Vol. 613 No. 2
9 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism his views on whether the Transport 21 plan will only serve to increase the imbalance between tourism figures in the east contrasted with those in the west in view of a greater focus by the Transport 21 plan on eastern tourist regions and especially Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2498/06]
10 Mr. Sherlock asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the efforts to increase levels of tourism to the regions; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that certain rural areas remain underdeveloped in terms of tourism infrastructure; the efforts being made to address same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2514/06]
19 Ms Burton asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the action his Department will take if the study into the effects Transport 21 will have in tourism suggests a negative effect; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2497/06]
22 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if his attention has been drawn to a report, whereby figures show that tourism is 275% more important to the west of Ireland than to the Dublin region; if, in view of same he has been in contact with tourism groups in the region regarding increased funding; if recommendations will be made to have an alternative strategy to promoting the region looked at in view of the continuing decrease in tourism numbers; if funding will be increased for tourism promotion and application in the region; if declining figures suggest that previous initiatives have been a success; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2494/06]
23 Ms Lynch asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism his views on whether the construction involved in the Transport 21 plan and the disruption created by same over the coming decade will end up annulling the benefits from the Ryder Cup; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2502/06]
28 Mr. Crawford asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the position regarding the PricewaterhouseCoopers report on RTAs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2436/06]
35 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if studies into the effect of Transport 21 will have on tourism have begun; his views on whether the plan will have a negative effect on tourism during the period it is being implemented; when the study is set to be finished; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2496/06]
76 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if advice was offered or instructions given regarding tourism policy for the regions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2727/06]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 9, 10, 19, 22, 23, 28, 35 and 76 together.
I refer the Deputies to my response to Priority Question No. 5 of today in which I set out the policy and programme measures in place to achieve a wider spread of tourism business.
As the Deputies are aware, the Minister for Transport has primary responsibility for the Transport 21 initiative. Its launch in November 2005, with a ten year budget line of €34 billion — the most significant transport investment programme ever — marks an important milestone on the path to delivery of a transport infrastructure throughout the country commensurate with the level and pace of economic and demographic growth in Ireland today.
The plan addresses many of the issues of importance to tourism raised in the New Horizons report of the tourism policy review group. These include the upgrading of specific national, regional, sub-regional and urban orbital routes of importance to tourism, the upgrading of bus and rail services and amenities to facilitate regional tourism development and the development of a Dublin Airport metro link.
Tourism should benefit greatly from this plan and it has been already welcomed by the key industry groups. Its orderly implementation over time will make a significant difference to tourism development and narrow the competitiveness gap that currently exists as regards our internal transport infrastructure.
11 Mr. Cuffe asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the number of applications which were received under the sports capital programme up to the deadline in January 2006; the number of applications received from Brittas, Clondalkin, Lucan, Newcastle, Palmerstown, Rathcoole and Saggart; the way in which the number of applications in each category compare with the previous five years; the funding available for 2006; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2485/06]
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 throughout the country. The programme is advertised on an annual basis.
The closing date for applications under the 2006 sports capital programme was Friday last, with in excess of 1,300 applications being received by the closing date. Given the large volume of applications received and the complexity of processing and evaluating the information required, it is not possible at this early stage to provide a breakdown of applications by type of applicant or the localities from which applications have been submitted. However, when the sorting process has been completed it will be possible to provide general information of the type sought by the Deputy. The Deputy may wish to note that under the 2005 sports capital programme, 268 out of 1,362, or 19.6%, of applications received by the closing date for the programme were from Dublin.
I will decide later on the level of provisional grant allocations to be made this year having regard both to the quality of the applications received under the 2006 programme and the pattern of grant allocations and drawdowns on foot of earlier years' approvals.
12 Mr. Gogarty asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the position regarding plans to introduce a new local authority swimming pool programme. [2481/06]
70 Mr. Gogarty asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the position regarding plans to introduce a new local authority swimming pool programme. [2522/06]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 12 and 70 together.
The priority under the local authority swimming pool programme, which is administered by my Department, is to continue to support those projects remaining to be completed under the current programme, where the deadline for submission of applications was 31 July 2000. Of the 56 projects being dealt with, 31 have been grant aided, of which 18 have been completed, leaving 13 under construction or about to begin construction. The remaining 25 projects are at various stages in the programme — three at tender stage, 15 at contract document stage and seven at preliminary report stage. It is important to note that expenditure under the programme is largely determined not by my Department, but by the speed at which individual local authorities progress their projects. In this regard, however, I am pleased to say that activity under the programme has increased considerably as evidenced by the results for 2005 where I approved grant aid for five projects — in Monaghan town, Ballybunion, Clondalkin, Killarney and Askeaton which permits the project developers to proceed with placing the contracts and having the work commence; contract documents for eight projects — in Naas, Clondalkin, Askeaton, Thurles, Portarlington, Portlaoise, Athy and Longford, allowing them to invite tenders for the projects; and preliminary reports for nine projects — in Athy, Kilkenny, Buncrana, New Ross, Castlebar, Bray, Greystones, Birr and Roscrea which permits the preparation of contract documents for the projects. The House will agree that we are now seeing good progress with this programme which is aimed at providing modern public swimming facilities for our people.
My Department is carrying out an expenditure review of the programme, which is examining, among other things, the number and nature of projects supported under the programme, the benefits which have accrued to the areas where pools have been built under the programme and what amendments, if any, are required to ensure the effective and efficient delivery of the programme. On the completion of this review, which I expect will be available by mid-year, the question of re-opening the programme to new applications will be considered.
13 Mr. O’Shea asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if his attention has been drawn to comments from the chair of the Arts Council to the Joint Committee on Arts, Sport, Tourism, Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs that Ireland’s direct funding of the arts is lower than that of its European counterparts; his views on whether it is acceptable that direct funding for the arts should be so low; his response to the Arts Council’s direct request for increased funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2513/06]
International comparisons are far less simple than initially appears to be the case. Approaches to what is classified as "arts" spend can differ quite dramatically from one jurisdiction and context to another, for example. It must also be said that jurisdictions with very high spending across the board also tend to have very high tax rates, and the latter is something that we do not have here.
The arts must compete for funding with all other sectors and I have committed myself to securing the best possible deal for the arts in that context. This is the only sensible approach. It is also an approach which has paid off in recent years. During my own term as the Minister responsible for the arts, funding for the Arts Council has increased by almost 52% — from €47.67 million in 2002, to €72.31 million this year. This has allowed the Arts Council to support a record number of artists and arts organisations. This built on earlier increases of about 80% between 1997 and 2002. This does not include the very substantial funding of almost €90 million allocated by my Department for the capital development of arts and culture facilities around the country in recent years.
These are significant amounts of money in any context, and the amounts of both current and capital funding that have been provided in recent years have transformed the arts, have increased access to the arts, and provide an excellent platform for still further developments in the years ahead.
Arts Council representatives met the Joint Committee on Arts, Sport, Tourism, Community, Rural, and Gaeltacht Affairs on 19 October 2005. As part of their presentation the council representatives outlined their plans for the next three years under the new strategy for the arts which was published last December. This is a three-year strategy which seeks to increase Exchequer funding to €100 million by 2008. As part of the first phase of the strategy, the council has sought an allocation of €79.3 million in 2006. Following on from the meeting the Chairman of the joint committee wrote to me in support of the council's request for €79.3 million in 2006 leading to €100 million over a three year cycle.
It is entirely appropriate for the Arts Council to request such funding as it believes it needs, and for the joint committee to express its view. The Government, however, must balance competing demands from every part of our economy and society. In this context, I was delighted to secure an allocation of €72.319 million for the council this year representing almost a 19% increase on 2005 and almost 38% on 2004.
14 Ms B. Moynihan-Cronin asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if contact has been made with the various stakeholders regarding price increases in view of concerns regarding a Ryder Cup rip-off mounting; the outcome of these meetings; his views on whether a rip-off attitude will not prevail in the wake of the Ryder Cup; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2504/06]
I refer the Deputy to the text of my detailed reply on this matter to Question No. 5 on 13 October 2005 and further reply to Question No. 27 on 17 November 2005.
I am aware of concerns being expressed by some about the risk of excessive prices being charged by certain elements of the Irish tourism and hospitality industry in the context of the Ryder Cup 2006. However, as I have previously indicated, the State tourism agencies are being particularly vigilant about the risk of excessive prices being charged in the context of this important event. In all of their dealings with the industry, they are taking the opportunity to encourage a commonsense approach to the pricing of our tourism products during the staging of the event. For my part, I will continue to raise this issue, as appropriate, in my regular contacts with the industry in the build up to the Ryder Cup.
The Deputy might also note that my Department wrote to the Office of the Director of Consumer Affairs in early November 2005 requesting that a special initiative be undertaken around the time of the Ryder Cup to ensure that price lists in restaurants and public houses are displayed prominently, and has been informed that the appropriate checks will be carried out.
15 Ms O’Sullivan asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if, in view of the report published by Friends of the Earth Ireland named, Ireland’s Environment, Common Sense, Not Catastrophe, his plans to implement a green policy for people involved in tourism; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2506/06]
The nature of the tourism mandate is such that there are a number of important strategic results areas that require other Departments and agencies to deliver on Government policy. One of the key cross-cutting issues is the pursuit of an environmental policy that accommodates the sensitive development and expansion of tourism, with opportunities for the development of rural tourism and the enjoyment of natural resources for tourism, sport and recreation.
The position is that primary responsibility for the protection of the physical environment in Ireland rests with my colleague the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government.
There is widespread acceptance of the importance of good management and conservation practices in maintaining and enhancing the attractiveness of both the built and the natural environment. The tourism development strategy set out in the report of the tourism policy review group, New Horizons for Irish Tourism — An Agenda for Action, provides a model to address cross-departmental issues relating to tourism development, including environmental sustainability.
As I advised the House previously, in my detailed response to Question No. 11 on 17 November 2005, I have asked my officials to review the report referred to by the Deputy in the context of deliberations about the framework for tourism product development post 2006.
17 Ms O. Mitchell asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the position regarding the development of the National Concert Hall; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2384/06]
I refer the Deputy to my reply to Deputy Kenny's Parliamentary Question No. 6 of 17 November 2005. I am pleased to be in a position to say that the Government has approved, in principle, the development of a new national concert hall on a public private partnership basis.
A provision of €42 million has been included in the 2006-2010 capital envelope of my Department for site purchase. The options for the delivery of the project, as a public private partnership initiative, will be assessed by my Department, in association with the Department of Finance, the Office of Public Works and the National Development Finance Agency over the next few months following which I will report to Government on the procurement issues involved.
18 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if a provisional preferred tenderer has been designated for the award of the contract for delivery of the new national conference centre; when the issue of the award of the contract will be brought to Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2515/06]
31 Mr. Bruton asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if agreement has been reached with a company (details supplied) to proceed with the national convention centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2383/06]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 18 and 31 together.
On 17 November last, I informed the House that, following approval by the Government, I had the previous day announced that Spencer Dock international conference centre consortium was being invited to become the provisional preferred tenderer for the provision of a national conference centre in Dublin. The decision had been taken by the national conference centre steering group following a detailed assessment and evaluation of tenders received against award criteria set out in the invitation to negotiate document.
In accordance with the competition process, the contracting authority, the Office of Public Works, is currently engaging with the PPT to negotiate, settle and agree any required amendments to the project agreement. It is also necessary for the PPT to resolve all outstanding due diligence issues. Assuming that these negotiations prove successful, the next step will be the appointment of the provisional preferred tenderer as preferred tenderer. During the preferred tenderer phase, the preferred tenderer will develop and provide the full range of project documents which will require review and approval by the contracting authority. I look forward to the early completion of the next stages and to a final decision by Government in the course of this year.
On the basis of consultations undertaken earlier by my Department and research reviewed, I am totally convinced of the need for a modern, dedicated national conference centre if Ireland is to realise its full potential in the hugely valuable international conference market.
20 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism his views on whether enough is being done to promote Ireland as a destination for Irish holiday makers; his further views on recent figures from the Central Statistics Office showing that the number of Irish people travelling abroad has increased by more than one million in five years; the efforts he is making to encourage more Irish people to holiday at home; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2512/06]
77 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism his expectations in respect of tourist numbers likely to visit here in 2006; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2728/06]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 20 and 77 together.
The increased prosperity of Irish residents in recent years coupled with the greatly improved access to foreign tourist destinations has undoubtedly led to sustained growth in the overseas holiday market. Irish consumers have more choice than ever before. They are generally taking more than one holiday a year, although the evidence suggests that they continue to take at least one holiday in Ireland.
Against a backdrop of intense international competition for Irish holidaymakers, Fáilte Ireland, which is responsible for promoting the home market, has significantly stepped up its home holiday campaigns in recent years backed by significant Exchequer resources.
In 2006, some €4 million has been allocated by Fáilte Ireland to home holiday promotion. Fáilte Ireland's consumer website for the domestic market - www.ireland.ie— which was launched early in 2005 has proven particularly successful in generating quality year round business for the sector. Fáilte Ireland also publishes the highly successful Discover Ireland series of brochures aimed at the domestic consumer.
CSO figures over the last five years would suggest that this investment is yielding a good return with domestic holiday trips up 32% and expenditure up 51% over that period. Given the volatile nature of the tourism industry and the level of international competition, I am reluctant, so early in the year, to make predictions regarding the numbers we can expect to visit Ireland this year. However, the targets set in Tourism Ireland's ambitious marketing plans for 2006 are for 5% growth in overseas visitor numbers and 6.7% growth in revenue terms. These targets are predicated on the ambitious targets set out in the New Horizons report and are based on a number of important assumptions in relation to the economic climate in our key source markets, continuing development of access routes to Ireland and the maintenance of Ireland's competitive position. I am confident that backed by an unparalleled level of public investment in tourism marketing and development, this growth can be achieved in 2006.
21 Mr. Cuffe asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the proportion of applications received under the sports capital programme that were related to schools and colleges at primary, second, third and further education levels. [2486/06]
The national lottery-funded sports capital programme, which is administered by my Department, allocates funding to sporting and community organisations and, in certain circumstances, schools and colleges, throughout the country. Projects must be of a capital nature and be directly related to the provision of sporting and physical recreation facilities. This means that the project must involve: improving or building an asset; or purchasing non-personal sports equipment that will be used for at least five years.
Applications to the programme from primary and post-primary schools and colleges must be made jointly with local sports clubs or community groups and must: demonstrate a clear need for the proposed sports facility in the area as formally agreed with other local groups and-or the local authority; demonstrate how the proposed facility will meet that need; and demonstrate that the local community will have significant access to the proposed facility when it is not being used by the school or college itself. In this regard, the significant access is a requirement for a minimum of at least 30 hours a week throughout the year.
The sports capital programme is administered on an annual basis. The deadline for receipt of applications under the 2006 programme was at close of business on Friday last, 20 January, by which time over 1,300 applications were received. Given that large volume of applications and the complexity of processing and evaluating the information required, it is not possible at this very early stage to provide a breakdown of applications by type of applicant or to say how many were related to schools and colleges.
However, for the Deputy's information and as a point of reference, under the 2005 sports capital programme, 30 out of 1,362, or 2.2%, of the applications received for that programme were projects from schools and colleges, while a further nine applications were received from third level institutions.
24 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the situation regarding objections from local residents to the proposed new Lansdowne Road stadium; if these concerns have been taken into account in the planning for the new stadium; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2516/06]
30 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the timescale involved for the completion of Lansdowne Road stadium; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2387/06]
32 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism his views on the disruption caused to rail services by the redevelopment of the Lansdowne Road stadium; if discussions have been held with Iarnród Éireann; if so, the outcome of these discussions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2517/06]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 24, 30 and 32 together.
As the House is aware, in January 2004 the Government agreed to provide funding of €191million to the joint IRFU-FAI project for the redevelopment of Lansdowne Road stadium. The new design for the stadium, which I was very pleased to launch on Monday 17 October 2005, has been created in consultation with the different stakeholder groups that will be involved in and impacted on by the stadium. As a result, in order to minimise the impact on those residents living in close proximity to the new structure, the design, which is at four levels on the east, west and south sides, sweeps down to a single level at the north end. Lansdowne Road Stadium Development Company has adopted a very open and listening approach to the concerns of local residents, who understandably are concerned at the changes planned for the existing stadium grounds. Among the initiatives taken by the company is the establishment of a consultative forum, involving all the local residents groups, under an agreed independent chairman.
Very good progress has been made with this project and Lansdowne Road Stadium Development Company, the company charged with delivery of the project, submitted the planning application for the project on 12 January 2006. At this stage it is not realistically possible to establish with certainty the length of time that will be required to complete the planning process. Working on the assumption that there is no untoward delay, construction work will commence in early 2007. Construction is scheduled to take 29 months and on that basis the end of 2009 could see completion of the redeveloped stadium, which would cater for the international rugby and soccer fixtures of the IRFU and the FAI.
From an early stage in the development of this project, discussions have been ongoing between the Lansdowne Stadium Development Company and CIE and Iarnród Éireann. These deliberations seek to ensure the safe demolition of the existing west stand of the Lansdowne stadium and the redevelopment of the new stand in the most cost-efficient manner while being mindful of the needs of the travelling public. The work involved will inevitably impinge on the rail line, because the existing west stand overhangs the Dart rail line. The discussions and planning relating to this programme of work have involved CIE, Lansdowne Road Stadium Development Company, the IRFU and the FAI, my Department and both CIE and the Department of Transport. It is the intention of all concerned to find a satisfactory solution to the challenge of carrying out the work in the vicinity of the railway line in the shortest possible timeframe and in a cost efficient manner while endeavouring to ensure that travelling public who use the southern line of the Dart are not unduly disrupted.
