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Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 6 Apr 2006

Vol. 617 No. 6

Written Answers.

The following are questions tabled by Members for written response and the ministerial replies received from the Departments [unrevised].
Questions Nos. 1 to 11, inclusive, answered orally.

Energy Policy.

Trevor Sargent

Question:

12 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the process and timetable he intends to adopt in the development of a White Paper on energy policy; the form of public consultation and discussion which will be possible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13750/06]

The Minister intends to publish an energy policy Green Paper by mid-year which will set out medium and long-term perspectives and directions for national energy policy. The Green Paper will be set in the context of the considerable and complex future challenges for Irish energy policy and will take account of developments in relation to European energy policy as well as global trends.

The Green Paper will be subject to a public consultation process the outcome of which will inform the finalisation of a White Paper late this year.

Electricity Market Regulation.

Eamon Gilmore

Question:

13 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the position regarding recent reports that the European Commission is proposing to group the new all-island Irish market with the British market as a European energy region and declare the British Regulator, Ofgem, as the lead regulator for the two island market; the impact of same on the Irish market and the Commission for Energy Regulation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13607/06]

I assume that the Deputy is referring to the electricity regional initiative recently launched by the European Regulators Group for Electricity and Gas, ERGEG. This initiative is aimed at accelerating the single European energy market by promoting seven electricity regional energy market projects. The European Council conclusions encourage the acceleration of regional energy co-operation within the EU and facilitating the integration of regional markets. As one of the most peripheral markets in terms of the EU energy market, Ireland has a great deal to gain from such initiatives.

This regional market initiative by the European regulators is welcome. It builds on the work of the Department and the Commission for Energy Regulation, CER, along with counterparts in Northern Ireland, in developing an all-island energy market and specifically the single electricity market by 1 July 2007.

It is envisaged that regional markets will act as stepping stones towards a single European energy market which will allow the benefits of liberalisation to reach electricity consumers across Europe in the form of competitive prices, secure supplies, innovation and choice.

Under the initiative, the national regulator at the centre of each regional market has been designated as the lead regulator to define the geographic scope of the project, and to chair a small regional co-ordination committee of regulators. As part of the ERGEG electricity regional initiative, Ireland, along with the UK and part of France, is included in one regional electricity market. Within this regional framework, the UK regulator, OFGEM, will co-ordinate the work and direct working groups made up of the other regulators, including the CER, the transmission system operators and, where appropriate, market operators.

This initiative does not impact on or replace the role or the statutory functions of the CER in regulating the Irish electricity and gas markets. The initiative is designed to complement, not cut across, existing frameworks or national Government efforts to integrate markets. The key objective of the regional electricity initiative is to identify and seek to remove barriers, which may be hindering the growth of competitive electricity markets.

Mobile Telephony.

Paul Kehoe

Question:

14 Mr. Kehoe asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources his proposals to encourage the development of technology to combat mobile phone bullying or the transmission otherwise of pornographic images or material; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13833/06]

Paul Kehoe

Question:

31 Mr. Kehoe asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if he intends to introduce legislative or technical proposals to combat bullying or pornography through the use of texting messaging on mobile phones; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13832/06]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 14 and 31 together.

The Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources has overall responsibility for electronic communications policy but has no responsibility for the actions of persons conducting bullying or intimidation activities over electronic communications networks or the transmission of pornographic images. Neither does the Minister have responsibility for the development of technology, which is primarily a matter for the mobile phone operators.

Much of the criminal activity perpetrated using electronic communications networks is legislated for according to the offence and not the medium by which it was committed. Some legislation actually predates the advent of electronic technology and legislating to combat these offences does not always fall under this Department's remit.

The Deputy should be aware, however, that legislation already exists to tackle the issues to which he refers. It is an offence under section 13 of the Post Office (Amendment) Act 1951, as amended by the Postal and Telecommunications Services Act 1983, to send by phone any message or other matter which is grossly offensive or of an indecent, obscene or menacing character; and it is also an offence under section 10 of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act 1997 to harass a person by use of any means including by use of a telephone. Anyone who has information in relation to these matters should bring it immediately to the attention of the Garda Síochána for criminal investigation.

In so far as issues relating to children are concerned, as previously stated, legislation is already in place but the role of parents in decisions concerning the purchase and use of mobile phones by their children cannot be emphasised enough. They should ensure that their children use them appropriately. This is ultimately the best way of safeguarding them from the perils of abuse of such technology. In addition, the Deputy may be aware that the Irish Cellular Industry Association, ICIA, an alliance of the mobile operators — Vodafone, O2 and Meteor Mobile Communications and the mobile handset manufacturers Nokia and Siemens — has taken many steps to promote the safe and responsible use of mobile phones.

The Deputy may be interested in the ICIA's publication entitled A Parent's Guide to Mobile Phones, which aims to inform parents of some key safety tips that will encourage responsible and secure use of mobile phones by their children. The guide seeks to educate parents and guardians in the ways in which they can gain greater visibility of their child's mobile usage and the services they access, for example, the facility provided by operators, which allows authorised access for parents to a child's account. The guide also addresses the subject of bullying and malicious communications. A copy of the guide is available on the ICIA website at www.icia.ie.

Broadcasting Legislation.

Shane McEntee

Question:

15 Mr. McEntee asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if he or others, with or without his authority, have entered into discussions with RTE or those in the private sector in the context of the likely contents of the proposed Broadcasting Bill; if agreements or conclusions have been arrived at; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13843/06]

The priority issues to be addressed by the Broadcasting Bill are as follows: the establishment of a single content regulator for commercial, community and public service broadcasters; the establishment of RTE as a company under the Companies Acts; the provision of a statutory mechanism for future adjustments to the level of the television licence fee; and the development of the right of reply mechanism, allowing persons whose reputation and good name have been damaged by an assertion of incorrect facts in a television or radio programme to gain redress.

The Minister's intention in framing the legislative proposals that will form the basis of the new Broadcasting Bill will be to ensure that the broadcasting regulatory environment continues to encourage the parallel development of high quality broadcasting by Irish public service, commercial and community broadcasters.

In the context of the development of broadcasting policy, our officials and the Minister have cause, on a regular basis, to meet with the various interests that comprise the broadcasting sector including, but not limited to, commercial broadcasters, public service broadcasters and independent producers. At many of these meetings the issues to be addressed in the forthcoming Broadcasting Bill, given their relative importance to the sector, have been raised and discussed in general terms.

Energy Resources.

Joe Sherlock

Question:

16 Mr. Sherlock asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the position regarding the opening of the gas market; the number of third-party operators providing gas to the industrial and domestic sectors; the way in which the operation of the natural gas grid is to be managed; the locations where the majority of oil and natural gas imports here are sourced; the forecasted demand for natural gas here in 2020, 2030 and 2050; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13634/06]

I can advise the Deputy that provision is made in the Energy (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2006, currently under consideration by this House, for full gas market opening no later than 1 July 2007 deadline set by theEU.

Since July 2004, the gas market has been open to all customers excluding domestic customers. This amounts to 86% of the market by volume. There are currently four suppliers serving the competitive element of the market.

The Commission for Energy Regulation, CER, regulates the natural gas grid through the transmission and distribution licences. This includes approval of capital and operating expenditures and approving network tariffs. It also involves bench-marking of service levels, development of operating and technical codes and resolving disputes in relation to access and charging.

Under SI 760 of 2005, provision has been made for the legal unbundling of the transmission and distribution system operations of Bord Gáis Éireann, BGÉ. Under the provisions of this statutory instrument, BGÉ is effectively required to establish a subsidiary company with responsibility for operation of the natural gas grid.

In 2005, all oil imports into Ireland were sourced from the North Sea. These imports were sourced specifically from the UK, Norway and Denmark. Natural gas imports were all sourced from the UK.

In relation to expected natural gas demand, the CER is required under EU regulations to prepare and publish an annual gas capacity statement. The function of this statement is to advise of the adequacy of capacity in the Irish gas transmission network over an eight-year period. The statement forecasts capacity, flows and customer demand for natural gas and provides an indication of likely investment projects required over the statement period. The latest statement covers the period up to 2012 under a number of scenarios. Current projections made by Sustainable Energy Ireland forecast that gas demand is expected to continue to increase by 5% per annum to 2020. This will result in gas accounting for up to 35% of primary energy consumption. There is no reliable data available thereafter.

Damien English

Question:

17 Mr. English asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources when he expects an east-west electricity interconnector to become a reality; the anticipated degree to which it might be used for outflows or incoming electricity in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13824/06]

Brian O'Shea

Question:

109 Mr. O’Shea asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the position regarding the plan to develop an east-west interconnector; if a decision been taken on whether it will be developed on a regulated or hybrid regulated merchant basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13626/06]

I propose to take Question Nos. 17 and 109 together.

Security of energy supply is a key imperative for Ireland and the European Union. The relatively small size of the Irish electricity market underlines the need for greater interconnection as a means of enhancing security of supply, promoting competition and integrating the Irish electricity market into the wider European market. In this context, the east-west electricity interconnector project remains a key priority for the Government.

The priority need for enhanced interconnection across Europe has been highlighted by the EU Commission and endorsed by the spring European Council on 24 March. The European emphasis on interconnection is very much in keeping with our own national priorities.

The Minister will be bringing the matter to Government shortly for a decision as to the most appropriate mechanism to secure east-west interconnection in terms of financing and developer selection. His recommendations will be informed by the advice of the Commission for Energy Regulation. Decisions are needed now to ensure that the target date of 2011 for operation of the interconnector is met. In this context, I am pleased to advise the Deputy that the Second Stage of the Energy (Miscellaneous Provisions Bill) 2006 has been introduced in the House. The Bill will provide the necessary legislative powers for the CER, with the Minister's consent, to secure the construction of an interconnector by means of competitive tender, authorisation process or inclusion in the development plans of the transmission system operator. The Bill provides for the possibility that costs related to the interconnector could be recouped through the transmission use of system charge. The Bill will also address a present anomaly facilitating a regulated interconnector not owned by the ESB.

In relation to possible outflows of electricity, east-west electricity interconnection will allow for the potential export of wind-powered electricity, which could be surplus to national requirements due to the variable nature of the wind resource. However, the overall amount of wind-powered capacity which could be safely connected to the national grid after the commissioning of an east-west electricity interconnector would depend on a variety of factors. These include the amount of wind-powered capacity connected in the UK, the nature and point of the interconnection and protocols for operating the interconnection and accessing or allocating the available capacity.

Broadcasting Services.

Liam Twomey

Question:

18 Dr. Twomey asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the extent to which he expects the availability of radio and television broadcasting to expand and develop overseas, having particular regard to the needs of the Irish emigrants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13841/06]

Thomas P. Broughan

Question:

27 Mr. Broughan asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the progress made on his commitment to the provision of RTE programming for the Irish community in Britain under the heads of the Broadcasting Bill; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13782/06]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 18 and 27 together.

As the Deputy may already be aware, there are no specific legislative impediments to commercial broadcasters which wish to broadcast to the Irish community in Britain, or elsewhere in the European Union, on a purely commercial basis.

As regards public service broadcasting, RTE's statutory mandate, as defined in section 28(1) of the Broadcasting Act 2001, provides that RTE's radio and television services shall be made available, in so far as is reasonably practicable, to the whole community on the island of Ireland. As such, RTE's statutory mandate does not extend to the provision of radio or television services to Irish communities living in Britain or elsewhere. As a consequence, RTE may not use the proceeds of the television licence fee to provide such services. However, it should be noted that many people living outside the island of Ireland already enjoy access to a considerable quantity of RTE's television programming by way of the Internet and to RTE's radio services by way of satellite, LW and MW and the Internet.

In the light of the recommendations of the task force on emigration, the issue of amending RTE's public service remit to include the provision of television services to Irish communities in Britain is currently being considered in the context of development of the legislative proposals that will form the basis of the proposed Broadcasting Bill. It is anticipated that these legislative proposal will be published in the coming months.

Pat Rabbitte

Question:

19 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if a decision has been made following the recent review of the list of events designated as events of major importance to society for which the right of a qualifying broadcaster to provide coverage on a free television service would be made available in the public interest; if the Ryder Cup 2006 will be designated as free to air; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13618/06]

The television without frontiers directive provides that member states of the European Union may designate certain sporting and cultural events as being of major importance to society and that events so designated should continue to be available on a free television service. It is a matter for each individual member state to decide whether or not to draw up a list.

The Department recently completed a report on the review of designated events undertaken pursuant to section 9 of the Broadcasting (Major Events Television Coverage) (Amendment) Act 2003. Following a detailed consideration of all the circumstances, the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources has decided to continue with the designation of all of the events on the list of events designated in 2003 and not to add any additional events to that list.

Alternative Energy Projects.

Simon Coveney

Question:

20 Mr. Coveney asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if he has had discussions with the Department of Agriculture and Food or farming, processing or other interested groups with a view to the utilisation of lands previously used for sugar beet growing for biofuel crop production; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13795/06]

Simon Coveney

Question:

100 Mr. Coveney asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if his attention has been drawn to proposals or reports emanating from the sugar beet industry in the matter of the conversion of facilities from food production to biofuel production; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13794/06]

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

214 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if his attention has been drawn to proposals or reports emanating from the sugar beet industry in the matter of the conversion of facilities from food production to biofuel production; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13889/06]

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

215 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if he has had discussions with the Department of Agriculture and Food or farming, processing or other interested groups with a view to the utilisation of lands previously used for sugar beet growing for bio-fuel crop production; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13890/06]

Eamon Ryan

Question:

232 Mr. Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the role his Department will play in assisting to kick-start the renewable energy sector by establishing plants to produce ethanol from sugar beet due to the closure of both Mallow and Carlow sugar factories. [13967/06]

I propose to take Questions Nos 20, 100, 214, 215 and 232 together.

An interdepartmental biofuels group was established in 2004 to ensure close co-operation and communication between the relevant players on biofuels and biomass development and related policy initiatives. The group comprises representatives of the Department, the Departments of Agriculture and Food, the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Finance and Transport and Sustainable Energy Ireland, SEI. The Minister has asked the Department to give particular priority to maintaining and enhancing a fully holistic approach across Departments to progressing the biofuels-bioenergy agenda and addressing supply and demand challenges and opportunities in a strategically planned way.

The 2005 pilot mineral oil tax relief scheme for biofuels has resulted in eight projects being awarded excise relief and will result in 16 million litres of biofuels being placed on the Irish transport market by next year. Building on the success of this scheme and following extensive discussions with industry and relevant Departments and agencies, the Minister agreed with the Minister for Finance a further targeted package of excise relief valued at €205 million, which was announced in the budget. The new excise relief programme, which is subject to State-aid approval, will be rolled out from this year to 2010 and will enable us to reach the initial target of 2% market penetration by biofuels by 2008. When fully operational the relief is expected to support the use and production of some 163 million litres of biofuels each year. The Minister is also providing funding towards the capital cost of developing biofuels processing facilities, which will critically underpin the excise relief package.

The potential for using existing facilities for the production of biofuels and switching to the production of energy crops is ultimately a commercial decision for developers and farmers. The new excise relief programme will provide a framework in which farmers and potential developers can consider all such options. The Minister will continue to work closely with his colleague, the Minister for Agriculture and Food, in ensuring an integrated approach to bioenergy issues.

Proposed Legislation.

Joe Sherlock

Question:

21 Mr. Sherlock asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the other legislation which is planned, or in draft stage, in relation to the ESB and the electricity sector with reference to both the electricity Bill and the single electricity market Bill; when the electricity Bill will return to the Dáil Éireann legislative programme; if the delay in bringing forward the electricity Bill will have implications for commercial and strategic decision making at the ESB; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13633/06]

The draft heads of the electricity Bill to provide for the conversion for ESB to a public limited company status are being progressed and the timeframe for its reinstatement on the Government's legislative programme will be kept under review during the year. The Minister does not consider that the revised timetable for the Bill has implications for commercial or strategic decision-making by ESB.

The key deliverable within the all-island energy market framework is to have an all-island wholesale electricity market in place by 1 July 2007. A critical immediate priority, therefore, for both Governments is to ensure that an appropriate legislative framework is in place to underpin this market. This necessitates the enactment of parallel legislation in both jurisdictions.

The draft scheme of the single wholesale electricity market Bill is currently being developed by the Department in consultation with Northern colleagues, the CER and the Office of the Attorney General. The Minister, Deputy Dempsey, expects to be in a position to seek Government approval for detailed priority drafting by the end of April. The delivery of such parallel legislation by the July 2007 deadline represents a very challenging timeframe for all concerned. The relevant officials are working intensively with their Northern colleagues and the two regulatory authorities to ensure that this target is met.

Postal Services.

Thomas P. Broughan

Question:

22 Mr. Broughan asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the position regarding his plan to introduce postcodes; if the consultation process has concluded; if he has received a report on the matter; if so, when it will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13627/06]

The Minister is favourably disposed towards the introduction of postcodes because of the case made that a national postcode system would offer significant potential benefits for the postal business, public utilities, business and consumers and the general public, including addressing the issue of non-unique addresses.

To examine the introduction of a postcode system in Ireland, the Minister established a working group comprised of people with experience of the postal sector, together with the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, which is the lead Department for the Irish spatial data infrastructure initiative to examine the issue of the introduction of a postcode system in Ireland. This group produced its report last year. The report found that the introduction of a publicly available postcode could deliver many potential benefits. The purpose of a postcode system would be to improve efficiencies and quality in the postal sector, stimulate mail volume growth, assist utilities and emergency services and address the problem of non-unique addressing. These improvements collectively will boost the country's competitiveness.

Following on from the recommendations of the working group report, the Minister asked the Commission for Communications Regulation, ComReg, to appoint project managers to support the postcode project by providing technical and economic advice including assessing the costs and benefits of the introduction of a postcode. ComReg, following an open and competitive tendering process, appointed both technical and economic consultants. A National Postcode Project Board, comprising representatives of Departments, together with public and private sector organisations that he appointed last year, is managing these.

One constituent part of the consultants' work programmes is that they engage in a process of stakeholder consultation with a view to arriving at a postcode model that best meets the needs of the stakeholders and measures the likely costs and benefits of the introduction of such a postcode. The technical advisers to the project engaged in a consultation process with key stakeholders late last year and at the beginning of this year with a view to making a recommendation as to the postcode models to progress to full cost benefit analysis. An extensive consultation process is currently being conducted by the cost benefit consultants with a view to calculating the net benefits that might accrue from the introduction of each particular postcode being examined.

It is expected that the consultants will present, by the second quarter this year, a proposal to the National Postcode Project Board that describes in sufficient detail the most appropriate postcode system for Ireland, along with a detailed implementation plan. The board will then present its recommendation to the Minister for his consideration.

Mobile Telephony.

Jan O'Sullivan

Question:

23 Ms O’Sullivan asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the Government’s position on the recent European Commission draft regulations on the abolition of roaming charges for mobile phone users across the EU; if he expects the support of other EU Government members; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13612/06]

Enda Kenny

Question:

35 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources when he expects mobile telephone roaming charges to be abolished; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13818/06]

Enda Kenny

Question:

47 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources when he expects mobile telephone roaming changes to be abolished throughout Europe in line with recent indications at the European Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13819/06]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 23, 35 and 47 together.

