Vol. 608 No. 4
93 Ms Lynch asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if he will provide an update on the preparation of a new national rural development plan; the elements which will be contained in this plan; if he is undertaking consultations with relevant stakeholders; when the plan will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30687/05]
116 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs his views on the recent deal that will see a continuation of payments from the EU for rural development programmes from 2007; the way in which funding will be used to promote rural development and protect culture and services in rural Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30707/05]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 93 and 116 together.
Throughout the EU, it has been recognised for some time that agriculture alone cannot provide a sufficient income to support the majority of farm families, or indeed, provide the impetus to sustain the economic and social fabric of rural communities. The successful conclusion of the recent European negotiations on a new rural development regulation represented a clear political response to this reality. European rural policy now embodies a renewed focus on an integrated rural development approach with special emphasis on the rural environment and rural economic development outside the farm gate.
Farming will continue to play an important role in the rural economy, particularly as an integral part of a multi-functional agriculture providing not just food security but also as a key provider of public good. However, in the words of the Agri-Vision report "agriculture will no longer be the primary driver of rural development in Ireland." Clearly, there is a need to provide suitable local employment opportunities capable of sustaining a viable rural population. A dynamic rural Ireland needs to be created in the context of our overall strategy for economic and spatial development and not just within the confines of agricultural policy.
The EU Community strategic guidelines for rural development 2007-2013 set out priority areas for action under the Council regulation on support for rural development by the European agricultural fund for rural development, EAFRD. These guidelines clearly call for priority to be given to the development of the economic potential of rural areas.
The recently adopted EU Council regulation on rural development programmes which refers to the proposed EU strategic guidelines, contains a number of detailed measures addressing a wide range of priority areas. The format allows flexibility for the continuation of current successful rural development measures as well as the formulation of new ones, by grouping actions under the three main objectives of competitiveness, the environment and the wider rural economy.
In the case of axis three, the wider rural economy, the overarching objective is one of creating employment opportunities. The range of measures available under this axis should be used to promote the development of rural communities and also to ensure that rural areas remain attractive for future generations. To meet these priorities, the EU strategic guidelines and Council regulation identify key actions such as raising economic activity and employment rates in the wider rural economy, tourism, micro-business and crafts, ICT, child care, training young people in traditional rural skills, developing the use of renewable energy resources, upgrading of local infrastructure. The general provision for basic services for the rural economy and rural population are outlined.
Discussions are currently under way between officials from my Department and the Department of Agriculture and Food regarding the preparation of a joint national rural development strategy. The national strategy will form the basis for a new national rural development programme and will focus on the priorities outlined in the EU guidelines. The new programme will contain detailed measures in these key areas. Work on the national rural development programme will begin when the national strategy has been formally adopted, most likely within the next few months, with a view towards completion and approval by the EU Commission by mid-2006.
A stakeholder consultation on the national strategy and subsequent programme will commence shortly. All bodies represented on the CAP rural development and Leader monitoring committees will be formally notified of this process and fully consulted at all stages of preparation. An advertisement appeared in the newspapers on Monday last — 24 October — inviting these, and indeed any other representative organisations wishing to contribute to the consultation process, to contact the two Departments.
Overall, this new approach to rural development and the added emphasis on the wider rural community will enable development of a fuller range of programmes and projects to be supported. This, in turn, should lead to the creation of new enterprises and employment opportunities and help to achieve the Government's objective of balanced regional development and sustainable and vibrant rural communities.
94 Mr. S. Ryan asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the progress made to date by Foras na Gaeilge in regard to the short term strategic priorities for the preservation and promotion of the Irish language within the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30713/05]
129 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the progress made by Fóram na Gaeilge regarding the preparation of the 20-year strategic plan for the Irish language; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30711/05]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 94 and 129 together on the understanding that they both relate to the work of Fóram na Gaeilge.
Fóram na Gaeilge, which includes representatives of relevant State and voluntary organisations with expertise on a wide range of language policy and practice issues, was established to advise me in relation to: the advisability of preparing a 20-year strategic plan with realistic goals for the Irish language in the State; the short term strategic priorities for the preservation and the promotion of the Irish language within the State; the priorities regarding the implementation of the Official Languages Act; and the best and most practical ways to achieve progress with regard to the implementation of that work.
As the Deputies are aware, I asked members of the Fóram to submit their views in relation to the development of an Irish language plan and related short-term priority issues. Work on these matters is continuing.
The matter of the advisability of a 20-year strategic plan for the Irish language has been among the issues which have been considered in general terms by the Fóram in its deliberations thus far. The need for the provision of a clear statement on the part of the Government in relation to the Irish language and its importance as a whole has emerged as a key issue in this context and I hope to be in a position to elaborate on this issue further in the near future.
97 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if he will offer financial assistance to voluntary groups attempting to deal with anti-social behaviour; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30568/05]
130 Cecilia Keaveney asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if he will consider altering the rural social scheme to provide opportunities for communities to employ youth officers to co-ordinate events in local areas for young persons in view of the rise in anti-social behaviour and the significant investment that is occurring in capital rather than social infrastructure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30551/05]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 97 and 130 together.
I fully appreciate the point that the Deputies make as to the importance of supporting the development of social infrastructure, particularly in relation to youth. My Department already provides significant support towards youth based projects through programmes such as the local development social inclusion programme, LDSIP, community development programme, CDP, the youth services and facilities programme and RAPID as well as supporting initiatives by local drugs task forces.
Looking ahead I would be happy to look again at the opportunities for improved synergies across programmes such as the LDSIP, the CDP, the social economy programme, the rural social scheme, and RAPID, to strengthen support for social infrastructure, including services for youth.
98 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the progress which has been made over the past 12 months in the establishment of dedicated voluntary activity units in all Departments that have significant dealings with the voluntary sector as was committed by the Government under the White Paper on voluntary activity. [30694/05]
The designation of voluntary activity units, VAUs, in relevant Departments to support the relationship between the State and the community and voluntary groups is one of a number of recommendations in the White Paper, Supporting Voluntary Activity. The tasks envisaged by the White Paper for VAUs include monitoring the relationship between the State and the community and voluntary groups and liaison with these groups regarding policy development and service and programme delivery.
My Department has been in contact with relevant Departments with a view to ensuring the establishment of supports which, having regard to the nature of the individual departmental relationship with the community and voluntary groups, can best meet the White Paper recommendation. Departments have diverse views on how this can be achieved and on the most appropriate arrangements for their particular circumstances, in light of the extent and nature of their relationship with the community and voluntary activity.
A number of Departments have designated certain units to function as VAUs. Such examples include the social policy unit in the Department of the Taoiseach; the voluntary and co-operative housing unit in the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government, the voluntary and community services division in my Department and the policy on unemployment unit in the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment. The Department of Health and Children has designated a VAU on a cross-divisional basis with representation from the various divisions in the Department dealing with the community and voluntary groups.
A number of other Departments have several sections-VAUs which interact with community and voluntary groups and include the Departments of Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Foreign Affairs and Education and Science.
In this regard, my Department has recently commissioned a study to make recommendations to my Department on practical measures to further advance key principles set out in the White Paper, Supporting Voluntary Activity such as issues arising in relation to structural matters, including voluntary activity units. Recommendations made will have regard to progress to date in implementing recommendations, major departmental, programme and other innovations by Government in the intervening since the publication of the White Paper, the constitutional, legal, policy and economic responsibilities of Ministers and issues arising in relation to structural matters including the implementation advisory group and voluntary activity units.
Recommendations will include and address appropriate central arrangements going forward to underpin the interface between public bodies and community and voluntary organisations and requirements to secure appropriate community and voluntary representation.
99 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the services the unemployed are offered under the local development social inclusion programme; the success of these measures in returning the unemployed to the labour market; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30748/05]
The local development social inclusion programme, LDSIP, aims to counter disadvantage and to promote equality and social and economic inclusion. The programme encompasses three action areas services for the unemployed; community development; and community based youth initiatives.
Within the services for the unemployed sub-measure, actions are developed that aim to counter the effects of long-term unemployment and under-employment. All actions under this sub-measure aim to target individuals most vulnerable in the labour market through a series of locally appropriate approaches.
The range of supports and the rates of activity for each type of support depend both on the local partnership, and on the individual receiving support, and are based on integrated local development plans which respond to local needs. Individuals receive intensive one-to-one guidance and are supported in a variety of ways depending on their particular abilities. Typical actions include: provision of advice, guidance, and mentoring for those accessing information, employment, education, training and self-employment options; delivery of tailored and flexible training initiatives; development and maintenance of employer and service provider networks; development of self-employment-social economy initiatives which are focused on, and related to, all target groups of the programme; and provision of support to low-income smallholders.
In the period from 2000 to June 2005, 125,160 people were supported under the services for the unemployed measure. Approximately 18% of these people were supported into taking up employment and 12% were supported into business start-ups. A further 49,226 people participated in education and training programmes, 50% of whom participated in certified education and training.
More information on the progression of individuals supported will be available at the end of 2006, when the results of a research study that commenced earlier this year is available. This study aims to assess the impact of the services for the unemployed measure, by identifying the progression outcomes and impacts achieved for a sample of the clients supported and to assess the contribution of the approaches to the work in meeting the programmes' objectives.
100 D'fhiafraigh Dr. Upton den Aire Gnóthaí Pobail, Tuaithe agus Gaeltachta cén dul chun cinn atá déanta maidir leis an bhFoclóir Béarla-Gaeilge; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [30721/05]
Tá curtha in iúl dom ag Foras na Gaeilge go bhfuil an t-aischur ar fad a bhaineann le céim a haon den tionscadal foclóireachta faighte ag an bhforas ón gconraitheoir. Tá measúnú á dhéanamh faoi láthair ar na hábhair is déanaí atá curtha ar fáil ag an gconraitheoir agus táthar ag súil go mbeidh céim a haon curtha i gcrích go hiomlán faoi dheireadh na bliana.
Maidir le céim a dó den tionscadal — tiomsú agus scríobh an fhoclóra féin — tá conradh déanta ag Foras na Gaeilge leis an bhforas Riaracháin chun measúnú neamhspleách a dhéanamh ar bhainistíocht riosca maidir leis an gcéim sin agus táthar ag súil go mbeidh an measúnú sin curtha i gcrích laistigh de mhí. Chomh maith leis sin, tá pleanáil ar siúl ag an bhforas chun na hacmhainní daonna inmheánacha a earcú a bheidh riachtanach le tabhairt faoi chéim a dó.
101 Mr. Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if he will commission new research into volunteering here given that the latest survey data available is from the 1990s. [30693/05]
133 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs his views on his Department’s role in promoting active citizenship through participation and involvement in the community; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30749/05]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 101 and 133 together.
I refer the Deputy to my response to Questions Nos. 305 and 308 on 8 March 2005, in which I outlined a package of measures to provide support for volunteering. The measures were redesigned to deepen and strengthen the existing volunteering infrastructure, to develop and expand volunteering infrastructure at local and community level, to promote volunteering among young people in second and third level, support the development of an authoritative code of best practice for volunteering and to develop reliable data with regard to volunteering to inform further initiatives. The intention is to sustain and strengthen volunteering in order to create the time and space to develop a comprehensive national policy in consultation with communities and players in the sector.
I accept that many reports, including the Oireachtas committee report on volunteering, favour new research on the area. However, there is a view, which I share, that considerable useful up to date information on volunteering already exists at local-bureau level. Rather than commit significant funding at this juncture to new research programmes, the new development officer, recently recruited by Volunteer Centres Ireland under one of the funding measures I have already mentioned, should seek to develop this information into useful local and national statistics. I understand that this work is getting under way.
The ultimate objective of a policy on volunteering is to inspire and encourage people to actively participate in the development of their communities. This key principle of active citizenship underpins not only my approach to volunteering but also the local and community development programmes operated by my Department.
102 D'fhiafraigh Mr. M. Higgins den Aire Gnóthaí Pobail, Tuaithe agus Gaeltachta cathain a bheidh cainteanna aige leis an Roinn Oideachais agus Eolaíochta ar thuarascáil na Comhairle um Oideachas Gaeltachta agus Gaelscoileanna ar chaighdeán na Gaeilge sna scoileanna Gaeltachta; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [30725/05]
Mar is eol don Teachta, is í an tAire Oideachais agus Eolaíochta atá freagrach as cúrsaí oideachais, ar a n-áirítear cúrsaí scolaíochta sa Ghaeltacht. I gcomhthéacs na freagrachta atá ormsa agus ar mo Roinnse i ndáil leis an nGaeilge agus leis an nGaeltacht, áfach, bíonn teagmháil rialta leis an Aire Oideachais agus Eolaíochta agus le hoifigigh a Roinne chun saincheisteanna ábhartha a phlé, ina measc bunscolaíocht agus meánscolaíocht sa Ghaeltacht.
103 Ms Burton asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the efforts being made to combat rising cocaine use among persons here; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that cocaine is the drug of choice for many younger persons here; if he will launch a nationwide campaign, targeted at schools and colleges, on the dangers of cocaine use; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30680/05]
134 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if, in view of recent research and Garda information showing that there is an increased demand for cocaine, among all sectors of society, he will report upon progress made in the pilot projects in this area that were rolled out by local drug task forces in 2005. [30695/05]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 103 and 134 together.
As Deputies are aware, my Department has overall responsibility for co-ordinating the implementation of the national drugs strategy 2001-08. The strategy contains 108 individual actions to be implemented by a range of Departments and agencies.
As I have outlined to this House on a number of occasions, I am confident that, through the implementation of the actions in the national drugs strategy and the projects and initiatives operated through the drugs task forces, the problem of cocaine use can be addressed. Each of the local drugs task forces has in place an action plan to tackle drug use in its area based on its own identified priorities, and as informed by its local communities.
These projects deal with supply reduction, prevention, treatment and rehabilitation for a range of drugs, including cocaine. We have to be aware that many drug users engage in poly-drug use and, therefore, projects should be able to address this pattern of usage rather than concentrate on one drug only.
The regional drugs task forces, covering all parts of the country that are not serviced by a local drugs task force, have been allocated funding to advance the implementation of action plans in their areas, including tackling cocaine.
With regard to treatment, Deputies may be aware that there is no substitution treatment drug for cocaine and existing services such as counselling and behavioural therapy are the most effective treatments available. In this context the health services have recruited additional counsellors and outreach workers over the last number of years.
On the prevention side, the ongoing national awareness campaign on drugs continues to address the issue of cocaine through a well-received campaign. The campaign aims to tackle the perception held by some that cocaine use is safe. The gardaí and Customs and Excise continue to target cocaine dealers and there have been significant seizures of cocaine in recent years.
The drug prevalence survey, jointly carried out by the national advisory committee on drugs and the drugs and alcohol information and research unit in Northern Ireland, is generally regarded as providing the most reliable baseline data on drug prevalence in Ireland. That study, which was carried out between October 2002 and April 2003, surveyed 8,442 people aged from 15 to 64 and reported that 3% of the population had used cocaine during their lifetime, 1.1% had used it in the previous 12 months and 0.3% used in the previous month. Similar surveys undertaken in other European countries would suggest that Ireland is roughly average in terms of use.
As I have informed the House previously, I am also aware of other evidence of a continuing increase in the prevalence of cocaine use, particularly through the work of the gardaí, the Health Research Board and the national advisory committee on drugs. In this regard, it is planned to repeat the drug prevalence survey in 2006.
The increase in Ireland would appear to coincide with an increase in the availability and use of cocaine in Europe generally, as a result of increased production, particularly in Colombia, and a consequential drop in the street price. Additional funding of almost €400,000 was recently provided by me to support a series of pilot proposals aimed at tackling cocaine use in local communities. These initiatives are: training for front line staff; production of educational material outlining the dangers associated with cocaine use; and four treatment projects each targeting a different aspect of cocaine use.
All of the pilot projects are being implemented currently and an external evaluator has been engaged by my Department to assess their progress and impact. While it is too early to assess the impact of the programmes, I understand that general feedback on the projects is positive. I can assure Deputies that the Government will continue to monitor the cocaine situation closely and to take any steps found necessary as a result.
105 Mr. J. O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the future structures for development projects he proposes for Sherkin Island, in view of the fact that funding for the existing Sherkin Island Development Society was withdrawn in 2004. [30552/05]
The Deputy will be aware from previous replies, in particular my response to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 292 and 293 of 29 June 2005 that funding to the Sherkin Island Development Society under the community development programme was discontinued in 2004.
Deputies will also be aware that, arising from the tri-ministerial review of structures involved in the delivery of local and community development programmes, the Government decided that community and local development groups across urban, rural and Gaeltacht areas should be requested to bring forward measures for improved alignment of structures in their respective areas. The intention is to have simplified local delivery structures with improved coverage and levels of service locally. When this process is completed the issue of specific services for Sherkin will be considered.
106 Mr. Boyle asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the amount of funding which he has made available in the first six months of 2005 to the RAPID area Cork-Togher-Mahon. [30688/05]
My Department, supported by Area Development Management, ADM, Limited, co-ordinates the implementation of the RAPID programme. It is a matter for each of the other Departments to report on progress on their implementation of RAPID and details of funding for the proposals that fall within their remit. Reports for all Departments can be accessed on ADM's website at www.adm.ie.
As the Deputy will be aware, in 2004 I introduced a new delivery mechanism to support small-scale local actions in RAPID areas, through co-funding with other Departments-agencies. Allocations by my Department to the Cork City RAPID area of Togher-Mahon under the RAPID leverage fund for co-funded measure for this year are as follows: RAPID health sector co-fund —€60,000; local authority housing estate enhancement scheme 2005-06 —€45,000; traffic measures —€22,500; playground grants scheme 2005 —€33,000; and top-up funding under sports capital grant 2005 —€111,000. It should be noted that additional funding totalling €170,500 was provided by other Departments and agencies to support these measures.
In the first six months of 2005, an allocation of €14,000 was made by dormant accounts to one of the projects from the Togher-Mahon RAPID plans. In addition, the Dormant Accounts Board has allocated another €528,434 to projects in Togher-Mahon.
107 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs his views on the unused €12 million that was returned to the Government from Waterways Ireland in 2003 and 2004; the reason for this underspend; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30709/05]
Waterways Ireland is a North-South implementation body established under the British-Irish Agreement Act 1999. The body is co-sponsored by my Department and the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure in the North.
The position is that the underspend referred to by the Deputy arose primarily due to factors relating to the suspensions of the institutions in Northern Ireland and the deferral of the building of the new Waterways Ireland headquarters in Enniskillen, which is now due to commence in 2006, and the new regional office in Scarriff, which commenced earlier this year. In the event of an underspend under any heading, the money is either re-allocated to other projects within the Vote or surrendered to the Exchequer. In the case of deferral, a further provision is re-entered in the Vote the following year.
108 Mr. Crowe asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if he has liaised with other Departments such as Education and Science and Health and Children to consider the way in which to co-ordinate support for the CDI initiative, A Place for Children in Tallaght west; and if not, when he will do so. [30751/05]
I understand that a meeting of relevant officials, at which my Department was represented, has taken place to discuss an appropriate and co-ordinated response to the CDI initiative in Tallaght west. While I do not see a lead role for my Department in this matter, it is happy to take an appropriate part in a co-ordinated response to the initiative.
109 D'fhiafraigh Mr. M. Higgins den Aire Gnóthaí Pobail, Tuaithe agus Gaeltachta conas atá ag éirí leis an bhfeachtas feasachta teanga Ár dTeanga Nádúrtha Féin; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [30726/05]
Mar is eol don Teachta, seoladh feachtas feasachta teanga dar teideal Ár dTeanga Nádúrtha Féin i mí Mheán Fómhair 2004. Bhí an feachtas — a rinne Údarás na Gaeltachta a bhainistiú thar ceann mo Roinne — dírithe go príomha ar thuismitheoirí sa Ghaeltacht le páistí san aoisghrúpa 0 go 5, chomh maith le tuismitheoirí Gaeltachta ag súil le páiste. Ba fheachtas ilmheánach a bhí ann comhdhéanta d'fhógraí teilifíse agus raidió, suímh idirlíon www.teangafein.ie, póstaeir agus leabhrán. Ón aiseolas a fuair mo Roinn ina leith i mí an Mhárta 2005, tá an dealramh ar an scéal go ndeachaigh an feachtas i bhfeidhm go dearfach ar na spriocghrúpaí.
