Written Answers.

Animal Cruelty.

Róisín Shortall

Question:

124 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if her attention has been drawn to serious public concern at the circumstances of the slaughter of 4,000 pigs in Waterford two years ago, under the supervision of her Department, in circumstances of particular cruelty; if she will consider requesting an independent veterinary expert from abroad to conduct a full investigation into all aspects of the slaughter; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26449/05]

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mary Coughlan)

I would like to set out the background to this incident. The case involved the slaughter on-farm by the herdowner of some 4,000 pigs over a five day period following the discovery by Department veterinary inspectors of quantities of Carbadox on the farm and an admission by the herdowner that he had spread the substance on the floors of pig pens. The movement of any animals from this herd, except under specific licence from the Department, had also been prohibited by the Department in the period preceding slaughter in order to protect public health. Notwithstanding this, some pigs were moved to slaughter plants and products from some of these did in fact enter the food chain. Carbadox is a carcinogen, cancer-causing substance, which is banned by the EU and deemed to be unsafe at any level. Prosecutions have since been issued against the herdowner alleging a range of offences relating to the use of this feed additive and other matters, including the illegal movement of pigs from the farm. The herdowner has issued proceedings against the Department under two headings.

While there was no question of legally permitting the pigs to be slaughtered for human consumption, the Department wrote to the herdowner's solicitors on 7 May 2002 explicitly stating its willingness to allow him to pursue the option of his making arrangements, acceptable to the Department, with a dedicated plant for their slaughter. However, he did not pursue this option. Instead, he sought permission to slaughter the pigs himself on his farm on welfare grounds. He had discussed this approach with Department veterinary inspectors and they were satisfied that he understood fully what would be involved and that he displayed both the competence and confidence to undertake the task.

During the five day period, two veterinary inspectors, including an animal welfare expert from the Department, visited the farm on numerous occasions in order to assess the ongoing slaughter operation. A non-veterinary official of the Department was present on the farm during the five day period in question, whose primary function was ensuring proper disposal of the carcases, that is, to ensure they did not enter the human food chain. At no point during the slaughter process did the herdowner express concerns or disquiet on animal welfare grounds about the slaughter method or seek to suspend operations on grounds of professed animal welfare concerns.

An official of my Department observed the herdowner use a lump-hammer to slaughter a small number of pigs and ordered the practice to cease immediately. The implement was seized and only returned to the farmer when the entire slaughter process was completed. With regard to the attempted suffocation of the pigs, records indeed show that the herdowner was legally instructed to maximise the ventilation capacity of his units in order to minimise the negative welfare impact associated with increased liveweight capacity of the units. Department veterinary staff did not report any attempt to deliberatively deprive the pigs of air.

The circumstances in this case were highly unusual. On-farm slaughter of animals in any number is an exception rather than the rule and occurs only in extreme circumstances, for example, the FMD outbreak in Cooley, where it is not possible to move the animals to a dedicated slaughter plant or where there are compelling reasons, for example, fear of disease spread, for not attempting to so do. In this particular case, the herdowner had decided to slaughter his animals on-farm and the Department considered at the time that it could not legally have forced him to have the operation conducted in a slaughter plant. In view of the foregoing, I do not consider it appropriate to conduct the investigation on the lines suggested by the Deputy.

Common Agricultural Policy.

Michael D. Higgins

Question:

125 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if she will make a statement on the outcome of her meeting on 23 June 2005 with the EU Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Ms Fisher Boel, regarding the EU sugar regime, the overshoot of the special beef premium and the management of the dairy market; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26451/05]

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mary Coughlan)

I met the EU Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Ms Fisher Boel, in Ireland last June to discuss the Commission proposals on the reform of the sugar regime, the overshoot of the special beef premium and the management of the dairy market.

As regards sugar, I emphasised my total opposition to the Commission proposals, which had been published just prior to the Commissioner's visit. I explained in detail the adverse impact these proposals would have on sugar production in Ireland. In response, the Commissioner explained the rationale behind the proposals. Both sides accepted that the proposals would be subject to difficult negotiations in the Council of Agriculture Ministers in the months ahead. I restated my position subsequently at the Council in July and am endeavouring, in co-operation with like-minded member states, to seek a more balanced outcome, which will take Irish interests into account.

I had previously been in contact with the Commissioner on the special beef premium overshoot, and at the meeting in June, we reviewed the ongoing technical discussions. The Commissioner expressed her understanding of the problem and subsequently responded positively, allowing me to announce a special payment package. Taken in conjunction with the Exchequer funding, which is the subject of a supplementary estimate, the package is worth approximately €17.5 million.

The concession agreed by the Commissioner only addressed the position of the second age category, as she was adamant that no concession was possible in the first age and bull category in light of the legally binding ceiling of 1,077,458 animals. However, the final outcome means that payments under the 2004 special beef premium scheme will amount to almost €340 million, compared to €290 million paid under the 2003 scheme.

I also used the opportunity to emphasise my serious concerns about the Commission's management of the milk market and called for careful consideration of the effect of these management decisions on the competitiveness of the dairy industry. I particularly disputed the extent to which these adjustments were warranted, arguing that downward pressure on institutional supports limits the sector's ability to fully exploit opportunities to export milk products to international markets, and reduces the returns available to farmers.

I will continue to urge the Commissioner to use all the market management tools at her disposal to provide the stability that the dairy sector now requires to consolidate its competitiveness and future investment capacity and, particularly, to maintain and expand international market share.

Animal Health Strategy.

Damien English

Question:

126 Mr. English asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the steps she intends to take to develop an all-Ireland animal health regime; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26190/05]

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mary Coughlan)

I am fully committed to the development of an all-Ireland animal health strategy, the ultimate objective of which should be the free movement of animals on the island and the development of agreed policies to control animal disease and to facilitate trade.

There is already a long history of co-operation between the Administrations North and South on animal health issues. The Administrations have traditionally shared information at local and national levels on disease control and surveillance issues and have pooled resources to combat illegal movements of animals and animal products. The foot and mouth disease emergency of 2001 is a testament to the extent of co-operation and consultation that exists at official, ministerial and political levels.

The establishment of the North/South Ministerial Council offered an opportunity to build on existing co-operation arrangements and provided a framework for the development of an all-island animal health policy.

The main objectives of the Council are to foster co-operation and to devise a common, unified animal health strategy for the island as a whole. This involves the convergence of animal health policies and the development of joint strategies for dealing with animal diseases. The ultimate objectives are to establish a common import regime and equivalent internal arrangements with a view to achieving free movement of animals and animal products within the island.

A total of nine policy working groups have been established at official level under North-South arrangements to take forward various initiatives. The remit of these groups includes TB and brucellosis, TSEs — BSE and scrapie, veterinary medicines, other zoonoses and animal diseases, disease surveillance, animal welfare, import and export of live animals and animal products, animal identification, traceability and cross-Border aspects of fraud. These groups continue to report progress in exchange of information and in implementation of initiatives aimed at policy convergence and the development of a common unified strategy for the island as a whole.

The main achievements to date are the development of a co-ordinated and complementary approach towards import policies and portal controls at points of entry to the island, the development of similar approaches to combat the introduction of animal diseases, the convergence of policies in regard to animal identification and strengthening of co-ordination and co-operation on issues such as contingency planning.

In addition to the above, there has been a significant deepening and strengthening of co-operation, information exchange and ongoing co-ordination between the two Administrations on a variety of issues such as FMD, BSE, avian influenza and cross-Border fraud while the Farm Animal Welfare Advisory Council includes representation from DARD. On cross-Border fraud, the two Administrations have worked together successfully in a number of joint enforcement actions against alleged offenders and ongoing exchanges of expertise and information are taking place.

It is my intention to pursue this matter further at a political level with the Right Honourable Lord Rooker, following on from my discussions with Ian Pearson, Minister of State in Northern Ireland.

EU Directives.

Eamon Gilmore

Question:

127 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if she will list the EU directives for which her Department has responsibility that are yet to be implemented in view of the target date for implementation in each case; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26456/05]

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mary Coughlan)

The European directives to be implemented by my Department are set out in the following schedule, which has been circulated. Council Directive 2004/117/EC is in the final stages of implementation and is expected to be finalised by the end of the month. In all other cases, I intend to have the directives implemented by the due date.

Schedule
Directives to be implemented by Department of Agriculture and Food: 18
Title of Directive	Date by which Directive is to be implemented
Council Directive 2004/117/EC of 22 December 2004 amending Directives 66/401/EEC, 66/402/EEC, 2002/54/EC, 2002/55/EC and 2002/57/EC as regards examinations carried out under official supervision and equivalence of seed produced in third countries. (OJ L14 18/01/05, p18)	1 October 2005
Directive 2004/28/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 31 March 2004 amending Directive 2001/82/EC on the Community code relating to veterinary medicinal products. (OJ L136, 30/04/04, p58)	30 October 2005
Council Directive 2004/68/EC of 26 April 2004 laying down animal health rules for the importation into and transit through the Community of certain live ungulate animals, amending Directives 90/426/EEC and 92/65/EEC and repealing Directive 72/462/EEC. (OJ L139, 30/04/04, p321)	20 November 2005
Commission Directive 2005/34/EC of 17 May 2005 amending Council Directive 91/414/EEC to include etoxazole and tepraloxydim as active substances. (OJ L125, 18/05/05, p5)	30 November 2005
Commission Directive 2005/58/EC of 21 September 2005 amending Council Directive 91/414/EEC to include bifenazate and milbemectin as active substances (OJ L246, 22/9/05, p17)	1 December 2005
Commission Directive 2005/37/EC of 3 June 2005 amending Council Directives 86/362/EEC and 90/642/EEC as regards the maximum levels for certain pesticide residues in and on cereals and certain products of plant origin, including fruit and vegetables. (OJ L141, 04/06/05, p10)	4 December 2005
Commission Directive 2005/13/EC of 21 February 2005 amending Directive 2000/25/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council concerning the emission of gaseous and particulate pollutants by engines intended to power agricultural or forestry tractors, and amending Annex I to Directive 2003/37/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council concerning the type-approval of agricultural or forestry tractors. (OJ L55, 01/03/05, p35)	31 December 2005
Directive 2004/41/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 21 April 2004 repealing certain Directives concerning food hygiene and health conditions for the production and placing on the market of certain products of animal origin intended for human consumption and amending Council Directives 89/662/EEC and 92/118/EEC and Council Decision 95/408/EC. (OJ L195, 02/06/04, p12)	1 January 2006
Commission Directive 2005/46/EC of 8 July 2005 amending the Annexes to Council Directives 86/362/EEC, 86/363/EEC and 90/642/EEC as regards maximum residue levels for amitraz. (OJ L177 09/07/05, p35)	9 January 2006
Commission Directive 2005/6/EC of 26 January 2005 amending Directive 71/250/EEC as regards reporting and interpretation of analytical results required under Directive 2002/32/EC. (OJ L24, 27/01/05, p33)	16 February 2006
Commission Directive 2005/8/EC of 27 January 2005 amending Annex I to Directive 2002/32/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council on undesirable substances in animal feed (OJ L27, 29/01/05, p44)	18 February 2006
Commission Directive 2005/7/EC of 27 January 2005 amending Directive 2002/70/EC establishing requirements for the determination of levels of dioxins and dioxin-like PCBs in feedingstuffs. (OJ L27, 29/01/05, p41)	18 February 2006
Commission Directive 2005/48/EC of 23 August 2005 amending Council Directives 86/362/EEC, 86/363/EEC and 90/642/EEC as regards maximum residue levels for certain pesticides in and on cereals and certain products of animal and plant origin. (OJ L219 24/08/05, p29)	24 February 2006
Commission Directive 2005/53/EC of 16 September 2005 amending Council Directive 91/414/EEC to include chlorothalonil, chlorotoluron, cypermethrin, daminozide and thiophanate-methyl as active substances (OJ L241, 17/09/2005, p51)	1 March 2006
Commission Directive 2005/54/EC of 19 September 2005 amending Council Directive 91/414/EEC to include tribenuron as active substance (OJ L244, 20/09/2005, p21)	1 March 2006
Commission Directive 2005/57/EC of 21 September 2005 amending Council Directive 91/414/EEC to include MCPA and MCPB as active substances (OJ L246, 22/9/05, p14)	1 May 2006
Commission Directive 2005/43/EC of 23 June 2005 amending the Annexes to Council Directive 68/193/EEC on the marketing of material for the vegetative propagation of the vine (OJ L164, 24/06/05, p37)	31 July 2006
Council Directive 2005/24/EC of 14 March 2005 with regard to the use of ova and embryos and storage centres for semen from pure-bred breeding animals of the bovine species. (OJ L78, 24/03/05, p43)	24 March 2007

Common Agricultural Policy.

Joan Burton

Question:

128 Ms Burton asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the progress made in her discussions with the EU Commission on 19 September 2005 regarding proposals for reform of the EU sugar regime; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26444/05]

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mary Coughlan)

I presume that the Deputy is referring to the meeting of the Agriculture and Fisheries Council which took place on 19 September. On that occasion, the sugar reform proposals did not feature on the Council agenda.

I expressed my serious concerns about the proposals when I met with Commissioner Fischer Boel on her visit to Ireland in June, and again at the Council of Agriculture Ministers in July. I emphasised that the price cuts proposed are too severe, that the reforms should be based on a longer lead-in time for the Everything But Arms agreement and that it would be preferable to await the outcome of the WTO meeting in Hong Kong in December before seeking to conclude an agreement on sugar reform. I have also continued to remain in contact with like-minded colleague Ministers from other member states who are opposed to the reform proposals.

The proposals as they stand would have serious implications for Ireland and I have made clear that they are unacceptable. They will again be discussed at the next meeting of the Council of Ministers on 24-25 October. My overall objective is to ensure a more balanced agreement, which will take Irish interests into account.

Horticulture Sector.

Donie Cassidy

Question:

129 Mr. Cassidy asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food her plans for the horticulture sector here. [26163/05]

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mary Coughlan)

The horticulture sector is a very dynamic one that has grown to be a significant entity within the overall agricultural industry. Farmgate production is now close to €300 million with retail sales of €650 million. Demand for processed and semi-prepared produce has increased dramatically over the last number of years and is expected to continue. The horticulture sector is also very labour intensive with some 10,000 people employed across the production and distribution chain. My Department will continue to contribute directly to this sector by providing plant health services, enforcing quality standards and through grant assistance.

A very significant contribution towards the development of the sector is made through the grant aid schemes for capital investment on farms under the national development plan. The scheme aims to promote the diversification of on-farm activities, improve the quality of products, facilitate environmentally friendly practices and improve working condition. Since 2001 over €8 million has been paid to 400 horticultural producers to upgrade or develop new facilities. This grant aid has been a major catalyst for investment and growth in a sector which is making a very significant contribution to the rural and national economy. This year a €6 million grant package will fund projects to the value of over €17 million. All areas of horticulture are eligible for the scheme, covering mushrooms, protected crops, nursery crops, field vegetables, soft fruit, apples, seed potatoes and beekeeping.

Demand in the consumer and food service sectors is buoyant, both for fresh and prepared chilled produce and convenient value-added products. The retail value of prepared horticultural produce was estimated to be €59.8 million in 2004, representing a two-fold increase on 2001, and there are real investment opportunities and challenges for development of this sector. For the first time this year, projects in the fruit and vegetable sector have been prioritised in the scheme of aid for the marketing and processing of agricultural products, which supports capital investment to enhance competitiveness and added value.

In addition, horticulture producers benefit from EU aid under the producer organisation scheme. Over €6 million will be paid to 12 recognised producer organisations this year. The development of producer organisations under EU regulations has made a very important contribution to the development of the sector as it enables producers to benefit from their combined strength in the production and marketing of their product.

Sugar Quota.

Denis Naughten

Question:

130 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if she will clarify the ownership of the Irish sugar quota; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26224/05]

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mary Coughlan)

Under the EU sugar regime, each member state has a quota for manufactured sugar. There is no quota for sugar beet. The EU regulations stipulate that the quota must be made available to the sugar manufacturing enterprises in the member state. Accordingly, in Ireland the entire sugar quota is processed by Irish Sugar Limited, which is the only sugar manufacturer in this country. Irish Sugar Limited places annual contracts with farmers to grow a specific tonnage of sugar beet sufficient to manufacture the sugar quota.

Ownership of the sugar quota had never been an issue in the past because the relevant EU regulations do not provide for the buying and selling of quota. Speculations about quota ownership only arose when the Commission, in July 2004, raised the possibility of cross-border quota mobility, in the context of their initial thinking on reform of the EU sugar regime. Several member states, including Ireland, voiced strong opposition to the idea of cross-border mobility and I am pleased to say that it does not form part of the Commission's legislative reform proposals, which were published in June. In any event, the EU Commission has confirmed that the quota is not an asset owned by the member state or any other party but is simply a mechanism for regulating the market.

Common Agricultural Policy.

Breeda Moynihan-Cronin

Question:

131 Ms B. Moynihan-Cronin asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food her priorities for the current round of world trade talks and the summit due in Hong Kong in December 2005; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26458/05]

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mary Coughlan)

Agreement was reached in Geneva in August 2004 on a framework setting out the structure and general content of the new World Trade Organisation, WTO, agreement. The detailed implementation of this framework has been the subject of ongoing negotiation at technical and political level and the aim is to conclude an agreement at the WTO Ministerial Conference in Hong Kong in December 2005. I am satisfied that the framework agreement secured the benefits to Irish farmers of the mid-term review of the Common Agricultural Policy and represented a satisfactory outcome from Ireland's point of view. My over-riding objective in the further negotiations is to ensure that the terms of a new agreement can be accommodated without the need for further reform of the Common Agricultural Policy. More specifically, my priorities are to ensure that: the phasing-out of all forms of export subsidies will be applied in parallel, as provided for under the framework agreement, and that the phasing-out period will be as long as possible; Ireland's agricultural exports will remain competitive in the EU market through the continuation of adequate levels of tariff protection on imports from third countries; and the EU's system of direct payments which, following decoupling, qualify as non-trade-distorting, continue to be exempt from reductions under the new agreement.

Alternative Energy Projects.

Trevor Sargent

Question:

132 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the progress and opportunities in place or planned for farmers and all involved in developing the biofuel and biomass sector in view of the serious increases in oil prices and concerns over the long term security of oil supplies; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26468/05]

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mary Coughlan)

The Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources has overall responsibility for energy policy and is primarily responsible for the promotion and development of renewable energy, including biofuels. Nonetheless, the development of the biofuels industry is a cross-sectoral issue impinging on several policy areas, for example those related to environment and fiscal policy as well as energy policy, and involving several Departments and agencies. I am acutely aware of the central role which agriculture can play in the provision of necessary raw materials for the production of biofuels. These raw materials can include oilseed rape, wheat and sugar beet for liquid transport biofuels, forestry by-products for wood biomass, and other farming by-products such as meat and bone meal and tallow for energy-heat generation and biodiesel respectively.

Factors such as the increasing cost of oil, the need to reduce carbon dioxide emissions and the opportunity for farmers to explore alternative land uses following CAP reform mean that the potential of this area must be fully explored.

For the purposes of contributing to the development of policy on biofuels, my Department in conjunction with COFORD and Teagasc has examined the potential of energy crops, wood biomass and farming and food by-products. In general, the production of energy crops for biofuels will have to be demand led and production by farmers will only occur if the economic returns are greater than those offered by traditional crop enterprises. The production of liquid biofuels from energy crops is not economic at current oil price levels. However, the scheme recently announced by the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources for mineral oil tax relief on pilot biofuel projects has stimulated the production of oilseed rape for biofuel.

The exploitation of wood resources for energy purposes, mainly for heat or electricity generation, offers significant potential. There are also significant opportunities for using by-products of farming and food processing for bioenergy purposes. Approximately 140,000 tonnes of meat and bone meal is produced annually and its use in place of fossil fuels could reduce carbon dioxide emissions by up to 19%.

I am anxious to encourage further research to assist the development of the biofuels industry and I have arranged for research projects on biofuels and other non-food uses of crops to be included in the latest call under my Department's research stimulus programme.

Land Prices.

Michael D. Higgins

Question:

133 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if her attention has been drawn to recent figures published by the Central Statistics Office showing that agricultural land prices rose by more than 25% in the last quarter of 2004; her views on the rapid rate of increase in the price of land; her views on the implications of this increase for farmers hoping to expand or those who wish to enter farming for the first time; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26450/05]

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mary Coughlan)

Low levels of land mobility have been a long-term feature of Irish farming. The number of land parcels placed on the market annually is relatively small, and Ireland's strong economic growth has increased demand for all forms of land. Average agricultural land prices for 2004 were €16,156 per hectare, an increase of 12% on 2003. While there was an exceptionally high increase of 25% in the fourth quarter of 2004, it was partly reversed by a decline of 12% in the first quarter of 2005. The CSO does caution that these figures are based on a very small amount of agricultural land placed on the open market each year; only 0.1% of agricultural land was sold in 2004.

Traditionally, Irish farms are kept within families and are transferred through gift or inheritance. This combined with the low level of land sales means the main option for those who wish to expand their holdings is through leasing. In 2003, almost one-fifth of all agricultural land was leased with one-third of Irish farms leasing-in some portion of land.

For meaningful farm planning, leasing is best done on a long-term basis, and the Government has a number of incentives in place to encourage this and to improve the overall levels of land mobility. There are generous income tax disregards for farmers who lease-out land on a long-term basis. Capital gain tax retirement relief is available to farmers over 55 years who dispose of their farming business, while farmers over 40 years can avail of a rental income tax relief on leases of five years or longer. These measures help improve the availability of land to farmers who wish to increase their scale of production.

There are also a series of measures in place to help reduce start-up costs for new entrants. These include a number of generous grants and tax reliefs. For young, suitably trained farmers there are a number of attractive schemes including an installation aid grant of €9,520, 100% stamp duty relief on land, a 90% relief from capital acquisition tax, CAT, and 100% stock relief for four years for eligible farmers. I believe these are pragmatic measures to help facilitate those who wish to enter agriculture or those who wish to expand production.

Rural Environment Protection Scheme.

John Curran

Question:

134 Mr. Curran asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if she has satisfied herself with the progress under REPS 3. [26170/05]

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mary Coughlan)

I am very pleased with the level of demand for REPS since the introduction of REPS 3 last year. During the summer we broke the previous record for participation and we now have over 47,000 farmers in the scheme. Total spending on REPS amounted to €208 million in 2004. Expenditure this year, with three months still to go, has already almost matched that. I am hopeful that we will have close to 50,000 farmers in REPS by the end of the year, which will account for this year's voted provision of €271 million.

I would urge all farmers who are not already in REPS to consider it seriously. It offers real benefits not only to them but also to the environment and society in general.

Grant Payments.

Damien English

Question:

135 Mr. English asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food her plans for the allocation of entitlements under the national reserve; when she will issue the entitlements; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26191/05]

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mary Coughlan)

Applications for an allocation of entitlements from the single payment scheme national reserve were received from over 17,500 farmers. Processing of these applications is continuing and the intention is to make allocations to successful applicants by 1 December next. This will allow any allocations to be reflected in the single payment scheme payment which is scheduled to commence on 1 December 2005.

The Single Payment Advisory Committee comprising representatives of my Department, Teagasc and the farming organisations met recently to discuss the rules for allocating the national reserve. Further contacts will take place on this matter before a final decision is made.

Sugar Beet Industry.

Thomas P. Broughan

Question:

136 Mr. Broughan asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food in view of the continued problems regarding the EU sugar regime, her plans to examine alternative uses for the beet farmers produce, in regard to the possible production of ethanol or other bio-fuels; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26445/05]

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mary Coughlan)

As I have indicated previously, I regard the Commission's proposals for reform of the sugar regime as unacceptable and have made this clear directly to the Commissioner and in the Council of Ministers.

The production of ethanol from sugar beet is a possible alternative outlet for farmers but, as matters stand, Irish Sugar Limited has arrangements in place to process the full Irish sugar quota at its Mallow plant, which has been upgraded for that purpose. The question of an alternative use for sugar beet does not therefore arise at present.

Sugar Quota.

Simon Coveney

Question:

137 Mr. Coveney asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the position regarding the ownership of the Irish sugar quota; when she was informed of the decision to close the Carlow facility; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26218/05]

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mary Coughlan)

Under the EU sugar regime, each member state has a quota for manufactured sugar. There is no quota for sugar beet. The EU regulations stipulate that the quota must be made available to the sugar manufacturing enterprises in the member state. Accordingly, in Ireland the entire sugar quota is processed by Irish Sugar Limited, which is the only sugar manufacturer in this country. Irish Sugar Limited places annual contracts with farmers to grow a specific tonnage of sugar beet sufficient to manufacture the sugar quota.

Ownership of the sugar quota had never been an issue in the past because the relevant EU regulations do not provide for the buying and selling of quota. Speculations about quota ownership only arose when the Commission, in July last year, raised the possibility of cross-border quota mobility, in the context of their initial thinking on reform of the EU sugar regime. Several member states, including Ireland, voiced strong opposition to the idea of cross-border mobility and I am pleased to say that it does not form part of the Commission's legislative reform proposals which were published in June. In any event, the EU Commission has confirmed that the quota is not an asset owned by the member state or any other party but is simply a mechanism for regulating the market.

The decision by Greencore to close its plant in Carlow and consolidate all of its sugar manufacturing in Mallow was a commercial decision taken by the board on 12 January 2005. The company advised my Department two days in advance of the board meeting that a proposal concerning the future of its two processing plants and involving the likely closure of the Carlow plant would be put to the board for decision.

Animal Health Strategy.

Olwyn Enright

Question:

138 Ms Enright asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the steps she intends to take to develop an all Ireland animal health regime; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26406/05]

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mary Coughlan)

I am fully committed to the development of an all-Ireland animal health strategy, the ultimate objective of which should be the free movement of animals on the island and the development of agreed policies to control animal disease and to facilitate trade.

There is already a long history of co-operation between the Administrations North and South on animal health issues. The Administrations have traditionally shared information at local and national levels on disease control and surveillance issues and have pooled resources to combat illegal movements of animals and animal products. The foot and mouth disease emergency of 2001 is a testament to the extent of co-operation and consultation that exists at official, ministerial and political levels.

The establishment of the North-South Ministerial Council offered an opportunity to build on existing co-operation arrangements and provided a framework for the development of an all-island animal health policy.

The main objectives of the council are to foster co-operation and to devise a common, unified animal health strategy for the island as a whole. This involves the convergence of animal health policies and the development of joint strategies for dealing with animal diseases. The ultimate objectives are to establish a common import regime and equivalent internal arrangements with a view to achieving free movement of animals and animal products within the island.

A total of nine policy working groups have been established at official level under North-South arrangements to take forward various initiatives. The remit of these groups includes TB and brucellosis, TSEs — BSE and scrapie, veterinary medicines, other zoonoses and animal diseases, disease surveillance, animal welfare, import and export of live animals and animal products, animal identification, traceability and cross-Border aspects of fraud. These groups continue to report progress in exchange of information and in implementation of initiatives aimed at policy convergence and the development of a common unified strategy for the island as a whole.

The main achievements to date are the development of a co-ordinated and complementary approach towards import policies and portal controls at points of entry to the island, the development of similar approaches to combat the introduction of animal diseases, the convergence of policies in regard to animal identification and strengthening of co-ordination and co-operation on issues such as contingency planning.

In addition to the above, there has been a significant deepening and strengthening of co-operation, information exchange and ongoing co-ordination between the two Administrations on a variety of issues such as FMD, BSE, avian influenza and cross-Border fraud while the Farm Animal Welfare Advisory Council includes representation from DARD. On cross-Border fraud, the two Administrations have worked together successfully in a number of joint enforcement actions against alleged offenders and ongoing exchanges of expertise and information are taking place.

It is my intention to pursue this matter further at a political level with the Right Honourable Lord Rooker, following on from my discussions with Ian Pearson, Minister of State in Northern Ireland.

Farming Practices.

John Gormley

Question:

139 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the situation regarding making safe use of digestate from anaerobic digestion; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26475/05]

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mary Coughlan)

I expect to introduce shortly an amendment to the relevant national legislation to allow for the spreading on non-pasture land of digestate produced by composting and biogas plants using animal by-products in their inputs. These arrangements are being introduced primarily in the context of EU legislation that allows the digestate produced in such plants to be spread on non-pasture land. In introducing this amendment, I have had regard to the declining numbers of BSE cases here and the need to provide productive outlets for the disposal of certain animal by-products where this does not pose a risk to public or animal health.

Veterinary Medicines.

Paul McGrath

Question:

140 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the steps that she is taking to provide a countrywide and weekend veterinary service for the issue of prescriptions for animal remedies; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26203/05]

Paul Connaughton

Question:

155 Mr. Connaughton asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food her plans for the introduction of regulations covering animal remedy POMs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26181/05]

Bernard Allen

Question:

162 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the steps she is taking to secure competition within the animal remedies sector; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26199/05]

Shane McEntee

Question:

177 Mr. McEntee asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if she has completed a regulatory impact assessment on the proposed regulation of animal medicines; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26204/05]

Shane McEntee

Question:

185 Mr. McEntee asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if she will implement the recommendations of the Competition Authority on the animal medicines regulation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26205/05]

John Perry

Question:

199 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if the spirit of the EU directive on animal medicines is enshrined in Irish law by allowing persons other than vets to issue prescriptions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26201/05]

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mary Coughlan)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 140, 155, 162, 177, 185 and 199 together.

The draft regulations on veterinary medicines which were circulated by my Department in August for consultation are designed to give effect to EU Directive 2004/28 and to reform aspects of the existing national regime. My Department has received written submissions from most of the main stakeholders and has also subsequently met with many of these stakeholders as part of the consultative process. In addition, as required by the relevant legislation, the Animal Remedies Consultative Committee will meet shortly to consider the draft regulations, following which I will make final decisions on the issues involved so that the regulations can be brought into force by the transposition deadline.

I am aware of the views that have been expressed about the possible impact of the draft regulations on competition in the supply of veterinary medicines, in particular, from the requirement in the EU directive that all veterinary medicines for food producing animals must be subject to prescriptions. I should explain, however, that the directive also includes a provision for exemption criteria to be adopted at EU level, which will provide a mechanism for certain categories of medicines to be exempted from the prescription requirement. The EU has not yet adopted a decision on the exemption criteria but must do so before 1 January 2007. Pending this decision, existing national prescription and distribution arrangements may remain in place.

It is my intention to avail of the exemption clause to the maximum extent possible and my Department has made a submission to the EU with a view to retaining ‘off prescription' in Ireland all products, other than intramammaries, which currently enjoy this status. The draft regulations published by my Department provide that veterinary medicines, such as wormers and certain vaccines, will continue to be available off-prescription for the time being and in practice, this means that, apart from intramammaries, we are retaining the essence of our existing national prescription and distribution regime. In view of this, it is not necessary at this stage, for competition reasons, to extend the range of persons who may be permitted to prescribe. I will, however, review the regulations and in particular the provisions relating to the categories of persons who would be permitted to prescribe medicines in the light of the exemption criteria that are agreed at EU level in due course.

With regard to the recommendations of the Competition Authority, many of these recommendations are based on the misapprehension that all veterinary medicines will be subject to a prescription only regime from 1 November, which I have explained is not the case. However, their views will be taken into account, along with those of the other stakeholders, in my final decisions. My position is that while regulations in this area must, of necessity, give primacy to protection of public health and animal health and welfare, it is also important to minimise costs to the farming sector and, with this in mind, my Department has included a number of important changes in the draft legislation to achieve this objective. Among these are: the removal of inflexibilities in the existing prescribing regime which will reduce the need for mandatory farm visits by practitioners and extending the life of a prescription from the current 31 days up to six months will facilitate the farmer and his-her vet, where appropriate, anticipating needs, particularly for management type products; the new requirement for veterinary practitioners to issue written prescriptions in all cases and to ensure that farmers are made aware of the cost of medicines as distinct from the professional service given and to facilitate the purchase of medicines at premises other than that of the veterinary practitioner; and permitting licensed retailers to supply for prescription only medicines for the first time.

It is evident from the foregoing that my Department is doing everything possible, in so far as it has the flexibility to do so, to create an environment to ensure that there continues to be competition in the supply of veterinary medicines.

In relation to availability of veterinary practitioners to issue prescriptions, the draft regulations published by my Department will, as I have said earlier, substantially retain the existing regime in relation to off-prescription products until I January 2007, which means that, with the exception of intramammaries, medicines currently available generally from pharmacies and licensed merchants will continue to be available from these outlets until that date. I should point out that veterinary practices are primarily commercial entities and their location is driven by commercial realities. In so far as Government involvement is concerned, I would also draw attention to measures in the new Veterinary Practice Act, which should help to address any shortages in Irish trained vets. For the first time, the Veterinary Council is being enabled to recognise qualifications from applicants in third countries generally and this, taken also with the recent enlargement of the EU, should make for the improved availability of practitioners from outside the State to meet any shortfalls in the supply side.

With regard to the regulatory impact assessment, the EU directive which is sought to be transposed via these regulations pre-dated the introduction of the regulatory impact assessment initiative by the Government. Notwithstanding this, my Department has carried an assessment of the impact of the draft regulations in the course of the consultative process with the stakeholders and I will be taking account of this in my final decisions on the regulations.

Food Industry.

Pat Breen

Question:

141 Mr. P. Breen asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food her plans to develop the marketing potential of Bord Bia; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26213/05]

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mary Coughlan)

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mary Coughlan)

Beef imports into the European Union from third countries must have been sourced, first, in countries and, second, in premises currently listed and approved by the European Commission and which are subject to veterinary audits by the EU's Food and Veterinary Office. In addition, such imports are subject to checks laid down in the harmonised rules prescribed at European level, and must be accompanied by the prescribed veterinary health certification from the competent authorities in the country of export. We have comprehensive beef labelling regulations at EU level which apply to all beef produced within the Community and imports from third countries. Where beef is imported into the Community from a third country that beef must, at a minimum, be labelled as "Origin: non EC" along with an indication of the third country in which the slaughter took place.

My priority in this area is to extend the existing beef labelling laws to require information on the country of origin of beef to be provided to all consumers in the restaurant and catering sectors. I put specific proposals to Government at the end of June for a legislative framework to facilitate this, by way of an amendment to the 1947 Health Act. This will be introduced under the Irish Medicines Board (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2005 which is before the Oireachtas this session. The appropriate regulations are being worked on concurrently and it is my intention to have these cleared at EU level as soon as possible. When the Act is amended and the regulations made, country of origin information will be available to consumers in respect of all beef served in restaurants, hotels and the whole catering sector in Ireland on a mandatory basis.

In the meantime, the various representative bodies including the Irish Hotels Federation, the Restaurants Association of Ireland and both of the vintners groups, following discussions with my Department, have all agreed to recommend to their members the introduction on a voluntary basis of a mechanism for providing consumers in their premises, with information on the country of origin of the beef served there, in advance of the mandatory legal requirement. This agreement was finalised last week and these organisations are currently at various stages in that process. I expect the voluntary system will be in place in the very near future.

During the discussions with the industry representatives, it was stressed that the information on the origin of the beef served or supplied on their premises must be clearly displayed at the point of consumption, either on the menu or on a poster, chalk board or similar display so that it can be easily read and clearly understood by all consumers. The information must include all countries from which the premises is sourcing its beef and all statements of origin have to be verifiable and be capable of linkage with the delivery records to the establishment.

These requirements are enforced by the relevant authorities at border inspection posts and, within Ireland, by the Food Safety Authority of Ireland, FSAI.

Grant Payments.

Brendan Howlin

Question:

145 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the total number of applications received by 16 May 2005 deadline under the new single payment scheme; the progress made with regard to processing the applications; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26453/05]

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mary Coughlan)

By the closing date of 16 May 2005 for the single payment scheme, my Department had received almost 149,000 applications.

It will be appreciated that as all farmers who wished to activate their entitlements and-or claim payment under the scheme were obliged to submit an application form, the number of forms submitted includes an element of double-counting. For example, where a farmer who had established entitlements during the reference years had subsequently transferred those entitlements, both the transferor and the transferee were obliged to submit application forms. I am very satisfied with the progress being made in processing these application forms, particularly given the complexity of the new scheme and the fact that, at the same time, staff have had to process the old animal-based schemes to their conclusion.

An indication of progress made in the processing of single payment scheme applications can be gauged from the high level of disadvantaged area scheme, DAS, applicants already paid under the 2005 scheme given that the DAS application form was incorporated into the single payment scheme applications form. Some 85% of DAS applicants have been paid in the past week, a figure that compares favourably with previous years. The first date on which payments may be made under the single payment scheme is 1 December 2005.

Live Exports.

John Perry

Question:

146 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the steps she will take to facilitate the live export of lambs to the United Kingdom and France; if she will address the current holding period restriction; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26200/05]

Fergus O'Dowd

Question:

171 Mr. O’Dowd asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food further to Parliamentary Question No. 258 of 17 May 2005, the steps she will take to facilitate the live export of lambs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26202/05]

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mary Coughlan)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 146 and 171 together.

I am anxious to facilitate trade in live sheep, which has to take place in accordance with EU rules governing such intra-Community trade. Trade in sheep between member states of the European Union is subject to the provisions of, inter alia, Council Directive 2003/50/EC, which amends Council Directive 91/68/EEC regarding reinforced controls on the movement of sheep and goats.

My Department has been in discussions with the Irish Farmers Association in an attempt to overcome the difficulties posed by the residency and standstill certification requirements. In an effort to progress the issue, my Department has written to the EU Commission seeking an amendment to the certification requirements that I accepted should address the concerns of farmers and exporters. We are currently awaiting a response from the Commission.

Farm Retirement Scheme.

Seymour Crawford

Question:

147 Mr. Crawford asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if it is the Government’s decision or that of the EU to bring to an end the EU early retirement scheme here; her views on whether it would be in the best long-term interest of young farmers to improve the structure of the scheme and make it more attractive for older farmers to apply; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26311/05]

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mary Coughlan)

The EU regulation covering the current early retirement scheme will expire in December 2006. Take-up has fallen far short of expectations, and an expenditure review of the scheme carried out by my Department in 2004 raised a number of questions about it.

The Council regulation on rural development for the period 2007 to 2013 again includes provision for member states to operate early retirement measures. No decisions have yet been taken regarding the schemes to be operated in Ireland under this regulation.

Grant Payments.

Phil Hogan

The occurrence of BSE in animals born after 1998, referred to as BARB cases, born after the real ban, does not take from the decline in the incidence of the disease here and throughout the European Union. The epidemiological evidence, both here and in the UK, suggests that a tight control on the use of mammalian meat and bone meal plays a very significant role in reducing the incidence of the disease. It has been suggested in the UK that these BARB cases may be related to imported feed as the controls, which have been in place in Ireland and the UK since 1996, were not introduced EU-wide until 2000. Given the incubation period for BSE, we will, at EU level, have to wait another few years before the full effect of the complete ban on the use of processed animal proteins can be measured.

Apart from the aforementioned case in the UK, no case of BSE has been identified in the EU sheep population despite the fact that testing, which is capable of discriminating BSE from scrapie, is now mandatory throughout the EU. Were such a case to be identified in this country consideration would have to be given about how to deal with the affected flock and the progeny of the affected animal.

Although a case of BSE has been confirmed in a single goat in France, no such cases have been experienced in Ireland and should such a case be confirmed here, decisions about control measures would have to be taken.

The Department continues to operate a range of controls at various locations to protect public health and to eradicate BSE and scrapie.

Common Agricultural Policy.

Gay Mitchell

Question:

151 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the discussions she has had with the European Commission regarding the next round of the World Trade Organisation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26221/05]

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mary Coughlan)

I discussed the WTO agriculture negotiations and Irish concerns in relation thereto at a bilateral meeting with the Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development on 23 June 2005. The Council of Agriculture Ministers, which reviews the situation on a regular basis, discussed the developments in the negotiations at its meetings on 18 July 2005 and 19 September 2005, both of which I attended. At both of these Council meetings I outlined my concerns that the Commission should continue to adhere to the mandate on agriculture given to it by the Council and that it should not deviate from this as the negotiations proceed. I spoke, by telephone, with the Commissioner on 24 September.

Pesticide Control.

Ciarán Cuffe

Question:

152 Mr. Cuffe asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if her Department has made any representation to the European Commission regarding the formulation of the EU plan for sustainable pesticides use; if so, the content of such representation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22367/05]

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mary Coughlan)

My colleague, the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, has overall responsibility for matters within the competence of the Environment Council. The proposals being developed by the Commission on sustainable use of plant protection products follow from the Sixth Environmental Action Programme and are being developed following detailed consultation with interested parties.

While there have been no representations made to the Commission, officials from my Department participated in a stakeholders' conference on the subject in November 2002. A response to a questionnaire issued to canvas regulatory authority opinion on a range of possible strategies was submitted earlier this year. My Department continues to be supportive of sustainable initiatives that reduce risks for man, animals and the environment associated with crop protection.

Food Industry.