Following pressure from the Taoiseach, the European Council emphasised the importance for competitiveness and ease of travel of reducing roaming charges.

This is an issue that affects many people travelling throughout the EU and is a clear example of impediments to the Single Market negatively affecting the citizens and businesses. The roaming charges for voice calls, text messages and data are very significant and we would like to see them reduced or preferably eliminated.

We strongly welcome the announcement by Commissioner Viviane Reding of her draft proposals for a regulation to tackle roaming, which will require approval by the European Parliament and the Council of Ministers. We look forward to working with her towards the implementation of the regulation. I am particularly pleased that the Commission is taking action following requests from the Minister, Deputy Dempsey, to Commissioner Reding.

In the all-island context, roaming is an issue that both the UK Government and Ireland have highlighted in the context of enhancing North-South co-operation.

In regard to the implementation of revised prices for international roaming, while this is a matter for the mobile phone companies which operate in a fully liberalised market overseen by ComReg, Ireland's independent regulator, I very much encourage the operators to move quickly to reduce roaming charges or preferably to eliminate them.

I welcome recent announcements by Vodafone Ireland, O2 Ireland and 3Ireland to tackle roaming charges and I would hope that they would now address text messaging, data transfer and pre-paid customers. These initiatives followed interventions with the operators by the Minister, Deputy Dempsey, and his Northern Ireland counterpart, Minister Angela Smith, as well as Ofcom and ComReg.

Post Office Network.

Breeda Moynihan-Cronin

Question:

24 Ms B. Moynihan-Cronin asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the number and location of post offices that have closed since he became Minister; and if he will make a statement on the future of the national post office network, especially with regard to new financial services. [13640/06]

I refer the Deputy to the following appendix that outlines the information requested on the number of post offices converted or closed since the Minister came into office in September 2004. The opening, conversion and closure of individual post offices is a matter for the board and management of the company.

With regard to the post office network, as clearly set out in the programme for Government, this Government and the board of An Post are committed to the objective of securing a viable and sustainable nationwide post office network. Notwithstanding the commercial remit of An Post, there is a clear Government recognition of the social benefits of maintaining the nationwide post office network. Accordingly, An Post development strategies for the network continue to take full account of these benefits.

It is the Government's objective to maintain the largest, economically sustainable post office network possible. The challenge for all stakeholders in An Post is to generate sufficient profitable business to maintain the network at its current size. While the Government will support the network in any way it can, the way forward is for An Post to enhance existing services and, building on existing strengths, to develop new product offerings.

The network has a high footfall and to capitalise on these advantages it is essential that existing and new services are developed to meet customer requirements. The network also has the capacity and potential to deliver more private business especially in financial services and opportunities are actively being pursued by An Post in this area. Indeed, on foot of substantial investment in computerisation, a significant amount of extra business has already been obtained for the network in terms of banking and utility business. At present, 95% of An Post's business is conducted through automated offices.

The Minister, Deputy Dempsey, has also asked the company to ensure that any strategy for the development of the company should ensure the long term viability of the post office network and in this light, An Post is currently working on a new initiative which could see the development and expansion of the range of financial services that it can deliver through its network of post offices. If successful, it could lead to a significant increase in post office business and contribute to the viability of the network.

Finishing Date

Donnycarney T.S.O.

01/10/2004

Scramogue

20/10/2004

Kilcorney

30/10/2004

Bonane

31/10/2004

Carrickaboy

05/11/2004

Four Mile House

18/02/2005

Aghabog

31/03/2005

Cadamstown

06/04/2005

Loughan

31/05/2005

New Inn (Kells)

31/05/2005

Tagheen

31/05/2005

Cregganbaun

10/06/2005

Strand

13/06/2005

Brickens

23/06/2005

Coolbawn Portlaoise

02/07/2005

Rahara

29/07/2005

Killiney T.S.O.

10/08/2005

Clooneyquinn

16/09/2005

Inch

30/09/2005

Rathfeigh

30/09/2005

Ardlogher

28/10/2005

Broadford Naas

18/11/2005

Coralstown

07/12/2005

Brandon

02/01/2006

Tomhaggard

20/01/2006

Grangecon

31/01/2006

Church Cross

01/02/2006

Crosspatrick

10/02/2006

Drumcree

01/03/2006

Cranford

31/03/2006

Fortel

31/03/2006

Sub Office Conversion to Postal Agent

Commencement Date

Coolaney

14/10/2004

Dooagh

01/11/2004

Ballanagare

11/11/2004

Rann-Na-Feirsde

18/11/2004

Baltimore

23/12/2004

Donamon

17/02/2005

Kinsalebeg

01/04/2005

Ballintogher

21/04/2005

Ryefield

30/04/2005

Loughhill

01/06/2005

Castleblakeney

30/06/2005

Derreens

30/06/2005

Neale

01/07/2005

Frosses

13/07/2005

Tourlestrane

22/07/2005

Kilmovee

29/07/2005

Stratford-On-Slaney

30/07/2005

Ballinamuck

04/08/2005

Kildalkey

21/10/2005

Emo

04/11/2005

Mount Temple

30/11/2005

Mageney

06/01/2006

Bunnanadden

11/01/2006

Milltownpass

16/01/2006

Freemount

01/02/2006

Reenascrenna

01/03/2006

Ross West

01/03/2006

Clashmore

31/03/2006

Energy Market Regulation.

Seán Ryan

Question:

25 Mr. S. Ryan asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the position regarding the development of the all-island energy market; the role renewable energy technologies will play in this integrated market; the way in which the two regulators will co-operate in a single market; his views on the establishment of a single all-island regulator; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13635/06]

Government policy in regard to the creation of an all-island energy market is set out in the all-island energy market development framework which was jointly launched in November 2004.

The key priority within the framework is to put the all-island wholesale electricity market in place by 1 July 2007. The two regulators have already agreed the high-level principles governing the operation of this market and are now working on the detailed rules. This process involves close consultation with stakeholders.

A critical immediate priority for both Governments is to ensure that an appropriate legislative framework is in place to underpin the single electricity market. Delivery of the new single market by July 2007 presents a very challenging timeframe in which the necessary parallel legislation must be enacted. Officials are working intensively with their Northern colleagues and the two regulatory authorities to ensure that this target is met.

At present, the two regulatory authorities co-operate on progressing all-island electricity market issues on foot of a memorandum of understanding agreed between them in August 2004. The way in which the two regulators will work together in the context of the single electricity market will be provided for in the underpinning legislation. In the context of the all-island energy market development framework, the development of a single regulatory body is signalled within the detailed development programme as a longer-term strategic goal. An examination of the benefits and requirements for the creation of an all-island regulatory body is scheduled for 2009-2010.

Work is under way to develop a long-term strategy for renewable energy on an all-island basis. A joint North-South public consultation on an all-island vision for renewable energy by 2020 and beyond has been undertaken. We will develop an agreed joint policy paper this year on long-term sustainability of energy supplies, with a particular focus on renewable electricity generation. As part of this work, a major grid study is under way to address the implications of significantly increased renewables in the electricity mix on the island of Ireland by 2020.

Paul Connaughton

Question:

26 Mr. Connaughton asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if he has in mind legislative changes or proposals with a view to freeing up or improving competition in the energy market with consequent benefit to the consumer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13803/06]

The Minister has recently published the Energy (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2006. This Bill, which builds on recent secondary legislation to implement the electricity and gas market EU directives, will enhance competitiveness within the energy market and bring consequent benefits to the consumer. The Second Stage of the Bill was introduced to the House earlier today.

One of the key provisions of this Bill is to expand the functions of the Commission for Energy Regulation, CER, to underpin its work on an all-island energy market. The new market will, over time, remove market distortions and should impact positively on the wholesale cost of electricity. It should also make Ireland more attractive as a location for new electricity generation investment and help improve the security and reliability of electricity supplies throughout the entire island.

Another key feature of the Energy (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2006 is the provision enabling the Minister to introduce full gas market opening by ministerial order in advance of the EU deadline of 1 July 2007. The opening of the natural gas market has been implemented in phases in line with EU policy requirements. This final phase of market opening will extend the benefits of liberalisation, previously enjoyed by industrial and commercial consumers, to all natural gas customers who will be able to shop around for their supplier and get the best value. The electricity market in Ireland fully opened on 19 February 2005, when all 1.8 million customers became free to shop around for their electricity supplier. This date is well in advance of the July 2007 deadline for full liberalisation of the electricity markets as set down by the EU in the second Electricity Directive 2003/54/EC.

There are currently five active independent suppliers in the electricity retail market who have tended to focus to date on large to medium sized customers. Competitive activity in that segment is strong with 33% of total energy now being supplied by independents. Over time, as suppliers target the domestic market, those benefits are expected to be extended to the domestic customer. The all-island single electricity market, which is scheduled for 1 July 2007, will see new market and trading arrangements in place which will facilitate and enhance competition.

Question No. 27 answered with QuestionNo. 18.

Energy Resources.

Bernard Allen

Question:

28 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources his views on whether adequate oil, gas or other fuel storage facilities are sufficient to meet future requirements; if he has in mind proposals to improve or enhance this capability; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13823/06]

Fergus O'Dowd

Question:

108 Mr. O’Dowd asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the extent of the proposals he has to increase the storage capacity in respect of oil, gas or other fuels; the capacity in terms of days or weeks; his plans to improve the situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13815/06]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 28 and 108 together.

As a member of the International Energy Agency Ireland is required to maintain emergency oil stocks equivalent to at least 90 days of net imports of crude oil equivalent in the previous year. The EU imposes a similar requirement based on consumption. The National Oil Reserves Agency, NORA, is responsible for holding Ireland's strategic oil reserves.

It meets its obligations through a combination of stocks owned by NORA both at home and abroad, stocks ‘ticketed' by NORA and operational stocks held in Ireland by the oil industry and large companies. At 1 February 2006, Ireland's oil stock reserves were estimated at 101 days net imports of which NORA stocks accounted for 37 days.

It is estimated that oil storage capacity held by the Irish oil industry and oil consumers amounts to 98 days. The question of increasing the capacity of oil companies and oil consumers is one for the companies themselves.

The Minister is satisfied that Ireland's emergency stock levels are sufficient to ensure that we would be in a position to participate effectively in any internationally co-ordinated response in the event of an international oil supply disruption, or manage any short-term disruption specifically impacting on the Irish market.

Under the Gas (Interim) (Regulation) Act 2002, the Commission for Energy Regulation, CER, has the function of licensing natural gas storage facilities. In carrying out its functions, the commission must have regard to the need to ensure that there is sufficient capacity in the natural gas system to enable reasonable expectations of demand to be met; and to secure the continuity, security and quality of supplies of natural gas.

Marathon Oil Ireland Limited is developing natural gas storage facilities at south west Kinsale. CER is finalising the licensing regime and it is planned that the storage facility will be operational in summer 2006.

A common all-island approach on storage and liquefied natural gas in the context of the all-island energy market development framework is being progressed. Work is under way by the Departments and regulatory authorities North and South with a feasibility study being commissioned as a first step.

In the case of peat, Bord na Mona holds stocks of 6.6 million tonnes of peat against annual requirement of 3.3 million tonnes based on usage of the three peat stations and the two briquette factories.

Postal Services.

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Question:

29 Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the percentage stake the Government has in An Post; and if he has an adequate amount of power regarding An Post for the size of this stake. [13769/06]

Arthur Morgan

Question:

70 Mr. Morgan asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if he has powers or responsibilities regarding An Post; and if so, if he will outline them. [13767/06]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 29 and 70 together.

The powers and responsibilities of the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources with respect to An Post are as set out in the Postal and Telecommunications Services Act 1983 and in the memorandum and articles of the company. As set out in the 1983 Act, the Government has a 100% stake in the company. The Minister's responsibilities are also to ensure that the corporate governance guidelines for semi-State bodies are adhered to and that the shareholder interests in the company are protected.

In accordance with the 1983 Act, in his role as shareholder of the company, the Minister has appointed a board to oversee the management of the company and to deal directly with the day-to-day operational matters of the company.

Question No. 30 answered with QuestionNo. 7.
Question No. 31 answered with QuestionNo. 14.

Fishing Industry Development.

John Perry

Question:

32 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if there are plans to draw up a strategic plan for the Irish fishing fleet; if, in view of events such as the recent €45 million spent on decommissioning whitefish vessels just ten years after the State began spending €100 million on renewing the whitefish fleet, there is a need for a strategic plan for the industry; his plans to meet fishing body representatives to discuss future plans for the industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13643/06]

The Government is supporting the development of the seafood industry through a number of integrated schemes designed to secure a sustainable future for the industry under the aegis of the National Development Plan 2000-2006.

The two successful fleet renewal programmes and the recent introduction of a decommissioning scheme with a budget of €45 million over the next two years will together deliver the necessary restructuring, renewal and modernisation of the fishing fleet, which is designed to bring a modern, safe and efficient fleet into balance with the available fishing opportunities.

The scope for the continued further development of the industry will be determined in the context of the next national plan for the period 2007-2013. In this regard, extensive discussions have already been held at EU level regarding a new European fisheries fund to apply over the period 2007-2013. The terms of the new European fisheries fund have not yet been agreed at EU level. The proposal is the main item on the Fisheries Council planned for 25 April 2006.

The Minister, Deputy Dempsey, and I will meet the fishing industry representatives in the near future to commence the process of developing a strategy for the fishing industry that will provide for a long-term sustainable future for the fishing industry and support the livelihoods of coastal communities dependent on fishing.

Broadcasting Services.

Willie Penrose

Question:

33 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources when the consultants Deloitte & Touche and William Fry Solicitors will report on an implementation plan for the establishment of TG4 as an independent statutory body; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13623/06]

I refer the Deputy to the Minister's reply to Question No. 82 on 21 February 2006.

Question No. 34 answered with QuestionNo. 9.
Question No. 35 answered with QuestionNo. 23.

Harbours and Piers.

Paul Nicholas Gogarty

Question:

36 Mr. Gogarty asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the timetable for construction works in the development of Greencastle harbour announced at the end of January 2006; the projected total costs for the works; the amounts that will be provided by his Department and the local authority in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13746/06]

The harbour at Greencastle is owned by Donegal County Council and responsibility for its maintenance and development rests with the local authority in the first instance. In 2006 the Department has allocated funding of €2.4 million towards the commencement of the first phase of a development project for Greencastle harbour under the fishery harbours development programme. Under that programme the Department provides 75% funding and the local authority pays the balance of 25%. The total expenditure envisaged for 2006, including the county council's contribution, is €3.2 million. The proposed development at Greencastle has received full planning permission.

The first phase is the construction of a 290 m long rock breakwater; the cost of this phase is currently estimated as €16.74 million. The second phase involves the construction of 100 m of berthage for mussel dredger boats; the current cost estimate of this second phase is €4.56 million. The third and final phase would be the construction of a 250 m long deepwater pier whose current estimated cost is €16.74 million. The total estimated cost of the project comes to €38.04 million at current costings.

The 2006 works will consist of access road construction to the proposed new breakwater site and the carrying out of environmental impact mitigation measures at neighbouring residential properties.

The question of providing further funding to the project in future years depends on the amount of Exchequer funding available for fishery harbours and overall national priorities.

Alternative Energy Projects.

John Gormley

Question:

37 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the proposals which exist for increasing the number of certified installers of renewable heat systems that qualify for the new domestic renewable energy grants; and the reason the support measures for solar panels under this scheme are based on the size of the panels rather than on their relative efficiency standards. [13749/06]

The domestic grants scheme is being rolled out on behalf of the Department by Sustainable Energy Ireland, SEI. The availability of trained and certified installers is an important element of the quality assurance mechanism and the grant scheme in general. SEI is facilitating consumers by maintaining a list of installers who qualify for use under the scheme.

Actions to increase this number in the near term include running an advertisement in the national daily newspapers on 3 April 2006 and in industry-specific publications thereafter. SEI and Action Renewables, Northern Ireland, are currently involved in a North-South INTERREG funded initiative, which is providing for the development and delivery of renewable energy installer training courses in the INTERREG region. The first training courses under the programme are already under way and this will provide a platform in the longer term to support the development of a national training and certification infrastructure.

The level of grant aid for the programme reflects a strong Government commitment to encourage people to install renewable heat technology in their homes. The mechanism for supporting solar systems in particular recognises that the level of water or space heating that can be achieved in any home is directly related to the size or number of panels installed.

Question No. 38 answered with QuestionNo. 11.

Departmental Correspondence.

Ciarán Cuffe

Question:

39 Mr. Cuffe asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the correspondence he has received from the European Commission on the failure of Ireland to fully unbundle electricity generation, supply and transmission system here; the action the Commission is proposing in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13744/06]

The Department has brought to the Minister's attention recent press reports indicating that the European Commission may be preparing to adopt a package of infringement procedures against a number of member states in respect of issues around the transposition or implementation of Community energy legislation into national law.

At this point, the Department has not received any formal notification or correspondence from the European Commission on the unbundling of the electricity transmission system operator from electricity supply and generation in this country.

Alternative Energy Projects.

Jim O'Keeffe

Question:

40 Mr. J. O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the number and capacity of wind or other alternative energy generating systems currently contributing to the national grid or waiting to do so; if difficulties have been experienced in the matter of access to the grid; if he intends to legislate to ensure ready and smooth access; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13821/06]

The Minister is generally satisfied that arrangements for access to the grid reflect the need to enhance the contribution of wind and other renewable energies to electricity generation in a way which manages in particular the actual or potential impacts of wind powered plant on the grid.

ESB Networks publishes a list of renewable and alternative projects connected to the networks and other projects which have signed connection agreements but have not yet connected to the electricity networks. Details of projects which have requested connections but have not yet contracted are regarded as commercially sensitive and are not published — the total capacity of these unpublished projects is approximately 3,000 megawatts, MWs. I have set out the available information in the following tables.

