to reply directly to the Deputy with regard to the specific information requested.
165 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if the maximum assistance and support will be given to a person (details supplied) in Dublin 5 in relation to orthodontic treatment. [18979/05]
The Deputy's question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, my Department has requested the parliamentary affairs division of the executive to arrange to have this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.
166 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the annual budget for the national treatment purchase fund since it was established in 2002; the number of persons treated per HSE region; the number of persons who had to travel to the UK for treatment; the cost of the travel expenses for persons; and the average waiting time reduction for adult and child patients for each category of operation as covered by the scheme. [18980/05]
The funding allocated to the national treatment purchase fund since it was established in 2002 is as follows:
|
Year |
Funding |
|
€ million |
|
|
2002 |
5.012 |
|
2003 |
30.057 |
|
2004 |
44.000 |
|
2005 |
64.000 |
My Department has asked the chief executive of the NTPF to reply directly to the Deputy in relation to the other information requested.
169 Mr. Kehoe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if capital funding will be provided for a proposed day care project for the elderly (details supplied) in County Wexford; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18988/05]
The Deputy's question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. This includes responsibility for considering new capital proposals or progressing those in the health capital programme. Accordingly, my Department has requested the parliamentary affairs division of the executive to arrange to have this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.
170 Mr. Crawford asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children her plans to re-examine the grant available through subvention for nursing homes in view of the serious increase in energy and other running costs of the nursing homes, which are now being passed on to individuals and families; if she has satisfied herself that the present rate of subvention is sufficient; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18999/05]
The Health (Nursing Homes) Act 1990 allows for the payment of a subvention towards the cost of nursing home care based on medical and means assessments. The process used in determining a person's eligibility for subvention is set out in the Nursing Homes (Subvention) Regulations 1993.
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 proprietor, as are the fees charged by a nursing home. The subvention scheme was introduced to assist with the cost of private nursing home care and it was never intended that a subvention payment would meet the full costs of private nursing home care.
The Government is conscious of the changing demographic profile of our population, with more people living longer lives and the consequential greater demand for services, both community based and residential. The Mercer report on the future financing of long-term care in Ireland, which was commissioned by the Department of Social and Family Affairs, examined issues surrounding the financing of long-term care. Following on the publication of this report, a working group chaired by the Department of the Taoiseach and comprising senior officials from the Departments of Finance, Health and Children and Social and Family Affairs has been established.
The objective of this group is to identify the policy options for a financially sustainable system of long-term care, taking account of the Mercer report, the views of the consultation that was undertaken on that report and the review of the nursing home subvention scheme by Professor Eamon O'Shea. This group has been requested to report to both the Tánaiste and Minister for Social and Family Affairs by mid-2005.
171 Mr. Ferris asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the procedures in place to test imported foodstuffs for genetically modified content. [19020/05]
The Food Safety Authority of Ireland or FSAI is the competent authority in Ireland for the enforcement of EU legislation regarding genetically modified or GM foods. The FSAI carries out checks of the marketplace for compliance with the GM legislation. Under EU rules, only authorised GM foods or foods containing ingredients thereof can be placed on the market. New legislation which came into force in 2004 stipulates that persons wishing to place GM foods on the market must provide material and information to enable testing for specific GMOs or genetically modified organisms before they may be authorised for marketing.
The FSAI has carried out a number of surveys of the food supply chain in recent years and has employed both the State Laboratory as well as a private laboratory to carry out testing of the genetic material or DNA in a range of foods using a technique called polymerase chain reaction or PCR. One of the uses of this highly sensitive technique is to allow for the testing for the presence and sometimes the amount of a genetically modified organism or GMO present in a food. The EU Joint Research Centre, based in Ispra in Italy, has undertaken to standardise how GMOs and derived food and feed are tested using PCR and a number of tests have already been developed.
The FSAI has recently published a report on its surveillance of foods carrying GM free labels. This type of label had been identified as a potential problem in previous surveys. The results show that a small number of products with GM free labels contained low levels of GM ingredients. The FSAI is following up on this matter with the companies concerned. In addition, a number of foods with GM free labels had no ingredients that could be from a GM source, which meant that such labels in those cases were merely a marketing tool rather than for consumer information.
172 Mr. Bruton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if certain anti-sickness drugs used by cancer patients including a medication (details supplied) have been removed from cover under the GMS system; the reason this change has been made; and her assessment of the impact on patients for whom this medication has been recommended. [19021/05]
There is a common list of reimbursable medicines for the general medical services and drug payment schemes. This list ensures equity between the schemes in relation to the range of medicines paid for by the State. The list is reviewed and amended monthly, as new products become available and deletions are notified.
For an item to be included on the common list, it must comply with a published list of criteria. These include authorisation status, where appropriate, price and, in certain cases, the intended use of the product. In addition, the product should ordinarily be supplied to the public only by medical prescription and should not be advertised or promoted to the public.
There is an agreement in place between my Department, the Irish Pharmaceutical Healthcare Association and the Association of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers of Ireland on the supply terms, conditions and prices of medicines supplied to the health services, including the general medical services, other community drug schemes, the Health Service Executive and hospitals. One of the conditions of the agreement is that the price to the wholesaler of each item of medicine covered by the agreement may not be increased for the term of the agreement.
The manufacturer of the product referred to by the Deputy applied to my Department for a price increase in December 2003, which was refused. The product was subsequently removed from the list of reimbursable drugs and medicines at the manufacturer's request. However, because of the indications for which this product is prescribed, my Department reviewed the matter and agreed to grant the price increase requested by the manufacturer. My Department is now awaiting receipt of an up-to-date product authorisation from the company concerned. As soon as this is received, the product will be restored to the common list of reimbursable drugs and medicines. A medical cardholder who experiences financial difficulty in obtaining items not on the common list should approach the relevant Health Service Executive area for assistance.
173 Mr. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if she has issued instructions in regard to the provision of extra beds in Naas General Hospital; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19022/05]
The Health Act 2004 provided for the Health Service Executive, which was established on 1 January 2005. Under the Act, the executive has the responsibility to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. This includes responsibility for the provision of services at Naas General Hospital. My Department has not issued instructions to the HSE in relation to the provision of extra beds at the hospital.
174 Mr. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children when a medical card will issue in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Meath; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19023/05]
The Deputy's question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, my Department has requested the parliamentary affairs division of the executive to arrange to have this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.
175 Mr. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children when a nursing home subvention or home help will be awarded to a person (details supplied) in County Meath; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19024/05]
The Deputy's question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, my Department has requested the parliamentary affairs division of the executive to arrange to have this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.
176 Mr. Kehoe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the current entitlement a 14 year old medical card holder has in terms of orthodontic treatment; if it is the policy of her Department not to treat medical card holders in the area of orthodontics if they have extra teeth that need to be removed in order for orthodontics work to be carried out; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19025/05]
The Deputy's question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, my Department has requested the parliamentary affairs division of the executive to arrange to have this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.
177 Mr. Bruton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if her attention has been drawn to the fact that if a person’s income exceeds the non-contributory old age pension by a margin of 20% plus the current maximum subvention level of €190, he or she is deemed too wealthy to qualify for even €1 of support towards the cost of private nursing home care and cannot apply for the hardship provision under which enhanced subvention can be paid; and the way in which this income ceiling compares to the current estimate of the average cost of private nursing home care. [19042/05]
178 Mr. Bruton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children when the three different levels of maximum nursing home subvention were first set; her estimate of the inflation in the cost of private nursing home care in the intervening period; and the present value of these subvention levels had they been indexed in line with rising costs. [19043/05]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 177 and 178 together.
The Nursing Home (Subvention) Regulations came into effect in 1993, at which time the rates of subvention were £70, £95 and £120 per week for medium, high and maximum dependency, respectively. The current three rates of subvention payable are €114.30, €152.40 and €190.50, which came into effect in April 2001. It should be noted that the nursing home subvention scheme was introduced to financially assist those in private nursing home care and was never intended to cover the entire cost.
The HSE may pay more than the maximum rate of subvention relative to an individual's level of dependency in a case, for example, where personal funds are exhausted. The application of the scheme in an individual case is a matter for the HSE in the context of meeting increasing demands for subvention, subject to the provisions of the Health Act 2004. The average rate of subvention paid by the HSE generally exceeds the current approved basic rates.
The Government is conscious of the changing demographic profile of our population, with more people living longer lives and the consequential greater demand for services, both community based and residential. The Mercer report on the future financing of long-term care in Ireland, which was commissioned by the Department of Social and Family Affairs, examined issues surrounding the financing of long-term care. Following on the publication of this report, a working group chaired by the Department of the Taoiseach and comprising senior officials from the Departments of Finance, Health and Children and Social and Family Affairs has been established.
The objective of this group is to identify the policy options for a financially sustainable system of long-term care, taking account of the Mercer report, the views of the consultation that was undertaken on that report and the review of the nursing home subvention scheme by Professor Eamon O'Shea. This group has been requested to report to both the Tánaiste and Minister for Social and Family Affairs by mid-2005.
180 Mr. Kehoe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the status of the refund of the hospital charge for a person (details supplied) in County Wexford; when payment will be made further to Parliamentary Question No. 180 of 26 January 2005; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19061/05]
The Deputy's question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive, HSE, and I understand that the HSE replied to the Deputy on 31 January 2005 on this matter. Accordingly, my Department has requested the parliamentary affairs division of the HSE to arrange to have this matter investigated further and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.
181 Mr. Wall asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the reason the Health Service Executive has not replied to Parliamentary Question No. 203 of 12 April 2005; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19065/05]
The Deputy's question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, my Department has requested the parliamentary affairs division of the HSE to arrange to have this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.
182 Ms B. Moynihan-Cronin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children, further to current media and television adverts on the benefits of folic acid by the health promotion unit of her Department, the way in which a person can make a submission or offer an opinion on the issue to the health promotion unit in writing or by telephone; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19078/05]
The national committee on folic acid food fortification, whose secretariat is provided by the Food Safety Authority of Ireland, FSAI, is tasked with reviewing options for the fortification of foods with folic acid in view of the relatively high level of neural tube defects, NTDs, in Ireland. In carrying out this work the committee will address the broader issues that would be involved in the event that it is decided to proceed with fortification with folic acid, including the technical issues regarding fortification, addressing risk and examining other reported health benefits that are linked to fortification.
The FSAI has initiated a public consultation process and members of the public who wish to comment on these issues should access the relevant website for details on how to make a submission; alternatively, they can contact the FSAI by telephone, 1890 33 66 77. It should be noted that the latest date for the receipt of submissions is 24 June next.
183 Mr. Hogan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children when she will provide the necessary finance for the appointment of a psychologist for County Carlow in view of the proposed autism centre in Myshall, County Carlow; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19089/05]
The Deputy's question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, my Department has requested the parliamentary affairs division of the HSE to arrange to have this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.
184 Mr. Connolly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the number of patients admitted to each psychiatric admission unit nationally between 2000 and 2005 on a yearly basis; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19122/05]
185 Mr. Connolly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the percentage of involuntary patients admitted to each psychiatric admission unit nationally between 2000 and 2005 on a yearly basis; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19123/05]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 184 and 185 together.
The number of patients admitted to each psychiatric admission unit nationally together with the percentage of involuntary admissions to such units as requested by the Deputy from 2000 to 2003 are as follows:
|
Health Board Hospitals |
2000 |
% Invol |
2001 |
% Invol |
2002 |
% Invol |
2003 |
% Invol |
|
Cluain Mhuire Family Centre |
396 |
12.6 |
423 |
13.7 |
387 |
15.0 |
438 |
13.2 |
|
Newcastle Hospital, Greystones |
568 |
9.9 |
596 |
12.1 |
487 |
9.2 |
562 |
6.9 |
|
Vergemount Clinic, Clonskeagh |
455 |
5.9 |
346 |
6.6 |
333 |
10.8 |
269 |
11.5 |
|
St. Brendan’s Hospital, Dublin |
874 |
13.7 |
700 |
17.6 |
618 |
15.4 |
589 |
18.7 |
|
St. Ita’s Hospital, Portrane |
1,071 |
6.6 |
997 |
6.7 |
921 |
6.7 |
1,026 |
7.5 |
|
St. Vincent’s Hospital, Fairview |
692 |
16.5 |
720 |
19.3 |
653 |
17.2 |
570 |
19.5 |
|
St. Loman’s Hospital, Dublin |
56 |
0 |
42 |
0 |
74 |
2.7 |
81 |
0 |
|
St. Fintan’s Hospital, Portlaoise |
729 |
2.7 |
768 |
5.5 |
690 |
4.6 |
689 |
6.1 |
|
St. Loman’s Hospital, Mullingar |
804 |
14.3 |
844 |
12.7 |
727 |
10.7 |
646 |
10.4 |
|
Our Lady’s Hospital, Ennis |
507 |
11.2 |
481 |
13.3 |
1 |
0 |
||
|
St. Joseph’s Hospital, Limerick |
94 |
23.4 |
91 |
24.2 |
82 |
14.6 |
85 |
30.6 |
|
St. Brigid’s Hospital, Ardee |
456 |
9.6 |
421 |
7.8 |
441 |
12.7 |
472 |
8.1 |
|
St. Davnet’s Hospital, Monaghan |
66 |
18.2 |
68 |
19.1 |
59 |
20.3 |
76 |
27.6 |
|
Mental Health Service, Sligo |
575 |
14.3 |
689 |
11.8 |
529 |
12.3 |
470 |
14.9 |
|
St. Conal’s Hospital, Letterkenny |
37 |
24.3 |
18 |
61.1 |
11 |
18.2 |
25 |
16.0 |
|
St. Canice’s Hospital, Kilkenny |
492 |
9.8 |
411 |
8.8 |
417 |
8.2 |
75 |
9.3 |
|
St. Dympna’s Hospital, Carlow |
311 |
5.1 |
294 |
7.1 |
290 |
5.2 |
60 |
0 |
|
St. Luke’s Hospital, Clonmel |
175 |
33.7 |
124 |
16.1 |
205 |
23.9 |
154 |
19.5 |
|
St. Otteran’s Hospital, Waterford |
49 |
20.4 |
48 |
8.3 |
29 |
24.1 |
36 |
16.7 |
|
St. Senan’s Hospital, Enniscorthy |
535 |
10.8 |
562 |
9.6 |
616 |
10.4 |
728 |
6.5 |
|
Our Lady’s Hospital, Cork |
365 |
35.3 |
213 |
53.1 |
||||
|
Carraig Mór |
204 |
53.9 |
184 |
48.4 |
||||
|
St. Finan’s Hospital, Killarney |
57 |
49.1 |
52 |
63.5 |
57 |
61.4 |
43 |
58.1 |
|
St. Stephen’s Hospital, Cork |
513 |
5.7 |
346 |
6.9 |
362 |
6.9 |
359 |
7.2 |
|
St. Brigid’s Hospital, Ballinasloe |
689 |
17.6 |
739 |
15.8 |
825 |
15.5 |
613 |
16.8 |
|
St. Mary’s Hospital, Castlebar |
633 |
10.1 |
666 |
11.7 |
614 |
15.0 |
450 |
9.6 |
|
General Hospital Psychiatric Units |
||||||||
|
St. Vincent’s Hospital, Elm Park |
370 |
3.0 |
285 |
1.8 |
169 |
3.0 |
203 |
4.9 |
|
James Connolly Memorial Hospital |
225 |
5.3 |
262 |
5.3 |
||||
|
Mater Misericordiae Hospital |
97 |
8.2 |
223 |
12.6 |
167 |
8.4 |
189 |
11.6 |
|
Naas General Hospital |
578 |
7.1 |
593 |
8.3 |
531 |
10.2 |
584 |
7.5 |
|
St. James’s Hospital, Dublin |
243 |
0 |
301 |
0 |
556 |
9.2 |
507 |
7.3 |
|
Tallaght Hospital, Dublin |
642 |
11.8 |
657 |
13.2 |
626 |
13.4 |
495 |
17.2 |
|
Ennis General Hospital |
59 |
28.8 |
520 |
14.2 |
540 |
14.6 |
||
|
Regional Hospital, Limerick |
785 |
11.2 |
776 |
13.4 |
732 |
16.3 |
643 |
17.7 |
|
Cavan General Hospital |
158 |
12.0 |
136 |
24.3 |
134 |
17.9 |
132 |
21.2 |
|
Our Lady’s Hospital, Navan |
283 |
15.9 |
309 |
12.9 |
278 |
10.8 |
271 |
12.9 |
|
Letterkenny General Hospital |
820 |
12.3 |
931 |
12.1 |
798 |
13.4 |
698 |
11.3 |
|
St. Joseph’s Hospital, Clonmel |
1,083 |
8.5 |
1,118 |
8.9 |
894 |
13.8 |
797 |
9.8 |
|
Waterford Regional Hospital |
753 |
9.2 |
736 |
7.5 |
773 |
7.2 |
718 |
7.2 |
|
St. Luke’s Hospital, Kilkenny |
469 |
4.7 |
||||||
|
Bantry General Hospital |
349 |
6.3 |
276 |
8.3 |
265 |
9.1 |
273 |
8.4 |
|
Cork University Hospital |
683 |
22.3 |
649 |
22.0 |
616 |
23.5 |
627 |
16.7 |
|
Mercy Hospital, Cork |
662 |
12.5 |
938 |
5.9 |
898 |
10.7 |
836 |
11.1 |
|
Tralee General Hospital |
819 |
8.1 |
837 |
8.6 |
787 |
14.5 |
802 |
9.5 |
|
Roscommon County Hospital |
445 |
7.4 |
457 |
10.7 |
385 |
11.2 |
384 |
10.9 |
|
University College Hospital, Galway |
755 |
8.6 |
836 |
7.9 |
637 |
14.8 |
639 |
9.9 |
|
Mayo General Hospital |
34 |
26.5 |
||||||
|
Private Hospitals |
||||||||
|
Bloomfield Hospital, Dublin |
21 |
0 |
11 |
9.1 |
17 |
0 |
11 |
0 |
|
Hampstead & Highfield Hospital |
76 |
0 |
66 |
0 |
33 |
0 |
64 |
0 |
|
Kylemore Clinic, Dublin |
15 |
0 |
11 |
0 |
3 |
0 |
4 |
0 |
|
Palmerstown View, Dublin |
5 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
3 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
|
St. John of God Hospital, Dublin |
1,085 |
3.6 |
1,094 |
5.2 |
1,307 |
4.6 |
1,287 |
3.5 |
|
St. Patrick’s Hospital, Dublin |
2,172 |
2.7 |
2,128 |
3.3 |
2,809 |
2.4 |
2,722 |
2.6 |
|
Total |
24,098 |
24,312 |
23,570 |
22,892 |
Source: Health Research Board.
Statistics for 2004 and 2005 are not available at this time.
Substantial progress has also been made in recent years in ensuring that those in need of mental health services receive care and treatment in the most appropriate setting. It is the intention to continue to accelerate the growth in alternatives to hospitalisation with the further development of community-based services throughout the country.
186 Mr. Connolly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the extent of hospital waiting lists for patients throughout the country; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19124/05]
Responsibility for the collection and reporting of waiting lists and waiting times now falls within the remit of the national treatment purchase fund, NTPF. A new on-line national patient treatment register is being developed by the fund. The new patient treatment register will allow for more accurate identification of waiting lists, and more importantly waiting times. It is intended that the register will be implemented on a phased basis during 2005.
Up to the end of May 2005 some 30,000 patients have had treatment arranged for them. It is now the case that, in most instances, anyone waiting more than three months will be facilitated by the fund.
187 Dr. Upton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if medical card holders will have cervical smears for no charge; and if she will review the current practise where general practitioners now charge medical card holders for such smears. [19131/05]
207 Ms B. Moynihan-Cronin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if cervical screening is free of charge for women in possession of a medical card; if this is uniform in each Health Service Executive area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19263/05]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 187 and 207 together.
Cervical smear testing is not currently provided by GPs or family planning clinics under the scheme for medical card holders. However, where cervical smears form part of recognised protocols for the ongoing treatment of individual patient illnesses, they should be provided free of charge to eligible women under the GMS scheme. Any necessary follow-up treatment is available to all women, including medical card holders, within the public hospital system.
I am committed to the national roll out of a cervical screening programme in line with international best practice. International evidence demonstrates the proven efficacy of programmes that are effectively managed and meet quality assurance standards. Careful planning and consultation with relevant professional and advocacy stakeholders is required in advance of a national roll out.
188 Mr. P. Breen asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children when the forum on fluoridation will be wound up; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19139/05]
190 Mr. P. Breen asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the annual cost to her Department of the forum on fluoridation since 2000; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19142/05]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 188 and 190 together.
The forum on fluoridation was established in May 2000 and held its first meeting in September 2000. The forum on fluoridation concluded in September 2002 with the launch of the report of the forum on fluoridation.
The annual cost of the forum on fluoridation since 2000 is as follows:
|
Year |
€ |
|
2000 |
16,153.70 |
|
2001 |
184,593.31 |
|
2002 |
128,383.26 |
|
2003 |
6,576.16 |
|
2004 |
90.34 |
Although the forum on fluoridation concluded in 2002, there were some outstanding expenses due.
189 Mr. P. Breen asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children when legislation reducing the amount of fluoride in public water supplies will be introduced; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19140/05]
As the Deputy is aware, a forum on fluoridation was established to review the fluoridation of public piped water supplies in Ireland. The forum report's main conclusion was that the fluoridation of public piped water supplies should continue as a public health measure.
In all the report of the forum on fluoridation made 33 recommendations covering a broad range of topics such as research, public awareness, policy and technical aspects of fluoridation and the establishment of an expert body to oversee the implementation of the recommendations.
The Irish expert body on fluorides and health held its inaugural meeting in April 2004. The terms of reference of the expert body are: to oversee the implementation of the recommendations of the forum on fluoridation; to advise the Minister and evaluate ongoing research, including new emerging issuesm, on all aspects of fluoride and its delivery methods as an established health technology and as required; and to report to the Minister on matters of concern at his/her request or on its own initiative.
The expert body on fluorides and health is currently examining the regulations governing fluoridation of public piped water supplies with the aim of making proposals to me for the purposes of implementing the recommendation of the forum to reduce the level of fluoride in public piped water supplies. As part of this exercise the expert body is carrying out a census of public piped water supplies and when this work is complete the expert body will make recommendations to me in relation to the updating of the current regulations.
191 Mr. P. Breen asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the number of deaths by suicide of persons under 25 between 1997 and 2004 in counties Clare, Limerick, north Tipperary and nationally; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19143/05]
Data on mortality compiled and published by the Central Statistics Office indicate that there were 21 deaths by suicide of persons under 25 in County Clare between 1997 and September 2004, there were 47 such deaths in Limerick city and county and there were 27 such deaths in Tipperary North Riding. Nationally, there were 858 deaths by suicide of persons under 25 in the period 1997 to September 2004. Figures for 2003 and January to September 2004 are provisional and may be subject to change.
Suicide is a serious social problem in this country and every suicide and attempted suicide is a tragic event. As the Deputy is aware, work is now well underway on the preparation of a national strategy for action on suicide prevention. This strategy, which involves the project management unit, Health Service Executive in partnership with the national suicide review group, supported by the Department of Health and Children will be action-based from the outset and will outline the priority initiatives for suicide prevention and mental health promotion across the country for the coming years. All measures aimed at reducing the number of deaths by suicide will be considered in the preparation of this strategy which will be published in September of this year.
192 Mr. Stanton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the amount made available for 2005 under the special disability multi-annual funding package; the way in which this money is to be spent; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19147/05]
The Government's multi-annual investment programme for services for people with disabilities provides for additional funding of €70 million revenue and €60 million capital in 2005. This funding will provide for a broad range of additional services for people with intellectual, physical and sensory disabilities, autism and those with mental illness including new residential, respite and day services enhanced multi-disciplinary support services enhanced home support services, increased funding for aids and appliances additional beds at the Central Mental Hospital further development of the child and adolescent mental health services expansion of the community mental health teams and services.
Details of the actual services to be provided from this funding are a matter for the Health Service Executive, which under the Health Act 2004, has responsibility for the management and delivery of health and personal social services.
193 Mr. Carey asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if her Department is in a position to make a determination regarding an application for national lottery funding by a resource centre (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19150/05]
The organisation referred to, which is a family resource centre, applied to my Department for a grant from the Health and Children allocation of national lottery funds in April 2004. The organisation sought funding of €6,500 towards the cost of carrying out a feasibility study to determine the development potential of the courtyard area and the building adjacent to the resource centre. As the applications for national lottery funding received in 2004 far exceeded the resources available, it was not possible to assist this organisation in 2004. The organisation was informed of this in January 2005 and advised that, if funding for this project is required in 2005, to apply for a grant from the 2005 national lottery allocation.
My Department forwarded an application form to the organisation on 8 June 2005.
194 Ms McManus asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the reason student nurses attending Trinity and affiliated to St. James’s Hospital have not been awarded their travel allowances; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19156/05]
The travel allowance to which the Deputy refers is the external clinical placement allowance, which was introduced to assist undergraduate nursing students undertaking external clinical placements. Nursing students on the undergraduate nursing degree programme are entitled to a refund of the cost of transport to and from the clinical placement site for the duration of the placement.
Payment of this allowance is the responsibility of the hospital to which the student is affiliated, in this case St. James's Hospital, and funding has been provided to the hospitals by my Department. I understand that the up-to-date position at St. James's Hospital is that payments have been made to many of the students. St. James's Hospital has issued reminders to a number of the remaining students who still have to furnish some details. When these details have been received, the outstanding allowances can be processed.
195 Ms McManus asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if the rostered placement will be reduced to 34 weeks, excluding leave for the 2005 intake onwards, in view of the proposed changes to the structure of the rostered year for B.Sc. nursing students; if, prior to these changes taking place it will be appropriate that some discussion take place with the HEI’s, the heads of the nursing schools, the Department of Health and Children, the health service providers, An Bord Altranais and student representatives (details supplied). [19157/05]
The Government has invested heavily in the new four-year undergraduate nursing degree programme which started in 2002. The total capital investment in building 13 new nursing schools around the country will be in the region of €240 million on completion. Ongoing revenue funding will be in excess of €90 million when the full cohort of students are in place in 2006. The primary concern of my Department is to ensure a safe and effective service for patients. This means that not only must the training and education of nurses be of a high quality to produce nurses fit for purpose and practice but patient safety must not be compromised in the course of this training.
Nursing is a practice-based profession and half of a nurse's education is spent in clinical placement for which 49 weeks currently is paid on the basis of 80% of a staff nurse salary. The first roll out of the rostered year commenced in early 2005, with the exception of one college which commenced in September 2004. Currently the course is structured so that students undertake the paid rostered year between the third and fourth year of the programme. During the rostered year students replace nurses at an agreed ratio. The arrangements for the rostered year therefore, have a direct impact on service provision.
It became clear to my Department last year that the structure of the degree programme put in place by higher education institutions and the length of the rostered year, coupled with the specific requirements of An Bord Altranais, had made it very difficult to ensure that students had sufficient relevant generic and specialist clinical placements completed before they took on the role of rostered employees of the health services. It was therefore necessary for certain changes to be put in place to solve the immediate difficulties and to avoid similar problems arising in the future. To ensure that the existing arrangements for the rostered placement could go ahead my Department agreed that a replacement ratio of 3.5:1, students to nurses, instead of the anticipated 2:1 ratio would apply for a transition period. This change in the replacement ratio gave rise to significant costs of €2.5 million in 2004 and an estimated additional cost of €9 million in 2005 rising to €11.95 million in each of the years 2006-08.
The changes to the structure of the undergraduate nursing degree programme which are to be put in place for the 2005 intake onwards are based on findings of the independent report carried out on behalf of my Department by Deloitte & Touche and extensive consultation by my Department with key stakeholders including An Bord Altranais, higher education institutes, health service providers and the nursing unions. The changes include the reduction of the rostered placement to 34 weeks, excluding annual leave, for the 2005 intake onwards with the placement moving to the end of the programme finishing in week 52 of the fourth year, this will have the effect of maximising the overall amount of clinical experience available in advance of the rostered placement; and revisions to the Bord Altranais requirements and standards for nurse registration education programmes. The structure of the revised programme provides for a minimum of 63 weeks theoretical instruction and 45 weeks supernumerary clinical placement prior to the rostered period. This will ensure the completion of all theoretical and supernumerary generic and specialist clinical placements prior to the rostered placement.
These changes will not impact on students who are currently undertaking the programme. I am satisfied that the changes will continue to meet the needs of the health service providers in addition to maintaining the integrity of the undergraduate nursing education degree programmes.
196 Mr. Gregory asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children, further to Parliamentary Question No. 387 of 5 October 2004, the progress that has been made to correct the inaccuracies in the medical record referred to; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19161/05]
The Health Act 2004 provided for the Health Service Executive, which was established on 1 January, 2005. Under the Act, the executive has the responsibility to manage and deliver or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. This includes responsibility for the functions of the former Eastern Regional Health Authority.
As the Deputy will be aware, meetings have already taken place to find a resolution to this case. My Department has been advised that the HSE, eastern region, will continue to facilitate both parties in regard to future discussions.
197 Mr. Stanton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the progress that has been made on the implementation of the national children’s strategy; the amount of the strategy that has not yet been implemented; when this will be implemented; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19183/05]
Annual progress reports on the national children's strategy, NCS, are compiled by the national children's office, NCO on the basis of detailed returns submitted by Departments against each of the actions in the strategy. These reports show the progress that has been made against each action. A copy of the 2002 and 2003 reports are available on the NCO website at www.nco.ie. The 2004 report is being finalised by the NCO at present, and will be submitted to the Cabinet committee on children at its July 2005 meeting. I will ask my Department to forward a copy to the Deputy as soon as it is available, which is expected to be end July 2005.
A further source of independent information on the implementation of the strategy is available from the national children's advisory council, NCAC, which has a role in independently monitoring implementation of the strategy. Its review of the 2002 progress report is available on the website www.ncac.ie. The council did not review the 2003 report as its term had expired at that time. It has since been reconstituted, and will be reviewing the 2004 report later this year.
As the progress reports demonstrate, steady progress is being made in implementing the national children's strategy. At the end of 2004 progress had been reported on almost all of the 141 actions in the strategy, although the extent of progress varies. It is important to note that the strategy is a ten year strategy and that 2005 marks the half way point. In particular, good progress has been made in relation to goals 1 and 2 of the strategy, that children will have a voice in matters that affect them, and that children's lives will be better understood. Some 124 of the 141 actions under the national children's strategy relate to improving supports and services for children. Good progress has been made on a number of issues, including substantial investment in child care, investment in educational disadvantage and resources for special needs in education, reduction of hospital waiting lists for children, the publication of a national play policy, investment in the sports capital programme, extension of the Garda vetting service and the implementation of the youth homelessness strategy.
I have recently decided to carry out a mid-term review of the national children's strategy. The purpose of the review will be to identify areas where progress has been made; identify the key issue or priorities over the remaining five years and raise awareness and give a new impetus to the strategy for the period 2006-10.
The National Children's Office will undertake this project. The assistance and input of a wide range of stakeholders, including the NCAC, will be integrated into the process.
198 Mr. Allen asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the most up-to-date information on her travels abroad for the St. Patrick’s Day celebrations; the persons who travelled with her in her official party; the duration of the visit; and the total cost. [19185/05]
I travelled to Slovenia, Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina to undertake a number of duties in relation to St. Patrick's Day. I travelled with my husband, Mr. Brian Geoghegan, the deputy Government press secretary, Mr. Iarla Mongey, and my acting private secretary, Mr. Michael Corban. The delegation left on Wednesday, 16 March and returned on Sunday, 20 March. The costs of the trip have not yet been finalised. However, the costs finalised to date total €5,311.53.
199 Dr. Twomey asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the reason 83 private nursing homes were inspected only once in 2004; if this is a satisfactory inspection regime; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19214/05]
The Deputy's question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, the Department has requested the parliamentary affairs division of the HSE to arrange to have this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.
However, as the Deputy is aware the Nursing Homes Regulations 1993 provide for two inspections of each private nursing home per year. In this regard the Tánaiste has written to the Health Service Executive stressing that it is of the utmost importance that this target is achieved countrywide by the HSE to ensure the highest standards in private nursing homes.
200 Mr. Morgan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if she will investigate the situation which occurred at Louth County Hospital in Dundalk on 30 May 2005; and the reason efforts were not made to accommodate those patients in beds. [19227/05]
201 Mr. Morgan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if she will investigate the situation which occurred at Louth County Hospital in Dundalk on 31 May 2005 whereby five female patients had to spend the night on trolleys while there were five empty beds available in an eight person male ward; and if the Health Service Executive will instruct hospitals to take measures to accommodate patients in available beds in wards where such a situation occurs. [19228/05]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 200 and 201 together.
The Deputy's questions relate to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, my Department has requested the parliamentary affairs division of the HSE to arrange to have these matters investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.
202 Dr. Upton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if persons who are in receipt of a disability allowance and resident of a residential home are entitled to a refund of the portion of their payment retained by the residential home in view of the fact that they are medical card holders; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19234/05]
The Government has agreed the key elements of a scheme for the repayment of long-stay charges.
All those who were illegally charged for publicly funded long-term residential care and are alive and the estates of all those who were charged and died in the six years prior to 9 December 2004 will have the charges repaid in full. The repayment will apply to all those who were charged including those in receipt of payments other than the non-contributory old age pension. The scheme will not provide for repayments to the estates of those who died more than six years ago.
Any person who considers that they or a family member may be eligible for repayment may register their interest in advance with the Health Service Executive, by writing to the National Refund Scheme, HSE Midland Area, Arden Road, Tullamore, County Offaly; or e.mail to refundscheme@mailq.hse.ie; or by calling the helpline 1800 777737 during office hours.
203 Mr. O’Shea asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children her proposals to alter the regulations pertaining to the health insurance sector; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19249/05]
Under the Health Insurance Acts, regulations shall not be made until a resolution approving of the regulations in draft has been passed by each House of the Oireachtas. It is my intention to present some minor amendments to the health insurance regulations to the Houses of the Oireachtas seeking approval this week.
I intend to bring forward a limited number of amendments to the risk equalisation scheme, to address issues raised by the Health Insurance Authority in its reports made under the scheme. The amendments relate, primarily, to clarifications of existing definitions. Given that insurers make returns on a six monthly basis under the scheme, it would be desirable that amendments be approved and the regulations made in advance of 1 July next, the first day of the next data return period.
I also intend to submit amendments to the open enrolment regulations relating to the envisaged commencement of section 8 of the Health Insurance (Amendment) Act 2001. The proposed amendments relate to the decision of two restricted membership undertakings to opt out of risk equalisation arrangements under subsection 2(b) of section 12 of the Health Insurance Acts, and providing for the extension of open enrolment to those aged 65 and over. One other proposed amendment to the regulations, generally, will be to replace the term ‘ancillary health services’ with ‘relevant health services’ in line with the related change made in the 2001 Act.
204 Mr. McGuinness asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if she will expedite an occupational therapist’s report in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny whose spouse has applied for a grant under the disabled person’s grant scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19250/05]
The Deputy's question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, my Department has requested the parliamentary affairs division of the HSE to arrange to have this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.
205 Mr. P. Breen asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children, further to Parliamentary Question No. 280 of 12 April 2005, when a person (details supplied) in County Clare will be facilitated with a bed in the National Rehabilitation Hospital, Dún Laoghaire; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19251/05]
The Deputy's question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, my Department has requested the parliamentary affairs division of the HSE to arrange to have this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.
206 Mr. McGuinness asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if she will provide a long-term stay bed in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny; and if a decision in the case will be expedited. [19262/05]
The Deputy's question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, my Department has requested the parliamentary affairs division of the HSE to arrange to have this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.
208 Mr. Ellis asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if the Health Service Executive will sanction a motorised transport grant for a person (details supplied) in County Leitrim. [19295/05]
The Deputy's question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, my Department has requested the parliamentary affairs division of the HSE to arrange to have this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.
209 Mr. Ellis asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the action she proposes to take with regards to the decision of the Health Service Executive to refuse motorised transport grants to persons over 65 years in view of the fact that they are in breach of the equality legislation. [19296/05]
The motorised transport grant was introduced in 1968 by way of circular 7/68. It is a grant which may be made payable by the Health Service Executive towards the purchase of a car and-or adaptations to a car being purchased by a person with a severe disability who is 17 years or older and up to 65 years of age, where such a car is essential for him or her to obtain or retain employment. Self-employed persons who satisfy the criteria for eligibility may also be considered, subject to the above age limits.
The grant may also be considered in exceptional circumstances for a person with a severe disability, subject to the above age limits, who lives in a very remote location and whose disability impedes him or her from using public transport.
My Department will examine the issue which the Deputy has raised regarding equality legislation. This grant, including criteria for eligibility, will also be considered as part of my Department's strategic review of services for people with disabilities.
210 Mr. Kelleher asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the steps she has taken and the representations she has made to the Health Service Executive to ensure that the post of consultant haematologist with an interest in child haematology for the Cork University Hospital will be appointed following the retirement of a person (details supplied); if her attention has been drawn to the fact that to date no reply let alone a decision has been received from the Health Service Executive regarding the filling of this post and that this is placing further anxiety on persons; the timeframe as to when the post will be filled; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19297/05]
The Deputy's question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, my Department has requested the parliamentary affairs division of the HSE to have this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.
211 Mr. Neville asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children when work will be completed to a house under the special housing aid for the elderly scheme for a person (details supplied) in County Limerick. [19298/05]
The Deputy's question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, my Department has requested the parliamentary affairs division of the HSE to arrange to have this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.
212 Mr. Connolly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the situation in relation to the requirements for and the availability of speech and language therapists between now and 2010; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19302/05]
The Deputy may wish to note that three new speech and language therapy courses commenced in the 2003-04 academic year, one of which is a two-year postgraduate course, at the University of Limerick. In total, these courses provide an additional 75 training places in speech and language therapy. This expansion in training numbers has been identified in the report commissioned by my Department from Dr. Peter Bacon and Associates on current and future demand conditions in the labour market for certain professional therapists as sufficient to meet the long-term requirements for speech and language therapists in Ireland.
The first graduates from the new speech and language therapy course in the University of Limerick will be conferred in the near future.
213 Mr. Carey asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the discussions which have taken place within the Health Service Executive to ensure that chiropody services, at a reasonable cost and without a top-up charge, are available to medical card holders; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19321/05]
The provision of chiropody services is a matter for the local area of the Health Service Executive. This is a service which the HSE is not statutorily obliged to provide but a variety of arrangements are in place nationally under arrangements made by the former Eastern Regional Health Authority, ERHA, and other health boards.
Generally speaking, fees paid to private health care practitioners for the provision of services to public patients are reviewed periodically, and in that context I have requested my Department, in conjunction with the Health Service Executive, to look specifically at the current levels of fees paid to chiropodists participating in the chiropody scheme of the former ERHA. I wish to restate that I consider it inappropriate for chiropodists to charge a top-up fee to elderly public patients who have been deemed eligible for services under the scheme.
My Department wrote to the Health Service Executive on 26 January 2005 regarding the inappropriateness of these additional charges.
214 Mr. Neville asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the procedure for the Inspector of Mental Hospitals to arrange visits to hospitals; if these take place without the prior knowledge of the hospitals; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19322/05]
Under the provisions of the Mental Health Act 2001, the previous office of the inspector of mental hospitals has been replaced with the office of the inspector of mental health services, which is part of the Mental Health Commission. Dr. Teresa Carey has been appointed to the position of inspector of mental health services and, together with her team of assistant inspectors, has commenced a programme of inspections.
The Mental Health Act 2001 requires the inspector of mental health services to visit and inspect every approved centre each year and to visit and inspect any other premises where mental health services are being provided, as the inspector thinks appropriate. The procedure for such visits is a matter for the inspector of mental health services and the mental health commission. The inspector's review of the services, including reports of inspections carried out, is published with the mental health commission's annual report and is laid before both Houses of the Oireachtas. The inspector's first comprehensive annual report is expected to be presented before the end of this month.
215 Mr. O’Shea asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children, further to previous Government commitments in this regard, if she has succeeded in making one of the two radiation oncologists to have been appointed in Cork available on an outpatient basis to the people of Waterford for at least five sessions per fortnight; the extent to which services have been made available to persons of Kilkenny and Carlow through Dublin; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19323/05]
The Deputy's question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, my Department has requested the parliamentary affairs division of the HSE to have this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.
216 Mr. O’Shea asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children when the sub-committee on radiotherapy will address the issue of designated transport with a view to providing the persons of the south east with adequate services in this regard; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19324/05]
As I previously indicated to the House, I consider that appropriate transport arrangements for patients requiring radiotherapy should be made available, where necessary, by the Health Service Executive. The national radiation oncology co-ordinating group provides advice to my Department and the HSE on radiotherapy, including patient transport arrangements. I understand that the group will shortly be writing to the HSE on this matter. My Department has asked the parliamentary affairs division of the HSE to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy in relation to the position in the south-eastern area.
217 Mr. McGuinness asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if her attention has been drawn to the fact that home care attendants in the south east are being informed by the Health Service Executive that they cannot work before 8 a.m. or after 8 p.m. due to insurance issues; if the funds have been made available by her Department to cover the cost of insurance; if persons’ hours will not be cut and if she will resolve the issues; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19332/05]
The Deputy's question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal social services which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004 within the resources at its disposal. Accordingly, my Department has requested the parliamentary affairs division of the HSE to arrange to have this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.
218 Mr. McGuinness asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if she will ensure that there will be no cut in the hours allocated for the home care attendant in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19333/05]
The Deputy's question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, my Department has requested the parliamentary affairs division of the HSE to arrange to have this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.
219 Mr. McGuinness asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the reason for the delay in arranging an appointment at Waterford Regional Hospital for a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny in view of the fact that they were referred by their general practitioner on 12 March 2003; if a response will be expedited; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19334/05]
The Deputy's question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, my Department has requested the parliamentary affairs division of the HSE to arrange to have this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.
220 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the number of public nursing home beds each year for each of the past 20 years. [19344/05]
221 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the number of privately owned and operated nursing home beds for each of the past ten years. [19345/05]
222 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the number of private nursing home patients for whom a nursing home subvention was payable in 2004 or later. [19346/05]
223 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the number of private nursing home beds which were contracted out to the local health board or Health Service Executive equivalent during 2004 or later. [19347/05]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 220 to 223, inclusive, together.
The Deputy's question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, my Department has requested the parliamentary affairs division of the HSE to arrange to have this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.
224 Mr. Ring asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the reason a person (details supplied) was not called for their operation on the 1 June 2005. [19367/05]
The Deputy's question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, my Department has requested the parliamentary affairs division of the esxecutive to arrange to have this case investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.
225 Mr. Ellis asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if her Department will arrange for the North Western Health Executive to provide orthodontic treatment for a person (details supplied) in County Leitrim who has been waiting four years. [19369/05]
The Deputy's question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, my Department has requested the parliamentary affairs division of the executive to arrange to have this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.
226 Mr. Stagg asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the reason for the unacceptable delay in organising an angiogram for a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19370/05]
The Deputy's question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, my Department has requested the parliamentary affairs division of the executive to arrange to have this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.
227 Cecilia Keaveney asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the position in relation to the general practitioner only medical cards scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19382/05]
The Health Act 2004 provided for the Health Service Executive, which was established on 1 January 2005. Under the Act, the Executive has the responsibility to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. This will include responsibility for the determination of eligibility of persons for ‘GP visit' cards.
In 2005 funding has been provided to allow the Health Service Executive provide an additional 30,000 people with full medical cards and also to extend free access to general practitioner services under the general medical services scheme to up to a further 200,000 persons. The Health Service Executive has put in place the necessary administrative arrangements for the introduction of the 'GP visit' cards. It is intended that a public information campaign will be undertaken which will indicate the process to be followed by applicants to obtain application forms and to have their eligibility assessed by the HSE.
It is my firm view that this initiative should be implemented for the benefit of persons on low income as quickly as possible. However, it has not been possible, to date, to reach agreement on the issue with the Irish Medical Organisation.
228 Mr. Allen asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if she will re-examine the case of a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and the gratuity this person would be entitled to if she were to accept. [19383/05]
As set out in my reply to Question No. 39 dated 17 February 2005, an ex-gratia retirement benefit is payable to qualifying non-pensionable staff under the terms of the voluntary hospital superannuation scheme. The amount of €3,196.54 authorised by my Department in November 2003 is based on information supplied by the relevant employer and takes account of unpaid leave taken by the person concerned during her employment. This is therefore the maximum gratuity applicable in this instance under the terms of the scheme and having regard to the length of service involved.
229 Mr. Timmins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if her Department has received complaints regarding a nursing home (details supplied); if so, if they have been investigated; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19423/05]
The Department has not received a complaint about this nursing home.
230 Mr. Timmins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the reason a person (details supplied) was refused sanction by the HSE for the purchase of certain medical material which was recommended to treat his condition; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19424/05]
The Deputy's question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, my Department has requested the parliamentary affairs division of the executive to arrange to have this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.
231 Mr. Ring asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children when a home care grant will be awarded to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry. [19425/05]
The Deputy's question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, my Department has requested the parliamentary affairs division of the executive to arrange to have this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.
232 Ms Shortall asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if she will provide information on the financial allocations made by her to each of the learning disability service providers in each of the past five years; the number of day places, residential places and respite places which this funded in each case; if all funding for 2005 has been drawn down; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19433/05]
The information requested by the Deputy is not readily available in my Department. However, my officials have asked the Health Service Executive's national director for primary, community and continuing care to investigate the matter raised and reply directly to the Deputy.
233 Ms Shortall asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children, further to Parliamentary Question No. 175 of 11 May 2005, the reason no reply has yet issued to this Deputy; her views on whether it is acceptable that Members of Dáil Éireann go to these lengths to obtain basic information from the health services; if she has satisfied herself with the level of competency of senior management of the HSE in this regard; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19434/05]
As the Deputy is aware, the Health Service Executive came into being on 1 January, 2005. My Department has made inquiries with the HSE and was told that, on foot of the referral to the HSE of her Question of 11 May, a reply issued to the Deputy in the past week.
My reply to the Deputy's question of 11 May informed her that steps were being taken within the executive, including the recent establishment of a parliamentary affairs division, to strengthen its capability to provide information to members of the Oireachtas. As stated in the executive's service plan for 2005, this is a priority area of work for its corporate affairs directorate. I am satisfied that, in the organisational arrangements currently being made to complete the transition to the unitary system, due importance and attention is being given by the executive to enhancing its capacity to respond in an efficient and timely manner to requests for information from members of the Oireachtas.
234 Mr. J. O’Keeffe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if her attention has been drawn to a general practitioners crisis in Beara in west Cork (details supplied); if support will be provided for them by way of weekend cover or the equivalent; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19455/05]
The Deputy's question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, my Department has requested the parliamentary affairs division of the executive to arrange to have this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.
235 Mr. O’Shea asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children when she intends to publish the conditions pertaining to public private partnerships in the health sector; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19469/05]
My Department has been examining Public Private Partnerships, PPPs, and other procurement options in line with Government policy with a view to finding the approach that will deliver additional long stay beds and provide the best services and value for money to the Exchequer.
In this regard there have been discussions between my Department and the Department of Finance on an initiative which is based on entering into a medium term service agreement with the private sector to deliver the additional long stay beds required to relieve pressure on the acute hospitals and community care programme.
Under a PPP arrangement the HSE is subject to the national guidelines on PPPs and all capital investments must comply with EU procurement legislation. Pending the outcome of the deliberations of the proposal any conditions attached will be published at that stage.
My Department engaged a consultancy firm to provide advice on an assessment framework that should be applied to proposals for developing private hospitals on public hospital sites.
I am currently considering the advice from the consultants and related policy issues regarding the development of private hospital facilities on public hospital sites and increasing capacity in the public hospitals for public patients.
236 Mr. O’Shea asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the progress which has been made in the discussions between the HSE north western area regarding north west residents accessing radiotherapy services in Belfast; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19470/05]
Patients in the north west are currently being referred for radiation oncology treatment to the recently commissioned radiation oncology department at University College Hospital Galway, UCHG, and also to St. Luke's Hospital Dublin. A consultant radiation oncologist with significant sessional commitments to the north-western area has recently been appointed to UCHG. In addition, further discussions are scheduled to take place later this month between the HSE north-western area and Belfast City Hospital in relation to access to radiation oncology services for patients in the north-west, mainly Donegal. My Department has asked the parliamentary affairs division of the Health Service Executive to advise the Deputy of progress on these discussions. The state of the art facility at Belfast City Hospital is scheduled to open in early 2006.
237 Mr. O’Shea asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children her proposals to meet the concerns of a group (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19471/05]
The Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform has responsibility in the first instance for matters related to the Disability Bill 2004.
My Department has forwarded the proposals in question to that Department for its attention.
238 Mr. Wall asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if a person (details supplied) in County Kildare will receive an earlier appointment date to attend the consultant neurologist at Beaumont Hospital; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19478/05]
The Deputy's question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, my Department has requested the parliamentary affairs division of the executive to arrange to have this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.
239 Mr. Gregory asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if adequate funding will be made available to a centre (details supplied) by the HSE in order that the centre can run to full capacity; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19479/05]
The Deputy's question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, my Department has requested the parliamentary affairs division of the executive to arrange to have this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.
240 Mr. Bruton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if her attention has been drawn to the insecurity of children who are fostered under family arrangements whereby even quite settled and successful arrangements can be brought abruptly to an end by the intervention of the natural parent, unless the fostering family undertake the substantial legal expense of obtaining joint guardianship; if she is considering changes in the law that might offer greater primacy to the interests of the child in such circumstances; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19487/05]
Foster care and relative care arrangements under the Child Care Act 1991 are subject to regular reviews. The views of the child, the parents and the foster carers are taken into account and the review considers a number of issues regarding the child's placement, including whether it would be in the best interests of the child to be returned to the care of his or her parents.
Where it is agreed that it is in the best interests of the child to be reunited with its parents, the Health Service Executive is obliged under the Child Care Regulations 1995 to inform the foster carers, including relative carers, of its intentions to remove the child from their care and their reasons for doing so. The foster carers may appeal the decision to return the child to its parents. Where appropriate, the Health Service Executive may make counselling available to foster carers who have a child removed from their care.
I re-iterate that in considering whether to re-unite a child with its parents, the Health Service Executive must consider what is in the overall best interests of the child.
The Deputy will be pleased to know that a provision has been included in the Adoption (Hague Convention, Adoption Authority and Miscellaneous) Bill 2004 allowing a long-term foster carer to apply to the Circuit or District Court for a guardianship order, taking into account the views of the child and having obtained the relevant consents. The legislation also provides that a person who is 18 years of age or more may be adopted, if the person consents and has been in long term foster care, thus allowing them to become a legal part of their long term foster care family.
The Bill has gone to the parliamentary counsel for drafting and it is hoped it will be published at the end of 2005.
241 Mr. Connaughton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the reason only children from fifth and sixth class at a school (details supplied) in County Galway are examined for orthodontic needs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19494/05]
The Deputy's question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, my Department has requested the parliamentary affairs division of the executive to arrange to have this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.
242 Mr. Lowry asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if it remains the policy of her Department to implement in full the Hanly report; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19518/05]
243 Mr. Lowry asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the policy implications of the Hanly report (details supplied); the services that will be relocated out of the hospital; if the report is implemented; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19519/05]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 242 and 243 together.
The report of the National Task Force on Medical Staffing — Hanly report — makes important proposals for reducing the working hours of non-consultant hospital doctors (NCHDs) in line with the European Working Time Directive and highlights the need to implement changes in medical staffing to ensure safety and quality of patient care.
My Department is working closely with the Health Services Executive and other health agencies with a view to reducing the working hours of junior doctors. Negotiations with the Irish Medical Organisation in this regard are continuing. Local implementation groups have been established in nine hospitals as part of an agreed process and a detailed hospital activity analysis is underway which will inform reforms in this area.
The report recommends a significant increase in the total number of consultants, working in a ‘consultant-provided', team-based system, so that patients can receive faster access to senior clinical decision making. While consultant contract negotiations are delayed pending resolution of issues related to medical indemnity arrangements, significant preparatory work has been undertaken within my Department in partnership with the Health Service Executive in preparation for the commencement of negotiations.
The implications of the report for post-graduate medical education and training are being examined by the medical education and training group originally established as part of the National Task Force on Medical Staffing.
In relation to the organisation of hospital services, I consider that the National Hospitals Office is best placed to build on the recommendations of the report in this area and have asked my officials to progress the issue with officials of the National Hospitals Office.
In relation to the specific hospital mentioned by the Deputy, the report stated that a full range of acute hospital services should be available within the mid-western region, so that patients would not have to travel outside the region other than for specialised supra-regional or national-level services. This would involve the appointment of an additional 195 consultants to the mid-western region. These consultants would be required to work both in hospitals such as Nenagh and Ennis as well as the Mid-Western Regional Hospital, Limerick.
244 Mr. Lowry asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the steps she intends to take to find a replacement CEO for the HSE; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19520/05]
Under the Health Act 2004 the statutory responsibility for recruiting the first chief executive officer of the Health Service Executive rests with the board of the executive. My function in the matter is to appoint the person recommended by the board.
245 Mr. Lowry asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the supports available to assist stroke victims and their families during rehabilitation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19521/05]
The Deputy's question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, my Department has requested the parliamentary affairs division of the executive to arrange to have this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.
246 Mr. Lowry asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the reason for the proposed move of a service (details supplied); if this move represents a further downgrading of the organisation involved; the steps she intends to take to ensure no further downgrading of same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19522/05]
The Deputy's question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, my Department has requested the parliamentary affairs division of the executive to arrange to have this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.
247 Mr. Kenny asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the legal basis for withholding a benchmarking award to a person (details supplied) in County Donegal; if this is the case; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19523/05]
Human resource management issues relating to Health Service Executive employees are a matter for the Health Service Executive. Accordingly my Department has requested the parliamentary affairs division of the executive to arrange to have this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.
248 Mr. Lowry asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children when funding will be provided to a group (details supplied). [19524/05]
The Deputy's question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, my Department has requested the parliamentary affairs division of the executive to arrange to have this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.
249 Mr. Naughten asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children her plans to bring forward legislation to amend the Health Act 1970; the timetable for publication of the legislation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19525/05]
I understand the Deputy's question relates to the possibility of introducing a requirement that catering establishments would be obliged to indicate to customers the country of origin of the meat they might consume. The current position is that officials of my Department are in contact with officials in the Department of Agriculture and Food in regard to this issue and I hope to be in a position to make an announcement shortly.
250 Mr. Perry asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if a decision has been made regarding the case of a person (details supplied) in County Sligo. [19526/05]
The Deputy's question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, my Department has requested the parliamentary affairs division of the executive to arrange to have this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy
251 Mr. Perry asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if her attention has been drawn to the fact that plans are in place to close Caltragh House, the mental health services unit in Sligo; if her attention has further been drawn to the growing concern regarding this closure; if she will ensure that it remains open; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19527/05]
The Deputy's question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, my Department has requested the parliamentary affairs division of the executive to arrange to have this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.
252 Mr. Gormley asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if multi-annual funding for the voluntary sector such as the Carmichael Centre is absolutely vital; if she intends to introduce funding; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19528/05]
Since 2005, there are two separate Votes for health funding. Vote 39 for the Office of the Minister for Health and Children covers the running expenses of the Department and certain other functions. Health services in the main are funded through Vote 40 for the Health Service Executive and the Carmichael Centre is funded by the HSE. Overall funding of the HSE, as well as for Departments continues to be decided on an annual basis with the funding available being published in the Revised Estimates for Public Services.
The question of providing further statutory funding to the Carmichael Centre is being considered in my Department, in consultation with the Health Service Executive and the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs.
253 Mr. Perry asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if she will intervene with a hospital (details supplied) on a person’s behalf; if he will be called for treatment in view of the major need following an accident; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19545/05]
The Deputy's question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, my Department has requested the parliamentary affairs division of the executive to arrange to have this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.
254 Mr. McGuinness asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the reason for the delay in providing a new wheelchair to a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny; if she will expedite the request; the level of funding being provided in this area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19570/05]
The Deputy's question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, my Department has requested the parliamentary affairs division of the executive to arrange to have this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.
255 Ms B. Moynihan-Cronin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children when she intends to meet a group (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19581/05]
The Tánaiste has agreed to meet this group on Wednesday 22 June 2005.
256 Ms B. Moynihan-Cronin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children when she proposes to make an announcement in respect of capital funding for a new hospital in Dingle, County Kerry; the reason there has been no announcement of the 2005 capital programme to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19582/05]
The Deputy's question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. This includes responsibility for considering new capital proposals or progressing those in the health capital programme.
The detailed capital funding programme for 2005 is currently being finalised in the context of the Capital Investment Framework 2005-2009. This process is not yet fully concluded as it must take account of non-capital funding implications arising in future years. However, I expect to be in a position to make an announcement in this regard very shortly.
257 Dr. Twomey asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the reason Ireland has not yet ratified the WHO framework convention on tobacco control; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19601/05]
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, namely 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 in order 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.
258 Dr. Twomey asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if public health and community medicine doctors are discriminated against in interviews for promotion; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19602/05]
Appointments to Health Service Executive posts in public health medicine are made through the Public Appointments Service. The Public Appointments Service was established in October 2004.
The Public Appointments Service is the centralised provider of recruitment, assessment and selection services for the Civil Service. It also provides recruitment and related human resource advisory services to local authorities, health boards, the Garda Síochána and other public bodies.
The Public Appointments Service is committed, in partnership with its clients, to compete successfully in the labour market and to provide excellent recruitment and selection services, based on merit and equality, which support and facilitate the delivery of public services.
The Public Appointments Service is committed to a policy of equal opportunity in its recruitment practices and selection methods. The Civil Service, as an employer, pursues an active policy of non-discrimination on grounds of sex or martial status.
The Public Appointments Service is committed to the principles of best recruitment practice. Fairness and impartiality are absolute essential values to which it adheres as it strives to ensure that the best candidate for a vacancy is selected to fill the position. All candidates for positions recruited by the Public Appointments Service are assessed solely on their merits and against the requirements for the particular job.
As a once-off initiative, and in accordance with the Public Health Doctors Agreement 2003, a number of public health medicine posts were set aside to be filled by internal promotion within the Health Service Executive. These posts could only be filled by candidates with the required qualifications, experience and expertise. As the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004, my Department has requested the parliamentary affairs division of the executive to arrange to have this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.
259 Dr. Cowley asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children when a 24 hour ambulance will be located in areas of Mayo (details supplied) in view of the fact that this has been a priority of the HSE West for some time and there is no ambulance base within the national accepted guidelines of distance from ambulance base; if her attention has been drawn to the fact that lives are being lost and put in jeopardy due to the considerable time lapse which is involved in an ambulance arriving to take the ill person to hospital; when an ambulance base will be provided in this area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19622/05]
The Deputy's question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, my Department has requested the parliamentary affairs division of the executive to arrange to have this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.
260 Dr. Twomey asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the reason a report of an MRI scan of a person (details supplied) cannot be found; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19633/05]
The Deputy's question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, my Department has requested the parliamentary affairs division of the executive to arrange to have this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.
261 Dr. Twomey asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the position in relation to permanent registration for section 7.6 doctors; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19645/05]
Officials from my Department and from the Medical Council recently met a delegation of the doctors concerned. This issue relates to a sponsorship scheme, the timescale for which has now elapsed. The officials listened to the concerns of the doctors and are now reflecting on the issues raised. They will revert to the doctors as soon as consultations with the relevant bodies, the Medical Council and College of Anaesthetists, are completed.
262 Mr. Ring asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the financial help which is available to a person for medical treatment in England when that treatment is not available here; and the way in which this funding is assessed. [19785/05]
Where an individual requires specific treatment which is necessary and which cannot be provided in Ireland, the Health Service Executive may refer the person to another member state for treatment. Under EU regulations, the executive issues a form E112 to the person being referred to establish his or her entitlement to such treatment and to imply a commitment by the HSE to pay the full cost of the treatment. My Department has issued guidelines which set down the criteria to be used by health boards when assessing applications for approval of forms E112, as follows; the application to refer a patient abroad must be assessed before the patient goes abroad except in cases of extreme urgency; medical evidence must be provided by a hospital consultant giving details of the condition from which the patient suffers and of the type of treatment envisaged and it must be certified by the consultant that: the treatment concerned is not available in this country, there is an urgent medical necessity for the treatment, there is a reasonable medical prognosis, the treatment is regarded as a proven form of medical treatment and the treatment abroad is in a recognised hospital or other institution and is under the control of a registered medical practitioner.
In the case where a person's E112 application has been approved the HSE may provide assistance towards the cost of travel and subsistence expenses. The decision in relation to the provision of such assistance is a matter for the HSE.
Arrangements which are made privately for the treatment of a patient in any country abroad, must be regarded as outside the terms of the EU regulations and the HSE has no obligation to meet any part of the cost involved.
263 Mr. O’Shea asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children when BreastCheck will be extended to the Waterford constituency; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19787/05]
New facilities for the national expansion of BreastCheck are included in the Health Capital Investment Framework 2005-2009. My Department recently gave approval to BreastCheck to advertise for the appointment of a design team to produce detailed plans for the design and construction of the clinical unit at the South Infirmary Victoria Hospital, Cork. The catchment area of that centre will include Waterford. Discussions on manpower requirements are currently taking place involving BreastCheck, the Health Service Executive and my Department. I am confident that the target date of 2007 for the commencement of the national roll-out will be met.
264 Mr. Ring asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will be assessed for home help. [19824/05]
The Deputy's question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, my Department has requested the parliamentary affairs division of the executive to arrange to have this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.
265 Ms O. Mitchell asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children when an adoption assessment (details supplied) is likely to commence. [19839/05]
My Department has been in contact with the HSE regarding this matter and I understand a reply will be issued to the Deputy this week.
266 Mr. Neville asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children her plans to appoint specialist psychiatric posts for persons suffering from chronic eating disorders. [19840/05]
The expert group on mental health policy is currently preparing a national policy framework for the further modernisation of the mental health services, updating the 1984 policy document, Planning for the Future. The expert group, which is currently examining the future direction and delivery of all aspects of our mental health services, has a number of sub-groups looking at specialist issues in mental health services, including eating disorders. The group is expected to complete its work and publish its report later this year.
267 Mr. Wall asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the procedures available to a person (details supplied) in County Kildare for a hearing test and hearing aid. [19861/05]
The Deputy's question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, my Department has requested the parliamentary affairs division of the executive to arrange to have this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.
268 Mr. Neville asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children when a medical card will be renewed for a person (details supplied) in County Limerick. [19868/05]
The Deputy's question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, my Department has requested the parliamentary affairs division of the executive to arrange to have this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.
269 Mr. Ring asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will be called for an eye procedure. [19874/05]
The Deputy's question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, my Department has requested the parliamentary affairs division of the executive to arrange to have this case investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.
270 Mr. Connolly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the number of respite beds occupied in County Monaghan; the number required; if she proposes to further develop this service; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19961/05]
271 Mr. Connolly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the number of respite beds occupied in County Cavan; the number required; if she proposes to further develop this service; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19962/05]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 270 and 271 together.
The Deputy's question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, my Department has requested the parliamentary affairs division of the executive to arrange to have this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.
272 Mr. Connolly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the number and details of reports into acute hospital services commissioned by the former North Eastern Health Board; the action taken on foot of any report’s recommendations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19963/05]
The Deputy's question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, my Department has requested the parliamentary affairs division of the executive to arrange to have this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.
273 Mr. Connolly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children her views on whether the €2.2 million cost of distributing iodine tablets to households here was justified; the length of time the tablets will maintain their efficiency; if she proposes to repeat the exercise; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19964/05]
In 2002, as part of the National Emergency Plan for Nuclear Accidents, 12.6 million tablets were distributed by post to households across the country, a packet of six tablets to each household. A further 1.6 million tablets were distributed to health boards for persons who did not receive a supply of tablets or who did not receive a sufficient number of tablets via the postal distribution. The tablets had an expiry date of March 2005.
A representative sample of tablets was tested recently to determine whether the expiry date could be extended. The results indicate that the tablets have maintained their efficacy. A public notice was placed in national newspapers in March 2005 advising people to continue to store the tablets in a cool, dry place in their original sealed packaging, out of the reach of children.
In recent years the threat to Ireland has significantly reduced due to the closure of a number of the older reactors in the UK, in particular the Calder Hall reactors at Sellafield. A programme of further closures over the next five years is planned.
A review group established by my Department, chaired by Dr. Barry McSweeney, chief science adviser to the Government, is currently examining the continued use of iodine tablets as a countermeasure under the national emergency plan for nuclear accidents. One of the issues being considered is the projected expiry date of the tablets. The group has had two meetings to date and is expected to make its recommendations later in the year.
274 Mr. Connolly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if she has noted the results of an international survey which placed Ireland, with 119 cases of MRSA per million of population, highest in Europe for hospital acquired infections; if she proposes to hold an audit of HAIs on an individualised hospital basis; the protocols she proposes to put in place to reduce the incidence of such infections; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19965/05]
My Department is aware of the recent report published by the Irish Patient's Association on hospital-acquired infections, or HAIs. Effective infection control measures, including environmental cleanliness and hand hygiene, are central to the control of HAIs including drug-resistant organisms such as MRSA. Improving the standards of cleanliness in hospitals is a priority. One of the specific actions identified in the ten-point plan to improve the delivery of accident and emergency services refers to the need to address this particular issue.
The Deputy will be aware that operational issues in relation to the services provided by acute hospitals now rests with the Health Service Executive, HSE. The prevention and control of HAIs is a priority issue for the HSE. My Department understands that the director of the National Hospitals Office intends to have a hygiene audit of hospitals carried out this summer by external consultants. The results of the audit are expected to inform the national standards for infection control and cleaning.
275 Mr. Connolly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if she plans to set up a national co-ordinating authority to develop guidelines and strategies in the area of suicide prevention; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19966/05]
As the Deputy is aware, work is now well under way on the preparation of a national strategy for action on suicide prevention. This strategy, which involves the project management unit, Health Service Executive in partnership with the national suicide review group supported by the Department of Health and Children will be action-based from the outset and will outline the priority initiatives for suicide prevention and mental health promotion across the country for the coming years. The national strategy for action on suicide prevention, to be published in September of this year, will provide us with a targeted, measurable action plan for tackling this serious social problem in a coherent and integrated fashion, involving all relevant stakeholders.
276 Dr. Twomey asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if the remuneration, allowance, superannuation and additional advisers package proposed by Professor Drumm as a prerequisite for his appointment as chief executive officer of the HSE was submitted to the Department of Finance for consent; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20051/05]
My approval to the remuneration package negotiated between the Health Service Executive, HSE, and Professor Drumm was given with the consent of the Minister for Finance, in accordance with the provisions of section 17(5)(b) of the Health Act, 2004. The additional human resources sought by Professor Drumm did not form part of the terms and conditions of his proposed appointment as the first chief executive officer of the HSE.
277 Ms Shortall asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if a person (details supplied) has been the subject of administrative proceedings over the past year or more which come under the ambit of Article 12 of the UN Convention on the rights of the child; if there are prima facie conflicts of interest on the part of Irish State parties who to date have been involved in the case, as against the interests of the child; if the person is entitled under the aforementioned conventions to be independently represented; if such entitlement exists in respect of the current administrative proceedings, and therefore is not contingent on any judicial proceedings being brought in the future, such as in relation to the persons adoption or citizenship; if the Attorney General will apply to the High Court for an Order appointing an independent representative for this person; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18881/05]
This is a most complex and highly sensitive case. The Government is actively engaged in seeking to find a solution. At all times the best interests of the child have been, and will remain the primary consideration.
High Court proceedings against the adoptive parents of this child have been instigated by the Attorney General in his role as protector of the unprotected. As the matter is before the court it is not appropriate to comment further.
278 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Finance when a decision will be made in the case of an application for appeal regarding a medical certificate for disabled drivers to the Health Service Executive in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19019/05]
I have no direct responsibility for the day to day operation of the medical board of appeal for the disabled drivers and disabled passengers (tax concessions) scheme. Queries on individual cases may be addressed to the secretary of the disabled drivers medical board of appeal, c/o National Rehabilitation Hospital, Dún Laoghaire, County Dublin or alternatively by telephone at 01 2355279.
The Deputy may be aware that there were a number of operational difficulties with the board of appeal and these have now been resolved. The new chairperson of the board, whom I appointed on 14 March 2005, has been asked to address the backlog of appeals as a priority. To facilitate more frequent meetings of the board, I brought in new regulations on 7 April 2005 allowing for the appointment of up to ten medical practitioners to the board of appeal. There are currently seven medical practitioners on the board of appeal, and I hope to make further appointments shortly. It is intended that these improvements will substantially reduce the current waiting time for an appeal.
279 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Finance the reason for the delay in determining an appeal in relation to the sanctioning of a medical certificate for a disabled driver (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19069/05]
I have no direct responsibility for the day to day operation of the medical board of appeal for the disabled drivers and disabled passengers (tax concessions) scheme. Queries on individual cases may be addressed to the secretary of the disabled drivers medical board of appeal, c/o National Rehabilitation Hospital, Dún Laoghaire, County Dublin or alternatively by telephone at 01 2355279.
The Deputy may be aware that there were a number of operational difficulties with the board of appeal and these have now been resolved. The new chairperson of the board, whom I appointed on 14 March 2005, has been asked to address the backlog of appeals as a priority. To facilitate more frequent meetings of the board, I brought in new regulations on 7 April 2005 allowing for the appointment of up to ten medical practitioners to the board of appeal. There are currently seven medical practitioners on the board of appeal, and I hope to make further appointments shortly. It is intended that these improvements will substantially reduce the current waiting time for an appeal.
280 Mr. Broughan asked the Minister for Finance if he will provide a description of the configuration of the Government’s data VPN in the Kildare Street and Government Buildings area; the capacity of the Oireachtas data connection to the VPN; the capacity of the VPN data connection to the Internet; his plans to enhance the data capacity of the Government VPN; his further plans to provide additional data capacity and resilience for the VPN connection to and from the Oireachtas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19352/05]
My Department has installed a fibre-based campus network operating at 1 Gbps in the Government Buildings complex, providing connectivity to the Departments of the Taoiseach; Arts, Sport and Tourism; Finance; Agriculture and Food; Enterprise, Trade and Employment; the Office of the Attorney General; the Office of the Revenue Commissioners; the National Museum; the National Library; and the Houses of the Oireachtas. This campus network is, in turn, connected diversely to the Government VPN at 100 Mbps. These diverse connections are shared by all interconnecting bodies resulting in bandwidth availability that would otherwise be cost-prohibitive. The Government VPN has a number of diverse and resilient connections to the Internet, each operating at 100 Mbps. Another such connection is being installed at present and should be available in the near future. Capacity upgrades to Internet connectivity are planned and implemented on the basis of continuous usage monitoring.
The Houses of the Oireachtas are connected to the campus network in Government Buildings using fibre capable of operating at 1 Gbps. The capacity of this connection is a matter for the Houses of the Oireachtas and is not determined by my Department. However, the current capacity is greater than need and is therefore unlikely to require upgrading in the forseeable future. Resilience of connectivity to the campus network in the Government Buildings complex and on to the Government VPN is also a matter for the Houses of the Oireachtas. However, my staff are currently working with staff from the ICT function in the Oireachtas to plan and implement such resilience.
281 Ms Harkin asked the Minister for Finance if a licence has been applied for by or granted to a mobile telephone company to erect a mobile telephone mast at the location of the Pension Services Office, College Road, Sligo. [19380/05]
The Commissioners of Public Works in Ireland have granted a licence to a mobile telephone company to install telecommunications equipment at the location specified.