John Curran

Question:

153 Mr. Curran asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the current priorities under the food institutional research programme. [26169/05]

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mary Coughlan)

As provided in the National Development Plan 2000-2006, the main objectives of the food institutional research measure, FIRM, are to provide a base of information and expertise in generic technologies that supports innovation and product development in the food industry, and assists consumer protection by ensuring that product development is underpinned by attention to food safety and quality. General calls in 2000 and 2004 and a targeted call in 2001 covered: development of technologies to build a more competitive, innovative, consumer-focused and sustainable food production and marketing sector; development of the scientific knowledge to underpin effective food safety practices at all stages in the food chain; consumer foods technology; innovation in functional foods; cheese diversification; production of new food ingredients; nutrition; and new technologies for added-value meat products.

The most recent call, which closed in May 2005, prioritised proposals under food safety and beverages themes as it was considered that these areas offered good potential for research, which would advance the objectives of the measure.

Beef Exports.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

154 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food her plans for the future of the beef industry with particular reference to its future development and the need to compete with products from other jurisdictions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26484/05]

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mary Coughlan)

Under the CAP, decoupling arrangements for direct payments, farmers can for the first time in many decades, now focus more clearly on the market-related element of their incomes, confident that the single payment will provide an assured income stream. This will create a significant incentive towards quality production with producer-processor relationships the key. In such a context there will be a need for even greater emphasis on good breeding policies, payment related to quality and integrated supply and purchasing systems thus satisfying high quality and premium market opportunities. The future well-being of the beef industry will be directly dependent on the returns that farmers can generate from the market. The beef sector can look forward with confidence based on supplying quality products on a competitive basis.

In the past three years, the focus of the Irish beef industry has been to broaden and expand its market reach at EU retail level, shifting its orientation away from international commodity markets and into the higher priced internal EU marketplace. This has coincided with reduced dependence on EU support measures such as intervention and export refunds. EU consumption is predicted to again outstrip production in 2005 with a resulting import gap of an estimated 280,000 tonnes for the year. This will present additional opportunities for Irish beef producers. Beef production is extremely valuable in the Irish economy with a €1.4 billion export value representing almost 25% of total Irish agri-food exports.

The new Bord Bia European autumn promotion of identified Irish beef, in conjunction with EU retailers and their Irish suppliers, is under way. This is being rolled out progressively across eight EU countries over the next two months. Initial feedback is already encouraging in terms of improved demand in response to the promotion. It is hoped that we can strengthen the position of Irish beef in the European marketplace. An increased presence in this sophisticated, high value market is the key to the success of the beef industry in the long term.

Ireland is competing on the EU markets with beef imported from low cost South American economies notably Brazil. The main concern is that Brazil has a capacity to significantly increase its exports, not only to Ireland but also to our chief export outlets in Europe and in other third countries, in direct competition with us. The issue is one which continues to be monitored and is being considered in the context of our preparations for the WTO talks in Hong Kong in December.

Question No. 155 answered with QuestionNo. 140.

Farm Accidents.

Eamon Gilmore

Question:

156 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the steps which are being taken to address the serious problems of death and injuries through farm accidents; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26457/05]

Paul Nicholas Gogarty

Question:

159 Mr. Gogarty asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if she will report on progress in promoting and implementing the approach outlined in the farm safety action plan 2003-2007; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26473/05]

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mary Coughlan)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 156 and 159 together.

I am very concerned about the level of safety on our farms and I support wholeheartedly the work of the Health and Safety Authority which is the State authority charged with overall responsibility for promotion of workplace health and safety. The authority has a proactive inspection and enforcement programme which focuses on high risk sectors, including agriculture, and aims to achieve an improvement in farm safety, and an increase in the percentage of farms with safety statements.

My Department is a member of the Farm Safety Partnership Committee which is an advisory committee to the HSA. The committee is made up of key players in the farming sector including the Department of Agriculture and Food, Health and Safety Authority, Teagasc, IFA, ICMSA, Macra na Feirme, Farm Relief Network, FBD Insurance, Farm Tractor and Machinery Trade Association and Professional Agricultural Contractors of Ireland. An important element of the HSA programme is the implementation of the farm safety plan 2003-07 which sets targets for the reduction of farm accidents for the period. The plan also provides for on-farm inspections, health and safety training for farmers and promotional campaigns highlighting health and safety issues.

Some of the main activities aimed at addressing health and safety problems at farm level are as follows:

Farm Safety Action Week.

The event is co-ordinated annually by the Health and Safety Authority. My Department is also an active participant. The aim of the week is to promote best safety practice and reduce the number of workplace accidents on Irish farms.

Farm Safety Self-Assessment Document.

Farmers are obliged to complete a safety statement for their farm. The HSA farm safety self-assessment document is designed so that it can be completed by the farmer. It identifies the key hazards on the farm and the key controls for these hazards.

Farm Safety Video.

The Farm Safety Partnership Committee is at an advanced stage of finalising a farm safety video which will be made available to all stakeholders.

Finally, the farm waste management scheme operated by my Department provides grant aid for investment in facilities that increase on-farm safety. A revised farm waste management scheme with significantly increased grant rates and broadened farmer eligibility is currently with the EU Commission for approval with the plan of introducing the revised scheme from 1 January 2006. Farm building specifications are also continuously under review by my Department and revisions regularly incorporate enhanced safety specifications.

EU Directives.

Liam Twomey

Question:

157 Dr. Twomey asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the current status of Ireland’s application for a derogation under the nitrates directive; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26209/05]

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mary Coughlan)

The implementation of the nitrates directive is a matter in the first instance for the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government.

In October 2004, Ireland submitted proposals for a derogation from the general organic nitrogen limit of 170 kg per hectare per annum laid down in the nitrates directive. The proposal was designed to allow farmers to operate, under appropriate conditions and controls, up to a level of 250 kg of organic nitrogen per hectare. My Department and Teagasc developed the derogation proposals in consultation with the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government.

The EU Commission was not prepared to engage in formal discussions on the derogation proposals until Ireland's nitrates action programme was agreed. There have recently been preliminary discussions with the Commission, however, and I will be pressing strongly to have these discussions concluded as early as possible in 2006.

Grant Payments.

Johnny Brady

Question:

158 Mr. J. Brady asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the Government’s measures to assist young farmers here. [26172/05]

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mary Coughlan)

While Ireland has a greater percentage of younger farmers less than 35 years of age at 11%, compared to the EU average of 8%, the Government, in recognition of the importance of attracting young farmers into agriculture, has put in place a range of incentives as follows. Regarding installation aid, under the installation aid scheme operated by my Department, a grant of €9,523 is available to young farmers who are between the ages of 18 and 35 on the date of set-up and who meet the educational and income requirements of the scheme. Expenditure to-date under the scheme, since its introduction in 2001, has totalled €22.365 million. Regarding milk quota, seven young trained milk producers with quotas of less than 350,000 litres have priority access to almost 25% of the restructuring pool. They also qualify for the normal allocations open to all producers.

Since 2003, young trained farmers have been able to acquire quota from the restructuring scheme and set up their own enterprise on the existing family holding provided they form a registered milk production partnership with their parents. To date, almost 350 new entrant-parent milk production partnerships have been established. As part of the milk quota restructuring scheme for 2005, the conditions applying to new entrant-parent milk production partnerships were amended so that all but the very largest producers now have the opportunity to form such partnerships.

Regarding taxation measures, a broad range of taxation incentives is in place to facilitate the transfer of farms to young farmers, especially those with agricultural qualifications. Eligible farmers can avail of 100% stock relief for young trained farmers for four years after set-up, 90% agricultural relief on capital acquisitions tax, 100% stamp duty relief on transfers of agricultural land and buildings to young trained farmers and full relief from capital gains tax is available for farmers over 55 years of age who transfer the farm to a child or nephew or niece. There is also a rental income tax exemption for farmers over 40 years of age to lease-out land on a long-term basis. Annual relief of €7,500 for leases of five to seven years and €10,000 for leases of more than seven years is available. This encourages land mobility to allow more productive farmers to increase production.

In regard to advisory services, Teagasc offers all farmers access to a wide range of independent professional advisory services. Advisory staff are located in a nationwide network of advisory offices and local training centres. All front-line advisory staff are supported by specialists, researchers and laboratory staff from the Teagasc research and development centres. The services are focused on meeting the needs of a diverse farming community and rural society.

In regard to education and training, Teagasc provides the full suite of training for young entrants, farmers, rural entrepreneurs and executives-operatives in the food industry. The organisation has a resource of over 200 teachers and trainers operating from nine colleges, local training centres and research centres. More than 10,000 people attend Teagasc training courses each year. All education and training programmes have recently been evaluated, upgraded and benchmarked to the best international standards.

Question No. 159 answered with QuestionNo. 156.

Food Industry.

John Carty

Question:

160 Mr. Carty asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food her efforts to promote Irish lamb. [26168/05]

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mary Coughlan)

I take every opportunity available to me to promote Irish lamb. Bord Bia, which has specific responsibility in this regard, carries out regular campaigns at home and abroad. This year these included a promotion of new season lamb on the Irish market which commenced on 16 May and extended to the end of June. Bord Bia also undertook a campaign on the important French market over the summer months, aimed at maintaining and increasing market share for Irish lamb there. This campaign was launched by the Minister of State, Deputy Brendan Smith, on 11 June 2005. Initiatives such as these play an important role in maintaining and developing markets at home and abroad for Irish lamb, thereby supporting prices paid to suppliers.

Jim Glennon

Question:

161 Mr. Glennon asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food her views on the progress being made on the establishment of farmers’ markets around the country. [26162/05]

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mary Coughlan)

There has been excellent progress in establishing farmers markets and over 85 farmers' markets are operating in 22 locations throughout the country. These markets encourage local produce, assist start-ups of new businesses and create local employment and their growth reflects changing consumer preferences for fresh locally produced foods. They give producers an opportunity to meet and sell directly to consumers and offer consumers a more enjoyable shopping experience and greater choice.

My Department, in co-operation with Bord Bia, the statutory food promotion agency is supporting efforts to promote, strengthen and organise the farmers' market concept. Bord Bia provides advice and mentoring assistance to those wishing to set up farmers' markets. In collaboration with Invest Northern Ireland, Bord Bia has published a comprehensive information guide to the running and operation of these markets and this is available on its website.

Following the success of the Food at Farmleigh model, which attracted on average 40 small producers and 6,000 visitors each Sunday from May to October, Bord Bia and the Office of Public Works are examining the feasibility of using selected national heritage sites as possible future venues for farmers' markets. In addition, my colleague, the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment has invited the comments of local authorities on draft guidelines to enable casual trading to be carried on in a way, which is beneficial to the consumer and consistent with good regulatory practice. In Dublin, Bord Bia is currently co-operating with Dublin City Council with regard to the Smithfield regeneration programme with particular emphasis on the development of the fruit, vegetable and fish markets which will provide valuable access for small producers to the Dublin market.

Producers are showing great interest in this area and I welcome the role of the IFA in the recent launch of the Wexford town farmers' market and the Sligo IFA food fair. Leader groups are to be commended for launching the origin farmers' markets initiative, a new cross-Border project to set up farmers' markets in Counties Donegal, Tyrone, Sligo, Leitrim, Antrim and Roscommon and I was delighted to see the opening of a farmers' market in Letterkenny under this initiative. The strategies and activities in place will assist the development of farmers markets in a sustainable way.

Question No. 162 answered with QuestionNo. 140.

Energy Resources.

Brian O'Shea

Question:

163 Mr. O’Shea asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the research which has been carried out by or on behalf of her Department in regard to the use of sugar beet in the production of ethanol; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26173/05]

Willie Penrose

Question:

189 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the discussions she has had with other Departments and State agencies with a view to meeting the EU biofuels directive requiring Ireland to replace the 2% of petrol and diesel with renewable fuels by end of 2005; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26465/05]

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

211 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food her plans to encourage the production of crops for alternative energy with particular reference to the maximum use of the various products and by-products; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26483/05]

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mary Coughlan)

I propose to take Questions Nos 163, 189 and 211 together.

Promotion and development of renewable energy, including biofuels, in Ireland are matters in the first instance for the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources. As matters stand, Irish Sugar Limited has arrangements in place to process the full Irish sugar quota at its Mallow plant, which has been upgraded for that purpose. The question of an alternative use for sugar beet does not, therefore, arise at present.

Following the introduction of the single farm payment scheme, the production of crops for energy purposes will, in common with all agricultural production in future, be demand driven. Farmers will only produce crops for bioenergy if the economic returns are greater than those offered by more traditional uses. Nonetheless, factors such as the increasing cost of oil, the need to reduce carbon dioxide emissions and the facility for farmers to explore alternative land uses following CAP reform, mean that the potential of this area must be fully explored.

For the purposes of contributing to the development of policy on biofuels, my Department, in conjunction with COFORD and Teagasc, has examined the potential of energy crops, wood biomass and farming and food by-products. The production of liquid biofuels from energy crops is not economic at current oil price levels. However, the scheme recently announced by the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources for mineral oil tax relief on pilot biofuel projects has stimulated the production of oilseed rape for biofuel.

The exploitation of wood resources for energy purposes, mainly for heat or electricity generation, offers significant potential. There are also significant opportunities for using by-products of farming and food processing for bioenergy purposes. Approximately 140,000 tonnes of meat and bone meal is produced annually and its use in place of fossil fuels could reduce carbon dioxide emissions by up to 19%.

Teagasc, which has responsibility for the provision of research and advisory services for the agri-food sector, has done some very valuable research on energy crops. I am anxious to encourage further research in this area and I have arranged for research projects on biofuels and other non-food uses of crops to be included in the latest call under my Department's research stimulus programme.

Departmental Reports.

Joe Costello

Question:

164 Mr. Costello asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if she will make a statement on her Department’s recently published report for 2004. [26448/05]

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mary Coughlan)

The 2004 annual report detailed progress in relation to my Department's goal and strategies contained in its fourth statement of strategy, published in 2003, as well as complying with legal requirements to report on the operation of the Land Acts and the Prompt Payment of Accounts Act 1997.

The report provides comprehensive information on the activities of my Department in 2004, and some of the main points covered included the arrangements for implementation of the single payment scheme, arising from the decision to opt for full decoupling of direct payments from production. Significant progress was made in what is a major organisational undertaking. The report notes that in addition to commencing the implementation of the SPS, my Department paid over €1.6 billion in direct payments to farmers in 2004, and full details of the payments are included in the report. The report also refers to the substantial progress made during Ireland's EU Presidency in 2004 on the objectives of facilitating the application of the Common Agricultural Policy, CAP, to the new member states, continuing the process of simplification of the CAP initiated by the mid-term review and enhancing food safety standards; the progress on food initiatives in the National Development Plan 2000-2006 is set out in the report, with a total of some €187 million having been committed by year-end. Other points of interest in the report included a new milk quota restructuring programme announced in December 2004, with the purpose of making the scheme more effective in securing the long-term future of the dairy industry in an increasingly competitive and market orientated environment. Commenting on some of the main markets, the report notes that export of Irish dairy products and ingredients experienced a 6% rise in 2004 to almost €1.86 billion. The year 2004 also saw a strong performance by Irish beef in European markets, with a 7.4% rise in exports to continental Europe.

The report also deals with consumer issues, food safety, animal and plant health, forestry, agri-environment matters, scheme operation and financial management. The report is available from the Government Stationery Office and on my Department's website, www.agriculture.gov.ie.

Food Industry.

Richard Bruton

Question:

165 Mr. Bruton asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the number of meetings of the Food Agency Co-Operation Council in 2004; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26216/05]

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mary Coughlan)

The Food Agency Co-operation Council has met on 20 occasions since its inception in 2000. The council did not meet in 2004 as a number of factors contributed to the difficulties in rescheduling meetings that year.

The council has played a significant role in increasing co-operation between the State agencies involved in the food industry and has led to a number of memorandums of understandings being agreed between agencies. These are currently working well. The council was instrumental in drawing up an agreed human resource development programme for the food processing industry. The council has also produced a number of publications, among them Market Trends — Implications for Suppliers and State Agency Initiatives, a national food incident management plan and a market-led new product development guide, which provides guidance to food and drink companies on new product development best practice and which has been promulgated to county enterprise boards.

During 2004, the food development agencies directly concerned with the food programme components of the National Development Plan 2000-2006 met twice with my Department to assess progress on the plan in preparation for meetings of the monitoring committee for the programmes concerned. One such meeting has been held to date in 2005. In the light of the more market orientated CAP framework, the 2015 agri-vision report and the enterprise strategy report, my Department is considering the manner in which the various food agencies can most effectively co-operate to develop the agri-food industry. The role and format of the Food Agency Co-Operation Council is being examined in this context.

Grant Payments.

Billy Timmins

Question:

166 Mr. Timmins asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the grant assistance in place to deal with scrapie monitoring; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26492/05]

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mary Coughlan)

Since January 2005, under the Department's active surveillance programme, some 17,900 sheep were rapid tested for scrapie at meat factories and knackeries. This programme, together with the reporting of suspect animals, led to the identification of 18 new flocks with the disease.

For sheep which are depopulated, compensation payable includes live valuation of the breeding animals and payment for factory lambs in accordance with the average factory price per kilogram pertaining to the week of slaughter. A grant of €28 per breeding ewe is also payable. In addition, the Department genotypes the entire flock and a limited number of replacement rams free of charge.

In May 2004, the Department commenced a national genotype programme. The overall objective of this voluntary scheme is to identify sheep in the national flock, particularly breeding stock, by genotype and to raise the level of resistance to scrapie by promoting the use of scrapie resistant animals for breeding. The Department recently announced enhancements to this national genotype programme, including a once-off payment of €40 towards the costs of veterinary fees, in respect of every flock which is genotyped between 1 September and 18 November 2005. In addition, the Department will also pay a flat-rate compensation in respect of any ram which, when tested during the above period, is found to be in one of the categories which are susceptible or highly susceptible to scrapie.

The amount of compensation payable to any one claimant will be capped at €1,500. In order to avail of this compensation, susceptible animals must be presented for slaughtered on or before 30 November 2005.

EU Directives.

Olwyn Enright

Question:

167 Ms Enright asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the current status of the nitrate action plan; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26408/05]

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mary Coughlan)

The implementation of the nitrates directive is a matter in the first instance for the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. Ireland's national action programme under the nitrates directive was formally submitted to the European Commission by the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government on 29 July 2005. The next step is for the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government to make regulations to give legal effect to the action programme. My Department, supported by Teagasc, has been assisting the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government in finalising these regulations. I expect the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government to publish the draft regulations very shortly for public consultation.

The final stage of the process, but an extremely important one, is for Ireland to secure a derogation from the general organic nitrogen limits in the directive so that farmers can operate, under appropriate conditions and controls, up to a level of 250 kg of organic nitrogen per hectare. My Department and Teagasc developed the derogation proposals in consultation with the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. There have been preliminary discussions with the Commission about the derogation application and I will be pressing strongly to have these discussions concluded as early as possible in 2006.

To help farmers meet their obligations under the action programme, I am seeking approval from the European Commission for very significant improvements in the farm waste management scheme. These include increasing the grant rate from 40% to 60%, and to 70% in the counties in zone C; a top-up of 5% to 10% for young farmers; higher investment ceilings and the extension of the scheme to the pig and poultry sectors.

Timber Imports.

Eamon Ryan

Question:

168 Mr. Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food her plans to prohibit the importation of illegally sourced timber and timber products; her further plans to negotiate voluntary partnership agreements with timber producing countries to encourage revenue transparency and accountability in such countries and insist on independent forest monitoring in those countries; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18102/05]

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mary Coughlan)

Ireland fully supports the commitment made by the European Union at the World Summit on Sustainable Development in 2002, to form an EU action plan for forest law enforcement, governance and trade, FLEGT, in order to combat the importation of illegally felled timber into the European Union. Illegal logging is a major contributor to environmental damage in developing countries and is closely associated with corruption and the cycle of bribery which is detrimental to economic growth in the developing world. It is estimated by the World Bank that illegal logging costs the governments of developing countries up to €15 billion each year in lost revenue. The FLEGT regulation will introduce a licensing scheme built around voluntary partnership agreements between the EU and wood producing countries. The partnership agreements will be applicable in all EU member states. My Department has been involved in interdepartmental consultations with the Department of Foreign Affairs, the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment and Customs on the matter.

Ireland has been a supporter of the FLEGT proposal since the outset. I can report that the thrust of the regulation has been generally agreed at working group level in Brussels. I look forward to further discussions on the subject at the Agriculture Council of Ministers at the end of October.

Sugar Industry.

Mary Upton

Question:

169 Dr. Upton asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the steps she has taken arising from the publication on 22 June 2005 of proposals from the EU Commission for reform of the EU sugar regime; if in view of her description of the proposals as unacceptable, the steps taken to date to have them modified; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26442/05]

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mary Coughlan)

I have made it clear that the Commission's proposals for reform of the EU sugar regime, which were published on 22 June, are unacceptable in their present form. The key elements of the proposals are a 39% price cut in the institutional price for sugar, a corresponding reduction in the minimum price for sugar beet and 60% compensation to farmers for the price cut. A voluntary restructuring scheme is proposed to encourage factory closures and the renunciation of quota. While the need for reform of the EU sugar regime is acknowledged, I consider that the Commission's proposals are unbalanced, go beyond the principles of previous CAP reforms and could lead to drastic consequences for the sugar beet industry in a number of member states, including Ireland. This is an unprecedented situation in terms of CAP reform proposals presented by the Commission for any sector.

I expressed my serious concerns about the proposals when I met with Commissioner Fischer Boel on her visit to Ireland in June, and again at the Council of Agriculture Ministers in July. I emphasised that the price cuts proposed are too severe, the reforms should be based on a longer lead in time for the Everything But Arms agreement and it would be preferable to await the outcome of the WTO meeting in Hong Kong in December before seeking to conclude an agreement on sugar reform. I have also continued to remain in contact with like-minded colleague Ministers from other member states who are opposed to the reform proposals. My overall objective is to ensure a more balanced agreement, which will take Irish interests into account. The proposals will be considered again by the Council of Ministers on 24-25 October and, given their severity, it is clear that the negotiations will continue to be difficult.

Brendan Howlin

Question:

170 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if she will give clarification of the ownership of the Irish manufactured sugar quota; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26452/05]

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mary Coughlan)

Under the EU sugar regime, each member state has a quota for manufactured sugar. There is no quota for sugar beet. The EU regulations stipulate that the quota must be made available to the sugar manufacturing enterprises in the member state. Accordingly, in Ireland the entire sugar quota is processed by Irish Sugar Ltd. which is the only sugar manufacturer in this country. Irish Sugar Ltd. places annual contracts with farmers to grow a specific tonnage of sugar beet sufficient to manufacture the sugar quota. Ownership of the sugar quota had never been an issue in the past because the relevant EU regulations do not provide for the buying and selling of quotas. Speculations about quota ownership only arose when the Commission, in July 2004, raised the possibility of cross-border quota mobility, in the context of its initial thinking on reform of the EU sugar regime. Several member states, including Ireland, voiced strong opposition to the idea of cross-border mobility and I am pleased to say that it does not form part of the Commission's legislative reform proposals which were published in June. In any event, the EU Commission has confirmed that the quota is not an asset owned by the member state or other party but is simply a mechanism for regulating the market.

Question No. 171 answered with QuestionNo. 146.

Afforestation Programme.

Donie Cassidy

Question:

172 Mr. Cassidy asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the progress in forestry planting in 2005. [26158/05]

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mary Coughlan)

Progress has been reasonably satisfactory this year to date and I expect planting levels to be about the same as last year, in the region of 11,000 hectares. I would like more to have been planted but I accept that farmers have had to consider their options with the introduction of the new single payment regime, the nitrates situation and the revised REP scheme. I hope that, as the new changed situation beds down, farmers will begin to examine in greater detail the contribution forestry can make to their long-term farm income. Farmers can plant up to 50% of their land without affecting their single payment and draw down forestry premiums of up to €500 per hectare a year for 20 years. I urge farmers to avail of this package and I remind them that if they are thinking about planting next year, they need to begin planning properly now.

Food Industry.

Joan Burton

Question:

173 Ms Burton asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food her response and the implications for the Irish food industry of the recently published Scientific Study on Children’s Diet, which was presented at a Relay organised conference in Dublin on 19 May 2005; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26446/05]

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mary Coughlan)

The Scientific Study on Children's Diet was co-funded by my Department and the Food Safety Authority of Ireland and was the first study to benchmark dietary intakes of a nationally representative sample of Irish children. The work was carried out by researchers in Trinity College Dublin and University College Cork who surveyed 600 children aged between five and 12 years from primary schools throughout Ireland during 2003 and 2004 and collected information on diet, physical activity and body measurements on each child as well as lifestyle information for both the children and their parents.

With regard to diet, the study identified that intake of fruit and vegetables was low and on average well below international recommendations. Fat and salt intakes were higher than recommended and food eaten outside the home accounted for less than 10% of total calorie consumption. Overweight and obesity in five to 12 year old schoolchildren is relatively high and increasing. I consider it important that the data collected in the study should be further analysed and cross-referenced with other available information to assist in evidence-based policy formulation and implementation and to provide the public and the food industry with useful information. Discussions on how this might best be done have taken place with the Food Safety Authority of Ireland and the FIRM funding committee under the aegis of my Department and I expect to have more detailed proposals later this year.

The findings of the Scientific Study on Children's Diet will assist the food industry to tailor product development and promotion to lifestyle patterns and trends based on the scientific data gathered. They will also be of valuable assistance in formulating new products to meet emerging nutritional demands. In addition, a Bord Bia programme to promote consumption of fruit and vegetables in up to 150 primary schools over the next three years will be launched this week.

Bovine Diseases.

Jimmy Devins

Question:

174 Dr. Devins asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food her views on the incidence of brucellosis in the cattle herd in 2005 compared to recent years. [26160/05]

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mary Coughlan)

The incidence of brucellosis has fallen very significantly since 1998 with the number of laboratory positives falling from 6,417 in 1998 to 664 in 2004. This represents a 90% reduction in disease levels in that period. The total number of animals slaughtered per annum under the eradication programme fell from 29,778 to 6,195 during the same period. Further progress has been made this year. Up to the end of August this year, there were only 206 blood positives compared with 514 in the same period last year. There were only 123 new herd restrictions compared with 202 in the same period in 2004; 24 herds were depopulated in 2005 compared with 57 in the same period in 2004. Some 1,346 animals were removed as brucellosis reactors-incontacts compared with 5,078 in the same period in 2004. The substantial improvement in disease incidence is due to a number of factors, including continued co-operation from all parties with the eradication regime, the tightening up on illegal cattle movements through the cattle movement monitoring system, the regulation of dealers, prosecutions for breaches and the imposition of penalties for failures to comply with animal disease and identification regulations. I am confident this progress can be maintained into the future with the continued operation of the existing measures and the ongoing co-operation of farmers and all involved in the livestock industry. It is, however, vital that we continue to recognise that brucellosis is a highly contagious disease and that we do not relax or relent in our efforts to eradicate it from our national herd. In view of this, we need to continue in the medium term with the existing comprehensive control and eradication measures, which have brought about positive results in recent years in terms of reduced incidence of the disease.

Live Exports.

Tom Hayes

Question:

175 Mr. Hayes asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the steps she intends to take to promote the export of live sheep; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26405/05]

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mary Coughlan)

The number of sheep exported live from Ireland in recent years has increased from approximately 35,000 head in 2003 to 58,000 head in 2004, with a figure of 65,000 head having been exported to date in 2005. This compares to a total of 3.25 million sheep slaughtered at approved export plants in 2004. The export trade in live sheep consists in the main of animals destined for slaughter in plants in Northern Ireland. All other exports are subject to the application of residency and standstill certification requirements on the movement of animals from farm to farm. My Department is seeking to improve these provisions, which are required under EU legislation, and has written to the EU Commission seeking an amendment that should meet the concerns of farmers and exporters. The Department is awaiting a response from the Commission.

Genetically Modified Organisms.

Olivia Mitchell

Question:

176 Ms O. Mitchell asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food her plans to evaluate the economic implications of the use of genetically modified organisms; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26220/05]

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mary Coughlan)

As the Deputy may be aware, an interdepartmental-interagency working group was established within my Department in October 2003 to develop proposals for a national strategy and best practices to ensure the co-existence of GM crops with conventional and organic farming. I have just recently received the report of the group and I am in the process of examining it. While part of the group's work programme included an appraisal of economic implications of co-existence I believe that the wider economic issues should also be examined. Accordingly, I have asked Teagasc to explore the possibility of carrying out an evaluation of the possible implications for the agri-food industry from the possible use of GMOs in crop and livestock production. This evaluation is near finalisation.

Question No. 177 answered with QuestionNo. 140.

Beef Exports.

Jim Glennon

Question:

178 Mr. Glennon asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food her views on the prospects for Irish beef exports in 2005. [26164/05]

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mary Coughlan)

Beef production is extremely valuable to the economy with a €1.4 billion export value representing almost 25% of total Irish agri-food exports. Most of our beef exports to date, this year, have been to the high value UK and EU markets. EU consumption is predicted to again outstrip production in 2005 with a resulting import gap of an estimated 280,000 tonnes for the year. This will provide opportunities for our beef exports in the high value continental EU markets.

Our aim is to consolidate out position in the EU market and in this regard, Bord Bia recently launched its Irish Beef in Europe campaign which is aimed at building sales of Irish beef in European supermarkets, and to establish the Irish Beef brand firmly in the minds of consumers. This is being rolled out progressively across eight EU countries over the next two months. In recent years, there has been a significant improvement in our market penetration in the high value EU marketplace. In 2001, we exported 72,000 tonnes to continental EU with only two retailers stocking Irish beef. By last year those exports had more than doubled to 174,000 tonnes and more than 30 retail groups, in that valuable market, are stocking Irish beef. The marketing effort will be continued in order to build further sustainable market share in Europe.

The ending of the over 30 months scheme in the UK has been announced and is expected to result in displacement of 70,000 tonnes on the UK market. We will have to intensify our marketing effort to retain outlets for our beef within the EU and in other third country markets. It is estimated that total beef exports in 2005 will be slightly reduced on the 2004 figure of 497,000 tonnes.

Afforestation Programme.

Peter Power

Question:

179 Mr. P. Power asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food her views on the outcome of the agreement on the forestry element of the new rural development regulation achieved in 2005. [26159/05]

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mary Coughlan)

I welcome the positive outcome of the agreement on the forestry element of the new Rural Development Regulation 2007-2013. Following intensive negotiations, which concluded on 20 June 2005, Ireland secured a most satisfactory outcome, in spite of a bleak starting position. The original draft regulation proposed a maximum 40% establishment grant for new afforestation projects as opposed to the existing 100%; a reduced premium ceiling of €500, currently standing at €725; and a reduced premium period from 20 years to ten years. Ireland consistently opposed the negative aspects of many of the proposals for forestry and in the concluding agreement achieved the following: an establishment grant of 80% in less favoured areas, covering 74% of the country, and 70% elsewhere; premium rate ceiling re-established at €700; premium period set at 15 years; and opportunities for State aid top-up. I regard this outcome as extremely positive for Ireland and I am satisfied that the response provides a careful support system on which to further develop the sector.

Direct Payment Schemes.

Paul Connaughton

Question:

180 Mr. Connaughton asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if she has agreed the rules covering the allocation of the national reserve with the farming organisations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26180/05]

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mary Coughlan)

Applications for an allocation of entitlements from the single payment scheme national reserve were received from more than 17,500 farmers. Processing of these applications is continuing and the intention is to make allocations to successful applicants by 1 December next. This will allow allocations to be reflected in the single payment scheme payment which is scheduled to commence on 1 December 2005. The single payment advisory committee comprising representatives of my Department, Teagasc and the farming organisations met recently to discuss the rules for allocating the national reserve. Further contacts will take place on this matter before a final decision is made.

Eating Disorders.

Kathleen Lynch

Question:

181 Ms Lynch asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the action which has been taken or it is intended to take arising from the recommendations of the report of the task force on obesity in so far as they relate to her Department’s areas of responsibilities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26454/05]

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mary Coughlan)

I welcome the publication of the report of the national task force on obesity and I acknowledge the need for a long-term sustained commitment from relevant Departments, agencies and food industry stakeholders to tackle the obesity crisis. My Department is fully committed to engaging in this process and it made a comprehensive submission to the task force setting out the Department's role and responsibilities in the areas of food safety and quality and funding public good research in the food sector. Officials from my Department have met the Department of Health and Children to discuss the report in general terms and to consider the specific recommendations directed at my Department, namely, "the Department of Agriculture and Food should review policies in partnership with other government departments to promote access to healthy food. Such policies should encompass positive discrimination in the provision of grants and funding to local industry in favour of healthy products" and "the Department of Agriculture and Food together with the Department of Health and Children should promote the implementation of evidence-based healthy eating interventions". As I indicated in previous replies, positive discrimination in the provision of grants and funding to local industry in favour of healthy products envisages a form of subsidisation that is not permissible under EU state aid rules and could be challenged on competition grounds.

As regards the second recommendation, Bord Bia, the statutory food promotion agency, through my Department secured approval from the European Commission in June to fund a programme to promote consumption of fruit and vegetables in up to 150 primary schools over the next three years. The programme is based on a concept known as "Food Dude" and was developed by researchers at the Bangor food research unit at the University of Wales. It is designed to encourage schoolchildren to develop a liking for fruit and vegetables by means of customised rewards for eating fruit and vegetables, role model encouragement and the active participation of parents and teachers. The budget of €1.2 million is being co-funded by the European Commission, €600,000, my Department, €240,000, and €360,000 from Wholesale Produce Ireland Ltd., a representative body for the fresh produce industry in Ireland. Bord Bia will manage the programme and recently concluded a contract with my Department to implement the measures. The programme will be launched this week. My Department is examining the possibilities for further initiatives in partnership with the Department of Health and Children.

Question No. 182 answered with QuestionNo. 148.

Animal Diseases.

Bernard Allen

Question:

183 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the steps she is taking to prevent an outbreak of avian flu here; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26198/05]

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mary Coughlan)

My Department has maintained a vigilant approach to the risk of an outbreak of avian influenza in poultry following confirmation of the existence of a high pathogenic strain in Russia and Kazakhstan in August. In particular it has been active in reviewing all aspects of our contingency arrangements and several measures have been introduced to improve our preparedness to deal with any suspect or confirmed outbreak. Given the critical importance of early detection, my Department has, with the assistance of the National Parks and Wildlife Service, the National Association of Regional Game Councils and Birdwatch Ireland, introduced an "early warning system" where increased or unusual patterns of wild bird mortality are observed. This "early warning system" is just part of a more intensified approach which we are taking to surveillance, including surveillance of wild birds and poultry. The 2005-06 poultry surveillance programme is under way and my Department has made arrangements for increasing levels of wild bird surveillance at a number of locations throughout the country. In addition, officials from my Department have recently met their colleagues from the Northern Ireland Department of Agriculture and Rural Affairs and have agreed to continue to work together and to exchange the results of their respective wild bird surveillance programmes. The two Departments will review progress at a scheduled meeting this month.

The EU Commission recently extended, until September 2006, safeguard measures that have been in place since 23 January 2004. Furthermore, these measures, which originally applied only to affected countries in south east Asia, have been extended to Russia and Kazakhstan. These measures include a ban on live poultry, birds other than poultry and poultry products, other than heat treated poultry meat and treated feathers. Poultry meat, which is properly cooked, does not present a risk of infection as the virus is destroyed at temperatures at or above 70° Celsius. My Department has increased its checks on commercial products and products in personal luggage from all affected countries. There is no evidence to indicate that untreated poultry meat is being imported illegally. In addition, my Department is reviewing the information it makes available to flockowners regarding biosecurity and clinical signs of the disease, as well as travellers, particularly to those countries which are infected.

While we are taking all reasonable steps to avoid an outbreak of avian influenza, we cannot, particularly because of the potential threat posed by migrating wild birds, dismiss the possibility of an outbreak. Our resources are, therefore, primarily focused on ensuring early detection and speedy eradication and minimising risk to public health. The measures in place are designed to ensure a suspected outbreak is investigated quickly and the existence of the virus confirmed or otherwise. My Department has ensured the appropriate technical and veterinary staff are properly equipped to deal with a suspected-confirmed outbreak and we have examined all aspects associated with the destruction of inflected flocks and the subsequent disposal of the carcasses. I fully acknowledge the risks associated with an outbreak of avian influenza and accept that there is no room for complacency. Notwithstanding the low probability of an outbreak of the high pathogenic strain that might pose a risk to human health, my Department is maintaining a vigilant approach to the threat posed and constantly reviewing the adequacy of our contingency arrangements in the light of any new information that emerges.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, there are concerns that a mutation or a genetic change in the virus circulating in Asia could lead to it transforming into a new strain of influenza capable of human to human transmission. Responsibility for preparing for such an eventuality rests with the Department of Health and Children and its agencies. My Department is an active participant in that Department's influenza pandemic expert group and is contributing to updating its influenza pandemic plan.

EU Directives.

David Stanton

Question:

184 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food when she will introduce the grant scheme to upgrade housing and holding facilities as required by the nitrates directive; when the nitrates action plan will be finalised; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26491/05]

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mary Coughlan)

To assist farmers meet the additional requirements of the nitrates action programme, I have announced details of a proposed revised farm waste management scheme for which EU approval is now being sought. I hope early approval of the scheme will be forthcoming so that it can be introduced next January.

Subject to the required EU approval, the scheme will introduce a standard grant rate of 60%, with 70% being available for zone C counties, in place of the current grant rate of 40%, with additional aid available for young farmers at rates of 10% in less-favoured areas and 5% in other areas; it will extend the maximum income unit ceiling for farmers from 450 to 650 income units, with no upper limit being applied in the case of pig and poultry farmers; raise the maximum eligible investment from €75,000 to €120,000; remove any minimum income requirements from farming from the scheme so that all small farmers can participate in the scheme; the scheme will be extended to include horses, deer, goats, pigs, poultry, and mushroom compost; and introduce a new 40% grant rate for specialised equipment with specific environmental advantages subject to maximum eligible investment of €80,000 in the case of decanter centrifuge systems and dry feeding systems for pigs and €40,000 in the case of specialised slurry spreading tankers and related equipment. The scheme will increase the maximum eligible investment for standard mobile equipment from €11,000 to €15,000 with the grant rate remaining at 20%.

I am satisfied that, if approved, the revised scheme will provide a very satisfactory platform for Irish farmers who need to carry out additional investment works to meet the requirements of the nitrates directive. I urge farmers to make the necessary arrangements to ensure they are ready to avail of the scheme by the proposed implementation date.

Implementation of the nitrates directive is a matter in the first instance for the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. Ireland's national action programme under the nitrates directive was formally submitted to the European Commission by the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government on 29 July 2005. The next step is for the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government to make regulations to give legal effect to the action programme. My Department, supported by Teagasc, has been assisting the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government in finalising these regulations. I expect the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government to publish the draft regulations very shortly for public consultation.

The final stage of the process, but an extremely important one, is for Ireland to secure a derogation from the general organic nitrogen limits in the directive so that farmers can operate, under appropriate conditions and controls, up to a level of 250 kilogrammes of organic nitrogen per hectare. My Department and Teagasc developed the derogation proposals in consultation with the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. There have been preliminary discussions with the Commission about the derogation application and I will press strongly to have these discussions concluded as early as possible in 2006.

Question No. 185 answered with QuestionNo. 140.

Dairy Industry.

Dan Neville

Question:

186 Mr. Neville asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the steps she intends to take to protect Ireland’s dairy industry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26188/05]

Dan Neville

Question:

209 Mr. Neville asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the discussions she has had at EU level to protect dairy supports; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26189/05]

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mary Coughlan)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 186 and 209 together.

The dairy industry continues to contribute very substantially to the national economy, with an output value of some €2.3 billion and exports of €1.86 billion last year. This year exports are again performing very well despite adjustments to market management supports brought about by the implementation of the Luxembourg Agreement on the reform of the CAP.

The Commission market management policy has been far too aggressive and I have consistently and resolutely challenged the Commissioner at every opportunity, including raising the matter at the Council of Ministers. As a consequence of enlisting the support of many other member states for my point of view I believe the Commission policy has moderated in recent times, now having closer regard to the market implications of its actions rather than its previous emphasis on budgetary policy.

While acknowledging that some adjustment in market management measures is warranted, indeed necessary, if the Luxembourg Agreement is to be implemented in full, my concern has been to ensure that the transition is implemented in a more measured way. Sustained downward pressure on market supports would effectively reduce our international competitiveness and put pressure on our ability to fully exploit opportunities to export milk products to international markets. A longer period in which to make the necessary adjustment will instead provide a more solid platform on which to build new market opportunities while consolidating our position in existing markets.