25 Ms O. Mitchell asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the position regarding the relocation of the Abbey Theatre to George's Dock; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2385/06]
In December of last year the Government approved the redevelopment of the Abbey Theatre at George's Dock and agreed that my Department, in conjunction with the Minister for Finance, the Office of Public Works and the National Development Finance Agency would examine possible PPP procurement models.
An examination of the possible PPP procurement models is currently being undertaken and I will report back to Government on this by end February.
26 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the position regarding the roll out of a nationwide audit of sports facilities as promised in the programme for Government. [2487/06]
A national audit of local sports facilities is being undertaken as part of the development of a long-term strategic plan for the provision of sports facilities.
The inter-agency steering group established to oversee this work has decided to focus on establishing a comprehensive database in respect of national and regional sports facilities as a first step in meeting this commitment. My Department is currently processing data relating to such facilities that have been previously funded under the Department programmes. That data are being sorted and analysed and will give a picture of sports facilities throughout the country, although the list will not be exhaustive. The next step will be to fill any gaps in this information in consultation with a variety of sporting bodies and local authorities. It is then proposed to issue detailed questionnaires to facility managers and owners, which will broaden the database of information on existing facilities.
27 Mr. S. Ryan asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism his views on the threat to bed and breakfast facilities here due to competition with hotels; if contact has been made with people from the bed and breakfast sector regarding the issue; the outcome of these meetings; his plans regarding this matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2510/06]
As I have previously advised the House, I do not have responsibility for the registration and listing of tourist accommodation facilities. This is a day-to-day function of Fáilte Ireland under the National Tourism Development Authority Act 2003.
However, I am aware that the bed and breakfast and guest house sectors have experienced a loss in market share in recent years for a number of reasons, including changes in consumer preferences, growth in urban and short-break holiday taking and the addition of a large amount of budget hotel accommodation stock.
As I pointed out in an earlier reply today, visitors cannot be forced to go to a particular location or to avail of particular products against their will. The responsibility primarily lies with the individual communities and operators in the sector to present and market compelling attractions, facilities, accommodation and experiences that deliver value for money and quality service. Having said that, Fáilte Ireland recognises that staying in an Irish home can be a defining experience for overseas visitors and is convinced that this should remain an element of the Irish tourism brand. The importance of the product is reflected in the fact that over half of the 3,000 nominations received in 2005 for the Irish Welcome Awards were for people running bed and breakfast accommodation.
The tourism policy review group considered that the important and unique product which the bed and breakfast sector offers to tourists could be better developed and promoted if the different groups representing the sector came together into a more unified and single structure to more effectively represent their industry and to work closely with Fáilte Ireland and Tourism Ireland for that purpose.
Facilitated by officials from Teagasc and Leader, a number of representative groups for accommodation and other service providers, including Irish Farmhouse Holidays came together in May 2004 to form a national rural tourism federation. This is receiving funding from Fáilte Ireland, which will assist in establishing it as a more effective representative body for rural tourism providers. With these developments, there is more scope for joint marketing activities and the development of stronger links with other, non-member, organisations.
In response to concerns about its short and medium term prospects, a strategic review of the bed and breakfast sector was commissioned by Fáilte Ireland. Recently, the consultants' recommendations were presented to representatives of the sector's main associations for their views. In the meantime, Fáilte Ireland is continuing to support the bed and breakfast and small and medium-sized accommodation sector through specific marketing initiatives. Programmes include co-operative marketing activities and education programmes for bed and breakfast providers.
In addition, Fáilte Ireland's small and medium sized enterprise scheme continues to support key sectors such as bed and breakfast, self-catering, caravan and camping, rural tourism and hostels in the areas of market supports, e-business and capability building at both the sector and enterprise level. A business solutions tool kit is also available to assist small businesses in understanding basic, but key, areas of business operation.
29 Mr. O’Shea asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if an assessment has been undertaken of the implications for the arts sector of the changes announced in Budget 2006 to the artists tax exemption scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2505/06]
The tax exemption for artists will continue to be of great benefit to artists in Ireland. An adjustable cap of €250,000 on annual tax-exempt earnings has been applied but this will have no impact whatsoever on the vast majority of artists, who earn well below that amount. The feedback available to me indicates that artists in general very much welcome the retention of the scheme, notwithstanding the adjustments to it. The scheme ensures that Ireland continues to be a place where the work of artists is valued and where their place in society is assured.
33 Mr. Sherlock asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism his views on the promotion of cultural tourism here; whether there is a need to encourage increased levels of niche cultural tourism marketing, as opposed to more traditional styles of holiday here; whether there is a need for more interaction and co-operation between his Department and cultural bodies in this regard; his plans for increased interaction in this area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2511/06]
Based on extensive research carried out on behalf of our tourism agencies, it is clear that Ireland's heritage and culture are a major selling point for overseas and domestic holidaymakers. In 2004, 2.3 million overseas visitors interacted with some aspect of the heritage and culture product. It is also the most popular tourism product among domestic tourists.
Both Tourism Ireland and Fáilte Ireland recognise the importance of our heritage and culture in terms of the promotion of Ireland as a tourism destination. In its extensive research for the new tourism brand Ireland campaign, Tourism Ireland found that of a total market potential of 66 million outbound international holidaymakers in our key markets, 44 million have a strong interest in sightseeing and culture, with 21 million defined as core sightseers and culture seekers. The implications for Ireland with its wealth of cultural attractions are very positive and Tourism Ireland's new €50 million marketing campaign will focus particular attention over the next three years on those elements of the Irish tourism product that appeal to this very particular and lucrative segment of the international market.
Culturalist and sightseeing tourists are especially important as they are more likely than average to tour around the country and take in sites outside the main metropolitan centres and they tend to spend more per visit than the average holidaymaker. They are also a growing segment, as many are in the older age bracket. As consumers age and gain travel experience, their holiday needs become even more closely aligned with the type of tourism experience in which Ireland excels. They are particularly interested in learning about a country and its culture, admiring the scenery, visiting historical sights and sightseeing and experiencing music and the arts.
This year Fáilte Ireland will launch a new long-term product development strategy which will focus particular attention on the needs and potential of this market segment. In addition, it is intended to pilot a number of new themed products including traditional culture and Christian heritage. Fáilte Ireland is also working to add greater emphasis to the area of living culture, including music, dance, theatre, festivals, language, arts and crafts. In terms of our built heritage, the key challenge is to tell stories in a more compelling way and to get the visitor more engaged in their Irish holiday.
This year will also see the development of major capital investment by my Department in key elements of our national cultural infrastructure. The package announced in the budget includes the redevelopment of the Abbey Theatre and of the National Concert Hall, the complete remodelling of the Theatre Royal in Wexford and the substantial refurbishment of the Gaiety Theatre in Dublin. These are acknowledged flagship projects, which will greatly enhance the quality of Ireland's cultural infrastructure, both for Irish and overseas visitors.
Recognising the need for greater engagement and interaction among the State funded organisations involved in tourism, culture and sports, a working group was established last year under the chairmanship of the Secretary General of my Department to identify specific areas of synergy among the three sectors. This group is designed to bring the heads of all relevant bodies and institutions together to identify practical initiatives which can benefit all concerned. This phase of the group's work is almost complete and I understand a report is being finalised which will set out some very valuable recommendations for immediate action by the agencies and institutions concerned.
36 Mr. Stagg asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the number of elderly people in County Mayo awaiting admission to long-term care nursing homes in that county; the number of long-term places available in a nursing home (details supplied) in County Mayo; the number of beds in Mayo General Hospital which are presently set aside for elderly patients who cannot be discharged from hospital as they cannot be cared for at home; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2555/06]
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 reply directly to the Deputy.
37 Mr. Stagg asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the number of home care packages allocated to elderly people in County Mayo; the way in which the home care packages were distributed throughout each county here; and the criteria used to identify the needs in each county. [2556/06]
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 reply directly to the Deputy.
38 Mr. Connaughton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the cost to Westdoc of the creation of the new cell recently established in Glenamaddy, County Galway; if her attention has been drawn to the fact that there is still a black spot in so far as the delivery of a proper night time service is concerned to the general Moylough, Mountbellew, Skehana, Menlough, Ballymacward, Caltra and Ballygar areas of County Galway; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2557/06]
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 reply directly to the Deputy.
39 Mr. Allen asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the countries that have agreements with Ireland on inter-country adoptions both within the European Union and outside. [2558/06]
The Adoption Board currently has bi-lateral adoption agreements with China, Belarus, Romania, Vietnam, Thailand and The Philippines. Belarus and Romania have, however, ceased inter-country adoption.
A revised draft protocol between Ireland and Belarus has been examined by the Adoption Board and the Attorney General. Sections of the draft were found to be incompatible with the Irish Constitution and Irish legislation. A revised draft has been forwarded to the Attorney General for further advice.
40 Mr. Ring asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will be called to a hospital in Galway for a cardiac procedure. [2612/06]
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 reply directly to the Deputy.
41 Ms McManus asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the facilities and services available for young people who are termed as young chronically ilI; the services available for these people if subsequent to their placement in a nursing home they need psychiatric help or secure accommodation in order that they are not a risk for nursing home staff or fellow patients; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2613/06]
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 reply directly to the Deputy.
42 Mr. Ring asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children when a person (details supplied) in County Galway will be admitted to the National Rehabilitation Hospital, Dun Laoghaire. [2614/06]
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 reply directly to the Deputy.
43 Mr. Perry asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if she will intervene with University Hospital Galway on behalf of a person (details supplied) and have an EEG scheduled; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2619/06]
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 reply directly to the Deputy.
44 Mr. Connolly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the position regarding repayment of pensioners’ nursing home fees which were illegally withheld; the time scale envisaged for such repayments; the level of response and overall costing; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2626/06]
The Government has agreed the key elements of a scheme for the repayment of long stay charges for publicly funded residential care. All those fully eligible persons who were wrongly charged and are alive and the estates of all those who were wrongly charged and are dead since 9 December 1998 will have the charges repaid in full. The repayments will include both the actual charge paid and an amount to take account of inflation, using the consumer price index, since the time the person involved was charged.
It is expected that the scheme will cost approximately €1 billion and at this stage it is envisaged that applications for the scheme can be received up to 31 December 2007. Figures provided by the Health Service Executive show an estimated 60,000 people are likely to be due a repayment, approximately 20,000 of these are living and 40,000 repayments relate to estates of deceased patients. The Health Service Executive has received 21,600 registrations of interest for a repayment to date.
Draft heads of a Bill for a repayment scheme were submitted to Government in December and were approved. The draft heads have been submitted to Parliamentary Counsel for drafting and it is my intention to have the Bill published in the current parliamentary session and to have repayments commence shortly after the Bill is approved and signed into law.
The scheme will be designed and managed with the aim of ensuring that those who are eligible for repayments receive them as soon as possible and with the minimum possible imposition in terms of bureaucracy. Priority will be given to those who are still alive. Many of those eligible for repayments have already been identified as a result of initial payments made following my announcement in December 2004. The scheme will include a transparent and thorough appeals process.
45 Mr. Connolly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the relative position of Ireland on an EU table vis-a-vis the per capita number of hospital beds; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2627/06]
The World Health Organisation's European Health for All database of June 2005 shows that the number of acute care beds in Ireland in 2003 was three per 1,000 population and that the EU average for the same year was four per 1,000 population.
The organisation advises caution in the interpretation of the cross-country data in the database. Health data recording systems and practices vary between countries as do the availability and accuracy of data. Data comparability is also limited, owing to differences in definitions and-or time periods or other national specificities in data recording and processing. For example, the Irish data do not include day beds. Day activity is now a significant component of hospital-based care. There has been a rapid movement in the last few years towards day case work where a variety of routine and complex treatments, surgery and diagnostic tests can now be performed with the patient being admitted and discharged from hospital on the same day. In addition, the Irish data does not include acute beds located in private hospitals whereas some other countries include private beds and-or long-term care beds.
It should also be noted that the acute bed numbers per capita do not take account of variations in the age structure of the population in different countries. Acute bed usage tends to be concentrated in the older age groups both in terms of admission rates and average lengths of stay. Within the EU, Ireland continues to have a significantly younger population than the average.
46 Mr. Connolly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children her views on the Health Service Executive north east’s frustration of the rights commissioner’s clear cut recommendation of a person (details supplied) for a permanent post in the Health Service Executive north east region, by its appealing the decision on grounds that were comprehensively dealt with in the rights commissioner’s ruling; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2628/06]
Rights commissioners investigate trade disputes referred by individuals or small groups of workers. Having carried out an investigation, the rights commissioner issues a recommendation — which is not binding on the parties involved — giving his or her opinion on the merits, or otherwise, of the dispute. The rights commissioner does not seek to impose a solution on the parties to a dispute but to assist them in arriving at a solution. Ultimately, responsibility for the settlement of a trade dispute rests with the parties to the dispute. In this case the parties are the Health Service Executive north eastern area and the individual concerned. 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.
47 Mr. O’Dowd asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children her proposals for improving health centre facilities in County Louth; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2638/06]
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.
48 Mr. Stanton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the situation regarding the autistic spectrum disorder clinic in Cork; the waiting lists for assessment and services through the clinic; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2648/06]
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.
49 Mr. Stanton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if the Health Service Executive will provide an occupational therapy support and speech therapy support for a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2649/06]
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.
50 Cecilia Keaveney asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children her views on the fact that there were 16 people on trolleys due to a lack of capacity at a hospital (details supplied) in County Donegal; her further views on the lack of capacity which led to cancellation of day surgery; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2650/06]
51 Cecilia Keaveney asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children her views on the fact that there were 24 people on trolleys due to a lack of capacity at a hospital (details supplied) in County Donegal; her further views on the lack of capacity which led to cancellation of day surgery; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2651/06]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 50 and 51 together.
The Deputy's questions relate to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, my Department has requested the parliamentary affairs division of the executive to arrange to have this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.
52 Mr. Kehoe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the position regarding the new building of the phase two development of St. John’s Hospital, Enniscorthy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2692/06]
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.
53 Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the progress made to date on action 76 of Quality and Fairness — a Health System for You; the number of primary care teams and networks in place; the number expected to be in place by the end of 2006; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2718/06]
The primary care strategy aims to develop services in the community so that patients will have direct access to integrated multi-disciplinary teams of general practitioners, nurses, health care assistants, home helps, occupational therapists and others.
The Government is fully committed to the implementation of the principles contained in the primary care strategy which provides a template for the reform and development of primary care services over a period of ten to 15 years. The chief executive officer of the Health Service Executive has also emphasised the importance of developing primary care services, both as the appropriate service for the delivery of the majority of people's health and social care needs, and to complement the services provided by acute hospitals. This is an important priority of the executive which has my full endorsement. The implementation process at an operational level is a function of the Health Service Executive, HSE, which under the Health Act 2004 is responsible for the management and delivery of health and personal social services.
An initial ten primary care teams have been established nationally, with funding to enable existing staff resources within the public system to be augmented. These teams enable the primary care model to be demonstrated in action and have allowed practical experience to be gained of the process involved in developing a primary care team and providing expanded services in the community. The HSE will be building on the experience gained in these ten projects as it develops team-based primary care services on a wider scale.
In order to support further implementation of the strategy in 2006, additional revenue funding of €16 million has been provided which will enable: the appointment of some 300 additional front-line personnel to work alongside GPs in approximately 75 to 100 teams in the improved delivery of community primary care services; the establishment of an additional 22 GP training places; and the further development of general practitioner out-of-hours co-operatives to enable an estimated 350,000 additional persons to benefit from such services. This means that €28 million will be available in 2006 specifically to support the implementation of the primary care strategy. However, other development funding will also be used to support the development of services in line with the principles of the strategy.
Wider implementation of the primary care strategy will focus on developing new ways of working and of reorganising the resources already available to the health service in line with the service model described in the strategy. This whole-system approach to implementation means change will be required in many sectors in the health service, and not solely within primary care itself.
54 Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the progress made to date on action 77 of Quality and Fairness — a Health System for You; the number of general practitioner co-operatives in place compared to the number in January 2004; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2719/06]
GMS GPs are contractually obliged to provide a service for medical card and GP visit card holders on a 24 hour basis. Funding was first provided for out of hours general practitioner co-operatives in 2000. The resources allocated to facilitate development of these services have been increased annually since then and in 2006 the sum available for GP co-ops amounts to €33.984 million, of which €2 million is additional funding. These figures do not include the fees of the participating doctors. The additional funding in 2006 will allow for an additional 350,000 persons to be covered by comprehensive out of hours general practitioner cover. The HSE estimates that 2.4 million people are presently covered by the existing out of hours co-operatives. Thus the 2006 estimate will bring total coverage to approximately 2.75 million people or 70% of the population of the country.
One new co-operative was started in the HSE's eastern region in 2004. All areas of the Health Service Executive have expanded their out of hours co-operatives and services since 2004. Co-operatives are now in place in part of all areas of the Health Service Executive, providing coverage in part of all counties. The executive is working to further extend the availability of co-op services in parts of the country where these are not yet in place. Expansion of out of hours co-operatives is also dependent on GPs in the areas agreeing to join as participation is voluntary.
55 Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the estimated cost per year of provision of a single additional acute hospital public beds. [2720/06]
56 Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the estimated cost per year of provision of 1,000 additional acute hospital public beds. [2721/06]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 55 and 56 together.
The information requested by the Deputy will be provided as soon as possible.
57 Mr. Hayes asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if a dialysis unit will be provided at South Tipperary General Hospital; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2722/06]
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.
58 Mr. Gregory asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children her views on the relocation of the Children’s Hospital Temple Street to the Mater site; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2723/06]
The Mater and Children's Hospital development is the largest single capital development project in the HSE capital programme. It involves the redevelopment of the Mater campus to include considerably expanded and improved facilities for the Mater itself, and the construction of new, purpose-built accommodation which will replace the Children's University Hospital, Temple Street.