282 Mr. Kehoe asked the Minister for Finance the number of active pub licences in the country; the breakdown of the figures by county; the number of dormant licences and the conditions attached to same; [19472/05]
I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners as follows in relation to the information requested on the number of active pub licences in the country; the breakdown of the figures by county; the number of dormant licences and the conditions attached to same.
|
County |
Active Pub Licence |
Dormant Licences |
Breakdown of Dormant Licences |
Condition of Dormant Licence |
|
Carlow |
114 |
8 |
8 |
No Circuit Court Certificate |
|
Cavan |
242 |
23 |
9 |
No Circuit Court Certificate |
|
6 |
No Tax Clearance Certificate |
|||
|
2 |
Deceased |
|||
|
6 |
Not Trading |
|||
|
Clare |
379 |
52 |
42 |
No Tax Clearance Certificate |
|
5 |
Not Trading/Demolition |
|||
|
5 |
Deceased |
|||
|
Cork |
1,272 |
40 |
8 |
No Circuit Court Certificate |
|
32 |
No Tax Clearance Certificate |
|||
|
Donegal |
506 |
28 |
3 |
No Bord Fáilte Certificate |
|
25 |
No Circuit Court Certificate/No Tax Clearance Certificate |
|||
|
Dublin |
815 |
14 |
14 |
Not Trading |
|
Galway |
701 |
20 |
1 |
Deceased |
|
1 |
Certificate of Transfer |
|||
|
14 |
No Tax Clearance Certificate |
|||
|
4 |
No Bord Fáilte Certificate |
|||
|
Kerry |
504 |
50 |
40 |
No Tax Clearance Certificate |
|
5 |
Not Trading/Demolition |
|||
|
5 |
Deceased |
|||
|
Kildare |
239 |
5 |
3 |
No Circuit Court Certificate |
|
2 |
Cheque Validation |
|||
|
Kilkenny |
241 |
11 |
11 |
No Circuit Court Certificate |
|
Laois |
172 |
3 |
1 |
No Circuit Court Certificate |
|
1 |
Cheque Validation |
|||
|
1 |
Objection |
|||
|
Leitrim |
149 |
8 |
8 |
Not Trading/No Tax Clearance Certificate |
|
Limerick |
485 |
70 |
56 |
No Tax Clearance Certificate |
|
7 |
Not Trading/Demolition |
|||
|
7 |
Deceased |
|||
|
Longford |
106 |
8 |
8 |
Not Trading/No Tax Clearance Certificate |
|
Louth |
241 |
1 |
1 |
Not Trading |
|
Mayo |
584 |
36 |
2 |
No Bord Fáilte Certificate |
|
34 |
No Circuit Court Certificate |
|||
|
Meath |
255 |
3 |
2 |
No Circuit Court Certificate |
|
1 |
Cheque Validation |
|||
|
Monaghan |
131 |
17 |
7 |
No Circuit Court Certificate |
|
5 |
No Tax Clearance Certificate |
|||
|
5 |
Not Trading |
|||
|
Offaly |
162 |
4 |
4 |
Not Trading |
|
Roscommon |
256 |
3 |
1 |
Deceased |
|
2 |
No Tax Clearance Certificate |
|||
|
Sligo |
210 |
3 |
3 |
Not Trading/No Tax Clearance Certificate |
|
Tipperary |
560 |
34 |
33 |
No Circuit Court Certificate |
|
1 |
Cheque Validation |
|||
|
Waterford |
292 |
10 |
8 |
No Circuit Court Certificate |
|
1 |
Cheque Validation |
|||
|
1 |
Objection |
|||
|
Westmeath |
205 |
8 |
8 |
Not Trading |
|
Wexford |
346 |
6 |
4 |
No Circuit Court Certificate |
|
2 |
Cheque Validation |
|||
|
Wicklow |
219 |
3 |
3 |
No Circuit Court Certificate |
In some counties, the information in respect of the conditions of the dormant licences has not been fully disaggregated e.g. not trading or no tax clearance certificate. The Revenue Commissioners will forward a complete list to the Deputy as soon as possible.
283 Mr. P. Breen asked the Minister for Finance the position regarding an appeal for the disabled drivers allowance for a person (details supplied) in County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19786/05]
I have no direct responsibility for the day to day operation of the medical board of appeal for the disabled drivers and disabled passengers (tax concessions) scheme.
Queries on individual cases may be addressed to the secretary of the disabled drivers medical board of appeal, c/o National Rehabilitation Hospital, Dún Laoghaire, County Dublin or alternatively by telephone at 01 2355279.
284 Mr. Hogan asked the Minister for Finance when the necessary tax refund will be awarded to a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18941/05]
I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that the refund in respect of medical expenses for 2004 issued to the taxpayer on 15 April, 2005.
285 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Finance if a person (details supplied) in County Kildare will be issued with a statement of their tax contributions for 2004; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18998/05]
I have been advised by the Revenue Commissioners that a PAYE balancing statement for 2004, showing details of earnings and tax deductions, issued to the taxpayer on 8 June 2005.
286 Mr. Morgan asked the Minister for Finance the amount of revenue which would be raised on an annual basis if his Department was to implement the recommendation contained in the NESC report on housing regarding a separate tax on second homes if such a tax was set at an annual rate of 0.5% of the value of the second home. [19063/05]
There are no reliable estimates of the number of second and additional residential properties in the State. Consequently, it is not possible at this point to assess the amount of tax that would be raised by charging a residential property tax on all second and additional residences at 0.5% of the value of such homes.
287 Mr. Bruton asked the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the Revenue Commissioners have started to tax small payments made to cover supervision of voluntary study period at school; if he has received submissions from schools that this is likely to result in the discontinuation of this facility which is not covered by the Department of Education and Science provision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19079/05]
I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that payments for school supervision of voluntary study are taxable in the same way as an individual's other employment income. This is not a new tax treatment or practice. There has been no change in tax law in this respect nor did any new instruction in this regard issue from the Revenue Commissioners.
It is a general principle of taxation that, as far as possible, income from all sources should be subject to taxation, and this can include income such as additional payments made in respect of supervision of voluntary study periods in schools.
The general thrust of the Government's policy in relation to personal taxation has been to broaden the tax base while lowering rates, widening bands and increasing credits. Thus, as a result of budgetary changes made since this Government came into office in 1997, the burden of taxation has reduced for all categories of income earner in recent years.
My Department has no record of any submissions from schools on this matter.
288 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for Finance if he has received a request to provide funding to enable Fermoy flood plan to be undertaken; if so, the amount requested; if he will make funding available as a matter of urgency in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19085/05]
The Office of Public Works plans to place the proposals to alleviate the flood risk on the Munster Blackwater River in Fermoy on formal public display, as required under the Arterial Drainage Acts, in the autumn of 2005.
In recent months, the OPW has concentrated on the development of the early flood warning system for the Munster Blackwater River catchment. The warning system is vital for the proposed scheme in Fermoy, as there is extensive use of demountable defences proposed there.
Progression of the scheme will, to some degree, depend on the observations received during the exhibition period. Construction of an acceptable scheme will depend on the availability of funds and the prioritisation of the large number of schemes that are required in various locations.
289 Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Finance if the owners of the Leas Cross Nursing Home benefited from the nursing homes tax incentive scheme; if so, the amount of tax foregone; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19109/05]
290 Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Finance the number of persons who have availed of the nursing homes tax incentive scheme; the cost of this scheme to the public finances; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19110/05]
306 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Finance the number of nursing homes that have availed of capital tax allowances each year since this tax shelter was introduced. [19350/05]
307 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Finance the number of nursing home beds provided each year under the capital tax allowances scheme since this scheme was introduced. [19351/05]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 289, 290, 306 and 307 together.
The Revenue Commissioners are not in a position to estimate the number of nursing homes which have benefited from this tax incentive. This is because the normal self-assessment tax return form does not distinguish between capital allowances claimed in respect of private nursing homes from those claimed in respect of other buildings entitled to capital allowances. Consequently it is not possible for Revenue to indicate the level of take-up of this specific incentive. With regard to this issue my Department and the Revenue Commissioners have been working closely recently to investigate data capture issues with a view to improving data quality and transparency without overburdening compliant taxpayers. Arising from this work, provisions were included in Finance Act 2004 introducing a number of changes to the tax return forms which will yield additional information regarding various tax reliefs. The preliminary data should become available from early 2006 after the returns for 2004 are filed in October 2005.
Capital allowances for private nursing homes were introduced in Finance Act 1998 with effect from 3 December 1997. The latest information from the Department of Health and Children is that the number of beds in private nursing homes increased from 6,932 at the end of 1997 to 13,178 in December 2003. An estimated 8,527 persons in these nursing homes receive direct Exchequer support of one form or another for their fees. The new capital allowances incentive for nursing homes would have caused some of this increase in bed capacity but the Department of Health and Children does not have any information on this matter.
As regards the names of individuals who have availed of this tax relief, the Revenue Commissioners' obligation to observe confidentiality for taxpayers and small groups of taxpayers would preclude them from giving this information, if this were available to them.
291 Mr. Connolly asked the Minister for Finance if he has reviewed the effectiveness of public private partnerships throughout the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19119/05]
The Government is committed to developing the PPP process as a viable procurement option for appropriate projects within the overall context of public investment in infrastructure and public services.
The role of my Department is to facilitate the PPP process, to develop the general policy framework within which PPPs operate and to provide central guidance to Departments and other State authorities in that context. As capital investment projects, PPP projects are subject to the requirements of the guidelines for the appraisal and management of capital expenditure proposals in the public sector. In addition, my Department prepares and issues PPP-specific guidelines for Departments and State authorities in regard to the assessment, approval, audit and procurement of such projects, taking into account the experience of projects to date and any further relevant information.
Within a particular sector, a decision on the suitability of any individual project for the PPP procurement approach is a matter for the relevant Minister or State authority in the first instance. The value for money achieved or effectiveness of such projects is also a matter for the accounting officer in the Department or office sponsoring the project. While the performance of individual PPP projects is a matter in the first instance for the relevant Minister or accounting officer as appropriate, lessons learned which are of general application are shared or incorporated into guidelines issued by my Department.
In September 2004 the Comptroller and Auditor General published his first value for money study of a PPP project — in this case the bundled schools project which was one of the early pilot projects. This is a helpful report which will assist the development of PPPs into the future. The development of PPP procurement is an evolving process which we will continue to keep under review.
292 Mr. Connolly asked the Minister for Finance if he has given consideration to the effect on the economy of the release of funds from maturing SSIA accounts between 2006 and 2007; if he proposes to provide another savings vehicle for re-investment of SSIA savings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19120/05]
The SSIA scheme opened on 1 May 2001 and entry to it closed on 30 April 2002. The accounts are due to mature between May 2006 and April 2007. A total of 1.17 million accounts were opened during the period outlined.
The impact of maturing SSIA funds on the economy in 2006 and 2007 is subject to ongoing consideration within my Department. The impact on consumer demand is difficult to estimate and will depend on how the accumulated savings are spent or saved, how that portion of an individual's income that was previously saved in SSIAs is used, and the extent to which savings are rolled over into other investment products. The economic effect will also depend on the state of the economy in 2007, when the bulk of SSIA funds, or around 55%, mature. To date, a number of reports have been prepared regarding the impact of the SSIAs by, amongst others, Goodbody Stockbrokers, Lansdowne Market Research, the Irish Mortgage Corporation and the Bank of Ireland. However, there is no consensus in these reports as to how these funds may be used. It is inevitable that there will be a lot of uncertainty about the likely outcomes. As a scheme such as the SSIA has not existed previously, it is not possible to draw on experience as a basis for anticipating the impact the maturing accounts will have on the economy.
As regards a further scheme, the specific goal of the SSIA scheme was to encourage people to save over a period of at least five years. Its effect has been to stimulate such savings over varying income ranges which is evident in the extensive take-up by many low income earners. The scheme has been a success in those terms. The scheme has a specific duration. Any proposals for tax-based incentives for the re-investment of SSIA savings or continuation of savings would be considered as part of the normal annual budgetary process taking account of public policy objectives and Exchequer cost implications. The use to which the moneys arising on maturity of the SSIAs are put is ultimately a matter for the individual account holder.
293 Mr. Connolly asked the Minister for Finance if he proposes to introduce a carbon tax in the foreseeable future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19121/05]
The Government decided in September 2004 not to introduce a carbon energy tax. A great deal of work went into examining how a carbon energy tax could be implemented and its likely effects in environmental, economic and social terms. In this respect the Government decided that a carbon tax was not an appropriate policy option and that, instead, it would intensify action on the non-tax measures under the national climate change strategy, for the following reasons.
First, the Government concluded that the environmental benefits of such a tax would not justify the difficulties that would arise, particularly for households, from the introduction of such a tax. In this respect, the carbon energy tax would have imposed price increases on many products already suffering sharp increases, partly as a result of recent increases in international oil prices.
Second, in considering the introduction of such a tax my Department carried out an extensive consultation process in which 117 written submissions were received. Over half of those who expressed a view on the carbon tax were against it including a number of significant representative bodies. Even some of those who had no difficulty with a carbon tax in principle sought exemptions for various sectors and purposes.
294 Mr. P. Breen asked the Minister for Finance the status of and progress made in the planned decentralisation of an office of the Revenue Commissioners and debt management work from the Collector General’s Office to Kilrush, County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19138/05]
In accordance with the Government's decentralisation programme the Revenue Commissioners will decentralise 50 posts to Kilrush. The decentralisation implementaion group, or DIG, which was established to drive forward the implementation of the programme requested all decentralising organisations to prepare and submit implementation plans.
I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that they have, as requested, prepared and submitted an implementation plan to the DIG for Kilrush and that this plan is being progressed.
An analysis of first preference applications from the central applications facility indicates that there are 65 applicants for Kilrush.
Internal information seminars with regard to the transfer of work from the Collector General's Office to the new locations in the mid-west region, which includes Kilrush, have been completed. Letters of offer for transfer to Kilrush were issued to staff on 10th June 2005. In relation to property acquisition, I understand that negotiations regarding a suitable location are ongoing with the Office of Public Works.
295 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for Finance the incentives in place to support the provision of child care by employers and business; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19182/05]
There are two tax incentives within the tax code to support the provision of child care by employers and business, an exemption from a benefit-in-kind charge where employers provide free or subsidised child care for their employees and capital allowances available for expenditure on child care facilities.
The benefit-in-kind exemption where employers provide free or subsidised child care for their employees applies whether the employer provides the facilities "in-house" or in a premises made available by the employer in another location. The exemption also applies if an employer provides child care facilities jointly with others, for example, with other employers. The exemption also covers situations where an employer makes a contribution to the capital costs of an independent supplier of child care facilities.
Capital allowances are available for expenditure incurred on or after 2 December 1998 on child care facilities which meet the required standards for such facilities as provided in the Child care Act, 1991. The allowances apply to expenditure incurred on the construction, extension and refurbishment of a building or part of a building used as a child care facility as well as to expenditure on the conversion of an existing building or part of a building for use as a child care facility. For expenditure incurred on or from 1 December 1999, 100% capital allowances are available in year one. There will be a clawback of the allowances, in the form of a balancing charge, if the building ceases to be used as a child care facility within ten years.
I would point out that this Government remains firmly committed to supporting working parents with their child care needs through increased capacity, choice and service quality. These aims are the hallmark of the Government's child care strategy. To this end considerable progress has already been achieved, in terms of increasing the supply of centre based child care places, through the Equal Opportunities Childcare Programme 2000-2006.
The current equal opportunities childcare programme, a seven year programme, has both an equal opportunities and social inclusion focus and facilitates the further development and expansion of childcare facilities to address the needs of parents, in reconciling their family life with their participation in employment, education and training. It aims to increase the supply of centre based child care places by 55% by the end of the programme.
The programme provides funding for small scale self-employed providers and larger commercial providers as well as community and not-for-profit consortia of private and community groups towards the building, renovation, upgrading or equipping of child care facilities.
Since it was launched in 2000, the funding for the programme for the 2000-2006 period has increased from €317 million to €499.3 million or by 57%, the most recent increase being €50 million in budget 2005. The multi-annual capital envelopes announced on budget day also included the injection of a further €40 million in additional capital funding into child care between the end of the programme and 2009.
It is expected that the total funding committed under the programme to date will lead to the creation of 33,946 new child care places, and will support another 29,556 existing places. Of the new child care places being created, 24,636 places had been put in place by December 2004, an increase of 43% in the supply of child care places in four years. These new places offer parents greater access to child care throughout the country as they balance their work and family needs.
296 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Finance the most up to date information on his travels abroad for the St. Patrick’s Day celebrations; the persons who travelled with him in his official party; the duration of the visit; and the total cost. [19186/05]
I visited Savannah and Atlanta, in the United States, for the St. Patrick's Day celebrations and to attend at a number of other events promoting Ireland abroad. My wife, Mary, and my special adviser, Mr. Gerry Steadman, travelled with me in my official party. The visit covered the period 13 March to 20 March. While all invoices have not yet been received it is estimated that the cost of the visit, including the costs of flights, hotels, subsistence and car hire, will amount to approximately €33,000.
297 Mr. Gogarty asked the Minister for Finance when Bord Gais will be covered under the Freedom of Information Act 1997. [19206/05]
I expect consideration of the public bodies being brought under FOI during 2005 to be finalised within the coming weeks. Pending publication of the details of the extension, I do not propose to make any further statements about individual bodies in this regard.
298 Mr. O’Dowd asked the Minister for Finance if an early assessment will be made by the disabled drivers medical board of appeal in respect of an appeal made by a person (details supplied) in County Louth; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19211/05]
I have no direct responsibility for the day to day operation of the medical board of appeal for the disabled drivers and disabled passengers (tax concessions) scheme.
Queries on individual cases may be addressed to the secretary of the disabled drivers medical board of appeal, c/o National Rehabilitation Hospital, Dún Laoghaire, County Dublin or alternatively by telephone at 01 2355279.
299 Mr. O’Dowd asked the Minister for Finance if an early assessment will be made by the disabled drivers medical board of appeal in respect of an appeal made by a person (details supplied)in County Louth; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19213/05]
I have no direct responsibility for the day to day operation of the medical board of appeal for the disabled drivers and disabled passengers (tax concessions) scheme.
Queries on individual cases may be addressed to the secretary of the disabled drivers medical board of appeal, c/o National Rehabilitation Hospital, Dún Laoghaire, County Dublin or alternatively by telephone at 01 2355279.
300 Mr. Morgan asked the Minister for Finance the cost to the State in terms of lost revenue of Section 23 tax relief in each of the past three years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19278/05]
I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that, until recently, claims for section 23 relief were aggregated in tax returns with other claims and were not separately identifiable. Details of tax relief claimed for investment in these schemes were not captured by the Office of the Revenue Commissioners in such a way as to provide a specific basis for compiling estimates of the total annual cost to the Exchequer. Claims for these reliefs were aggregated in tax returns with other claims, such as with industrial buildings allowances generally or with other capital allowances, and did not distinguish between the reliefs claimed in respect of the different schemes.
My Department has been working closely with the Revenue Commissioners to examine how information capture in this area could be improved and the Revenue Commissioners have recently introduced changes to the income tax returns forms which are intended to yield additional information on the take-up of a range of reliefs claimed by individuals. This would include information on claims in respect of section 23 reliefs. This information will begin to become available from late 2005. Corresponding changes have been made to the corporation tax return form which will produce similar information for accounting periods ending in 2005 and subsequent years.
301 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Finance if the OPW has acquired a site for the new Garda divisional headquarters in Wexford town; the location of the site and the amount paid; if the views of local public representatives were taken into account in deciding on the best site; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19301/05]
The Commissioners of Public Works are considering the purchase of a new site for a divisional headquarters Garda station in Wexford town. As soon as the formal approval of the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform and the Garda authorities is received, the legal formalities will be dealt with as quickly as possible.
302 Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to the campaign for the sale of IMF gold to fund debt cancellation; if he supports this campaign; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19339/05]
I refer the Deputy to my replies to the House on a number of occasions between 8 March and 20 May 2005, on the subject of the use of IMF resources such as gold to fund debt relief in developing countries.
Adequate financing for debt relief is an essential precondition if such relief is to make a real difference in reducing poverty in many parts of the world. It is important to adequately finance the relief of debts owed to the International Monetary Fund so that the fund can continue to play a role in the poorest countries.
At the recent spring meetings of the IMF and World Bank there was preliminary discussion of key issues regarding proposals for further multi-lateral debt relief and its financing options. The meeting called for further discussion with shareholders and examination of the issues, including the possible use of IMF resources, by the time of annual meetings of the IMF and World Bank in the autumn. Financing the development agenda remains a significant challenge and substantial increases will be needed in order to progress to the targets of the millennium development goals.
I welcome the progress in relation to proposals for debt cancellation announced over the weekend following the G8 finance Ministers' meeting, in preparation for the G8 summit to be held in Gleneagles in July. It is understood that the G8 proposals to fund debt cancellation will be put to the annual meetings of the international financial institutions.
303 Mr. Hogan asked the Minister for Finance if he will provide aggregate data on the total amount of corporation tax received from the retail and wholesale grocery sector during each of the tax years from 2002 to 2004; if corporation tax is levied on companies that operate from an unlimited liability structure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19340/05]
Corporation tax is charged on the profits of companies, including unlimited companies.
As regards corporation tax receipts, I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that the latest relevant information available is the corporation tax liability in respect of accounting periods ending between 1 January 2002 and 31 December 2003. To the extent that the figures relating to the retail and wholesale grocery sector can be separately identified they are set out in the following table.
|
Accounting periods ending 31st December |
Corporation tax liability €m |
|
2002 |
170 |
|
2003 |
164 |
The figures include the total tax liabilities of certain retail outlets which trade simultaneously in groceries and other types of goods at common locations. The grocery element of these cannot be separately identified on tax records. The above estimates must be regarded as very tentative.
304 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Finance the number of persons aged over 65 years who pay tax at 20% only and 42%. [19348/05]
I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that on the basis of income tax returns received for 2002, the latest year for which the relevant figures are available, it is estimated that some 24,200 income earners aged 65 years and over were liable to income tax at the 20% rate and a further 18,500 income earners aged 65 years were liable to tax at the 42% rate. In addition to these numbers, some 93,100 in the same age group were exempt from income tax altogether and a further 13,300 were liable to tax at the marginal relief rate of taxation which applies to incomes which are not greatly in excess of the age exemption limits.
It should be noted that in the case of social welfare pension income, the extent to which taxation actually arises in a given case depends on the amount of other income that the social welfare recipient, or the recipient's spouse, has in the particular tax year. If there is no other income in addition to the social welfare payment, the existing exemption limits or tax credits can be expected to ensure that there is no tax to be paid on the social welfare income itself. A married couple who has elected or has been deemed to have elected for joint assessment is counted as one tax unit.
305 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Finance the amount of income tax collected in the past tax year from old age pensioners. [19349/05]
Entitlement to the old age pension, whether contributory or non-contributory, arises from the age of 66 years. I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that their income tax statistics do not generally distinguish between the amounts of tax that arise from pensions and from other sources. However, it is tentatively estimated that for 2002, the latest year for which information is available, the total tax liability on the combined pension and other income of income earners aged 65 years or over was of the order of €220 million.
In the case of social welfare pension income, the extent to which taxation actually arises in a given case depends on the amount of other income that the social welfare recipient, or the recipient's spouse, has in the particular tax year. If there is no other income in addition to the social welfare payment, the existing exemption limits or tax credits can be expected to ensure that there is no tax to be paid on the social welfare income itself.
308 Mr. P. Breen asked the Minister for Finance the reason Ennis was not included in the flood relief measures announced in May 2005 (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19386/05]
The Commissioners of Public Works have prepared a flood relief scheme for the town of Ennis and it is intended to bring this scheme to statutory public exhibition stage before the end of the year. In the light of observations received arising out of the exhibition process, the scheme will be further reviewed and amended, if necessary, and the sanction of the Minister for Finance to proceed to detailed design and tender stage will then be sought.
309 Mr. Morgan asked the Minister for Finance the amount of funding which is required to implement the recommendations of the coastal study on the Dodder; the amount of funding which is required to improve the defence between London Bridge Road and Newbridge Avenue on the east side of the river; and if his Department will release this funding to Dublin City Council. [19452/05]
310 Mr. Morgan asked the Minister for Finance the amount of funding which is being given to Dublin to improve its flood protection; and the criteria by which this is allocated. [19453/05]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 309 and 310 together.
Since the major flooding in 2002, the Office of Public Works, OPW, in co-operation with Dublin City Council, Fingal County Council and Meath County Council, has been implementing flood alleviation measures recommended in the River Tolka flooding study that was under way at the time. In carrying out those works in Dublin, the OPW and Dublin City Council have pursued a policy of completing work in areas where there was the highest risk of flooding. Those works have now mostly been completed.
The OPW has to date allocated funding of €1.6 million to Dublin City Council to construct flood barriers along a portion of the Dodder river, following the severe flooding event in Dublin in February 2002. The OPW has had preliminary discussions with city council officials regarding the need for further works on the Dodder. It is not possible at this stage to say what funding will be required for those works.
The Dublin coastal flooding protection study which was commissioned by Dublin City Council and part-funded by the OPW and the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources which has responsibility for coastal and tidal flooding examined the causes and impacts of flooding from Portmarnock to Booterstown. A draft report was received by the OPW some months ago, and preliminary discussions have taken place with Dublin City Council officials and officials from the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources. A further revised version of the draft report has been received from Dublin City Council in the past few weeks. The draft report is a very detailed document and is currently being examined, but that will take some time because of its size and complexity.
The flood defence proposals contained in the draft report are estimated to cost over €100 million. It is anticipated that the measures recommended will need to be carried out on an incremental basis over several years. Requests for funding from the OPW for measures where the risk of flooding arises from a combination of tidal and fluvial influences will have to be carefully considered and prioritised in the context of the OPW's annual budget for flood relief projects, the large number of flood alleviation projects currently being advanced by the OPW and the urgency attaching to the various measures recommended in the coastal study report.
311 Mr. Gregory asked the Minister for Finance, further to Parliamentary Question No. 267 of 10 June 2003, if a decision has yet been made by the OPW regarding the remaining sections of the river wall at the rear of houses on Tolka Road, Dublin 3, which have not been strengthened and at which protective railings need replacement. [19480/05]
The OPW is undertaking the Tolka flood relief works on behalf of Dublin City Council. All works requested by the city council regarding the protection of houses on Tolka Road arising out of the flooding of the River Tolka in November 2002 have now been completed by the Office of Public Works. I will bring the Deputy's question to the attention of city council officials.
312 Mr. Gregory asked the Minister for Finance if a person (details supplied) in Dublin 3 will be allowed six months to pay an outstanding amount of stamp duty without penalty interest being charged. [19481/05]
I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that they previously received representations on this matter when it was agreed to grant the taxpayer a period of 21 days from 25 April 2005 to pay the balance of stamp duty due without incurring penalties and interest.
The taxpayer completed the purchase of a house on 17 November 2004. The solicitors acting in the case were issued with an assessment for stamp duty due of €10,125 on 1 December 2004. The taxpayer's solicitors presented the sum of €9,450.50 as a payment on account on 2 December 2004 in this case. However, the balance due of €674.50 remains outstanding to this date.
Daily interest is charged at the rate of 0.0273% from 1 April 2005 and at the rate of 0.0322% prior to 31 March on any outstanding amount of stamp duty. The objective of the interest element is to compensate the Exchequer for the loss of the use of the funds from the tax that had not been paid on time. A further penalty arises of 10% of the outstanding duty where the delay in payment is between one and six months, 20% where the delay is between six and 12 months, and 30% where the delay is more than 12 months. Those further penalties are to encourage compliance to have deeds presented for assessment and stamping within the time required.
As stamp duty is a statutory charge on legal documents, there are no provisions for the reduction or waiver of the duty properly payable and already determined by letter of assessment issued on 1 December 2004. The legal instrument that gives rise to the charge for stamp duty cannot be used for registration purposes unless it is fully and properly stamped.
313 Ms Enright asked the Minister for Finance if he has approved an amendment to the superannuation scheme of University College Cork to permit an employee to extend their compulsory retirement age to 68.5 years; if so, the terms and conditions of this amendment; the implications for the compulsory retirement age of other staff at the same university, at other universities and in the public sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19483/05]
Under the Universities Act 1997, any amendment to the superannuation scheme of University College Cork requires the approval of the Higher Education Authority and the consent of the Minister for Education and Science and the Minister for Finance. In my capacity as Minister for Finance, I recently consented to an amendment to the superannuation scheme of University CollegeCork. The amendment provided that the present holder of the office of president of University College Cork shall hold office for a period of ten years from 26 January 1999. By making such provision, the amendment removed the requirement to retire at age 65 from the present holder of the office. The text of the amendment is contained in statute J of UCC. I understand that, as required under the provisions of the Universities Act 1997, the statute will be laid before both Houses of the Oireachtas in due course, as a statutory instrument, by my colleague, the Minister for Education and Science.
The Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2004 removed the requirement to retire on age grounds from most public servants who were appointed on or after 1 April 2004. The compulsory retirement age for staff in the education sector who were appointed before that date is primarily a matter for the Minister for Education and Science.
314 Mr. Bruton asked the Minister for Finance the number of persons who are qualifying for the home carer’s credit; the aggregate cost of this credit; and the cost of increasing this credit by €500, €1,000 and €1,500 respectively. [19484/05]
I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that the numbers of taxpayers availing of the home carer tax credit for the income tax year 2005 is estimated to be 108,000, at a full-year cost to the Exchequer of the order of €80 million. The full-year cost to the Exchequer of the increases of €500, €1,000 and €1,500 mentioned by the Deputy is estimated at approximately €45 million, €87 million and €125 million, respectively. Those figures are provisional and may be subject to revision.
The figure given for the cost of the home carer tax credit is a downward revision of a figure provided in reply to a previous related question given on 19 April last. The revision was necessitated by new information becoming available in the interim.
315 Mr. Bruton asked the Minister for Finance the distribution of taxpayers between single, widowed, one-parent family, married, one-income and married two-income units. [19485/05]
I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that the estimated distribution of income earners for 2005 across the various categories mentioned by the Deputy is as shown in the following table.
|
Income Earners |
Married, one spouse earning |
Married, two spouses earning |
Single with children |
Single no children |
Widowed with children |
Widowed no children |
Total |
|
Liable to income tax |
229,100 |
320,000 |
44,500 |
631,400 |
5,900 |
22,900 |
1,253,800 |
|
Exempt from tax |
132,300 |
48,300 |
44,800 |
391,700 |
4,300 |
35,100 |
656,500 |
|
Total |
361,400 |
368,300 |
89,300 |
1,023,100 |
10,200 |
58,000 |
1,910,300 |
Figures are rounded to the nearest 100. A married couple that has elected or has been deemed to have elected for joint assessment is counted as one tax unit.
Those figures are provisional and are subject to revision.
316 Mr. Bruton asked the Minister for Finance the cost of increasing the married one-income standard rate cut-off point from €38,400 to €58,800. [19486/05]
I assume that what the Deputy has in mind is a band structure where: the value of the married one-earner band would be €58,800; the value of the married two-earner band would also be €58,800, with no restriction on transferability between spouses; the value of the single band would be €29,400; and the value of the lone or widowed parent band would be €33,400. I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that the estimated cost of such a band structure would be about €640 million in a full year.
317 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Finance his plans to include tax incentives with particular references to thatched premises in the tourism sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19510/05]
There are no proposals to introduce tax incentives with particular reference to thatched premises in the tourism sector. Funding is, however, available through a grants scheme operated by my colleague, Deputy Roche, the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, whereby assistance is available in respect of the cost of preserving and restoring thatched roofing. I am satisfied that this grants scheme is the appropriate mechanism for encouraging the preservation and renovation of thatched roofing, rather than the introduction of a specific tax incentive scheme.
318 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Finance the reason the VAT annual return of trading details continues to relate to the year commencing on 6 April in view of the general change in the tax year in order to relate to the calendar year; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the co-existence of different accounting years causes inconvenience to taxpayers; and when he will arrange for the realignment of the VAT annual return period with the calendar year commencing on 1 January. [19511/05]
I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that the VAT annual return of trading details is not specifically related to the year commencing 6 April. In the case of a sole trader, the taxpayer decides on the 12-month period to be covered by the return, and the Revenue Commissioners issue the relevant form for completion accordingly. In the case of a company, the period for the return of trading details is aligned to the accounting period used by the company for corporation tax purposes.
Given the flexibility available to taxpayers as outlined, there is no need for realignment of the VAT annual returns period with the calendar year. However, if the Deputy is aware of a particular taxpayer who wishes to change his or her selected VAT return period, the necessary arrangements can be made by contacting the Collector General's Office, Sarsfield House, Limerick.
319 Dr. Cowley asked the Minister for Finance the expenditure shortfall to date in the BMW region under the NDP; his plans to make up this shortfall in the remaining years of the national development plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19621/05]
The national development plan, NDP, provides an indicative expenditure profile for each of the seven operational programmes, for the Border, midlands and western, BMW, and southern and eastern regions for each year from 2000 to 2006. Those profiles were set in 2000 when the operational programmes were prepared. The levels of resources allocated annually are determined by public expenditure ceilings set by the Government, taking account of the wider budgetary considerations and the requirements of economic stability. European Structural Funds are profiled to ensure consistency with the EU budget commitments of such funds to each operational programme for each year of the NDP. However, expenditure under the EU-funded elements of the operational programmes continues until the end of 2008. To ensure consistency of reporting, progress on expenditure is reported against the original profile of expenditure.
The table below sets out the expenditure reported for the BMW region to the monitoring committee for each operational programme to the end of 2004 — the latest period for which completed reports are available. In the case of measures funded by the Structural Funds, expenditure has been profiled for each year from 2000 to 2006, even though spending on those will continue to the end of 2008 in the BMW region.
|
Operational Programme |
BMW Profile 2000-2004 |
BMW Expenditure 2000-2004 |
Expenditure versus Profile |
|
€m |
€m |
% |
|
|
Economic and Social Infrastructure |
4,775 |
4,291 |
90 |
|
Employment and Human Resources Development |
3,102 |
2,921 |
94 |
|
Productive Sector |
1,796 |
602 |
34 |
|
Border, Midlands and Western Region |
2,880 |
1,761 |
61 |
|
PEACE II and Technical Assistance |
144 |
66 |
49 |
|
Total |
12,697 |
9,641 |
76 |
Includes all NDP sources of funding; Exchequer, EU and Private.
I have already acknowledged that expenditure in the BMW region is behind the indicative target set out in the plan. I expect expenditure to show an increase in the BMW region over the remaining years of the NDP.
The responsibility of my Department is to ensure that resources are made available to meet the Government's objectives and to secure full draw-down of Ireland's allocation of Structural Funds. It is my objective that, as major projects are completed, more funds will become available over the remainder of the NDP for investment in the BMW region in order that progress can be made on rectifying the existing imbalance. I am confident that sufficient expenditure will be incurred to draw down the structural funds allocation for the BMW region.
320 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Finance if a person (details supplied) in County Kildare received all of their tax allowances for each of the past three years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19637/05]
I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that PAYE balancing statements for the years 2002, 2003 and 2004, granting all tax credits due to the taxpayer, will issue in the coming days.
321 Mr. Morgan asked the Minister for Finance the tax revenue raised by the financial services sector here for the Exchequer in each of the past five years. [19838/05]
I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that figures for the estimated corporation tax paid in the years 2000 to 2004, inclusive, by banks, their Irish subsidiaries, banking activities in the IFSC, insurance companies and building societies are shown in the following table.
|
Year |
Estimated corporation tax yield from the financial services sector |
|
€m |
|
|
2000 |
965 |
|
2001 |
1,080 |
|
2002 |
1,280 |
|
2003 |
1,100 |
|
2004 |
1,300 |
The amounts do not include foreign tax paid by Irish financial institutions in respect of their overseas operations, which is likely to be significant. Specific annual contributions to the Exchequer of €103.2 million in 2003 and €102.8 million in 2004 were also made by certain deposit-taking institutions.
Other taxes remitted by the banking sector such as PAYE, DIRT on deposit interest and stamp duties on credit cards, ATM cards and cheques are not included in the figures given, since the tax liability is not on the banks themselves.
322 Mr. Neville asked the Minister for Finance the position regarding decentralisation of the Revenue Commissioners to Newcastle West, County Limerick. [19869/05]
In accordance with the Government's decentralisation programme, the Revenue Commissioners will decentralise 50 posts to Newcastle West. The decentralisation implementation group, DIG, which was established to drive forward the implementation of the programme requested all decentralising organisations to prepare and submit implementation plans. I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that they have, as requested, prepared and submitted an implementation plan to the DIG for Newcastle West and that this plan is being progressed.
An analysis of first preferences applications from the central application facility indicates that there are 81 applicants for Newcastle West.
Internal information seminars with regard to the transfer of work from the Collector General's Office to the new locations in the mid-west region which includes Newcastle West have been completed. Letters of offer for transfer to Newcastle West were issued to staff on 10 June 2005.
Further progress on decentralisation of Revenue staff to Newcastle West is dependent on the availability of accommodation. A site has been acquired, and the Office of Public Works is considering a design and build solution.
323 Mr. Connolly asked the Minister for Finance if he proposes to introduce a new national development plan post-2006; the range and prioritisation of projects contained therein; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19978/05]
I will be putting proposals to Government shortly on the issue of a successor to the current national development plan, NDP, which will run until the end of 2006. As the Deputy is probably aware, previous NDPs have been a requirement of the European Commission to enable Ireland to draw down its allocation of Structural and Cohesion Funds. Unlike previous occasions, there is no requirement under the draft Structural Funds regulations for the period from 2007 to 2013 to prepare a national development plan.
An important new factor in this context is the introduction of the five-year rolling multi-annual capital envelopes in budget 2004. That is a major innovation and provides a medium-term financial framework for public capital investment. That gives Departments and implementing agencies relative financial certainty to plan capital programmes and projects in the medium term.
As regards project prioritisation, that is already generally delegated to Departments and agencies which must exercise that responsibility within the programme budget for the areas agreed by the Government and within the framework set out in my Department's guidelines for the appraisal and management of capital expenditure.
324 Mr. Connolly asked the Minister for Finance the effect that the increase in the national minimum wage to €7.65 per hour will have on restoring persons on the minimum wage to the tax net; if he has plans to exempt such persons from the tax net in future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19979/05]
Since the Government introduced the minimum wage in April 2000, it has increased in value by almost 37%, taking account the latest increase on 1 May 2005. We now have one of the highest minimum wages in Europe. On an annualised basis, it stands at €15,515, based on a 39-hour week.
The present entry point to income tax is €14,250 per annum for a single person aged under 65. The Revenue Commissioners provisionally estimate that there will be roughly 37,000 income earners in an income range which would bring them into the tax net if their annual earnings reflected fully the increase in the national minimum wage. However, that group will of necessity include part-time workers earning more than the minimum hourly wage, and certain pensioners whose earnings are in the equivalent range. The 37,000 should therefore be seen as the upper band for any estimate of the number who may ultimately come into the tax net on a full year basis as a result of the minimum wage increase.
The Government is committed to having the minimum wage exempt from tax. However, we are also committed to sustaining economic growth and keeping the public finances in a healthy condition. The question of restoring the position which applied after budget 2005, where those earning the minimum wage were removed from the tax net, will be a matter for consideration in the context of the annual budgets in the next few years, consistent with the Government's overall economic and budgetary strategy.
325 Mr. P. Breen asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if he will provide funding for a feasibility study as sought by Clare County Council regarding the future extension of Doonbeg Pier, County Clare, which will include site investigation and a full report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18958/05]
The position in relation to the provision of funding for Doonbeg Pier is as outlined in my reply to Parliamentary Question No. 250, dated 26 April 2005.
326 Mr. P. Breen asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if he will provide funding in conjunction with Clare County Council to upgrade and dredge silt from the slipway at Seafield, Quilty, County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18959/05]
Seafield Pier, Quilty is owned by Clare County Council, and responsibility for its repair and maintenance rests with the local authority in the first instance.
The Department has not, to date, received an application from Clare County Council to upgrade and dredge silt from the slipway at Seafield Pier, Quilty. The question of providing funding for the works in question will depend on the amount of Exchequer funding available for works at fishery harbours generally and overall national priorities.
327 Mr. O’Shea asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the number of salmon and trout tags his Department purchased in red, green, white, blue and orange in 2001, 2002, 2003 and 2004; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18985/05]
The management of the salmon and trout tagging scheme is the responsibility of the Central Fisheries Board and the regional fisheries boards. It has not been possible within the time available to gather the information sought by the Deputy from the boards. I have, however, asked the chief executive of the Central Fisheries Board to compile the information sought by the Deputy for the years in question and to forward it directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
328 Mr. Connolly asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the position in relation to the development of the Corrib gas field; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19116/05]
The development of the Corrib gas field is progressing. While my Department has issued all consents for the project, the pipeline consent to construct was essentially permission in principle to proceed with the design process for the pipeline. That has now been done. At present my Department is considering an application for consent to install the on-shore pipeline, which was a condition attaching to the consent to construct a pipeline. I expect to be in a position to make a decision shortly with regard to that application.
Work is also under way on the development of the terminal, including the movement and relocation of peat to the Srahmore peat deposition site. First gas is expected early in 2007, and my specific consent is required for it.
329 Mr. Connolly asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources his observations on the low uptake of broadband Internet access; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19117/05]
336 Mr. O’Connor asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the estimated cost of providing a guaranteed full broadband service to all towns in the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19269/05]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 329 and 336 together.
The latest figures from EUROSTAT relate to 2004 and are now almost six months old. They show, however, that Ireland is placed 20th of 26 countries in respect of broadband connections for all enterprises. The figure in respect of large enterprises is 79%, placing Ireland in 16th place. EUROSTAT also reports that 92% of all Irish enterprises have access to the Internet, which is ninth in the table, while for large enterprises the figure for Internet access is 100%.
The level of Internet access for households is 40%, or 11th place in the table, and 3% have a broadband connection. The number of broadband customers in Ireland is increasing rapidly and now stands in the region of 160,000. For comparison, the January 2004 figure was 35,000. The provision of telecommunications services, including broadband, is a matter in the first instance for the private sector companies operating in a fully liberalised market, regulated by the independent Commission for Communications Regulation, ComReg.
The rate of broadband uptake is dependent on a combination of factors. Those include access by service providers to suitable infrastructure, as well as competition between broadband service providers and the market demand for broadband in the economy. The Government is acting on the broadband penetration figures in a number of areas. The regional broadband programme is addressing the infrastructural deficit, in co-operation with the local and regional authorities, by building high speed, open access metropolitan area networks, MANs, in 120 towns and cities nationwide, using the European Regional Development Fund and Government funding under the National Development Plan 2000-2006.
The MANs programme is being rolled out on a phased basis, and the 19 networks completed to date have come in on time and within budget. Work is currently under way on seven MANs, and construction of a further 82 will commence during the next 12 months. Full details of the regional broadband programme can be found on my Department's website, www.dcmnr.gov.ie.
For smaller towns and rural communities, my Department offers grant aid of up to 55% of set-up costs to enable local groups to become self-sufficient in broadband, using the most suitable technology for their area. Full details of the county and group broadband scheme are on www.gbs.gov.ie. Under the broadband for schools project, every one of the 4,200 primary and post-primary schools in the country will be provided with broadband by the end of this year.
According to ComReg, there are over 45 different broadband offerings across a variety of technologies, including digital subscriber lines, fibre, cable, leased lines and satellite technology. In essence, there are broadband technologies that can deliver broadband to any broadband consumer in Ireland. The Government's broadband target is to be within the top half of EU countries by the end of 2007. The MANs infrastructure is being put in place by the State and will remain State-owned, offering open access to the industry that will enable it vigorously to market broadband in all areas. I have set the industry a target of 500,000 broadband customers by the end of 2006. That means a market penetration of around 14% of the overall population which I feel is within reach when account is taken of all the technology options available.
330 Mr. Connolly asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the position with regard to his discussions with UK authorities regarding the broadcasting of Irish television channels in the UK; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19118/05]
I refer the Deputy to my reply to Question No. 89 of 5 February 2005.
331 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if, in the event of the sale of the Atlantic Dawn fishing trawler with the quota of 14,000 tonnage, it will revert back to the State; and, if not, will the State be compensated for it; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19169/05]
In the event of the sale of a fishing boat entered on the fishing boat register, the former owner is required to apply to have the vessel removed from the register. Upon de-registration, the former owner retains the entitlement to the capacity of the vessel. The capacity of the vessel in question is subject to these provisions in the same way as any other fishing boat. However, it should be noted that particular conditions attach to the capacity of the vessel in question which would also attach to a replacement vessel, including a restriction on the number of days the vessel may operate in EU waters.
332 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the most up-to-date information on his travels abroad for the St. Patrick’s Day celebrations; the persons who travelled with him in his official party; the duration of the visit; and the total cost. [19187/05]
I refer the Deputy to my reply to Parliamentary Question No. 396 on Tuesday, 12 April 2005. I can confirm that this is the definitive information.
333 Dr. Cowley asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the reason independent consultants hired by his Department to review the safety of the Corrib gas onshore pipeline are part-owned by the project’s major shareholder (details supplied); if he will defer any decision to grant consent to install and commission the Corrib gas pipeline in the interest of the health and safety of the Erris residents; if the only option available is an offshore oil terminal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19199/05]
I gave a commitment in the Dáil in March 2005 to undertake a review of the developer's quantified risk assessment, QRA, for the Corrib gas field upstream onshore pipeline. Tenders for the QRA were invited from four companies with requisite competencies. The company which was successful following this tendering process was British Pipeline Agency Limited, BPA.
Following media queries on 25 May 2005, my Department became aware that the company selected to undertake the QRA review is owned jointly by BP Oil UK Limited and Shell UK Oil Limited. Notwithstanding the fact that BP Oil UK and Shell UK Oil Limited own the company jointly, BPA remains of the view that there is no conflict of interest. While I accept that BPA has completed the review in a fully professional and objective manner, I remain conscious of the association of Shell UK Oil Limited with BPA by means of its 50% ownership of the company, and I regret that this situation ever arose. In the interest of ensuring confidence in the independence of the process of evaluation of the safety aspects of the pipeline as addressed by the QRA version F, and considering the public concerns and sensitivities on the issue, I instructed officials of my Department to initiate a further review of the QRA. I can confirm that my Department has engaged a consultant to carry out a further review of the QRA and that the consultant's report, when to hand, will be put into the public domain.
A decision on the developer's application for consent to install the onshore pipeline is at an advanced stage but is not yet finalised. I will make a decision when the report has been assessed.
334 Mr. Gogarty asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the number of natural gas-related explosions which have taken place in the past ten years on a yearly basis. [19207/05]
I am advised by Bord Gáis Éireann which maintains such records that the number of such explosions in the last ten years is as follows.
|
Year |
Number of explosions |
|
1995 |
1 |
|
1996 |
2 |
|
1997 |
2 |
|
1998 |
1 |
|
1999 |
1 |
|
2000 |
3 |
|
2001 |
2 |
|
2002 |
2 |
|
2003 |
1 |
|
2004 |
0 |
|
Total |
15 |
335 Mr. Ferris asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the amount a person (details supplied) was awarded for consultancy work conducted on behalf of his Department in relation to the Corrib project in 2002. [19246/05]
The amount paid in respect of this consultancy in 2002 was €32,879.84.
337 Mr. O’Connor asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if a target for energy consumption based on 20% renewable energy by 2010 is achievable; if additional Exchequer funding will be required to achieve such a target; if so, the amount of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19270/05]
Within the electricity market, a target has been established to increase the amount of electricity consumed from renewable energy sources to 13.2% by 2010. That is regarded as a challenging target to achieve. Currently we have 660 MW of renewable capacity connected to our system, and to reach the 2010 target we will have to more than double the present renewable capacity. The current industry build rate shows that the required level is achievable.
The question of what higher target can be set, and in what timeframe, is one that requires further analysis and technical input, largely but not exclusively regarding grid and associated economic issues.
338 Mr. O’Connor asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources his views on restoring the State’s 50% stake in all oil and gas finds; the likely cost of such a move; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19271/05]
The Deputy is referring to the conditions of State participation under the 1975 licensing terms. I believe that the restoration of the 1975 terms would not make a positive contribution to petroleum exploration and development in offshore Ireland. In the context of a commercial find it would impose a substantial up-front capital contribution, while the State's share of income from such an investment would be received piecemeal over a protracted timeframe, e.g. up to 20 years.
The 1992 terms and fiscal regime were introduced to address a situation of declining exploration in offshore Ireland, especially on the Atlantic margin. Water depths here are up to ten times greater than the North Sea and make the costs of both exploration and development significantly greater than those in the North Sea. The costs are also affected by the lack of infrastructure, e.g. pipelines, platforms, terminals, which are generated by commercial finds.
The 1992 licensing terms and the fiscal regime for petroleum were introduced to address and achieve the risk-reward balance which reflects Ireland's circumstances and acknowledges the realities of competition for internationally mobile exploration and production investment. The terms and fiscal regime have been supported and implemented by every Government since their introduction.
It is difficult to offer accurate costs without disclosing confidential information. It is estimated that if the State were to acquire 50% participation in the combined estimated costs of appraisal and development for both the Seven Heads and the Corrib gas fields, the cost to the State would be of the order of several hundred million euro.
339 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 244 and 245 of 31 May 2005, the location at which the capacity assignment form referred to in the Parliamentary Question can be obtained. [19277/05]
A capacity assignment form is available from the licensing authority for sea-fishing boats, Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, Leeson Lane, Dublin 2.
340 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if the Lough Foyle oyster beds are protected under the Irish fisheries legislation. [19299/05]
Under Irish legislation, measures are in place which control the movement of oysters and other shellfish from bays around the coast, including Lough Foyle, in line with the requirements of EU fish health regulations.
The Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources is engaged in detailed discussions with the Northern Ireland Department of Agriculture and Rural Development regarding a Bill which will confer additional powers on the loughs agency of the Foyle and Carlingford Irish Lights Commission, as envisaged in the British-Irish Agreement Act 1999.
341 Mr. Ferris asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if he will make a statement clarifying the situation regarding the presence on board fishing vessels of a logbook for vessels between ten and 17 metres in length who are out from port for less than one day (details supplied). [19337/05]
All fishing vessels greater than 10 m are required to keep a European Communities fishing logbook on board the vessel.
Commission Regulation 2807 of 1983 did grant an exemption to those fishing vessels of between 10 m and 17 m that make fishing voyages of a maximum duration of 24 hours. However, that exemption was rescinded by Article 1 of Commission Regulation 1965 of 2001.
European legislation now requires that all fishing vessels greater than 10 m keep on board and complete a European Communities fishing logbook, that the master of such fishing vessels record the quantities of all species of fish retained on board in amounts greater than 50 kg and that the logbook be completed not later than midnight or at the time of arrival in port. In the event of any inspection taking place at sea, the logbook must also be completed at the time of inspection.
342 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the extremely dangerous 345 bar Rossport pipeline of a company (details supplied) runs alongside the public road over significant portions of its length despite there being no precedent worldwide for such a pipeline passing through inhabited areas. [19355/05]
343 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if his attention has been drawn to the fact that, with respect to version F of the risk assessment concerning the Rossport section of pipeline, it relates specifically and only to onshore, that is, refined, depressurised gas pipelines and is therefore entirely inadequate and inappropriate to gas-field pipelines operating at extremely high pressures and containing obstructive slugs such as are proposed at Rossport, that the HAZID hazard identification model employed was developed specifically for onshore pipelines and is therefore entirely inadequate and inappropriate for that which is proposed at Rossport and that the two risks which give rise to the gravest fears, that is, explosion of the pipeline and failure of the umbilical, have entirely and specifically been excluded from analysis in the risk assessment. [19356/05]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 342 and 343 together.
The quantified risk assessment, QRA, version F, which was carried out on the onshore Corrib gas pipeline that will be carrying unprocessed gas to the terminal, does take into account the pressure and nature of fluids that the pipeline will carry. That QRA addresses the onshore pipeline for the Corrib gas project. That QRA was not prepared for an onshore refined gas pipeline.
To clarify the position regarding pipeline pressures, the normal operating pressure at the start of production will be 120 bar, and the absolute maximum operating pressure will be 150 bar. The design pressure is 345 bar, as this is the initial reservoir pressure, and if production is shut in at the terminal and the sub-sea and subsurface valves in the field fail to close properly, the pipeline pressure could eventually rise to that figure, although it would probably take some time for that to happen.
The capacity of 345 bar was allowed for the purpose of providing the best emergency responses in the unlikely event of emergencies arising with the transportation of gas from the field to the terminal.
344 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if, in view of his consent for the Rossport section of pipeline being founded on the original risk assessment and Johnston report, both of which are now defunct, he will acknowledge that said consent is consequently invalid and that the compulsory acquisition orders relevant thereto are null and void. [19357/05]
Mr. Johnston's report on the pipeline design and the quantified risk assessment, QRA, based on that design are not defunct, and therefore any consents given by my predecessors for the pipeline and the compulsory acquisition of rights over land remain valid.
The QRA, version F, was submitted in support of the developer's application for consent to install and commission the onshore pipeline. That QRA is the updated version of the original series of QRAs prepared for the onshore pipeline. It does not depart in any relevant or material manner from the original version.
346 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources when funding will be provided for Lecanvey Pier in County Mayo. [19431/05]
Lecanvey Pier is owned by Mayo County Council, and responsibility for its repair and maintenance rests with the local authority in the first instance.
The Department co-funded with Mayo County Council and the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs a report entitled, An Assessment of Piers, Harbours and Landing Places in County Mayo. Lecanvey Pier is identified in that report as a marine leisure facility and is rated as category 2, a medium-term priority, where development and repairs should be considered as resources become available.
The funding available to the Department under the port infrastructure improvement programme of the National Development Plan 2000-2006 is directed at projects that improve infrastructure and facilities at key strategic fishery harbours and the construction and improvement of berthage and related facilities at smaller harbours and landing places, with a key role in maintaining jobs in fishing, aquaculture and ancillary activities. The proposed works at Lecanvey Pier do not come within the scope of that programme. There is no other funding available in the Department for marine leisure projects.
347 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the number of applications he has received in response to his advertisement for expressions of interest for excise duty exemption for rapeseed oil and other such products in the context of his plans to reduce excise duty on same; the number of such applications from persons, registered companies and established oil suppliers; the criteria to be used in assessing those applications; the projected time scale for a final decision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19435/05]
The bio-fuels mineral oil tax, MOT, relief scheme was publicly advertised as a competitive "call for proposals" on 20 April 2005, and the closing date for receipt of applications was 13 May 2005. Under the scheme, mineral oil tax relief may be granted for pilot projects producing up to 6 million litres of pure plant oil, 1 million litres of bio-diesel and 1 million litres of bio-ethanol.
A total of 34 applications were received under the call for proposals by the closing date. Applications were received from four individuals, 27 registered companies and several established oil suppliers operating on their own or as part of a consortium. My Department and Sustainable Energy Ireland are currently evaluating the proposals. Details of the evaluation criteria were outlined in the application form, and supporting documentation provided for prospective applicants. Those are: the technical excellence and quality of the proposal; the appropriate level of project management in methodology and utilisation of resources and appropriate skills of the project team; the extent to which the proposal achieves the least-cost path for carbon dioxide equivalent emissions reduction; the approach to the dissemination of results; the market impact potential of the proposal, including its capacity to address market barriers and its capacity for replication; the approach to addressing complete supply-chain issues, including feedstock and market introduction of bio-fuels; the approach to the achievement, monitoring and maintenance of quality standards; the approach to the evaluation of market impact with respect to performance of bio-fuels; and the contribution of international competence in the field.
It is anticipated that my Department will be in a position to make recommendations to the Department of Finance by the end of June. The Department of Finance will then consider those recommendations and revert to my Department with a decision, at which stage my Department will be in a position to revert to all applicants.
348 Cecilia Keaveney asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the position in relation to an application to upgrade a crane at a pier (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19436/05]
Portaleen Pier in Glengad is owned by Donegal County Council, and responsibility for its repair and maintenance rests with the local authority in the first instance.
Donegal County Council recently submitted an application to upgrade the existing crane at Portaleen Pier in Glengad at an estimated total cost of €33,000. The question of providing funding for the works in question will depend on the amount of Exchequer funding available for works at fishery harbours generally and overall national priorities.
349 Mr. Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the number of times a restaurant (details supplied) in County Donegal was refused a foreshore licence or asked for additional information; the length of time such applications go back; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19502/05]
An application was made in October 1998 to purchase or lease an area of foreshore at Rathmullen to provide extra car parking spaces for a proposed restaurant extension. Consideration of the application was deferred until the application for planning permission for the proposed development had been determined, as it is more appropriate that the necessary consent under the planning process be obtained before the foreshore application is dealt with.
The applicant reapplied in December 2001 for a lease for the purpose of constructing a car park, a wastewater treatment system, and a sea wall with rock armour. Processing of that application was deferred, as further information had to be requested from the applicant's adviser.
The applicant subsequently reduced the area that he was applying for, and that necessitated another new application. That application was received in January 2004. While examining the application, the Department's engineering division expressed some concerns about the effluent treatment aspect of the proposal and requested additional information on that matter. The applicant and his advisers subsequently met the Department's engineers. At the meeting, the applicant agreed to change from the originally proposed percolation treatment to a connection to the Rathmullen sewerage scheme. Donegal County Council agreed to that change.
In light of that modification of the proposal, and having considered all other relevant aspects of the project, including its possible amenity implications, the Department recommended to me that a foreshore lease should be granted. I accepted that recommendation, and the applicants have been notified accordingly.
350 Mr. O’Shea asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if he has been informed of a decision of the board of the Port of Waterford Company to privatise the pilot boat service for the port; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19512/05]
The Port of Waterford Company informs the Department that it has made no decision regarding the future of the pilot boat service.
351 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if the ESB conservation division is involved directly or indirectly in the commercial extraction of eels from its weirs on the Shannon; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19562/05]
352 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if the ESB conservation division is involved directly or through third parties in the commercial extraction of eels from its weirs on the Shannon; the financial arrangements of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19563/05]
353 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the mechanisms in place in order that glass eels entering the estuary will safely reach the upper reaches of the Shannon system; if he proposes to introduce a restocking programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19564/05]
354 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources his Department’s plans to carry out an investigation into the activities of a company (details supplied); if so, if he intends to publish the findings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19565/05]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 351 to 354, inclusive, together.
I am advised that the ESB commissions a brown eel monitoring programme on the Shannon under the scientific direction of NUI Galway. The purpose of that programme is to ensure that eel stocks are monitored and conserved in accordance with best practice. The ESB has no commercial interest in the disposal of any eels caught as part of the brown eel programme.
A contractor is employed to remove the eels at Killaloe, where the ESB operates eel weirs, to protect them from potential damage from the turbines at Ardnacrusha. A large proportion of the eels removed are reintroduced to the river beyond the turbines to ensure adequate escapement for spawning.
The extraction of eels at Killaloe is carried out by contract under normal ESB tendering arrangements. Juvenile eels reaching the dam at Ardnacrusha are called elvers. It is the responsibility of the ESB to ensure that juvenile eels can access the Shannon catchment above the hydroelectric power station at Ardnacrusha.
The ESB has undertaken several programmes to facilitate the capture and distribution of glass, or juvenile, eels. In recent years, licences have been issued only to the Shannon Regional Fisheries Board in partnership with the ESB to capture juvenile eels. The ESB, in partnership with the Shannon Regional Fisheries Board, has sought in recent years to trap glass eels and elvers, by a variety of experimental means, in the Shannon Estuary and transport them upstream to assist in the restocking of the upper Shannon. The ESB also has a trap at the hydroelectric power station at Ardnacrusha at which it traps elvers.
Glass eels and elvers returning to the Shannon have been in decline in recent years, as is the case throughout Europe, and therefore numbers of juvenile eels caught are down. The Shannon Regional Fisheries Board and the ESB will review their juvenile eels programme in advance of the 2005-06 season.
I am not aware of any reason the Department should investigate the activities of the company referred to by the Deputy, which ceased trading in 1996.
355 Mr. O’Shea asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if he will publish all the scientific information he has in regard to the state of the north Atlantic wild salmon stocks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19605/05]
The latest scientific advice that I have received on Irish wild salmon stocks is that provided by the standing scientific committee to the National Salmon Commission in November 2004, which I understand was widely disseminated at that time.
This advice and a full description of how it is formulated is reproduced in the Irish wild salmon fishery fact sheet which is available on the Department's website www.dcmnr.ie. While it has not been the practice for the National Salmon Commission to formally publish this information in the past, it is my intention to request the incoming commission to ensure that the standing scientific committee’s report is published from this year onwards.
356 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the amount of funding his Department provided for the publication of a report (details supplied). [19616/05]
The Department provided funding of €33,000 for Mayo County Council in 2002 towards the cost of the report entitled, An Assessment of Piers, Harbours and Landing Places in County Mayo.
357 Mr. Bruton asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if he has commissioned a preliminary environmental impact statement on the Dublin Port application to reclaim land from Dublin Bay; if this has been released to Dublin Port; if it has been released under the Freedom of Information Act 1997; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19640/05]
359 Mr. Bruton asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if Dublin Port has sought a lease of any part of the foreshore from the State; if the granting of such a lease would alter the basis on which permission is granted for reclamation or development of the foreshore; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19643/05]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 357 and 359 together.
Several leases and licences have been granted over the years to Dublin Port Company under the Foreshore Acts. However, the application by the company for consent to the proposed reclamation of an area in Dublin Bay was made in accordance with sections 10 and 13, as amended, of the Foreshore Act 1933, on the basis that the company claims ownership of the area concerned.
Issues arose concerning the company's title to the area in question and these are being actively pursued by the State's legal services and the company's legal advisers. The outcome of this process will determine the basis for the further consideration of the company's application.
An environmental impact statement was submitted with the company's application and has undergone an initial evaluation by consultants engaged by the Department. The results of this initial evaluation were communicated to the company but have not been released under the Freedom of Information Act 1997. I am advised that the deciding officer who dealt with the request under that Act for access to the document concerned determined that its release would be premature pending the making of a decision as to the suitability or otherwise of the environmental impact statement submitted by the company.
358 Mr. Bruton asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the existing capacity of ports on the east coast; the projected capacity needs of these ports to 2014; the key projects to add to capacity within that timeframe which have been communicated to him by the respective ports and the amount of additional capacity proposed in each case; and the terms of reference for the proposed consultancy on criteria for project evaluation and prioritisation. [19642/05]
In 1998, 2000 and again in 2004 the Department commissioned consultants to prepare an inventory of current and projected future capacity of Ireland's commercial ports. The most recent study which takes into account economic growth projections and looks at capacity up to 2014 found that while there were likely to be surpluses of capacity at certain ports, there were also going to be significant shortfalls at some of the major ports, particularly in relation to unitised trade.
Looking to 2014, the study found that projected traffic will increase by approximately 16 million tonnes, some 35% over tonnage handled in 2003, and that there will be a shortfall in capacity of approximately 12 million tonnes overall, of which some 4.4 million tonnes will be in unitised trade, unless action is taken. In the east coast ports of Greenore, Dundalk, Drogheda, Dublin, Dún Laoghaire, Wicklow and Rosslare the capacity in 2003 was estimated to be 36.3 million tonnes overall and the additional capacity requirement for these ports to 2014 was estimated to be 5.3 million tonnes, of which 3.6 million tonnes was estimated to relate to unitised trade. The Department recognises that these studies are not necessarily an exact science, and their implications will need to be checked against actual experience at individual ports.
When launching the ports policy statement, I indicated that the Department would consult the commercial ports concerned to determine their view of port capacity and how they intended to deal with the projected capacity requirement. As an initial step, the Department has sought information from the commercial ports which handle unit load cargo on key projects identified by them as essential to deal with anticipated capacity deficiencies to 2014 and beyond, and whether the ports see these being funded from their own resources or in partnership with the private sector.
Information on project proposals have been received in respect of four of the ports referred to, namely, Greenore, Drogheda, Dublin and Rosslare. The initial information received from the ports concerned to date does not allow for a definitive response to the Deputy's question about timeframes and additional capacity proposed. However, the indicative figures for additional capacity proposed for unitised trade are 5.7 million tonnes at Dublin, 4 million tonnes at the proposed new port facility at Bremore and 3 million tonnes at Greenore. In addition, the Department of Transport informs the Department that Rosslare Europort is to commission a scoping study that will identify the measures required to address the depth constraints at Rosslare Harbour.
As indicated in the ports policy statement, it is intended to prioritise a range of projects catering for unitised traffic at our commercial ports from an overall economic national and regional perspective, as opposed to the perceived requirements of individual ports. To that end, the Department will procure expert and independent assistance from consultants to refine the criteria for project evaluation, to draw up a uniform template for submission of detailed project proposals and to evaluate and rank the projects submitted as a basis for the Department's recommendation to Government. The terms of reference for the proposed consultancy are being prepared by the Department.
360 Mr. Bruton asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if he will explain his statement of 25 November 2004 that the development of port facilities on the east coast which remove pressure to expand Dublin Port will have no bearing on Dublin Port’s application to reclaim land in pursuit of its port expansion ambitions. [19644/05]
The Government's ports policy statement which I launched in January 2005 addressed, among other things, the issue of future seaport capacity requirements. When launching the ports policy statement, I indicated that one of the key challenges ahead was the timely provision of adequate in-time port capacity.
As an initial step, the Department has sought information from the commercial ports which handle unit load cargo, including Dublin Port, on key projects identified by them as essential to deal with anticipated capacity deficiencies to 2014. As indicated in the ports policy statement, it is intended to prioritise a range of projects catering for unitised traffic at our commercial ports from an overall economic national and regional perspective, as opposed to the perceived requirements of individual ports. To that end, the Department will procure expert and independent assistance from consultants to refine the criteria for project evaluation, to draw up a uniform template for submission of detailed project proposals and to evaluate and rank the projects submitted as a basis for the Department's recommendation to Government.
Dublin Port Company applied in March 2002 for ministerial consent for the reclamation of 21 hectares of foreshore in Dublin Bay. The assessment of this application under the foreshore legislation is independent of the process outlined above for the evaluation and ranking of port capacity projects.
361 Mr. Cuffe asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if he has allocated or intends to allocate funding to halt the coastal erosion and remediate the old landfill site north of Bray Harbour that straddles the administrative boundaries of Wicklow and Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Councils; the works already undertaken to address this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19826/05]
Responsibility for coastal protection rests with the property owner, whether it be a local authority or a private individual. In July 2002 the Department requested all coastal local authorities to submit proposals, in order of priority, for consideration in the context of the 2003-06 national coast protection programmes. The Department did not receive a proposal for coastal protection works to the old landfill site north of Bray Harbour from Wicklow County Council or Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council. The question of funding the works in question will depend on the amount of Exchequer funding available for coastal protection works in the future and overall national priorities. The Department is not aware of any coastal protection works carried out at this location in the past.
370 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the reason the statistics regarding the level of penalties imposed for fishery offences here were not included in a report (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19904/05]
The statistics to which the Deputy refers were required to be included in the report to the European Commission by reference to individual instances of the rules of the Common Fisheries Policy having been seriously infringed. Ireland's data could not be broken down into that level of detail. The data available to the Department did not give a breakdown of the penalty imposed by the court for individual infringements in a case where a vessel was convicted for more than one infringement. The Department has been in consultation with the Attorney General's office to arrange for more detailed records to be kept in order that Ireland can contribute more fully to future reports.
371 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the reason the burden of penalties here (details supplied) is so high, thus placing Irish fishermen at a considerable disadvantage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19905/05]
The Commission has drawn up a report on behaviours which seriously infringed the rules of the Common Fisheries Policy in 2003. The statistics were required to be included in the report to the European Commission by reference to individual instances of the rules of the Common Fisheries Policy having been seriouslyinfringed. Ireland's data could not be broken down into that level of detail. The data available to the Department did not give a breakdown of the penalty imposed by the court for individual infringements in a case where a vessel was convicted for more than one infringement.
The average fine imposed in 2003 in Ireland in respect of infringement of the Common Fisheries Policy was €4,871 per individual prosecution — some of which involve several infringements — in respect of 25 successful prosecutions. The EU report on serious infringements for 2003 shows that the average fine varied from member state to member state and involved a wide range of penalties, in the United Kingdom the average fine was €77,922. In addition, a system of confiscation of gear and catch applies in some member states. In Ireland, on conviction on indictment, the catch and gear on board a vessel is automatically forfeited.
The procedures for fisheries offences are provided for in legislation. Under the Fisheries Consolidation Act 1959, as amended, penalties for fisheries offences are financial and imprisonment does not arise. Under EC regulations a person who commits a breach of the European law must be deprived of any financial benefit of his actions and in addition the penalty imposed must be both a deterrent and dissuasive. The fines imposed under the Fisheries Acts 1959, as amended, were determined by the legislature as appropriate.
372 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if procedures for dealing with infringements (details supplied) will be simplified and streamlined to be more speedy and effective and more cost effective for the taxpayer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19906/05]
The procedures for fisheries offences are provided for in legislation. Under the Fisheries Consolidation Act 1959, as amended, penalties for fisheries offences are financial and imprisonment does not arise. Under EC regulations a person who commits a breach of the European law must be deprived of any financial benefit of his actions and in addition the penalty imposed must be both a deterrent and dissuasive. Given the considerable value of fish which can be landed from one trip, the potential level of financial penalties for those breaking the law can be substantial and such persons must be accorded the full protection available in law should they wish to contest the case. Delay in disposing of a case is often at the instigation of the accused while mounting a defence or considering how to deal with the case.
It is not correct to say that considerable amounts of personal bail are required to keep a fisherman out of jail. The master of the fishing vessel is usually the party charged with the offence and he is required to enter a personal bond to ensure his appearance at the trial but such personal bail is usually fixed at a modest amount. The legislation provides that in addition to any personal bond the fishing vessel itself may be detained until the trial but the owner — who may not be the accused but is frequently a limited company — can post a bond in an amount fixed by the court in order to have the vessel released. The Act provides that the bond can take into account the value of the forfeitures and fines and the costs in the event of a conviction.
373 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the status regarding landing times at pelagic ports here; if he has resolved the industrial relations issues which seem to be at the heart of this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19907/05]
As I have previously advised the House, new EU control requirements for pelagic fisheries were introduced in 2004. The requirements created onerous obligations for member states to ensure all landings of pelagic fish over ten tonnes were weighed in the presence of controllers. During extensive discussions with the industry on the implementation of the new EU procedures my Department acceded to industry requests to allow landings at a variety of ports. In order to implement this decision with the available resources it was necessary to restrict the landing times in the designated pelagic ports. The new controls were extended to the south and east coast with the inclusion of the Celtic Sea and Irish Sea herring fisheries from 2005 onwards.
While I accept it is desirable to provide 24-hour cover for major ports, where possible this must be balanced by the legal obligations which the State carries to ensure adequate control presence at those ports when they are open. In this respect, I recognise the need to augment the Department's resources to permit effective control for longer opening times at the key ports.
My Department is pursuing a case for the necessary additional resources, which is the primary obstacle to longer opening times at the key ports. I hope to announce the opening of the ports on a 24-hour basis as soon as the outstanding difficulties are resolved.