Tuairiscíodh: gur thaitin an fógra raidió níos mó leis an bpobal ná aon ghné eile den fheachtas; gur léiríodh an-spéis sa suíomh idirlíon, a raibh 35,000 cuairt tugtha air faoi mí an Mhárta seo caite; agus go bhfuarthas go leor fiosraithe faoi ó gach cearn den tír.
Is díol suntais é ar cé chomh rathúil is a bhí an feachtas trí chéile go bhfuil feachtas fógraíochta nua eile, a thógann an t-aiseolas seo ar fad san áireamh, ar ndóigh, á ullmhú faoi láthair ag mo Roinnse. Beidh an feachtas nua dírithe an uair seo ar aos óg na Gaeltachta, san aoisghrúpa 13 go 25, agus táthar ag súil go dtosófar á chraoladh níos deireanaí i mbliana.
Ní miste a rá go dtagann na beartais phraiticiúla seo lena bhfuil molta i dtuarascáil Choimisiún na Gaeltachta agus le cuspóirí mo Roinne trí chéile ó thaobh na Gaeilge agus na Gaeltachta de.
110 Mr. Gogarty asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if he will report upon the activities of the working group that is developing an integrated rehabilitation provision as the fifth pillar of the national drugs strategy and if he is confident that recommendations will be presented by the end of 2005. [30696/05]
114 Ms McManus asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if, under the auspices of the national drugs strategy, the proposed working group to develop a policy for the provision of integrated rehabilitation services, has been established; the number of meetings that have been held; when the working group will report; his views on rehabilitation services in general; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30701/05]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 110 and 114 together.
As the Deputies may be aware, rehabilitation emerged as a key issue during the mid-term review of the national drugs strategy. The conclusion of the steering group overseeing the review, with which I agree, was that the strategy's rehabilitation provisions needed to be strengthened and expanded, particularly in light of the significant and ongoing expansion in treatment provision in recent years. Accordingly, the report of the steering group recommended that rehabilitation become the fifth pillar of the strategy. To progress this, it was further recommended that a working group, under the aegis of the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, be established to develop a strategy for the provision of integrated rehabilitation services.
This group has been established and includes representatives from a range of Departments and agencies involved in delivering rehabilitation services as well as the national drugs strategy team, NDST, the national advisory committee on drugs, NACD, and representatives from the community and voluntary sectors. The group is examining the provision of existing rehabilitation services in Ireland and will seek to identify existing best practice as well as gaps in current services. The final report of the group will recommend actions to develop an integrated rehabilitation service.
To date, the group has had one formal meeting and have also conducted two days of consultation meetings with various stakeholders and experts in the field of rehabilitation. Following this, its second formal meeting is being held today. It is envisaged that the working group will complete its report by the end of the year and that its recommendations will be considered by the inter-departmental group on drugs and the Cabinet Committee on Social Inclusion early in 2006.
111 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs his proposals to establish a rural development agency with an holistic brief in regard to the full range of rural problems; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30717/05]
I have no plans to establish an agency along the lines suggested by the Deputy.
112 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the progress made in regard to improving the co-ordination of local and community development schemes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30718/05]
The Deputy will be aware that, arising from the tri-ministerial review of structures involved in the delivery of local and community development programmes, the Government decided that community and local development groups across urban, rural and Gaeltacht areas should be requested to bring forward measures for improved alignment of structures in their respective areas. Funding was earmarked to support specific co-ordinated measures emerging from this process.
The core objective of this funding for 2005 and 2006 is the alignment of local, community and rural development structures to achieve full county-city coverage of local and rural development programmes by the end of 2006.
In rural areas, this will involve Leader and partnership, including community partnership, groups coming together to develop a unified structure where they have not already done so based, as far as possible, around county boundaries — in city areas around contiguous electoral areas — with strong linkages to community based groups. The intention is to have simplified local delivery structures with improved coverage and levels of service locally.
113 Ms B. Moynihan-Cronin asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the main points of his recent speech given at the Why Irish international symposium at Notre Dame University; if his speech considered the best way the Irish language can be maintained and developed into the future; the details of the conference; if it produced a final report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30703/05]
The symposium in Notre Dame was a significant occasion, which attracted an audience from across the United States and speakers from a number of distinguished universities in that country. Irish is taught in 25 universities in the USA and the attendance at the conference reflected that high level of interest in the language there. My speech looked at the history of the Irish language, its value as the oldest spoken and written language in Europe north of the Alps and as part of the common cultural heritage of all humanity. My speech also covered the measures currently under way to strengthen the future of the language, including the implementation of the Official Languages Act and securing of status as an official and working EU language.
At the conference I announced the launch of a special fund of €300,000 that will support the development of Irish language programmes in third level institutions overseas. I gave further details on this fund in my reply to Question No. 92 of today. While it is a matter for the organisers of the conference rather than myself, I understand that the proceedings of the conference will be published and I will be pleased to arrange to have a copy supplied to the Deputy in due course.
115 Mr. Cuffe asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if the next phase of funding from the dormant accounts fund will be announced in 2005. [30691/05]
The Deputy will be aware that the Dormant Accounts (Amendment) Act 2005 provides for significant changes in relation to the disbursement of funds from dormant accounts and for a reconstituted board. The Act was commenced on 1 September 2005.
Under this new legislation, I am required to consult the appropriate Ministers for the purpose of developing a proposal for submission to Government for approval. This proposal will include the programmes and types of projects in relation to which applications for disbursements will be invited, as well as the criteria to be applied in assessing applications made in response to the invitation.
The consultation process is under way and I intend to make a proposal to Government shortly concerning the programmes and type of projects in relation to which applications will be invited and funded under the next phase of funding.
117 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the groups or organisations funded by his Department in the past 12 months on a county basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30567/05]
The gross expenditure allocation for my Department in 2005 is approximately €354 million. As the Deputy will be aware, details of the allocations to individual programme areas are included in the Revised Estimates Volume 2005, which was published earlier in the year.
Expenditure up to 25 October 2005 across the three main programme areas, excluding administration, is €214.3 million, which can broadly be broken down as follows: An Ghaeilge agus an Ghaeltacht —€54.3 million; community affairs —€98.2 million; and rural affairs —€61.8 million. The Deputy will also be aware that expenditure within these programme areas takes place across a wide range of schemes and projects, descriptions of which are available on my Department's website at www.pobail.ie.
It is the practice of both my colleague, the Minister of State, Deputy Noel Ahern, and myself to make details of all announcements relating to grant approvals and other expenditure-related decisions under these programmes available on the Department's website. If the Deputy would like information in relation to a particular scheme, I would be glad to provide details to him.
118 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs his proposals to ensure that a bilingual culture is embedded in public bodies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30720/05]
As the Deputy is aware, the Official Languages Act 2003 was signed into law in July 2003. The Act is the first piece of legislation to provide a statutory framework for the delivery of improved levels and standards of public services through the Irish language by public bodies. I, as Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, have a general responsibility to ensure such services are made available.
The main objective of the Act will be achieved principally through the statutory obligation on Departments and public bodies to make specific provision for delivery of such services in a coherent and agreed fashion, by means of a statutory planning framework known as a scheme, to be agreed on a three-year renewable basis between the head of the body concerned and the Minister. I have already confirmed a number of such schemes and this process will continue to be rolled out, on a phased basis, by my Department. Some 650 public bodies are covered by the provisions of the Act.
The Act also specifies some basic general provisions of universal applicability, for example, correspondence to be replied to in the official language in which it was written; provision of information to the public in the Irish language, or in the Irish and English languages; bilingual publications of certain key documents; use of Irish in the courts and so forth.
In July 2000, the Government approved the adoption of official languages equality as one of three new principles for quality customer services. This principle specifies that the State sector will provide quality services through Irish and-or bilingually and will inform customers of their right under this principle to choose to be dealt with through one or other of the official languages.
The Deputy will also be aware that Foras na Gaeilge has a statutory role and responsibility in relation to providing advice and assistance to public bodies in respect of delivery of services through the Irish language. Foras na Gaeilge has prepared a substantial amount of resource material for public bodies, including Irish language versions of standard forms and other text. In this regard, An Coiste Téarmaíochta, which comes under the aegis of Foras na Gaeilge, is responsible for term creation and offers authoritative advice in relation to any technical terms not available on the website or in any of the specialist dictionaries.
In addition, my Department is continuing to work with Foras na Gaeilge and other interested parties to put resources and systems in place in relation to priority areas for attention, such as quality assurance of translation services, an accreditation system for Irish language training, specialist Irish language training courses, an electronic database of standard signage and so forth.
Gaeleagras na Seirbhíse Poiblí continues to make a significant contribution to the promotion and development of the Irish language in the Civil Service through the provision, inter alia, of a range of language training courses.
119 Mr. Broughan asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs his views on whether there is a need for increased funding for RAPID in view of the slow start to the programme and the project’s supposed termination date of 2006; his further views on whether RAPID should be extended into the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30678/05]
I refer the Deputy to my response to Question 314 of 11 October 2005.
120 Mr. Costello asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs his legislative priorities for the new Dáil session; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30683/05]
I have no plans to introduce legislation during this Dáil session.
121 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs when it is intended to bring regulations under section 9 (1) of the Official Languages Act 2000 into effect; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30712/05]
As I have indicated in response to previous questions on this matter, my Department is working, in conjunction with the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel, on a draft of regulations to be made under section 9(1) of the Official Languages Act 2003, which relate to the use of the Irish language only, or the Irish and English languages together, on oral announcements — whether they be live or recorded — on stationery, signage and on advertisements. In addition, my Department is in consultation with other Departments in preparation for the implementation of these regulations. Significant progress has been made to date and I hope to be in a position to make the regulations in the near future, to come into effect, on a phased basis, in early 2006.
122 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs when he will make regulations to the Official Languages Act 2003 to account for public bodies that no longer exist, or new public bodies that have been created since the original legislation was enacted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30685/05]
As I have indicated previously in reply to questions in the House, it is my intention to keep the First Schedule to the Official Languages Act 2003 up-to-date by making regulations from time to time to delete references to public bodies that have ceased to exist and to include new public bodies, as appropriate. My Department is currently working, in conjunction with the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel, on a draft of such regulations. Final consultations with other Departments on the updating to be made to list of bodies are nearing completion. I expect to be in a position to present a draft of the regulations to the Houses of the Oireachtas for approval in accordance with section 4(3) of the Act in the near future.
123 Mr. Sherlock asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if he has received a report from Comhairle na Tuaithe; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30715/05]
As the Deputy is aware, I established Comhairle na Tuaithe in January 2004 to address the three issues of: access to the countryside; developing a countryside code; and developing a national countryside recreation strategy. Comhairle na Tuaithe comprises representatives of the farming organisations, recreational users of the countryside and state bodies with an interest in the countryside. Comhairle na Tuaithe reported to me on 27 July 2005 on its work to date. In its report Comhairle na Tuaithe has identified and agreed a set of access parameters to the countryside, which it believes will serve as a basis for conflict prevention and which integrates a variety of needs and responsibilities.
Comhairle na Tuaithe has also agreed the key features necessary for countryside code development, with a focus on the potential application of the internationally-recognised Leave No Trace initiative. Leave No Trace is an international outdoor ethics programme, which explains to visitors their role in caring for themselves, others and the environment, while visiting the countryside, forest or other areas of outdoor recreation. Comhairle na Tuaithe is currently working in partnership with stakeholder organisations to develop a national countryside recreation strategy.
124 Ms Lynch asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if he will provide an estimate on the approximate cost accruing to the State in order to comply with regulations and requirements under the Official Languages Act 2003; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30686/05]
As I have indicated in response to previous similar questions in this House, no formal costings have been done in regard to the full implementation of the Official Languages Act 2003 on the basis that such an exercise would not be useful or practicable in advance of consideration on a case-by-case basis by each public body of what, if any, specific additional costs might arise for it. It is clear that there will be some cost issues involved, particularly at start-up, but in the normal course these should in the main be met from within existing administrative allocations.
The Act is being implemented on a planned and pragmatic basis. Clearly, some costs will arise in connection with such matters as training and translation services. However, the position for individual public bodies, or indeed on an overall basis, cannot be established until individual schemes have been agreed in accordance with the legislation. In this regard, as the Deputy will be aware, I have confirmed a number of such schemes during 2005. These schemes take a pragmatic and realistic approach to the provision of improved services through Irish, and they also take account of the ability of the public bodies to deliver improved services within the existing human and financial resources available to them. As is the case with the commitments contained in my own Department's scheme, the commitments contained in these schemes are being delivered from within the overall budget available to the public bodies concerned in the relevant years and do not create any significant extra costs.
Circumstances will vary greatly from public body to public body in regard to demand for delivery of services through Irish. Indeed, some public bodies will be better placed than others in regard to having the resources to meet this demand, given that they already operate, to varying degrees, a policy of bilingualism. It is, however, a matter for each public body in the first instance to ensure that resources are assigned in order to comply with the provisions of this particular legislation in the same way as resources are assigned to ensure compliance with obligations imposed by other legislation and by the requirements to provide quality customer service.
The question of providing funding for specific administrative costs for individual public bodies, regardless of whether these relate to the Official Languages Act or any other service delivery or policy obligation arising, falls to be assessed against formal business cases or proposals submitted as part of the normal annual estimate and budget cycle. Given the position of Irish as the first constitutional language, the objective is to ensure that delivery of public services by public bodies, including provision of information about services and activities through the Irish language, is seen as a normal requirement to meet good standards of customer service and corporate governance, rather than an optional extra or add-on.
125 Mr. Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if action will be taken on the findings of the report New Measures of Deprivation based on the census of population 1991-2002; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30692/05]
The report will form part of the context in which my Department will be formulating plans for programmes to support local and community development post 2006.
126 Mr. Morgan asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if he has liaised with the Department of Education and Science in order to convey the special circumstances for Gaelscoileanna with regard to the catchment areas for school transport. [30753/05]
While Foras na Gaeilge provides support and assistance to Irish-medium primary schools, mainly through the organisation Gaelscoileanna, and while my Department is in regular contact with the Department of Education and Science on matters of mutual interest, I have no ministerial responsibility for school transport issues.
127 Ms McManus asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the position regarding the termination of the tender process for the cargo ferry service between Ros an Mhíl and the Aran Islands for the period January 2007 to December 2011; the circumstances that led to the termination of the tender process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30702/05]
In November 2004, expressions of interest were sought by my Department from operators interested in providing a cargo ferry service between Ros an Mhíl and the Aran Islands for the period from 1 January 2007 to 31 December 2011. Subsequently in March of this year, following a pre-qualification process, tender documents for this service were issued to a number of operators with a deadline of 1 July 2005 for receipt of tenders.
Following consideration of the external evaluation of the tenders received, the inter-agency steering committee, established to oversee the award of this and certain other Aran Islands transport service contracts, recommended that this particular tender competition should be terminated. In making this recommendation, regard was had to a number of issues which had arisen since tenders had been sought last March, including rapidly altering circumstances in relation to infrastructure developments at Ros á Mhíl, and the decision taken in August 2005 to reduce the cargo tariffs to be charged to islanders in the operation of the service by 50%, thus rendering the pricing structure as sought in the original tender out of date.
The position with regard to the provision of a cargo service to the Aran Islands for the period from 1 January 2007 to 31 December 2011 is being kept under review pending the outcome of discussions with the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources in relation to progress of the development of Ros an Mhíl harbour. My Department also proposes to initiate shortly a study on the feasibility of providing a roll on-roll off ferry service to these islands, the findings of which will also be material to the process. In the meantime, as the Deputy will be aware, the provision of freight services to the Aran Islands is being maintained with assistance from my Department
128 Mr. Cuffe asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs when the findings of the report, which he has commissioned on the impact of regulation on charitable trusts, will be published. [30690/05]
I refer the Deputy to my reply to Priority Question No. 89 of today.
131 Mr. S. Ryan asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the way in which the demand for housing grants under the Housing (Gaeltacht) Acts to date in 2005 compares with the same period in 2004; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30714/05]
In the first nine months of 2005, 633 applications were received under the Housing (Gaeltacht) Acts compared with 738 applications for the same period in 2004.
132 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the fact that documents from the Institute of Public Administration show that relatively small numbers of officials were deemed capable of or felt willing to transact business through Irish in their Departments that have already agreed a language scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30719/05]
Officials of my Department work on a regular basis with Foras na Gaeilge and other interested parties, including the Institute of Public Administration, IPA, and Gaeleagras na Seirbhísí Poiblí, in order to put in place resources and systems to help public bodies improve, over time, both the level and standard of services they provide to the general public through the Irish language. In this context, I was delighted to officially launch, earlier this month, two specialised courses which have been developed by the IPA.
With regard to recent reports in the media in relation to compliance by Departments with the provisions of the Official Languages Act 2003, I am assured that any impression given that the view of the IPA is that there could be an unwillingness in Departments and other public bodies to provide services through Irish is not correct. On the contrary, the IPA has made it very clear to my Department that its experience shows enthusiastic support for getting the arrangements in place to provide bilingual services for the public. While a number of public bodies report a lack of proficiency or confidence among staff in dealing with queries in Irish, the facts are that some 250 officials from across the public service have attended IPA seminars or courses in respect of the Act's requirements and the response to the courses has been most encouraging.
As the Deputy is no doubt aware, the Official Languages Act 2003 works in two ways. First, there are certain provisions that apply directly to all public bodies. Second, there are the statutory schemes that all public bodies must, when requested to do so by me, as Minister, draw up and submit for agreement. In this context, it must be clearly understood, as I have stated repeatedly, that some organisations in the public sector have limited capabilities and resources from the point of view of providing services through Irish at present. Consequently, the schemes that I have approved to date take a pragmatic and realistic approach to the provision of improved services through Irish, and also take account of the ability of the public bodies to deliver improved services within the existing human and financial resources available to them.
The agreed schemes also show what each public body is going to do to ensure that any services not currently provided by the body through Irish will be provided over the longer term. The Act therefore incorporates a planning mechanism to ensure that the constitutional rights of Irish speakers to obtain public services through Irish are met. As I have often said in the past and wish to reiterate again today, the implementation of the Act is a long-term planning project to be pursued in line with the resources available to public bodies and the demand for services through Irish from the public.
135 D'fhiafraigh Mr. Gilmore den Aire Gnóthaí Pobail, Tuaithe agus Gaeltachta an bhfuil sé sásta go bhfuil an deontas a íocann a Roinn thar ceann na dteaghlach nó na mban tí a sholáthraíonn iostas do na mic léinn a fhreastalaíonn ar na Coláistí Samhraidh sa Ghaeltacht ard a dhóthain; an bhfuil sé sásta go dtagann feabhas substaintiúil ar líofacht Ghaeilge na mac léinn céanna; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [30724/05]
Tá mé sásta go bhfuil an deontas a íoctar leis na teaghlaigh Gaeltachta a choinníonn foghlaimeoirí Gaeilge faoi Scéim na bhFoghlaimeoirí Gaeilge ard a dhóthain faoi láthair. Mhéadaigh mé an cúnamh sin i mbliana ó €8 go €9 in aghaidh an lae agus tá an deontas a bheidh iníoctha faoin scéim i 2006 faoi chaibidil ag mo Roinn faoi láthair.
Is í an Roinn Oideachais agus Eolaíochta a thugann aitheantas do choláistí Gaeilge samhraidh agus a íocann deontas caipitíochta leo. Is í an Roinn sin a cheadaíonn an clár teagaisc ins na coláistí freisin. Bíonn teagmháil rialta ag mo Roinnse leis an Roinn sin maidir le héifeacht na gcoláistí Gaeilge a fheabhsú agus bíonn cruinnithe rialta ag mo Roinn le lucht eagraithe na gcoláistí. Tá éilimh sheasmhach ar áiteanna sna coláistí le cúpla bliain anuas. Ag cur gach rud san áireamh, táim sásta go dtagann feabhas substaintiúil ar líofacht Ghaeilge na mac léinn a fhreastalaíonn ar na coláistí Gaeilge.
136 Mr. Boyle asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if, in view of the 2005 allocation under the scheme of community support for older persons he will formalise earlier application deadlines to allow applicants to henceforth benefit sooner each year. [30689/05]
My Department advertised the scheme of community support for older people in April of this year, which is more than three months in advance of the previous year's scheme.