Mindful of the role exchange rates play in international price competitiveness I have asked the Commission to be particularly sensitive about how it implements market adjustments in reaction to currency fluctuations that may be susceptible to exceptional circumstances rather than reflecting otherwise normally stable economic indicators. The stability prevailing in producer prices over recent times is welcome and the direct payments, amounting to €120 million this year, rising to €180 million next year, as compensation for the reduction in institutional support prices should result in a higher return for dairy farmers this year and into the future. I will continue to exert every possible pressure on the EU Commission to ensure that in its management of the EU dairy regime, we achieve a satisfactory outcome for the Irish dairy industry in terms of enhanced industry competitiveness and stable farm incomes into the future.

Motor Fuels.

Dan Boyle

Question:

187 Mr. Boyle asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the advice she will give farmers faced with a further substantial rise in diesel prices over the summer on top of an increase of more than 30% in 2004; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26470/05]

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mary Coughlan)

The price of gas oil, which includes agricultural diesel, as measured by the Central Statistics Office wholesale price index shows that gas oil increased by 11.1% in 2004 and by 22% to the end of August of this year. The CSO data shows that the price of gas oil increased by 30.2% in the 12 months from August 2004 to August 2005. The CSO agricultural price index indicates that the cost of motor fuels in agricultural inputs increased by approximately 15% over the 12 months to July 2005.

The CSO output, input and income in agriculture release also shows that the category fuel and lubricants accounts for approximately 7% of intermediate consumption which, although significant, means these increases have had a relatively limited direct impact on the overall cost of agricultural inputs.

The cost of fuel and energy products is driven by international oil prices. This is an issue for all parts of the economy including the agricultural sector. Rising input costs, and fluctuations in international oil prices, underline the importance of ensuring that all inputs are used efficiently.

Food Labelling.

Peter Power

Question:

188 Mr. P. Power asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the progress on the introduction of a voluntary labelling system for meat used in the restaurant and catering sector. [26157/05]

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mary Coughlan)

Traceability and labelling of Irish farm produce is an area accorded priority by my Department. Sophisticated traceability systems for cattle, sheep and pigs have been developed and implemented in recent years. In addition the labelling of foodstuffs was examined by a food labelling group and the main recommendations of that group have been implemented, in particular the centralisation of enforcement of food labelling legislation through the Food Safety Authority of Ireland, FSAI.

In respect of beef, we already have in place a full identification, traceability and labelling system under comprehensive EU regulations. The labelling requirements under those regulations extend up to and including retail level and to the point of delivery into hotels, restaurants and catering establishments.

My next priority in this area is to extend the existing beef labelling laws to require information on the country of origin of beef to be provided to all consumers in the restaurant and catering sectors. I put specific proposals to Government at the end of June for a legislative framework to facilitate this, by way of an amendment to the 1947 Health Act. This will be introduced under the Irish Medicines Board (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2005 which is before the Oireachtas this session. The appropriate regulations are being worked on concurrently and it is my intention to have these cleared at EU level as soon as possible. When the Act is amended and the regulations made, country of origin information will be available to consumers in respect of all beef served in restaurants, hotels and the whole catering sector in Ireland on a mandatory basis.

In the meantime the various representative bodies including the Irish Hotels Federation, the Restaurants Association of Ireland and both of the vintners groups following discussions with my Department, have all agreed to recommend to their members the introduction on a voluntary basis of a mechanism for providing consumers in their premises, with information on the country of origin of the beef served there, in advance of the mandatory legal requirement. This agreement was finalised last week and these organisations are currently at various stages in that process. I expect the voluntary system will be in place in the very near future.

200 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food when the new grants system for the construction of new slurry storage facilities arising from the nitrates directive will be in place; the areas of the country where it will apply; the amount of aid that will be available; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26464/05]

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mary Coughlan)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 190, 197 and 200 together.

To assist farmers meet the additional requirements of the nitrates action programme, I have announced details of a proposed revised farm waste management scheme for which EU approval is now being sought. I hope early approval of the scheme will be forthcoming so that it can be introduced next January.

Subject to the required EU approval, the scheme will introduce a standard grant rate of 60%, with 70% being available for zone C counties, in place of the current grant rate of 40%, with additional aid available for young farmers at rates of 10% in less-favoured areas and 5% in other areas; extend the maximum income unit ceiling for farmers from 450 to 650 income units, with no upper limit being applied in the case of pig and poultry farmers; raise the maximum eligible investment from €75,000 to €120,000; remove any minimum income requirements from farming from the scheme so that all small farmers can participate in the scheme; the scheme will be extended to include horses, deer, goats, pigs and poultry, and mushroom compost; introduce a new 40% grant rate for specialised equipment with specific environmental advantages subject to maximum eligible investment of €80,000 in the case of decanter centrifuge systems and dry feeding systems for pigs, and €40,000 in the case of specialised slurry spreading tankers and related equipment; and increase maximum eligible investment for standard mobile equipment from €11,000 to €15,000 with the grant rate remaining at 20%.

I am satisfied that, if approved, the revised scheme will provide a very satisfactory platform for Irish farmers who need to carry out additional investment works in order to meet the requirements of the nitrates directive. I would urge farmers to make the necessary arrangements to ensure that they are ready to avail of the scheme by the proposed implementation date.

Departmental Agencies.

Richard Bruton

Question:

191 Mr. Bruton asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food her plans to develop the Teagasc service provided to farmers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26217/05]

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mary Coughlan)

Teagasc, the agriculture and food development authority, was established under the Agriculture (Research, Training and Advice) Act 1988. Its function under the Act is to provide research, training and advisory services for the agri-food sector. Teagasc is governed by an 11 member authority. The chairman and five ordinary members are appointed by the Minister and the remaining five members are appointed by the Minister following nominations from designated organisations, namely, the IFA, the ICMSA, ICOS, Macra na Feirme and Teagasc unions.

Teagasc has 1,300 permanent staff, comprising advisers, teachers and research scientists with appropriate supporting services. These are complemented by some 250 contract staff, as well as teaching staff in the private agricultural and horticultural colleges. Teagasc staff carry out their functions from more than 90 locations.

Teagasc's operating budget for 2005 amounts to more than €155 million. Advisory services make up the biggest budget item, 35% of expenditure, followed by production research, 32%, training programmes, 19%, and food research, 13%. My Department's provision to Teagasc for capital and non-capital purposes in 2005 amounts to €123 million. The amount for non-capital purposes is €118.5 million and for capital development purposes the allocation is €4.5 million. By any standards these are substantial resources and are a clear indication of the Government's continuing commitment to supporting Teagasc activities.

It is the responsibility of the Teagasc authority to prioritise activities and to allocate its funding accordingly. This it has done over the years in accordance with the needs of clients, EU and Government policy and industry needs. I am satisfied that in doing so it has provided a first-class service to Irish farmers.

In the short term Teagasc will have to reconfigure its programmes in response to the fundamental changes in agriculture arising out of the single payment. The authority is already well accustomed to tailoring its programmes to meet the changing requirements of the agri-food sector. Its annual programme of activities is developed in consultation with the key stakeholders in the sector many of whom are represented on the authority. Recently it has undertaken more strategic planning initiatives, the Teagasc 2000 review and the three year strategy required under the strategic management initiative. A new review of its training and education programmes has recently been completed.

I am satisfied that Teagasc is well placed to face the future and to continue to provide the innovation and technology transfer for the sustainable development of agriculture, the food industry and rural communities in the years ahead.

Organic Farming.

Eamon Ryan

Question:

192 Mr. Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food her plans to encourage organic farming here (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26471/05]

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mary Coughlan)

I am strongly committed to the development of the organic sector in Ireland. My Department already provides incentives to encourage organic farming, which are substantial in proportion to the size of the sector. Through the rural environment protection scheme, REPS, almost €4 million was paid directly to organic farmers in 2004. Since REPS began in 1994, it has delivered some €31 million to the sector. Under the current scheme, an organic farmer with 55 hectares is eligible for an annual payment of €18,505 a year for the first two years while the farm is in conversion, and €13,555 each year for the rest of his or her time in the scheme.

Many of the changes recommended in the organic development committee report were incorporated in the new REPS 3 scheme launched last year. To facilitate and encourage the expansion of the sector, partial conversion of a holding is now permitted. The increase in the eligible area for payment has benefited all farmers. The scheme conditions have been amended to facilitate a farmer to receive the in-conversion financial support for the equivalent of his or her full conversion period. Farmers with commonage lands or grazing rights can now participate, under strict criteria, in the organic supplementary measure of the scheme.

Special investment aid is also available for organic farmers and processors under the scheme of grant aid for the development of the organic sector, which supports investment both on-farm and off-farm. For on-farm investments, grant aid can be given for 40% of the cost up to a maximum grant of more than €50,000. For off-farm investments, the maximum grant is more than €500,000.

In addition, my Department has implemented all the main recommendations of the organic development committee's report published in April 2002. The demonstration farm project, for example, has been a considerable success and additional farms have been included this year.

The decoupling of farm payments establishes a new policy framework in which farmers will have the freedom to farm in response to market demands. In this more market-oriented scenario, there is real scope for organic production to expand with the help of the financial incentives that I have outlined already.

EU Directives.

Simon Coveney

Question:

193 Mr. Coveney asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the current status of the application for a derogation to the nitrates directive; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26407/05]

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mary Coughlan)

The implementation of the nitrates directive is a matter in the first instance for the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. In October 2004, Ireland submitted proposals for a derogation from the general organic nitrogen limit of 170 kilogrammes per hectare per annum laid down in the nitrates directive. The proposal was designed to allow farmers to operate under appropriate conditions and controls up to a level of 250 kilogrammes of organic nitrogen per hectare. My Department and Teagasc developed the derogation proposals in consultation with the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government.

The European Commission was not prepared to engage in formal discussions on the derogation proposals until Ireland's nitrates action programme was agreed. There have been preliminary discussions with the Commission, however, and I will press strongly to have these discussions concluded as early as possible in 2006.

Genetically Modified Organisms.

Dan Boyle

Question:

194 Mr. Boyle asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if, further to Parliamentary Question No. 57 of 25 May 2005, she has studied the United Kingdom Royal Society results of genetically modified trials for winter oilseed rape; if she will ensure such genetically modified crops are not grown here; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26469/05]

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mary Coughlan)

I am aware of the results of the farm scale evaluation trials, published by the United Kingdom Royal Society, on a study carried out in Britain that compared genetically modified winter oilseed rape against its conventional counterpart. I am sure this information will feed into any future amendments that will be made by the EU in respect of the approval of oilseed rape for cultivation within the EU.

As the Deputy is aware EU legislation governing the growing and distribution of GM products within the EU has been jointly adopted by both the European Parliament and the Council of Ministers, after many years of negotiations and discussions. The provisions of this legislation are binding on all member states. The only area where subsidiarity is permitted within this legislative framework is in regard to co-existence between GM crops and non-GM crops. Member states have been asked to draw up their own rules in how this can be implemented and I have just recently received a report and recommendations from the interdepartmental interagency working group which was established to draw up such rules for this country.

Departmental Offices.

Billy Timmins

Question:

195 Mr. Timmins asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food when the district veterinary office in Wicklow town opened; the number of staff employed there; if all necessary transactions will be carried out there similar to the office in Tallaght and other such places; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26493/05]

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mary Coughlan)

My Department opened an office in Wicklow town in 2001, the purpose of which was to improve the level of service provided to farmers in the east Wicklow area. A superintending veterinary inspector based in my Department's Tallaght office has responsibility for the operation of the Wicklow veterinary office. There are two veterinary inspectors covering the east Wicklow area, one of whom is based in the Wicklow office. There are three agricultural technical staff and one full-time and one part-time clerical staff engaged on veterinary work in the office.

While files for east Wicklow are held in the Tallaght office, the Wicklow office is linked electronically into the Department's disease eradication network including the cattle movement and monitoring system, CMMS, and the animal health computer system, AHCS.

The services provided by the Wicklow office include the issue of movement permits, CMMS clearance for abattoirs and provision of information on disease control. The Wicklow office also provides agricultural environmental and single payment scheme services to farmers and six staff are engaged on this work.

Grant Payments.

Mary Upton

Question:

196 Dr. Upton asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if her attention has been drawn to reports that a small number of wealthy landowners are receiving payments of more than €10,000 per year under the single farm payments scheme; her views on whether it is appropriate that some farmers receive large payments of this size from public funds when other farmers are facing such a struggle to survive; if she will seek any review of the system to ensure that payments are directed towards those who most need them; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26443/05]

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mary Coughlan)

The agreement on the mid-term review of Agenda 2000 reached at the Council of Agricultural Ministers on 26 June 2003 was a balanced one, which addressed Ireland's principal objectives. Among these objectives were the preservation of the financial benefits achieved under the Agenda 2000 agreement and the establishment of a policy framework that will allow farmers and the agri-sector the flexibility to adapt to evolving consumer and market demands and international circumstances. The financial envelope provided for each member state represented the average value of livestock and arable aid premia paid in the member state during the three year reference period 2000-2002 calculated at 2002 rates of payment. I am particularly pleased that the 2002 rate of payment was used to calculate the single payment as this was the highest rate payable under the Agenda 2000 agreement.

The result of the negotiations represented a very satisfactory outcome for Ireland with the achievement of significant improvements on the original proposals. In particular the proposed automatic degression of direct payments by a level of up to 13% was withdrawn. The removal of this particular provision meant a saving of some €420 million for Ireland over the lifetime of the agreement. The compromises agreed was to allow the Council to review, from 2007 onwards, the financial situation annually if budget deficits arise.

Under the agreement, member states were allowed to implement the single payment scheme using the so-called historic model or a variation of that model. Following widespread consultation with farmers and other interested parties, Ireland opted to implement full decoupling with effect from 2005 using the historic model. This means that the single payment scheme is applicable to farmers who actively farmed during the reference years 2000, 2001 and 2002, who were paid livestock premia and-or arable aid in one or more of those years and who will continue to engage in an agricultural activity in 2005. The gross single payment entitlement for each farmer represents the average number of animals and-or the average number of hectares, in the case of arable aid, on which payments were made in the three reference years.

The overall agreement also allows for a review of the single payment scheme to take place in 2009.

Question No. 197 answered with QuestionNo. 190.

Farm Retirement Scheme.

Brian O'Shea

Question:

198 Mr. O’Shea asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the progress she has made on the implementation of the report by the Oireachtas joint committee on the early retirement scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26460/05]

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mary Coughlan)

The joint committee's examination of the early retirement scheme provided a welcome opportunity to air a wide range of issues and this in itself has been helpful in clarifying the position. Earlier this month I provided a detailed response to the report. Regrettably, there are a number of the committee's recommendations I have not been able to accept. They are precluded by elements of the EU regulations under which the current scheme and its predecessor are operated. When the same issues were raised by retired farmers with the European Commission, the Commission concluded that my Department was operating the scheme correctly. However, the committee made other recommendations which I am still considering.

Question No. 199 answered with QuestionNo. 140.

Question No. 200 answered with QuestionNo. 190.

Direct Payment Schemes.

Jimmy Deenihan

Question:

201 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the discussions she has had with the European Commission to index link the single farm payment; if she will make the payment in two instalments; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26210/05]

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mary Coughlan)

The agreement on the mid-term review of Agenda 2000, reached at the Council of Agricultural Ministers on 26 June 2003, provided a financial envelope to each member state. This envelope represented the average value of livestock and arable aid premia paid in the member state during the three-year reference period 2000-02 calculated at 2002 rates of payment. The outcome, which will reshape the Common Agricultural Policy and secure its future in making it more relevant to modern society, was a balanced one which addressed Ireland's principal objectives. Among these objectives was the preservation of the financial benefits achieved under the Agenda 2000 agreement and the establishment of a policy framework that will allow farmers and the agri-sector the flexibility to adapt to evolving consumer and market demands and international circumstances.

Index linking of the single payment scheme was not an element of the Commission's proposals which included a proposal to provide for a reduction of up to 13% in the single payment, known as degression, to meet future financing needs. One of the major achievements in the negotiations was the removal of this proposal, as it meant a saving of approximately €420 million for Ireland over the lifetime of the agreement. The compromise agreed was to allow the Council to review, from 2007 onwards, the financial situation annually if budget deficits arise.

In so far as making payment in two instalments is concerned Council Regulation 1782/2003, governing the single payment scheme, provides that payments shall be made once a year within the period from 1 December of the scheme year to 30 June of the following calendar year. The regulation also provides that the European Commission may authorise making advance payments in certain circumstances.

My Department is committed to commencing full payments on 1 December next, the earliest date possible under the regulation. The target date of 1 December for commencement of full payments is particularly tight taking account of the fact that this is the first year of the new scheme involving a complete new system and more than 154,000 applications must be processed. Therefore, we will not make advance payments this year. However, in the context of the new charter of rights for farmers, I am committed to requesting the European Commission to provide for advance payment on an ongoing basis with effect from 2006. It should be noted however that if the European Commission were to agree to the making of advance payments, for budgetary reasons it is unlikely that any such payments could be made before 16 October each year.

Organic Farming.

Paddy McHugh

Question:

202 Mr. McHugh asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the progress of the organic food sector here. [26165/05]

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mary Coughlan)

Although proportionally, the organic sector is still extremely small, the Irish organic market has witnessed strong growth levels in recent years to reach an estimated €38 million at retail level in 2003. The indications are that an annual growth rate of approximately 10% should be achievable in the Irish organic food market in the medium term. I am strongly committed to the organic sector and my Department provides a number of incentives to encourage this development, including the rural environmental protection scheme, a grant aid scheme supporting investment by farmers and processors and a demonstration farm project.

EU Directives.

Pat Breen

Question:

203 Mr. P. Breen asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the discussions she has had with the European Commission and the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government regarding a derogation under the nitrates directive; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26214/05]

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mary Coughlan)

The implementation of the nitrates directive is a matter in the first instance for the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. In October 2004, Ireland submitted proposals for a derogation from the general organic nitrogen limit of 170 kg per hectare per annum laid down in the nitrates directive. The proposal was designed to allow farmers to operate under appropriate conditions and controls up to a level of 250 kg of organic nitrogen per hectare. My Department and Teagasc developed the derogation proposals in consultation with the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government.

The European Commission was not prepared to engage in formal discussions on the derogation proposals until Ireland's nitrates action programme was agreed. However, preliminary discussions with the Commission have taken place, and I will press strongly to have these discussions concluded as early as possible in 2006.

To help farmers meet their obligations under the action programme, I will seek approval from the European Commission for significant improvements in the farm waste management scheme. These include increasing the grant rate from 40% to 60%, and to 70% in the counties in zone C; a top-up of 5% to 10% for young farmers; higher investment ceilings and the extension of the scheme to the pig and poultry sectors.

Grant Payments.

Michael Noonan

Question:

204 Mr. Noonan asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food her plans for the allocation of entitlements under the national reserve; when the entitlements will be issued; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26178/05]

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mary Coughlan)

Applications for an allocation of entitlements from the single payment scheme national reserve were received from more than 17,500 farmers. Processing of these applications is continuing and the intention is to make allocations to successful applicants by 1 December next. This will allow any allocations to be reflected in the single payment scheme payment which is scheduled to commence on 1 December 2005.

The single payment advisory committee comprising representatives of my Department, Teagasc and the farming organisations met recently to discuss the rules for allocating the national reserve. Further contacts will take place on this matter before a final decision is made.

Live Exports.

Johnny Brady

Question:

205 Mr. J. Brady asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food her views on the level of live exports of cattle to date compared to the same period in 2004. [26171/05]

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mary Coughlan)

Live exports continue to be an important outlet for our cattle providing an essential element of competition within the beef trade. Live exports to date are 52% up on the same period last year. Live exports in 2004 were sluggish however, and our exports this year are more in line with the more traditional export levels of 2003. The information on main destinations has been forwarded to the Deputy.

	Year to Date (w/c 19/09)	Change 2005 v 2004
	2005	2004	2003	No.	%
Northern Ireland	16,533	27,811	22,450	-11,278	-41
EU except NI	102,027	51,190	114,420	50,837	99
Third Countries	6,824	3,600	29,503	3,224	90
Total	125,384	82,601	166,373	42,783	52

Proposed Legislation.

John Deasy

Question:

206 Mr. Deasy asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food when the Animal Health Bill will be published; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26193/05]

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mary Coughlan)

My Department is continuing to draft an Animal Health Bill. I am not in a position, at this stage, to say when the Bill will be published.

Food Industry.

Paddy McHugh

Question:

207 Mr. McHugh asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food her views on the progress of the prepared consumer food sector within the Irish food industry. [26166/05]

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mary Coughlan)

Ireland has a dynamic prepared consumer foods sector, which plays a significant role in the Irish economy with output of €2.6 billion and exports of €1.3 billion. Approximately 16,000 people are directly employed in 180 companies in the sector, which now accounts for 12% of food exports.

The food development agencies work closely with companies to assist them to develop, commercialise and market products that satisfy consumer demand and preferences. The key drivers of demand in the sector are changes in consumer eating habits; health focus; snacking products; cook times; food service and new eating occasions such as in-car dining.

The sector also faces challenges, principally retail consolidation, a very competitive and cost-focused international market and issues of scale. The food related measures in the national development plan are focused on enhancing the competitiveness and innovative capability of the industry and exploiting market opportunities. My Department is committed to supporting the food development agencies and the industry to achieve continued growth in value-added products and exports.

Beef Exports.

Seymour Crawford

Question:

208 Mr. Crawford asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the amount of beef which has been exported to Russia in each of the past five years and to date; if she is satisfied that farmers here are getting a realistic payment for their high quality beef production; her plans to further access the Egyptian market; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26312/05]

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mary Coughlan)

The amount of beef exported to Russia in the past five years and to date is as follows:

Year	2000	2001	2002	2003	2004	2005 (end July)
Tonnes	11,000	43,000	83,000	76,000	47,000	10,000

The same period has seen a substantial increase in beef exports to EU markets. In 2001, we exported 72,000 tonnes to the continental EU and only two retailers stocked Irish beef. By last year, exports had more than doubled to 174,000 tonnes and over 30 retail groups in that valuable market stock Irish beef. The beef industry is worth €1.4 billion in foreign earnings to the Irish economy annually.

Following considerable work with regard to the Egyptian market, significant progress was made with the signing in August of a new protocol on veterinary and animal heath conditions to apply to our beef exports to Egypt. The protocol considerably eases the restrictions on trade which previously existed and a revised veterinary certificate which reflects this has been agreed. I anticipate that these developments, which effectively reduce the costs associated with beef exports to that destination, allied to the special attractive export refund for Egypt, should enhance trade prospects this autumn.

The usual seasonal drop in beef prices has occurred this autumn, although earlier and greater than in previous years. However, because of the higher prices paid in the earlier part of the year, the average price since the start of 2005 to date is 4% above that paid during the same period in 2004. It is estimated that overall, average cattle prices for 2005 will be 3% up on last year.

Question No. 209 answered with QuestionNo. 186.

Departmental Staff.

In implementing the single payment scheme, the policy of my Department is to minimise the number of inspection visits and to move towards a situation where, in most cases, all eligibility and cross-compliance checks will be carried out during a single farm visit. My Department has consulted all competent control authorities to ensure the maximum level of integration of inspections across all areas. This approach should minimise the level of inconvenience to farmers. However, in certain instances it may not be possible to avoid more than one inspection of the same holding. On this basis it is estimated that, in all, fewer than 10,000 inspections will be carried out annually under the single payment scheme. This represents a reduction of approximately 50% in the number of inspections carried out annually under the old coupled direct payments schemes.

My Department has engaged in detailed discussions with farming organisations in the context of a new charter of rights for farmers. The charter will set out the criteria under which on-farm inspections will be carried out with a view to ensuring that the arrangements are fair and equitable and that minor non-compliance will not give rise to any financial sanction.

I propose to take Questions Nos. 215 to 217, inclusive, together.

My Department has given considerable attention to food labelling as I regard it of importance that consumers are provided with full information on foodstuffs. In this regard, my Department has pursued assiduously the implementation of the recommendations of the food labelling group. Nineteen of the 21 recommendations, many of which were beyond the remit of my Department and some of which were to be activated only after others had been completed, have been addressed. The remaining two recommendations, which concern aspects of origin labelling, are also being addressed.

Arising from the implementation of the group's recommendations, the enforcement of all food labelling regulations has been centralised in the Food Safety Authority of Ireland, FSAI. This not only streamlines the enforcement measures but it also provides a one-stop shop for any complaints on mislabelling of food. In addition, the responsibility for food labelling policy, with the exception of fish, has been assigned to the Department of Health and Children and my Department, in accordance with another recommendation of the food labelling group.

Accordingly, the Department of Health and Children is responsible for general labelling regulations which require information on food labels to be given clearly, accurately and in a language understood by the consumer. My Department is responsible for more detailed legislation on the labelling of specific food products including beef and poultry meat. With regard to beef, EU regulations require operators 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.

These labelling requirements, which are 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 into 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 labelling requirements under those regulations extend up to and including retail level and to the point of delivery into hotels, restaurants and catering establishments.

Given the identified consumer demand for information on the country of origin of beef to be provided by the restaurant and catering sectors, I put specific proposals to the Government at the end of June for a legislative framework to facilitate this by way of an amendment to the Health Act 1947. This will be introduced under the Irish Medicines Board (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2005 which will come before the Oireachtas this session. The appropriate regulations are being worked on concurrently and it is my intention to have these cleared at EU level as soon as possible. When the Act is amended and the regulations made, country of origin information will be available to consumers in respect of all beef served in restaurants, hotels and the entire catering sector in Ireland on a mandatory basis.

The various representative bodies, including the Irish Hotels Federation, the Restaurants Association of Ireland and both of the vintners groups have agreed, following discussions with my Department, to recommend to their members the introduction on a voluntary basis of a mechanism for providing consumers on their premises with information on the country of origin of the beef served there in advance of the mandatory legal requirement. This agreement was recently finalised and these organisations are currently at various stages in that process. I expect the voluntary system will be in place in the near future.

The beef sector has the most developed system of labelling within the EU legislative framework. With regard to poultry meat, two regulations were introduced in early 2004 requiring loose and pre-packaged poultry meat originating in a country outside the EU to bear an indication of the country of origin when offered for sale in a retail premises and requiring information regarding class, price per unit weight, condition and slaughterhouse details in respect of loose or non-packaged poultry meat to be provided to the consumer. I am having the possibility examined of further extending the labelling requirements for poultry meat, pig meat and sheep meat in order to have similar provisions to those for beef. This is not a straightforward matter as EU approval would be required and there is no precedent thus far of individual member states being allowed to extend meat labelling requirements internally beyond providing information that is already required by EU laws.

There has also been a great deal of concern expressed about products imported into the Community and then processed in some way, allowing it to be described as a product of a member state. This is known as substantial transformation in the context of European customs regulations. Accordingly, any changes in this regard would have to be made with the agreement of the other member states. At a meeting of the Council of Agriculture Ministers on 28 February, I raised this issue in the context of the review on food labelling being carried out by the Commission.

Overseas Visitors.

Paul McGrath

Question:

218 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Taoiseach the number of foreign visitors here in each tourism region for the past five years; and the total number of foreign visitors who were returning with the purpose of visiting family members. [26320/05]

Minister of State at the Department of the Taoiseach (Mr. Kitt)

The CSO estimates of overseas visits to Ireland by non-residents are national estimates. Regional destination estimates are not available. The information concerning the number of overseas visits to Ireland by non-residents is contained in the following table.

Estimated number of overseas visits to Ireland: 2000 to 2004
	Visits ’000
2000	6,310
2001	5,990
2002	6,065
2003	6,369
2004	6,574

Overseas visits by non-residents are classified by reason for journey, comprising business, holiday, leisure and recreation, visits to friends or relatives and other, to accord with Council Directive 95/57/EC and the recommendation of the World Tourism Organisation. The following table shows the estimated number of overseas visits to Ireland by non-residents classified by reason to visit friends or relatives for the years 2000 to 2004.

Estimated number of Overseas Visits to Ireland to Visit Friends/Relatives: 2000 to 2004
Visits to Friends/Relatives
	Visits ’000
2000	1,564
2001	1,566
2002	1,603
2003	1,736
2004	1,807

Nursing Home Accommodation.

Paul McGrath

Question:

219 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the number of additional nursing home beds provided by private nursing homes annually since December 1997. [26326/05]

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

The Deputy's question concerns 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 executive to arrange to have this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.

Health Services.

Michael Ring

Question:

220 Mr. Ring asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will receive a refund for the cost of glasses. [26392/05]

Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children (Ms Harney)

The Deputy's question concerns 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 executive to arrange to have this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.

Violence Against Women.

Martin Ferris

Question:

221 Mr. Ferris asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if she will make a statement on the need to provide increased and adequate funding for groups dealing with the issue of domestic violence against women. [26538/05]

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

The Deputy's question concerns 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 executive to arrange to have this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.

Genetically Modified Organisms.

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

I propose to take Questions Nos. 224 and 225 together.

The Deputy's question concerns 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.

Medical Inquiries.

Mary Wallace

Question:

226 Ms M. Wallace asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the position regarding the report of the Lourdes Hospital inquiry; if she will provide clarification on the present position regarding a redress board in view of the delay in publishing this report; if she will further provide any information arising from the news report this week regarding copies of some missing files now being available; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26230/05]

Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children (Ms Harney)

My Department is advised by the Lourdes Hospital inquiry that the report of the inquiry is at an advanced stage and is going through a necessary legal process before it will be furnished to me. Last March, I met representatives of Patient Focus, a group representing a number of patients who attended the maternity unit at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda. I advised the group that I would await the report of the inquiry before consulting the Government on the request for the establishment of a redress board. I intend to meet the group again following receipt of the report of the inquiry.

In terms of the issue raised by the Deputy concerning missing files, this is being dealt with by the Garda Síochána. Accordingly, my Department has requested a report on the matter from the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform and I will revert to the Deputy when the report is received.

Health Services.

Finian McGrath

Question:

227 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if assistance will be given to a person (details supplied) in Dublin 5 with their orthodontic needs and if the family will get the maximum support. [26231/05]

Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children (Ms Harney)

The Deputy's question concerns 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.

John Gormley

Question:

228 Mr. Gormley asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the reason the health service here is following an American style rather than adopting the successful model of the Scandinavian and EU countries; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26232/05]

Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children (Ms Harney)

The overall policy objectives for health care in Ireland were clearly set out in the health strategy quality and fairness and are based on the four principles of equity, people centredness, quality and accountability. The Irish health care system is evolving and will provide a service which will best meet the needs of people here. The health strategy indicated that the Government was committed to exploring fully the scope for the private sector to provide additional capacity and that additional capacity would be provided by a combination of public and private providers working in closer partnership.

I understand from the Health Service Executive that it is in the process of preparing a reply to the Deputy.

Health Service Reform.

Michael Lowry

Question:

233 Mr. Lowry asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children when the boundaries of the former health boards will be removed from operational practice in the Health Service Executive; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26244/05]

Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children (Ms Harney)

The Health Service Executive was established on a statutory basis with effect from 1 January 2005 under the Health Act 2004. The executive took over responsibility for the management and delivery of health and personal social services from the Eastern Regional Health Authority, the health boards and a number of other specified agencies. The organisational design for the new body, as devised by the interim Health Service Executive, provided for the establishment of a number of national directorates. These include the primary, community and continuing care directorate which is responsible for the planning, management and delivery of all primary care, community based health and personal social services and continuing care hospitals and services. Since 1 September 2005, 32 local health offices, LHOs, established under this directorate, have responsibility and authority for the management of all services, other than acute hospital services, in their area.

The executive's national hospitals office directorate is responsible for the provision of all public acute hospital care and ambulance pre-hospital emergency care. The management and delivery of these services is effected through ten hospital networks. Operational practice in the management and delivery of health and personal social services under these structures is a matter for the Health Service Executive. If the Deputy has a specific query on this aspect, he should relay it to the executive's parliamentary affairs division, Health Service Executive, Mezzanine Floor, Stewarts Sports Centre, Waterstown Avenue, Palmerstown, Dublin 20, Phone 01 6426952 and e-mail address HelenM.Stokes@mailf.hse.ie.

Health Services.

Michael Lowry

Question:

234 Mr. Lowry asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if her attention has been drawn to the case of a person (details supplied) in County Offaly; the provision that will be made to accommodate the person involved; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26245/05]

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

Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children (Ms Harney)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 235, 271 and 273 together.

The Report of the National Task Force on Medical Staffing, Hanly report, made a series of important recommendations regarding the development of hospital services. Responsibility for the future configuration of acute hospital services, taking into account the recommendations of the report by the national task force on medical staffing, now rests with the Health Service Executive. The key priority is to ensure that patients, wherever they live, have access to high quality hospital care.

European Health Insurance Card.

Paul Kehoe

Question:

236 Mr. Kehoe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if her attention has been drawn to the fact that Irish citizens who travel abroad and who get sick at sea while travelling are not covered under the E111 scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26247/05]

Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children (Ms Harney)

Under Regulation (EC) 1408/71, a person who is eligible for health services in Ireland, is accepted by the Health Service Executive as being ordinarily resident or is an EU national employed in Ireland, and who becomes ill or injured while on a temporary stay in the territory of a member state of the EU, EEA or Switzerland is entitled to receive health care through the public health care system of that member state. The European Health Insurance Card, which replaced the form E111 on 1 June 2004, provides evidence of this entitlement.

It should be noted that the card does not cover the cost of treatment in a private setting. Card holders are advised on the public information website and leaflet about the EHIC to contact their local HSE office or log on to www.ehic.ie for more information about their entitlements in particular countries.

In the event of an Irish resident falling ill while at sea there is a marine rescue service which is operated by the coastguard service of individual EU/EEA countries. In cases where the appropriate course of action is to transport the patient to a hospital in one of these countries, the service is provided and health care costs are paid by the Health Service Executive.

Accident and Emergency Services.

Paul Kehoe

Question:

237 Mr. Kehoe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if she will publish the relevant figures for the average time per patient between admittance at accident and emergency units and their discharge for the various hospitals in the State; and if comparable figures for the past ten years will be published. [26248/05]

Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children (Ms Harney)

Information on the average length of stay in hospital for patients admitted as emergencies for each hospital is being compiled by my Department and will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Mental Health Services.

John Gormley

Question:

238 Mr. Gormley asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children when the working group which was established by the Mental Health Commission will make rules providing for the use of ECT under the Mental Health Act 2001 to finalise these rules; if there is a need for the appointment of an ombudsman for mental health; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26249/05]

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

241 Mr. Naughten asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children further to Parliamentary Question No. 87 of 23 June 2005 the steps which are being taken to address the appalling backlog in audiology services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26274/05]

Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children (Ms Harney)

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 again 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.

Health Services.

Brian O'Shea

Question:

242 Mr. O’Shea asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children her proposals to provide further funding for counselling for the Parents for Justice group; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26286/05]

Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children (Ms Harney)

Funding for Parents for Justice is now a matter for the Health Service Executive — HSE — and I have asked the HSE to reply directly to the Deputy in this regard. I am aware, however, that Parents for Justice have received approximately €1.3 million in funding since 2000, which includes funding of €330,000 for 2005.

General Medical Services Scheme.

Pat Breen

Question:

243 Mr. P. Breen asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children when a medical practitioner under the general medical services will be appointed to Quin, County Clare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26289/05]

Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children (Ms Harney)

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 the appointment of general medical services — GPs. 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.

Organ Retention.

Question:

247 Mr. McGuinness asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the methods employed by the Health Service Executive in Kilkenny to assess applicants for home help hours; the number of cases where home help hours have been cut and the reason for the cutbacks; if appointments are made in each case or if the visit is random and unannounced; the level of funding provided for this service; if the hours cut will be restored; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26350/05]

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

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 executive to arrange to have this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.

Paul Nicholas Gogarty

Question:

248 Mr. Gogarty asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the policy procedure where the family of a person (details supplied) can be told on the telephone by the Health Services Executive staff that the person will have to wait three years for an assessment by an occupational therapist in Area 5 of the former South Western Area Health Board, before they can apply for a grant to the local authority for a shower; if, following the matter being brought to the health board’s attention the board will clarify that the waiting list for over 80s is in fact a year; if this is standard practice within the health and safety authority; if this means that another elderly person who has been waiting for an assessment is affected. [26362/05]

Paul Nicholas Gogarty

Question:

Jim O'Keeffe

Question:

253 Mr. J. O’Keeffe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the approximate number of applications for inter-country adoptions currently outstanding; if it is correct that such applications are now taking over three to four years to process; and the practical measures which have been identified as indicated in earlier replies to tackle the waiting lists; and if these practical measures have been put in place. [26367/05]

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

The most recent statistics available relate to numbers of applications on hand on 30 June 2005. At that time, the number of applications awaiting inter-country adoption assessment was 1,829. Currently, waiting times for assessment range from three to six months in the HSE north-west region to 45 months in the HSE mid-west region, with the average waiting time of approximately 18 months Factors that have affected the service and waiting lists include the increasing number of applicants, from 232 in 2000 to 1,033 in 2004, a three and a half fold increase in just five years; the significant increase in the number of post-placement reports resulting from the increase in successful applicants; and population movements within Ireland, which have also shifted the pattern of demand, increasing it in particular areas.

Over the same period the number of social work staff working on inter-country adoption assessments has increased from 38.7 whole-time equivalents in 2000 to 46 whole-time equivalents in 2004.

The Adoption Board and the HSE recently reached agreement on measures to tackle the waiting lists. These include a review of the waiting times and the immediate application of the €1 million in additional, ongoing funding I provided earlier this year to tackle the backlog of applications, the funding distribution to take account of the existing demand in each HSE area; the application process will be improved to ensure the most efficient use of administrative and social work time and to identify ineligible or unsuitable applicants early on in the process; and a general review by the Adoption Board and the HSE of the operation of the standardised framework for inter-country adoption to identify measures which will ensure sustainable improvements. The HSE reform programme affords the opportunity to review the provision of adoption services. The Adoption Board has agreed to fund this important review.

Health Services.

Tom Hayes

Question:

254 Mr. Hayes asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the progress which has been made by the Health Service Executive in its examination of the service requirements of rape victims and when the recommendations of the Health Service Executive in this regard will be published. [26368/05]

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

My Department does not directly fund or co-ordinate health and personal social services to victims of abuse. Moneys are made available each year, formerly through the health boards and now through the Health Service Executive, for the provision of services to women victims of violence. In recent years there has been a substantial increase in funding so that over €12 million is provided annually for the provision of such services. The distribution of this funding is a matter for the Health Service Executive.

I asked the HSE, together with my Department, to carry out an analysis of the current level of service provision in this area and to report back to me. I have been informed by the HSE that the final draft report is complete. The publication of the report into the examination of the service requirements of rape victims is imminent.

Accident and Emergency Services.

Liz McManus

Question:

255 Ms McManus asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if the accident and emergency and acute services in Ennis General Hospital will be continued or discontinued; if all hospitals that were to lose their accident and emergency and acute services under the Hanly report proposals are no longer to be subject to downgrading; if the Hanly report will be withdrawn; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26370/05]

James Breen

Question:

272 Mr. J. Breen asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if Ennis General Hospital will remain an acute surgical and medical hospital with 24-hour accident and emergency services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26720/05]

Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children (Ms Harney)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 255 and 272 together.

The report of the national task force on medical staffing, Hanly report, made a series of important recommendations regarding the development of hospital services. Responsibility for the future configuration of acute hospital services, taking into account the recommendations of the report by the national task force on medical staffing, now rests with the Health Service Executive. The key priority is to ensure that patients, wherever they live, have access to high quality hospital care.

The provision of services at Ennis General Hospital is 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.

Question No. 256 withdrawn.

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.

Catherine Murphy

Question:

260 Ms C. Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children her plans to establish extra places in long-term care facilities for the greater Dublin area, including Kildare, in view of the submission made to her Department by senior management of the main Dublin teaching hospitals; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26497/05]

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

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 executive to arrange to have this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.

Mental Health Services.

Catherine Murphy

Question:

261 Ms C. Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the strategy which is in place or planned to address the issue of the early onset of Alzheimer’s disease; if she will initiate a public awareness campaign regarding the symptoms of this disease including the instance of early onset dementia; her plans to establish a specific policy relating to early onset dementia to include improved and wider availability of homecare facilities, specialist respite care facilities and residential facilities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26498/05]

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

The Deputy may be aware that the development of services for people of all ages with Alzheimer's disease is based on the action plan for dementia published by the National Council on Ageing and Older People in 1999. Considerable progress has been made in service development since the publication of the report and, in each of the years since 1999, my Department has provided additional funding to psychiatry of old age, over €5 million, and to the Alzheimer Society of Ireland, over €2 million, for services delivered. In addition, carers of Alzheimer sufferers have benefited from the €5 million we have made available, in the same period, specifically for the support of carers. The Health Service Executive is also making progress in the provision of stand-alone dementia units on a gradual basis. All of the above provisions apply to all dementia sufferers, regardless of age.

The Alzheimer Society of Ireland launched a document entitled Early Onset Dementia: A Needs Analysis of Younger People with Dementia in Ireland. My Department will continue to work with the society to discuss the recommendations contained in this report.

National Treatment Purchase Fund.