374 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if, in view of the safety and quality issues involved, small vessels targeting mackerel and herring off the Mayo coast this coming winter will be permitted to land their catches in Achill as was traditionally the case, rather than having to steam to either Killybegs or Rossaveal as is the case under present regulations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19908/05]
The EU arrangements for the control of certain pelagic fisheries — horse mackerel, mackerel and north west herring fisheries — which came into effect during 2004 and were revised and extended for 2005 provide for, inter alia, the weighing in the presence of a controller of all quantities in excess of ten tonnes landed of any of these species. During the course of 2004, extensive consultations took place with industry representatives about the implementation of the EU regulation. 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 regulation.
The scope of the 2005 Council regulation is wider than that of the 2004 regulation. The 2005 EU regulation requires monitoring of landings of Celtic Sea herring in addition to the other pelagic fisheries subject to these controls in 2004. In this context the provision of the resources needed to meet our obligations under this regulation is even more challenging.
My Department is pursuing a case for additional control resources and in the context of the outcome of that case I am prepared to look again at the ports to be designated for pelagic landings.
375 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if he will provide a realistic package for the decommissioning of whitefish vessels (details supplied) with a budget of up to the €30 million required to make a significant impact; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19909/05]
Taking all matters into account including the funding available to me, my priority is to address the current imbalance between fishing capacity and fishing opportunities in key fisheries subject to restrictive quotas such as monkfish, hake and cod. Accordingly, I announced, on 27 April 2005, a new grant aid scheme to remove excess capacity from the whitefish sector of the fleet. The funding of €8.8 million available will deliver significant results in terms of removing capacity which is targeting these stocks.
376 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the procedures regarding Irish citizens accepting knighthoods or OBEs from the British Government; and if there are any restraints on these outside awards. [18944/05]
Article 40.2.2° of the Constitution states that "No title of nobility or of honour may be accepted by any citizen except with the prior approval of the Government". The interpretation by the Office of the Attorney General of this article has been that a title is an award that entitles the recipient to use a prefix such as "Sir" or "Lord" before his or her name. An award which provides for the use of letters or marks of distinction after the name such as OBE or MBE is not regarded as a title of nobility or of honour in this context.
It is the normal protocol for a foreign Government which wishes to make an award to an Irish citizen to inform the Government and any such requests are considered on a case by case basis to see if they are subject to Article 40.2.2° of the Constitution. Most of these requests are of a routine nature and in the absence of any constitutional or legal requirement are dealt with at official level.
377 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if the Government, through permitting the use of Shannon Airport for the refuelling and servicing of two aeroplanes used for the extraordinary renditions programme of the US intelligence services, which may have had on board prisoners being delivered for interrogation which involved the use of torture, has lent itself to a breach of the international convention outlawing torture; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19394/05]
I refer the Deputy to replies to parliamentary questions on 2 February, 22 March, 27 April and 28 April 2005.
The Government has on several occasions made clear to the US authorities that it would be illegal to transit prisoners for rendition purposes through Irish territory without the express permission of the Irish authorities, acting in accordance with Irish and international law. The US authorities have confirmed that they have not done so and would not do so without seeking the permission of the Irish authorities. No request for such an authorisation has been received from the US authorities.
378 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the position regarding France’s “No” vote in relation to the future of the EU; if there are any contingency plans made; if he was expecting such a decision; if France will follow Ireland’s lead and have a second vote in view of the fact that the result is awkward; if the European support for the EU is worsening; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18983/05]
The Government has expressed its regret at the outcomes of the referendums in France and The Netherlands. Despite the fact that "No" votes had been predicted by most opinion polls, they were nevertheless disappointing.
It has been apparent for some time that there is a degree of disconnection between the European Union and citizens in many member states. Clearly, this poses serious questions which have not yet been adequately addressed. However, the significant contribution of the Union to peace, prosperity and stability must not be downplayed. I am confident that most Irish people appreciate its fundamental importance to our national development.
The Government has made clear that it remains committed to the European constitution and continues to make the necessary preparations for its ratification. The situation, however, is difficult and complex and requires collective discussion among all member states. The European Council is to hold such a discussion at its meeting later this week. This will inform the future approach to this matter in Ireland and elsewhere in the Union.
379 Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the basis for his comments in March 2005 that discrimination against Northern Nationalists had disappeared; the evidentiary basis for his comments; the person or persons from whom he took advice which led him to express this view; if his attention has been drawn to the British labour force survey statistics for 2003-04 which indicate that the opposite is true, that there has been no significant improvement in the unemployment differential in 30 years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19017/05]
The protection of human rights and the promotion of equality is at the heart of the Good Friday Agreement. This was collectively affirmed by the parties in the commitment within the Agreement to "the mutual respect, the civil rights and the religious liberties of everyone in the community". This included, in particular "the right to equal opportunity in all social and economic activity, regardless of class, creed, disability, gender or ethnicity."
In the media interview to which the Deputy refers, the exact comment that I made was:
matters have changed dramatically in the North in such a way, the difficulties in certain areas of the North are more to do with the socio-economic difficulties, the type of discrimination that took place in previous decades, all of that has disappeared.
This comment accurately reflects the fact that discrimination on the basis of religion, political belief, and a number of other key grounds, is now comprehensively outlawed in much legislation in effect in Northern Ireland. This includes the Fair Employment and Treatment Order 1998; the Race Relations Order 1997 and the Disability Discrimination Act 1995. European directives, legislation and other international obligations also offer protection against discrimination.
Moreover, Section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998 places a duty on public authorities to have due regard to the need to promote equality of opportunity, including "between persons of different religious belief, political opinion, racial group, age, marital status or sexual orientation", in carrying out their functions. Those who experience illegal discrimination now have a range of avenues open to them in order to seek redress. The Government keeps such cases under review and raises them and other equality issues, as appropriate, through the framework of the British-Irish Intergovernmental Conference.
The Good Friday Agreement contained a clear commitment to a range of measures aimed at combating unemployment and progressively eliminating the differential in unemployment rates between the two communities by targeting objective need. Encouraging progress was made by the devolved administration to eliminate this differential, including through the task force on employability and long-term unemployment and the procurement review. The commitment to the progressive elimination of the differential was reaffirmed in the joint declaration, published by the Irish and British Governments in May 2003. Recent meetings of the British-Irish Intergovernmental Conference have reviewed progress on the implementation of this commitment, and the issue will again be discussed at the next meeting of the conference which is due to take place towards the end of this month.
380 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will make a statement regarding the extent to which Ireland will participate in the European Union integrated rule of law mission for Iraq. [19127/05]
The EU integrated rule of law mission for Iraq — EUJUST LEX — was established by a Council joint action in March 2005 and aims to address the urgent requirements in the Iraqi criminal justice system through providing training for high and mid-level officials in senior management and criminal investigation. The aim of the training is to improve the capacity, co-ordination and collaboration of the different components of the Iraqi criminal justice system, including the Iraqi police. A planning and co-ordination team for the mission, based in Brussels, has been established and the training courses which will be of three to four week duration and will take place in a number of different EU countries are due to commence in July 2005.
Twenty of the 25 EU member states contribute to the mission, either through hosting training courses, providing trainers and-or members of the planning and co-ordination team or providing financial assistance. The question of Ireland's participation in the mission is under active consideration.
381 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the most up-to-date information on his travels abroad for the St Patrick’s Day celebrations; the persons who travelled with him in his official party; the duration of the visit; and the total cost. [19188/05]
As outlined in my response to a parliamentary question on 12 April 2005, I travelled to the United States from 11 to 18 March to represent the Government at St. Patrick's Day events in Boston before accompanying the Taoiseach to Washington. The cost of the visit, including transatlantic and internal transport and accommodation, will be approximately €50,000.
382 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs when a visa will be issued to a person (details supplied) in County Mayo; when all documents will be returned to another related person (details supplied). [19204/05]
The visa application to which the Deputy refers was received in the Department of Foreign Affairs on 15 April 2005 and referred to the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform for decision. The decision was received in my Department on 3 June, and the visa was immediately endorsed in the passport and forwarded, by registered post, with all the documents that had been submitted to the same address as that to which the Deputy refers.
383 Mr. O’Connor asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if Lesotho will remain a priority country for Irish official development assistance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19329/05]
Ireland's programme of development co-operation with Lesotho began in 1975, making it the longest running of our bilateral country programmes in sub-Saharan Africa. Our programme has expanded significantly in recent years, with the budget increasing from €6 million in 1999 to almost €11 million in 2005. A sharp focus on poverty reduction underlies all our activities in Lesotho. The main components of the programme are rural water supply, education, health, HIV-AIDS and governance.
The Lesotho programme has been in place for 30 years and, in comparison to the other countries in sub-Saharan Africa, where Ireland operates bilateral programmes, the country is relatively well placed on the current UNDP human development index, ranking 145 out of 177 countries. Thus, for example, indicators for levels of absolute poverty, access to basic education, mortality rates for children under five and access to health services in Lesotho, while low, are better than any of Ireland's other bilateral programme countries.
Ireland's support to Lesotho is set out in country strategy papers which are agreed with the Government of Lesotho every three years. A country strategy covering the period 2005-07 was approved at the beginning of this year. The programme will focus on policy development in the areas of health, education and HIV-AIDS, improved governance and the strengthening of systems to enhance the delivery of basic services to the poor. Consideration will also be given to the long-term and to examining ways to meet the ongoing needs of Lesotho other than primarily through direct bilateral support. Options to be considered include channelling of assistance through regional structures and programmes, NGOs and community-based organisations.
The Government of Lesotho holds Ireland in high regard for the quality and duration of our assistance, and for the fact that, unlike some other bilateral donors, it maintained a presence in the country after the ending of apartheid in South Africa. We are conscious of the need to proceed in a manner which takes the special friendship between the two countries into account and continues to meet the development needs of the people of Lesotho.
384 Mr. O’Connor asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the contacts he has had with the new Northern Secretary with regard to the peace process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19330/05]
Mr. Peter Hain MP was appointed Secretary of State for Northern Ireland following the Westminster election in May. Shortly afterwards, I spoke to him by telephone to offer my congratulations and to arrange for an early meeting.
On 18 May I met Mr. Hain in Dublin. This meeting provided a valuable opportunity to discuss the situation in Northern Ireland and to affirm our shared goal of securing the full implementation of the Good Friday Agreement. We are in complete agreement on the need for an early and definitive response from the IRA and, in tandem, a real commitment by Unionism to inclusive partnership government.
I look forward to working closely with the Secretary of State in the same spirit of partnership that defined my working relationship with his predecessor, Paul Murphy. His previous political career will stand him in good stead for his new post and the challenging task ahead. We will meet again at the end of this month within the framework of the British-Irish Intergovernmental Conference. In the future, Mr. Hain and I intend to avail of all opportunities to engage with the political parties in order to move beyond the current political stalemate.
385 Mr. O’Connor asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the update on efforts towards the reunification of Cyprus; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19331/05]
The United Nations has the lead role in the search for a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus problem. However, the EU enlargement process provided the impetus for the most recent efforts towards a settlement which were undertaken by the UN Secretary General in the first half of 2004, during Ireland's Presidency of the EU.
As a result of the referenda in Cyprus on 24 April 2004, 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 stalemate continued. The process has remained under consideration in the UN Security Council since.
In his latest report on the United Nations peacekeeping force in Cyprus, on 27 May 2005, the Secretary General concluded that he was not yet ready to appoint a new full-time representative for his good offices mission on Cyprus. However, there have been some developments in recent weeks. Following discussions with the Secretary General in Moscow in May, the President of Cyprus, Tassos Papadopoulos, sent an envoy to New York for preliminary, informal talks with senior officials in the UN secretariat. As a result of these discussions, the Secretary General asked Kieran Prendergast, Under Secretary General for Political Affairs, to travel to Cyprus, Athens and Ankara during the first week of June to listen to the views of all parties on the future of his mission of good offices and to assess the situation on the ground. He will report back to the Security Council in the coming weeks. The Secretary General will then decide whether a further effort will be possible in the search for a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus problem.
The Government has strongly supported the UN Secretary General in his mission of good offices. The EU remains ready to accommodate a settlement of the Cyprus problem based on the Secretary General's proposals and in line with the principles on which the Union is founded. The objective we all share is an agreed comprehensive settlement which will enable the people of Cyprus to live together as citizens of a united Cyprus in the European Union. I hope that in the coming months all parties will continue to engage constructively with the United Nations to create the conditions in which real progress can be made towards the achievement of that objective.
386 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the reason for the apparent contradiction between the replies to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 225 of 24 May 2005 and 164 of 1 June 2005 (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19393/05]
The Government pledged €20 million in response to the tsunami disaster in South Asia. On 24 May — as I said in reply to the first parliamentary question to which the Deputy referred — approximately €11.3 million, or 57%, of this pledge had been committed to meeting the needs of those most affected. This assistance was channelled through UN agencies, NGOs and other international organisations such as the Red Cross family with a proven record of responding to humanitarian crises.
By 1 June — the date of the second reply to which the Deputy referred — work had been further advanced in identifying, appraising and bringing forward new proposals to assist the tsunami affected region. This enabled me to say in my reply that "almost all of the €20 million allocated for the tsunami disaster has either been disbursed or is currently in the process of being allocated". The phrase "in the process of being allocated", as distinct from "has been allocated", shows there was no contradiction between the two replies. The work in question included visits to the region by the special envoy, Mr. Chris Flood, and the technical team from the development co-operation directorate of the Department.
It is important for donors to meet their pledges and obligations in regard to the tsunami and its aftermath. On this occasion, Ireland will have led by example. We will also remain engaged with the tsunami affected countries to ensure that Irish funding is used to best effect and in a transparent and accountable manner. We will bring our own experience to the recovery processes. We remain in constant touch with all stakeholders, including our partners in the UN agencies, NGOs and the Red Cross.
387 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the meaning of the phrase more binding commitments to one another in this area with a view to the most demanding missions in Article 41.6 of the proposed EU constitution dealing with permanent structured co-operation; the form the term more binding commitments will take; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19588/05]
388 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the sort of European decisions and recommendations of the Council within the framework of permanent structured co-operation which will be covered under Article III-312.6 of the proposed EU constitution; if these European decisions will include military missions; if military missions are not covered; the articles in the EU constitution which preclude military missions being included; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19589/05]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 387 and 388 together.
Article I-41.6 of the European constitution provides for permanent structured co-operation among those member states
whose military capabilities fulfil higher criteria and which have made more binding commitments to one another in this area with a view to the most demanding missions.
Article III-312 sets out the procedures governing the establishment and functioning of permanent structured co-operation and Protocol 23 sets out in broad terms its scope and the nature of the commitments which would be involved.
While the precise detail of these commitments has yet to be determined, it is clear from Protocol 23 that permanent structured co-operation relates to the development of defence capabilities and to more intense co-operation between participants in such areas as training, equipment and logistics. Specifically under Article 1 of Protocol 23, it would be open to all member states prepared to proceed more intensively to develop their defence capacities and which have the capacity by 2007 to participate in the battle groups rapid response elements initiative. They would also be required to make the kinds of undertaking related to capabilities development set out in Article 2 of this protocol. It is possible that the specific commitments made by member states would be tailored to reflect their expertise and experience in particular areas of capability development and crisis management.
In this way, permanent structured co-operation would allow the member states involved to improve their capacity to carry out the full range of Petersberg tasks, including the most demanding missions. Those member states involved in permanent structured co-operation could conceivably develop a capacity to carry out crisis management missions jointly. This would not, however, alter the requirement for the establishment and launching of an actual EU mission to be decided by the Council on the basis of a unanimous decision by all 25 member states, as explicitly stated in Article I-41.4. It would not in any way constrain the right of each member state to determine whether it wished to take part in a particular mission.
The decisions and recommendations referred to in Article III-312.6 relate to the management of permanent structured co-operation itself and would be taken unanimously by the participating member states. As outlined above, they could not involve a decision to establish a particular mission.
389 Ms C. Murphy asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if the Government will set a new target date by which Ireland will reach an overseas development aid minimum of 0.7% of GNP; if he will put in place a multi-annual plan to reach this target; and if the Government will enshrine Ireland’s commitment to the 0.7% of GNP overseas development aid target in legislation before the summer recess. [19817/05]
The allocation for 2005 provides for an increase of €70 million in Government spending on official development assistance this year. This will bring total Government aid to the developing world to approximately €545 million in 2005, the highest allocation in the 30-year history of the aid programme. In addition, the Government has agreed to provide further increases of €65 million in each of the years 2006 and 2007. These substantial increases mean that over the three years from 2005 to 2007, €1.8 billion will be spent by Ireland on development assistance. As a result, Ireland will maintain its position as one of the world's leading aid donors on a per capita basis. This three year multi-annual commitment, incorporating very substantial annual increases, gives my Department a sound basis to carry forward the long-term planning which is so important for development work.
The Government remains strongly committed to achieving the UN target for expenditure on official development assistance. The issue of how best to meet the target, and in what timeframe, is under continuous review. It is not intended that the commitment should be enshrined in legislation. The Department has recently launched a consultative process that will lead to a White Paper on development assistance and looks forward to receiving views from all interested groups and members of the public, including on the aid target dimension.
EU member states, as part of the European Union's contribution to the preparation of the United Nations summit in September 2005 on the follow-up to the 2000 millennium declaration, came to an agreement at the General Affairs and External Relations Council on 24 May 2005 on a new threshold for official development assistance for 2010 and 2015.
The elements of the Council's agreement are as follows: member states which have not yet reached a level of 0.51% ODA-GNI undertake to reach, within their respective budget allocation processes, that level by 2010, while those that are already above that level undertake to sustain their efforts; member states which have joined the EU after 2002, and have not reached a level of 0.17% ODA-GNI will strive to increase their ODA to reach, within their respective budget allocation processes, that level by 2010, while those that are already above that level undertake to sustain their efforts; member states undertake to achieve the 0.7% ODA-GNI target by 2015 while those which have achieved that target commit themselves to remain above that target; member states which joined the EU after 2002 will strive to increase by 2015 their ODA-GNI to 0.33%.
390 Mr. Bruton asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if he has had discussions with bookmakers whose business is regulated by the State in order to assess the extent to which they are making reasonable efforts to ensure that unclaimed money is returned to its rightful owners or where this is not possible, that there is an industry-wide code of conduct that ensures the money is devoted to causes of public benefit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19006/05]
Horse Racing Ireland and Bord na gCon, the statutory bodies responsible for the horse and greyhound racing industries respectively, are responsible for the control of the operations of authorised bookmakers under the provisions of the Greyhound Industry Acts 1958 and Irish Horseracing Industry Act 1994.
As my Department does not have a role in this matter, I have referred the Deputy's inquiry to Horse Racing Ireland and Bord na gCon for attention.
391 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the most up-to-date information on his travels abroad for the St Patrick’s Day celebrations; the persons who travelled with him in his official party; the duration of the visit; and the total cost. [19189/05]
As I stated in a previous reply on 12 April last, I travelled to London to participate in the St. Patrick's Day celebrations from Saturday, 12 March to Sunday, 13 March. I was accompanied on this trip by my special adviser, my private secretary and my wife. While the Department has yet to be invoiced for all the costs associated with the visit to London, I understand the total cost of the visit, including flights, local transport, accommodation and other expenses, is estimated at approximately €7,000.
392 Mr. Kehoe asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the number of sports clubs in County Carlow which have applied for funding under the 2005 sports capital programme; the details of same; and when a decision will be made allocating the funding for this year. [19338/05]
The national lottery funded sports capital programme which is administered by my Department allocates funding to sport clubs and to sports and voluntary and community organisations at local, regional and national level throughout the country. The programme is advertised on an annual basis.
Applications for funding under the 2005 programme were invited through advertisements in the press on 5 and 6 December last. The closing date for receipt of applications was 4 February 2005. A total of 1,362 applications were received before that deadline, including 22 from organisations in County Carlow. All of the applications received are being evaluated against the programme's assessment criteria which are outlined in the guidelines, terms and conditions of the programme. I intend to announce the grant allocations for the programme as soon as possible after the assessment process has been completed.
393 Mr. Connaughton asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the position regarding an application under the sports capital programme by a person (details supplied) in County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19491/05]
The national lottery funded sports capital programme which is administered by my Department allocates funding to sports and community organisations at local, regional and national level throughout the country. The programme is advertised on an annual basis.
Applications for funding under the 2005 programme were invited through advertisements in the press on 5 and 6 December last. The closing date for receipt of applications was 4 February 2005. All of the 1,362 applications received before that deadline, including one from the organisation in question, are being evaluated against the programme's assessment criteria which are outlined in the guidelines, terms and conditions of the programme. I intend to announce the grant allocations for the programme as soon as possible after the assessment process has been completed.
394 Mr. Connaughton asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the position regarding an application for funding under the sports capital programme by a club (details supplied) in County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19492/05]
The national lottery funded sports capital programme which is administered by my Department, allocates funding to sports and community organisations at local, regional and national level throughout the country. The programme is advertised on an annual basis.
Applications for funding under the 2005 programme were invited through advertisements in the press on 5 and 6 December last. The closing date for receipt of applications was 4 February 2005. All of the 1,362 applications received before that deadline, including one from the organisation in question, are being evaluated against the programme's assessment criteria which are outlined in the guidelines, terms and conditions of the programme. I intend to announce the grant allocations for the programme as soon as possible after the assessment process has been completed.
395 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if funding will be allocated for Community Games; when funding will be granted in order that a suitable venue will be provided (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19501/05]
Following a series of meetings last year with representatives of the National Community Games to discuss issues with regard to the hosting of the annual community games finals in Mosney, I approved funding of funding of €100,000 towards the renovation of the accommodation at the Mosney holiday centre specifically to ensure that the facilities are of a comfortable standard for use by the community games participants. In the context of those discussions, the Reception and Integration Agency, RIA, confirmed its continued willingness to facilitate the availability of Mosney to host the community games. Community games representatives have expressed their satisfaction with the range and quality of the facilities and services available at Mosney and their suitability for future national events. They also acknowledged that no other venue in Ireland has the scale and variety of facilities required for their national events as currently structured and that any question of providing a special dedicated venue on the scale required which would be used only a few times a year would be unrealistic. I am pleased that the RIA has confirmed that for as long as the agency continues to use Mosney, the community games can avail of the facilities there. A new contract was signed between Mosney Irish Holidays Limited and the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform on 18 November 2004.
396 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the extent of the financial support he proposes to offer through Kildare County Council towards the building of a swimming pool at Leixlip; when work will commence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19837/05]
I refer the Deputy to my reply to his Parliamentary Question No. 258 of Tuesday 31, May 2005 which sets out the position on Leixlip, Maynooth and Celbridge. The position outlined in the reply continues to apply.
397 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the steps taken to implement the Commission’s recommendation of 12 July 2004 on the transposition into national law of directives affecting the Internal Market; if the list of untransposed directives has been published on the internet as recommended by the Commission; and if so, where. [19130/05]
In advance of the Irish Presidency of the EU in 2004, the internal mechanisms of this and other relevant Departments and the procedures for monitoring the transposition of directives across Departments were reviewed and strengthened. In that regard, all Departments were largely following best practice as outlined in the Commission's recommendation even before it was adopted.
The Taoiseach has communicated to all Ministers the priority he attaches to the timely and correct transposition of EU legislation. His Department plays a direct co-ordinating role in monitoring progress in transposing EU Internal Market legislation. This monitoring is conducted through the interdepartmental co-ordinating committee on EU affairs, ICCEUA, the secretariat of which is in the Taoiseach's Department. The ICCEUA is made up of senior officials from all relevant Departments and is chaired by the Minister of State with responsibility for EU affairs. It reports directly to a Cabinet level committee chaired by the Taoiseach. The ICCEUA provides a high level forum to which Departments report their progress in transposing Internal Market legislation. The committee seeks to ensure that each directive is transposed by, if not before, the date for transposition. Where a directive is overdue for transposition, the Department concerned must give the ICCEUA a reason for the delay and a deadline for transposition.
The timely transposition of EU legislation is incorporated into Departmental strategy statements, business plans and the role profiles of individual officers under the Government's strategic management initiative. Management boards of the relevant key Departments keep the performance of their Departments in transposing EU legislation under review on a regular basis. In addition, the Department of the Taoiseach is in the process of integrating the principles of better regulation into the negotiation and transposition of EU directives and regulations.
My Department liaises regularly with other Departments, in particular the Department of the Taoiseach, on foot of information received from the Directorate-General for Internal Markets of the European Commission on issues with regard to transposition. My Department maintains an electronic database of Internal Market directives, which contains information on, inter alia, the officials responsible within the Department for the transposition of each directive and the deadlines for transposition. Much of the information in the database is accessible to the public via the Department’s website. The ICCEUA is encouraging all Departments that have not already done so to establish a similar electronic database for their directives and a similar degree of transparency in so far as the public is concerned.
398 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the position regarding persons (details supplied) with regard to health surveillance; the position regarding X-rays as a means of such surveillance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19422/05]
I understand that the question refers to the exposure of workers to asbestos in the workplace. The protection of workers from exposure to asbestos at work is covered by the European Communities (Protection of Workers) (Exposure to Asbestos) Regulations 1989 (S.I. No. 34 of 1989), as amended. These regulations, inter alia, transpose Council Directive 83/477/EEC of 19 September 1983 on the protection of workers from the risks related to exposure to asbestos at work. Directive 83/477/EEC has in turn been amended by Directive 2003/18/EC of the European Parliament and the Council which is required to be transposed into national law by the member states by 15 April 2006.
Regulation 22 of the 1989 regulations provides that where the action level at a place of work is or is likely to be reached or exceeded, the employer concerned must ensure that arrangements are made to enable any worker at such a place of work to avail of a health assessment by an appointed doctor. The regulations require that the health assessment in respect of each worker be made by the appointed doctor concerned after medical interview and examination which must include specific examination of the chest.
After making a health assessment of a worker, the appointed doctor concerned must, where appropriate, advise on or determine any individual protective or preventive measures to be taken which may include the withdrawal of the worker from all exposure to asbestos and certify whether the worker is fit, unfit or fit with certain restrictions for exposure to a concentration of asbestos fibres in the air equal to or in excess of the action level. Individual medical records in respect of assessments by an appointed doctor of the health of workers must be maintained by the appropriate appointed doctor and each individual medical record must include the following information: name and personal address of worker concerned; name of employer concerned and the appropriate address or addresses; date of birth of worker; date of commencement of asbestos exposure, if known; medical history; occupational history; the results of clinical examinations, X-rays and spirometry and the significance of the results; the results of asbestos sampling which relate to the worker's exposure; and details of any action taken by the appointed doctor concerned following the results of a health assessment.
Amongst the requirements of Directive 2003/18/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council are the following: Health examination of workers should be carried out in accordance with the principles and practices of occupational medicine. It should include at least the following measures: keeping records of a worker's medical and occupational history; a personal interview; a general clinical examination, with particular reference to the chest; lung function tests (respiratory flow volumes and rates).
The doctor and-or authority responsible for the health surveillance should decide on further examinations, such as sputum cytology tests or a chest X-ray or a tomodensitometry, in the light of the latest occupational health knowledge available.
399 Mr. Kehoe asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the status of the plan to move a section of his Department to Carlow town; the start date of construction on the site; the expected completion date; the timeframe for staff to be redeployed; and if there are plans to locate temporarily the section of the Department in Carlow town while the construction work is underway. [19451/05]
My Department has been making good progress in implementing its decentralisation programme and has been selected for inclusion among the organisations listed as the potential early movers of the decentralisation programme. The Department's decentralisation implementation plan was revised earlier this year in light of the recommendations in the third report of the decentralisation implementation group and a second iteration of the plan was submitted to the Department of Finance in advance of the 31 March deadline set out in that report.
The OPW is close to completing a site acquisition in Carlow town centre and construction is due to commence in the second quarter of 2006. The third report of the decentralisation implementation group gave an indicative timeline of the second quarter of 2008 for completion of the new building in Carlow and my Department is working towards the redeployment of staff once the building has been completed. At this stage in the process, my Department does not plan to relocate a section of the Department to Carlow on a temporary basis while construction work is under way.
400 Mr. Coveney asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the Government’s attitude to the UK paper on the economic partnership agreements currently being negotiated by the European Commission with 77 African, Caribbean and Pacific countries; if, in accordance with the concern expressed by the Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs, the Government will join with the UK and other like minded Governments with a view to changing the EU position on EPAs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19010/05]
EPAs are first and foremost instruments for development that will foster the smooth and gradual integration of ACP states into the world economy. Substantive negotiations are currently under way between the EU and ACP states in this regard. As trade is a European Community competence, the European Commission conducts the negotiations on the EPAs between the EU and six regional groupings of ACP states on behalf of member states on the basis of an agreed mandate. The Commission provides the Council with updates on the progress of the negotiations.
I have read with interest the recent position paper which sets out the UK view on how the commitment to put development at the heart of the EPA negotiations can be best delivered. I agree with the basic thrust of an approach to the EPAs which ensures that the needs and concerns of developing countries are taken adequately into consideration during the substantive phase of these negotiations. More recently, in the context of the further progression of EPA negotiations, Commissioner for Trade, Mr. Peter Mandelson, has indicated that he is putting the EPA process under continuing review with a new review mechanism to ensure that at every stage in the negotiations that the development dimension is put first. I fully support this approach by the Commissioner.
Ireland is actively following the developments in the EPA negotiations process and will continue to do so. In so far as the discussions within the EU Council, including the Article 133 committee, are concerned, Ireland will have full regard to the content of the UK paper. In all of these discussions, we will be insisting that the Commission discharge its mandate in accordance with the provisions of the Cotonou agreement and in a manner which is sensitive to the particular concerns of ACP States.
401 Mr. J. Higgins asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the nature of the communications between his Department and the plasterers’ union referred to in the two page report from the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment into allegations against GAMA construction in October 2003. [19012/05]
The document referred to was not, and did not purport to be, a report on the company named. It constituted a response to an issue raised in a constituency clinic of the then Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment. The response mentioned an exercise undertaken by the Department in the period 2001 to 2002, intended to ensure compliance with the registered employment agreement for the sector in question.
As part of its brief, the economic migration policy unit of the Department kept in touch with a range of labour market participants to ensure that policy was fully informed by the changing realities of the labour market. Such contacts included union and employer interests. On the occasion referred to one of the Department's concerns was to clarify if there was, in fact, an inter-union dispute in progress and a number of the Department's contacts were asked if the Department's understanding was correct in this regard.
402 Mr. Bruton asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the date from which the new threshold for the small claims court will apply; and if he proposes to make any other changes in the procedure. [19111/05]
The consumer strategy group's report, Make Consumers Count, which was published on 18 May 2005, includes a recommendation that the maximum award in the small claims procedure be increased from its current limit of €1,269.74 to €3,000. As I advised at the publication of the CSG's report, the scope and breath of the recommendations contained in the report will require a co-ordinated response from Government. To that end, the Government has approved the establishment of a high level interdepartmental committee to examine the report's recommendations and to report back within three months with a detailed implementation plan. The recommendation to increase the threshold for the small claims procedure will be discussed as part of the deliberations of the high level interdepartmental committee. The Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform which has policy responsibility for the operation of the small claims procedure and which is ultimately responsible for implementing any change to the limit of awards under the procedure will be fully represented on the high level interdepartmental committee.
403 Mr. P. Breen asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number and location of factories and industrial units owned by companies (details supplied) in County Clare; the number which are vacant; the rental cost of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19134/05]
Shannon Development is the statutory agency with responsibility for indigenous industry in the mid-west area. All agency owned factories and industrial units in County Clare are in Shannon Development ownership and there is, therefore, no rental cost due from the agency. Rent charged by Shannon Development to tenant companies is based on the market value for the unit, having regard to its size and location, and varies accordingly. The total number of factories and industrial units owned by Shannon Development in County Clare is 470, of which 105 are vacant, and is detailed in the following table.
|
Location |
Of Which Vacant Units |
Occupied |
Total |
|
Shannon |
67 |
221 |
288 |
|
Ballycasey |
4 |
28 |
32 |
|
Ballyvaughan |
0 |
6 |
6 |
|
Ennis |
12 |
57 |
69 |
|
Kildysart |
1 |
0 |
1 |
|
Kilkee |
0 |
2 |
2 |
|
Killaloe |
0 |
2 |
2 |
|
Kilrush |
0 |
2 |
2 |
|
Lisdoonvarna |
0 |
4 |
4 |
|
Miltown Malbay |
1 |
2 |
3 |
|
Tuamgraney |
5 |
8 |
13 |
|
Smithstown |
14 |
31 |
45 |
|
Gillogue |
1 |
0 |
1 |
|
Tulla |
0 |
2 |
2 |
|
Total |
105 |
365 |
470 |
404 Mr. P. Breen asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the status of and progress made in the planned decentralisation of Enterprise Ireland staff to Shannon, County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19135/05]
As part of the decentralisation programme, the Government decided that the headquarters of Enterprise Ireland, including 300 posts, would relocate to Shannon. Enterprise Ireland identified the posts to be transferred and these were advertised as part of the central applications facility, CAF, at its launch in May 2004. As requested by the Department of Finance, Enterprise Ireland prepared with assistance from Shannon Development an information pack on the Shannon area. The pack includes information on a number of topics such as transport systems, business facilities, accommodation, education facilities and sports and leisure facilities in Shannon. Enterprise Ireland nominated a senior manager to participate in the group established within my Department to oversee the implementation of the decentralisation decision.
Enterprise Ireland prepared and submitted to the decentralisation implementation group an implementation plan setting out the agency's proposed approach to implementing the Government's decision. Between 2 and 4 June 2004, Mr. Frank Ryan, chief executive of Enterprise Ireland, visited the Limerick and Shannon areas for an extended series of meetings with Shannon Development, local authorities, city and county enterprise boards, representative bodies, third level institutions and client companies.
The most immediate implementation step for Enterprise Ireland has been to provide for a new headquarters building designed to meet the business needs of the organisation. Working closely with the OPW, Enterprise Ireland reviewed the submissions received by the OPW on the Shannon location and used the OPW evaluation model to rank expressions of interest. The preferred site which has now been identified is a 13 acre site owned by Shannon Development. Following the Enterprise Ireland evaluation process, OPW reviewed the process and visited the site and they concur with the evaluation. In co-operation with Shannon Development and the OPW, the site was valued and a feasibility study carried out. The site occupies a prime position near the centre of Shannon and is considered suitable for a major landmark building or civic structure related to the town centre.
405 Mr. Broughan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his views in terms of the public interest on a person and a company (details supplied) who and which will be in a position to acquire control over the entire cable television platform here while at the same time being the most significant shareholder; and if he will instruct the Competition Authority to undertake a full phase 2 investigation of the acquisition of a company (details supplied). [19151/05]
406 Mr. Broughan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if his attention has been drawn to the fact that control of NTL Ireland has already passed out of the hands of NTL to a company (details supplied); if his attention has further been drawn to the fact that the parties used an elaborate warehousing stratagem to oust the system of prior merger control provided for in Part 3 of the Competition Act 2002; if his attention has further been drawn to the fact that UGC has agreed to pay a company €4 million to secure its participation in this warehousing stratagem; his views on the involvement of a company and the willingness of UGC to make a substantial payment; and if he considers that Part 3 of the Competition Act 2002 requires amendment to ensure that the prior merger control regime is not sidelined in this way in future. [19152/05]
407 Mr. Broughan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his views on the fact that, in conjunction with the interposition of its bankers (details supplied), UGC will already be exercising control of influence over the former NTL Ireland business; if the Competition Authority will be instructed to undertake an immediate investigation to ensure that UGC has not jumped the gun by exercising control or influence over the former NTL Ireland business before the authority and the Minister have conducted their statutory reviews; and if the Competition Authority will be further instructed to undertake a review of the participation or acquiescence of a company in any jumping of the gun which might have occurred. [19154/05]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 405 to 407, inclusive, together.
The warehousing provision referred to was included in the Competition Act 2002 in line with standard international practice for regulating transactions of a purely financial investment nature. The rationale for the provision is essentially to lighten the regulatory burden for mergers and acquisitions which raise no competition concerns. For example, the EU merger regulation contains a similar exemption. I understand that the transaction in question was notified to the Competition Authority on 24 May 2005 and that the authority is currently carrying out an initial phase 1 competition analysis. As the proposed acquisition is currently before the authority, I am satisfied that the merger and acquisition provisions of the 2002 Act have not been sidelined in the manner suggested and are working satisfactorily in terms of notification requirements.
The Competition Act 2002 also transferred general responsibility for the regulation of mergers and acquisitions from the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment to the Competition Authority with effect from 1 January 2003. Since then, the authority examines and decides upon notified transactions on the basis of competition criteria alone. However, I also have a role in the decision-making process where the acquisition in question involves a media business. In such cases the Competition Authority carries out a competition analysis and I consider the transaction in the context of the public interest criteria listed in the Act. The authority may decide to carry out a detailed phase 2 investigation if required. I may also direct the authority to carry out such a phase 2 investigation if I consider it necessary.
Where the authority determines that a merger may proceed, I may agree or disagree with the decision having regard to the public policy criteria specified in the Act. These are as follows: the strength and competitiveness of media businesses indigenous to the State; the extent to which ownership or control of media businesses in the State is spread among individuals and other undertakings; the extent to which ownership and control of particular types of media business in the State is spread amongst individuals and other undertakings; the extent to which the diversity of views prevalent in Irish society is reflected through the activities of the various media businesses in the State; and the share in the market in the State of one or more of the types of business activity falling within the definition of media business that is held by any of the undertakings involved in the media merger concerned or by any individual or other undertaking who or which has an interest in such an undertaking.
I am confident that the Competition Act provisions for media mergers, in particular the fact that such mergers and acquisitions must surmount two separate hurdles — a competition test and a public interest test — will adequately address the issues arising in this case. Furthermore, any merger which is put into effect without regulatory clearance is void under the Act.
408 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the most up-to-date information on his travels abroad for the St Patrick’s Day celebrations; the persons who travelled with him in his official party; the duration of the visit; and the total cost. [19190/05]
I travelled to Australia for the St. Patrick's Day celebrations. My official party comprised my private secretary and I. The duration of the visit was seven days from Saturday, 12 March to Friday, 18 March, inclusive. The costs which have been finalised to date amount to €8,998.83, including all flight and hotel costs. There are other costs which are being met initially by the Department of Foreign Affairs and until a final claim is submitted from that Department I cannot make a definitive statement on the matter.
409 Dr. Cowley asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the reason the Health Service Authority has not investigated the circumstances of a fatal accident (details supplied) in County Mayo in view of the similarities to an accident in County Meath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19205/05]
The accidents with tragic consequences which Deputy Cowley refers to at Mulranny, County Mayo, where a young woman was killed, and more recently at Kentstown, County Meath, where five school girls lost their lives, were both road traffic accidents. As such, these accidents are primarily matters for the Garda Síochána to investigate. The remit of the Health and Safety Authority is confined to the investigation of occupational accidents.
In the case of the Mayo accident, I understand that the HSA has written to the family of the bereaved and explained why it is not carrying out an investigation. The HSA understands that where the accident took place, although there were ongoing road works being undertaken on a stretch of the road, the work on the section where the accident took place had been completed, even to the extent that lines had been marked on the road.
In the case of the tragic accident at Kentstown the investigation by the Health and Safety Authority is focused upon road works which were being undertaken in the immediate vicinity of the accident. Because this investigation is ongoing I am unable to make further comment at this time. However, I can confirm that the HSA has issued improvement and prohibition notices to Meath County Council in respect of the road works at Kentstown.
410 Ms O’Sullivan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his plans to address the difficulties that will be faced by community organisations that have no community employment scheme but do have jobs initiative as they gradually lose all their job initiative workers as the scheme is phased out and replaced by community employment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19239/05]
Following the recent review of FÁS employment schemes which comprise community employment, CE, social economy and job initiative, JI, I announced that with effect from 10 November 2004, that there would be no compulsory lay offs on JI but that participants would have their contracts renewed for a further term. In circumstances where people leave JI voluntarily, the community organisations may replace them with CE participants. These arrangements are intended to ensure the maintenance of the provision of a network of valuable community services throughout the country.
FÁS employment programmes will provide 25,000 places in 2005. These programmes continue to support local communities in the delivery of services. The continued ring fencing of the essential services of health, childcare and drugs task force clients on CE and the extended participation of older workers will help to ensure that the existing community service support framework will be maintained.
411 Mr. Neville asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his plans for business and industry. [19286/05]
As Minister for enterprise, my objective is to ensure that our economy remains a globally competitive, profitable and secure location for business. I believe we can best help enterprise by putting in place the framework conditions which promote entrepreneurship, encourage innovation and which enable business to be competitive in a global market. When provided with the best supporting environment business and industry will develop their own plans to capitalise on investment and growth opportunities.
My strategy to drive economic development is well established. My Department and its enterprise development agencies have a firm mandate to encourage a more dynamic, enterprising and innovation based economy, which can sustain higher living standards for all. While we cannot ignore the importance of maintaining an attractive taxation regime as one of the primary supports for business, our focus is now on prioritising policies that promote research and innovation, entrepreneurship and helping companies extend their reach into global markets.
Policy development will be significantly influenced by the policy prescriptions set out in the enterprise strategy group's report and I have already announced an action plan to drive the implementation process. This will include the formation of an enterprise expert group to advise me on the pace of implementing the group's recommendations. I also intend to make regular reports to Cabinet on enterprise policy issues together with the wider competitiveness agenda in the context of reports from the National Competitiveness Council.
In tandem with ESG related policy changes I am placing science, technology and innovation at the centre of other hugely important policy objectives. These will help transform our economy into an acknowledged European centre for knowledge enterprises and high technology products and services. To accelerate this process I published the national research and development action plan last year. This sets out the policy architecture to grow research and development expenditure to 2.5% of GNP by 2010, expand businesses spending on research and development to €2.5 billion in the same period and to expand the number of researchers from 5.1 per thousand in 2001 to 9.3 per thousand by 2010. The blueprint for turning these goals into action is being developed in my Department and I will publish a more detailed step by step implementation agenda by the autumn. All these arrangements are closely associated with meeting the goals of the Lisbon Agenda, which aims to radically change the competitiveness of the EU by making it easier for small companies to thrive and become a more important catalyst for employment growth and innovation.
In this regard, I expect Enterprise Ireland's strategic plan for Irish industry to direct a substantial change in how the agency designs programmes to help indigenous firms and delivers these supports to companies. I believe it clearly represents a major change in approach to help firms compete through better innovation and higher productivity, all driven by a deeper understanding of market demand. Mindful of the competitive pressures facing Irish companies, I recently sanctioned Enterprise Ireland's productivity improvement fund with a total budget of €20 million until the end of 2006. This will assist Irish firms in their drive for higher efficiency and international competitiveness.
Ireland must remain an attractive location for high technology and sophisticated service companies. IDA Ireland's continued success in winning world class investments from global leaders in biopharmaceutical, communications and medical device markets convinces me that our approach to this aspect of investment for jobs, is robust and successful.
412 Mr. Neville asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the position regarding employment creation following the closure of a company (details supplied) in County Limerick. [19287/05]
I am aware that the company in question offered its employees an opportunity to take up alternative positions in either its food ingredient operations in Charleville where a major expansion is taking place, or Listowel, County Kerry where demand for workers is also increasing. An out placement consultant was also on site to assist those employees who were not interested in this offer of alternative employment and the full services of FÁS are being provided for those workers who wish to avail of the agency's services. I understand that some 100 of the 138 workers who lost their jobs now have alternative employment.
In addition, I understand that the company is prepared to deal with any client that may be interested in locating in the existing plant. Shannon Development and the local county enterprise board have already identified three companies that might do so. If successful, this could result in a number of jobs being replaced. A consultant facilitator has been put in place to help the local community put together an overall business plan and strategy for the future.
The west Limerick working group which was recently established is focusing on proactive initiatives to help the communities in west Limerick generally. The State development agencies are working closely with the west Limerick working group and, following my recent visit to the area which included a meeting with the group, I have asked the agencies to provide all available support as a matter of priority.
413 Mr. Neville asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the way in which grants for business and industry are regulated at the business park, Askeaton, County Limerick. [19288/05]
The Askeaton business park is a Shannon Development owned land bank, comprising approximately 227 acres. Responsibility for grant assistance to companies locating at the business park is an operational matter for the relevant development agencies. IDA Ireland is the national agency with statutory responsibility for the attraction of foreign direct investment, FDI, to Ireland and its regions, while Shannon Development is responsible for indigenous industry in the mid-west area.
IDA may provide financial assistance for companies wishing to locate in Ireland or expand their existing operations in Ireland. The unique characteristics of any proposed project will determine the incentive package available, in particular its location. IDA evaluates potential projects through a process of negotiation. Grants are bound by the same Irish legislation, EU state aid rules, and IDA Ireland policies as would apply in any other location in the mid-west region. The main criteria applied to determine the availability of incentives include the quality of employment created and the location chosen within Ireland. The types of grants available include employment grants, research and development grants, training grants and capital grants.
Shannon Development may provide financial assistance for indigenous companies that meet eligibility criteria and are subject to a rigorous evaluation procedure. Performance against any targets set out in the legal agreement between Shannon Development and a company are also carefully monitored to ensure compliance with agreed business targets.
Both IDA Ireland and Shannon Development are actively marketing the park for new investment and jobs; in particular the agencies are promoting the park as an attractive location for new projects from the pharmaceutical and chemical sector. Ultimately decisions regarding where to locate a project, including what areas to visit as potential locations, are taken by investors.
The Askeaton area has a good mix of Irish industry and FDI, with some major multinational corporations such as Wyeth and Aughinish Alumina Limited located in the area. I understand that the business park has been identified as an important site from a business and employment perspective for both the county and the region in the planning and land use transportation study, the mid-west regional planning guidelines and in the draft county development plan. I am confident that the strategies and policies being pursued by the development agencies, together with the ongoing commitment of Government to regional development will bear fruit in terms of delivering the maximum possible level of additional jobs.
414 Mr. Bruton asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of inspections of building sites in the past 12 months to check the extent to which the employment of non-national workers conforms with all legal obligations; the number of incidents of non-compliance which have been identified; the nature of these incidents; and if he has satisfied himself that the level of inspection being undertaken is adequate. [19309/05]
The labour inspectorate of my Department is responsible for monitoring certain employment conditions for all categories of workers in Ireland, including immigrant workers. The inspectorate operates without making any differentiation to worker nationality as statutory employment rights and protections apply to immigrant workers in exactly the same manner as they do to native Irish workers.
The wages and employment conditions of workers employed in the construction industry are governed by the Registered Employment Agreement (Construction Industry Wages and Conditions of Employment) Variation Order which is enforced by the labour inspectorate of my Department. The inspectorate carried out 28 inspections or visits under this agreement during the period from June 2004 to May 2005. Breaches of the agreement were detected in five cases. The breaches in these instances related primarily to failure to pay the statutory minimum rate of pay required under the agreement.
In April this year the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment announced the provision of an additional ten labour inspectors and a team leader to the labour inspectorate whose primary task will be to focus on sectors where there are concentrations of migrant workers. The additional resources will enable the inspectorate to undertake more inspections in these sectors, including the construction sector.
Entitlements to sick pay and pensions for employees in the construction industry are governed by the Registered Employment Agreement (Construction Industry Pensions Assurance and Sick Pay) Variation Order. My Department has no direct role under this agreement in the day-to-day operation of the pension scheme which is administered by the Construction Industry Federation. There is provision in the agreement for a trade union representative of employees or workers to complain to the Labour Court where an employer is alleged to have failed to comply with the agreement. In pursuing the matter the Labour Court can be assisted by the labour inspectorate. Acting on specific information from the Labour Court, the employment records of an employer are examined by an inspector and any relevant information gathered is relayed to the Labour Court. During the past 12 months the inspectorate processed 106 such requests for inspection from the Labour Court.
415 Mr. Bruton asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the total number of work permits outstanding for persons employed in the construction industry; the number of new permits issued in the past twelve months; and the indicators used for deciding whether a sector is suffering a shortage of workers which would necessitate the issue of permits. [19310/05]
On 31 May 2005 the work permits section of my Department had a total number of 957 outstanding work permit applications. The number of outstanding applications in respect of the construction industry is currently not available because outstanding applications are not categorised by sector. Between 1 January and 31 December 2004, 10,020 new work permits were issued, of which 1,057 were issued to the construction industry. From 1 January 2004 to date, 3,064 new work permits were issued, of which 109 were issued to the construction industry.
Government policy since 1 May 2004 is that employers should source their skills and labour needs from within the European economic area, EEA. In exceptional cases where such skills are not available in the EEA, employers may apply for a work permit for this purpose. The verification of the absence of such skills is effected by employers advertising vacancies with FÁS for a period of at least one month before making a work permit application.
My Department, Forfás and the expert group for future skills needs are currently engaged in research and consultations on the detailed issues entailed in the implementation of the new green card type arrangements, including the types and sources of skills for which permits should be granted.
416 Mr. McGuinness asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the funding which was allocated by the Health and Safety Authority for farm safety since 2003. [19320/05]
The funding available to the Health and Safety Authority is not broken down by it into amounts spent or allocated to the various sectors under the authority's statutory enforcement and advisory remit. I am, therefore, unable to provide the Deputy with figures on the funding for farm safety.
417 Mr. Hogan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if the new consumer agency will have power of review over financial institutions that are already regulated by IFSRA; if so, the rationale for such a decision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19341/05]
The precise powers and remit of the new national consumer agency will be subject to discussions and wide consultations. The consumer strategy group has recommended that the new agency should develop a partnership approach with all interested parties such as Government, business, trade unions, consumer organisations and other regulators including the Irish Financial Services Regulatory Authority. I would not envisage the NCA duplicating functions which are the statutory responsibility of other regulators but I would agree that it is entirely desirable and appropriate for bodies such as the NCA and IFSRA, given their mutual and complementary interest in promoting and safeguarding the interests of consumers, to closely co-operate and indeed to possibly formalise their co-operation, for example through a memorandum of understanding.
418 Dr. Upton asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will make more generous provision for work permit applications for white collar skilled jobs made on behalf of non-EU nationals who have completed third level qualifications at institutions here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19461/05]
The potential contribution which third level graduates from outside the European economic area might make in addressing Ireland's identified skills needs is the subject of research and consultations by my Department with Forfás and the expert group on future skills needs. This work will form the basis of a policy paper on skills based migration which will be published by my Department in the autumn.
419 Mr. Morgan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the amount of money the IDA has received in grant repayments from a company (details supplied) in County Donegal following the huge job losses there; and the amount of money since reinvested in the Buncrana and Inishowen areas of County Donegal. [19569/05]
I am informed by IDA Ireland that, as part of the settlement with the company in question, a sum of €8.9 million was repaid to the agency between 1999 and 2004. From 1999 to 2003, the latest year for which figures are available, IDA Ireland made grant payments to companies in County Donegal of almost €8 million. In addition, the agency has spent nearly €15 million since 1999 on lands and site development in County Donegal including €750,000 in Buncrana, where planning permission has been obtained for a 20,000 sq ft factory. The agency is currently working with a local private developer on the provision of advance space within Lisfannon Park in Buncrana.
Following my visit to County Donegal last December, promoting the investment and development needs of the Buncrana and Inishowen area and the county have become priorities for the State development agencies. I am confident that the employment needs of the area will continue to be addressed by these agencies.
420 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the position regarding the case of a company (details supplied) in terms of abuses of workers, bullying, delays in pay, sexual harassment and sacking of employees; and if he will make a statement on this company regarding the amount of grants received from the public purse. [19612/05]
A prohibition on sexual and other harassment in the workplace has been in place since 1999 under sections 23 and 32 of the Employment Equality Act 1998. With effect from 18 July 2004, these provisions have been replaced by a new provision, section 14A of the Employment Equality Acts 1998 and 2004, inserted by section 8 of the Equality Act 2004. The new provision is in line with Article 2 of EU Directives 2000/43/EC, the race directive, 2000/78/EC, the framework employment directive and 2002/73/EC, the gender equal treatment amendment directive. Harassment and sexual harassment constitute discrimination for the purpose of the Acts and are open to orders for redress in accordance with section 82 thereof. Should an individual wish to refer such a claim under either Act, they may do so to the Director of the Equality Tribunal, 3 Clonmel Street, Dublin 2, telephone No. (01) 477-4100.
Allegations of workplace bullying are addressed by the Health and Safety Authority, Temple Court, 10 Hogan Place, Dublin 2, telephone No. (01) 614-7000, website: www.hsa.ie, e-mail: infotel@hsa.ie. I understand that there is no record of a bullying complaint in the HSA against the company. However, the authority has issued an improvement notice under the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 1989 against the company concerned on a welfare facility at its premises.
Issues of dismissal generally are more appropriate to either the rights commissioner service of the Labour Relations Commission or the Employment Appeals Tribunal under the Unfair Dismissals Acts or Industrial Relations Acts. Such complaints should be addressed to the: Employment Appeals Tribunal, Davitt House, Adelaide Road, Dublin 2, telephone No. (01) 631-2121, locall outside (01) area: 1890 220 222 or fax No. (01) 631-3266 or to the Rights Commissioner Service, Labour Relations Commission, Tom Johnson House, Haddington Road, Dublin 4, telephone No. (01) 613-6700, locall: 1890 220 227, fax No. (01) 613-6701, website: www.lrc.ie or e-mail: info@lrc.ie. Complaints over changes to terms and conditions of employment or delays in pay should also be addressed to rights commissioner service of the Labour Relations Commission also at the above mentioned address.
I have made inquiries within my Department but neither Enterprise Ireland nor the IDA has approved any grants or paid out any grants to the named company. FÁS has had no involvement with the company concerned other than advertising occasional job vacancies. No moneys have been paid out by it. The county enterprise board for the area did not make any payments to the company. I also understand that the National Standards Authority of Ireland has not paid any grants to the company concerned. No moneys have been paid to the company as part of the EQUAL Community initiative. However, with regard to funding under the European Social Fund, it is not possible to say at this short notice whether any funding has been made to the company in question.
421 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the position regarding grants from IDA and Enterprise Ireland for a company (details supplied). [19821/05]
The issues arising from the decision to give grant aid to a client company is a day-to-day matter for the agency concerned, and not one in which I am directly involved. I understand that neither Enterprise Ireland nor IDA Ireland has approved any grants nor paid out any grants to the named company.
422 Mr. J. Higgins asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if companies (details supplied) or any related company under the same ownership have received any public funding; if so, the amount; and if they have been approved for any public funding not yet issued. [20108/05]
The issues arising from the decision to give grant aid to a client company is a day-to-day matter for the agency concerned, and not one in which I am directly involved. I understand that neither Enterprise Ireland nor IDA Ireland, the industrial development agencies under my remit, has approved any grants or paid out any grants to the named companies. I also understand that neither FÁS nor the relevant county enterprise board provided funding for the company.
424 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the reason the southern branch of the Health Service Executive reduced the rent subsidy awarded to a person (details supplied) in County Cork from €150 to €135 per week despite the fact that the circumstances had not changed. [19088/05]
Rent supplements are provided through the supplementary welfare allowance scheme which is administered on my behalf by the community welfare division of the Health Service Executive. The southern area of the executive has advised that the person concerned had never been in receipt of rent supplement of €150 a week but had been paid a weekly supplement of €137.50 until January 2005. In the course of a routine review of the case in October 2004 which was delayed awaiting receipt of financial circumstances it emerged that this rate of payment had been incorrectly calculated by the then health board and that the appropriate amount of rent supplement payable to the person concerned should have been €134.50 per week. This revised rate was paid by the executive with effect from January 2005. The Department is not seeking repayment of the overpaid amount.
425 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if the Health Service Executive will increase the rent subsidy for a person (details supplied) in Dublin 12. [19449/05]
Rent supplements are provided through the supplementary welfare allowance scheme which is administered on my behalf by the community welfare division of the Health Service Executive. The Dublin and mid-Leinster area of the executive has advised that, based on current financial circumstances, the person concerned is in receipt of the appropriate rate of rent supplement payable for the family circumstances in question. However, the person may not be receiving the full entitlement under my Department's one-parent family scheme. Half of any maintenance a lone parent receives may be disregarded as means for the purposes of assessing his or her entitlement to one-parent family payment. The means test for this and certain other social assistance schemes also provides for a disregard of up to €95.23 per week of maintenance payments in instances where applicants have rent or mortgage obligations on their family homes.
The one-parent family section of my Department was unaware of the recent change in the domestic circumstances of the person concerned. Consequently, a reduced rate of one-parent family payment is currently being paid because the person's maintenance payments are being assessed in a manner which does not take account of current accommodation costs.
In view of the circumstances in this particular case, I am arranging for a social welfare inspector to visit the person in question in order that the situation can be assessed. The OFP payment will be reviewed in the light of the inspector's report. When the review of the one-parent family payment has been completed the person concerned should contact the community welfare officer at the local health centre in order that the appropriate revised level of rent supplement may be determined.
426 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the reason women who are out of work due to sickness were not allowed to claim for their children on social welfare when their spouses earns more than €300 per week. [18969/05]
Child dependant allowance, CDA, is an additional weekly payment made to male and female social welfare recipients in respect of each qualified child dependant. A full CDA rate of €16.80 for each child dependant is payable to recipients of disability benefit together with a qualified adult allowance where the spouse's gross weekly earnings do not exceed €220 gross per week. Where earnings exceed €220, the qualified adult allowance is no longer payable. In terms of the child dependant allowance, a half-rate CDA increase is payable if a spouse or partner has a gross income of between €220 and €350 per week. This threshold was increased from €300 to €350 in budget 2005 and will ensure that persons may retain entitlement to half rate CDA when family income is almost €26,000, that is, when earnings of €350 per week and social welfare personal rate of €148.80 are combined. Any further increase would require additional resources and would be a budgetary matter.
427 Mr. Bruton asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if he will estimate the cost of providing half-rate carer’s allowance for carers who are in receipt of another social welfare pension; the reason his Department feels that such persons should not be entitled to additional supplement towards their cost of caring; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19112/05]
431 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs his plans to increase the number of hours that persons who are in receipt of the carer’s allowance can work; and his proposals he has to increase the hours that such persons can work while also drawing the carer’s allowance. [19202/05]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 427 and 431 together.
The carer's allowance is a social assistance payment which provides income support for people who are providing certain elderly or incapacitated persons with full-time care and attention and whose incomes fall below a certain limit. The primary objective of the social welfare system is to provide income support and, as a general rule, only one weekly social welfare payment is payable to an individual. This ensures that resources are not used to make two income support payments to any one person.
I made provision in budget 2005 for major improvements to the respite care grant. This includes the extension of the grant of €1,000 to all persons providing full-time care and attention, regardless of their means. Those persons in receipt of other social welfare payments, excluding unemployment assistance and benefit, will be entitled to this payment subject to meeting the full-time care condition. This arrangement is being introduced to acknowledge the needs of carers, especially with regard to respite and it is estimated that almost 33,000 carers will receive a respite care grant in 2005. The first of these payments issued last week.
According to census 2002, more than 48,000 people providing personal care for over four hours per day. Just over 24,000 of these are in receipt of either carer's allowance or carer's benefit. It is likely that a proportion of the remainder are in receipt of a different social welfare payment, for example an old age pension. Unfortunately it is not possible to estimate the number of people in this situation and it is, therefore, not possible to estimate the cost of the Deputy's proposal.
From August 1999, the full-time care and attention requirements were relaxed to introduce an element of flexibility for carers, while safeguarding the needs and interests of care recipients. Under these arrangements which were introduced in recognition of the economic and therapeutic value of work, carers may work up to ten hours per week. However, the carer's allowance scheme is designed for full-time carers and in allowing for flexibility to work a balance needs to be struck between the needs of the care recipient and needs of the carer to maintain contact with the labour market.
Government policy is strongly in favour of supporting care in the community and enabling people to remain in their own homes for as long as possible. The types of services which recognise the value of the caring ethos and which provide real support and practical assistance for the people involved will continue to be developed and all allowances and systems of support will be kept under regular review.
428 Mr. Connolly asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if it is proposed to transfer the payment of old-age, widow’s and other pension payments from post offices to banks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19125/05]
I have no plans to change the payment methods currently available for old-age, widows and other pension customers. Current payment options for these customers include payment at post offices by means of a pension order book and direct payment to customers' bank, building society or post office savings accounts. My objective is to ensure that a range of payment options is available to customers and that service is continually improved by providing access to the wide range of payment options and new services and facilities now available. In that context, I announced recently a comprehensive review of my Department's payment systems. The review will also take account of Government policy to facilitate the greater use of electronic payment systems in the economy in the interests of developing a world class payments environment in Ireland.
429 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs further to Parliamentary Question No. 51 of 24 May 2005 when the review within his Department of the operation of the habitual residence condition began; the person or persons carrying our the review; the terms of reference, if any; when the review will be completed; if he will publish the final review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19148/05]
The operation of the habitual residence condition has been kept under review by officials of my Department since its introduction. The purpose of the review is to assess the impact of the condition on different categories of claimants, the organisational arrangements and the level of service provided for customers, to identify opportunities for improvements in the administration of the scheme and identify emerging policy issues and consider how these should be addressed. Account is being taken of the views received from various groups and organisations which have an interest in the area. I expect to be in a position to draw conclusions from the review by the end of the year by which time a decision will also be made as to whether the review will be published.
430 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the most up-to-date information on his travels abroad for the St. Patrick’s Day celebrations; the persons who travelled with him in his official party; the duration of the visit; and the total cost. [19191/05]
I travelled to Estonia to represent the Government at various ceremonies which celebrated St. Patrick's Day. I also had bilateral meetings with the Estonian Social Affairs Minister and the Vice-Chairman of the Estonian Parliament Social Affairs Committee and gave a number of press interviews. My official party travelled by Government jet to Tallinn on Wednesday night, 16 March, and returned on Thursday night, 17 March. I was based in Tallinn in accommodation organised by the Irish Embassy. The costs of the trip are not yet available. The official party consisted of myself, my special adviser, my press adviser and my private secretary.
432 Dr. Upton asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if he will review the practice whereby his Department awards disability allowance payments directly to residential homes instead of to the recipients; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19232/05]
With effect from 1 June 2005 a new disability allowance personal expenses payment of €35 per week has been introduced for people in residential settings. These people did not previously qualify for a disability allowance. The allowance replaces the former pocket money allowances administered by the health boards. Social welfare legislation provides that payment may be made to a person other than the claimant. Generally, such agents are appointed where a person is unable to cash his or her payment due to serious illness or loss of mobility. They may also be appointed in cases where a person is permanently unable to act for himself or herself or to discharge responsibility.
In the context of making the necessary arrangements for the introduction of the new allowance, it was evident that many recipients would require an agent to be appointed on his or her behalf. Accordingly, arrangements were put in place to make payments, in the first instance, to an appropriately appointed agent within the residential service in which the person resides.
My Department has formalised arrangements in service level agreements with each residential service provider for management of these moneys. These arrangements require agents to transfer the full payment to the individual account of the recipient. Specific provision has been made so that the payment will be used exclusively for the recipient's personal benefit.
My Department will review the situation in light of experience and in the meantime will pay this allowance directly to any individual who so wishes. My Department has consulted the main disability representative organisations and service providers about the introduction of the allowance and payment arrangements. It has kept these organisations and service providers up to date on this matter and remains in contact with them on these arrangements.
433 Dr. Upton asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if he will arrange for a split system of payment where the claimant will receive some of the payment directly if he or she spends a number of nights at home on a weekly basis in cases where disability allowance payments are paid to residential homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19233/05]
Disability allowance is a personal allowance normally paid directly to the recipient. Generally, no arrangements are made to split payments except in very exceptional or limited circumstances, for example, when a separate payment is issued directly to a qualified adult dependant.
There are many different residential settings or services which recipients of disability allowance may attend, avail of or reside in. Often recipients may move between residential or community based settings and their home depending on their circumstances. Payment of disability allowance to residential homes or service providers is only undertaken where the Department confirms that they can act as an appropriate agent for the person concerned. Such agents are normally appointed where the claimant is unable to collect their own payment due to illness or loss of mobility or becomes permanently unable to act on their own behalf. In other circumstances the agent may be a parent, guardian or relative rather than a service provider.
Agents are responsible under the relevant legislation for ensuring that the social welfare payment is used for the benefit of the person concerned. The issues around splitting payments along the lines suggested by the Deputy are complex given the wide variety of circumstances in which people move between family home and community based or residential settings. If the Deputy has a specific case in mind and advises my Department of the details, I will arrange for the matter to be examined further.
434 Mr. Crowe asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the percentage of staff in his Department who have expressed an interest in moving to Donegal town under the decentralisation programme; and if he considers this percentage high enough to necessitate a move in the short to medium term. [19282/05]
435 Mr. Crowe asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the percentage of staff in his Department who have expressed an interest in moving to Buncrana under the decentralisation programme; and if he considers this percentage high enough to necessitate a move in the short to medium term. [19283/05]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 434 and 435 together.
Under the Government decentralisation programme announced as part of budget 2004, the Department is to relocate 230 posts to Donegal and 120 posts to Buncrana. According to figures received by the Department from the central applications facility, CAF, the number of applicants for Donegal and Buncrana is 104 and 35, respectively. The figures for the numbers of employees who have applied and are currently serving in the Department are 40 for Donegal and 17 for Buncrana. These figures represent applications made through CAF before the priority application date of 7 September 2004.
There are a total of six locations to which my Department will be relocating posts under the programme. The sequence and timing of these moves will depend on a number of factors and the decentralisation implementation group, DIG, established by the government will have a central role in determining this. The DIG has submitted a report on this matter to the Minister for Finance in November 2004 and a further report is currently being prepared. The timing of the moves involved in the overall programme will be determined in the light of that report.
My Department is currently reviewing its implementation plan for the initial phase of decentralisation and will examine subsequent phases in the light of this and of the next DIG report. I am committed to delivering on the decentralisation programme for my Department, including the moves to Donegal and Buncrana.
436 Mr. Aylward asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if he will review the rate of rent allowance being awarded to a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny which was substantially reduced recently. [19284/05]
Half of any maintenance a lone parent receives can be disregarded as means for the purposes of assessing his or her entitlement to one-parent family payment. The means test for this and certain other social assistance schemes also provides for a disregard of up to €95.23 per week of maintenance payments in instances where applicants have rent or mortgage interest obligations on their family homes. This means that the first €95.23 of maintenance per week is regarded as going towards meeting housing costs and is not regarded as income in the means test for one-parent family payment. For the same reason, rent in respect of which rent supplement is claimed is the net amount of rent due after taking into account the fact that the first €95.23 of maintenance is regarded as going towards housing costs.
Depending on the particular family housing cost, up to €60 per week of maintenance in excess of the €95.23 sum can be disregarded for rent supplement means assessment purposes, to ensure that the family has the benefit of the extra maintenance income up to that level before it affects their rent supplement entitlements.
The southern area of the Health Service Executive has advised that, in the course of a routine review of this case, it became aware that the person concerned is in receipt of family maintenance income of €120 per week in addition to a one-parent family payment from my Department. On this basis, the executive has determined that the amount of rent supplement payable to the person concerned will be reduced to €49.80 with effect from 20 June 2005. The executive has informed the person concerned of the revised entitlement and of the right of appeal against this decision.
437 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the number of persons who availed of the constant care allowance for each of the past three years and in 2005 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19390/05]
438 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the number of persons who availed of the disablement pension for each of the past three years and in 2005 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19391/05]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 437 and 438 together.
Disablement benefit is payable under the occupational injuries scheme to an insured person who suffers a loss of physical or mental faculty as a result of an occupational accident or a prescribed disease. The person must have been in insurable, occupational injuries, employment at the time the accident happened or the disease was contracted.
Constant attendance allowance is payable as an increase to disablement benefit where the person concerned is in need of full-time care and attention. It is paid directly to the person being cared for and is not payable concurrently with carer's allowance or carer's benefit. However, the annual respite care grant is payable in these cases to the person who is providing the required full time care attention. Unemployability supplement may be paid as an income support increase to disablement benefit where the person concerned is incapable of work, but where that person does not have the qualifying PRSI contributions for disability benefit or invalidity pension.
Disablement benefit is payable by pension or by gratuity depending on the degree of disablement assessed. The figures pertaining to payments made in the last three years and 2005 to date are shown in the following table. Figures for constant attendance allowance are also shown.
|
2002 |
2003 |
2004 |
2005 |
|
|
Pensions Awarded |
822 |
695 |
592 |
243 |
|
Life Gratuity |
279 |
268 |
300 |
130 |
|
Pensions in Payment |
11,612 |
11,898 |
12,167 |
12,201 |
|
Provisional Gratuities in Payment |
792 |
751 |
781 |
771 |
|
Unemployability Supplement in Payment |
897 |
897 |
905 |
912 |
|
Constant Attendance Allowance in Payment |
65 |
65 |
71 |
7 |
439 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the assistance which will be offered to a person (details supplied) in Dublin 5 in regard to the bereavement grant and other social welfare assistance. [19439/05]
The person concerned applied for a bereavement grant on 20 May 2005 in respect of her late son who had been in receipt of disability allowance. While a six-weeks-after-death payment has been made to the person concerned, bereavement grant is not payable in this case as the PRSI contribution conditions are not satisfied. She was informed of this decision on 31 May 2005.
In instances where there are insufficient PRSI contributions to qualify for the grant, a person may receive assistance under the supplementary welfare allowance scheme. Under this arrangement, the Health Service Executive may make a payment to help meet once-off expenditure, for example, in respect of funeral expenses. The person concerned has been advised that assistance may be available via her local community welfare officer.
With regard to her own entitlement to a social assistance payment, she is currently in receipt of basic supplementary welfare allowance from her community welfare officer. She should contact her local social welfare office to examine her potential eligibility for any other benefit or allowance. Under social welfare legislation, decisions in regard to claims must be made by deciding officers and appeals officers. These officers are statutorily appointed and I have no role in regard to making such decisions.
440 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if a person (details supplied) in County Mayo has been approved for the free schemes, in particular for the lifetime television licence. [19445/05]
The person concerned was awarded the electricity allowance from 1 January 1997 and a free television licence from his next renewal licence after that date. He was also awarded a telephone allowance from 10 September 1997. According to An Post's records, the person concerned was issued with a free lifetime television licence in December 2004 when his current licence expired.
441 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will be approved for the free schemes. [19446/05]
The person concerned has been awarded the household benefits package with effect from 28 May 2005. This entitles him to electricity and telephone allowances from that date. He is also entitled to a free lifetime television licence from his next licence renewal date. The ESB and Eircom will be notified shortly to apply the allowances to his accounts.
442 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the funding available to a person (details supplied) in County Kildare to pay the rent to accommodate her family; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19465/05]
The means test for supplementary welfare allowance, through which rent supplements are provided, requires that all types of household income, including maintenance payments for a lone parent and his or her children, must be taken into account in determining a person's entitlements under the scheme. Up to €95.23 per week of maintenance payments can be disregarded in the means test for one-parent family payment purposes to allow for housing costs. Equally, in the means test for rent supplement, maintenance income up to this weekly amount is regarded as having gone to meet housing needs and, consequently, the rent in respect of which rent supplement is paid is the net amount after maintenance.
The Dublin and mid-Leinster area of the Health Service Executive has advised that, following a review of this case, it became aware that the person concerned is in receipt of maintenance payments of €70 per week in addition to her one-parent family payment from my Department. This €70 is regarded as being entirely for housing costs and, accordingly, the rent in respect of which rent supplement is claimed is the actual rent less €70.
Departmental records show the person concerned is in receipt of child benefit for three children but has yet to claim an increase in her one-parent family payment in respect of her third child. She should apply to my Department for the appropriate increase in this payment. In the event that she qualifies for that increase, her rent supplement entitlement will be reviewed further by the executive.
443 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the reason a person (details supplied) in County Kildare is not being awarded rent subsidy; if attendance at a FÁS course is affecting the subsidy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19466/05]
Rent supplements are provided through the supplementary welfare allowance scheme which is administered on my behalf by the community welfare division of the Health Service Executive. Payment of rent supplement is subject to a means test.
