Vol. 605 No. 4
11 Mr. English asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if he is satisfied with the amount spent on the RAPID scheme to date; his views on the fact that this programme will end on completion of the national development plan in 2006; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23013/05]
As the Deputy is aware, my Department, supported by Area Development Management, ADM, Limited, co-ordinates the implementation of the RAPID programme. It is, therefore, a matter for each Department to report on progress on the implementation of RAPID and details of funding allocations to the projects that fall within the remit of their Department.
However, Departments were asked recently to track funding against specific projects submitted in RAPID plans from each area. While this exercise is still under way, I am informed by ADM that Departments have to date reported a spend in the order of €300 million in RAPID areas since the inception of the programme. It should be noted that this amount relates solely to specific projects in RAPID plans and does not include funding for RAPID areas by Departments, which are in addition to the RAPID plans.
Despite a slow start the RAPID programme is now making a valuable contribution in disadvantaged communities. However, as the Deputy will appreciate, tackling disadvantage will require long-term commitment by Government and in this regard I believe that the RAPID programme should continue beyond 2006.
The programme is progressing on a number of levels in tandem and clearly the benefits at local level are becoming evident. In the first instance, many small-scale proposals from RAPID plans are being dealt with more effectively at local level. A dedicated fund of €7.5 million has been put in place in 2005 to support small-scale capital projects, through co-funding with other Departments or local agencies as appropriate. I have announced a number of co-funded schemes this year.
Further funding has been allocated to two schemes that operated in 2004. Total funding of €4.5 million is available over two years —2005-06 — for the local authority housing estate enhancement scheme, which is co-funded with local authorities through the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. Small-scale capital works to enhance the physical environment within local authority housing estates and flat complexes are supported under this scheme. The RAPID playgrounds scheme, which provides funding for the development or refurbishment of playgrounds has also been launched again this year, with total funding of €3 million being provided by my Department and the Department of Health and Children through the Health Service Executive.
This year I announced a new traffic measures scheme for RAPID areas with total funding of €2.025 million. This scheme is being co-funded with local authorities and will support small-scale capital works to improve road safety in RAPID areas.
Total funding of €4.6 million is being made available by my Department and the Department of Health and Children through the Health Service Executive on a 50:50 basis to support a range of health and community projects in RAPID areas.
My colleague, the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, recently invited applications for funding under the community based CCTV scheme. My Department will provide funding in addition to resources allocated by the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform to successful applications from RAPID areas that are endorsed by the area implementation teams. A number of other co-funded measures are under consideration and I expect to make further announcements on this matter.
As regards the larger projects from RAPID plans that have been submitted to Departments, these will continue to be considered for funding within existing funding streams in each Department. However, I expect that Departments will deal with a smaller number of projects and will therefore be in a better position to prioritise projects and set out timescales for further actions.
Work on improving integration and co-ordination of service delivery at local level will also continue as this is a key component of the RAPID programme.
Special provision was made by the Government for RAPID areas under the dormant accounts plan. RAPID areas have benefited from 57.5% of the €56.2 million in funding allocated to date.
Discussions are ongoing with Departments regarding prioritisation of other non-capital actions included in the AIT plans.
As the Deputy is aware, the RAPID programme is running in conjunction with the National Development Plan 2000-2006. While no formal decisions have been taken on the lifetime of the RAPID programme, the indications are that it will continue post-2006.
I thank the Minister for his reply. I do not doubt his commitment to the RAPID programme nor the essential need for it. We estimate that €300 million has been spent under it but we were informed by the Taoiseach that €2 billion would be spent under it.
Members were not so informed.
We were. That is written down. It is a commitment in the programme for Government.
When was that?
A number of years ago, prior to 2002. I can provide proof of that for the Minister if he so wishes. However, that is another broken promise. An estimated €300 million has been spent under the programme. All Departments have been asked to submit reports on funding under it and so on. Departments must not have spent much under this programme because they are not shouting about it. The Minister's colleagues in Government are not shy when it comes to making announcements on the spending of money. Why is there not a separate subhead for this programme in each Department's Estimate? In that way we would know exactly what is spent on the RAPID programme. The people do not know the exact amount being spent on it, and they need to know that.
People were led up the garden path in terms of the RAPID programme. People in my community became involved in this issue, attended many meetings and met elected representatives to put forward new ideas for projects under the RAPID programme. They have plenty of ideas but funding under the programme is not coming through quickly enough. The Minister's Department was allocated only €7.5 million for the programme this year and €4.5 million last year, and his Department is central to this programme. I hope we will hear major announcements in regard to the programme next year and the year after.
The Minister has twice publicly said, for which I commend him, that the RAPID programme is essential and should continue. Is there something about it we do not know? Is there a doubt about the future of the programme when the NDP comes to an end in 2006 because now and on a previous occasion the Minister said that he called for it to continue, hoped the money allocated for it would be increased and that it would continue to operate? Is there a fear that funding for the RAPID programme will be cut and will that programme lose out if there is a change to the NDP?
As I explained to Members previously, the RAPID programme was about front-loading expenditure under the national development plan, under the existing headings. For example, under a housing heading, the idea was that a RAPID area would get priority over other areas when housing allocations would be made by the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. For example, under a health heading, there would be a scoring up in the case of a RAPID area. That is what the programme is about. If the Deputy were to check the press releases when the RAPID programme commenced, he would note that is what the programme is about.
The Taoiseach said that the programme would be given front-loading expenditure of €2 billion.
If the Deputy has the information I am seeking, will he make it available to me? The figure of €2 billion that is mentioned by everyone was also mentioned to me shortly after I become Minister. I asked people to gather all the press releases when the RAPID programme was launched, but I did not find any reference to that figure in them. If someone can give me that quote I will be eternally grateful because I cannot find it. However, I suspect that the Taoiseach said that there was a €2 billion provision for social inclusion measures in the national development plan.
There was a €15 billion provision for it, of which €2 billion was specifically for RAPID.