Table 1: Connected Windfarms

TSO Connected:

Agannygal Derrybrien (1)

60.0MWs

Booltiagh Booltiagh (1)

19.5MWs

Crane Ballywater (1)

31.5 MWs

Cunghill Kingsmountain (1)

23.8 MWs

Drumkeen Meentycat (1)

71.0 MWs

Golagh Golagh (1)

15.0 MWs

DSO Connected:

Ardnacrusha Curraghgraigue (1)

2.6 MWs

Ardnacrusha Mienvee (1)

0.7 MWs

Arigna Black Banks (1)

3.4 MWs

Arigna Corrie Mountain (1)

4.8 MWs

Arigna Kilronan (1)

5.0 MWs

Arigna Spion Kop (1)

1.2 MWs

Arklow Arklow Banks (1)

25.2 MWs

Bellacorick Bellacorick (1)

6.5 MWs

Binbane Burtonport Harbour (1)

0.7 MWs

Carlow Cronelea Upper (1)

2.6 MWs

Castlebar Burren (1)

0.0 MWs

Castlebar Cuillalea West (1)

3.4 MWs

Castlebar Raheen Barr (1)

18.7 MWs

Cath_Fall Anarget (1)

2.0 MWs

Cath_Fall Anarget (2)

1.1 MWs

Cath_Fall Meenadreen (1)

3.4 MWs

Corderry Altagowlan (1)

7.6 MWs

Corderry Black Banks (2)

6.8 MWs

Corderry Geevagh (1)

5.0 MWs

Corderry Moneenatieve (1)

4.0 MWs

Crane Kilbranish (Greenoge) (1)

5.0 MWs

Dunmanway Coomatallin (1)

6.0 MWs

Dunmanway Curabwee (1)

4.6 MWs

Dunmanway Milane Hill (1)

5.9 MWs

Galway Inis Mean (1)

0.7 MWs

Galway Inverin (Knock South) (1)

3.3 MWs

Glenlara Taurbeg (1)

20.0 MWs

Ikerrin Ballinlough (1)

2.6 MWs

Ikerrin Ballinveny (1)

2.6 MWs

Knockeragh Gneeves (1)

9.4 MWs

Letterkenny Cark (1)

15.0 MWs

Letterkenny Cronalaght (1)

5.0 MWs

Letterkenny Culliagh (1)

11.9 MWs

Letterkenny Meenanilta (1)

2.6 MWs

Letterkenny Meenanilta (2)

2.5 MWs

TSO and DSO Connected Wind Farms:

Meath Hill Gartnaneane I &II

15.0 MWs

Shankill Corneen (1)

3.0 MWs

Somerset Sonnagh Old (1)

7.7 MWs

Tonroe Largan Hill (1)

5.9 MWs

Tralee Beenageeha (1)

4.0 MWs

Tralee Mount Eagle (1)

5.1 MWs

Tralee Tursillagh (1)

15.2 MWs

Tralee Tursillagh (2)

6.8 MWs

Trien Beale (1)

1.7 MWS

Trien Beale (2)

2.6 MWs

Trillick Crockahenny (1)

5.0 MWs

Trillick Drumlough Hill (1)

4.8 MWs

Tullabrack Moanmore (1)

12.6 MWs

Wexford Carnsore (1)

11.9 MWs

TOTAL CONNECTED: 522.9

Table 2 — Connected — other technologies

TSO Connected

Ardnacrusha Ardnacrusha Hydro (1) Hydro

22.0 MWs

Ardnacrusha Ardnacrusha Hydro (2) Hydro

22.0 MWs

Ardnacrusha Ardnacrusha Hydro (3) Hydro

21.0 MWs

Ardnacrusha Ardnacrusha Hydro (4) Hydro

21.0 MWs

Carrigadrohid Lee Carrigadrohid Hydro (1) Hydro

8.0 MWs

Cath_Fall Erne Cathleens Fall Hydro (1) Hydro

22.5 MWs

Cath_Fall Erne Cathleens Fall Hydro (2) Hydro

22.5 MWs

Cliff Erne Cliff Hydro (1) Hydro

10.0 MWs

Cliff Erne Cliff Hydro (2) Hydro

10.0 MWs

Inniscarra Lee Inniscarra Hydro (1) Hydro

15.0 MWs

Inniscarra Lee Inniscarra Hydro (2) Hydro

4.0 MWs

Pollaphuca Pollaphuca Hydro (1) Hydro

15.0 MWs

Pollaphuca Pollaphuca Hydro (2) Hydro

15.0 MWs

Pollaphuca Pollaphuca Hydro (3) Hydro

4.0 MWs

DSO Connected

Ardnacrusha ESB Parteen Hydro (1) Hydro

0.4 MWs

Athlone Robert Perry & Co Hydro (1) Hydro

0.4 MWs

Ballylickey Borlin Valley Hydro (1) Hydro

0.4 MWs

Ballylickey ESB Valoren Project Hydro (1) Hydro

0.8 MWs

Ballylickey Owenbeg Natural Power Hydro (1) Hydro

0.8 MWs

Ballylickey Slaheny River Hydro (1) Hydro

0.5 MWs

Bandon Bandon Charlt. Res. Hydro (1) Hydro

0.1 MWs

Binbane Clady Hydro (1) Hydro

4.3 MWs

Binbane Doorian Hydro (1) Hydro

0.3 MWs

Cahir Nicholas de Grubb Hydro (1) Hydro

0.1 MWs

Carlow Avonmore Foods Hydro (1) Hydro

0.1 MWs

Carlow Strongstream Electric Hydro (1) Hydro

0.3 MWs

Carrick on Shannon Glebe Hydro (1) Hydro

0.1 MWs

Carrick on Shannon Stewart Hydro (1) Hydro

0.1 MWs

Carrickmines Ballyogan LFG (1) LFG

1.9 MWs

Castleview Lee Road Hydro (1) Hydro

0.3 MWs

Cath_Fall Barnesbridge Hydro (1) Hydro

0.5 MWs

Cath_Fall Edergole Energy Ltd Hydro (1) Hydro

0.7 MWs

Cath_Fall Lowerymore Hydro (1) Hydro

0.6 MWs

Cloon Nadirkmore Hydro (1) Hydro

0.4 MWs

Cloon Springvale Hydro (1) Hydro

0.1 MWs

Drybridge Slane Trading Company Hydro (1) Hydro

0.1 MWs

Dundalk O’Rourke Bros Ltd Hydro (1) Hydro

0.1 MWs

Dundalk RC Windham Hydro (1) Hydro

0.1 MWs

Galway Kylemore Abbey Hydro (1) Hydro

0.0 MWs

Griffinrath Celbridge Mills Hydro (1) Hydro

0.1 MWs

Griffinrath Leixlip Hydro (1) Hydro

4.0 MWs

Inchicore Munslow Ltd Hydro (1) Hydro

0.1 MWs

Inchicore Shackelton & Sons Hydro (1)Hydro

0.1 MWs

Kilkenny Bleach Green Elec Hydro (1) Hydro

0.1 MWs

Kilkenny Ormond Mills Hydro (1) Hydro

0.1 MWs

Knockeragh Glenlough Generation Hydro (1) Hydro

0.4 MWs

Knockeragh Sandview Ltd Hydro (1) Hydro

0.6 MWs

Lanesboro Termonbarry Hydro (1) Hydro

0.4 MWs

Navan Boyne Hydro (1) Hydro

0.2 MWs

Newbridge Drummond Hills Hydro (1) Hydro

0.0 MWs

Oughteragh Trewell Hydro (1) Hydro

1.0 MWs

Rathkeale S’thern C’Is (A’board) (1) Hydro

0.2 MWs

Shankill Caffreys Ltd Hydro (1) Hydro

0.1 MWs

Sligo Collooney Manufacturing Hydro (1)

0.5 MWs

Aughinish Alumina CHP (1) CHP

110.0 MWs

Bandon Graingers Sawmills CHP (1) CHP

2.7 MWs

Charleville Dairygold CHP (1) CHP

8.6 MWs

Charleville Golden Vale CHP (1) CHP

2.0 MWs

Dallow Midland Maltings CHP (1) CHP

0.7 MWs

Dungarvan Waterford Foods (1) Other

3.0 MWs

Dunmanway Carbery Milk Products CHP (1) CHP

5.0 MWs

Finglas Mater Hospital CHP (1) CHP

1.5 MWs

Inchicore Guinness CHP (1) CHP

7.0 MWs

Kilbarry Cork University Hospital CHP (1) CHP

0.6 MWs

Mallow Dairygold CHP (2) CHP

4.0 MWs

Mitchelstown Dairygold CHP (3) CHP

8.6 MWs

Portlaoise Glanbia Ballyraggett CHP (1) CHP

7.8 MWs

Ringsend Dublin Civic Offices CHP (1) CHP

0.9 MWs

Cookstown Friarstown LFG (1) LFG

0.1 MWs

Finglas Dunsink LFG (1) LFG

5.0 MWs

Glasmore Ballyeally LFG (1) LFG

4.9 MWs

Kilteel Arthurstown LFG (1) LFG

4.3 MWS

Kilteel Arthurstown LFG (2) LFG

1.1 MWs

Kilteel Sillot Hill (1) LFG

1.3 MWs

Newbridge Brownstown LFG (1) LFG

2.6 MWs

Newbridge Brownstown LFG (2) LFG

1.3 MWs

Cow Cross UCC Photovoltaic (1) Other

0.1 MWs

TSO and DSO Non-Wind Generators — Connected

Sligo Rockygrange Hotel Hydro (1) Hydro

2.2 MWs

Thornsberry Coola Mills Hydro (1) Hydro

0.1 MWs

Thornsberry Synthetic Packaging Hydro (1) Hydro

0.1 MWs

Thurles Michael Dwan Hydro (1) Hydro

0.2 MWs

Trien Millstream Hydro (1) Hydro

0.2 MWs

Waterford Benedict Behal Hydro (1) Hydro

0.1 MWs

Trabeg Tramore Valley LFG (1) LFG

2.0 MWs

Wexford Ballyshannon Farms (1) Other

0.2 MWs

TOTAL CONNECTED: 420.8

Table 3 Contracted Wind Farms.

TSO Contracted

Arklow Arklow Banks (2)

60.0 MWs

Athea Athea (1)

51.0 MWs

Coomacheo Coomacheo (1)

41.2 MWs

Coomagearlaghy Coomagearlahy (1)

42.5 MWs

Glanlee Glanlee (1)

29.8 MWs

Moneypoint Moneypoint (1)

21.9 MWs

Pallas Pallas (1)

37.8 MWs

Ratrussan Mountain Lodge (1)

24.8 MWS

Ratrussan Ratrussan (1)

70.0 MWs

DSO Contracted

Ardnacrusha Knockastanna (1)

7.5 MWs

Ballylickey Glanta Commons (1)

19.6 MWs

Ballylickey Kealkil (Curraglass) (1)

8.5 MWs

Bandon Kilvinane (1)

4.5 MWs

Binbane Killybegs (1)

2.6 MWs

Binbane Meenachullalan (1)

11.9MWs

Butlerstown Beallough (1)

1.7 MWS

Carlow Cronelea (1)

5.0 MWs

Corderry Caranne Hill (1)

3.4 MWs

Dallow Carrig (1)

2.6 MWs

Dallow Skehanagh (1)

4.3 MWs

Drybridge Dunmore (1)

1.7 MWs

Dundalk Mullananalt (1)

7.5 MWs

Dunmanway Lahanaght Hill (1)

4.3 MWs

Glenlara Dromdeveen (1)

10.5 MWs

Glenlara Taurbeg (2)

6.0 MWs

Letterkenny Lurganboy (1)

5.1 MWs

Macroom Carriganimma (1)

15.0 MWs

Mallow Carrigcannon (1)

20.0 MWs

Moy Lackan (1)

6.0 MWs

Rathkeale Glenshesk (1)

5.0 MWs

Rathkeale Killacullen (1)

2.5 MWs

Rathkeale Rathcahill (1)

5.0 MWs

Shankill Mountain Lodge (2)

3.0 MWs

Sorne Hill Glackmore Hill (1)

0.6 MWS

Sorne Hill Sorne Hill (1)

31.5 MWs

Tralee Lee Strand Co-Operative (1)

15.0 MWs

Tralee Mount Eagle (2)

1.7 MWs

Tralee Muingnaminnane (1)

15.3 MWs

Trien Tournafulla (1)

7.6 MWs

Trillick Beam Hill (1)

14.0 MWs

Wexford Richfield (1)

20.3 MWs

Wexford Richfield (2)

6.8 MWs

TOTAL CONTRACTED: 654.7

Table 4 — Contracted other technologies

DSO Contracted

Kilkenny Ballytobin Biogas (1) Biomass

0.2 MWs

Kilteel Arthurstown LFG (3) LFG

4.1 MWs

Rathkeale Gortadroma LFG (1) LFG

3.2 MWs

Total Installed DSO 7.5

TOTAL CONTRACTED: 7.5

Pat Breen

Question:

41 Mr. P. Breen asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the full extent of financial assistance available for installation or conversion purposes in respect of houses or buildings with low insulation or energy efficiency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13839/06]

In the December 2005 budget, funding of up to €65 million over five years for renewable energy schemes was announced. The first stage of this funding is the greener homes scheme which was launched on 26 March 2006 and provides up to €27 million in grant aid for domestic renewable heat technologies including the installation of wood pellet stoves and boilers, solar panels and geothermal heat pumps. Grant aid of €1,100 to €6,500 will be provided depending on the individual technology used. Sustainable Energy Ireland, SEI, implements the scheme and application forms are available via its website —www.sei.ie— and its dedicated lo-call telephone number.

This builds on SEI's earlier schemes such as the house of tomorrow, HOT, programme which is still operating in parallel. This scheme has directed financial support to encourage developers of housing, both new-build and refurbishment, to incorporate design and technology features which deliver significantly superior energy and CO2 performance. By targeting developers of schemes of houses, from the private or social housing sectors, the aim is to establish a nationwide network of accessible examples of more sustainable energy design and technology practices.

To date the programme has committed over €9 million funding to 48 projects comprising a total of 2,269 housing units. All feature an integrated approach to design, orientation, building fabric and the supply and use of energy that achieves performance of at least 20% better than current building regulations and, in the majority of projects, 40% better. The sustainable energy features across the range of projects funded include: solar hot water systems, ground source heat pumps, condensing boilers, group heating schemes and mechanical ventilation with heat recovery along with higher levels of insulation.

Postal Services.

David Stanton

Question:

42 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the most recent meetings he has held with An Post management; the matters that were discussed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13763/06]

In the last six months my colleague, the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, Deputy Noel Dempsey, has met twice with An Post management to discuss various issues that relate to the safeguarding of shareholder interests in the company. Additionally, officials in the Department continue to meet with An Post management on a regular basis to discuss ongoing issues in the company.

Fishing Fleet Modernisation.

Richard Bruton

Question:

43 Mr. Bruton asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the reason, with regard to recent revelations that the European Commission was not informed about the fishing vessel lost at sea scheme, this Deputy was told in response to Question No. 6 of 15 June 2005 that it was impossible to re-open the scheme due to EU regulations; if the Government ever approached the EU to ascertain if it was possible to re-open the said scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13645/06]

As the Deputy will be aware the fishing vessel lost at sea scheme was introduced in June 2001, following consultation with the fishing industry representative organisations. The purpose of the scheme was to enable qualifying applicants, who were otherwise unable to do so for financial or related reasons, to provide replacement capacity for the purposes of introducing a replacement vessel in respect of fishing boats lost at sea between 1980 and the establishment of the fishing boat register in 1990, in order to continue a family tradition of sea-fishing. The scheme did not provide financial support for the acquisition of a fishing vessel itself and took into account the requirement that Ireland was required to keep within EU limits on the size of national fishing fleets.

The European Commission was not informed about the introduction of the scheme in 2001 because it was not considered necessary to do so as the scheme was in compliance with relevant European Community requirements then in force.

The position changed with the introduction of the new Common Fisheries Policy framework, enshrined in Council Regulation 2371 of 2002, which provides that the entry of new capacity into the fleet without public aid is compensated by the previous withdrawal without public aid of at least the same amount of capacity. This provision is regarded as a cornerstone of the new Common Fisheries Policy in so far as it ensures that the capacity of member states fishing fleets do not increase beyond the level in place on 1 January 2003.

Clearly, the allocation of further capacity under the scheme would be in breach of Council Regulation 2371 of 2002. In these circumstances, I do not consider it appropriate to approach the EU Commission to ascertain if it is possible to re-open the scheme.

Alternative Energy Projects.

Fergus O'Dowd

Question:

44 Mr. O’Dowd asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if current liberalisation or deregulation procedures are sufficient to encourage competition and enable easy access to the electricity market for alternative energy suppliers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13814/06]

The markets in electricity generation and supply are now liberalised and in that context the Government is committed to increase the contribution from renewable energy technologies to electricity generation and consumption.

The current minimum target is to increase the contribution from renewable energy sources to 13.2% of total electricity production by 2010. The Minister has confirmed that to support delivery of that target he intends to launch the renewable energy feed in tariff, REFIT, programme as soon as possible.

Mobile Telephony.

Jim O'Keeffe

Question:

45 Mr. J. O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources when he expects mobile telephone charges here to be reduced in line with the costs elsewhere in Europe; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13820/06]

Billy Timmins

Question:

81 Mr. Timmins asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the way in which the quality, cost and service of the mobile telephone system here compares with those in other European countries; if he has in mind proposals to improve the situation from the consumer point of view; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13835/06]

Michael Ring

Question:

87 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the action he will take directly or through the regulator with a view to improving the quality of the mobile telephone service here with particular reference to signal quality and elimination of dropped calls; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13817/06]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 45, 81 and 87 together.

The Minister has no function in regulating pricing for services or quality of service in the telecommunications market. The provision of telecommunications services is a matter in the first instance for the private sector companies operating in a fully liberalised market.

The regulation of telecommunications operators, including regulating of pricing and quality for mobile phone services is the responsibility of the Commission for Communications Regulation, ComReg, in accordance with the requirements of the Communications Regulation Act 2002 and regulations which transpose the EU Regulatory Framework for Electronic Communications.

I have no information to say that Irish mobile charges are generally the highest in Europe. However, ComReg's quarterly key data for the Irish communications market for Q4 2005 indicate that the average revenue per user, ARPU, for Ireland is €47.60 per month, second only to Switzerland at €47.98 per month. The EU ARPU is €30.26 per month.

Broadcasting Services.

Tom Hayes

Question:

46 Mr. Hayes asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if he has had discussions with broadcasters or potential broadcasters in the context of the future development of broadcasting services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13826/06]

I refer the Deputy to the Minister's reply to Question No. 142 of 21 February 2006.

Question No. 47 answered with QuestionNo. 23.

Foreshore Licences.

Pat Rabbitte

Question:

48 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if the responsibility for collecting foreshore licence payments is to move from his Department’s responsibility to that of local authorities; the amount the State is losing each year through his Department’s failure to collect these payments; the timetable for the proposed changeover; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13617/06]

Payments that fall to be made in respect of leases and licences granted under the Foreshore Acts are collected by the Department, as part of its overall responsibility for the administration of the foreshore in accordance with those Acts.

Considerable progress has been made in the recent past in recovering rental arrears. The amount of arrears in respect of leases and licences was reduced from €744,000 in January 2005 to €442,000 in January 2006. Work to recover the moneys still owed is ongoing and a number of cases representing a large element of the outstanding sum have been referred to the legal services.

In addition, the Department has modified its collection procedures with a view to ensuring that lessees and licensees make payments on a timely basis in future, and that appropriate steps are taken to recover debts where payment is not forthcoming.

There are no proposals for the assignment to local authorities of responsibility for collection of foreshore payments.

Salmon Management Report.

John Gormley

Question:

49 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if, in view of the advice that has been presented by the National Salmon Commission’s standing scientific committee, he will give a commitment that all drift-netting of wild salmon in the open seas will discontinue at the end of this season; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13748/06]

I announced on 24 March that I had decided to adopt the recommendations made to me by the National Salmon Commission, NSC, on the total allowable salmon catch for 2006. This will involve reductions in the quota available to both commercial fishermen and anglers in 2006. In doing so I have also reaffirmed the Government's commitment to fully align with the scientific advice provided on the management of the wild salmon fishery by 2007.