In the context of the decision to be taken on the possible relocation of the facilities at Our Lady's Hospital for Sick Children, Crumlin, I asked the Health Service Executive to undertake a review of tertiary, or highly specialised, paediatric services to ensure that paediatric services are provided in the most efficient and effective manner. The HSE recently engaged a team of management consultants to provide a report on the strategic organisation of tertiary paediatric services in Ireland.
Specifically, the report is to identify: whether tertiary paediatric services should be provided on one or more sites; the facilities, beds, etc., required to meet tertiary needs; and the facilities required to meet secondary, that is, less complex, paediatric services in Dublin. This review clearly has implications for the scope of the Mater and Children's Hospital development project and the HSE has accordingly advised the hospital that it needs to await the report before giving approval for the project to proceed to tender. The HSE expects to receive the consultant's report by the end of this month and my Department will be having further discussions with the HSE at that stage to see how we advance the development project. My primary concern is to ensure that we arrive at a solution which is in the best interests of the children of this country.
59 Ms Enright asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the year the thalidomide assessment tribunal was set up; when same concluded; if persons who went before the tribunal at the time and not included, but where evidence has come to light that the person should have been included and was a genuine thalidomide victim can be facilitated at this stage; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2724/06]
Thalidomide preparations were marketed in Ireland from May 1959 to January 1962 when they were withdrawn from sale by the manufacturers. In May 1970, following confirmation by the Department of External Affairs that an offer of compensation by the German manufacturers of thalidomide applied to Irish born children with conditions attributed to thalidomide, the Department of Health issued advertisements inviting parents and others involved in the care of such children to furnish particulars which were forwarded to representatives of the manufacturers.
In May 1973, the Government decided in principle that it should provide financial assistance in addition to that paid by the German foundation. The then Minister for Health established the Irish thalidomide medical board to identify the number of Irish children affected and report on each individual case. The board concluded that 34 Irish children were affected by the drug — one of whom was the beneficiary of the British compensation scheme as the mother was prescribed the drug while living in the UK. In December 1974 the Government granted each of the remaining 33 children further financial assistance by way of a lump sum and a monthly allowance for life. My Department has been unable to ascertain, within this timescale, the existence of any case as described by the Deputy.
60 Mr. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children when approval will issue in the disabled drivers disabled passengers scheme 1994 in respect of purchase of modified motor vehicles, having particular regard to the extent and permanency of their disablement in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2747/06]
The medical assessment for the purpose of the disabled drivers and disabled passengers (tax concessions) scheme is carried out by the senior area medical officer in the relevant Health Service Executive area. This function is to assist the Department of Finance, which has statutory responsibility for the scheme. Accordingly the Deputy may wish to contact the Department of Finance in this regard.
61 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Finance if the tax affairs of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare is up to date, in view of the fact that this person is no longer in receipt of the one parent family allowance; if a tax rebate is owed to the person; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2616/06]
I have been advised by the Revenue Commissioners that the income tax affairs of the taxpayer are up to date. A PAYE balancing statement for 2005 will issue shortly showing that the correct tax deductions have been made for that tax year. A revised certificate of tax credits for 2006 will also issue shortly which will include the correct amount of lone parents allowance assessable up to cessation of the income on 11 January 2006.
62 Mr. O’Shea asked the Minister for Finance his proposals to lease accommodation in Dungarvan, County Waterford to facilitate the early commencement of the decentralisation of ordnance survey Ireland to Dungarvan pending the provision of permanent accommodation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2657/06]
The question of providing advance accommodation for Ordnance Survey Ireland staff to Dungarvan is currently under consideration.
63 Ms Enright asked the Minister for Finance if childminders who avail of a new tax allowance introduced in budget 2005 will be entitled to make voluntary social insurance contributions in their own right; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2694/06]
The childminding relief I introduced in budget 2006 allows an individual to mind up to three children in the minder's own home, without paying tax, PRSI or levies on the childminding earnings received, provided the amount is not more than €10,000 per annum. If childminding income exceeds €10,000, the total amount will be taxable, as normal, under self-assessment.
The new scheme is not a tax allowance, but is in fact an income disregard of €10,000. It automatically follows that the amount earned, once it does not exceed €10,000, is not assessable to tax or PRSI or levies and is thus exempt from tax, PRSI and levies. Any change to make the income subject to PRSI, either on a mandatory basis or in all circumstances on a voluntary basis, would require an amendment to the relevant social welfare legislation which would be a matter for the Minister for Social and Family Affairs to consider in the first instance.
64 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Finance the breakdown for each county on the numbers of start up companies that availed of the business expansion scheme; the number of start up companies which are still in operation after five years of entering the scheme for each county; the success rate of this scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2701/06]
I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that the relevant information available is an estimated breakdown by county of all companies approved for the business expansion scheme from April 1997. Corresponding information relating to companies approved for earlier years is not available, nor is a distinction between start up companies and existing companies. The information available is as set out in the following table.
|
Bailiwick |
Total number of companies approved for BES investment from April 1997 to-date |
Total number of companies approved for BES investment between April 1997 and December 2000 |
Total number of companies approved for BES investment between April 1997 and December 2000 and still in operation to-date. |
|
Carlow |
13 |
9 |
6 |
|
Cavan |
17 |
10 |
7 |
|
Clare |
36 |
31 |
26 |
|
Donegal |
24 |
17 |
13 |
|
Galway |
93 |
57 |
52 |
|
Kerry |
68 |
39 |
36 |
|
Kildare |
28 |
25 |
22 |
|
Kilkenny |
20 |
15 |
13 |
|
Laois |
13 |
8 |
7 |
|
Leitrim |
7 |
7 |
6 |
|
Limerick |
73 |
47 |
39 |
|
Longford |
7 |
6 |
4 |
|
Louth |
28 |
20 |
15 |
|
Mayo |
25 |
17 |
14 |
|
Meath |
39 |
26 |
21 |
|
Monaghan |
14 |
8 |
7 |
|
Offaly |
16 |
10 |
8 |
|
Roscommon |
11 |
6 |
5 |
|
Sligo |
16 |
14 |
12 |
|
Tipperary |
41 |
28 |
18 |
|
Waterford |
39 |
24 |
19 |
|
Westmeath |
12 |
9 |
7 |
|
Wexford |
46 |
29 |
22 |
|
Wicklow |
40 |
31 |
24 |
|
Dublin City |
278 |
162 |
118 |
|
Dublin County |
174 |
115 |
84 |
|
Cork City |
44 |
18 |
14 |
|
Cork County |
117 |
74 |
67 |
|
Total |
1,339 |
862 |
686 |
The information is available on the basis of "bailiwick" meaning the jurisdiction or boundaries within which Revenue Sheriffs, County Registrars or their officers operate for the purposes of enforcement of tax debt. It equates geographically with "county". Companies are associated on the tax record with the county address of the head-office or branch with which contact is established for tax purposes, which may be different to the city or county addresses of other branches.
It is difficult to quantify the success rate of the BES scheme as many factors can contribute to the success of a company. Taking this into account, it is clear that this scheme has been of benefit to start up companies in Ireland. Small companies pursuing growth opportunities are still finding it difficult to attract equity funding particularly for amounts less than €250,000. The BES scheme is an important vehicle aimed at the level of the market which is at too early a stage of development for many venture capitalists and is still regarded as too risky for many investors. It is a valuable source of finance for companies that have exhausted the promoters' resources, other micro-finance options and family and friends as investors.
I would point out to the Deputy that the BES, along with the seed capital scheme, are due to end on 31 December 2006. Both of these schemes will be reviewed this year in advance of their termination date by my Department in conjunction with the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment and the Revenue Commissioners. I should be better positioned to comment on the success of the BES when the review of the scheme is complete.
65 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Finance if a person (details supplied) in County Kildare can claim tax relief for their child working off a C45; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2746/06]
I have been advised by the Revenue Commissioners that the taxpayer may claim one parent family allowance. The relevant claim form OP1 has issued to the taxpayer and should be submitted with his annual tax return.
66 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Finance if credit card usage is covered by insurers at all times regardless of the age of the user. [2750/06]
The protection or cover afforded to a consumer by an insurance policy will be determined by the terms and conditions of that policy and I would strongly encourage every consumer to read the terms and conditions of all insurance policies. The terms and conditions of a particular insurance policy in respect of credit card usage will determine whether or not the age of the cardholder is relevant to the cover provided.
67 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources his views regarding the free to air broadcasting of sporting events; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2729/06]
I refer the Deputy to my reply to Question No. 131 of 25 January 2006.
68 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the timescale for the decentralisation of divisions within his Department; the number of civil servants who have signalled their intention to decentralise; the units in which same are currently employed; the units to which same wish to decentralise; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2570/06]
Under the Government's decentralisation programme, the development co-operation directorate of the Department of Foreign Affairs, currently based in Dublin, will decentralise to Limerick. This is scheduled to take place during the first quarter of 2007.
Already 24 posts in the directorate, including that of director general, are filled by officers who have signalled their intention to decentralise to Limerick. Nine of these officers were already serving within the Department at the time of the announcement of the decentralisation programme in December 2003. The remainder is made up of nine officers who have been recruited from other Departments via the central applications facility for Limerick, four who have been assigned from inter-departmental promotion panels and two newly recruited officers.
In addition, there are currently 15 officers serving elsewhere in the Department, mostly abroad, who have also expressed an interest in decentralising to Limerick. These officers will be assigned to the directorate on a phased basis. The process of recruiting further staff for Limerick via the central applications facility is now being accelerated. The aim is that by the second half of 2006 most posts in the directorate will be filled by staff who will decentralise to Limerick. The total of 39 represents some 31% of the posts being transferred to Limerick.
Since my last reply to a parliamentary question on this issue, six specialist staff have withdrawn their applications to decentralise to Limerick. Discussions are ongoing with representatives of the specialists, with their union IMPACT, and with the Department of Finance about the conditions of service that will be applicable to those specialists who decentralise with the directorate to Limerick and those who choose to remain in Dublin. This issue, of course, also has a wider Civil Service dimension.
69 Mr. Bruton asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the position of the Irish Government in relation to the accession to the EU of Romania; the conditions the EU negotiations have demanded of the Romanian authorities concerning human rights and the need to dramatically improve the qualify of life for orphans and the young within Romania; if such matters are part of the comprehensive discussions currently ongoing between the EU and Romania to date on this matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2571/06]
Romania, together with Bulgaria, has signed a treaty of accession with the European Union, which is currently in the process of being ratified by EU member states. Ireland has traditionally been supportive of EU enlargement and we look forward to welcoming Romania into the European Union once the ratification and pre-accession procedures have been completed. The European Commission is currently monitoring Romania's preparations for accession to ensure that it can meet all the requirements of membership by the projected date of accession, 1 January 2007.
The Commission's annual monitoring report for Romania, reflecting the position as of 30 September 2005, was published on 25 October 2005. It provides a comprehensive overview of the progress made by Romania towards meeting the requirements of EU membership. A number of red flag issues have been identified and these will need to be urgently addressed by Romania before the date of accession.
In the general area of human rights and the protection of minorities, the Commission stated that further efforts were needed in advance of accession. With regard to the reform of child protection, the Commission noted that progress has been made with the closure of large, old-style institutions and the creation of modern child protection alternatives.
New legislation on children's rights and adoption entered into force in January 2005. According to the Commission report, this legislation brings Romania into line with the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and the European Convention on Human Rights, and completes the reform of child protection. The progress achieved in the field of child protection in Romania has been widely acknowledged by the independent panel of experts on family law of EU member states in May 2005. It is regarded as satisfactory and in line with member states' best practices.
The Commission will closely monitor the steps taken to tackle outstanding pre-accession issues and will present a final recommendation to Council in April-May 2006. This will determine if Romania will be in a position to accede as planned on 1 January 2007. If sufficient progress has not been made, the Commission can recommend that the Council postpone the date of accession until 1 January 2008. However, the Commission has noted that, although urgent corrective action is needed in certain areas, Romania, like Bulgaria, still holds the key to its accession on time.
In a decision taken on 12 April 2005, the Government approved the terms of the treaty of accession for Bulgaria and Romania and authorised its signature, subject to ratification, on behalf of Ireland. The treaty was signed by the EU member states, together with Bulgaria and Romania, on 25 April 2005. To enter into force, the treaty must be ratified by Bulgaria, Romania and all the current member states by 31 December 2006. Ireland's ratification of the accession treaty will require an amendment to the European Communities Act 1972. Preparations for this are underway and it is hoped to put the relevant Bill before the Oireachtas in the coming months.
71 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the measures he intends to put in place to revive the Irish film industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2552/06]
I regard the film sector as an essential part of our national cultural life. It has also been demonstrated conclusively that the film sector can bring significant economic benefits to this country. However, like any other traded sector, it is subject to the dynamics of international competition, including exchange rates, lower cost structures and new and enhanced incentives elsewhere.
The Government has shown its support for the film sector in a number of ways. The section 481 incentive scheme has been extended to at least 2008, with the amount that can be raised increasing from €10.48 million to €15 million from 2005.
72 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if consideration will be given to an application from a club (details supplied) in County Kildare for grant aid from the national lottery for the provision and development of the extra facilities proposed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2697/06]
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 throughout the country. The programme is advertised on an annual basis.
Applications for funding under the 2006 programme were invited through advertisements in the press on 27 and 28 November 2005. The closing date for receipt of applications was Friday, 20 January 2006. All applications received before the deadline, including one from the organisation in question, will be evaluated against the programme's assessment criteria, which are outlined in the guidelines, terms and conditions of the programme. I intend to announce the grant allocations for the programme as soon as possible after the assessment process has been completed.
73 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the number of applications on hand from various groups in County Kildare for grant aid from the proceeds of the national lottery; when he intends to respond to same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2698/06]
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 throughout the country. The programme is advertised on an annual basis.
The closing date for applications under the 2006 sports capital programme was Friday, 20 January 2006, with in excess of 1,300 applications being received by the closing date. Given the large volume of applications received and the complexity of processing and evaluating the information required, it is not possible at this early stage to provide an exact number of applications received from County Kildare.
All applications received before the deadline will be evaluated against the programme's requirements and assessment criteria, which are outlined in the guidelines, terms and conditions of the programme. I intend to announce the grant allocations for the programme as soon as possible after the assessment process has been completed.
74 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if funding will be provided to upgrade the sports hall floor in a school (details supplied) in County Mayo. [2702/06]
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 throughout the country. The programme is advertised on an annual basis.
Schools may only apply for funding jointly with local sports clubs or community groups and must show a clear need for the proposed sports facility in the area as formally agreed with other local groups and-or the local authority; show how the proposed facility will meet that need; and show that the local community will have significant access to the proposed facility when it is not being used by the school or college itself. In this regard, the significant access is a requirement for a minimum of at least 30 hours a week throughout the year. Applications from primary and post-primary schools and colleges on their own will not be considered under the programme.
Applications for funding under the 2006 programme were invited through advertisements in the press on 27 and 28 November 2005. The closing date for receipt of applications was 20 January 2006. All applications received before the deadline, including one from the organisation in question, will be evaluated against the programme's requirements and assessment criteria, which are outlined in the guidelines, terms and conditions of the programme. I intend to announce the grant allocations for the programme as soon as possible after the assessment process has been completed.
78 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism his policy to popularise the arts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2730/06]
Government policy on the arts is to promote and strengthen the arts in all their forms, increase access to and participation in the arts, and make the arts an integral and valued part of our national life. Responsibility for the promotion of the arts at all levels throughout the country is primarily devolved to the Arts Council, an independent body funded by the Department and independent in its day-to-day operations.
During my term as the Minister responsible for the arts, funding for the Arts Council has increased by almost 52% — from €47.67 million in 2002 to €72.31 million in 2006. This has allowed the council to support a record number of artists and arts organisations. A new record will be set this year with the council's largest ever grants programme of €51 million which will benefit a total of 325 arts organisations around the country, 22 more than last year.
The Department has taken a more direct role in the provision of grant-aid for arts and cultural infrastructure and has provided very substantial funding for the capital development of facilities around the country in recent years. The Department's ACCESS scheme, for example, has provided €45.7 million for the development of 44 facilities including museums, arts centres, theatres, and multi-purpose arts spaces throughout the country.
These are significant amounts of money in any context and the amounts of both current and capital funding that have been provided in recent years have transformed and increased access to the arts and provide an excellent platform for even further developments in the years ahead.
On the promotion of arts internationally, in February 2005 I launched Culture Ireland, the new body charged with the promotion of Irish arts abroad. This year I secured a budget of €3 million for Culture Ireland, up from €2 million in 2005. This increased funding will enable Culture Ireland to develop Ireland's international arts profile, to provide new opportunities for Irish artists and organisations to work abroad, and to forge new connections for Irish arts internationally.
79 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if grant aid will be offered from the proceeds of the national lottery to Maynooth town social club to facilitate the provision of club facilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2731/06]
The national lottery funded sports capital programme, which is administered by the Department, allocates funding to sporting and community organisations at local, regional and national level throughout the country. The programme is advertised on an annual basis.
Applications for funding under the 2006 programme were invited through advertisements in the press on 27 and 28 November 2005. The closing date for receipt of applications was Friday, 20 January 2006. All applications received before the deadline will be evaluated against the programme's assessment criteria, which are outlined in the guidelines, terms and conditions of the programme. From a preliminary analysis of the applications submitted by organisations in County Kildare an application from the organisation referred to by the Deputy is not apparent. I intend to announce the grant allocations for the programme as soon as possible after the assessment process has been completed.
80 Mr. Morgan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the cost to the State of an increase in the strength of the labour inspectorate to 75 inspectors. [2572/06]
An increase in the current complement of labour inspectors from 31 to 75 officers would entail an additional cost of about €4 million. The calculation includes costs for consequential support staff and services and, based on Department of Finance methodology, also incorporates estimated expenditure for overheads, accommodation and pension provision.