I have approved the first tranche of funding to some one hundred applicant groups earlier this month, which has enabled earlier payments than in previous years. Assessment of the remaining applications is in progress and further approvals and payments will be notified to eligible applicant groups over the coming weeks.
Groups are required to account for expenditure of previous grants before they can qualify for a further grant under the scheme. Having regard to this requirement, I intend to progressively advertise the scheme earlier each year over the coming years.
137 Mr. Sherlock asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the investments in broadband in CLÁR areas which have been funded or co-funded by his Department; the amount in each case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30716/05]
In 2003, the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, on behalf of my Department, placed a call for broadband proposals in CLÁR areas. Some 15 centres were identified for a pilot trial of broadband technology in selected industrial estates, business and educational-training centres in the CLÁR regions.
Following technical and financial evaluations, 12 locations were identified to receive broadband from funding of almost €400,000 approved under the CLÁR programme. Grant aid of 55% maximum applied for projects in the BMW region and 30% maximum in the south and east region. The actual cost of the roll-out in 2004, with associated evaluation costs, was €353,000. The 12 locations — Boyle, Carlingford, Cootehill, Mohill, Tubbercurry, Lismore, Tulla, Ballycastle, Clifden, Corraun, Carna and Kilcar — are benefiting from high speed broadband connections at speeds equal to or better than most current market offerings, using the latest high speed wireless and satellite technologies.
In addition in 2003, following discussions with the BMW regional assembly, my Department agreed to fund, under the CLÁR programme, a wireless based Internet service for three projects covering five locations in CLÁR areas in the BMW region at the rate of 80%, €254,709, of the total cost.
The projects are: Dungloe, County Donegal, Killala, County Mayo and Enniscrone, County Sligo, Lanesborough, County Longford and Ballyleague, County Roscommon. At the end of 2004, the three projects were up and running. It is expected that, by the end of 2005, close to the full draw-down of funding will have been achieved on all three projects.
In addition, CLÁR and Údarás na Gaeltachta are developing proposals to co-fund the supply of town fibre optic networks to the industrial parks in Belmullet, County Mayo and Dungloe, County Donegal. The Belmullet project is completed and will benefit from CLÁR funding of over €75,000. Discussions are ongoing on the Dungloe project.
I do not propose to place any further calls for broadband proposal in CLÁR areas as, having consulted with Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, it advised that the county and group broadband schemes, run by that Department, amply accommodate broadband supply to rural areas.
The objective of the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources schemes is to promote the roll-out of broadband access through the establishment of sustainable broadband services in towns, villages, rural hinterlands and under served areas of larger towns on the basis of local-regional authority co-ordination and community driven initiatives. They are open to all smaller and rural communities of less than 1,500 people. This enables local communities to work with a broadband service provider of their own choice, or to draw up and implement their own broadband plan, with the aim of launching a broadband service for residents and small and medium sized businesses in their area.
138 D'fhiafraigh Mr. McGinley den Aire Gnóthaí Pobail, Tuaithe agus Gaeltachta cathain a bheidh sé i gceist aige rialacháin a dhéanamh faoi alt 9 d’Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla 2003 lena chinntiú go mbeidh foirmeacha dátheangacha ar fáil don phobal ó chomhlachtaí poiblí mar ghnáthnós agus go mbeidh comharthaí a gcaitear airgead poiblí orthu dátheangach mar ghnáthnós faoi mar a tharlaíonn i dtíortha dátheangacha eile. [30700/05]
Mar a thug mé le fios don Teach i bhfreagraí ar Cheisteanna Dála faoin ábhar seo cheana féin, tá mo Roinnse ag obair, i gcomhar le hOifig an Dréachtóra Pharlaiminte, ar dhréacht de na Rialacháin a dhéanfar faoi alt 9(1) d'Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla 2003, a bhaineann le húsáid na Gaeilge amháin, nó an Ghaeilge agus an Bhéarla le chéile, a rialú ar fhógairtí béil — cibé beo nó taifeadta — ar stáiseanóireacht, ar chomharthaí agus ar fhógraí. Chomh maith leis sin, tá comhairle á glacadh ag mo Roinnse le Ranna Rialtais eile mar ullmhúchán do chur i bhfeidhm na Rialachán. Tá dul chun chinn suntasach déanta agus táim dóchasach go mbeidh mé in ann na Rialacháin a dhéanamh go gairid, le go dtiocfaidh siad i bhfeidhm, ar bhonn chéimiúil, go luath sa bhliain 2006.
Maidir le foirmeacha, ní faoi Rialacháin a thagann siad seo san Acht ach faoi na scéimeanna mar mhodhanna cumarsáide. Tá soláthar do fhoirmeacha dhá-theangacha déanta i scéimeanna atá faighte ag an Roinn go dáta.
139 Mr. Ferris asked the Taoiseach if statistics on the numbers of tourists visiting Kerry since 1 January 2003 will be provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31021/05]
The household travel survey provides estimates of domestic and foreign tourism by Irish residents. It includes a regional breakdown of domestic tourism by the eight regional authorities, or NUTS 3 regions. Breakdowns at county level are not available. Kerry is included in the south-west region with Cork city and county. The latest figures are for the first quarter of 2005 and are shown in the following table.
|
Visits '000 |
|
|---|---|
|
Year |
Number |
|
2003 |
1,400 |
|
2004 |
1,547 |
|
Jan-Mar 2005 |
294 |
The total number of overseas visitors to Ireland in the same period is set out in the following table. A regional breakdown of the overseas visitors figures is not available.
|
Visits '000 |
|
|---|---|
|
Year |
Number |
|
2003 |
6,369 |
|
2004 |
6,574 |
|
Jan-Jul 2005 |
3,876 |
140 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Taoiseach the foreign conferences attended by him since June 2002; and the number of public servants and others included in the entourage for each such conference. [30806/05]
I attended the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, on 24 January 2004. The delegation from my Department comprised five people — a press officer; my private secretary; my personal assistant; an official in my Department; and a security officer.
141 Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Taoiseach if he will release to public scrutiny the details of the report of the commission of investigation headed by Mr. Patrick McEntee SC and due for publication in November 2005. [31039/05]
The report of the commission of investigation has not yet been completed. It is my wish, in principle, to publish the report. When it is received, the question of publication will be dealt with in accordance with the relevant legislation.
142 Mr. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children when provision will be made for a women’s refuge for County Kildare; if suitable services will be put in place for an organisation (details supplied) in County Kildare to access same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30829/05]
The Deputy's question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, my Department has requested the parliamentary affairs division of the executive to arrange to have this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy. The responsibility for the provision of refuges lies with the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government.
143 Mr. Perry asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the change in regulations since 2001 regarding the rules for the establishment of a pharmacy; the regulations governing the establishment of pharmacies within health centres; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30793/05]
The 1996 regulations, which were revoked by my predecessor in January 2002 following advice from the Office of the Attorney General, set out the criteria and procedures for granting community pharmacy contracts with the Health Service Executive areas. The effect of the revocation, for the awarding of new community pharmacy contracts, is that there are no restrictions on granting new community pharmacy contracts in terms of location, population or viability of existing pharmacies. The revocation did not affect the operation of the community pharmacy scheme, and existing contracts at that time remained in place.
The opening or establishment of all new pharmacies continues to be governed by the Pharmacy Acts, subject to restrictions imposed by non-pharmacy legislation such as the Planning Act.
144 Mr. Perry asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children her plans to pay doctors to open pharmacies in health centres; the negotiations which she has been involved in; the way this will affect independent pharmacies; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30794/05]
My Department has no plans to pay doctors to open pharmacies in health centres and has not been involved in any negotiations in the matter.
145 Mr. Neville asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children when a medical card will be made available to a person (details supplied). [30795/05]
The Deputy's question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, my Department has requested the parliamentary affairs division of the executive to arrange to have this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.
146 Mr. Curran asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the number of persons in Clondalkin and Lucan who have applied for medical cards for the first time to date in 2005. [30796/05]
The Deputy's question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, my Department has requested the parliamentary affairs division of the executive to arrange to have this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.
147 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the foreign conferences attended by her since June 2002; and the number of public servants and others included in the entourage for each such conference. [30807/05]
The information sought by the Deputy is currently being collated by my Department and will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as available.
148 Mr. P. Breen asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children when windows will be replaced for a person (details supplied) in County Clare under the housing aid for the elderly; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30826/05]
The Deputy's question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. This includes responsibility for the provision of the housing aid scheme for the elderly, on behalf of the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government. 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.
149 Dr. Cowley asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if the short-listing, fee negotiations and interviews have been completed in relation to the BreastCheck extension; if the discussions in relation to the staffing requirements are complete; when the national roll-out in 2007 of BreastCheck will take place; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30884/05]
The design team was recently appointed to prepare tender documentation for the two new BreastCheck clinical units, one at the South Infirmary-Victoria Hospital, Cork, and the other at University College Hospital, Galway. It is anticipated that, subject to obtaining satisfactory planning approval, the design process including the preparation of the tender documentation will be completed by mid-2006. BreastCheck expects that screening will commence throughout the regions in the second half of 2007.
I understand that the national hospital office-comhairle board recently approved in principle 12 consultant posts required for the national roll out. The board is seeking clarification from BreastCheck in relation to sessional commitments of a number of posts. Discussions are also taking place, involving my Department, on the revenue consequences of these posts.
150 Mr. Neville asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the number of deaths and rates per 100,000 population for suicide by Health Service Executive regional areas and county for the years 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003 and 2004. [30887/05]
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 relation to suicide by county for the years 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003 and 2004 is set out in the following table. Suicide and self-inflicted injury.
|
2000 |
2001 |
2002 |
2003 |
2004 |
||||||
|
County/Area |
Cases |
Rate* |
Cases |
Rate* |
Cases |
Rate* |
Cases |
Rate* |
Cases |
Rate* |
|
Carlow |
2 |
4.53 |
8 |
17.77 |
3 |
6.52 |
6 |
12.79 |
6 |
12.53 |
|
Cavan |
7 |
12.75 |
9 |
16.17 |
10 |
17.68 |
8 |
13.96 |
9 |
15.46 |
|
Clare |
8 |
8.05 |
13 |
12.85 |
16 |
15.49 |
13 |
12.36 |
14 |
13.04 |
|
Cork |
67 |
15.39 |
100 |
22.68 |
62 |
13.84 |
64 |
14.10 |
69 |
15.00 |
|
Donegal |
13 |
9.70 |
15 |
11.06 |
20 |
14.54 |
14 |
10.05 |
18 |
12.75 |
|
Dublin |
115 |
10.52 |
120 |
10.85 |
103 |
9.17 |
111 |
9.76 |
104 |
9.04 |
|
Galway |
20 |
9.97 |
23 |
11.25 |
26 |
12.44 |
21 |
9.85 |
15 |
6.89 |
|
Kerry |
20 |
15.45 |
20 |
15.29 |
13 |
9.81 |
9 |
6.72 |
21 |
15.47 |
|
Kildare |
20 |
13.09 |
12 |
7.59 |
21 |
12.81 |
18 |
10.61 |
13 |
7.40 |
|
Kilkenny |
17 |
21.78 |
15 |
18.97 |
11 |
13.69 |
11 |
13.51 |
10 |
12.11 |
|
Laois |
6 |
10.65 |
7 |
12.18 |
6 |
10.21 |
4 |
6.67 |
3 |
4.90 |
|
Leitrim |
4 |
15.77 |
6 |
23.49 |
7 |
27.13 |
3 |
11.54 |
4 |
15.25 |
|
Limerick |
32 |
18.76 |
16 |
9.27 |
30 |
17.11 |
24 |
13.52 |
25 |
13.90 |
|
Longford |
3 |
9.82 |
6 |
19.50 |
4 |
12.87 |
2 |
6.39 |
5 |
15.82 |
|
Louth |
13 |
13.3 |
7 |
7.03 |
14 |
13.75 |
16 |
15.41 |
12 |
11.33 |
|
Mayo |
17 |
14.83 |
17 |
14.68 |
18 |
15.33 |
10 |
8.42 |
11 |
9.14 |
|
Meath |
11 |
8.82 |
19 |
14.72 |
19 |
14.18 |
11 |
7.93 |
24 |
16.68 |
|
Monaghan |
11 |
21.24 |
2 |
3.84 |
4 |
7.61 |
8 |
15.11 |
8 |
14.99 |
|
Offaly |
18 |
29.20 |
12 |
19.18 |
11 |
17.28 |
7 |
10.83 |
12 |
18.26 |
|
Roscommon |
6 |
11.37 |
5 |
9.40 |
4 |
7.44 |
3 |
5.53 |
1 |
1.83 |
|
Sligo |
3 |
5.26 |
10 |
17.39 |
4 |
6.87 |
7 |
11.91 |
10 |
16.85 |
|
Tipperary NR |
9 |
15.11 |
10 |
16.61 |
11 |
18.03 |
14 |
22.69 |
11 |
17.61 |
|
Tipperary SR |
11 |
14.22 |
13 |
16.64 |
11 |
13.90 |
12 |
15.01 |
6 |
7.42 |
|
Waterford |
12 |
12.19 |
17 |
17.03 |
12 |
11.82 |
8 |
7.77 |
16 |
15.30 |
|
Westmeath |
9 |
13.16 |
9 |
12.86 |
6 |
8.35 |
6 |
8.15 |
7 |
9.28 |
|
Wexford |
23 |
20.62 |
19 |
16.68 |
17 |
14.58 |
23 |
19.31 |
11 |
9.03 |
|
Wicklow |
9 |
8.20 |
9 |
8.03 |
15 |
13.08 |
11 |
9.39 |
12 |
10.03 |
|
Ireland |
486 |
12.82 |
519 |
13.49 |
478 |
12.20 |
444 |
11.16 |
457 |
11.30 |
* Rate per 100,000 population.
Source: Central Statistics Office.
Data for 2004 are provisional and based on year of registration.
151 Mr. Ring asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the reason an operation for a person (details supplied) in County Mayo was cancelled; when their operation will take place; and the date for the procedure. [30889/05]
The Deputy's question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, my Department has requested the parliamentary affairs division of the executive to arrange to have this case investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.
152 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if Crohn’s disease will be added to the list of illnesses qualifying for extra assistance to patients. [30895/05]
Under the 1970 Health Act, the Health Service Executive may arrange for the supply, without charge, of drugs, medicines and medical and surgical appliances to people with a specified condition, for the treatment of that condition through the long-term illness scheme, LTI. The LTI does not cover GP fees or hospital co-payments. The conditions are: mental handicap, mental illness, for people under 16 only, phenylketonuria, cystic fibrosis, spina bifida, hydrocephalus, diabetes mellitus, diabetes insipidus, haemophilia, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, muscular dystrophies, parkinsonism, conditions arising from thalidomide and acute leukaemia. There are currently no plans to extend the list of eligible conditions.
The medical card, GMS, and drugs payment, DPS, schemes provide assistance towards the cost of approved drugs and medicines for people with significant ongoing medical expenses. People who cannot, without undue hardship, arrange for the provision of medical services for themselves and their dependants may be entitled to a medical card. Non-medical card holders, and people with conditions not covered under the LTI, can use the drugs payment scheme, DPS. Under this scheme, no individual or family unit pays more than €85 per calendar month towards the cost of approved prescribed medicines.
153 Mr. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if assistance will be given to the family of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30896/05]
The Deputy's question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, my Department has requested the parliamentary affairs division of the executive to arrange to have this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.
154 Mr. O’Connor asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if she will report on her proposals to support rheumatology services in the Dublin region as highlighted at recent meetings of the Joint Committee on Health and Children; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30917/05]
The Deputy's question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, my Department has requested the parliamentary affairs division of the executive to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.
155 Mr. O’Connor asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the number of persons in Dublin South West who have been treated under the national treatment purchase fund over the past two years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30918/05]
As the Deputy's question relates to the operation of the national treatment purchase fund, my Department has asked the chief executive of the fund to respond to the Deputy in relation to the information requested.
156 Mr. O’Connor asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children her plans for major development at a home (details supplied); the works proposed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30983/05]
The Deputy's question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, the Department has requested the parliamentary affairs division of the executive to arrange to have this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.
157 Mr. Connaughton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the reason a person (details supplied) in County Galway has not been called to the Beaumount Hospital for an operation on a brain tumour in view of the fact that they were informed a few weeks ago that they would be called in two to three weeks; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31040/05]
I understand from the Health Service Executive that the person in question is currently a patient in Beaumont Hospital and is undergoing the necessary treatment.
158 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the position regarding plans to relieve the accident and emergency department at Beaumont Hospital. [31041/05]
The Deputy's question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, my Department has requested the parliamentary affairs division of the executive to arrange to have this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.
159 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if reforms of the Crisis Pregnancy Agency will take place in 2006 and 2007; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31042/05]
The Crisis Pregnancy Agency was established on 2 October 2001, under the Health (Corporate Bodies) Act 1961. The main role of the Crisis Pregnancy Agency is to facilitate co-ordination of efforts of all groups in the area of crisis pregnancy prevention. The agency reports that over the past three years it has increased the amount of crisis pregnancy counselling available in the country by more than 50% and this year, the agency will allocate more than €3.5 million towards supports and services within crisis pregnancy. The work of the agency is monitored by my Department and there are no plans to adjust its role or functions.
160 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if a transfer will be arranged for a elderly patient (details supplied) in Dublin 12; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31043/05]
The Deputy's question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, the Department has requested the parliamentary affairs division of the executive to arrange to have this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.
161 Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if an appropriate inquiry will examine all the circumstances pertaining to the family led discharge of a patient from a hospital (details supplied) in County Meath; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31057/05]
The Deputy's question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, my Department has requested the parliamentary affairs division of the executive to arrange to have this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.
162 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if she will provide assistance to persons (details supplied) in Dublin 9 in getting extra hours with home help service; and if she will provide the maximum support and care in the home. [31059/05]
The Deputy's question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, the Department has requested the parliamentary affairs division of the executive to arrange to have this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.
163 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Finance the value of the contract for the provision of broadband or other telecommunication services to the public sector; when the contract was last offered by public tender; if it is expected to offer this contract for public tender in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31010/05]
The Government's virtual private network, VPN, contract was awarded on foot of an open EU procurement exercise to a consortium comprising Eircom and Vodafone Ireland in May 2002 for five years. The contract provides for a range of voice and data telecommunications services, including secure interconnectivity between public bodies. It was procured by a cross-sectoral procurement working group, comprising Departments and offices, and the health, local authority and education sectors. The procurement exercise aggregated all of the civil and non-commercial public sector telecommunications demand because that approach ensures that the public service receives maximum value for money and substantial savings in its telecommunications expenditure as a result of the significant discounts available from such an approach. As part of its management process, the contract has built-in reviews and roll-over procedures that are now conducted on an annual basis by a programme board comprising the same entities that operated the initial procurement exercise.
The contract established a drawdown facility that allows Departments and offices and public bodies to drawdown services at their discretion and does not preclude them from operating public procurement exercises for telecommunications services at any time. Many of them do this with the aid of telecommunications specialists in my Department. Additionally, my Department has ensured that all other major telecommunications service providers can connect to the Government VPN to allow for the maximum competition in the provision of these services to public bodies. As the contract is a drawdown facility and because each public body has a great deal of discretion in its procurement of telecommunications services, my Department does not have detailed knowledge of the extent of usage or value of the services available under the VPN contract. My Department does, however, aid individual public bodies in ensuring that they get best value for money in their telecommunications expenditure either under the VPN contract or through separate procurements.
It is not intended to take this contract, in this shape, to public tender again. Recent changes in EU procurement law and the emergence of enhanced competition in the Irish marketplace now facilitate the use of frameworks involving multiple competing providers. In this context, it is intended to operate a series of such framework procurement exercises over the coming 12 to 18 months. This series of procurements will, over time, deal with all aspects of telecommunications services provision to the public sector. Strategies for these procurements are being worked out at present and it is intended to complete the first of these exercises in early 2006.