Accepting the recommendations of the National Salmon Commission and the National Fisheries Management Executive, the total allowable catch in 2006 will be 91,367 for the commercial sector and 15,000 for angling, fully complying with the national conservation limits established by the standing scientific committee. These reductions in overall fishing effort are required in order to sustain and rebuild wild salmon stocks nationwide.

The standing scientific committee has indicated that mixed stock fisheries pose particular threats to the status of individual stocks and that fisheries operated in estuaries and rivers are more likely to fulfil national requirements and international obligations. In this context the National Fisheries Management Executive has identified a range of pilot projects to facilitate the commercial fishery to move from areas of indiscriminate mixed stock fishery exploitation. The feasibility of these projects will be evaluated by the Department in conjunction with the fisheries boards and the Marine Institute with a view to their implementation in 2007 and beyond.

I recognise the considerable efforts made by the commercial fishing industry over the past number of years to build a sustainable fishery and they have endured large cuts in the quotas available to them. I realise that these reductions have caused them difficulty and that full alignment with the scientific advice will likely compound these problems. For these reasons, I have decided to appoint an independent group to examine the implications of the new regulations for the commercial sector in 2007 and beyond and to make recommendations on the options available to address any financial hardship that may arise.

Broadcasting Legislation.

Jimmy Deenihan

Question:

50 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if he intends to amend the Broadcasting (Major Events Television Coverage) Act 1999 and the (Designation of Major Events) Order 2003 to include in the schedule of events free to air the Ryder Cup; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13650/06]

Jack Wall

Question:

63 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the position regarding the free-to-air broadcasting of the 2006 Ryder Cup; if he has reviewed all the submissions received on this issue; his views on the need for as many people as possible to have television access to this major sporting event; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8193/06]

Tom Hayes

Question:

95 Mr. Hayes asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if he expects free to air broadcasting or transmission of the Ryder Cup; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13827/06]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 50, 63 and 95 together.

I refer the Deputy to my reply to Question No. 19 of 6 April 2006.

Question No. 51 answered with QuestionNo. 9.

Energy Resources.

Ruairí Quinn

Question:

52 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if he is monitoring the British wholesale gas market, in view of its importance for Irish imports; the impact of the sky-rocketing British prices and the first ever declaration of a gas balancing alert there on the Irish gas market; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13616/06]

The Department, the Commission for Energy Regulation and relevant national players monitor developments and potential developments in international energy markets that may impact on the Irish market. This includes developments in the British wholesale market.

Bord Gáis Éireann, BGE, has advised that the gas balancing alert in question resulted from an atypical coincidence of events: supplies of gas from Troll Gas, the biggest supplier of Norwegian gas, were down on normal production; production from the North Sea gas fields was down; and supplies from the Rough gas field — a key storage facility in the UK — were down. The situation was exacerbated by industrial relations problems in France involving workers at the liquefied natural gas storage facilities. Finally, the unseasonably very cold weather in the UK was a factor in that last month was the coldest March since 1947. As a result volatility was experienced in buying and selling of gas on the market, leading to a spike in prices. However, prices began to fall back towards normal levels very shortly after the alert.

The Minister is advised that there were no immediate price or supply implications for Ireland following the gas balancing alert. If such a scenario were to continue however, measures are in place in both jurisdictions whereby gas would be shared out to all sectors depending on a ranking system. On price, BGE's gas purchases have different profiles — a proportion of gas is bought months in advance, while other supplies are bought only weeks and days in advance. While there will always be a small impact, daily spikes in price do not have a material effect. Most large gas purchasers, such as ESB, have similar purchasing profiles.

Postal Services.

Pat Breen

Question:

53 Mr. P. Breen asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if he is satisfied that all outstanding issues between management and An Post have been satisfactorily resolved with a view to enabling a smooth expansion and development of services including compatible or likely future services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13838/06]

David Stanton

Question:

73 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the plans the Government has for the future of An Post; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13764/06]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 53 and 73 together.

The future development and continued viability of An Post and its services is, in the first instance, a matter for the board and management of An Post.

The welcome resolution to the company's recent industrial relations difficulties has, the Minister understands, facilitated all parties to sign off on the change programme, implementation of which is essential for the future viability of the company.

The Minister believes that there will continue to be a key national role for An Post, both in delivery of mails and as a quality service provider of Government and financial services through its nationwide network of post office outlets.

As a commercial company, the challenge ahead for An Post is to develop a strategy that satisfies the needs of existing customers into the post office. An Post has already had some success in winning new business and continues to benefit from a considerable amount of Government business, especially in the areas of social welfare payments and savings products. In addition, a pilot project was recently completed which involved the automation of ten small post offices.

I understand also that the Minister has asked the company to ensure that any strategy for the development of the company should ensure the long-term viability of the post office network. In this light, An Post is currently working on a new initiative which would see the development of An Post financial services, APFS. Its aim is to supply a wide range of retail financial services through the branch network. If successful, it could lead to a significant increase in post office business.

Electricity Generation.

Gay Mitchell

Question:

54 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the discussions he has had with the ESB, or the wind or alternative energy sectors on the liberalisation of the electricity market; if he has given an indication to or received proposals from the potential services providers in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13801/06]

I can inform the Deputy that the Minister engages the Department in regular discussion with all market players on energy issues, including electricity market liberalisation.

The Commission for Energy Regulation, CER, established by the Electricity Regulation Act 1999, is the statutory body with responsibility for regulation of the electricity market in Ireland. Under the Act, the CER may grant or refuse to grant a licence to generate or supply electricity. The CER must require the system operator to give priority to generating stations using renewable, sustainable or alternative energy sources.

The conditions for competition are being created through progressive liberalisation of the electricity and gas markets. In the opening of the electricity market, the position is that liberalisation of the electricity market has proceeded on a phased basis since February 2000 under the regulatory oversight of the CER.

The market has been open and contestable since February 2005, in advance of EU directive requirements. The CER advises that it has ensured that the support systems and processes are in place to enable new entrant electricity suppliers to serve any customer in Ireland. To date suppliers have primarily focused on larger customers because this was the first segment of the market to open to competition — a pattern that is common in other newly liberalising markets. Over time the CER expects to see those benefits extended successfully to the domestic customer.

In an all-island context, work is progressing on the development of a single electricity market, SEM. In June last year the CER and the Northern Ireland Authority for Energy Regulation published their high level decision relating to the proposed design for the SEM. The market is planned to go live on 1 July 2007.

The potential benefits of a mature SEM include: a larger, single market with competitive prices; open and transparent competition at all levels of the marketplace; a stable and attractive investment location; improved competitiveness; greater security of supply; robust, integrated infrastructure; a more diverse energy mix; greater energy efficiency and consumer choice; and longer-term savings.

Within the context of the all-island energy market development framework views were sought on how the electricity infrastructure on the island might best develop to allow the maximum penetration of renewable energy.

The consultation paper identified that further information was required on the resource potential for different renewable electricity technologies on the island of Ireland in 2020, the extent to which partially dispatchable and non-dispatchable generation can be accommodated, network development options and the economic implications of the policy options outlined within the paper.

A working group was established to specify and oversee the completion of studies that would provide more detailed information on the above issues. The working group recommended an all-island grid study and work is progressing on this project a priority.

Telecommunications Services.

Joe Costello

Question:

55 Mr. Costello asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the plans to form a new semi-State telecommunications company reportedly entitled Project Dingle; the way in which he envisages a new public entity operating with the privately managed metropolitan area networks; the proposed timetable for such a development; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13609/06]

The Department is examining the regional interconnectivity issue at present. It is recognised there are obstacles in ensuring that customers in regional towns can gain access to quality broadband services at competitive prices. Although the newly constructed metropolitan area networks, MANs, ensure that there is significant capacity available at extremely competitive rates in the urban areas of these towns, where this was previously not the case, there is still limited national competition on backhaul, that is, the onward transportation of this traffic to other destinations and on to the international Internet exchanges in Dublin, to enable businesses in regional locations attain an affordable quality of service. The Minister is determined to address this imbalance in regional cost and infrastructure deficiencies by exploring our options, including those in respect of State-owned companies-agencies that currently own telecommunications infrastructure. Our aim is to improve cost and promote choice and competition among the various regional backhaul providers.

A team of advisers was engaged in April 2005 to examine the various issues and they submitted a feasibility report last December setting out the available options. The team reported that, while technically feasible, there would be considerable financial, legal and management challenges in harnessing and enhancing the existing state owned infrastructures. The Minister is actively considering the report's conclusions in the context of developing strategies to improve backhaul connectivity to the regions.

It is clear to the Minister from discussions with people involved in the MANs and group broadband scheme, GBS, initiatives that backhaul pricing and availability is a critical issue for regional Ireland. Backhaul charges are making affordable high-capacity broadband in the regions difficult to achieve. This undermines the prospects for employment growth in regional and rural Ireland. If the market does not provide affordable national backhaul, this is a strategic weakness for Ireland, which we ignore at our peril. The Government will have no alternative but to examine all available options to resolve this difficulty.

The Government is addressing the infrastructure deficit by building high-speed open access MANs in 120 towns and cities nationwide, on a phased basis in association with the local and regional authorities. Phase one of this programme has delivered fibre optic networks to 27 towns and cities throughout the country, which were built on time and under budget.

This programme has been extended to a further 90 towns in various locations nationwide. Design and procurement has already commenced in several regions and construction is due to start in the coming months. It is expected that these MANs will be completed during 2006 and 2007. These MANs will allow the private sector to offer world-class broadband services at competitive costs.

In June 2004 the contract for management of the Government and local authority regional metropolitan broadband networks was awarded to E-Net, a company based in Limerick. The term of the contract is 15 years. E-Net operates as a wholesaler of access to the MANs and offers a full suite of products including ducting, sub-ducting, dark fibre, high level managed capacity, co-location facilities and relevant auxiliary services. Under phase one, 27 networks have been completed and handed over to E-Net. Activity has now begun on the networks with several customer contracts being signed by E-Net, including arrangements for backhaul.

Alternative Energy Projects.

Dinny McGinley

Question:

56 Mr. McGinley asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if he has in mind proposals to develop the alternative energy sector with a view to a reduction in fossil fuel importation and a higher degree of compliance with the Kyoto principles; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13797/06]

Dinny McGinley

Question:

107 Mr. McGinley asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources his preferred options in respect of the various methods of electricity generation in the future; the desirable proportions of hydro, wind, bio or other methods; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13796/06]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 56 and 107 together.

The problem of dealing with high fossil fuel dependence as carbon constraints become more pressing is not unique to Ireland. At EU and international level, energy policy is increasingly focusing on the development of alternative renewable energy sources, increasing energy efficiency and managing energy demand in response to the need to limit CO2 emissions. These are also key imperatives for Irish energy policy.

We are on target to meet our objective of increasing electricity generated from renewable sources to a minimum of 13.2% of total consumption by 2010. Wind generation is likely to remain the dominant technology in the short term for delivering this target, while research and development into other renewable energy sources, including wave technology, is being undertaken as a priority.

Targets beyond 2010 will be determined in the context of the development of an all-island electricity market. The aim is to develop a long-term strategy to support increased renewable energy penetration on the island as a whole. As part of this work a major grid study is under way to examine the implications of significantly increased renewables in the electricity mix on the island by 2020.

Broadcasting Services.

Liam Twomey

Question:

57 Dr. Twomey asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the nature of discussions he has had or instructions he may have given arising from representations from groups requesting the provision of subtitling in respect of television services; the way in which he intends to respond to such proposals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13840/06]

I refer the Deputy to the Minister's reply to Question No. 93 on 21 February 2006.

Question No. 58 answered with QuestionNo. 9.

Telecommunications Services.

Jack Wall

Question:

59 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the position regarding the Electronic Communications (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2005; the measures he is proposing to bring forward to reform the regulation of the telecommunications sector; the proposed timeframe for such reform; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13628/06]

The drafting of the Electronic Communications (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill was approved by Government this week and this legislation is a priority for the Minister on the communications side.

The Bill includes proposals on: enforcement of regulatory obligations; powers for ComReg to investigate over-charging; regulation of .ie domain name; and emergency call handling service. The proposals have been the subject of a public consultation and the details are available on the Department's website at www.dcmnr.ie.

Dan Neville

Question:

60 Mr. Neville asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources his plans to generate serious interest in the provision of nationwide broadband; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13810/06]

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

98 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the reason for the slow rate of progress in the provision of broadband services and facilities here; the action he proposes to take or direction he intends to issue to all involved with a view to ensuring a competitive technological edge for Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13784/06]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 60 and 98 together.

The provision of telecommunications services, including broadband, is a matter in the first instance for the private sector companies operating in a fully-liberalised market, regulated by the independent Commission for Communications Regulation, ComReg.

A principal reason for the slow roll-out of broadband services generally has been the lack of investment by the private sector in the necessary infrastructure to deliver broadband to all areas. The Government is addressing the infrastructure deficit in the regions by building high-speed, open-access metropolitan area networks, MANs, in 120 towns and cities nationwide. Phase one of this programme has delivered fibre-optic networks to 27 towns and cities throughout the country.

This programme has been extended to over 90 towns in various locations nationwide. It is expected that these MANs will be completed during 2006 and 2007. These networks will allow the private sector to offer world-class broadband services at competitive costs.

The Department also offers funding assistance for smaller towns and rural communities through the county and group broadband scheme. The scheme is technology-neutral, allowing the community to select the most suitable broadband delivery platform for the area. To date, over 150 projects have been approved for funding under this programme.

A joint industry-Government fund of €18 million has been established for the broadband for schools programme, which will provide every school in the country with broadband by the beginning of 2006. This is a crucial strand in the strategy of integrating ICT into teaching and learning, and the Department's wider vision of promoting the use of broadband technologies in local communities around the country. The construction-installation phase is now under way and the project is on target for completion within the set timeframe.

In 2004 there were over 80 Internet service providers; today there are over 156 companies, with at least 45 different broadband offerings. Wireless broadband technology is improving rapidly, and the lowering of equipment prices has made this technology much more attractive of late. The use of fixed wireless local access is increasing, especially in rural areas that cannot obtain ADSL connectivity, and the development of Wi-Max offers considerable potential in the future.

In late 2004 the Minister, Deputy Noel Dempsey, set targets for the industry — to increase subscriber numbers to 400,000 by the end of this year and 500,000 by the end of 2007. When he set this target, there were only 100,000 subscribers. Current rates to December 2005 stand at 270,700 — 6.6% penetration rate — and the Minister hopes that these targets will be achieved.

Harbours and Piers.

Paul Nicholas Gogarty

Question:

61 Mr. Gogarty asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if he is satisfied that all the conditions have been complied with to allow works to start on the construction of a breakwater at Buncrana harbour as was approved at the end of January 2006; if he is further satisfied that all the necessary lease and foreshore licences are in place with regard to the development; the timetable for the works; and the reason for them being commissioned. [13747/06]

Buncrana harbour is owned by Donegal County Council and responsibility for its maintenance and development rests with the local authority in the first instance. Donegal County Council submitted an application to the Department for funding to construct a breakwater to prevent siltation at the ferry slipway and a proposed boat harbour south of the existing pier. The proposed development would include an RNLI berth with 24-hour unrestricted tidal access in the boat harbour. The estimated total cost of the project is €1.65 million. In 2006 funding of €300,000 was approved to initiate the construction of the breakwater at Buncrana. Some 75% of this funding will be made available via a grant from the Department while Donegal County Council will provide the remaining 25%.

The Department gave approval in March 2004, subject to the resolution of an issue over rental charges, for a foreshore lease to allow construction of a marina and associated works at Buncrana and a foreshore licence to allow dredging to take place. The finalisation of the lease and licence has been delayed, as the rental issue has not yet been resolved. Donegal County Council has been contacted about this matter.

Electricity Generation.

Eamon Ryan

Question:

62 Mr. Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if he has had communications with the Commission for Energy Regulation on the need for additional generating capacity to be commissioned now for operation in 2008; if he has given direction to the regulator as to whether the ESB should be precluded from being allowed to commission such plants due to market dominance concerns; and his views on whether commissioning another gas fired plant will only increase dependency here on an energy supply with a volatile price and an insecure supply position. [13740/06]

The Department is in contact with the Commission for Energy Regulation, the national grid and other players on all the issues inherent in the need for the commissioning of additional generation capacity for operation in 2008 with a view to ensuring that decisions to be taken are fully informed by reference to security of supply, competition and all relevant considerations.

Question No. 63 answered with QuestionNo. 50.

Fisheries Protection.

John Perry

Question:

64 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources his plans to ensure a cessation or lessening in salmon catches by commercial netsmen does not put huge pressure on other inshore stocks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13644/06]

I recently announced proposals for revisions to the wild salmon and sea trout tagging scheme for the 2006 season. In doing so, I also reaffirmed the Government's intention to introduce measures to align fully the management of the fishery with the scientific advice for 2007. Following careful consideration, I have decided to adopt the recommendations made to me by the National Salmon Commission, NSC. This will involve reductions in the quota available to both commercial fishermen and anglers in 2006. Reductions in the overall fishing effort are required to sustain and rebuild salmon stocks nationwide. The standing scientific committee of the NSC has indicated that mixed stock fisheries pose particular threats to the status of individual stocks and that fisheries operated in estuaries and rivers are more likely to fulfil national and international obligations. The National Fishery Managers Executive has identified a range of pilot projects to facilitate the commercial fishery to move from areas of indiscriminate mixed stock fishery exploitation. The feasibility of these projects will be evaluated by the Department in conjunction with the fisheries boards and the Marine Institute.

Many of the existing salmon fishermen are already engaged in diverse inshore fishing activity. The salmon fishing effort takes place mainly in July and August and this effort could be redirected towards inshore stocks in the future. I recognise the considerable efforts made by the commercial salmon fishing industry over the past number of years to build a sustainable fishery and that the industry has endured large cuts in the quotas available. These reductions have caused difficulty and full alignment with the scientific advice is likely to compound these problems. For these reasons, I have decided to appoint an independent group to examine the implications of the new regulations for the commercial sector in 2007 and beyond and to make recommendations on the options available to address financial hardship that may arise. In the context of ensuring a sustainable future for inshore stocks, I have asked Bord Iascaigh Mhara, BIM, to work with local inshore groups with a view to putting in place strengthened management and conservation measures for inshore stocks around the coast. BIM is working actively with local groups and will be bringing forward appropriate measures for inshore stocks.

Energy Resources.

Gerard Murphy

Question:

65 Mr. G. Murphy asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources his plans for the exploration, development and utilisation of natural gas finds in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13792/06]

Gerard Murphy

Question:

67 Mr. G. Murphy asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if the results of recent oil, gas or other mineral exploration, on or offshore, have indicated a commercial viability; his plans to develop the industry in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13793/06]

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

212 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources his plans for the exploration, development and utilisation of natural gas finds in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13887/06]

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

213 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if the results of recent oil, gas or other mineral exploration, on or offshore have indicated a commercial viability; his plans to develop the industry in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13888/06]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 65, 67, 212 and 213 together.