81 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if, in relation to a project (details supplied) in County Mayo, when the IDA commenced buying land for same or if land has been purchased; the stage of same at present; when is it expected to have the land purchased for this project; when it is expected to have this project up and running; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2573/06]
The management of IDA Ireland's industrial property portfolio, including the purchase of land and the creation of business parks are day-to-day operational matters for the agency and not matters in which I have a function.
I have been informed by IDA that it has been in discussions with Mayo County Council regarding the purchase of a site of circa 27 acres owned by the local authority on the Sligo Road, Ballina, County Mayo. As part of an exercise to ensure that the lands are suitable for industrial purposes, the agency has completed site investigation works and obtained planning permission for site development works. At present, IDA is awaiting contract documentation and copy of unburdened title from Mayo County Council.
82 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if his attention has been drawn to recent statements by Tralee Chamber of Commerce, County Kerry, expressing grave concern regarding the loss of jobs in the town and the failure by the IDA to bring a major industry to the town in the past five years; the action both his Department and the IDA propose to take to create jobs in the town; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2714/06]
85 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will visit Kerry in the near future to meet with the local chambers of commerce, Kerry County Council and other interested parties to discuss the failure of the IDA to attract new industry to Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2717/06]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 82 and 85 together.
In response to a similar question posed by the Deputy in December last I indicated that I had visited Kerry on 21 July 2005 with officials from my Department and the State development agencies. It is my firm intention to visit the Tralee and north Kerry area as soon as my departmental and parliamentary commitments permit and I look forward to discussion with the local chambers of commerce and other interested groups about investment and economic development generally in the region.
IDA Ireland is the agency with statutory responsibility for the attraction of foreign direct investment to Ireland and I, as Minister, am precluded from giving directives to the agency regarding individual undertakings or from giving preference to one area over others.
At the end of 2004 there were 2,022 people in permanent employment in 21 IDA supported companies in County Kerry. I have been informed by IDA Ireland that employment in client companies in north Kerry increased by 7% in 2005, which is above the national average.
IDA is committed to the development of north Kerry and recognises the need to provide high value employment opportunities that provide sustainable long-term jobs. IDA's strategy for the area is to target companies and projects, particularly in the engineering and consumer products sectors, which are more knowledge intensive and have a higher skill requirement as these types of projects are better capable of integrating into the local economy and being sustained in the long term.
Shannon Development has responsibility for the provision of property solutions in north Kerry which is part of the IDA mid west region. IDA is actively marketing the Kerry technology park, KTP, adjacent to the Institute of Technology, Tralee, and also the Listowel development centre, as property solutions to potential overseas investors. IDA officials are also working with the local authority, chamber of commerce, Shannon Development and private property developers in the Tralee area to improve the infrastructure for investment. The installation of broadband connection, via the metropolitan area network, will be a valuable addition to this infrastructure when completed. In addition the agency is working continuously with the existing client base to deepen the global strategic importance of Irish operations within parent corporations.
I am confident that the strategies and policies being pursued by IDA Ireland, together with the ongoing commitment of Government to regional development, will continue to bear fruit in terms of maximising sustainable investment and jobs for the people of Kerry.
83 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of IDA assisted jobs that have been lost in Kerry each year since 2000; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2715/06]
84 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of jobs created in Kerry by the IDA each year since 2000; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2716/06]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 83 and 84 together.
IDA Ireland is the agency with statutory responsibility for the attraction of foreign direct investment to Ireland and its regions. The Forfás annual employment survey records jobs gained and lost in companies supported by the Industrial Development Agency. Data are compiled on an annualised basis but data on a county basis for 2005 in respect of IDA client companies are not yet available from the agency.
However, at the end of 2004 there were 21 IDA supported companies operating in County Kerry employing 2,022 people. During 2004, 100 new jobs were created in IDA supported companies in the county and 284 jobs were lost in supported companies. The number of jobs lost and gained in Kerry in each of the years from 2000 to 2004 is set out in the tabular statement.
|
Kerry |
2000 |
2001 |
2002 |
2003 |
2004 |
|
Jobs created |
550 |
379 |
151 |
84 |
100 |
|
Jobs lost |
88 |
57 |
670 |
321 |
284 |
86 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the number of people who have been refused payments due to the habitual residence condition since its introduction on 1 May 2004; the details for each social welfare payment type; if a review will take place of all of these cases following the recent EU directive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2615/06]
A total of 7,015 claims were refused by my Department because of the habitual residence condition up to 23 January 2006. A breakdown by scheme type is set out in the tabular statement below.
There has been no EU directive on the habitual residence condition and no review of refused cases is either planned or necessary. However, under Article 7(1) of EEC Regulation 1612/68, a worker who is a national of a member state may not, in the territory of the another member state, be treated differently from national workers by reason of his or her nationality in respect of any conditions of employment and work, in particular as regards remuneration, dismissal and, should he or she become unemployed, reinstatement or re-employment. Under Article 7(2) he or she shall enjoy the same social and tax advantages as national workers there.
The European Court of Justice has held that social benefits guaranteeing the minimum means of subsistence, such as supplementary welfare allowance, is a social advantage within the meaning of Article 7(2) of EEC Regulation 1612/68. Accordingly, on the basis of the principle of equal treatment as outlined above, workers from other EEA countries must be treated in the same way as national workers in determining entitlement to supplementary welfare allowance. This requirement does not apply in the case of other social welfare benefits, such as unemployment assistance or old age pension, as the provisions of EU Regulation 1408/71, which deal with the co-ordination of social security entitlements for migrant workers moving within the EEA, contain specific rules applying to such payments. EU Regulation 1408/71 takes precedence over EEC Regulation 1612/68 in this respect.
In November 2005 a circular issued to community welfare officers, who administer supplementary welfare allowance on behalf of the Department, clarifying the definition of an EEA worker and a former EEA worker. The purpose of the circular was to ensure that there was no uncertainty regarding the treatment of claims for supplementary welfare allowance from EEA workers. Claims from EEA nationals who are job seekers, claims from other EEA nationals who are not workers and claims from non-EEA nationals are not affected by EEC Regulation 1612/68. All such claims are subject to the habitual residence condition and continue to be processed as heretofore.
The following table gives a breakdown of the number of cases disallowed by scheme type.
|
Scheme |
Total Disallowed |
|
Unemployment Assistance |
4,699 |
|
Child Benefit |
1,269 |
|
One Parent Family Payment |
558 |
|
Disability Allowance |
282 |
|
Old Age Non-Contributory Pension |
106 |
|
Carer’s Allowance |
85 |
|
Widow’s Non-Contributory Pension |
14 |
|
Orphan’s Non-Contributory Pension |
1 |
|
Blind Person’s Pension |
1 |
|
7,015 |
87 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs further to Parliamentary Question No. 140 of 1 December 2005, the discussions which have taken place with staff; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2677/06]
There have been no recent developments on this matter and the position remains as outlined in my reply to Parliamentary Question No. 140 of 1 December 2005.
As I indicated in that reply, my Department has been assured by the Office of Public Works that no further action will be taken on the installation in question without discussions between staff representatives and the company contracted by the OPW to oversee the installation. The staff are aware of the situation in this regard.
88 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if the qualification criterion stands at nine months with regard to the back to education allowance for entry into third level courses; if so, when his Department’s website will be updated to state same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2684/06]
The back to education allowance is a second chance education opportunities scheme designed to encourage and facilitate people on certain social welfare payments to improve their skills and qualifications and, therefore, their prospects of returning to the active work force. In budget 2005 the qualifying period for persons accessing the third level option of the scheme was reduced from 15 months' to 12 months' attachment to a relevant social welfare payment. In August 2005, I announced a further reduction in the 12 month requirement to nine months for persons participating in the national employment action plan, NEAP, process, provided that the third level course of study being pursued is assessed and recommended by the FÁS employment services officer as essential to the enhancement of the individual's employment prospects.
The freedom of information guidelines relating to the scheme were updated in a timely manner to reflect the change and published on my Department's website at that time. The information booklet on the scheme, SW70, is updated each year following the budget. The latest version of the booklet is also published on-line on my Department's website.
Given the fact that those persons affected by the reduction to nine months would be informed on an individual basis by the FÁS employment services officer, the then imminence of the new academic year, and the fact that a revised information booklet would not be available in a short timeframe, it was decided that it was not necessary or feasible to produce a new information booklet prior to budget 2006. Work has commenced on the reprint of the information booklet. When the final document is published details will also be updated on my Department's website.
89 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if his Department has information on the level of educational qualification attained by each lone parent in receipt of one parent family payments; if so, the breakdown of the educational qualifications achieved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2685/06]
The one parent family payment, OFP, is paid by my Department to parents who, for one reason or another, are parenting alone. Educational attainment is not a condition for receipt of the payment and no data on the level of qualification attained by the OFP recipient are captured at the time of application. At the end of 2005 there were some 80,000 lone parents in receipt of one parent family payment.
Based on data from the CSO census in 2002, a total of 154,000 persons categorised themselves as lone parents. This included people on one parent family payment, widow's pension and people not in receipt of any social welfare payment. However, a breakdown across those categories is not available. As the total includes more than 37,000 people aged 65 years or more, it presumably includes parents with adult children who self-categorise themselves as lone parents. The CSO's analysis of the lone parent census data shows that 32% of those who categorised themselves as lone parents had primary level or no formal education, 26% had completed the junior certificate, 22% had completed the leaving certificate, 13% had completed third level and 7% were either not stated or not available.
Analysis of the census data shows that age is a key factor in the highest level of education completed, with older age groups tending to have completed education at a lower level. For example, 45.6% of lone parents with primary level or no formal education are aged 65 or more and a further 47.3% are aged 35 to 64, meaning that 92.9% are over 35. Recipients of the one parent family payment tend to fall into younger age groups. For example, two-thirds of OFP recipients are under 35, whereas only 21% of lone parents reported in the census are under 35.
Census data for lone parents aged under 35 show that approximately 10% have primary level education only, including those with no formal education, and a further 37% have intermediate level. Therefore approximately 47% have a level of education which would bring them to the minimum school leaving age but not beyond.
The census findings refer to those in the population as a whole who categorise themselves as lone parents and cannot be assumed to apply in the same proportions to those in receipt of the one parent family payment.
One of the key tasks in the ending child poverty initiative under Sustaining Progress is to address obstacles to employment for lone parents. In this context, a sub-group of the senior officials group on social inclusion has been examining obstacles to employment for lone parent families, with particular emphasis on income supports, employment, education, child care and support programmes and information. In addition, a working group established in my Department to review the income support arrangements for lone parents has looked at issues including the contingency basis of the one parent family payment, cohabitation, maintenance and secondary benefits. A consultation process with social partners and other interested parties was also undertaken to inform the work of the group.
I intend to make the findings of both working groups public in the near future.
90 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Transport the number of samples provided to the MBRS arising from arrests for drink or drug driving in each of the years from 1999 to date in 2006; the number of these samples certified and analysed in each of these years; the number where the sample was defective, where documentation was inadequate or where the process could not be proceeded with due to a procedural fault; the number of such samples found to be over the legal limit for alcohol concentration or with drugs present in each of these years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2660/06]
Data relating to the results of the tests carried out by the medical bureau of road safety, in respect of the establishment of the presence of drugs and-or alcohol in samples presented to it by the Garda, are set out in the bureau's annual reports.
The table below sets out the number of samples received by the bureau, the number of samples analysed and certified, the number of samples where certificates did not issue due to a defect in the sample or accompanying documentation, the number of samples which were over the legal limit for alcohol and the number of samples which showed the presence of a drug or drugs each year from 1999 to 2004. Data relating to 2005 and 2006 are not yet available.
|
No. of samples received for analysis |
No. of samples analysed and certified |
No. of samples where certificates not issued due to defect in sample or accompanying documentation |
No. of samples over legal limit for alcohol |
No. of samples confirmed with presence of drug/s |
|
|
1999 |
8,476 |
8,416 |
60 |
7,810 |
N/A |
|
2000 |
10,134 |
9,586 |
548 |
8,543 |
56 |
|
2001 |
12,503 |
11,362 |
1,141 |
9,724 |
96 |
|
2002 |
12,668 |
11,445 |
1,223 |
9,635 |
117 |
|
2003 |
11,332 |
10,187 |
1,145 |
8,548 |
179 |
|
2004 |
12,161 |
10,970 |
1,191 |
9,042 |
247 |
91 Mr. McCormack asked the Minister for Transport the reason driving tests in articulated lorries have ceased in Galway; and if he intends to rectify the situation by re-instating the driving test for Galway city and county as currently applicants have to travel to Dublin, Limerick or Sligo to complete their test; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2611/06]
Driving tests category EC tests (articulated truck) in Galway City are currently suspended, as certain manoeuvres, which form part of the test, can no longer be safely conducted on test routes in the city. My Department has asked the Office of Public Works to secure a suitable off-road compound so that HGV tests can be conducted safely.
92 Mr. Connolly asked the Minister for Transport the number of driving tests each year since 2000; his proposals to reduce the lengthening waiting list; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2624/06]
The number of tests conducted for each year since 2000 is set out in the following table.
|
Year |
Tests conducted |
|
2000 |
162,696 |
|
2001 |
172,376 |
|
2002 |
148,983 |
|
2003 |
156,415 |
|
2004 |
153,983 |
The final figure for the total number of driving tests conducted in 2005 are currently being finalised and will be forwarded to the Deputy upon completion.
My Department, in consultation with the Minister for Finance, has developed a package of measures to deal with the backlog of driving test applications. It is my intention to reduce the driving test backlog by 80,000 by June 2007. To this end a package of measures was proposed which included a bonus scheme for driver testers, recruitment of an additional ten testers and the outsourcing of a batch of 40,000 tests. The testing and recruitment process of the proposed ten contract testers is currently under way in the Public Appointments Service. Some 89 driver testers have signed up for the bonus scheme which is due to commence on 6 February 2006. This is expected to deliver over 30,000 tests based on commitments given.
The tendering process for the outsourcing of tests has been completed and a preferred tender has been selected. However no contract has yet been awarded as the matter has been the subject of conciliation at the Labour Relations Commission as unions consider the proposed outsourcing to be in breach of Sustaining Progress. Agreement was reached at the LRC under which it was agreed that my Department would seek expressions of interest from surplus staff within the Department of Agriculture and Food for temporary re-deployment as driver testers. A minimum number of 25 additional staff were required. My Department has processed the applications received and this week will interview a shortlist of ten following which the successful candidates will be trained as driver testers. The agreement also provided that in the event of the proposal proving to be undeliverable at any stage the Department would take measures to address the backlog.
As the number of additional staff from the Department of Agriculture and Food is insufficient to deliver the required tests my Department has resumed discussions with the preferred tenderer with a view to awarding a contract for the outsourcing of 40,000 tests.
93 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Transport if he will introduce shadow tolling on the M50 West Link toll bridge until open road tolling is introduced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2625/06]
The West Link toll bridge agreement and issues relating thereto are a matter for the NRA in the first instance. In the context of the overall upgrade of the M50, the NRA is currently engaged in negotiations with NTR concerning the upgrade of the West Link section of the M50 including a move to open road tolling.
94 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Transport the number of driving tests conducted in 2005. [2656/06]
The final figure for the total number of driving tests conducted in 2005 is currently being finalised and will be forwarded to the Deputy upon completion.
95 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Transport the proposals suggested to him or requested by Dublin City Council for regulatory or legislative changes or other statutory provisions in connection with their drafting of a heavy goods vehicle management strategy for Dublin; the date of each request; his views in each case; and the legislative changes he intends making. [2664/06]
The formulation of traffic management strategies generally is a matter for the determination of each local authority. In that context the development of a specific strategy for the management of heavy goods vehicles in Dublin city to coincide with the opening of the Dublin Port Tunnel is a matter for Dublin City Council. An initial draft of such a strategy was made available to my Department in December 2003 for information purposes prior to the instigation by the city council of a public consultation process. Significant developments have been pursued in respect of the proposed strategy and I understand that a further public consultation process was initiated by the city council in respect of their latest proposals in December 2005.
The management strategy currently proposed by the city council will incorporate the application of certain restrictions on the use of heavy goods vehicles in areas in the city, which will have to be supported by an appropriate statutory framework. The city council has been engaged with my Department since early 2004 in the determination of such a framework. This will incorporate the making of traffic and parking regulations under section 35 of the Road Traffic Act 1994 which will address, in particular, the parameters for restrictions or exemptions for the operation of a permit system, and the making of traffic signs regulations under section 95 of the Road Traffic Act 1961.
Decisions regarding the areas where the restrictions will apply and the vehicles that will be subject to it will be matters for the determination of the city council.
96 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Transport when revised regulations for signage for speed limits outside schools will be issued; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2686/06]
In January 2005, I made the Road Traffic (Speed Limit — Traffic Signs) Regulations 2005, SI 10 of 2005, prescribing the regulatory traffic signs displaying metric units of measurement, namely km/h, that the road authorities must provide on public roads to indicate the speed limit in force. This range of traffic signs can be deployed to indicate that a default speed limit, a special speed limit including the use of a periodic speed limit or a road works speed limit is in force.
On 30 November 2005, I made further regulations, the Road Traffic (Traffic Signs — Periodic Special Speed Limits) Regulations 2005, SI 756 of 2005, to provide an alternative format of a speed limit traffic sign, which may be deployed to indicate that a periodic special speed limit under section 9(5) of the Road Traffic Act 2004 is applied.