164 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Finance the foreign conferences attended by him since June 2002; and the number of public servants and others included in the entourage for each such conference. [30808/05]
As Minister for Finance I have attended a number of international events and meetings, as did my predecessor, the former Minister, Deputy McCreevy. However, since June 2002, only one foreign conference was attended by the Minister for Finance. This was the Conference on European Financial Integration held in Brussels in June 2004, which was attended by my predecessor, the former Minister, former Deputy McCreevy. The delegation which accompanied the Minister comprised three civil servants, that is, a departmental assistant secretary, the Minister's private secretary and the Department of Finance press officer.
165 Mr. Bruton asked the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to the fact that clubs which have charitable status are still obliged to pay stamp duty on the acquisition of sites for their services; if he will consider extending the concessions to bodies which have charitable status to include exemption from stamp duty; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30822/05]
I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that an exemption from stamp duty is provided for in the stamp duty code in respect of a conveyance, transfer or lease of land made for charitable purposes to a body of persons established solely for such purposes.
The acquisition of sites by clubs for their services would qualify for this exemption where it is shown to the satisfaction of the Revenue Commissioners that the clubs had been established for charitable purposes at the date of the instruments transferring the sites to the clubs.
166 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Finance, further to Question No. 87 of 13 October 2005, his views on the response from the Revenue Commissioners regarding the need to enable policy makers and commentators to formulate a view regarding the income impact of tax changes having regard to the fact that the historical gap in the published data and the current budget is too large; his further views on the possibility of using provisional data based on the number of employer returns detailing income and tax paid by PAYE workers made by the February deadline in each of the years 2003 to 2005 in the format of table IDS1 — distribution of the number of incomes, gross income charged and tax by range of gross income in the statistical report of the Revenue Commissioners (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30912/05]
The position in relation to the publication by the Revenue Commissioners of statistics and tables derived from income tax returns processed to date was explained in my reply to Question No. 87 of 13 October 2005.
I am satisfied that the Revenue Commissioners are committed to improving the timeliness of tax-based information and continue to pursue technical and other approaches to facilitate this. Ultimately, however, the timeliness of data is determined by the dates for filing of tax returns and the processes that must be gone through to reach an acceptable standard. In this regard the apparent advantage of producing more recent tax and incomes data could be offset by a deterioration in completeness and would not necessarily improve upon the current arrangement.
167 Mr. Gregory asked the Minister for Finance, further to Question No. 374 of 18 October 2005, if the Office of Public Works will make available on loan an art work or sculpture to a community development centre (details supplied) in County Cavan. [30913/05]
Art works purchased and commissioned by the Office of Public Works, OPW, are acquired for specific building projects or historic properties. This means all art works are acquired by the OPW art management office with a destination already identified.
At present, there is a small number of art works in the OPW store available for loan to Departments. These Departments are not in a position to avail of the percent for art scheme as no construction project is under way in their buildings. The art works are mainly original prints and small-scale paintings that were returned to the art management office for repair or reframing. When the restoration work is complete, they are re-circulated. There is a huge demand for the loan of art works in Government office spaces throughout Ireland and, unfortunately, at present there are not art works available to place on loan with the Cavan Centre,Ballyjamesduff, County Cavan.
168 Mr. Gregory asked the Minister for Finance the reason correspondence (details supplied) was not replied to by the Office of Public Works; if arrangements will be made to reply to same; and if the pilot project referred to will be given consideration. [30914/05]
The records of the Office of Public Works indicate that the correspondence in question, which was addressed to the then chairman, was replied to in October 2002. I have arranged for a copy of the reply to be forwarded to the person concerned. The Government Supplies Agency continuously reviews the markets with which it interacts and has continued to develop the range of recycled paper products, made available to all Departments and offices, through drawdown contracts.
169 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources his proposals to assist directly or indirectly TG4 with reference to home produced material; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31004/05]
My Department provides significant public funding for TG4 to enable it to provide an Irish language television service. The 2005 Estimates includes a provision of €24.858 million for TG4. Decisions in relation to the commissioning of programmes are a matter for TG4. I have no role in the matter.
170 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources his views regarding the proposed 52 acre in-fill in Dublin Bay especially in relation to serious damage to the local environment and the potential for flooding in the area. [31014/05]
Consideration of the proposal by Dublin Port Company to reclaim an area in Dublin Bay is ongoing, and will involve a full examination of the possible effects on the environment of the development. An environmental impact statement and other information concerning the application would be made available during a public consultation process, giving an opportunity for interested persons or bodies to make submissions or observations on the proposal.
The proposed development will also require planning permission and Dublin Port Company has been advised that it is more appropriate that the necessary consent under the planning process be obtained before the foreshore application is dealt with. This is in accordance with normal practice where a substantial development wholly or partly on the foreshore requires planning permission.
171 Mr. O’Shea asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the discussions he has had with An Post in regard to ensuring that their staff and pensioners are awarded their full entitlements under the national partnership agreements Sustaining Progress; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30801/05]
I refer the Deputy to a reply I gave to similar questions posed by Deputies Coveney and Durkan on 12 October, Questions Nos. 229, 175 and 256. An Post is a commercial company and the question of pay increases in the company is one in which I have no function.
I would like to update the Deputy on recent developments on industrial relations in the company. The ballot for industrial action, put to the union membership, closed on 21 October. Subsequently, the union served the company with 14 days' strike notice. The precise nature of any industrial action has not been announced.
172 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources his plans regarding correspondence (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30802/05]
Government policy in relation to the regional harbours as recently published in the ports policy statement is that the continued operation of the regional harbours under the outdated provisions of the Harbours Act 1946 is unsustainable on the grounds of good governance.
The policy statement states that the regional harbours would best achieve their potential through their transfer to local authority ownership as many of the regional harbours have neither the resources nor the capability to comply with aspects of the code of practice for the governance of State bodies whereas their transfer to local authority control would bring improved corporate governance and allow the harbours to realise their amenity potential.
The ports policy statement drew on the review of State regional ports and harbours, carried out by KPMG in 1999, which analysed trading, financial and governance issues at the harbours and recommended the transfer of certain regional harbours to local authority control. In accordance with Government policy Sligo is designated for transfer to Sligo County Council.
This Department is working with the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government to facilitate the implementation of the ports policy statement in this regard. It is intended to make arrangements for the transfer of the designated regional harbours to their respective local authorities, where appropriate, and to proceed individually in conjunction with the relevant local authorities and the harbour authorities having regard to local requirements in each case.
Sligo Harbour Commissioners are very active in the number of property transfers they have proposed. This Department has forwarded the correspondence received on this matter to the Valuation Office for a report.
173 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the foreign conferences attended by him since June 2002; and the number of public servants and others included in the entourage for each such conference. [30809/05]
The following table shows details of the foreign conferences which I attended since taking office as Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources:
|
Conference |
Location |
Date |
No. of Officials |
|
World Economic Forum (WEF) |
Jordan |
19-22 May 2005 |
4 |
|
International Energy Agency (IEA) Conference |
Paris |
2-3 May 2005 |
4 |
174 Mr. N. O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if a local authority has sanctioned its 25% contribution to a project (details supplied) in County Cork; and when works will commence. [30898/05]
Responsibility for coast protection rests with the property owner whether it be a local authority or a private individual. This year under the Department's coastal protection programme, I allocated funding of €187,500 towards village protection works at Gyleen costing a total of €250,000. Cork County Council has agreed to contribute 25% of the cost of the project. I understand from Cork County Council that the contractor for the project has been appointed and works are due to commence shortly.
175 Mr. P. Breen asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources his plans to predict the effect of tidal surges in the Irish sea on low lying areas of Dublin by way of risk modelling; if so, the risk levels that will be used in such modelling; if he proposes to introduce land use restrictions based on such risk studies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30899/05]
In 2002 the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources initiated a national coastal protection strategy study to review coastal protection generally, examine policy options and set out a basis for effective decision making in regard to resource allocation. This study is currently in progress. Attention is at present being focused on detailed studies in a pilot area of coast stretching from Killiney, County Dublin to Carnsore Point, County Wexford.
In the pilot area information is being assembled on the current and historic position of the coastline, the nature of the coast, its vulnerability to erosion and flooding and the nature of the hinterland in terms of economic, heritage and environmental assets. The information is being collated on a geographic information system, GIS.
Areas at risk of tidal flooding in the pilot area are being delineated at two levels of probability. An extreme flood outline, EFO, is being determined for the combined storm surge and high tide event with a 0.1% annual excellence probability. Converted into a band on a digital terrain model, this will define the outer limit for damage estimates and planning guidance. High tide, surge and wave inundation levels with an annual excellence probability of 0.5% are being determined which will show on the GIS the indicative flood plain.
Very limited data are available on storm surges around the coast of Ireland so it is necessary to develop a hydrodynamic tidal model to simulate tides and surges from historical meteorological data. Storm surge modelling is ongoing. All events identified as extreme storm surges between 1956 and 2002 have been simulated and water levels have been extracted at locations in the Irish Sea along the pilot area coastline.
It is intended that following completion of the pilot study the surge modelling and identification of areas at risk will be extended to the entire coastline of Ireland including Dublin. Land use restrictions, if any, resulting from these studies are a matter for the relevant planning authority. This Department will advise the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government on impacts and sensitivity of erosion and flood risk in relation to planning and development, including the provision of assistance as required in the development of guidelines and standards.
In 2003 this Department provided funding to Dublin City Council and Fingal County Council towards the cost of the Dublin coastal flooding protection project. This project which was initiated following the tidal flooding which occurred in Dublin in February 2002 is aimed primarily at addressing the risks from tidal flooding around the Dublin coastline and within the tidal reaches of a number of rivers and canals. A copy of the final report of these studies was received in this Department in April 2005 and is currently being reviewed.
176 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the value of wages, salaries and pension entitlements withheld from An Post employees, arising from partnership-benchmarking agreements; if he will re-examine the possibility of making good any such agreements entered into and entitlements accruing from service with An Post or previously the Department of Post and Telegraphs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31047/05]
I refer the Deputy to a reply I gave to similar questions posed by Deputies Coveney and Durkan on 12 October, Questions Nos. 175 and 256. An Post is a commercial company and the question of pay increases in the company is one in which I have no function.
I would like to update the Deputy on recent developments on industrial relations in the company. The ballot for industrial action, put to the union membership, closed on 21 October. Subsequently, the union has served the company with 14 days' strike notice. The precise nature of any industrial action has not been announced.
177 Mr. Ferris asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if he will make a statement on the implications of the review of inland fisheries for the future of the South Western Fisheries Board. [31048/05]
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 publish this report shortly, at which time I will be in a position to comment in detail on its recommendations and implementation.
178 Mr. Walsh asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if he will sanction grant aid to allow work to commence on a pier (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31049/05]
Garnish pier is owned by Cork County Council and responsibility for its repair and maintenance rests with the local authority in the first instance. Cork County Council submitted a proposal to the Department in 2003 for works to Garnish pier at an estimated cost of €750,000. This year, under the small harbours programme, I allocated funding of €45,000 to Cork County Council towards pier improvement works at Garnish pier costing a total of €60,000. The question of providing Exchequer funding for Garnish pier in 2006 will depend on the amount of funding available for works at fishery harbours generally and overall national priorities.
179 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the action he has taken in the case of Mr. Seán Garland, president of the Workers Party arrested in Northern Ireland; the response to date from the British and American authorities on this case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30797/05]
Mr Seán Garland was arrested by the PSNI in Belfast on 7 October. At the time of his arrest, Irish officials at the British-Irish Intergovernmental Secretariat in Belfast were asked to seek clarification from the British authorities as to the basis for his arrest. It was indicated that Mr. Garland was provisionally arrested on foot of a request from the United States Government for his extradition. The request for extradition was made on the basis that Mr. Garland is the subject of an indictment filed on 19 May 2005 in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia. The United States authorities want Mr. Garland to stand trial on counterfeiting charges.
Mr Garland has been released on bail subject to the payment of surety and daily reporting to a PSNI station. Mr. Garland has also been instructed to reside at an address in Northern Ireland pending the receipt of appropriate documentation from the US authorities to support the extradition request. I understand that the documentation must be forwarded to the UK authorities within 65 days of the date of the initial request for extradition, that is within 65 days from 4 October 2005.
At their request, on 20 October I met a number of public representatives who had concerns about the case. I confirmed that we will continue to monitor the case. I emphasised that Mr. Garland has the same rights as any other citizen, including being fully entitled to due process and to the presumption of innocence until proven guilty. The United States authorities are now aware of the interest of the Government in this case. However, as the Minister of State, Deputy Treacy, said in the Dáil in the Adjournment Debate on 20 October, the Government is not in a position to interfere in legal proceedings that are taking place in another jurisdiction. Such matters are for the courts alone to decide and therefore further comment on the details of the case would be inappropriate at this time.
180 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the foreign conferences attended by him since June 2002; and the number of public servants and others included in the entourage for each such conference. [30810/05]
From 1 June 2002 until 29 September 2004, my predecessor Deputy Cowen, attended the following foreign conferences:
|
Conference |
Venue |
Date |
|
Regional EU Conference on Conflict Prevention |
Helsingborg, Sweden |
29-30 August 2002 |
|
Meeting of the Conference on Disarmament |
Geneva |
16 March 2004 |
|
OSCE Conference on Anti-Semitism |
Berlin |
28-29 April 2004 |
In addition, the Intergovernmental Conference, IGC, on the European constitution met on 11 occasions between October 2003 and June 2004. With the exception of the IGCs of October and November 2003, which took place in Rome and Naples respectively, the IGC meetings took place in Brussels.
Since my appointment as Minister for Foreign Affairs on 29 September 2004, I have attended the following foreign conferences:
|
Conference |
Venue |
Date |
|
International Conference on Iraq |
Brussels |
22 June 2005 |
|
7th Review Conference of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons |
New York |
2 May 2005 |
Exact details of the number of public servants and others included in the delegation for each conference are not to hand. In general, I would be accompanied by my private secretary, a press officer and a small number of officials from the sections of the Department whose work pertains to the conference in question. On occasion, I may also be accompanied by my special adviser. For the review conference of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons in May 2005, the delegation also included a representative of the Irish non-governmental organisation, NGO, community.
181 Mr. O’Connor asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has received the special report on the tsunami from the Irish envoy, Mr. Chris Flood; his proposals in respect of recommendations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30897/05]
In the aftermath of the devastating tsunami which struck south Asia and parts of east Africa on 26 December 2004, the Government appointed Mr. Chris Flood, former Minister of State, and current chairman of the advisory board to Development Co-operation Ireland, as special envoy to the region. The envoy's mandate was to oversee the use of Irish funding in response to the tsunami and to ensure that the assistance was delivered effectively and that the programmes funded were implemented in line with international best practice.
Mr. Flood presented his final report to the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Deputy Dermot Ahern, on 18 October. The report is the third in a series of detailed and informative reports that were prepared by the envoy during the course of his six-month term. The final report contains a series of recommendations arising from his visits to the region, meetings with key individuals and organisations and general observations. The report is a very comprehensive and valuable document which my Department is now studying with a view to taking its recommendations forward. I am making arrangements to have the report published and a copy will be placed in the Oireachtas Library.
182 Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will raise with the British Government the issue of the continuing deployment of the Royal Welsh Fusiliers in southArmagh; and if he will request their removal from the area. [30965/05]
Members of the British Armed Forces, including members of the Royal Welsh Fusiliers, are currently involved in an extensive programme of demilitarisation in south Armagh. This programme includes the removal of the army base at Forkhill, the removal of the super-sangar at Newtownhamilton and the progressive removal of army surveillance posts and army bases.
Officials from my Department visited the area last week. On that occasion, a Sinn Féin representative, in discussion with them, expressed satisfaction to them with the manner in which the demilitarisation process was proceeding. The army civilian representatives regularly brief local community leaders on the work, and there have been no difficulties so far with local residents.
183 Mr. O’Connor asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will report on his recent meeting with Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Mr. Peter Hain; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30982/05]
I met the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Mr. Peter Hain, in Dublin on 19 October when we jointly chaired a meeting of the British-Irish Intergovernmental Conference. This was the first meeting of the conference since June, when it met at summit level. We had a useful and constructive meeting. I was accompanied by the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Deputy McDowell. The Secretary of State was accompanied by Ministers David Hanson and Shaun Woodward of the Northern Ireland Office.
The conference reviewed recent political developments and reaffirmed its belief that the restoration of devolved government on an inclusive basis was in the best interests of all in Northern Ireland. It also welcomed the recent confirmation by the IICD that IRA weapons had been fully and verifiably decommissioned, and it likewise noted the seventh report of the International Monitoring Commission which was published on the same day.
The two Governments agreed to consult with the parties over the coming weeks to take stock of progress to date and to help build momentum towards the restoration of devolved government on an inclusive basis. We had a valuable discussion on current policing issues and reiterated the commitment of the two Governments to fully implementing the Patten report. We agreed that a sustained effort was required by all parties to build consensus on policing and to secure support for the police from the entire community.
We also discussed the recent upsurge in sectarian attacks and in street violence. Both governments strongly condemned all sectarian crime and intimidation. We agreed that the type of sectarian violence and intimidation witnessed in recent months was totally unacceptable, and called on political leaders to use their influence to bring this violence to an end. The conference also strongly condemned the violence resulting from the loyalist feud.
We discussed the question of parades, welcoming that most parades had passed off peacefully this summer and condemning the violence and rioting that had taken place on a limited number of occasions. In this regard, we paid tribute to the work of the Northern Ireland Parades Commission in managing contentious parades this summer and throughout its term of office.
Both Governments reiterated their resolve to advance work in the areas of equality and human rights. We affirmed our joint commitment to tackling inequality and disadvantage on the basis of objective need. In that context, the conference also reviewed progress on tackling the differential in unemployment between the two communities.
The conference had a positive discussion on the ongoing work of the North-South bodies and of the British-Irish Council. I particularly welcome the agreement we reached in principle on the extension of the all-island travel scheme throughout the island. We also discussed progress towards the creation of a single electricity market by July 2007 and to tackling the issue of inadvertent mobile telephone roaming charges, an issue which affects businesses and communities on both sides of the Border. The conference also welcomed the recent agreement to review the feasibility of restoring a section of the Ulster Canal, a project that would bring real economic benefit to communities on both sides of the Border.
We also endorsed the practical ongoing co-operation between the two Governments and between the relevant authorities on public health emergency planning, particularly in the context of the current concerns about the spread of avian influenza. We also expressed our support for efforts to bring the World Rally Championship to Ireland in 2007. The joint communiqué which was issued after the conference outlines in detail the issues we discussed. A copy of this communiqué has been placed in the Oireachtas Library. The next meeting of the conference is due to take place in early January.
184 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the amount of financial aid given to Third World countries in 2006 and the projected figures for 2007. [31015/05]
The Taoiseach announced at the UN Millennium Review Summit in New York on 14 September that the Government would reach the target of spending 0.7% of GNP on official development assistance by 2012. Interim targets of 0.47% of GNP in 2006 and 0.5% in 2007 have also been agreed. The 2006 Estimates process is under way and the allocations to the Vote of the Department of Foreign Affairs for international co-operation, Vote 29, will be agreed in the context of the Estimates negotiations. On the basis of anticipated growth rates, however, total ODA is expected to be of the order of €675 million in 2006 and €793 million in 2007.
185 Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the illegal Indonesian occupation of Maluku and the human rights abuses that are committed by the Indonesian Government and military against Malukan persons including the denial of the right to self-determination; the unjust detention and ill-treatment of political prisoners and the overt policies to break down the Malukan culture; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31038/05]
I am aware of the situation in Maluku, known to many as the Moluccas, in eastern Indonesia. Violence erupted between Christian and Muslim communities in 1999, resulting in the deaths of as many as 5,000 people since then and the displacement of many more. A peace agreement brokered in 2002 by the current Indonesian Vice-President, Jusuf Kalla, substantially reduced the violence and reports indicate that the human rights situation has improved since 2003.
However, on 25 April 2004 violence erupted again, resulting in the deaths of 38 people in the city of Ambon, after a small group of independence supporters held a ceremony commemorating the anniversary of a short-lived separatist struggle in 1950. Sporadic outbreaks of violence throughout 2005 including the attack on a security post on the island of Ceram in May 2005, killing seven people, show that the peace remains fragile.
The Government believes the most productive approach to dealing with human rights in Maluku and similar situations in other areas of conflict in Indonesia including in Aceh and in Papua is through contact with the Government of Indonesia.