The Government's policy is to encourage further exploration for hydrocarbons while maximising the value added to the Irish economy. With regard to oil and gas, this has been done in the past, and is and will continue to be done in the future, by offering licensing opportunities in frontier areas through licensing rounds. A licensing round for the north east Rockall area was held last year and two licences were awarded. A licensing round for the Slyne-Erris-Donegal area has just closed and it is hoped to issue licences for the area in early June. There is an open door policy in respect of non-frontier areas whereby companies may apply for authorisations in these areas at any time.

Contracts have been signed for the delivery of gas from the Corrib field into the national grid. Gas from the Seven Heads field has not reached planned levels of production. Utilisation of future commercial discoveries as yet unfound will be determined by negotiation between the developers and gas suppliers and large users. The Corrib Gas field is the only discovery that can be said at this stage to have a definite commercial viability. Seven Heads production has not reached planned levels of production. The Corrib Gas field is the only discovery that can be said at this stage to have commercial viability. Seven Heads production has not reached planned levels and further drilling is proposed later this year. A positive outcome of this drilling would be to increase existing production levels. The results of the Dooish discovery are still being assessed.

With regard to non-petroleum minerals, I refer the Deputy to a parliamentary question the Minister answered on 21 February 2006. New exploration is continuously undertaken as part of my requirements on holders of prospecting licences, of which there are currently 262. Details of these licences can be found in the six-monthly report to the Oireachtas, which the Minister is obliged to lay before the Houses under the Minerals Development Acts 1940 to 1999. The last such report was in respect of the six-month period ended 31 December 2005, which was recently laid before the Houses.

No new economic deposits of non-petroleum minerals have been discovered in recent years. However, there have been some encouraging results. Exploration adjacent to existing base metal mines at Navan, County Meath — Tara Mines Limited — and Galmoy, County Kilkenny — Arcon Mines Limited — has discovered additional resources which have the potential to extend the life of those mines. The Minister has recently granted new State mining licences to Arcon for extraction of part of these additional resources.

Electricity Generation.

Dan Boyle

Question:

66 Mr. Boyle asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the correspondence he has received from the European Commission with regard to discrimination that may have taken place against renewable generating companies in the electricity market here; the action the Commission is proposing to take in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13743/06]

On Tuesday afternoon last, 4 April, the EU Commission issued a press release stating it is taking action against several member states, including Ireland, regarding the full transposition of Directive 2001/77/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council. The Department has not received the formal correspondence on this matter.

Question No. 67 answered with QuestionNo. 65.

Official Engagements.

Róisín Shortall

Question:

68 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if he will report on his recent meeting with EU Energy Commissioner Mr. Andris Piebalgs; if support for the financing of an east-west interconnector and of LNG storage facilities was agreed; if he will further report on his meeting with Mr. Terry Tamminen, special adviser to Californian Governor Schwarzenegger; the issues which were discussed; if there are lessons from the California energy experience for Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13606/06]

The Minister met Energy Commissioner Piebalgs on the occasion of his recent visit here. The Commissioner outlined the main priority areas of the Commission's Green Paper, European Strategy for Sustainable, Competitive and Secure Energy. He emphasised the need for Europe to respond more cohesively to the many challenges facing it in the energy area. Commissioner Piebalgs also gave an update on discussions with Russia, particularly in the context of the current Russian presidency of the G8. He welcomed the Minister's intention to publish a national energy review. He underlined the Commission's strong commitment to ensuring completion of the internal energy market.

The Minister underlined to the Commissioner the importance of energy infrastructure projects for a geographically peripheral country such as Ireland and the difficulties inherent in attracting market interest in financing these projects. In that context, the Minister looked forward to further debate on how the Commission sees the major investment projects in interconnection, network and storage facilities being delivered and funded, including the handling of potential state aid issues, on a Europe-wide basis. During the Minister's recent visit to California, he met the special adviser to the Californian governor. These discussions ranged across security of energy supply, the operation of California's wholesale electricity market, energy efficiency measures to curb demand, the potential for wave and tidal power and the future potential of the hydrogen economy.

Alternative Energy Projects.

Eamon Ryan

Question:

69 Mr. Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources when he expects to announce details of the grant scheme for the installation of commercial renewable heating systems. [13741/06]

Dan Boyle

Question:

71 Mr. Boyle asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the number of combined heat and power installations that have been introduced in each of the past five years; the targets he is setting for the development of such power sources; and the support measures that are in place to help achieve them. [13742/06]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 69 and 71 together.

The total installed capacity of CHP in Ireland to end of 2004 was 290MWe, 150MWe of which relates to the recently commissioned Auginish Alumina plant. Data for 2005 are not yet available. The following table gives a breakdown of the number of CHP installations for the period 2001 to 2004 for which figures are available.

Year

2001

2002

2003

2004

Total Installed Capacity MWe

128.7

132.3

136.5

145

Total Units

98

105

128

139

The CHP policy group established in 2004 has reported on the most suitable and appropriate environments in which CHP can usefully be implemented in Ireland, so as to maximise energy efficiency. The group comprised representatives of relevant Departments and agencies and industry representatives. Its recommendations are being considered in the context of the development of overall renewable energy policy and the Minister will launch the group's report in the coming weeks. In budget 2006 a €65 million multiannual package for renewable technologies was provided which also includes a grant aid package to incentivise the installation of CHP in the industrial, commercial and public services sector. The Department and Sustainable Energy Ireland are finalising the detailed measures and the Minister intends to launch the CHP programme as soon as possible.

Question No. 70 answered with QuestionNo. 29.
Question No. 71 answered with QuestionNo. 69.

Energy Resources.

Olivia Mitchell

Question:

72 Ms O. Mitchell asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the proposals he has to develop and streamline the natural gas industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13799/06]

Plans to develop and streamline the gas industry are under way. These involve three main strand: the further liberalisation of the gas market to include domestic customers; the extension of the Commission for Energy Regulation's, CER, mandate in the gas industry to include responsibility for the regulation of natural gas safety; and the unbundling of Bord Gáis Éireann as a vertically integrated utility. Under provisions outlined in the Energy (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2006, currently before the House for consideration, it is proposed to extend the gas market to domestic customer level. This will ensure all customers will be able to shop around for their natural gas supplier and the market will be fully contestable. The legislation proposed includes a commencement provision which ensures that the market will be fully open no later than the 1 July 2007 deadline set by EU Directive 2003/55/EC. The Bill also proposes to expand the functions of the CER to include the regulation and promotion of natural gas safety, and to promote consultation with the National Standards Authority of Ireland regarding gas safety standards.

The Bill sets out in detail how the CER will carry out these functions by establishing and implementing a natural gas safety framework and by directing natural gas industry players to advise customers and the public on natural gas safety issues. Provision has also been made for the legal unbundling of the transmission and distribution system operations of Bord Gáis Éireann, BGÉ. Under the provisions of the relevant statutory instrument, BGÉ is required to establish a subsidiary company with responsibility for management of the natural gas transmission and distribution grid. This will further facilitate the operation of third party players in the market.

Question No. 73 answered with QuestionNo. 53.

European Council Meetings.

Trevor Sargent

Question:

74 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if he will report on the outcome of the latest European council meeting of Energy Ministers with particular regard to the discussions that took place regarding the draft European Union Green Paper on energy policy; the position the Government took on proposals for a single regulatory regime within the Union; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13751/06]

Pádraic McCormack

Question:

76 Mr. McCormack asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the steps he proposes to take to develop the energy market in line with the backdrop of the EU Green Paper on energy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13805/06]

Michael D. Higgins

Question:

103 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the Government’s position on the recent EU energy Green Paper; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13629/06]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 74, 76 and 103 together.

Future energy policy for Europe was the central issue for this Council with the discussions focusing on the European Commission's recently published Green Paper, A European Strategy for Sustainable, Competitive and Secure Energy. The discussions on energy were very much a first step in what promises to be a long and complex process. It is without doubt an issue of central importance to Ireland and the future success of our economy. National energy regulators have found it challenging to deal with cross-border issues and mechanisms to remedy this situation are required. In the absence of further detailed analysis from the Commission, we have taken the view that it would be premature to agree in principle to the concept of a single regulator. We welcome the recent initiative taken by the European Regulators Group for Electricity and Gas, of which the CER is a member, which offers a mechanism which will actively involve all stakeholders in a co-ordinated approach to progressing integration issues for regional markets. Ireland agrees with the broad thrust of the Commission's Green Paper and we look forward to making a positive contribution to the debate in the coming months. The paper sets out the formidable challenges facing Europe in the energy arena and offers a wide-ranging set of proposed actions for discussion. The Minister intends to publish a Green Paper on energy policy in the coming months, which will take account of EU developments in addressing the complex challenges for Irish energy policy in the medium to longer term.

Electricity Generation.

Paul Connaughton

Question:

75 Mr. Connaughton asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources when he is likely to authorise the release of details of the publication of the Deloitte & Touche report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13802/06]

Eamon Gilmore

Question:

91 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if he will lay before Dáil Éireann the Deloitte & Touche report on the future of the ESB; if the ESB will be permitted to bring forward new generation plant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13608/06]

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

180 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources when he is likely to authorise the release of details of the publication of the Deloitte & Touche report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13849/06]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 75, 91 and 180 together.

The Minister received the Deloitte & Touche report on the electricity sector in December. The Minister is currently considering the report in the context of the energy policy consultation paper, which is being drawn up by the Department. The Minister intends to publish the report in that context in the coming months. Any forthcoming proposal by ESB to expand and-or rationalise its power generation portfolio will be assessed and considered in light of all the relevant factors and informed by all available analysis and advice.

Question No. 76 answered with QuestionNo. 74.

Telecommunications Services.

Michael D. Higgins

Question:

77 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if he has examined the recent Central Statistics Office statistics on the information society and telecommunications 2005, which indicates that just 16% of Internet-enabled households have broadband compared to the EU average of 48%; if his consultation process on increasing broadband demand has concluded; the measures he intends to introduce to increase broadband demand; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13630/06]

By the end of 2005 there were more than 270,000 broadband subscribers in Ireland. This is a 106% increase from the figure of 131,500 at the end of 2004 and is equivalent of 19% of households. The Department keeps a number of issues, both supply and demand, under constant review. Earlier this year, the Department initiated a consultation process to examine the level of demand for broadband services in the Irish market, which concluded in March. The discussion document touched on key demand factors for consumers and asked for possible examples of demand measures by Government and industry, if any are necessary. More than 100 responses were received from diverse groups such as political parties, Internet service providers, regional development agencies, regulators, pressure groups and interested citizens. A wide range of issues was raised, which are being examined by officials in the Department for further action.

Proposed Legislation.

John Deasy

Question:

78 Mr. Deasy asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources when he expects to publish his legislative proposals for the broadcasting sector; the extent to which he expects to interlink the public and private sector and to ensure good value and a high standard for the consumer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13828/06]

The priority issues to be addressed by the legislative proposals that will form the basis of a new broadcasting Bill are as follows: the establishment of a single content regulator for commercial, community and public service broadcasters; the establishment of RTE as a company under the Companies Acts; the provision of a statutory mechanism for future adjustments to the level of the television licence fee; and the development of the right of reply mechanism, allowing persons whose reputation and good name have been damaged by an assertion of incorrect facts in a television or radio programme to gain redress.

Work on developing the legislative proposals needed to address these issues is continuing. The Minister anticipates that he will bring the proposals to Government in the coming months, with publication of the broadcasting Bill in 2006. The Minister's intention in framing the legislative proposals will be to ensure the broadcasting regulatory environment continues to encourage the parallel development of high quality broadcasting by public service, commercial and community broadcasters.

Telecommunications Services.

Michael Noonan

Question:

79 Mr. Noonan asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if he has studied the report of the Joint Committee on Communications, Marine and National Resources on broadband; if he proposes to take action to address the deficiencies highlighted therein; if he has in mind a timescale to achieve such objectives; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13808/06]

The report to which the Deputy refers has been examined in detail. It recognises there have been a number of positive developments in the broadband market. There has been considerable growth in broadband connectivity in the last 18 months with a 103% increase between December 2004 and December 2005. The report also accepts that broadband availability and platform competition has increased and prices have dropped accordingly. The report recognises that the roll out of broadband infrastructure in rural areas needs to be maintained. The Government's regional broadband programme is tackling supply side issues and was a direct response to the lack of investment by the private sector. High speed, open access metropolitan area networks, MANs, are being constructed on a phased basis in association with the local and regional authorities. Phase one of this programme has delivered fibre optic networks to 27 towns and cities. This programme has been extended to more than 90 towns nationwide. These MANs allow the private sector to offer world class broadband services at competitive costs.

According to the report one of the biggest challenges for Government is demand or take-up and Ireland continues to lag behind its OECD partners in this area. Earlier this year, the Department initiated a consultation process to examine the level of demand for broadband services in the Irish market, which concluded in March. The discussion document touched on key demand factors for consumers and asked for possible examples of demand measures by Government and industry, if any are necessary. More than 100 responses were received and a wide range of issues were raised, which are being examined by officials in the Department with a view to further action.

The third conclusion is Ireland requires strong competition in the market to maintain economic competitiveness. In 2004 there were more than 80 Internet service providers whereas today there are more than 150 companies, with at least 45 different broadband offerings. The use of fixed wireless local access is increasing, especially in rural areas that cannot obtain ADSL connectivity, and the development of Wi-Max offers considerable potential in the future. The Department also offers funding assistance for smaller towns and rural communities through the county and group broadband scheme. To date, more than 150 projects have been approved for funding. A third phase of the scheme is to be announced shortly which will attempt to provide service in problem areas identified by the regional co-ordinators of the programme. A joint industry-Government fund of €18 million has been established for the broadband for schools programme, which will provide every school in the country with broadband during 2006.

Energy Resources.

Liz McManus

Question:

80 Ms McManus asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if he has reviewed the submission from Engineers Ireland on the National Development Plan 2007-2013; his views on increasing on-shore oil reserves from 45 to 90 days and above 15 days for natural gas as the submission recommends; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13620/06]

The Minister is aware of the recommendations in regard to security of oil and gas supply expressed by Engineers Ireland in its recent submission to the Department of Finance on the National Development Plan 2007-2013. As a member of the International Energy Agency, IEA, Ireland is required to maintain emergency oil stocks equivalent to at least 90 days of net imports of crude oil equivalent in the previous year. The EU imposes a similar obligation based on consumption. On 1 February 2006 Ireland's oil stock reserves were estimated at 101 days net imports. This comprised 32 days stocks held in Ireland by the National Oil Reserves Agency, NORA, some 33 days also held in Ireland by oil companies and oil consumers, with the balance of 36 days being held abroad either directly by NORA or on its behalf. On 1 February 2006, therefore, 65 of the 101 days stocks were held in Ireland. While the Minister is satisfied that the level of stocks held by Ireland is fully in line with international obligations he is mindful of the desirability of incrementally increasing the volume of NORA stocks held in Ireland having regard to storage availability and value for money.

Under the Gas (Interim) (Regulation) Act 2002, the Commission for Energy Regulation, CER, has the function of licensing natural gas storage facilities. In carrying out its functions, the commission must have regard to the need to ensure there is sufficient capacity in the natural gas system to enable reasonable expectations of demand to be met and to secure the continuity, security and quality of supplies of natural gas. In the context of the all-island energy market development framework, a common approach on storage and liquefied natural gas within a timeframe of 2005 to 2007, is being progressed. Work is progressing on a bilateral basis involving the Departments and regulatory authorities, North and South, and a feasibility study is being commissioned in the first instance. This work is all the more timely, given EU and international developments that underline the need for enhanced strategic approaches to security of gas supply. In addition, Marathon Oil Ireland Limited is developing natural gas storage facilities at south west Kinsale. The CER is finalising the licensing regime and it is planned that the storage facility will be operational in summer 2006.

Question No. 81 answered with QuestionNo. 45.

Broadcasting Services.

Paul McGrath

Question:

82 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the situation in regard to the availability of digital television; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13830/06]

Digital television is available in Ireland. Both cable-MMDS operators and satellite operators provide subscription digital television services. Free-to-air analogue television services are provided on a terrestrial basis. Over time it is expected that analogue terrestrial services will migrate to digital terrestrial services in most countries. This migration is happening on a significant scale in a number of European countries. The Minister has proposed that a digital terrestrial television pilot programme be developed in Ireland. This pilot is nearing the end of the procurement phase. The purpose of the pilot is to bring further momentum to the transition to digital terrestrial broadcasting and to test and trial various aspects of the service. The Minister expects the pilot to become operational in autumn 2006.

Question No. 83 answered with QuestionNo. 11.

Seymour Crawford

Question:

84 Mr. Crawford asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if local loop unbundling has developed sufficiently and smoothly to the benefit of the consumer; the steps he intends to take or instructions he might give to the regulator or service providers in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13836/06]

I have no function in the matter raised by the Deputy. Local loop unbundling is mandated by a European Council Regulation and responsibility for its implementation is a matter for the independent regulator, the Commission for Communications Regulation, ComReg, under the Communications Regulation Act 2002 and the transposed EU regulatory framework for electronic communications networks and services. Telecommunications legislation is being prepared in the Department, which will, inter alia, provide for greater enforcement powers for ComReg, including provisions for indictable offences for serious infringements of the regulatory framework and for continuing fines, where appropriate. These powers will give ComReg the necessary muscle to enforce regulatory decisions to support the development of competition in the market. I hope to publish the Bill shortly.

Question No. 85 answered with QuestionNo. 9.

Fisheries Protection.

Mary Upton

Question:

86 Dr. Upton asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the position with regard to fishing catch returns sent to the European Commission for each of the years from 1998 to 2005; if such returns were sent for each year; the checks which were applied by his Department to ensure that total allowable catches and quotas were observed by the fishing industry for each of these years; his views on media and expert estimates of overfishing during those years; the responsibility which attaches to his Department for this situation; the legal position regarding deterrence and sanctions for overfishing; the outcome he expects in his Department’s returns to the European Commission for 2006; the way in which this will compare with the December 2005 agreed total allowable catches and quotas; his plans for a White Paper on the future of fisheries here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13641/06]

Catch reporting by member states to the Commission consists primarily of six separate reports that are designed to cover a wide range of aspects of fish landings. The reports relate essentially to quota and non-quota species, the nationality of the fleets concerned both from the EU and third countries and also the place of landing. Two of these reports are monthly and four are quarterly.

The most important report in providing data on the main fishing operations of the Irish fishing fleet is a monthly report to the Commission on catches of quota species. This report has been transmitted to the Commission for each of the years outlined in the Deputy's question. For some of the other reports, however, particularly for the early part of the eight-year period concerned, the reporting situation has been less complete, reflecting in particular the greatly increased complexity and scale of the reporting requirement generally under the Common Fisheries Policy, CFP, which took place from the 1990s onwards. Due to staffing shortages and the need to develop new technology to respond to this more complex reporting requirement, it did not prove possible to submit all of the various reports for all years. However, the Department recognised that there was a need to secure improved delivery of the necessary reports and it kept the Commission periodically apprised of its plans to secure such improvement.