Catherine Murphy

Question:

262 Ms C. Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if, in view of recent questions raised by representatives of the ESRI regarding the efficiency of the State paying the full cost of private hospital treatment for public patients through the national treatment purchase fund, her plans to phase out this practice through the provision of adequate public inpatient hospital beds; in the absence of such plans, if she will commit to an increase in inpatient beds and services in the public healthcare system; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26499/05]

Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children (Ms Harney)

The national treatment purchase fund, NTPF, was established as one of the key actions for dealing with public hospital waiting lists arising from the health strategy. It is used for the purpose of treating public patients who have been waiting longest for surgery. Up to the end of September approximately 36,000 patients have had treatment arranged for them by the NTPF. It is now the case that, in most instances, anyone waiting more than three months will be facilitated by the fund.

While the majority of procedures funded by the NTPF to date have been carried out in private hospitals in Ireland, my Department has been informed by the NTPF that the prices negotiated by the NTPF compare favourably with the comparative benchmarks available for the costs of the vast majority of procedures.

On foot of the commitment in the health strategy, funding has been provided to open an additional 900 inpatient beds and day places in acute hospitals. Some 797 beds are in place and the Health Service Executive has informed my Department that the remaining 103 beds or places will come on stream during the coming months.

It should be noted that acute hospital activity has increased significantly in recent years. There were over one million inpatient and day case discharges from acute hospitals in 2004, representing an increase of approximately 33% since 1997.

A policy direction has recently issued to the HSE which is aimed at freeing up additional beds for public patients in public hospitals through the development of private hospital facilities on public hospital sites. My Department, in conjunction with the HSE, will be reviewing public capacity requirements in the acute hospital sector in the light of developments since the health strategy and the progress of this initiative.

Services for People with Disabilities.

Mary Wallace

Question:

263 Ms M. Wallace asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the average annual funding per client in the intellectual disability sector for a day activation place; if the €5,800 per client per annum paid to an organisation (details supplied) is below the norm; the steps she will take to ensure that services such as this are provided with appropriate annual funding and should not have to rely on emergency December funding as occurred in 2003 and 2004; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26500/05]

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

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 of Health and Children has asked the parliamentary affairs division of the HSE to arrange to have the matter investigated and for a reply to issue directly to the Deputy.

Suicide Incidence.

Joe Costello

Question:

264 Mr. Costello asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if her attention has been drawn to a group of persons who are relatives and friends of persons who died by suicide and who are involved in setting up a teen-line service for young persons at risk; if she will provide financial assistance to them; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26502/05]

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

The Deputy may be aware that a national office for suicide prevention was established by the Health Service Executive following the recent publication of the national strategy for action on suicide prevention, Reach Out. The office will drive the implementation of the strategy and will be responsible for giving support to groups and organisations for their work in developing suicide prevention initiatives. The group referred to by the Deputy should be advised to contact the national office for suicide prevention directly in this regard. The office may be contacted at Health Service Executive North East, Dublin Road, Kells, County Meath, or by telephone at 046 9280595.

Services for People with Disabilities.

Catherine Murphy

Question:

265 Ms C. Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the reason certain adults with special needs who have been cared for at a care community (details supplied) in County Kildare have been informed by the Health Service Executive they are to be placed with an alternative service provider from 31 October 2005; the reason they were not informed of this change in care arrangements with more notice; the reason this decision has not been reversed in view of the level of distress this decision and its method of communication has caused to both the patients and their families alike; if she will intervene in the matter to ensure it is resolved to the satisfaction of the patients and their families alike; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26519/05]

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

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 of Health and Children has asked the parliamentary affairs division of the HSE to arrange to have the matter investigated and for a reply to issue directly to the Deputy.

Medical Cards.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

266 Mr. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the reason a medical card has been refused in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26520/05]

Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children (Ms Harney)

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 of Health and Children has asked the parliamentary affairs division of the HSE to arrange to have the matter investigated and for a reply to issue directly to the Deputy.

Suicide Incidence.

Dan Neville

Question:

267 Mr. Neville asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the number of deaths and rates per 100,000 population for suicide by HSE regional areas and county for the years 2000, 2001, 2002 and 2003. [26583/05]

Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children (Ms Harney)

Mortality data, including principal causes of death, are collected by the Central Statistics Office through the death registration system. Place of residence is coded to the level of county and county borough. The information requested by the Deputy in respect of suicide by county for 2000, 2001, 2002 and 2003 is as follows:

Suicide and Self-Inflicted Injury Number of Deaths and Rate per 100,000 population, 2000-03.
	2000	2001	2002	2003
County/Area	Cases	Rate*	Cases	Rate*	Cases	Rate*	Cases	Rate*
Carlow	2	4.53	8	17.77	3	6.52	6	12.79
Cavan	7	12.75	9	16.17	10	17.68	8	13.96
Clare	8	8.05	13	12.85	16	15.49	13	12.36
Cork	67	15.39	100	22.68	62	13.84	64	14.1
Donegal	13	9.7	15	11.06	20	14.54	14	10.05
Dublin	115	10.52	120	10.85	103	9.17	111	9.76
Galway	20	9.97	23	11.25	26	12.44	21	9.85
Kerry	20	15.45	20	15.29	13	9.81	9	6.72
Kildare	20	13.09	12	7.59	21	12.81	18	10.61
Kilkenny	17	21.78	15	18.97	11	13.69	11	13.51
Laois	6	10.65	7	12.18	6	10.21	4	6.67
Leitrim	4	15.77	6	23.49	7	27.13	3	11.54
Limerick	32	18.76	16	9.27	30	17.11	24	13.52
Longford	3	9.82	6	19.5	4	12.87	2	6.39
Louth	13	13.3	7	7.03	14	13.75	16	15.41
Mayo	17	14.83	17	14.68	18	15.33	10	8.42
Meath	11	8.82	19	14.72	19	14.18	11	7.93
Monaghan	11	21.24	2	3.84	4	7.61	8	15.11
Offaly	18	29.2	12	19.18	11	17.28	7	10.83
Roscommon	6	11.37	5	9.4	4	7.44	3	5.53
Sligo	3	5.26	10	17.39	4	6.87	7	11.91
Tipperary NR	9	15.11	10	16.61	11	18.03	14	22.69
Tipperary SR	11	14.22	13	16.64	11	13.9	12	15.01
Waterford	12	12.19	17	17.03	12	11.82	8	7.77
Westmeath	9	13.16	9	12.86	6	8.35	6	8.15
Wexford	23	20.62	19	16.68	17	14.58	23	19.31
Wicklow	9	8.2	9	8.03	15	13.08	11	9.39
Ireland	486	12.82	519	13.49	478	12.2	444	11.16

* Rate per 100,000 population.

Health Services.

Richard Bruton

Question:

268 Mr. Bruton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if her attention has been drawn to the fact that in some parts of Dublin, the fee paid by the Health Service Executive for domiciliary visits to nursing homes by chiropodists is just €7.03 after the first visit; if her attention has further been drawn to the fact that the Health Service Executive has sought sanction from her Department to increase its rate to a uniform charge of €29.96 which applies in other areas of the health board; and the reason with the new independent Health Service Executive, it is necessary to obtain departmental sanction to apply uniform rates of payments. [26705/05]

Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children (Ms Harney)

Different arrangements were in operation in the various health boards in respect of the provision of chiropody services before the Health Service Executive was established. I am conscious of the need to standardise arrangements under the new structure. The Department, in consultation with the HSE, is examining how best to achieve this in the context of the unified structure having regard to agreed pay policy.

Seymour Crawford

Question:

269 Mr. Crawford asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if her attention has been drawn to the lack of funding to rape crisis centres, refugee centres and other phone help lines; if she will ensure that additional funding will be provided as a matter of urgency; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26706/05]

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

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 of Health and Children has asked the parliamentary affairs division of the HSE to arrange to have the matter investigated and for a reply to issue directly to the Deputy. I assume the Deputy is referring to refuge centres. If that is the case, responsibility for the provision of such centres lies with the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government.

Hospital Services.

Seymour Crawford

Question:

270 Mr. Crawford asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the steps she has taken towards the reopening of Monaghan General Hospital for surgery in view of the fact that all consultants in the Cavan/Monaghan Hospital Group have requested in writing that this be done as a matter of urgency; the meetings she has had with politicians or health executives relating to the Cavan/Monaghan Hospital Group crisis; her views on whether it is value for money to have a modern theatre, surgeons and equipment totally under utilised while the State is paying for treatment through the national treatment purchase fund (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26718/05]

Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children (Ms Harney)

I met Deputies and Senators from counties Monaghan and Cavan on 9 December 2004 to discuss the provision of services at Monaghan General Hospital. The other issues raised in the Deputy's question 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, the Department of Health and Children has asked the parliamentary affairs division of the HSE to arrange to have the matter investigated and for a reply to issue directly to the Deputy.

Question No. 271 answered with QuestionNo. 235.

Question No. 272 answered with QuestionNo. 255.

Question No. 273 answered with QuestionNo. 235.

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.

Health Forums.

My Department is not the employer of the person to whom the Deputy refers. The Department has, in the past, dealt with allegations made by the person referred to by the Deputy against officials of this Department. The Department carried out an examination of the allegations and found no evidence to support them.

I am pleased to advise the Deputy that a number of measures have been adopted to improve orthodontic services on a national basis. The grade of specialist in orthodontics has been created in the orthodontic service. My Department and the Health Service Executive, HSE, have funded 22 dentists from various HSE areas for specialist in orthodontics qualifications at training programmes in Ireland and at three separate universities in the United Kingdom. The most recent group of 13 trainees have now completed their training and have taken up posts in the HSE since 1 October 2005. This means that almost half the orthodontists in Ireland are now working in the public health service.

My Department has been informed by the HSE that, at the end of the June 2005 quarter, there were 23,216 patients receiving orthodontic treatment in the public orthodontic service. This means that there are over twice as many patients getting orthodontic treatment as there are waiting to be treated and more than 7,000 extra patients are getting treatment from the HSE since the end of the June 2001 quarter. The improvement in quality of treatment and numbers being treated is directly attributable to the steps that have already been taken and will continue to be taken to ensure ongoing improvements to the service. The addition of 13 specialists in orthodontics to the service since 1 October 2005 will have a further significant impact on numbers in treatment and waiting lists.

My Department has met the HSE regarding the latest joint committee report. Since that meeting the HSE, to ensure ongoing training, has committed funding for the training of a further four orthodontists. My Department, in conjunction with the HSE, is considering each of the recommendations set out in the report of the joint committee.

Tax Collection.

Paul McGrath

Question:

284 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Finance the number of companies who are in arrears on their obligations to pay PRSI; and the amount of PRSI outstanding from those employers. [26599/05]

Paul McGrath

Question:

285 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Finance the number of employers who are three months, six months, nine months, 12 months or longer in arrears of PRSI payments to his Department; the average amount owing for each time frame described above and the total amount owing by employers. [26600/05]

Minister for Finance (Mr. Cowen)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 284 and 285 together.

I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that PRSI and health levy are paid as one amount. The total amount paid annually by employers for each of the past five years is as follows:

Tax Year	PRSI and Levy paid by employers
	€m
2004	6,881
2003	6,177
2002	5,775
2001	5,169
2000	4,391

The number of employers, excluding those with minor amounts, with PRSI and health levy outstanding is in the region of 11,000 out of a total number of live employer registrations of 193,000. Cases with debts are all subject to ongoing collection and compliance activity by Revenue. PRSI and health levy outstanding for all years to end 2004, at 31 March 2005 was €176 million. This represents 2.5% of total PRSI and health levy collected in 2004 and is in line with the overall levels of tax outstanding. It is not possible to give a breakdown for the timeframes requested.

Tax Code.

James Breen

Question:

286 Mr. J. Breen asked the Minister for Finance if he will give the same concessions to the visually impaired as are available to other people who suffer from disabilities in relation to VAT refund on components purchased by the aforementioned; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26734/05]

Minister for Finance (Mr. Cowen)

I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that under certain circumstances a claim for refund of VAT may be considered in accordance with Value Added Tax (Refund of Tax) (No. 15) Order 1981. This order enables VAT paid on qualifying goods to be refunded where the goods are purchased for the exclusive use of disabled persons suffering a specified degree of disablement. Visually impaired persons are regarded as coming within the terms of this order and VAT refunds are regularly made in respect of qualifying items considered necessary to that particular disability. For such persons, qualifying items would include specially adapted computer equipment, braille books, braille writing equipment, braille converters and radar devices.

If the Deputy has a particular case or particular component in mind, he should contact the VAT Repayments Section in the Revenue Commissioners, Government Offices, Kilrush Road, Ennis, County Clare, who would be glad to clarify the position.

Tax Yield.

Richard Bruton

Question:

287 Mr. Bruton asked the Minister for Finance the tax revenue from housing in each of the years 1997 to 2005 distinguishing the revenue raised from VAT, stamp duties on new sites, stamp duty on second-hand sales, capital gains taxes on new sites and from home sales. [26225/05]

Minister for Finance (Mr. Cowen)

I have been informed by the Revenue Commissioners that the information requested by the Deputy as regards value added tax, VAT, stamp duty and capital gains tax, CGT, is as follows.

The figures available for VAT are of the estimated yields from new housing and the maintenance and repair to all housing for the years 1997 to 2004, inclusive. In the case of the sale of a new house or apartment to a purchaser, VAT applies at the reduced rate of 13.5% both on its construction and on the site where these are connected contracts and is included in the final price of the property to the purchaser. No VAT applies in respect of the purchase of a second-hand house. However, VAT, also at 13.5%, applies on housing repair and maintenance. The relevant information available in respect of VAT is the estimated yield as follows.

Year	New housing	Housing repair and maintenance	Total
	€m	€m	€m
1997	367	205	572
1998	494	217	711
1999	641	289	931
2000	809	332	1,141
2001	927	382	1,309
2002	1,100	336	1,436
2003	1,541	332	1,873
2004	1,999	364	2,364

The figures given for the VAT raised in 2003 are a revision of figures provided previously. The revision was necessitated by more accurate information becoming available in the interim.

In the case of stamp duty, the figures available are of the total collected from residential property. However, data are not collected in a manner that would enable a more detailed breakdown of the annual yield to be provided as between second-hand and relevant new residential property. Stamp duty is also chargeable on transfers of sites at the appropriate rates for non-residential property but it is not possible to determine what proportion of the total stamp duty yield on non-residential property relates to site transfers. The following table shows the figures for stamp duty yield from residential property for each of the years 1997 to 2004 and for 2005 to the end of July 2005.

Year	€m
1997	194
1998	213
1999	263
2000	282
2001	265
2002	349
2003	528
2004	752
2005 (to end July)	464

The end-July 2005 figure is provisional and subject to revision. The stamp duty figures shown are estimated for 1997 to 2000, inclusive, because the breakdown in the yield figures for property as between residential and non-residential is approximate only for those years. As regards CGT, the precise information requested by the Deputy is not available.

Richard Bruton

Question:

288 Mr. Bruton asked the Minister for Finance the tax revenue raised from each of the motor fuels in each year from 1997 to 2005. [26226/05]

Minister for Finance (Mr. Cowen)

I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that the period for which data are available is 1997 to August 2005, inclusive. As regards data pertaining to 2005, estimated revenue to end-August only can be provided. The relevant information has been forwarded to the Deputy.

Estimated Excise and VAT Yield from Motor Fuels.
	1997	1998	1999	2000	2001	2002	2003	2004	20051
	€m	€m	€m	€m	€m	€m	€m	€m	€m
Petrol
Excise	602	677	720	755	725	854	854	971	704
Estimated VAT	196	207	223	288	264	286	290	328	237
Total	797	884	944	1,043	989	1,140	1,144	1,298	940
Auto Diesel
Excise	429	509	583	624	519	660	731	889	632
Estimated VAT	17	19	22	29	27	30	32	38	29
Total	445	528	605	653	546	690	764	927	661
Auto LPG
Excise	0.5	0.4	0.3	0.3	0.1	0.1	0.1	0.1	0.1
Estimated VAT	0.5	0.4	0.4	0.3	0.3	0.2	0.1	0.1	0.1
Total	1.0	0.7	0.6	0.6	0.4	0.3	0.2	0.2	0.1

Total	1,243	1,413	1,549	1,697	1,536	1,831	1,908	2,226	1,601

12005 data relates only to end August 2005-10-05

The figures for VAT collected are estimated as VAT returns are not required to be completed in a manner that identifies the yield from particular goods and services. The figures given for the revenue raised from auto LPG is a downward revision of those provided in reply to a previous parliamentary question on 17 November last. The revision was necessitated by more accurate information becoming available in the interim.

Tax Code.

Richard Bruton

Question:

289 Mr. Bruton asked the Minister for Finance the excise charged per unit of alcohol on the different categories of alcohol products subject to VAT. [26227/05]

Minister for Finance (Mr. Cowen)

I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that the position is as set out in the following table which shows the comparative incidence of excise duty — alcohol products tax — per degree of alcohol contained in the main types of alcoholic beverage, taking products of typical strength within each category.

Per litre per 1% alcohol
Wine: @ 12.5%	Beer: All	Spirits: All	Cider: @ 4.5%	Sparkling Wine @ 12%	Sherry/ Port @ 18%
€0.218	€0.1987	€0.3925	€0.185	€0.455	€0.220

Spirits and beer are charged on the basis of their alcohol content — per degree of alcohol. The other products are charged on a volume basis, that is, the same rate, per hectolitre of product, is applied to products within certain bands of strength. A schedule of current rates has been forwarded to the Deputy.

Description of Product	Rate of Duty
	€
Spirits	39.25 per litre of alcohol in the spirits
Beer
Exceeding 1.2% vol	19.87 per hectolitre per cent of alcohol in the beer
Other beer	Nil
Wine
Still and sparkling, not exceeding 5.5% vol	90.98 per hectolitre
Still, exceeding 5.5% vol but not exceeding 15% vol	273.00 per hectolitre
Still, exceeding 15% vol	396.12 per hectolitre
Sparkling, exceeding 5.5% vol	546.01 per hectolitre
Other Fermented Beverages
(1) Cider and Perry
Still and sparkling, not exceeding 6.0% vol	83.25 per hectolitre
Still and sparkling, exceeding 6.0% vol but not exceeding 8.5% vol	192.47 per hectolitre
Still, exceeding 8.5% vol	273.00 per hectolitre
Sparkling, exceeding 8.5% vol	546.01 per hectolitre
(2) Other than Cider and Perry
Still and sparkling, not exceeding 5.5% vol	90.98 per hectolitre
Still, exceeding 5.5% vol	273.00 per hectolitre
Sparkling, exceeding 5.5% vol	546.01 per hectolitre
Intermediate Beverages
Still, not exceeding 15% vol	273.00 per hectolitre
Still, exceeding 15% vol	396.12 per hectolitre
Sparkling	546.01 per hectolitre

The VAT rating of goods and services is subject to the requirements of EU VAT law with which Irish VAT law must comply. The EU Sixth VAT Directive requires the supply of alcohol to be subject to the standard rate of VAT, which in Ireland is set at 21%.

Denis Naughten

Question:

290 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Finance the steps he intends to take to address the cost of fuel for the licensed haulage industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26276/05]

Minister for Finance (Mr. Cowen)

Fuel prices are driven by a number of factors, including the price of oil on international markets, exchange rates, production costs and refining costs. The rise in oil prices over recent periods reflected additional factors such as geopolitical uncertainty, supply disruptions and strong economic growth in catch-up countries such as China. Mineral oil taxes are a factor influencing fuel prices.

As the Deputy will be aware, changes in taxation are made in the context of the annual budget and, accordingly, any requests made regarding changes in tax rates are considered in the period leading up to the budget. The Deputy will appreciate that it is neither practical nor prudent to adjust tax rates between budgets. However, it should be noted that Ireland's mineral oil tax on petrol and diesel is below that of our main EU trading partners and, as the Deputy may be aware, I did not increase taxation on motor fuels of any description in last year's budget.

A submission has been made to me in this connection on behalf of the licensed haulage industry by the Irish Road Haulage Association and officials of my Department met representatives of that association recently. The proposals made in its submission, which were elaborated on at the aforementioned meeting, will be examined in the context of the forthcoming budget.

Departmental Properties.

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Question:

291 Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Finance the plans the Office of Public Works has to ensure that the former social welfare office in Victoria Street, Dublin 8, is properly cleaned up and secured; and the plans for the future of this building. [26288/05]

Minister of State at the Department of Finance (Mr. Parlon)

The Commissioners of Public Works are aware of the current state of this building and have arranged a detailed condition report to be prepared. Remedial works have already been undertaken to the roof so as to minimise any damage to the building. The commissioners hold this building by way of lease with only a short period to run. It is intended to surrender the lease on the due date. In the meantime, the Commissioners of Public Works are committed to adhering to the terms and conditions of the lease on this property and will carry out in the near future any works deemed necessary to maintain the property to an acceptable standard.

Tax Code.

Richard Bruton

Question:

292 Mr. Bruton asked the Minister for Finance the reason for implementing section 12 of the Finance Act 2005; the additional costs which arise for State employees living abroad; the number of State employees who have been certified as tax exempt under section 12; the value of the tax exemption of State employees to date; if section 12 applies retrospectively; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26305/05]

Minister for Finance (Mr. Cowen)

Section 12 of the Finance Act 2005 provides for the Minister for Finance, in consultation with the Minister for Foreign Affairs or a relevant other Minister, to certify as exempt from taxation certain allowances which provide compensation to officers of the State for the extra costs of having to live outside the State in order to perform their duties. The provision is aimed mainly at civil servants attached to diplomatic missions but it also covers members of the Garda Síochána and the Permanent Defence Force on certain overseas postings. The purpose of the provision was to give a statutory basis to a de facto position where these allowances were treated as exempt from tax by the State. It is also in line with the general international practice of exempting such allowances from tax.

The additional costs for State employees posted abroad vary from one foreign location to another but may arise in respect of differences in costs of living, extra costs in the performance of duties, accommodation costs and additional expenses relating to the care and education of children. There are approximately 340 officers of the State, mainly officers of the Department of Foreign Affairs, who are in receipt of allowances covered by the exemption.

The tax treatment of these allowances reflects the fact that they are calculated to cover the additional costs incurred by officers of the State who are posted abroad. Section 12 clarifies the tax position of such officers but does not give rise to any additional Exchequer costs. The question of retrospection did not arise as the provision gave legal effect to an existing long-standing practice.

Paul McGrath

Minister for Finance (Mr. Cowen)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 301 to 303, inclusive, together.

I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that the latest figure of the total number of active SSIA accounts, based on the SSIA annual returns by all qualifying savings managers, is at 31 December 2004. This figure was 1,094,294. The average monthly subscription at that date was €175.

The monthly cost to the Exchequer for SSIAs since the scheme commenced is set out in the following table:

Claims
Year	Month
	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	June	July	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec	Total
2001	—	—	—	—	—	2.0	6.1	9.1	11.0	12.6	14.2	16.0	71.0
2002	17.8	19.3	21.0	25.6	43.1	44.4	43.5	44.1	43.6	43.6	43.5	43.5	433.0
2003	44.4	44.8	44.1	44.0	44.2	44.0	44.3	44.3	44.1	44.9	44.8	44.0	531.9
2004	45.2	44.8	44.2	45.6	45.1	45.8	46.0	45.3	46.3	46.3	46.4	47.0	548.0
2005	47.0	47.9	48.1	48.8	48.5	50.3	50.3	50.4	—	—	—	—	391.4

The total amount invested in the scheme since its commencement, according to Revenue Commissioners data, is set out in the following table.

Period	Subscriptions
	€ million
May-December 2001	356.6
January- December 2002	1,859.3
January-December 2003	2,187.3
January-December 2004	2,264.8
January-July 2005	1,408.3
Total	8,076.3

It is not possible to give a definitive answer as to the eventual cost of the scheme and the total estimated amount invested in the scheme, as it is subject to a number of variables such as participants dying, withdrawing from the scheme or varying their monthly contributions. The Exchequer cost of the scheme to date is as outlined above. The estimated cost in 2005, based on the average tax credit payout in the first eight months of 2005, is €587 million but this is not a conclusive figure, and the final figure may be different if account holders change their monthly contributions. The total gross cost over the period of the scheme will be reduced by the exit tax to be received at the end. For these reasons, together with the fact that any gains arising is a matter for the relevant financial institution, it is not possible to estimate the total amount of subscriptions upon completion of the scheme and the amount available to SSIA holders on maturity.

Tax Yield.

Paul McGrath

Question:

304 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Finance the annual revenue on fuels, petrol, diesel, gas and home heating oil when the fuel is priced at 80 cent per litre, 100 cent per litre, 120 cent per litre and 140 cent per litre. [26605/05]

Minister for Finance (Mr. Cowen)

I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that the annual revenue from fuels when priced at 80, 100, 120 and 140 cent per litre, based on total volume consumption in 2004, would be as presented in the following table:

	Excise	Estimated VAT	Total
	€m	€m	€m
80 Cent
Petrol	969	304	1,273
Diesel	874	34	908
Marked Gas Oil	69	66	135
Kerosene	33	100	133
100 Cent
Petrol	969	380	1,349
Diesel	874	42	916
Marked Gas Oil	69	82	151
Kerosene	33	125	158
120 Cent
Petrol	969	456	1,425
Diesel	874	51	925
Marked Gas Oil	69	98	167
Kerosene	33	150	183
140 Cent
Petrol	969	532	1,501
Diesel	874	59	933
Marked Gas Oil	69	115	184
Kerosene	33	175	208

European Council.

Dan Boyle

Question:

305 Mr. Boyle asked the Minister for Finance the way in which his Department will be responding to the agreements reached by Ministers under the topic of current economic situation and oil at the latest ECOFIN meeting, especially the commitment to develop more effective international co-operation on energy efficiency and development of clean technologies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26617/05]

Minister for Finance (Mr. Cowen)

Ministers at the recent ECOFIN agreed that dialogue at EU level with major oil producing regions should be progressed. This is under way and the European Commission is looking at options to improve the transparency of oil markets with respect to available data. In respect of the agreement that Ministers should pursue policies aimed at promoting energy efficiency, any further options that emerge with respect to how international co-operation can facilitate this, will be explored fully. With respect to current international agreements, the Government is fully committed to the Kyoto Protocol and the international response to combat climate change. I am open-minded towards initiatives in the tax area which can impact positively on the environment but in reviewing any such initiatives have to be mindful of competitiveness issues and the impact of any particular measure across the overall community.

Tax Code.

Dan Boyle

Question:

306 Mr. Boyle asked the Minister for Finance his views on Austrian Chancellor Wolfgang Schuessel’s suggestion that the EU could part-fund its budget with a levy on international financial transactions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26618/05]

Minister for Finance (Mr. Cowen)

The Austrian Chancellor recently stated there should be an automatic financing mechanism for part of the EU budget, for example, through taxation of international financial transactions. The issue of a currency transactions tax, Tobin tax, has been considered in several fora, including the informal ECOFIN meeting at Liege on 22 September 2001. The Belgian Presidency indicated it wished to pursue the matter in the context of a general study to be carried out by the Commission on the issue of globalisation. However, most EU Finance Ministers at that time had reservations about the Tobin tax proposal. Many believed it was not clear that a further examination of the issue by the Commission would ensure that satisfactory answers would be given to the many real questions concerning the tax, including the difficulties relating to practical implementation of the tax; its doubtful effect on short-term speculative capital movements; its conflict with the basic tenet of free capital movement in the EU; its disproportionate effect on small business and consumers; the probability that the tax would simply drive participants into other, non-taxable, alternatives; and the negative impact on liquidity in the foreign exchange market. I am of the same view.

Nevertheless, at a formal ECOFIN meeting on 16 October 2001, it was agreed the Commission would carry out a study on globalisation and that this study would examine the arguments for and against a Tobin tax. The study, Responses to the Challenges of Globalisation, was published on 14 February 2002. On the matter of the Tobin tax, the study concluded that "while as a source of additional revenue a currency transaction tax may look appealing, its feasibility is, however, not demonstrated". This issue has also been raised at EU level in 2005 in the context of the financing of development aid but was dismissed by the EU Commission for reasons such as those already outlined. As indicated in replies to previous parliamentary questions on this matter, I do not propose to introduce such a tax as I remain unconvinced of its feasibility.

Tax Yield.

Joan Burton

Question:

307 Ms Burton asked the Minister for Finance the bands of income of €10,000 and the income tax rate paid by taxpayers with an income in excess of €100,000. [26743/05]

Minister for Finance (Mr. Cowen)

I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that the most recent basic data on incomes available from which information of the type requested by the Deputy could be derived are in respect of the income tax year 2002 and is set out in the following tables. However, because of the Revenue Commissioners' obligation to observe confidentiality in the taxation affairs of individual taxpayers and small groups of taxpayers, the breakdown by income bands requested by the Deputy is not provided for incomes exceeding €1 million due to the small numbers of income earners with incomes in excess of that level.

A married couple who has elected or has been deemed to have elected for joint assessment is counted as one tax unit. Married couples and individuals with income chargeable to tax under both schedule E and schedule D have been classified in the attached tables by reference to the schedule under which the larger amount of income is taxable.

The designation of a tax rate to an income earner in the tables is based on identifying the top tax rate applying to the taxable income of each earner. To arrive at the figure for taxable income, the gross income is reduced by various relevant deductions and allowances such as capital allowances, losses, allowable expenses and retirement annuities. In some cases, these will reduce the taxable income to nil. The information on incomes is based on income returns on Revenue's records at the time the data were compiled for analytical purposes, representing about 95% of all returns expected.

INCOME TAX 2002
Numbers of all income earners with incomes exceeding €100,000
Range of Gross Income*	No net liability for income tax	Liable for tax at the standard rate (20%) or marginal relief	Liable for tax at the higher rate (42%)	Overall
	Single*	Married	Total	Single*	Married	Total	Single*	Married	Total	Total
100,000 110,000	8	21	29	9	101	110	1,255	7,908	9,163	9,302
110,000 120,000	3	15	18	5	53	58	857	5,381	6,238	6,314
120,000 130,000	1	22	23	3	58	61	645	3,827	4,472	4,556
130,000 140,000	3	13	16	3	32	35	482	2,901	3,383	3,434
140,000 150,000	2	8	10	3	24	27	384	2,232	2,616	2,653
150,000 160,000	5	11	16	0	25	25	302	1,794	2,096	2,137
160,000 170,000	0	3	3	1	22	23	262	1,496	1,758	1,784
170,000 180,000	2	5	7	1	19	20	210	1,269	1,479	1,506
180,000 190,000	2	7	9	4	16	20	177	1,055	1,232	1,261
190,000 200,000	4	3	7	1	11	12	150	968	1,118	1,137
200,000 210,000	1	5	6	1	10	11	132	842	974	991
210,000 220,000	0	6	6	0	8	8	133	651	784	798
220,000 230,000	0	7	7	0	10	10	109	585	694	711
230,000 240,000	1	5	6	1	6	7	82	499	581	594
240,000 250,000	1	0	1	1	1	2	74	521	595	598
250,000 260,000	0	0	0	0	1	1	62	401	463	464
260,000 270,000	1	4	5	1	6	7	59	371	430	442
270,000 280,000	0	2	2	2	8	10	54	338	392	404
280,000 290,000	1	1	2	0	1	1	53	300	353	356
290,000 300,000	1	2	3	0	1	1	44	279	323	327
300,000 310,000	2	1	3	0	1	1	39	271	310	314
310,000 320,000	0	3	3	0	4	4	31	228	259	266
320,000 330,000	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
330,000 340,000	0	3	3	0	5	5	68	399	467	475
340,000 350,000	1	1	2	1	2	3	33	188	221	226
350,000 360,000	0	0	0	0	2	2	22	179	201	203
360,000 370,000	0	2	2	0	1	1	17	149	166	169
370,000 380,000	0	0	0	0	2	2	26	127	153	155
380,000 390,000	0	1	1	1	1	2	21	132	153	156
390,000 400,000	0	1	1	0	1	1	12	102	114	116
400,000 410,000	1	4	5	0	0	0	27	118	145	150
410,000 420,000	0	2	2	0	2	2	21	103	124	128
420,000 430,000	0	0	0	0	2	2	14	108	122	124
430,000 440,000	0	0	0	0	1	1	12	79	91	92
440,000 450,000	1	1	2	0	1	1	14	94	108	111
450,000 460,000	0	1	1	0	0	0	17	76	93	94
460,000 470,000	0	0	0	0	0	0	14	77	91	91
470,000 480,000	0	1	1	0	0	0	9	75	84	85
480,000 490,000	0	0	0	0	1	1	5	70	75	76
490,000 500,000	0	0	0	1	0	1	13	52	65	66
500,000 510,000	0	1	1	0	1	1	11	63	74	76
510,000 520,000	0	0	0	0	2	2	9	65	74	76
520,000 530,000	0	0	0	0	2	2	8	45	53	55
530,000 540,000	0	0	0	0	0	0	13	54	67	67
540,000 550,000	0	0	0	0	0	0	7	39	46	46
550,000 560,000	0	0	0	0	1	1	3	54	57	58
560,000 570,000	0	0	0	0	0	0	7	44	51	51
570,000 580,000	0	0	0	0	0	0	2	46	48	48
580,000 590,000	0	0	0	0	0	0	2	33	35	35
590,000 600,000	0	0	0	0	0	0	3	35	38	38
600,000 610,000	0	0	0	0	1	1	4	34	38	39
610,000 620,000	0	0	0	0	0	0	7	27	34	34
620,000 630,000	0	2	2	0	1	1	6	28	34	37
630,000 640,000	0	1	1	0	0	0	9	37	46	47
640,000 650,000	0	1	1	0	0	0	4	31	35	36
650,000 660,000	0	0	0	0	0	0	5	32	37	37
660,000 670,000	0	1	1	0	1	1	2	31	33	35
670,000 680,000	0	1	1	0	0	0	4	20	24	25
680,000 690,000	0	0	0	0	0	0	3	23	26	26
690,000 700,000	0	0	0	0	0	0	5	37	42	42
700,000 710,000	0	0	0	0	0	0	3	26	29	29
710,000 720,000	0	0	0	0	1	1	4	25	29	30
720,000 730,000	0	0	0	0	0	0	4	22	26	26
730,000 740,000	0	0	0	0	0	0	6	27	33	33
740,000 750,000	0	0	0	0	0	0	4	25	29	29
750,000 760,000	0	1	1	0	0	0	1	16	17	18
760,000 770,000	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	17	18	18
770,000 780,000	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	12	13	13
780,000 790,000	0	0	0	1	1	2	3	12	15	17
790,000 800,000	0	0	0	0	1	1	0	18	18	19
800,000 810,000	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	13	13	13
810,000 820,000	0	1	1	0	0	0	1	6	7	8
820,000 830,000	0	1	1	0	0	0	2	11	13	14
830,000 840,000	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	11	12	12
840,000 850,000	0	0	0	0	0	0	2	10	12	12
850,000 860,000	0	0	0	0	0	0	2	16	18	18
860,000 870,000	0	0	0	0	1	1	2	9	11	12
870,000 880,000	0	1	1	0	0	0	0	13	13	14
880,000 890,000	0	0	0	0	1	1	1	9	10	11
890,000 900,000	0	0	0	0	1	1	1	7	8	9
900,000 910,000	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	10	11	11
910,000 920,000	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	8	9	9
920,000 930,000	0	0	0	0	0	0	2	9	11	11
930,000 940,000	0	0	0	0	0	0	3	5	8	8
940,000 950,000	0	0	0	0	1	1	0	4	4	5
950,000 960,000	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	7	8	8
960,000 970,000	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	6	6	6
970,000 980,000	0	0	0	0	0	0	3	4	7	7
980,000 990,000	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	9	9	9
890,000 900,000	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	5	6	6
Over 1,000,000	1	4	5	1	5	6	67	359	426	437
	42	176	218	41	460	501	6,173	37,754	43,927	44,646

"Single" includes widowed persons.

Joan Burton

Question:

308 Ms Burton asked the Minister for Finance the excise duty and approximate VAT charge on a litre of home heating oil in the domestic market in September 2005; and the amount of excise duty and VAT included in the cost of a typical delivery of 1000 litres of home heating oil. [26744/05]

Minister for Finance (Mr. Cowen)

I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that the excise duty and VAT on a litre of home heating oil and the amount of excise duty and VAT for a delivery of 1,000 litres of home heating oil at September 2005 are set out in the followingtable.

Product	Per litre	Per 1,000 litres
	Price (cents)	Excise (cents)	VAT (cents)	Total Tax (cents)	Excise €	VAT €	Total Tax €
Kerosene	66.9	3.2	8.0	11.2	31.74	79.57	111.31
Marked Gas Oil	65.4	4.7	7.8	12.5	47.36	77.79	125.15

This table is based on a price of €669 for 1,000 litres of kerosene and €654 for 1,000 litres of home heating diesel on 6 September 2005.

Joan Burton

Question:

309 Ms Burton asked the Minister for Finance the amount of excise duty which has been received on home heating oil in 2002, 2003 and 2004. [26745/05]

Minister for Finance (Mr. Cowen)

I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that the information available for home heating oil refers to the consumption of kerosene and marked gas oil. While the majority of kerosene is used for home heating purposes, it should be noted that marked gas oil, as well as being used for home heating purposes, is also used for industrial and commercial heating, agricultural use and transport. The amount of excise duty received for kerosene and marked gas oil from 2002 to 2004 is set out in the following table.

Year	Kerosene	Marked Gas Oil	Total
	€m	€m	€m
2002	30	66	96
2003	31	70	101
2004	33	52	85

Joan Burton

Question:

310 Ms Burton asked the Minister for Finance the amount of VAT which has been received on home heating oil in 2002, 2003 and 2004. [26746/05]

Joan Burton

Question:

311 Ms Burton asked the Minister for Finance the amount of additional VAT revenue on home heating oil received in 2004 due to price rises; the amount of additional VAT revenue he will receive in 2005 and 2006 due to price rises; if the current end of September 2005 prices will prevail until the end of 2005 and throughout 2006. [26747/05]

Minister for Finance (Mr. Cowen)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 310 and 311 together.

I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that the information available for home heating oil refers to the consumption of kerosene and a portion of the consumption of marked gas oil. Marked gas oil, as well as being used for home heating purposes, is also used for industrial and commercial heating, agricultural use and transport. While it is assumed that almost all of the usage of kerosene involves home heating, it is not possible to accurately state what portion of the total usage of marked gas oil is used for home heating purposes. The information furnished on VAT returns does not require the yield from particular sectors of trade to be identified.

The overall amount of VAT which was received on kerosene and the full usage of marked gas oil is estimated in the following table.

Year	Kerosene	Marked Gas Oil	Total
	€m	€m	€m
2002	42	28	70
2003	48	31	79
2004	53	34	86

The additional estimated VAT revenue on all kerosene and the full usage of marked gas oil, which was received in 2004 due to price rises during 2004, and the further additional amounts of VAT revenue expected in 2005 and in 2006 due to price rises, if it is assumed that end of September 2005 prices will prevail until the end of 2005 and throughout 2006, are set out in the following table.

Year	Kerosene	Marked Gas Oil	Total
	€m	€m	€m
2004	4.7	5.6	10.3
2005	12.8	8.3	21.1
2006	14.9	8.5	23.4

The extent to which spending in the economy is re-allocated to home heating oil and away from other VAT liable spending so that the overall level of economic activity is reduced by higher oil prices, may be of little or no net gain to the Exchequer. It should be noted that the VAT content of purchases of kerosene and marked gas oil is a deductible credit for business in the VAT system.

Joan Burton

Question:

312 Ms Burton asked the Minister for Finance the amount of additional VAT revenue on LPG which was received in 2004 due to price rises; the amount of additional VAT revenue he will receive in 2005 and 2006 due to price rises; if the current end of September 2005 prices will prevail until the end of 2005 and throughout 2006. [26748/05]

Minister for Finance (Mr. Cowen)

I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that the increase in VAT revenue arising during 2004 due to movement in national average retail prices for LPG is estimated at €800,000.

If it is assumed that end of September 2005 prices will prevail until the end of 2005 and throughout 2006, then the amount of additional VAT revenue that will be received is estimated to be €500,000 in 2005 with a further additional amount of €800,000 for 2006. These estimates are based on provisional volume clearances for 2005 up to the end of August and on the assumption that there is no fall in consumption levels.

It should be borne in mind that to the extent that spending in the economy is re-allocated to LPG and away from other VAT liable spending and to the extent that the overall level of economic activity is reduced by higher oil prices, there may be little or no net gain to the Exchequer. It should be noted that the value-added tax content of LPG purchases are treated as a deductible credit for business in the Irish VAT system.

Joan Burton

Question:

313 Ms Burton asked the Minister for Finance the amount of VAT which was received on sales of gas in 2002, 2003 and 2004; the amount of additional VAT revenue which was received on sales of gas in 2004 due to price rises; the amount of additional VAT revenue on sales of gas which will be received in 2005 and 2006 due to price rises taking account of the recently announced 25% price increase and the amount of VAT revenue which was attributable to sales to domestic households. [26749/05]

Minister for Finance (Mr. Cowen)

I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that the information available pertains to the estimated net VAT received from users of natural gas for the years 2002 to 2004. The information to be furnished on VAT returns does not require the yield from particular sectors of trade to be identified. It is, therefore, not possible to identify what portion of the net VAT received relates to sales of gas to domestic households.