The Dublin and mid-Leinster area of the executive has advised that during a recent routine review of this case, it came to light that in addition to her one-parent family payment, the person concerned has also been in receipt of income from a FÁS course since July 2004. The level of her household income is now such that she is deemed to have sufficient funds to provide for her accommodation costs and, accordingly, she does not qualify for continued payment of rent supplement.
In addition, the non-disclosure by the person concerned of her additional income has given rise to a significant overpayment of rent supplement. The executive will contact her shortly to confirm the amount of the overpayment and to make arrangements for her to repay the amount due.
444 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs his plans to allow persons to continue to work and pay PRSI pension contributions beyond pension age to gain eligibility for the old age contributory pension; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19482/05]
An increase in the workforce participation of older people is one of the more important measures identified at EU level as a means of ensuring the sustainability of pensions systems in the future. One of the main factors contributing to the projected problems for the pay as you go pensions system is a reduction in the available workforce in the years ahead. Accordingly, it is important to maximise the workforce participation of all sectors, including older people.
It is important that we encourage and facilitate people who would like to continue to work beyond normal retirement age. In this regard, the Pensions Board is reviewing our overall pensions strategy, including the measures we can put in place to encourage people to extend their working lives. My Department is also doing some work in this area in the context of a review of qualifying conditions for old age contributory and retirement pensions. I expect to receive the report of the Pensions Board later this year, at which stage I will review the position in conjunction with the work already undertaken in the Department in this area.
445 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will be approved for the free schemes. [19489/05]
One of the conditions for receipt of the various allowances available under my Department's household benefits package is that a customer must be permanently residing in the State. In September 2003, entitlement of the person concerned to an old age non-contributory pension ceased as he was no longer resident in the State. As a consequence, his entitlement to the household benefits package also ceased.
If the person concerned is now permanently residing in the State he should reapply for the household benefits package as well as an old age non-contributory pension. The relevant application forms have issued to him recently. As soon as these are completed and returned to my Department, his entitlement will be examined and he will be notified of the outcome as quickly as possible.
446 Mr. J. Higgins asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if he will make changes to the policy of clawing back overpayments from the wills of non-contributory pensioners who saved their pension money in the past when the threshold to avail of the full pension was set as low as £200 in 1979 to 1997 and £2,000 in 1997 to 2000, considering that the savings threshold for entitlement to the full non-contributory pension is to be raised to €20,000 for future savings. [19608/05]
There is an obligation on a person who applies for old age non-contributory pension to fully declare his or her means. Once a pension is in payment, the pensioner is, by law, obliged to notify the Department of any change in the means. If the means are not fully disclosed, an overpayment of pension may arise. If, subsequent to the death of such a recipient, it comes to light that not all of the deceased's means were disclosed, social welfare legislation obliges the Department to recover from the estate of the deceased any moneys overpaid. Such recovery is based on new facts or evidence regarding the pensioner's actual means at given times.
The source of any capital held by a pensioner can vary. It can include savings from income while formerly working, savings derived from the sale of property or other assets, savings from occupational or social welfare pensions, gifts, inheritances, accumulated interest or dividends, or a combination of these. It would not be possible or practical to distinguish savings derived from particular sources.
Where a pensioner is deceased, the factors taken into account by the deciding officer in considering the case include: whether the pensioner had means at claim stage which he or she failed to disclose; whether he or she failed to disclose his or her full means at a subsequent review; the amount of the undisclosed capital; whether regular bank account transactions were being made; and whether the person was incapacitated or in poor mental health.
Where the deciding officer determines that a revised assessment of means is required, the pensioner's means are recalculated on the basis of the means testing provisions which applied at the various times undisclosed means were held. In the case of savings, the appropriate disregard and formula which applied at the relevant time is applied. This approach ensures these cases are treated in the same manner as those pensioners who declared their full income or savings at the relevant times. Where a pensioner or the personal representative of a deceased pensioner is unhappy with a decision of a deciding officer, such a decision can be appealed to the independent social welfare appeals office.
447 Mr. J. Higgins asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if his Department did not advise non-contributory pensioners that by saving a portion of their pensions to provide for themselves in private nursing homes in the event that they could not get a place in a health board home, they were leaving themselves open to having their pensions reduced, or an amount clawed back from their wills after death. [19609/05]
452 Mr. Boyle asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if the policy of clawing back moneys claimed by his Department on the estates of non-contributory pensioners has been in regulations since the Social Welfare Act 1993, the reason it has not been clearly set out in his Department’s literature in the usual way and in accordance with the transparency rules outlined in Regulating Better Government, published by the Government in 2003. [19956/05]
453 Mr. Boyle asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the reason, in issued documentation to welfare recipients, the claw-back policy of moneys claimed by his Department on the estates of non-contributory pensioners was not advised to them. [19957/05]
454 Mr. Boyle asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the reason, with a database of non-contributory pensioners who number just over 100,000, relevant pensioners are not individually informed of the policy of claw-back of moneys claimed by his Department on the estates of non-contributory pensioners considering that the declaration they sign in their application merely refers to change in means; the way in which such recipients may know, if the information is not publicly accessible; and if such persons are not informed of this information. [19958/05]
455 Mr. Boyle asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs, further to replies to parliamentary questions from a number of Members of Dáil Eireann over the past six months (details supplied), the reason there has been so much secrecy regarding the inclusion of pension payments in the assessment of means. [19959/05]
456 Mr. Boyle asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs , further to an internal memo of 14 February 2005 in which his Department accepts that the practice of claw-back of moneys claimed on the estates of non-contributory pensioners is not transparent, the reason it could not be seen that pensioners would not know of it. [19960/05]
457 Mr. Boyle asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the way in which the imposition of the penalties similar to that on a person who acquires a large windfall from a rich relative, or sells property or land, and is clearly understood by anyone as creating a change of means, is justified, in the circumstances of a lack of knowledge of his Department’s policy. [20002/05]
458 Mr. Boyle asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs his views on those expressed by the Ombudsman in 1997 that ignoring claimants’ lack of awareness of the law in complex matters is not a reasonable position to adopt; the way in which the penalty imposed is justified, especially on vulnerable persons, many of whom may have literacy problems, or do not have access to information technology. [20003/05]
459 Mr. Boyle asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs his views on whether it would be prudent that the details of types of savings (details supplied) be collected and recorded. [20004/05]
460 Mr. Boyle asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs his views on whether a declaration of source of income by a pensioner or his or her legal representative would go a long way to determining the source of assets. [20005/05]
461 Mr. Boyle asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the reason no flexibility exists in interpreting the individual local circumstances of a particular case (details supplied); his views on whether, if some discretion existed in the making of calculations, this would go a long way in alleviating the core issue of a claw-back policy. [20006/05]
462 Mr. Boyle asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if, in regard to a specified case that has led to the current discussion of the claw-back policy, it is accepted that the executor of the will of the estate of the pensioner in question demonstrated very clearly to his Department that the deceased saved on average 42% of their pension over 26 years and that the regular bank lodgements were consistent and proportionate to the amount of pension awarded during the period; if there existed flexibility that gave the social welfare inspector some discretion, if this case might have been settled more reasonably. [20019/05]
463 Mr. Boyle asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs his views on whether it was not clear from a specified case that the deceased pensioner who was saving the pension to provide for himself in a private nursing home, if he could not obtain a bed in an appropriate home, was leaving himself open to having his pension reduced or an amount clawed back from his will after his death. [20020/05]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 447 and 452 to 463, inclusive, together.
Since the introduction of the scheme, entitlement to old age non-contributory pension has been determined by reference to an applicant's means, along with the other relevant eligibility requirements. In assessing means, account is taken of any cash income the person may have, together with the value of capital and property, excluding the person's home. Capital includes savings, investments, and cash on hand and is assessed by reference to a formula laid down in legislation.
I recognise that pensioners may wish to save some element of their pension and, in this regard, provision has been made to disregard an amount of capital before means are assessed. From June 2005, this disregard has been increased to €20,000 in the case of a single person from the limit of some €12,700 which had applied from October 2000. These amounts are doubled in the case of a married or cohabiting couple.
These new capital savings exemption limits mean an old age pensioner without other means could save more than €35 every week from his or her pension over 15 years without any impact on the pension rate. Moreover, accumulated savings would only result in a reduction of €1 per week in the pension payment for each additional €1,000 saved over this initial disregard amount for the next €10,000 of accumulated savings. The reality is that the various exemptions, particularly those introduced in regard to capital and savings in recent years, allow pensioners to accumulate sizeable savings without any impact on their pension rates.
My Department's officials apply the statutory rules for the calculation of means for old age pension and other social assistance schemes as set out in the Social Welfare Acts and in regulations. These rules apply equally to new applicants and existing pensions, including reviews arising after the death of a pensioner and in the light of any new facts or evidence relating to means. Social welfare inspectors establish the factual position regarding a pensioner's means when carrying out investigations or reviews and report this to the deciding officer.
Deciding officers determine pension entitlements based solely in accordance with the statutory rules and on any relevant case law. The various components of means, savings accounts etc. assessed in this way are retained on file. However, my Department is not in a position to know the source of any changes which occur in these means components.
Based on the information about their means available in the schedule of assets prepared by the personal representative for probate purposes, means of deceased pensioners are reviewed for the purposes of determining that the correct rate of pension was paid to them during their life. A decision to revise their pension rates which results in the raising of an overpayment will be charged against the estate concerned. My Department would seek to recover the resulting overpayment to the maximum extent possible in the particular circumstances.
In the case of reviews after the death of a pensioner, any such recovery of overpayment is normally sought in a lump sum from the estate of the deceased pensioner, through the personal representative. A declaration from a personal representative stating that the capital in the estate of the deceased pensioner arose from accumulated weekly pension savings by the pensioner would not affect the position as those savings must be treated in the same way as other capital for means determination purposes.
This overpayment recovery process is not a "claw-back" of pension, nor does it represent an imposition of penalties against the person's estate. It is the natural consequence of the retrospective revision of pension rates determined in accordance with the new facts available from the schedule of assets, assessed fully in accordance with the social welfare legislation applicable at the various stages of the pensioner's lifetime. As with any pension claim decision, it is open to the person concerned — including the personal representative in the case of a deceased pensioner — to appeal such decisions to the social welfare appeals office for independent determination of the situation.
In general, it is expected that most pensioners would spend all or most of their pension each week in meeting their normal day-to-day living expenses. In this regard, I encourage all pensioners to spend sufficient of their pension on themselves to ensure they have adequate food, heat and other essential comforts. I also expect that the families of pensioners would encourage them to budget to meet their living needs adequately, rather than tolerate a situation where elderly people jeopardise their health and well-being.
I do not agree that there is a lack of transparency in the application of the means test rules by my Department. While these rules are undoubtedly complex, most of this complexity derives from a range of specific exemptions or disregards which have evolved over the years and are designed to facilitate pensioners in particular circumstances. It is almost universally known and understood by pensioners and their families that means are assessable for pension purposes. There are more than 100,000 old age, widow or widower non-contributory pensioners receiving a means-tested pension from my Department. It is not practicable to notify each of these pensioners regularly about the many aspects of the means rules that might affect them in their particular income or savings circumstances.
However, the need to notify my Department of any changes in circumstances, including changes in means, is printed on pension books. People paid by electronic funds transfer are notified of this requirement by mailshot each year along with information about changes in pension rates. Information about old age pension entitlements and rules is disseminated and promoted in my Department's publications, which are available in posts offices, citizens' information centres and social welfare information offices.
The legislation and administrative practice relating to the assessment of savings accumulated from underspend of pension has not changed in any way over recent years, apart from the introduction of the significant improvements in savings exemption limits referred to above. My Department has an ongoing policy of improving information for customers. In this context, there was a recognised need to clarify the situation for pensioners in regard to this long-standing aspect of means assessment. My Department's SW4 information booklet, Guide to Social Welfare Services, and SW60 booklet, Pensioners and Savings, are being updated to clarify the position in regard to this specific element of means. Both these booklets will be available shortly. In addition, my Department's guidelines on old age non-contributory pension, prepared in accordance with its obligations under the Freedom of Information Acts, has been updated to state that savings which accumulate from social welfare pensions, inheritances and other sources are taken into account in the means test.
The particular case referred to by the Deputy is under appeal. I have no function in this regard and am not in a position to make any comment on the individual matter.
448 Mr. Bruton asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if permanent sources of funding have been identified for the Northside Community Law Centre; if the issues between his Department and the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform have been resolved; and if his proposal to meet local Deputies to discuss the matter still stands. [19641/05]
The Northside Community Law Centre is one of a number of organisations which are funded by my Department's scheme of grants for the development and promotion of information and welfare rights. Since its establishment in 1975, the centre has been funded exclusively by State agencies, including the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform. My Department took over direct funding of the centre in 1995. Annual funding has increased progressively over the years and my Department will provide funding of €360,000 to the centre in 2005.
I am fully cognisant of the valuable role which a community-based legal advice service such as the Northside Community Law Centre can play in the delivery of a comprehensive and cost-effective legal advice service for citizens. However, I am satisfied that my Department is not the most appropriate source of funding for this service. During 2004, social welfare queries represented just 5% of the annual business of the centre. The Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform has primary responsibility for legal aid services. I have been in correspondence with my colleague, the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, regarding future funding of the centre but the issues in this regard are not yet resolved.
I met with a number of local Deputies and members of the board of the centre recently and, following on that meeting, I increased the centre's funding from €215,000 to €360,000 for 2005.
449 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if he is aware that the number of free electricity units permitted under the household benefits scheme is no longer keeping pace with the level of increases imposed on consumers by the ESB; if he will take steps to increase the number of free units for those persons (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19820/05]
The electricity allowance covers normal standing charges and up to 1,800 units of electricity each year. VAT due on this standard allowance is also covered. The value of the allowance, if fully taken up, is €359.91 per annum. The objective of the electricity allowance is to provide for a basic standard of electricity usage. That it is a unit-based allowance means any increases in the price of those units are covered. Proposals to increase the number of units provided by the electricity allowance would be a matter for consideration in a budgetary context.
450 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the reason social welfare recipients who opt for payment to a bank account are paid in arrears, whereas those who opt for payment by book are paid in advance; if he has received any representations on this matter; if all social welfare recipients will be paid in advance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19878/05]
My Department provides people receiving social welfare payments with a range of payment options best suited to their needs. Electronic fund transfer, EFT, to personal bank accounts is one such payment method. When EFT was introduced, payments were made four weeks in arrears. In 2000 the payment frequency was reduced to two weeks in arrears and it was further reduced to one week in arrears in November 2004.
The further alignment of EFT payments with that of other payment methods, including the elimination of the week in arrears payment, is being kept under regular review by my Department and I am confident that progress on the issue can be achieved in the near future.
451 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the reason a person (details supplied) in County Offaly is not receiving rent allowance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19951/05]
Rent supplements are provided through the supplementary welfare allowance scheme, which is administered on my behalf by the community welfare division of the Health Service Executive. Supplementary welfare allowance is not normally payable to people who are engaged in full-time employment.
However, special 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, the supplement may be retained on a tapered basis for up to four years, that is, 75% in year one, 50% in year two and 25% in years three and four respectively. A person on a community employment scheme whose household income is above the €317.43 limit mentioned above may still qualify for rent supplement under the standard assessment rules.
The Dublin and mid-Leinster office of the Health Service Executive has advised that the person concerned was initially awarded a rent supplement which was based on her income from her social welfare pension. Her case was later reviewed to take account of the fact that she had additional income from her participation in a community employment scheme. At the time of that review the tapered assessment method was found to be more beneficial to her and she retained 75% of her previous rent supplement entitlement on this basis.
Following further review recently, the level of her household income was found to be in excess of the €317.43 limit which allows for the retention of rent supplement on a tapered basis. When assessed under standard rules the person concerned is deemed to have sufficient income to provide for her rent costs. Payment of her rent supplement was terminated accordingly. The executive informed the person of her right of appeal against this decision but it has no record of an appeal by her to date.
464 Mr. Boyle asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if it is proposed to exempt the lump sum payments to non-contributory pensioners who had their pension withheld by the health boards, if a pensioner may deposit this money at different times in different accounts; and the way in which it is possible to determine the source of those savings in assessing means under the proposed special exemption. [20022/05]
465 Mr. Boyle asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the reason for the discrimination in a case of pensioner A and pensioner B, where A is in a nursing home and gets €29,000 in back payments from the HSE which payment will be exempted by his Department from means testing, whereas B lives at home and has been saving a pension over many years accumulating €29,000, which under current regulations will be means tested. [20023/05]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 464 and 465 together.
The Government recently agreed the key elements of a scheme for the repayment of long-term stay charges. As I have already confirmed to the House in regard to those charged, such repayments will not impact on their current pension entitlements and I will make the necessary legislative changes to bring this provision into effect when full details of the repayment scheme have been finalised.
It will be a matter for pensioners themselves to decide what they do with any repayments received and they can, if they wish, deposit the moneys involved in any number of accounts. For means test purposes, once my Department has confirmed that such a repayment was received, an amount equivalent to that repayment will be exempt from assessment for pension purposes provided the pensioner owns capital equal to or in excess of the repayment sum. Where the pensioner's capital is less than the sum repaid, all the pensioner's capital will be exempt.
Over the period in question, my Department paid affected persons their full pension and other social welfare entitlements and had no function in the deduction of the charges made. Given the unique background to the repayments, the Government decided that receipt of the lump sums involved would not incur a tax liability or adversely affect future entitlement to health services and social welfare payments in the case of those who were charged and are still alive.
For social welfare means test purposes, other capital which a pensioner has, regardless of whether that person received a repayment or not, will continue to be assessed in the normal way. From the beginning of this month, a single pensioner with no other means will be able to save up to €28,000 without affecting his or her entitlement in any way. This figure is doubled for a couple. As a result, all pensioners will, if they wish, be able to put an enhanced sum aside without any effect on their pension.
466 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the reason a person (details supplied) in County Kildare has been refused rent assistance; when her rent assistance application will be reviewed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20069/05]
The position remains as stated in my reply to Question No. 184, which I answered for the Deputy on 2 June 2005. The Dublin and mid-Leinster area of the Health Service Executive advised then that, following an assessment of her housing needs by the local authority, the person concerned was considered to have a suitable housing option available to her. In the circumstances, the executive determined that she was not entitled to rent supplement under the supplementary welfare allowance scheme. The executive now advises that the person concerned has been informed of her right to appeal against this decision but there is no record of such an appeal to date.
467 Mr. Kehoe asked the Minister for Transport the reason a person with an Irish driving licence must pass a UK driving test when disqualified from driving in the UK; if there are any circumstances when this test does not need to be taken and if it can be taken here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19290/05]
In line with EU directive requirements, driving licences from EU member states are mutually recognised. A person may be the holder of only one EU driving licence and may only obtain a licence in the country in which he or she is normally resident. The UK requirement for a person who has been disqualified from holding a driving licence to pass the driving test as a prerequisite to having a licence restored is a matter appropriate to the UK authorities.
468 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Transport his views on whether there is a difficulty and inconsistency with the citizens of a peace-loving and neutral country having to pay some of the costs of war, in view of recent revelations that taxpayers’ money is used to effectively subsidise the US military’s sending of armed troops and a wide range of munitions to war and to occupation of both Iraq and Afghanistan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19415/05]
471 Mr. Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Transport his plans to continue the practice of reimbursing the Irish Aviation Authority for overflights in Irish airspace by foreign military aircraft; his further plans to charge foreign military aircraft for overflights in Irish airspace; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18966/05]
472 Mr. Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Transport his plans to renegotiate the Eurocontrol agreement in order that Ireland will join other neutral countries such as Austria, Finland and Switzerland that already charge for military overflights (details supplied). [18967/05]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 468, 471 and 472 together.
The use of Shannon Airport by US military forces is a practice that has been in place for several decades. Foreign military aircraft using the State airports pay the appropriate airport charge to each airport authority. Furthermore, civilian aircraft carrying troops pay all charges whether air traffic control or airport related.
The Irish Aviation Authority, IAA, provides air traffic control and communications services to aircraft passing through Irish controlled airspace, en route, and aircraft landing and taking off from Irish airports, terminal. Irish administered airspace covers 450,000 sq. km of which 83,000 sq. km is sovereign airspace. The flight path of military aircraft is primarily through international airspace administered by Ireland while only a small proportion of such flights land at Irish airports.
Under a European organisation for the safety of air navigation, Eurocontrol, multilateral agreement to which Ireland is a party, various categories of flights, including flights under visual flight rules, flights performed by small aircraft, flights performed for the transport of Heads of State and search and rescue flights, are exempt from paying en route charges. In the case of other categories, including military flights, training flights, flights performed to test air navigation equipment and circular flights, states have the option to exempt such flights from payment of the en route charge.
In common with most Eurocontrol member states, Ireland exempts all such flights, including military flights of member states of Eurocontrol, United States and Canada, from payment of the en route charge and this arrangement has applied since Ireland joined the Eurocontrol en route charging scheme in the early 1970s. This arrangement means the IAA costs in regard to military flights are met from my Department’s Vote.
Information received from Eurocontrol indicates that Austria, Finland and Switzerland do not at present grant exempt status to US military flights. However, my Department understands that invoices issued by the above states to the US authorities in respect of military flights have not been paid. It should be noted that Austria, Finland and Switzerland exempt other Eurocontrol member states from these charges on a reciprocal basis.
Ireland also exempts military aircraft flights from payment of the communications charge, a set amount per contact, and the IAA costs in regard to those charges are also met from my Department's Vote. Efforts to collect this charge in the early 1990s were unsuccessful and, following advice from the Attorney General, debts then outstanding were written off with the agreement of the Department of Finance and a decision taken to cease charging the communications fee to military aircraft.
The policy of exempting foreign military aircraft from the above charges is well established international practice and, while this policy is optional under Eurocontrol rules as pointed out earlier, there are no plans at present to discontinue it.
469 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Transport his views on whether the legislation regarding penalty points for those exceeding the speed limit does not apply to non-Irish citizens who do not hold Irish licences; and whether it is correct that if this category of person is caught for alleged speeding, no penalty points will be endorsed on their license. [19620/05]
At present, where a driver with a foreign licence is detected committing a penalty point offence in the Republic, it is not possible to record penalty points as no entry exists in the national driver file relating to that driver. The Road Traffic Act 2002 provides that where such drivers pay a fixed charge, a record is opened in the national driver file recording details of the offence and the number of penalty points applicable are held in abeyance. Should the driver apply for an Irish driving licence at a later date, the points then become live and will be endorsed on the licence record for a three-year period.
Penalty points systems do not operate in all EU member states and in that context, there is no EU legal framework that would support the mutual recognition of such systems. The authorities in the Republic, Northern Ireland and Great Britain are considering the introduction of a scheme to provide for the mutual recognition of penalty points between the United Kingdom and Ireland. In addition to the system that operates in this jurisdiction, separate penalty points systems operate in Northern Ireland and Great Britain and there is no mutual recognition between those two systems. Accordingly, where a person who holds a Northern Ireland licence commits a penalty point offence in Great Britain, the points cannot be recorded on that licence. This consideration is being pursued under the auspices of the British-Irish Council, BIC.
The Northern Ireland Departments of the Environment and Regional Development are the lead agencies for transport and road safety related matters under the BIC and have been considering this matter. This Department has referred the matter to the Attorney General given the complex legal issues surrounding this area.
470 Mr. Hogan asked the Minister for Transport when a driving test will be arranged for a person (details supplied) in County Carlow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19844/05]
A driving test will be arranged as soon as possible for the person concerned.
473 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Transport whether the fatalities that took place following the tragic school bus crash could have been averted had there been seat belts installed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18984/05]
Three separate investigations are under way by the Garda Síochána, Bus Éireann and the Health and Safety Authority in regard to last month's school bus accident in County Meath. It would be inappropriate for me to comment on the accident in advance of the completion of these investigations.
474 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Transport the way in which he responds to former Aer Lingus and current Aer Lingus workers who have been given in a number of cases 3,500 Aer Lingus shares each in lieu of settlements under a recent wage agreement and, as such, 2,000 hold between them 5 million shares; and the way in which shares will be disposed of without the permission of the shareholders. [18992/05]
The total staff shareholding is currently 14.9% of the issued share capital of Aer Lingus Group plc. This includes a shareholding of around 5% provided under an employee share participation scheme, ESPS, agreed with staff in the context of the Cahill plan in 1993 and an additional 9.9% provided under an employee share ownership plan, ESOP, greed in the context of the 2001 survival plan. I understand that 11.6% of the total staff shareholding is held under the ESOP while individual staff hold 3.3%.
The terms of the ESOP provide that for so long as the State holds any shares in Aer Lingus, the total staff shareholding will not exceed 14.9% of the entire issued share capital of the company. However, in the event of a third party investment in Aer Lingus, the employee share ownership trust, ESOT, has the opportunity to acquire shares through its own means to restore the staff shareholding to 14.9%.
The conditions relating to the 3.3% individual staff shareholding, including its disposal, are covered in the provisions of the ESPS agreement together with the articles of association of the company. In particular, staff who have left the company and who have been allocated their shares, are entitled to retain these shares for three years. Should they wish to dispose of their shares within that three-year period, they can specify a minimum price which they must receive if the shares are sold in an internal market in the company. After that three-year period, they are required to submit these shares to the trustees for auction in the internal market with no minimum price and these shares can be purchased by the remaining staff or by the ESOT.
The remaining 11.6% staff shareholding has been notionally allocated by the ESOT to its beneficiaries. Until those shares are formerly allocated, they continue to be held by the ESOT on behalf of their beneficiaries and cannot be sold. Once formerly allocated, the disposal rules which apply to the ESPS shares will also apply to these shares.
475 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Transport his views on the need for seatbelts on bus transport; the potential cost of installing seatbelts on all school buses; the viability of such an installation; if his Department will endorse such a move; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18994/05]
492 Mr. Connolly asked the Minister for Transport if it is proposed to make the fitting of seatbelts in school buses and public transport buses compulsory in the interests of safety; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19305/05]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 475 and 492 together.
The European Union has developed proposals to require safety belts to be fitted to all seats in all new vehicles, except for buses used on stage stop routes. Following the approval of the proposals by the European Parliament last month, the way is now open for their early adoption as directives so that new buses, including school buses, being registered from a date to be settled, perhaps late 2007, would require to be fitted with safety belts.
The retrofitting of safety belts in existing buses is a complex issue and would have to be considered having regard to a range of factors including the age of the vehicle, the type of safety belt proposed to be fitted, and the suitability of the vehicle for modification. The question of the installing of safety belts in existing school buses is being examined by the Department of Education and Science and by my Department. Estimates of the potential costs involved would be premature at this stage. The costs associated with a retrofit programme for school buses would be a matter for the Department of Education and Science.
476 Ms O. Mitchell asked the Minister for Transport if meetings or negotiations either by his Department or anyone else acting on his behalf have taken place with National Toll Roads on the issue of a buy-out by the State of the West Link toll bridge; the issues raised and progress made to date during such talks; if such talks have not taken place, if such a goal will be pursued; his views on such a buy-out by the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19003/05]
477 Ms O. Mitchell asked the Minister for Transport the instructions he or any member of the Government have given to the NRA to renegotiate the NTR tolling contract on the West Link toll bridge; the assessment that has been made of the cost till 2020 of the buy-out of the bridge; the anticipated extend of the buy-out penalty over and above lost revenue; if an alternative Government toll will replace any negotiation; and if such a toll will not be such that it is designed to divert traffic from the M50 to local roads. [19062/05]
487 Ms O. Mitchell asked the Minister for Transport his views on the possible buy-out of the West Link toll bridge; and if any early discussions with NTR have taken place on this matter. [19217/05]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 476, 477 and 487 together.
The statutory power to levy tolls on national roads, to make toll by-laws, and to enter into toll agreements with private investors in respect of national roads is vested in the National Roads Authority, NRA, under Part V of the Roads Act 1993, as amended by the Planning and Development Act 2000.
The NRA has not submitted any proposals to my Department in regard to the issue of a buy-out of tolling rights on the West Link toll bridge. However, I am aware that, in the context of the upgrade of the M50 and my policy objective to move to open road tolling, the NRA is in negotiation with NTR on the range of issues affecting the West Link toll agreement. The NRA will report to me on the outcome of its engagement with NTR including any implications for the current agreement.
478 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Minister for Transport if it is appropriate and safe to build 162 apartments above the Port tunnel while it is being constructed; if all planning and traffic count procedures were adhered to at the proposed apartment development (details supplied) in Dublin 9. [19081/05]
The granting of planning permission for residential developments does not fall within the remit of this Department and in this case would be a matter for Dublin City Council. I understand that reports from the Dublin Port tunnel project office are requested by Dublin City Council on all applications for all development on or near the construction line of the Dublin Port tunnel and considered as part of the planning approval process. Dublin City Council informs me that in connection with this development, the appropriate report was received from the port tunnel project office and planning approval granted. Following a third party appeal, An Bord Pleanála subsequently granted approval in February 2004.
479 Mr. Grealish asked the Minister for Transport the Dublin Airport Authority plans in regard to the future of the Great Southern Hotel chain; and his plans to sell off the chain (details supplied). [19082/05]
In accordance with the State Airports Act 2004, the three airport authorities, including the Dublin Airport Authority, are preparing comprehensive business plans for their airports. As part of its business plan, the Dublin Airport Authority will be addressing the position of its principal subsidiaries, including the future of the Great Southern Hotels group. I will be considering the DAA's proposals in consultation with the Minister for Finance.
480 Mr. Bruton asked the Minister for Transport if he is aware that a company (details supplied) participated as joint owner in the development of a site; if he has carried out an investigation of this matter in his capacity as policy director of the sector; if he has satisfied himself that there are no issues of conflict between the commercial interests of the company and its regulatory and planning role in regard to the development and management of State airports. [19083/05]
As the Deputy may be aware, this matter is the subject of legal proceedings and is therefore sub judice. It would be inappropriate for me to comment on the matter raised.
481 Mr. Connolly asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide a progress report on the recruitment of the recently announced additional driving testers to reduce driving test waiting lists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19126/05]
My Department is finalising conditions of service and job specifications for the driver tester posts for clearance by the Department of Finance and subsequent advertising of these posts by the public appointments service.
482 Mr. P. Breen asked the Minister for Transport the status of and progress made in the planned decentralisation of staff of the Irish Aviation Authority to Shannon, County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19136/05]
Plans for decentralisation in this case are at an early stage as the authority has not been identified by the decentralisation implementation group as an appropriate candidate for an early move.
483 Mr. Mulcahy asked the Minister for Transport the percentage reduction of traffic on city roads since the introduction of the Luas. [19155/05]
The specific data requested by the Deputy is not available. However, I understand that in excess of 14.5 million passenger journeys were recorded on Luas from the commencement of passenger services in June 2004 until the end of May 2005.
The Railway Procurement Agency, RPA, and the Dublin Transportation Office are carrying out a comprehensive assessment of the effect of Luas on travel patterns. The before Luas survey was carried out in the spring of 2004 and it is intended that the after Luas survey will be carried out in 2006 when travel patterns on Luas have become more established.
The RPA has also carried out less formal research on its customer base and it is clear that a large proportion of Luas users had previously used private vehicles. Apart from car transfers, there also appears to be a significant number of new trips to the city centre for business and or recreation. This view is shared by city centre businesses, which report substantial increase in business as a result of Luas and is reflected in the high levels of Luas usage in the traditional off peak periods and at weekends.
484 Ms O. Mitchell asked the Minister for Transport if one public consultation in respect of the review of the national car test held at the Red Cow roundabout is not sufficient; if he will hold further meetings; if further advertising of the review will be undertaken; if he will allow persons to make representations to a company (details supplied) on-line or by letter as the meeting scheduled to meet the needs of the entire Dublin area was highly unsatisfactory. [19181/05]
The consultation process in connection with the mid-term review of the national car testing service, NCTS, was designed to facilitate maximum public participation with a range of means provided to enable persons to contribute to the review. In addition to public meetings which were held in Sligo, Tuam, Macroom, Kilkenny, Longford, Dublin and Limerick, persons could have participated in the review by making submissions on-line at www.nctsreview.ie, the specially created website for that purpose, or in writing, by post, to NCT review, PricewaterhouseCoopers, Wilton Place, Dublin 2. The notices concerning the public consultation process for the mid-term review of the NCTS were placed in both national and local newspapers and outlined the options available for contributing to the review. Media interest in the review also contributed in raising public awareness of the process. I should also point out that I wrote to each member of the Oireachtas on 22 April 2005 apprising them of the mid-term review and of the arrangements put in place to enable persons to participate in it including the venues for the public meetings.
PricewaterhouseCoopers, the professional services company, has been engaged by my Department to manage the mid-term review of the NCTS as an independent party and in that capacity it conducted the public consultation process. I am satisfied that given the level of public awareness of the review and the range of options available for participation, persons wishing to engage in the process had sufficient opportunities to do so. Accordingly, I do not intend to reopen the process nor hold further public meetings. I intend to announce any necessary adjustments to NCT arrangements, arising for this area, in the course of the next few months.
485 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Transport the most up to date information on his travels abroad for the St. Patrick’s Day celebrations; the persons who travelled with him in his official party; the duration of the visit; and the total cost. [19192/05]
I did not travel abroad for the St Patrick's Day celebrations. I attended the parade in Waterford.
486 Ms O. Mitchell asked the Minister for Transport if it is envisaged that a move to barrier free tolling will also involve a change in the tolling locations from the bridge to entry slip roads in order to facilitate the traffic management recommended at the public inquiry into the M50 upgrade. [19216/05]
The design planning and implementation of the national roads programme, including the upgrade of the M50 and the related issue of barrier free tolling, is a matter for the National Roads Authority, NRA, and the relevant local authorities in consultation with the NTR. I understand from the NRA that in the context of the M50 upgrade scheme and associated move to barrier free tolling, negotiations on a range of issues affecting toll arrangements are taking place between the NRA and the NTR. The NRA will report to me on the outcome of its engagement with the NTR including the implications for the agreement with the NTR.
488 Ms O. Mitchell asked the Minister for Transport if he has considered a challenge to aviation Regulation 847/04 in view of the fact that its effect is to reinforce competitive disadvantage and could be considered contrary to EU law. [19255/05]
The aim of Regulation 847/04 is to provide for co-ordination between individual member states and the Commission, for occasions when member states may wish to amend aspects of their bilateral agreements with third countries. The Commission had recognised that member states may need to negotiate with third countries on various aspects of their bilateral agreements on issues, such as market access, which were not the subject of the European Court of Justice ruling in November 2002. By introducing this regulation the intention was to ensure that any such negotiations are done in consultation with the European Commission, to ensure that the resulting amendments to bilateral agreements are not in conflict with European Law, or with negotiations that the Commission itself may intend to have with those third countries. On the assumption that this regulation is implemented in the spirit in which it was intended, I do not see any reason to take legal action.
489 Ms O. Mitchell asked the Minister for Transport if, in view of the constraints placed on Ireland as a result of the proposed EU-US bilateral agreement on aviation, he will commit to opening talks with Canada in order to achieve a more liberal regime prior to any EU move in this regard. [19256/05]
The existing Ireland-Canada air transport agreement is quite restrictive regarding the destinations both in Ireland and in Canada that can be served. The Canadian authorities have not been willing to revise the agreement to bring it more into line with Ireland's other agreements, unless the Shannon stop element was removed from it. However, my Department has agreed extra-bilateral arrangements with the Canadian authorities on a case-by-case basis to allow airlines to operate on routes between Canada and Ireland that are not included in the existing bilateral agreement, on the basis that they serve Shannon at least as often as they serve Dublin.
My Department will continue to take a pragmatic approach in the interest of facilitating air services between the two countries taking account of any regulatory developments that arise in the Ireland-US market. I understand the European Commission has no immediate plans to commence negotiations on an air service agreement with Canada.
490 Ms O. Mitchell asked the Minister for Transport if he will negotiate a phased withdrawal of the Shannon stopover under the bilateral agreements; and if Ireland has to await a new EU wide agreement with the US in order to gain greater access to American cities and vice versa. [19257/05]
My officials have been maintaining contact with the US authorities, regarding issues surrounding the Ireland-US bilateral air transport agreement and the EU-US talks. As part of ongoing dialogue with the US on this issue, officials from my Department travelled to Washington to discuss the Ireland-US bilateral agreement on 6 April 2005, to explore what adjustments to the Ireland-US arrangements are possible. The meeting was technical and exploratory in nature, and no conclusions were reached at that meeting. Both sides agreed to keep in touch, and to continue to consider how those issues might be moved forward, having regard to the EU-US negotiations.
The recent Transport Council in Luxembourg on 21 April 2005 considered the issue of the EU-US negotiations. The Council authorised the Commission to prepare an outline of what it considers could be the elements of an overall EU-US deal. That outline will, I understand, be presented to the Council at its next meeting at the end of this month. Should the Council approve an outline deal, the Commission will seek to restart formal negotiations with the US, using that outline as a basis for negotiations. The negotiations would then focus on agreeing the necessary steps and stages to achieve the outline deal. Many uncertainties exist at this stage such as whether an outline deal can be agreed, whether the US will accept the outline deal if agreed in June, and how long it might take to negotiate all of the details of that deal.
I expect to have a clearer view as to how to proceed regarding Ireland-US Bilateral Agreement following the Transport Council, since the prospects for a re-engagement of the EU-US process will have a major bearing on the EU and US's attitude to amending the existing Ireland-US bilateral agreement.
Increased access to US destinations under an open skies agreement would provide significant benefits to Irish tourism, trade, economic growth and aviation. However, I am equally clear that Ireland must obtain the best possible transition for Shannon, to enable a smooth phasing in of open skies with the US in the future and I consider it appropriate for any changes that occur in this area to be on a phased basis over a number of years.
491 Mr. McGuinness asked the Minister for Transport the number of driving testers on duty in Kilkenny on 27 May 2005; the number of testers who travelled to Kilkenny from Dublin to conduct tests; the number of tests undertaken by a tester (details supplied) and the results in each case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19268/05]
There was one driver tester on duty in the Kilkenny driving test centre on 27 May 2005. No driver tester travelled from Dublin to Kilkenny to conduct tests. The driver tester in the test centre on 27 May 2005 conducted seven driving tests and one candidate did not attend for his appointment. Four of the candidates passed and three candidates failed the driving test.
493 Mr. Connolly asked the Minister for Transport the level of INTERREG IIIA funding that has been allocated to local roads in County Monaghan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19306/05]
My Department, in conjunction with Department of Regional Development, DRD, NI, is the implementing body for priority 2.1D, roads and public transport, of the INTERREG IIIA programme. A project involving minor road improvements in the Border region has been developed by DRD NI, in consultation with Border local authorities and facilitated by the Irish central border area network, ICBAN. I understand Monaghan County Council has been allocated €200,000 under this project. Details of the individual schemes involved are a matter for Monaghan County Council.
494 Mr. Kirk asked the Minister for Transport his views on prioritising the development of an east-west link from Dundalk to Sligo with a view to enhancing the economic prospects for a considerable area along this route; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19342/05]
The planning, design and implementation of national road improvement projects is a matter for the National Roads Authority, NRA, and the local authorities concerned. I understand from the NRA that the overall east-west link strategy is being advanced through a number of new schemes and pavement improvement works. The NRA has allocated €750,000 to Cavan County Council in 2005 to advance planning and design work on the proposed N3 Belturbet bypass project, in respect of which the compulsory purchase order, CPO, and environmental impact statement, EIS, are expected to be published this year. The NRA has also allocated over €1 million in 2005 to fund improvement works at various locations along the N16 Sligo to Enniskillen section of the route. These allocations include provisions of €650,000 for road pavement improvement and realignment works east of Manorhamilton to Glenfarne section of the route.
While the section of this route from Dundalk to Cavan is not a national road, the NRA has indicated that it will continue to keep the situation under review on an ongoing basis having regard to the funding available for, and other priorities on, the national roads programme.
495 Mr. Cregan asked the Minister for Transport the criteria which must be fulfilled by a person in order to secure a hackney licence; and if a person is already in full-time employment, if they are still entitled to hold a hackney licence. [19402/05]
The licensing and operation of small public service vehicles, including hackneys, is governed by the Road Traffic (Public Service Vehicles) Regulations 1963 to 2002. Under these regulations, hackney licences may be granted by local licensing authorities in respect of a particular vehicle following the presentation of a vehicle test certificate and a certificate of suitability issued in respect of the vehicle by the national car testing service, NCTS; demonstration that the use of the vehicle as a hackney is covered by insurance; the production of a tax clearance certificate by the applicant and the payment of the appropriate licensing fee of €250. There is no stipulation on the employment status of the applicant.
Hackneys, as with all small public service vehicles, may only be driven by persons who hold a small public service vehicle driver's licence. Under the public service vehicles regulations, the consideration of applications for the grant of a small public service vehicle driver's licence is administered by the Garda Commissioner. Applicants are required to have a current driving licence, to produce a tax clearance certificate and to give an undertaking in writing that, if the licence is granted, they will not drive a public service vehicle for more than eleven hours in any one day in any period of three consecutive days. Applicants must also satisfy the Garda Commissioner that they are a fit and proper person to hold a licence to drive a small public service vehicle, that they have an adequate knowledge of general traffic regulations, the regulations relating to small public service vehicles and the area in which they propose to make services available as a driver of a small public service vehicle. Again, there is no stipulation on the employment status of the applicant.
496 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Transport when a person (details supplied) in County Offaly will be granted a driving test; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19428/05]
There is no record in my Department of an application for a driving test having been received from the person concerned.
497 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for Transport the funding he has made available or intends to make available to enable the Midleton rail link to reopen; the total estimated cost of reopening the rail line; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19429/05]
In May 2003, the Government approved the development of a commuter rail service for Cork, including the reopening of its Cork City to Midleton line, the construction of a number of new stations and the provision of park and ride facilities at strategic locations. Since then, Iarnród Éireann has been engaged in preparatory work related to the Midleton line and, I understand, has recently completed a technical study related to its construction. The company expects to be in a position to submit a railway order application in respect of the line before the end of 2005. I understand that Iarnród Éireann is finalising a capital cost estimation for the entire Cork commuter rail project, which will be submitted to my Department when completed. The required funding for the project will be provided from a combination of Exchequer and EU funds, from special contribution schemes established by the local authorities in Cork and from private funding.
498 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Minister for Transport if a person (details supplied) in Dublin 7 will be re-examined for compensation with regard to a taxi plate. [19441/05]
I refer the Deputy to my answer to Question No. 259 of 20 April 2005. Area Development Management Limited, ADM, is administering and managing the taxi hardship payments scheme which is implementing the recommendations of the taxi hardship panel report. The processing and consideration of applications under the scheme is being undertaken by ADM independently of my Department. I have no role in the review of applications or the consideration of appeals under the scheme.
499 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Transport the amount of funding which has been allocated to road safety initiatives for 2005; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19454/05]
Exchequer funding in respect of 2005 for road safety agencies under the aegis of the Department of Transport amounts to a total of €6.398 million, €3.965 million to the National Safety Council, NSC, and €2.433 million to the Medical Bureau of Road Safety. In addition the Exchequer provision to the National Roads Authority, NRA, for national road improvement and maintenance works in 2005 is €1.415 billion.
An upgraded roads network is, of course, a safer roads network. From this allocation the NRA will provide €40.4 million for specific road safety measures, which includes an allocation of €15 million for retrofitting of median safety barriers. Funding for road improvements and remedial measures on non-national roads is a matter for the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. The funding made available for Garda operations, which supports the enforcement of road traffic law is a matter for the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform.
500 Mr. Bruton asked the Minister for Transport the studies he has undertaken of traffic congestion surrounding Dublin Port; the recommendations which have emerged from these studies; the recommendations which have been accepted; and those which have been rejected. [19497/05]
506 Mr. Bruton asked the Minister for Transport the key recommendations of the task force on traffic congestion associated with Dublin Port; those which have been implemented; those which have been rejected and those which remain outstanding. [19639/05]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 500 and 506 together.
Traffic studies in the vicinity of the Dublin Port area are a matter for Dublin City Council. The preparation of a HGV traffic management strategy designed to ensure that maximum traffic benefits are secured from the opening of the Dublin Port tunnel early next year is a matter for Dublin City Council in consultation with the National Roads Authority, NRA. My Department will continue to liaise with Dublin City Council and the NRA as this strategy is finalized, so that I may be assured that the arrangements optimise the contribution that the port tunnel can make to Dublin's transport network.
501 Mr. Lowry asked the Minister for Transport the number of driving tests scheduled in each test centre from 1 July 2005 to 1 September 2005 on a weekly basis. [19498/05]
502 Mr. Lowry asked the Minister for Transport the number of driving testers rostered at each test centre from 1 July 2005 to 1 September 2005 on a weekly basis. [19499/05]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 501 and 502 together.
Schedules for driving tests are arranged four to five weeks in advance of the appointment date. As of this week schedules for driving tests are being finalised for week commencing 11 July 2005 and being arranged for week commencing 18 July 2005. The number of tests assigned will depend on whether the tester works overtime, is testing cars, trucks or motorcycles, and whether he or she is available for duty for all of the week being rostered.
|
Driving Test Centres |
W/C 27/6/05 |
W/C 4/7/05 |
W/C 11/7/05 |
|
North Leinster Region |
|||
|
Finglas |
248 |
339 |
200 |
|
Raheny |
58 |
111 |
182 |
|
Dundalk |
54 |
81 |
115 |
|
Mullingar |
22 |
— |
61 |
|
Navan |
74 |
113 |
114 |
|
South Leinster Region |
|||
|
Churchtown/Rathgar |
311 |
312 |
280 |
|
Tallaght |
180 |
205 |
Schedule not finalised |
|
Gorey |
— |
— |
23 |
|
Naas |
254 |
269 |
269 |
|
Tullamore |
15 |
43 |
— |
|
Wicklow |
85 |
38 |
28 |
|
West Region |
|||
|
Athlone |
77 |
42 |
87 |
|
Birr |
— |
18 |
— |
|
Castlebar |
99 |
123 |
78 |
|
Clifden |
— |
— |
— |
|
Ennis |
— |
— |
81 |
|
Galway |
77 |
79 |
103 |
|
Loughrea |
25 |
20 |
86 |
|
Roscommon |
18 |
— |
— |
|
Tuam |
59 |
38 |
43 |
|
North West Region |
|||
|
Ballina |
86 |
— |
— |
|
Buncrana |
44 |
31 |
— |
|
Carrick-on-Shannon |
68 |
— |
36 |
|
Cavan |
16 |
45 |
79 |
|
Donegal |
49 |
— |
49 |
|
Letterkenny |
20 |
86 |
88 |
|
Longford |
— |
39 |
— |
|
Monaghan |
— |
92 |
43 |
|
Sligo |
36 |
50 |
20 |
|
South East Region |
|||
|
Carlow |
71 |
37 |
90 |
|
Clonmel |
50 |
33 |
45 |
|
Dungarvan |
43 |
85 |
38 |
|
Kilkenny |
75 |
43 |
36 |
|
Nenagh |
— |
— |
— |
|
Portlaoise |
49 |
70 |
— |
|
Thurles |
— |
72 |
38 |
|
Tipperary |
43 |
43 |
— |
|
Waterford |
126 |
— |
112 |
|
Wexford |
85 |
80 |
41 |
|
South West Region |
|||
|
Cork |
363 |
312 |
222 |
|
Killarney |
— |
— |
— |
|
Kilrush |
— |
— |
— |
|
Limerick |
47 |
97 |
68 |
|
Mallow |
40 |
75 |
44 |
|
Newcastle West |
88 |
38 |
74 |
|
Shannon |
85 |
— |
40 |
|
Skibbereen |
— |
89 |
36 |
|
Tralee |
77 |
79 |
93 |
|
Driving Test Centres |
W/C 27/6/05 |
W/C 4/7/05 |
W/C 11/7/05 |
|
North Leinster Region |
|||
|
Finglas |
8 |
10 |
8 |
|
Raheny |
3 |
3 |
5 |
|
Dundalk |
2 |
2 |
3 |
|
Mullingar |
1 |
— |
2 |
|
Navan |
2 |
3 |
3 |
|
South Leinster Region |
|||
|
Churchtown/Rathgar |
9 |
9 |
10 |
|
Tallaght |
4 |
5 |
6 |
|
Gorey |
— |
— |
1 |
|
Naas |
6 |
6 |
6 |
|
Tullamore |
1 |
1 |
— |
|
Wicklow |
2 |
1 |
1 |
|
West Region |
|||
|
Athlone |
2 |
1 |
2 |
|
Birr |
— |
1 |
— |
|
Castlebar |
2 |
4 |
2 |
|
Clifden |
— |
— |
— |
|
Ennis |
— |
— |
2 |
|
Galway |
1 |
2 |
4 |
|
Loughrea |
1 |
1 |
2 |
|
Roscommon |
1 |
— |
— |
|
Tuam |
2 |
1 |
1 |
|
North West Region |
|||
|
Ballina |
2 |
— |
— |
|
Buncrana |
1 |
1 |
— |
|
Carrick-on-Shannon |
3 |
— |
1 |
|
Cavan |
1 |
1 |
3 |
|
Donegal |
1 |
— |
1 |
|
Letterkenny |
1 |
2 |
3 |
|
Longford |
— |
1 |
— |
|
Monaghan |
— |
3 |
1 |
|
Sligo |
1 |
1 |
1 |
|
South East Region |
|||
|
Carlow |
2 |
1 |
2 |
|
Clonmel |
1 |
1 |
1 |
|
Dungarvan |
1 |
2 |
1 |
|
Kilkenny |
3 |
1 |
1 |
|
Nenagh |
— |
— |
— |
|
Portlaoise |
— |
2 |
— |
|
Thurles |
— |
2 |
1 |
|
Tipperary |
1 |
1 |
— |
|
Waterford |
2 |
— |
3 |
|
Wexford |
2 |
2 |
2 |
|
South West Region |
|||
|
Cork |
8 |
8 |
6 |
|
Killarney |
— |
— |
2 |
|
Kilrush |
— |
— |
— |
|
Limerick |
4 |
3 |
2 |
|
Mallow |
1 |
2 |
1 |
|
Newcastle West |
2 |
1 |
2 |
|
Shannon |
2 |
— |
1 |
|
Skibbereen |
— |
2 |
1 |
|
Tralee |
2 |
2 |
2 |
503 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Transport if persons who incur penalty points pursuant to section 5 of the Road Traffic Act 2002 and who pay their fines on time receive notifications from the Department of Transport informing them that the endorsement of the penalty points is only made effective on their driving licences five to six months after the date of the alleged offence due to Garda administrative backlogs; that the five to six-month extension means motorists are serving three and a half years instead of the correct timeframe of three years for penalty points; if there is nothing stipulated in the Road Traffic Act 2002 to suggest that additional timeframe would be added to the three year timeframe by the Department of Transport to those who pay their fines on time; and if he proposes to deal with this serious loophole together with a number of the overall inadequacies associated with the penalty point system which are extremely unfair to those who pay their fines on time for the alleged penalty points. [19623/05]
The Road Traffic Act 2002, which provides the legislative basis for the introduction and operation of the penalty points system, contains specific provisions governing application of such points on the licence record of an individual. Section 5 of the Act provides that where penalty points are to be endorsed on a record, a notification of that endorsement must be issued to the licence holder involved. The notice sets out in particular the basis for the endorsement of the points.
Section 7 of the Act provides that, save in very limited and quite specific instances, the operative date for penalty points is 28 days from the date of the notice issued under section 5. This date is referred to in the Act as the "appropriate date", the provisions on which recognise that as a result of the endorsement of penalty points a person may face the application of an automatic disqualification from driving. Section 3 of the Act establishes that where a person accumulates at least 12 penalty points, he or she will be disqualified for a period of 6 months.
If penalty points were to be applied from the date of the commission of the offence in the first instance or from the date of the payment of the fixed charge, a person could be faced with the prospect that they would have already been disqualified in advance of any notification being sent to that effect. This would, in turn, create the situation that a person would be open to a charge of driving when disqualified where they had driven in the period between the commission of the original offence or the payment of the charge and the date of the notice.
The penalty points system has been designed and structured to ensure that any person who is accused of the commission of a penalty point offence is afforded a significant time period to chose whether or not to allow the matter to proceed to court. Save in respect of eight of the 70 offences determined to be penalty point offences in the Act, the option of the payment of a fixed charge is afforded to the accused person. A person presented with a fixed charge notice is given a period of 56 days in which to make such a payment before the certainty of a court summons is applied.
There is therefore a potentially significant period made available to a person to make a decision and all of the time lapses established in the Act are set out in the fixed charge notice issued in respect of the alleged commission of the offence.
Both the Courts Service and the Garda Síochána transfer the appropriate data relating to convictions and payment of fixed charges to the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government to facilitate its entry into the national driver file, which is the responsibility of that Department. The administrative arrangements that apply to the operation of the fixed charge system by the Garda Síochána are a matter for the Garda Commissioner. In that context, as the processing of data on fixed charges by the Garda Síochána is operated on a manual basis, data relating to payments is received in non-electronic format by a company engaged by my Department to convert such data for transmission electronically to the national driver file. This process takes about five working days from date of receipt of the data.
The penalty points system has been operating successfully since its introduction in October 2002. The system was designed on the basis that its ultimate operation would be supported by a series of linked IT projects. The national driver file is fully operational and other IT support being developed by the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform will be available later this year. This will facilitate a major extension of the operation of the system, which will in turn augment the level of deterrent against poor driver behaviour and thus further enhance road safety.
504 Dr. Cowley asked the Minister for Transport if his attention has been drawn to the fact that Knock International Airport is one of Ireland’s international airports, has a runway capacity for a Boeing 747 and is the only international airport located within the BMW region; if, in view of this and in view of the airport’s significant regional development, he will support an investment programme for Knock International Airport (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19629/05]
The policy on regional airports is to assist in optimising the contribution that the network of regional airports can make to balanced regional development. In appraising capital investment proposals, the priority is to focus on improvement works and upgrades in facilities that maintain continued safe and viable operations.
The three State airports, which operate to a commercial mandate, account for approximately 95% of all air traffic and are capable of serving the country's primary air transport needs. The State airports have the scope and capacity to expand to cater for future growth in national air traffic for the foreseeable future. Their size, scale and catchment areas mean they inevitably attract a range of airline services to and from other locations. The reforms introduced in the State Airports Act are intended to strengthen and stimulate those airports in achieving greater efficiency and promoting further air traffic development. The role of the State airports is complemented by the regional development role of regional airports, such as Knock. The grant assistance schemes for regional airports are therefore targeted towards this complementary role.
Exchequer support for the six regional airports in Donegal, Sligo, Knock, Galway, Kerry and Waterford falls under two categories. Support for essential safety-related capital investment is available under the BMW and south and east regional operational programmes of the national development plan. Grants are also available towards operational expenditure incurred by the airports on marketing, safety and security. Over the past five years, Knock Airport has received more funding than any other airport under both NDP capital grants and marketing grants.
My Department also supports regional air access through the essential air service programme, by providing financial compensation to air carriers on PSO routes, such as Knock-Dublin, where carriers would not be prepared to operate on a commercial basis. I recently announced the award of the contract for the continuation of services on the route for the next three years.
505 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Transport if he has had any meetings recently with Irish Rail; his plans to discontinue the freight service in the country; the Government’s policy on the freight service; and if he has had any discussions with Irish Rail on its stopping the freight services. [19638/05]
It is my policy that Irish Rail should remain in the rail freight business and I am aware that it has made great strides in restructuring this element of its operations. Irish Rail has had wide ranging consultations with business interests around the country to identify those freight activities best suited to rail transport. It has developed a business plan based on a freight strategy which is to breakeven by 2006, increase the profitability of the existing profitable business, withdraw from those businesses that are heavily loss making, and target trainload traffic.
The company has made significant progress in growing the rail freight business in areas where it holds a competitive advantage over road haulage, such as in the carriage of sugar beet, cement and pulpwood. Irish Rail continues to pursue a policy of growing its rail freight business where opportunities are presented. However, as in all businesses, it must adjust the freight business from time to time to reflect market realities. I support this position which has been conveyed by my officials to Irish Rail.
507 Mr. Lowry asked the Minister for Transport his views on the need to conduct a study proposed by an organisation (details supplied); if he will address the need for such an urgent study; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19981/05]
I do not believe that a study of the kind proposed by the Deputy is required. The restructuring of the State airports, including Shannon, is intended to enhance their regional focus and I am encouraged by the close co-operation between the new Shannon Airport Authority and the other regional development bodies in the area.
Work is underway in my Department on a ten-year transport investment framework which will address the future infrastructural requirements of the mid-west region. As the Deputy will also be aware, the restructuring of the State airports, including Shannon, will be progressed in the light of the assessment in due course, by both myself and the Minister for Finance, of the business plans which are under preparation by the three airport authorities.
As I have stated in previous replies, the development of an EU US open-skies regime provides many opportunities for Shannon Airport to contribute to the development of the mid-west. The liberalisation of the aviation market between the EU and US will mean more, not fewer, opportunities for Shannon to develop new routes into North America.
508 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if he will fund the maintenance costs of monitored alarms fitted for the elderly. [19093/05]
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. The scheme is administered by local community and voluntary groups with the support of my Department.
Resources are directed to providing equipment to those older members of the community in need of such assistance and who have not already had the equipment installed. The scheme provides maximum individual grants of €300 in respect of the once-off installation cost of socially monitored alarms, €150 in respect of door locks, window locks and door chains, €150 in respect of security lighting, and in 2004, I introduced a grant of €50 in respect of smoke alarms.
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. I have no plans at present to further extend the scheme to fund the maintenance costs of socially-monitored alarm systems.
509 Mr. O’Shea asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the discussions he has had with BCI regarding the establishment of an Irish language pop radio station catering for the 15-35 age group as part of a strategy of widening the appeal of and support for the Irish language; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18961/05]
As I outlined in my reply to Question No. 47 of 22 February 2005, the Broadcasting Commission of Ireland, BCI, recently conducted a survey to determine the level of interest among the younger generation in Irish language radio programmes. The survey was co-funded by the commission, by my Department and Foras na Gaeilge. The BCI published the results of the survey on 20 January 2005. As I have already outlined to the House, this issue was brought forward in the context of the report of Coimisiún na Gaeltachta and in subsequent discussions by the advisory committee established by me to advise in regard to practical actions to implement the recommendations of the coimisiún.
510 D'fhiafraigh Mr. O’Shea Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs cén fáth nach bhfuair duine ó Chontae Phort Láirge aon fhreagra ar litir chláraithe a sheol sé chuig an Roinn ar an 16 Aibreán 2005 (sonraí tugtha); agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina leith. [19067/05]
Nuair a fuarthas an litir atá luaite ag an Teachta, rinneadh cinneadh déileáil léi faoin Acht um Shaoráil Faisnéise de bharr an méid sonraíochta sonraíochtaí phearsanta ach go háirithe a bhíá lorg aige. Faoi mar is eol don Teachta, ní foláir, tá an duine a scríobh an litir ag lorg sonraí maidir le réimse leathan deontas deontais do dhaoine príobháideacha san áireamh — a íocadh ó mo Roinnse i nGaeltacht Phort Láirge faoi 5 scéimeanna éagsúla ó 1979 ar leith.
Tar éis tuilleadh machnaimh a dhéanamh ar an gceist, áfach, meastar nach féidir cás a shuíomh don ionchur acmhainní a bheadh riachtanach chun teacht ar an eolas atá iarrtha do thréimhsí chomh fada siar le 1979, go háirithe nuair nach bhfuil taifid ar fáil ar chórais ríomhaireachta mo Roinne do na blianta sin uile. Tá mo Roinn ag scríobh chuig an iarratasóir ar an mbonn sin. Bheifí sásta, ar ndóigh, faisnéis ghinearálta statisticiúil a chur ar fáil dó, nó faisnéis maidir leis na coinníollacha a bhaineann le scéimeanna ar leith, ach a bheith cinnte go mbeadh eolas dá leithéid fónta dó.
511 Mr. Ferris asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the measures his Department proposes to implement as part of the new EU rural development regulation. [19178/05]
Negotiations are under way at European Council level on the form and scope of the next generation of rural development measures under the new EU regulation, due to commence in 2007. A key feature of the Commission's proposals in this regard is the inclusion of a dedicated priority axis of measures aimed at addressing the critical social and economic difficulties faced by many rural communities throughout the European Union experiencing aging, static or declining populations.
It is expected that the EU Commission will issue guidelines shortly on priorities for rural development and the implementation of the regulation. Following on from this, my Department in conjunction with the Department of Agriculture and Food will prepare a joint national rural development strategy and a detailed national rural development programme. This will include a stakeholder consultation process later this year.
512 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the most up-to-date information on his travels abroad for the St. Patrick’s Day celebrations; the persons who travelled with him in his official party; the duration of the visit; and the total cost. [19193/05]
I refer the Deputy to my reply to Question No. 593 of 12 April 2005. No further invoices have been received by my Department to date.
513 Mr. Lowry asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary will be considered for a scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19503/05]
To be eligible to participate in the rural social scheme a person must be in receipt of farm assist or have been allocated a valid herd or flock number from the Department of Agriculture and Food and be in receipt of unemployment assistance, unemployment benefit, if previously on a community employment scheme or disability allowance or be a self-employed fisherman whose fishing boat has been entered in the register of fishing boats or have been issued with a fishing licence for fishing for salmon at sea, from the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources and be in receipt of unemployment assistance unemployment benefit, if previously on a community employment scheme or disability allowance.
I understand that the person concerned is not in receipt of any of these payments and is, therefore, not eligible within these criteria to participate on the rural social scheme. A review of the scheme is under way and the issue of eligibility for the scheme is being considered as part of this review.
514 Mr. O’Shea asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the money spent by his Department on fishing and marine projects in each of the past five years and to date in 2005; the specific projects funded; the amount in each case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19606/05]
The information requested by the Deputy regarding fishing and marine projects funded from the Oileáin subhead of my Department's Vote is set out in the Table below. Information regarding similar projects funded from the subhead for scéimeanna feabhsúcháin sa Ghaeltacht is still being collated and will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as possible. The total amount paid by my Department and its predecessor, the Department of Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands on fishing and marine projects funded from the Oileáin subhead from the year 2000 to date was €17,197,189.
|
Island |
Project |
2000 |
2001 |
2002 |
2003 |
2004 |
2005 |
Total |
|
|
€ |
€ |
€ |
€ |
€ |
€ |
€ |
|||
|
Donegal |
Árainn Mhór |
Protection wall at Leab Garbh |
57,138.00 |
57,138.00 |
|||||
|
Repair works at Poll an Mhadaidh pier |
1,143.00 |
2,032.00 |
3,175.00 |
||||||
|
Major works at Leab Garbh pier |
209,507.00 |
158,717.00 |
52,697.38 |
420,921.38 |
|||||
|
Works on Leab Garbh pier |
38,092.00 |
25,394.76 |
63,486.76 |
||||||
|
Preliminary Report for Rannach pier |
114,061.00 |
19,046.07 |
133,107.07 |
||||||
|
Lighting at Aphort Pier |
1,269.74 |
1,269.74 |
|||||||
|
Oileán Thoraí |
Harbour facilities at Machaire Rabhartaigh |
589,158.00 |
1,058,020.38 |
840,323.50 |
2,487,501.88 |
||||
|
Inis Fraoigh |
Crane at pier |
38,092.00 |
38,092.00 |
||||||
|
Shelter building at pier |
3,500.00 |
3,500.00 |
|||||||
|
Oileán Ruaidh |
Hand rails |
2,500.00 |
2,500.00 |
||||||
|
Repairs to slipway |
5,000.00 |
5,000.00 |
|||||||
|
Inis Bó Finne |
Preliminary Report for the pier |
51,607.00 |
51,607.00 |
||||||
|
Dredging works on pier |
25,394.76 |
25,394.76 |
|||||||
|
Repair works to slipway |
6,348.69 |
6,348.69 |
|||||||
|
Sligo |
Cooney |
Extension of Cooney Pier |
38,568.50 |
85,127.93 |
123,696.43 |
||||
|
Design work for pier |
14,572.11 |
4,581.89 |
19,154.00 |
||||||
|
Mayo |
Inis Bigil |
Slipway at Doran’s Point |
122,625.00 |
194,675.00 |
317,300.00 |
||||
|
Slipway at Gob na Dumhaí |
240,900.00 |
240,900.00 |
|||||||
|
Slipway at Béal an Bhulláin |
35,000.00 |
1,500.00 |
36,500.00 |
||||||
|
Inishturk |
Repairs to old pier |
3,174.00 |
3,174.00 |
||||||
|
Improvement on access to the pier |
31,743.00 |
31,743.00 |
|||||||
|
Preliminary Report and Contract Document for developments to pier. |
201,577.00 |
75,436.00 |
277,013.00 |
|
Island |
Project |
2000 |
2001 |
2002 |
2003 |
2004 |
2005 |
Total |
|
|
€ |
€ |
€ |
€ |
€ |
€ |
€ |
|||
|
Clynish |
Repairs to pier |
100,000.00 |
122,365.00 |
222,365.00 |
|||||
|
Inishlyre |
New pier |
345,849.00 |
345,849.00 |
||||||
|
Clare Island |
Preliminary Report and Contract Document for developments to pier |
203,884.00 |
45,406.00 |
285,104.00 |
534,394.00 |
||||
|
Contract Document for developments at Roonagh pier. |
61,312.00 |
61,312.00 |
|||||||
|
Development works at Roonagh pier |
55,852.00 |
1,360,768.40 |
366,136.05 |
1,726,904.45 |
|||||
|
Inishturk & Clare |
New piers on both islands |
62,972.00 |
249,053.44 |
7,891,932.96 |
43,333.34 |
8,184,319.74 |
|||
|
Inishcuttle |
Lights at pier |
1,250.00 |
1,250.00 |
||||||
|
Inse Gort |
New pier |
37,500.00 |
75,000.00 |
112,500.00 |
|||||
|
All Islands |
Study carried out by Mayo County Council on all piers and harbours in Co Mayo |
20,000.00 |
13,000.00 |
33,000.00 |
|||||
|
Galway |
Inis Mór |
Lighting at Cill Ronáin pier |
2,539.48 |
2,539.48 |
|||||
|
Repair works to deck at Cill Éinne pier |
6,666.00 |
7,698.00 |
491.00 |
14,855.00 |
|||||
|
Essential repair works at Cill Rónáin pier |
422.00 |
11,016.00 |
11,438.00 |
||||||
|
To bring Cill Rónáin pier to Contract Document stage |
276,273.00 |
53,212.15 |
35,892.54 |
125.97 |
365,503.66 |
||||
|
Preliminary Report for Cill Mhuirbhí pier. |
19,451.12 |
19,451.12 |
|||||||
|
Essential repair works at Cill Mhuirbhe pier |
14,602.00 |
5,713.50 |
20,315.50 |
||||||
|
Construct wall and provide parking space at pier |
14,084.00 |
14,084.00 |
|||||||
|
Essential repair works on Cill Ronáin old pier |
7,500.00 |
7,500.00 |
|||||||
|
Inis Meáin |
Essential repair works of slipway at Cora pier |
9,523.00 |
2,116.50 |
11,639.50 |
|||||
|
Preliminary Report for Caladh Mór pier |
63,487.00 |
114,807.07 |
178,294.07 |
||||||
|
Physical Wave Modelling for Pointe an Chóra |
19,360.00 |
19,360.00 |
|||||||
|
Repair works to Cill Mhuirbhe pier |
2,275.00 |
2,275.00 |
|
Island |
Project |
2000 |
2001 |
2002 |
2003 |
2004 |
2005 |
Total |
|
|
€ |
€ |
€ |
€ |
€ |
€ |
€ |
|||
|
Inis Oírr |
Essential safety works at pier |
10,575.00 |
10,575.00 |
||||||
|
Inishboffin |
Cleggan pier |
63,487.00 |
47,615.00 |
111,102.00 |
|||||
|
Dredging at pier |
85,415.00 |
100,000.00 |
125,576.20 |
310,991.20 |
|||||
|
Protection wall at old pier |
12,697.38 |
12,697.38 |
|||||||
|
Repair faulty ducting at pier and repair lights |
4,239.00 |
4,239.00 |
|||||||
|
Omey |
Develop Slipway and Parking Space |
19,046.07 |
19,046.07 |
||||||
|
Inis Treabhair |
Repair works to pier |
21,301.00 |
21,301.00 |
||||||
|
Cork |
Cléire |
Carpark at Dún na Séad pier |
71,105.00 |
71,105.00 |
|||||
|
Repair works at Cuas a’Dubhghlais pier |
161,863.00 |
129,650.00 |
291,513.00 |
||||||
|
Whiddy |
Lights on the pier |
6,984.00 |
6,984.00 |
||||||
|
Long |
Major works at Colla pier (mainland) |
38,666.00 |
38,666.00 |
||||||
|
Kerry |
Finat |
Repair works to protection wall at pier |
17,836.00 |
7,909.00 |
25,745.00 |
||||
|
Valentia |
Preliminary Report for Valentia pier |
17,776.00 |
17,776.00 |
||||||
|
Preliminary Report for Rinn Árd pier [mainland) |
17,776.00 |
17,776.00 |
|||||||
|
901,191.00 |
1,878,914.00 |
2,168,045.86 |
3,334,143.99 |
8,990,384.69 |
43,333.34 |
17,197,188.88 |
515 Mr. Aylward asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if he will review the decision by his Department to terminate funding to the community workers co-operative; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19615/05]
I refer the Deputy to my answer to Questions Nos. 47 and 50 of 19 Bealtaine 2005.
516 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the reason personnel installing personal alarms under the community support for older people scheme do not have a member of the local community alert accompanying them; if this is in breach of the guidelines established by his Department; if it is his Department’s plan to phase out the involvement of voluntary community organisations from the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19704/05]
The scheme of community support for older people is administered through local community and voluntary groups with the support of my Department. There are no plans to phase out the involvement of such groups. It is not a requirement of the scheme for participating local community and voluntary groups to accompany personnel installing equipment provided for under the scheme. However, under the scheme groups are required to deal only with suppliers that are, in their view, reputable with a proven track record and an ability to operate to best industry standards.
517 Mr. Ferris asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the procedures which are in place to test animal feed for genetically modified content. [19020/05]
Each year, as part of its control plan, the Department of Agriculture and Food prepares an annual inspection programme detailing the number and category of feed samples to be drawn for analysis. With the coming into force in April 2004 of EU Regulation 1829/2003/EC, requiring member states to carry out the appropriate controls to ensure compliance with GM labelling requirements for food and feed, the Department of Agriculture and Food added such controls to their annual inspection programme in respect of animal feed. Sampling and analysis is targeted at whole seeds and by-products of commercially available genetically modified organisms, that is, soya bean, oilseed rape, maize, cotton and compound feed containing such products. Samples are sent to the State Laboratory for analysis and follow up action is taken where required.
518 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if she will address the various concerns highlighted in the attached submission on the subject of the early retirement scheme for farmers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18938/05]
The Joint Committee on Agriculture and Food has produced a report on a broad range of issues relating to the early retirement scheme, not all of which are within my remit. I expect to be in a position shortly to respond to the report. In responding, it will be necessary to take account of the EU regulations governing the early retirement scheme and I intend to have regard also to an expenditure review of the scheme which was carried out by my Department.
519 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the steps she will take with her UK counterparts to ensure that no lamb is being exported from Scotland, England or Wales via Northern Ireland into the Republic in view of the impact that this would have on disease control; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18939/05]
Trade in sheep between member states is governed by EU legislation which prescribes the conditions for trade which vary by reference to the category of sheep involved. For all categories it is a requirement that a veterinary inspector must satisfy, inter alia, that the sheep were resident on the holding of origin for 30 days, or 21 days for slaughter sheep, and that no sheep were moved onto the holding during the previous 21 days.