Such improvement has been secured. This has resulted from, first, advances in staffing terms from a complement of 27 administrative and specialist control staff in 1999 to a planned 101 by early next year. Second, there has also been considerable investment on the installation of new technology in the form of the integrated fisheries information system, IFIS, which embraces all the key information requirements on catches. Through a combination of these two developments in particular, which have involved extensive work over a period of years, Ireland is in position to discharge its reporting obligations. For instance, all 38 catch reports for 2005 were submitted on schedule throughout last year and, in so far as 2006 is concerned, I am confident this satisfactory position for 2005 can be repeated this year and in future years.

In so far as fisheries control and surveillance is concerned, all fishing vessels operating within the Irish fisheries patrol area are subject to checks by Irish control authorities, at sea or in Irish ports. Checks at sea include an inspection or records and catch on board to ensure the proper recording of catches in the EU log book. The Department's land-based inspectorate also conducts regular checks of all vessels landing into Irish ports. Detailed rules and regulations are in place governing the recording of catches of fish stocks and for landings by EU fishing vessels. Misreporting and underreporting of catches is considered a serious infringement of the CFP and there are significant penalties in place for such contraventions. Responsibility for overfishing specified catch limits clearly rests with the individual fishing vessels concerned and such a practice is to be deplored. In this regard, I stress the great importance which Ireland attaches to compliance with the rules of the CFP including the reporting obligations on fishermen.

As part of the drive to increase the effectiveness of fisheries surveillance, major enhancements to national fisheries control and enforcement capabilities have been implemented in recent years and a recruitment process is under way for additional sea-fisheries protection officers. This commitment is also demonstrated by the recent decision to establish an independent body charged with the enforcement of national, EU and international sea-fisheries law. This independent body is an important feature of the new sea fisheries legislation, recently enacted by the Oireachtas. The legislation is intended to strengthen Ireland's capacity to provide a dissuasive code of deterrents and sanctions to address overfishing and all illegal fishing activity. In addition to potential penalties that individual fishermen may face under national law, under the CFP, member states also have a clear legal responsibility to ensure that vessels flying their flag comply with the rules. It is therefore open to the Commission to initiate court action or infringement proceedings against member states in the event of over-fishing occurring or inadequate implementation of the CFP generally. Such proceedings may ultimately lead to fines being imposed directly on member states in the event of a judgment by the European Court of Justice.

In so far as recent overfishing reports in the media and elsewhere is concerned, these are matters, which are the subject of an investigation by the Garda and I do not, therefore, consider it appropriate to comment further in these circumstances. The Government is committed to the development of the sea fisheries industry on a sustainable basis. We are supporting the development of the seafood industry through a number of integrated schemes designed to secure a sustainable future for the industry under the aegis of the National Development Plan 2000-2006.

The two successful fleet renewal programmes and the recent introduction of a decommissioning scheme with a budget of €45 million over the next two years will together deliver the necessary restructuring, renewal and modernisation of the fishing fleet, which is designed to bring a modern, safe and efficient fleet into balance with the available fishing opportunities. The scope for the continued further development of the industry will be determined in the context of the next national plan for the period 2007 to 2013. In this regard, extensive discussions have been held at EU level regarding a new European fisheries fund to apply over that period. The terms of the new European fisheries fund have not been agreed at EU level. The proposal is the main item on the Fisheries Council planned for 25 April 2006. The Minister and I will meet fishing industry representatives in the near future to commence the process of developing a strategy for the fishing industry, which will provide for a long-term sustainable future for the fishing industry and support the livelihoods of coastal communities dependent on fishing.

Question No. 87 answered with QuestionNo. 45.

Alternative Energy Projects.

Pádraic McCormack

Question:

88 Mr. McCormack asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the extent to which he expects the development of alternative energy to grow, notwithstanding targets already set but in view of the likelihood of a dramatically increased demand for energy in this jurisdiction over the next ten years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13804/06]

Within the electricity market, the renewables Directive 2001/77/EC obliges Ireland to develop and implement a programme capable of increasing the amount of electricity from renewable energy sources to 13.2% of total consumption by 2010. The Minister has stated his firm commitment to ensuring Ireland meets the target. Targets beyond 2010 will be determined in the context of the development of an all-island electricity market. The aim is to develop a long-term strategy to support increased renewable energy penetration on the island as a whole. To this end, a consultation paper entitled, 2020 Vision for Renewable Energy, was published in July 2005. The responses to this paper are available on my Department's website and will inform future policy in this area. As part of this work, a major grid study is under way jointly with Northern Ireland to asses the implications of significantly increased renewables in the electricity mix on the island by 2020.

Harbours and Piers.

Richard Bruton

Question:

89 Mr. Bruton asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the reason with regard to the new 100 berth marina in Killybegs harbour, which is planned, he did not award State funding for the project; if, from the plans put forward, this project is expected to generate employment in Killybegs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13646/06]

The Department is in discussions with the company proposing to build the marina at Killybegs fishery harbour centre with regard to making available a site within the fishery harbour centre for such a marina and is separately processing a foreshore application in respect of this proposal. However, this is at an early stage in the process and no consent has been given to the construction of a marina in Killybegs. A number of outstanding issues must be resolved prior to any consideration regarding the granting of relevant permissions, leases or licences.

The funding available to the Department under the port infrastructure improvement programme of the National Development Plan 2000-2006 is directed at projects that improve infrastructure and facilities at key strategic fishery harbours and the construction and improvement of berthage and related facilities at smaller harbours and landing places, with a key role in maintaining jobs in fishing, aquaculture and ancillary activities. The proposed marina at Killybegs does not come within the scope of that programme. No other funding is available from this Department for marine leisure projects such as marina developments.

Special Areas of Conservation.

Bernard Allen

Question:

90 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the way in which areas (details supplied) are protected regarding those parts of Dundalk Bay deemed as a special area of conservation and a special protection area for birds; the measures he intends to take to help conserve cockles at Dundalk Bay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13649/06]

Overall responsibility for special areas of conservation, SACs, and special protection areas, SPAs, rests with the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. Concerning the cockle fishery, the launch of the management framework for shellfisheries in Ireland in 2005 recognised that work was needed to improve the management of this type of fishery. Under this framework, BIM has worked closely with the local stakeholders in areas such as Dundalk Bay to develop local representative structures for this purpose.

The successful completion of this process in Dundalk Bay has resulted in the formation of the Dundalk Cockle Local Advisory Committee, LAC. This LAC first met on 15 February 2006. The stakeholders are all agreed that management measures are required. The LAC met again on 29 March to consider the available scientific information available, plan stock surveys for the coming year and discuss possible management measures. BIM will be continuing to work with the LAC over the coming months to develop a concrete management plan that is consistent with the areas designated as an SAC and SPA.

Question No. 91 answered with QuestionNo. 75.

Digital Hub.

Shane McEntee

Question:

92 Mr. McEntee asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the extent to which the digital hub has developed with particular reference to its benefit to the region; the extent to which its objectives have been achieved to date; if targets met are in line with the costs involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13842/06]

Under the Digital Hub Development Agency Act 2003, the primary function of the digital hub is to procure and secure the provision of and to promote and facilitate the development of the digital hub as a location for digital enterprises and related activities.

The digital hub project, managed by the independent Digital Hub Development Agency, has been and will continue to be successful in developing a digital industry cluster, as well as in regenerating an historic community area in the heart of Dublin by operating a number of significant community and educational initiatives as part of its role in the digital hub district.

In November 2005, the Minister announced the acceptance of tenders for two sites in the digital hub, with a combined area of almost 5.6 acres for approximately €118 million. In return for the land, the State will receive a combination of €72.4 million in cash and €45.7 million in high quality offices, which is equivalent to over 13,000 m2 of office space that will accommodate digital enterprises as the digital hub grows.

The digital hub has engaged with local community interests on the project from the very beginning. The consultation takes place through the unique community, public, private partnership, CPPP, process, which is chaired by DHDA board member Peter Cassells. As a result of the consultation, the two private developers are required under the terms of the development contract to engage with the local community through the CPPP process.

Regarding industry development, the agency has been successful to date in growing the cluster with about 50 companies now employing approximately 500 employees in the hub. These enterprises are involved in a range of activities including games software development, mobile technology, animation and TV production.

With regard to the social and community development remit of the hub, the agency has operated the Liberties learning initiative, which uses technology to tackle social and educational disadvantage in the area. Supported by funding from Diageo Ireland, the programme delivers a range of learning and showcasing projects focused on the creative use of digital media and reflects the national priorities of building a knowledge-based society and addressing the digital divide.

In addition, the schools programme of the Liberties learning initiative has developed a range of programmes in 16 local primary and second level schools aimed at addressing the digital divide. The schools programme aims to equip local children with the skills needed to live in a digital age, and to work in the digital media industry, which will be located on their doorstep.

Telecommunications Services.

Brendan Howlin

Question:

93 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if measures to incorporate the regulation of premium rate telephone services under the direction of the communications regulator, ComReg, will be brought forward; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13622/06]

Responsibility for the regulation of the content and promotion of premium rate telephone services is a matter for Regtel, the independent regulator of these services. I have no plans to incorporate the regulation of such services under the direction of ComReg.

Kathleen Lynch

Question:

94 Ms Lynch asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if he has received and reviewed a copy of the European Commission’s report, Bridging the Broadband Gap; the implications of the document for the Irish broadband market; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13614/06]

The report to which the Deputy refers has been examined in some detail. In its report the Commission recognises that, outside the metropolitan areas of the EU, population scarcity and distance can discourage commercial investment in telecommunications. It concludes that states should intervene to deliver infrastructure in these markets in a well-targeted manner compatible with state aid rules.

Ireland welcomes the Commission's initiative to align its Structural Funds, regional policy and competition policy to facilitate state investment in broadband infrastructure and services in rural and low population areas that are suffering market failure. Moreover this is in line with the Commission's recent decision to endorse the Irish Government's broadband strategy to invest in metropolitan area networks in Ireland.

In many circumstances, mainly in cities, the market will provide competitive broadband services. This announcement by the Commission recognises that an under-supply of broadband infrastructure can occur in rural areas. In Ireland, the lack of infrastructure investment by the private sector is leading to a gap in broadband services in rural parts of Ireland.

The Irish Government through the regional broadband programme is taking specific action to address broadband market failures, and will continue to review options in this area, particularly in peripheral and rural areas. Improved broadband coverage is a priority for the Irish Government because of its important implications for business competitiveness and productivity as set out in the Lisbon Agenda.

Question No. 95 answered with QuestionNo. 50.

Energy Resources.

Róisín Shortall

Question:

96 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if he will provide details of the recently announced scheme of €27 million grant aid for domestic renewable heat technologies; when the scheme is due to come into force; the way in which the scheme will assist a householder choosing one of the renewable technologies including the proportion of the cost of each household technology; the forecasted demand for domestic renewable heat technologies here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13605/06]

On 27 March the Minister launched the Greener Homes grant aid package of €27 million for the domestic sector which includes funding for wood chip and wood pellet boilers and stoves, solar and heat pump technologies. The scheme will be rolled-out over a five-year period and it is anticipated that it will support the conversion to renewable energy in up to 10,100 homes.

The following is a breakdown of the grant level available for each of the technologies:

Technology

Grant Amount

Wood chip or wood pellet boilers

4,200

Wood chip or wood pellet stoves

1,100

Wood chip or wood pellet stoves with back boiler

1,800

Heat pump — horizontal ground collector

4,300

Heat pump — vertical collector

6,500

Heat pump — water (well) to water

4,300

Heat pump — air source

4,000

Solar (per m2 to a maximum of 12m2)

300

The level of grant aid reflects a strong Government commitment to encourage people to install renewable heat technology in their homes and the programme will be monitored closely to ensure that this objective is achieved.

The scheme is being rolled out on behalf of the Department by Sustainable Energy Ireland, SEI, and all applications are being processed by SEI. The scheme was open for applications with effect from the launch date and there has been a very high level of interest in the scheme so far.

Digital Hub.

Joan Burton

Question:

97 Ms Burton asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if he will report on the recently signed Digital Sister Cities Memorandum of Understanding with the Mayor of San Francisco; the impact for the digital hub; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13632/06]

This digital sister city initiative is designed to stimulate economic development by connecting cities from around the world through advanced technologies. Digital sister cities identify ways to positively impact the global economy and, in so doing, strengthen their own economic foundation.

The digital hub is very enthusiastic about opening new collaborative channels for digital hub companies and research activities. It already has an established mechanism to source and disseminate information on Irish digital media enterprise and resources to manage and administer the process.

With the hub's existing connection to Dublin City Council, the third level sector and the creative and enterprise participants in their project, the digital hub has the right mix of capabilities to drive some pragmatic initiatives to happen within the digital sister cities framework. It will use those resources to support the sister initiative.

The hub has already indicated it would welcome the opportunity to explore how international collaboration could facilitate innovative exhibits and increase visitor numbers and will pursue this with its sister counterparts.

Under the sister initiative, a Digital Media Advisory Council, DMAC, will be established in each location. The purpose of the DMAC is to act as a voice for all the Irish organisations that may wish to participate in the sister initiative. A group with representation from digital media enterprise, education, arts and culture and the city of Dublin will be established in the first instance. The possibility of involving other Irish digital media based collaborations will be examined.

Question No. 98 answered with QuestionNo. 60.

Energy Resources.

Brendan Howlin

Question:

99 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if the Government is intending to privatise Bord Gáis Éireann or Bord na Móna; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13621/06]

The Government has no plans for the privatisation of Bord na Móna plc or Bord Gáis Éireann.

Question No. 100 answered with QuestionNo. 20.

Postal Services.

Liz McManus

Question:

101 Ms McManus asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if directions will be given to ComReg on the prediction that An Post will have suffered losses of up to €70 million in four years time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13619/06]

Matters relating to quality and levels of postal service are operational matters for the board and management of An Post and ones in which the Minister has no function.

ComReg is the independent regulator with responsibility to monitor the company's compliance with its universal service obligation. I understand that the Minister does not intend to issue directions to ComReg on this matter.

Telecommunications Services.

Brian O'Shea

Question:

102 Mr. O’Shea asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if he will bring forward measures to strengthen the regulation of the .ie domain, including the .ie domain reseller programme, in view of the recent successful launch of the .eu domain; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13625/06]

The management of the .ie domain name is carried out by IE Domain Name Registry Limited, the IEDR. It is responsible for the day-to-day management of all aspects of the administration of the registry including dealing with resellers. The registry has recently announced on its website that it has over 59,000 customers.

Regarding the regulation of the .ie domain name, the Minister proposes bringing proposals to the Houses of the Oireachtas in the forthcoming Electronic Communications (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill.

Question No. 103 answered with QuestionNo. 74.

Alternative Energy Projects.

Olwyn Enright

Question:

104 Ms Enright asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources when he expects to be in a position to provide adequate research and development facilities with a view to the development of alternative energy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13806/06]

Research and development is under way into the development of alternative energy possibilities including the joint initiative by the Marine Institute and Sustainable Energy Ireland on ocean technology. The Minister will shortly announce a new initiative designed to create an enhanced strategic planning and co-ordination structure for energy RTDI priorities and to support additional research initiatives.

Harbours and Piers.

Emmet Stagg

Question:

105 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if he will bring forward measures to encourage the development of marinas at fishery and other harbours here; if the present measures in place at his Department to process marina applications are adequate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13637/06]

The marine tourism grant scheme, which was a sub-measure of the tourism measure under the national development plan aimed specifically at supporting marine access infrastructure for tourism purposes, was suspended in December 2002 due to budgetary constraints. This scheme remains suspended and is now unlikely to be reactivated. There is no other funding available in this department for marine leisure projects.

The funding available to the Department under the port infrastructure improvement programme of the National Development Plan 2000-2006 is directed at projects that improve infrastructure and facilities at key strategic fishery harbours and the construction and improvement of berthage and related facilities at smaller harbours and landing places, with a key role in maintaining jobs in fishing, aquaculture and ancillary activities. The funding of marina projects at fishery harbour centres does not come within the scope of that programme.

Responsibility for small regional harbours operated under the Harbours Act 1946 has been transferred to the Department of Transport with effect from January 2006. Those remaining regional ports and harbours which do not form part of the national maritime transport system for trade and travel are being transferred to alternative uses under local control by that Department, as provided for in the Harbours Act 1996. Funding for marinas in such harbours is a matter for the Department of Transport, or where ownership has been transferred, the relevant local authority.

Within the five fishery harbour centres, Howth, Dunmore East, Castletownbere, Rossaveel and Killybegs, directly owned and operated by this Department there is an existing marina with approximately 260 berths at Howth. Discussions are ongoing with a private developer regarding making available a site for a marina development at Killybegs with up to 100 berths. A major infrastructure development project is under way at Dunmore East and consideration is being given to a planning application by the Department to include provision for a 50-berth marina development in that overall development project. There are no plans for development of marinas at either Castletownbere or Rossaveel at present. This position will be reviewed following the completion of current development works under way at those fishery harbour centres. I have no plans at present to bring forward any additional measures to encourage the development of marinas at fishery harbour centres.

Question No. 106 answered with QuestionNo. 7.
Question No. 107 answered with QuestionNo. 56.
Question No. 108 answered with QuestionNo. 28.
Question No. 109 answered with QuestionNo.17.

Harbour Authorities.

Mary Upton

Question:

110 Dr. Upton asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if, in view of the recent views raised by the Comptroller and Auditor General, he has plans to carry out a performance assessment of his Department for the period of the present Government concerning the invigilation and management of the national sea fisheries resource and fishery harbours; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13642/06]

I propose to outline in detail the background and context to this matter as well as indicating the current position.

The report of the Comptroller and Auditor General for 2005 raised two key issues in connection with the five fishery harbour centres owned by the State and operated by the Department at Killybegs, Castletownbere, Ros a Mhil, Howth and Dunmore East, in accordance with the Fishery Harbour Centres Act 1968. These issues related to a delay in the provision of annual accounts for the fishery harbour centres for the years 2000-03 and the Department's oversight of the five fishery harbour centres and in particular the collection of outstanding harbour dues.

The relevant legislation provides that the annual accounts of the fishery harbour centres are to be audited by the Comptroller and Auditor General. There had been a delay in the provision of annual accounts for the years 2000-03 due to exceptional pressure on the Department's accounts branch. This was due to changes in the Department's functions during the period. A schedule for submission of the accounts to the Comptroller and Auditor General was agreed with his office in November 2004 and the draft accounts for the years 2000-04 were submitted by the Department to his office for audit in May 2005.

As regards oversight of the fishery harbour centres and debt collection, the Comptroller and Auditor General had raised a number of questions regarding departmental oversight of the fishery harbour centres and in particular progress made to eliminate the levels of debt.

The fishery harbour centres are funded through rents for properties at the harbours and through charges for usage of harbour facilities, mainly by fishermen and fishing industry operators. It is in my view important that these strategic harbours meet their operating costs in order to provide a sustainable service to the fishing industry. The Exchequer fully provides the capital funding required to ensure their ongoing maintenance and development.

Prior to 2003, charges had not been increased since 1990. There has been strong resistance from the fishing industry from time to time to harbour charges, particularly following the introduction of the new charges in 2003. While the challenges facing the fishing industry are appreciated it is important that the facilities provided to them are maintained on a sound financial footing. Since 2001 there have been a number of initiatives to enhance recovery of receipts and arrears. This included the hiring of external services to assist with collection. Debt control procedures have also been introduced, including the options of detention of vessels, refusal of harbour services and, where appropriate, legal action for recovery of moneys owed.