97 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the way in which the social economy schemes are being administered in Cork city now that the responsibility for administration has gone from FÁS; and the way in which persons can apply and obtain a position on the schemes. [2559/06]
The social economy programme has been renamed the community services programme, or clár seirbhísí pobail, CSP, since its incorporation into my Department on 1 January 2006. Pobal Limited is administering the programme on my Department's behalf, and have commenced making payments to projects. Pobal is also in the process of recruiting staff to provide support to projects on a regional basis. Persons seeking positions on a community services project should contact projects directly. To this end, I have set out a list of projects in the Cork region.
|
Applicant Name |
Address |
Tel. |
|
|
Clonakilty Enterprise Board It |
The Model Railway Village, Clonakilty, Co. Cork |
023-33224 |
|
|
Bantry Rural Transport T/A West Cork Rural Transport |
5 Main Street, Bantry, Co Cork |
027-52727 |
info@ruraltransport.ie |
|
Ballyphehane Community assoc. Ltd |
Ballyphehane Community Centre, Ballyphehane, Tory Top Road, Co. Cork |
021-4962861 |
ballyphehanecc@eircom.net |
|
Cork Gay Community Dev Project |
8 South Main Street, Co. Cork |
021-4278470 |
info@gayproject.com |
|
Cork Social Housing Services Co. Ltd |
1 Gordon Tce, Richmond Hill, Co. Cork |
021-4509018 |
socialhousingcork@eircom.net |
|
Cork Accessible Transport |
20 Commons Road, Cork City |
021-4300804 |
catrans@eircom |
|
Charleville Community Care |
Church View Grounds, Convent of Mercy, Charleville, Co. Cork |
063-89045 |
|
|
Clonakilty Community Sports Association |
Sacred Heart Secondary School, Clonakilty, Co. Cork |
023-36909 |
clonsports@eircom.net |
|
DART |
James O’Keeffe Institute, Newmarket, Co. Cork |
029-60633 |
duhallow@eircom.net |
|
Rccn Housing |
Main Street, Charleville, Co. Cork |
063-21010 |
rccn@eircom.net |
|
Duhallow Community Food Services |
Boherbue, Mallow, Co. Cork. |
029-76375 |
duhallow@eircom.net |
98 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs his views on the decision, according to the interview on Galway Bay FM on 18 November 2005, of the chief executive of Údarás na Gaeltachta not to pursue the directors of a company operating outside the Gaeltacht which was wrongly awarded a substantial grant because of certain inconsistencies in their application and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2560/06]
99 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs his views on the decision, according to the interview on Galway Bay FM on 18 November 2005, of the chief executive of Údarás na Gaeltachta not to pursue the directors of a company operating outside the Gaeltacht which was wrongly awarded a substantial grant because of certain inconsistencies in their application and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2561/06]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 98 and 99 together.
I refer the Deputy to my reply to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 921 and 922 of 25 January 2006.
100 Mr. Walsh asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if CLÁR funding will be provided for a project (details supplied) in County Cork. [2562/06]
I refer the Deputy to my reply to his Parliamentary Question No. 419 of 15 November 2005 on the same topic.
I understand from my colleague the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, Mr. Noel Dempsey, that his Department has provided funding for phase 1 of the Garnish pier project in 2005 and is currently examining funding for phase 2. No funding has been sought for these works under the CLÁR programme in 2005 or 2006.
101 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the reason a person (details supplied) in County Mayo was employed on a rural social scheme and then told that she did not qualify to join the scheme; the further reason this person is not eligible for the scheme in view of the fact that she is in receipt of unemployment benefit and has a herd number; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2563/06]
The conditions of eligibility which need to fulfilled in order to participate in the RSS are as follows. Applicants must be in receipt of farm assist, or have been allocated a valid herd or flock number from the Department of Agriculture and Food and be in receipt of either unemployment assistance or unemployment benefit, if previously on CE disability allowance, from the Department of Social and Family Affairs.
Alternatively, applicants will be self-employed fisherpersons on a fishing boat which has been entered in the register of fishing boats, or have been issued with a fishing licence for fishing for salmon at sea from the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, and in receipt of one of unemployment assistance, unemployment benefit, if previously on CE, or disability allowance from the Department of Social and Family Affairs.
The person in question, prior to commencement on this scheme, was signing for credited social insurance contributions, or credits, with the Department of Social and Family Affairs. Credited contributions are notional social insurance contributions, which are awarded to an insured person without a pay related social insurance, PRSI, payment being received.
My Department has established, following legal advice, that a person signing for credits has no underlying entitlement to participate in the scheme. The person concerned spent one year on the scheme but following the legal clarification was informed that she could not continue to participate for a further period on the basis of credited social insurance contributions. To be eligible going forward a person must meet the criteria set out above.
102 Mr. Connolly asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if he will provide a progress report on the measures to counter the increasing use of cocaine and crack cocaine here; his proposals to meet the needs of users; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2629/06]
The national drugs strategy contains 108 actions to counteract drug misuse, including the misuse of cocaine and crack cocaine. At present there is no substitution treatment drug for cocaine and existing services such as counselling and behavioural therapy are the best treatments available. In this context, the Health Service Executive has recruited additional counsellors and outreach workers in the past number of years.
In 2005 I launched four pilot cocaine treatment projects to examine different methods of treatment for cocaine use, as well as a training initiative focusing on frontline workers. Funding of almost €400,000 was provided by me to support these initiatives.
The four projects deal with the following cohorts of cocaine users; intravenous cocaine users; poly-drug users using cocaine; problematic intranasal cocaine users; and problematic female cocaine users.
Independent consultants have been engaged to conduct an evaluation of the pilot projects. This work has commenced and it is expected that a preliminary report will be available in the coming months. The main thrust of the evaluation will be to analyse, in a systematic manner, what is being achieved by the projects and to report on the lessons to be learned as a result. It is hoped that the results of this evaluation will aid the formulation of further effective actions aimed at tackling cocaine and crack cocaine misuse.
I also point out that all schools now have substance misuse prevention programmes. Furthermore, a national drugs awareness campaign focused specifically on cocaine use in 2004-05. This well-received campaign sought to dispel the image that cocaine was a clean and safe drug with few detrimental consequences.
103 Mr. Connolly asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if he will provide a progress report on the regional drugs task forces; the level of funding for these task forces; the Government’s response to their recommendations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2630/06]
As part of the national drugs strategy, ten regional drugs task forces, RDTFs, have been established throughout the country. The RDTFs work in a partnership manner, similar to the local drugs task forces, LDTFs, and are made up of nominees from State agencies working in the region, the community and voluntary sectors and elected public representatives. They cover all parts of the country that are not serviced by one of the 14 LDTFs.
At the outset the RDTFs were involved in mapping out the patterns of drug misuse in their areas, as well as the current levels of services in place to address these problems. This work informed the development of action plans to address gaps in key services going forward. The action plan in respect of each RDTF was subsequently forwarded to the national drugs strategy team, NDST, for assessment. Arising from the plans, I have made allocations totalling just under €5 million per annum to allow the RDTFs to get a range of projects up and running in their areas.
Furthermore, offers of employment as RDTF co-ordinators have recently been made to those individuals who were successful in a recent recruitment process and I am confident that the level of activity of the RDTFs in the provision of services will increase substantially in the current year.
104 Mr. Aylward asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food when area aid payment will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Mayo. [2604/06]
The 2005 area aid application was made in the name of a person other than the person named. As that person is since deceased outstanding payment due under the scheme will be processed on receipt of copy grant of probate.
105 Mr. Walsh asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if the balance of a single farm payment will be made to a person (details supplied) in County Cork. [2605/06]
Under the provisions of the relevant EU regulations governing the single payment scheme, in order to draw down his or her full single payment, an applicant must declare an eligible hectare to accompany each entitlement. This requirement was set out clearly in the documentation supplied to farmers on a number of occasions.
While the person named established 17.58 entitlements, the single payment scheme application form received on 6 May 2005 declared 14.47 eligible hectares. Payment under the scheme, which amounted to €5,140.37, was based on the 14.47 hectares declared and issued on 1 December 2005.
If the person named declares sufficient land on her 2006 single payment scheme application, she will be in a position to claim full entitlements.
106 Mr. Walsh asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if the balance of a single farm payment will be made to a person (details supplied) in County Cork. [2606/06]
Under the provisions of the relevant EU regulations governing the single payment scheme, in order to draw down his or her full single payment, an applicant must declare an eligible hectare to accompany each entitlement. This requirement was set out clearly in the documentation supplied to farmers on a number of occasions.
While the person named established 6.86 entitlements, the single payment scheme application form received on 13 May 2005 declared. 3.73 eligible hectares. Payment under the scheme, which amounted to €1,424.38, was based on the 3.73 hectares declared and issued on 1 December 2005.
If the person named declares sufficient land on his 2006 single payment scheme application, he will be in a position to claim full entitlements.
107 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if an application by a person (details supplied) in County Kerry to be considered as a force majeure case has been approved; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2607/06]
An application under the force majeure or exceptional circumstances measure of the single payment scheme was submitted by the person named. Having examined the application my Department informed the person named on 16 January 2006 that his application was successful and the years 2000-02 would be excluded and his entitlements would be based on the 1997-99 reference period. The application is now fully processed and it is expected that payment will issue shortly to the person named.
108 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food when payment will be made to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2608/06]
The herdowner applied to have his entitlements consolidated under the 2005 single payment scheme. His application has been processed and payment under the single payment scheme will issue shortly.
109 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food when a payment under the single payment scheme will be made to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2609/06]
The application under the 2005 single payment scheme for the person named has been fully processed and payment amounting to €6,757.30 issued on 24 January 2006.
110 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food when a payment under the single payment scheme will be made to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2610/06]
The application under the 2005 single payment scheme for the person named has now been fully processed and payment will issue shortly.
111 Mr. Connolly asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if the revised farm waste management scheme will be made available without further delay; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2631/06]
119 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food when revised control of farmyard pollution grant rates will be issued; the reason for the delay; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2687/06]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 111 and 119 together.
I do not accept that there has been any delay on the part of my Department in the preparation of the revised farm waste management scheme. Last July I announced outline details of the proposed revised scheme. However, as the Deputies are aware, the approval of the European Commission is required for such from a state aids perspective. A formal application seeking Commission approval for the revised scheme was submitted on 30 September 2005. The application has been the subject of ongoing negotiation between the Commission and my Department in the intervening period.
I expect that the outstanding issues will be resolved in the near future so that the revised scheme can be introduced at an early date.
112 Mr. Connolly asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if the Heritage Council’s recommendations will be considered in the upcoming REP scheme negotiations in the context of a new REP scheme four as part of the new rural development plan 2007-13; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2632/06]
My Department received 80 submissions as part of the REPS 4 consultative process, including one from the Heritage Council. All of these submissions will be considered in preparing Ireland's rural development plan for the period 2007-13 for submission to the European Commission. All those who made submissions, including the Heritage Council, have been invited to an open forum on 2 February 2006 at which they will have a further opportunity to take part in the consultative process.
114 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food when a person (details supplied) in County Roscommon will have their single farm payment issued; the reason for the delay; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2661/06]
The person named submitted applications for consideration in respect of the new entrant and inheritance measures of the single payment scheme. Following processing of his new entrant application, the person named was notified that his application was unsuccessful, as he claimed no premia in the reference years 2000-02.
However, his application requesting the inheritance measure to transfer entitlements as a result of receiving lands by way of gift was successful. The necessary transfer has been completed and the person named has received payment amounting to €4,637.12. The remaining balance of €2,582.57 will issue to the person named shortly.
115 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the reason for the delay in issuing a person (details supplied) with their single farm payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2663/06]
The application under the 2005 single payment scheme for the person named has been fully processed and payment has issued.
116 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the regions within which the national reserve allocation under the single farm payment is calculated; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2672/06]
The position is that when making allocations from the national reserve under the non-mandatory categories — new entrants and, in Ireland's case, certain hill sheep farmers with commonage land — the allocation must not have the effect of increasing the value of existing entitlements above the regional average value. Where new entitlements are being allocated from the reserve in such cases the value must not exceed the regional average value. I will make an announcement on what constitutes the regional average in the near future.
117 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food when she will issue allocations under the national reserve for the single farm payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2678/06]
The position is that more than 23,000 applications for an allocation of entitlements from the national reserve were received when account is taken of farmers who applied under more than one category. Processing of these applications is continuing and the intention is to make allocations to successful applicants at the earliest opportunity. My Department will be in touch with individual applicants as soon as their applications are fully processed when formal letters setting out my Department's decision will be issued.
118 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food when a decision will be made on the single payment scheme 2005 national reserve allocation of entitlements for a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2681/06]
The person named submitted an application for an allocation of entitlements from the single payments scheme national reserve under category D. Category D caters for farmers who commenced farming after 31 December 2002 or who commenced farming in 2002 but who received no direct payments in respect of that scheme year. In addition the farmer must have either purchased or inherited land. The position is that more than 23,000 applications for an allocation of entitlements from the national reserve were received when account is taken of farmers who applied under more than one category. Processing of these applications is continuing and the intention is to make allocations to successful applicants at the earliest opportunity. My Department will be in touch with individual applicants as soon as their applications are fully processed when formal letters setting out my Department's decision will be issued.
120 Ms Enright asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the reason no single farm payment has been awarded to a person (details supplied) in County Offaly; the reason same has not been awarded even though it has been applied for; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2703/06]
In January 2005 the ownership details of the herd number quoted were transferred to the second person named above. However, the SPS application submitted in May 2005 was signed by the first named person resulting in a need to transfer the single payment entitlements from that person to the second person named. A SPS 10 application form was received in my Department on 19 January 2006 and has now been processed. Arrangements are being put in place to transfer the entitlements and issue the single payment shortly.
121 Ms Enright asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the reason no REP scheme payment has been made to a person (details supplied) in County Offaly; the reason same has not been awarded even though it has been applied for; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2704/06]
No payment is due to the REPS participant as she indicated that she wished to terminate her REPS contract and retire from farming. Her daughter's application has been processed and payment will issue shortly.
122 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if the decision not to accept a person (details supplied) in County Kerry as a force majeure case could be reviewed in view of their circumstances during the reference years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2707/06]
The person named submitted an application, on 28 October 2004, for consideration of his circumstances under the second tranche of the force majeure-exceptional circumstances measure of the single payment scheme. Having assessed the application the single payment entitlements unit informed the person named that the circumstances outlined did not fulfil the force majeure criteria laid down in Article 40 of Council Regulation (EC) No. 1782/2003. Furthermore, no payments issued under the premia and arable aid schemes, except a minimal amount of slaughter premium, during the reference period 2000-02 and none during the earlier reference period 1997-99. There are no provisions under the force majeure measure that permit the allocation of any additional entitlements regardless of the circumstances.
However, the person named was advised to submit applications under the new entrant-inheritance measures of the single payment scheme. During the processing of his new entrant application, it was established that he was not eligible under this measure because he did not establish entitlements in his own right in the reference years 2000-02. However, the application for the transfer of entitlements by way of inheritance was successful and he was notified that inherited entitlements were transferred to him. A single payment amounting to €256.58 was paid to the applicant on 1 December 2005. The outstanding amount of €1,281.00 due to the person named in respect of the dairy premium is scheduled to issue to him shortly.
123 Mr. Connaughton asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position regarding an application for registration by a person (details supplied) in County Galway; if this application will be expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2574/06]
I have requested the Land Registry to contact him directly concerning the current position of the application in question. I understand that, in circumstances where the completion of an application in a particular case is urgent, the Land Registry will make every reasonable effort to facilitate such requests on receipt of a written explanation as to the reason underlying the urgency.
124 Mr. Connaughton asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if it is proposed to make changes in the method by which the gardaí attached to Monivea Garda station, Monivea, Athenry, County Galway, will be deployed in the future; if the present garda strength of two will be maintained for the benefit exclusively of the Monivea community; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that between 500 and 1,000 young people socialise in the village most weekends of the year; if his attention has further been drawn to the fact that this community values the service given by its present gardaí and deem same to be the minimum level of policing acceptable in the circumstances; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2575/06]
I have been informed by the Garda authorities, which are responsible for the detailed allocation of resources, including personnel, that the personnel strength of Monivea Garda station as at 25 January 2006 was one sergeant and one garda. Local Garda management states there are currently no plans to alter the personnel strength of Monivea Garda station and resources are augmented from within the district-division, as required. Local Garda management also states it will continue to monitor policing arrangements in all sub-districts with a view to ensuring that all areas receive an adequate policing service and when additional personnel next become available the needs of Monivea Garda station will be fully considered within the overall context of the needs of Garda stations throughout the country.
The timescale for achieving the target strength of 14,000 members of the Garda Síochána in line with the commitment in the agreed programme for Government remains as when I announced the Government approval in October 2004 for my proposals to achieve this objective. The phased increase in the strength of the Garda Síochána to 14,000 will lead to a combined strength, of both attested gardaí and recruits in training, of 14,000 by the end of this year. As part of the accelerated recruitment campaign to facilitate this process, 1,125 Garda recruits were inducted to the Garda College during 2005. The college will induct 1,100 recruits this year and a further 1,100 in 2007, by way of intakes to the Garda College of approximately 275 recruits every quarter. This project is fully on target and will be achieved.
125 Mr. O’Connor asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if consideration will be given to the application supported by the community and the Garda authorities in respect of a Garda diversion project for Tymon North, Tallaght, Dublin 24; the needs in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2576/06]
There are currently 64 Garda youth diversion projects, three of which — KEY, JAY and YEW — are operating in the Tallaght area. In addition, one sergeant and four Garda level juvenile liaison officers operate from Tallaght Garda station. I am committed to the continuing development and, as resources permit, expansion of Garda youth diversion projects and the possibility of funding further projects in light of budgetary conditions remains. A budget of €6.6 million has been provided for the Garda youth diversion projects and local drugs task force projects in 2006. This represents an increase of €1.2 million in the budget for youth diversion compared with 2005.