In general, the forgoing rules apply to imports of all sheep into Ireland. However, as part of developing an all-island animal health strategy, a derogation is applied in the case of sheep from Northern Ireland which are for immediate slaughter. However, all sheep must be accompanied by an intra-community health certificate.
I am advised that specific measures are operated by the Northern Ireland authorities to control the movement of sheep into Northern Ireland from other parts of the United Kingdom. However, it should be noted that under EU rules sheep from Great Britain may be imported legitimately provided they are properly certified.
520 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the steps she will take at European level to ensure that WTO negotiations on the import of beef and lamb from third countries is done so by the introduction of a carcass limit in conjunction with a tonnage limit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18940/05]
Agreement was reached in August 2004 on a framework which sets out the overall outline and structure of the next World Trade Organisation, WTO, agreement. The framework provides that the substantial improvement in market access envisaged by the WTO ministerial conference in Doha in 2001 will be achieved through tariff reductions and expansion of tariff quotas, with flexibility in the case of sensitive products. The detailed implementation of the framework agreement is the subject of ongoing negotiation at technical and political level with the aim of concluding an agreement at the WTO ministerial conference in December 2005.
A basic principle of the rules-based international trading system agreed by WTO members is that trade which respects WTO rules should not be impeded. Consequently, imports of meat products on which the appropriate tariff has been paid and which otherwise respect the WTO rules cannot be restrained on the basis of carcass limits or tonnage limits. WTO rules include a special safeguard clause which provides for the application by WTO members of additional duties in the event of a volume surge in imports or a fall in import prices which undermines or threatens to undermine domestic production. The continuation of the special safeguard clause is one of the issues to be agreed in the negotiations on the new agreement.
It is my intention to secure in the context of the WTO negotiations, an import regime, including the continuation of safeguard provisions which protect the interests of Irish beef and lamb producers on the domestic and EU markets, and avail, where appropriate, of the provision for sensitive products in the framework agreement.
521 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if a compensation scheme will be made available for herds affected by bovine viral diarrhoea; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19113/05]
Bovine viral diarrhoea, BVD, is not a scheduled disease under the Diseases of Animals Act 1966, and there are no funds at my disposal out of which financial assistance could be given to cover outbreaks of this disease. If serious outbreaks occur, advice should be sought by the owners of affected herds from their veterinary surgeons. The Department's veterinary laboratory service is available to provide additional advice if required.
522 Mr. Connolly asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if she is satisfied with the standard of accuracy of labelling of meat and meat products; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19115/05]
Much legislation governs the labelling of meat and meat products. The general labelling regulations covering, among other things, all food sold in Ireland require that the information be given clearly, accurately and in a language understood by the consumer. This legislation comes within the remit of the Department of Health and Children.
My Department is responsible for legislation policy on the labelling of specific products including beef and poultrymeat. The labelling of beef is governed by EU regulations introduced in 2000. These require operators involved in marketing beef to label their product with a reference code to enable the beef to be traced back to the animal or group of animals from which it was derived, the approval number of the slaughterhouse and the country in which it is located, the approval number of the de-boning hall and the country in which it is located and an indication of the origin of the animal from which the beef was derived. For the purpose of these regulations, marketing means all aspects of beef production and marketing up to and including retail sale.
These labelling requirements, compulsory in all member states, apply to the marketing of beef within the community, regardless of whether that beef was produced within the community or in a third country. Where beef is imported in to the community from a third country and not all the above details are available, that beef must, at a minimum, be labelled as "Origin: non-EC" along with an indication of the third country in which slaughter took place.
The EU requirements in respect of labelling of beef do not apply at the point of final consumption in the restaurant and catering sector and Ireland has raised this with the European Commission. I have already made clear my view that the country of origin should be displayed in respect of beef served on such premises and that consumers are entitled to such information. My Department is working with the Department of Health and Children to progress appropriate national legislation as soon as possible to bring this into effect.
My Department introduced two regulations on the labelling of poultry meat at the beginning of last year. The first of these regulations requires loose and pre-packaged poultrymeat originating in a country outside the EU to bear an indication of the country of origin when offered for sale in a retail premises. The second requires information regarding class, price per unit weight, condition and slaughterhouse details in respect of loose poultrymeat to be provided to the consumer. Heretofore, while these labelling indications have been compulsory for pre-packaged poultrymeat, it had not been a requirement to provide this information for poultrymeat sold loose.
Arising from the implementation of the recommendations of the food labelling group responsibility for the enforcement of all of food labelling legislation is now centralised with the Food Safety Authority of Ireland, FSAI.
On the food labelling issue in general, I must emphasise that my primary aim is to protect consumer interest and to ensure that the consumer is properly informed. Ireland is a major exporter of food and food products and indeed there are also considerable imports, so it is imperative that the same standards are applied to the labelling of foods in every sector and that there is a level playing field for the food industry at all levels. In this context my Department has pursued assiduously the implementation in as full a manner as possible of the recommendations of the food labelling group. At a meeting of the Council of Agriculture Ministers on 28 February this year I raised again the issue of labelling of foodstuffs and I, along with a number of member states, asked the Commission to further examine how best food labelling should be handled at EU level in order to best protect the interests of the consumer.
523 Mr. M. Moynihan asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food her plans to extend the disadvantaged area in any new negotiations with the European Commission. [19173/05]
The negotiations on the rural development framework for 2007 to 2013 are expected to conclude next week. It will be then for the individual member states to formulate their national rural development strategies and programmes. Allied to these developments, the possibility of seeking an extension to the disadvantaged areas can be borne in mind. I should point out, however, that the new regulatory framework could preclude an extension pending the adoption of new classification criteria. It will also be recalled that the EU Commission indicated previously that an application for an extension would not be considered in isolation and would result in a review of all our disadvantaged areas.
524 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the estimated projected loss to farmers in Kildare of the special premium overshoot; if a reduced rate of payment will be made to the farmers in question; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19174/05]
525 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the number of meetings she has had or proposes to have with the EU Commissioner in regard to the special premium overshoot and its effect on farm income; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19175/05]
526 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the number of meetings her officials have had with the IFA in regard to the special premium overshoot; the action taken as a result of such meetings; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19176/05]
527 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the estimated loss to the farming community of the special premium overshoot; if a satisfactory resolution of the issue is not attained, the plans she has to address such a position; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19177/05]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 524 to 527, inclusive, together.
As the Deputy is aware, Ireland implemented the single payment scheme in January 2005. The special beef premium scheme and the slaughter premium scheme were the only schemes where the deadline for receipt of applications was 31 December 2004. This meant that as many farmers as possible submitted their applications in late December 2004 in order that they could benefit from the special beef premium. Under the 2004 scheme, applications for in excess of 2.4 million animals were lodged, of which almost 1.4 million were quota animals, that is, first age-bull animals. The application figure in each of the three previous years was 1.9 million animals.
I am fully aware of the impact that the overshoot reduction will have on farmers who claimed on more than 25 animals. The decision to opt for full decoupling was arrived at following careful consideration of all options and a widespread public consultation process. A persuasive factor in this process was the suggestion that farmers in those member states which fully decoupled would not be disadvantaged during the transitional period. The level of overshoot of the regional ceiling is attributable to the ending of the special beef premium scheme in 2004 and application patterns, both in terms of total numbers of animals applied upon and the timing of lodging of applications, strongly suggest this to be the case.
I am seeking a solution to this issue and will continue to do so with the European Commissioner. I have already raised the issue with the Commissioner on a number of occasions during various meetings. My Department also forwarded a detailed submission to the European Commission dealing with this matter on 25 April 2005 and a meeting between my officials and the various services of the Commission's agriculture directorate general will take place later this week. The matter has also been discussed with the Commissioner's cabinet and the most senior officials of the European Commission.
I have also met the president of the Irish Farmers Association and several of that organisation's senior officials, while my officials have also had numerous meetings with IFA officials. I continue to avail of every opportunity to press for appropriate measures to be put in place to alleviate the difficulties encountered by Irish beef farmers as a result of the ending of the special beef premium in 2004.
Given the current position with regard to the processing of the 2004 scheme and the ongoing discussions with the Agriculture Commissioner on the overshoot, it is not possible at this stage to be definitive about some of the issues raised.
528 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the most up-to-date information on her travels abroad for the St. Patrick’s Day celebrations; the persons who travelled with her in her official party; the duration of the visit; and the total cost. [19194/05]
After attending a Council of Agriculture Ministers meeting in Brussels, I travelled to Paris to meet the French Minister for Agriculture, Food, Fisheries and Rural Affairs on 15 March to discuss EU agricultural matters. I subsequently represented the Government at a number of St. Patrick's Day events in Paris from 16 to 18 March. These events included hosting a reception in the Embassy for Irish and French business and community representatives. In addition, I participated in Bord Bia and Bord Iascaigh Mhara export promotion activities as well as launching a new export contract for the sale of Irish beef to a major French retailing group. I was accompanied on the visit by my husband and private secretary. The full cost is not yet available but costs to date amounted to €2,480.
529 Mr. Connaughton asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the reason the full ten and 22 months special beef premium has not been awarded to a person (details supplied) in County Galway; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19210/05]
The person named submitted two applications under the 2004 special beef premium-bull premium scheme in respect of a total of six animals. The first application, in respect of one animal, was received on 12 October 2004. The second application, in respect of five animals, was received on 21 October 2004. Following computer validation, it was found that the animal included on the first application and two of the animals included on the second application were ineligible on the date of application in that they were too young. However, following review it is now proposed to consider these animals for premia, effective from the dates from which they became eligible for the scheme. Provided these animals are found to comply otherwise with the scheme requirements, payment will issue in due course.
530 Mr. N. O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the position regarding beef premiums (details supplied). [19224/05]
As the Deputy is aware, Ireland implemented the single payment scheme in January 2005. The special beef premium scheme and the slaughter premium scheme were the only schemes where the deadline for receipt of applications was 31 December 2004. This meant that as many farmers as possible submitted their applications in late December 2004 in order that they could benefit from the special beef premium. Under the 2004 scheme, applications for in excess of 2.4 million animals were lodged, of which almost 1.4 million were quota animals, that is, first age-bull animals. The application figure in each of the three previous years was 1.9 million animals.
I am fully aware of the impact that the overshoot reduction will have on farmers who claimed on more than 25 animals. The decision to opt for full decoupling was arrived at following careful consideration of all options and a widespread public consultation process. A persuasive factor in this process was the suggestion that farmers in those member states which fully decoupled would not be disadvantaged during the transitional period. The level of overshoot of the regional ceiling is attributable to the ending of the special beef premium scheme in 2004 and application patterns, both in terms of total numbers of animals applied upon and the timing of lodging of applications, strongly suggest this to be the case.
I am seeking a solution to this issue and will continue to do so with the European Commissioner. I have already raised the issue with the Commissioner on a number of occasions during various meetings. My Department also forwarded a detailed submission to the European Commission dealing with this matter on 25 April 2005 and a meeting between my officials and the various services of the Commission's agriculture directorate general will take place later this week. The matter has also been discussed with the Commissioner's cabinet and the most senior officials of the European Commission.
I continue to avail of every opportunity to press for appropriate measures to be put in place to alleviate the difficulties encountered by Irish beef farmers as a result of the ending of the special beef premium in 2004.
531 Mr. Neville asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if a development grant will be made available to a person (details supplied) in County Limerick in view of the bona fide development of the installation of bulk tank, cooler and heater. [19258/05]
The person concerned applied for grant aid from my Department under the dairy hygiene scheme in December 2004. However, as the installation of the equipment concerned had been completed in June 2003, the application was deemed ineligible for aid. As it is a strict condition of the scheme that grant aid will not be paid for works commenced before written approval has been conveyed to the applicant, I regret that I am not in a position to provide any assistance to the applicant in this case.
532 Mr. O’Shea asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food her reaction to the IFA strategy to meet national planting targets of 20,000 hectares of farm forestry per annum (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19276/05]
I am in agreement with many of the proposals outlined in the strategy and welcome this valuable contribution to the forestry debate at this time. A planting level of 20,000 hectares per annum is one of the targets set out in the programme for Government 2002 and is also in the 1996 programme, Growing for the Future.
I will review the current forestry strategy following the conclusion of the new EU rural development strategy 2007-13 and will seek the views of all stakeholders on the future of this important land use option. I hope the IFA strategy will heighten the awareness and interest of farmers in forestry and contribute to greater participation in the forestry schemes administered by my Department.
533 Mr. Neville asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food when repayment through the farm retirement pension will be awarded to a person (details supplied) in County Limerick. [19285/05]
The person named entered the scheme of early retirement from farming on 27 October 1994 and his participation ceased on 26 October 2004 when he had completed the maximum period of ten years in the scheme. Therefore, no further payments are due to him.
534 Mr. Connaughton asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the reason a person (details supplied) in County Galway has not been notified regarding the single farm payment; if her attention has been drawn to circumstances in this person’s case; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19376/05]
The records held by my Department indicate that the herd owner applied for area aid in 2000. There is no record of payment to him under the special beef premium scheme in 2000 or 2001. Ewe premium was paid to the herd owner in 2002. The herd owner concerned was issued with a provisional entitlement notice for the single payment taking account of the information set out above on 10 September 2004. I have arranged for the correspondence to be sent to him again.
535 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food when a person (details supplied) will receive the balance of payment of grants for 2002 and 2003. [19377/05]
The person named applied for premium on 37 and 36 animals, respectively, under the 2002 and 2003 suckler cow premium schemes. He received payment in respect of 34 animals for both years, as this is the number of quota rights on record for him. However, it was found at an inspection on 8 August 2002 that five animals were non-compliant with CMMS identification and registration requirements. As a result of this his payment under the 2002 scheme was subject to a 6.64% penalty. Following a review of the case, the number of non-compliant animals has been reduced to one and, as a result, a lesser penalty now applies. His 2002 payment will be recalculated and supplementary payment should issue within the next three weeks.
Regarding the 2003 payment to the person named, an inspection on 12 Sept 2003 revealed two animals non-compliant with CMMS regulations and this gave rise to a 2.78% reduction penalty being applied. This decision was upheld following internal Department review and subsequently by the agriculture appeals office. No further payment is due under the 2003 suckler cow scheme.
Given the integrated nature of the bovine schemes, any penalty assigned under one scheme also applies to those other schemes under which an applicant has lodged applications. In the case of the special beef premium scheme, therefore, the penalties applied to the suckler cow premium scheme application of the person named were also applied to this scheme. Given the reduction in the penalty under the 2002 suckler cow premium scheme, a balancing payment is now also due under the special beef premium scheme. This payment will be made shortly.
Where it is necessary to apply a penalty to a suckler cow and-or special beef premium scheme payment, under EU regulations a penalty in the same percentage must also be applied to extensification premium where payable. In the case of the person named, respective penalties of 6.64% and 2.78% were also applied to his 2002 and 2003 extensification premium scheme payments. As a result of the reduction in penalty in relation to the 2002 scheme year, a supplementary payment under extensification will issue within the next three weeks.
The person named received his full entitlement under the 2002 ewe premium scheme. Under the 2003 ewe premium scheme the person name applied on 17 ewes. At an inspection of his flock on 21 February 2003 he presented only 12 ewes. Consequently, under the terms and conditions of the scheme he was deemed ineligible for payment. He was notified of this decision in writing on 25 April 2003 and was advised that he could have his case reviewed by submitting an appeal within 21 days to the district livestock inspector at his local office. No record of an appeal has been received by my Department. The person named received his full entitlement under the 2002 and 2003 area based compensatory allowance scheme.
536 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if the attention of her Department officials in County Galway was drawn to an impending EU representatives’ audit which was to take place up to two weeks in advance of this scrutiny; if the files to be inspected were identified at this early stage prior to the audit; if her inspectors scrutinised these files prior to this audit; if this is normal procedure in such audits; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19404/05]
I am not aware of an impending EU audit visit to County Galway. However, a European Commission audit of agri-environment measures took place in Galway and Dublin in May 2005. As is normal practice, my Department received advance notification from the Commission of its visit and of files its team wished to examine during their audit. My officials examined these files to ensure that the complete files requested were available for the auditors on their arrival. This is also normal practice and ensures the work of the auditors is facilitated.
At any stage during an audit, other files not specified in advance may be requested for audit scrutiny. My Department always facilitates such requests and works closely with European Union and other external audit bodies to ensure the control systems in place to protect national and EU financial interests are robust.
537 Mr. Neville asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if she will review an application for the retirement scheme from farming for a person (details supplied) in County Limerick. [19405/05]
The application by the person named for the early retirement scheme was incomplete at the time of application and remains incomplete. Evidence that his farming transferee and the transferee's father were farming as separate enterprises with separate herd numbers and handling facilities was never furnished. This deficiency in the application was communicated to the application on several occasions but has not been rectified.
538 Mr. Neville asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if a person (details supplied) in County Limerick will receive additional suckler cow quota from the national reserve. [19406/05]
Following the mid-term review of Agenda 2000 all livestock premia and arable aid schemes, including the suckler cow premium scheme, were abolished with effect from 1 January 2005 and replaced by the single payment scheme. There is, therefore, no suckler cow quota national reserve in operation for 2005. Under EU regulations a single payment scheme national reserve was set up to provide for the allocation of entitlements to certain categories of farmers. My Department issued a national reserve application form to the person named on 7 June. If he considered himself eligible under one of the categories provided for in that reserve, he should have submitted the completed application form by 10 June.
539 Mr. Connaughton asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the outcome of a force majeure application by a person (details supplied) in County Galway; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19426/05]
The person named submitted an application on 16 March 2005 for consideration of his circumstances under the second tranche of the force majeure-exceptional circumstances measure of the single payment scheme. Ill health was cited on the application form as giving rise to the circumstances outlined and the person named was requested to furnish medical evidence in support of this claim. However, the medical evidence provided does not satisfy the criteria for force majeure-exceptional circumstances under Article 40 of Council Regulation (EC) No. 1782/2003. The person named has been notified of this decision and has been advised that he can appeal the decision to the independent appeals committee which will carry out a full review of the circumstances outlined.
540 Mr. Connaughton asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the reason a person (details supplied) in County Galway has not received a full suckler cow grant; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19427/05]
The person named applied for premium on 30 animals under the 2004 suckler cow premium scheme. Payment of her 60% advance instalment amounting to €4,034.70 issued on 11 November 2004. When processing for balancing payment it was found that the herdowner had sold ten animals inside the six months retention period and did not have suitable replacements as required under the terms and conditions of the scheme. Also, one animal declared as a cow on the application was found to be a male animal. As a result, these 11 animals were rejected from the application.
Where the rejected animals exceed 20% of the eligible animals found under the suckler cow, special beef and slaughter premia schemes, no grants are payable under these schemes. In the case of the person named 19 animals on her suckler cow application and five animals under the slaughter premium scheme were found eligible. The person named was informed that, as the 11 animals rejected out of 35 animals applied on exceeded 20% of the 24 eligible animals under both schemes, no payments were due to her and the advance instalments already paid would have to be recovered. She sought a review of this decision citing financial hardship but was informed on 2 June 2005 that the original position still stands. She has been advised that she may appeal this decision to the appeals office within three months.
541 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if her Department has received an appeal from a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath in relation to a dairy quota; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19468/05]
Milk quota regulations provide that where a producer delivers less than 70% of his or her quota in a quota year, the undelivered portion of the milk quota may be added to the national reserve. However, in view of the range of circumstances that can temporarily affect production, the addition of part of a producer's quota to the reserve is only actively considered by my Department if deliveries are under 70% in two consecutive years. When part of a producer's quota is added to the reserve it may be restored to that producer or his or her successor if production increases sufficiently to warrant the return of the quota.
Producers who have not filled 70% of their quota in the previous two years are notified and invited to explain if the under-production was due to a force majeure or other exceptional circumstance. The regulations provide that in such circumstances no quota will be added to the reserve. The person concerned has made a submission on the matter which is being examined and a decision in his case will be made shortly.
542 Mr. Connaughton asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the reason a person (details supplied) in County Galway has not received the top rate extensification payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19495/05]
The person named declared a forage area of 41.16 hectares on his 2004 area aid application form. His stocking density for 2004, based on this area and the number livestock units on his holding throughout the year as determined from his ewe premium application in the case of sheep and five census in the case of cattle, was 1.4431. Since this stocking density is not less than 1.4 LUs per hectare, the person named is only entitled to payment of extensification premium at the low rate.
543 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food, further to Parliamentary Question No. 196 of 1 June 2005, if her officials have held a meeting with the agriculture directorate general; the results of this meeting; the prospects of a positive result for Irish farmers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19500/05]
There has been ongoing contact between my Department and the Commission on this issue. A detailed written submission has also been made to the Commission on the issue. A meeting between my officials and officials of the agriculture directorate general of the European Commission is scheduled to take place later this week. At that meeting my officials will present strong arguments to support our claim that the level of overshoot of our national quota is attributable to the ending of the special beef premium scheme in 2004. I have raised the matter with the Commission and continue to avail of every opportunity to press for appropriate measures to be put in place to alleviate the difficulties encountered by Irish farmers as a result of the ending of the special beef premium scheme in 2004.
544 Mr. McGuinness asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the way in which her Department intends to deal with the cuts being experienced by some farmers in beef premiums; if she will examine the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny; the reason for the reduction; the way in which they will be compensated; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19544/05]
As the Deputy is aware, Ireland implemented the single payment scheme in January 2005. The special beef premium scheme and the slaughter premium scheme were the only schemes where the deadline for receipt of applications was 31 December 2004. This meant that as many farmers as possible submitted their applications in late December 2004 in order that they could benefit from the special beef premium. Under the 2004 scheme, applications for in excess of 2.4 million animals were lodged, of which almost 1.4 million were quota animals, that is, first age-bull animals. The application figure in each of the three previous years was 1.9 million animals.
I am fully aware of the impact that the overshoot reduction will have on farmers who claimed on more than 25 animals. The decision to opt for full decoupling was arrived at following careful consideration of all options and a widespread public consultation process. A persuasive factor in this process was the suggestion that farmers in those member states which fully decoupled would not be disadvantaged during the transitional period. The level of overshoot of the regional ceiling is attributable to the ending of the special beef premium scheme in 2004 and application patterns, both in terms of total numbers of animals applied upon and the timing of lodging of applications, strongly suggest this to be the case.
I am seeking a solution to this issue and will continue to do so with the European Commissioner. I have already raised the issue with the Commissioner on a number of occasions during various meetings. My Department also forwarded a detailed submission to the European Commission dealing with this matter on 25 April 2005 and a meeting between my officials and the various services of the Commission's agriculture directorate general will take place later this week. The matter has also been discussed with the Commissioner's cabinet and the most senior officials of the European Commission.
I continue to avail of every opportunity to press for appropriate measures to be put in place to alleviate the difficulties encountered by Irish beef farmers as a result of the ending of the special beef premium in 2004. Given the current position with regard to the processing of the 2004 scheme and the ongoing discussions with the Agriculture Commissioner on the overshoot, it is not possible at this stage to be definitive about the position of the named person.
545 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food when she intends to complete her review of the level of grant aid for slurry storage facilities in view of the fact that farmers have only 18 months to complete such storage facilities under the nitrates action plan; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19566/05]
The Deputy will be aware of the consultations in progress with the European Commission regarding the implementation in Ireland of the nitrates directive. He will also be aware of the substantial increases in grants under the farm waste management scheme introduced last year. By virtue of the Sustaining Progress agreement 2003, it was agreed that improvements would be made to the grants available under that scheme and this commitment was achieved by the introduction of a revised farm waste management scheme in January 2004. Consideration of any further amendments to the farm waste management scheme must await finalisation of the discussions with the European Commission.
546 Mr. P. Breen asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the reason a person (details supplied) in County Clare did not receive the full amount of extensification payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19614/05]
In 2004 Ireland exceeded its national ceiling for special beef premium animals eligible for the first tranche of premium. This necessitated a cutback in the numbers of animals eligible for premium in herds with more than 25 eligible animals. The exact extent of the cutback necessary is not yet known but interim payments for special beef premium and extensification premium have been made. The amount of extensification premium paid to the person named is the correct interim amount. When the definitive position is established any balancing payments that may arise under both special beef premium and extensification premium schemes will be made.
547 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if Ireland is on track to achieve a target of 3% of land area in organic farming by 2006; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19632/05]
In its report, which was completed in April 2002, the organic development committee concluded that a target of 3% of land area in organic farming by 2006 was achievable. Despite substantial funding from my Department and the efforts of the various stakeholders, however, the size of the organic sector remains more or less static. As a result, it now appears unlikely that the target can be achieved by 2006. I understand that this is one of the matters that will be dealt with in a report from the chairman of the national steering group for the organic sector, which I expect to receive shortly.
548 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the progress made to date with regard to the development of a single national organic label for Irish organic produce; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19634/05]
I understand the national steering group for the organic sector has decided to recommend that the development of a single national organic label should not be proceeded with in the foreseeable future. I will consider this recommendation in the context of a report from the chairman of the steering group, which I expect to receive shortly.
549 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the amount of the overall domestic meat, fruit and vegetable market which is sourced from organic produce; the breakdown of each sector; the percentage of the organic food market here in meat, fruit and vegetables which is sourced from Irish and imported produce; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19635/05]
In 2003 the value of the Irish organic food market as a whole was estimated at €38 million. This represents less than 1% of the total food market. Imported produce represents approximately 70% of all organic produce sold in Ireland, although this includes foods which are out of season in this country or could not be produced here. Full details giving a breakdown of the organic food market by sector are not available at present. However my Department has asked Bord Bia to carry out a retail market channel study this year and the results of the study are expected to yield such information.
550 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the size of the Irish organic meat export market; the countries to which such produce is exported; the initiatives which have been taken to develop the organic meat export market; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19636/05]
The report of the organic development committee, published in April 2002, recommended that initially the promotion of organic food should focus on Irish products which have already achieved a niche in the home market and that, as supply increases, there should be a growing emphasis on developing export markets. Supply of organic beef is now increasing and export opportunities are being availed of principally in the UK and also in the Netherlands, Germany and Italy.
Bord Bia is active in assisting organic beef exports by supplying market information and facilitating customer contacts in particular. Assistance was provided to an organic meat producer to attend the SIAL food exhibition in Paris in 2004.
The situation will be kept under review, especially in the light of the likely further increase in the uptake of the organic farming supplementary measure in REPS 3 and the corresponding rise in the number of organic beef animals available to the market in the coming years.
551 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food further to Parliamentary Question No. 608 of 12 April 2005, if she will implement the recommendations contained in the report; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19696/05]
A group under the chairmanship of Dr. Crosby carried out a technical examination of costs arising following restocking with a particular category of sheep in the case of flock-owners where the depopulation occurred during the initial scrapie depopulation regime. In total, 100 flocks were depopulated under this phase and restocking was not permitted for a period of two years. Flock owners received compensation for the capital value of the sheep and for income loss for that period. In addition, those who restocked in the third year also received compensation for income loss for that year.
The terms of the agreement and amounts of compensation and income loss involved were clearly understood and accepted by all concerned at the time of depopulation. While this agreement did not contain any commitment to pay further compensation in respect of later years, a technical group was established to examine the estimated potential additional costs arising in subsequent years if flock owners restocked with a particular category of sheep. That group completed the technical work involved and its report, as well as other aspects of this restocking, is still under consideration.
552 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if she will report on the work undertaken by the organic market development group to promote the concepts of farmers markets; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19700/05]
The organic market development group, OMDG, recognises the important role of farmers' markets in Ireland both as a route to market and also as a starting point for new organic entrants. While organic producers are well represented at local food markets in Ireland the markets are not the exclusive preserve of organic producers. The OMDG, which is chaired by Bord Bia, believes that the small business department of Bord Bia, which has been very proactive in developing farmers' markets for a number of years, should continue to develop this area while also exploring alternative routes to markets including box schemes and online sales.
My Department has asked Bord Bia to carry out a retail market channel study this year. The results of this study, which will include farmers' markets and other direct selling routes, will then be considered by the OMDG.
553 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if a decision has been made on a force majeure application by a person (details supplied) in County Roscommon; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19701/05]
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 24 February 2005. The findings of the appeals committee were that the original decision taken by my Department should be upheld.
The force majeure application on behalf of the person named relates to under-declaration of land on his area aid applications during the reference period. Both the single payment unit and the single payment appeals committee are satisfied that the circumstances put forward do not fulfil the force majeure criteria under the single payment regulations.
554 Mr. Kehoe asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if assistance will be offered to a person (details supplied) in County Wexford. [19814/05]
The person concerned is an applicant under the installation aid scheme. By virtue of the terms of the scheme, applicants are required to submit their preliminary application — IAS 1 — within six months of the date of establishment. In this case, the period for lodgment of the IAS 1 form expired in August 2002 but the application was not received by my Department from the person concerned until 21 March 2005. The scheme provides that a penalty of 5% per month is applicable for each month by which this application form is received late. As the penalty involved exceeds 100%, I regret that no payment is due in this case.
555 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if an application for the consideration of force majeure-exceptional circumstances in respect of entitlements of a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath under the single payment scheme has been received by her Department; if an additional application for review has also been received, setting out the very exceptional circumstances related to the health of the person; if so, if it will be considered; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19815/05]
The person named has 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. Following this decision the person named submitted an appeal to the independent single payment appeals committee. A full review of the circumstances of the case will be carried out by the independent single payment appeals committee and the person named will be notified shortly of the outcome. To date, there is no record of the person named having submitted a review of provisional entitlements.
556 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if she has received an application for consideration of force majeure-exceptional circumstances from a person (details supplied) in County Longford in respect of entitlements under the single payments scheme; if this person will be allowed an oral hearing in respect of the application; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19816/05]
The person named has 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. Following this decision the person named submitted an appeal to the independent single payment appeals committee. The single payment appeals do not fall under the remit of the agriculture appeals office and consequently there is no provision in such cases for an oral hearing of an appeal. 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.
557 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if and when a person (details supplied) in County Kildare will qualify under the farm retirement scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19825/05]
The person named submitted an application under the scheme of early retirement from farming on 24 December 2004. The application was incomplete and further information was requested, most recently on 26 April 2005. The agricultural adviser engaged by the person named to prepare his application subsequently sought an extension of the period for submitting the additional information and this was granted. As soon as the information requested has been received, a decision on eligibility can be made.
558 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food further to Parliamentary Question No. 369 of 19 April 2005 (details supplied), if her officials have examined the situation for farmers with commonage in Achill and their application for the REP scheme. [19848/05]
Leased commonage is currently ineligible for payment in REPS because such leases have been associated with the over-grazing of upland commonages in the West. I am sympathetic, however, to the position of farmers who have traditionally farmed commonage in a sustainable way on long-term lease. I have asked my officials to devise proposals that will address their situation while safeguarding the integrity of REPS and I expect to be in a position to make an announcement shortly.
559 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if she will not sign the EU directive on veterinary medicine (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19854/05]
The directive referred to by the Deputy is Directive 2004/28, which resulted from a review of the EU veterinary medicine regime. This directive entered into force with its publication on 30 April 2004 and member states are obliged to transpose it into national law by 30 October 2005.
My Department is currently engaged in drafting legislation to transpose this directive, which includes a general provision that all veterinary medicines for food producing animals should be brought under veterinary prescription control. Arising from difficulties expressed during the negotiations of the EU measure by Ireland and a small number of other member states, an exemption clause was included in the directive to provide a mechanism for specific categories of medicines to be excluded from the mandatory prescription requirement. Decisions at EU level on exemptions are required to be taken by 1 January 2007, pending which existing national distribution arrangements may remain in place.
I am aware of the concerns which have been expressed about the potential cost implications for farmers of restricting all medicines to veterinary prescription control. However, as I have indicated, final decisions have yet to be taken on this issue and I will endeavour to avail of the exemption mechanism to keep certain medicines, including wormers and certain vaccines, available off prescription. It should be noted that in the interim, farmers will continue to be able to get these products without having to obtain a prescription and, given this situation, the need to extend the range of prescribers to include, for example, pharmacists does not arise at present.
560 Mr. Connaughton asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the number of farmers nationwide who will be penalised as a result of the 2004 EU special beef premium penalty; the number of farmers in County Galway who are similarly affected; the position concerning the first 25 animals that farmers apply for; if her attention has been drawn to the fact that some farmers are being penalised by as much as €20,000; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19855/05]
As the Deputy is aware, Ireland implemented the single payment scheme in January 2005. The special beef premium scheme and the slaughter premium scheme were the only schemes for which the deadline for receipt of applications was 31 December 2004. This meant that as many farmers as possible submitted their applications in late December 2004 to benefit from the special beef premium.
Under the 2004 scheme, applications for in excess of 2.4 million animals were lodged of which almost 1.4 million were quota animals, that is first age-bull animals. The application figure in each of the three previous years was 1.9 million animals.
The special beef premium application overshoot will not result in any reduction below 25 in the number of animals to be fully paid under the scheme. I am fully aware of the impact that the overshoot reduction will have on farmers who claimed on more than 25 animals.
The decision to opt for full decoupling was arrived at following careful consideration of all options and following a widespread public consultation process. A very persuasive factor in this process was the suggestion that farmers in those member states who fully decoupled would not be disadvantaged during the transitional period. The level of overshoot of the regional ceiling is attributable to the ending of the special beef premium scheme in 2004 and application patterns, both in terms of total numbers of animals applied upon and the timing of lodging of applications, strongly suggest this to be the case.
I am seeking a solution to this issue and will continue to do so with the European Commissioner. I have already raised the issue with the Commissioner on a number of occasions during various meetings. My Department also forwarded a detailed submission to the European Commission dealing with this matter on 25 April 2005 and a meeting between my officials and the various services of the Commission's Director General of Agriculture will take place later this week. The matter has also been discussed with the Commissioner's cabinet and with the most senior officials of the European Commission.
I am continuing to avail of every opportunity to press for appropriate measures to be put in place to alleviate the difficulties encountered by Irish beef farmers as a result of the ending of the special beef premium in 2004. Given the current position with regard to the processing of the 2004 scheme and the ongoing discussions with the Agriculture Commissioner on the overshoot, it is not possible at this stage to be definitive about some of the issues raised.
562 Mr. Connaughton asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the reason a person (details supplied) in County Galway is being penalised heavily under the special beef premium scheme for 12 animals; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19857/05]
The person submitted two applications under the 2004 special beef premium scheme in respect of 12 animals. The first application, in respect of eight animals, was received on 25 November 2004, while the second application, in respect of four animals, was received on 17 December 2004.
Following computer validation, it was found that six of the animals on the first application and the four animals on the second application were not recorded as being in the herd of the person named on the date the applications were received by the Department. This is a basic requirement of the scheme and if not complied with can result in regulatory penalties.
By letter dated 1 June 2005, the person named was requested by my Department to provide an explanation as to why the animals were found to be non-CMMS compliant. A reply is awaited, following which the case will be reviewed further in the light of the explanation offered by the person named.
563 Ms B. Moynihan-Cronin asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the steps she intends to take at EU level and domestically to secure funding for the full implementation of the national forestry strategy (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19865/05]
Implementation of the forestry strategy is related to the package of supports that provides an incentive for landowners to plant, particularly farmers. I have been pressing strongly that under the proposed new rural development regulation, which is the subject of ongoing negotiations at the Council of Ministers, an adequate package of supports for 2007-13 is agreed.
Throughout the negotiations so far, the Irish position on the draft regulation, including the specific aspects related to forestry, has been clear. On these forestry aspects I have argued strongly that the original proposals would have serious implications for the sector, particularly those relating to reduced establishment grants, premiums and associated premium payment periods.
For 2005, I have made sufficient funds available to support increased planting, with a total annual allocation of €124 million, the largest funding package ever allocated to forestry. In addition, the current availability of grant aid at 100% for planting and the annual premiums, and particularly the concession obtained on the consolidation of entitlements vis-à-vis the single payment scheme, make forestry a very attractive land-use option for farmers.
564 Mr. Neville asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the position regarding payment of the beef premium and the extensification grant for a person (details supplied) in County Limerick in 2003. [19867/05]
The 2003 area aid application for the person named has been fully processed with an area determined for payment purposes of 42.75 hectares. This application was originally processed in 2003 with a total forage area of 42.81 hectares but a query arose as to the land use of one of the land parcels included on the area aid application. This parcel of land was assigned as forestry but was being claimed as forage by the person named. This matter has now been resolved resulting in a small reduction in area for the person named.
The person named submitted one application under the 2003 special beef premium scheme in respect of 17 animals. Following computer validation these animals were confirmed eligible for payment. However, due to the area aid not being finalised, payment could not issue. Following the resolution of the area aid issue the application of the person named can now be processed for payment, which will issue shortly. Following the payment of outstanding 2003 special beef premium and balance of suckler cow premium to the person named, his application for extensification premium will be processed.
565 Mr. P. Breen asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food when payment for a suckler cow premium for 2004 will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Clare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19984/05]
The file of the person named was randomly selected for field inspection under computer-based risk analysis. Due to the integrated nature of the bovine schemes, payments due could not be made pending the inputting of these inspection results. These results have recently been recorded and, accordingly, any payments due will now be cleared.
566 Mr. Connaughton asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the reason a person (details supplied) in County Galway has not received the extensification payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20029/05]
The person named declared a forage area of 19.36 hectares on her 2004 area aid application form. Her stocking density for 2004, based on this area and the number of livestock units on her holding throughout the year as determined from her ewe premium application in the case of sheep and five census dates in the case of cattle, was 2.0599 livestock units per hectare. Since this stocking density was greater than 1.80 livestock units per hectare the person named is not entitled to payment of extensification premium.
567 Mr. Hogan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if his attention has been drawn to the difficulties that some employers are having in respect of retention of employees through the work permit system here in view of the fact that they are unable to obtain authorisation for spouses to travel here during the time of their work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19066/05]
The present position in on the admission of family members to Ireland to join non-EEA nationals already here is that in all cases the person must be in a position to support his-her family without recourse to public funds. A non-EEA national who is not visa required and is working in the State on an employment permit or under the work authorisation scheme may apply for family reunification — spouse, minor child — immediately. A non-EEA national who is working in the State under the working visa scheme may be joined by his or her family — spouse, minor children — in the State after three months. A non-EEA national who is visa required and is working in the State on an employment permit may apply for family reunification — spouse, minor child — on condition that he or she has been working here for at least 12 months and is likely to remain so for a similar period, that is, the work permit has been renewed. The spouse of a non-EEA national who is working in the State on foot of employment permit may take up employment in the State. However, a proposed employer must first obtain an employment permit to employ them.
In March 2004 the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment introduced new arrangements which gave greater ease of access to employment to spouses of those employed under the working visa-working authorisation schemes, the intra-company transfer scheme and spouses of those who had a work permit as a researcher or an academic. While the new arrangements did not remove the requirement for a work permit for the spouses of non-EEA nationals working in the State under the schemes outlined above, they gave greater ease of access to employment for such spouses by not requiring the employer in question to advertise the job with FÁS in advance of making a work permit application accepting applications for jobs in categories that would generally be considered ineligible for work permits, and exempting the application from the work permit fee.
I published a discussion document on immigration and residence in Ireland in April of this year. A copy of the document was circulated to all Members of the House. Chapter 9 of that document deals with the issue of family reunification and sets out my key proposals. Anyone who wishes to make a contribution on this or any other aspect of immigration policy is welcome to do so before the end of July 2005. All views communicated to my Department will be taken into consideration in the development of new immigration and residence legislation.
568 Dr. Twomey asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if a Garda barracks (details supplied) in County Wexford is not for sale and not under negotiations at present; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19587/05]
The Garda station referred to by the Deputy is not for sale and there are no plans at present to sell it.
569 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the status of the permanent residency application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Sligo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19863/05]
There is no record in the immigration division of my Department of an application for permanent residency having been received from this person.
570 Mr. Hogan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the headline offences recorded and detailed for each of the districts of Castlecomer, Kilkenny and Thomastown in the years 1997, 2000 and 2004; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18963/05]
I regret that it has not been possible in the time available to obtain the necessary information. I will contact the Deputy again when the information is to hand.
571 Mr. Costello asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will respond to the enclosed correspondence (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18964/05]
The author of the correspondence is serving a 40-year prison sentence for the capital murder of Garda Sergeant Patrick Morrissey. He had originally been sentenced to death for this horrific and callous crime and the sentence was commuted to one of 40 years by President Patrick Hillary on 29 May 1986. I am satisfied that this person is detained in accordance with law and I am not prepared to interfere with the sentence handed down. The Deputy should also be aware that it is not my function, nor would it be appropriate, for me to afford legal advice to prisoners.
572 Mr. O’Shea asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the proposals he has to establish a comprehensive vetting procedure for volunteers; if the appropriate resources will be made available to the Garda in order that vetting will be carried out without delay (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18965/05]
620 Mr. McGuinness asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the funding allocated to the Garda central vetting unit in 2005. [19328/05]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 572 and 620 together.
The Garda central vetting unit, GCVU, carries out criminal record vetting in respect of, inter alia, prospective full-time employees having access to children and vulnerable adults of the Health Service Executive and in certain agencies funded by the executive. The unit deals with approximately 100,000 vetting applications per annum.
The GCVU forms part of the Garda national support services branch and is located in Garda Headquarters. The GCVU is accounted for financially as part of one of a number of cost centres controlled by that branch so a separate and distinct budget does not exist for the unit. However, the financial resources allocated to the GCVU in 2005 are adequate to meet its current operating remit.
A phased extension of the GCVU's vetting arrangements to other groups and sectors involving substantial, unsupervised access to children and vulnerable adults will take place. To facilitate this, a working group was established to examine the issue of extending vetting arrangements. The working group submitted its final report in March 2004, and this report has since been published in electronic form on my Department's website.
On the basis of this report, my colleague, the Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children, with special responsibility for children, Deputy Brian Lenihan, announced the provision of additional staff resources for the GCVU to enable the Garda Síochána's vetting services to be extended. In particular, staff numbers allocated to the GCVU will more than double, from 13 to 30.
The Minister of State's announcement implements one of the key recommendations of the working group. The other practical recommendations are being brought forward by an implementation group chaired by the Garda Síochána and comprising representatives of my Department, the Departments of Health and Children, Education and Science, and Finance, the Office of the Attorney General and Mr. Paul Gilligan, CEO of the ISPCC.
I am pleased to state that the extension of the services of the GCVU will commence later this year as soon as the necessary practical arrangements are in place, including those related to the decentralisation of the GCVU to Thurles, County Tipperary, as part of the Government's decentralisation programme. Public announcements in relation to the extension of services will occur in due course.
573 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if a work permit will be granted to a person (details supplied) who is awaiting a decision on their status. [18989/05]
The person concerned arrived in the State on 23 July 2001 and claimed asylum. His application for asylum was refused and a deportation order issued in respect of him. Judicial review proceedings have been instituted challenging the deportation order. Accordingly, as the matter is sub judice, I do not propose to comment further in this case.
574 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform when a decision will be reached on the application made in May 2004 for citizenship by a person (details supplied) in County Clare. [18990/05]
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 23 September 2004. On examining the case file in connection with the Deputy's question, it was noticed that the person concerned did not meet the statutory residency requirement at the time of application. Officials of the citizenship section of my Department will communicate directly with the applicant and the Deputy in this regard.
575 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will receive their award under the criminal injuries compensation tribunal; the funds which were made available from the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform in 2005 for this tribunal; the number of applications made to the tribunal; and when the necessary funding to compensate the persons who have been awarded money under this tribunal will be provided. [19026/05]
The criminal injuries compensation tribunal is funded as a cash-limited grant scheme by my Department. The allocation for 2005 is €3.384 million. A total of 96 applications were received by the tribunal to end May this year.
Unfortunately, the allocation provided for 2005 is now exhausted and the tribunal is not in a position to issue payments. Under the terms of the public financial procedures, entitlement to payment under a cash limited scheme is always contingent on the availability of funds.
This funding situation has come about as a result of the timing of one particularly large award in 2005 rather than a fundamental under-provision for the scheme. As a result of these exceptional circumstances, my Department is actively examining the possibility of making an additional provision in the short term to meet claims on hand. This solution will require the approval of the Department of Finance and is dependant on realising savings elsewhere in the Vote but I hope to be able to put in place the necessary arrangements in the near future.
The applicant referred to by the Deputy has been approved for an award and although his case cannot immediately proceed to payment for the above reasons, I expect that his would be one of the cases which would be covered by the proposed additional provision.
576 Mr. Kehoe asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the status of the application to the Land Registry for a person (details supplied) in County Wexford; when the application will be processed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19028/05]
I am informed by the Registrar of Titles that this is a transfer order application which was lodged on 9 February 1998, dealing number D2003TJ002357D. This application was completed on 1 June 2005.
577 Mr. Gregory asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if action will be taken against a website (details supplied) which facilitates the shooting of live animals via the Internet; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19029/05]
The Internet is an international phenomenon. It has no borders and no single organisation controls it. Access is easy, and regulation is difficult in view of the many jurisdictions, differences between legal systems, and variations in societal norms in different countries.
A distinction must also be made between what is illegal and what would be regarded as harmful and undesirable but not necessarily illegal. As a general rule of thumb, in Ireland, as in most jurisdictions, what is deemed to be legal off-line is legal on-line; conversely, what is illegal off-line is also illegal on-line. Difficulties arise when what is illegal in one country is not illegal in another.
With Internet operations, the Internet service provider may not be within the jurisdiction and may be providing a service which may be legal where the service is being hosted, but illegal where the service is being accessed. This is not an unusual phenomenon in Internet services and there are enormous logistical as well as legal difficulties involved in attempting to deal with such situations or in enforcing the law at user level. Attempts to fix liability at Internet service provider level are also fraught with difficulties.
Hunting of wild animals in Ireland, while controlled in some respects, is not illegal. The shooting of vermin, such as foxes, is generally permitted and even exempted wild animals, such as deer, and protected wild birds, is permitted at certain periods during the year where licensed under the Wildlife Act 1976. In the case of the activity referred to by the Deputy, regulation of hunting is a matter for the US authorities in the first instance, and although many people would regard such a website as reprehensible, there is no evidence that the activity is illegal in the United States.
578 Mr. O’Shea asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he has satisfied himself that in regard to the curbing of binge drinking that greater control of the off-licence sector is both vital and urgent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19033/05]
A consultation process for my proposals for a Bill to streamline and modernise our liquor licensing laws has recently concluded. I will take account of the views of organisations and individuals who responded to my request for submissions in the context of the drafting of the Bill to repeal the Liquor Licensing Acts 1833 to 2004 and replace them with updated provisions more suited to modern conditions.
In bringing forward proposals to reform the licensing laws, I am conscious of public concerns on alcohol related harm in our society. For this reason, my proposals contain both safeguards and increased penalties that are intended to combat such harm. These include extending the jurisdiction of the courts to all retail licences and giving specified notice parties and the public the right to object to the grant of a licence; streamlining the system for renewing licences and clarifying the right of members of the public to object to renewal on stated grounds; strengthening provisions designed to combat sales to under age persons by, for example, requiring all off-licences to have written policies and control procedures; creating a new offence of being in possession of a forged Garda age card; and increasing the levels of penalties and sanctions, including a proposal that all temporary closure orders should involve closure for a minimum of two days.
The new licensing arrangements will also allow the Garda to object to applications for new retail licences on the grounds of an undue risk of public nuisance or a threat to public order or safety. My proposals also contain provisions for dealing with drunkenness and disorderly conduct on licensed premises, as well as combating the sale and supply of alcohol to, and consumption of alcohol by, under age persons. The implementation of these licensing provisions will continue to be complemented and supported by public order legislation. The Garda already has extensive powers under the Public Order Acts of 1994 and 2003 to deal with incidents of intoxication or disorderly conduct in public places. In particular, the 2003 Act makes provision for the courts to make both exclusion and closure orders arising from such incidents.
579 Dr. Upton asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will reconsider the plight of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 8; and if he will allow this person to remain here. [19044/05]
The person concerned was refused refugee status in the State following consideration of his case by the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner and, on appeal, by the Office of the Refugee Appeals Tribunal. The person concerned was informed of these recommendations by letters dated 15 July 2002 and 28 February 2003.
A notification under section 3(3)(a) of the Immigration Act 1999 was issued to the person concerned on 16 April 2003 advising him of my decision to refuse to give him a declaration of refugee status and setting out the options open to him at that point, that is, to leave the State voluntarily, to consent to the making of a deportation order 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.
Representations for temporary leave to remain in the State were made on behalf of the person concerned by his legal representatives. The case was examined under section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999 and section 5 of the Refugee Act 1996, prohibition of refoulement, having due regard for the representations received, following which, on 6 May 2005, a deportation order was made in respect of the person concerned. The person concerned was notified of this decision by letter dated 12 May 2005. That letter made the person concerned aware that he was required to present himself on 19 May 2005 at the offices of the Garda national immigration bureau in order that arrangements could be made for his removal from the State. The person concerned failed to present himself on this occasion and, as such, is now classified as an evader who is subject to arrest and detention.
This person's case was considered comprehensively and fairly. I see no reason to alter my decision to issue a deportation order in respect of the person concerned. The enforcement of that order is now an operational matter for the Garda national immigration bureau.
580 Dr. Upton asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will reconsider the plight of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 8; and if he will allow this person to remain here. [19045/05]
The persons concerned, a mother and son, were refused refugee status in the State following consideration of their case by the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner and, on appeal, by the Office of the Refugee Appeals Tribunal. The persons concerned were informed of these recommendations by letters dated 25 July 2002 and 11 December 2002 respectively.
A notification under Section 3(3)(a) of the Immigration Act 1999 issued to the persons concerned on 31 January 2003 advising them of my decision to refuse to give them a declaration of refugee status and setting out the options open to them at that point, that is, to leave the State voluntarily, to consent to the making of deportation orders or to make written representations, within 15 working days, to the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform setting out reasons as to why they should not be deported.
Representations for temporary leave to remain in the State were made on behalf of the persons concerned by their legal representatives. Their case was examined under section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999 and section 5 of the Refugee Act 1996, prohibition of refoulement, having due regard for the representations received, following which, on 5 May 2005, deportation orders were made in respect of the persons concerned. The persons concerned were notified of this decision by letter dated 19 May 2005. That letter made the persons concerned aware that they were required to present themselves on 7 June 2005 at the offices of the Garda national immigration bureau and they presented themselves as required. The persons concerned are due to present themselves again at the offices of the Garda national immigration bureau on 21 June 2005 by which time it is expected that travel arrangements in the context of their removal from the State will have been put in place.
The asylum claim and the request for leave to remain in the State made by the persons concerned have been considered comprehensively and fairly. As a result, I see no reason to alter my decision to issue deportation orders in respect of the persons concerned. The enforcement of these deportation orders is now an operational matter for the Garda national immigration bureau.
581 Dr. Upton asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will reconsider the plight of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 1; and if he will allow this person to remain here. [19046/05]
The person concerned, a Nigerian national, arrived in the State on 3 February 2005 and claimed asylum. His application was refused by the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner on 28 February 2005. His subsequent appeal was refused by the Office of the Refugee Appeals Tribunal and he was notified of this recommendation by letter on 24 March 2005.
He was notified of the decision to refuse him refugee status by letter on 30 March 2005 in which he was informed of the three options open to him at that point, that is, to leave the State before his case was considered for deportation; consent to the making of a deportation order in respect of him; make written representations, within 15 working days, to the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform setting out the reasons why he should not be deported.
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 representations received on his behalf from his solicitors for temporary leave to remain in the State. On 5 May 2005, a deportation order was made in respect of him. Notice of the order was served by registered post on 12 May 2005 requiring him to present himself to the Garda national immigration bureau on Thursday, 19 May 2005 to make arrangements for his deportation. This person did not attend as required and is now evading deportation.
Further documentation was received from the applicant's legal representatives on 17 May 2005 with the new information that the person concerned was possibly suffering from a liver condition that may require medical treatment, a condition that presumably predated his arrival in Ireland. An undertaking was sought that the person concerned would not be deported to Nigeria until his medical treatment was completed.
This case was dealt with as part of the accelerated process which came into operation on 25 January 2005. This provided for the speedier processing of asylum applications in respect of nationals of five states, including Nigerians, which are the subject of prioritisation orders made by me under section 12 of the Refugee Act 1996, as inserted by the Immigration Act 2003. The new arrangements also provide for the speedier processing of deportation orders for those applicants who are found not to be in need of refugee protection and have no other protection or humanitarian needs.
There is no obligation to delay the deportation of this person pending the completion of treatment over an indeterminate period for what would appear to be a chronic medical condition. This person was allowed enter the State to have his protection claim assessed and this was done fairly and promptly. It would be unfair and unreasonable to hold that the State has a greater obligation to provide medical treatment to this person than it would to someone who, for example, fails to gain entry to the State by way of a visa to receive the same medical treatment.
582 Dr. Upton asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will reconsider the plight of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 3; and if he will allow this person to remain here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19047/05]
The person concerned arrived in the State on 11 May 2001 and claimed asylum. Her application for asylum was refused and a deportation order issued in respect of her. Judicial review proceedings have been instituted challenging the deportation order. Accordingly, as the matter is sub judice, I do not propose to comment further on this case.
583 Mr. O’Shea asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if outside of Dublin there is one public house licence per 300 people, approximately 29% of whom are under 18 years and therefore legally cannot be served alcoholic drink bringing the figure for those legally allowed to drink down to 213 per licence; if all licensed restaurants and hotels can serve beer with their meals; if the equivalent figure in the UK is closer to one pub per 1,000 head of population; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19050/05]
631 Mr. Kehoe asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he plans to introduce a minimum or maximum number of pub licences to take into account the huge variation in population in the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19472/05]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 583 and 631 together.
Statistics relating to the number of liquor licences, their geographical distribution throughout the country and the details of renewals of such licences are a matter for the Revenue Commissioners. I have no plans to preserve the number of such licences on a geographical or demographic basis. Statistics regarding the number of licensed premises in other jurisdictions are a matter for the relevant authorities in those jurisdictions. It is not the function of the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform to interpret the statute law by way of reply to parliamentary questions.
584 Mr. Coveney asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the headline offences recorded and detailed for each Garda district (details supplied) within the Cork South-Central constituency for 2000 to 2004. [19052/05]
It has not been possible in the time available to obtain the necessary information. I will contact the Deputy again when the information is to hand.
585 Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the topics discussed in his recent meeting with US Attorney General; and the concerns he may have raised on US adherence with international prohibitions against torture. [19053/05]
During my recent visit to Washington I paid a courtesy call to the US Justice Department, headed up by the US Attorney General, Mr. Alberto Gonzalez. Due to the pressure of his other commitments that afternoon I only had a brief conversation with him and the issue raised by the Deputy did not arise.
586 Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the recommendations of the expert group on the probation and welfare service that have been implemented since the publication of the Comptroller and Auditor General’s report of January 2004; the recommendations that remain unimplemented, and the reasons therefor, including an indication as to whether the Minister accepts or rejects the recommendations in question. [19054/05]
My predecessor, the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism, Deputy O'Donoghue, following a Government decision, set up an expert group to examine the probation and welfare service under the chairmanship of Mr. Brian McCarthy. This group produced its first report in November 1998. The final report of the group was published in May 1999 and made several recommendations.
Many of the recommendations of the expert group report have been implemented by my Department. Staffing levels have been raised. There has been substantial investment in a customised information technology system and an IT unit has been established. The new technology, when fully operational, will have the capacity to produce information about the utilisation and effectiveness of community sanctions, giving us information about crime in Ireland not previously available. A common State-funded public liability insurance scheme has been put in place to enable a greater number of community groups to have community service projects operated on their premises without the need to incur substantial insurance costs. These are some of the measures which have been implemented.
The major outstanding recommendation relates to the future organisation and structures of the service. I have set up a small working group involving departmental and probation and welfare officials to build on existing work including the expert group report and the value for money audit of the service. It will also identify the type of services that may be required in the future; their relative priority; the resource implications and different methods of providing the services; the research-evaluation available or required to determine the effectiveness of options. The group is expected to report before the end of this year.
587 Mr. Kirk asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will examine the adequacy of Garda cover in the Ardee-west Louth area having regard to the level of crime there; if he will review the position; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19055/05]
I am informed by the Garda authorities, responsible for the detailed allocation of resources, including personnel, that the personnel strength of Ardee Garda station as at 9 June 2005 was nine, all ranks, and that the station is open to the public from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. daily, and in the afternoons when resources permit.
I am further informed that mobile patrols operate from Monday to Thursday from 9 a.m. to 1 a.m. and at weekends from 9 a.m. to 4 a.m. These patrols are primarily focused on monitoring and curbing anti-social behaviour in the vicinity of local nightclubs and licensed premises. Resources are augmented from within the division as required. The area is also patrolled by the divisional traffic corps units from Drogheda and Kells and by crime unit personnel from Navan.
I am also advised that Garda personnel assignments to Ardee, 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 general public. The situation will be kept under review by the Garda authorities, and when additional personnel next becomes available the needs of Ardee will be considered within the overall context of the needs of Garda stations throughout the State.
I am pleased the Government 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. This is a key commitment in the programme for Government and its implementation will significantly strengthen the operational capacity of the force.
588 Mr. Hogan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if a decision will be made in respect of a land registry matter regarding a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19068/05]
I am informed by the Registrar of Titles that this is an application under section 49, acquisition of title by virtue of long possession of the Registration of Title Act 1964, which was lodged on 12 July 2002, dealing number D2002JS006189U. 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 1 June 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.
589 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position regarding the full operation of the PULSE system nationwide; the way in which this connects with other State computerised systems which track violations of road traffic legislation and motorist statistics; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19071/05]
I am advised by the Garda Authorities that the PULSE system is now available in 207 Garda locations. This represents an expansion of the system to a further 26 locations from the previously quoted figure of 181. Further extensions of the system to non-networked locations is being examined as part of the Garda Síochána information and communications strategy 2005-09.
To streamline the input of data to PULSE, it is planned to set up a quality assurance and data input centre to assist in the entry and management of data in PULSE. The aim is to put in place a centralised processing centre to be operated primarily by civilian staff. As a first step, it is planned to run a pilot project over the coming months. The set-up of this centre and the extension plans for PULSE will have a major impact on the operation and accessibility of PULSE for members of the force.
The fixed charge processing system is the Garda IT system for processing fixed charge road traffic offences including the requirements for the penalty points systems. As part of the system, the Garda Síochána exchanges information electronically with the Courts Service for summons applications and court hearing dates; the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government for the national driver file and the national vehicle file; a third party service provider for the printing and posting of fixed charge notices; a third party service provider engaged by the Department of Transport, for details of fixed charges that have been paid, who in turn forward this information to the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government for updating the national driver file with the penalty points data.
Towards the end of this year it is planned to coordinate the summons generated from the fixed charge processing system with summons for the same individual generated from PULSE and this will be of further benefit to the Courts Service.
590 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform further to correspondence (details supplied), if he will furnish a response; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19086/05]
The person concerned arrived in the State on 2 January 2003 and claimed asylum. Her application for asylum was refused and a deportation order issued in respect of her. Judicial review proceedings have been instituted challenging the deportation order. Accordingly, as the matter is sub judice, I do not propose to comment further on this case.
591 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the details of the headline offences recorded and detailed for Carlow and Kilkenny counties in the years 1997, 2000 and 2004; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19092/05]
It has not been possible in the time available to obtain the necessary information. I will contact the Deputy again when the information is to hand.
592 Mr. Costello asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the role and responsibilities of the ministerial decisions unit in the immigration, asylum and citizenship division of his Department; if any ministerial functions, powers or duties have been delegated, either expressly or implicitly, to civil servants in that unit; if there is any difference in the relationship between the Minister and civil servants in that unit and elsewhere in the Department; and if so, the nature of the difference; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19108/05]
The ministerial decisions unit of my Department has been in place since 20 November 2000, the date on which the independent refugee determination bodies, namely, the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner and the Refugee Appeals Tribunal, were established on a statutory footing, pursuant to the relevant provisions of the Refugee Act 1996, as amended. The need for the unit arises from the framework provided in the 1996 Act for the processing of applications for refugee status in the State.
A person seeking the status of refugee may apply to the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform under section 8 of the 1996 Act for a declaration to this effect. As provided for in the 1996 Act, the investigation of individual applications is carried out, at first instance, by the Refugee Applications Commissioner under the terms of section 11 of the 1996 Act who, under section 13, makes a recommendation to the Minister as to whether an applicant should or should not be declared to be a refugee. An appeal by the applicant against a recommendation by the commissioner is made under section 16 of the Act to the Refugee Appeals Tribunal which may affirm or set aside the recommendation.
Section 17 (1) of the 1996 Act provides, inter alia, that where the commissioner, or as the case may be, the tribunal, makes a recommendation, the Minister shall, in case the report of the commissioner or, as the case may be, the decision of the tribunal includes a recommendation that the applicant concerned should be declared to be a refugee, give to the applicant a declaration that the applicant is a refugee, and may, in any other case, refuse to give the applicant a declaration.
Provision also exists to deal with national security and public policy considerations. This statutory framework gives rise to the need for an administrative unit within my Department to process such decisions in accordance with the Carltona principle.
The ministerial decision unit also deals with applications for re-admission to the asylum process by applicants who have been declared not to be refugees, in accordance with the provisions of section 17(7) of the Refugee Act 1996, as amended, and with the processing of revocations of refugee status in certain cases, in accordance with section 21 of that Act. There is nothing unusual or special about the relationship to the Minister of the ministerial decisions unit. It carries out an administrative function in my Department within a given statutory framework in the same way as any other unit.
593 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the steps contemplated by him to comply with Council Framework Decision 2005/212/JHA of 24 February 2005 on confiscation of crime-related proceeds, instrumentalities and property; and if such steps will be given effect by primary legislation rather than regulations. [19128/05]
I am in consultation with the Office of the Attorney General on the steps required to comply with the Council Framework Decision 2005/212/JHA of 24 February 2005 on confiscation of crime-related proceeds, instrumentalities and property to enable it to be ratified by Ireland. The details of the action I will take will be outlined in due course.
594 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the steps contemplated by him to comply with Council Framework Decision 2005/214/JHA of 24 February 2005 on the application of the principle of mutual recognition to financial penalties; and if such steps will be given effect by primary legislation rather than regulations. [19129/05]
Primary legislation will be required to give effect to the framework decision on the application of the principle of mutual recognition to financial penalties which was adopted by Council on 24 February 2005. Details, when approved by Government, will be announced in the normal way in due course.
595 Mr. P. Breen asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of Garda superintendents who have been appointed to a Garda station (details supplied) in County Clare over the past five years; if he will impose a minimum term contract for such appointments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19132/05]
596 Mr. P. Breen asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of Garda superintendents who have been appointed to a Garda station (details supplied) in County Clare over the past five years; if he will impose a minimum term contract for such appointments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19133/05]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 595 and 596 together.
I am advised by the Garda authorities, responsible for the detailed allocation of resources, including personnel, that four superintendents have been allocated to each of the districts of Kilrush and Ennistymon in the past five years. The Garda Commissioner has established a review group to examine migration management and policy of tenure. The Garda Commissioner has accepted the recommendation of the review group that on first appointment following promotion superintendents remain in situ for two years save where the exigencies of the organisation dictate otherwise.
597 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the details of the headline offences recorded and detailed for each of the division of the Garda districts within County Sligo and north Leitrim for the years 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003 and 2004; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19168/05]
On becoming the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, I arranged for the first time the publication of headline crime statistics on a quarterly basis in order to improve the quality of information available to the public. While caution should be exercised in interpreting levels of crime between quarters, I am pleased to note that during my term of office as Minister, the quarterly crime rate has decreased from 6.7 per 1,000 population to six per 1,000 over the longer period of 11 quarters for which figures are available. This trend is reflected throughout most Garda districts in the State.
In interpreting these figures, account has also to be taken of the introduction of the new PULSE computer system by the Garda Síochána in 1999, which led to more complete and comprehensive recording of crimes reported than was previously the case. Taking into account the significant increase in our population since 1995, the headline crime rate has fallen from 29 per 1,000 population in 1995 to 25 per 1,000 population in 2004.
The following tables show the headline offences, for 2000 to 2004 inclusive, by Garda district in the Sligo-Leitrim division.
|
Year |
2004* |
2003 |
2002 |
2001 |
2000 |
|||||
|
Rec |
Dec |
Rec |
Dec |
Rec |
Dec |
Rec |
Dec |
Rec |
Dec |
|
|
Homicide |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
3 |
3 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Assault |
38 |
25 |
56 |
37 |
82 |
60 |
30 |
23 |
12 |
9 |
|
Sexual Offences |
27 |
11 |
43 |
34 |
25 |
14 |
9 |
4 |
11 |
11 |
|
Arson |
59 |
1 |
70 |
12 |
43 |
2 |
33 |
7 |
15 |
0 |
|
Drugs |
19 |
19 |
27 |
27 |
28 |
27 |
20 |
20 |
36 |
36 |
|
Thefts |
565 |
175 |
665 |
235 |
577 |
176 |
426 |
180 |
428 |
236 |
|
Burglary |
224 |
38 |
282 |
87 |
217 |
34 |
305 |
77 |
267 |
83 |
|
Robbery |
17 |
9 |
10 |
6 |
5 |
4 |
9 |
4 |
6 |
4 |
|
Fraud |
58 |
40 |
45 |
12 |
31 |
13 |
35 |
24 |
37 |
33 |
|
Other |
10 |
4 |
11 |
5 |
12 |
11 |
4 |
3 |
2 |
2 |
|
Total |
1,018 |
323 |
1,210 |
456 |
1,023 |
344 |
871 |
342 |
814 |
414 |
|
Year |
2004* |
2003 |
2002 |
2001 |
2000 |
|||||
|
Rec |
Dec |
Rec |
Dec |
Rec |
Dec |
Rec |
Dec |
Rec |
Dec |
|
|
Homicide |
0 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Assault |
22 |
14 |
16 |
7 |
21 |
15 |
7 |
6 |
5 |
4 |
|
Sexual Offences |
4 |
2 |
2 |
1 |
2 |
1 |
4 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
|
Arson |
5 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
3 |
3 |
5 |
4 |
5 |
3 |
|
Drugs |
6 |
6 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
|
Thefts |
119 |
28 |
99 |
15 |
100 |
15 |
47 |
9 |
51 |
8 |
|
Burglary |
57 |
11 |
73 |
9 |
46 |
4 |
50 |
7 |
56 |
14 |
|
Robbery |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
|
Fraud |
12 |
6 |
9 |
4 |
7 |
3 |
13 |
8 |
5 |
3 |
|
Other |
4 |
2 |
5 |
2 |
2 |
2 |
3 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
|
Total |
230 |
69 |
209 |
42 |
184 |
46 |
130 |
39 |
125 |
35 |
|
Year |
2004* |
2003 |
2002 |
2001 |
2000 |
|||||
|
Rec |
Dec |
Rec |
Dec |
Rec |
Dec |
Rec |
Dec |
Rec |
Dec |
|
|
Homicide |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Assault |
8 |
4 |
5 |
5 |
11 |
8 |
8 |
7 |
4 |
2 |
|
Sexual Offences |
5 |
2 |
3 |
3 |
4 |
4 |
2 |
1 |
2 |
2 |
|
Arson |
1 |
0 |
4 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
|
Drugs |
2 |
2 |
6 |
6 |
1 |
1 |
2 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
|
Thefts |
66 |
8 |
85 |
10 |
60 |
9 |
27 |
2 |
30 |
6 |
|
Burglary |
19 |
3 |
22 |
2 |
23 |
1 |
16 |
4 |
28 |
8 |
|
Robbery |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Fraud |
1 |
1 |
4 |
1 |
4 |
4 |
8 |
6 |
2 |
0 |
|
Other |
23 |
2 |
22 |
13 |
9 |
8 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
|
Total |
125 |
22 |
151 |
42 |
112 |
35 |
67 |
25 |
68 |
20 |
|
Year |
2004* |
2003 |
2002 |
2001 |
2000 |
|||||
|
Rec |
Dec |
Rec |
Dec |
Rec |
Dec |
Rec |
Dec |
Rec |
Dec |
|
|
Homicide |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Assault |
3 |
3 |
2 |
2 |
7 |
7 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
|
Sexual Offences |
1 |
0 |
3 |
2 |
6 |
6 |
3 |
1 |
2 |
1 |
|
Arson |
3 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
3 |
2 |
2 |
2 |
|
Drugs |
0 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
3 |
3 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Thefts |
37 |
2 |
50 |
9 |
55 |
11 |
47 |
17 |
38 |
10 |
|
Burglary |
26 |
4 |
24 |
2 |
34 |
4 |
48 |
12 |
43 |
13 |
|
Robbery |
2 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
|
Fraud |
3 |
1 |
4 |
2 |
14 |
13 |
3 |
2 |
11 |
6 |
|
Other |
6 |
5 |
3 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
|
Total |
81 |
16 |
89 |
18 |
122 |
45 |
110 |
40 |
100 |
36 |
598 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will report on the progress of the implementation of the model framework for education training and professional development in the early childhood care and education sector since its publication in 2002; the efforts he has made or intends to make to improve professional qualifications and quality standards for the early childhood care and education sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19179/05]
The Minister for Education and Science announced the introduction of a national framework of qualifications which is creating a single, coherent and more easily understood system of educational and vocational qualifications. To inform this process for the child care sector, a sub-group of the national child care co-ordinating committee developed a framework entitled, Quality Childcare and Lifelong Learning: A Model Framework for Education, Training and Professional Development in the Early Childhood Care and Education Sector, which I was pleased to launch in autumn 2002. The model framework describes a set of commonly agreed core value statements for child care as well as the key knowledge and skills necessary to practice child care in a range of occupational roles from basic to expert practitioner. These occupational profiles also set out the expected key tasks and responsibilities of practitioners which should be supported by a broad range of skills and knowledge.
The model framework was formally submitted to the National Qualifications Authority of Ireland, the Further Education and Training Awards Council, FETAC, and the Higher Education and Training Awards Council, HETAC to assist them in their deliberations with respect to the accreditation of child care awards. The model framework has also become important in the development of a number of new and innovative child care education and training courses by a variety of institutions.
Since its introduction, the model framework has been widely disseminated and influential in the construction of a clear vision for the future development of a flexible and reflective child care work force which holds the needs and best interests of the child at its centre and is focused on achieving the highest standards for both the children cared for and their carers. The model framework was one of the first in what is now a long line of policy initiatives on the issue of quality in child care. The core value statements identified in the model framework are also influencing the national framework of quality in the early childhood care and education setting, which is being developed by the Centre for Early Child Development and Education established by my colleague the Minister for Education and Science.
Since 2000 funding in excess of €44 million has been approved under the quality improvement strand of the equal opportunities child care programme, which includes support for training initiatives aimed at child care practitioners. As a result there has been a significant increase in the qualifications base of child care workers. In 2000, approximately 23% of staff employed in child care facilities surveyed in the national child care census had a formal qualification at the equivalent of FETAC level two or higher. By 2004 this proportion had risen to 49% on the basis of staff employed in facilities surveyed in the 2004 annual survey of equal opportunities child care programme beneficiaries. I am confident that the levels of well qualified staff working in the child care sector will continue to grow.
599 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the most up-to-date information on his travels abroad for the St. Patrick’s Day celebrations; the persons who travelled with him in his official party; the duration of the visit; and the total cost. [19195/05]
I made an official visit to Argentina from 14 to 20 March for the St. Patrick's Day celebrations. In line with Government policy, I took full advantage of my visit there to promote Ireland as a modern, democratic State, an attractive tourist destination and a country with a vibrant economy that offers attractive business opportunities. I also availed of the opportunity to explain ongoing developments in regard to the peace process in Northern Ireland.