In addition, new financial management systems are being rolled out for the harbours which, among other things, enable the efficient issuing of invoices and also enables the debtors' position to be monitored more effectively. These new systems will also enhance the quality of service provided to the fishing industry at the fishery harbour centres by enabling more clarity in relation to the charges being imposed.

The benefits of the charges introduced in 2003 are now being realised. The accounts for 2004 and the draft accounts for 2005 show a small operating profit for the five fishery harbour centres. This compares with operating losses in previous years. A substantial reduction in the level of debt is expected to be seen this year.

Harbour masters, or acting harbour masters, are now in place at all of the fishery harbour centres. The Department is also reviewing the structures, roles and responsibilities, work practices and procedures with regard to management of the harbours with a view to improving the level and efficiency and service provided as well as ensuring an ongoing sound financial position. I am confident that these measures will enable the Department to better focus on maximising the value of the assets available at the fishery harbour centres for the benefit of the fishing industry, the local communities in which they are situated and nationally.

Accordingly, in the light of the foregoing circumstances, which point clearly to a wide range of important steps and measures to address certain shortcomings, and bearing in mind that sea fisheries resource management is an entirely separate issue operating in a totally different policy context, I do not believe that an assessment of the type suggested by the Deputy is warranted.

In so far as management of sea fisheries in concerned, there is an ongoing investigation by the Garda Síochána into alleged over-fishing and I consider that it would be inappropriate for me to comment further on that aspect in these circumstances.

Alternative Energy Projects.

Emmet Stagg

Question:

111 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if he will report on the recent initiatives in the development of wave renewable technologies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13638/06]

The development of ocean energy possibilities is currently being progressed by Sustainable Energy Ireland, SEI, and the Marine Institute.

The Marine Institute and SEI, in conjunction with the Department, recently opened a wave energy test site a mile and a half off the coast of Spiddal, County Galway. The 37-hectare site will be open to entrepreneurs and engineers to test prototype ocean energy generators. The first wave energy generator, "WaveBob", has been deployed on the Spiddal site. The Minister intends to publish an ocean energy strategy shortly, which will set out a development path for ocean energy technology in Ireland.

SEI and the Marine Institute are currently supporting a number of ocean energy technologies including the wavebob, ocean energy buoy, the McCabe wave pump, wave tank and air turbine design, and are providing research and development support for three separate wave energy device developers, including support for wave tank testing of model devices. Other projects and studies funded to date include: assessment of the tidal energy resource; assessment of the wave energy resource; development of a quarter scale test site in Galway Bay; assessment of economic benefits from development of ocean energy; and participation in IEA ocean energy implementing agreement.

In addition to the ocean energy strategy, I will be publishing an energy policy consultation paper by mid-year which will set out medium and long-term perspectives for national energy policy and which will take account of the considerable and complex challenges for Irish energy policy.

Accident and Emergency Services.

Finian McGrath

Question:

112 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if she has asked the Cuban authorities for advice on practical proposals to deal with the accident and emergency crisis here, bed capacity and out of hours general practitioner service; and if she will discuss this matter with the Cuban Ambassador to Ireland. [13914/06]

I have not had any contact with the Cuban authorities regarding seeking advice on health matters but I will bear the Deputy's suggestion in mind.

Hospital Services.

John McGuinness

Question:

113 Mr. McGuinness asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the reason an eye operation was postponed at Waterford Regional Hospital in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny; if the postponements are due to a breakdown of equipment; if so, the timeframe for having this equipment repaired; the reasons there is not a second piece of equipment of its kind on stand-by or the reason parts are not available immediately when required in view of the importance of the equipment; the number of patients whose operation have been postponed; if she will expedite a resolution to the issue; if alternative arrangements will be put in place to deal with urgent cases should the delays be excessive; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13944/06]

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.

Special Educational Needs.

Seán Ardagh

Question:

114 Mr. Ardagh asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the services which will be provided for a person (details supplied) in Dublin 8 who has autism and is in a lacuna next year as there is no education place available to them. [13945/06]

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.

Services for People with Disabilities.

Michael Noonan

Question:

115 Mr. Noonan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if she will intervene to resolve the industrial dispute at the Brothers of Charity in Bawnmore, Limerick to ensure that an appropriate number of carers are provided for persons being transferred from Bawnmore to the new bungalow accommodation which is being provided; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13946/06]

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.

Hospital Hygiene.

John McGuinness

Question:

116 Mr. McGuinness asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if proposals submitted to her Department regarding mobile hand wash stations for hospitals from a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny have been considered; if the company promoting the concept has been contacted; if the concept has been assessed or evaluated by her Department or the Health Service Executive; if a decision on the matter has been made; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13947/06]

The Deputy's question refers 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. The HSE is also responsible for procuring and purchasing the products and services it may require. Accordingly, my Department has requested the parliamentary affairs division of the executive to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.

Nursing Home Subventions.

Charlie O'Connor

Question:

117 Mr. O’Connor asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if she will investigate the complaints being made regarding patients in Health Service Executive funded beds in private nursing homes who have to sign over their disability pension books to the nursing home; if the logic of this process will be investigated; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13980/06]

The Deputy's question refers 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.

Care of the Elderly.

Finian McGrath

Question:

118 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the position regarding home care packages for the elderly on the north side of Dublin; and the reason these are without additional staff. [13981/06]

The Deputy's question refers 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.

Mary Upton

Question:

119 Dr. Upton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the action she is taking to ensure that elderly people without sufficient means are able to avail of nursing home care whether in a private nursing home or otherwise; the steps she is taking to ensure the availability of nursing home places for such people; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13982/06]

As the Deputy will be aware, the Tánaiste and I regard the support of older people to stay in their own homes and communities as a key policy priority, thereby moving away from the practice of placing people in residential care as a first option. This is the expressed wish of the majority of our older people. Additional funding has been allocated for services for older people and palliative care amounting to €150 million in budget 2006, with €110 million allocated for 2006 and €40 million more for 2007. The investment package is a major step in focusing new resources on home care first and foremost, while still supporting appropriate residential care.

For those who require residential care, the nursing home subvention scheme was introduced in 1993 on foot of the Health (Nursing Homes) Act 1990 and the regulations made thereunder to give some financial assistance towards the cost of private nursing home care. It was never intended that the scheme would subsidise the full costs of private nursing home care. The Nursing Home (Subvention) Regulations 1993 are administered by the Health Service Executive. There are currently three rates of subvention payable, €114.30, €152.40 and €190.50 for the three levels of dependency, medium, high and maximum, respectively.

The HSE has discretion to pay more than the maximum rate of subvention relative to an individual's level of dependency where, for example, personal funds are exhausted. The application of these provisions to an individual case is a matter for the HSE in the context of meeting increasing demands for subvention and is subject to the provisions of the Health Act 2004. The average rate of subvention paid by the HSE generally exceeds the current approved basic rates. Additional funding of €20 million was provided for the administration of the nursing home subvention scheme in 2006, bringing the total available budget to €160 million. This additional funding will help to ensure the consistent delivery of the subvention scheme nationwide and will help to eliminate any discrepancies in the scheme.

As the Deputy will be aware, the Tánaiste and Minister Séamus Brennan established a working group to identify the policy options for a financially sustainable system of long-term care. The report of the working group on the future financing of long-term care has been presented to the Government and is currently being considered by the Cabinet.

Question No. 120 withdrawn.

Emmet Stagg

Question:

121 Mr. Stagg asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children her policy for caring for the aged in their own homes and in short and long-term care; the resources she provided in 2004 and 2005 for this purpose; if the amount will be increased in 2006; the number of persons supported in each of the above categories during 2004 and 2005 and anticipated in 2006; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13985/06]

As the Deputy will be aware, the Tánaiste and I regard the support of older people to stay in their own homes and communities as a key policy priority, with appropriate residential care provided where necessary. This marks a move away from the practice of placing people in residential care as a first option and is in line with the expressed wish of the majority of our older people. This Government is committed to developing the various community and home support schemes, which are vital to maintain older people in their own homes for as long as possible. An investment package of an additional €150 million has been put in place in budget 2006 for services for older people and palliative care, with €110 million allocated for 2006 and a further €40 million for 2007. This is the largest ever increase in funding for services for older people and palliative care. Reflecting the new emphasis on home and day care, almost three quarters or €109 million of the full year costs are being committed to community care supports, including home care packages, €55 million; the home help service, €33 million; sheltered housing, €1 million; and day and respite care, €9 million.

Additional funding of €20 million was also provided for the administration of the nursing home subvention scheme in 2006, bringing the total available budget to €160 million. This additional funding will help to ensure the consistent delivery of the subvention scheme nationwide.

The following figures are taken from the Revised Book of Estimates for 2004-06.

Year

2004

2005

2006

€ million

€ million

€ million

Long Stay

524

575

622

Community Care

443

471

579

Other Services

32

35

38

Total

999

1,081

1,239

With regard to the section of the question on the number of people supported by each of the categories mentioned, the Deputy's question refers 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.

Gay Mitchell

Question:

122 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if she will make a statement in response to the concerns of an active retirement association (details supplied) in Dublin 12. [13986/06]

A working group chaired by the Department of the Taoiseach and comprising senior officials from the Departments of Finance, Health and Children and Social and Family Affairs was established last year to examine issues relating to the financing of long-term care. This was to take account of the Mercer report on the future financing of long-term care in Ireland, which was commissioned by the Department of Social and Family Affairs and the review of the nursing home subvention scheme by Professor Eamon O'Shea. This group presented its report to the Government and it is now under consideration. The objective of the group was to identify the policy options for a financially sustainable system of long-term care, including improvements in community care. In the context of that report, the Health Service Executive have been asked as a matter of urgency to assess the long-term residential care capacity needs of older people.

Nursing Home Subventions.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

123 Mr. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the correct level of financial support available to a person (details supplied) in County Kildare for a spouse’s nursing home care; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13998/06]

The Deputy's question refers 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.

Health Service Allowances.

Pat Breen

Question:

124 Mr. P. Breen asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children when an application for respite care grant will be processed for a person (details supplied) in County Clare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14004/06]

The Deputy's question refers 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.

Medical Aids and Appliances.

Pat Breen

Question:

125 Mr. P. Breen asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children when a person (details supplied) in County Clare will be facilitated with a special arm chair; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14005/06]

The Deputy's question refers 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.

Housing Aid for the Elderly.

Pat Breen

Question:

126 Mr. P. Breen asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the status of an application under the housing aid for the elderly scheme for a person (details supplied) in County Clare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14006/06]

The Deputy's question refers to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. This includes responsibility for the provision of the housing aid scheme for the elderly on behalf of the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. Accordingly, the Department has requested the parliamentary affairs division of the executive to arrange to have this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.

Hospital Waiting Lists.

Michael Lowry

Question:

127 Mr. Lowry asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the number of patients in north and south County Tipperary awaiting a kidney transplant; the average length of waiting time; the number of kidney transplants performed annually; the number performed on patients from north and south County Tipperary; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14007/06]

The Deputy's question refers to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, the Department has requested the parliamentary affairs division of the executive to arrange to have this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.

Mental Health Services.

Michael Lowry

Question:

128 Mr. Lowry asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if she intends instructing the Health Service Executive to implement the recommendations on north and south County Tipperary in the Mental Health Commission’s 2004 report of the Inspector of Mental Health Services; if these recommendations have been prioritised for implementation; the date each of the recommendations will be implemented; the estimated cost to the State of implementation; the way in which this cost was arrived at; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14008/06]

The future direction and delivery of all aspects of our mental health services were considered in the context of the work of the expert group on mental health policy. The Government published the group's report, A Vision for Change, on Tuesday, 24 January 2006. The Government has accepted the expert group's report as the basis for the future development of the mental health services. The expert group's report makes recommendations on the re-organisation of mental health catchment areas and the recommendations made by the Inspector of Mental Health Services will need to be considered in this context.

The management and delivery of health and personal social services, including mental health services in north and south County Tipperary, is a matter for the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, the Department has requested the parliamentary affairs division of the executive to arrange to have this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.

Health Services.

Gay Mitchell

Question:

129 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if she will make a statement on the concerns set out by the National Association for Deaf People (details supplied). [14009/06]

The Deputy's question refers 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.

Nursing Home Subventions.

Paul Kehoe

Question:

130 Mr. Kehoe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the position regarding the repayments for people who were over charged in public beds in nursing homes; when people will be in receipt of payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14010/06]

The Health (Repayment Scheme) Bill 2006 was published on 16 March 2006 and the Second Stage reading of the Bill commenced in the Dáil on 30 March 2006. The Second Stage of this Bill is due to resume in the Dáil on 27 April 2006. It is my wish that the important legislative proposals contained in the Bill will have a speedy passage through the Oireachtas prior to the summer recess. This will enable the implementation of the scheme and ensure the repayments are made swiftly to those eligible for repayment following the completion of an uncomplicated application process. It is currently envisaged that repayments will commence shortly after the Bill is approved and signed into law and an outside company has been appointed to make the repayments. The timescale determined by the Health Service Executive for the selection process including the appointment of the successful company is the end of April 2006, with repayments to claimants likely to commence in June 2006.

Hospital Services.

Paul Kehoe

Question:

131 Mr. Kehoe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children, further to her statement at a recent health committee meeting, the status regarding the cost for a patient spending a night on a trolley in hospital compared with a patient spending a night in a bed in hospital; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14011/06]

In April 2005 it came to my attention that some hospitals had been charging the statutory inpatient levy in the case of patients occupying trolleys in accident and emergency departments. On 28 April 2005, I instructed the Health Service Executive to ensure that patients should not be charged the levy unless they had been formally admitted to a hospital. This instruction included not charging patients in accident and emergency departments who occupy trolleys. However, the decision to admit a patient is taken locally and practices regarding the point at which formal admission occurs and charging commences may vary between hospitals. I wish to ensure fairness and consistency of approach across all hospitals and have asked the HSE for a report on hospitals practices in this regard. I will revert to the Deputy when I have received the HSE's report.

Health Service Allowances.

Breeda Moynihan-Cronin

Question:

132 Ms B. Moynihan-Cronin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children when applicants approved in 2005 for the cúram home care grant will be awarded payment; the number of approved applicants on the waiting list; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14012/06]

The Deputy's question refers 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.

Departmental Properties.

Enda Kenny

Question:

133 Mr. Kenny asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the amount of lands owned by the public health services that are unused; the location of these sites and their value; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14013/06]

The Deputy's question refers to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. This includes responsibility for the ownership and use of lands in the public health service. 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.

Infectious Diseases.

Pat Breen

Question:

134 Mr. P. Breen asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if there was an MRSA outbreak in St. Joseph’s Hospital, Ennis, during March 2006; if there were other infection diseases outbreaks; the measures which are being taken to prevent such outbreaks; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14014/06]

The Deputy's question refers 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.

Hospitals Building Programme.

Emmet Stagg

Question:

135 Mr. Stagg asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if she will approve the Health Service Executive capital plan for 2006 and specifically phase 3C of Naas Hospital. [14044/06]

I recently received the HSE capital plan 2006, including further information subsequently sought by my Department with regard to certain aspects of it. The plan, which includes the proposed phase 3C development at Naas Hospital, is at present being considered by my Department in conjunction with the Department of Finance. I expect to be in a position to revert to the HSE in the near future with regard to agreement on the plan.

Health Services.

Emmet Stagg

Question:

136 Mr. Stagg asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children, further to Parliamentary Question No. 113 of 16 February 2006, the reason there has been no progress on this issue or if the Health Service Executive intends to allow the waiting list in Maynooth Health Centre to grow beyond seven months before taking corrective action. [14047/06]

The Deputy's question refers 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.

Care of the Elderly.

Emmet Stagg

Question:

137 Mr. Stagg asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the reason it is taking three months to compile the information sought under Question No. 477 of 25 January 2006. [14048/06]

The Deputy's question refers 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.

Health Service Allowances.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

138 Mr. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the reason the domiciliary care allowance is being terminated in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Meath; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14066/06]

The Deputy's question refers 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.

Medical Cards.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

139 Mr. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children when a medical card will issue in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14074/06]

The Deputy's question refers 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.

Departmental Schemes.

Denis Naughten

Question:

140 Mr. Naughten asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children, further to Question No. 235 of 12 April 2005, the current status of the review; when a compensation scheme will be put in place; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14081/06]

The feasibility of introducing a vaccine damage compensation scheme is still under examination in my Department. This process is at an advanced stage and is being given priority in the Department's 2006 business plan.

Hospital Services.

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Question:

141 Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children when a substantive reply will issue from the Health Service Executive to Question No. 221 of 16 November 2005. [14091/06]

The Health Service Executive has informed my Department that it is currently preparing a response to Question No. 221 of 16 November 2005 and expects to be in a position to reply to the Deputy shortly.

Medical Cards.

John McGuinness

Question:

142 Mr. McGuinness asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if she will approve an application on appeal for a medical card for a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny. [14094/06]

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.

Health Services.

Gay Mitchell

Question:

143 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if she will honour commitments made regarding home help support (details supplied); if she will ensure that this service receives full support; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14125/06]

The Deputy's question relates to human resource management issues within the Health Service Executive. As these are matters for the executive under the Health Act 2004, my Department has requested the parliamentary affairs division of the executive to arrange to have them investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.

I recognise the valuable role of the home help service in enabling people, who might otherwise need to be cared for in institutional care, to remain at home where this is appropriate. I am aware that a high level group has been established, with representatives from the Health Service Executive and staff representatives from SIPTU and IMPACT, to address issues pertaining to the standardisation of home help services. The group held its first meeting on 23 March last and further meetings are scheduled.

An additional €33 million full year cost was allocated to the home help programme in budget 2006, €30 million of which will be for 2006 with the remaining €3 million in 2007, which will enable the Health Service Executive to provide an additional 1.75 million hours nationally in 2006. The additional resource will further enhance the service and facilitate the expressed wish of many more older people to continue to live in their own homes for as long as possible.

Gay Mitchell

Question:

144 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if a person (details supplied) in Dublin 6 can remain in a respite care bed or if a suitable place can be found for them in view of the circumstances of the case; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14127/06]

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.

Mental Health Services.

Ruairí Quinn

Question:

145 Mr. Quinn asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if, as promised in Question No. 305 of 8 February 2006, the practice of slopping out ceased in the Central Mental Hospital on or before 31 March 2006; if it did not, the reason this promise was not lived up to; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14128/06]

Following a visit to the Central Mental Hospital by the Tánaiste last July, the HSE was requested to put in place arrangements to end the practice of slopping out. I can confirm that the practice of slopping out ceased in the Central Mental Hospital on Thursday, 30 March 2006.

Catherine Murphy

Question:

146 Ms C. Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the additional funding that was provided in 2004 and 2005 to specific programmes relating to the mental health elements of the Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs Act 2004 and the Disability Act 2005; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14171/06]

An integral part of the national disability strategy is the implementation of the provisions of the Disability Act 2005 and the Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs Act 2004. The multi-annual investment programme for disability services, published in December 2004 by the Government, contained details of specific commitments relating to the provision of specific high priority disability services over the period 2005 to 2009. This programme, together with the enhancement of other key support services, will be a key factor in building additional capacity in health services, including mental health services.