Ireland and our EU partners continue to monitor the political situation in Indonesia and human rights issues are regularly raised in discussions with the Indonesian authorities. The former Minister for Foreign Affairs, Deputy Cowen, did so in his meeting with the Indonesian Foreign Minister, Mr. Wirajuda, in the margins of the UN General Assembly in September 2004. These concerns had previously been raised with Mr. Wirajuda in April 2004, during an EU Troika meeting held during the Irish Presidency of the EU. The EU Troika of Foreign Ministers again met Mr. Wirajuda in Jakarta on 10 March 2005. Human rights issues were discussed at these meetings also. EU heads of mission in Jakarta also raise human rights issues during regular political dialogue meetings with the Indonesian authorities.
The General Affairs and External Relations Council, at its meeting on 11 October 2004, adopted conclusions on Indonesia which reiterated the EU's attachment to a united, democratic, stable and prosperous Indonesia and also reiterated the EU's respect for the territorial integrity of Indonesia. The Council encouraged the Indonesian Government to seek peaceful solutions in conflict and potential conflict areas. Together with our EU partners, the Government will continue to monitor closely the situation and raise human rights concerns regarding Maluku in our discussions with the Indonesian authorities.
186 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the foreign conferences attended by him since June 2002; and the number of public servants and others included in the entourage for each such conference. [30811/05]
I have undertaken a range of visits and attended a number of meetings overseas in my capacity as Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism to promote the sectors for which I have responsibility but not for the purposes of attending foreign conferences.
187 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if there are grants available for AstroTurf training or playing pitches for county or local authority facilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30992/05]
The national lottery-funded sports capital programme, which is administered by my Department, provides funding at local, regional and national level throughout the country to voluntary, sporting and community organisations and to local authorities towards the provision of sport and recreational facilities, including AstroTurf training or playing pitches. The programme is advertised on an annual basis. Applications for funding under the 2005 programme were invited through advertisements in the press on 5 and 6 December 2004 and I announced provisional grant allocations of €54.385 million under the programme in July. A total of €9,345,000 was allocated to 58 projects which included synthetic or all-weather playing surfaces. Of these, a total of eight such local authority projects were allocated €2,580,000. I intend to invite applications to the 2006 programme before the end of this year.
188 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism when the application forms for capital funding grants for 2006 will be available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30993/05]
The national lottery funded sports capital programme, which is administered by my Department, allocates funding to sporting and community organisations at local, regional and national level. The programme is advertised on an annual basis.
Applications for funding under the 2005 programme were invited through advertisements in the press on 5 and 6 December 2004 and I announced provisional grant allocations of €54.385 million under the programme in July last. I intend to invite applications to the 2006 programme before the end of this year.
189 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the number of applications for funding for swimming pools received in each of the past three years; the number of applications in each of the counties of Leinster; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30994/05]
My Department administers the local authority swimming pool programme, which provides grant aid to local authorities towards the capital costs of a new swimming pool or the refurbishment of an existing pool. The closing date for receipt of applications under the current programme was 31 July 2000 and since then 55 projects have been or are being dealt with. As the priority in relation to the programme is to support the proposals currently on hand, new proposals for swimming pools are not being considered at this time.
Of the 55 projects within the programme, 29 are in the province of Leinster. Of the 29, 11 have been allocated grant aid. Of these 11, eight have been completed and are located in Arklow, Courtown-Gorey, Dundalk, Enniscorthy, Navan, Wicklow, Finglas and Ballymun in Dublin. Three are under construction and are located in Ballyfermot and Jobstown, in Dublin, and in Drogheda.
The remaining 18 are at various stages of the programme. Five are at tender stage, in Clondalkin in Dublin, Portarlington, Portlaoise, Longford, and Athy. Eight are at contract document stage, in Glenalbyn and Skerries in Dublin, Tullamore, Kilkenny, New Ross, Bray, Greystones and Birr. Five are at preliminary stages, in Naas, Dundrum in Dublin, Edenderry, Clara and Ferrybank in Wexford.
190 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if grants are available for the provision of skateboard parks to private groups, community groups or local authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30995/05]
The national lottery funded sports capital programme, which is administered by my Department, provides funding at local, regional and national level to voluntary, sporting and community organisations and to local authorities but not to private organisations, towards the provision of sport and recreational facilities, including skateboard parks. The programme is advertised on an annual basis.
Applications for funding under the 2005 programme were invited through advertisements in the press on 5 and 6 December 2004 and I announced provisional grant allocations of €54.385 million under the programme in July last. I intend to invite applications to the 2006 programme before the end of this year.
The Deputy should note that my colleague, the Minister for Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Deputy Roche, in May this year announced the availability of €1 million in a new pilot scheme specifically for the provision of skateboard parks, through which each city and county council was invited to submit expressions of interest of such proposals.
191 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if grants will be given to sporting groups on the northside of Dublin in 2006; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31020/05]
The national lottery funded sports capital programme, which is administered by my Department, provides funding at local, regional and national level to voluntary, sporting and community organisations and to local authorities towards the provision of sport and recreational facilities. The programme is advertised on an annual basis.
All applications received under the sports capital programme are assessed each year on an individual basis and on their own merits by my officials in accordance with a detailed set of assessment criteria as specified in the guidelines, terms and conditions for the programme, which accompany the application form for the programme.
Applications for funding under the 2005 programme were invited through advertisements in the press on 5 and 6 December 2004 and 1,362 applications were received by the closing date. I announced provisional grant allocations of €54.385 million under the programme in July last, including €3.77 million to 28 projects located in several northside postal districts of Dublin.
I intend to invite applications to the 2006 programme before the end of this year and would expect to again receive applications from, and grant provisional allocations to, a number of projects in the northside Dublin area.
192 Mr. J. Higgins asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the amount paid to Irish Ferries in redundancy grants with respect to workers on the MV Normandy passenger ferry. [30788/05]
The amount of statutory redundancy rebate paid to Irish Ferries in respect of 119 former employees of the MV Normandy made redundant in October 2004 was €1,139,993.73.
193 Mr. J. Higgins asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the way in which Irish Ferries qualifies for redundancy grants with respect to workers on the MV Normandy passenger ferry. [30789/05]
The application for statutory redundancy rebate from Irish Ferries in respect of statutory redundancy lump sums paid to former employees of the MV Normandy was judged by my Department to fall within the definition of statutory redundancy in accordance with section 7(2) of the Redundancy Payments Act 1967, as amended by section 4 of the Redundancy Payments Act 1971.
194 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the foreign conferences attended by him since June 2002; and the number of public servants and others included in the entourage for each such conference. [30812/05]
The following are the foreign conferences attended by my predecessor and I since June 2002. In addition to the overseas conferences listed as follows, my predecessor made a number of visits to attend meetings and conferences in Northern Ireland during the period: second European economic summit of the World Economic Forum in Salzburg, Austria, 15-17 September 2002, attended by the Tánaiste and two public servants; the eighth European forum in Berlin, 14-16 November 2002, attended by the Tánaiste and three public servants; World Economic Forum annual meeting in Davos, Switzerland, 23-26 January 2003, attended by the Tánaiste and two public servants; emerging issues forum on jump starting innovation — Government, universities and entrepreneurs in North Carolina State University, United States of America, 9-11 February 2003, attended by the Tánaiste and five public servants; ministerial conference on the European charter for small business and entrepreneurship in Thessaloniki, Greece, 13-15 February 2003, attended by the Tánaiste and four public servants; twelfth edition of the Aspen European dialogue international conference in Rome, Italy, 28 February to 3 March 2003, attended by the Tánaiste and two public servants; UNIDO conference technology foresight summit 2003 in Budapest, Hungary, 28-31 March 2003, attended by the Tánaiste and two public servants; ministerial round table meeting of women government ministers in Marrakech, Morocco, 27 June to 1 July 2003, attended by the Tánaiste, three public servants and one programme manager; G10 medicines conference in Rome, Italy, 10-12 July 2003, attended by the Tánaiste and two public servants; Ireland USA conference in Canada, 5-9 October 2003, attended by the Tánaiste, two public servants, one programme manager and one press officer; CORDIA EuropaBio convention 2003 —boosting biotechnology in Europe in Vienna, Austria, 30 November to 3 December 2003, attended by the Tánaiste and three public servants; World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, 20-25 January 2004, attended by the Tánaiste and two public servants; EU conference on competitiveness of the pharmaceutical industry in Europe in Brussels, 1-3 June 2004, attended by Tánaiste and three public servants; World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, 26-28 January 2005, attended by the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Deputy Martin, and one public servant; global leaders' forum in Prague, 1-2 February 2005, attended by the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment and two public servants.
195 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the foreign conferences attended by him since June 2002; and the number of public servants and others included in the entourage for each such conference. [30813/05]
The information sought by the Deputy is as follows: 3-6 October 2002, annual conference of the coalition of Irish immigrant centre in Philadelphia, attended by the Minister, an adviser,and three officials; 15-6 October 2004, EU Presidency round table conference on poverty and social exclusion in Turin, hosted and by the Italian Presidency, attended by the Minister and seven officials; 6-8 May 2004 — EU Presidency conference on the co-ordination of social security in an enlarged Europe — now and tomorrow, in Budapest, jointly hosted and organised by the Irish and Hungarian Governments, attended by the Minister, an adviser and eight officials; 28-29 May 2004 — EU presidency European anti-poverty network conference in Brussels, organised by the Irish Government, attended by the Minister, an adviser and seven officials; and 8-9 November 2004 — A social Europe conference in Rotterdam, hosted by the Netherlands Government, attended by the Minister, two advisers and four officials.
196 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the reason a person (details supplied) in County Longford who is in receipt of the one parent family payment, is not entitled to the back to school clothing and footwear allowance and other fringe benefits; the steps he will take to ensure that the person is granted same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30883/05]
The back to school clothing and footwear allowance, BSCFA, is administered on my behalf by the community welfare division of the Health Service Executive. Neither I nor my Department has any function with regard to decisions on individual claims.
The midland area of the executive has advised that it has no record of an application for BSCFA from the person concerned. If she wishes to apply, she should contact the community welfare officer at her local health centre as soon as possible to enable her entitlement to an allowance to be determined.
197 Mr. Boyle asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if, in relation to the refund of withheld pensions to residents in welfare homes, the basis of justification and legality of granting exemptions to these refunds vis-á-vis the position of similar pensioners who were not resident in welfare homes during the period and are thus subject to the normal means test and the financial consequences or penalty for accruing assets over the years from their pensions above the disregard in place from time to time. [31026/05]
198 Mr. Boyle asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs his proposals to ring-fence payments in a manner that will allow his officials to determine the source of the assets in future reassessments of means of the pensioners concerned especially after their deaths in relation to the refund of withheld pensions to residents in welfare homes. [31027/05]
199 Mr. Boyle asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if a decision has been made as to whether the same ring-fencing will be put in place in the case of the estates of deceased pensioners who have been resident in welfare homes during the period and are not entitled to refunds in relation to the refund of withheld pensions to residents in welfare homes. [31028/05]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 197 to 199, inclusive, together.
Earlier this year, the Government agreed the key elements of a scheme for the repayment of long-term stay charges. As I previously announced, these repayments will not impact on the current pension entitlements of affected persons. It will be a matter for pensioners themselves to decide what they do with any repayments received and they can, if they wish, deposit the moneys involved in any number of accounts. For means test purposes, once my Department has confirmed that such a repayment was received, an amount equivalent to that repayment will be exempt from assessment for pension purposes provided the pensioner owns capital equal to or in excess of the repayment sum. Where the pensioner's capital is less than the sum repaid all of the pensioner's capital will be exempt. These arrangements will also apply in those cases where a deciding officer of my Department is required to make a revised decision on entitlement following the death of a recipient of a social assistance payment. These arrangements will apply only in those cases where a repayment was made by the Health Service Executive. The current capital assessment arrangements will continue to apply to all other persons and situations.
Over the period in question, my Department paid affected persons their full pension and other social welfare entitlements and had no function in the deduction of the charges made. Given the unique background to the repayments, the Government decided that receipt of the lump sums involved would not incur a tax liability or adversely affect future entitlement to health services and social welfare payments in the case of those who were charged and are still alive. I will make the necessary legislative changes to bring the social welfare aspects of this decision into effect when full details of the repayment scheme have been finalised.
200 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the supports that are available to recipients of the widow’s or widower’s non-contributory pension to enable them to enter or return to the workforce; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31031/05]
My Department assists and encourages long-term unemployed, and other welfare recipients including persons in receipt of widow-widower non-contributory pension to return to work, training or further education through a range of measures administered by my Department's social and family support service.
One significant measure is the back to work allowance scheme which incentivises and encourages people to return to work by allowing them to retain part of their social welfare payment for a period when they take up employment or self-employment.
Another measure offered by my Department's social and family support service is the back-to-education allowance programme which provides support to long term social welfare recipients who need to obtain educational qualifications before re-entering the labour force. In addition, a special projects fund, administered by my Department's locally based facilitators provides enhanced support to people who need additional help to progress to further training and employment. The facilitators also operate small-scale family services projects in certain areas, which are designed to focus supports towards specific target groups with complex needs. The provision of this additional support involves individual attention, customised information and enhanced access to services. It can increase the capacity of those in the most difficult circumstances, to improve their self-esteem and personal situations through access to basic education, training and developmental opportunities. It is hoped that by encouraging customers to participate in self development programmes and in some instances "taster" educational programmes that they will move on to more formalised training and educational programmes.
The special projects and family services initiatives are based on the application of a partnership approach between my Department, the voluntary and community sector, the private sector and other local players in identifying and addressing local needs in terms of training and development for people dependent on social welfare payments including the widow-widowers non-contributory pension. So far this year, the €1.6 million has been accessed through the special projects fund and €1.3 million from the family services project to support these initiatives.
201 Mr. Cuffe asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the measures his Department is taking to combat child poverty; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22343/05]
Detailed measures to give effect to the strategies to combat child poverty in Ireland are set out in the national action plan against poverty and social exclusion and in the national children's strategy. Ending child poverty is also one of ten special initiatives in Sustaining Progress.
The most significant measure to support families with children in recent years has been the substantial real increases in child benefit payment rates. Between 1997 and 2005, the rate of child benefit rose from €38.09 per month for the first two children and €49.52 for each child thereafter to €141.60 per month for each of the first two children and to €177.30 per month for the third and each subsequent child. This equates to real increases in excess of 170%. Child benefit is paid to over 540,000 families in respect of approximately 1 million children, at an estimated cost of €1.9 billion in 2005. It delivers a standard rate of payment in respect of all children in a family regardless of income levels or employment status. Providing income support in this way creates no obstacles to employment and facilitates employment take-up by providing significant support with child care costs.
Through the family income supplement scheme, my Department provides cash support by way of weekly payments to families at work on low pay. Recent improvements to the scheme, including the assessment of entitlements on the basis of net rather than gross income and progressive increases in the income limits, have made it easier for more lower-income households to qualify under the scheme. In a significant proportion of households with children, there is no full-time or part-time employment. These households mainly include recipients of the one parent family payment, or of payments in respect of disability and unemployment. In other households with bigger families, only one parent may be able to take up employment, which results in a lower family income. A study is currently being carried out by the NESC into the possibility of amalgamating child dependent allowances and family income supplement into a second tier of child income support aimed at families on low incomes. A sub-group of the senior officials group on social inclusion has been undertaking a detailed examination of obstacles to employment for lone parents. As part of this work, my Department is nearing the completion of a review of income supports and I hope to complete this work in the near future.
The provision of affordable and flexible child care is also a key factor in facilitating employment participation for families with children. My Department is participating in an inter-departmental working group on early child care and education, chaired by the National Children's Office. The work of this committee is at an advanced stage and the outcome will make an important contribution to finding the right mix of services and income support to facilitate employment take up and care for children.
We also need to monitor and evaluate the outcomes of the policies being pursued on the development of our children and get the necessary evidence on what works and works well. This process is about to commence with a major national longitudinal study on children. My Department and the Department of Health and Children, through the National Children's Office, are jointly funding this study. The study will be the most significant of its kind to be undertaken here, particularly in terms of the cost, scope and length of study period. It is anticipated that 10,000 children from birth and 8,000 children aged nine will be recruited to participate in the study.
I am confident that, through the measures already being taken and the initiatives being planned, we can make a major contribution to ensuring that vulnerable families and their children have a fair share of life chances and quality of life.
202 Mr. P. Breen asked the Minister for Transport further to Parliamentary Question No. 36 of 21 June 1995, his views relating to the technical rationale for the planning objections and appeals lodged over many years by a company (details supplied) regarding numerous private developments in the vicinity of Dublin Airport; his further views on whether the new Dublin Airport Authority will behave in a similar manner; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30900/05]
207 Mr. P. Breen asked the Minister for Transport further to Parliamentary Question No. 636 of 27 April 2004, his views regarding the decision to delete from the Air Navigation and Transport (Amendment) Bill 1997 the provision relating to the grant of protected area powers to a company (details supplied); his further views on whether such anomaly is a classic example of Juvenal’s dilemma as to whether persons are guarding the guards themselves so to speak; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30901/05]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 207 and 202 together.
As my predecessor pointed out in reply to Question No. 636 on 27 April 2004, in the context of preparing the Air Navigation and Transport (Amendment) Bill 1997, consideration was given to providing the former Aer Rianta with power to make orders declaring particular areas of land in the vicinity of airports to be protected areas, where unrestricted use of such lands could interfere with the safety of aircraft. Under section 14 of the Air Navigation and Transport Act 1950, the power to make such orders rested with the Minister. However, in the course of consultations on the drafting of the Bill, it was decided that the status quo operated satisfactorily and the ministerial power under the 1950 Act to make protected area orders was retained and remains in force. The Bill was passed by both Houses of the Oireachtas and enacted in 1998.
The issue of planning objections or appeals lodged by the former Aer Rianta and any future such actions by the Dublin Airport Authority falls within the remit of the company and of the planning authorities.
203 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport the extent to which he will provide travel facilities for the elderly in rural communities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31012/05]
The provision of transport services for older people in rural areas is a core feature of the rural transport initiative, RTI, which has been operated by my Department since 2002. All 34 RTI pilot projects throughout the country provide transport services for older people as part of their public transport remit. The RTI arose as a response to the needs of specific categories of people in rural Ireland, such as older people, who did not have access to transport.
Area Development Management Limited, ADM, administers the RTI on behalf of my Department and together with the individual RTI project groups are solely responsible for all the operational aspects of the initiative including the specific services to be provided. Neither I nor my Department has any role in these matters.
In line with the principal recommendation of the appraisal of the RTI in 2004, I announced the extension of the initiative to end 2006. I have also announced my intention to make the RTI permanent from 2007 onwards.
204 Mr. Curran asked the Minister for Transport his plans to deal with traffic congestion on the M50 during the M50 upgrade project; if he will have a toll free access on the West link bridge during these upgrade works; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30787/05]
The planning, design and implementation of national road improvement projects, including related traffic management arrangements as part of these projects, are a matter for the National Roads Authority, NRA, the local authorities concerned and the relevant contractors.
I understand from the NRA that the maintenance of traffic flow will be a key requirement of the contracts for the upgrade of the M50 and that the contract documents will include detailed provisions in relation to traffic safety and management during the construction phase. Furthermore, an M50 upgrade traffic group to oversee traffic management arrangements will shortly be established by the NRA comprising representatives of the local authorities and the Garda. Traffic management proposals will be submitted to this group for their review. My Department will continue to liaise with the NRA in regard to the proposed traffic management measures during the M50 upgrade.
The statutory power to levy tolls on national roads, to make toll by-laws, and to enter into toll agreements with private investors in respect of national roads, is vested in the National Roads Authority under Part V of the Roads Act 1993, as amended by the Planning and Development Act 2000. I am aware that, in the context of the upgrade of the M50 and my policy objective to move to open road tolling, the NRA is in negotiation with NTR on a range of issues affecting the West Link toll agreement. The NRA will report to me on the outcome of its engagement with NTR including any implications for the current agreement.
205 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Transport the foreign conferences attended by him since June 2002; and the number of public servants and others included in the entourage for each such conference. [30814/05]
In the period June 2002 to 25 October 2005, no foreign conferences have been attended by me or by my predecessor, the Minister, Deputy Brennan.