I cannot find any specific reference to that figure in all the documentation I was given. I asked my civil servants to check through documents for a specific commitment of €2 billion for RAPID areas. I accept it is stated somewhere and I am not trying to allege that the Deputy is making it up. If it is stated, what we are talking about is the spend, in other words, expenditure on a health centre and so on. The figure I quoted of €300 million does not represent social inclusion spend, it is matched off against what was in the RAPID plans, which would not tally with the total spend in the areas.
We are serious about addressing needs in areas of deprivation. However, we need to focus not only on the total spend in those areas, which is important, but also what the funding is spent on. I gave a classic example on an earlier occasion of the right way and the wrong way to allocate funding. A great deal of money was spent — I remember it being spent — on the building of Ballymun flats 30 or 40 years ago and they are now being knocked down. That money was badly spent in that there was no social planning and so on. What is happening in Ballymun today is different because there is a buy-in to that by the local community. There are many strands to RAPID and it is not all about money, though money is incredibly important. However, the second thing that is different this time is that we are looking for buy in from communities. That is absolutely essential so the money is well spent in terms of the social dividend it gives to the communities in RAPID areas. We could be obsessed totally in seeing it as a money gain. It is not as simple as that. It is a matter as well of spending the money in a way the communities recognise will improve their lives.
On the last point I totally agree with the Minister. We have to give value for money and there is a need for buy in from the communities and so on. We have had that in many areas.
Time is running out.
They have put forward plans and the funding is not coming. I certainly will find the statement made by the Taoiseach in this regard. I know the Minister did not say it. When it is brought up on this side of the House it is as an attempt to back the Minister's fight to get more money for RAPID. That is the only reason for raising it, not to embarrass anybody and certainly not the Minister. It is to prove the point. People were given commitments and now we want that money brought forward so we can get results. My fear is that people in disadvantaged areas are not getting all the help they need. They are getting it in certain places but more could be done. Other Departments need to buck up and do more. We all know that if much more money was being spent on the RAPID programme, we would hear about it, so €300 million is the maximum. That is a long way short of the €2 billion.
Does the Minister know whether there is to be increased funding for the RAPID areas next year, even in his own Department? Are there commitments in place? As regards the long-term future of RAPID, is there something we do not know about? That is a cause of some worry and it is something the Minister has referred to on a few occasions.
The Minister may answer, briefly.
I will try to answer the questions briefly. The first thing I find, meeting co-ordinators, chairpersons of AITs and directors of community and enterprise services in the various local authorities, is that there is an enormous buy in to RAPID now. If the Deputy had been at the recent meeting we had here in Dublin, he would——
I have been on the ground.
——have found a very positive view. Since it is coming up to the summer break, we have a DVD that was made by the RAPID groups all along the west coast. A copy is being made available to every Member of the Oireachtas so they may see what the RAPID communities are saying about themselves. I had no hand, act or part in the preparation of this DVD, and neither had my Department. This was something they decided to do for themselves. They are saying it is a positive story and I suggest we listen to them rather than what the media tell us they are telling us, which is very different.
As regards the funds in my Department, as I said I have reservations——
I understand that.
——about this and that is why CLÁR is different because it pre-dates that section. I had reservations about the measurement of front-loading because it was spending under the national development plan. I felt, very simply, that it would be good to have a small fund that could be co-funded with other Departments to deal with all the myriad of small projects that came through as RAPID plans that could not be in the national development plan because they are too small, but are still needed. I thought this was a great idea and certainly the RAPID areas think it is fantastic because it is delivering on the ground fast. It is very special to them and it is interesting that people want to get into the RAPID areas.
The Deputy asked about the long term. The reality is that we do not have a national development plan after 2006 for roads, so nobody can say with certainty what the road programme will be like after that. Similarly, I cannot say on a technical level, since there is no NDP after 2006 and because this is linked to that plan, that RAPID as it is today will be exactly the same after that date. I do not doubt in my heart and soul that RAPID will exist in some form similar to what it is at present. I would not have put so much time and effort into it if I was not 100% certain that it would be. Finally, we have extended the whole RAPID thought process way beyond where we started, for example with dormant accounts. The figure I mentioned, 57%, was not in anything at the beginning. It was not part of the programme. The equal measure of €7 million was ringfenced. It is fair to say that Departments and Government agencies are now beginning to realise that RAPID is there and will continue to be for the long term and that it needs to be given priority across a whole range of issues, even those which were not part of the original idea.
12 D'fhiafraigh Mr. O’Shea den Aire Gnóthaí Pobail, Tuaithe agus Gaeltachta cathain a bheidh cainteanna aige leis an Roinn Oideachais agus Eolaíochta ar thuarascáil na Comhairle Oideachais Gaeltachta agus Gaelscoileanna ar chaighdeán na Gaeilge sna scoileanna Gaeltachta; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina leith. [22877/05]
Mar is eol don Teachta, is í an tAire Oideachais agus Eolaíochta atá freagrach as cúrsaí oideachais, sa Ghaeltacht agus lasmuigh di. Ar ndóigh, i gcomhthéacs na freagrachta atá ormsa agus ar mo Roinn-se i ndáil leis an nGaeilge agus leis an nGaeltacht, bíonn cruinnithe ann ar bhonn rialta leis an Aire Oideachais agus Eolaíochta agus le hoifigigh na Roinne chun saincheisteanna ábhartha a phlé. Leanfar leis na cruinnithe sin de réir mar is gá.
Tig leis an Teachta glacadh leis go mbeidh ábhar na tuarascála a luann sé mar ábhar plé sa chomthéacs sin.
Nach gcuireann sé isteach go mór ar an Aire go ndeireann an tuarascáil gur bheag scoil Gaeltachta a bheidh ag múineadh trí mheán na Gaeilge taobh istigh de 20 bliain muna bhfaigheann na scoileanna Gaeltachta tacaíocht breise ón Stát? Ceapann tuismitheoirí go gcuireann an córas oideachais isteach ar a n-iarrachtaí an Ghaeilge a thabhairt don chéad ghlúin eile mar theanga bheo. Tá sé seo á chur ar ceal, agus ní éiríonn leo aon dílseacht a chothú don Ghaoluinn sa chéad ghlúin eile. Tá scoileanna ann atá tar éis géilleadh agus atá ag múineadh trí mheán an Bhéarla anois sna Gaeltachtaí.