It is my intention to ensure that 100 schemes will be established nationwide before the end of 2007. I have, therefore, asked the Garda Commissioner to bring forward proposals for further community based initiatives in this area in light of the additional funding. I am informed by the Garda authorities that an updated application for an additional project in the Tallaght area — the STAY project — was received by the Garda community relations section on 5 January 2006. The catchment area proposed by this project covers Tymon North. This application is being assessed by the community relations section in accordance with the Garda youth diversion project guidelines. This assessment, when completed, and a recommendation on funding will be forwarded to my Department for consideration.
126 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he has received a copy of the IPA report to the board of the National Disability Authority on the way in which the NDA is run; if he has seen the report; if the report will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2577/06]
The report to which the Deputy refers is an independent report commissioned from the IPA by the board of the National Disability Authority on foot of a formal complaint on an operational matter within the NDA. Copies of the report have now issued to all the parties immediately concerned. I am not one of those parties and have not received or seen a copy of the report. I am informed by the authority that the matter at issue has been dealt with to the satisfaction of the authority and that there are no plans to publish the report.
127 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the membership of the disability legislation consultation group; the remit of this group; the meetings he or his Minister of State have had with the members of this group following the passage of the Disability Act 2005; his plans to set up additional such groups with a wider membership to monitor the progress of the Disability Act 2005; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2578/06]
The disability legislation consultation group, DLCG, is a group comprising representatives of people with disabilities, their families, carers and service providers brought together by the National Disability Authority, NDA, to provide an input to the consultation process on the Disability Bill initiated by the Government in April 2002.
Neither I nor the Minister of State have formally met the DLCG since the enactment of the Disability Bill in July 2005. With regard to the question of monitoring the progress of the Disability Act 2005, I accept that a broadly based representative group or groups capable of channelling overall concerns in this regard and making representations to Ministers in relevant Departments would be advantageous for Departments and the disability sector. I would welcome any initiative from the sector, in the first place, to organise itself on this basis or any such initiative that may be facilitated by the NDA. Officials from my Department are currently in contact with the NDA with a view to advancing the position in this regard. In the event that nothing crystallises, the Minister of State intends to consider how best to facilitate, if necessary, an initiative.
I might add that Departments are engaging with the sector on the matters particular to those Departments under the Disability Act and good examples of constructive consultations are evident in the process of the development by the various Departments of their sectoral plans under the Act. The NDA is playing a valuable role in supporting and co-ordinating this consultation.
128 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position regarding an application for a person (details supplied) in County Wexford. [2579/06]
The person in question applied for permission to remain in the State under the revised arrangements announced by me on 15 January 2005 for the processing of applications from the non-national parents of Irish born children born before 1 January 2005. It is required under the revised arrangements that the applicant must provide evidence that he or she has been living with the Irish born child or children in the State on a continuous basis since the child's birth. In this case, the applicant did not provide any evidence to show that he is resident with his Irish born children or is involved in their upbringing. It is also required that the applicant provides evidence of identity in the form of a passport or national identity card. The applicant has not to date submitted either of these documents. Accordingly, the application for permission to remain was refused.
129 Mr. Gogarty asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform when a decision will be made on an application for Irish citizenship by persons (details supplied) in County Dublin. [2580/06]
I am pleased to inform the Deputy that I have recently approved the applications for certificates of naturalisation by the persons referred to by the Deputy. I am advised that officials from the citizenship section of my Department will shortly be in touch with the persons concerned to inform them of my decision, as well as the procedures which must be finalised before certificates of naturalisation can issue. Once these procedures are completed, certificates of naturalisation will issue as soon as possible thereafter. I will inform the Deputy when the matter is finalised.
130 Ms C. Murphy asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if funding for a 24-hour permanent freephone helpline for missing persons will be provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2581/06]
131 Ms C. Murphy asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the reason funding was withdrawn for the missing persons helpline on 31 March 2005; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2582/06]
134 Ms C. Murphy asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if his attention has been drawn to initiatives undertaken in other jurisdictions within the EU to assist the families of missing persons, such as the provision of missing persons helplines; if he intends to provide similar services in this jurisdiction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2585/06]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 130, 131 and 134 together.
I refer the Deputy to my replies to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 1075, 1076, 1082, 1084, 1086, 1087, 1091, 1108, 1120, 1149 and 1156 of 25 January 2006.
132 Ms C. Murphy asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of people who have been reported missing each year between 1995 and 2005; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2583/06]
133 Ms C. Murphy asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of people who have been reported missing each year between 1995 and 2005; the number of people who remained missing at the end of each of those years; the way in which these figures compare with corresponding figures in other EU member states; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2584/06]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 132 and 133 together.
I have made inquiries with the Garda authorities and the information requested by the Deputy is set out in the following table.
|
Year |
No. of persons reported missing |
Numbers untraced at end of year |
|
1995 |
1,578 |
17 |
|
1996 |
1,444 |
10 |
|
1997 |
1,848 |
3 |
|
1998 |
2,015 |
10 |
|
1999 |
1,800 |
15 |
|
2000 |
1,806 |
20 |
|
2001 |
2,123 |
53 |
|
2002 |
2,337 |
57 |
|
2003 |
3,987 |
58 |
|
2004 |
5,060 |
43 |
|
2005 |
4,319 |
72 |
The figures for 2005 are provisional, operational, liable to change and cover the period up to September 2005. I understand that the Garda Síochána does not have access to missing person statistics for other EU member states. In order to provide comparable statistics with other EU member states, it would be necessary to make a detailed analysis of their missing person definitions, counting rules and procedures.
135 Mr. Connaughton asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position regarding an application for registration by a person (details supplied) in County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2621/06]
I wish to inform the Deputy that I have requested the Land Registry to contact him directly concerning the current position of the application in question.
136 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if the Land Registry Office will be instructed to expedite a dealing on folios (details supplied) in County Mayo; and when this matter will be completed. [2622/06]
I wish to inform the Deputy that I have requested the Land Registry to contact him directly concerning the current position of the application in question. I understand that, in circumstances where the completion of an application in a particular case is urgent, the Land Registry will make every reasonable effort to facilitate such requests on receipt of a written explanation as to the reason underlying the urgency.
137 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the provisional headline crime statistics for the Carlow-Kildare division for 2005. [2634/06]
I am informed by the Garda authorities that the following table shows the headline offences recorded and detected by group for the Carlow-Kildare division. The figures provided for 2005 are provisional, operational and liable to change.
|
Year 2005 |
Recorded |
Detected |
|
Homicide |
3 |
2 |
|
Assault |
199 |
142 |
|
Sexual Offences |
77 |
35 |
|
Arson |
72 |
18 |
|
Drugs |
113 |
113 |
|
Thefts |
2,407 |
772 |
|
Burglary |
1,638 |
192 |
|
Robbery |
97 |
24 |
|
Fraud |
167 |
120 |
|
Other |
60 |
42 |
|
Total |
4,833 |
1,460 |
138 Mr. O’Dowd asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will make a statement on the success of the immigration Border control unit in Dundalk, County Louth incurbing the flow of illegal immigration into the country; and if extra resources will be provided to deal with this growing problem. [2635/06]
In October 2004 the Commissioner approved the establishment of an immigration unit, consisting of one sergeant and six gardaí, in Louth-Meath division to target immigration issues relating to the Border with Northern Ireland, paying particular attention to the main Dublin-Belfast routes.
The unit has proved successful and in 2005 refused 854 non-nationals leave to land having detected them attempting to enter the State illegally through Northern Ireland. Local management continues to monitor the effectiveness of the unit and personnel levels are regularly reviewed.
139 Mr. O’Dowd asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position regarding the provision of closed circuit television in the towns of Drogheda and Ardee, County Louth; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2636/06]
As the Deputy will be aware, an application for a Garda CCTV system in Drogheda had been submitted to the CCTV advisory committee for consideration. This committee was established by the Garda Commissioner to advise on all matters relating to CCTV systems. Following recommendations from the Garda authorities, I have approved the implementation of new Garda CCTV systems in a further six locations, including Drogheda. The additional locations are as follows, in alphabetical order: Drogheda, Dungarvan, Kinsale, Mullingar, Portlaoise and Tullamore.
With the addition of the six new locations I have outlined, a total of 17 Garda town centre CCTV systems will be implemented in the following locations: Athlone, Ballyfermot, Carlow, Castlebar, Clondalkin, Clonmel, Drogheda, Dungarvan, Ennis, Kilkenny, Kinsale, Mullingar, Portlaoise, Sligo, Tallaght, Tullamore and Waterford.
As I have indicated previously, I am anxious to accelerate the implementation of this CCTV programme and reduce as far as possible the workload of the Garda Síochána in this regard. The answer is to outsource the installation of Garda CCTV systems to the greatest extent possible, making use not only of the technical but also of the project management expertise in the private sector.
In recent months the Garda Síochána has conducted a thorough examination of all aspects of Garda involvement in CCTV systems. Following this review, I have recently received a comprehensive and innovative proposal for the project management and the outsourced service provision of Garda CCTV systems from the Garda Commissioner.
The Garda authorities wish to commence the initial public procurement process and I am also anxious to proceed urgently with this comprehensive request for tender to source the best CCTV service possible for Drogheda and the other 16 locations selected. This will happen in conjunction with the imminent commencement of section 38 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005 which provides a legislative basis for the operation of CCTV in public places. My Department is currently in consultation with the Department of Finance with a view to proceeding as quickly as possible with the procurement process to contract the project managers and outsourced service providers for the development, installation and management of these CCTV systems.
My ambition is to have a Garda CCTV system operating in Drogheda and in the other 16 locations, at the earliest opportunity, subject to the limitations of compliance with relevant procurement legislation and procedures.
In addition, I have recently approved a grant for stage 2 — operational — funding, subject to contract negotiations with Pobal, to Drogheda Borough Council following its successful application under my Department's community based CCTV scheme. Pobal has been engaged to administer the scheme on behalf of my Department and will liaise directly with the applicant before a draw down of funds is authorised.
I understand that the council's community CCTV proposal involves the installation of cameras in a number of RAPID designated areas in Drogheda. This differs from the Drogheda Garda CCTV system, which will cover the town centre.
On CCTV for Ardee, I recently approved a stage 1 — pre-development — grant award of €5,000 to Ardee community CCTV scheme group following an application under my Department's community based CCTV scheme.
I am further advised by Pobal that it has recently written directly to all successful stage 1 applicants regarding the next step in this process. It is also my intention to invite a new round of applications for funding under the community based CCTV scheme in the coming months, and it is open to the Ardee community CCTV scheme group to submit a stage 2 application for funding at that time.
140 Mr. O’Dowd asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his views on the recent report published by the Louth county coroner (details supplied) in which they concluded that almost half of all people killed in road accidents in County Louth in the last six years were found to have consumed alcohol; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2637/06]
The consumption of alcohol and drugs has long been accepted as a factor which increases the risk of involvement in collisions. The information contained in the report of the Louth county coroner is further confirmation of the deleterious relationship between alcohol, drugs and driving. The report shows a trend towards improved driver behaviour with a general increase in the percentage of drivers below the alcohol legal limit for the period. While in 2000 some 57% of drivers killed in road traffic accidents were below the legal limit, this increased to 78% and 82% in 2004 and 2005, respectively.
141 Mr. McGuinness asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the status of an application for family reunification made in May 2005 in the name of a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny; and if a response will be expedited. [2652/06]
The refugee in question made an application for family reunification in May 2005. The application was forwarded to the Refugee Applications Commissioner for investigation as required under section 18 of the Refugee Act 1996. When this investigation is completed, the commissioner will prepare and forward a report to my Department. Upon receipt of this report the application will be considered and a decision will issue shortly thereafter.
142 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of drivers involved in a traffic accident where a fatality occurred in each of the past five years; and the breakdown for each of those years for the nationality, age range, sex, insurance status and driving licence status of the driver. [2654/06]
143 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of drivers involved in a traffic accident where a fatality occurred in each of the past five years; and the breakdown for each of those years for the age of the vehicle, the vehicle type, the country of registration and the vehicle’s national car test status. [2655/06]
144 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of convictions in each of the past six years for which figures are available on drink driving offences; the breakdown between driving under the influence of alcohol and driving under the influence of drugs. [2659/06]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 142 to 144, inclusive, together.
I am informed that the National Roads Authority, which is under the aegis of the Department of Transport, is tasked with the compilation of statistics relating to road collisions within the State. I have made inquiries of the Garda authorities and the following table gives details of the number of convictions for drink driving for the period 2000-2004:
|
2000 |
6,593 |
|
2001 |
6,790 |
|
2002 |
5,212 |
|
2003 |
3,060 |
|
2004 |
3,180 |
The number of convictions for drink driving shows a reduction for the years 2002 and 2003. A contributory factor to this reduction was the adjournment of a very large number of cases based on the results of evidential breath testing in Garda stations to await the outcome of a constitutional challenge to the Road Traffic Act 1994, which has since been successfully defended in the courts. I am further informed by the Garda authorities that figures are not complied in such a way as to distinguish between driving under the influence of alcohol and driving under the influence of drugs. The final figure for 2005 is not yet available.
145 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of arrests for drink or drug driving in each of the years from 1999 to date in 2006; the number of summonses issued in each of these years; the number of convictions arising from such arrests (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2660/06]
I regret it has not been possible in the time available to obtain the information requested by the Deputy. I will be in contact with her when it becomes available.
146 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the residential status of a person (details supplied) in County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2665/06]
The person concerned, a Nigerian national, arrived in the State on 7 March 2005 and claimed asylum. Her application was refused by the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner on 15 June 2005. Her subsequent appeal was refused by the Office of the Refugee Appeals Tribunal and she was notified of this recommendation by letter on 31 August 2005.
In accordance with section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999, the person concerned was informed on 27 September 2005 that the Minister proposed to make a deportation order in respect of her. In accordance with the Act, she was given the option of making representations within 15 working days setting out the reasons she should not be deported, that is, be allowed to remain temporarily in the State; leaving the State before the deportation order was made; or consenting to the making of the deportation order. Representations setting out reasons that she should not be deported were subsequently received.
The details provided with the question indicate the person concerned has an Irish-born child. However, the child was born in Ireland on 21 April 2005 and, under the terms of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 2004, which came into force on 1 January 2005, does not have an automatic right to citizenship.
I expect the case file in this matter to be submitted to me shortly for decision. This decision will be taken having regard to considerations specified in section 3(6) of the Immigration Act 1999, as amended. These considerations include matters relating to the common good, the person's family and domestic circumstances, as well as humanitarian considerations. Consideration will also be given to the prohibition of refoulement which is contained in section 5 of the Refugee Act 1996, as amended.
147 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if the application for refugee or residency status in the case of persons (details supplied) in County Kerry will be examined; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2666/06]
The applicants in question applied for permission to remain in Ireland on the basis of having an Irish-born child prior to 1 January 2005, in accordance with the revised arrangements announced by me on 15 January 2005. It is a requirement under the revised arrangements that each applicant is resident with his or her child on a continuous basis since the child's birth and that evidence of such residence be provided.
The applicants' child was born in May 2004 but no evidence is provided of their being resident in this country between 21 July 2004 and 31 March 2005. On the basis of the foregoing, the applications for permission to remain were refused. No satisfactory evidence of continuous residency between 21 July 2004 and 31 March 2005 has been provided since the applicants received notice of the refusal of permission to remain in Ireland under the revised arrangements.
148 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the status of the application for residency or reunification status in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2667/06]
The refugee in question made an application for family reunification in November 2005. The application was forwarded to the Refugee Application Commissioner for investigation as required under section 18 of the Refugee Act 1996.
When this investigation is completed, the commissioner will prepare and forward a report to my Department. On receipt of this report, the application will be considered and a decision will issue shortly thereafter.
149 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if further action will be deferred in respect of deportation to Belgium or the Democratic Republic of Congo in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Dublin until such time as persons can assemble the necessary documentation from the DRC and having particular regard to the seriously life threatening situation for them in the DRC; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2668/06]
I would like to clarify at the outset that the person concerned is not the subject of a deportation order. She is, however, subject to a transfer order under the Dublin II Regulation — Council Regulation (EC) No. 343/2003. This regulation is intended to prevent the phenomenon of "asylum shopping" across Europe and sets out criteria for determining which member state is responsible for examining an asylum application. At the same time, it guarantees applicants that one state will process their application, thereby preventing the creation of "refugees in orbit", a situation which had pertained in Europe prior to the introduction in 1995 of its predecessor, the Dublin Convention. Under the Dublin II Regulation, the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner can, on the basis of the relevant criteria, request another state to accept responsibility for an asylum application and have it processed in that other state.
The person concerned arrived in Ireland on 14 October 2005 and claimed asylum. Following investigation, it was determined by the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner that pursuant to the provisions of the Dublin regulation, Belgium was the appropriate state to process her application as she had already made an earlier asylum claim there on 4 April 2005. She was offered an opportunity to appeal the determination of the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner to the Office of the Refugee Appeals Tribunal but chose not to do so. She was kept informed of developments throughout the course of her asylum application in Ireland and was made aware that her case fell to be dealt with under the terms of the Dublin II Regulation.
Belgium accepted responsibility for this case and a transfer order was signed on 11 January 2006 in respect of the person concerned, requiring her to return to Belgium. The order issued to her on 16 January 2006 requiring her to present herself to the Garda National Immigration Bureau, GNIB, 13-14 Burgh Quay, Dublin 2, on Monday 23 January 2006. She presented as required. Her removal from the State and transfer to Belgium is now an operational matter for GNIB.
Belgium, and not Ireland, is responsible for examining the asylum application of the person concerned. Indeed it is for the Belgian authorities to assess the protection needs, if any, of the person concerned. Belgium is a party to and thus bound by international human rights instruments which prohibit refoulement. I am, therefore, satisfied that any medical and-or protection needs arising in this case can be suitably dealt with by the Belgian authorities.