206 Mr. Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Transport if, in view of the recent decision by the UN human rights committee to investigate human rights abuses by the US, including the treatment of persons detained in Afghanistan, Guantanamo, Iraq and other places of detention, an inspection will be carried out of US aircraft carrying military personnel landing at Shannon Airport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30825/05]
I understand, based on information from the Department of Foreign Affairs, that the investigation by the UN human rights committee mentioned in the Deputy's question may be the periodic appearance by the Government of the US at the human rights committee meeting in Geneva, which is ongoing.
The US, like all states which are party to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, ICCPR, submits periodic reports to the human rights committee on its compliance with its obligations under the ICCPR. A delegation representing the state party then appears at a session of the committee and answers questions from committee members on its periodic report. Non-governmental organisations are invited to submit comments or shadow reports on the reports submitted by their governments. This is the normal practice of the committee.
My Department has no plans to carry out inspections of US aircraft carrying military personnel landing at Shannon Airport. Inspections of aircraft for safety reasons are the responsibility of the Irish Aviation Authority, IAA. Requests for exemptions under the Air Navigation (Carriage of Munitions of War, Weapons and Dangerous Goods) Order 1973, amended in 1989, are received from civilian air carriers carrying military troops with their personal weapons and-or carrying munitions. As the day-to-day oversight of aviation safety falls within the remit of the IAA, all applications under the above order, including details of the cargo carried, are submitted to the IAA for their observations. The IAA ensures all such requests are compliant with current safety regulations for the safe transport of these goods by air as approved by International Civil Aviation Organisation, ICAO.
These applications are also sent to the Departments of Justice, Equality and Law Reform and Foreign Affairs for their observations, and to the Department of Defence for information. Should any of these bodies express an objection to the operation of these flights, I would refuse to grant an exemption under the 1973 order.
208 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Transport his plans for the future of the Great Southern Hotels group; if there is a basis for recent media reports which suggest that its ownership will be transferred to Fáilte Ireland; if he is committed to retaining the group in public ownership; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30915/05]
In accordance with the State Airports Act 2004, the three airport authorities, including the Dublin Airport Authority, are preparing comprehensive business plans for their airports. As I have previously indicated, the DAA will, as part of its business plan, address the position of its principal subsidiaries, including the future of the Great Southern Hotels group. I will consider the DAA's proposals in consultation with the Minister for Finance and it would not be appropriate to comment on media speculation about the future of the group.
209 Mr. P. Breen asked the Minister for Transport the date of completion and the date of receipt of a final report (details supplied); the final administrative cost of same; the way in which this compares with the initial estimate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30916/05]
The final payment under the taxi hardship payment scheme was made by Area Development Management Limited on 16 September 2005. The administrative winding up of the scheme is now complete and I expect that a final report will by received by my Department from ADM within the next few days. It is my intention to publish that report in due course. The initial estimate for the cost of administering the scheme was €536,000 but the final cost is expected to be €649,379. The original estimate was based on a projected nine-month implementation period. However, a longer period was necessary to allow all the claims received by ADM to be fully processed, thus incurring additional administrative costs. ADM operates as a not-for-profit organisation. It has to directly recoup all the cost it incurs in administering schemes or projects on behalf of the State.
210 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Minister for Transport the final cost of the Dublin Port tunnel; when it will be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31016/05]
The planning, design and implementation of national road improvement projects, including the Dublin Port tunnel, is a matter for the National Roads Authority and the local authorities concerned. The NRA states that the primary construction work on the port tunnel is expected to be completed in December 2005 and that the tunnel will be open to traffic by mid-2006, following the testing and commissioning of the its operations and safety features. The final cost is estimated to be €751 million at 2005 prices.
211 Mr. Ferris asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide statistics on the number of driving test inspectors based in County Kerry since 2003; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31018/05]
The number of driver testers based in County Kerry at the start of each year since 2003 is as follows: three in 2003; four in 2004; and four in 2005.
212 Mr. Bruton asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if he has considered the establishment of a national addiction centre which would offer technical support to the various community organisations working in this field and develop policy and good practice which would improve the impact of local effort; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30824/05]
I have responsibility for co-ordinating the implementation of the national drugs strategy, which is implemented by a range of Departments and agencies. My area of responsibility also covers the national drugs strategy team, NDST, which oversees the work of the local and regional drugs task forces and the national advisory committee on drugs, NACD. The 14 local drugs task forces, LDTFs, oversee a range of community and voluntary sector projects in their areas of operation, including the provision of support and guidance to these projects in the delivery of their services. Upon implementation of their action plans, the regional drugs task forces, RDTFs, which cover all parts of the country not serviced by a LDTF, will perform a similar task. The task forces are in turn supported and guided by the NDST which identifies and considers policy issues arising out of the work of the LDTFs and RDTFs.
In addition, the NACD advises the Government in relation to the prevalence, prevention, treatment and consequences of problem drug use in Ireland. Its membership reflects statutory, community, voluntary, academic and research interests as well as representation from the relevant Departments. In this context, the NACD has produced research on issues of relevance to service providers, including community and voluntary organisations. This research covered such areas as homelessness and drugs use, harm reduction approaches, dual diagnosis as well as an ongoing longitudinal study which is seeking to assess the outcomes from a range of treatments for heroin misusers. Arising from these reports, which are widely disseminated, they make recommendations on various issues, including best practice in the relevant area.
The NACD has also run a community grants research scheme to develop research capacity among community groups as well as to increase the knowledge base at a local level. It has also held a seminar for community groups on guidelines for conducting local research into drug prevalence. I am satisfied the existing structures adequately address the issues of community support and policy formulation in regard to the misuse of drugs.
213 Mr. O’Connor asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the concerns of senior citizens groups in Dublin South West regarding issues relating to security for the elderly in the area. [30925/05]
I have received representations from a group based in Clondalkin relating to facets of the operation of the scheme of community support for older people. I am considering the matters raised and they will be borne in mind when the details of the operation of the scheme for 2006 are being finalised.
214 Mr. O’Shea asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the fact that documents from the Institute of Public Administration show that relatively small numbers of officials were deemed capable of or felt willing to transact business through Irish in Departments that have agreed a language scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30929/05]
I refer the Deputy to my reply to Question No. 132.
215 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the foreign conferences attended by him since June 2002; and the number of public servants and others included in the entourage for each such conference. [30815/05]
I have attended nine foreign conferences since my appointment to Government. The details requested by the Deputy are outlined in the following table.
|
Location |
Dates of Travel |
Conference |
Entourage |
|
Portugal |
6-8 December 2002 |
OSCE Conference |
Minister, Minister’s Wife, Private Secretary |
|
Boston |
24-27 April 2003 |
Convention of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann |
Minister, Private Secretary, Secretary General |
|
Cardiff |
2 October 2003 |
Y Ffwrwm Living Culture Conference |
Minister, Private Secretary, Assistant Secretary |
|
Salzburg |
12-14 November 2003 |
European Conference on Rural Development |
Minister, Private Secretary, Secretary General, Assistant Secretary |
|
Brussels |
25 February 2004 |
Seminar on Future of the Politics of Cohesion |
Minister, Private Secretary, Assistant Secretary, Principal Officer |
|
Cardiff |
29 April 2004 |
Changing Definitions of Rural Affairs |
Minister, Private Secretary, Principal Officer |
|
Sofia-Finland |
2-6 May 2004 |
Islands Conference |
Minister, Private Secretary, Principal Officer, Media Adviser |
|
Brussels |
30-31 May 2005 |
Insular General Meeting — Islands Conference |
Minister, Private Secretary, Principal Officer, Media Adviser |
|
Indiana |
29 September-1 October 2005 |
“Why Irish” Seminar, Notre Dame |
Minister, Private Secretary, Principal Officer |
216 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the extent to which he will offer financial assistance to local community groups offering recreational activities, youth or other services in their immediate community in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31005/05]
I refer the Deputy to my response to Question No. 117 of today.
217 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the action he has taken to date in 2005 to address rural depopulation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31006/05]
Through the CLÁR programme, my Department has continued in 2005 to address depopulation, as well as the decline and lack of services in rural areas. The programme covers areas in 18 counties, with a population of 362,000, including areas I announced in January 2003 in light of the 2002 population census data. The average population loss in the selected areas is 50%. The exception is the Cooley peninsula, which was included on the basis of the serious difficulties caused there by foot and mouth disease.
CLÁR funds or co-funds, together with other Departments, State agencies and local authorities, investment in selected priority developments. These investments support physical, economic and social infrastructure across a wide range of measures and reflect the priorities identified by the communities in the selected areas whom I consulted at the start of the programme. I intend to continue these procedures for any new measures I may introduce, depending on needs identified. Equally, I will keep under review the operation of existing measures.
Expenditure under the CLÁR programme amounted to €14.14 million in 2002, €8.613 million in 2003 and €12.116 million in 2004 which, it is estimated, leveraged out a further €36.5 million in related public and private expenditure in those three years. The financial provision for 2005 is €13.7 million and, once again, a comprehensive work programme will be completed this year. I am satisfied that the needs of the people in the CLÁR areas are being met through the efficient and effective delivery of the programme and that CLÁR is making a sustained and strong positive contribution to rural communities.
My Department also funds a range of other programmes such as the Leader programme, the rural social scheme, Gaeltacht and island schemes that address rural depopulation in a general way through a number of supports. Information on these programmes is available on my Department's website at www.pobail.ie.
218 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the number of urban based support programmes set up by him in the past 12 months and the locations of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31007/05]
My Department continued to provide, in the period mentioned by the Deputy, significant urban support through programmes such as the local development social inclusion programme, LDSIP, community development programme, CDP, the youth services and facilities programme and RAPID as well as supporting initiatives by local drugs task forces. These programmes are ongoing.
219 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if the provision of housing for rural dwellers on family lands is proceeding in accordance with his preferred options with reference to his views on the dominant influence of An Taisce in such cases; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31008/05]
I refer the Deputy to my reply to Questions Nos. 298 and 302 of 29 June 2005.
220 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the amount spent by his Department in the past 12 months which derives from dormant account funds and to express this as a percentage of the total spent by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31009/05]
Total expenditure in 2005 to date in respect of the various programmes administered by my Department is in the region of €214 million. Included in this figure is €6.6 million expenditure under the rural social scheme which derives from dormant accounts funds. The spend from dormant accounts on the rural social scheme represents approximately 3% of total expenditure.
For the avoidance of doubt, I would like to point out that the expenditure from dormant accounts on the rural social scheme is additional to the allocations approved by the Dormant Accounts Fund Disbursements Board which are being channelled to successful applicants via Area Development Management Limited.
221 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the number of grants allocated by him to the various eligible groups in County Kildare in the past 12 months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31011/05]
Details of the grants allocated by my Department to the various eligible groups in County Kildare are set out in the following tables.
|
Name |
Final Quarter 2004 Funding |
2005 Total Funding |
|
The Bridge CDP Newbridge |
Core-funding —€13,900CDP Grant —€4,000 |
Annual core-funding —€62,400CDP Grant —€8,000* |
|
Athy CDP |
Core-funding —€29,143CDP Grant —€2,000 |
Annual core-funding —€105,400CDP Grant —€4,000* |
|
North West Kildare Allenwood, Naas |
Not funded |
Annual core-funding —€60,000 |
|
Total |
€49,043 |
€239,800 |
* These grants have been approved will be paid within the next week.
|
Scheme |
Total 2004 Funding |
2005 Total Funding |
|
€ |
€ |
|
|
Local Authority Estate Enhancement |
20,000 |
45,000 |
|
RAPID Playgrounds |
30,000 |
30,000 |
|
Sports Capital Top-ups* |
90,600 |
63,600 |
|
Traffic Measures |
N/A |
22,500 |
|
Health & Children Co-fund |
N/A |
38,500 |
|
Total |
140,600 |
199,600 |
* The Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs tops up the Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism allocation.
The above figures represent this Department's allocation to the Athy RAPID area. These schemes are co-funded by other Departments. Under the RAPID programme, the Athy area implementation team, AIT, received support budget funding. Total expenditure in 2004 was €9,060 and €12,500 has been allocated for 2005.
|
Name |
2004 Total Funding |
2005 Total Funding |
|
€ |
€ |
|
|
OAK Partnership * |
353,371 |
389,960 |
|
Action South Kildare |
586,945 |
638,294 |
|
Total |
940,316 |
1,028,254 |
* Oak Partnership serves, roughly equally, parts of both County Kildare, and County Offaly.
Details of payments made under the scheme of community support for older people, CSOP, and the programme of grants for locally based community and voluntary groups are available on my Department's website at www.pobail.ie.
For the sake of completeness, I am also including funding approved by the Dormant Account Funds Disbursements Board. Between 1 October 2004 and the end of September 2005, the Dormant Accounts Fund Disbursements Board has approved funding in respect of nine projects based in County Kildare totalling approximately €2.5 million. A breakdown of these approved projects is provided in the following table. The drawdown of funding is subject to the satisfactory completion of legal contracts with individual groups.
|
Recipient Grant |
€ |
|
KARE, County Kildare |
194,000 |
|
Hospital Order of St. John of God, Celbridge, County Kildare |
167,336 |
|
Board of Management, Scoil Phádraig Naofa, Athy, County Kildare |
41,000 |
|
Sisters of Charity of Jesus and Mary, County Kildare |
300,000 |
|
Camphill Communities of Ireland, Kilcullen, County Kildare |
360,000 |
|
Athy Town Council |
70,838 |
|
ASSET, Athy, County Kildare |
100,000 |
|
Cheshire Ireland, Newbridge, County Kildare |
1,272,273 |
|
Dyspraxia Association of Ireland |
50,500 |
222 Mr. Gregory asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the steps being taken to prevent the importation of contaminated foodstuffs from countries vulnerable to bird flu; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30919/05]
226 Mr. Gregory asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the steps being taken to prevent the importation of contaminated foodstuffs from countries vulnerable to bird flu; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30920/05]
I propose to answer Questions Nos. 222 and 226 together.
Under harmonised rules the import into the EU of animal products for human consumption may only take place from countries and establishments approved by the community. For the protection of human and animal health exporting countries must have standards covering animal health, disease control arrangements and veterinary supervision of production and export establishments that are at least equivalent to standards required for the production in and trade between member states.
Similar rules apply in respect of the approval of third countries for the export of live animals and for the export of animal by-products. There are also EU-wide controls prohibiting the importation of animal products from third countries by way of personal baggage and post.
All consignments from third countries must be first landed at a border inspection post, BIP, approved by the EU and there undergo documentary, identity and physical veterinary checks in accordance with EU legislation. Consignments must be pre-notified to the BIP where it is intended to enter the EU and be accompanied by health certification in accordance with the models and requirements of EU legislation.
Where there are concerns as to the effectiveness of controls being operated in an approved third country or, where the conditions of an animal disease outbreak could seriously effect production and trade in animal products in the EU the Commission, in consultation with the standing committee on the food chain and animal health, may introduce specific controls by means of a safeguard measure to ensure the protection of animal and of human health.
Since the outbreak of high pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 in Asia, the EU has introduced a number of safeguard decisions banning trade in live poultry, live birds other than poultry, fresh poultry meat and untreated feathers from those third countries where an outbreak has been confirmed: Cambodia, Croatia, China, including the territory of Hong Kong, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Laos, Malaysia, Mongolia, North Korea, Pakistan, Romania, Russia, Thailand, Turkey and Vietnam. The decisions apply controls on imports from each of these countries in accordance with its EU approval status to export animals and animal products. The EU standing committee on the food chain and animal health decided yesterday to ban the import of all captive live birds and the movements from third countries of live birds accompanying their owners into the Community.
Poultry meat which has been cooked with a heat treatment of at least 70° may continue to be imported from a third country that has been approved to export this product to the EU. This is the case for Thailand and Turkey.
223 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the foreign conferences attended by her since June 2002; and the number of public servants and others included in the entourage for each such conference. [30816/05]
Since my appointment on 29 September 2004, I have attended one foreign conference. This conference was entitled, International Meat Conference, and was held on 14 October 2005 in Rome. The attendance at this conference was timed to coincide with a meeting with the Italian Minister for Agriculture, Mr. Alemanno, to discuss a number of issues including the reform of the EU sugar regime and the agriculture aspects of the forthcoming WTO talks due to take place in Hong Kong in December.
I also participated in a promotional event for Irish beef and lamb at Ipercoop Casalino — Ipermercato Via Casalina, 00169 Rome, organised by Bord Bia. I was accompanied during this visit by a party of three.
224 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food when the Irish Land Commission will provide an estate map to the Land Registry Office in order that it can process a dealing application for a person (details supplied) in County Mayo. [30881/05]
Efforts to locate the relevant map among the Irish Land Commission maps held in the records branch of my Department have been unsuccessful. It is now a matter for the Land Registry Office to provide written confirmation to my Department that it has also carried out a search for this map. If it is unable to trace it then the Land Registry Office should request the survey branch of my Department to construct a duplicate map. In such circumstances this map re-construction would be dealt with as quickly as possible.
225 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if a person’s (details supplied) 2005 headage payment will be issued in view of the fact that all outstanding issues regarding ownership of the area of ground in concern have been issued; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30893/05]
An application under the disadvantaged areas scheme was received from the person named on 5 May 2005. Following computer validation of the application, it was found that one parcel which had been included by the person named on his application had also been included on the application of another scheme applicant.
The person named was written to on 3 October 2005 and asked to confirm his right to claim the parcel in question, or otherwise. If claiming the right to this parcel, the person named was requested to submit supporting documentation to substantiate his right to claim the parcel. The application of the person named will be processed further by my Department on receipt of a reply from him.
227 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food when payments will issue under the single payment scheme to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30922/05]
The person named submitted an application for consideration in respect of both the new entrant and inheritance measures of the single payment scheme. He was advised that he was ineligible to be treated as a new entrant during the 2000 to 2002 reference period as he farmed and received premia payments in respect of all three years. He was also not eligible to benefit from the transfer of entitlements by way of inheritance or gift as the lands in question were acquired by way of lease and purchase. A decision in respect of these applications was issued to the person named on 20 December 2004. The person named was advised to submit an application to have entitlements transferred to him by way of private contract clause when applying under the 2005 single payment scheme. The person named appealed these decisions to the single payment appeals committee which upheld this Department's decision and refused consideration in respect of both measures.
The person named subsequently applied for consideration to have entitlements transferred to him by way of private contract clause. The person named advised that his application for the transfer of entitlements under this measure was successful and a letter notifying him of his successful application issued to him on 1 September 2005.
The person named applied for an allocation of entitlements from the single payment scheme national reserve under category A, which caters for farmers who inherited land or received land free of charge or for a nominal sum from a farmer who had retired or died by 16 May 2005 and who had leased out his-her holding to a third party during the reference period 2000-02. He also submitted an application for an allocation of entitlements under category B, which caters for farmers who, between 1 January 2000 and 19 October 2003, made an investment in production capacity in a farming sector for which a direct payment under livestock premia and-or arable aid schemes would have been payable during the reference period 2000 to 2002.
The position is that 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.
228 Mr. Connaughton asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if a person (details supplied) in County Galway has had their full single payment entitlements transferred from their father; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31035/05]
The person named has requested consideration for transfer of entitlements by way of gift. However, the lands were gifted by deed of transfer dated 11 October 2005 and, therefore, the transfer of entitlements cannot take place until after the 2005 single payment has issued to the transferor. A letter outlining the position will issue to the person named this week.
229 Mr. Timmins asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if there are subsidy payments due to a person (details supplied) in County Wicklow; and when this payment will be made. [31036/05]
A disadvantaged areas scheme payment of €4,101.24 was made to the person named on 23 September 2005. This amount was paid on 45 hectares, the maximum area in respect of which a payment may be made under the disadvantaged areas scheme. There are no other payments due at present to the person named.
An application has been received from this herd owner under the single payment scheme. However, in accordance with the provisions of the relevant EU regulations, payments under this scheme will commence on 1 December.
230 Mr. Ferris asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if she will make a statement on the procedures in place between officials of her Department and the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development in Northern Ireland to counter the threat from avian flu. [31037/05]
My officials and their colleagues in the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development in Belfast enjoy a consistently good working relationship on a range of issues of mutual interest and concern. This relationship includes formal meetings in the context of the North-South Ministerial Council as well as very regular, informal contact between officials in both Administrations.