An aontaíonn sé leis an méid a dúirt Breandán Mac Cormaic, cathaoirleach ar an Chomhairle um Oideachas Gaeltachta agus Gaelscolaíochta, go raibh tuarascála ann roimhe seo, agus nár thárla tada ina ndiaidh? Muna dtarlaíonn rud anois tar éis fhoilsiú na tuarascála seo, nach mbeidh sé tubaisteach ar fad don nGaoluinn?
Bheadh sé fíordhona muna ngníomhófaí ar an tuarascáil sin anois, agus thiocfainn leis an Teachta go hiomlán. Tá idir deascéalta agus drochscéalta ann. Aontaím go bhfuil dúshlán dochreidte ann. Ar an taobh eile den scéal, chuala mé daoine ag labhairt ar líon na scoileanna atá ag múineadh trí Bhéarla, ach caithfear cuimhneamh, mar shampla, go gclúdaíonn sé sin scoileanna in áiteanna ar nós Bhaile an Chláir, Tír an Oileáin agus mar sin de. Is é an Ghaeltacht mar atá sainorduithe tugtha di a bhí i gceist, agus tuigimid le fada an lá nach bhfuil an Ghaeilge in uachtar i measc an phobail i gcuid de na ceantair sin.
Tá bunsraith mhaith sa tuarascáil seo ar féidir bheith ag obair uirthi. Tá moltaí soiléire ann, agus is é an rud atá le déanamh ná an rud céanna a rinne muid le tuarascáil Choimisiún na Gaeltachta — feidhmiú ar na moltaí. Tá comhchainteanna agus plé leanúnach idir mo Roinn agus an Roinn Oideachais agus Eolaíochta le féachaint cén chaoi ar féidir linn déileáil leis na dúshláin atá ann ó thaobh chúrsaí oideachais sa nGaeltachtde. Is fiú nótáil, ag éirí as tuarascáil Choimisiún na Gaeltachta, go raibh mo Roinn i dteagmháil leis an Chomhairle um Oideachas Gaeltachta agus Gaelscolaíochta ar son an choiste comhairligh Gaeltachta chomh fada siar le Bealtaine 2003. Ba é ansin a tháinig an tuarascáil seo chun cinn, mar bhi an t-eolas ag teastáil uainn, agus anois tá sí á feidhmiú. Beidh sé tábhachtach go bhfeidhmeofar í. Thiocfainn go hiomlán leis an Teachta. Má fhagfaimid ar leataobh é, is tubaiste a bheas ann ó thaobh mhúineadh Gaeilge sa nGaeltacht. Tá an ceart ag an Teachta.
Nach bhfuil an cheist i bhfad níos práinní ná mar a tháinig amach as an méid a bhí le rá ag an Aire? Nach bhfuil an Ghaeltacht féin i mbaol? Nach bhfuil sé i bhfad níos tábhachtaí airgead a chaitheamh ar an scolaíocht sa nGaeltacht seachas ar an Acht Teanga nó, fiú amháin, ar an stádas oifigiúil atá bainte amach ag an nGaeilge san Eoraip? De réir na tuarascála, bíonn 10% de na daltaí a thagann amach as na bunscoileanna agus na hiarbhunscoileanna sa nGaeltacht ar bheagán Gaeilge. Fágann 25% de na daltaí an bhunscoil gan ach leibhéal réasúnta Gaeilge acu. Tagann 8% acu amach as na hiarbhunscoileanna gan ach leibhéal réasúnta Gaeilge acu. Nach n-aontódh an tAire liom? Más rud é go bhfuil an Ghaeltacht i mbaol — agus is é sin an rud atá á rá agam anois — má theipeann ar an nGaeltacht, teipfidh ar gach rud. Nár cheart don Rialtas tabhairt faoin scéal seo go práinneach agus rud éigin substaintiúil a dhéanamh? Tá an t-am ag druidim orainn anois. Tá an meath ann le fada, agus is ag dul in olc a bheas an scéal. Tá an Rialtas ag déileáil le rudaí atá teibí— cáipéisí nach léann éinne a aistriú go Gaoluinn. Ar an láimh eile, áfach, tá an Ghaeltacht i mbaol. Tá Gaeilge na ndaltaí atá ag freastal ar na scoileanna ag dul i laige. Tá an scéal ina phrácás ar fad.
Ní dóigh liom go bhfuil an tAire ag tabhairt faoin cheist seo chomh práinneach agus ba cheart. Caithfidh sé dul go dtí an Rialtas agus cur ina luí ar an Taoiseach agus an Aire Oideachais agus Eolaíochta go bhfuil an fhadhb seo ann agus gur cheart tabhairt faoi blianta ó shin. Tá an scéal mar atá sé anois, áfach, agus caithfear tabhairt faoin scéal sin go práinneach.
Thógfadh na ceisteanna agus na pointí ar fad a d'ardaigh an Teachta ní ba mhó ama ná atá agam. Tá freagracht fheidhmiúil ar mholtaí na tuarascála ar an Roinn Oideachais agus Eolaíochta. Is ról tacúil é atá ag mo Roinn-se san obair seo ar fad. Tá an fhreagracht maidir leis an gceist seo go bunúsach ar an Roinn Oideachais agus Eolaíochta. Caithfidh mé é sin a shoiléiriú aríst agus aríst eile. Seo ceann de na fadhbanna. Tá tuairim thart go bhfuil freagracht iomlán na Gaeilge ar Roinn amháin. Tá sí ar chuile Roinn, áfach.
Tugann sé sin go dtí an dara pointe mé. Ceann de na fáthanna a thug Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla isteach ná nach mbeifí ag lorg cistíochta ó mo Roinn-se le dualgais a chomhlíonadh do Ranna eile i leith na Gaeilge. D'fhágfaí an chistíocht mo Roinn saor chun obair teangan a dhéanamh seachas bheith ag comhlíonadh dualgas ar Ranna eile. Mar shampla, bhí na seirbhísí sláinte ag lorg go n-íocfaimis as teileafón cainte. Cén fáth go n-íocfaimis as teileafón cainte? An íocfaimis as teileafón cainte i mBéarla? Mar sin, in ionad bheith ag caitheamh airgead na Gaeilge——
Tá mé ag iarraidh——
——is ag sábháilt airgead na Gaeilge le haghaidh chur chun cinn na Gaeilge atá muid le hAcht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla. Táimid ag cur dualgas ar na Ranna, as a gcistíocht féin, dualgais a chomhlíonadh maidir le seirbhísí a chur ar fáil.