Highlights of my trip included an address on modern Ireland to the Centro Argentino de Relaciones Internacionales; a meeting at the presidential palace with the Argentine Minister for the Interior, Señor Anibal Fernández; I hosted a lunch for significant Argentine opinion makers including academic, judicial, legal and human rights figures; I attended a meeting with the Irish community of San Antonio de Areco outside Buenos Aires hosted by Mr. Kevin Farrell, President of the Federation of Irish Societies in Argentina, and Irish priest, Father Tom O'Donnell; I was guest of honour at the St. Patrick's Day reception in Buenos Aires hosted by our ambassador, Mr. Ken Thompson, for members of the expatriate Irish community and leading figures in Argentine cultural and business life, whom I addressed on behalf of the Government and people; I represented the Government at an homage to General José de San Martin, founder of the Argentine nation, organised by the Argentine Ministry of Defence; I attended as guest of honour the wreath-laying ceremony organised by the Argentine navy at Admiral Brown's monument, where I addressed the attendance as the representative of the Government; I attended a St. Patrick's Day mass in the Holy Cross parish church, Buenos Aires, followed by a reception hosted by the Federation of Irish Societies, at which I addressed the guests; and I visited a Development Cooperation Ireland funded NGO project in Oberá, northern Argentina, which provides a home for handicapped and abandoned children. I also visited a nearby home for the elderly, also supported by Development Cooperation Ireland. Both of the latter projects are managed by Father Liam Hayes SMA who as well as securing support from Development Cooperation Ireland over the years, has an extensive Irish support network.
Throughout the visit and on the margins of the official functions I attended, I took every possible opportunity to meet informally with members of the Irish community and influential personalities in Argentine business and official life, to promote Ireland and explore areas of mutual interest. I also gave interviews to several journalists which were carried on local radio and television, in the prestigious La Prenza, Argentina’s newspaper of record, as well as the English language daily papers in Buenos Aires.
There were seven persons in the official party, which included myself, the Secretary General of my Department, our respective spouses, my programme delivery manager, press officer and private secretary. I can confirm the total cost of the scheduled business flight involved was €35,147.07. The figures relating to the other costs incurred are not yet to hand.
600 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform when a visa will be issued to a person (details supplied) in County Mayo; when all documents will be returned to another related person (details supplied). [19203/05]
The application in question was approved by my Department on 31 May 2005. Notification of any decision normally reaches the applicant within a few working days of the decision date. All documents supplied in support of the application on condition that they be returned, will be transmitted to the relevant person, via the Department of Foreign Affairs, as soon as possible.
601 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the criteria which are employed to train professional door security personnel; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19220/05]
The Private Security Authority was established by statute, inter alia, to meet the need to ensure a consistent level of service within the private security industry. The authority was formally launched by me late last year. The Private Security Authority represents a true partnership approach to regulation of the industry, composed as it is of employers and employees within the industry, the Garda Síochána and other stakeholders. I am confident that it will help ensure that the private security industry operates to the highest possible standards.
Workers in this area have access to a wide range of training programmes. These programmes are provided through company in-house trainers, commercial trainers and VEC colleges. However, I can confirm that the Private Security Authority, as part of its statutory remit, has reviewed these programmes and decided that the minimum training requirement for issue of a door security personnel licence will be successful completion of a FETAC accredited level four door security personnel minor module.
602 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the headline offences recorded and detailed for each of the districts within Donegal in 2000 and 2004; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19221/05]
I regret that it has not been possible in the time available to obtain the necessary information. I will contact the Deputy again when the information is to hand.
603 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the car theft offences recorded and detailed for each of the districts in Donegal for 2000 and 2004; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19222/05]
I regret that it has not been possible in the time available to obtain the necessary information. I will contact the Deputy again when the information is to hand.
604 Ms O. Mitchell asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will expedite the hearing of a person (details supplied) in County Meath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19237/05]
The Equality Tribunal is an independent statutory office set up under the Employment Equality Act 1998, with its remit extended under the Equality Act 2004, to investigate and mediate complaints pertaining to employment and the provision of goods and services.
The Director of the Equality Tribunal, her equality officers and equality mediation officers are independent in the performance of their duties. Once a case has been determined by the tribunal, the complainant or respondent involved may appeal against the decision to the Circuit Court or to the Labour Court in an employment case.
In light of the independent role of the tribunal in investigating-mediating complaints, the Deputy will appreciate that it would not be appropriate for me to comment on or intervene in any way in an individual case.
605 Ms O’Sullivan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will provide a Garda station in the Castletroy area of Limerick in view of the population growth to 26,000; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19240/05]
I have been informed by the Garda authorities, who are responsible for the detailed allocation of resources, including personnel, that the Castletroy area of Limerick is policed by gardaí attached to Henry Street Garda station. The personnel strength, all ranks, of Henry Street Garda station as at 3 June 2005 was 192.
I have been further informed that the local Garda management does not propose making any case for the provision of a Garda station in the Castletroy area and states that the area is well policed by the gardaí attached to Henry Street Garda station.
Garda management state that the opening of an additional Garda station would necessitate the employment of Garda personnel on indoor administrative duties. Such personnel can be utilised more effectively in providing a visible Garda presence on outdoor policing duties.
Garda personnel assigned to Limerick, together with overall policing arrangements and operational strategy are continually monitored and reviewed. Such monitoring ensures that the best possible use is made of existing Garda resources and that the best possible service is provided to the public.
606 Mr. Andrews asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will make a statement on the submission of Theatre Forum regarding licensing, restrictions on the sale of alcohol during intervals, requirements for seating to be always provided and the exclusion of children from theatre bars after certain times. [19252/05]
A consultative process pertaining to my proposals for a Bill to streamline and modernise our liquor licensing laws has recently concluded. I have received a submission from Theatre Forum and I will take its views, and those of other organisations and individuals who made submissions, into account in the context of the drafting of the Bill.
607 Mr. O’Dowd asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if permission to remain here will be granted to a person (details supplied) residing in County Louth; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19253/05]
The person concerned arrived in the State on 30 January 2003 and claimed asylum on the same date. Following an examination of her asylum claim, her application was refused by the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner and, on appeal, by the Office of the Refugee Appeals Tribunal. These positions were conveyed to the person concerned by letters dated 9 September 2003 and 5 December 2003 respectively.
A notification under section 3(3)(a) of the Immigration Act 1999 issued to the person concerned on 30 April 2004 advising her of my decision to refuse to give her a declaration of refugee status and setting out the options open to her at that point, that is to leave the State voluntarily, to consent to the making of a deportation order 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.
Representations for temporary leave to remain in the State were received on this person's behalf from her legal representatives. Her case was examined under section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999 and section 5 of the Refugee Act 1996, prohibition of refoulement, having due regard for the representations received, following which a deportation order was made in respect of the person concerned on 25 January 2005. The person concerned was notified of this decision by letter dated 23 February 2005. That letter made the person concerned aware of the requirement that she present herself at the offices of the Garda national immigration bureau on 3 March 2005 in order to make arrangements for her deportation. The person concerned failed to present herself on this occasion, as required, and, as such, is now classified as an evader who is subject to arrest and detention.
The asylum claim and the request for leave to remain in the State made by the person concerned have been considered comprehensively and fairly. As a result, I see no reason to alter my decision to issue a deportation order in respect of the person concerned. The enforcement of that order is now an operational matter for the Garda national immigration bureau.
608 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the details of parental leave under the present legislation; the changes intended in the new legislation; when those changes are likely to come into effect; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19264/05]
The Parental Leave Act 1998, which came into effect on 3 December 1998, provides an individual and non-transferable entitlement to parents to 14 weeks unpaid leave from work per child to take care of young children. The leave must be taken before the child reaches five years of age, except in certain circumstances in the case of an adopted child.
The Act also provides an entitlement to limited paid force majeure leave for urgent family reasons owing to the injury or illness of an immediate family member, in circumstances where the presence of the employee, at the place where the family member is ill or injured, is indispensable. The employee may not be absent on force majeure leave for more than three days in any period of 12 consecutive months or five days in any period of 36 consecutive months. During an absence on force majeure leave an employee is regarded as being in the employment of the employer and retains all of his or her employment rights.
In accordance with section 28 of the Parental Leave Act 1998 and a Government commitment in the Programme for Prosperity and Fairness, a working group chaired by my Department and comprising representatives from relevant Departments and the social partners was established in 2001 to review the operation of the Act. The report of the working group on the review of the Parental Leave Act 1998 was published in April 2002 and is available on my Department's website www.justice.ie and in the Oireachtas Library. The Government is committed, as part of the Sustaining Progress partnership agreement, to strengthen the parental leave scheme in line with the agreed recommendations of the social partners arising from the working group.
The Parental Leave (Amendment) Bill 2004 which implements the range of improvements agreed by the social partners was published on 16 December 2004. The main provisions of the Bill which is currently awaiting Second Stage in the House include: raising the maximum age of the eligible child from five to eight years; an increase in the maximum age of the eligible child to 16 years in the case of children with disabilities; extension of parental leave entitlements to persons acting in loco parentis in respect of an eligible child; a statutory entitlement to take the 14 weeks parental leave in separate blocks of a minimum of six continuous weeks, or more favourable terms with the agreement of the employer; that an employee who falls ill while on parental leave and as a result is unable to care for the child may suspend the parental leave for the duration of the illness following which period the parental leave recommences and provision for statutory codes of practice on the manner in which parental leave and force majeure leave might be taken and the manner in which an employer can terminate parental leave.
The changes provided for in the Bill come into effect on its enactment.
609 Mr. McGuinness asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if an extension of a holiday visa will be granted in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny; the timeframe for a decision in the case; and if he will expedite the matter. [19265/05]
The immigration division of my Department has no record of an application for an extension of permission to remain in the State from the person concerned. My Department has recently been in contact with him and requested him to submit documentation in respect of his proposed stay. On receipt of same, a decision will be made on the case.
610 Mr. O’Dowd asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if permission to remain here will be granted to a person (details supplied) in County Louth; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19266/05]
An application, made on behalf of the person in question for permission to operate a business in the State was received on 1 September 2004 and requests were issued for documentation to support the application. However, as no response was received the application was deemed to have been abandoned. If the person in question wishes to supply the documentation previously requested my Department will be prepared to consider the application.
611 Mr. O’Connor asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the money recovered by the Criminal Assets Bureau in 2004; the way this money is spent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19273/05]
I am informed by the Garda authorities that money seized under the Proceeds of Crime Act 1996, as amended, is placed under the control of a High Court appointed receiver and is held in interest bearing accounts. Moneys collected under the Tax Acts go immediately to the Revenue Commissioners bank account for the benefit of the central fund.
The following statistics relate to moneys seized or collected by the Criminal Assets Bureau during the year 2004: Proceeds of crime action, section 2 interim orders, €1,027,152.18 and £6,115.00; section 3 interlocutory orders, €1,688,651.63 and £375; disposal orders under section 4, €275,875.43; receivership orders under section 7, €2,255,514.30 and £6,116; Revenue action, tax collected, €16,408,649; and social welfare, savings to the Exchequer, €222,921.
Further information on the activities of the Criminal Assets Bureau since its establishment in 1996 is contained in the annual reports of the bureau. Copies of these reports are available in the Oireachtas Library.
612 Mr. O’Connor asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his views as to whether all Garda interviews with suspects should be videotaped; the likely cost of such an initiative; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19274/05]
I am advised by the Garda authorities that currently there are 130 Garda stations equipped with audio or video facilities. A recently conducted Garda survey indicates that 98.1% of interviews as specified in the Criminal Justice Act 1984 (Electronic Recording of Interviews) Regulations 1997 are now being recorded. Interviews are not recorded mainly because either the arrested person declines to have the interview recorded or the equipment is already in use or is otherwise unavailable.
My intention is to move the number of interviews recorded towards 100%. In this regard, the recently published third report of the steering committee on audio and audi-video recording of Garda questioning of detained persons found that with the putting in place of additional units of equipment in a number of stations which already have the facility, there are a sufficient number of Garda stations in all Garda divisions to ensure that all interviews as specified in the regulations are recorded. A Garda working group has been established to implement the recommendations of the report.
It is not possible to provide a cost for the provision of additional recording facilities as the cost is dependent on a number of factors, including the cost of the specialised equipment and the provision of suitable, if necessary refurbished, accommodation in Garda stations.
613 Mr. O’Connor asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will consider the introduction of mental health courts that would provide an alternative to the existing courts system for those suffering from mental illness; the likely cost of such a measure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19275/05]
There are no plans at present to introduce mental health courts. However, the Criminal Law (Insanity) Bill at present before the House, having been passed by the Seanad, provides for reform of the law on insanity as regards a range of criminal law matters. The Law Reform Commission is engaged in a consultation process on civil law in relation to legal capacity and I shall consider their recommendations when a final report is published. Furthermore, I understand that the Courts Service is carrying out a comprehensive review of wardship law and practice.
614 Mr. Neville asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position regarding the application for citizenship on the basis of marriage for a person (details supplied) in County Limerick. [19291/05]
My Department has no record of an application for naturalisation from the person referred to by the Deputy.
615 Mr. Noonan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the details of the headline offences recorded and detailed for Newcastle West, Rathkeale and Bruff within the Limerick division for the years 2000 and 2004. [19303/05]
I regret that it has not been possible in the time available to obtain the necessary information. I will contact the Deputy again when the information is to hand.
616 Mr. Connolly asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the reason a person (details supplied) was refused asylum; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19304/05]
The person concerned arrived in the State on 18 June 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, which are two independent bodies. On 27 July 2004 the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner informed the person concerned that it was recommending that she should not be declared to be a refugee and she was issued with the reasons for this decision. On 30 December 2004, the Office of the Refugee Appeals Tribunal informed the person concerned that the tribunal had affirmed the original recommendation, and she was issued with the reasons for this decision.
Subsequently, in accordance with section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999, as amended, she was informed by letter dated 22 April 2005 that the Minister proposed to make a deportation order in respect of her. She was given the options to be exercised within 15 working days, of making representations to the Minister setting out the reasons why she 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.
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.
617 Mr. Carey asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the measures which have been in place in the Finglas Garda station area in recent weeks to counteract criminal activity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19325/05]
As the Deputy is aware, Operation Anvil was launched in May this year by the Garda Síochána. It is intelligence-driven and its focus is the targeting of active criminals and their associates involved in serious crime in the Dublin metropolitan region, including Finglas. The operation involves extensive additional overt policing and static checkpoints by uniform mobile and foot patrols supported by armed plain clothes patrols. In addition, covert operations will be undertaken involving local units and personnel from national units.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that there are a number of initiatives in place to counteract public order offending and anti-social activities in the Finglas area. The area receives regular patrolling by uniformed car, mountain bike patrols and van units, in addition to the divisional crime task force, divisional traffic unit and detective units, with a view to ensuring a concentrated and visible Garda presence in the area. In addition, a community police unit is assigned to the area. I am also informed that there is ongoing liaison between the community police unit and residents of Finglas to assist and resolve residents complaints as they arise.
The current policing strategies for the area are predicated on the policy of reducing and preventing incidents of public order offending, the prevention of crimes of violence against persons and property and the maintenance of an environment where the quality of life of the residents can be assured and consolidated. These strategies are and will continue to be the core value in policing plans for the area for the future.
618 Mr. Carey asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the measures which have been in place in the Ballymun Garda station area in recent weeks to counteract criminal activity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19326/05]
As the Deputy is aware, Operation Anvil was launched in May this year by the Garda Síochána. It is intelligence-driven and its focus is the targeting of active criminals and their associates involved in serious crime in the Dublin metropolitan region, including Ballymun. The operation involves extensive additional overt policing and static checkpoints by uniform mobile and foot patrols supported by armed plain clothes patrols. In addition, covert operations will be undertaken involving local units and personnel from national units.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that there are a number of initiatives in place to counteract public order offending and anti-social activities in the Ballymun area. The area receives regular patrolling by uniformed car, mountain bike patrols and van units, in addition to the divisional crime task force, divisional traffic unit and detective units, with a view to ensuring a concentrated and visible Garda presence in the area. In addition, a community police unit is assigned to the area. I am also informed that there is ongoing liaison between the community police unit and residents of Ballymun to assist and resolve residents complaints as they arise.
The current policing strategies for the area are predicated on the policy of reducing and preventing incidents of public order offending, the prevention of crimes of violence against persons and property and the maintenance of an environment where the quality of life of the residents can be assured and consolidated. These strategies are and will continue to be the core value in policing plans for the area for the future.
619 Mr. Carey asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the measures which have been in place in the Santry Garda station area in recent weeks to counteract criminal activity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19327/05]
As the Deputy is aware, Operation Anvil was launched in May this year by the Garda Síochána. It is intelligence driven and its focus is the targeting of active criminals and their associates involved in serious crime in the Dublin metropolitan region, including Santry. The operation involves extensive additional overt policing and static checkpoints by uniform mobile and foot patrols supported by armed plain clothes patrols. In addition, covert operations will be undertaken involving local units and personnel from national units.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that there are a number of initiatives in place to counteract public order offending and anti-social activities in the Santry area. The area receives regular patrolling by uniformed car, mountain bike patrols and van units, in addition to the divisional crime task force, divisional traffic unit and detective units, with a view to ensuring a concentrated and visible Garda presence in the area. In addition, a community police unit is assigned to the area. I am also informed that there is ongoing liaison between the community police unit and residents of Santry to assist and resolve residents complaints as they arise.
The current policing strategies for the area are predicated on the policy of reducing and preventing incidents of public order offending, the prevention of crimes of violence against persons and property and the maintenance of an environment where the quality of life of the residents can be assured and consolidated. These strategies are and will continue to be the core value in policing plans for the area for the future.
621 Dr. Upton asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will give consideration to the wish of a person (details supplied) in County Clare to remain in the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19353/05]
The person concerned applied for asylum on 30 September 2003. His application was considered at first instance by the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner which concluded that the person concerned did not meet the criteria for recognition as a refugee. This position was communicated to the person concerned by letter dated 30 November 2004. The person concerned appealed this recommendation to the Refugee Appeals Tribunal which, following an examination of the person's appeal, affirmed the earlier recommendation. The outcome of this appeal was communicated to the person concerned by letter dated 19 May 2005.
As is normal practice in such cases, this person's file has been forwarded to my Department's ministerial decisions unit. A representative of that unit will write to the person concerned in the near future to advise him on his position in the State.
622 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform when a dealing in the Land Registry office will be completed for a person (details supplied) in County Mayo. [19368/05]
I am informed by the Registrar of Titles that this is a court order application which was lodged on 20 September 2004 — dealing No. D2004SM0009751Y refers.
I am further informed that a query issued on 19 May 2005 and that the application cannot proceed until this query has been satisfactorily resolved. However, I assure the Deputy that on receipt of a satisfactory reply, the matter will receive further attention in the Land Registry.
623 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform when registration will be completed by the Land Registry office of a dealing (details supplied). [19385/05]
I am informed by the Registrar of Titles that this is an application for a vesting certificate in respect of two premises which was lodged on 8 October 2004 — Land Registry Ref. No. 04GR01281 refers.
I am also informed that a query issued to the lodging solicitor on 8 October 2004 to which a partial reply was received on 17 January 2005. I understand that on foot of this a further query has now issued.
I am further informed that while a vesting certificate may now be issued in respect of the premises at No. 12, it is not possible to include the portion of 11A therein. If the applicant wishes to proceed on this basis an award can be made and a vesting certificate can issue in respect of this premises, once the notice period of one month has expired without an appeal being made and the relevant purchase money and any arrears of rent are lodged.
I assure the Deputy that the Land Registry will complete this matter as soon as possible, depending on the applicant's wishes and their response to the outstanding query.
624 Mr. English asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the details of the headline offences recorded and detailed for each of the districts within the Louth and Meath Garda division areas in the years 1997, 2000 and 2004. [19414/05]
I regret that it has not been possible in the time available to obtain the necessary information. I will contact the Deputy again when the information is to hand.
625 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his views on persistent reports and substantial circumstantial evidence (details supplied) that persons are being smuggled through Irish territory in circumstances that amount to unlawful detention in both Irish and international law; the checks which have been put in place at Shannon Airport by the Garda and security authorities to establish whether there is further evidence of such wrong-doing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19416/05]
I refer the Deputy to my reply to Parliamentary Question No. 78 of 3 November 2004.
In the case of US military aircraft or chartered civilian aircraft transporting military cargo, the US Embassy submits applications to confirm that the aircraft seeking landing permission will comply with all operative criteria. The Garda Síochána is notified in advance of the arrival of all such flights and of the cargo contents and passenger numbers.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that two formal complaints in respect of allegations of the kind referred to by the Deputy were made in October and December 2004. These complaints were thoroughly investigated by the Garda Síochána, and investigation files were submitted to the Director of Public Prosecutions.
I am further informed that no prosecution was directed in respect of the complaint made in October 2004, as there was no evidence to support any criminal charge. Directions are awaited in respect of the second investigation file.
Regarding any aircraft landing in the State, the Deputy can be assured that the Garda Síochána will conduct a full investigation in any case in which a credible complaint of criminal activity is made, to include, where appropriate, an inspection of the aircraft in question.
626 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform when dealings (details supplied) will be completed in the Land Registry office. [19432/05]
I am informed by the Registrar of Titles that the applications referred to by the Deputy comprise an application for transfer of part, which was lodged on 19 March 2004; and an application for deed of rectification which was lodged on 7 March 2005 — dealing Nos. D2004SM002488U and D2005SM002584D refer.
I am also informed that both of these applications are associated with dealing No. D2002SM002744T which was lodged prior to the above mentioned cases. I am further informed that there is an outstanding query in respect this dealing number and that none of the applications can be completed until this query has been satisfactorily resolved.
However, I assure the Deputy that as soon as the outstanding query has been resolved, the applications will receive further attention in the Land Registry and will be completed as soon as possible.
627 Mr. Costello asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the progress he has made in establishing a commission of inquiry into the allegations of child abuse in the diocese of Dublin; if he will establish commissions of inquiry in the other dioceses of the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19440/05]
As the Deputy is aware, in light of allegations in 2002 about the handling by the church of child sex abuse, I announced my intention to introduce legislation for a new procedure which would enable focused and efficient investigations into matters of significant public concern to be undertaken. The Commissions of Investigation Act was subsequently enacted in July 2004.
My Department is in the process of establishing a commission of investigation into the handling of allegations of sexual abuse by members of the clergy operating under the aegis of the archdiocese of Dublin. The purpose of the commission will be to examine how such allegations and complaints were handled by church and public authorities.
Under the provisions of the Commissions of Investigation Act, the approval of the Minister for Finance is required before a Minister proposes the establishment of a commission of investigation under the Act to the Government. Accordingly, a draft memorandum for Government proposing the establishment of a commission of investigation into the handling of allegations of sexual abuse by members of the clergy operating under the aegis of the archdiocese of Dublin was submitted by my Department to the Department of Finance in December 2004 for the approval of the Minister for Finance.
I am in discussion with the Minister for Finance with a view to obtaining his approval to circulate the draft memorandum for Government. I have no plans to establish a commission of investigation in respect of any other diocese.
628 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if an application for citizenship by a person (details supplied) in County Kildare has been received and is being processed. [19442/05]
My Department has no record of an application for naturalisation from the person referred to by the Deputy.
629 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if the case of persons (details supplied) will be reviewed; if any avenue of appeal remains; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19443/05]
The persons concerned arrived in the State on 7 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. Subsequently, in accordance with section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999, as amended, they were informed by letter dated 31 August 2004 that the Minister proposed to make deportation orders in respect of them. They were given the options, to be exercised within 15 working days, of making representations to the Minister setting out the reasons they should be allowed to remain temporarily in the State, leaving the State before orders are made or consenting to the making of deportation orders.
Their 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.
630 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position regarding the application for naturalisation by persons (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19460/05]
I am pleased to inform the Deputy that I have approved the applications for naturalisation of the persons concerned on 30 May 2005. The applicants' legal representatives were informed of my decision by letter on 1 June 2005 as well as the procedures, including payment of the statutory fee, which must be finalised before certificates of naturalisation can issue. Once these procedures are completed, certificates of naturalisation will issue as soon as possible thereafter. I will inform the Deputy when the matter is finalised.
632 Mr. J. O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the crime statistics for the Limerick Garda district of Bruff for each of the years 2000 to 2004; and if he will give consideration to establishing a further Garda presence in the area. [19474/05]
633 Mr. J. O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the crime statistics for the Limerick Garda district of Newcastle West for each of the years 2000 to 2004; and if he will give consideration to establishing a further Garda presence in the area. [19475/05]
634 Mr. J. O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the crime statistics for the Limerick Garda district of Askeaton for each of the years 2000 to 2004; and if he will give consideration to establishing a further Garda presence in the area. [19476/05]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 632 to 634, inclusive, together.
I regret that it has not been possible in the time available to obtain the necessary information. I will contact the Deputy again when the information is to hand.
635 Mr. J. O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the crime statistics for the Macroom Garda district in west Cork for each of the years 2000 to 2004; and if he will give consideration to establishing a further Garda presence in the area. [19477/05]
I refer the Deputy to my reply to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 373 to 380 on Tuesday, 10 May 2005 on this matter.
636 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will investigate concerns expressed by persons in an area (details supplied) in Dublin 8; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19513/05]
As the Deputy will be aware, operational matters are an issue for the management of the Garda Síochána. I am informed by the Garda authorities that officers based in Kevin Street Garda station ensure the area referred to by the Deputy receives high visibility policing that consists of patrols by uniformed gardaí, the detective units, the divisional crime task force, the special resource unit, the Garda mountain bike unit, the district drugs unit and the community policing unit. In particular, the area referred to is being targeted by the district drugs unit at Kevin Street to allay the fears of residents in relation to drug activity.
I am further assured that the Garda authorities continue to liaise with community groups and other agencies to ensure that the concerns of the community are effectively addressed and that local Garda management is satisfied with the current level of policing which they monitor and review on a continuous basis.
637 Mr. Carey asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if a request has been received from a person (details supplied) in Dublin 11 for a transfer to another prison to serve the remainder of their sentence; if the request has been considered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19514/05]
The person referred to made a written application for a transfer to Shelton Abbey which was forwarded to Prison Service headquarters on 28 March 2005. He was informed in correspondence dated 8 April 2005, through the governor of Wheatfield Prison, that his request had been refused. His case was further discussed at a local prison review meeting which took place on 2 June 2005. This meeting was attended by representatives of the education unit, probation and welfare service, chaplaincy service in Wheatfield Prison along with prison staff, prison management and a representative of Prison Service headquarters. The outcome of this meeting was that his application for a transfer to an open centre was again refused.
638 Mr. Kirk asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will confirm a proposal to provide CCTV cameras for Drogheda; the indicative date for installation of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19515/05]
I am informed by the Garda authorities that an application for a Garda CCTV system for Drogheda 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 with applications from other cities and towns throughout the country.
It should be noted that there are already 17 CCTV schemes nationwide which are either at installation, tender or planning stages. 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; and phase 3 — Ballyfermot, Carlow, Castlebar, Clonmel, Ennis, Kilkenny and Sligo. Phase 1 has been completed in five of the six locations. Installation of the CCTV systems is of necessity a detailed, complex and lengthy process and the Garda authorities have been 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. The proposed redesign of the tender document provides an opportunity to outsource the installation of Garda CCTV systems to the greatest possible extent, making use not only of the technical but also of the project management expertise in the private sector. In that regard, I asked the Commissioner to submit proposals for a revised tender document for the eleven locations in the remaining two phases with a view to achieving implementation in priority locations by the end of 2006.
As a first step in this process the Garda authorities have placed a request for tender document on the Government e-tenders website seeking tenders for consultancy services for the procurement, supply and implementation of town centre CCTV systems to the Garda Síochána. Six tender proposals have been received and are currently being evaluated.
In order to procure the most rapid delivery of these systems, the Garda Síochána is endeavouring to establish the most appropriate procurement model available. This process will involve the successful tenderer examining all aspects of Garda involvement in CCTV systems, including the installation, operation and management of systems; monitoring, recording and related activities; accommodation and situation of facilities and staff in relation to the town scheme and Garda station premises; and assessment of civilianisation of Garda CCTV monitoring conducted under the management of the Garda Síochána.
The successful tenderer must also examine and recommend which procurement model is considered to be the most suitable in terms of commercial viability and cost effectiveness for the provision of town centre CCTV systems. It is the ambition of the Garda Síochána to maximise outsourcing of all processes in making Garda town centre CCTV systems available in the most efficient and effective manner. The inclusion of other town centre locations in the programme of Garda CCTV systems will be considered in the context of the Commissioner's proposals.
639 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if his attention has been drawn to the case of a person (details supplied); if this case needs to be reviewed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19516/05]
The visa application referred to by the Deputy was for the stated purposes of enabling a non-EEA national travel to the State to join his wife who is an Irish national. When assessing applications of this type, the visa officer will consider, among other factors, whether the level of salary of the spouse in Ireland 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 availableon that Department's website www.welfare.ie./publications/sw22.html. If the level of the spouse’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.
In the case of the person referred to by the Deputy, the application was refused for reasons of finances, specifically in relation to the adequacy of the finances to enable the couple to live in the State without recourse to public funds.
An appeal was made against the decision to refuse the application. The application was re-examined by the appeals officer who upheld the decision to refuse as the level of income would come within the ambit of qualifying for FIS payments. It is open to the applicant to make a fresh application supported by current documentation. In this regard, evidence of increases in salary will be taken into account.
640 Mr. G. Murphy asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform when funding will be provided to a group (details suppled) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19517/05]
As the Deputy may be aware, the community based group in question was awarded a staffing grant of €65,000 in December 2002 and a further €170,000, over two years in April 2004. This brings the total amount of staffing approved for this project under the Equal Opportunities Childcare Programme, EOCP, 2000-2006, to €235,000, over a three year period. This amount of staffing grant assistance was considered to be appropriate to the level of service being offered and to the level of disadvantage in the area. In addition, the group was awarded capital grant assistance under the EOCP of €1 million in December 2002.
Following a detailed review of the existing staffing grants under the EOCP, I recently extended the terms of the grants to the end of December 2007 to groups which have received staffing grants for a period of three or more years and which continue to deliver a child care service in accordance with their pre-agreed targets. To benefit from such funding, the groups must continue to pay particular attention to the support of disadvantaged families and the implementation of a fee structure tailored to the differing economic circumstances of the client group and which ensures that child care places subsidised by the EOCP are targeted towards those most in need.
The staffing grant assistance already approved to the group in question will continue to support them until the end of June 2006. At that point, if the group continues to meet the criteria for extended funding, it can have the expectation that it will continue to receive staffing grant support until the end of 2007.
641 Ms Enright asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform when an application for Irish citizenship for a person (details supplied) in County Offaly will be processed; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the application for citizenship has been ongoing based on their length of stay since 1991; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19590/05]
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 22 January 2004. The average processing time for such applications is 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 in early 2006. I will inform both the applicant and the Deputy when a decision has been made on the application.
642 Mr. Boyle asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the reason behind the delay of 14 months in reaching decisions on the resident status of foreign nationals married to Irish citizens. [19591/05]
Applications of the type referred to by the Deputy are dealt with in chronological order, in fairness to all other applicants, and take approximately 16 months to process. The resources allocated to process such applications are dependent on the prioritised work requirements of the immigration division of my Department at any one time, which is operating against a background of significant increases on demands for its services over a wide range of areas, including the type of applications referred to.
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 feature frequently.
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. We are, however, currently examining the possibility of introducing, within the confines of the limited resources available, an expedited service for the more straightforward cases.
643 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his policy with reference to allowing the spouses of foreign nationals from outside the EU to join their spouses as the case may be in the State when the spouse is working here legally on a work permit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19592/05]
The following is the position in respect of non-EEA nationals who are legally employed in the State on work permits and who wish to be joined here by their spouses. If the spouses are visa required nationals then the workers in question must have been in the State for a period of 12 months and have the expectation of remaining here for at least a further 12-month period before they can be joined here. If the spouses are not visa required nationals, there is no waiting period before they may join their spouses in the State. However they must be in a position to support their spouses without recourse to public funds.
644 Mr. Curran asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will consider relocating another section of his Department to Clondalkin, Dublin 22, to facilitate staff working in the Irish Prison Service headquarters who were only relocated to Clondalkin three years ago and may now wish to remain working and living in the Clondalkin area. [19593/05]
Under the Government's decentralisation programme, the Irish Prison Service headquarters is scheduled to move to Longford by the first quarter of 2007 and the question of the continued utilisation of the building in Clondalkin where the service is accommodated is being considered by my Department in conjunction with the Office of Public Works.
645 Mr. Curran asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of staff and their grades who have applied for transfer to Longford from the Irish Prison Service headquarters, Clondalkin, Dublin 22; the annual savings anticipated to be made on travel and subsistence expenses being incurred by staff who will be located in Longford and be required to travel to prisons in Dublin and other expenses incurred by staff travelling to Longford from other prisons around the country; and if Longford is regarded as the most central and appropriate location for the Irish Prison Service headquarters. [19594/05]
The selection of Longford as the location for the headquarters of the Irish Prison Service is a key element in the delivery of the Government's decentralisation programme. The building of the new headquarters will commence later this year and it is hoped that it will be completed on schedule with a view to occupation in early 2007.
Some 20 officers of the Irish Prison Service based at Clondalkin applied to the central applications facility to decentralise to Longford. Grades include principal officers, assistant principal officers, higher executive officers, executive officers, staff officers and clerical officers. In addition, 26 members of general service staff from other areas of my Department have also sought transfer to Longford. Staff from other Departments have sought transfer to Longford via the central applications facility and my Department will liaise with those Departments with a view to facilitating those seeking transfer. I remain confident that any shortfall in numbers will be resolved well in advance of the actual move.
As regards travel, subsistence and other administrative costs which are part of the normal operational expenses of the Irish Prison Service, I see no reason these should be significantly different when the Irish Prison Service headquarters is located in Longford than those which are incurred under the current arrangements.
646 Mr. Curran asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of gardaí stationed in Lucan on 1 January 2005, January 2003, January 2001 and January 1999. [19595/05]
647 Mr. Curran asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of gardaí stationed in Clondalkin station on 1 January 2005, January 2003, January 2001 and January 1999. [19596/05]
648 Mr. Curran asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of gardaí stationed in Ronanstown station on 1 January 2005, January 2003, January 2001 and January 1999. [19597/05]
649 Mr. Curran asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he is satisfied that the strength of the Garda force in Lucan has increased at an appropriate rate over the past ten years to keep pace with the rapid growth in population in Lucan; and if there are any plans to increase the Garda force in Lucan to keep pace with population growth and increases in crime. [19598/05]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 646 to 649, inclusive, together.
I have been informed by the Garda authorities, which are responsible for the detailed allocation of resources, including personnel, that the personnel strength — all ranks — of the Garda stations at Lucan, Clondalkin and Ronanstown as at 1 January 2005, 2003, 2001 and 1999 was as set out in the following table:
|
Station |
1999 |
2001 |
2003 |
2005 |
|
Lucan |
61 |
67 |
73 |
74 |
|
Clondalkin |
59 |
63 |
82 |
82 |
|
Ronanstown |
65 |
65 |
72 |
81 |
I have been further informed by the Garda authorities that local Garda management is satisfied that the levels of Garda personnel allocated to the areas concerned are adequate to meet the present policing needs of these areas. Resources are augmented from within the divisions as required. The areas are also patrolled by the divisional crime task forces, community policing units, district detective units and district drug units.
I have been further informed by the Garda that the Lucan District was formed in 1997 as part of the newly created Dublin metropolitan region west division. The personnel strength of Lucan district as at 10 June 2005 was 183 — all ranks. This compares with a figure of 69 on 31 December 1997 and represents an increase of 114, or 165%, since that date. The personnel strength of DMR west division as at 10 June 2005 was 678 — all ranks. This compares with a figure of 502 on 31 December 1997 and represents an increase of 176, or 35%, since that date.
Garda personnel assigned to the areas concerned together with overall policing arrangements and operational strategy are constantly monitored and reviewed. Such monitoring ensures that optimum use is made of Garda resources and the best possible service is provided to the public. The situation will be kept under review and when additional personnel next become available the needs of these areas will be fully considered within the needs of Garda stations throughout the country.
650 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the names of the lawyers who represent or who have represented the Garda Commissioner or the former Garda Commissioner at the Morris tribunal of inquiry; and the amount of costs recommended or awarded to the lawyers in respect of both of the aforementioned by the tribunal. [19603/05]
651 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the names of the lawyers who represent or who have represented him at the Morris tribunal of inquiry; and the amount of costs recommended or awarded to his lawyers to date by the tribunal. [19604/05]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 650 and 651 together.
A single team of counsel was appointed to represent the Garda Commissioner and certain members of the Garda Síochána, namely, Mr. Patrick Marrinan SC; Mr. Michael Durack SC; Ms Tara Burns BL; Mr. Paul Gormley BL; Mr. Eamon Leahy SC; and Ms Nuala Butler SC.
A single team of counsel was also appointed to represent the Department-Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, namely, Mr. Paul O'Higgins SC; Mr. Fergal Foley BL; and Ms Mary Kerrigan BL. The tribunal has not made any award or recommendation as to the payment of costs in respect of these counsel.
652 Mr. J. O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the training which is given to each Refugee Appeals Tribunal member; the duration of such training; and the frequency with which such training is renewed. [19792/05]
653 Mr. J. O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the amount which has been paid to members of the Refugee Appeals Tribunal in 2002, 2003 and 2004; the amount which has been paid to each member of the tribunal respectively in 2002, 2003 and 2004; and the number of cases which have been heard per member of the tribunal. [19793/05]
654 Mr. J. O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of members appointed to the Refugee Appeals Tribunal; the date on which they were appointed; if each member of the tribunal works on a full-time or part-time basis and holds a temporary or permanent contact; and the number of hours worked or cases heard per member in 2002, 2003, 2004 and to date in 2005. [19794/05]
655 Mr. J. O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the person who appoints the members of the Refugee Appeals Tribunal; the criteria used for the selection of new members of the tribunal or for renewal or contracts of existing members; if the Civil Service Commission has any input into the selection of the members; the number of years for which it is necessary to have been practising as a barrister or solicitor prior to appointment to the Refugee Appeals Tribunal; the initial date of appointment and the date of renewal of appointment of each member of the tribunal; when and the location at which each tribunal member was interviewed. [19795/05]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 652 to 655, inclusive, together.
The Refugee Appeals Tribunal is an independent body established under the Refugee Act 1996. The tribunal comprises a chairperson and at present 35 ordinary members appointed by the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform. The criteria used in making appointments to the Refugee Appeals Tribunal are set out in the Second Schedule to the 1996 Act. Ordinary members of the tribunal, who are part-time, hold office for a term of three years and, as in the case of the chairperson, are required to have had not less than five years' experience as a practising barrister or practising solicitor before appointment. The chairperson is appointed for a term of office of five years following open competition held by the Public Appointments Service.
The dates of appointment and, where appropriate, re-appointment of current members of the tribunal are set out in the following table:
|
Name |
Date of Appointment |
Date of Re-appointment |
|
1. Eamonn Cahill, SC |
20/11/00 |
20/11/03 |
|
2. Aidan Eames, Solicitor |
20/11/00 |
20/11/03 |
|
3. Eamonn Barnes, BL |
20/11/00 |
20/11/03 |
|
4. Jim Nicholson, BL |
20/11/00 |
20/11/03 |
|
5. Donal Egan, BL |
20/11/00 |
20/11/03 |
|
6. Patrick Hurley, Solicitor |
20/11/00 |
20/11/03 |
|
7. Sunniva McDonagh, BL |
20/11/00 |
20/11/03 |
|
8. Des Zaidan, BL |
20/11/00 |
20/11/03 |
|
9. Bernadette Cronin, SC |
20/11/00 |
20/11/03 |
|
10. Michael O’Kennedy, SC |
05/06/02 |
20/11/03 |
|
11. Doreen Shivnen, BL |
23/01/01 |
23/01/04 |
|
12. Olive Brennan, BL |
30/04/03 |
23/01/04 |
|
13. Michelle O’Gorman, BL |
17/07/01 |
17/07/04 |
|
14. Rory MacCabe, SC |
31/07/01 |
31/07/04 |
|
15. David Andrews, SC |
05/06/02 |
03/08/04 |
|
16. Ben Garvey, BL |
26/09/01 |
26/09/04 |
|
17. Declan McHugh, BL |
10/10/01 |
10/10/04 |
|
18. Joseph Barnes, BL |
23/05/02 |
17/01/05 |
|
19. Paul A. McGarry, BL |
21/01/02 |
21/01/05 |
|
20. Bruce St. John Blake, Solicitor |
22/02/02 |
22/02/05 |
|
21. Denis Linehan, Solicitor |
04/03/02 |
04/03/05 |
|
22. Anne Tait, Solicitor |
12/03/02 |
12/03/05 |
|
23. John Hayes, Solicitor |
12/03/02 |
12/03/05 |
|
24. Bernard McCabe, BL |
12/01/04 |
|
|
25. Mary E. Laverty, SC |
12/01/04 |
|
|
26. David McHugh, BL |
12/01/04 |
|
|
27. Ricardo Dourado, BL |
12/01/04 |
|
|
28. Elizabeth O’Brien, BL |
12/01/04 |
|
|
29. Susan Nolan, Solicitor |
08/03/04 |
|
|
30. Samantha Cruess Callaghan, BL |
10/03/04 |
|
|
31. Margaret Levey, BL |
10/06/04 |
|
|
32. Judy Blake, BL |
20/12/04 |
|
|
33. Sean Deegan, BL |
20/12/04 |
|
|
34. Noel Whelan, BL |
20/12/04 |
|
|
35. David Goldberg, SC |
20/01/05 |
Paragraph 12 of the Second Schedule to the Refugee Act 1996, as amended, requires, inter alia, that the chairperson of the Refugee Appeals Tribunal make provision for training programmes for members. I am advised by the chairperson that on appointment, each member is required to undergo basic intensive training as follows: introduction to refugee law provided by UNHCR; introduction to research of country of origin information-legal issues, provided by experienced tribunal staff and staff from the refugee documentation centre operated by the Legal Aid Board; introduction to domestic case law relevant to refugee status determination; mentoring programme — all newly appointed members are required to undergo three months mentoring under the guidance of selected experienced mentors. The programme consists of one-to-one practical assistance and advice by a senior member on all aspects of the decision-making process, including conduct of hearings. The mentoring programme includes feedback on progress to the chairperson.
I am also advised that as a priority, the training needs-refresher training needs of each individual member are reviewed on an ongoing basis and all courses when required are delivered in accordance with the members' training needs analysis. In this regard, I am advised that during 2004 the tribunal engaged a comprehensive training initiative delivered by the UNHCR which comprised confidential intensive one-on-one consultations with members. Sessions were tailored to individual members' concerns. This project was conducted in two rounds with members participating in both rounds.
I am also informed that the tribunal also operates a training and education programme comprising of in-house organised courses, which include attendance by guest expert speakers on topics such as dealing with unaccompanied minors, specific countries of origin and assessing claims concerning torture and trauma.
Arrangements are in place for members to avail of courses arranged by organisations which specialise in asylum-human rights issues and also to attend conferences and seminars which take place both in Ireland and abroad. A new development in 2005 was the establishment of the education and training committee which consists of senior members of the tribunal and senior members of the administrative staff. The purpose of the committee is to identify training needs for tribunal members; to design an appropriate training programme; and to evaluate ongoing progress in relation to training. Some further details of the training seminars attended by the members of the tribunal are included in the annual report of the tribunal for 2004 which was laid before both Houses of the Oireachtas on 20 April 2005.
The total amount paid to members of the tribunal for 2002, 2003 and 2004 is set out in the following table:
|
Year |
2002 |
2003 |
2004 |
|
Amount Paid |
1,694,040.44 |
1,864,376.81 |
2,339,323.56 |
The amount paid to each member of the tribunal in 2002, 2003 and 2004 is set out in the following table:
|
Name |
2002 |
2003 |
2004 |
|
1. Eamonn Cahill, SC |
138,951.95 |
109,653.81 |
111,416.23 |
|
2. Aidan Eames, Solicitor |
113,790.44 |
101,587.98 |
62,563.07 |
|
3. Eamonn Barnes, BL |
62,862.19 |
41,708.73 |
62,472.95 |
|
4. Jim Nicholson, BL |
208,039.41 |
135,415.36 |
232,762.91 |
|
5. Donal Egan, BL |
88,588.34 |
116,315.44 |
94,588.18 |
|
6. Patrick Hurley, Solicitor |
129,783.23 |
90,941.02 |
116,573.67 |
|
7. Sunniva McDonagh, BL |
60,794.28 |
66,159.79 |
48,027.34 |
|
8. Des Zaidan, BL |
68,270.77 |
75,229.36 |
134,571.91 |
|
9. Bernadette Cronin, SC |
156,103.38 |
129,799.58 |
128,348.96 |
|
10. Michael O’Kennedy, SC |
14,335.84 |
87,196.92 |
81,333.21 |
|
11. Doreen Shivnen, BL |
36,198.83 |
65,601.99 |
31,764.93 |
|
12. Olive Brennan, BL |
0.00 |
19,097.45 |
123,491.03 |
|
13. Michelle O’Gorman, BL |
70,907.88 |
76,735.48 |
86,734.64 |
|
14. Rory MacCabe, SC |
75,845.99 |
62,849.85 |
66,473.79 |
|
15. David Andrews, SC |
18,582.94 |
55,638.86 |
93,865.54 |
|
16. Ben Garvey, BL |
95,831.50 |
154,066.31 |
194,085.88 |
|
17. Declan McHugh, BL |
35,854.76 |
13,771.02 |
45,669.66 |
|
18. Joseph Barnes, BL |
2,025.29 |
10,049.07 |
28,957.16 |
|
19. Paul A. McGarry, BL |
46,659.43 |
82,419.55 |
57,781.16 |
|
20. Bruce St. John Blake, Solicitor |
18,045.98 |
56,366.67 |
40,357.96 |
|
21. Denis Linehan, Solicitor |
20,887.44 |
57,422.99 |
131,848.88 |
|
22. Anne Tait, Solicitor |
15,611.24 |
45,345.36 |
22,391.66 |
|
23. John Hayes, Solicitor |
49,837.87 |
82,385.41 |
54,719.25 |
|
24. Bernard McCabe, BL |
0.00 |
0.00 |
35,397.98 |
|
25. Mary E. Laverty, SC |
0.00 |
0.00 |
35,567.97 |
|
26. David McHugh, BL |
0.00 |
0.00 |
58,820.53 |
|
27. Ricardo Dourado, BL |
0.00 |
0.00 |
20,698.90 |
|
28. Elizabeth O’Brien, BL |
0.00 |
0.00 |
54,094.90 |
|
29. Susan Nolan, Solicitor |
0.00 |
0.00 |
17,130.24 |
|
30. Samantha Cruess Callaghan, BL |
0.00 |
0.00 |
17,600.68 |
|
31. Margaret Levey, BL |
0.00 |
0.00 |
11,792.07 |
|
32. Con Murphy, Solicitor* |
15,858.00 |
10,442.91 |
37,039.32 |
|
33. Judge Gillian Hussey* |
9,837.35 |
13,640.00 |
381.00 |
|
34. Bernard Brennan, Solicitor* |
6,805.04 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
|
35. Conor Bowman, BL* |
18,257.39 |
25,167.95 |
0.00 |
|
36. Dympna Cusack, BL* |
6,856.63 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
|
37. Joseph Ward, BL* |
26,495.48 |
18,360.48 |
0.00 |
|
38. Monica Lawlor,BL* |
24,336.39 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
|
39. Judge Sean Delap — deceased* |
0.00 |
6,643.27** |
0.00 |
|
40. Veronica Gates, BL* |
10,355.08 |
3,885.38 |
0.00 |
|
41. John Ryan, BL† |
47,430.10 |
50,478.82 |
0.00 |
* Former members of the Refugee Appeals Tribunal.
† Appointed as interim chairperson 3 December 2003.
** Arrears paid to Mr. Delap's widow.
In relation to the additional information requested by the Deputy regarding individual members of the Refugee Appeals Tribunal, I am advised by the chairperson that as his organisation is a statutory body, independent in the performance of its functions under the provisions of sections 15 and 16 of the Refugee Act 1996, it would be inappropriate for him to provide the requested information.
656 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if all documentation and information provided to the Irish-born child unit will be returned to a person (details supplied) in County Wexford as soon as possible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19796/05]
The person concerned was granted permission to remain in the State on the basis of parentage of an Irish-born child on 16 February 2005. All original documents submitted with his application, other than the birth certificate of the Irish born child, were returned to him by registered post on the same day. Other original documents on file, submitted by the person concerned in support of his asylum application, were returned to him by registered post on 9 June 2005.
657 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the reason a victim (details supplied) of the Dublin bombings in 1974 is having problems in obtaining a medical expenses cheque; and if this attitude will cease immediately. [19818/05]
I am assured that the applicant in question, like all other applicants, is treated in a caring, fair and equitable manner by the Remembrance Commission, which is the body responsible for administering the fund for the victims in this jurisdiction of the conflict in Northern Ireland.
I have also been informed that the person in question has been awarded an exceptional payment of €25,000, under section 9(c) of the amended scheme of acknowledgement, remembrance and assistance for victims in this jurisdiction of the conflict in Northern Ireland. This funding was awarded in recognition of the considerable debt which has been incurred as a result of the injuries received and which, in the opinion of the commission, the applicant would have had great difficulty in discharging.
Furthermore, I understand that the victim in question has received funding in respect of medical expenses incurred in 2004 and 2005. The commission has also approved funding for counselling sessions this year and is awaiting information on the number of further sessions that will be required prior to making a decision on whether to approve future funding.
The commission's secretariat is processing additional claims from the victim in question in respect of medical expenses which will be decided on in the near future. Since the commencement of this scheme in excess of €2,458,000 has been paid to victims, or to surviving family members, and to victim support groups which assist those trying to come to terms with injury or bereavement.
658 Mr. Gregory asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if there are now nightly incidents of anti-social behaviour at a location (details supplied) in Dublin 3; if the Garda will liaise with Dublin City Council with regard to installing locked gates at the park entrance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19822/05]
I am informed by the Garda authorities that local Garda management is aware of the anti-social behaviour problems at the location referred to by the Deputy. I am also informed that local Garda management held a meeting with the local residents to discuss their concerns and another meeting with the residents and Dublin City Council is due to be held in the near future to further advance the matter.
I understand that two community gardaí are assigned to patrol the area, in addition to daily foot and mobile patrols. I am assured that local Garda management will ensure that a concentrated visible presence is maintained in this area.
659 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position in respect of residency status in the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 24; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19841/05]
The case in question is under consideration and a decision will be made shortly.
660 Mr. O’Dowd asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if the decision made in relation to a visa application by a person (details supplied) will be reviewed. [19842/05]
The visa application referred to by the Deputy was received in my Department on 18 April 2005. In assessing any visa application various matters will be considered, including whether the applicant will fully honour the conditions of the visa, for example, it is likely that the applicant would overstay the length of time applied for. The visa officer will have regard to information provided and to such factors as the applicant's ties and general circumstances in their country of origin in coming to a decision.
The visa officer who assessed the application was not happy to approve the visa in the knowledge of adherence to Schengen visas issued in recent years as there was not enough evidence provided in regard to obligations at home to ensure that the applicant would return home following the proposed visit. The visa officer could not reasonably be satisfied, on the basis of documentation supplied to my Department, that the applicant would fully honour the conditions of the visa if it were to be approved.
If the applicant still wishes to travel she may appeal this refusal by writing to the visa appeals officer in my Department within two months of the notification of refusal and submit any additional documentation that it is felt may address the reasons for refusal as outlined above.
661 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his plans to ensure that recognition be given to the tireless work of volunteers nationwide by giving the community alert organisation a key role in the proposed new community policing committees, with regard to the Garda Síochána Bill 2004; his views on whether it is nonsense to put a new structure in place when a network is already working successfully albeit operating on a shoestring (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19853/05]
I assume that the Deputy is referring to the provisions contained in the Garda Síochána Bill, currently before the House, which provide for the establishment of joint policing committees by local authorities and the Garda Commissioner. The function of the committees will be to serve as a forum for consultations, discussions and recommendations on matters affecting the policing of the local authority's administrative area. In particular, the committees will keep under review levels and patterns of crime, disorder and anti-social behaviour and the factors underlying them, advise the local authority concerned and the Commissioner, hold public meetings and establish as necessary local policing fora. The Bill also provides for the issuing of guidelines concerning the establishment and maintenance of the committees. These guidelines may include provision for the appointment to the committees of persons representing local community interests. Work has commenced on the drafting of guidelines with a view to enabling early implementation of these provisions of the Bill, when enacted, to proceed.
Community Alert is a community-based crime prevention initiative in rural communities which was set up by Muintir na Tíre in association with the Garda Síochána in 1985. It encourages individuals to be aware of suspicious activities and to provide greater care and concern for the elderly in the community. Initiatives such as Community Alert work well because of the straightforward sense of mission they have and because of the local involvement of people who care. They would not work if it were not for the volunteers who give freely of their time and put the effort into making things happen.
My Department contributes annually towards the costs of operating the programme and contributed €150,000 in 2004. My Department's funding provides assistance towards the costs of the programme's national co-ordinator, based at Muintir na Tíre's headquarters in Tipperary town, and three local development co-ordinators, who promote the establishment of new groups and contribute to increasing the effectiveness and level of activity of existing groups. Discussions are under way regarding my Department's funding in 2005 for the programme. Funding for additional local development co-ordinators is also provided by the South Eastern Health Board. As part of the work on drafting the guidelines for the joint policing committees, careful consideration will be given to what role can be played by organisations such as Community Alert.
662 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will reconsider his decision to apply a three-year residency requirement, as part of an internal change in guidelines after 22 May 2003, for convention refugees who wish to apply for citizenship in the interests of fairness (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19862/05]
The first main point that must be made is that the acquisition of Irish citizenship through the naturalisation process is a privilege, not a right. The discretionary nature of the naturalisation process is in keeping with international practice. Thus, it is not the case that a person who has been resident here, or in employment here, or has been granted refugee status here has, after a period or even an extended period of time, a right to naturalisation. It has been the case since 1935 that all decisions on naturalisation, even where all of the statutory conditions for naturalisation have been fulfilled, are expressed to be at the absolute discretion of the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform.
Section 15 of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended, provides that an applicant for naturalisation must have one year's period of residence in the State before the date of the application and a total of four years' residence in the State in the eight years preceding that period.
Section 16 of that Act provides that I may, in my absolute discretion, waive the statutory conditions in certain circumstances, including where the applicant is a person who is a refugee within the meaning of the United Nations convention relating to the status of refugees. In considering applications under this provision, I am generally disposed to waiving two years of the normal residency requirement, thereby requiring such applicants to be resident in the State for three years at the time of the application. In so far as refugees are concerned, the three year period commences from the date the applicant arrived in the State to seek refugee status.
The conditions necessary for the acquisition of naturalisation are not just about residency. Another equally important requirement, and one which is not generally waived by me, even where the applicant is a refugee, is that of good character. Since the acquisition of refugee status does not of itself evidence good character, I consider that a period of three years' residence in the State is generally necessary for the purpose of building a profile from which to evaluate that requirement. I have no plans to review this policy at the present time.
663 Mr. Gregory asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if the Garda authorities have received ongoing complaints regarding an off-licence (details supplied) in Dublin 7; if the off-licence had its licence withdrawn for a short period in 2004 during which anti-social activities subsided in the area; if the Garda objected to the renewal of the licence at this premises; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19982/05]
I am informed by the Garda authorities that local Garda management is aware of a number of complaints regarding anti-social behaviour in the vicinity of the premises referred to by the Deputy. I understand the complaints relate to loitering by local youths in and around the premises. However, local Garda management is satisfied that the premises concerned is not the only focal point for congregating youths and anti-social behaviour in the area.
I am further informed that at no time during 2004 did the premises have its licence withdrawn. However, it did cease its off-licence sales for a short period. No noticeable drop in anti-social behaviour was observed by the Garda authorities during this period. I understand that local Garda management did not raise any objections when the licence was being renewed. I am assured that both Garda foot and mobile patrols will continue to give regular and ongoing attention to the area mentioned.
664 Mr. Lowry asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if correspondence (details supplied) has been received by his Department; if so, his views on the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19983/05]
The position is that the correspondence to which the Deputy refers was received in my Department on 1 June 2005. I will consider the views expressed in the correspondence in due course in the context of the drafting of the intoxicating liquor Bill.
665 Mr. Deasy asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will introduce temporary work visas to allow the spouses of persons applying for post-nuptial citizenship to work pending the outcome of their application and in view of the financial hardship caused to couples that must wait 16 months to have their applications processed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20052/05]
I presume the Deputy is referring to applications for residency in the State based on marriage to an Irish national which currently take approximately 16 months to process. Marriage to an Irish national does not grant any automatic right to enter or reside in the State solely on that basis and applications of this type are dealt with in chronological order, in fairness to all other applicants. The resources allocated to process such applications are dependent on the prioritised work requirements of the immigration division of my Department at any one time, which is operating against a background of significant increases on demands for its services over a wide range of areas, including the type of applications referred to.
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.
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.
It has always been the case that the non-national concerned could not enter employment pending the outcome of the application for residency, unless he or she had a valid work permit. We are, however, examining the possibility of introducing, within the confines of the limited resources available, an expedited service for the more straightforward applications.
666 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if the reason a person (details supplied) in County Dublin arrived here in the first place is not still sufficiently compelling to defer for an indefinite period his deportation if it transpires that he cannot continue to obtain his current treatment in respect of his illness, notwithstanding the Minister’s previous decision to deport this person; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20067/05]
As stated in my replies to Question No. 164 of Thursday, 3 February 2005, Question No. 265 of Wednesday, 9 March 2005 and Question No. 208 of Thursday, 28 April 2005, a comprehensive examination was carried out in relation to this person's asylum application and his application to remain temporarily in the State. All representations received on his behalf, including late representations, were considered and it was decided that the contents of these representations were not such as would warrant the reversal of the decision to issue a deportation order against this person. As a result, the deportation order remains in place.
667 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for Education and Science the differences that exist between the grading systems and presentation of results by the course providers, such as FÁS and vocational educational committees, of FETAC level two in child care; the reason these differences exist; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19343/05]
The Further Education and Training Awards Council, FETAC, was established on 11 June 2001 under the Qualifications (Education and Training) Act 1999. It is the single national awarding body for further education and training in Ireland, and is now responsible for making awards that were previously made by CERT, now Fáilte Ireland, FÁS, the National Council for Vocational Awards, NCVA, Teagasc and the National Council for Education Awards, foundation certificate.
On establishment, FETAC, in agreement with the former awarding bodies, FÁS, Fáilte Ireland, Teagasc, NCVA and BIM, adopted a transition phase. This included the adoption of the policies and procedures of the above bodies, thus enabling ongoing award development. The Act provided for a period of five years' transition to full implementation of FETAC's functions. This allowed time for the National Qualifications Authority of Ireland, NQAI, to establish a national framework of qualifications and for FETAC to develop its own policies and procedures consistent with the Act and the new framework.
During this time the processes and procedures of the former awarding bodies have continued. Thus, the procedures for grading and presentation of results by providers such as FÁS and the VECs have continued to operate as formerly constituted by those bodies prior to the establishment of FETAC. These processes will continue until FETAC introduces new awards from 2006 which will be underpinned by new standards and assessment policies as devised by FETAC.
FETAC has adopted a phased approach to the introduction of planned changes to the awarding systems. This first phase of development was the placement of all existing and former awards made by the former awarding bodies at a level on the new framework of qualifications. This placement process was completed in early 2005 and all details regarding the placement are available on the FETAC website at www.fetac.ie. Further planned changes will include the development of common processes for devising standards, assessing and monitoring programmes of further education and training.
668 Mr. O’Shea asked the Minister for Education and Science when she will respond to the letter of a person (details supplied) in County Waterford regarding school children carrying overweight schoolbags; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19571/05]
The previous correspondence, which is referred to in the letter in question, was forwarded to my Department for direct reply by my colleague, the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Harney. This correspondence was replied to by my private secretary on 9 May 2005. The letter referred to by the Deputy was replied to by my private secretary on 10 June 2005 updating the position set out in the previous reply of 9 May 2005. A new circular 13/05 on the weight of schoolbags issued to schools on 2 June 2005. A copy of the circular has been placed on my Department's website.
669 Mr. McGuinness asked the Minister for Education and Science when funding allocations will be made under phase 4 of the adult education guidance initiative; if she will expedite a decision in the case (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20218/05]
738 Mr. Kehoe asked the Minister for Education and Science when a decision will be made concerning approval for funding under phase 4 of the adult education guidance initiative for the CDCD network, Castlecomer, County Kilkenny; the total amount of funding available for the scheme; and the total number of applications submitted for inclusion in the scheme. [19458/05]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 669 and 738 together.
The adult education guidance initiative is funded by my Department under the National Development Plan 2000-2006. Phase 4 of the initiative is due to commence in September 2005.
Applications for funding of pilot projects under phase 4 of the initiative were invited from statutory and voluntary bodies with a capacity to deliver an adult educational guidance service to learners in literacy, VTOS and community education programmes. The closing date for receipt of applications was 1 June 2005. The selection process is being overseen by the National Centre for Guidance in Education, NCGE.
A selection committee will examine applications received by the due date. A shortlist of eligible projects will be recommended to my Department in order of merit for my approval. The process will be completed and applicants informed of the outcome by the end of June.
670 Mr. Connolly asked the Minister for Education and Science the progress to date with regard to the functioning of the National Educational Welfare Board; the number of education welfare officers in place throughout the country; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19802/05]
The Education (Welfare) Act 2000 established the National Educational Welfare Board as the single national body with responsibility for school attendance. The Act provides a comprehensive framework promoting regular school attendance and tackling the problems of absenteeism and early school leaving. The general functions of the board are to ensure that each child attends a recognised school or otherwise receives a certain minimum education. The priority that I attach to supporting the NEWB in delivering on this goal is evident from the fact that the budget which has been allocated to the NEWB for 2005 is up by 20% on the 2004 allocation, to nearly €8 million.
To discharge its responsibilities, the board is developing a nationwide service that is accessible to schools, parents-guardians and others concerned with the welfare of young people. For this purpose, educational welfare officers, EWOs, are being appointed and deployed throughout the country to provide a welfare-focused service to support regular school attendance and discharge the board's functions locally.
The service is developing on a continuing basis and the board received sanction in late 2004 from my Department to recruit an additional ten educational welfare officers. This brings its total authorised staffing complement to 94, comprising 16 HQ and support staff, five regional managers, 11 senior educational welfare officers and 62 educational welfare officers. These additional posts will ensure that every county will have an educational welfare service.
To date, the board has focused the resources available to it on providing a service to the most disadvantaged areas and most at-risk groups. Five regional teams have now 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.
The board issued an information leaflet to 330,000 families and 4,000 schools in March 2004. The leaflet targeted parents and guardians of children aged between six and 16 years of age and young people aged 16 and 17 who have left school early to start work. It outlined the role that parents and guardians play in ensuring that their children do not miss out on education and training and also gave information about the National Educational Welfare Board. In addition, the board launched a new lo-call telephone number to inform parents and guardians about their legal role and responsibilities under the Education (Welfare) Act 2000.
Guidelines were issued by the NEWB to all primary and second level schools in January of this year on reporting student absences. The guidelines provide step-by-step advice on how and when school attendance returns should be made and on how a new website established by the NEWB can be used by schools to comply with their legal obligations to report student absences to the board.
The NEWB collated the first hard data on school attendance nationally during the summer of 2004. The data revealed the level of non-school attendance in Ireland for the first time. Two core themes were immediately apparent from the data: absenteeism is prevalent throughout the country and it is significantly worse in disadvantaged areas. Under the terms of the Education (Welfare) Act 2000, one of the functions of the board is to conduct and commission research into the reasons for non-attendance on the part of students and into the strategies and programmes designed to prevent it. The board is in the process of establishing two research projects in 2005, one of which will focus on an analysis of student absenteeism returns.
The first assessments of children being educated in places other than in recognised schools, for example, the home, have been carried out by authorised persons specially trained for the work. By the end of March 2005, 40 children had been registered as being in receipt of a certain minimum education. Assessments have also taken place in a number of independent schools and these children will also be registered.
I understand that the board issued the first school attendance notices, SANs, to parents in March 2005. SANs are legal notices requiring the parent to send the child to a named school for a specified period of time. They are the first step in taking legal action against parents who have failed over time to co-operate with educational welfare officers to ensure that their children attend school and where the board considers that parents could do more to uphold their children's right to an education.
The board recently launched its first strategic plan entitled, Every Day Counts, to cover the period 2005 to 2007. It sets out five strategic goals which will focus the work of the board over the next three years. The NEWB believes that every day counts in a child's education. Consequently, encouraging and supporting regular school attendance is at the heart of the work of the board.
I will be keeping the issue of the NEWB's staffing under review in the light of the roll-out of services and any further proposals that the board may put to me in relation to clearly identified priority needs.
671 Ms C. Murphy asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of special needs assistants assigned to schools in County Kildare; the number of these who will have their contracts renewed prior to the ending of the 2004-05 school year; if she intends to put a more formal structure in place for special needs assistants; and if she intends to introduce specific contracts for special needs assistants. [19803/05]
There were 273.31 whole-time equivalent special needs assistants, also known as SNAs, employed in 80 primary schools in County Kildare on my Department's payroll at the end of May 2005. It is not possible to say how many of these will have their contracts renewed for the new school year. Responsibility for the recruitment and employment of SNAs rests with the relevant school authorities.
SNAs are assigned to schools to meet the care needs of individual children who have been assessed by a psychologist as needing this type of support. There has been no change to the criteria or guidelines for allocating SNA support to schools and there are no plans to review the criteria or guidelines under which SNA support is allocated.
Applications for SNA support are now dealt with by the National Council for Special Education which processes all applications for support from schools and communicates the decisions directly to the schools. At this stage, the council has dealt with all new applications from schools for SNAs that will be required from the beginning of September 2005.
However, to ensure that resources are used in the most effective manner, a review has been conducted in recent months to establish whether primary schools have the level of SNA support that they need for children in their care, whether they have resources which they no longer need or whether they need extra resources. The review has found that some schools no longer have the care needs for which the SNA was originally sanctioned, that is, in some cases the child may have left the school while in other cases the care needs of the child have diminished as the child has progressed through the school. In this regard, the schools where surplus SNA support was identified have been advised that they may retain this surplus until the end of the current school year.
My Department is engaged in discussions with the trade union representing SNAs, under the auspices of the Labour Relations Commission on a number of issues relating to the employment of SNAs, including the issues raised by the Deputy. In the circumstances, it would not be appropriate for me to comment specifically on any of these issues.
The Deputy will be aware that this Government has put in place an unprecedented level of support for children with special needs. Since 1998, the number of SNAs has increased from under 300 to nearly 6,000 nationally. In addition to this, more effective systems, such as the establishment of the National Council for Special Education, have been put in place to ensure that children get support as early as possible.
672 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the reason a top educationalist had to leave a college (details supplied) in Dublin 3; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19806/05]
As the Deputy is well aware, the president of the college covered by the Deputy's questions resigned from that position on Friday, 29 April. The matter relates to the employee-employer relationship between the head of the college and that person's employers which, I understand, were subject to legal proceedings. In this regard, it is considered that it is not appropriate for me to make any comment on them.
I have asked an accountancy firm to examine the use of moneys paid by my Department to the institution in question. It is important, however, to point out at this stage that there is nothing to show that funding provided by my Department to the institution in question has not been applied solely and properly for its intended purposes, but it is important to secure confirmation that this is the case.
Apart from the provision of funding, my Department also has a role in relation to the quality of graduates from the college. This role is similar to its role vis-à-vis other State-supported colleges of this nature. My Department’s inspectorate actively monitors the quality of the graduates on an ongoing basis to ensure that the highest quality students leave all colleges of this nature. This is a well established monitoring process and one which has worked very well.
673 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the details of the strategy to retain quality teachers in disadvantaged schools (details supplied). [19807/05]
Under DEIS, delivering equality of opportunity in schools, the new action plan for educational inclusion that I launched in May, the recruitment and retention of principals and teaching staff in schools serving disadvantaged communities is given particular focus. In addition, there will be a renewed emphasis on professional development for principals and teaching staff working in such schools.
To ensure that schools participating in the new school support programme, SSP, under the action plan can continue to attract and retain well qualified personnel a number of specific measures will be implemented on a phased basis. These will include reduced thresholds for the appointment of administrative principals in urban-town primary schools participating in the SSP; and a sabbatical leave scheme to create opportunities for principals and teachers who have served for a defined period in a school participating in the SSP to apply to undertake a period of development to enhance their own learning and effectiveness, and bring subsequent benefits to their students and their school. In addition, a new initiative on pre-service and in-service professional development will be designed and implemented on a phased basis for principals, teachers and other personnel in schools serving disadvantaged communities.
675 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Education and Science her views on the need for seat belts in school buses; if the scale of the tragedy may have been lessened had seatbelts been present; if she will be pressing other Departments to make sure seat belts are installed on school buses; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18948/05]
I feel that I must be circumspect in making any premature judgment in relation to the recent tragic school bus accident in county Meath before the results of the Garda, Bus Éireann and Health and Safety Authority investigations are available. Clearly the factors which have contributed to this devastating incident must be carefully analysed and examined before we can consider the appropriate action to take.
There is at present no legal requirement to wear seat belts in buses, including school buses, in this country. However, EU Directive 2003/20 requires seat belts to be used where they are fitted. This directive must be transposed into national law by 9 May 2006.
Separately, proposals to extend the requirement for seat belts to be fitted in all new vehicles, except for city buses used in stage stop routes, have been developed at EU level. When the directive is adopted, all new school buses being registered from a future date, yet to be determined, will require to be fitted with seat belts. It is not expected that this directive will provide for any mandatory retrofitting of seat belts in existing buses.
The question of the fitting and the mandatory use of seat belts on school buses outside of these legislative requirements is at present under consideration in my Department. Before any decision is made, the issue of the type or types of seat belt to be fitted must be determined having regard to the differing sizes of the student passengers being carried. My Department is working closely with the Department of Transport and Bus Éireann on this issue and any decisions reached will be guided by expert advice.
Whatever conclusion is reached, the provision of seat belts on school buses, if that is what is recommended, would have to introduced on a phased basis having regard to the logistical difficulties involved in sourcing right-hand drive buses equipped with any appropriate seat belts and the fact that not all the buses in the current fleet may be suitable for the retrofitting of seat belts.
676 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science if a primary school (details supplied) in County Westmeath will retain the additional mainstream teaching post as previously sanctioned. [18951/05]
The school referred to by the Deputy is included in the disadvantaged areas scheme, DAS, and the Giving Children an Even Break, GCEB, programme. Under the disadvantaged areas scheme the school benefits from one additional ex-quota teaching post, additional capitation grants of €38.09per capita, a refund of the television licence fee and eligibility for 95% building grants for building projects. Designated disadvantaged schools are included in the home-school-community liaison scheme and the school has access to the services of a home-school-community liaison co-ordinator.
Under the urban dimension of Giving Children an Even Break, the school is benefiting from supplementary funding to provide additional educational supports for pupils who are considered to be at risk of educational disadvantage and early school leaving. The level of funding provided under this scheme is commensurate with the number of at risk pupils in the school. The school is not considered eligible for additional teaching staff under this scheme, based on the level of concentration of at risk pupils within its enrolment.