150 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the status of the application for naturalisation in the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 22; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2669/06]
An application for a certificate of naturalisation from the person referred to by the Deputy was received in the citizenship section of my Department on 14 July 2004.
The average processing time for such applications is 24 months at the present time. It is likely, therefore, that the case will be finalised in or around July this year. I will be in touch with both the Deputy and the applicant when I have reached a decision in the matter.
151 Mr. Kehoe asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he has been asked to meet a council (details supplied) in County Wexford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2691/06]
Officials from my Department have been unable to trace any recent request for a meeting from the group referred to in the question. On receipt of a request I will give it due consideration.
152 Ms Enright asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if a deportation order (details supplied) will be re-examined in view of the clear and apparent threat of female genital mutilation to persons; if same was considered in making the original decision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2696/06]
Judicial review proceedings were instituted in this case on 13 January 2006 and accordingly, as the matter is sub judice, I do not propose to comment further on the matter.
153 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the reason for the delay in processing an application for naturalisation for a person (details supplied); the reason the November 2005 target date provided in response to Parliamentary Question No. 669 of 12 April 2005 for the processing of this application was missed by his Department; and if he will arrange for the application to be processed as soon as possible. [2706/06]
In my response to the Deputy's question on 12 April 2005, I informed her that the average processing time for applications for naturalisation was 24 months and based on that, the application of the person concerned was likely to be finalised circa November 2005.
As the Deputy will appreciate, the above timeframes are given as a guide only and it is not possible to be accurate as to when applications will ultimately be finalised. The finalisation of applications is contingent on all documentation being available and in order. In the case of the person referred to, information was sought by my officials on 17 October 2005. Some information and documentation was provided on 24 October, but it was necessary to write to the person concerned again on 12 December to obtain other outstanding documentation. The balance of the documentation was submitted on 14 December.
I understand that processing of the application of the person concerned is now finalised and that it will be submitted to me within the next week. I will advise both the applicant and the Deputy of my decision in the matter shortly thereafter.
154 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the residency status in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Waterford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2748/06]
The person in question applied for permission to remain in Ireland on the basis of having an Irish born child prior to 1 January 2005, in accordance with the revised arrangements announced by me on 15 January 2005. Her application is currently being reviewed and I will notify the Deputy when the outcome of the review is known.
155 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if a decision to refuse refugee status in the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 8 takes full account of the health, safety and well-being of this person if returned to their homeland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2749/06]
The person concerned arrived in the State on 1 July 2005 and claimed asylum on that date. His asylum claim was investigated by the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner who concluded that the person concerned did not meet the criteria for recognition as a refugee. This position was conveyed to the person concerned by letter dated 9 August 2005. This communication also advised the person concerned of his entitlement to appeal this determination to the Refugee Appeals Tribunal which he duly did. The Refugee Appeals Tribunal considered this appeal and, having done so, decided to affirm the recommendation of the Refugee Applications Commissioner. This position was conveyed to the person concerned by letter dated 16 November 2005.
In accordance with normal procedures, the file of the person concerned was forwarded to the ministerial decisions unit of the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform for the purposes of having the Minister's formal decision conveyed to the person concerned, in accordance with the provisions of section 17(1) of the Refugee Act 1996, as amended. As a result, by letter dated 16 January 2006, my Department's ministerial decisions unit wrote to the person concerned to advise him that he had been refused a declaration of refugee status. This communication also advised him that his entitlement to be in the State had expired and advised him of the options open to him at that point in time, namely, to leave the State voluntarily, to consent to deportation or to submit, within 15 working days, written representations to the Minister setting out reasons why he should not be deported, that is, why he should be permitted to remain in the State.
Any representations received from or on behalf of the person concerned will be fully considered before a final decision is taken in relation to his position in the State. In arriving at such a decision, I must have regard for the 11 headings set out in section 3(6) of the Immigration Act 1999, as amended, for example, the family and domestic circumstances of the person concerned, the duration of their residence in the State and other humanitarian considerations and I must also have regard for section 5 of the Refugee Act 1996, as amended, on the prohibition of refoulement.
The Deputy should note that all elements of an asylum claim advanced by an applicant are fully investigated by the Refugee Applications Commissioner at first instance and, on appeal, by the Refugee Appeals Tribunal before they reach a conclusion in each individual case. Additionally, where an applicant is found, on investigation, by those bodies to not be a refugee, he or she is afforded an opportunity to set out reasons as to why he or she should not be deported. As a result, I am satisfied that the State's refugee status determination processes provide sufficient safeguards to ensure that all issues related to the health, safety and well-being of an applicant, if returned to their homeland, are given full consideration.
156 Ms Enright asked the Minister for Education and Science if the case of a person (details supplied) in County Offaly will be reviewed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2586/06]
The Deputy will be aware that the National Council for Special Education, which was established recently and has been operational since 1 January 2005, is responsible for processing applications for special educational needs supports. Over 70 special educational needs organisers have been recruited throughout the country and are a focal point of contact for schools and parents. My officials have been advised by the council that an application has been received for special educational needs supports for the pupil referred to by the Deputy. The local special educational needs organiser has sanctioned five hours of individual resource teaching and five hours of special needs assistant support to the pupil. The school authorities were notified accordingly on 24 October 2005. The council will review decisions previously taken on such cases on foot of a request from the school, or from parents or guardians, when accompanied by relevant additional information that may not have been to hand at the time of the decision. The council outlined this process in circular 01/05, which it issued to all primary schools.
157 Ms Enright asked the Minister for Education and Science when the school building section of her Department will approve the tender documents for a school (details supplied) in County Wexford; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2587/06]
The tender report for the proposed extension at the school to which the Deputy refers has been recently received by the Department of Education and Science and is being examined. Officials from the Department will be in contact with the vocational education committee as soon as the examination is completed.
158 Mr. Bruton asked the Minister for Education and Science her plans to extend the CSPE examination from the junior certificate to the senior certificate; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2588/06]
Civic, social and political education is part of the core curriculum for junior cycle students. It was introduced in September 1996 and first examined in the junior certificate examination in June 1999. As the Deputy knows, the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment submitted to me its proposals for the future development of senior cycle education last year. This advice, which is based on extensive consultation and research, includes a recommendation that the range of subjects offered for leaving certificate should be reviewed to establish the new subjects which should be added. It specifies civic and political education as one of the first new subjects that should be considered. The national council is advancing its proposals for senior cycle reform. It has prioritised civic and political education by placing it in the first phase of subjects to be addressed. I understand that an education officer with a specific remit for civic and social education was recently appointed and that work has already begun on this aspect of the reform. There is a need to provide senior cycle students with opportunities to build on the foundations laid in the junior certificate civic, social and political education course and to further develop their knowledge and understandings of citizenship, based on human rights and social responsibilities. I will be advised on how to proceed in this regard in due course by the national council.
159 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for Education and Science if a person who is four years or more in a temporary full-time position as a teacher, can be expected to be made permanent on the teaching staff; the criteria involved in relation to gaining permanence of such teaching posts within the education sector; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2589/06]
The number of permanent teaching posts available in individual schools at any given time is determined in accordance with agreed criteria relating to the application of the pupil teacher ratio. It is a matter for the individual school authority, as the employer, to determine whether any particular post when vacated may be filled on a permanent basis. The terms and conditions of the employment of teachers are agreed at the Teachers' Conciliation Council on which the teacher unions, school management authorities and the Departments of Finance and Education and Science are represented. Agreements reached at the council are of general application to all teachers. Discussions are ongoing under the auspices of the council about matters arising in the context of the implementation of the Protection of Employees (Fixed-Term) Work Act 2003. Agreement has been reached on the award of contracts of indefinite duration. The criteria for the award of such contracts were forwarded to post-primary schools in circular PPT 14/05 and to primary schools in primary circular 24/05. Circular letters giving additional details about this issue will be distributed to primary and post-primary schools shortly.
160 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for Education and Science if a study will be undertaken by the commission on school accommodation, for the north Kerry area, including Tralee, Castleisland and Listowel; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2590/06]
The area development plan for the north Kerry area will be published shortly. The plan will cover educational provision in the Tralee, Castleisland and Listowel area factoring in existing education provision in these towns and their environs.
This new model for planning for educational infrastructure is designed to ensure that, in future, school provision will be decided after a transparent consultation process. In this regard, trustees, parents, sponsors of prospective schools and all interested parties from a locality will have the opportunity to have their voices heard in the process.
The process involves the publication of a draft area development plan of which the main components are: details of existing primary and post primary provision; examination of the demographics of the area; commentary on the data; and recommendations for the area into the future.
Following publication of the draft area development plan, the commission on school accommodation will conduct a public engagement process to which all interested parties can make submissions. All of these submissions will be published. The process in each case culminates in the publication of a final area development plan against which all capital funding decisions will be made over the next decade. Final area development plans have been published for the Mountmellick-Mountrath area; the area around the N4 from Leixlip through Kilcock, Enfield, Longwood, Kinnegad and Rochfortbridge to Kilbeggan; and Westport-Newport.
161 Ms O’Sullivan asked the Minister for Education and Science if a home tuition grant will be restored to a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2617/06]
The home tuition scheme is primarily intended to provide compensatory instruction for pupils who have a medical ailment that is likely to cause major disruption to their attendance at school. In this context, my Department provides home tuition grants in respect of pupils who cannot attend school at all, or who are absent for a significant proportion of the school year. My Department also sanctions home tuition in cases where children are awaiting a suitable school placement.
I confirm that the pupil in question is enrolled in a mainstream primary school with appropriate supports. The pupil has also been in receipt of a home tuition grant. My Department considers that school-based education provision is the most appropriate intervention for all children and has discontinued the practice whereby children who are in full-time education provision would also be able to avail of home tuition grants.
My Department has written to this pupil's parents confirming its intention to discontinue the practice of sanctioning home tuition grants for pupils who are also in full-time education. This has also been communicated to the pupil's school. The case has also been referred to the local special educational needs organiser, SENO, with a view to ensuring that an appropriate educational response can be provided by the school. In the interim, however, my Department has sanctioned the continuance of the home tuition grant for this pupil until 10 February 2006 to allow further consideration to be given to the pupil's needs.
162 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Education and Science if a decision will be made on the alternative route selected for persons (details supplied) in County Sligo regarding their school transport as the total extra mileage is 16 miles, and they have had the service for six years already; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2618/06]
A report has been received from Bus Éireann regarding transport to the school in question. My Department has sought further clarification on the matter and as soon as this information is received and considered the family will be advised of the decision.
163 Mr. Connolly asked the Minister for Education and Science her plans to alleviate the soaring cost of insurance to primary and post primary school boards of management; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2623/06]
Funding is provided to primary and secondary schools by way of per capita grants, which affords schools considerable flexibility in the use of these resources to cater for the needs of their pupils. This is in my view, in general, a preferable approach to putting in place grants for specific cost items such as insurance. I have previously made known my view that moving to a position where the Government covers the insurance costs of schools may encourage the insurance sector to keep increasing premia on the basis that the State would meet the cost. Such an approach would also reduce the incentive for school management to reduce risks.
I draw the Deputy's attention to my announcement, in the context of the 2006 Estimates, of further significant increases in the level of funding for primary and post-primary schools. Since 1997 the standard rate of capitation grant at primary level has been increased from €57.14 per pupil to €133.58 with effect from 1 January 2005 and has recently been further increased by €12 per pupil with effect from 1 January 2006 bringing the standard rate to €145.58. This represents an increase of almost 155% in the standard rate of capitation grant at primary level since 1997.
At second level, the standard per capita grant which stood at €256 per pupil in the school year 2001-02 has been increased by a further €12 to €298 per pupil from January 2006. Secondary schools will also benefit, under the school services support fund initiative, from further significant increases in the support services grant. The support grant that was increased for secondary schools from €131 per pupil in January 2005 to €145 per pupil, has been increased by a further €14 per pupil to €159 per pupil from January 2006. These grants are in addition to the per capita funding of up to €40,000 per school that is provided by my Department to secondary schools towards secretarial and caretaking services. A secondary school with 500 pupils now receives annual grants of up to €270,000 towards general expenses and support services as against annual grants of up to €237,000 in 2002.
These significant increases in the funding of the primary and post primary sector are a clear demonstration of my commitment to prioritise available resources to address the needs of schools.
164 Mr. O’Dowd asked the Minister for Education and Science if she will make a statement on the proposed new primary school at Mell, Drogheda, County Louth. [2639/06]
I recently outlined details of 54 primary schools and eight post-primary schools which are being given the go-ahead to proceed with major works such as new schools building projects, extensions or refurbishments.
There are 21 new primary school projects incorporated in this announcement, including a new school project for Scoil Naomh Seosamh, Mell, Drogheda. It is intended that these schools will be built using innovative methods such as standardised design model or design and build process which have been successfully introduced by my Department in recent years.
The first key step for all of the schools concerned is the appointment of a design team. My Department has invited the authorities of those schools for which new buildings are being provided to an information session where an explanation will be provided as to how matters will proceed from here.
165 Mr. O’Dowd asked the Minister for Education and Science if she will make a statement on the proposed new extension at a school (details supplied) in County Louth. [2640/06]
I recently outlined details of 54 primary schools and eight post-primary schools which are being given the go-ahead to proceed with major works such as new schools building projects, extensions or refurbishments.
There are 28 primary school extensions projects incorporated in this announcement, including an extension project for the school to which the Deputy refers. The first key step for all of the schools concerned is the appointment of a design team. My Department will be in contact with the school authorities shortly as to how matters will proceed from here.
166 Mr. O’Dowd asked the Minister for Education and Science if she will make a statement on her plans to increase the number of secondary school places in Drogheda, Ardee, Dundalk and Dunleer, County Louth as a result of the significant increase in population in the county. [2641/06]
My Department is aware that the population of County Louth continues to increase and that this is causing some strain on existing educational provision at post-primary level.
However my Department has undertaken a number of measures to address the current and future need for pupil places in this area in general and in the areas referred to by the Deputy in particular.
An extension to Scoil Uí Mhuire Dunleer is currently under construction and extension projects at Drogheda Grammar School and Dundalk Grammar School are in architectural planning. My Department is also currently examining applications for extensions at Bush post-primary school, Coláiste Rís Dundalk, St. Vincent's Secondary School Dundalk, Our Lady's College Greenhills, Sacred Heart Secondary School Drogheda, St. Joseph's CBS Drogheda and St. Mary's Diocesan School Drogheda.
My Department has also had discussions with Louth County Council which has appointed consultants to draw up a master plan for three new residential neighbourhoods as identified under the local area plan for north Drogheda environs 2004. My Department received draft working papers on the planning strategy for this master plan and officials subsequently met with the local authority to discuss the plan. Following this, my Department corresponded with the local authority outlining its initial assessment of educational requirements at both primary and post-primary level for the area based on a proposal in the plan to deliver up to 7,500 new houses over the next ten to 15 years.
My Department also received correspondence from Dundalk Town Council with regard to a proposed development plan for the south west sector of Dundalk. This correspondence outlined proposals for the development of three areas of residential development comprising of some 7,300 units. As a result, my Department outlined its initial assessment of educational requirements for this area based on the proposed development. The next stage in this process is the preparation of a draft development plan by the local authority which my Department will be commenting on when available.
Apart from this, as the Deputy will also be aware, a new school planning model involving published area development plans is being piloted in five areas over the current school year. Drogheda is included in the pilot scheme as part of an overall plan for the north Dublin-east Meath and south Louth area. The need for additional primary and post-primary schools in the area will be further considered in this context. The purpose of this new approach to school planning is to ensure that, in future, the provision of school infrastructure will be decided only after a transparent consultation process. In this regard, parents, trustees, sponsors of prospective new schools and all interested parties from a locality will have the opportunity to have their voices heard in the process.
The draft plan for north Dublin-east Meath and south Louth is nearing completion in the school planning section of my Department and I hope to be in a position to publish it shortly.
167 Mr. O’Dowd asked the Minister for Education and Science if she will make a statement on her plans to increase the number of primary school places in County Louth as a result of the significant increase in population in the county. [2642/06]
My Department is aware that the population of County Louth continues to increase and that this is causing some strain on existing educational provision at primary level. However my Department has undertaken a number of measures to address the current and future need for pupil places in this area in general.
In this regard extensions were recently provided at Walshestown NS, Tullyallen NS, Scoil Mhuire in Muchgrange and Scoil Mhuire Gan Smál in Cartown. In addition, a new 32 classroom school has been approved for Drogheda and major extensions have been approved for Ardee Monastery NS, Scoil Mhuire na nGael Dundalk and St. Buite's NS Tenure. A new school building has also been approved for Mell NS Drogheda. My Department has also had discussions with Louth County Council which has appointed consultants to draw up a master plan for three new residential neighbourhoods as identified under the local area plan for north Drogheda environs 2004.
My Department received draft working papers on the planning strategy for this master plan and officials subsequently met with the local authority to discuss the plan. Following this, my Department corresponded with the local authority outlining its initial assessment of educational requirements at both primary and post-primary level for the area based on a proposal in the plan to deliver up to 7,500 new houses over the next ten to 15 years.
My Department also received correspondence from Dundalk Town Council with regard to a proposed development plan for the south west sector of Dundalk. This correspondence outlined proposals for the development of three areas of residential development comprising of some 7,300 units. As a result my Department outlined its initial assessment of educational requirements for this area based on the proposed development. The next stage in this process is the preparation of a draft development plan by the local authority which my Department will be commenting on when available.