Tá sé seo i bhfad níos práinní.
Exactly, agus sin an fáth nach dteastaíonn uaim go mbeadh ar mo Roinn-se airgead na Gaeilge a chaitheamh ag déanamh obair Rann eile. Sin an buntáiste iontach a bhaineann leis an Acht. Is ag sábháilt airgead na Gaeilge atá sé. Is ceist chairt chustaiméara atá i gceist, mar shampla, tuarascáil bhliantúil a chur ar fáil san dá theanga oifigiúil. Is ceist eile í an léann éinne tuarascálacha bliantúla, ach d'fhéadfaí an cheist sin a chur faoin gceann a fhoilsítear i mBéarla chomh maith leis an gceann a fhoilsítear i nGaeilge. Sin ceist eile ar fad, áfach. Ní thuigim cén fáth go dtagann sé sin aníos i gcónaí. Cinnte, tá sé thar a bheith práinneach, agus sin an fáth go bhfuil mo Roinn go leanúnach ag plé leis an Roinn Oideachais agus Eolaíochta leis an rud seo a chur chun cinn. Tá go leor oibre déanta anseo.
Ní théann aon rud as ach caint.
Tiocfaidh go leor as, agus cheana féin tá go leor tagtha.
Cad a thiocfaidh?
I bhfad níos mó ná mar a tháinig as an Roinn nuair a bhí páirtí an Teachta i gcumhacht. Mar shampla——
Ní raibh an tuarascáil seo ar fáil an uair sin.
Ní raibh. Níl sí ar fáil ach le cúpla seachtain. Tháinig an tuarascáil seo amach, agus táimid cheana féin ag díriú, mar shampla, ar cheist na gcúntóirí teangan sna scoileanna Gaeltachta, scéim atá ag leathnú amach ar fud na tíre anois. Táimid ag díriú, mar shampla, ar cheist na gcuairteoirí baile agus mar sin de. Tá níos mó acmhainní á gcur ar scéimeanna ó tháinig mise isteach sa Roinn ná mar a cuireadh le 50 bliain roimhe. Bhí tréimhse comhghuallíochta i gceist freisin.
13 Dr. Cowley asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if he will consider introducing a scheme whereby island residents who are mentally or physically impaired are offered a relocation or rehousing option on the mainland to enable them to avail of necessary services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22706/05]
I remind the Deputy that responsibility for housing persons with mental or physical disability rests with my colleagues, the Ministers for Health and Children and the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. However, with regard to the context in which the Deputy has tabled the question, he should note that the development of new piers in recent years both on the island to which he refers and the adjacent mainland has satisfied a key remit of my Department to provide safe access to the island in question. In addition, his reference to the abandonment of a cable car project to the island — incidentally, the only island to which such a service is under consideration — is inaccurate.
The facts are that a grant of €1.84 million was approved by me to the relevant local authority for the provision of a cable car and associated services to the island. Furthermore, the local authority was recently authorised by me to purchase lands which had been the subject of compulsory purchase order processes so that all realistic options for providing the cable car service could be usefully explored.
In addition, my Department has engaged in discussions with Ireland West Tourism and the local authority with a view to ascertaining the tourism potential of the project and is actively examining the feasibility of securing partners from the private sector to build and operate the facility.
I welcome the Minister's reply because many people on the island in question believe the cable car project is dead. I acknowledge his comments in this regard and welcome any progress on the project. The late Pól Ó Foighil — God be good to him — was very proactive on this issue and the Minister has visited the island on many occasions. I also welcome improvements in the piers and in access to the island, without which islanders would be stranded.
People with illnesses experience considerable difficulty travelling to and from the island and have been looking forward to having a cable car facility, which should have been developed a long time ago. Constituents of mine have suggested that in light of the length of time required to develop the facility and the problems it has experienced, it might be preferable for them to be rehoused on the mainland. What are the Minister's views on islanders suffering from illness moving to the mainland? While I appreciate that housing people with disabilities is the responsibility of other Departments, will the Minister consider facilitating people with cancer who may need to move to the mainland for a period or older people who wish to live close to medical services which are unavailable on the island?
Unfortunately, as the Deputy will be aware, only a small number of people live on Inishbiggle, an island which has experienced a significant population decline in recent years. I doubt if anybody on the island is in any doubt as to the Department's position on the cable car project, given that I visited the island during my most recent visit to County Mayo and spent more than an hour explaining the precise position and the parameters within which I was working. I also promised islanders that I would inform them if the Department had approved the project once my discussions with Ireland West Tourism and others had concluded.
The tragedy is that the cable car project could have proceeded many years ago had it not been for various local difficulties and objections lodged at various stages. While people are entitled to object, the Department had to wait until all the problems were overcome before issuing compulsory purchase orders and so forth. The scenario I faced in spring was that, on the one hand, I had a report on my desk indicating that the cable car facility could not be justified purely as an island project while, on the other, I was facing a deadline as regards the decision to purchase the land required for the project. I took the decision that the deadline was too close and I had not done enough homework in terms of examining the project's tourism potential to defray some of the costs of constructing a cable car facility. As a result, I instructed my officials to inform Mayo County Council that it should proceed with the purchase of the land in question to ensure the project would remain intact.
The Department will have to make a decision on the issue. I have always believed, conditional on a wide range of factors falling into place, that the project has island potential as well as significant tourism potential, particularly in light of the development of Ballycroy. This development potential will only be realised, however, if the cable car operator drives it.