The estimated amount of VAT received on sales of gas for the years 2002 to 2004 which would include VAT from unregistered or exempt businesses as well as domestic consumers is for 2002, €33.9 million; for 2003, €42.2 million; and for 2004, € 45.9 million.

I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that the increase in VAT revenue arising during 2004 due to movement in national average retail prices for petrol is estimated at €22.9 million. If it is assumed that current end of September 2005 prices will prevail until the end of 2005 and throughout 2006, then the amount of additional VAT revenue that will be received is estimated to be €43.7 million for 2005 and €46 million for 2006. These estimates are based on provisional volume clearances for 2005 up to the end of August and on the assumption that there is no fall in consumption levels.

It must be borne in mind that to the extent that spending in the economy is re-allocated to petrol and away from other VAT liable spending and to the extent that the overall level of economic activity is reduced by higher oil prices, there may be little or no net gain to the Exchequer.

Joan Burton

Question:

321 Ms Burton asked the Minister for Finance the amount of additional VAT revenue on diesel which was received in 2004 due to price rises; the amount of additional VAT revenue he will receive in 2005 and 2006 due to price rises if it is assumed that current end of September 2005 prices will prevail until the end of 2005 and throughout 2006; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26757/05]

Minister for Finance (Mr. Cowen)

I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that the increase in VAT revenue arising during 2004 due to movement in national average retail prices for auto diesel is estimated at €2.9 million.

If it is assumed that current end of September 2005 prices will prevail until the end of 2005 and throughout 2006, then the amount of additional VAT revenue that will be received is estimated to be €3.7 million for 2005 and €3.7 million for 2006. These estimates are based on provisional volume clearances for 2005 up to the end of August and on the assumption that there is no fall in consumption levels.

It must be borne in mind that to the extent that spending in the economy is re-allocated to diesel and away from other VAT liable spending and to the extent that the overall level of economic activity is reduced by higher oil prices, there may be little or no net gain to the Exchequer. It should also be noted that the value-added tax content of auto diesel purchases is a deductible credit for business in the Irish VAT system.

Departmental Funding.

Olivia Mitchell

Question:

322 Ms O. Mitchell asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the purpose for which a reported further €4 million was allocated to the Digital Hub project; his plans for the project including whether it is to be wound up; and the salaries paid to senior executives and remuneration to board members. [26527/05]

Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources (Mr. N. Dempsey)

325 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if his attention has been drawn to the current threat to salmon stocks by a parasite worm Anisakis simplex (details supplied); if his attention has further been drawn to the fact that fish infected with this parasite can pass the parasite on to all other fish in that river; if his attention has further been drawn to the fact that fish infected with this parasite are not safe to handle or eat; if he will issue warnings to persons who could come in contact with infected fish not to handle them without protective clothing as the parasite could enter the body through open wounds and so on; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26360/05]

Minister of State at the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources (Mr. Gallagher)

I thank the Deputy for providing me with the opportunity to allay any fears among the public caused by inaccurate reports about a particular parasite affecting salmon stocks. I am advised by the Marine Institute that in early September anglers had noticed that some salmon caught on the River Blackwater were infected with a parasite. Samples were analysed and the parasite was identified as Anisakis species. Anisakis is not uncommon. The best advice to the public is to observe good hygiene practice by washing hands after handling fresh fish and to thoroughly cook fish as normal. The most important thing to emphasise is that parasites in fish are parasites of cold-water animals. Once the flesh of the fish is well cooked there is no risk to human health.

The occurrence of this parasite does not represent serious infectious pressure to the coarse fish population. Salmon can be intermediate hosts or occasionally final hosts for this parasite. In order for freshwater fish to become infected, they must eat returning salmon, or possibly flesh from dead salmon. If freshwater fish were to become infected, they would merely act as another intermediate host. The life cycle of the parasite would not be completed in these freshwater fish. There can be no association between falling salmon numbers and the burden of Anisakis so far described. There is no history of high numbers in Irish salmon or of the capability of Anisakis to cause epidemics that might wipe out populations of fish. Indeed some authors describe Anisakis as being of little importance except for the human aspect. Anglers who are concerned about any apparent parasitic infestations or diseases in fish should contact their local regional fisheries board staff, who will know who to contact and how best to collect and preserve fish for examination.

Postal Services.

Olivia Mitchell

Question:

326 Ms O. Mitchell asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the steps he intends to take to ensure the restoration of former levels of postal service; and if his attention has been drawn to the detrimental social and economic effects of ongoing delays in delivery. [26373/05]

Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources (Mr. N. Dempsey)

Matters relating to quality and levels of postal service are a matter in the first instance for the management and board of An Post. The standards of service delivery in the postal sector are set out in the two European postal directives which outline the universal service obligations which universal service providers must honour, including An Post.

The independent communications regulator, ComReg, is responsible for the monitoring, measurement and regulation of the postal sector including measuring the levels of service against those set out in the postal directives. The quality service target for the nationwide next day delivery of single piece priority mail set for An Post by ComReg during 2004 was 94%. The results of the measurement of compliance with this target reported that 78% of national mail was delivered the next day during the most recent measurement period. This represents an improvement of 8% on the similar period last year.

Alternative Energy Projects.

Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources (Mr. N. Dempsey)

I am favourably disposed towards the introduction of postcodes because of the case made that a national postcode system would offer significant potential benefits for the postal business, for public utilities, for business and for consumers and the general public including addressing the issue of non-unique addresses. To examine the matter further, I established a working group comprising people with experience of the postal sector, together with a representative from the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, which is the lead Department for the Irish spatial data infrastructure initiative to examine the high level issues relating to the introduction of a postcode system in Ireland. This group produced its report earlier this year.

The report found that the introduction of a publicly available postcode could deliver many potential benefits. The purpose of a postcode system would be to improve efficiencies and quality in the postal sector, to stimulate mail volume growth, to assist utilities and emergency services, to address the problem of non-unique addressing and to facilitate competition by making it easier for new postal operators to enter the market. These improvements collectively will boost the country's competitiveness. Following from the recommendations of the working group report, I asked the Commission for Communications Regulation to appoint project managers to support the postcode project by providing technical and economic advice including matching the costs and benefits of the introduction of a postcode. These managers will be supported by a national postcode project board, comprising representatives of Departments, together with public and private sector organisations which I appointed earlier this year.

Catherine Murphy

Question:

333 Ms C. Murphy asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if he will review the planning and consultation system as it relates to oil and gas finds in view of the experience with the Corrib gas find where the system of project splitting has worked to the disadvantage of the local community; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26506/05]

Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources (Mr. N. Dempsey)

I refute the Deputy's statement that project splitting has worked to the disadvantage of the local community. Where aspects of the development covered by legislation administered by my Department required consultation with local people, this was carried out in accordance with the requisite statutory provisions. The overall Corrib project required separate statutory approvals, consent and licences in respect of six separate elements under various legislative enactments. The elements of the project examined and approved within my Department's responsibility are as follows: under the Continental Shelf Act 1968, for construction of the offshore installation within the continental shelf designated areas, consent was given on 15 April 2002 by the then Minister for Marine and Natural Resources; under the Petroleum and Other Minerals Development Act 1960, the plan of development approval, subject to a number of conditions, was given on 15 April 2002 by the then Minister for Marine and Natural Resources; under the Gas Act 1976, as amended, consent was given on 15 April 2002 by the then Minister for Marine and Natural Resources for the construction of a gas pipeline from the gas field through the offshore up to the terminal building - this is an integral part of the plan of development approval of 15 April 2005; under the Foreshore Act 1933, as amended, a foreshore licence was granted by the then Minister for Marine and Natural Resources on 17 May 2002, in respect of the routing of the pipelines through the foreshore connecting the gas field to the land-based installation. I am satisfied that the regulatory processes were fully complied with.

My Department is currently reviewing the Petroleum and Other Minerals Development Act 1960, as amended, with a view to producing an updated petroleum legislative framework, as well as the Continental Shelf Act 1968. While I have no direct responsibility for planning regulatory matters, planning laws or licensing matters concerning the Environmental Protection Agency, approval given by my predecessor in respect of the plan for development of the field was subject to a number of conditions. Amongst these was the requirement to obtain all necessary planning permissions and an integrated pollution control licence.

Regional Fisheries Boards.

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Question:

334 Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources his plans to replace the regional fisheries boards with one central body; if such a proposal has been considered or discussed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26532/05]

Minister of State at the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources (Mr. Gallagher)

I received the report of the first stage of the high level review of the inland fisheries sector in Ireland from the consultants earlier this year and have considered its findings. It is my intention to bring this report to Government in the very near future and to have it published as soon as possible thereafter. Until such time as the report is presented to Government, I am not in a position to comment on its recommendations or implementation.

Foreshore Licences.

James Breen

Question:

335 Mr. J. Breen asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if the foreshore licence will be granted to the Quilty, Mullagh, Carrigaholt, Labasheeda sewerage schemes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26567/05]

Minister of State at the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources (Mr. Gallagher)

The grant of a foreshore licence to Clare County Council for an effluent outfall pipe in connection with the proposed sewerage scheme for the towns of Quilty, Mullagh, Feakle and Scariff was approved on 8 September. Clare County Council has been furnished with a draft licence and the Department is awaiting the council's agreement to it.

Foreshore applications have not been received by the Department for sewerage schemes at Carrigaholt or Labasheeda.

Harbours and Piers.

James Breen

Question:

336 Mr. J. Breen asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if moneys will be allocated for improvements to the pier and harbour at Doolin, County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26568/05]

Minister of State at the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources (Mr. Gallagher)

Doolin Pier is owned by Clare County Council and responsibility for its maintenance and development is a matter for the local authority in the first instance.

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.

In February 2003, Clare County Council wrote to the Department requesting funding towards the cost of a geo-technical survey that would allow an exact costing of the dredging required at the harbour. The feasibility study, completed in 2002, does not identify any significant fishing activity at Doolin Harbour to justify an investment of the nature proposed. The development needs at Doolin are required to allow the continuation of Doolin's existence as a major access point to the Aran Islands. I regret there is no funding available in the Department for projects that are primarily island access projects.

Research Vessels.

Michael Ring

Question:

337 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the number of days for which the two Marine Institute research vessels the Celtic Explorer and the Celtic Voyager were at sea in 2004; the number of days lost due to weather conditions; the running costs for each vessel; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26569/05]

Minister of State at the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources (Mr. Gallagher)

I am advised by the Marine Institute that both the Celtic Explorer and Celtic Voyager had a busy year in 2004. The Celtic Voyager had 184 scheduled days with 24 days downtime due to weather. The Celtic Explorer had 263 scheduled days with 8.5 days downtime due to weather. These figures do not include mobilisation and demobilisation days, open days, re-fits, maintenance or passage in the case of the Celtic Voyager.

The following table sets out the running costs for both vessels. The combined figure covers shore technical support costs and overheads such as insurance etc.

Research Vessel	Operational Costs in 2004
	€
Celtic Voyager	943,441
Celtic Explorer	2,357,936
Combined Shore support	1,714,094
Total	5,015,471

Port Development.

Seán Haughey

Question:

338 Mr. Haughey asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if he has received proposals from the Dublin Port Company regarding changing the situation on long leases to tenants at the port; his views on same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26704/05]

Minister of State at the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources (Mr. Gallagher)

Dublin Port Company and the Irish Ports Association have expressed a view to the Department that the application of the provisions of the Landlord and Tenants Acts to the port companies operating under the Harbours Acts 1996 and 2000 is not appropriate to the management of the port estates. The Maritime Safety Act 2005 added the port companies referred to above to the list of State bodies to which the Landlord and Tenant (Ground Rents) (No. 2) Act 1978 does not apply. This Act provides, inter alia, for a general right to acquire the fee simple.

The ports policy statement published earlier this year states that the Department acknowledges the view of port companies that the provisions of the Landlord and Tenant Acts impose restrictions on their ability to effectively facilitate the development within their ports of an efficient and competitive market for port services, including new entrants. The ports policy statement indicates that, as recommended by the high level review of the State commercial ports, published in May 2003, the Department intends to give consideration, in the context of future legislative changes, to the possible adaptation of the provisions of the Landlord and Tenant Acts to the particular circumstances of the ports.

The changes contemplated may provide for port companies to be exempted from landlord and tenants legislation in its entirety, similar to the position pertaining with regard to the State airports. It should be noted that any legislative amendment in this regard would not have retrospective effect.

US Appeal Court Decision.

John Gormley

Question:

339 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the steps he has taken to ensure that the US civil authorities implement the US Appeal Court’s decision in the case of the Miami Five; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26262/05]

Minister for Foreign Affairs (Mr. D. Ahern)

As I have previously informed the House, the Government has no standing in this matter, which is a bilateral consular question between the Cuban and US authorities.

Passport Applications.

Charlie O'Connor

Question:

340 Mr. O’Connor asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has satisfied himself that current arrangements are effective for the issuing of passports; his plans to further develop the system; and his views on whether Tallaght would be an ideal location for a new passport office. [26588/05]

Minister for Foreign Affairs (Mr. D. Ahern)

I am happy that the current arrangements, and the proposals for further development which are outlined below, provide for an effective passport issuing service.

By the end of September 2005, almost 500,000 passports had been issued by the Passport Office this year. This is over 10% higher than in the same period last year. At the end of the year, I expect that a record 550,000 passports will have been issued. Over 90% of these are issued within ten working days. The majority come through the "passport express" service which is operated jointly by my Department and An Post and which is available in over 1,000 past offices nationwide.

In response to increasing demand for passports in recent years, as well as requirements for higher security standards and a commitment to offer our citizens the most effective possible service, the passport issuing system has been going through a process of modernisation and upgrading. A new automated passport system has been introduced in the past year in the main Passport Office in Molesworth Street, Dublin 2, and in a new passport production facility in Balbriggan, County Dublin. The system is being extended this month to the Cork and London passport offices and I expect that the roll out to all missions will be completed by the end of the year. Our new passport booklet is one of the most secure in the world and has been widely admired.

In addition to the above, my Department is working on developing on-line facilities to enable applicants to track the progress of their application over the Internet. It is hoped that this facility will be available towards the end of the year. Work is also under way to develop an on-line passport application facility allowing applicants to submit personal details, other than photograph and signature, over the Internet. This is expected to be available next year.

Ireland, along with other member states of the European Union, is preparing to incorporate biometric identifiers in passports before the end of 2006 to further improve passport security. This will involve storing, in a microchip to be embedded in the passport, a digital image of the passport holder's face taken from the photograph submitted along with the passport application form.

It is my policy to keep the operations of the Passport Office under regular and active review so that the best possible service can be maintained for the public. However, in view of the ongoing developments set out above, there would be no justification in extending the number of passport offices within the State.

Arts Funding.

Máire Hoctor

Question:

341 Ms Hoctor asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if he will re-introduce the access programme for the refurbishment or new building of arts centres in provincial towns; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26314/05]

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

My Department is currently examining a successor to ACCESS, and I hope to make a decision in that regard in due course. However, pending conclusion of the Estimates' process, we cannot finalise what the form or extent of such a scheme might be. Applications for any such successor scheme would be invited by public advertisement.

Sports Capital Programme.

Michael Ring

The following table shows the value of exports and imports between Ireland and Cuba in respect of the years 1994 to 2004.

Year	Exports (€000)	Imports (€000)
1994	3,795	866
1995	6,366	364
1996	133	1,714
1997	2,247	894
1998	3,798	800
1999	682	622
2000	2,057	801
2001	880	1,217
2002	189	941
2003	521	1,263
2004	778	500

Redundancy Entitlements.

Paul Connaughton

Question:

346 Mr. Connaughton asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if a person who has worked three days a week for twenty years and has had to retire due to ill health is entitled to redundancy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26411/05]

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

Ill health alone is not a valid reason for redundancy. If, however, a redundancy situation existed in the employment at the time the person left his position, it would be open to the employer to make the person redundant. A redundant employee would be entitled to receive a statutory lump sum payment of two weeks' pay per year of service based on the following criteria; age, length of service in the employment, gross weekly wage up to a ceiling of €600 per week plus a bonus week.

Job Creation.

Charlie O'Connor

Question:

347 Mr. O’Connor asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his proposals for job creation initiatives in Tallaght, Dublin 24; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26711/05]

Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment (Mr. Martin)

The issue of job creation is a day-to-day operational matter for the industrial development agencies and relevant county enterprise boards, and not one in which I have a direct role. IDA Ireland informs me that it continues to market south County Dublin, including Tallaght and its environs, as a potential location for new foreign direct investment, FDI, to secure new investment and additional jobs for the region.

IDA Ireland's strategy for the Dublin area is to attract and expand major FDI projects, moving up the value chain. South County Dublin is well equipped to compete with other areas for potential foreign direct investment given its superb infrastructural facilities at Citywest and Grangecastle and its third level institute of technology at Tallaght.

Sectors such as life sciences, including pharmaceuticals, provide high-value employment. This year the Japanese pharmaceuticals company Takeda Chemical Industries will complete construction of its facility at Grangecastle, Clondalkin. Greencastle is within easy commuting distance of Tallaght and the plant will employ more than 60 people upon completion. This is a significant and important investment from a leading company in Japan and will highlight Ireland as a key location for other such Japanese investors in the future. Also in Grangecastle, the pharmaceutical company Wyeth Biopharma opened this year and already employs approximately 900 highly skilled people. Wyeth Biopharma continues to recruit and will eventually employ 1,300 at the facility in Greencastle.

Enterprise Ireland works with companies in its portfolio to assist them grow their sales and exports and improve innovation so they can compete in world markets. The agency is encouraging companies to adopt new technologies to add value to their products and services. Since the beginning of 2002, Enterprise Ireland has approved over €9.6 million and made payments of over €9 million in support of development projects for indigenous companies in south County Dublin.

Enterprise Ireland is also actively involved with the provision of infrastructure to facilitate business development and employment. The agency has provided funding for the development of community enterprise centres in south Dublin such as Brookfield, Bolbrook and Killinarden. These centres provide incubation space for start-ups and micro-enterprises, and also provide ancillary services such as training, mentoring and customised courses to address the needs of the local clients.

Enterprise Ireland also supports the development of business incubation workspace as part of its ongoing commitment to fostering links between colleges and industry and has provided €2.54 million towards the development of incubation space at the Tallaght Institute of Technology. It is anticipated that graduates from the college or members of research teams based in the college will be to the forefront in using the centre and in creating new jobs, particularly in the high-tech sectors.

The South Dublin County Enterprise Board is also proactively involved in the development of indigenous enterprise and provides a source of support for small businesses in the region. The Tallaght area represents just over one third of the population of the county. Since its inception, the board has approved just over €3.4 million to businesses based in Tallaght. These grants and other financial supports have resulted in the creation and maintenance of 320 jobs.

Price Inflation.

Charlie O'Connor

Question:

348 Mr. O’Connor asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will report on his efforts to respond to criticism of rising prices; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26712/05]

Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment (Mr. Martin)

While recent returns show that inflation in Ireland continues to moderate and is in line with the average rate of inflation throughout the European Union, it is undoubtedly the case that many consumers do not feel they are getting a fair deal.

The Deputy will be aware that in March 2004, my Department appointed the consumer strategy group to advise and make recommendations for the development of a national consumer policy strategy. The group's final report, Make Consumers Count, was published in May of this year. The report emphasises the importance of empowering consumers so they can make informed choices and reap the benefits of freely functioning competitive markets. The consumer strategy group has suggested a way forward in terms of consumer protection policy, particularly in terms of how the balance of power can be shifted more toward the consumer and has made over 30 separate recommendations as to how this can be achieved.

The group's core recommendation that a new statutory body, the national consumer agency, be established to advocate the consumer's case has already been accepted by the Government. My Department has begun work to ensure that the new agency be formally established as soon as possible.

In the interim, the Office of the Director of Consumer Affairs continues to play an important role in the area of consumer protection particularly in terms of enforcing the wide range of existing consumer laws and regulations. In this regard, the Deputy will be aware that my Department recently increased significantly the sanctions for breaches of those laws. To build upon the work of the ODCA and to ensure that the momentum of the report of the consumer strategy group is maintained and that the consumer's voice is heard, I recently appointed a board to the new agency to act in an interim capacity until the agency is formally established.

The Deputy will be aware that since its appointment, the board had been very active on issues such as the debate on the future of the groceries order, the cost of goods and services etc. It is vital that these and other consumer debates are not dominated by vested interests, as has happened heretofore, and that the consumer's case is forcefully advocated. I am confident that the interim board will continue to be a forceful advocate for the consumer until the full national consumer agency is established. In this regard, I am aware that the board intends to increase significantly its activities in terms of consumer awareness, advocacy and information campaigns.

I am satisfied that the report of the consumer strategy group does offer the way forward. The report re-emphasises the importance of promoting competition and empowering consumers. I am confident that the application of these policies in conjunction with the work of agencies such as the Competition Authority, the Office of the Director of Consumer Affairs and the interim board of the national consumer agency will help to ensure that consumers get a fair deal.

Industrial Relations.

Arthur Morgan

Question:

349 Mr. Morgan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will make a statement on the fact that competition law is being mischievously used to attack the rights of certain workers, in particular actors, musicians, film crews and freelance journalists to be collectively represented; if he will amend the Industrial Relations Acts in respect of the definition of an employee to rectify this unacceptable situation. [26740/05]

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

The aim of the Competition Act 2002 is to prohibit anti-competitive practices such as price-fixing and-or the abuse of a dominant position. The Act applies to all sectors of the economy in the State.

All entities covered by the Act must ensure that they do not infringe the prohibitions in the Act. The Act covers "undertakings" which are defined as "a person being an individual, a body corporate or an unincorporated body of persons engaged for gain in the production, supply, or distribution of goods or the provision of a service". This definition has been used in Irish competition law for some time and is supported by European case law. Accordingly, I have no plans to amend the Industrial Relations Acts in this regard.

Statutory Rebates.

John McGuinness

Question:

350 Mr. McGuinness asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if a rebate relating to the payment of redundancy to a person will be made to his employer (details supplied) in County Kilkenny; the reason for the delay in this case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26742/05]

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

A statutory rebate in the sum of €8,795.27 was issued for payment in respect of one employee on 28 September 2005. The employer should receive the payment this week. No further claims for statutory rebate have been received from the employer concerned in the redundancy payments section of my Department. If the employer wishes to discuss this matter further, he should contact Mary Fogarty of my Department at (01) 6313051.

Social Welfare Benefits.

Jimmy Deenihan

Question:

351 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if he will allow a disregard of €3,000 for forestry premium payments regarding means assessment for social welfare payments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26307/05]

Minister for Social and Family Affairs (Mr. Brennan)

Following the introduction of the farm assist scheme in 1999, farm income, including payments under the forest premium scheme, is now assessed on a more favourable basis than hitherto was the case. All gross yearly income, both on the farm and off-farm, engaged in by the farmer and his or her spouse or partner is reduced to allow for all costs necessarily incurred in carrying out the self-employed assessment. In addition, €254 per annum of the net income is disregarded for each of the first two qualified children and €381 per annum is disregarded for each subsequent child. Of the remaining balance, 70% of the balance is assessed as means. Any change in the current arrangements relating to the assessment of the farm assist scheme would have budgetary implications and could only be considered in a budgetary context.

Pension Provisions.

Olivia Mitchell

Question:

352 Ms O. Mitchell asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs his plans to increase the amount allowed to be earned by a dependant of an old age contributory pensioner in the budget for 2005. [26251/05]

Dan Neville

Question:

355 Mr. Neville asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs his proposals to review the amount allowed to be earned by a dependant of an old age contributory pensioner, which amount has not been reviewed for a number of years. [26333/05]

Minister for Social and Family Affairs (Mr. Brennan)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 352 and 355 together.

For the purposes of that pension and most other social welfare payments, entitlement to an increase for a qualified adult is based on the income of the spouse or partner. A qualified adult increase at the maximum rate is payable where the spouse's or partner's income is less than €88.89 per week, and tapered reduced rates are payable where income is less than €220 per week. The lower threshold was last increased in budget 2000 while the upper threshold has been increased in each successive budget since then, from £135 in 2000 to €220 in the budget for 2005. Any change in the current arrangements relating to entitlement to qualified adult allowances would have to be considered in a budgetary context and in the light of available resources.

Social Welfare Code.

Michael Lowry

Question:

353 Mr. Lowry asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if special savings investment accounts will be included in any means-tested payments from his Department; and the applications which will have this account included in any means-tested assessment. [26253/05]

Minister for Social and Family Affairs (Mr. Brennan)

In assessing means for social assistance purposes account is taken of any cash income the person may have, together with the value of capital and property, except the home. Amounts held in special savings investment accounts are treated in the same manner as other capital. Last October, I requested my Department to carry out an examination of the current arrangements for the assessment of capital, particularly in so far as they apply to SSIAs, with a view to bringing forward proposals in the budget for 2005.

On budget day, I was pleased to announce that the amount of capital disregarded for means test purposes for all schemes — except supplementary welfare allowance — was being increased from €12,694.38 to €20,000, an increase of over €7,300. The enhanced disregard applies to all capital regardless of where it is held, be it in an SSIA, a credit union, with An Post or any other account with a bank or other financial institution.

The new arrangements mean that a single non-contributory pensioner, with no other means, can have capital of up to €28,000 and still qualify for a pension at the maximum rate. This figure is doubled in the case of a pensioner couple. The new arrangements were designed to ensure that social welfare means testing arrangements do not act as a disincentive to claimants to become savers or to penalise those who have been regular savers in the past.

Social Welfare Benefits.

Jack Wall

Question:

354 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the reason a person (details supplied) in County Kildare is not allowed the back-to-school clothing and footwear scheme allowance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26281/05]

Minister for Social and Family Affairs (Mr. Brennan)

The back-to-school clothing and footwear allowance scheme, BSCFA, is administered on my behalf by the community welfare division of the Health Service Executive. Neither I nor my Department has any function regarding decisions on individual claims. A person may qualify for payment of a back-to-school clothing and footwear allowance if he or she is in receipt of a social welfare or health board payment, or is participating in an approved employment scheme or attending a recognised education or training course, and has household income at or below specified levels.

The executive has advised that it disallowed an application by the person concerned for a back-to-school clothing and footwear allowance as her household income, including one-parent family payment and FÁS allowance, was above the limit for entitlement. The executive has notified her of this decision. The person concerned had not previously informed either the HSE or this Department of her full income. Consequently, she was overpaid rent supplement and one-parent family payment. These matters are now being examined by the Department and the HSE.

Question No. 355 answered with QuestionNo. 352.

Seán Crowe

Question:

356 Mr. Crowe asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the reason his Department has refused to accept a person (details supplied) as a candidate for the back-to-education allowance; if he accepts the fact that this person suffers from clinical depression and has recently been diagnosed with a form of autism, and who has now had his unemployment benefit cut until he produces a letter from the college to say he will not now be attending, and fulfils the exceptional circumstances criteria referred to above; and the reasons this person’s circumstances do not meet the exceptional circumstances criteria. [26359/05]

The amount of pay related social insurance paid annually by employers into the social insurance fund over the past five years is set out in the following table:

	2004	2003	2002	2001	2000
	€,000	€,000	€,000	€,000	£,000
Employer Contributions	4,000,313.00	3,692,896.00	3,520,443.00	3,252,034.00	2,176,458.00
Employee Contributions	1,257,639.00	1,077,203.00	974,219.00	819,852.00	587,206.00
Self-Employed Contributions	356,620.00	277,696.00	252,455.00	189,243.00	149,677.00
	5,614,572.00	5,047,795.00	4,747,117.00	4,261,129.00	2,913,341.00

The above figures for 2004 are provisional.

Child Support.

Paul McGrath

Question:

360 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the assistance which is available to persons who qualify for the back to education allowance to help them with child care costs; the schemes that exist for crèche supplements and the plans there are to expand these schemes. [26601/05]

Minister for Social and Family Affairs (Mr. Brennan)

The back to education allowance is a second chance education opportunities programme designed to encourage and facilitate people on certain social welfare payments to improve their skills and qualifications and, therefore, their prospects of returning to the active work force.

The back to education allowance is essentially a social welfare replacement income support which is paid at a standard weekly rate equivalent to the maximum rate of the relevant social welfare income support that qualifies the applicant for participation in the scheme. The allowance also has a number of unique features attaching to it. It is payable for the duration of the course of study, which in some instances includes holiday periods. The scheme itself is not means tested and, consequently, participants may take up part-time employment without affecting their payment.

In addition, participants receive a cost of education allowance of €400 which is payable at the beginning of each academic year. Participants also retain entitlement to any secondary benefits they had while in receipt of the relevant social welfare payment that qualified them for participation in the scheme, subject to a means test.

The Department of Education and Science provide child care supports for people participating in certain educational programmes funded by VECs. In some cases, people accessing those programmes do so with the support of this Department's back to education allowance scheme. However, since its inception, child care support has never been a feature of the back to education allowance scheme per se. The question of such support to participants in receipt of the allowance would have significant cost implications and would have to be considered in the context of other supports such as those funded by the Department of Education and Science.

With regard to crèche supplements, these were introduced in some of the former health boards some years ago to provide individual assistance through the supplementary welfare allowance scheme to parents wishing to use crèches in certain circumstances. This arose, for example, where a parent would not be able to avail of necessary supports such as counselling services or addiction treatment programmes without assistance towards the cost of child-minding. They were never intended to be a long-term ongoing support for people returning to full-time education with the assistance of the back to education allowance.

Departmental Staff.

Tom Hayes

Question:

361 Mr. Hayes asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the number of inspectors that are employed by the State to monitor, after old age non-contributory pensions have been awarded, changes in the financial circumstances of old age pensioners; the salary these inspectors are paid; the way in which these persons are recruited; and the precise definition of their role. [26735/05]

Minister for Social and Family Affairs (Mr. Brennan)

My Department's inspectorate, appointed under section 212 of the Social Welfare (Consolidation) Act 1993, assesses entitlement to all means tested social welfare schemes, excluding supplementary welfare allowance. Reviews of means-tested payments are also carried out by inspectors to ensure the conditions regarding entitlement continue to be satisfied. The inspectors' remit also includes the combating of fraud and abuse of all the Department's schemes.

The inspectorate is also responsible for ensuring that employers and the self employed comply with the Acts in relation to pay related social insurance contributions. In addition, inspectors monitor employers' compliance with the Pensions Act 1990 in relation to PRSA obligations and notify the Pensions Board where non-compliance in this regard is suspected.

Where a non-contributory pension is awarded there is a legal obligation on the recipient to report any increases in means to the Department within a period of three months. As for ongoing reviews of means-tested payments, a total of 2,140 reviews of old-age non-contributory pensions were carried out by inspectors in 2004.

There is a total of 297 inspectors currently working countrywide with annual salaries ranging from €26,618 to €53,191, depending on grade and service. Inspector posts are advertised internally in the Department and are normally filled either by the transfer of the most experienced and suitable applicant or by internal competition.

Social Welfare Benefits.

Olwyn Enright

Question:

362 Ms Enright asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the reason a diet supplement allowance has been withdrawn from a person (details supplied) in County Offaly; if a further appeal will be allowed in this case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26736/05]

Minister for Social and Family Affairs (Mr. Brennan)

Recipients of social welfare or Health Service Executive payments that have been prescribed a special diet as a result of a specified medical condition, and whose means are insufficient to meet their needs, may qualify for a diet supplement under the supplementary welfare allowance scheme. This scheme and related supplements are administered on my behalf by the community welfare division of the Health Service Executive and neither I nor my Department has any function in relation to individual claim decisions.

Jimmy Deenihan

Question:

365 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for Transport when Directive 2002/15/EC will be transposed into Irish law; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26285/05]

Minister of State at the Department of Transport (Mr. Callely)

The drafting of a statutory instrument to transpose Directive 2002/15/EC into domestic law is almost completed and should be ready for signature later this month.

Air Services.

Pat Breen

Question:

366 Mr. P. Breen asked the Minister for Transport if a full impact study will be undertaken on the effects of open skies; the measures that will be required both in the short term and long term to counterbalance the number of transatlantic passengers Shannon Airport will lose with the impact of full open skies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26297/05]

Jan O'Sullivan

Question:

381 Ms O’Sullivan asked the Minister for Transport if he will arrange for an impact study to be carried out in advance of any decision to alter the bilateral agreement between Ireland and the US on transatlantic air routes in the context of open skies negotiations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26790/05]

Minister for Transport (Mr. Cullen)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 366 and 381 together.

As I have said before, I do not believe that an impact study of the kind proposed by the Deputies 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 underway in my Department on a ten-year transport investment framework will address the future infrastructural requirements of the mid-west region. As the Deputies 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 myself and the Minister for Finance, of the business plans which are currently 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.

Finally, it has been the consistent policy of this Government that any change in transatlantic arrangements will be accompanied by an appropriate transitional arrangement to enable a smooth phasing in of open skies with the US in the future.

Decentralisation Programme.

Pádraic McCormack

Question:

367 Mr. McCormack asked the Minister for Transport the progress which is being made in the decentralisation of the road haulage division to Loughrea, County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26303/05]

Minister for Transport (Mr. Cullen)

Under the decentralisation programme, 50 posts are due to transfer to Loughrea. A suitable site has been identified and the Office of Public Works is currently in discussion with the county council about preparations necessary for lodging an application to obtain planning permission for the site.

The decentralisation implementation group has given indicative construction commencement and completion dates as fourth quarter 2005 and first quarter 2007, respectively. I expect to receive shortly from the OPW a revised timescale for the commencement and completion of construction works.

Rail Services.

John Perry

Question:

368 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Transport if differences (details supplied) exist between the old trains on the Sligo to Dublin rail network and the new trains which his Department is introducing; if the new trains will provide adequate comfort and services for passengers on the route; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26331/05]

Minister for Transport (Mr. Cullen)

The allocation and timetabling of trains to particular routes is a day-to-day operational issue for Iarnród Éireann to consider.

However, I understand that Iarnród Éireann plans to replace the existing locomotive hauled trains on the Sligo-Dublin services with new units from its fleet of class 29000 railcars. The 36 diesel units, in nine sets of four carriages, are being commissioned at present and will be introduced into service before the end of this year.

The deployment of these units on the Sligo-Dublin route will deliver significant improvements for customers in frequency and reliability and is part of a national strategy to provide an enhanced timetable for intercity customers across the network.

A central element of the plan for the Sligo-Dublin route involves an increase in the number of daily services from three to five, representing the most significant frequency improvement on the route in decades.

Public Transport.

Paul Nicholas Gogarty

Question:

369 Mr. Gogarty asked the Minister for Transport the measures which are in place to ensure that social services provided by Dublin Bus will continue to operate in the absence of additional Government funding for public transport; the plans which are in place to make the promised investment in buses in the Dublin area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26358/05]

Minister for Transport (Mr. Cullen)

Over the past six years, the Government has significantly increased the subvention paid to CIE in respect of the provision of socially necessary but commercially non-viable services.

Since 1999 and including the 2005 allocation, the total direct Exchequer subvention payments to CIE will have amounted to over €1.5 billion. Of this almost €349 million has been allocated to Dublin Bus. The subvention paid to Dublin Bus has increased from €17 million in 1999 to almost €65 million in 2005.

The national development plan, NDP, target for buses in Dublin is 275 additional buses and 500 replacement buses. To date, Dublin Bus has purchased 497 new buses of which 93 are additional and 404 are replacement buses. A total of 248 of these buses were funded partially and-or fully by the Exchequer.

Dublin Bus is carrying out a review of the bus network in Dublin to assess the impact of recent upgrades in rail capacity such as Luas and the DART upgrade and ongoing demographic changes. The company is, in the first instance, assessing how to maximise the utilisation of its existing bus fleet. The company has informed me that it expects the bus network review to be completed early next year.

In addition, I am currently considering the proposals put to me by the various stakeholders in the market and the social partners on how best to modernise the regulatory framework for the bus market.

I hope to bring forward proposals in the near future which will provide a framework for both public and private bus operators to participate in the growing market.

Road Safety.

Mary Upton

Question:

370 Dr. Upton asked the Minister for Transport if arrangements will be put in place in order that the scene of serious road traffic accidents will be independently evaluated to ascertain any breach of construction standards and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26361/05]

Minister for Transport (Mr. Cullen)

The primary immediate investigative role in relation to road accidents is vested in the Garda Síochána. Priority in such an investigation must be given to the determination of the causes of road accidents including, where appropriate, road construction or surface standards, and in particular whether a breach of the road traffic laws contributed to the occurrence.

Garda reports are forwarded to the National Roads Authority and subsequently to each local authority for the purpose of the establishment of accident trends and causes generally and to facilitate the carrying out of remedial works relating to road infrastructure where such action is deemed to be necessary. I have no plans at present to propose alternative arrangements for investigating road accidents.

Rail Services.

Mary Wallace

Question:

371 Ms M. Wallace asked the Minister for Transport the number of new commuter carriages due for delivery to the Drogheda depot; the date upon which the carriages are expected to be commissioned; the details of the timetable revision expected on the Drogheda and Dublin lines effective from the December 2005 timetable revision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26369/05]

Minister for Transport (Mr. Cullen)

Iarnród Éireann is taking delivery of 36 — nine sets of four carriages — new class 29000 railcars. These add to the 80 units of the same type of rolling stock that it introduced into service during the second half of 2003. All these units will be serviced and maintained at the new rolling stock depot at Drogheda. The new units are being commissioned and will be introduced into service over the coming months as commissioning and testing is completed.

The allocation and timetabling of trains is an operational matter for Iarnród Éireann to consider. However, the company has informed me that the introduction of the new railcars will provide the opportunity to introduce some new services where most required and a revised national timetable will be introduced in December.

Light Rail Project.

John Curran

Question:

372 Mr. Curran asked the Minister for Transport the plans he or the Rail Procurement Agency have to extend the Luas to Clondalkin and Lucan. [26402/05]

Minister for Transport (Mr. Cullen)

My Department is preparing a ten-year transport investment framework. The draft framework takes account of the work already done on investment priorities under the current capital envelope to the end of 2009. It also takes account of the various strategic studies completed by the Department and its agencies, including A Platform for Change which had recommended, among other things, the development of a metro to take in Clondalkin and a light-rail line to Lucan. An outline of the draft ten-year transport investment framework is under consideration. I will bring specific proposals to Government in due course.

Road Safety.

Olivia Mitchell

Question:

373 Ms O. Mitchell asked the Minister for Transport if he will consider introducing regulations in view of the imminent EU regulation in respect of mandatory daytime car lights and in view of their proven contribution to accident reduction. [26481/05]

Minister of State at the Department of Transport (Mr. Callely)

The European Commission is considering how best to pursue the daytime running lights, DRL, issue following the carrying out of a comprehensive study of the matter on its behalf by the Dutch SWOV and TNO and the Norwegian Institute for Traffic Studies. I will await the outcome of the Commission's consideration of this matter.

Rail Network.

Dermot Fitzpatrick

Question:

374 Dr. Fitzpatrick asked the Minister for Transport when it is proposed to open a railway station at the old cattle bank, Cabra, Dublin 7; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26528/05]

Minister for Transport (Mr. Cullen)

The provision of railway stations is entirely a day-to-day operational matter for Iarnród Éireann to consider in the first instance and not one in which I have a direct role.

I understand that Iarnród Éireann has no plans to open a railway station at the old cattle bank in Cabra as there are no scheduled passenger services on that line.

Dermot Fitzpatrick

Question:

375 Dr. Fitzpatrick asked the Minister for Transport when it is proposed to develop the Heuston Station to Connolly Station line for commuter traffic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26529/05]

Minister for Transport (Mr. Cullen)

I refer the Deputy to a similar question put to me in the House on Wednesday, 28 September 2005. I stated in answer to that question that the railway line between Heuston Station and Connolly Station is not used for commuter services because it would not be possible to accommodate additional peak train services into Connolly Station. The line between Connolly Station and Pearse Station is already at full capacity and any additional capacity created in the future will be needed to cater for DART and Maynooth line growth.

If Iarnród Éireann were to provide services from Heuston Station to Connolly Station, it would require it to remove a corresponding number of services from the Maynooth, Drogheda or DART line. Obviously this is not an option given the already high demand for these services.

Connections between Heuston Station and Connolly Station are provided by Luas services. Dublin Bus also provides a number of bus services from Heuston Station to the city centre, Connolly Station, St. Stephen's Green and Dublin Airport.

Dermot Fitzpatrick

Question:

376 Dr. Fitzpatrick asked the Minister for Transport the future plans for the development of the Broadstone railway station and the Broadstone Liffey Junction railway line; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26530/05]

Minister for Transport (Mr. Cullen)

The redevelopment of the railway line between Broadstone and Liffey Junction is one of a large range of possible options under consideration as part of the multi-annual framework for transport, which is being prepared in my Department at present.

Semi-State Bodies.