As the Deputy is aware, a new general allocation scheme has been announced under which schools will be provided with resourcing teaching hours, based on their enrolment figures, to cater for children with high incidence special needs such as dyslexia and those with learning support needs. The introduction of this new system will involve the provision of an estimated additional 340 permanent posts in primary schools from September next. A further 320 posts are being provided on a temporary basis to facilitate the transition to the new system and to ensure continuity of service for children who have previously been given an individual allocation until those children leave the primary school system.
The general allocation for the school in question is 12.5 hours. In addition, the school may retain one teaching post and 15 part-time hours under transitional arrangements to cater for the needs of individual pupils with high incidence special needs until such time as these pupils leave the school. The school's resource teaching allocation under the new scheme is based on its status as a mixed school, that is, the first post is allocated at 145:1. Schools whose allocations are based on 80:1 are those disadvantaged schools that are specifically eligible for additional staffing under the urban dimension of the Giving Children an Even Break scheme. This school is not eligible for such additional staffing and so does not qualify for the special 80:1 ratio for resource teacher allocation.
677 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the primary schools in County Westmeath which will lose their previous disadvantaged designation by the introduction of the weighted general allocation scheme. [18952/05]
Schools will not lose any previous disadvantaged designation as a result of the introduction of the new general allocation system. Schools whose allocations under the new general allocation scheme are based on an enrolment of 80:1 are those disadvantaged schools that are specifically eligible for additional staffing under the urban dimension of the Giving Children an Even Break scheme.
The identification of schools for the provision of different levels of extra support under the Giving Children an Even Break scheme introduced in 2001 was based on the number of pupils in the school with characteristics that are associated with educational disadvantage and early school leaving. The levels of disadvantage were established as a result of a comprehensive survey of primary schools carried out by the Educational Research Centre in March-April 2000 at the request of my Department. The criteria considered as part of this survey were those which have been proven to have a high correlation with educational disadvantage, including employment status of pupils' parents, medical card possession, and type of housing.
Other schools, that may not be eligible for additional staffing under Giving Children an Even Break may have been selected for inclusion in the earlier disadvantaged areas scheme. All schools granted designated disadvantage status under this scheme will retain that status. However, some will not qualify for the 80:1 allocation ratio for resource teachers unless they had a level of concentrated disadvantage that warranted extra staffing under Giving Children an Even Break.
As the Deputy is aware the review of the general allocation system has now been completed. The new model replaces that which was notified to schools in June 2004, which has been reviewed to take account of difficulties that it may have caused for smaller schools. The introduction of this new system will involve the provision of an estimated additional 340 permanent posts in primary schools from September next. A further 320 posts are being provided on a temporary basis to facilitate the transition to the new system and to ensure continuity of service for children who have previously been given an individual allocation until those children leave the primary school system.
678 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the primary schools in County Westmeath which will lose teachers under the recently introduced weighted general allocation scheme. [18953/05]
The information requested by the Deputy is not readily available in my Department. As the Deputy may be aware my Department has issued a letter to all primary schools notifying them of their teaching allocation under the new general allocation model for the 2005-06 school year. The letter also includes details of any clustering arrangements that may apply. One of the objectives of the general allocation model is to maximise the extent of full-time permanent posts available to support the needs of pupils with higher-incidence special educational needs, SEN, and learning support teacher requirements. Clustering facilitates the assignment of experienced teachers as well as allowing for better training of resource teachers on the basis that permanent posts will retain teachers for longer periods. This ultimately benefits the pupils. To this end, schools, particularly those with small enrolments, have been grouped in clusters where possible.
Part-time hours have been provided to schools in cases where it was not possible to form a cluster of general allocation hours. Schools that have been allocated part-time permanent hours may be aware of a local school or schools with part-time permanent hours that when combined could form a full-time permanent post. It is open to any such schools wishing to form a cluster by combining these hours to contact my Department's special education section in writing with details of their proposal. It should be noted that these arrangements apply to staffing associated with the general allocation model only.
Where it is not possible for schools to form permanent posts under the general allocation model, such schools may, for the purposes of creating temporary full-time posts, form clusters to combine permanent part-time hours allocated under the general allocation model with hours allocated for individual children with low incidence disabilities, or transitional hours retained for children with high incidence disabilities. Again, any schools wishing to form such temporary full-time posts should contact my Department's special education section in writing with details of their proposal. This arrangement will apply for the 2005-06 school year only and is being facilitated on the understanding that, as pupils with an individual allocation of hours leave the school at the end of that school year, the full-time temporary posts will be adjusted to the appropriate reduced level of part-time hours. Responsibility for filling any additional posts which may be created using the above arrangements rests with the management authorities of the relevant schools in line with Department procedures.
Schools have been advised that where they currently have a permanent resource teacher and where they have adequate hours to warrant the continuation of a full-time post through a combination of general allocation hours and-or low incidence hours and-or transitional hours for the coming school year, they may retain the existing teacher for the school year without the status of the teacher having to change. The introduction of this new system will involve the provision of an estimated additional 340 permanent posts in primary schools from September next. A further 320 posts are being provided on a temporary basis to facilitate the transition to the new system and to ensure continuity of service for children who have previously been given an individual allocation until those children leave the primary school system. It is also the case that pupils with lower incidence special needs, such as autism, will continue to be catered for on an individual application basis.
My Department is finalising a circular for schools which will contain detailed information on how the new system will operate. It is intended that this circular will issue before the end of the current school year. It is also intended that this circular will address issues that have been raised by schools with my Department since the system was notified to schools in mid-May. I am satisfied that the introduction of the new system will greatly benefit schools and the children in schools that need additional support.
679 Mr. Kehoe asked the Minister for Education and Science the position regarding the pupils from schools (details supplied) in County Wexford who are excluded from the catchment area; the work which has been done following the meeting for the schools and families; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18954/05]
For the purposes of post-primary education provision, the country is divided into catchment areas, each of which has its own post-primary education centre. Catchment boundaries were determined following consultation with local educational interests and the intention was that certain primary schools would feed exclusively into each centre. My Department provides accommodation to meet the educational needs of an area on this basis.
Allowing pupils from outside a catchment area to enrol in a particular school can impact negatively on those who reside within the area and who are entitled as of right to a place. It invariably also 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 area to ensure that this situation does not arise.
The schools to which the Deputy refers are within the Kilmuckridge, Carnew and Arklow catchment areas. These catchment areas have a total of five post-primary schools between them. An examination of enrolment trends in these schools has been carried out by the school planning section for the purposes of ensuring that there is sufficient accommodation to cater for demand for pupil places. This examination revealed that enrolments in all five schools have dropped, in some cases quite dramatically, in the past ten years. In the circumstances, the school planning section is satisfied that there is ample accommodation for the pupils in question to attend post-primary schools in their own catchment areas.
680 Mr. Kehoe asked the Minister for Education and Science the assistance which is available to a person (details supplied) in County Wexford to help them enter the secondary school of choice. [18955/05]
The pupil in question did not attend the appropriate feeder primary school which would entitle her to a place in the community school to which the Deputy refers. This community school 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 those who are entitled, as of right, to a place in a particular school by virtue of the fact that they reside in the area and attend the appropriate feeder schools. It also invariably impacts negatively on the school or schools 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.
Where a school refuses to enrol a pupil, the school is obliged to inform parents of their right under section 29 of the 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.
681 Mr. Noonan asked the Minister for Education and Science if her attention has been drawn to the widespread discontent and opposition to her proposals for assistance for children with educational disability in primary schools; if she will consider reinstating one-to-one teaching assistance for children with mild and border line disabilities and for children with specific learning disabilities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18997/05]
As the Deputy is aware, a new scheme for allocating resource teachers to schools to cater for the needs of children with high incidence special needs and learning support needs, was announced last month. The reason for the new scheme is simple. Children with special needs such as dyslexia or mild learning difficulties are found in almost every school. It makes sense then that every school should have a number of resource teaching hours based on the number of pupils in the school.
This is a major improvement on the previous system, under which children with high incidence special educational needs required a psychological assessment for every child before they were given resource teaching hours by the Department. This was a time-consuming process that often led to delays in children getting the support they needed. Resource teachers will now be in place in the school from the start of the school year, so that children who need their assistance can get it straight away.
Under the new arrangement, disadvantaged schools, boys schools and mixed schools get extra resources, as research shows that pupils in these schools are more likely to have learning difficulties. To ensure that every school has enough resource teaching hours to meet the needs of its pupils, an extra 660 resource teaching posts are being put in place for next September. Some 340 of these are permanent posts and 320 are temporary posts being provided to ensure that children who had been given an individual allocation of resource teaching hours by my Department will keep these in situations where the general allocation to the school would not be sufficient to allow it to provide these hours from within its general allocation.
The provision of these temporary posts will ensure that no child who has been allocated a specific number of hours with a resource teacher by my Department will lose these under these new arrangements. The reality is that the majority of schools are gaining resource teaching hours under the new scheme. Addressing the concerns of small and rural schools was, as the Deputy will be aware, the reason why I initiated a review of the original general allocation model that was announced last year, to come into effect in the 2005-06 school year. Following this review, a special improved ratio for small schools has been introduced to ensure that they are given resource teaching hours on a more favourable basis.
I stress that, despite misleading claims to the contrary, the new scheme does not prevent schools from giving one-to-one time with a resource teacher to any child who needs such support. Rather, it ensures that each school has enough resources to ensure that each child gets a level of support appropriate to their individual needs. The school can then use its professional judgement to decide how these hours are divided between different children in the school, to ensure that all their needs are met. Research shows that some children with special needs will respond better with one-to-one tuition. Others, however, do better when taught in small groups. Often it is best for resource teachers to work with children in the classroom rather than taking them away to a separate room, as the children then have to catch up work done by the rest of the class in their absence. The point is that the type of response needed depends on the child. While the new scheme will not prevent schools from giving one-to-one time with the resource teacher to children that need it is important to note that one-to-one teaching is not the best option for every child.
I am grateful to the Minister for Finance for providing me with the resources to ensure that the new system could be put in place. As of next September, there will be more than 5,000 teachers in our primary schools working directly with children with special needs, including those requiring learning support. This compares to under 1,500 in 1998. One out of every five primary school teachers is now working specifically with children with special needs.
The Government, particularly I as Minister for Education and Science, is deeply committed to improving services for children with special needs. I believe that, in addition to the massive increase in resource teachers in recent years, the introduction of this new general allocation scheme will ensure a faster and more flexible response for children with special needs.
I acknowledge that the introduction of the new system is resulting in changes for schools and there will be a period of time needed during which schools become familiar with how it operates. I also acknowledge that, in order to ensure that the system is in place for the beginning of the school year in September, it was not possible to give schools more time to become familiar with all of the details of the new system and I would like to thank schools for their co-operation with implementing the new system in the short timeframe that was available. However, I am not aware of any widespread discontent and opposition to the new system. I believe that the advantages of having a general allocation system in place comprehensively outweigh any initial difficulties, such as changes in clustering arrangements, that may be experienced.
683 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science if special arrangements will be made for a person (details supplied) in County Meath to sit their exams; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19008/05]
On foot of a Government decision, the then Minister for Education and Science formally established the State Examinations Commission on 6 March 2003. The commission now has statutory responsibility for operational matters relating to the certificate examinations. This includes the matter raised by the Deputy. I have forwarded your question to the State Examinations Commission for direct reply.
684 Mr. P. Breen asked the Minister for Education and Science, further to Parliamentary Question No. 935 of 12 April 2005, if an application for a full-time resource teacher for a school (details supplied) in County Clare has been processed; and if not, when a response will be forthcoming. [19009/05]
As the Deputy is aware, my Department is considering the application in question. A decision will be conveyed to the school as quickly as possible.
685 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for Education and Science if tenders which have been submitted in respect of the provision of important facilities at a school (details supplied) in County Westmeath will be approved as well as the full capital amount; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19048/05]
I can confirm to the Deputy that tenders have been received for works at the school to which he refers. My Department is examining this documentation and a decision will be notified to the school authority as quickly as possible.
686 Ms F. O’Malley asked the Minister for Education and Science the reason a school (details supplied) was once again not included in the summer works programme in 2005. [19090/05]
I am pleased to inform the Deputy that the school in question received a grant for roof repairs under the 2004 summer works scheme and has been allocated funding for mechanical and electrical works and for structural repairs under the 2005 summer works scheme.
687 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for Education and Science if she will review the suppression of three permanent teaching posts at a school (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19091/05]
As the Deputy is aware, my Department has issued a letter to all primary schools notifying them of their teaching allocation under the new general allocation model for the 2005-06 school year. The letter also includes details of any clustering arrangements that may apply. My Department is also finalising a circular for schools which will contain detailed information on how the new system will operate. It is intended that this circular will issue before the end of the current school year.
The introduction of this new system will involve the provision of an estimated additional 340 permanent posts in primary schools from September next. A further 320 posts are being provided on a temporary basis to facilitate the transition to the new system and to ensure continuity of service for children who have previously been given an individual allocation until those children leave the primary school system.
The staffing of the school in question is a principal, three mainstream class teachers, one learning support teacher and two resource teachers. The school's entitlement under the general allocation system is 17.5 hours. In addition, the school also has an allocation of ten hours under the transitional hours arrangements. The transitional arrangements involve an interim allocation to certain schools to address the position of pupils with high incidence special education needs who had been granted individual resource allocations by my Department under previous staffing allocation systems and who are in schools that would be due to have their staffing allocation in respect of high incidence children reduced if the new system were implemented without alteration.
I can confirm to the Deputy that the school has submitted a proposal regarding a revision of the clustering arrangements that had been notified to them. I am pleased to say that my Department has been able to revise the clustering arrangements to ensure the retention of an existing special education post within this school. The school authorities are aware of this revision. The remaining two special education teachers have been placed on the diocesan panel.
688 Mr. O’Shea asked the Minister for Education and Science the assistance she will provide for a special needs person in west Waterford (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19114/05]
The Deputy may be aware that the National Council for Special Education, NCSE, which was established recently and which has been operational since 1 January 2005, is responsible for processing applications for special educational needs, SEN, supports.
Some 71 special educational needs organisers have been recruited throughout the country and will be a focal point of contact for schools and parents. My officials have made this person's details available to the NCSE for consideration by the local SENO. The SENO will contact the parties concerned in due course.
The provision of therapies is a matter for my colleague, the Minister for Health and Children.
689 Mr. P. Breen asked the Minister for Education and Science when the inquiry into the resignation of the former Clare Vocational Education Committee chief executive will be complete; if the findings will be made public; if she will be seeking an interim report (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19144/05]
The Deputy will be aware that I decided to terminate the original inquiry and establish a new inquiry with new terms of reference. The officer conducting the new inquiry is proceeding with his work. I have not sought an interim report and I do not propose to do so. I am not in a position at present to provide a specific timescale for presentation of the report. However, I understand that the officer expects to be in a position to present the report to me in the autumn. When I receive the report, I will consider it in advance of making it available to the VEC and other interested parties.
690 Mr. P. Breen asked the Minister for Education and Science when she plans to upgrade the school buses used to service schools in County Clare (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19145/05]
The detailed information in regard to school buses used to serve schools in County Clare is not readily available. However, all vehicles operating under the school transport scheme are required to meet the statutory regulations laid down by the Department of Transport. Where vehicles have more than eight adult seats and are more than one year old, they are required to pass that Department's annual roadworthiness test. About 20% of the vehicles used for school transport are owned by Bus Éireann and the remaining 80% are owned by private operators on contract to Bus Éireann. The average age of the Bus Éireann large capacity bus fleet is 16 years. The average age of all vehicles used is 11.5 years.
Since 1999, Bus Éireann has purchased a large number of vehicles as part of an ongoing school bus fleet replacement programme, to continually improve the age profile and condition of their school bus fleet. In addition to this, the Bus Éireann school bus fleet has some 400 large capacity buses that were transferred from the general service fleet into the dedicated school transport bus fleet. More than 250 of these buses were transferred in the period 1999-2003, and they represent another valuable source of replacement buses over this period. This investment has produced an improvement in the condition of the fleet generally. This fleet replacement programme, aimed at replacing older buses with more modern vehicles, is continuing.
691 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Education and Science the reason a person (details supplied) in County Mayo must travel one mile to reach a pick-up point for the school bus, to be brought to a secondary school in Ballinrobe; and the further reason the previous service discontinued without prior notice or consultation with the persons involved. [19146/05]
A report on this case has been requested from the transport liaison officer, County Mayo VEC. The Deputy will be advised of the position when the report has been received and assessed.
692 Mr. Carey asked the Minister for Education and Science if her attention has been drawn to an anomaly in relation to children with special educational needs who attend early start programmes and who are not entitled to the same levels of support (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19149/05]
The early start project is a one-year, pre-school intervention and children must be between the ages of three and four on 1 September of the year they are enrolled. The approach taken in early start is to establish groups of 15 pupils in existing primary schools in disadvantaged areas, with each class being run by a primary school teacher and a qualified child care worker.
With regard to children with special needs attending early start, while my Department does not provide special needs assistants for pre-school provision, applications have been considered on a case-by-case basis where an exceptional need has been demonstrated.
All children attend early start for one year and are then enrolled in junior infants. Resources are put in place to cater for the needs of children with special needs when they are enrolled in junior infants. Any application for such resources should be sent by the school to the local special educational needs organiser.
693 Mr. Carey asked the Minister for Education and Science if any scheme exists within her Department whereby a school (details supplied) in Dublin 11 will be assisted with additional funds to allow it to employ a full-time caretaker and full-time secretary; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19153/05]
The school referred to by the Deputy receives funding under the ancillary services grant scheme towards the cost of secretarial and caretaking services.
The standard rate of grant per pupil under the scheme, which applies in the case of the school in question, was increased from €102 to €127 per pupil in 2004 and is being further increased to €133 per pupil this year. The scheme is flexible in nature, giving boards of management discretion as to the manner in which secretarial and caretaking services are provided.
This is the only scheme under which the school in question may receive funding for secretarial or caretaking services.
694 Mr. Haughey asked the Minister for Education and Science the guidelines in place for boards of management of primary schools employing full-time caretakers from the point of view of age; if such caretakers are obliged to retire at age 65; if she has received a submission from a school (details supplied) in Dublin 5 on behalf of its caretaker who wishes to remain on, in view of the fact that there is no one else available to fill the position; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19159/05]
Full-time caretakers employed under my Department's 1979 scheme who have been appointed since 1 August 1990 are obliged to retire on reaching the age of 65.
The school referred to by the Deputy employs a caretaker who is due to retire on 6 November 2005. A submission from the school was received by my Department on 1 March 2005. It requested that the caretaker be retained past his 65th birthday. A letter issued to the board of management of the school on 2 March 2005 from my Department advising it that the caretaker could be retained by the school until the end of the first school term of the 2005-06 school year.
695 Mr. Gregory asked the Minister for Education and Science, further to Parliamentary Question No. 278 of 15 December 2004, if a decision has been made on the extension of the sanction for the concessionary post referred to. [19160/05]
735 Mr. Costello asked the Minister for Education and Science the status and future of the concessionary teaching post at a school (details supplied) in Dublin 3; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19438/05]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 695 and 735 together.
I am pleased to inform the Deputies that my Department is prepared to approve the concessionary post in question for the 2005-06 school year. The position will be reviewed for the 2006-07 school year.
696 Mr. Healy asked the Minister for Education and Science when funding will be approved for the operation of a school (details supplied) attached to the Central Technical Institute, Clonmel; when the necessary additional teaching staff will be approved to allow the coláiste to progress to its second year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19165/05]
An application for capital funding from the school referred to by the Deputy was considered under the recent review of all projects which did not proceed to construction as part of the 2004 school building programme. Under this review, all projects were assessed in accordance with the published prioritisation criteria, which were revised last year following consultation with the education partners. Each project has been assigned a band rating and the progress of all projects, including that referred to by the Deputy, is being considered in the context of the school building programme from 2005 onwards.
With regard to the issue of teaching resources, 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 teaching time-table and subject options having regard to pupils needs within the limit of its approved teacher allocation.
The rules for allocating teaching resources provide that where a school management authority is unable to meet its curricular commitments within its approved allocation, my Department will consider applications for additional short-term support.
The school referred to by the Deputy operates under the auspices of County Tipperary South Riding Vocational Education Committee. This authority applied for curricular concessions for the 2005-06 school year and following consideration of the application, my Department granted 3.69 wholetime equivalent teacher posts. An independent appeals committee is available to school authorities who wish to appeal the adequacy of their allocations. The VEC appealed to this committee and has been granted a further 1.50 wholetime equivalent posts. The committee operates independently of my Department and its decisions are final.
697 Mr. Healy asked the Minister for Education and Science the position regarding the application by south Tipperary VEC for a person to be based in Fethard, County Tipperary, under the grant scheme for special projects for youth 2005; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19166/05]
A request for funding under the special projects for youth scheme has been received in my Department in relation to the project referred to by the Deputy. My Department is considering this request and all other applications made for youth work funding in 2005 having regard to the overall level of financial resources available for the youth sector. A decision will be given in this case as soon as possible.
698 Mr. Healy asked the Minister for Education and Science if she will restore the supernumerary allocation of 2.5 posts to south Tipperary VEC to alleviate the difficulty arising from the closure of a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19167/05]
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 teaching time-table and subject options having regard to pupils needs within the limit of its approved teacher allocation.
The rules for allocating teaching resources provide that where a school management authority is unable to meet its curricular commitments within its approved allocation, my Department will consider applications for additional short-term support.
Tippperary South Riding Vocational Education Committee applied for curricular concessions for the 2005-06 school year and following consideration of the application, my Department granted 3.69 wholetime equivalent teacher posts. In addition, the VEC has been allocated 1.98 wholetime equivalent posts to cater for Traveller and non-national pupils enrolled.
An independent appeals committee is available to school authorities who wish to appeal the adequacy of their teacher allocation. Tipperary South Riding VEC appealed to this committee and have been granted a further 1.50 wholetime equivalent posts. Decisions of the appeals committee are final.
699 Mr. O’Shea asked the Minister for Education and Science if she considers that the recent changes which she announced in the weighted system for allocations for special needs children, whereby in large girls’ schools, particularly those designated as disadvantaged, the ratio changed from two teachers to 400 to two teachers to 395, represent any real improvement; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19171/05]
My Department has issued a letter to all primary schools notifying them of their teaching allocation under the new general allocation model for the 2005-06 school year. The letter also includes details of clustering arrangements that may apply.
The general allocation model was constructed so that allocations would be based on pupil numbers, taking into account the differing needs of the most disadvantaged schools and the evidence that boys have greater difficulties than girls in this regard. Under the new model a new ratio has been introduced for small schools, with a lower appointment ratio for the first full post for each type of small school.
As differing pupil-teacher ratios apply to boys' schools, mixed schools and girls' schools, for the purposes of the general allocation system a small school in the case of boys' schools is defined as a school with fewer than 135 pupils; in the case of a mixed schools as a school with fewer than 145 pupils and in the case of a girls' school as a school with fewer than 195 pupils. Small boys' schools will now qualify for their first post at 100 pupils. Small mixed schools will qualify for their first post at 105 pupils. Small girls' schools will qualify for their first post at 150 pupils.
All allocations up to the point for the first full post will be made on a pro rata basis. If a small boys’ school has just 50 pupils, for example, it will get 0.5 of a post. The allocations between the point of the first full post and the cut-off enrolment point for small schools will stay at one post, that is, a small boys’ school with between 100 and 135 pupils will get one full post. These changes represent a substantial improvement for small schools on the original model.
The introduction of this new system will involve the provision of an estimated additional 340 permanent posts in primary schools from September next. A further 320 posts are being provided on a temporary basis to facilitate the transition to the new system and to ensure continuity of service for children who have previously been given an individual allocation until those children leave the primary school system. It is also the case of course that pupils with lower incidence special needs, such as autism, will continue to be catered for on an individual application basis.
My Department is finalising a circular for schools which will contain detailed information on how the new system will operate. It is intended that this circular will issue before the end of the current school year. It is also intended that this circular will address issues that have been raised by schools with my Department since the system was notified to schools in mid-May.
I am satisfied that the introduction of the new system will greatly benefit schools and the children in schools that need additional support.
700 Mr. O’Shea asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of surveys and questionnaires which have been sent out to primary schools for completion and return in each of the past five years and to date in 2005; if the information obtained has been put to productive use; if the time spent by principals and teachers on these documents could be more usefully otherwise spent in the interests of teaching and learning; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19172/05]
The specific information requested by the Deputy is not readily available in my Department.
I am acutely aware of the administrative burden placed on schools and the effect this has on the workload of principals. I have started a process of review of the administrative burden imposed on schools arising from departmental and legislative requirements. I believe that we can collectively seek opportunities to ensure that this burden is kept to the minimum, consistent with achieving the worthwhile and indeed essential objectives of legislation in recent years.
The core purpose of the review I have set in motion is to focus sharply upon administrative processes and consequent administrative burdens which arise within the school as a result of regulations and-or departmental requirements and to consider what scope exists for alleviating these or having them performed in a more efficient and less demanding manner from the perspectives of the school.
Last March my Department wrote to the various representative bodies inviting them to consider where and in what way present processes can be improved upon. A number of responses have been received to date and officials of my Department have met several representative bodies on foot of these responses. The work is ongoing and I have no doubt meaningful solutions can be found in respect of this important issue.
701 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Education and Science the most up-to-date information on her travels abroad for the St. Patrick’s Day celebrations; the persons who travelled with her in her official party; the duration of the visit; and the total cost. [19196/05]
I travelled to Philadelphia and New York for the St. Patrick's Day celebrations, accompanied by two persons in my party. The duration of the visit was nine days. The total cost of the trip has not yet been finalised but the amount paid to date by my Department is €10,283.95.
702 Mr. Neville asked the Minister for Education and Science if she will review the decision to withdraw a teacher from a school (details supplied) in County Limerick under the new special education needs allocation; if this is in contravention of guarantees given on the matter; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19200/05]
The introduction of the new scheme for allocating resource teachers to schools to cater for pupils with high-incidence special needs, such as dyslexia, and those with learning support needs will involve the provision of an estimated additional 340 permanent posts in primary schools from September next. A further 320 posts are being provided on a temporary basis to facilitate the transition to the new system and to ensure continuity of service for children who have previously been given an individual allocation until those children leave the primary school system.
Allocations are based on pupil numbers, while taking into account the differing needs of the most disadvantaged schools and the evidence that boys have greater difficulties than girls in this regard. As the Deputy is aware, my Department has now issued a letter to all primary schools notifying them of their teaching allocation under the new general allocation model for the 2005-06 school year. The letter also includes details of clustering arrangements that may apply.
The school in question currently has the services of one shared full-time resource teacher. The teacher is based in the school referred to by the Deputy and shared with two other schools. The school's entitlement under the general allocation system is 20 hours. The school has been placed in a new cluster arrangement with the introduction of the new model and, as a result, no longer remains the base school for the resource teacher.
I confirm to the Deputy that the school has submitted a proposal regarding a revision of the clustering arrangements that had been notified to it. The proposal involves retaining the resource teacher on a permanent basis in the school. My officials are examining the proposal and have discussed the matter with the school. My Department will be in further contact with the school authorities as quickly as possible.
703 Mr. O’Dowd asked the Minister for Education and Science if extra resource hours will be allocated to a person (details supplied) attending a primary school in County Louth; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19209/05]
I confirm that the pupil referred to by the Deputy is in receipt of three and a half hours of resource teaching support per week. The Deputy may be aware that the National Council for Special Education, NCSE, which became operational on 1 January 2005, processes applications for special educational needs, SEN, supports. The NCSE will review decisions previously taken in respect of such cases on foot of a request from the school or a parent or guardian, when accompanied by relevant additional information which may not have been to hand at the time of the decision. The NCSE has outlined this process in its circular 01/05 which issued to all primary schools.
My officials have been in contact with the local special educational needs organiser, SENO, who has confirmed that an application was received to increase the number of hours of resource teaching support from three and a half hours to five hours per week. However, the SENO examined the application and has decided that the pupil in question does not meet the criteria for an increase in resource teaching hours. The decision has been communicated to the school authorities.
704 Mr. N. O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Education and Science if a grant aid of €200,000 will be made available to a primary school (details supplied) in County Cork. [19225/05]
The project at the school to which the Deputy refers has been assessed in accordance with the published prioritisation criteria. The project will be considered in the context of the school buildings and modernisation programme 2005-09.
705 Mr. N. O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Education and Science the position regarding the provision of funding for the development of a new national school in a village (details supplied) in County Cork; if she will make this a priority and special case as the number of residents in the village has increased substantially over the past five years where pupil enrolments in the school will increase tenfold in the next year or two; if she is aware that the existing school building simply cannot accommodate such an increase. [19226/05]
The project at the school to which the Deputy refers has been assessed in accordance with the published prioritisation criteria. The property management section of the Office of Public Works, which acts on behalf of my Department in regard to site acquisitions generally, is exploring the possibility of acquiring a site for the school in question. When a site has been acquired, the project will be considered in the context of the school buildings and modernisation programme 2005-09.
706 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for Education and Science the position regarding the provision of an extension to a school (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19235/05]
The building project at the school to which the Deputy refers has been assessed in accordance with the published prioritisation criteria, which was revised last year following consultation with the education partners. The project will be considered in the context of the school building and modernisation programme 2005-09.
In the interim, to alleviate accommodation difficulties at the school, the school authority has been given approval to rent a prefabricated mainstream classroom from September 2005. The rental cost will be grant-aided at 95% by my Department.
707 Ms O’Sullivan asked the Minister for Education and Science, further to Parliamentary Question No. 205 of 25 May 2005, if she will sanction an extra class at the language unit of a school (details supplied) in County Galway for which a classroom is currently available; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19238/05]
I am pleased to advise the Deputy that my Department has recently sanctioned an additional special class for pupils with specific speech and language disorder at the school in question. This decision has been conveyed verbally to the school management and written sanction will issue shortly.
708 Mr. Connaughton asked the Minister for Education and Science if her attention has been drawn to the outrage and concern expressed by persons (details supplied) in County Galway concerning the suppression of a third mainstream teaching post in the school; if her attention has further been drawn to the fact that within the current school year the number has increased to 52 pupils; that the long-term projections show increased pupil numbers up to June 2010; if the third teacher will be appointed within nine months; that the school is participating in the Giving Children an Even Break programme for the disadvantaged; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19247/05]
The staffing of a primary school is determined by reference to the enrolment of the school on 30 September of the previous school year and by reference to a staffing schedule. This staffing schedule is outlined in primary circular 15/05 which issued to all primary schools recently. This is in line with guidelines agreed between my Department and the education partners. In the current school year the staffing of the school referred to by the Deputy comprises of a principal and two mainstream class teaching posts. This is based on an enrolment of 55 pupils at 30 September 2003. The school also has the services of a learning support post based in the school and the services of a resource post.
The mainstream staffing of the school for the 2005-06 school year will consist of a principal and one mainstream class teaching post. This is based on an enrolment of 49 pupils at 30 September 2004.
To ensure openness and transparency in the system an independent appeals board is now in place to decide on appeals. The criteria under which an appeal can be made are set out in Department primary circular 19/02.
The board of management of the school has submitted an appeal to the staffing appeals board. The appeal will be considered by the appeals board at a meeting which is scheduled to take place on 14 June. The board of management will be notified of the outcome of the appeal as soon as possible thereafter.
I am sure the Deputy will appreciate that it would not be appropriate for me to intervene in the operation of the independent appeals board.
709 Mr. Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Education and Science the proposals being considered by her Department for the provision of accommodation at a school (details supplied) in County Kildare; the likely timescale for the delivery of this project; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19259/05]
The school planning section of my Department is in receipt of an application for major capital funding from the school to which the Deputy refers. The application has been assessed in accordance with the published prioritisation criteria for large scale projects which were revised following consultation with the education partners last year. Progress on the application is being considered in the context of the school building programme from 2005 onwards.
710 Ms Lynch asked the Minister for Education and Science the reason a full-time special needs assistant was withdrawn from a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19260/05]
A review of the needs of the pupil referred to by the Deputy found that he no longer requires full-time individual SNA support and that his needs can be met through the sharing of a full-time SNA with another pupil in the school. This decision has been communicated to the school. Should the school wish to appeal this decision, it should contact its local special needs organiser, who has responsibility for processing applications for special education supports.
711 Mr. O’Connor asked the Minister for Education and Science the funding allocated for the provision of spaces for young offenders; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19272/05]
There are five children detention schools under the aegis of my Department which provide residential care, education and rehabilitation for children, generally up to age 16 years, who have been convicted of an offence or remanded in custody by the courts. A total provision of €31.2 million has been provided in 2005 towards the day-to-day running of these schools.
712 Mr. Connolly asked the Minister for Education and Science the timescale for the elimination of the 3 for 2 seating arrangement on school buses; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19311/05]
The loading of all school buses is determined by the relevant sections of the Road Traffic (Construction, Equipment and Use of Vehicles) Regulations which are laid down by the Department of Transport.
The licensed carrying capacity of all vehicles engaged in school transport is based on a ratio of three pupils for every two adult seats, in accordance with relevant legislation. My Department has been in discussions with Bus Éireann with a view to phasing out the three for two arrangement over the next two or three years. Indeed, the discussions have been advanced to a stage where I can confirm that the necessary steps are now being taken to commence the general phasing out of this arrangement from next September.
The wearing of seat belts and the three for two rule are intrinsically linked, which means that school children who are travelling on buses equipped with seat belts from 9 May 2006 must be provided with a single seat and must use the seat belt.
My Department is examining various options with a view to phasing out the three for two seating arrangement as quickly as possible.
713 Mr. Connolly asked the Minister for Education and Science if she will facilitate the establishment, in conjunction with the INTO of nationwide panels of supply teachers, located on a defined geographical basis, to cover release time for teaching principals, all approved teacher absences and EPV days; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19312/05]
A pilot supply teacher scheme services over 200 primary schools at present, which provides a panel of substitute teachers to fill in for teachers on sick leave and to undertake the teaching duties of principals when they are released from the classroom to undertake administrative, leadership and management functions. Any decision as to whether or not the additional supply panels should be put in place will take account of a review of the pilot scheme.
714 Mr. Connolly asked the Minister for Education and Science if she proposes to establish a Traveller education unit as recommended by the task force on Traveller education, to oversee the development of Traveller education strategies to ensure the maximum benefit by Travellers from education; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19313/05]
A joint working group drawn from the educational disadvantage committee and the advisory committee on Traveller education was established in autumn 2003 and is preparing a five-year Traveller education strategy. It is expected that a draft strategy from the joint working group will be completed by autumn 2005. Subsequently, the draft five year Traveller education strategy will be presented to me as a submission of the educational disadvantage committee.
The main focus of the Traveller education strategy process has been to review-evaluate existing activities, the wide range of inputs, the quality of outcomes and the experience of Traveller learners. One of the core issues it is addressing relates to how existing targeted educational support for Travellers might best be integrated, on a phased basis into an enhanced mainstream provision. The strategy will provide recommendations on the way forward in relation to Traveller education.
My Department is confident that its current approach of co-ordinating delivery of services by its various sections is the most appropriate way to provide Travellers with a quality education that takes cognisance of their culture and their educational needs.
715 Mr. Connolly asked the Minister for Education and Science her plans to renegotiate the arrangements for a standardised school year with the primary school education partners; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19314/05]
The matter of the standardised school year forms part of the modernisation programme for teachers under the terms of Sustaining Progress and was discussed and agreed by the parties at the teachers' conciliation council. Agreed arrangements are currently in place for the school years 2003-04 to 2006-07, inclusive. There is also provision for a review before spring 2007.
716 Mr. Connolly asked the Minister for Education and Science her plans to increase capitation grants payable to primary school management authorities to a level that adequately reflect the costs of running modern well equipped schools in the 21st century; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19315/05]
Primary 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 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 and has been further increased by €12 per pupil with effect from 1 January 2005 bringing the standard rate to €133.58. This represents an increase of almost 134% in the standard rate of capitation grant since 1997.
The latest increase in the level of capitation grant is a clear demonstration of my commitment to improve the financial position of primary schools. The question of increasing the rate of grant in the future will be considered in the context of available resources and priorities within the education sector.
717 Mr. Connolly asked the Minister for Education and Science if she proposes to reduce the enrolment figures for appointment and retention of primary school teachers in view of the failure to improve primary school staffing schedules for mainstream teachers over the past four years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19316/05]
718 Mr. Connolly asked the Minister for Education and Science if she will ensure that when the appointment of a mainstream teacher in primary schools is warranted by the enrolment figures on 30 September of a given year, the appointment should be filled immediately; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19317/05]
719 Mr. Andrews asked the Minister for Education and Science the criteria which decides recommendations for class sizes in schools in the State. [19318/05]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 717 to 719, inclusive, together.
The staffing of a primary school for a particular school year is determined by reference to the enrolment in the school on 30 September of the previous school year. This is in accordance with guidelines agreed between my Department and the education partners. The guidelines can only be deviated from where a school experiences rapid growth in its enrolment. In such cases, an additional post, referred to as a developing school post, may be sanctioned provisionally where the projected enrolment at 30 September of the school year in question equals or exceeds a specified figure. There are no plans to change these arrangements.
The staffing schedule is structured to ensure that all primary schools will operate to an average mainstream class size of 29 pupils. Where some classes in a school have class sizes of greater than 29, it is generally because a decision has been taken at local level to use their teaching resources to have smaller numbers in other classes. School authorities should ensure that there is an equitable distribution of pupils in mainstream classes and that the differential between the largest and the smallest classes is kept to a minimum.
I have requested my Department's inspectorate to monitor the deployment of staff and class sizes, and where necessary, to discuss with school authorities the basis on which school policy decisions in this regard have been made, and to report to my Department, where appropriate.
Significant improvements have been made in the pupil teacher ratio and in average class size in recent years. The average class size at primary level is now 23.9, down from 26.6 in 1996-97. The pupil-teacher ratio, which includes all the teachers including resource teachers, has fallen from 22.2:1 in the 1996-97 school year to 17.44:1 in 2003-04. More than 4,000 additional teachers have been employed in our primary schools since 1997. In allocating teaching posts regard has been had to the commitments of the Government to reduce class size, tackle educational disadvantage and to provide additional resources for pupils with special educational needs. The additional teaching posts created since 1997 have been deployed to address all of these priorities.
The Deputies will be aware that a review of the allocation system of teaching support for pupils with special educational needs was recently completed. Arising from that review a new model has been introduced to replace that which was notified to schools in June 2004. The introduction of this new system will involve the provision of an estimated additional 340 permanent posts in primary schools from September next. A further 320 posts are being provided on a temporary basis to facilitate the transition to the new system and to ensure continuity of service for children who have previously been given an individual allocation until those children leave the primary school system. The new system will greatly benefit schools and the children in schools that need additional support.
The Deputies will also be aware of the new action plan for educational inclusion, DEIS, delivering equality of opportunity in schools, which I launched recently. This action plan will result in reduced class sizes in schools serving the most disadvantaged communities to 24:1 at senior level and 20:1 at junior level.
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, those from disadvantaged areas and those in junior classes.
720 Mr. McGuinness asked the Minister for Education and Science the funding being allocated to provide for adult computer education and training in 2005. [19319/05]
My Department does not allocate funding specifically for adult computer education and training. Programmes within the further and adult education sector, funded by my Department, are operated and managed primarily by the vocational education committees. My Department's provision in 2005 for these programmes is approximately €180 million which is an increase of approximately 8% over the 2004 figure.
All full-time vocational education and training programmes in the further and adult education sector integrate new technology skills into their core programme, allied with literacy-numeracy, communications, general education and a range of vocational options. The target groups are early school leavers, unemployed adults, young people who have just completed upper second level education, and adults returning to full time learning.
721 Ms O’Sullivan asked the Minister for Education and Science her plans to change from permanent to temporary employment for many special needs teachers as a result of the weighted system for special education as it affects teachers who had been assigned to children with low incidence disability and teachers with restricted recognition; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19335/05]
722 Ms O’Sullivan asked the Minister for Education and Science if her Department will ensure that where possible schools will retain the staff they have for special needs support rather than having to employ different teachers for high incidence and low incidence special needs children, in some cases clustered with other schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19336/05]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 721 and 722 together.
As the Deputy may be aware my Department has issued a letter to all primary schools notifying them of their teaching allocation under the new general allocation model for the 2005-06 school year. The letter also includes details of any clustering arrangements that may apply. One of the objectives of the general allocation model is to maximise the extent of full-time permanent posts available to support the needs of pupils with higher-incidence special educational needs, SEN, and learning support teacher requirements. Clustering facilitates the assignment of experienced teachers as well as allowing for better training of resource teachers on the basis that permanent posts will retain teachers for longer periods. This ultimately benefits the pupils. To this end, schools, particularly those with small enrolments, have been grouped in clusters where possible.
Part-time hours have been provided to schools in cases where it was not possible to form a cluster of general allocation hours. Schools that have been allocated part-time permanent hours may be aware of a local school with part-time permanent hours that when combined could form a full-time permanent post. It is open to any such schools wishing to form a cluster by combining these hours to contact my Department's special education section in writing with details of their proposal. It should be noted that these arrangements apply to staffing associated with the general allocation model only.
Where it is not possible for schools to form permanent posts under the general allocation model, such schools may, for the purposes of creating temporary full-time posts, form clusters to combine permanent part-time hours allocated under the general allocation model with hours allocated for individual children with low incidence disabilities, or transitional hours retained for children with high incidence disabilities. Again, any schools wishing to form such temporary full-time posts should contact my Department's special education section in writing with details of their proposal. This arrangement will apply for the 2005-06 school year only and is being facilitated on the understanding that, as pupils with an individual allocation of hours leave the school at the end of that school year, the full-time temporary posts will be adjusted to the appropriate reduced level of part-time hours. Responsibility for filling any additional posts which may be created using the above arrangements rests with the management authorities of the relevant schools in line with Department procedures.
Schools have been advised that where they currently have a permanent resource teacher and where they have adequate hours to warrant the continuation of a full-time post through a combination of general allocation hours and-or low incidence hours and-or transitional hours for the coming school year, they may retain the existing teacher for the school year without the status of the teacher having to change.
My Department is also finalising a circular for schools which will contain detailed information on how the new system will operate. It is intended that this circular will issue before the end of the current school year. It is also intended that this circular will address issues that have been raised by schools with my Department since the system was notified to schools in mid-May.
723 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Education and Science her plans to renovate and extend a school (details supplied) in County Mayo. [19378/05]
My Department introduced a new initiative called the summer works scheme, SWS, in 2004 which provides capital grants for small-scale improvement works, including roof repair and the upgrading of toilet facilities at both primary and post-primary schools. Where the scope of the works required is too extensive to be carried out under SWS it is open to schools to make application for inclusion in the school building programme. However, the scope of the works referred to by the Deputy is appropriate for consideration under the summer works scheme.
The school in question did not make an application for funding under the summer works scheme for 2005. Details of the 2006 summer works scheme will be announced shortly and it is open to the school authority to make an application for the necessary works at that time.
The school concerned also has a building project which has been assessed in accordance with the published prioritisation criteria which was revised last year following consultation with the education partners. This project will be considered in the context of the school building and modernisation programme 2005-2009.
724 Mr. Neville asked the Minister for Education and Science the position regarding the construction of a new primary school at Adare, County Limerick. [19379/05]
I am pleased to inform the Deputy that, as part of the 2004 devolved initiatives, the board of management of Adare national school was allocated funding for the provision of additional accommodation. The school authority is managing this project on a devolved basis and I understand that a decision on planning permission from the local authority is expected shortly.
725 Ms M. Wallace asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of primary school buses which have seat belts fitted to them; the number of post primary school buses which have seat belts fitted to them; if she will report on the work in progress within her Department in relation to the seat belt on school buses issue; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19395/05]
726 Ms M. Wallace asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of school buses operated by Bus Éireann; the number of school buses operated by private operators; the number of Bus Éireann school buses that operate under the three for two seat rule; the number of privately operated buses that operate under the three for two seat rule; if she will report on the proposal within her Department to phase out the three for two seat rule to ensure that every eligible child attending post primary school will have a seat on a school bus; the proposals in her Department to ensure that every eligible primary school child will have a seat on a school bus; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19396/05]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 725 and 726 together.
Bus Éireann has advised my Department that the number of buses with seat belts is 1,539 and without seat belts is 1,493. These figures relate to a census undertaken by Bus Éireann in October 2004 and are the most current accurate figures available. A breakdown of figures between primary and post-primary is not available.
Approximately 20% of the 3,000 vehicles used for school transport are owned by Bus Éireann and the remaining 80% are owned by private operators on contract to Bus Éireann. In the region of 138,000 children are carried each day on school transport, including about 8,000 children with special needs. It is estimated that between 12% and 14% are carried under the three for two rule.
My Department has been in discussions with Bus Éireann with a view to phasing out the three for two arrangement over the next two or three years. The discussions have been advanced to a stage at which it is possible to confirm that the necessary steps are now being taken to commence the general phasing out of this arrangement from next September. The abolition of the three for two seating arrangements will be phased out over the next two to three years. The wearing of seat belts and the three for two rule are intrinsically linked.
727 Mr. P. Breen asked the Minister for Education and Science the current number of special needs assistants in primary schools in County Clare; the number to be allocated in September 2005; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19397/05]
There are currently 219 special needs assistants, SNAs, employed in 79 primary schools in County Clare and paid salary on my Department's payroll. The Deputy may be aware that the National Council for Special Education, NCSE, which became operational on 1 January 2005, now processes applications for special educational needs, SEN, supports. At this stage, the NCSE has dealt with all new applications from schools for SNA assistance that will be required from the beginning of September 2005. Therefore, there should be no reason a child enrolling in a school in September 2005 who needs SNA assistance does not have that assistance in place from his-her first day in school. The recruitment of SNAs is a matter for individual boards of management and it is not possible to indicate at this stage the numbers to be allocated in September 2005.
This Government has put in place an unprecedented level of support for children with special needs. Indeed, since 1998, the number of SNAs has increased from under 300 to nearly 6,000 nationally. Where it has been established that additional SNA posts are required, these posts are continuing to be allocated on an ongoing basis.
728 Mr. P. Breen asked the Minister for Education and Science the current number of special needs assistants in primary schools in the State; the number to be allocated in September 2005; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19398/05]
729 Mr. P. Breen asked the Minister for Education and Science if she will report on the assessment criteria for assigning special needs assistants; the assessment criteria prior to 2004; the notice which special needs assistants receive if their services are no longer required; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19399/05]
730 Mr. P. Breen asked the Minister for Education and Science the provision which is made for children with mild learning difficulties to receive attention from special needs assistants; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19400/05]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 728 to 730, inclusive, together.
There are 6,314 special needs assistants, SNAs, in place in primary schools. SNAs are assigned to schools to meet the care needs of individual children, including those with mild general learning disabilities, who have been assessed by a psychologist as needing this type of support. There has been no change to the criteria or guidelines for allocating SNA support to schools and there are no plans to review the criteria or guidelines under which SNA support is allocated.
Applications for SNA support are now dealt with by the National Council for Special Education which processes all applications for support from schools and communicate the decisions directly to the schools. At this stage, the council has dealt with all new applications from schools for SNAs that will be required from the beginning of September 2005.
My Department is engaged in discussions with the trade union representing SNAs, under the auspices of the Labour Relations Commission, on a number of issues relating to the employment of SNAs, including the questions of a redundancy package for SNAs who are now surplus to the needs of a school, retention of experienced SNAs within the system and standard contracts for SNAs. In the circumstances it would not be appropriate for me to comment specifically on any of these issues.
The Deputy will be aware that this Government has put in place an unprecedented level of support for children with special needs. Indeed, since 1998, the number of SNAs has increased from under 300 to more than 6,300 nationally. In addition to this, more effective systems, such as the establishment of the National Council for Special Education, have been put in place to ensure that children get support as early as possible.
731 Mr. P. Breen asked the Minister for Education and Science the status of an application for a major capital works project for a school (details supplied) in County Clare; if a technical examination of the site will be carried out to make recommendations for further development of the school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19403/05]
The application from the school to which the Deputy refers was received in the school planning section of my Department in February 2005. The application has been assessed in accordance with the published prioritisation criteria which was revised following consultation with the education partners. The project will be considered in the context of the school building and modernisation programme 2005-2009.
732 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science if she will assist a school (details supplied) in County Cork in resolving a staffing issue before 7 June 2005; and if she will give the maximum support in retaining a teacher. [19408/05]
The staffing of a primary school is determined by reference to the enrolment of the school on the 30 September of the previous school year and by reference to a staffing schedule. This staffing schedule is outlined in primary Circular 15/05, which issued to all primary schools recently. This is in line with guidelines agreed between my Department and the education partners.
In the current school year the staffing of the school referred to by the Deputy comprises a principal and five mainstream class teaching posts. This is based on an enrolment of 148 pupils at 30 September 2003. The school also has the services of a learning support post and a full time resource post. The mainstream staffing of the school for the 2005-06 school year will consist of a principal and four mainstream class teaching posts. This is based on an enrolment of 144 pupils at 30 September 2004.
To ensure openness and transparency in the system an independent appeals board is now in place to decide on any appeals. The criteria under which an appeal can be made are set out in Department primary Circular 19/02. The board of management of the school has submitted an appeal to the staffing appeals board. The appeal will be considered by the appeals board at a meeting, which is scheduled to take place on 14 June. The board of management will be notified of the outcome of the appeal as soon as possible thereafter. I am sure the Deputy will appreciate that it would not be appropriate for me to intervene in the operation of the independent appeals board.
The school in question has indicated that it may have sufficient hours allocated in respect of pupils with low incidence special needs to warrant an additional resource teaching post. In order to establish if the school has an entitlement to a post, it is open to the school to submit a proposal giving details as to how the post may be created. No such proposal has been received in my Department to date.
733 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Education and Science when funding will be provided for the extension to a school (details supplied) in County Mayo. [19430/05]
I have included the building project for the school in question in my recently announced list of school projects to be progressed through architectural planning in 2005. The building project is at an advanced stage of architectural planning — stage 4-5, detail design-bill of quantities. The stage submission is with the Department and will be assessed by the Department's staff in due course. When this analysis is complete the school building section will be in contact with the school authorities. A decision on which school building projects will advance to tender and construction as part of the 2006 schools building and modernisation programme will be taken later in the year.
734 Cecilia Keaveney asked the Minister for Education and Science the position regarding a school building (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19437/05]
My Department is in receipt of an application for improved accommodation from the authorities of the school referred to by the Deputy. The application has been assessed in accordance with the published prioritisation criteria, which was revised last year following consultation with the education partners. The project will be considered in the context of the school building and modernization programme for 2005 to 2009.
736 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Education and Science the breakdown of the resource teacher allocation for the years 2003, 2004 and 2005; and the schools in County Mayo which were allocated resource teachers and resource hours. [19447/05]
The specific information requested by the Deputy is not available. However, I can confirm that the number of resource teaching posts in primary schools nationally has grown from fewer than 200 in 1999 to approximately 2,600 at present.
The Deputy will be aware of the new general allocation system for pupils with high incidence special needs such as dyslexia, mild and borderline general learning disability as well as those requiring learning support. The introduction of this new system will involve the provision of an estimated additional 340 permanent posts in primary schools from September next. A further 320 posts are being provided on a temporary basis to facilitate the transition to the new system and to ensure continuity of service for children who have previously been given an individual allocation until those children leave the primary school system. Pupils with lower incidence special needs, such as autism, will continue to be catered for on an individual application basis.
737 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Minister for Education and Science the steps taken by an official of her Department (details supplied); the progress made; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19448/05]
The various issues relating to schools are dealt with by separate sections of my Department so I would be grateful if the Deputy could write to me with further information on the specific issue relating to this school on which he would like an update, so that a response can be supplied without delay.
739 Mr. Bruton asked the Minister for Education and Science if she is aware that development plans for a school (details supplied) in Dublin 5 appear to require that a pre-school service on the site be served a notice to quit; and if she will investigate solutions to allow this facility to continue in the context of the new plan. [19459/05]
The school referred to by the Deputy is listed among the 122 large-scale projects on the current school building programme for moving to tender and construction over the next 12 to 15 months. The project is for the refurbishment of the existing accommodation and an extension consisting of classrooms and general-purpose rooms for the three primary schools on this site.
I understand that due to rising enrolments the board of management of the school in question is no longer in a position to accommodate a pre-school facility in its school building. I further understand that the management of the pre-school facility has been advised of this position. The use of school facilities for such purposes is ultimately a matter for the school authority.
740 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Education and Science if she will allocate funding to improve the facilities at a school (details supplied); her views on whether it is fair to have children at the current facilities and to have a playground at the school that is too old and too dangerous to use; her further views on whether it is acceptable that disadvantaged children use prefabs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19462/05]
An application for major capital funding for the school to which the Deputy refers was assessed in accordance with the published prioritisation criteria for large scale building projects, which were revised last year following consultation with the education partners. Under this review all projects were assigned a band rating and the progress of individual projects is currently being considered in the context of the school building programme from 2005 onwards.
The Deputy will be aware that I have made a number of announcements on the 2005 school building programme since the beginning of the year. In April I announced details of 43 school projects, which are being authorised to proceed to architectural planning immediately. I will be making further announcements on projects, which will progress on a phased basis into the architectural planning process in the next 12 to 15 months. The proposed project at the school in question will be considered in this context.
In the meantime, it is open to the school authority to apply for funding under the summer works scheme to address any issues surrounding its play area. I will be publishing details of the scheme for 2006 later this year.
741 Mr. McHugh asked the Minister for Education and Science if she will review the decision to reduce teacher numbers by one teacher at a school (details supplied) in County Galway; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19463/05]
762 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Education and Science if, given that a school (details supplied) has an enrolment for 2005-06 to retain its current complement of staff no teacher will be lost from the school due to its 2004 enrolment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19697/05]
765 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science if a school (details supplied) in County Galway will not lose a teacher; if flexibility regarding disadvantaged status will be shown to the school; if a concessionary teacher scheme will be employed at the principal’s discretion; and if the school will be given the maximum support and assistance. [19783/05]
779 Mr. Connaughton asked the Minister for Education and Science if her attention has been drawn to the huge damage that will be done if a school (details supplied) in County Galway is denied one of its four teachers due to a very temporary reduction in enrolment figures for September 2004; if her attention has further been drawn to the fact that the projected enrolment figures for September 2005 will result in this school returning to a six-teacher school and that this reduction will put intolerable pressure on the existing teachers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19860/05]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 741, 762, 765 and 779 together.
The mainstream staffing of a primary school is determined by reference to the enrolment of the school on the 30 September of the previous school year and by reference to a staffing schedule. This staffing schedule is outlined in primary Circular 15/05, which issued to all primary schools recently. This is in line with guidelines agreed between my Department and the education partners.
In the current school year the staffing of the school referred to by the Deputy comprises a principal and three mainstream class teaching posts. This is based on an enrolment of 85 pupils at 30 September 2003. The school also has the services of a learning support post based in the school and a full time resource post. The mainstream staffing of the school for the 2005-06 school year will consist of a principal and two mainstream class teaching posts. This is based on an enrolment of 76 pupils at 30 September 2004.
To ensure openness and transparency in the system an independent appeals board is now in place to decide on any appeals. The criteria under which an appeal can be made are set out in Department primary Circular 19/02. The board of management of the school has submitted an appeal to the staffing appeals board. The appeal will be considered by the appeals board at a meeting, which is scheduled to take place on 14 June. The board of management will be notified of the outcome of the appeal as soon as possible thereafter. I am sure the Deputies will appreciate that it would not be appropriate for me to intervene in the operation of the independent appeals board.
The school to which the Deputies refer is included in the rural dimension of my Department's giving children an even break programme aimed at combating educational disadvantage. The school has the services of a rural co-ordinator and additional financial resources to provide educational supports to be targeted at disadvantaged pupils. The new action plan for educational inclusion, DEIS — Delivering Equality of Opportunity in Schools — which I launched recently, provides for a standardised system for identifying levels of disadvantage and a new integrated school support programme, SSP, which will bring together and build upon, a number of existing interventions for schools with a concentrated level of disadvantage. The new action plan will be introduced on a phased basis starting in the next school year- and will involve an additional annual investment of €40 million on full implementation. It will also involve the provision of some 300 additional posts across the education system.
A key element of this new action plan is the better identification of levels of disadvantage in our schools, which will result in improved targeting of resources at those most in need. The first stage of the identification process, which is being conducted on behalf of my Department by the Educational Research Centre, is already underway. Questionnaires issued to all mainstream primary schools and were due to be returned to the ERC by 31 May 2005. The identification process is being supported by an advisory group which includes representation from the INTO and the Irish Primary Principals' Network.
Approximately 600 primary schools comprising 300 urban and town, and 300 rural schools, and 150 post primary schools will be included in the school support programme. Existing schemes and programmes will be integrated into the school support programme on a phased basis over the implementation period.
742 Mr. McHugh asked the Minister for Education and Science if an assessment will be carried out with a view to giving designated disadvantage school status to a school (details supplied) in County Galway; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19464/05]
The school to which the Deputy refers is included in the rural dimension of my Department's Giving Children an Even Break programme aimed at combating educational disadvantage. The school has the services of a rural co-ordinator and additional financial resources to provide educational supports to be targeted at disadvantaged pupils.
The new action plan for educational inclusion, DEIS — Delivering Equality of Opportunity in Schools — which I launched recently, provides for a standardised system for identifying levels of disadvantage and a new integrated school support programme, SSP, which will bring together and build upon, a number of existing interventions for schools with a concentrated level of disadvantage. The new action plan will be introduced on a phased basis starting in the next school year — and will involve an additional annual investment of €40 million on full implementation. It will also involve the provision of some 300 additional posts across the education system.
A key element of this new action plan is the better identification of levels of disadvantage in our schools, which will result in improved targeting of resources at those most in need. The first stage of the identification process, which is being conducted on behalf of my Department by the Educational Research Centre, is already underway. Questionnaires issued to all mainstream primary schools and were due to be returned to the ERC by 31 May 2005. The identification process is being supported by an advisory group which includes representation from the INTO and the Irish Primary Principals' Network.
Approximately 600 primary schools comprising 300 urban and town, and 300 rural schools, and 150 post primary schools will be included in the school support programme. Existing schemes and programmes will be integrated into the school support programme on a phased basis over the implementation period.
743 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Education and Science her plans to standardise contracts within the educational system for SNAs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19537/05]
744 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of SNA contracts that have not been renewed in each of the past three years; the reason for such a decision; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19538/05]
745 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Education and Science if her attention has been drawn to the major concerns of SNAs within the educational system in regard to the erosion of their terms and conditions; her plans to address their concerns; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19539/05]
746 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Education and Science the guidelines her Department uses to allocate SNAs; her plans to review such guidelines; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19540/05]
747 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Education and Science if her attention has been drawn to the fact that due to the current system adopted in regard to SNAs that the educational system is losing experienced SNAs and that the loss of such is creating problems for children with special needs entering the main stream of education; her plans to change the system; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19541/05]
748 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Education and Science the criteria or guidelines used to reduce hours allocated to special needs children for SNAs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19542/05]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 743 to 748, inclusive, together.
Special needs assistants, SNAs, are assigned to schools to meet the care needs of individual children who have been assessed by a psychologist as needing this type of support. No change has been made to the criteria or guidelines for allocating SNA support to schools and I have no plans to review the criteria or guidelines under which SNA support is allocated. Applications for SNA support are now dealt with by the National Council for Special Education, which processes all applications for support from schools and communicates the decisions directly to the schools.
However, to ensure that resources are used in the most effective manner, a review has been conducted in recent months to establish whether primary schools have the level of SNA support they need for children in their care, whether they have resources which they no longer need or whether they need extra resources.
The review has found that some schools no longer have the care needs for which the SNA was originally sanctioned — in some cases the child may have left the school while in other cases the care needs of the child have diminished as the child has progressed through the school. In this regard, the schools where surplus SNA support was identified have been advised that they may retain this surplus until the end of the current school year.
My Department is engaged in discussions with the trade union representing SNAs, under the auspices of the Labour Relations Commission, on a number of issues relating to the employment of SNAs, including the questions of a redundancy package for SNAs who are now surplus to the needs of a school, retention of experienced SNAs within the system and standard contracts for SNAs. In the circumstances it would not be appropriate for me to comment specifically on any of these issues.
However, no erosion in the terms and conditions of SNAs has taken place. It has always been the case that where the care needs of a child no longer justify SNA support, that support should no longer be available to the school. The Deputy will be aware that the Government has put in place an unprecedented level of support for children with special needs. Since 1998, the number of SNAs has increased from fewer than 300 to nearly 6,000 nationally. In addition, more effective systems, such as the establishment of the National Council for Special Education, have been put in place to ensure that children get support as early as possible.
749 Dr. Upton asked the Minister for Education and Science if assistance will be given to a school (details supplied) in obtaining a new physical education hall via a prefabricated building system; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19543/05]
A proposal has been received from the school to which the Deputy refers for a general purpose room. This application is under consideration in the school planning section of my Department in the context of the school buildings and modernisation programme from 2005 onwards.
750 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for Education and Science if she will make extra resource teacher hours available to a person (details supplied) in County Cork from September 2005; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19546/05]
The application for special educational teaching support for the pupil concerned was referred to the local special educational needs organiser, SENO, for determination. The SENO examined the application and expressed the opinion that as the pupil's special educational needs appear to be within the high incidence disability category, her needs will be catered for under the general allocation scheme that I recently announced.
Under the new scheme the pupil's school has been allocated a level of resource teaching hours based on the number of children in the school. These hours are allocated to the school specifically to meet the needs of pupils such as the one referred to by the Deputy. It is up to the school to use its professional judgment to decide how these hours are divided between different pupils to ensure that all their needs are met. Research shows that some children with special needs will respond better with one-to-one tuition while others do better when taught in small groups. Often it is best for resource teachers to work with children in the classroom rather than taking them away to a separate room, as the children then have to catch up work done by the rest of the class in their absence. The type of response needed depends on the child. The school will decide which type of support is best suited to this pupil.
The introduction of the new scheme is being underpinned by the provision of an estimated additional 340 permanent posts in primary schools from September next. A further 320 posts are being provided on a temporary basis to facilitate the transition to the new system. My Department has now issued a letter to all primary schools notifying them of their teaching allocation under the general allocation model for the 2005-06 school year. That letter also includes any details of any clustering arrangements that may apply. It is a matter for the school the pupil is attending to make arrangements to provide teaching support to all pupils who qualify for such support from its general allocation, including this pupil.
751 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for Education and Science if she has received a psychological assessment and a referral by an optometrist and a consultant optician with reference to a person (details supplied); if she will make extra resource teacher and learning support available to this person; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19547/05]
The Deputy may be aware that the National Council for Special Education, NCSE, which was established recently and has been operational since 1 January 2005, is responsible for processing applications for special educational needs, SEN, supports. My Department officials have been informed by the NCSE that the matter has been referred to the local special educational needs organiser, SENO. The SENO is currently examining whether the pupil referred to by the Deputy is entitled to individual resource teaching support in respect of a low incidence disability. The school authorities will be notified directly of the outcome.
752 Ms Cooper-Flynn asked the Minister for Education and Science the reason a person (details supplied) in County Mayo was refused free school transport despite holding a medical card. [19580/05]
A report on this case has been requested from the transport liaison officer of County Mayo VEC. The Deputy will be advised of the position when the report has been received and assessed.
753 Mr. Deasy asked the Minister for Education and Science if the amalgamation of schools (details supplied) in County Waterford will be sanctioned; if a new greenfield site has been identified for the proposed amalgamated schools; if the proposed new school is being built under the public private partnership; the terms and conditions of this arrangement; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19585/05]
My Department welcomes the proposed amalgamation of the schools to which the Deputy refers and it has instructed the OPW, which acts on its behalf in site acquisitions generally, to explore the possibility of acquiring a site to facilitate the new school. The school's accommodation needs will be considered in the context of the school building programme for 2005 to 2009.
754 Ms O’Sullivan asked the Minister for Education and Science if she will correct the mistaken enrolment figure for a school (details supplied) in County Tipperary which is 360 on 30 September 2003, not 343 as in the Department’s records; if this matter will be rectified as soon as possible; if Nenagh primary school will get the allocation of special needs education teachers it requires; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19600/05]
The general allocation system is based on mainstream pupil enrolments for the 2003-04 school year. Pupils attending special classes and Traveller pupils in receipt of support from a resource teacher for Travellers do not fall within the general allocation model as separate staffing arrangements apply in these cases. Therefore the enrolment figure used for this school for the purpose of the general allocation system was the correct one. This position was confirmed in my Department's letter of 18 May, which issued to all schools. However, the school has forwarded a submission to my Department regarding the possible creation by it of an additional temporary resource teaching post. This submission is being considered by my Department and a decision will be conveyed to the school authorities as soon as possible.
755 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of third level grants paid out by the city councils, county councils and vocational education committees in 2003, 2004 and to date in 2005; the total amount paid out for such grants in each academic year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19619/05]
My Department offers grant assistance under four student maintenance grant schemes. Three schemes are in respect of third level students and one scheme relates to post-leaving certificate students. Statistical data in respect of the number of grant-holders under the student maintenance grant schemes is compiled on the basis of academic years. With regard to expenditure, allocations are made and details compiled on the basis of financial years.
The number of grant-holders in the 2003-04 academic year under each of the four schemes is outlined in the following tables for the Deputy's information. Final figures in respect of the 2004-05 academic have not yet been compiled.
The local authorities and vocational education committees, VECs, administer the schemes on behalf of my Department. These bodies accept completed grant application forms, assess the eligibility of grant applicants with reference to the terms and conditions prescribed in the schemes and award grant assistance, where appropriate. Expenditure under the Schemes is recouped by the local authorities and VECs from my Department. The amounts recouped to the paying authorities in respect of expenditure in the 2003 and 2004 financial years are also outlined for the Deputy's information.
A total of €208.9 million has been allocated in respect of the schemes for the 2005 financial year. For the period from January to end of May, 2005 a total of €83.9 million was recouped to the paying authorities in respect of expenditure under the schemes.
|
Scheme |
HEG |
VEC |
TLT |
PLC |
Total |
|
Nos. 2003/04 |
26,355 |
7,819 |
14,226 |
7,682 |
56,082 |
|
Scheme |
HEG |
VEC |
TLT |
PLC |
Top-up |
TOTAL |
|
Expenditure 2003 |
€79m |
€20.6m |
€40.2m |
€13.2m |
€12.5m |
€165.5m |
|
Expenditure 2004 |
€95.3m |
€25.9m |
€43.5m |
€17.4m |
€20.8m |
€202.9m |
756 Mr. Aylward asked the Minister for Education and Science the progress to date on the application for school transport for children residing in the Barracore and Doninga areas of County Kilkenny who are now attending Borris vocational school following the closure of St. Brigid’s secondary school in Goresbridge. [19630/05]
My Department is in a position to sanction school transport for the eligible pupils from the Barracore and Doninga areas subject to the usual conditions of the school transport scheme. Bus Éireann has been advised of my Department's decision and the necessary arrangements will be made by its local office prior to the commencement of the 2005-06 school year.
757 Mr. McGinley asked the Minister for Education and Science the total cost of the programme of in-service for the physical sciences leaving certificate chemistry and physics including trainer, teacher, education centre expenses and resources which was based in the Limerick education centre from September 1999 to August 2003. [19646/05]
The physics and chemistry support service was established in 1999 as part of the physical sciences initiative. Limerick education centre supported the administration of this programme until the intensive phase of in-service was completed in August 2003.
The operational cost of this programme from 1999 to 2003 was €2,257,572, which was allocated by my Department through the Limerick education centre. In addition, secondment and substitution costs associated with the physics and chemistry support service, which were met centrally, are estimated to be in the region of €2.24 million.
Although the intensive phase of support for the revised syllabi for leaving certificate physics and chemistry was completed in August 2003, my Department continues to provide a programme of professional development in these areas through the second level support service, SLSS, which is based in Blackrock education centre.
758 Mr. McGinley asked the Minister for Education and Science the total cost of the programme of inservice for leaving certificate biology, including trainer, teacher, education centre expenses and resources which was based in the Tralee education centre from September 2000 to August 2004. [19647/05]
The national biology support service was established in January 2001. The operational cost of the programme from January 2001 to August 2004 was €1,645,611, which was allocated by my Department through the Tralee Education Centre. In addition, secondment and substitution costs associated with the programme, which were met centrally, are estimated to be in the region of €1,500,000.
Although the intensive phase of support for the revised syllabus for leaving certificate biology has now been completed, my Department continues to provide a programme of curriculum implementation support and professional development in this area through second level support service, or SLSS. Although the SLSS is based in Blackrock education centre, Tralee education centre continues to support the administration of the biology programme.
759 Mr. McGinley asked the Minister for Education and Science the cost to date of the programme of inservice for junior certificate, including trainer, teacher, education centre expenses and resources which is based in the Sligo education centre. [19648/05]
I assume the Deputy is referring to the junior certificate science support service which is based in Sligo education centre. The operational cost to date of this programme of in-service is €775,000 which was allocated by my Department through the Sligo education centre. In addition, secondment and substitution costs associated with the junior certificate science support service, which are met centrally in the Department, are estimated to be in the region of €700,000.
760 Cecilia Keaveney asked the Minister for Education and Science if concessions are given to students who become ill while sitting the junior and leaving certificate examinations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19679/05]
Following a Government decision, the then Minister for Education and Science formally established the State Examinations Commission on 6 March 2003. The commission now has statutory responsibility for operational matters relating to the certificate examinations.
Within the limitations of our examination system, every possible effort is made by the commission to accommodate candidates who suffer illness, bereavement or other trauma either immediately before or during the examinations. Each year, arrangements are made to cater for a wide range of emergencies. These include alterations to the standard examination timetable and special sittings in venues such as hospitals. The National Educational Psychological Service also assists schools and students in crisis situations during examinations.
761 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Education and Science her views on whether her actions in delaying the relocation of a school (details supplied) in County Kildare on the basis of falling enrolment numbers were justified in view of the fact that enrolment numbers fell by two in the past year; if enrolment numbers will rise in September 2005, if the delay and feasibility study will be cancelled; her further views on the schools to which the huge numbers of persons who move to Athy for commuter purposes will send their children; her further views on whether it would be wise to push ahead with the redevelopment when taking into account the population increases; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19695/05]
769 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Education and Science her plans regarding the relocation of a school (details supplied) in County Kildare; when a site was purchased; if she was sure it would go ahead at the time; if she envisaged any difficulties; her views on the action which should be taken with the site now; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19791/05]
775 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Education and Science to outline her plans regarding the relocation of a school (details supplied) in County Kildare; her views on the action which should be taken with the site; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19843/05]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 761, 769 and 775 together.
The building project for the school referred to by the Deputy is at an early stage of architectural planning. However, due to a significant and unexpected decline in enrolments since the building project was first planned and the level of investment which would be required to facilitate a relatively small number of pupils, it was decided not to allow the proposed project to progress through architectural planning until a complete review of the long-term viability of the school has been carried out. This is normal practice in circumstances should as this. The review is currently underway in the school planning section of my Department and officials will be in contact with the school authority shortly in the matter.
763 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Education and Science further to Parliamentary Question No. 1260 of 26 January 2005, the progress to date on the application; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19705/05]
The 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 project will be considered in the context of the school building and modernisation programme 2005-09.