The question of old people living on the island who need to move to the mainland is a catch-22, although it was not meant as such, in that if I am seen to be proactively encouraging or assisting people to leave the island, others on the island will argue that my intention is to kill the island. However, if I do not get proactively involved in assisting those who need to leave the island, I will be accused of not looking after people's needs. If someone is seriously ill, the local authorities should look favourably on an application from that person and I would make a strong case that if there were good medical or social reasons for a person to leave the island, the fact that he or she has a house on the island should not be a reason for not giving that person a house on the mainland. I would articulate that view on behalf of someone on an island who needed mainland residence because of illness if I was asked to. I do not want someone saying that because a person has a perfectly good house, he or she can stay there. If illness is involved, and if it would be better for his or her health to stay on the mainland, it would be right and humane and I would make that point to any local authority. My experience, however, is that local authorities are sympathetic. They are trying to keep the same balance as us — not to depopulate the island in a driven fashion and to take a social view of individual circumstances.
I appreciate that the Minister was on the island and that he is sincere but people have been waiting for so long that they do not believe what they are told.
Dedicated helicopter emergency medical services would make people feel much more secure on the islands. The Minister knows of the tragedies that have occurred on the islands. There is currently a delay in getting the definitive medical treatment the helicopter emergency services would bring to the islands. Would the Minister support this? It does not fall within the remit of his Department but he might ask his colleagues to support helicopter emergency medical services. They would be a great boon to older people on the islands and a reason for people to stay there.
Inishbiggle has one of the best helipads in the country and my Department put it in. I recognise that helicopter evacuation in terms of illness or other emergencies is vital. Doctors based on the islands full-time always tell me they get an excellent service from both the search and rescue helicopter and the Air Corps.
When they are available to give the service.
I have kept in touch about this. There is more than one doctor on the Arann Islands and I have not received any complaints about availability, particularly from the Arann Islands, which have the largest population and the most calls out. Other doctors on the west coast have said the same.
It is not just a question of availability but having the right equipment to do the job. People have been become hypothermic while waiting for intensive care medical treatment that helicopter emergency medical services would have but the Air Corps and search and rescue units do not have. I worked on Clare Island and Inishturk and I can vouch for the fact that while the service is welcome, it is not dedicated and its availability and the equipment it carries depends on the other jobs it must do. The helicopter emergency medical service would be a flying intensive care unit that would bring definitive medical treatment to people on the islands.
The Deputy is trying to lead me into a wider issue that would be just as pertinent on the mainland as on the islands.
It is particularly important for the islands.
Lift time into a hospital from the islands because of the provision of helipads and the willingness of rescue services to provide the service would be considerably quicker than in large parts of the mainland in my constituency.
That is true.
I am not a doctor, I cannot argue about one service but the helicopters and helipads are available and there is quick lift time from the islands.
14 Mr. English asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the main aspects of the national drugs strategy for which considerable progress remains to be achieved; the way in which he intends to ensure that all of the 100 recommendations in the strategy and those amended through the mid-term review of the strategy are implemented in full by the strategy’s end; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23014/05]
The Cabinet Committee on Social Inclusion agreed the report of the steering group on the mid-term review of the national drugs strategy in April and it was published earlier this month. The report is the culmination of the mid-term review, a comprehensive review process launched last year and included extensive public consultations.
A steering group, chaired by my Department, made up of the relevant Departments and agencies, as well as the community and voluntary sectors oversaw the review. External consultants also assisted the steering group. The review sought to assess the impact and direction of the strategy at this mid-point stage and, in this regard, the group concentrated on identifying adjustments to the existing strategy and highlighting priorities for the second phase up to 2008.
The steering group found that the current aims and objectives of the drugs strategy are fundamentally sound. There are encouraging signs of progress since 2001 when the strategy was first launched which suggest that our current approach to tackling the drug problem is proving effective. At the same time, however, the review highlights the need to re-focus priorities and accelerate the roll-out and implementation of various key actions in the remaining period of the strategy up to 2008. In this context, new actions and amendments have been identified. These changes should help strengthen the strategy and enable it to better deliver its aims.
Ten of the strategy's existing actions are being replaced, seven of the existing actions are being amended and there are eight new actions that aim to address issues such as family support and rehabilitation. The review found that 49 of the original 100 actions outlined in the strategy are completed or of an on-going nature, progress was on-going on a further 45 and there were six actions on which considerable progress has to be made.
Of the six, actions 61 and 72, relating to halfway houses and drugs training for professionals, are of a long-term nature and require considerably more work to bring them about and this is continuing. Other actions are the subject of specific recommendations in the mid-term review, such as the eleventh action on the community policing fora, action 63 on needle exchange and action 77 on meeting the Oireachtas committee.
On action 23, the Irish Prison Service advises that it would not be useful to undertake a review at this time. It would be more beneficial to introduce the new prisons drugs policy and to undertake the review when the new policy has been in place for a reasonable period to allow for meaningful evaluation. It is proposed that the review will be initiated in 2007.
On monitoring the strategy, the mid-term review has been a very useful exercise, allowing for a stock-take of progress at this mid-point in time. The strategy will continue to be monitored through the interdepartmental group on drugs, which I chair and through the Cabinet Committee on Social Inclusion. The IDG meets regularly to assess progress by Departments and agencies in achieving the targets set for them and any obstacle to the implementation of any of the actions are brought to light and discussed at these meetings. Reports on the implementation of the strategy are presented to the Cabinet Committee on Social Inclusion on a regular basis.
My Department, in conjunction with the relevant Departments and agencies, will draw up a revised framework for the implementation of the recommendations in the mid-term review, including timescales. This will be presented to the IDG in the coming months.
The mid-term review showed some progress but I fear we might become complacent. There are still many problems because progress is not balanced, it has been made in the city but the problems are growing worse in the regions, with a report yesterday showing that deaths had risen ten fold. The new framework should concentrate on all areas and not just the city. There is no point fixing one problem while other problems are developing around us, which we ignore. Effort must be put into work in the regions.
How many of the regional drugs task forces have submitted plans? Have those plans been reviewed? What plans exist for funding them? Will the Department play an active role in pushing for results? There has been a lack of urgency in dealing with the regional drugs task forces in recent years. It is too easy to say they have not reported or submitted their plans. The Department must drive the regional task forces to get results and make changes. The Department cannot do everything but it must give them a bit of a push and display a sense of urgency.