Olivia Mitchell

Question:

377 Ms O. Mitchell asked the Minister for Transport if he has given consideration to the SIPTU alternative proposal for the funding of Aer Lingus expansion through a State owned holding company; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26571/05]

Minister for Transport (Mr. Cullen)

As the Deputy will be aware, in its decision of 18 May the Government agreed to the State disposing of a majority shareholding in Aer Lingus and retaining a stake of at least 25% to protect strategic interests provided that both myself and the Minister for Finance are satisfied that this level of disposal is warranted on foot of the analysis prepared by the Departments' advisers for the transaction.

Following a competitive tender process, UBS and AIB Capital Markets have been appointed to provide financial advice and assistance to both myself and the Minister for Finance in relation to an Aer Lingus sale-investment transaction. William Fry solicitors and Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer have been appointed as legal advisers for the assignment. Work is already under way in relation to phase one of the assignment and is expected to be completed by 1 December 2005. In accordance with the terms of Sustaining Progress I engaged with the trade unions on the future of Aer Lingus earlier this year before the Government finalised its consideration of the matter.

The alternative funding mechanism suggested by SIPTU is based on a proposal, put forward by the Irish Congress of Trade Unions, for a State-owned holding company which would become the vehicle for State ownership of, and investment in, commercial State companies. In advance of the Government making its decision on Aer Lingus I understand that the many issues and concerns that would arise from the ICTU proposal were conveyed in detail to ICTU at official level by the Department of the Taoiseach.

Rail Network.

Paul McGrath

Question:

378 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Transport the amount of the €5 million allotted for Spencer Dock in the last Estimates which has been spent; the way in which it has been spent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26574/05]

Minister for Transport (Mr. Cullen)

I understand that Iarnród Éireann is examining a number of options for the location of a new railway station in the docklands area. When the company has concluded its examination, I expect that proposals will be made to my Department. No part of the €5 million provided for this purpose in my Department's 2005 Estimates has yet been drawn down.

Pat Breen

Question:

379 Mr. P. Breen asked the Minister for Transport when the extension of Ennis rail and bus station car park will be carried out following the allocation of funding for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26597/05]

Minister for Transport (Mr. Cullen)

I understand that Iarnród Éireann is reviewing its overall requirement for car parking throughout the rail network and that Ennis is one of the locations being addressed. However, I have not received any proposals from either Iarnród Éireann or Bus Éireann in relation to car parking at Ennis.

Question No. 380 answered with QuestionNo. 364.

Question No. 381 answered with QuestionNo. 366.

Offshore Islands.

Jerry Cowley

Question:

382 Dr. Cowley asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if his Department will sanction the preparation of contract and tendering documentation for the Inis Bigil cable car, County Mayo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26298/05]

Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs (Éamon Ó Cuív)

As the Deputy will be aware, in July 2000, on foot of a report carried out by P.J. Tobin & Co. Limited for my Department, I approved a grant of €1.84 million to Mayo County Council for the provision of a cable car and associated services between Inis Bigil and Acaill at Béal an Bhulláin. This grant was based on a total estimated construction cost of €2.03 million with Mayo County Council to provide the balance of €190,000.

While it was hoped that the cable car would be fully operational by spring 2003, there was a delay because of an objection lodged with An Bord Pleanála against one of the compulsory purchase orders in respect of land required for the project. While An Bord Pleanála subsequently confirmed the compulsory purchase order, this decision became the subject of an application for a High Court judicial review. As a result of a settlement between Mayo County Council and the landowner this application was withdrawn and subsequently Mayo County Council sought my Department's approval to proceed with the acquisition of land and the appointment of consultants to prepare contract documents for the project.

In view of the time that had elapsed since this project was originally approved for funding, I decided late last year that it would be appropriate, in line with current guidelines and best practice for securing value for money for the Exchequer in respect of capital expenditure, to carry out a review of the 1999 report of the consultant engineers on the project. Consultants Malachy Walsh and partners in conjunction with McClure Watters were appointed by my Department to carry out this review.

In their final report, the consultants concluded, inter alia, that the development of new piers on Inis Bigil and at Doran’s Point over the last number of years had satisfied a key departmental objective to provide safe access to Inis Bigil; and if the cable car project was to be progressed, it should only be done within the context of an integrated tourism development plan for the area, with the aim of maximising the tourism benefits of the project and other local tourist attractions. In the light of the latter conclusion and in view of the impending expiry of the time allowed for the issue of notices to treat in respect of the compulsory purchase orders on the land required for the project, Mayo County Council was authorised by me earlier this year to purchase the said land so that all realistic options for providing the cable car service could be usefully explored.

In addition, my Department has engaged in discussions with both Ireland West Tourism and Mayo County Council with a view to ascertaining the tourism potential of the project, and is in consultation with the National Development Finance Agency and actively examining the feasibility of obtaining both public and private partners to build and operate the facility. The issue of whether to proceed with the preparation of contract documents for the project will be examined further on completion of this consultation process.

Inland Waterways.

Paudge Connolly

Question:

383 Mr. Connolly asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs his plans to reallocate funds from the €12 million returned unused by Waterways Ireland to the development of the Ulster Canal link between Clones and the Shannon-Erne Waterway particularly in view of its importance for the BMW region and the improved situation in the peace process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26422/05]

Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs (Éamon Ó Cuív)

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mary Coughlan)

The person named submitted an application for an allocation of entitlements from the single payment scheme national reserve under category C which caters for farmers who, between 1 January 2000 and 19 October 2003, sold their quota into the milk quota restructuring scheme and converted their enterprise to a farming sector for which a direct payment under livestock premiums or arable aid schemes would have been payable during the reference period 2000 to 2002.

Applications for an allocation of entitlements from the national reserve were received from over 17,500 farmers. Processing of these applications is continuing and the intention is to make allocations to successful applicants by 1 December next. The Department will be in touch with individual applicants as soon as their applications are fully processed.

Question No. 388 withdrawn.

Jimmy Deenihan

Question:

389 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food when single farm payments will be made to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26308/05]

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mary Coughlan)

Payments under the single payment scheme are scheduled to commence on 1 December 2005, in accordance with EU rules. An application under the single payment scheme was received from the person named on 26 April 2005, with a declared net area of 7.92 hectares. The application is being processed for payment on this basis.

Rural Environment Protection Scheme.

Olwyn Enright

Question:

390 Ms Enright asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if she has given any consideration to giving notification to farmers before inspection is done under the REPS; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26432/05]

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mary Coughlan)

One of the provisions of the current EU regulations governing REPS requires inspections to be unannounced. The scheme is 75% funded by the EU, and any failure to comply with this rule could result in serious financial disallowances being imposed on Ireland by the European Commission.

My Department is committed to pursuing the question of a 14-day advance notice for all on-farm inspections. The Commission is preparing its regulations for the next rural development programming period and my Department will raise the issue of advance notice of inspections in this context.

EU Directives.

Olwyn Enright

Question:

391 Ms Enright asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if progress has been made in seeking a derogation from the full impact of the nitrates directive; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26433/05]

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mary Coughlan)

The implementation of the nitrates directive is a matter in the first instance for the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. In October 2004, Ireland submitted proposals for a derogation from the general organic nitrogen limit of 170 kg per hectare per annum laid down in the nitrates directive. The proposal was designed to allow farmers to operate, under appropriate conditions and controls, up to a level of 250 kg of organic nitrogen per hectare. My Department and Teagasc developed the derogation proposals in consultation with the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government.

The European Commission was not prepared to engage in formal discussions on the derogation proposals until Ireland's nitrates action programme was agreed. There have been preliminary discussions with the Commission, however, and I will be pressing strongly to have these discussions concluded as early as possible in 2006.

Olwyn Enright

Question:

392 Ms Enright asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food when she will announce the grant scheme for upgrading holding and housing facilities under the nitrates plan; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26434/05]

Paul McGrath

Question:

396 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the grant aid which is available to farmers to enable them to provide storage tanks to comply with the nitrates directive in view of extensive redevelopment of farms; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26606/05]I

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mary Coughlan)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 392 and 396 together.

To assist farmers meet the additional requirements of the nitrates action programme, I have announced details of a proposed revised farm waste management scheme for which EU approval is being sought. I am hopeful that early approval of the scheme will be forthcoming so that it can be introduced next January. Subject to the required EU approval, the scheme will introduce a standard grant rate of 60%, with 70% being available for Zone C counties, in place of the current grant rate of 40% — additional aid will be available for young farmers at rates of 10% in less-favoured areas and 5% in other areas; extend the maximum ceiling for farmers from 450 to 650 income units, with no upper limit being applied in the case of pig and poultry farmers; raise the maximum eligible investment from €75,000 to €120,000; remove any minimum income requirements from farming from the scheme so that all small farmers can participate; extend the scheme to include horses, deer, goats, pigs and poultry, and mushroom compost; introduce a new 40% grant rate for specialised equipment with specific environmental advantages subject to maximum eligible investment of €80,000, in the case of decanter centrifuge systems and dry feeding systems for pigs, and €40,000 in the case of specialized slurry spreading tankers and related equipment; and increase the maximum eligible investment for standard mobile equipment from €11,000 to €15,000 with the grant rate remaining at 20%.

I am satisfied that, when approved, the revised scheme will provide a very satisfactory platform for Irish farmers who need to carry out additional investment works in order to meet the requirements of the nitrates directive.

Disadvantaged Areas Scheme.

Olwyn Enright

Question:

393 Ms Enright asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if her attention has been drawn to the fact that only approximately 3% of the Border, midlands and western region is not included in the disadvantaged areas but that a significant portion of this is in Laois and Offaly; the steps she will take to address this in view of the fact that Laois and Offaly have a particularly low income per person rate here; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26435/05]

Olwyn Enright

Question:

394 Ms Enright asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the progress which has been made in extending disadvantaged area status to the remaining portions of County Offaly and Laois which have not been included; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26436/05]I

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mary Coughlan)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 393 and 394 together.

The Council of Agriculture Ministers agreed, at its meeting in Luxembourg on 20 June 2005, a new framework for rural development for the period 2007 to 2013. The agreement provides for the maintenance of the existing arrangements for the less favoured areas until 2010. In the meantime, the Commission will present a report and proposals to the Council concerning the future payment system and designation of less favoured areas. Any changes to the less favoured areas scheme will be considered in the context of this review

Farm Household Incomes.

Paul McGrath

Question:

399 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the reason under the nitrates action programme pig and poultry farmers are required to put in place 26 weeks’ minimum storage by December 2006 while other livestock farmers are allowed until December 2008; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26609/05]

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mary Coughlan)

The implementation of the nitrates directive is a matter in the first instance for the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. Throughout the discussions on the action programme, the European Commission took a firm position on the minimum storage capacity required for pig producers. It also insisted that such storage facilities must be put in place at the earliest possible date. The nitrates action programme submitted to the Commission on 29 July reflects those discussions and therefore states that the storage capacity required for pigs must be in place by 31 December 2006. The action programme requires that the minimum storage capacity for all other livestock, including poultry, must be in place by 31 December 2008.

Paul McGrath

Question:

400 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the restrictions under the nitrates action programme there are on stockpiling farmyard manure and spent mushroom compost on land during the closed period; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26610/05]

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mary Coughlan)

The requirements relating to the storage of organic fertilisers are set out in the nitrates action programme submitted to the Commission on 29 July 2005. I expect the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government to publish for public consultation shortly draft regulations to give effect to the provisions of the action programme.

Poultry Industry.

Paul McGrath

Question:

401 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the restrictions which are in place to stop the importation of chicken from non-regulated markets into Ireland where it is minimally processed and sold as Irish products; the quality standards which are imposed on these products and the way in which the industry is policed to ensure standards for consumers. [26611/05]

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mary Coughlan)

Only processing plants applying the highest standards in relation to veterinary controls equivalent to those applicable in the EU, particularly in terms of legislation, hygiene conditions, animal health status, veterinary medicines controls, residues programmes, zoonoses controls and other food law will be issued with an EU approval number by my Department, and as such are the only processing establishments authorised to use the term "IRL" on their labelling.

All imported poultry meat must be sourced from EU approved establishments which have effective control systems and are supervised by the competent authorities. A health certificate conforming to the models set down in EU legislation must accompany poultry meat being imported from third countries. All consignments must first be landed at an approved border inspection post and undergo documentary, identity and physical checks. Once it has been established that the meat has met all the required conditions it is released for free circulation within the Union. Imports failing to comply with these veterinary control checks may be detained for further examination. If non-compliance is established they are returned to the exporting country or destroyed.

EU regulations also apply to poultry meat which provide for the labelling of unprocessed poultry meat. The regulations require such poultry meat to be labelled at retail level with the information regarding class, price per kg, condition, registered number of slaughterhouse or cutting plant and, where imported from a third country, an indication of country of origin. The implementation of these regulations is monitored on a continual basis by Department staff.

Proposed Legislation.

Paul McGrath

Question:

402 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the reason she proposes to confine prescription writing to vets only under the veterinary medicine regulations; if she will view this move as anti-competitive and as a result increase the costs of animal medicines; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26612/05]

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mary Coughlan)

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mary Coughlan)

Agreement was reached in Geneva in August 2004 on a framework setting out the structure and general content of the new World Trade Organisation, WTO, agreement. I am satisfied that the framework agreement secured the benefits to Irish farmers of the mid-term review of the Common Agricultural Policy and represented a satisfactory outcome from Ireland's point of view. The detailed implementation of the framework has been the subject of ongoing negotiation at technical and political level with the aim of concluding an agreement at the WTO ministerial conference in Hong Kong in December 2005. My overriding objective is to ensure that the terms of the final agreement can be accommodated without the need for further reform of the Common Agricultural Policy.

More specifically, my priorities are to ensure that the phasing-out of all forms of export subsidies will be applied in parallel, as provided for under the framework agreement, and that the phasing-out period will be as long as possible, that Ireland's agricultural exports will remain competitive in the EU market through the continuation of adequate levels of tariff protection on imports from third countries and that the EU's system of direct payments which, following decoupling, qualify as non-trade-distorting, continue to be exempt from reductions under the new agreement. These objectives are consistent with the Commission's negotiating mandate as agreed in the Council.

Alternative Farm Enterprises.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

408 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the total acreage of alternative fuel crops grown to date in 2005; her plans to encourage greater participation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26771/05]

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mary Coughlan)

The total area applied for under the energy crops scheme in 2005 is 1,390 hectares, while the total area for non-food crops grown on set-aside land is 875 hectares. Following the introduction of the single payment scheme, the production of crops for energy purposes will, in common with all agricultural production in future, be demand-driven. Farmers will only produce crops for bioenergy if the economic returns are greater than those offered by more traditional uses. The production of liquid biofuels from energy crops is not economic at current oil price levels. However, the scheme for mineral oil tax relief on pilot biofuel projects recently announced by my colleague, the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, is important in stimulating the production of energy crops, as the current payment under the single payment scheme for that purpose in itself is insufficient. Teagasc, which has responsibility for the provision of research and advisory services for the agrifood sector, has done some very valuable work on energy crops. I am anxious to encourage further progress in this area and have arranged for research projects on biofuels and other non-food uses of crops to be included in the latest call under my Department's research stimulus programme.

Food Industry.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

409 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if it is intended to promote Irish beef, lamb, pigmeat or chicken throughout the catering industry here; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26772/05]

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mary Coughlan)

Promotion and marketing of Irish beef, lamb, pigmeat and chicken comes under the remit of Bord Bia. The key element of its strategy in the catering industry is to promote beef, lamb, pigmeat and chicken through its Féile Bia programme. This is a voluntary programme for hotels, restaurants, pubs and workplaces that was developed by Bord Bia in conjunction with the Restaurants Association of Ireland and the Irish Hotels Federation and is supported by the farming community. There are currently over 1,400 members drawn from the food service sector participating in the programme.

While EU legislation does not permit the promotion of Irish origin products above those of other member state products, Féile Bia encourages the general public to think about how food is produced and where it comes from when eating out. Members of the programme source their products from suppliers approved under recognised quality assurance schemes. Products included in the programme are beef, lamb, pork, bacon, chicken and eggs. As an example of a Féile Bia promotion, Bord Bia is currently running a nationwide campaign to encourage the general public to choose Féile Bia outlets when eating out and know where their beef is coming from. Special prizes in Féile Bia hotels and guest houses are available. To support this autumn promotion, a nationwide advertising and publicity campaign is under way.

For the future, the aim is to significantly increase the existing membership base of 1,400 and broaden the product range. Beef has the most developed system of labelling in the EU, with a full identification, traceability and labelling system under comprehensive EU regulations. The labelling requirements under those regulations extend up to and including retail level and to the point of delivery into hotels, restaurants and catering establishments. My priority in this area is to extend the existing beef labelling laws to require information on the country of origin of beef to be provided to all consumers in the restaurant and catering sectors. I put specific proposals to Government at the end of June for a legislative framework to facilitate this by way of an amendment to the Health Act 1947. This will be introduced under the Irish Medicines Board (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2005, which is before the Oireachtas this session. The appropriate regulations are being worked on concurrently and it is my intention to have these cleared at EU level as soon as possible. When the Act is amended and the regulations made, country of origin information will be available to consumers in respect of all beef served in restaurants, hotels and the whole catering sector in Ireland on a mandatory basis.

In the meantime and after discussions with my Department, the various representative bodies, including the Irish Hotels Federation, the Restaurants Association of Ireland and both of the vintners groups, have all agreed to recommend to their members the introduction on a voluntary basis of a mechanism for providing consumers in their premises with information on the country of origin of the beef served there in advance of the mandatory legal requirement. This agreement was finalised last week and these organisations are currently at various stages of that process. I expect the voluntary system will be in place in the very near future. The next step in meat labelling is to extend the labelling requirements in law for poultrymeat, pigmeat and lamb in order to have similar provisions as those for beef. This is not a straightforward matter and will involve considerable complexities. EU approval would be required and there is no precedent so far for individual member states being allowed to extend meat labelling requirements internally beyond providing information that is already required in EU laws.

Animal Carcase Disposal.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

410 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if all carcasses and offal arising from the beef destruct scheme have been disposed of in a proper fashion; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26773/05]

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mary Coughlan)

All animals acquired under the purchase for destruction scheme operated by my Department in 2001 were rendered and the resultant meat and bone meal and tallow incinerated. Hides from these animals were processed at tanneries in Ireland. All disposal activities were controlled strictly in accordance with the relevant EU regulations.

Food Industry.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

411 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if she is satisfied that all Irish meat exports are competing adequately on world markets; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26774/05]

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

412 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if sufficient emphasis is placed on the marketing of Irish beef, lamb and pigmeat; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26775/05]

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mary Coughlan)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 411 and 412 together.

The marketing of Irish meats is carried out by the industry with support from my Department and Bord Bia. Bord Bia has specific responsibility for the promotion of Irish beef, lamb and pigmeat. That organisation is engaged in a wide range of activities to promote these meats on both foreign and domestic markets. In 2005, these activities include retail promotions of Irish beef across 8,000 stores representing 30 retailers in nine countries, the operation of the Chefs' Irish Beef Club in Britain, France and the Netherlands, the introduction of the quality assurance country of origin mark for beef to Irish retailers, a major trade mission to China led by the Taoiseach in which I also participated and during which I signed a protocol on the export of pigmeat to China, a joint programme with Enterprise Ireland to assist smaller pigmeat processors to develop their capabilities and secure market access in the United Kingdom and the retail promotion of Irish lamb in Ireland and France. In Ireland, the emphasis is on increasing lamb consumption whereas in France the emphasis is on making consumers aware of the availability and quality of Irish lamb.

It is anticipated that exports of Irish beef this year will be slightly lower than last year's at approximately 494,000 tonnes. Beef production is extremely valuable to the Irish economy with a €1.4 billion export value representing almost 25% of total Irish agrifood exports. The majority of beef exports to date have been to the high value United Kingdom and EU markets. EU consumption is predicted to again outstrip production in 2005 with a resulting import gap of an estimated 280,000 tonnes for the year. This will provide further opportunities for our beef exports in the high value continental markets. Ireland is competing on the EU markets with beef imported from low cost South American economies, notably Brazil. The main concern is that Brazil has a capacity to significantly increase its exports, not only to Ireland but also to our main export outlets in Europe and in other third countries, in direct competition with us. The issue is one that continues to be monitored and is being considered in the context of our preparations for the World Trade Organisation talks in Hong Kong in December.

Bord Bia has undertaken an autumn promotion of identified Irish Beef in conjunction with EU retailers and their Irish suppliers. This is being rolled out progressively across nine EU countries over the next two months. Initial feedback is encouraging in terms of improved demand in response to the promotion and it is hoped that we can strengthen the position of Irish beef in the European marketplace. An increased presence in this sophisticated, high value market is the key to the success of the beef industry in the long term.

The value of Irish lamb exports increased by approximately 14% to €165 million in 2004. While the main market is France, the United Kingdom, Germany, Italy, Portugal, Spain, Sweden and Denmark are growing in importance. The Tunisian and Algerian markets were also opened in 2004 and all markets showed increased trade that year. Trade with the United Kingdom increased by some 19% in 2004 while the important French market, which accounts for about two thirds of all lamb exports, increased by approximately 14% despite strong competition from the United Kingdom and New Zealand.

The outlook for Irish pigmeat exports this year looks stable and should be in line with the export figure of 117,000 tonnes for 2004. Just over half of our pigmeat exports go to the United Kingdom with the remainder equally divided between other EU member states and third countries. Poultrymeat export volumes in 2004 realised some 93,000 tonnes and were valued at in excess of €230 million. This figure includes our valuable industry processed products and prepared meats area. The outlook for 2005 is for our markets to remain stable. I am satisfied that the promotion efforts of Bord Bia play an important role both in maintaining our existing markets for beef, lamb and pigmeat and also in developing new ones for the future.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

413 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if all beef, lamb or pigmeat sold here or distributed to retailers complies with her Department's traceability requirements; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26776/05]

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mary Coughlan)

My Department operates a full traceability system for cattle, sheep and pigs. It is also a requirement under the new European food safety legislation, which came into effect at the beginning of this year, that all food businesses must have a traceability system in place. This new legislation places the responsibility for compliance with food safety legislation on the all food business operators along the food chain, that is from the primary producer right through to the final outlet. It requires, among other points, that each such operator must be able to trace and record details of the supplier of the food product to the customer, covering both one step back and one step forward along the food chain.

Food Labelling.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

414 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if she is satisfied that adequate food labelling exists to identify the origins of all meat or meat products available here; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26777/05]

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mary Coughlan)

There is some legislation governing the labelling of meat and meat products. The general labelling regulations covering, among other points, 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 policy in respect of legislation on the labelling of specific products including beef and other meats. The labelling of beef is governed by EU regulations that were introduced in 2000. These compulsory labelling regulations require all operators and organisations marketing beef within the community to provide the information on the label, namely, 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 to include the country in which it was born and reared.

These requirements apply to all beef sold at retail level regardless of whether that beef was produced within the Community or in a third country. Where beef is imported into the Community from a third country and all the above details are not 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. For the purpose of these regulations, marketing means all aspects of beef production and marketing to retail level, including up to the point of delivery into hotels, restaurants and catering establishments.

My priority now in this area is to extend the existing beef labelling laws to require information on the country of origin of beef to be provided to all consumers in the restaurant and catering sectors. I put specific proposals to Government at the end of June for a legislative framework to facilitate this by way of an amendment to the Health Act 1947. This will be introduced under the Irish Medicines Board (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2005, which is before the Oireachtas this session. The appropriate regulations are being worked on concurrently and it is my intention to have these cleared at EU level as soon as possible. When the Act is amended and the regulations made, country of origin information will be available to consumers in respect of all beef served in restaurants, hotels and the whole catering sector in Ireland on a mandatory basis.

In the meantime and following discussions with my Department, the various representative bodies, including the Irish Hotels Federation, the Restaurants Association of Ireland and both of the vintners groups, have all agreed to recommend to their members the introduction on a voluntary basis of a mechanism for providing consumers in their premises with information on the country of origin of the beef served there in advance of the mandatory legal requirement. This agreement was finalised last week and these organisations are currently at various stages in that process. I expect the voluntary system will be in place in the very near future.

Beef has the most developed system of labelling in the EU. However, there are also EU regulations on poultrymeat that provide for the labelling of unprocessed poultrymeat. The regulations require such poultrymeat to be labelled at retail level with the information regarding class, price per kilogram, condition, registered number of slaughterhouse or cutting plant and, where imported from a third country, an indication of country of origin. My next step in meat labelling is to extend the labelling requirements to have similar provisions in law for poultrymeat, pigmeat and lamb as we will have for beef. This is not a straightforward matter and will involve considerable complexities. EU approval will also be required and there is no precedent so far for individual member states being allowed to extend meat labelling requirements internally beyond providing information that is already required in EU laws.

Arising from the implementation of the recommendations of the food labelling group, responsibility for the enforcement of all 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. Therefore, 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.

Direct Payment Schemes.

Michael Noonan

Question:

415 Mr. Noonan asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the status of the force majeure or exceptional circumstances appeal regarding the refusal of a single payment for a person (details supplied) in County Limerick. [26792/05]

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mary Coughlan)

The person named, having been notified that the circumstances outlined by him did not satisfy the criteria for force majeure or exceptional circumstances under Article 40 of Council Regulation (EC) No. 1782/2003, submitted an appeal to the single payment appeals committee. Following a full examination of the circumstances outlined in the appeal, the single payment appeals committee made a recommendation and a letter, outlining the its findings, issued to the person on 3 October 2005. The findings of the appeals committee were that the original decision taken by my Department should be upheld.

Departmental Programmes.

Charlie O'Connor

Question:

416 Mr. O’Connor asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the supports that are available to farmers in the Bohernabreena area in County Dublin; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26797/05]

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mary Coughlan)

Details of supports available to farmers from my Department are contained in my Department's publication Schemes and Services, which is available from my Department's offices and on the 2005 publications page of its website at www.agriculture.gov.ie. I have arranged for a copy of the current edition to be sent to the Deputy.

Computerisation Programme.

John Curran

Question:

417 Mr. Curran asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if the new computer system which is required for the extension of the fixed charge system became operational during summer 2005 (details supplied). [26397/05]

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

The fixed charge processing system, FCPS, is the Garda IT system for processing fixed charge road traffic offences, including the requirements for the penalty points system. The FCPS is currently operational in Dublin, Cork city and parts of counties Louth and Meath. The system will be extended nationwide in respect of existing penalty point offences in conjunction with the commencement of an outsourced fixed charge payment collection service. Subject to finalisation of contract negotiations between the Department and the preferred service provider, rollout will commence later this year. In addition, it is proposed to rollout additional penalty point offences under regulations under the Road Traffic Act 2002, which will be prepared by the Department of Transport in consultation with my Department.

Visa Applications.

Fergus O'Dowd

Question:

418 Mr. O’Dowd asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position regarding visa applications for persons (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26566/05]

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

The applications in question were received in my Department on 5 August 2004. Having given full consideration to the matter, the visas were refused because my Department was not satisfied that the applicants would fully honour the conditions of the visa. It was felt that the applicants had not displayed evidence of their obligations to return home following the proposed visit. The applications were refused on 7 September as the visa officer could not be reasonably satisfied that the applicants would observe the conditions of the visa.

The onus is on the applicant to provide sufficient documentation to enable both the initial application and, where applicable, an appeal to be fully examined. In this case, it was deemed that the evidence provided by the applicants at appeal stage did not warrant a reversal of the initial decision to refuse the application. Consequently, the decision to decline the grant of a visa to the applicants was upheld on 29 October 2004. It is open to the applicants to make a fresh application with up-to-date supporting documentation and the matter will be considered anew.

Garda Stations.

Charlie O'Connor

Question:

419 Mr. O’Connor asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will report on plans for the redevelopment of Garda station facilities in Tallaght, Dublin 24 including consideration of a second Garda station for Tallaght west; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26587/05]

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

The Garda authorities are currently considering their station requirements for Tallaght including the provision of a new divisional headquarters. When they have made their views known to me, the matter will be fully and carefully considered in my Department.

Decentralisation Programme.

Dan Boyle

Question:

420 Mr. Boyle asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if the Garda vetting unit has been completely decentralised to Thurles, County Tipperary as was envisaged to happen by September 2005; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26616/05]

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

Following the finalisation of the leasing arrangements by the Office of Public Works, the refurbishment of the temporary office in Thurles has now commenced and it is anticipated that the Garda central vetting unit will move in by the end of November 2005.

Tom Hayes

Question:

421 Mr. Hayes asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the progress which has been made in respect of decentralisation to Tipperary town. [26741/05]

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

Under the Government's decentralisation programme, 186 posts are to move to Tipperary town from my Department's asylum and immigration area. An implementation plan in respect of the decentralisation of these sections is available on my Department's website.

The decentralisation implementation group report to the Minister for Finance on 30 June 2005 gives the indicative date for completion of construction of a building for the offices in Tipperary town as 2008. Work is ongoing with regard to the transfer of staff to Tipperary using the lists from the central applications facility. I understand from the Office of Public Works that the acquisition of a suitable site for the Department in Tipperary town is at an advanced stage. The private security authority has opened its offices in Tipperary town and to date, ten staff have relocated to that office.

Child Care Services.

Cecilia Keaveney

Question:

422 Cecilia Keaveney asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position with regard to a child care application for a group (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26259/05]

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

As the Deputy may be aware, the community-based group in question was awarded staffing grant assistance under the equal opportunities childcare programme, EOCP, 2000-2006, of €60,000 over three years in September 2002. The amount approved was considered to be a sufficient contribution for the level of service being provided.

I understand from inquiries I have made with Area Development Management Limited, ADM, which is engaged by my Department to carry out the day-to-day administration of the EOCP, that the group has drawn down €38,100 of the staffing grant to date. At the current rate of spend, the group is assured funding until December 2005.

Following a detailed review of the existing staffing grants under the EOCP, my Department 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.

I understand from inquiries I have made to ADM that the group in question is currently providing a lower level of service than that originally committed to and for which the grant was approved. I further understand that ADM is in dialogue with the group and is carrying out a full review of the extent to which the service is meeting the objectives of the EOCP, with particular reference to the key objectives to meet the needs of parents in employment, training or education. When the review is completed, a decision will be made regarding future funding for the group in question. The group will be informed of the outcome of the review in due course.

Visa Applications.

Olivia Mitchell

Question:

423 Ms O. Mitchell asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the status of the appeal for a visa for a person (details supplied). [26260/05]

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

In the case of all non-EEA workers seeking to be joined by their family members, they must be in a position to support the family members in question without the need for those family members to have recourse to public funds or paid employment. Unfortunately, the level of income in this case demonstrated that the person is not in a position to support the spouse without recourse to public funds and my Department is therefore not in a position to grant the visa at this time.

To date my Department has not received an appeal from the applicant. The appeal must be submitted to the visa appeals officer within two months of the refusal date which was 15 August. Therefore the deadline for lodging the appeal would be 15 October. Any appeal should be accompanied by additional documentation designed to address the reason for refusal outlined above.

Closed Circuit Television Systems.

Máire Hoctor

Question:

424 Ms Hoctor asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will alter the criteria currently in place for assessment of growing towns whose local authorities or chamber of commerce apply for Garda monitored closed circuit television coverage(details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26272/05]

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

I assume that the Deputy's question refers to the provision of Garda CCTV town centre systems, which has been rolled out to various locations in the State in recent years. I am informed by the Garda authorities that all applications for such Garda CCTV systems must be prepared in co-operation with the local Garda district and divisional officers and must receive their full support. The application is then considered by the CCTV advisory committee which makes a recommendation, through the Garda Commissioner, to myself. Applications are assessed by the committee on the basis of Garda operational needs against the following objective criteria: crime-public order statistics in an area; population and level of activity there; the recommendation of local Garda management; any special circumstances or needs that exist and the likely impact of a Garda CCTV system on the area. I am further informed that the Garda authorities have no plans to alter the criteria currently in place. The deployment and allocation of resources, including Garda CCTV systems, is an operational matter for the Garda authorities.

I am advised that an application for a Garda CCTV system in Thurles from local Garda management and Thurles chamber of commerce, which had been submitted to the CCTV advisory committee for consideration, was withdrawn in early 2003. Further to a number of queries received regarding this application, officials in my Department were advised by the Garda authorities that the application was withdrawn as the chamber of commerce intended to install a community based CCTV system. I am advised that no new application for a Garda CCTV system in Thurles has since been received by the advisory committee. I am further informed that no application for the installation of a Garda CCTV system in Nenagh has ever been submitted to the CCTV advisory committee for consideration.

The Deputy will appreciate that it is not possible for the Garda Síochána to install Garda CCTV systems in all areas that have sought them. To this end, I launched the community based CCTV scheme on 15 June 2005. This scheme has been developed in response to a demonstrated demand from local communities across Ireland for the provision of CCTV systems. The scheme is designed to provide financial assistance to qualifying local organisations towards meeting the capital costs associated with the establishment of local community CCTV systems. Communities which are not ready to apply for full scheme funding — stage 2 — could apply for pre-development supports — stage 1 — to assist in the formulation of high-quality proposals which will have the necessary elements of local support and sustainability.

The closing date for receipt of applications was 20 September 2005 and the scheme is being administered on behalf of my Department by Area Development Management Limited, ADM. I am advised that four of the 83 applications for funding under both stages of the scheme originated from County Tipperary. I understand that an application for stage 2 funding has been received from Thurles and is under consideration. No application for either stage has been received from Nenagh.

Visa Applications.

Brendan Howlin

Question:

425 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the basis on which a visa has been refused in respect of a person (details supplied); if this matter has been reviewed on foot of an appeal and representations dated 15 July 2005 and 3 August 2005 to which no reply has been received; the current status of this appeal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26284/05]

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

I can advise the Deputy that the visa application has been approved at appeal stage.

Garda Strength.

Brian O'Shea

Question:

426 Mr. O’Shea asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his proposals to provide additional gardaí and resources for Dungarvan, County Waterford (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26287/05]

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

I am informed by the Garda authorities, who are responsible for the detailed allocation of Garda resources, including personnel, that the personnel strength of Dungarvan Garda station as at 4 October 2005 was 35, all ranks. The personnel strength of Dungarvan Garda station as at 31 December 1997 was 28, all ranks. This represents an increase of seven, or 25%, in the number of personnel allocated to Dungarvan Garda station since that date.

I am further advised that the numbers of Garda personnel assigned throughout the country, together with overall policing arrangements and operational strategy, are continually monitored and reviewed to ensure that optimum use is made of Garda resources and that the best possible service is provided to the public. However, the situation will be kept under review and the policing needs of Dungarvan will continue to be fully considered within the context of the overall needs of Garda districts and divisions throughout the country.

With regard to Garda resources generally, I am, of course, very pleased that the Government has approved my proposal to increase the strength of the Garda Síochána to 14,000 members on a phased basis, in line with An Agreed Programme for Government commitment in this regard. This is a key commitment in the programme for Government and its implementation will significantly strengthen the operational capacity of the force.

Clearly, of course, the additional resources will be targeted at the areas of greatest need, as is envisaged in the programme for Government. The programme identifies, in particular, areas with a significant drugs problem and a large number of public order offences, but it will be possible to address other priorities as well, such as the need to very significantly increase the number of gardaí allocated to traffic duties as part of the new Garda traffic corps. One thing I have already promised is that the additional gardaí will not be put on administrative duties. They will be put directly into frontline, operational, high-visibility policing. They will have a real impact.

Citizenship Applications.

Fergus O'Dowd

Question:

427 Mr. O’Dowd asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if permission to remain in the State will be granted to a person (details supplied) in County Louth; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26290/05]

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

Installation of CCTV systems is a detailed, complex and lengthy process. I am anxious to accelerate the implementation of the CCTV programme, and reduce as far as possible the workload of the Garda Síochána in this regard. I believe that the answer is to outsource the installation of Garda CCTV systems to the greatest extent possible, making use not only of the technical but also of the project management expertise in the private sector. I have asked the Garda Commissioner to submit proposals for outsourced CCTV systems in the 11 locations in the remaining two phases, with a view to achieving implementation in priority locations, including Clondalkin, by the end of 2006.

As a first step in this process the Garda authorities engaged a consultancy firm to examine all aspects of Garda involvement in CCTV systems, including the installation, operation and management of CCTV systems; monitoring, recording and related activities; accommodation and situation of facilities and staff in respect of the town CCTV system and Garda station premises; and assessment of civilianisation of Garda CCTV monitoring conducted under the management of the Garda Síochána.

The consultancy firm also examined which procurement model is the most suitable in terms of commercial viability and cost effectiveness for the provision of town centre CCTV systems. This consultancy process has recently concluded and the Garda authorities are finalising their proposals in consultation with my Department.

Question No. 437 answered with QuestionNo. 431.

Garda Deployment.

John Curran

Question:

438 Mr. Curran asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if the mountain bike units of the Garda Síochána are still being operated as a pilot project; if so, when he will officially launch the mountain bike units; the number of mountain bike units which operate in the Clondalkin, Ronanstown and Lucan stations; and his plans to increase the number of mountain bike units in these stations. [26404/05]

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

The Garda mountain bike unit was introduced on a pilot basis on 5 June 2001 in the Tallaght and Raheny Garda districts of the Dublin metropolitan region. In February 2002 a review conducted by the Garda authorities found that the deployment of Garda personnel on mountain bikes was successful in tackling and responding to certain types of crimes and offences. Since then the Garda mountain bike unit has been expanded on a national basis.

The total number of mountain bikes available to the Garda Síochána is 95 of which two are allocated to Clondalkin and two to Ronanstown Garda stations. The further allocation of Garda mountain bikes to additional Garda districts will take place each year over the next three years and that the allocation of Garda mountain bikes to Lucan Garda station is receiving consideration in line with several other Garda districts nationally.

Mountain bike units have been very successful in tackling anti-social disorderly behaviour in local parks and estates and work well in conjunction with other units. Overall, the units have proved successful to date due to their commitment, ability to respond quickly and effectively and capacity to provide a high visibility presence.

Mountain bike units have made a significant and positive contribution to a proactive approach in tackling crime. Garda management has received positive feedback from the community about the work of these units.

Visa Applications.

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Question:

439 Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the reason for the refusal of a visa application for a person (details supplied). [26495/05]

The person in question made an application for permission to remain in the State based on marriage to an Irish national. A request for documentation to enable the further processing of the application was issued on 29 September 2005. It is expected that on receipt of the information requested the case will be finalised within a short time. However, it should be noted that marriage to an Irish national does not confer an automatic right of residence in the State.

Asylum Applications.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

444 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if the decision to refuse refugee status to a person (details supplied) in County Limerick will be reviewed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26524/05]

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

The person concerned arrived in the State on 19 August 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.

Subsequently, in accordance with section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999, as amended, she was informed by letter dated 21 September 2005 that the Minister proposed to make a deportation order regarding her. She was given the options, to be exercised within 15 working days, of making representations to the Minister setting out the reasons 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 a decision in due course.

Road Traffic Offences.

Olivia Mitchell

Question:

445 Ms O. Mitchell asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the length of time it will take to reprogramme the PULSE system to ensure that road traffic summons in respect of alleged speeding offences arising from hand-held speed detectors make reference to section 15 of Road Traffic Act 2004. [26572/05]

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

I am informed by the Garda authorities that they have sought a legal opinion regarding the wording of summons for alleged speeding offences and the reference to section 15 of the Road Traffic Act 2004. On receipt of that legal opinion, the Garda Síochána will be able to make a determination on the impact, if any, on the PULSE system. Should changes be required to the offence wording on the PULSE computer system, I am advised that they can be implemented within two working days of the receipt of the approved version.

Prison Accommodation.

Seymour Crawford

Question:

446 Mr. Crawford asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the amount it costs to keep a prisoner in Mountjoy for one day and one week; the amount it costs to keep a similar prisoner in Loughan House for one day and one week; his views on whether it is good practice to keep a person in Mountjoy whose issue is a drink related problem; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26579/05]

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

Regarding detaining a prisoner in Mountjoy Prison who has a drink related problem, the specialist probation and welfare service team established as part of the prison-based drug treatment services initiative provides alcohol and addiction awareness programmes and other addiction-related programmes in the North Circular Road complex, as well as its work with community-based addiction projects. The probation and welfare service also facilitates meetings between Alcoholics Anonymous members and prisoners.

There are other factors which are taken into consideration when a prisoner's placement is decided. Those factors include the nature of the offence, the length of sentence served, behaviour while in custody, the risk of absconding, the extent to which that person has engaged with the therapeutic services and, most importantly, the perceived threat that the person may pose to the community. The Deputy will appreciate that issues from a security perspective are particularly relevant when consideration is given to a person wishing to transfer to an open centre such as the one at Loughan House, County Cavan.

The cost of keeping an offender in Mountjoy Prison and Loughan House is set out hereunder.

Prison	Yearly	Weekly	Daily
	€	€	€
Mountjoy	91,800	1,760	250
Loughan House	63,900	1,230	175

Citizenship Applications.