764 Mr. Crowe asked the Minister for Education and Science her plans to build a permanent school for the pupils and teachers of a school (details supplied) in County Mayo. [19782/05]
The school referred to by the Deputy opened in September 1996 with provisional recognition. Having met the criteria for recognition and proven its viability, the school was granted permanent recognition in 2000. Standard practice is that the school authorities are responsible for the securing of interim accommodation which is grant-aided by the Department, pending the securing of permanent recognition. On being granted permanent recognition, a school becomes eligible for capital funding. The rate of progress towards a permanent accommodation solution depends on a number of factors including availability of sites and the Department's budgetary capacity to meet the level of demand.
The school is currently accommodated in prefabricated classrooms on a three quarter acre site in the town. The rental costs of the site and classroom accommodation is grant-aided by my Department at the rate of 95%. My Department is advised that the lease on the site is due to expire in June 2006. My Department is acutely aware of the urgent need for an accommodation solution for this school particularly given the limitations on the existing arrangement and the Department is doing its utmost to achieve a satisfactory outcome at the earliest possible date.
The property management section of the Office of Public Works has been actively engaged in seeking a suitable site for a new school building. Soil sampling is being undertaken to verify the suitability of a particular site. The result of the tests and final assessment of site suitability is expected to be concluded and with my Department in a week or two.
766 Ms O’Sullivan asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of second level teachers appointed to permanent whole time positions during 2004 or for the latest year for which figures are available; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19788/05]
The number of second level teachers appointed to permanent whole time positions in secondary and community or comprehensive schools during 2004 was 573.
767 Ms O’Sullivan asked the Minister for Education and Science if teacher representatives are paid for their membership of the Teaching Council; if simply expenses are paid; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19789/05]
Teacher representatives and all other members of the Teaching Council do not receive any payment for their membership. However, in accordance with the Teaching Council Act 2001, travel and subsistence allowances are payable to all members for expenses incurred for their attendance at meetings of the council and the various committees of the council which have been established in line with the legislation. Any payment of travel and subsistence allowances are subject to the terms and conditions which apply in the Civil Service circulars governing such payments.
770 Mr. Gogarty asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of staff available in the planning and building unit of her Department in Tullamore to deal with the activity involved in making provisions for the school building programme. [19809/05]
There are 121.23 wholetime equivalent staff currently assigned to the planning and building unit of my Department. Of these, 80 are in administrative grades on work directly related to the public capital programme for first and second level schools and 31.23 are in professional and technical grades, handing capital projects at all levels.
Apart from filling an existing vacancy for a quantity surveyor, it has been agreed to recruit a further quantity surveyor and an additional architect for the planning and building unit. Overall numbers in my Department have to be managed within the context of the Government's overall policy on public sector numbers. Regarding the planning and building unit, apart from the additional professional staff being recruited, additional temporary contract administrative staff have been put in place as required to deal with particular demands.
771 Mr. Kehoe asked the Minister for Education and Science when she will reply to correspondence from a person (details supplied) in County Wexford. [19810/05]
The school planning section of my Department has no record of the correspondence referred to by the Deputy. However, contact will be made directly with the person concerned to ascertain the content and to respond to the issues raised.
772 Mr. Kehoe asked the Minister for Education and Science the efforts she has made to ensure that special needs assistants continue to be employed in the system when their pupil moves on. [19811/05]
773 Mr. Kehoe asked the Minister for Education and Science the reason special needs assistants are put on pay scales when they are only assigned to a pupil for eight years and have no tenure when the pupil moves on; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19812/05]
781 Mr. Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of contract types that exist for special needs assistants; the nature of such contracts; the number of special needs assistants employed under each contract type (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19876/05]
782 Mr. Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Education and Science if her Department has given consideration to the establishment of a panel for special needs assistants to facilitate the redeployment of experienced support staff; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19877/05]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 772, 773, 781 and 782 together.
Special needs assistants, or SNAs, are assigned to schools to meet the care needs of individual children who have been assessed by a psychologist as needing this type of support. It has always been the case that where the care needs of a child no longer justify SNA support, that support should no longer have been available to the school.
There has been no change to the criteria or guidelines for allocating SNA support to schools and there are no plans to review the criteria or guidelines under which SNA support is allocated. Applications for SNA support are now dealt with by the National Council for Special Education which processes all applications for support from schools and communicate the decisions directly to the schools. The recruitment and deployment of SNAs within a school is a matter for the individual board of management.
The arrangement for the payment of special needs assistants employed in schools is similar to many other types of employment where employees are paid on a salary scale irrespective of the duration of the employment. This complies with the terms of the Fixed Term Act 2003.
The individual boards of management of schools are the employers of SNAs and the contracts that they have are a matter between the employers and individual SNAs. Therefore, the specific information requested by the Deputy in this regard is not available to my Department. My Department is engaged in discussions with the trade union representing SNAs, under the auspices of the Labour Relations Commission, on a number of issues relating to the employment of SNAs, including the matters raised by the Deputies. In the circumstances it would not be appropriate for me to comment specifically on any of these issues.
The Government has put in place an unprecedented level of support for children with special needs. Indeed, since 1998, the number of SNAs has increased from under 300 to over 6,300 nationally. More effective systems, such as the establishment of the National Council for Special Education, have been put in place to ensure that children get support as early as possible.
774 Mr. Kehoe asked the Minister for Education and Science the reason a school (details supplied) in County Wexford is losing four to five special needs assistants; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19813/05]
Special needs assistants, or SNAs, are assigned to schools to meet the care needs of individual children who have been assessed by a psychologist as needing this type of support. There has been no change to the criteria or guidelines for allocating SNA support to schools and I can further confirm that there are no plans to review the criteria or guidelines under which SNA support is allocated.
In order to ensure that resources are used in the most effective manner, a review has been conducted in recent months to establish whether primary schools have the level of SNA support that they need for children in their care, whether they have resources which they no longer need or whether they need extra resources.
The review has found that some schools no longer have the care needs for which the SNA was originally sanctioned. In some cases the child may have left the school while in other cases the care needs of the child have diminished as the child has progressed through the school. The schools where surplus SNA support was identified have been advised that they may retain this surplus until the end of the current school year.
A review of SNAs support has recently been completed in the school referred to by Deputy. At the time of the review the school had the services of four full time SNA posts and 154.8 part-time SNA hours. When the review was completed, it was determined that the appropriate level of SNA support in the school in question could be catered for with eight full time SNA posts. The net effect of the review was the loss of one full time SNA post and approximately 13 part-time hours. This information has been communicated to the school authorities.
The Government has put in place an unprecedented level of support for children with special needs. Indeed, since 1998, the number of SNAs has increased from under 300 to over 6,300 nationally. In addition to this, more effective systems, such as the establishment of the National Council for Special Education, have been put in place to ensure that children get support as early as possible.
Special education support services are properly targeted at the children who require them and that the substantially increased resources which are being made available in the special educational area have the desired effect of ensuring that all children assessed as having special needs receive the support they require.
776 Mr. Timmins asked the Minister for Education and Science the pupil/teacher ratio by school in the primary schools of counties Wicklow and Carlow (details supplied); the schools which have concessionary teachers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19846/05]
Based on the pupil enrolments on the 30 September, 2004, the pupil teacher ratios for the current school year in the schools referred to by the Deputy are 14.2:1, 20.25:1, 21.5:1 and 13.5: 1 respectively. The first school referred to by the Deputy has a disadvantaged concessionary post.
777 Mr. Timmins asked the Minister for Education and Science her proposals to construct a new No. 1 primary school at Blessington, County Wicklow; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19847/05]
The No. 1 primary school in Blessington is listed among the 122 large-scale projects on the current school building programme announced in January for moving to tender and construction over a 12 to 15 month period. The project is for the provision of a new eight classroom school on a greenfield site. The school authorities will be kept advised of developments.
785 Mr. Carey asked the Minister for Education and Science if the trustees of schools (details supplied) in Dublin 9 have notified her Department of the outcome of discussions on the amalgamation of the schools; if so, when this will take effect; if it is proposed to relocate into the vacated school building in time for occupation at the beginning of the new school year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19972/05]
Discussions on the amalgamation of the schools referred to by the Deputy are ongoing. My Department is in ongoing contact with the boards of management involved. The Deputy will appreciate that an amalgamation is a sensitive issue for those concerned and it would not, therefore, be helpful to plan for the re-location of the school to which the Deputy refers until the outcome of amalgamation discussions is known.
786 Mr. Noonan asked the Minister for Education and Science if, in view of the prospective decline in the number of primary school students in Southhill parish and Our Lady Queen of Peace parish, Janesboro, County Limerick, and the application by schools in the area to change their status, she will review the provision of primary education in these parishes and take the views of all the education partners into account in bringing forward an agreed solution to the emerging problems; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19973/05]
My Department is in receipt of a proposal from the board of management of Our Lady Queen of Peace national school for a change of status from a girls' school with facilities for the teaching of infant boys to a fully vertical co-educational provider of primary education. In the first instance, any such proposal must have the approval of the patron and clarification in this regard has already been sought. In addition, the proposal must also be examined in the context of existing provision and the likely impact such a change might have on other schools in the area. The agreement of schools in the area to the proposed change would be desirable before such a proposal would be approved.
On receipt of clarification of these issues, my officials will engage further with the school authorities before any final decision is taken. My Department has not received any application for change of status from Southill junior school.
787 Mr. Carey asked the Minister for Education and Science if her Department has been notified by the trustees of a school (details supplied) in Dublin 11 of its intention to close this school; if her Department has interests in the property which need to be discharged prior to the disposal of the building; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19974/05]
My Department was notified in June 2003 of the trustees' decision to close the school referred to by the Deputy. My Department has a leasehold interest in the property which will require to be discharged prior to the disposal of the property.
788 Ms O’Sullivan asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of teachers with restricted recognition currently working in primary schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19975/05]
There are 406 teachers with restricted recognition currently working in primary schools. Restricted recognition gives eligibility to teach in certain categories of special schools and in the categories of special classes in mainstream schools where Irish is not a curricular requirement. Teachers with such recognition are also entitled to take up positions in special schools for young offenders, youth encounter projects and special education projects. My Department grants restricted recognition to teachers who trained outside the State with a recognised primary teacher qualification, and teachers with certain approved Montessori qualifications. My Department also grants restricted recognition to teachers with a recognised post-primary qualification to enable them to teach in a special school where a proportion of the pupils attending the special school are of post-primary age and where second level programmes are being provided by the school.
789 Mr. Neville asked the Minister for Education and Science when a one to one resource teacher will be available to a person (details supplied) in County Limerick. [19976/05]
The Deputy will be aware of the new general allocation system for pupils with high incidence special needs such as dyslexia, mild and borderline general learning disability as well as those requiring learning support. The introduction of the new system involves the provision of an estimated additional 340 permanent posts in primary schools from September next. A further 320 posts are being provided on a temporary basis to facilitate the transition to the new system and to ensure continuity of service for children who have previously been given an individual allocation until those children leave the primary school system. It is also the case that pupils with lower incidence special needs, such as autism, will continue to be catered for on an individual application basis.
On the basis of the information available to the Department, it appears that the pupil referred to by the Deputy suffers from specific learning disability and therefore falls into the high incidence disability category. In the circumstances, his needs would fall to be met from the general allocation to the school. In this instance, the school in question has a general allocation of 12.5 hours. The new scheme does not prevent schools from giving one-to-one time with a resource teacher to any child who needs such support. Rather, it ensures that each school has enough resources to ensure that each child gets a level of support appropriate to their individual needs. The school can use its professional judgement to decide how hours are divided between different children in the school, to ensure that all their needs are met.
Research shows that some children with special needs will respond better with one to one tuition. Others, however, do better when taught in small groups. Often it is best for resource teachers to work with children in the classroom rather than take them away to a separate room as the children then have to catch up work done by the rest of the class in their absence. The type of response needed depends on the child. While the new scheme will not prevent schools from giving one to one time with the resource teacher to children who need it, it is important to note that one to one teaching is not the best option for every child.
790 Mr. Lowry asked the Minister for Education and Science if correspondence (details supplied) has been received by her Department; if so, her views on the matter; when a decision will be made; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19977/05]
I have included the building project for the school in question in my recently announced list of school projects to be progressed through architectural planning in 2005. The building project in question is at an early stage of architectural planning and the stage submission is with my Department for assessment. When it is completed, the school building section will be in contact with the school authorities.
A decision on which school building projects will advance to tender and construction as part of the 2006 schools building and modernisation programme will be taken later in the year.
791 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science the position in relation to the extension project at a school (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20053/05]
I have included the building project for the school in question in my recently announced list of school projects to be progressed through architectural planning in 2005. The building project is at an early stage of architectural planning and officials from my Department have recently visited to determine the project brief. My Department will be in contact with the school authorities in due course to discuss how next to proceed.
A decision on which school building projects will advance to tender and construction as part of the 2006 schools building and modernisation programme will be taken later in the year.
792 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science the position in relation to the extension project at a school (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20054/05]
I have included the building project for the school in question in my recently announced list of school projects to be progressed through architectural planning in 2005. The building project is at an early stage of architectural planning. My Department's officials recently wrote to the school authorities giving approval to proceed to stage 1/2 — developed plans and costs — and a response to the letter issued is awaited.
A decision on which school building projects will advance to tender and construction as part of the 2006 schools building and modernisation programme will be taken later in the year.
793 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science the position in relation to the extension project at a school (details supplied) in County Kildare. [20055/05]
The project referred to by the Deputy is among the large scale projects on the current school building programme listed to move to tender and construction over the next 12 to 15 months. My Department has given this school devolved authority to progress its project to tender and construction.
794 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science the position in relation to the extension project at a school (details supplied) in County Kildare. [20056/05]
The project referred to by the Deputy is listed among the 122 large scale projects on the current school building programme announced in January to move to tender and construction over a 12 to 15 month period. My Department's building unit is awaiting revised plans from the school and its design team on the project. When the plans are received, the project can be progressed further with a view to giving devolved authority to the school to proceed to tender and construction.
795 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science the extent to which she expects to increase the number of special needs assistants at primary school level; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20057/05]
There are currently 6,314 special needs assistants, SNAs, in primary schools. SNAs are assigned to schools to meet the care needs of individual children who have been assessed by a psychologist as needing this type of support. There has been no change to the criteria or guidelines for allocating SNA support to schools and there are no plans to review the criteria or guidelines under which SNA support is allocated. Applications for SNA support are now dealt with by the National Council for Special Education which processes all applications for support from schools and communicates decisions directly to schools.
I understand the council has dealt with all new applications from schools for SNAs who will be required from the beginning of September 2005. Where an identified need for SNA support arises, the resources to put an SNA in place will be made available to schools. However, it is not possible to state how many applications for such support may be lodged with the National Council for Special Education in the coming months.
796 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science her plans to bring pupil-teacher ratios into line with best practice in other EU jurisdictions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20058/05]
798 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science her plans for the improvement of pupil-teacher ratios in all primary schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20060/05]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 796 and 798 together.
Significant improvements have been made in the pupil-teacher ratio and average class size in recent years. The average class size at primary level is now 23.9, down from 26.6 in 1996-97. The pupil teacher ratio, which includes all teachers including resource teachers, has fallen from 22.2:1 in the 1996-97 school year to 17.44:1 in 2003-04. More than 4,000 additional teachers have been employed in our primary schools since 1997.
In allocating teaching posts, regard has been had to the commitments of the Government to reduce class size, tackle educational disadvantage and provide additional resources for pupils with special educational needs. The additional teaching posts created since 1997 have been deployed to address all of these priorities. The Deputy will be aware that a review of the allocation system of teaching support for pupils with special educational needs was recently completed. Arising from the review, a new model has been introduced to replace that which was notified to schools in June 2004. The introduction of the new system will involve the provision of an estimated additional 340 permanent posts in primary schools from September next. A further 320 posts are being provided on a temporary basis to facilitate the transition to the new system and to ensure continuity of service for children who have previously been given an individual allocation until those children leave the primary school system.
The new system will greatly benefit schools and the children in schools who need additional support. The Deputy will also be aware of the new action plan for educational inclusion, Delivering Equality of Opportunity in Schools, which I launched recently. The action plan will result in reduced class sizes in schools serving the most disadvantaged communities to 24:1 at senior level and 20:1 at junior level. 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, those from disadvantaged areas and those in junior classes.
797 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science her plans for the improvement of pupil-teacher ratios in all second level schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20059/05]
Significant improvements have been made in the pupil-teacher ratio at post primary level in recent years. The ratio has fallen from 16:1 in the 1996-97 school year to 13.6:1 in the 2003-04 school year. 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.
799 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science if a review has taken place regarding pupil-teacher ratio class sizes at a school (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20070/05]
The mainstream staffing of a primary school is determined by applying the enrolment of the school on 30 September of the previous school year to a staffing schedule, agreed between my Department and the education partners. The system for allocating teachers to primary schools is based on ensuring an overall maximum class of 29 in each school. Where some classes in a school have class sizes of greater than 29, it is generally because a decision has been taken at local level to use teaching resources to have smaller numbers in other classes. The Deputy should note that significant improvements have been made in this area in recent years.
The average class size at primary level is now 23.9, down from 26.6 in 1996-97. The pupil-teacher ratio, which includes all teachers in a school including resource teachers, has fallen from 22.2:1 in the 1996-97 school year to 17.44:1 in 2003-04. More than 4,000 additional teachers have been employed in our primary schools since 1997. These additional teaching posts have been used to reduce class sizes, tackle educational disadvantage and provide additional resources for children with special needs. The only deviation from the agreed staffing arrangements is in the case of schools classified as "developing schools". The conditions for obtaining a post as a developing school are outlined in Primary Circular 15/05, a copy of which issued to the board of management of each school.
In the current school year the staffing of the school referred to by the Deputy comprises a principal and 21 mainstream class teachers based on an enrolment of 591 pupils at 30 September 2003. In addition, the school has two learning support teachers, two special class teachers, two full time resource teachers, one shared resource teacher and one temporary language support teacher. In accordance with the staffing schedule which issued recently to boards of management, the mainstream staffing of the school for the 2005-06 school year will remain a principal and 21 mainstream class teachers based on an enrolment of 588 pupils at 30 September, 2004. To ensure openness and transparency in the system, an independent appeals board is now in place to decide on any appeals. The criteria under which an appeal can be made are set out in Department Primary Circular 19/02 which is also available on my Department's website. The appeals board will meet in July to consider appeals on the mainstream teaching allocation to schools for the 2005-06 school year. The closing date for appeals is 24 June 2005. Appeals must be submitted to Primary Payments Section, Department of Education and Science, Athlone, on the standard application form, clearly stating the criterion under which the appeal is being made. The application form is available from the primary payments section or on my Department's website.
The Deputy will appreciate that it would not be appropriate for me to intervene in the operation of the independent appeals board.
800 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science the position in relation to provision of an extension at a school (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20071/05]
I have included the building project for the school in question in my recently announced list of school projects to be progressed through architectural planning in 2005. The building project for the school in question is at an early stage of architectural planning. The stage 3 submission — detailed plans and costs — is with my Department and will be assessed by staff in due course. When the analysis is complete, the school building section will contact the school authorities. A decision on which school building projects will advance to tender and construction as part of the 2006 schools building and modernisation programme will be taken later in the year.
801 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science when works will commence at a school (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20072/05]
My Department is moving towards a model of devolving the responsibility for building projects to school management authorities where appropriate. The devolving of funding to local level will accommodate school authorities to have responsibility and ownership of their building projects and assist in moving projects in a specific timeframe through the design process, to tender action and construction. I am pleased to inform the Deputy that County Kildare VEC. has been allocated a grant under the 2005 summer works scheme in respect of conversion works at the college in question and I understand that tender documentation is being prepared.
802 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science when a decision will be made regarding an application for a major refurbishment project at a school (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20073/05]
The school planning section of my Department is in receipt of an application for major capital funding from the school to which the Deputy refers. The application has been assessed in accordance with the published prioritisation criteria for large scale projects which were revised following consultation with the education partners last year. Progress on the application is being considered in the context of the school building programme from 2005 onwards.
803 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science when extra teaching staff will be allocated to a school (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20074/05]
The mainstream staffing of a primary school is determined by applying the enrolment of the school on 30 September of the previous school year to a staffing schedule, agreed between my Department and the education partners. The system for allocating teachers to primary schools is based on ensuring an overall maximum class of 29 in each school. Where some classes in a school have class sizes of greater than 29, it is generally because a decision has been taken at local level to use teaching resources to have smaller numbers in other classes. The only deviation from the agreed staffing arrangements is in the case of schools classified as "developing schools". The conditions for obtaining a post as a developing school are outlined in Primary Circular 15/05, a copy of which issued to the board of management of each school.
In the current school year, the staffing of the school referred to by the Deputy comprises of a principal and nine mainstream class teachers based on an enrolment of 244 pupils at 30 September 2003. In addition, the school has one learning support teacher, one special class teacher, one resource teacher and one shared temporary language support teacher. In accordance with the staffing schedule which issued recently to boards of management, the mainstream staffing of the school for the 2005-06 school year will remain at a principal and nine mainstream class teachers based on an enrolment of 243 pupils at 30 September, 2004.
To ensure openness and transparency in the system an independent appeals board is in place to decide on any appeals. The criteria under which an appeal can be made are set out in Department Primary Circular 19/02 which is also available on my Department's website. The appeals board will meet in July to consider appeals on the mainstream teaching allocation to schools for the 2005-06 school year. The closing date for appeals is 24 June 2005. Appeals must be submitted to primary payments section, Department of Education and Science, Athlone, on the standard application form, clearly stating the criterion under which the appeal is being made. The application form is available from the primary payments section or on my Department's website.
The Deputy will appreciate that it would not be appropriate for me to intervene in the operation of the independent appeals board.
804 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science the position in relation to the provision of extra facilities required at a school (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20075/05]
The project referred to by the Deputy is listed among the 122 large scale projects on the school building programme announced in January to move to tender and construction over a 12 to 15 month period. The project is at planning permission stage and it is envisaged that tenders will be sought later this year.
805 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science the position in relation to the extra facilities required at a school (details supplied) in Dublin 24; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20076/05]
The project referred to by the Deputy is listed among the 122 large scale projects on the school building programme which will move to tender and construction. My Department has given devolved authority to the school in question to proceed with the project to tender and construction. I understand the project is at tender stage with tenders due to be returned before the end of June.
806 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science the position in relation to a school (details supplied) in conjunction with the County Kildare VEC relating to relocation and extension of the school’s capacity; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20077/05]
County Kildare VEC, the management authority of St. Patrick's post primary school, is progressing plans to relocate the school and extend its capacity to 1,000 pupils. Discussions involving officials from my Department, County Kildare VEC, the local authority and representatives of a developer have been held in the matter. The discussions are ongoing and will be concluded as soon as possible to allow a final decision to be taken in the matter.
807 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science the position regarding extra facilities required at a school (details supplied) in County Kildare; when an extension will commence at this school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20078/05]
809 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science when extra facilities will be provided at a school (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20080/05]
810 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science when extra facilities will be provided at a school (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20081/05]
812 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science when extra facilities will be provided at a school (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20083/05]
813 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science when school renovations will be sanctioned at a school (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20084/05]
814 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science when the accommodation issue will be addressed at a school (details supplied) in County Kildare, where no facilities are available for resource teaching; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20085/05]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 807, 809, 810 and 812 to 814, inclusive, together.
Applications for capital funding from the schools in question were considered as part of a review of all projects which did not proceed to construction as part of the 2004 school building programme. Under the review, all projects have been assessed in accordance with the published prioritisation criteria revised last year following consultation with the education partners. Each project has been assigned a band rating and the progress of all projects, including those referred to by the Deputy, is being considered in the context of the school building programme from 2005 onwards.
808 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science if extra teaching staff will be allocated to a school (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20079/05]
The staffing of a primary school is determined by reference to the enrolment of the school on 30 September of the previous school year and by reference to a staffing schedule. The schedule is outlined in Primary Circular 15/05 which issued to all primary schools recently and is in line with guidelines agreed between my Department and the education partners.
According to my Department's records, the school referred to by the Deputy had an enrolment of 148 pupils on 30 September, 2004. On the basis of its enrolment, I am pleased to inform the Deputy that the appointment of one additional mainstream class teacher is warranted for the 2005-06 school year. Therefore, the mainstream staffing of the school for the 2005-06 school year will be a principal and five mainstream class teachers.
811 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science when extra facilities will be provided at a school (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20082/05]
829 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science the updated report in regard to the provision of the required and proposed facilities at a school (details supplied) in County Kildare; the possible deadline for meeting such requirements; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20100/05]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 811 and 829 together.
An application for capital funding from the schools in question has been considered as part of a review of all projects which did not proceed to construction as part of the 2004 school building programme.
Under this review, all projects have been assessed against the published prioritisation criteria which were revised last year following consultation with the education partners. Each project has been assigned a band rating and the progress of all projects will be considered in the context of the school building programme from 2005 onwards.
815 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science the position in regard to the provision of extra accommodation and other requirements at a school (details supplied) in County Kildare which are urgently required; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20086/05]
I have included phase two of the building project for the school in question in my recently announced list of school projects to be progressed through architectural planning in 2005. Phase one of the building project is currently under construction and is due for completion in the near future.
Phase two of the building project is at an early stage of architectural planning. My Department's officials recently wrote to the school authorities giving approval to proceed with a revised stage 2 submission, developed plans and costs, and a response to the letter issued is awaited.
A decision on which school building projects will advance to tender and construction as part of the 2006 schools building and modernisation programme will be taken later in the year.
816 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science if and when funding for school building and budget will be authorised for a school (details supplied) in County Meath, specifically catering for children with autism; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20087/05]
An application for funding in relation to a temporary structure provided by Stepping Stones, Meath ABA school was recently the subject of an appeal in my Department.
The appeals process is now finalised. An official from my Department's school building section recently met members of Stepping Stones Meath ABA Limited to discuss the outcome. As a result of that meeting further information was requested by my Department. This information has recently been received and is currently being considered by the property management section of my Department.
817 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science the position in regard to the provision of a new school at a school (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20088/05]
I have included the building project for the school in question in my recently announced list of school projects to be progressed through architectural planning in 2005.
The building project is at an early stage of architectural planning. My Department's officials recently wrote to the school authorities giving approval to proceed with a stage 2 submission, developed plans and costs, and a response to the letter issued is awaited.
A decision on which school building projects will advance to tender and construction as part of the 2006 schools building and modernisation programme will be taken later in the year.
818 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science the position in regard to the provision of extra classrooms at a school (details supplied) in County Kildare which are urgently required; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20089/05]
I am pleased to inform the Deputy that I have included phase 2 of the building project for the school in question in my recently announced list of school projects to be progressed through architectural planning in 2005.
Phase one of the building project is currently under construction and is due for completion in the near future.
Phase two of the building project is at an early stage of architectural planning. My Department's officials recently wrote to the school authorities giving approval to proceed with a revised stage 2 submission, developed plans and costs, and a response to the letter issued is awaited.
A decision on which school building projects will advance to tender and construction as part of the 2006 schools building and modernisation programme will be taken later in the year.
819 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science the position in regard to site acquisition to meet requirements of alternative or new school facilities at a school (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20090/05]
The property management section of the Office of Public Works, which acts on behalf of my Department in regard to site acquisitions generally, has identified a number of possible site options for the school referred to by the Deputy. Discussions between the relevant landowners and OPW are continuing.
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.
820 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science the position in regard to a classroom extension at a school (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20091/05]
I am pleased to inform the Deputy that construction is well under way on the project in question. The extension is scheduled for completion by September of this year.
821 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science the position in regard to an extension at a school (details supplied) in County Kildare. [20092/05]
I am pleased to inform the Deputy that construction work is well under way on the new eight classroom school in question. The new school is scheduled for completion for September of this year.
822 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science the position in regard to classroom extension at a school (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20093/05]
I am pleased to inform the Deputy that construction is well under way on a seven classroom extension at the school in question. The extension is scheduled for completion for September of this year.
This school was also included in my recent announcement of schools to commence architectural planning to provide for a further eight classroom extension and ancillary accommodation. The process of appointing a design team for this project has already commenced.
823 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science the position in regard to construction works at a school (details supplied) in County Dublin; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20094/05]
The project referred to by the Deputy is currently under construction and is expected to be completed by mid-2006.
824 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science the position in regard to an extension at a school (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20095/05]
Construction is well under way on the extension at the school in question. The extension is scheduled for completion for September of this year.
825 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science if the extension, ancillary accommodation and autistic unit are on target for completion at a school (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20096/05]
Construction is well under way on the extension at the school in question. The projects are scheduled for completion in the first half of 2006.
826 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science her plans to meet the primary school place needs of parents seeking a multi-denominational educational ethos in Naas, County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20097/05]
In September 2004 in accordance with the procedures for the recognition of new primary schools, Educate Together, the national umbrella body for multi-denominational schools in Ireland, submitted a notification of its intention to apply to open a new primary school in Naas in September, 2005. However, this notification was not followed up with a formal application which was required to have been submitted by 31 January, 2005 and, consequently, the proposed school will not open this year.
In the circumstances, the pupil referred to would be eligible to apply for school transport to the nearest multi-denominational school in the area. The parent of the pupil should contact the school transport section of my Department for full details in this regard.
827 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science the position and her plans for the future provision of full primary and post-primary school facilities in line with requirements set out by the schools authorities and by reference to demographic trends with a view to ensuring that all children at primary or second level can be offered places as required at Naas, County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20098/05]
I am aware that Naas, like many areas located within close proximity to Dublin, continues to experience population growth, a position that almost inevitably places some strain on existing educational provision. However, a range of significant measures has been undertaken by my Department to address the current and future need for pupil places in the Naas area.
Specifically, 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 NS and St. Conleth's Naofa. Temporary accommodation has also been provided at one of the two nearby national schools at Caragh. In addition approval has been given to St. Corban's, Gaelscoil Nás na Riogh and Killashee for additional temporary accommodation for September 2005.
A brand new state of the art 16 classroom school together with a double autistic unit is under construction in Naas town. This facility will open in September 2005 for junior infant classes.
Additionally, there are proposals to improve accommodation at St. David's national school and Two Mile House national school. The accommodation needs of the national schools at Ballycane, Caragh and the Convent of Mercy in Naas itself 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 re-locate the school and extend capacity to 1,000 pupils. Additionally, an extension project is under construction at St. Mary's College, which will increase capacity at that school to 900 pupils. A similar extension is under construction at Meánscoil Iognáid Rís and further accommodation needs at the school are in planning.
All of these initiatives represent huge capital investment and demonstrate my commitment to meeting the needs of the area 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.
828 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science the extent to which she has studied the need for the provision of a new primary school at Kill, County Kildare; if she has received submissions from the Kill national school authorities in this regard; if her attention has been drawn to the urgent need to meet such requirements at an early date; if she will provide instructions to the relevant section of her Department with a view to achieving the desired level of progress in the shortest possible time; the number of school places it is intended to provide at this location in the near future; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20099/05]
I am aware that Kill, like many areas located within close proximity to Dublin, continues to experience population growth, a position that almost inevitably places some strain on existing educational provision. To alleviate the need for school places in Kill it is proposed to provide a new 16 classroom school.
The property management section of the Office of Public Works, which acts on behalf of my Department in regard to site acquisitions generally, is continuing to explore all possibilities in regard 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. 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.
830 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science the position in regard to the provision of the permanent facilities required at a school (details supplied) in County Kildare; the anticipated timescale for the provision of same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20101/05]
While the school to which the Deputy refers has not yet applied to my Department for capital funding, an application in this regard is expected shortly.
On receipt of the application the project will be assessed against the published prioritisation criteria for large scale building projects which were revised last year following consultation with the education partners. The project will be assigned a band rating and its progress will be considered in the context of the school building programme from 2005 onwards.
832 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science the degree to which psychological assessment is readily available at all primary or post-primary schools throughout the country; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20103/05]
All schools have access to psychological assessments, either directly through the National Educational Psychological Service, NEPS, for those schools currently served by NEPS, or through the scheme for commissioning psychological assessments, SCPA, for those that do not currently have NEPS psychologists assigned to them.
All schools that do not have NEPS psychologists assigned to them may avail of this scheme, whereby they can commission assessments from a member of the panel of private psychologists approved by NEPS, and NEPS will pay the fees directly to the psychologists concerned. Details of this scheme, including the conditions that apply to it, are available on my Department's website.
The complement of psychologists in NEPS has increased almost three-fold from 43 psychologists on establishment to 128 psychologists at present. NEPS also provides assistance to all schools that suffer from critical incidents, regardless of whether or not they have a NEPS psychologist assigned to them. NEPS also processes applications for reasonable accommodations in certificate examinations. On behalf of my Department, the Public Appointments Service has recently initiated a new recruitment competition for NEPS. Any increase in the overall numbers of psychologists in NEPS must take account of Government policy on public sector numbers.
833 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science her plans to meet the new primary and post-primary schools requirements as set out by the various school authorities in the coming year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20104/05]
The Deputy should note that significant additional resources have been provided to schools at both primary and second level in recent years to cater for improved staffing levels, increased per capita grants, new and refurbished accommodation, additional supports for pupils in disadvantaged areas and pupils with special educational needs. My Department is committed to providing additional funding to the education sector generally as resources permit.
834 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science the degree to which she expects to increase the number of resource, remedial or special needs teachers at all schools throughout the country; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20105/05]
As the Deputy is aware, a new scheme for allocating resource teachers to primary schools to cater for the needs of children with high incidence special needs and learning support needs, was announced last month.
To ensure that every school has enough resource teaching hours to meet the needs of its pupils, an extra 660 resource teaching posts are being put in place for next September. Some 340 of these are permanent posts and 320 are temporary posts being provided to ensure that children who had been given an individual allocation of resource teaching hours by my Department will keep these in situations where the general allocation to the school would not be sufficient to allow the school to provide these hours from within its general allocation.
As of next September there will be more than 5,000 teachers in our primary schools working directly with children with special needs, including those requiring learning support. This compares to under 1,500 in 1998. One out of every five primary school teachers is now working specifically with children with special needs.
It is also the case that pupils with low incidence special needs, such as autism, will continue to be catered for on an individual application basis. However, the establishment of the National Council for Special Education, NCSE, last January and the recruitment of special educational needs organisers, SENOs, throughout the country has greatly enhanced the speed of response to such applications.
Children with more severe disabilities are catered for in 107 special schools which are dedicated to particular disability groups throughout the country. Where placement in a special school is not considered necessary, children with special educational needs can attend one of over 600 special classes attached to ordinary mainstream primary schools. Children attending special schools and classes enjoy a significantly reduced pupil teacher ratio and other staffing supports. My Department, in conjunction with the National Council for Special Education, will continue to sanction additional provision in these areas where particular needs are identified.
The Government and I, as Minister for Education and Science, are deeply committed to improving services for children with special needs. In addition to the significant increase in resource teachers in recent years, the introduction of this new general allocation scheme will ensure a faster and more flexible response for children with special needs.
835 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science her plans to provide speech and language therapy teachers in accordance with the requirements as set out by the various school authorities throughout the country at primary and second level; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20106/05]
My Department will establish speech and language classes, with appropriate teaching support, where a need for such classes is established. However I wish to advise the Deputy that the provision of speech and language therapists is a matter for my colleague, the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children.
836 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science the extent to which she expects to increase the number of special needs assistants available at second level schools throughout the country; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20107/05]
The level of resources being made available to support students with special educational needs in the second level system has grown significantly in recent years. In the current school year, my Department has allocated approximately 632 whole-time equivalent special needs assistants to second level schools to cater for pupils with special educational needs. This represents an increase of approximately 167 special needs assistant posts on the previous school year.
The National Council for Special Education, NCSE, has been established as an independent statutory body with responsibilities as set out in the National Council for Special Education (Establishment) Order 2003. With effect from 1 January 2005, the NCSE, through local special educational needs organisers, SENOs, will process resource applications for children with special educational needs. Where a pupil with special educational needs enrols in a post-primary school, it is open to the school to apply to thelocal SENO for additional teaching support and-or special needs assistant support for the pupil. I am confident the establishment of the National Council for Special Education will prove of major benefit in ensuring that all children with special educational needs receive the support they require when and where they require it.
837 Mr. Hogan asked the Minister for Defence when a reply will be issued in respect of Revenue matters to a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny; if he will undertake to treat this matter urgently; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18942/05]
I understand an application for a refund of income tax from the person concerned in respect of absences on sick leave for which he received social welfare benefit is being processed by the Revenue Commissioners. The person concerned has been notified of the position.
838 Mr. Noonan asked the Minister for Defence if the findings of the inquiry into a person (details supplied) in County Limerick indicate that the naval authorities were guilty of contributory negligence in the person’s death; if the apology promised to this person’s family by a representative of the naval authorities should now be made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18986/05]
I again convey my deepest sympathy to the family on the loss of their son.
As the Deputy may be aware, a Naval Service officer held meetings with the parents at the office of their legal representative to facilitate their access to the report of the military court of inquiry into their son's tragic death. The meetings were intended to assist the family by explaining the court of inquiry process and clarifying any questions or issues they had arising from the report.
Specific requests were made by the family arising from these meetings and the naval officer undertook to have them considered by the relevant authorities. They were then carefully considered taking full account of all relevant facts in the case. In particular, account was taken of the fact that the criminal courts had found an individual guilty of the manslaughter of the person in question. Responsibility rests with this individual as a consequence of his criminal acts. My officials have written to the family explaining why it is regrettably not possible to accede to their requests.
839 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Defence the most up-to-date information on his travels abroad for the St. Patrick’s Day celebrations; the persons who travelled with him in his official party; the duration of the visit; and the total cost. [19197/05]
I did not travel abroad for the St. Patrick's Day celebrations.
840 Ms C. Murphy asked the Minister for Defence if he will report on illegal or unauthorised encroachment into military airspace by aircraft from the Weston Aerodrome; and if there are additional safety implications for Air Corps trainee pilots in the PC9M training aircraft. [19784/05]
Unauthorised infringements by air traffic from Weston Airport represent a hazard to all airspace users, whether military or civil aircraft, that legally transit through restricted military airspace. All infringements are noted by the Air Corps and the more serious infringements are reported to the appropriate body, the Irish Aviation Authority, for its attention and for any action which it deems appropriate. The Air Corps continually conducts risk assessments, including liaison with Weston Airport on safety issues, to ensure the maximum safety for all airspace users.
841 Mr. Connolly asked the Minister for Defence if he will make a statement on the outcome of his Sarajevo meeting on 31 May 2005 with the EU’s administrator in Bosnia Herzegovina, Lord Paddy Ashdown. [19985/05]
During the period 30 May to 1 June, I visited Irish troops serving with KFOR in Kosovo, and EUFOR in Bosnia Herzegovina. During my visit to EUFOR, I met with Lord Ashdown, the high representative for Bosnia Herzegovina. We had a wide-ranging discussion which included the current situation in the area and the prospects for further developments and also the question of the opening of negotiations on a stabilisation and association agreement.
842 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will work closely with the Department of Finance on tax relief or support in assisting the supply of dog dazers; and if he will make a statement on this public health issue. [19279/05]
The Control of Dogs Acts 1986 and 1992 place statutory responsibility for dog control on county and city councils. Under the Acts, dogs are required to be licensed and to be kept under effectual control. Regulations under the Acts also provide for the leashing and muzzling of certain classes of dogs when in a public place. The implementation of the Acts is assigned to local authorities which have power to appoint dog wardens, to provide shelters for stray and other dogs, to seize dogs, to impose on-the-spot fines for a number of offences and to take prosecutions. Local authorities are regularly reminded by my Department of the need for effective enforcement of these provisions.
Any question of introducing tax reliefs is primarily a matter for consideration by my colleague the Minister for Finance. I have no proposals to recommend the introduction of reliefs of the kind referred to in the question.
843 Mr. Connolly asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the progress in implementing the national spatial strategy as far as County Monaghan is concerned; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19307/05]
844 Mr. Connolly asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the progress in implementing the national spatial strategy for County Cavan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19308/05]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 843 and 844 together.
The national spatial strategy, NSS, aims to achieve a better balance of social, economic and physical development across Ireland, supported by more effective planning. The NSS will be implemented over a 20-year timeframe up to 2020.
The Government has put a wide range of measures in place at national, regional and local levels to implement the NSS, and achieve its objectives over its 20-year timeframe. During the initial phases of NSS implementation, strong emphasis was placed on the preparation and adoption by all regional authorities of regional planning guidelines to elaborate how policies set out in the NSS should be developed in more detail and implemented in different regions, including the Border region of which Cavan and Monaghan are a part. The regional planning guidelines for the Border region were adopted in May 2004.
My Department subsequently issued best practice guidance on the arrangements for implementing the regional planning guidelines, including the question of transposing the policy objectives contained in the regional planning guidelines into local authority development plans. Arrangements have also been made for the establishment of an implementation group within the Border region for the regional planning guidelines to sustain and further develop the shared vision of the region's development potential as set out in the guidelines, to monitor investments within the region in the infrastructural projects identified as priorities, to establish a shared database in relation to development patterns in the region and to assist the regional authority in monitoring and reporting on overall implementation of the RPG's, with an eye to any future review of the RPG's.
It is understood that reviews of the Monaghan county, Monaghan town and Cavan town and environs development plans are now under way. These reviews will take account in particular of Monaghan and Cavan towns designation in the NSS as hubs to build the critical mass necessary to lead the drive towards a more balanced spread of enterprise, tourism, service and other economic and social development supported by key investments by the public and private sectors.
845 Mr. P. Breen asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government when funding will be made available for the installation of a water filtration plant for the public water supply in Ennis (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19387/05]
The Ennis town water supply treatment scheme has been approved for construction in my Department's water services investment programme 2004-2006. My Department is awaiting submission of Clare County Council's tender documents for the scheme.
846 Mr. P. Breen asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government when funding will be made available for the construction of a secondary sewage treatment plant in Ennis (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19388/05]
The Ennis-Clarecastle sewerage scheme has been approved for construction in my Department's water services investment programme 2004-2006. Clare County Council's preliminary report for the scheme is being examined in my Department and will be dealt with as quickly as possible.
847 Mr. Kehoe asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the average price of a domestic dwelling house in the Wexford district of the Wexford constituency in the period 2000 to 2005; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19610/05]
848 Mr. Kehoe asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the average price of a domestic dwelling house in the Enniscorthy district of the Wexford constituency in the period 2000 to 2005; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19611/05]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 847 and 848 together.
My Department does not have data on average prices for houses in Enniscorthy or Wexford electoral areas of the Wexford constituency on the basis sought in the question. However, information on the average house prices in five specified areas, namely Cork, Dublin, Galway, Limerick, Waterford, together with an average price for all other locations, which would include areas in County Wexford, is published on a quarterly and annual basis in my Department's housing statistics bulletin, copies of which are available in the Oireachtas Library, and on the Department's website at www.environ.ie.
My Department is developing a new house price statistics system which will incorporate the production of a mix-adjusted house price index reflecting not only house price variations but also changes in the proportion of property types purchased and incorporating characteristics such as region, age of dwelling, type of buyer, including first-time buyer, house type and number of rooms. House price data will be available at county level once this system goes live, which is expected to be later this year.
849 Mr. Hogan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if an application for a new house grant was received in 1999 in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18956/05]
There is no record of the receipt of an application for a new house grant from the person named at the address given. Applications for a grant, which was terminated as and from 14 November 2002, were required to be received in my Department by 4 December 2002.
850 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will approve funding for a sewerage scheme (details supplied) in County Roscommon; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18957/05]
The Roscommon towns and villages sewerage scheme, of which Tulsk is an element, is included in my Department's water services investment programme 2004-2006 as a scheme to commence construction in 2006. My Department is awaiting submission of Roscommon County Council's design review report for the scheme. When the design review report is approved by my Department, the council will then be in a position to prepare contract documents for the scheme.
851 Mr. O’Shea asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the number of sewerage schemes which will commence construction in the Waterford constituency in 2005; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18987/05]
Details of approved waste-water schemes in Waterford city and county are set out in my Department's water services investment programme 2004-2006 which is available in the Oireachtas Library. The most up-to-date information relating to the construction status of individual schemes, including schemes being advanced under the devolved rural water programme, may be obtained from the relevant local authority.
852 Mr. Crawford asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the number of social houses which have been provided by each of the county councils in each of the past four years; if he has satisfied himself that all councils are making sufficient effort to utilise this funding; if not, the steps he proposes to take to encourage them to do so; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19001/05]
Details on the number of social house completions are available for the period to September 2004 in my Department's housing statistics bulletins, copies of which are available in the Oireachtas Library, and for the period to December 2004 are on the Department's website at www.environ.ie.
The housing needs of an increasing number of households are being met each year through the provision of housing by local authorities and voluntary and co-operative housing organisations. Since 1997 the housing needs of 86,000 households have been met and in general, over the past decade, the resources allocated to my Department for social housing purposes have been fully spent.
My Department, in its overall responsibility for managing housing capital budgets, seeks to ensure that these are spent as effectively as possible. In the case of local authority housing, where one authority does not require their full social housing allocation, my Department can reassign the balance to other authorities and there is also flexibility to use any unused resources for other housing purposes. There was some under-spend in 2004 on the allocation available for voluntary and co-operative housing, but new facilities under the multi-annual capital envelope regime, permitted these resources to be carried into 2005 for reallocation.
The Government has allocated record levels of funding or social and affordable housing programmes this year. Total capital spending on social and affordable housing output in 2005, including non-Exchequer finance, will amount to some €2 billion and will assist in meeting the housing needs of more than 13,000 households. In addition, it is anticipated that a number of households in private rented accommodation will transfer to the new rental accommodation scheme now being introduced.
One of the key lessons from past performance is the need for certainty around funding and the value of a multi-annual approach. The Government's decision to introduce five-year multi-annual capital investment programmes provides the appropriate framework in this regard. To ensure a systematic and integrated approach to the use of these resources, my Department has initiated the development by local authorities of new five-year action plans for social and affordable housing. These plans, which are now in place, will allow for the effective allocation of resources by my Department and will ensure that these resources are used to best effect to deliver the optimum level of quality housing in a manner which contributes to the social inclusion objectives of breaking cycles of disadvantage and dependency. Provision has also been made for a mid term review of the plans in 2006 which will allow for adjustments to be made in light of actual performance and any new housing policy initiatives arising in the interim.
853 Mr. Carey asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if there is a definition of the profession architect which is recognised nationally and internationally; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19005/05]
The EU architects directive — 85/384/EEC of 10 June 1985 —provides for the mutual recognition of diplomas, certificates and other formal qualifications in architecture to facilitate freedom to provide architectural services across borders within the EU. At present, the profession of architecture is not regulated in Ireland. Accordingly, recognition under the EU directive is not necessary for architects seeking to establish a practice in this country.
The Government plans to introduce the building control (amendment) Bill in the autumn. This Bill will provide for, inter alia, statutory protection of the title of “architect” so that only those who are suitably qualified and registered will be entitled to use the title “architect” when providing architectural services. As regards architects registered in other EU member states, the Bill will recognise those holding qualifications listed in the EU architects directive.
854 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will respond to the request for voting rights to be given to Irish citizens; and if he has any advice to offer (details supplied). [19013/05]
The compilation of a register of electors is a matter for the appropriate registration authority in accordance with electoral law. To be able to vote at elections and referenda in this jurisdiction, a person's name must be entered in the register of electors for a constituency in the State in which the person ordinarily resides. Subject to this primary requirement, the person's citizenship then determines the polls at which he or she is entitled to vote. Irish citizens who are registered to vote may vote at all polls. British citizens may vote at Dáil, European and local elections, EU citizens other than Irish and British citizens may vote at European and local elections and non-EU citizens may vote at local elections only.
Postal voting is provided for in respect of certain categories of person as specified in electoral law. The Electoral Act 1992 provides for postal voting for members of the Garda, whole-time members of the Defence Forces and Irish diplomats serving abroad and their spouses. Subsequent legislation enacted by the Oireachtas has extended postal voting to other categories: electors living at home who are unable to vote because of a physical illness or disability — the Electoral (Amendment) Act 1996; electors whose occupation, service or employment makes it likely that they will be unable to vote in person at their local polling station on polling day — the Electoral Act 1997; full-time students registered at their home who are living elsewhere while attending an educational institution in the State — the Electoral Act 1997; and certain election staff employed at the poll outside the constituency where they reside — the Electoral (Amendment) Act 2001.
The question of voting rights for Irish citizens living abroad has been considered in detail on a number of occasions, most recently by the Oireachtas All-Party Committee on the Constitution in its examination of Parliament. On emigrant participation in political life, the seventh progress report of the committee, published in March 2002, concluded that the right to vote in Dáil elections should remain confined to citizens ordinarily resident in the State and that the right to vote at referenda should not be granted to emigrants. While electoral law is subject to ongoing review, there are no proposals to alter the existing arrangements.
855 Mr. Gregory asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if hedge cutting took place at a location (details supplied) in recent weeks in breach of the Wildlife Act 1976. [19014/05]
I am informed that the cutting of the hedge in question, by a statutory body, was necessitated by security considerations and to facilitate redevelopment work.
856 Mr. Gregory asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if reports have been received from the national parks and wildlife service detailing breaches of licence conditions by coursing clubs (details supplied) in counties Laois and Offaly; if the licence to Rathdowney will be withheld for the 2005-06 season; if the licence will be withdrawn from Ballinagar; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19015/05]
Reports of the coursing meetings referred to in the question and which were held in late 2004 have been compiled by my Department's national parks and wildlife service, NPWS. As these raise certain concerns about compliance with the conditions of the licence issued to the Irish Coursing Club, ICC, by my Department for the 2004-05 season, the issues involved will shortly be taken up by my Department with ICC. Following that discussion and further assessment, I will be in a position to consider the implications, if any, for the issue of the licence to ICC for the 2005-06 season.
857 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his policy towards the provision of disabled persons grants for the modification of accommodation of persons with special needs; if he has or will issue instructions to the local authorities in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19016/05]
The administration of the disabled persons grant scheme is delegated to local authorities within the framework laid down in statutory regulations. As far as practicable this is designed to give an appropriate degree of flexibility at local level. The basic requirements for obtaining a disabled persons grant are that the work for which it is sought is, in the opinion of the local authority, reasonably necessary for the purpose of rendering a house more suitable for the accommodation of a disabled member of the household. Under the terms of the scheme, the maximum grant of €20,320 can cover up to 90% of the cost of the works to private houses.
The disabled persons grant scheme is intended, like a number of other housing grant schemes operated by my Department, to assist works which provide additional or adapted accommodation in private houses. However, 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.
A combined capital allocation of €70 million is being made available to local authorities for the payment of disabled persons and essential repairs grants in 2005. Individual allocations were notified to local authorities last week. It is a matter for authorities to decide on the level of funding to be provided for the disabled persons grant scheme from within this combined capital allocation. While two thirds of all expenditure on the scheme is recouped by my Department, authorities are required to fund the remaining one third from their own revenue resources with amounts provided for that purpose in their annual estimates.
I am very much aware of the importance of the disabled persons grants scheme in assisting the provision of appropriate accommodation of disabled persons in the community. It is essential that the available funding be directed to those persons in greatest need of such assistance. It is envisaged that the outcome of the review of the operation of the scheme which is under way in my Department will make a significant contribution to this achievement.
858 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if it is appropriate and safe to build 162 apartments above the Dublin Port tunnel while it is being constructed; if all planning and traffic count procedures were adhered to at the proposed apartment development (details supplied) in Dublin 9; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19075/05]
The Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government is generally precluded from exercising any power or control regarding any individual matter with which a planning authority or An Bord Pleanála is or may be concerned under section 30 of the Planning and Development Act 2000. It would not therefore be appropriate for me to comment on an individual case. It is a matter for the relevant planning authority to determine if planning procedures were complied with, and whether the location of a particular development is appropriate in all circumstances.
859 Mr. Ardagh asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if Dublin City Council will not gazump shared ownership bidders for houses in its administrative area; and if any bid made by the council does not exceed the maximum price that a shared ownership bidder can bid. [19076/05]
An applicant who has been approved in principle for shared ownership by a local authority may select a new or existing house or build a new house for occupation on a shared ownership basis. The house must be suitable to the applicant's needs, meet certain minimum standards and be acceptable to the local authority. It is understood from Dublin City Council that if the authority has knowledge that a shared ownership applicant is bidding for the same house as the city council, it is its policy to withdraw its offer on the house. While it is the case that Dublin City Council purchases second-hand houses as part of its housing construction and acquisition programme, the Department has emphasised to the city council the need to concentrate on the construction of new local authority dwellings.
860 Ms O. Mitchell asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the number of planning applications being declared invalid based on the Planning and Development Regulations 2001; the cost of these rejections to the ordinary householder; the representations made to his office by the RIAI and the CIF on this matter; and if he will make further regulations regarding the implementation of the existing regulations. [19180/05]
To decide on a planning application, it is necessary for the planning authority to have received from the applicant all the information, documentation and maps which have been prescribed for the purpose of the planning application. It is also necessary that all public participation requirements of the Planning and Development Regulations 2001, that is, in respect of site notices and newspaper notices, be complied with.
The regulations make planning applicants and their agents responsible for ensuring that their planning applications comply fully with the provisions of the regulations. This allows planning authorities to concentrate on the making of decisions and thus improve the efficiency of the planning system. These improvements have been essential to process the number of applications received by planning authorities which have more than doubled compared with ten years ago, with over 88,000 applications received in 2004.
For that reason, the 2001 regulations changed the procedures relating to planning applications to make it mandatory to include all relevant parts of an application before it can be considered. My Department recommends that applicants and their agents should communicate with planning authorities, through the pre-application consultations provided for in the 2000 planning Act, or otherwise, to ensure that they fully understand the requirements and to minimise the possibility of making an invalid application. Planning authorities also publish guidance on making planning applications, on their websites or otherwise.
The administration of the 2001 regulations in relation to validating planning applications is necessarily a matter for local planning authorities and some variations in practice between planning authorities may still arise from this situation. However, as the regulations have now been in operation for three years, I would expect that planning authorities should increasingly become expert in applying them in a reasonable and pragmatic manner. While I am satisfied that the regulations are generally being operated well by planning authorities, my Department has noted the various representations points made to it on this matter. These will be taken into account in the forthcoming planning and development regulations and the draft development management guidelines, both of which will be published shortly. The new regulations will also provide for a standardised planning application form for use in all local authorities.
861 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the most up-to-date information on his travels abroad for the St. Patrick’s Day celebrations; the persons who travelled with him in his official party; the duration of the visit; and the total cost. [19198/05]
I visited Shanghai and Beijing, China, from 13 March to 20 March 2005 for the St. Patrick's Day celebrations to build on the successful visit by the Taoiseach and his delegation to that country.
During my visit, accompanied by my wife and private secretary, I met the Vice-Mayor of Shanghai and the President of Fudan University, Shanghai, where I presented the George Bernard Shaw essay prize. I also met the Vice-Minister responsible for the state environmental protection administration, attended a St. Patrick's Day reception hosted by the ambassador in Beijing and met representatives of the Irish community in both cities. I also attended a presentation, Green Olympics, by the Beijing Olympic Committee. The total cost to my Department amounted to €19,977.
It should be noted that I paid a personal visit to Singapore, at the end of my visit to China, at my own expense. I took the opportunity during this visit to meet the Singapore Minister for the Environment.
862 Mr. Andrews asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will make a statement on funding of the Maritime Museum, Haigh Terrace, Dún Laoghaire; and the condition of the Mariners Church which is in need of major investment to prevent its further deterioration. [19229/05]
Direct funding of museums is not provided by my Department. I understand, however, the Maritime Museum is housed in the Mariners' Church for which my Department made a grant of €20,000 in 2002 from the conservation grants scheme under the urban and village renewal operational programme.
Applications for grant assistance for the conservation of buildings listed in the record of protected structures may also be made to the appropriate local authority, in this case Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council. Where approved, the standard amount of grant is 50% of the approved cost of works, up to a maximum of €13,000. Grant schemes operated by the Heritage Council may also be applicable to cases of this kind. Inquiries should be made directly to the council.
863 Mr. McGinley asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the stage of planning the proposed sewerage scheme for Gweedore, County Donegal is at; when the project will proceed to tender stage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19241/05]
The Gweedore sewerage scheme is included in my Department's water services investment programme 2004-2006 and construction is due to commence in 2005 at an estimated cost of €22 million. The submission of a water services pricing policy report and certificate of completion in regard to the planning aspects by Donegal County Council is awaited to enable the Department to finalise its examination of the preliminary report and contract documents for the scheme. Once the preliminary report and contract documents are approved by the Department, the council will be in a position to invite tenders for the scheme.
864 Mr. Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if his Department has received an application from Kildare County Council for funding for the provision of a civic amenity site in Newbridge; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19261/05]
My Department has not received such an application from Kildare County Council. We have received a number of other grant applications from this Council and have allocated capital grant assistance, totalling almost €2 million, for civic amenity facilities at Athy and Kilcock, and for a composting facility at Silliott Hill.
865 Mr. Neville asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government when work will commence in the development of the Croom sewerage scheme. [19289/05]
Extensions to sewers and surface water drains have been completed in Croom under the serviced land initiative measure of my Department's water services investment programme. The Department has no further proposals from Limerick County Council relating to sewerage facilities for Croom nor was such a proposal included in the list of water services schemes submitted by the council in response to the Department's most recent request to local authorities to undertake fresh assessments of the needs for capital works in their areas and to prioritise their proposals on the basis of the assessments.
866 Mr. Walsh asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if the design for the affordable housing scheme in County Cork (details supplied) is complete; and when work will commence on this scheme. [19300/05]
Cork County Council recently received a draft feasibility report from its consultants which set out, inter alia, a development concept for the site. Certain technical aspects, which require further consideration by the Council, are at present under review. It is understood that further public consultation will take place as soon as these issues have been addressed. Following this process detailed design and planning will be undertaken with a view to commencing work on the site as soon as possible. My Department, however, will continue to ensure that this project, along with all the other projects under the affordable housing initiative, is progressed as speedily as possible with the aim of having the earliest possible delivery of units.
867 Ms M. Wallace asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the concerns of groups (details supplied) regarding the fact that the UK has postponed the implementation of the waste electrical recycling law until January 2006 and that there is no indication yet from his Department that it intends to postpone same from 18 August 2005 to January 2006; if his attention has further been drawn to views among retail outlets here that there should be visibility regarding the recycling fee, shown and charged in order to keep a level playing pitch in the sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19384/05]
The EU directive on waste electrical and electronic equipment, WEEE, presents a challenge to all relevant stakeholder groups and its effective implementation will require a focused, committed approach from all concerned. Last April, I published draft regulations for the implementation of the directive and a consultation process with stakeholders, including the representative groups of the retail sector, is currently taking place. I made it clear that implementation was planned from the due date of 13 August next as prescribed in the directive.
Most waste in the short-term will be historic waste, that is, arising from electrical and electronic equipment placed on the market before 13 August 2005. The directive requires member states to allow producers to show purchasers, at the time of sale of new products, the costs of collection, treatment and disposal of the relevant waste in an environmentally sound way, for a limited period. These costs, referred to in the draft regulations as environmental management costs, EMCs, are also known as "visible fees". Issues in relation to the operation of EMCs are the subject of ongoing discussions between the representatives of producers and retailers which my Department is helping to facilitate. The outcome of this process and the various submissions received on the draft regulations as part of the public consultation will all be considered before the final detailed implementing regulations are made.
868 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the number of bog owners and those with turbary who are still awaiting their €4,700 top up payment; when payment will be issued; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19507/05]
875 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government when he intends to issue acreage top up payments to bog owners; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19568/05]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 868 and 875 together.
I recently announced that the increased rates per acre agreed under Sustaining Progress for the sale of bog or turbary rights on raised bogs which are designated for conservation purposes would be paid retrospectively to all those who had settled at the previously agreed rates introduced in 1999. In line with commitments made to those who sold at the old rates under the 1999 scheme, the difference between the new and old rates will be paid by my Department, subject to an adjustment to reflect the change in the consumer price index since the original payments were made.
Individuals entitled to these retrospective payments have received notification from my Department. There are approximately 450 individuals involved. A small number have already received the balance of the new incentive payment. All the others will each receive one single payment from the Department comprising the balance of the new incentive payment and an acreage payment reflecting the difference between the new and old rates per acre. Arrangements are being put in place to issue payments as soon as possible.
869 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the position of the Castleisland sewerage scheme; when this will go to tender; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19508/05]
Stage 2 of the Castleisland sewerage scheme is included in my Department's water services investment programme 2004-2006, as a scheme to commence construction in 2006, at an estimated cost of €5.5 million. Kerry County Council's preliminary report for the scheme, together with the associated water services pricing policy report received last month, are under examination in my Department and will be dealt with as quickly as possible.
870 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his Department’s views on an acceptable level of formaldehyde in lakes and rivers; if baseline figures exist; if not, the mechanisms he proposes to put in place in view of the dangers posed by contaminated water supplies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19553/05]
871 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his Department’s views on whether 0.5 parts per million of formaldehyde is an acceptable level; if he proposes to carry out independent research to examine possibly contaminated lakes and rivers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19554/05]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 870 and 871 together.
Formaldehyde is not commonly encountered in the management of Irish water quality. It is not prescribed in EU or national legislation as a substance to be regulated in relation to either drinking or environmental water quality and routine monitoring for formaldehyde is not carried out. My Department understands that while a standard of just 5 micrograms per litre has been proposed in the UK to protect fish life, this standard has not been formalised.
872 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he has a supervisory or statutory role in relation to the operation of the Environmental Protection Agency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19555/05]
873 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his views on whether the Environmental Protection Agency is fulfilling its role as originally set-up; if he proposes to carry out an evaluation of the agency in relation to original aims and objectives; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19556/05]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 872 and 873 together.
I am satisfied that the Environmental Protection Agency, EPA, is discharging its functions in accordance with its statutory role. A strategic review of the organisation was completed and implemented by the Director General of the agency in 2003. In addition, arising from An Agreed Programme for Government of June 2002, the Office of Environmental Enforcement was established in October 2003.
My Department supports the EPA through providing funds, including from the environment fund for its organisational and programme requirements and through its responsibility for the legislative and policy framework for environmental protection. However the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government is precluded from exercising power or influence in relation to particular matters with which the agency is or may be involved.
874 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government when he intends to submit the nitrates action plan to the EU; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19567/05]
I refer to the reply to Questions Nos. 194 and 286 of 18 May 2005.
Discussions involving officials of my Department, the Department of Agriculture and Food and the European Commission are ongoing in relation to Ireland's nitrates action programme and I expect to be in a position to submit a final version of the programme to the Commission within a matter of weeks.
876 Mr. Boyle asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if his Department conducts any analysis of local authority housing waiting lists; if his attention has been drawn to the longest length of time an individual or family have been placed on such a list; and if his Department has any mechanism with which to intervene should people be on such lists for excessive periods of time. [19573/05]
My Department co-ordinates a statutory assessment of housing need every three years to determine the number of households in need of housing. The latest triennial statutory assessment of housing need took place in March 2005 and I anticipate publishing the results in September this year.
This assessment is the most comprehensive to date, requiring local authorities to collect data on all households on the waiting lists. This will assist the Department in determining future housing policy. The relative priority of households on the local authority waiting lists is determined in accordance with the authorities' schemes of letting priorities, the making of which is a function reserved to the elected members. It is the case that some applicants for local authority housing are on waiting lists for longer periods on the basis that their housing need has a relative lower priority compared with the needs of households who have been allocated housing.
The Government has responded actively to this increased level of social housing need and by expanding social and affordable housing output. New multi-annual action plans have been prepared by local authorities for the provision of social and affordable housing over the period 2004-2008. These are designed to assist local authorities in identifying priority needs over the coming years and providing a coherent and co-ordinated response across all housing services, including delivery of housing by the voluntary and co-operative housing sector.
877 Mr. Boyle asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will meet with persons (details supplied) in County Offaly who have been in regular correspondence with his office; and if so, when such a meeting will be possible. [19574/05]
Some correspondence has been received from the persons concerned seeking to discuss a particular development that is the subject of an appeal to An Bord Pleanála. The Minister for Environment, Heritage and Local Government is generally precluded under section 30 of the Planning and Development Act, 2000 from exercising any power or control in relation to any particular case with which a planning authority is or may be concerned. It would therefore be inappropriate for me to undertake a meeting on this matter at this time.
878 Mr. Boyle asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will name the 78 dangerous substances mentioned in the EPA report issued in the 6 April 2001 in relation to item 24 of the European Court of Justice judgement C-282/02; the locations of where these dangerous substances were located within the State; and if a copy of the report will be made available. [19577/05]
The Environmental Protection Agency instigated a survey of Irish surface waters in 1999-2000 to establish the occurrence of certain toxic metals, pesticides and other organic compounds. The survey related to 78 substances and the results are detailed in the EPA report entitled A Survey of Dangerous Substances in Surface Freshwaters 1999-2000, a copy of which is available in the Oireachtas Library.
The survey was carried out on a countrywide basis. A list of the substances targeted in the survey and a map illustrating the rivers surveyed and sampling points is included in the report. The selected sampling points were those sites where the presence of such substances was considered most likely to occur. The report indicated that there is no evidence of pollution from any of the targeted pesticides and other organic substances. In two cases concentrations of copper, lead and zinc were found which exceeded recognised limits in freshwaters. Pollution by copper, lead and zinc arose in the case of the Avoca River, which is seriously polluted as a result of past mining operations and which was subject of a recent study by the Eastern Regional Fisheries Board. The presence of lead was detected in the River Boyne but was not confirmed by subsequent sampling.
879 Mr. Boyle asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if the directive 2004/35/EC of 21 April 2004 on environmental liability with regard to the prevention and remedying of environmental damage has been transposed into national law as yet; if the environmental damage such as that caused at a company (details supplied) in Offaly falls within the remit of this Directive; and if transposition has not yet occurred, when it is due to happen. [19578/05]
Ireland is working towards the deadline of 30 April 2007 for implementing the EU Directive 2004/35/EC on environmental liability. The directive will apply, inter alia, to installations which are subject to a permit under Council Directive 96/61/EC concerning integrated pollution prevention and control. This permitting requirement is being implemented in Ireland through EPA licensing under Part 4 of the Environmental Protection Agency 1992. The directive on environmental liability will not however apply to damage caused by an emission, event or incident that took place before 30 April 2007; damage caused by an emission, event or incident which takes place subsequent to 30 April 2007 when it derives from a specific activity that took place and finished before that date; and damage caused if more than 30 years have passed since the emission, event or incident resulting in the damage occurred.
880 Mr. Boyle asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the costs expended by Ireland in defending a case in the Courts of Justice in view of the recent case taken against Ireland C-282/02, which Ireland lost on 2 June 2005; the costs expended by the European Court of Justice, that Ireland has been ordered to pay; the individual payments awarded to Ireland’s legal representatives in relation to this case; and the man hours involved in defending this case. [19583/05]
The judgment of the European Court of Justice against Ireland in case C-282/02 included an order that the State should pay costs. It is not possible at this stage to indicate these costs, as they remain to be computed by the European Commission. I am advised by the Office of the Attorney General that counsel has not yet submitted a bill for the preparation of Ireland's defence and rejoinder.
881 Mr. Crawford asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he is satisfied that the proposals for the development of Dún Laoghaire Baths and the Carlyle Pier are being assessed in full compliance with Department of Finance guidelines for the appraisal and management of capital expenditure proposals in the public sector and the guidelines for the provision of infrastructure and capital investments by way of PPPs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19625/05]
882 Mr. Crawford asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the financing of the proposed development of Dún Laoghaire Baths and Carlyle Pier has or will be considered by the National Development Finance Agency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19626/05]
883 Mr. Crawford asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government when he will receive a detailed financial appraisal of the proposed development projects at Dún Laoghaire Baths and Carlyle Pier and a detailed PPP assessment as required by the Department of Finance guidelines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19628/05]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 881 to 883, inclusive, together.
The land at Carlyle Pier is owned by Dún Laoghaire Harbour Company. My Department has no function in relation to this proposed development. The baths site is owned by Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council and I am aware that the council has put proposals for redevelopment of this site on public display. I understand that the Council has not yet made a decision as to what development will take place. If the council decides to proceed with a project at the site, it will be required to comply with Department of Finance capital appraisal guidelines.
If the project is to be procured as a public private partnership, PPP, the council will be required to comply with the various administrative requirements, which are specified by my Department in connection with the sanctioning and processing of PPP projects in the local government sector. Financial assessment by the National Development Finance Agency is required for projects exceeding €20 million. No PPP proposal has been submitted to my Department to date.
884 Mr. Gogarty asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if the Office of Public Works will use all local media and possibly door-to-door deliveries to ensure that all residents in towns adjoining the Liffey Valley are made aware of and can contribute to the planned feasibility study on the creation of a Liffey Valley park. [19808/05]
This proposal is being co-ordinated by the Office of Public Works which placed advertisements in the daily newspapers on 27 May 2005 advising of the appointment of consultants to undertake a feasibility study on a Liffey Valley park and seeking submissions from the public. My Department understands that, the consultants also engage in consultative meetings. Local media will thus be afforded good opportunity to cover the issues involved. Further details about this initiative may appropriately be sought from the Office of Public Works.
885 Mr. Cuffe asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he has allocated or intends to allocate funding to halt the coastal erosion and remediate the old landfill site north of Bray Harbour that straddles the administrative boundaries of Wicklow and Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Councils; the works already undertaken to address this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19835/05]
I understand that Wicklow and Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Councils are in consultation regarding the carrying out of trial digs and the taking of samples to facilitate a risk assessment for this site and the further action may be required following this.
In addition, I recently issued under section 60 of the Waste Management Act 1996 a direction to all local authorities requiring them to ensure that the requirements of section 22 of that Act are fully met in the current review of their waste management plans. Section 22 states that a waste management plan shall include information on the identification of sites at which waste disposal or recovery activities have been carried on; the assessment of any risk of environmental pollution arising as a result of such activities; measures proposed to be taken or, where such an assessment has already been made, measures taken to prevent or limit any such environmental pollution; and the identification of necessary remedial measures in respect of such sites and measures proposed to be taken or, where such measures have already been identified, measures taken to achieve such remediation having regard to the cost-effectiveness of available remediation techniques.
In response to the policy direction the Environmental Protection Agency is preparing a code of practice for assessing the risk posed by such sites. Clearly, there may be cost implications in relation to the remediation of older sites, such as the Bray site, which are or were in the ownership of local authorities. Pending the outcome of the section 22 process it is not possible to quantify the extent of future costs in this regard.
886 Ms B. Moynihan-Cronin asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will provide funding for a sheltered housing scheme (details supplied) in County Kerry; if he has received and is considering an application for grant aid for the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19864/05]
An application for funding under the voluntary housing capital assistance scheme has been received from Kerry County Council, which is responsible for the detailed administration of the scheme in its area. The application is under examination and the council will be advised of the outcome as soon as possible.
887 Mr. Boyle asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the capital expenditure which has been expended by his Department on waste disposal technologiesother than landfill or incineration since 1997; and the amount expended on each technology. [20026/05]
Capital funding is not made available by my Department for the construction of facilities for final disposal of waste. In the Dublin and the south-east waste management regions limited grant assistance has been provided from the environment fund on a pilot basis to assist the development of infrastructure solutions by means of public private partnerships.
Capital funding provided by the Department for waste infrastructure construction is specifically directed at recycling and recovery infrastructure; bring centres, civic amenity sites, materials recovery facilities at which recyclables collected largely at kerbside are separated into individual waste streams which are more readily recyclable and therefore of much higher value, and various biological treatment facilities, including composting.
All these facilities treat waste as material for recovery or recycling and as such are not disposal facilities. Some €50 million in capital assistance has been made available for these facilities. A subvention is also provided towards the operating costs of bring centres and civic amenity sites.