Apart from this, as the Deputy will also be aware, a new school planning model involving published area development plans is being piloted in five areas over the current school year. Drogheda is included in the pilot scheme as part of an overall plan for the north Dublin-east Meath and south Louth area. The need for additional primary and post-primary schools in the area will be further considered in this context. The purpose of this new approach to school planning is to ensure that, in future, the provision of school infrastructure will be decided only after a transparent consultation process. In this regard, parents, trustees, sponsors of prospective new schools and all interested parties from a locality will have the opportunity to have their voices heard in the process.
The draft plan for north Dublin-east Meath and south Louth is nearing completion in the school planning section of my Department and I hope to be in a position to publish it shortly.
168 Mr. McGuinness asked the Minister for Education and Science the status of an application for a sports hall and extension to the staff room at a school (details supplied) in County Kilkenny; and when a decision will be made in the case. [2653/06]
The school planning section of my Department is in receipt of an application for major capital works from the management authority of the school to which the Deputy refers. The application has been assessed in accordance with the published prioritisation criteria for large scale projects and progress on the proposed works is being considered in the context of the school building and modernisation programme from 2006 onwards.
169 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Education and Science is funding will be approved for an application submitted to her Department (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2673/06]
The school referred to by the Deputy has made applications for funding under the additional accommodation scheme and summer works scheme 2006. All applications under these schemes are considered in the school planning section of my Department and the list of successful applicants under each of the schemes will be published shortly.
170 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Education and Science further to Parliamentary Question No. 1177 of 28 September 2005 if the ongoing delay in progressing a project in County Leitrim will be reviewed; if the project will be expedited; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2675/06]
Contracts for the transfer of the site for the school in question have been signed. In order for this transaction to formally close, the agreement of the Commissioners of Charitable Donations and Bequests is required. It is the responsibility of the vendor to refer the transfer contracts to the commissioners. Accordingly, confirmation from the vendor's solicitor of the agreement of the commissioners is now awaited. The question of the project proceeding to construction will be considered further when the site transfer closes.
171 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Education and Science if funding will be approved under the additional accommodation scheme for a school (details supplied) in County Roscommon; the status of the application; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2676/06]
The school referred to by the Deputy has made an application for funding under the additional accommodation scheme. All applications under this scheme are considered in the school planning section of my Department and the list of successful applicants will be published shortly.
172 Mr. Aylward asked the Minister for Education and Science if she will arrange for a design team to be appointed in full to allow progress on a new school development (details supplied) in County Kilkenny; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2688/06]
The school referred to by the Deputy was listed among the 43 schools that I announced in March of 2005 to start architectural planning. The brief is for a new 16-classroom school. Apart from the civil or structural engineer, whom the Department of Education and Science hopes to have appointed in the near future, all other design team members have been appointed. The architectural service for this project is being dealt with in-house by the school building section and substantial works on the early stages of the design process have already been completed.
The school authorities wrote to the Department of Education and Science in December 2005 requesting amendments to the brief and this is being examined by Department officials. When this is completed the Department of Education and Science will be in further contact with the school authorities as to the next step required to progress the project. It is not possible at this point to indicate when the architectural planning process will be completed. There are five stages in this process and the timeframe for completing these stages is contingent on various factors including any unexpected issues that may arise, the period of time for the granting of planning permission, and obtaining a fire certificate etc.
Progression of projects to construction will be considered in the context of the school building and modernisation programme for 2005 to 2009.
173 Mr. Kehoe asked the Minister for Education and Science her plans for education (details supplied) in County Wexford; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2689/06]
As the Deputy will be aware, officials in the school planning section of the Department of Education and Science are carrying out a review of primary and post primary school provision in the area to which he refers. This review is expected to be completed early this year.
174 Mr. Kehoe asked the Minister for Education and Science if 23 students from Blackwater, County Wexford, who have already been deemed eligible by County Wexford Vocational Educational Committee will be deemed eligible for school transport; the reasoning for same not being eligible; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2690/06]
178 Mr. Kehoe asked the Minister for Education and Science the reason students from Blackwater, County Wexford were refused school transport; the catchment area map the Department referred to when making their decision; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2712/06]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 174 and 178 together.
The Department's school transport section is satisfied on the basis of the catchment area map held in the Department, which is the definitive map, that the children in question are not fully eligible for transport to schools in Wexford town. Furthermore, Bus Éireann has informed the Department of Education and Science that there are not enough spare seats available on the buses to facilitate the pupils in question with catchment boundary transport to Wexford town.
A number of families from the Blackwater area recently appealed the Department's decision to the independent school transport appeals board. The board upheld the Department's decision in the matter. The school transport appeals board is independent of the Department of Education and Science and it would not be appropriate for me to intervene in cases which have been considered by the board.
175 Mr. Kehoe asked the Minister for Education and Science the development regarding a school (details supplied) in County Wexford; when this development will start; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2693/06]
The Deputy will be aware that the proposed new post primary school for Gorey will be delivered by way of a public private partnership. As I indicated in my statement of 29 September 2005 on this matter, it is my intention that the first bundle of schools, which was subsequently announced on 22 of November 2005, under the Department of Education and Science's PPP programme will be offered to the market in the first half of 2006 with other bundles being offered regularly thereafter in the period 2006 to 2009 to ensure a steady deal flow.
The precise make-up of the bundles in terms of the number of schools in each, the geographical spread and the timing for delivery will be determined by the Department of Education and Science in consultation with the centre of expertise that is being established within the NDFA. I will be making further announcements in this matter as the year progresses.
176 Ms Enright asked the Minister for Education and Science the way in which her Department examines Montessori teachers; her views on whether same are qualified teachers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2695/06]
Two Montessori qualifications are recognised for restricted recognition by my Department, namely the Association Montessori Internationale, AMI, qualification, which has been recognised for teaching in special education settings since 1963 and the national diploma-BA level seven degree or degree in humanities in Montessori education-BA level eight degree from St. Nicholas Montessori College, which are accredited by HETAC, formerly NCEA. Teachers with Montessori qualifications who are recognised by my Department are also eligible to work as substitute teachers in mainstream schools. For this work they are paid at the qualified casual rate.
177 Ms Enright asked the Minister for Education and Science if a determination by her Department in respect of the teaching qualifications of a person (details supplied) in County Laois will be reviewed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2711/06]
The Registration Council is the statutory body in this country for the recognition of qualifications for the purposes of teaching in secondary schools. The council stipulates that a second level teacher must hold, in addition to the required teacher training, a suitable primary degree or equivalent award from a nationally recognised university or similar third level college, which is adequate to enable the holder to teach to the highest level at least one subject from the second level schools curriculum. The duration of such a degree programme must be at least three years of full-time study or equivalent.
The qualifications of the person referred to by the Deputy were assessed by the Registration Council in 2001 and were deemed suitable for the purposes of teaching chemistry. She was advised that the qualifications had been recognised for this purpose. The council was not satisfied that these qualifications met its criteria for the teaching of mathematics and she was advised that recognition could not be granted for this second subject. A review can be undertaken by the Registration Council should additional documentary evidence be submitted that addresses the shortfalls identified by the council in respect of mathematics.
179 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Defence the reason no arrangements were made to forward Christmas parcels or presents to the Irish soldiers serving with the UN in Liberia before the Christmas festival; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2553/06]
As there is no postal system operating to or within Liberia, the Defence Forces have contracted a commercial courier to deliver Defence Forces post to and from the United Nations Mission in Liberia, UNMIL. This contract is for letter post only and is dispatched through this contract twice weekly — Monday and Thursday — throughout the year.
Parcel post received by the Defence Forces for delivery to Irish personnel serving in UNMIL is forwarded to the mission on resupply flights. Personnel of the 94th Infantry Battalion were deployed to UNMIL in late November 2006. The first resupply flight following their deployment was on 17 January 2006 when parcels received by the Defence Forces, prior to Christmas and up to and including the flight date, were transported to UNMIL. The next such flight has been arranged for 7 February 2006. It is clearly understood by the deployed personnel that parcels can only be delivered on resupply flights and this has been the case since we first deployed to the mission in November 2003.
All personnel deploying to UNMIL are advised verbally and in writing of the postal arrangements prior to their departure to the mission area. These briefings indicate clearly that there is no parcel post service to UNMIL and personnel are advised to inform their families accordingly. The situation will not arise again as we will be completing our participation in the mission in November this year and withdrawing with Sweden, our partners in the quick reaction force.
180 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Defence if his attention has been drawn to the fact that Irish soldiers serving with the UN in Liberia are allowed three weeks holiday during their seven month stint; if his attention has further been drawn to the fact that they are required to return here at the beginning of that three week period and are required to pay €500 from their own resources to cover the cost of the return ticket; if, in view of same, his Department will cover the cost of the return flights to Liberia and seek funding from the UN for the cost involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2554/06]
A contingent of the Permanent Defence Force has been serving with the United Nations Mission in Liberia, UNMIL, since November 2003. Defence personnel serving with the mission are entitled to 21 days annual leave for the duration of their tour of duty, six months. Defence Forces personnel on deployment to UNMIL are free to apply for leave at any time and to any destination, which may be granted subject to operational necessities and the safety of the intended destination. While more or less free to travel anywhere, most personnel opt to return to Ireland on leave.
When the Defence Forces initially deployed to UNMIL, representations were made to my predecessor regarding the excessive costs involved for personnel wishing to go on leave in the course of their tour of duty. The average cost of a return commercial scheduled flight ticket Dublin-Monrovia via Brussels is in excess of €2,000 and involves a 16 hour journey. In response to these representations, arrangements were made by my predecessor to allow personnel serving in UNMIL, wishing to take leave, to avail of aircraft chartered for the deployment, consignment and-or repatriation of personnel, stores and equipment to and from the mission area at a cost of €500 per head, a saving of €1,500 on the commercial alternative.
UNMIL is the only mission where this facility is provided. There is no obligation on personnel serving in UNMIL either to take leave in the course of their tour of duty or to use the facility of the return flights to Ireland. In the normal course, personnel going on leave when deployed on a mission pay their own costs in respect of annual leave flights.
Regarding UN funding for these flights, troop-contributing nations are not entitled to reimbursement by the UN in respect of the provision of flights for personnel going on leave.
181 Mr. Boyle asked the Minister for Defence if, further to the settlement of a recent court action, that freehold interest claimed by a company (details supplied) on former Department of Defence property at Ballincollig, County Cork, was shown not to have been valid; and the moneys which have been paid by his Department to this company in the belief that this property claim was valid. [2725/06]
My Department is not aware of any recent court case as referred to by the Deputy. In a High Court judgment given on 5 August 2003, by consent, the court found that my Department was not bound under the relevant leases to surrender any part of the leased lands at Ballincollig to the head landlord in question, is entitled to alienate the leased lands for the residue of the leasehold period and is entitled, without the constrictions which had been contended by the head landlord, to dispose of the entirety of the lands without consent of the said head landlord.
My Department held and continues to hold part of lands at Ballincollig under leases dating back to 1805. Those leases are of 999 years duration, commencing 31 December 1804, and provide for payment of leasehold rent to a head landlord. My Department was notified by letter dated 7 October 1968 that the head landlord interest of the Wyse estate in the property at Ballincollig was sold and conveyed to Ballincollig Holdings Limited and that all future leasehold rent should be paid to Messrs. Joseph Morrisey, Solicitors, 17A South Mall, Cork. Ballincollig Holdings Limited remains the current lessors.
My Department continues to make payment of the relevant remaining portions of the annual rents payable under the leases. No other payments have been made to the lessor.
182 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if a project (details supplied) will be approved on the site of the old Cameo Cake site at Tralee, County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2564/06]
Following the receipt of documentation requested from Kerry County Council, which are responsible for the detailed administration of the voluntary housing scheme in their area, further clarification has been sought from the council on this proposal and is awaited. When this is to hand the application will be further considered by my Department and the council will be advised of the outcome as soon as possible.
183 Mr. Morgan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the fact that school traffic wardens are the only local authority employees excluded from the pension provisions of the local government superannuation scheme; his views on whether the exclusion of school traffic wardens from the pension provisions of this scheme is an equality issue, in view of the fact that employees in this industry are primarily female. [2565/06]
Arising from the package of public service pension reforms agreed by the Government in September 2004, revised pension arrangements for part-time local authority employees, including a right of access to the local government superannuation scheme for all such employees, including school traffic wardens, were notified to local authorities by my Department in December 2005. It is now a matter for each local authority to implement the terms of the revised arrangements for part-time employees.
184 Cecilia Keaveney asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the efforts being made to ensure that the recent report on litter prosecutions and litter on the spot fines are improved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2566/06]
Responsibility for enforcement of the Litter Pollution Acts 1997 to 2003, including enforcement of on-the-spot litter fines and the taking of litter prosecutions, is a matter for local authorities. I am satisfied that the penalties and enforcement powers under existing litter legislation are adequate.
Since the introduction of the 1997 Act there has been a substantial increase in the number of prosecutions taken and on-the-spot fines issued by local authorities. Local authorities submit data to the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government every six months on anti-litter enforcement action including the number of prosecutions taken, convictions secured and on-the-spot fines issued and paid. This data is available in the Oireachtas Library.
In response to inquiries from my Department, local authorities indicated that the level of litter on-the-spot fines payment is affected by a range of factors, including: provision by offenders of false or misleading information; offenders moving address with no forwarding address available; waiving of fines on appeal for reasons such as compassionate grounds; lapse of statutory period for pursuing non-payment; incorrect issue of fine notices; issue of two or more fine notices in respect of the same offence, such as to a number of occupants of a house, where the local authority subsequently deems it more appropriate to accept a single payment and annuls the other fines and fines being struck out in court.
Every opportunity will continue to be taken to urge local authorities to enforce the litter laws as rigorously as possible, including appropriate follow-up action in regard to non-payment of fines.
185 Ms Lynch asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his proposals to change the provisions of the Waste Management (Amendment) Act 2001 section 75 (2) whereby the occupiers rather than the owners of single dwelling rental units are liable for local authority waste charges; his views on whether that in many areas of the country this situation is contributing to serious litter problems; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2567/06]
In accordance with section 52 of the Protection of the Environment Act 2003 the determination of waste management charges, and any associated waiver scheme, is a matter for the relevant local authority, where it acts as the service provider. Local authorities and central government are working together to comply with the "polluter pays" principle, as this is a core element of national and EU environmental policy, including in the area of waste management. In accordance with this policy, all of society must be encouraged to reduce, reuse and recycle waste to the maximum extent possible.
In order to encourage households, whether owner occupied or rented, to minimise their waste, all local authorities and private waste operators were asked to begin a switch to use-based charging arrangements from the start of 2005. These arrangements do not justify any recourse by persons in illegal waste activity and local authorities have the powers necessary to deal with such infringements.
186 Mr. O’Connor asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if funding will be approved for the window replacement programme submitted to his Department by South Dublin County Council in respect of the Tallaght estates of Drumcairn, Kilcarrig and Killinarden; the needs of the community in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2569/06]
South Dublin County Council submitted proposals to my Department in September 2005 for funding to undertake a window replacement programme to their own houses in the estates in question. My Department requested further information from the council to enable consideration to be given to the application. On receipt of this information from the council a decision will be made in the matter.
187 Mr. Morgan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if approval of funding will be given to Bray Town Council to allow same to carry out a fire safety audit on the houses in the Oldcourt Estate, Bray, County Wicklow. [2643/06]
Bray Town Council notified my Department in July 2005 of its proposals, following a public procurement process to appoint a consultant to undertake a fire safety audit on the houses in the Oldcourt Estate, Bray, County Wicklow. When these plans are more advanced I understand that the council will make a funding submission to the Department, which will be considered.
188 Mr. Morgan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the possibility of establishing a town council in Blessington, County Wicklow. [2644/06]
The Local Government Act 2001 modernises the legislative framework, supports community involvement with local authorities in a more participative local democracy and underpins generally the programme of local government renewal. The Act takes account of the recommendations of the 1996 report of the reorganisation commission, Towards Cohesive Local Government — Town and County, regarding improved accessibility, interaction and linkages for non-local authority towns within county council areas.
Section 185 of the Local Government Act 2001 provides, inter alia, that qualified electors of a town having a population of at least 7,500 as ascertained at the last preceding census and not having a town council may make a proposal for the establishment of such a council. This figure was set in line with the figures mentioned in the 1996 report referred to above. The population of Blessington is less than this required population threshold.
However, in line with the local government modernisation programme, Wicklow County Council has, with financial assistance from my Department, established a one stop shop civic office in Blessington. In addition, the interests of the Blessington community are represented at area committee and county council level by their elected council members.
189 Mr. Morgan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his views on the fact that the west Wicklow region is under-represented at county council level, with only three seats available for the entire region. [2645/06]
The current local electoral areas and the number of members of each county council assigned to each such area derive from the electoral area boundary committee report of 1998. The 2004 local elections took place on the basis of the existing local electoral areas.
The next census is due to take place this year, with the next local elections in 2009. Consideration can be given to reviewing the local electoral areas in the light of the census results when they become available and other relevant factors.
190 Mr. Morgan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his views on whether Bray Town Council needs a boundary, and if so when the process will commence. [2646/06]
Under the provisions of Part V of the Local Government Act 1991 and associated regulations, it is open to a local authority to initiate a proposal for the alteration of its boundaries. This involves preparation of a formal boundary alteration proposal by the authority concerned including financial, organisational and other implications; invitation of public submissions; and consultation with the other local authorities affected by the proposal, prior to submitting a formal application to the Minister. While a number of town boundary alterations have been made in recent years, no boundary application from Bray Town Council is currently before my Department.
191 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government further to Question No. 472 of 31 May 2005 the progress to date on the regional water schemes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2674/06]
Further consideration will be given by my Department to Roscommon County Council's design review and water services pricing policy reports and implementation strategy for these water supply schemes, which will serve Arigna, Boyle-Ardcarne and central and south Roscommon, on receipt of additional information requested from the council in September 2005. The schemes have been approved for construction in my Department's water services investment programme 2005 to 2007.