James Breen

Question:

447 Mr. J. Breen asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of persons on the waiting list for naturalisation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26580/05]

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

The following table shows details of applications for naturalisation received and certificates of naturalisation issued in the period from 2001 to the end of August 2005.

Year	Number of Naturalisation Applications received	Number of Certificates of Naturalisation issued
2005 (end of August)	2,808	966
2004	4,074	1,335
2003	3,580	1,664
2002	3,574	1,332
2001	1,431	1,012

The average processing time for an application for naturalisation is 24 months at present. There are 7,617 naturalisation applications awaiting processing in the citizenship section of my department.

James Breen

Question:

448 Mr. J. Breen asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of persons employed in the naturalisation department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26581/05]

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

I assume that the Deputy is referring to the citizenship section of my Department. There are 40 staff assigned to the citizenship section. Some 33 staff are employed in processing naturalisation applications, with the other seven members of staff in the section assigned to the processing of applications for post-nuptial citizenship.

James Breen

Question:

449 Mr. J. Breen asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his plans for public representatives and the general public to contact the naturalisation section; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26582/05]

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

A citizenship helpline operates in the citizenship section of my Department that is open to both public representatives and members of the public. The helpline can be accessed by way of telephone, e-mail or correspondence. This helpline operates each Tuesday and Thursday between 10 a.m. and 12.30 p.m. In 2004, a total of 10,127 calls were processed by the helpline.

Additional resources have been assigned to the citizenship section in recent months as part of an overall expansion of structures in the section.

Crime Prevention.

Charlie O'Connor

Question:

450 Mr. O’Connor asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will discuss with the Garda authorities the merits of the STAY Garda division project based at a school (details supplied) in Dublin 12; if he will progress plans to fund STAY; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26584/05]

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

Garda youth diversion projects are a community-based, multi-agency crime prevention initiative which seek to divert young persons from becoming involved — or further involved — in anti-social or criminal behaviour by providing suitable activities to facilitate personal development, promote civic responsibility and improve long-term employability prospects. By doing so, the projects also contribute to improving the quality of life within communities and enhancing Garda-community relations. The number of projects has grown from 12 in 1997 to 64 at present, a process made possible, in part, by funding under the National Development Plan 2000-2006. The locations of new projects are decided upon by the Garda authorities in conjunction with my Department. There are currently three Garda youth diversion projects, KEY, JAY and YEW, operating in the Tallaght area, which collectively cater for 134 participants.

I am committed to the continuing development and, as resources permit, the expansion of Garda youth diversion projects. Proposals made by the Garda Síochána to my Department on establishing further projects are examined within the context of available resources. All applications relating to the establishment of further projects should follow the establishment process as set out in the Garda youth diversion project guidelines, which I launched in 2003. The 11 establishment guidelines give a clear structure to the application process, from the initial expression of interest to the final submission of the proposal, and cover issues such as the pre-establishment phase, consultation, memorandum of understanding, legal structure, the co-ordinator's job description and the catchment area.

A budget of €5.471 million has been provided for the Garda youth diversion projects and local drugs task force projects in 2005. That amount will be required to meet the funding needs of the projects in operation. It is not envisaged that additional youth diversion projects will be established in the short term. I am committed to seeking additional funding for projects in the context of prevailing budgetary conditions, and in that context the application for the project referred to by the Deputy will be kept under review.

Garda Deployment.

Charlie O'Connor

Question:

I have requested the Land Registry to contact him directly concerning the current position of the application in question. I understand that, in circumstances where the completion of an application in a particular case is urgent, the Land Registry will make every reasonable effort to facilitate such requests on receipt of a written explanation regarding the reason underlying the urgency.

Closed Circuit Television Systems.

Willie Penrose

Question:

455 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the reason no moneys have been provided to finance the installation of a closed circuit television scheme in Mullingar, County Westmeath; if consideration will be given to ensure the allocation of appropriate funds to the parties interested in ensuring same is provided in Mullingar; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26716/05]

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

Garda closed circuit television, CCTV systems are funded directly from a provision within the Garda Vote. Finance for Garda CCTV systems is allocated each year in the Estimates process, with the amount sought being based on current and planned Garda projects.

Some 17 priority locations nationwide have been selected to receive a Garda CCTV system. This programme of implementation of CCTV systems is being implemented on a phased basis. The first phase includes Bray, Dundalk, Dun Laoghaire, Finglas, Galway and Limerick; the second includes Athlone, Clondalkin, Tallaght and Waterford; and the third comprises Ballyfermot, Carlow, Castlebar, Clonmel, Ennis, Kilkenny and Sligo.

Installation of CCTV systems is of necessity a detailed, complex and lengthy process. I am anxious to accelerate the implementation of the CCTV programme, and reduce as far as possible the workload of the Garda Síochána in this regard. The answer is to outsource the installation of Garda CCTV systems to the greatest extent possible, making use not only of the technical but also of the project management expertise in the private sector. I have asked the Garda Commissioner to submit proposals for outsourced CCTV systems in the 11 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 engaged a consultancy firm to examine all aspects of Garda involvement in CCTV systems, including the installation, operation and management of CCTV systems; monitoring, recording and related activities; accommodation and situation of facilities and staff in regard to the town CCTV system and Garda station premises; and assessment of civilianisation of Garda CCTV monitoring conducted under the management of the Garda Síochána.

The consultancy firm also examined which procurement model is the most suitable in terms of commercial viability and cost effectiveness for the provision of town centre CCTV systems. This consultancy process has recently concluded and the Garda authorities are now finalising their proposals in consultation with my Department.

I am informed by the Garda authorities that an application for a Garda CCTV system in Mullingar has been received and is under consideration by the advisory committee, along with applications from other cities and towns throughout the country. The inclusion of other town centre locations, including Mullingar, beyond the 17 already listed in the programme of Garda CCTV systems will be considered in the context of the revised procurement model.

The Deputy appreciates it is not possible for the Garda Síochána to install Garda CCTV systems in all areas that have sought them. To this end, I launched the community based CCTV scheme on 15 June 2005. This scheme has been developed in response to a demonstrated demand from local communities for the provision of CCTV systems. The scheme is designed to provide financial assistance to qualifying local organisations towards meeting the capital costs associated with the establishment of local community CCTV systems. Communities which are not ready to apply for full scheme funding, stage two, may apply for pre-development supports, stage one, to assist in the formulation of high-quality proposals that have the necessary elements of local support and sustainability.

The closing date for receipt of applications was 20 September 2005 and the scheme is being administered on behalf of my Department by Area Development Management Limited, ADM. I am informed by ADM that a total of 83 applications for funding under the community based CCTV scheme — 51 under stage one and 32 under stage two — were received by the closing date of 20 September 2005. An application for stage one funding has been received in respect of Mullingar and is under consideration.

Deportation Orders.

Pat Breen

Question:

456 Mr. P. Breen asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the status of a person (details supplied) in County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26759/05]

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

I refer the Deputy to the reply I gave to Parliamentary Question No. 709 on Wednesday, 26 January 2005. Since then, the person referred to by the Deputy has presented himself to the Garda National Immigration Bureau on a number of occasions and is due to present again on Tuesday, 25 October 2005. The issuing of travel documents for this person is being pursued by the bureau with the Congolese authorities and his removal will be arranged as soon as these are available.

Human Rights Issues.

Dinny McGinley

Question:

457 Mr. McGinley asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if an application (details supplied) has been received for assistance from his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26780/05]

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

The correspondence referred to by the Deputy, which relates to funding for frontline violence against women services such as helplines, refuges and rape crisis centres in the County Donegal and Letterkenny area, has been received in my Department. Funding for the provision of such services falls in the main within the responsibility of the Department of Health and Children and the correspondence has been referred to that Department for attention.

I further advise the Deputy that a sub-committee of the national steering committee on violence against women, which is chaired by my Department, is examining the question of funding for the sector generally and the issues raised in the correspondence will be taken into account in this review.

Residency Permits.

Michael Noonan

Question:

458 Mr. Noonan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will consider granting an extension of the visa for a person (details supplied) in County Limerick. [26794/05]

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

An application for permission to remain in the State based on marriage to an Irish national was received from the person concerned in August 2005. Applications of this type are dealt with in chronological order and take approximately 16 to 18 months to process. However, it should be noted that marriage to an Irish national does not confer an automatic right of residence in the State.

Olivia Mitchell

Question:

459 Ms O. Mitchell asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his plans to make improvements to the position with regard to applicants for leave to remain here made before January 2005 on a basis other than that of parentage of an Irish born child; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26798/05]

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

Subject to certain limited exceptions, every non-European Economic Area national who is resident in the State is required to have the permission of the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform to remain. In 2004 more than 130,000 non-EEA nationals registered with the Garda national immigration bureau and received such permission. These included work permit holders and their families, students, spouses of Irish nationals and dependants of EEA nationals.

In the case of persons in the State without this permission, including failed asylum seekers, the issue of granting permission to remain is considered in the context of a ministerial proposal to deport them. Cases are examined on an individual basis under section 3(6) of the Immigration Act 1999, as amended, and section 5 of the Refugee Act 1996, prohibition of refoulement. The discussion document, Immigration and Residence in Ireland, which I published last April, included proposals for a single procedure for protection and a streamlined removals process. Proposals in this regard will be included in the immigration and residence Bill which is being prepared in my Department.

Illegal Fireworks.

Róisín Shortall

Question:

460 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the steps he is taking to curtail the availability of fireworks in the lead up to Hallowe'en; if he is aware of the fear and serious distress which the widespread use of fireworks and bangers cause to the public, especially the elderly; if he is further aware that these products are widely available in several major outlets on the N1 on or near the Border; if he will request the Garda authorities to deal with the plentiful supply of these products from this source; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26809/05]

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

I assure the Deputy that I am aware of the dangers posed by the use of illegal fireworks and the distress they cause, particularly at this time of year.

The Explosives Act 1875 provides for the control of the importation, manufacture, storage and sale of fireworks. As the Deputy is aware, last February I published a fireworks policy consultation document and initiated a process of consultation with a view to bringing forward proposals for amending and strengthening the provisions in the 1875 Act. My Department has received and is examining a wide range of submissions in response to the consultation document.

It is already clear from the submissions received that, among the options for change outlined in the consultation document, there is a general acknowledgement of the need to strengthen the enforcement provisions in the 1875 Act. Accordingly, I propose to take the opportunity presented by the Criminal Justice Bill 2004, which is currently before the House, to bring forward, on Committee Stage, amendments to provide for new offences governing the misuse of fireworks in public places and an offence of possession of illegally imported fireworks with intent to supply. I also propose to significantly increase penalties governing the illegal importation, sale and use of fireworks.

The Garda authorities make every effort to identify persons involved in the illegal importation and sale of all types of fireworks. Where necessary, specific policing plans are put in place in areas where particular problems arise. These plans include intelligence gathering on known dealers and suppliers and, once identified, putting plans in place to arrest them and seize their stocks of illegal fireworks.

Each year leading up to Hallowe'en, special efforts are made to combat the illegal importation of fireworks. This year an intelligence-led operation called Operation Tombola, which aims to prevent and detect the organised importation, for sale, of fireworks, has been put in place by the Garda Commissioner. In this context, chief superintendents throughout the country have been instructed to introduce measures appropriate to their respective areas of responsibility, with particular emphasis on Garda divisions in the Dublin metropolitan region and in Border regions. The operation, while intelligence driven, will be coupled with sporadic high-visibility policing activities.

Educational Disadvantage.

Richard Bruton

Question:

461 Mr. Bruton asked the Minister for Education and Science if she has received a submission from an organisation (details supplied) for an innovative inter-agency initiative to target early age disadvantage; and the possibility of support from her Department for the initiatives. [26533/05]

Minister for Education and Science (Ms Hanafin)

The organisation referred to by the Deputy is developing an integrated plan, entitled "Preparing for Life", which is intended to address the needs of children at each stage of their development in order to better prepare them for school. The plan involves mentoring and group training for parents to improve their skills, esteem and aspirations for their children. It is intended that the project will result in improved physical and psychological health and better educational outcomes for children at key stages in their development to the point of reception in school.

Officials of my Department have met with the education co-ordinator of the organisation in question on a number of occasions and have provided advice in regard to the development of the proposal. I understand it will shortly be presented formally to my Department and, at that stage, will be assessed in terms of our programmes to address educational disadvantage.

Special Educational Needs.

Richard Bruton

Question:

462 Mr. Bruton asked the Minister for Education and Science the reason a special needs assistant has been withdrawn without any explanation to the family or the person employed as assistant at a school (details supplied); and the alternative supports which are proposed to compensate for this loss. [26263/05]

Minister for Education and Science (Ms Hanafin)

The National Council for Special Education, NCSE, was established as an independent statutory body with responsibilities as set out in the National Council for Special Education (Establishment) Order 2003. Since 1 January 2005, the NCSE, through local special educational needs organisers, SENOs, is responsible for processing 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 the local SENO for additional teaching support and-or special needs assistant support for the pupil. My officials are advised by the NCSE that the application for special educational needs support for the pupil referred to by the Deputy is under consideration by the SENO and a decision will be given shortly.

School Transport.

Dan Neville

Question:

463 Mr. Neville asked the Minister for Education and Science if, having given a commitment in February 2001, the status quo will be maintained in regard to school transport to Salesian College, Pallaskenry from the Limerick city catchment area pending a review of the arrangements and the catchment boundary situation; and if the transport service to students who applied for the first year in 2005 from the city catchment area will be granted. [26264/05]

Minister for Education and Science (Ms Hanafin)

Michael Ring

Question:

470 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of children who have lost hours with regard to her comment in relation to special needs children that no child would lose their service; the number who have had a reduction or change in the service previously provided to them; and the number who have been affected by the changeover. [26294/05]

Minister for Education and Science (Ms Hanafin)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 469 and 470 together.

As the Deputy is aware, my Department announced the new general allocation system last May with a view to it being implemented in all primary schools with effect from the start of the current school year. The general allocation scheme is 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 learning support needs. Resource teaching hours for children with low incidence special needs, such as hearing impairment, will continue to be provided on the basis of an individual application for each child.

In the intervening months, my officials have dealt with a significant level of queries in relation to the operation of the system in the form of both telephone calls and written correspondence. Their experience has been that while initial concerns were expressed by some schools as to the possible impact of the new model, these concerns were largely as a result of schools requiring further clarity in relation to their own particular situation. I add that this is not surprising given that the change from the previous allocation system to the general allocation system was indeed a major change and it was inevitable that schools would have a large number of queries as to how the new system would operate.

At this stage my officials are confident that initial difficulties that were experienced by some schools in relation to issues such as clustering arrangements and the creation of full-time posts by combining general allocation hours and low incidence hours have been resolved in the vast majority of cases. In many of these cases it was possible to adjust the clustering arrangements to rectify geographical difficulties or to sanction additional teaching posts where the number of hours allocated to the school warranted such posts.

Furthermore, my Department has recently issued a comprehensive circular, Sp Ed 02/05, to all primary schools regarding the organisation of teaching resources for pupils who need additional support in mainstream primary schools. The main purpose of this circular is to provide guidance for schools on the deployment and organisation of the teaching resources that were allocated under the general allocation model. Reference is also made in this circular to the deployment of additional teaching resources that are allocated to schools for the support of individual pupils with low incidence disabilities.

In introducing the general allocation system I also introduced transitional arrangements whereby transitional hours would be given to schools to cater for children that had previously been allocated individual teaching resources but which it would not be possible for the school to provide under their allocation under the general allocation model. In the circumstances no child should have experienced a loss of resource teaching hours.

As outlined in the circular it is a matter for each school to determine the pupils with high incidence special education and learning support needs that will receive this support. The school can 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 type of response needed depends on the child. I am satisfied at this stage that the general allocation system is working well and has been generally favourably received by schools. My Department will continue to work with schools and the education partners with a view to ensuring that this remains the case going forward.

Teaching Qualifications.

Michael Ring

Question:

471 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of restrictive recognition teachers here at present and the number that are employed by her Department. [26295/05]

Minister for Education and Science (Ms Hanafin)

There are 402 teachers with restricted recognition currently working in primary schools. My Department does not have information on the number of such teachers outside primary schools. Restricted recognition gives eligibility to teach in certain categories of special schools and in 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. 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 pupils attending the special school are of post-primary age and where second level programmes are being provided by the school.

School Funding.

Mary Upton

Question:

472 Dr. Upton asked the Minister for Education and Science if Educate Together schools will be able to draw down core funding on the same basis as other schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26315/05]

Minister for Education and Science (Ms Hanafin)

The level of funding that my Department provides to Educate Together schools is on a par with that provided to other primary schools. However, following discussions with Educate Together my Department has provided additional funding in 2005 to meet the immediate issues of concern to that body. The matter of the future funding to be provided to the primary management bodies, including Educate Together, in 2006 will be considered as part of the normal Estimates process.

In relation to support for the establishment of new multi-denominational schools, it should be noted that my Department has supported the establishment of many new Educate Together schools in recent years. Of the 24 new schools granted provisional recognition in the past three years, 12 of them are under Educate Together patronage, 11 of which are open.

My Department has made a number of changes in recent years which have made the provision of accommodation for new schools much easier. One of these changes, which was strongly welcomed by Educate Together, was the abolition of the local contribution to the building costs for State-owned school buildings, which had cost up to €63,500 per school. Other innovations include the development of the design and build model to provide permanent accommodation at a much faster rate, such as in the case of the new Educate Together school in Griffeen Valley, Lucan, which was designed and built in under 13 months.

School Services Staff.

Paul McGrath

Question:

473 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the scheme that exists for funding primary schools to employ a secretary in a typical primary school with a principal and three teachers, a principal and five teachers, a principal and eight teachers and a principal and ten teachers. [26329/05]

Paul McGrath

Question:

474 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the scheme that exists for funding primary schools to employ a caretaker in a typical primary school with a principal and three teachers, a principal and five teachers, a principal and eight teachers and a principal and ten teachers. [26330/05]

Minister for Education and Science (Ms Hanafin)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 473 and 474 together.

My Department provides funding towards the cost of secretarial and caretaking services in primary schools under two separate schemes. One scheme is the 1978-1979 scheme for the employment of full-time secretaries and caretakers in primary schools under which my Department meets the full cost of salary. This scheme is being phased out as posts become vacant and no new posts are being created. It has been superseded by a more extensive grant scheme now referred to as the ancillary services grant.

Question:

481 Mr. Gogarty asked the Minister for Education and Science if a survey or questionnaire has been sent out or is planned to study the impact of the general allocation scheme on the provision of resource teaching hours for pupils with high incidence special educational needs and those who require learning support. [26341/05]

Minister for Education and Science (Ms Hanafin)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 475 to 478, inclusive, 480 and 481 together.

As the Deputy is aware, my Department announced the new general allocation system last May with a view to it being implemented in all primary schools with effect from the start of the current school year. The general allocation scheme is 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 learning support needs. Resource teaching hours for children with low incidence special needs, such as hearing impairment, will continue to be provided on the basis of an individual application for each child.

In the intervening months, my officials have dealt with a significant level of queries in relation to the operation of the system in the form of both telephone calls and written correspondence. Their experience has been that while there were some initial concerns expressed by some schools as to the possible impact of the new model, these concerns were largely as a result of schools requiring further clarity in relation to their own particular situation. I add that this is not surprising given that the change from the previous allocation system to the general allocation system was indeed a major change and it was inevitable that schools would have a large number of queries as to how the new system would operate.

At this stage my officials are confident that initial difficulties that were experienced by some schools in relation to issues such as clustering arrangements and the creation of full-time posts by combining general allocation hours and low incidence hours have been resolved in the vast majority of cases. In many of these cases it was possible to adjust the clustering arrangements to rectify geographical difficulties or to sanction additional teaching posts where the number of hours allocated to the school warranted such posts.

A comprehensive circular, Sp Ed 02/05, was issued to schools in September 2005 in relation to the organisation of teaching resources for pupils who need additional support. Schools are advised in the circular to establish a staged approach to assessment, identification and learning programme planning for pupils with special educational needs. This advice is in keeping with advice that has been provided to schools in previous circulars and in the learning support guidelines and the NEPS model of service. A staged approach to identification and intervention is also advocated in the report of the task force on dyslexia and is in keeping with the terms of the Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs Act 2004.

Guidance for schools is provided in the circular for each step of the staged process. Three worked examples of how the staged can be put into operation in different school settings are provided. It is not advocated that schools should establish a uniform system of screening, identification and diagnostic testing in relation to the selection of pupils for additional support. Rather they should use the guidance in the documents that have been provided to develop policies and procedures to suit the circumstances of the school and the needs of the pupils. Further guidance and advice in relation to the establishment of whole-school procedures can be sought from NEPS by schools who have an assigned NEPS psychologist and from the primary curriculum support programme trainers who provide in-service support for all schools on the implementation of the learning support guidelines.

I am also satisfied that, on the basis of the information that has been provided to schools, and with the assistance that is available to schools from the Department, the National Council for Special Education and the National Educational Psychological Service, there is no confusion amongst principals and teachers regarding the definitions of high incidence and low incidence special needs.

Furthermore, as indicated above, my Department has received and continues to receive feedback from schools on the general allocation system through telephone calls and written correspondence. My officials also engage on an ongoing basis with the education partners in relation to all aspects of the education system, including the general allocation system. I am satisfied that through these avenues there is ample opportunity for feedback on the general allocation system.

As indicated in the circular that has issued to schools, the general allocation system will be reviewed within the next three years. The format of this review and whether a survey or questionnaire of schools will take place has not yet been decided upon. However, the position of disadvantaged schools may be reviewed at an earlier stage in the context of the development of a new policy framework for educational inclusion.

I am satisfied that at this stage the general allocation system is working well and has been favourably received by schools. My Department will continue to work with schools and the education partners with a view to ensuring that this remains the case going forward.

Telecommunications Services.

Paul Nicholas Gogarty

Question:

479 Mr. Gogarty asked the Minister for Education and Science the position regarding the rollout of the €30 million scheme for broadband Internet access in all primary and secondary schools; if this will be completed as promised by March 2006; the additional funding which will be provided to schools without the necessary broadband-capable hardware; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26339/05]

Minister for Education and Science (Ms Hanafin)

486 Mr. Curran asked the Minister for Education and Science if, in view of the recent population growth and development in the village of Newcastle, County Dublin, she will carry out a review of a school (details supplied) in Newcastle, County Dublin to ensure adequate primary level capacity will be available in Newcastle into the future. [26400/05]

Minister for Education and Science (Ms Hanafin)

My Department has examined the long term accommodation needs of St. Finian's National School in Newcastle and has determined that additional provision will be required to meet demand emanating from current and planned housing developments in the area. The matter of how best this additional accommodation should be provided, having regard to existing accommodation and the alternative options available, is currently under consideration. A decision in this regard will be made as soon as possible.

John Curran

Question:

487 Mr. Curran asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of primary school places which were available in Lucan, County Dublin in September 2002, September 2003, September 2004 and September 2005. [26403/05]

Minister for Education and Science (Ms Hanafin)

Prior to 2002 there were eight primary school providers in the Lucan area. In recognition of the developing nature of Lucan, my Department subsequently recognised three new primary new schools to cater for the growing demand for pupil places: an Educate Together school, a Catholic primary school under a reconfiguration process and a Gaelscoil. During the period in question, three new 16 classroom facilities have been built and plans are being advanced to extend an existing Gaelscoil to 16 classrooms also.

The following table sets out the number of junior infant places offered in Lucan in the years 2002 to 2004, inclusive, together with the combined overall enrolments for the schools in question. All schools throughout the country are in the process of filing enrolment returns for the current school year. Details for 2005 are not, therefore, available.

Lucan, County Dublin
Details of Primary School Enrolments 2002-2004 Inclusive
Year	No. of Providers	No. of junior infant places offered	Overall Enrolment
*2002	9	538	3,653
2003	9	614	4,109
2004	10	661	4,196
†2005	11

* New Educate Together School established. Subsequently provided with a Greenfield site 16 classroom school.

Archbishop Ryan NS re-configured to form a junior and senior school. New 16 classroom school built to facilitate this.

† New Gaelscoil established.

Schools currently filing enrolment returns for the 2005/06 school year.

In addition to above developments, in 2003, a new green field site school was provided for Lucan Educate Together.

Speed Limits.

Paul Connaughton

Question:

488 Mr. Connaughton asked the Minister for Education and Science when the guidelines for the erection of speed limits outside rural national schools will be published; if her attention has been drawn to the problems confronting the pupils, staff and parents of a school (details supplied) in County Galway; if her attention has been further drawn to the fact that this school is situated on the busy N63, that the school playground is situated on the opposite site of the road and if this school is to use the school warden system the speed limit approaching the school from both sides will have to be reduced; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26415/05]

Minister for Education and Science (Ms Hanafin)

The issue of speed control measures are outside the vested site area of Ballaghlea National School, Ballygar, County Galway and are not a matter over which my Department has any control. The school authorities may liaise with the local authority on the issues outlined by the Deputy.

Third Level Fees.

Olwyn Enright

Question:

489 Ms Enright asked the Minister for Education and Science if a person returning to college who qualifies under the back to education scheme and has previously completed one year in college is liable to pay third level fees if there is an age criteria and timeframe in place; if so, the details of same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26416/05]

Minister for Education and Science (Ms Hanafin)

The criteria for eligibility under the free fees initiative includes the provision that tuition fees will not be paid in respect of students undertaking repeat years or in respect of students repeating a year-level having changed, but not completed, their undergraduate course. Tuition fees will, however, be paid in respect of students who, having attended but not completed an approved course, are returning following a break of at least five years in order to pursue an approved course at the same level in the 2005 to 2006 academic year. There is no age limit for eligibility under the free fees initiative.

Higher Education Grants.

Olwyn Enright

Question:

490 Ms Enright asked the Minister for Education and Science if a person returning to third level education having attended college for one year and registered for a second year is eligible for a mature student grant; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26417/05]

Minister for Education and Science (Ms Hanafin)

I understand that the candidate referred to by the Deputy previously completed more than the first year of a two-year national certificate course at Athlone IT and now has commenced a three-year ordinary degree, or national diploma, in the 2005-06 academic year at DIT. Grant assistance in respect of approved higher certificate and ordinary degree courses is awarded to eligible candidates under the terms and conditions prescribed in my Department's third level maintenance grants scheme for trainees, TLT. In general the position on tenure of grants under the TLT scheme is that a grant holder may only receive funding for the approved duration of one third level training course. Nothwithstanding this condition the scheme does, however, provide for progression in specific circumstances where, for example, a candidate who has completed a two-year higher certificate course progresses to the add-on year of a directly related ordinary degree course.

Another exception where grant assistance may be extended in respect of a subsequent TLT course would be where, following completion of a two-year higher certificate course, a candidate gets an exemption into year two of an indirectly related ordinary degree course. Funding may also be extended where trainees have passed, failed or not completed the first year of a course subsequently transfer to a different course. Such a candidate is eligible for a grant in respect of the normal duration of the new course subject to a maximum duration of four years in all. As the candidate in question has completed more than the first year of an approved TLT course he is ineligible for funding in respect of his current ordinary degree course. However, if the candidate progress to an honours degree course his eligibility for financial assistance may be considered.

School Transport.

Catherine Murphy

Question:

491 Ms C. Murphy asked the Minister for Education and Science if she will reconsider her refusal to sanction a school bus service catering for the 34 pupils who require transportation between Celbridge and a school (details supplied) in Maynooth, County Kildare; her views on the fact that the school transport section of her Department accepted, following their visit to the school that use of the public transport system was not feasible for these students on safety grounds; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26418/05]

Minister for Education and Science (Ms Hanafin)

One of the main objectives of my Department's school transport scheme is to provide a basic level of service for children who live long distances from school, and who might otherwise experience difficulty in attending regularly.

As a general rule, special transport services are not established in areas where public scheduled bus services already exist. Eligible pupils in such cases are, however, facilitated with travel permits for public scheduled services.

Bus Éireann, which administers the school transport scheme on behalf of my Department, was previously asked to submit reports to my Department in respect of the transport arrangements for pupils from the Celbridge area attending Gaelscoil Uí Fhiaich, Maynooth. In its response, Bus Éireann reported that a good public scheduled service exists between Celbridge and Maynooth, and that the use of the service by younger pupils would be on the basis of the general arrangements in place for pupils availing of public scheduled services in the greater Dublin area.

In view of the particular safety concerns outlined, however, my Department has requested Bus Éireann for an up-to-date report on the position.

School Accommodation.

Olwyn Enright

Question:

Question:

496 Ms C. Murphy asked the Minister for Education and Science if it is intended to replicate the M4-N4 examination of school needs in the M7-N7 catchment area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26439/05]

Minister for Education and Science (Ms Hanafin)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 495 and 496 together.

The recommendations in the N4-M4 area development plan will form a vital framework in which future decisions about school planning in this area will be made. Progress on individual recommendations will be considered in the context of the school building and modernisation programme from 2006 onwards subject to the prioritisation criteria for large scale building projects.

The N4-M4 area development plan is one of five plans being carried out by my Department under a pilot scheme. When the pilot has been completed with the publication of the draft plan for the north Dublin-east Meath-south Louth area and for the north Kerry area, consideration will be given at that stage to extending it to other areas of the country.

In the meantime the normal planning processes will continue to apply. This involves research by the school planning section of my Department into all the relevant factors affecting school accommodation in any given area including enrolment and demographic trends, housing developments and the capacity of existing schools to meet the demand for places. Liaison with existing schools is an important part of the process as is liaison with local authorities.

In this way, every effort will be made to ensure that there is adequate existing provision, or that timely arrangements are made to extend capacity or provide new infrastructure where necessary.

School Staffing.

Seán Haughey

Question:

497 Mr. Haughey asked the Minister for Education and Science when the independent appeals board on mainstream staffing in primary schools will determine appeals from three schools (details supplied); if the outcomes will be communicated; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26513/05]

Minister for Education and Science (Ms Hanafin)

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

The appeal board for mainstream staffing in primary schools adjudicates on applications from primary schools appealing their allocations of mainstream class teachers for a particular year. It is open to the board of management of a primary school to submit an appeal to the appeal board, which will consider the appeal in accordance with certain appeals criteria.

The staffing of the first school referred to by the Deputy was considered by the appeal board on 21 July 2005. The appeal board did not uphold the appeal, and the board of management was notified accordingly.

The boards of management of the second and third schools referred to by the Deputy have not submitted an appeal to date. The appeal board will next meet on 19 October 2005. The closing date for receipt of appeals is 7 October 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 primary payments section, Department of Education and Science, Athlone, or on my Department's website.

The appeals board operates independently of the Minister and my Department and its decision is final. The Deputy will appreciate that it would not be appropriate for me to intervene in the operation of the independent appeal board.

Schools Refurbishment.

Seán Haughey

Question:

498 Mr. Haughey asked the Minister for Education and Science when applications will be sought for the summer works scheme 2006; if the upgrade of science laboratories in a secondary school in Dublin 3 (details supplied) will be considered in this context; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26514/05]

Minister for Education and Science (Ms Hanafin)

Details of the summer works scheme for 2006 were recently advertised and the closing date for receipt of completed applications is 14 October 2005. The scope of work referred to by the Deputy is appropriate for consideration under the summer works scheme.

Special Educational Needs.

Seán Haughey

Question:

499 Mr. Haughey asked the Minister for Education and Science the progress regarding the establishment of an autistic unit in a school (details supplied) in Dublin 5 to cater for the primary school children currently attending another school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26515/05]

Minister for Education and Science (Ms Hanafin)

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.

Since 1 January 2005, the NCSE through local special educational needs organisers, SENOs, is responsible for processing 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 the local SENO for additional teaching support and-or special needs assistant support for the pupil.

My Department supports the education of individual students with autism in various second level schools throughout the country. The precise model of provision made available will depend on the assessed needs of the pupils involved. Some students are capable of attending ordinary classes on an integrated basis with additional teacher and-or special needs assistant support. In other cases, placement in special dedicated classes or units attached to the school may be the more appropriate response. Such special classes operate at significantly reduced pupil teacher ratios. Students attached to these special classes may be facilitated in attending ordinary subject classes on an integrated basis wherever possible. The organisation of such provision is a significant task of the National Council for Special Education.

Officials in my Department have been advised by the NCSE that the establishment of a special class for children with autism in the school in question is under consideration by the local SENO.

School Accommodation.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

500 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science if her attention has been drawn to the overcrowding at a school (details supplied) in County Kildare; her proposals to deal with same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26523/05]

Minister for Education and Science (Ms Hanafin)

The school to which the Deputy refers applied for the provision of additional temporary accommodation in 2004 to cater for its immediate needs. Grant aid was approved accordingly. My Department did not receive any application from the school for the current school year.

Details of the additional accommodation scheme for the 2006-07 school year were recently published and it is open to the school authority to apply under this scheme for any extra accommodation requirements it may have. The closing date for receipt of applications is 14 October 2005.

School Transport.

Fergus O'Dowd

Question:

501 Mr. O’Dowd asked the Minister for Education and Science if alternative suitable arrangements will be arranged in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Louth; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26575/05]

Minister for Education and Science (Ms Hanafin)

I understand that the pupil referred to by the Deputy is attending a special class at primary level some distance from her home and is sharing a transport service with a number of other pupils attending the same class.

The independent school transport appeals board met on 15 September 2005 and its decision was conveyed to the person referred to by the Deputy on 21 September 2005.

Higher Education Grants.

Paul McGrath

Question:

505 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science if she will confirm that a higher education grant will be payable to students who hold a masters degree and are applying for grant aid to complete a higher diploma in education degree; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26596/05]

Minister for Education and Science (Ms Hanafin)

Under the terms of my Department's higher education grants scheme a student is not eligible for grant assistance in respect of a second period of study at the same level irrespective of whether a grant was paid previously. The scheme also provides that grants may not be paid to candidates who already hold a postgraduate qualification and are pursuing a second postgraduate qualification.

Clause 7.7 of the higher education grants scheme does provide for financial assistance to eligible candidates who already hold a postgraduate qualification and are progressing to a further postgraduate course which represents progression. As a higher diploma in education does not represent progression from a master's degree as defined in clause 7.7. of the scheme, the students referred to by the Deputy are not therefore eligible for grant assistance.

However, tax relief is available in respect of postgraduate fees paid in publicly funded colleges here and in other EU member states, as well as in private colleges in the State. This relief applies at the standard rate of tax and is available to full-time and part-time postgraduate students. Further details and conditions on this tax relief are available from local tax offices.

Special Educational Needs.

Olwyn Enright

Question:

506 Ms Enright asked the Minister for Education and Science when a special needs assistant will be provided for a person (details supplied) in County Offaly; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26613/05]

Olwyn Enright

Capital funding is being provided under the school building and modernisation programme 2005-2009 for the refurbishment of science laboratories undertaken as part of an overall refurbishment programme of second level schools, for the upgrading of science facilities exclusively or by provision of new facilities in the case of newly built or extended schools.

Additionally I have provided for class materials, basic general equipment and chemicals for practical work for the sciences. My Department spent in excess of €13 million in 2004 to facilitate the introduction of a revised junior science syllabus. Schools received a basic grant of €3,500 per science laboratory to enable them to provide the new curriculum. Additional funding was made available to schools where other specified equipment was required. In addition, certain schools identified as needing new or refurbished science laboratories as a result of a 1998 national survey received funding.

Funding is also available this year to schools that have yet to apply for the basic grant of €3,500 per science laboratory and for other specified equipment to enable them to provide the new curriculum. Schools have also received funding under the summer works scheme in 2004 and 2005 to refurbish science laboratories.

In addition funding will be made available under the 2006 summer works scheme for science and technology upgrades. In the application, post-primary schools have been asked to specifically identify and provide details of any science and technology upgrade or refurbishment projects separate from any other projects being applied for so that consideration can be given to approving these projects for 2006. The closing date for receipt of applications is 14 October 2005.

Following the report of the Oireachtas Committee on Education and Science, the then Minister for Education and Science established a task force on the physical sciences to address the declining uptake of the physical sciences. The task force reported in March 2002. The report identified six action areas: planning and resources; equity, teaching and learning; curriculum and assessment; promotion of science; transition and integration into third-level. 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 €1,000 per school plus €10 per pupil, and 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.

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. 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 made a provision of €750,000 towards the cost of the BA Festival of Science, one of the world's leading science events, hosted by Trinity College this year. I will continue to keep this area under review.

Multi-Denominational Schools.

Olwyn Enright

Minister for Education and Science (Ms Hanafin)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 513 and 514 together.

The Deputy will be aware that with effect from 1 January 2005, the National Council for Special Education, NCSE, has taken over responsibility for processing resource applications for children with disabilities who have special educational needs. These responsibilities include the following: deciding on applications for additional teaching support in respect of children with disabilities with special educational needs at second level; deciding on applications for special needs assistant, SNA, hours; and processing applications for school placement in respect of children with disabilities with special educational needs.

The National Council for Special Education allocates additional teaching and other resources in accordance with my Department's resourcing policies to support the special educational needs of children with disabilities. Under the new arrangements, the council, through the local special educational needs organiser, SENO, will process the relevant application for resources and inform the school of the outcome. It is important to note that in the case of decisions on additional teaching and SNA support, the SENO will outline the process to the school and parents, where appropriate, and will at the end of the process outline the basis on which the decision was made.

My Department supports the education of individual students with autism in various second level schools. The precise model of provision made available will depend on the assessed needs of the pupils involved. Some students are capable of attending ordinary classes on an integrated basis with additional teacher and-or special needs assistant support. In other cases, placement in special dedicated classes or units attached to the school may be the more appropriate response. Such special classes operate at significantly reduced pupil teacher ratios. In general, where a special class for pupils with autism is established by my Department, such classes are staffed by one teacher and two special needs assistants and can cater for a maximum of six pupils. However, my Department provides for a flexible approach to applying these standard ratios to allow for individual school and pupil factors to be taken into account. Students attached to these special classes may be facilitated in attending ordinary subject classes on an integrated basis wherever possible.

Where a school wishes to establish a special class in order to meet the special educational needs of children with disabilities, an application must be submitted to the relevant SENO. In this regard, it is my Department's understanding that the school in question is in the process of submitting an application to the SENO for the establishment of such a class for pupils with autism. When this is received, it will then be considered.

In-service Training.

Catherine Murphy

Question:

515 Ms C. Murphy asked the Minister for Education and Science if her Department will provide ongoing in-service training for teachers directly involved in the running of a proposed special class in a secondary school (details supplied) which will cater for six students on the autistic spectrum; if she will provide the basis for her decision; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26804/05]

Catherine Murphy

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 timetable 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, my Department will consider applications for additional short-term support. An independent appeals mechanism is available to school authorities which wish to appeal the adequacy of their teacher allocation.

The school in question applied for a curricular concession allocation and was allocated 7.22 whole-time equivalent teacher posts. The school was notified of this allocation on 10 May 2005 and advised that, in the event of its not being satisfied with this allocation, it could appeal in writing to the independent appeals committee. An appeal was submitted by the school and the independent appeals committee decided that no further allocation was warranted.

The total teaching staff allocation to the school for the 2005-06 school year is 67.48 whole-time equivalent teacher posts. Based on a projected enrolment of 790 pupils this level of allocation leaves the school with an actual pupil teacher ratio of 11.71:1.

My Department has recently received correspondence from the school authority in question concerning the issues referred to by the Deputy. This further correspondence has been referred to the independent appeals committee. My Department will contact the school shortly with the outcome.

Special Educational Needs.

Catherine Murphy

Question:

518 Ms C. Murphy asked the Minister for Education and Science if her Department will reimburse a certain sum to a secondary school (details supplied) spent in the refurbishment of old prefabricated buildings to prepare for the education and integration of one student on the autistic spectrum in view of the fact that same school is now willing to accommodate an additional five students in these buildings and to establish a special class for them; if she will provide the basis for her decision regarding the provision of such funds; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26812/05]

Catherine Murphy

Question:

521 Ms C. Murphy asked the Minister for Education and Science if it is within the mandate of the NCSE to fund the building or refurbishment of any school buildings intended to facilitate the education and integration of students with special needs; if the NCSE has the power to provide such funding or where this responsibility lies; the criteria which must be satisfied in order for such funding to be allocated; the application processes in place for schools which wish to secure such funding; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26816/05]

Minister for Education and Science (Ms Hanafin)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 518 and 521 together.

My Department is inquiring into the detail of the works carried out at the school to which the Deputy refers and will contact the school authority directly on the matter.

With effect from 1 January 2005, the National Council for Special Education, NCSE, has taken over responsibility for processing resource applications for children with disabilities who have special educational needs. These responsibilities include the following: deciding on applications for additional teaching support in respect of children with disabilities with special educational needs at second level; deciding on applications for special needs assistant, SNA, hours; processing applications for school placement in respect of children with disabilities with special educational needs; and recommending accommodation solutions where such needs are identified.

The council allocates additional teaching and other resources in accordance with my Department's resourcing policies to support the special educational needs of children with disabilities. Under the new arrangements, the council, through the local special educational needs organiser, SENO, will process the relevant application for resources and inform the school of the outcome. In the case of decisions on additional teaching and SNA support, the SENO will outline the process to the school and parents, where appropriate, and will at the end of the process outline the basis on which the decision was made.