The Minister of State is not responsible for all the problems but he is the man in charge of driving these projects. How proactive is the Department of Health and Children? According to the Department's figures, 59 initiatives are still awaiting implementation. What role will the Department of Health and Children play? Is it considering a withdrawal of support from the drugs task forces, leaving them to the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs?
The Department of Health and Children failed to provide immediate access for drug abusers to professional assessment and counselling by health board services in all areas. There are major waiting lists. That is the fault of the Department of Health and Children and the Health Service Executive which have failed to develop enough drop-in centres and half-way houses for which there is a major demand. In the judicial area, the rolling out of the community policing fora is badly needed as they do work. Communities must become involved in solving their problems and young people must be involved in projects in their areas, getting to know the gardaí through the community policing fora.
Not every Garda station has a specific drug unit or squad. A station may have access to one or be able to request a drugs unit from headquarters. This is not good enough as a rapid reaction is needed. The Garda will put more effort into tackling other criminal activity which is easier because drugs offences are more long term.
Progress has been considerable. Seven of the ten regional plans have been submitted. The first tranche of resources of these will be announced in the next ten to 14 days. The Department is driving it through the national drugs strategy team. The problem has spread to other Leinster towns as evidenced with the recent deaths, which are sad. That is what the regional task force plans will attempt to address. We have not always got co-operation from some towns, which I do not wish to name.
I understand that.
However, some of these towns have adopted the attitude that the problem does not exist or if it is ignored it will go away. The only way to tackle a problem is by providing services. Treatment is one of the main pillars of the strategy, which is focussed through the Department of Health and Children.
There were indications that some new people in the Health Service Executive were trying to back off on this as the drugs strategy is not the only problem the executive has. Some new brooms would rather it went away. However, I believe we have successfully handled this issue.
15 D'fhiafraigh Mr. O’Shea den Aire Gnóthaí Pobail, Tuaithe agus Gaeltachta cén dul chun cinn atá déanta aige ó thaobh chur i bhfeidhm Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [22578/05]
Mar a dúirt mé go minic cheana, táim sásta go bhfuil dul chun cinn suntasach á dhéanamh ag mo Roinn maidir le cur i bhfeidhm fhorálacha an Achta ar bhonn chéimiúil. Táim sásta freisin go n-éireoidh leis na comhlachtaí poiblí na dualgais reachtúla a thitfidh orthu go céimiúil faoin Acht a chomhlíonadh agus go deimhin go nglacfaidh said leis an dúshlán le meon dearfach agus sa spiorad ceart. Ar ndóigh, beidh gach scéim dréachtaithe ag na comhlachtaí poiblí i gcomhthéacs agus ar bhonn na n-acmhainní, idir airgead agus foireann, atá acu nó a bheidh ar fáil dóibh le linn thréimhse na scéime. Ní féidir gach rud a bhaint amach thar oíche agus, mar a dúirt mé ón dtús, is í an aidhm atá agam ná go mbeidh feabhsúcháin á mbaint amach, thar thréimhse roinnt scéimeanna b'fhéidir, ar leibhéal agus ar chaighdeán na seirbhísí poiblí a bhíonn á gcur ar fáil trí Ghaeilge, de réir éilimh.
An méid sin ráite, is gnó do na comhlachtaí poiblí féin, ar ndóigh, a chinntiú go gcomhlíonfar na dualgais a thitfidh orthu faoin Acht seo sa chaoi chéanna agus a chomhlíontar dualgais faoi aon reachtaíocht eile.
Seo a leanas roinnt de na príomh-chéimeanna atá tógtha go dáta maidir le cur i bhfeidhm an Achta. Rinne mé ordú tosach feidhme ar 19 Eanáir 2004 a thugann feidhm don chuid is mó d'fhorálacha an Achta le héifeacht ón lá sin agus ó 1 Bealtaine 2004 i gcás Alt 10.
Bunaíodh, ag tús na bliana 2004, Oifig Choimisinéir na dTeangacha Oifigiúla agus ar 23 Feabhra 2004, cheap Uachtarán na hÉireann an tUas Seán Ó Cuirreáin mar chéad Choimisinéir Teanga. Tá foireann agus soláthar airgid cuí curtha ar fáil ag mo Roinnse leis an oifig a bhunú agus a riaradh. Tá an oifig lonnaithe sa Spidéal i nGaeltacht na Gaillimhe.
Foilsíodh ar 30 Meán Fómhair 2004 an leagan daingnithe de na treoirlínte a ullmhaíodh faoi Alt 12 den Acht chun cabhrú le comhlachtaí poiblí dréacht-scéim a ullmhú faoi Alt 11 den Acht. Tá scéim mo Roinne féin faoin Acht don tréimhse 2004-07 foilsithe freisin ó 30 Meán Fómhair 2004 agus tá sí ar fáil anois mar eiseamlár do chomhlachtaí poiblí eile.
D'fhógair mé ar an lá céanna ainmneacha an chéad 25 chomhlacht poiblí a bhfuil iarrtha i scríbhinn agam orthu dréacht-scéim a ullmhú, i gcomhréir leis na dtreoirlínte sin. I measc na gcomhlachtaí sin tá Ranna, údaráis áitiúla, boird sláinte agus institiúidí 3ú leibhéil. Tá na dreacht-scéimeamma sin á scrúdú ag oifigigh mo Roinne le tamall anuas agus tá áthas orm a chur in iúl go bhfuil cuid mhaith de na dréacht-scéimeanna sin daingnithe agam anois. Táim dóchasach go mbeidh na scéimeanna don 25 comhlacht poiblí ar fad daingnithe agam roimh dheireadh an tsamhraidh.
Tá roghnú an chéad ghrúpa eile de chomhlachtaí poiblí, a mbeidh mé ag iarraidh orthu dréacht-scéim a ullmhú, idir lámha agam agus tá i gceist agam fógra faoi sin a dhéanamh go han-luath.
Tá mo Roinnse ag obair, i gcomhar le hOifig an Dréachtóra Parlaiminte, ar dhréacht de na rialacháin a dhéanfar faoi Alt 9(1) den Acht. Cé nach feidir liom dáta cinnte a lua, táim dóchasach go mbeidh ar mo chumas na rialacháin sin a dhéanamh go luath.
Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire as ucht an fhreagra sin. Go dtí seo, áfach, níl ach 25 comhlacht poiblí agus Roinn i gceist. Céard atá le rá aige faoin bhfigiúr a luaigh a chomhghleacaí, an tAire Sóisialta agus Gnóthaí Teaghlaigh, an Teachta Brennan, go gcosnódh sé€500,000 forálacha an Achta a chur i bhfeidhm sa Roinn sin? Cad atá le rá aige faoin urlabhraí de chuid Aer Lingus a dúirt nach bhfuil siad sásta leis an Acht, ós rud é go mbeidh siad in iomaíocht le comhlachtaí príobháideacha nach mbeidh forálacha an Achta ag baint leo? Céard faoin meastachán sealadach a cuireadh isteach anuraidh go gcosnódh sé€8 milliún do na comhairlí contae agus cathrach forálacha an Achta a chur i bhfeidhm?
Tá a fhios ag an Aire go bhfuil mé á cháineadh féin agus ag cáineadh na Roinne le fada ós rud é nach ndearnadh aon mheastachán ceart ar na costais forálacha an Achta a chur i bhfeidhm go hiomlán. Déarfaidh mé an rud seo leis, áfach. Bhíomar ag caint inniu mar gheall ar an nGaeltacht i mbaol. Is é an rud atá ag goilliúint orm ná go bhfuil seans ann go mbeidh cáipéisí nach léifidh éinne á n-aistriú go Gaoluinn. Deir daoine go ndéanfar an rud céanna leis an mBéarla — go mbíonn cáipéisí Béarla ann nach léann éinne agus nach aon stró é an rud céanna a dhéanamh ó thaobh na Gaeilge de. Ní aon fhreagra é sin. Is ceart na cáipéisí Béarla nach léitear a chur ar ceal freisin. Sin an rud is tábhachtaí.
I ndeireadh na dála, áfach, tá an chuma ar an scéal go gcosnóidh sé cuid mhaith airgid forálacha an Achta a chur i bhfeidhm go hiomlán do thart ar 642 comhlacht poiblí agus Roinn. Céard faoi Aer Lingus, Bus Éireann agus Bus Átha Cliath, áfach? Tá siadsan in iomaíocht le comhlachtaí príobháideacha agus ní bheidh na forálacha seo ag baint leo sin. Sin rud ar cheart don Aire díriú air freisin. Nach bhfuil sé in am anois meastachán a dhéanamh ar cé mhéad a chosnóidh sé go díreach don Stát agus do na comhlachtaí poiblí an tAcht seo a chur i bhfeidhm? Níl mórán airgid ag aon Roinn, agus go mórmhór ag na húdaráis áitiúla — airgead a bheadh á chaitheamh ar rudaí nach bhfuil aon fhiúntas ag baint leo i ndáiríre. Beidh neart cáipéisí ann agus an-easpa leitheoirí.
Maidir le hAer Lingus, mar is eol don Teachta, tá soláthar san Acht le haghaidh an ruda a d'ardaigh sé. Má tá dualgas ar chomhlacht Stáit atá in iomaíocht le comhlachtaí príobháideacha, tá soláthar faoin Acht leis an bpáirc a choinneáil cothrom. Chonaic mé tagairt sa bpáipéar——
An ndéanfaidh an tAire é sin?
Má bhíonn gá leis, cinnte. Níl a fhios agam cén fáth go raibh Aer Lingus ag tagairt dó sin. Bhí sé ag caint ar fhógraíocht, agus níl aon rialachán déanta agam faoi fhógraíocht, agus níl aon mhaith do dhaoine bheith ag caint ar rud nach bhfuil ann.
Maidir leis an rud a dúirt an Teachta faoin Roinn Gnóthaí Sóisialacha agus Teaghlaigh, tá€500,000 curtha ar leataobh aici sna Meastacháin le haghaidh fheidhmiú an Achta. Deir sé sin dhá rud. Ar an gcéad dul síos, deir sé go soiléir nach raibh seirbhís cheart trí Ghaeilge á cur ar fáil ag an Roinn Gnóthaí Sóisialacha agus Teaghlaigh go dtí seo.
Molaim í as ucht a gcearta a thabhairt do lucht na Gaeilge. Má chosnaíonn sé an sciar sin den bhuiséad, bíodh sé mar atá. Tá súil agam nach bhfuil mé mícheart sa bhfigiúr. Tá a fhios agam go bhfuil sé luaite anseo áit éigin, ach níl mé in ann mo lámh a leagan air. Más buan mo chuimhne, tá an Teachta ag caint ar an séú cuid de 1% de bhuiséad riaracháin na Roinne Gnóthaí Sóisialacha agus Teaghlaigh. Tá sé sin níos lú ná 0.2% den bhuiséad riaracháin. Seo an dearcadh atá agam air. Má tá costais ag baint leis na dualgais dlíthiúla a chomhlíonadh, sábhálfaidh sé sin 0.2% áit éigin eile. Níl sé substaintiúil. Níl sé ábhartha i gcomhthéacs bhuiséid iomláin.
Níl costas dá laghad ar na heagraíochtaí Stáit a bhí ag cur a gcearta ar fáil do lucht na Gaeilge. Mar shampla, níl aon chostas ar fiú caint air do mo Roinn féin. Bhí muid ag déanamdh gach rud dá bhfuil sa bplean. Níl sé ag cur aon chostais breise orainn. Níl aon chostas, mar shampla, ar Údarás na Gaeltachta cloí leis an Acht Teanga, mar bhí sé ag feidhmiú i gceart. Is beag costas atá ar Oifig an Ombudsman mar bhí sí ag déanamh na rudaí atá riachtanach de réir an Achta. Mar sin, má tá comhlachtaí áirithe a bhfuil costais orthu, sin le rá nach bhfuil seirbhísí á gcur ar fáil acu. Tá dreamanna eile nach bhfuil aon chostas ag baint leo mar bhí an tseirbhís agus ceart á dtabhairt don dream a úsáideann Gaeilge sa tír seo. Is fadhb do chuile chomhlacht é taobh istigh dá chuid acmhainní tosú a fheidhmiú taobh istigh den dlí.