On the specific issue of the threat posed by avian influenza, my officials and their Northern counterparts are in very frequent contact and have discussed the issue at meetings on three separate occasions in recent weeks. In addition, both before and since this particular series of meetings began, ongoing informal contact has been and is continuing. The two Departments have been in contact as recently as this week considering their respective responses to the most recent developments. This level of informal contact will be maintained and, as necessary, the two Departments will meet to discuss their respective positions.
The officials of the two Departments have undertaken to maintain very close contact and co-operation on this issue which is of such mutual concern and, specifically, have agreed to exchange the results of their wild bird surveillance programmes, which are essential elements in terms of early detection of the disease.
231 Mr. Kehoe asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the way in which a person (details supplied) in County Wexford makes an application for Irish citizenship; and when this will be done; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30781/05]
There are four ways in which a person born outside of Ireland can obtain Irish citizenship; by means of a grant as a token of honour, by descent, by naturalisation or by marriage to an Irish citizen, post-nuptial citizenship. It is assumed for the purposes of this reply that neither honorary citizenship nor citizenship by descent are relevant in the context of this question. Furthermore, due to the date of the person's marriage, he is not eligible to make a declaration of post-nuptial citizenship. I have, therefore, set out below some general information about the naturalisation process.
The Minister may, in his absolute discretion, grant an application for a certificate of naturalisation provided certain statutory conditions are fulfilled. In the case of a non-national applicant who is the spouse of an Irish national, those conditions are that the applicant must be of full age; be of good character; be married to the Irish citizen for at least three years; be in a marriage recognised under the laws of the State as subsisting; be living together as husband and wife with the Irish spouse; have had a period of one year's continuous residency in the island of Ireland immediately before the date of the application and, during the four years immediately preceding that period, have had a total residence in the island of Ireland amounting to two years; intend in good faith to continue to reside in the island of Ireland after naturalisation; and have made, either before a judge of the District Court in open court or in such a manner as the Minister, for special reasons allows, a declaration in the prescribed manner, of fidelity to the nation and loyalty to the State.
In other cases the Minister may, in his absolute discretion, grant an application for a certificate of naturalisation provided certain more rigorous statutory conditions are fulfilled. Those conditions are that the applicant must be of full age, or by way of exception, be a minor born in the State; be of good character; have had a period of one year's continuous residency in the State immediately before the date of the application and, during the eight years immediately preceding that period, have had a total residence in the State amounting to four years; intend in good faith to continue to reside in the State after naturalisation; and have made, either before a judge of the District Court in open court or in such a manner as the Minister, for special reasons allows, a declaration in the prescribed manner, of fidelity to the nation and loyalty to the State.
It should be noted that in the context of naturalisation certain periods of residence in the State are excluded. These include periods of residence in respect of which an applicant does not have permission to remain in the State, periods granted for the purposes of study and periods granted for the purposes of seeking recognition as a refugee within the meaning of the Refugee Act 1996.
It appears from the information supplied by the Deputy that the earliest the person concerned can apply for naturalisation is October 2007. This is dependent on the person concerned having maintained his permission to remain in the State without any gaps since his arrival here in October 2002. He may also be eligible to apply for naturalisation in December 2007 on foot of his marriage. The administrative process is the same in both instances.
Further information and the necessary application forms may be obtained from my Department's website, www.justice.ie, or by telephoning the citizenship section helpline on Tuesdays or Thursdays between 10 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. at lo-call 1890 551 500 or 01 6167700.
232 Mr. Timmins asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position in relation to a person who has a work permit that expires in January 2006; the steps this person is required to take in order that they can remain here on compassionate grounds (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30782/05]
It is open to the person concerned to submit an application with supporting documentation outlining their particular circumstances to the general immigration division of my Department. On receipt of same, their application will be considered.
233 Mr. Curran asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his plans to introduce mandatory identity cards for young persons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30783/05]
I have no plans at present to introduce a mandatory identity card system. My Department is, however, keeping the matter under review. I can further inform the Deputy that while I have no plans for the introduction of a national identification card at this stage, the Intoxicating Liquor Act 1988 (Age Card) Regulations 1999, SI No. 4 of 1999, provides for a voluntary national age card scheme. Any person who has attained 18 years of age may apply for an age card at his or her local Garda station in order to confirm that they have attained the legal age for the purchase of intoxicating liquor. The regulations came into effect on 19 April 1999.
234 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if there was a meeting between a person (details supplied) and the Garda Commissioner where files on the Dublin-Monaghan bombings were not handed over; and the reason they were refused. [30784/05]
It is solely a matter for the person referred to by the Deputy as to whom he meets in the context of his investigation. The investigation is statutorily independent in the performance of its functions and has statutory power to direct the production of any document.
As the investigation remains ongoing, it would not be appropriate for me to comment further on its operation.
235 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform when his Department sold Harcourt Terrace Garda Station; when the Garda station will have to be vacated for the current owners who wish to develop same; his plans to relocate the gardaí working in Harcourt Terrace; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30798/05]
Responsibility for the purchase or sale of land or buildings on behalf of the State is vested in the Office of Public Works and my Department is not involved in such matters.
The Government decided in late 2004 to bring forward the site at Harcourt Terrace, involving initially the former butter testing station, and subsequently the Garda station and film censor's office, as a land swap option under the affordable housing initiative and to offer these lands by public tender to realise the full value to the State. These matters are being progressed primarily by the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government in consultation with the Office of Public Works and my Department.
The matter of relocating the gardaí currently working at Harcourt Terrace Garda station will be addressed in consultation with the Garda Commissioner in the context of timescales for the development of that part of the site on which the station is situated. In that regard, I understand that vacant possession of that part of the site will not arise for some time yet.
236 Mr. Walsh asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if a staffing grant under the equal opportunities child care programme will be approved to a group (details supplied) in County Cork. [30800/05]
The community-based group in question was approved some time ago for a staffing grant for one year. Following this initial grant funding, the group was not subsequently approved for staffing funding and an appeal concerning this decision was submitted to my Department. The appeal was forwarded to Area Development Management Limited, ADM, which is engaged by my Department to assess all applications.
I understand from inquiries I have made, that ADM has been in dialogue with the group and is awaiting further information from it in order to progress the assessment. When the assessment has been completed, the application will be considered by the programme appraisal committee, chaired by my Department, before a final decision is made regarding funding. The group will be informed of the outcome of the assessment in due course.
237 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the foreign conferences attended by him since June 2002; and the number of public servants and others included in the entourage for each such conference. [30817/05]
Since being appointed to office, I have attended the British-Irish Association's conference each year. On each occasion I have been accompanied by three officials, with the exception of the most recent conference where the number was increased to four due to the fact that I had been attending an EU Justice and Home Affairs Council meeting in Newcastle the previous day.
I have also attended three British-Irish Intergovernmental Conferences. At each meeting I was accompanied by three officials. During my tenure as Minister I have also attended two organised crime conferences. I was accompanied by three officials.
In June 2004, I attended the legal and economic integration conference in St. Petersburg, Russia, where again I was accompanied by three officials.
238 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position regarding a holiday visa application for a person (details supplied). [30888/05]
A visa application for the person named in the details supplied by the Deputy has not been received to date. The application will of course be examined at the earliest opportunity once it has been received in my Department.
239 Mr. O’Connor asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if his attention has been drawn to the concerns of groups (details supplied) in Dublin 24 regarding security for the elderly in the area; if assurances will be sought from the Garda regarding the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30924/05]
I am informed by the Garda authorities that community gardaí in Tallaght Garda station are aware of the concerns of elderly people residing in the sub-district and frequently advise them on security matters.
I am further informed that gardaí in the Tallaght district work in partnership with local neighbourhood watch schemes. Gardaí encourage neighbourhood watch personnel and other voluntary agencies to apply, where applicable, for grants to enhance security for persons over 65 years who are living alone. These grants are available for monitored alarms, security door-locks and security lighting.
In addition to the above, uniformed and detective patrols from Tallaght Garda station regularly patrol areas where elderly persons reside. Additional patrols are also provided by the divisional task-force based in Crumlin and the divisional traffic unit based in Terenure.
240 Mr. O’Connor asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will make additional resources available to the Garda to deal with vandalism on a building site (details supplied). [30927/05]
I have been informed by the Garda authorities, which are responsible for the detailed allocation of resources including personnel, that the personnel strength of Tallaght Garda station as at 18 October 2005 was 173, including all ranks. The personnel strength of Tallaght Garda station as at 31 December 1997 was 133, all ranks. This represents an increase of 40, or 30%, in the number of personnel allocated to Tallaght Garda station since that date.
I am advised that the site in question is situated on open ground in the Kingswood area of Tallaght and that, because of its openness, it has been subject to occasional vandalism. I have been further advised that palisade fencing is currently being installed around the perimeter of the site and local Garda units will continue to patrol the area on a regular basis while this fencing is being installed. Local Garda management states that it is satisfied that adequate resources are currently available to police the site.
As regards Garda resources generally, the accelerated recruitment campaign to reach a record force strength of 14,000, in line with the commitment in An Agreed Programme for Government, is fully on target. This will lead to a combined strength, both of attested gardaí and recruits in training, of 14,000 by the end of 2006.
The Garda Commissioner will now be drawing up plans on how best to distribute and manage these additional resources. In this context, the needs of the Tallaght area will be fully considered within the overall context of the needs of Garda areas throughout the country.
241 Mr. Ferris asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if the Garda’s attention has been drawn to allegations surrounding the relationship of a convicted murderer (details supplied) to the PSNI special branch; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30987/05]
The matters to which the Deputy refers, if true, would relate to persons, events and organisations outside this jurisdiction. Accordingly, they would not fall within my remit or that of the Garda Síochána.
242 Mr. O’Connor asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his plans to change legislation to allow elderly persons over 70 years of age to qualify for jury service. [30988/05]
Under the law as it stands in the Juries Act 1976, every citizen aged 18 years or upwards and under the age of 70 years is qualified and liable to serve as a juror. Persons excusable from jury service as of right include those aged 65 years or upwards and under the age of 70 years. I have no proposals to change the law in this area but operation of the law continues to be kept under review.
243 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform to ensure that residents of estates (details supplied) in Dublin 5 get the maximum support in regard to more gardaí on foot patrol at night to deal with issues like anti-social behaviour, crime and intimidation; and if he will make a statement on new policing activities on the northside of Dublin. [31044/05]
I am informed by the Garda authorities that the gardaí at Raheny and Clontarf Garda stations police the estates in the Dublin 5 area. Mobile and beat patrols pay particular attention to these estates. Additional supporting patrols are provided by divisional units and the detective branch. Community police are assigned to these areas, who have an excellent rapport with the local community.
Current policing plans in the area are predicated on the prevention of anti-social and public order offences, the prevention of crime including crimes of violence against persons and property, and the maintenance of an environment conducive to the improvement of residents' quality of life. Patrols are directed to pay particular attention to areas where youths tend to congregate. This strategy is, and will continue to be, central to the delivery of a policing service to the area in question.
244 Mr. Ferris asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the amount of illegal drug seizures in County Kerry since 1 January 2004; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31045/05]
It has not been possible within the timeframe available to collate the information required by the Deputy. I will contact him directly when the information is to hand.
245 Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will implement the recommendations of FLAC’s, Blueprint for Civil Legal Aid in Ireland, published in July 2005 in view of his own acknowledgement that recourse to the protection of civil law is not within the reach of those who cannot afford to pay for it; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31046/05]
As I set out in my response to Question No. 38 on 20 October 2005, my Department provides for wide access to civil legal advice and assistance via the Legal Aid Board and its nationwide network of law centres. The board's services are available to persons of modest means and at little cost. Funding for the board has been increased by 16% since last year to €21.362 million in 2005 and this additional funding has contributed to a significant improvement in waiting times across the country. Under the Civil Legal Aid Act, services are available from the board for a wide range of matters and a priority service is in place for persons seeking legal services in certain urgent matters.
I understand that the board is to publish a new corporate strategy for the years 2006 to 2008 before the end of the year. While the report referred to by the Deputy is a welcome contribution to the debate on this subject and while some of the issues raised will feed into future developments in this field, my priority will be to work with the board in achieving the implementation of its strategy and continuing to improve services for its clients.
246 Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the way in which it is possible for a non-EU national to be residing in the same household as their Irish national spouse if his Department will not grant permission to the non-EU national spouse to live here with their spouse while their residency application is pending further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 530 of 30 June 2005 and 132 of 20 October 2005. [31058/05]
Marriage to an Irish national does not grant any automatic right to reside in the State. However, if a non-EU national spouse of an Irish national was already legally resident in the State prior to the marriage then he or she can make a request to the local registration officer for a change of their status to reflect their marriage to that Irish national.
In the event that a non-EU national has no legal status in the State at the time of the marriage, other than as an asylum seeker or a visitor, and seeks permission to remain, such permission cannot be granted without first considering various aspects of the marriage. These include the context in which the marriage took place, the validity of the marriage and whether the couple are residing in a family unit. It is a fundamental requirement that a non-EU national seeking residency in the State on the sole basis of marriage to an Irish national resides in the same household and in a family unit with that Irish national. Consideration of such applications will involve the provision of documentary evidence to support the application and may also involve an interview by the immigration authorities of either or both parties. I do not propose to introduce any interim status for persons who are in the State pending the outcome of the deliberations into such applications.
As the Deputy will appreciate, my Department's primary concern in this matter is to maintain the integrity of the immigration system. There has been increasing experience of marriages being entered into for the sole purpose of circumventing the immigration controls. Frequently in these circumstances, the Irish national may be totally unaware that this is the intention of the non-national and will feel aggrieved by the perception that the immigration authorities are interfering with their private affairs in refusing to allow their spouse to enter or to remain in the State. On occasion, the Irish national may be a willing party for their own personal benefit. Marriages of convenience for the purpose of circumventing normal immigration controls are experienced by immigration jurisdictions worldwide and, in this regard, holiday and Internet romances would feature frequently. In order to prevent abuses of the system, in so far as is possible and without unduly interfering with the Irish national's private circumstances, the immigration division will seek to establish and confirm various matters.
247 Mr. Hayes asked the Minister for Education and Science the position regarding the case of a group (details supplied) in County Tipperary which has applied for the appointment of a youth officer for its area. [30785/05]
The youth affairs section of my Department received an application for funding under the special projects for youth scheme on behalf of the group referred to by the Deputy. It was not possible to accede to this request this year due to the large number of applications received, over 70 in total. Application forms for the 2006 round of grants will issue shortly and every consideration will be given to a renewed application from the group having regard to the overall financial provision for the youth sector next year.
248 Mr. Curran asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of third level students in the Clondalkin and Lucan areas in receipt of the HEA grant assistance in the academic year 2004/2005. [30786/05]
The statistical information requested by the Deputy is not available in the format requested. The annual statistical information is compiled by each local authority. The Clondalkin and Lucan areas fall in to the catchment area of South Dublin County Council. The estimated number of grant holders in South Dublin County Council in the 2004-05 academic year under the higher education grant scheme is 960.
249 Mr. Walsh asked the Minister for Education and Science if an extension to a school (details supplied) will be approved in County Cork. [30799/05]
An application for an extension and refurbishment was received last year from the management authority of the school referred to by the Deputy. The application is being assessed and will be considered for progression in the context of the school building and modernisation programme 2005 to 2009.
250 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science if a scheme of refunds is available to teachers who regularly bring pupil and school materials home for out of hours correction and work in view of the fact that refunds for briefcases are available to persons working in her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30804/05]
My Department has no plans to introduce a scheme of refunds for briefcases for teachers.
251 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the foreign conferences attended by her since June 2002; and the number of public servants and others included in the entourage for each such conference. [30818/05]
I have attended two foreign conferences since becoming Minister for Education and Science in September 2004. My predecessor attended three foreign conferences as Minister for Education and Science during the period referred to by the Deputy. The details are set out below.
|
Date |
Destination |
Purpose of Visit |
No. of Accompanying Persons |
|
14-Nov-04 |
Brussels |
EU Education Council Meeting |
2 |
|
09-Dec-04 |
Paris |
Meeting at OECD |
4 |
|
11-Jan-05 |
Beijing |
Official Visit to China |
2 |
|
12-Mar-05 |
New York |
St. Patrick’s Day Ministerial Visit |
2 |
|
04-May-05 |
Crackow Poland |
Council of Europe Ministerial Conference |
3 |
|
01-Jun-05 |
Florence |
Round Table Discussion at the European University Institute |
2 |
|
12-Jul-05 |
London |
EU Education Minister’s Meeting |
2 |
|
18-Aug-05 |
Orlando USA |
Science Challenge Event |
1 |
|
06-Oct-05 |
Paris |
UNESCO General Conference |
1 |
|
Date |
Destination |
Purpose of Visit |
No. of Accompanying Persons |
|
24-Jan-03 |
London |
Bi-Lateral Meeting with UK Secretary of State |
1 |
|
28-Feb-03 |
Athens |
Informal EU Ministerial Meeting |
2 |
|
18-Mar-03 |
Thailand/Bangkok |
Official visit to Thailand |
1 |
|
30-Mar-03 |
London |
Meeting with former Residents of Industrail Schools |
2 |
|
26-Jun-03 |
Larnaca |
Meeting with European Ministers of Education |
3 |
|
19-Sep-03 |
Berlin |
Pre Presidency Meeting with German Minister of Education |
3 |
|
05-Oct-03 |
Hong Kong |
Accompanying President on State Visit to China |
2 |
|
26-Oct-03 |
Milan |
Informal Meeting of Ministers of Education |
4 |
|
25-Jan-04 |
Brussels |
EU Presidency Meeting with European Parliament |
2 |
|
26-Feb-04 |
Brussels |
Education Council Meeting (President) |
3 |
|
10-Mar-04 |
Japan |
Ministerial visit to Japan |
2 |
|
04-Apr-04 |
Brussels |
European Science Congress |
2 |
|
25-Apr-04 |
Brussels |
Addressed Eu Conference in Liege Belgium |
1 |
|
28-May-04 |
Brussels |
Education Council Meeting (President) |
1 |
|
24-Jun-04 |
Oslo |
Conference of EU/EEA Ministers of Education |
4 |
|
11-Jul-04 |
Amsterdam |
Informal EU Ministerial Meeting |
2 |
252 Mr. Bruton asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of speech therapists which her Department employs; if her attention has been drawn to the fact that even in special schools children in need of speech therapy have to be prioritised to decide if they will receive service; and if she will consider the possibility of her Department delivering speech therapy services to children of school-going age instead of relying on the HSE services that are stretched to meet obligations across the whole community. [30821/05]
As the Deputy will be aware, the provision of therapy services for people with disabilities, including speech therapy, is a matter for the Health Services Executive, HSE, and funding is provided to the HSE for such purposes. My Department does not employ speech therapists for the delivery of speech therapy services to schools or determine the children that should receive these services. I can confirm that there are no plans to transfer this function to my Department.
253 Mr. Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Education and Science if stages two, three and four of the building programme for a school (details supplied) in County Kildare will be progressed in the length of time the school has been within the system; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30923/05]
The new eight-classroom building project for the school referred to by the Deputy is at an early stage of architectural planning. My Department's officials are in the process of examining a recently received stage two submission — developed sketch scheme — and when this examination is completed they will be in contact with the school authorities with regard to the next steps involved in progressing the building project.
Projects proceed through the various stages of architectural planning on the basis that they meet the Department's guidelines from educational, architectural and cost perspectives. The stage two submission for the school in question is being considered in this regard. Progression of projects to construction will be considered in the context of the schools building and modernisation programme 2005-2009.
254 Dr. Upton asked the Minister for Education and Science the way in which the review of her Department’s policy on those holding non-vocational postgraduate degrees in law seeking higher education grants for the vocational barrister-at-law degree at the King’s Inns which she referred to in her answers to Questions Nos. 149 of 14 April 2005, 397 of 16 April 2005 and 607 of 30 June 2005 is progressing; the likely outcome of same; when same will be concluded; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30926/05]
The examination of the issues raised regarding the eligibility of certain students for student support in respect of their attendance at the barrister-at-law degree course at the Honourable Society of King's Inns is ongoing. I will be in communication with the Deputy when the review is concluded.