Where a school wishes to establish a special class in order to meet the special educational needs of children with disabilities, an application must be submitted to the relevant SENO.

Funding for accommodation requirements for special needs pupils is provided under the overall capital allocation for primary and post primary schools. It is part of the SENO's remit to make a recommendation to the school planning section of my Department regarding an accommodation solution where a need arises. The school planning section will assess the need for such accommodation in accordance with the published prioritisation criteria for large-scale building projects. The provision of accommodation for special needs pupils attracts a band 1 rating, the highest rating possible.

Catherine Murphy

Question:

519 Ms C. Murphy asked the Minister for Education and Science if it is within the mandate of the NCSE to make permanent the role of any special needs assistant whom they have assigned to a specific school; if the NCSE has the power to make special needs assistant positions permanent or where this responsibility lies; the criteria that must be satisfied in order for such special needs assistant positions to be made permanent; the application processes that are in place for schools and staff members that wish to establish permanent special needs assistant positions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26814/05]

Catherine Murphy

Question:

520 Ms C. Murphy asked the Minister for Education and Science if it is within the mandate of the NCSE to make permanent the role of any special needs teachers who have been assigned to specific schools; if the NCSE has the power to make special needs teachers permanent or where this responsibility lies; the criteria which must be satisfied in order for such special needs teachers to be made permanent; the application processes in place for schools and staff members who wish to establish permanent special needs teaching posts; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26815/05]

Minister for Education and Science (Ms Hanafin)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 519 and 520 together.

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. It does not have a role in the terms and conditions of employment of special needs teachers or special needs assistants which are matters for agreement between my Department, school management authorities and the relevant trade unions. Since 1 January 2005, the NCSE through local special educational needs organisers, SENOs, is responsible for processing 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 the local SENO for additional teaching support and-or special needs assistant support for the pupil. Any such support is sanctioned on a temporary basis and is subject to annual review in the light of any changed circumstances and-or emerging needs of the pupil or pupils concerned.

Question No. 521 answered with QuestionNo. 518.

Questions Nos. 522 and 523 answered with Question No. 515.

Alternative Energy Projects.

Paul Kehoe

Question:

524 Mr. Kehoe asked the Minister for Defence the number of Defence Forces vehicles which use biofuels either by way of a percentage of plant oil with diesel or exclusively with biofuels; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26299/05]

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

The Housing (Standards for Rented Houses) Regulations 1993 specify the minimum standards applying to rented accommodation, both private and social. While the regulations specify minimum standards, I do not accept that they provide insufficient protection for tenants. Accommodation that fully complies with the existing regulations will be of an acceptable standard. As the regulations are now 12 years in operation, it is my intention to review their content once the process of bedding down the new tenancy legislative regime permits.

Enforcement of the standards regulations continues to be a function of local authorities. It is their responsibility to establish whether accommodation does or does not comply and to take enforcement action against the landlord where it finds a breach of the regulations. It is not a function of authorities to assess the level of quality of the accommodation but rather to establish if it is in compliance with the minimum standards requirements.

There is a responsibility on each local authority to carry out its functions under the standards regulations as effectively and proactively as possible. To this end, the transfer to local authorities of fee income available from the registration of tenancies with the Private Residential Tenancies Board, will, in future years, be based on each authority's performance in enforcing the standards and rent books regulations as evidenced by their statistical returns, as well as the level of registrations relating to their functional areas and the need to distribute income across the four-year tenancy cycle.

Development Levies.

Phil Hogan

Question:

528 Mr. Hogan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the amount of finance levied in respect of all development charges under the Planning and Development Act 2000 in respect of each local authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26256/05]

Richard Bruton

Question:

534 Mr. Bruton asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the average value of development levies in respect of each year from 1997 to date; the annual revenue the levy has raised over the period distinguishing levies from housing and other developments; the estimated revenue from levies for 2005; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26318/05]

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

I propose to take Questions Nos. 528 and 534 together.

Charging development contributions is of long standing. Under section 26(2) of the Local Government (Planning and Development) Act 1963, local authorities were empowered to require payment of a development contribution as a condition of a planning permission. The system has therefore been in operation for some 40 years. In order to introduce transparency into the system, the Planning and Development Act 2000 introduced new provisions whereby local authorities had to prepare schemes setting out how development contributions would apply in their area. All planning permissions granted by planning authorities after the adoption of development contribution schemes under the Planning and Development Act 2000 are subject to the conditions of those schemes.

Information regarding development contributions collected by planning authorities is published in my Department's annual planning statistics, which are available in the Oireachtas Library. Information on the total amount of development contributions collected by planning authorities in the years 1997 to 2003 has been forwarded to the Deputy. The 2004 planning statistics are being compiled. An initial estimate of the total amount collected in development contributions in that year is €350 million. The statistics supplied by planning authorities are a total. They do not distinguish between the types of development on which contributions are paid or between contributions paid, from 2004 onwards, under the 1963 or 2000 Act. It is not possible to estimate in advance the amount of development contributions that will be collected in 2005.

Development Contributions by Area
	1997	1998	1999	2000	2001	2002	2003
Carlow	240,069	106,257	591,351	866,523	721,492	527,526	4,108,871
Cavan	165,729	479,851	725,459	980,323	985,723	1,250,997	1,726,563
Cork	4,501,977	5,534,894	7,378,054	10,101,535	9,803,819	13,650,879	18,640,420
Donegal	846,313	985,011	2,456,995	2,003,808	3,011,577	2,886,599	4,077,770
Dún Laoghaire	2,049,879	2,475,687	4,911,559	5,978,274	6,067,832	7,761,776	8,248,405
Fingal	5,710,981	8,466,367	12,162,025	13,612,513	14,764,631	16,338,872	22,828,194
Galway	968,328	386,172	1,501,752	2,854,367	3,688,593	3,472,987	6,283,355
Kerry	1,356,647	1,508,441	1,406,502	1,659,270	1,902,843	3,540,009	4,142,871
Kildare	8,894,331	7,474,678	5,072,816	6,428,684	6,078,742	9,249,082	9,681,082
Kilkenny	424,305	885,965	719,227	952,403	2,949,594	3,242,523	3,990,300
Laois	300,024	428,803	781,079	1,732,248	1,511,250	2,531,622	4,058,654
Leitrim	91,231	58,725	218,636	643,846	427,771	763,472	1,904,028
Limerick	544,198	971,444	1,646,977	1,632,093	2,277,417	2,896,451	3,246,640
Longford	179,367	61,571	202,166	670,008	866,501	1,438,301	1,306,556
Louth	752,618	1,866,824	3,048,278	4,270,854	5,174,232	8,993,794	11,621,455
Mayo	344,212	700,050	1,810,172	1,933,749	1,301,687	786,940	1,266,487
Meath	2,051,824	3,215,831	3,598,443	6,028,641	12,861,534	9,506,636	21,223,966
Monaghan	28,455	85,974	222,776	28,760	1,039,145	1,021,967	1,187,936
North Tipperary	358,306	457,224	863,673	1,411,426	1,092,348	1,014,080	2,440,985
Offaly	258,735	437,749	473,625	1,173,977	983,783	1,194,923	3,449,130
Roscommon	379,174	108,271	66,788	543,721	798,832	1,958,157	2,527,829
Sligo	8,380,271	7,999,350	9,523,036	10,901,971	1,286,519	2,416,388	2,397,997
South Dublin	1,933,996	489,988	453,330	643,639	10,704,857	11,243,420	15,249,361
South Tipperary	686,127	573,791	944,826	1,346,763	1,204,065	2,003,725	3,751,818
Waterford	400,753	577,445	1,324,309	2,018,991	1,659,281	1,596,213	1,663,166
Westmeath	770,579	1,296,834	1,187,396	1,942,817	2,067,964	1,819,521	3,793,639
	1997	1998	1999	2000	2001	2002	2003
Wexford	438,890	1,441,606	3,345,130	4,517,652	5,096,974	6,507,272	8,043,630
Wicklow	2,347,153	2,346,500	3,572,917	3,095,139	5,236,242	7,929,194	8,951,778
Sub Total	46,083,757	52,426,947	71,835,936	91,311,843	106,907,486	129,391,699	186,843,506
Cork City Council	766,213	1,174,270	1,739,116	1,924,379	1,820,076	3,094,378	7,521,882
Dublin City Council	6,641,007	7,646,575	9,127,950	10,563,548	7,606,758	8,654,092	11,378,014
Galway City Council	2,226,624	2,689,035	2,785,661	3,523,296	3,815,743	5,142,663	5,795,645
Limerick City Council	843,658	1,265,119	838,300	1,255,951	1,214,372	2,493,006	2,521,556
Waterford City Council	1,251,893	1,124,147	844,969	1,801,140	611,577	2,219,625	1,388,454
Sub Total	11,729,396	13,899,146	15,335,996	19,068,314	15,068,526	21,603,764	28,605,551
Total	57,813,153	66,326,093	87,171,931	110,380,157	121,976,012	150,995,463	215,449,057

Waste Management.

Arthur Morgan

Question:

529 Mr. Morgan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if city and county managers of local authorities will present their annual budgets minus the waste management charges. [26278/05]

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

Under section 102 of the Local Government Act 2001 each local authority is required to prepare a draft budget setting out for the next local financial year the expenditure estimated to be necessary to carry out its functions and the income estimated to accrue to it. The draft budget is required to be prepared under the direction of the manager in the format prescribed by regulations. In accordance with the Local Government Act 2001 (Financial Procedures and Audit) Regulations 2002, the format of the local authority budget requires that budgeted income and expenditure be shown for each functional programme of the authority, including in respect of waste management.

Local Authority Housing.

Arthur Morgan

Question:

530 Mr. Morgan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if a positive response will be given to the submission made by Dublin City Council for funding to redevelop Tom Kelly Road flats, Tom Kelly Road, Dublin 2. [26279/05]

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

A preliminary report has been submitted to my Department by Dublin City Council setting out an outline of the scope of regeneration proposals for the Charlemont Street flats, including the Tom Kelly flats complex. As this is a preliminary report, the matter will require detailed consideration by the Department, in consultation with Dublin City Council, of the nature and extent of the proposed refurbishment and how it should be implemented in the most cost effective manner. This examination of these major proposals is being advanced by the Department and a decision will be conveyed to Dublin City Council as soon as possible. The question of committing funding to these outline proposals does not arise at this stage.

Recycling Policy.

Pat Carey

Question:

531 Mr. Carey asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if it is the intention of the implementation of the WEEE directive that goods, such as electric toothbrushes and children’s battery-powered toys, will be subject to the recycling charge in the same way that large white goods are charged; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26280/05]

Richard Bruton

Question:

533 Mr. Bruton asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the structure of charges for the new recycling levy on electrical and other goods; the basis of calculation for each charge; the additional facilities for recycling of electrical goods which have been established; the legal obligations of retailers who collect this levy; the expected revenue for 2005 and the way in which it will be used; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26304/05]

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

I propose to take Questions Nos. 531 and 533 together.

The EU directive on waste electrical and electronic equipment, WEEE, required each member state to introduce regulations providing for a producer funded take-back scheme for consumers of end-of-life equipment from 13 August 2005. This directive covers a wide range of equipment from large business equipment, such as large refrigeration units, down to the smallest of consumer products such as pocket calculators and the like.

Under the terms of the directive the funding of such take-back schemes is a producer responsibility. The directive also requires the achievement by member states of specified targets for recovery, reuse and recycling by producers of different classes of WEEE.

A fundamental aim of the directive is to ensure that the cost of recycling electronic and electrical equipment is built into the product price in the same way as the raw material costs of steel and plastic etc., manufacturing, distribution and sale. However, the directive also recognises that, for a number of years to come, a significant proportion of the waste arising in this area will be what is termed "historic WEEE", namely products which were originally sold before the directive came into effect. Current producers must bear the cost of recycling this waste regardless of the identity of the original producer. Under the directive, producers are allowed, for a transitional period of eight years — ten years for large household appliances — to show purchasers, at the time of sale of new products, the costs of collection, treatment and disposal of historic WEEE in an environmentally sound manner, by means of visible environmental management costs or EMCs.

The Waste Management (Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment) Regulations 2005 which fully transpose the WEEE directive in Ireland were introduced following two public consultations. The first of these followed publication of the WEEE task force report in April 2004, and the second followed publication of draft regulations in April 2005. Extensive discussion took place with representatives of producers, importers and retailers of electrical and electronic goods in Ireland. While there were varying opinions on how the provisions in relation to the historic waste should operate, the majority view among the industry, for reasons of fuller transparency and greater accountability, favoured a system of visible EMCs in the manner which has been provided for under the regulations. The design of the new system assures the public that the moneys collected for recycling are actually assigned for recycling activity and are not diverted elsewhere. It also ensures traceability and financial accountability and, by informing the public in an open way, ensures that profiteering is prevented.

Visible EMCs are designed solely to cover the cost of recycling of WEEE and none of the revenue involved is handled by the Government. The WEEE Register Society will monitor the implementation of the scheme and adjust the visible environmental management costs periodically to ensure that the not-for-profit principle is observed and that the visible environmental management costs only covers the costs incurred in the environmentally sound management of WEEE.

The EMCs which have been validated by the WEEE Register Society are set out in the following table. The EMC for electric toothbrushes has been set at €1, and for toys at a zero rate.

Prices generally are falling in the electrical and electronic sectors and that this trend is expected to continue. Even in areas where there are price pressures due to low margins and high recycling costs, particularly the white goods area, consumers are benefiting now under the WEEE directive by availing of free recycling services which did not exist before the 13 August. Visible EMCs are input costs and how these are dealt with in the pricing of products is part of the normal negotiations between producer and retailer To put the overall impact of the WEEE directive in context, it is estimated that the total cost of recycling waste equipment under the new scheme is around €14 million in an industry of in excess of €1.4 billion annually. Having regard to this, the overall impact on the electric and electronic sector is likely to be negligible. The recycling services operated under the scheme are now being utilised by an increasing number of consumers at a considerable saving to them compared to previous waste disposal costs. There are currently 64 civic amenity sites in operation compared with only 28 in 1995. Additional recycling infrastructure is currently being put in place, and proposals for further facilities are being considered for funding.

In addition to producers, retailers of electrical and electronic goods also have responsibilities under the directive. Retailers are obliged to take back at least free of charge household WEEE on a one-for-one basis, namely replacing the equipment of similar type or fulfilling the sale function. Customers have 15 days to return a corresponding piece of obsolete equipment. Retailers delivering large appliances are obliged to take the obsolete equipment back immediately, if available for collection for example disconnected from utilities etc. If the obsolete appliance is not available for immediate collection, the customer has 30 days to return it to the retailer.

The WEEE directive allows for exemptions from the normal waste permitting requirements for the storage and transport of WEEE. A modified permitting regime is operating under which retailers are required to register their premises with their local authority namely a county or city council. This registration system is straightforward, with retailers required to complete and sign a form undertaking to comply with general binding rules on the environmentally sound management of WEEE and forward this with a small fee of €20 to their local authority. Local authorities may only accept WEEE from retailers who are registered. Subject to certain conditions, retailers who have registered with local authorities are permitted to deposit household WEEE at civic amenity sites operated by or on behalf of local authorities free of charge.

Electric and electronic goods have been identified internationally as a problematic and potentially hazardous waste stream. Ireland has moved quickly in support of EU co-ordinated action in this area. While there has been criticism in this House in the past over delays in transposing EU directives, we can take pride that Ireland is one of only a small number of member states which have fully implemented this directive by the due date.

EMCs validated by WEEE Register Society Limited.
	€
Large Household Appliances
All refrigeration (nominal capacity above 250 litres)	40.00
All refrigeration (nominal capacity up to 250 litres)	20.00
Large appliances	20.00
Medium sized appliances	5.00
Small white goods	2.00
Small Household Appliances
Floor care	5.00
All other small household appliances	2.00
Small personal appliances	1.00
Consumer Equipment
Large TVs (69cm+)	20.00
Medium size TV’s (52-69cm)	10.00
Small TV’s (0-51cm),	5.00
Medium size consumer products	5.00
Small consumer products	2.00
Miscellaneous minor items	1.00
Lighting Equipment
Luminaires	2.00
Fluorescent lamps	0.50
Electrical and electronic tools	3.00

Planning Issues.

Olivia Mitchell

Question:

532 Ms O. Mitchell asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government when the planning and development regulations and the draft development management guidelines will be published. [26282/05]

Trevor Sargent

Question:

538 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government further to Parliamentary Questions No. 51 of 4 November 2004 and No. 811 of 28 June 2005 when the finalisation of the draft guidelines for planning authorities on wind energy will be published; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that this delay is causing considerable uncertainty in the planning system; the guidelines for local authorities on other topics which are in course of preparation; and the progress made in finalising any other draft guidelines for planning authorities. [26354/05]

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

I propose to take Questions Nos. 532 and 538 together.

The final draft of the wind energy guidelines, which will replace the existing guidelines published in 1996, are at an advanced stage and will be published shortly. It is normal practice, and in line with the principles of better regulation, to issue ministerial planning guidelines in draft form and to take into account any submissions made when finalising the text. Given that this is normal practice, I am not aware of any confusion among planning authorities in advance of the final text being published.

Guidelines for planning authorities on development management and development plans are at an advanced stage of preparation and it is intended to publish them for consultation shortly. Preliminary work on drafting guidelines in respect of public safety zones at State airports has also begun and it is intended to publish them for public consultation later this year.

My Department recently consulted stakeholders on the second draft of the revised permission regulations. Their views are now being considered in the final draft. I hope to be in a position to sign those regulations shortly.

Question No. 533 answered with QuestionNo. 531.

Question No. 534 answered with QuestionNo. 528.

National Heritage Week.

Jim O'Keeffe

Question:

535 Mr. J. O’Keeffe asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the activities undertaken by the underwater archaeology unit in connection with national heritage week. [26351/05]

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

During Heritage Week 2005, organised by my Department, the underwater archaeology unit presented talks on the work of the unit within the national monuments service to the following interested groups: 5 September, a public lecture on shipwrecks off the Irish coast in the Helen Roe theatre of the Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland, Dublin; and 7 September, a public lecture on the maritime landscape of west Cork and related fieldwork of the underwater archaeology unit, hosted by Cork County Council. The underwater archaeology unit also participated in a presentation on the work of the national monuments section of my Department at the European Association of Archaeologists conference held in Cork during heritage week.

The underwater archaeology unit has always been pro-active in promoting awareness of our underwater heritage by giving talks to local historical societies, to dive and sailing clubs and other interested groups. The work of the unit has been covered in a positive way on radio, television and the print media. The results of the unit's work has been published in academic journals and in popular form and every effort is made to inform the public on the results of the unit's activities.

Private Rented Accommodation.

Eamon Gilmore

Question:

536 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the areas in which the rented accommodation scheme is currently operating; the number of tenants and number of landlords involved in the scheme; the number of units that have been rented under the scheme; the profile of tenants, in terms of their previous housing arrangements; the average cost to the local authority of renting a unit for each area where the scheme is operating; the total expenditure by the local authority on rent under the scheme for each area where the scheme is operating; the average cost under the rented accommodation scheme to the tenants in each area where the scheme is operating; the length of contracts between local authorities and landlords under the rented accommodation scheme in each area where the scheme is operating; the number of dwellings that were accepted and the number that were rejected for use in the rented accommodation scheme in each area where the scheme is operating. [26352/05]

David Stanton

Question:

557 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the progress to date of the rented accommodation scheme; if the first eligible recipients have been housed under this scheme; the number of such recipients; the area of the country where this took place; if his Department will meet the target of 5,000 rent supplement recipients to the housed under this scheme by the end of 2005; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26778/05]

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

I propose to take Questions Nos. 536 and 557 together.

Under the rental accommodation scheme, RAS, announced by the Government in July 2004, local authorities will, over a four-year period, progressively assume responsibility for accommodating supplementary welfare allowance, SWA, rent supplement recipients of 18 months or more continuous duration with a long-term housing need.

The RAS is a collaborative project between my Department, local authorities, the Department of Social and Family Affairs and the community welfare service. All local authorities are due to implement the new arrangements during 2005. Roll-out commenced in an initial group of lead authorities, namely Dublin, Galway and Limerick City Councils, South Dublin, Donegal, Offaly-Westmeath County Councils and Drogheda Borough Council. Cork City and County Councils and South Tipperary County Council are now implementing the RAS.

I refer to the reply to Question No. 175 of 29 September where I outlined the main actions to date in implementing the scheme. Based on end June Department of Social and Family Affairs data, a table detailing the number of rent supplement recipients for a continuous 18-month period or more by county follows. Local authority experience to date has indicated that the transfer of households from rent supplement to the RAS will take longer than anticipated. Each transfer has to be conducted on a case by case basis involving contact and information gathering with the community welfare service, the rent supplement recipient and the recipient's landlord. In addition, each individual contract has to be negotiated with the accommodation provider. Good progress is being made regarding these detailed and important local arrangements.

The original target set on introduction of the programme for households to transfer to the RAS in 2005 will not be achieved, because of the need to tailor arrangements according to individual and local requirements. In the meantime, eligible RAS households will continue in receipt of SWA rent supplement.

The first transfers to the RAS occurred in September 2005 with 25 households transferring from the SWA rent supplement scheme in the Galway City Council area. It is estimated that a further 300 households will transfer to the RAS in October, the majority of which will be in the Dublin city, Galway city and South Dublin County Council areas.

The Department does not hold detailed information on individual RAS cases. Local authorities will be required to make statistical returns to the Department in the context of compiling the Department's quarterly and annual housing statistics bulletins. Statistical data on the RAS will be available in the fourth quarter 2005 housing statistics bulletin, copies of which will be available in the Oireachtas Library when published.

Number of Rent Supplement Recipients for 18 months or more continuous duration by county at end June 2005
County	Recipients
Carlow	447
Cavan	205
Clare	716
Cork	3,924
Donegal	1,003
Dublin	13,551
Galway	2,126
Kerry	921
Kildare	1,341
Kilkenny	374
Laois	172
Leitrim	80
Limerick	1,171
Longford	202
Louth	886
Mayo	958
Meath	319
Monaghan	171
Offaly	231
Roscommon	301
Sligo	219
Tipperary	949
Waterford	794
Westmeath	442
Wexford	1,007
Wicklow	953
Total	33,463

Architectural Heritage.

Fergus O'Dowd

Question:

537 Mr. O’Dowd asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if help will be given with the provision of funding to assist with the restoration of a protected building in County Louth (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26353/05]

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

An application was made to my Department in December 2004 for funding for the project in question under the conservation grants scheme. The project was not recommended for grant assistance by the expert panel which assesses applications under this scheme and consequently it did not receive funding in 2005. It would be open to the project promoters to make a further application for funding under the 2006 conservation grants scheme. Calls for applications under the 2006 scheme will be made later this year.

Question No. 538 answered with QuestionNo. 532.

Wildlife Protection.

Trevor Sargent

Question:

539 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the measures which are in place or planned to monitor and enforce the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, at national, regional and international levels; the number of convictions in recent years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26378/05]

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

The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, CITES, is implemented at EU level principally by Council Regulation (EC) 338/97, with further aspects being covered by Commission Regulation (EC) 1808/2001. This regulatory regime is stricter than CITES in that it requires permits for the bulk of the species whose trade is regulated by the convention rather than just the very rarest species, as under CITES. In addition, there are controls on internal trade of the rarer species.

The Wildlife (Amendment) Act 2000 designated my Department as national management authority for CITES, with competence for issuing permits and licences and for enforcing the regulations. In the year 2004, some 33 licences were issued by my Department. My Department also acts as the scientific authority for CITES, providing scientific advice on matters relating to the convention and regulations.

At the operational level, staff of my Department's national parks and wildlife service, together with the Customs and Excise service under its own powers, have been responsible for monitoring and enforcing the convention in Ireland. This includes following up on reports of unlawful importation of CITES protected species, monitoring of advertisements that might indicate unlawful trade in such species, the confiscation of specimens where the necessary documentation cannot be produced and, where appropriate, pursuing cases through the courts.

Since Ireland's ratification of CITES, there have been a number of confiscations of both plant and animal specimens and products. I understand that in 2005 to date there have been seven seizures by customs officials. Seizures by NPWS staff average some five or six annually. One prosecution has so far been brought to court by my Department and a fine was imposed.

Sustainable Development Strategy.

Trevor Sargent

Question:

540 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the Government’s current sustainable development strategy; and the way in which it is monitored, reviewed and revised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26379/05]

Trevor Sargent

Question:

541 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the progress to date on the implementation of agenda 21; the plans available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26380/05]

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

I propose to take Questions Nos. 540 and 541 together.

Ireland's national sustainable development strategy was published in 1997 and reviewed in the context of the world summit on sustainable development in 2002. It provides the framework for Ireland's response to Agenda 21, the world agenda for sustainable development agreed at the earth summit in Rio in 1992. A core objective in the sustainable development strategy is to ensure that both the economy and society in Ireland can develop to their full potential within a well protected environment, without compromising the quality of that environment and with responsibility towards present and future generations and the wider international community.

The progress made in implementing the strategy was reflected in the EPA State of the Environment report for 2004. Success has been achieved in areas such as decoupling energy and materials intensity from economic growth, promoting cleaner methods of industrial production and more environmentally friendly agriculture, and raising environmental awareness. A key mechanism for overseeing the implementation of the strategy is Comhar, the National Sustainable Development Partnership, which was established in 1999 as the forum for national consultation and dialogue on all issues relating to sustainable development. Its terms of reference are, in brief, to advance the national agenda for sustainable development, to assist in devising suitable mechanisms and advising on their implementation and to contribute to the formation of a national consensus in these regards. Comhar has completed its second term of office and I will shortly announce the new membership for its third term.

The key to the future direction of our national sustainable development strategy will be the outcome of the current mid-term review of the EU sustainable development strategy. Once this review has been finalised, my Department will consider any steps that will need to be taken to update our national strategy.

At a local level, sustainable development is supported by Local Agenda 21, which is implemented by local authorities in accordance with the guidance issued in 2001 called "Towards Sustainable Development — Guidelines on Local Agenda 21". The Local Agenda 21 environmental partnership fund was established in 1997 and is intended to promote sustainable development by assisting environmental awareness projects at a local level. The fund is co-financed by the Department and the local authorities and is administered by the local authorities with the Department maintaining a supervisory role. Since its inception in 1997, over 1,000 projects have been awarded funding totalling almost €2 million.

This year I am providing funding of €250,000 for the 2005 Local Agenda 21 environmental partnership fund and matching funding by local authorities will create a potential fund of €500,000. Details of this year's environmental partnership fund have already issued to local authorities and were advertised in the national print media on 6 September 2005. The closing date for receipt of applications is 7 October 2005.

Environmental Policy.

Trevor Sargent

Question:

542 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the progress that has been made or planned in his and other Departments, local authorities, public entities and services towards the aim of implementing an environmentally progressive purchasing policy; the estimate of the total Government purchasing budget; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26381/05]

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

545 Mr. Gregory asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if the Dublin Docklands Development Authority is required to advertise all such applications in section 25 planning applications, and to inform local residents. [26388/05]

Tony Gregory

Question:

546 Mr. Gregory asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if supplying an inaccurate address for the site and premises in question will invalidate the application in section 25 planning applications. [26389/05]

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

I propose to take Questions Nos. 545 and 546 together.

Section 25 of the Dublin Docklands Development Authority Act 1997 — the Act — requires the authority before preparing a planning scheme to consult with Dublin City Council, DCC, and such other statutory bodies as appear to the authority to have an interest in the area to which the planning scheme relates, and arrange for the making of submissions by interested persons regarding the planning scheme. This consultation includes any environmental impact statement prepared pursuant to section 26 of the Act. The authority is not required under section 25 of the Act to advertise applications for certification that proposed development is consistent with a planning scheme.

I am informed by the authority that before determining any application it satisfies itself that the information contained therein is accurate.

Asbestos Remediation.

Finian McGrath

Question:

547 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will provide advice and support for homes with asbestos pipes (details supplied); and if he will work with other Departments on this public health issue. [26391/05]

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

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

Tax reliefs are available under the rural, urban and town renewal schemes, all of which expire on 31 July 2006. Under the 1999 urban renewal scheme, areas in Sligo town were designated for residential and commercial tax reliefs. For a project to avail of tax relief under this scheme, 15% of expenditure must have been incurred by 30 June 2003.

Under the 2000 town renewal scheme, parts of Rosses Point and Bellaghy-Charlestown in County Sligo, together with areas in Roscommon town, were designated for a variety of residential, commercial and industrial tax reliefs. For a project to avail of tax relief under this scheme, a full planning application must have been submitted or, in the case of exempted development, 5% of expenditure must have been incurred, before 31 December 2004. Maps outlining the areas covered by the urban and town renewal schemes are available in the relevant local authorities.

Under the 1998 rural renewal scheme, which is the responsibility of the Department of Finance, all of counties Leitrim and Longford as well as certain district electoral divisions in counties Cavan, Roscommon and Sligo were designated for a range of residential, commercial and industrial tax reliefs.

The designated areas in County Roscommon are the district electoral divisions of Ballintober, Castleteheen, Carrowduff, Kilbride north, Lissonuffy, Killavackan, Termonbarry, Roosky, Kilglass north, Kilglass south, Bumlin, Cloonfinlough, Killukin — in Roscommon rural district, Strokestown, Annaghmore, Tulsk, Coolougher, Ballinlough, Kiltullagh, Cloonfower, Artagh south, Artagh north, Ballaghaderreen, Edmondstown, Loughglinn, Buckill, Fairymount, Castlereagh, Frenchpark, Bellangare, Castleplunket, Baslick, Breedoge, Altagowlan, Lough Allen, Ballyfarnan, Keadue, Aghafin, Ballyformoyle, Crossna, Kilbryan, Boyle rural, Boyle urban, Tivannagh, Rushfield, Tumna north, Tumna south, Killukin — in Boyle No. 1 rural district, Oakport, Rockingham, Danesfort, Cloonteem, Kilmore, Elia, Ballygarden, Aughrim east, Aughrim west, Creeve — in Boyle No. 1 rural district, Creeve — in Roscommon rural district, Elphin, Rossmore, Cloonyquinn, Ogulla, Mantua, Lisgarve, Kilmacumsy, Kilcolagh, Estersnow, Croghan, Killummod, Cregga, Cloonygormican, Kilbride south, Kilgefin, Cloontuskert, Drumdaff and Kilteevan.

The designated areas in County Sligo are the district electoral divisions of Ballintogher east, Ballynakill, Lisconny, Drumfin, Ballymote, Cloonoghill, Leitrim, Tobercurry, Kilturra, Cuilmore, Kilfree, Coolavin, Killaraght, Templevanny, Aghanagh, Kilmactranny, Bally-nashee, Shancough, Drumcolumb, Riverstown, Lakeview, Bricklieve, Drumrat, Toomour, Kil-shalvy, Killadoon, Streamstown, Cartron, Coolaney, Owenmore, Temple, Annagh, Carrickbannagher, Collooney and Ballintogher west.

For a project to avail of tax relief under this scheme, a full planning application must have been submitted or, in the case of exempted development, 5% of expenditure must have been incurred, before 31 December 2004.

Local Authority Housing.

Gay Mitchell

Question:

551 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he has received proposals from Dublin City Council to sell 10,000 council flats to tenants; the main provisions of these proposals; when he will be in a position to respond to these proposals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26494/05]

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

I refer to my reply to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 1389 and 1326 of 28 September 2005. Dublin City Council has sought to develop a set of proposals for the sale of flats to tenants, the latest version of which was received in my Department on 29 June 2005. These proposals, which are still at a developmental stage, are being considered in the context of the examination of the range of social housing policy issues raised by NESC in the report, Housing in Ireland: Performance and Policy.

The broad thrust of the proposals is to set up a special scheme for the sale of flats to tenants that will provide for the ongoing management of the complex where the sales are taking place, the creation of a sinking fund to allow for future refurbishment of the complex and the payment of service charges. The scheme, as proposed, provides for prior consultation with and democratic input from tenants affected by the sales scheme.

Violence Against Women.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

552 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if and when provision will be made for a women’s refuge for County Kildare; if suitable services will be put in place for an association (details supplied) in County Kildare to access same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26526/05]

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

The Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform, through its role as chair of the national steering committee on violence against women, has overall responsibility for issues relating to violence against women.

In relation to accommodation, capital funding is available through my Department's capital assistance scheme to voluntary housing bodies to provide accommodation to meet special housing needs, including accommodation for victims of domestic violence. My Department recoups to the local authorities 90% of their expenditure on accommodation related costs arising in respect of homeless persons including, where appropriate, victims of domestic violence. Decisions on both capital and current funding for accommodation for victims of domestic violence, including refuges and transitional accommodation, are matters for the local authority in the area where the accommodation is situated. Associated care costs are the responsibility of the Department of Health and Children.

I propose to take Questions Nos. 554 to 556, inclusive, together.

The Ennis town water supply treatment scheme has been approved for funding in my Department's Water Services Investment Programme 2004-2006 with a view to work commencing as soon as possible.

I recently approved Clare County Council's tender documents for the scheme. Subject to some necessary amendments to the documents and the submission of a certificate of completion of planning to my Department, it is open to the council to invite tenders from an existing panel of short listed contractors. Arrangements for meeting consumers' water supply requirements during any temporary service interruptions are a matter for the local authority.

Question No. 557 answered with QuestionNo. 536.

Local Authority Funding.

David Stanton

Question:

558 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government further to Parliamentary Question No. 12 of 19 December 2004, the amount that each local authority received from his Department of the €31 million in support for a one stop shop programme; the way this money has been spent in each local authority area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26779/05]

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

Since 1998, my Department has allocated €31million to local authorities towards the development of one stop shops throughout the country. Of this amount, a total of €26.626 million has been paid to date. Details of the payments made to individual local authorities are at appendix 1 while a list of the one-stop-shop facilities involved is at appendix 2.

Appendix 1
Local Authority	Payments to date
	€m
Carlow	1.080
Clare	0.635
Donegal	6.349
Dublin City	3.428
Galway	0.762
Galway City	0.250
Kerry	1.270
Kilkenny	1.124
Laois	0.050
Mayo	0.635
Meath	3.289
North Tipperary	1.270
Sligo	1.270
South Dublin	1.016
South Tipperary	0.571
Waterford	1.595
Westmeath	1.270
Wicklow	0.762
Total	26.626

Appendix 2
One stop shop facilities
County
Carlow:	Muinebheag
	Tullow
Clare:	Ennistymon
	Kilrush
	Shannon
Donegal:	Carndonagh
	Milford
	Letterkenny
	Dungloe
	Donegal Town
Dublin City Council:	North East Inner City
	Darndale/Priorswood
	Ballyfermot
	Inchicore
	Cabra
	Ballymun/Finglas
Galway City Council:	Ballybane Neighbourhood Centre
Galway County Council:	Ballinasloe
Kerry:	Killarney
Kilkenny:	Callan
Laois:	6 IT kiosks county wide
Mayo:	Ballina
Meath:	Duleek
	Dunshaughlin
	Ashbourne
Sligo:	Tubbercurry
South Dublin:	Clondalkin
North Tipperary:	Nenagh
South Tipperary:	Cashel
Waterford County Council:	Dungarvan
	Tramore
Westmeath:	Athlone
	Castlepollard
Wicklow:	Bray
	Blessington

Local Authority Staff.

Paul McGrath

Question:

559 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the options available for public officials on reaching 65 years of age in view of the Government’s recent policy decision concerning retirement age. [26795/05]

Paul McGrath

Question:

560 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will review the options available to a public official (details supplied) for this person to remain in their present position. [26796/05]

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

I propose to take Questions Nos. 559 and 560 together.

Local authority officials who were serving immediately prior to 1 April 2004 are generally required to retire at the age of 65 in accordance with a range of statutory provisions. The Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2004 introduced new superannuation and retirement provisions for new entrants appointed to the public service, including local authorities, on or after 1 April 2004. In relation to local authority officials, the Act provides that, with the exception of fire fighters, new entrants appointed on or after 1 April 2004 will not be required to retire on age grounds and that the age of 65 will be the minimum age at which a pension may be paid.

Recycling Policy.

Willie Penrose

Question:

561 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if there is any grant aid available to a person who wishes to recycle old paint and other such material; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26801/05]

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

There is no grant assistance available for private sector recycling projects.

When the capital grants scheme for waste management infrastructure projects was launched in 2002 it was intended that it be made available to both public and private sector applicants. However, private sector funding was conditional on obtaining the necessary State aid approval from the European Commission.

In the event the State aid approval given was of a limited nature. Also, in the interim, private waste industry's scale increased very significantly over a short period of time, a marked process of consolidation became evident and some of the projects for which grant applications had been submitted proceeded in any case.

It became clear, therefore, that a grant scheme for private companies would be more likely to distort competition in the sector or to impact on enhancing acquisition values in the context of industry consolidation, than to have a significant effect on the provision of recycling and recovery infrastructure. On foot of this, my predecessor decided that it would be more effective to redeploy the funding in question to other related initiatives and in particular towards greater enforcement of waste legislation. The latter measure had been strongly advocated by the industry, to address the problem of unfair competition from contractors operating outside the law.

Waste Management.

Liz McManus

Question:

562 Ms McManus asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government in view of the change of special area of conservation status in relation to a contentious site where planning permission is being sought for a waste management facility in Whitestown, County Wicklow, the practice used to evaluate the scientific considerations for this change; if he has satisfied himself that the law was fully compiled with; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26806/05]

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

As indicated in the reply to Question No. 1410 of 28 September 2005, the position in this matter is as follows.

The boundaries of this candidate special area of conservation, SAC, were re-examined by my Department, for two reasons.

First, there was a revised national approach to the designation of marginal areas along rivers, introduced in August 2004, following an agreement with the farm organisations under Sustaining Progress. A nationwide survey to revise SAC boundaries along rivers was undertaken. The relevant section of the agreement reached with the farm organisations under Sustaining Progress reads as follows: The Department will implement a revised approach to designation of marginal areas along rivers. The revised SAC will include bank-side only to 2.5 m from the river bank. If embankments or other features are present which will curtail direct run-off, the margin can be further reduced accordingly. Where special features are present, for example associated wildlife habitat or flood plain, they will continue to be included.

An objection was lodged by ecological consultants in November 2004, on behalf of a landowner, relating to the location referred to in the Deputy's question. The objection was considered by my Department following standard procedures. It was assessed by staff of the National Parks and Wildlife Service of my Department, who visited the site. They found that one relatively small field in the area under appeal did not form part of the flood plain of the Carrigower River, as it is was raised above the river by a number of metres and held no habitat of interest. It was concluded that this specific piece of land did not meet the scientific criteria for inclusion in the SAC in the first instance. This gave rise to a minor boundary adjustment, excluding less than one acre from the SAC.

In contrast, the low-lying fields beside the river, which were also under appeal, are being retained in the SAC as my Department's staff were satisfied that they form part of the flood plain of the Carrigower River. This means that an area about 100 m wide is retained within the SAC here, rather than the 2.5 m wide strip that would be justified if there was no flood plain here. The specific decisions on this appeal conform with the revised national approach to designation of marginal areas along rivers.

Dáil Éireann debate - Tuesday, 4 Oct 2005

Animal Cruelty.

Róisín Shortall

Common Agricultural Policy.

Michael D. Higgins

Animal Health Strategy.

Damien English

EU Directives.

Eamon Gilmore

Common Agricultural Policy.

Joan Burton

Horticulture Sector.

Donie Cassidy

Sugar Quota.

Denis Naughten

Common Agricultural Policy.

Breeda Moynihan-Cronin

Alternative Energy Projects.

Trevor Sargent

Land Prices.

Michael D. Higgins

Rural Environment Protection Scheme.

John Curran

Grant Payments.

Damien English

Sugar Beet Industry.

Thomas P. Broughan

Sugar Quota.

Simon Coveney

Animal Health Strategy.

Olwyn Enright

Farming Practices.

John Gormley

Veterinary Medicines.

Paul McGrath

Paul Connaughton

Bernard Allen

Shane McEntee

Shane McEntee

John Perry

Food Industry.

Pat Breen

Decentralisation Programme.

Ciarán Cuffe

Bovine Diseases.

Emmet Stagg

Food Labelling.

Olivia Mitchell

Grant Payments.

Brendan Howlin

Live Exports.

John Perry

Fergus O'Dowd

Farm Retirement Scheme.

Seymour Crawford

Grant Payments.

Phil Hogan

Gerard Murphy

Genetically Modified Organisms.

Trevor Sargent

Animal Diseases.

Jan O'Sullivan

Common Agricultural Policy.

Gay Mitchell

Pesticide Control.

Ciarán Cuffe

Food Industry.

John Curran

Beef Exports.

Bernard J. Durkan

Farm Accidents.

Eamon Gilmore

Paul Nicholas Gogarty

EU Directives.

Liam Twomey

Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 4 Oct 2005