Cuirim mar seo é. Tá an-chaint ar mhíchumas. Beidh costas ar sholáthar a chur ar fáil do dhreamanna míchumais. Titfidh sé sin amháin ar an dream nach raibh cothrom ceart á dhéanamh acu do dhaoine le míchumais go dtí seo. Ní thitfidh aon chostas ar an dream a bhí ag cur seirbhís cheart ar fáil. Má tá costais ar dhreamanna áirithe, is mar go raibh easpa seirbhíse agus mar gur theip go hiomlán is go huile ar na treoirlínte deonacha a chuir an Teachta Michael D. Higgins ar aghaidh nuair a bhí sé ina Aire agus é féin ag maíomh gur réitigh sé sin fadhbanna seirbhíse trí Ghaeilge. Is léir gur theip air. Má tá costas anois air, is mar gur theip ar na treoirlínte deonacha a raibh an oiread sin gaisce á dhéanamh astu.
Tá mé ag éisteacht leis an Aire, ach i ndeireadh na dála, tá ceist bhunúsach ann. Cad go díreach a chosnóidh cur i bhfeidhm an Achta ina iomlán? Cé mhéad a chosnóidh sé don Státchiste agus don phobal? Ba chóir meastachán ceart — chomh ceart agus is féidir — a dhéanamh. Nár cheart féachaint ar cén úsáid ar féidir a bhaint as an airgead ar son na Gaeilge? Tá an chuma ar an scéal go bhfuil an Ghaeltacht i mbaol, agus sin an phríobhfhadhb atá ag an Rialtas seo. Nil me sásta ar chor ar bith go bhfuil an tAire seo sásta tabhairt faoin fhadhb sin, an ceann is práinní dá bhfuil ann. B'fhearr leis bheith ag déileáil le rudaí atá teibí agus a bhaineann le cúrsaí acadúla, b'fhéidir.
Tá an tAcht Teanga thar a bheith tábhachtach do phobal na Gaeltachta. Den chéad uair ariamh, beidh siad in ann——
Ar chuir an tAire an cheist orthu?
Tá mé i mo chónaí sa nGaeltacht.
Ar chuir sé an cheist orthu?
Tá mise i mo chónaí sa nGaeltacht.
Tá a fhios agam, ach ar chuir sé an cheist orthu?
Cé air?
Ar mhuintir na Gaeltachta. An bhfuil an tAcht seo ag teastáil uathu? Níor chuir sé an cheist sin orthu.
Cuirim mar seo é. Na h-urlabhraithe——
An measann an tAire go bhfuil an freagra aige? Tá mise á rá go gcuirfeadh sé ionadh ar an Aire dá gcuirfeadh sé an cheist ar mhuintir na Gaeltachta.
Níl a fhios agam cén chaoi a gcuirfí an cheist sin seachas i reifreann, ach na daoine——
Is é an Teachta an tAire. Faigh an tslí.
Bíonn na hurlabhraithe pobail sa nGaeltacht á rá go bhfuil sé thar a bheith tábhachtach go mbeadh seirbhísí ar fáil trí mheán na Gaeilge. An bhfuil an Teachta á rá liom go bhfuil sé ceart nó mícheart gur féidir le duine ón nGaeltacht ar mhaith leis cáin bhóthair a chur ar a charr dul isteach in oifig phoiblí agus seirbhís a fháil ón duine atá taobh thiar den gcúntar i nGaeilge nó i mBéarla?
Iarr orthu.
An bhfuil an ceart sin acu?
Iarr orthu an bhfuil sé ag teastáil uathu.
Caithfimid dul ar aghaidh anois.
Tá an Teachta á rá liom nár cheart go mbeadh sé de cheart——
Ní aontaím leis an Aire.
Mar dhuine Gaeltachta amháin, tá mise in ann rá leis an Teachta go bhfuil sé ag teastáil uaimse.
Duine amháin.
An bhfuil an ceart sin agam mar shaoránach an Stáit seo seirbhís a fháil mar dhuine atá ina chónaí sa nGaeltacht trí mheán na Gaeilge má theastaíonn sé uaim cáin a chur ar mo charr agus dul isteach san oifig chánach i nGaillimh agus déileáil leis an gcigire cánach? An bhfuil an ceart nó nach bhfuil an ceart agam an gnó sin a dhéanamh i nGaeilge? Sin an cheist a gcaithfidh Páirtí an Lucht Oibre a fhreagairt. Glacaim leis go bhfuil an Teachta á rá nach bhfuil an ceart sin agam. Tá mé an-bhuíoch den fhreagra sin. Tá siad oscailte faoi dheireadh. Creidimse, agus creidim go gcreideann formhór an phobail, go mba cheart go mbeadh ceart ag duine ón nGaeltacht bunseirbhísí— agus táimid ag caint ar líon an-teoranta seirbhísí— a fháil trí mheán na Gaeilge ón Státchóras. Is léir nach gcreideann an Teachta é sin. Tá an-áthas orm anois go bhfuil a fhios agam cá seasann Páirtí an Lucht Oibre ar an gceist seo, agus tá mé——
Ceapann an tAire é sin. Níor chuir sé an cheist. Ná bíodh sé á rá go bhfuil mise——
Ceist Uimh. 16 don Aire Stáit.
Mar a deirim, seachas reifreann, níl aon bhealach ann seachas an bealach a chuir mé na ceisteanna. Ó na ceisteanna a chuir mise ar phobal na Gaeltachta, tá an buncheart sin uathu. Má chreideann an Teachta a mhalairt, níl aon bhealach lena fháil amach ach reifreann a chur ar bun, agus níl aon soláthar do reifreann mar sin i gcás mar seo. Ní fhaca mé aon Aire ariamh a chuir reifreann ar bun maidir le ceist polasaí den chineál seo. Ón eolas atá agam——
Níl a fhios ag an Aire. Níor fhreagair sé an cheist.
Cá bhfios an dteastaíonn aon reachtaíocht uainne? Bheadh reifreann seafóideach.