255 Cecilia Keaveney asked the Minister for Education and Science the position on a land transfer (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30961/05]
Officials in my Department have received an application regarding the transfer of land at the school referred to by the Deputy. The school planning section of my Department is currently reviewing the educational requirements in the area. When this review is completed, a decision will be taken on the land transfer.
256 Cecilia Keaveney asked the Minister for Education and Science the position on a lease (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30962/05]
Officials in my Department have received an application to release the Department's leasehold interest in the school referred to by the Deputy. The school planning section of my Department is currently reviewing the educational requirements in the area. When this review is completed, a decision will be taken on the surrender of the leasehold interest in the property.
257 Ms O’Sullivan asked the Minister for Education and Science her views on the report by her officials on their meeting with persons in relation to transport to a school (details supplied) in County Limerick; if a resolution has been found in the context of the shortage of school places within the Limerick city catchment on that side of the city; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30963/05]
The report of the recent meeting between parent representatives and officials of my Department regarding school transport for first year pupils attending the school referred to by the Deputy has been presented to me and the Minister of State, Deputy de Valera.
The key consideration in this matter was that the arrangements were contrary to the provisions of the post-primary school transport scheme. The Deputy will appreciate that the scheme is intended to be of general application throughout the country and any departure from its provisions damages its integrity. Therefore, while I note the strong views of parents on the matter, my concern is to ensure that such services are accessible to all eligible students on an equal basis.
258 Mr. O’Connor asked the Minister for Education and Science if increased security will be provided on a new building site at a school (details supplied); her views on the fact that the site has suffered vandalism since it was set up; the action she will take regarding same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30989/05]
260 Mr. O’Connor asked the Minister for Education and Science if she will report on action open to her in respect of the asbestos problem at a school (details supplied) in Dublin 24; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30991/05]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 258 and 260 together.
The site referred to by the Deputy has full security fencing and full-time static security. The local gardaí are also aware of the circumstances and are actively involved in monitoring the problem. The whole security situation will be kept under review by my Department's building unit.
On the question of asbestos at the school in question, a survey was conducted by the Office of Public works and asbestos cement was identified in the roof. The roof is being replaced as part of the current project and this removal work will be carried out in consultation with the Office of Public Works, which has responsibility for my Department's asbestos remediation programme, and in accordance with relevant health and safety legislation.
259 Mr. O’Connor asked the Minister for Education and Science her plans to provide funding to deal with the views of a community (details supplied) in Dublin 24 regarding the Department of Education and Science’s site beside a school; if contacts will be made with South Dublin County Council on the matter; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30990/05]
A proposal has been received from South Dublin County Council regarding the future use of the site referred to by the Deputy. The matter is currently under consideration and contact will be made with the local authority as soon as a decision has been taken.
261 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Education and Science the position regarding a school (details supplied) in County Kildare in relation to its inclusion in the building programme of her Department; if the building is at an advanced stage of architectural planning as stated in a letter from her Department or as stated in a parliamentary question at stage one or two of architectural planning; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31050/05]
The building project for the school referred to by the Deputy is at an early stage of architectural planning. The school in question was listed in my announcement of April this year as a project to progress through architectural planning up to pre-tender stage that is, up to and including advanced architectural planning. My Department's officials are in the process of examining a recently received stage 2 submission — developed sketch scheme — and when this examination is completed will be in contact with the school authorities with regard to the next steps involved in progressing this building project. Progression of projects to construction will be considered in the context of the school building and modernisation programme 2005-09.
262 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Education and Science when a school (details supplied) in County Kildare will be included for funding in the next funding list for primary schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31051/05]
The project at the school to which the Deputy refers has been assessed in accordance with the published prioritisation criteria, which were revised following consultation with the education partners. Progress on the project is being considered in the context of the school building programme from 2006 on.
263 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science her plans to improve class size at schools (details supplied) in Dublin 3 and 5; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31052/05]
Significant improvements have been made in the pupil-teacher ratio and in average class size in recent years at primary level. The most recent figure available for average class size at primary level refers to the 2003-04 school year, when the average class size was 23.9, down from 26.6 in 1996-97. The pupil teacher ratio at primary level, which includes all the teachers including resource teachers, has fallen from 22.2:1 in the 1996-97 school year to 17.1:1 — projected — in 2004-05.
Over 4,500 additional teachers have been employed in our primary schools since 1997. In allocating teaching posts, regard has been had to the commitments of the Government to reduce class size, tackle educational disadvantage and to provide additional resources for pupils with special educational needs. The additional teaching posts created since 1997 have been deployed to address all of these priorities.
In relation to providing for children with special educational needs, there are now over 5,000 teachers in our primary schools working directly with children with special needs, including those requiring learning support. This compares with fewer than 1,500 in 1998. Indeed, one out of every five primary school teachers is now working specifically with children with special needs.
The Deputy will be aware of the new action plan for educational inclusion, delivering equality of opportunity in schools, DEIS, which I launched recently. This action plan will result in the reduction in class sizes of 24:1 at senior level and 20:1 at junior level in 150 primary schools serving communities with the highest concentrations of disadvantage.
The staffing of the first school referred to by the Deputy for the 2005-06 school year is a principal, 12 mainstream class teachers, two permanent learning support or resource teachers and one temporary learning support or resource teacher. Based on an enrolment of 348 pupils on 30 September 2005 and 12 mainstream class teachers, the average class size is 29:1. The staffing of the second school referred to by the Deputy for the 2005-06 school year is a principal, 15 mainstream class teachers, and two permanent learning support or resource teachers. Based on an enrolment of 420 pupils on 30 September 2005 and 15 mainstream class teachers, the average class size is 28:1.
The staffing of the third school referred to by the Deputy for the 2005-06 school year is a principal, 14 mainstream class teachers, one permanent learning support or resource teacher, one permanent resource teacher and two shared temporary learning support or resource teachers. Based on an enrolment of 381 pupils on 30 September 2005 and 14 mainstream class teachers, the average class size is 27.2:1.
The staffing of the fourth school referred to by the Deputy for the 2005-06 school year is a principal, 14 mainstream class teachers, two permanent learning support or resource teachers, and two shared temporary learning support or resource teachers. Based on an enrolment of 377 pupils on 30 September 2005 and 14 mainstream class teachers, the average class size is 26.9:1.
In line with the commitment in the programme for Government, class sizes will be reduced still further. The deployment of additional posts will be decided within the context of the overall policy that priority will be given to pupils with special needs, those from disadvantaged areas and junior classes. The issue of class size in the four schools referred to by the Deputy will be addressed in this context.
264 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of special needs assistants employed in primary and secondary schools throughout the State. [31053/05]
The number of whole-time equivalent special need assistants being paid salary on my Department's payroll is as follows: primary, 6,027; secondary, 338; community and comprehensive, 231. To date, a total of 375 whole-time equivalent special need assistants has been allocated to the VEC sector.
265 Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Education and Science the status of the application for an extension at a school (details supplied) in County Monaghan, on the main school site; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31054/05]
An application for an extension has been received from the management authorities of the school referred to by the Deputy. The application has been assessed in accordance with the published prioritisation criteria, which was revised following consultation with the education partners. The project is being considered for progression in the context of the school building and modernisation programme 2005-2009.
266 Mr. McGinley asked the Minister for Education and Science when an organisation (details supplied) will commence work in view of the long list of commitments given by former Ministers for Education and Science, Deputies Martin, Woods, and Dempsey and the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Deputy Ó Cuív, and in view of the serious issues to be addressed within the education system relating to the Irish language and in further view of the considerable amount of money already spent on the project; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31055/05]
There are a number of issues that remain to be clarified including the specific rationale and function of the centre as well as building and related technical requirements. This necessarily involves other bodies such as An Chomhairle um Oideachas Gaeltachta and Gaelscolaíochta and the Department for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs. As regards work on the building, when a decision is made on the most appropriate delivery method for this project, it will be progressed in the context of the school building programme 2005-09. I hope to make progress on these issues as quickly as possible.
267 Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Education and Science the status of the application for an extension at a school (details supplied) in County Monaghan; the prospects for approval to proceed issuing before the end of 2005; if her attention has been drawn to the extent of disadvantage in the catchment community, if her attention has further been drawn to the fact that ten of the 60 pupils are receiving resource support; if her attention has further been drawn to the fact that a person with cerebral palsy has fallen twice in their daily bid to get between the school building and the prefab facility nestling off the steep approach to the school door; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31056/05]
The school referred to by the Deputy applied for an extension and refurbishment to provide improved ancillary accommodation. The project proposed does not provide for any additional mainstream classrooms. The application has been assessed in accordance with the published prioritisation criteria which were revised last year following consultation with the education partners. The proposed project is being considered in the context of the school building and modernisation programme 2005-2009. The school authority has recently submitted an application under the summer works scheme 2006 for improvements to the external areas. Officials of my Department's school planning section are in the process of recording and assessing all applications received. On completion of the process, it is planned to publish the list of successful applicants in December 2005.
268 Dr. Fitzpatrick asked the Minister for Defence his plans for Ratra House, formerly the headquarters of the Civil Defence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30803/05]
It has been decided that Ratra House, which is the property of the Office of Public Works, will be occupied by Gaisce, the President's Award.
269 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Defence the foreign conferences attended by him since June 2002; and the number of public servants and others included in the entourage for each such conference. [30819/05]
Neither I nor the previous Minister for Defence, Deputy Michael Smith, attended any foreign conferences since June 2002.
270 Mr. Ferris asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if funding will be approved for Kerry County Council to upgrade a road (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31019/05]
The provision and improvement of non-national roads in County Kerry is a matter for Kerry County Council to be funded from its own resources supplemented by State grants.
In August this year, my Department sought applications from road authorities for funding under the 2006 EU co-financed specific improvements grant scheme. The initial selection of projects to be submitted for consideration for funding under this scheme is a matter for road authorities. It is, accordingly, a matter for Kerry County Council to decide whether it wishes to submit an application for improvements to the Dale Road for consideration for funding in 2006 under this scheme.
Local authorities may also use their discretionary improvement grant allocations from my Department to fund eligible road improvement schemes. In 2005, the total discretionary improvement grant allocation to Kerry County Council is €1,075,000. The selection of works to be funded from this allocation is a matter for the council.
271 Mr. Curran asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will provide a detailed report of the way in which each local authority is performing in relation to recycling levels. [30790/05]
The detailed information sought is not available in my Department. National waste statistics for all waste streams are published at three-yearly intervals by the Environmental Protection Agency with the most recent national waste database report being in respect of 2001. In the intervening period, two further interim reports have been published to provide data on municipal waste specifically, that is, household and commercial waste, for the years 2002 and 2003, respectively. While the database reports do not provide recycling rates for individual local authorities, an overall recycling figure for Ireland is provided for in respect of a number of waste streams.
The latest figures available on municipal waste generation, recovery and disposal are contained in the national waste database interim report for 2003, published by the agency in December 2004, which reports that the recycling rate in the municipal waste stream has advanced to 28.4% in 2003, up from 20.7% in 2002. I understand that the agency is currently compiling its database for 2004 which will be finalised by end 2005.
272 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the foreign conferences attended by him since June 2002; and the number of public servants and others included in the entourage for each such conference. [30820/05]
Since my appointment as Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government in September 2004 I have attended two conferences abroad as set out in the following table. Conferences listed prior to December 2004 were attended by my predecessor in this post, Deputy Cullen.
|
Date |
Destination |
Number accompanying Minister |
Conference Title |
|
13 December-18 December 2004 |
Buenos Aires |
6 |
10th Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change |
|
4-9 May 2005 |
Japan |
3 |
ASEM Ministers Conference (as substitute for the Minister for Foreign Affairs) |
273 Mr. Bruton asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the number of bedsit units of accommodation in the various councils around the country; his plans to upgrade this bedsit accommodation to one bedroom status in line with modern standards of acceptable accommodation; and if Ireland has signed up to any international obligations in respect of the development of better standards of accommodation. [30823/05]
My Department does not have detailed information on the number of bedsit units in the local authority housing stock. However, the number of such units is likely to be very small as local authorities have not constructed bedsit accommodation for many years. My Department's current social housing design guidelines indicate that local authorities should provide dwellings with separate bedroom-bedrooms and living areas in all instances.
Neither does my Department have detailed information on the number of bedsits in the private rented sector. Tenancy registration is the statutory responsibility of the Private Residential Tenancies Board, the PRTB, an independent statutory body established under the Residential Tenancies Act. The PRTB has published extracts from its register of tenancies, including a description of the dwelling type, which is available for viewing at its offices at Canal House, Canal Road, Ranelagh, Dublin 6 or on its website.
The Housing (Standards for Rented Houses) Regulations 1993 prescribe minimum standards applying to rented residential accommodation in both the public and private sectors. The provision of bedsit accommodation is specifically dealt with by the regulations which prescribe minimum requirements regarding toilet and bath-shower facilities.
274 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the funding available through the urban renewal scheme in Clane, County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30827/05]
A strategy document prepared by Kildare County Council proposes extensive works at main street, Clane. The proposed works include significant improvements to footpaths, the under grounding of overhead cables, together with soft landscaping. These works are due to be carried out in 2006 under the urban and village renewal measure of the southern and eastern regional operational programme, 2000-2006. Kildare County Council has indicated that it remains its intention to undertake the above works in Clane in 2006. It will be a matter for Kildare County Council to allocate its 2006 grant funding to approved projects. The 2006 grant allocation will be notified early next year.
275 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the funding available through the urban renewal scheme in Kilcock, County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30828/05]
A strategy document prepared by Kildare County Council proposes extensive works at The Square, Kilcock. The proposed works include significant improvements to footpaths and pedestrian areas, together with soft landscaping and provision of street furniture. These works are due to be carried out in 2006 under the urban and village renewal measure of the southern and eastern regional operational programme, 2000-2006.
Kildare County Council has indicated that it remains its intention to undertake the above works in Kilcock in 2006. It will be a matter for Kildare County Council to allocate its 2006 grant funding to approved projects. The 2006 grant allocation will be notified early next year.
With regard to the town renewal tax incentive scheme, which was introduced in 2000 with the aim of revitalising the built fabric of smaller towns throughout the country, a total of ten sites in Kilcock were designated. Under this scheme, which expires on 31 July 2006, tax incentives are available in respect of residential and commercial development within these designated areas.
276 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government when an application for rural renewal tax incentive scheme will be granted to a person (details supplied) in County Sligo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30885/05]
An inspection with a view to the issue of a certificate of compliance, if in order, will be carried out as soon as possible.
277 Mr. Crowe asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he has satisfied himself that the Private Residential Tenancies Board has sufficient staff to carry out its official remit under legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30890/05]
The number and grade of staff required for the performance of the functions of the Private Residential Tenancies Board, PRTB, as determined by the board is subject to the consent of the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government and the consent of the Minister for Finance. Development of the PRTB's services and structure is proceeding and approved staffing has been increased to 26.
278 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if, with regard to an approval given for planned refurbishment of council houses in the Belmullet electoral area, this approval was for rural houses only or if it was to include houses in housing schemes in the towns in north County Mayo. [30892/05]
The approval issued to Mayo County Council as referred to in the reply to Question No. 168 of 29 September 2005 related to the acceptance of tenders for refurbishment of rural houses only in the Belmullet area. It is understood that proposals for other refurbishment works in housing estates will be submitted by the council in due course.
279 Mr. Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he is satisfied that local authorities are having due regard to the sustainable rural housing guidelines when adjudicating one-off rural housing applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30902/05]
280 Mr. Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he is satisfied that each county council has adapted its county development plan to take into account the sustainable rural housing guidelines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30903/05]
281 Mr. Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if there is evidence that An Bord Pleanála is having proper regard to the sustainable rural housing guidelines in adjudicating on appeals on one-off rural houses. [30904/05]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 279 to 281, inclusive, together.
The guidelines for planning authorities on sustainable rural housing came into effect on 13 April 2005. They provide that reasonable proposals on suitable sites in rural areas for persons who are part of, contribute to or have links with the rural community must be accommodated. The guidelines thus affirm a presumption in favour of quality one-off housing for rural communities, provided proposals meet normal standards concerning matters such as proper waste water disposal and road safety. Following the publication of the guidelines, planning authorities were asked to review their development plans with a view to incorporating changes necessary to ensure that development plan policies are consistent with the policies set out in the guidelines.
My Department held two seminars in June for local authority planning officials on the implementation of the guidelines. The seminars dealt with the overall objectives of the guidelines and provided practical advice on the implementation of their core provisions, including preparation of development plan policies, providing better support and advice to applicants, as well as a more efficient and comprehensive consideration of planning applications.
In September 2005, my Department also held discussions on the guidelines with the planning committee of the County and City Managers Association. These discussions were around the need to embed regard for the guidelines, as required by section 28 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, in the performance by local authorities of their relevant functions, that is, in making or reviewing their development plans, in providing planning services to applicants or potential applicants and in deciding on planning applications. County managers have also been asked for a report on the measures taken to date to implement the guidelines and their impact. The indications from reports received to date are that planning authorities have already considered or are considering any necessary changes to their development plans in order to give full effect to the guidelines. I intend to continue closely monitoring the effectiveness of the guidelines.
On the publication recently of its annual report for 2004, An Bord Pleanála stated that it had regard to the draft planning guidelines on sustainable rural housing which were issued in March 2004 in deciding appeals with regard to one-off houses in rural areas. In line with the guidelines, the board stated that it takes a positive attitude, subject to compliance with site specific good planning principles, to locally based rural generated housing needs. A survey of appeals relating to one-off rural housing developments decided from March to December 2004 and to which the guidelines were relevant is contained in appendix 6 of the annual report, a copy of which is in the Oireachtas Library. In 2004, 17% of appeals against refusal by the planning authority of planning permission for one-off rural houses were granted by the board, compared with 4% in 2003. The board is required to have regard to the finalised guidelines when deciding on appeals made since the guidelines came into effect last April.
282 Mr. Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the number of civic amenity sites under consideration for funding by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30906/05]
283 Mr. Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the number of civic amenity sites in operation nationally; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30907/05]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 282 and 283 together.
The latest figures collated by my Department show that 64 local authority civic amenity sites were in operation throughout the country at the end of 2004 and a further five have opened to date during 2005. Some 34 of these civic amenity sites have been part funded through the waste infrastructure capital grants scheme, which is designed to assist local authorities in the provision of recycling and recovery infrastructure.
Funding has been committed to another 14 facilities which are being developed at present. Some are at a more advanced stage than others. A further 40 projects are under consideration by the Department, some of which are still at a very preliminary stage. I expect to announce a new round of grants in the very near future.
284 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the type of grant of funding available to community groups or local authorities for the provision of a skateboard arena; the number of applications from local authorities for such grants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30985/05]
Earlier this year, I announced a new initiative for the provision of a number of skateboard facilities nationwide. Each city and county council was invited by my Department to submit expressions of interest for grant assistance towards the provision of a skateboard park in its area. City and county councils responded positively to this new initiative and proposals for 34 skateboard facilities were submitted to my Department. These proposals are at an advanced stage of consideration and I hope to be in a position to make an announcement regarding the successful projects shortly.
285 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if funding is available to local authorities to upgrade children’s playground facilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30986/05]
Prior to the local authority playground grants scheme 2004, my Department did not operate a specific scheme of grants for playground projects. The 2004 scheme provided up to 50% funding for the development of new or renovation of existing playgrounds throughout the country. While the scheme was administered by the National Children's Office, the grants were paid out from my Department's Vote. More than €2 million was allocated to county and city councils in respect of 32 new or refurbished playground projects.
Earlier this year I announced funding of a further €2 million for local authorities for the development of playground facilities. In this regard, a fixed grant of €60,000 has been allocated to each county and city council to meet the cost of purchase and delivery of playground equipment. Installation and all other costs, including ongoing maintenance, are to be funded from local sources.
286 Mr. Connaughton asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the position regarding an application to have a new sewage scheme constructed (details supplied) in County Galway; if his attention has been drawn to the ever increasing quantities of raw sewage that is going into the bay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31013/05]
The Kinvara sewerage scheme is included in my Department's water services investment programme for 2004 to 2006 as a scheme to start construction in 2006. Galway County Council's revised preliminary report for the scheme, which was submitted to my Department earlier this month, is under examination and is being dealt with as quickly as possible. Once the preliminary report has been approved, the council will be in a position to prepare contract documents.