The cumulative value of the multi-annual investment programme when published was €900 million, with the bulk to be spent on health services. In this regard, in 2005 the Department made available an additional €15 million revenue for the further development of mental health services. An additional €25 million revenue is being made available in 2006 for the further enhancement of our mental health services.

Care of the Elderly.

Catherine Murphy

Question:

147 Ms C. Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the elements of the home care package for the elderly that will be put in place in 2006; who will deliver the services; the way in which it is intended to ensure equality of service nationally; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14172/06]

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.

Health Services.

Pat Breen

Question:

148 Mr. P. Breen asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children, further to Question No. 202 of 21 February 2006, her views on the provision of insulin pump therapy for diabetics in the mid-western Health Service Executive area and other regional areas; her plans to introduce such therapy in these areas; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14174/06]

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.

Housing Aid for the Elderly.

Michael Ring

Question:

149 Mr. Ring asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children when the Health Service Executive will inspect the living conditions of a person (details supplied) in County Mayo to progress their application for the special housing aid for the elderly scheme, considering that their application was submitted six months ago. [14175/06]

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. This includes responsibility for the provision of the housing aid scheme for the elderly, on behalf of the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. Accordingly, the Department has requested the parliamentary affairs division of the executive to arrange to have this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.

Accident and Emergency Services.

Catherine Murphy

Question:

150 Ms C. Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the hospitals that have accident and emergency departments that are equipped with cardiac monitoring equipment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14176/06]

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.

Irish Language.

Brian O'Shea

Question:

151 Mr. O’Shea asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the percentage of the staff of her Department able to provide services through Irish; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14178/06]

For the purpose of providing services through Irish, 20 staff members have been officially designated. This amounts to 3.15% of the total number of staff. However, there are other staff who can provide services through Irish but who have not been officially designated for this purpose, so the figure of 3.15% is an underestimate. There is ongoing training provided to develop Irish language skills in the Department, for example, in 2005, 15 staff attended courses run by Gaeleagras, the Irish training unit for the Public Service, and two staff were awarded "An Ghaeilge Fheidhmeach" diplomas from UCD.

Vetting of Personnel.

Joe Higgins

Question:

152 Mr. J. Higgins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if she will take immediate steps to ensure that a mandatory obligation is placed on every organisation working with children to carry out comprehensive vetting procedures on the employment or contracting of staff. [14200/06]

In general, the current policy relating to Garda vetting is to expand the vetting service so that it is available to any organisation whose staff or volunteers would have access to children or vulnerable individuals. In this context, and as a result of the recent expansion of the Garda central vetting unit and the streamlining of existing vetting application procedures, plans are well under way for the extension of the vetting service on a phased basis to many more statutory and non-statutory organisations.

Garda clearance is already available to a large number of organisations whose staff have access to children or vulnerable individuals. Under procedures agreed in 1994 and 1995 Garda clearance arrangements apply in respect of candidates for paid employment in the health services where they would have access to children and vulnerable individuals and in services for children and vulnerable adults provided by external agencies but funded by the Health Service Executive, HSE. Among the standards in the national standards for children's residential centres is one that states that all staff, students and volunteers are appropriately vetted, to include references and Garda Síochána and-or police authority criminal record checks, before taking up duties.

The Child Care (Special Care) Regulations 2004 provide that the HSE or voluntary body or any other person providing or maintaining a special care unit will ensure that staff or others who have access to children are appropriately vetted, that is, by obtaining references and Garda Síochána and-or other police authority criminal record checks. The social services inspectorate and the registration and inspection units of the Health Service Executive inspect children's residential services and the special care units within their remit against such criteria. A similar provision is being considered for the child care sector.

Currently, vetting is only available in respect of child care staff funded under the equal opportunities child care programme. The Child Care (Placement of Children in Foster Care) Regulations 1995 and the Child Care (Placement of Children with Relatives) Regulations 1995 require that foster parents or relatives, respectively, with whom children in the care of the HSE are to be placed give authorisation to allow the HSE to obtain a statement from the Garda Síochána as to whether there are any convictions against them or any relevant member of the household and to provide the names of two referees for reference purposes.

It is worth stressing that, irrespective of whatever clearance arrangements are in place, it will continue to be necessary to bear in mind that criminal record checks, while being capable in appropriate circumstances of making a significant contribution to ensuring that unsuitable persons do not secure positions of trust, are not the sole answer to ensuring applicants' suitability for jobs whether paid or voluntary particularly where children or other vulnerable persons could be open to abuse. There will continue to be a particular onus of care on employers-organisations to maintain good practice both during the recruitment stage, for example, good interviewing practice and checking references, and when it comes to ensuring adequate supervision arrangements post-recruitment are in place both for staff and volunteers. This has been highlighted to the Health Service Executive in guidance issued by my Department on the recruitment of staff who come within its remit and have access to children and vulnerable adults.

In addition, a publication entitled Our Duty to Care was issued by my Department in 2002. Essentially it promotes good practice and procedures for organisations dealing with children and consists of a booklet and fact-sheets covering areas such as safe recruitment practice, developing safe management practices and policies and raising awareness of child abuse among volunteers and staff.

Site Acquisitions.

Catherine Murphy

Question:

153 Ms C. Murphy asked the Minister for Finance if progress has been made on the purchase of a new school site for a school (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14201/06]

The Commissioners of Public Works act as an agent on behalf of the Department of Education and Science in the acquisition of sites for new school facilities. Agreement on price, subject to contract, has been reached by the Commissioners of Public Works on behalf of the Minister for Education and Science for a site for the school referred to. The commissioners are currently awaiting receipt of the contracts for sale.

Partnership Agreements.

Sean Fleming

Question:

154 Mr. Fleming asked the Minister for Finance if negotiations or discussions are currently under way or have not been concluded that can be interpreted as a continuation of the Programme for Competitiveness and Work agreement 1997; when all such discussions will be concluded under this agreement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13935/06]

The PCW provided for local bargaining on behalf of each public service grade, subject to certain limits and criteria. A deal was concluded under these terms in respect of practically every public service grade some years ago. PCW deals in respect of only a small handful of public servants remain outstanding. My Department has been in touch with the Deputy on this issue and will supply further details to him directly, shortly.

Tax Code.

Trevor Sargent

Question:

155 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Finance the action he will take regarding the suggestion of his review of tax schemes relating to forestry and if he will evaluate the option of removing the tax free status for forestry and replacing it with higher up-front grants and longer premiums which the authors suggest may lead to a higher level of afforestation. [13956/06]

In budget 2005, I directed my Department, together with the Revenue Commissioners, to undertake a thorough evaluation of the effect of a range of tax incentive reliefs, including the tax exemption for forestry income. The review, which was published in full along with all of the other reviews on 6 February 2006, concluded that the relief in its present form should be maintained and that conclusion has informed my policy approach in this area.

The review also raised a wide range of other policy options for general consideration, including the option of replacing the tax free status of woodland gains with higher up-front grants and premium payments. I have no plans to make changes to this area of the tax code. Options for forestry policy generally are a matter for my colleague, the Minister for Agriculture and Food.

National Development Plan.

Trevor Sargent

Question:

156 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Finance the advertisements he has placed in national papers or elsewhere regarding his co-ordination of the National Development Plan 2007-2013 to ensure that members of the public are aware of the consultation period. [13957/06]

In keeping with the Government's commitment to an extensive consultation process on the next National Development Plan 2007-2013, my Department is undertaking consultations on the plan with the social partners, the regional assemblies, regional authorities and a number of concerned interest groups such as the Heritage Council, Comhar, the Combat Poverty Agency and the Western Development Commission.

These groups cover a very wide span and represent a broad and diverse spectrum of the public. They include employers' bodies and business organisations, the Irish Congress of Trade Unions, representatives of the farming community, community and voluntary organisations, representatives of the regions and agencies involved in promoting sustainable development, heritage conservation, social inclusion and regional development. In addition, every Department inputting to the preparation of the plan will undertake consultations as appropriate within their own areas of responsibility. In light of this extensive and widely representative consultation process, invitation of submissions through general press advertisements is not being undertaken.

Trevor Sargent

Question:

157 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Finance the reason for the failure to produce to date an ex ante evaluation of the National Development Plan 2007-2013; and if he has a date at which such an evaluation will be available. [13958/06]

The Economic and Social Research Institute, ERSI, has been commissioned to do an ex ante evaluation of the National Development Plan 2007-2013. The evaluation is still at the drafting stage. I expect that it will be submitted for Government consideration over the next couple of months and I envisage that it will be published as soon as possible thereafter.

Site Acquisitions.

Emmet Stagg

Question:

158 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Finance if the negotiations on the purchase of a site for a school (details supplied) have reached a satisfactory conclusion. [14034/06]

The Commissioners of Public Works act as an agent on behalf of the Department of Education and Science in the acquisition of sites for new school facilities. Negotiations to acquire a suitable site for the school referred to have concluded. An agreement on price, subject to contract, has been reached by the Commissioners of Public Works on behalf of the Minister for Education and Science.

Emmet Stagg

Question:

159 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Finance if the issues raised in connection with the contract documents for the purchase of a site for the new national school (details supplied) have been resolved satisfactorily; and if the purchase has been agreed. [14035/06]

The Commissioners of Public Works act as an agent on behalf of the Department of Education and Science in the acquisition of sites for new school facilities. Agreement has been reached on price, subject to contract. This case is currently at conveyancing.

Garda Stations.

Emmet Stagg

Question:

160 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Finance if the board of the Office of Public Works has made a final decision on the new Leixlip Garda station; what that decision is; and when construction will commence in view of the decision. [14036/06]

The Commissioners of Public Works have not yet made a decision in respect of the new Garda station at Leixlip, County Kildare. An independent architectural report was received on 28 March 2006 in response to the submissions received in respect of planning consultation under Part 9. The report is currently being considered by the OPW and it is expected that a decision will be made in a matter of weeks.

Flood Relief.

Emmet Stagg

Question:

161 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Finance the outcome of the meeting between officials from the Office of Public Works and Kildare County Council on 31 March 2006, to discuss the Leixlip flood relief study; and the necessary steps which Kildare County Council will have to take to provide a suitable flood alleviation scheme for consideration of funding. [14039/06]

In light of the flooding problems in Leixlip and development pressures in the surrounding area, the Office of Public Works has agreed to undertake a local catchment flood risk assessment and management study for the Rye River, encompassing the towns of Leixlip, Maynooth and Kilcock. This will ultimately form part of a catchment flood risk assessment and management study for the entire Liffey catchment, which it is planned to undertake at a later stage.

Catchment flood risk assessment and management plans provide a strategic overview of a river catchment and a context within which decisions on the most appropriate measures to manage existing and potential flood risk can be made. Subject to availability of funds, works recommended by the study which are economically and environmentally sustainable will be funded by the Office of Public Works within its overall flood management programme.

Kildare County Council will continue with studies currently under way in Leixlip and its environs. In the context of this arrangement the OPW will be willing to consider with Kildare County Council whether elements of work recommended by the studies could be regarded with reasonable certainty as likely to be compatible with the recommendations of the Rye CFRAM study. The OPW is willing to consider providing funding to Kildare County Council to carry out such works if they can be shown to be economically and environmentally sustainable.

Tax Collection.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

162 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Finance when a refund of income tax will issue in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14075/06]

I have been advised by the Revenue Commissioners that there is no refund of tax due in this case. PAYE balancing statements for the years 2003, 2004 and 2005 issued to the taxpayer on 4 April 2006. A net underpayment of income tax in the sum of €1,230.30 arose and will be collected by reduction of the taxpayer's tax credits for the years 2007 and 2008.

Site Acquisitions.

Gerard Murphy

Question:

163 Mr. G. Murphy asked the Minister for Finance, further to the reply to Question No. 147 of 2 March 2006, if he will explain the reason a person (details supplied) was not contacted as per High Court instruction so that their concerns could be taken into account before any decision was made by the Chief State Solicitor re-entering the case. [14116/06]

I refer to my response to Question No. 315 of 21 February 2006 which confirmed that the State had just received sworn evidence from a party claiming entitlement to the lands in question. This meant that the State has had to reconsider its options on how best to proceed. The State may or may not now re-enter the section 30 application in court. If the State decides to re-enter the application, the person in question will be notified of the application in accordance with the High Court order made on the initial application to court dated 5 February 2004.

Fiscal Policy.

Jim O'Keeffe

Question:

164 Mr. J. O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Finance the proposals he has to increase the compensation limit for investors arising from the failure of investment of stockbroking firms; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14122/06]

Under the Investor Compensation Act 1998, the Investor Compensation Company Ltd., ICCL, is required to establish or maintain a fund or funds out of which payments are made in accordance with the Act. The industry is responsible for funding the compensation scheme. The scheme provides that compensation paid to eligible investors is the lesser of €20,000 or 90% of the net losses suffered through the default of the investment entity in question. This is the minimum level of compensation required by the investor compensation directive, Directive 97/9/EC of 3 March 1997, and is in line with the compensation levels which apply in the majority of other member states.

Although the European Commission is reviewing investor compensation schemes throughout the Union, I am not aware of any plans it may have to increase compensation levels.

I am conscious of the fact that many of the contributing firms are small scale undertakings and one must strike a fair balance between the interests of investor protection on the one hand and those of the well managed and compliant firms which are being called upon to meet the cost of failed entities on the other hand. In the circumstances I have no plans at present to raise the existing compensation limit.

Joan Burton

Question:

165 Ms Burton asked the Minister for Finance his plans to address the issue of private debt borrowing, which now stands at €268 billion according to the Central Bank, half of it accounted for by households; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14154/06]

I refer the Deputy to my earlier reply to a question from Deputies Higgins and Deenihan on the issue of private sector debt taken on 23 February 2006.

Within the implementation of the overall legislative framework, private sector credit growth and debt levels are, in the first instance, a matter for the Central Bank and Financial Services Authority of Ireland. This follows from its role as part of the European System of Central Banks and its functions, as the Financial Regulator, in relation to the prudential supervision of financial institutions and the protection of the consumers of those firms.

The Financial Regulator has already drawn attention to the need for lenders to act prudently in extending credit, especially for house purchase, and for borrowers to carefully consider their ability to service borrowings. The Financial Regulator, with its statutory consumer mandate, has developed a number of specific initiatives to help consumers make informed choices in terms of the financial products they choose, the amount of risk they take on and the cost of financial products. These initiatives have been developed through the framework of the Financial Regulator's It's Your Money campaign and have involved publishing consumer guides on credit products, fact sheets, cost surveys on personal loans, all of which are intended to assist borrowers in making the most appropriate credit decisions given their circumstances.

While the level of indebtedness of Irish households has been increasing, the Central Bank's most recently published financial stability report concludes that a range of fundamental factors such as growing employment, rising real incomes, falling inflation and low interest rates have supported the pattern of mortgage growth and associated debt levels in the economy. The report does, however, emphasise the importance of responsible behaviour by both borrowers and lenders, and the need to factor into their financial decision-making the prospective impact of potential changes in the future economic environment.

In evaluating the financial position of the private sector, it is too narrow an approach to consider the level of indebtedness in isolation from the asset side of the private sector's balance sheet. A high proportion of household indebtedness in Ireland, which accounts for approximately 46% of private sector indebtedness overall, relates to borrowing for house-purchase which, in turn, involves the acquisition of an asset for the households. In the same way, borrowing by the business sector generally underpins investment and the creation of business assets yielding future income. It therefore reflects the strong performance of the economy and confidence in Ireland's economic prospects.

As far as looking after the interests of the individual borrower and the individual investor is concerned, the function of Government is to provide an appropriate legislative framework for regulation of the financial services sector — one that is both comprehensive and robust. On foot of the progress made over recent years, especially in establishing the Financial Regulator with a particular focus on the interests of the consumer, we have such a framework in place.

As far as overall economic and financial stability is concerned, an overall measure of credit encompasses both public and private sector credit and debt levels. The Minister for Finance has a key role in this regard in ensuring prudent management of the budget and overall sustainability in the public finances. In this context, Ireland's fiscal performance is among the best in the developed world with Government indebtedness the second-lowest in the euro area. Responsible budgetary policy has made a significant contribution to economic performance overall and to the achievement of record employment levels.

Joan Burton

Question:

166 Ms Burton asked the Minister for Finance if he has had discussions with the Financial Regulator about the new regulations requiring banks to set aside additional capital in respect of mortgages which exceed 80% of the value of the property; if he welcomes the new regulations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14155/06]

The Financial Regulator is responsible for the prudential supervision of Irish-licensed financial institutions and the Minister for Finance does not get involved in matters of day-to-day supervision. I do, however, welcome the supervisory attention which mortgage lending is receiving from our Financial Regulator.

This technical prudential measure reinforces the message consistently conveyed to lending institutions by the Financial Regulator that mortgage lending policies and practices should be prudent and responsible. It is a targeted and proportionate measure signalling the need for responsible lending by requiring financial institutions to put more capital aside for higher loan to value, LTV, loans. Part of the context for the action is, I note, changes in accounting and provisioning practices brought about by new accounting standards.

This action is fully consistent with the Financial Regulator's functions in relation to the effective supervision of financial institutions. The Financial Regulator is best placed to make the assessment that the measure is necessary in view of its expertise in prudential supervision.

The measure accords with best regulatory practice internationally. It also reflects the recommendations of international commentators such as the OECD which recommended increased loan provisioning in its recent report on the Irish economy. When economic and financial conditions are quite favourable, it is sensible for the Financial Regulator to require mortgage lenders to make increased provision for loans that are riskier.

Tax Code.

Joan Burton

Question:

167 Ms Burton asked the Minister for Finance the way in which a company and a sub lessor, as explained in a recent court case, was able to avail of capital allowances in respect of the National Aquatic Centre of over €2 million per annum up to a total value of €34 million despite this being a public project 100% financed by the State at a cost of over €60 million; if his attention has been drawn to costs relating to this project, or companies associated with it, which would give rise to capital allowances; the tax provision under which this could arise; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14156/06]

I am aware of the costs relating to the National Aquatic Centre and the companies associated with it. However, as I indicated in my reply to a similar question put down for answer by the Deputy last Wednesday, the Revenue Commissioners are precluded for reasons of confidentiality from disclosing any details of the affairs of an individual taxpayer and for this reason it is not possible to give a detailed reply to the Deputy's question.

I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that the general position is that capital allowances can be claimed in respect of capital expenditure incurred on the provision of machinery or plant under section 284(1) of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997. A claim for allowances under this provision will typically be made by an owner of machinery or plant who operates the machinery or plant in the course of his or her own business. There is also provision for allowances to be claimed where machinery or plant is leased. Under section 298 of the same Act, a lessor who has incurred capital expenditure on the provision of machinery or plant may claim capital allowances in respect of that expenditure provided that the burden of wear and tear falls on the lessor.

Alternatively, if the lessor chooses not to claim, the lessee of the machinery or plant may, under section 299 of the same Act, claim the allowances subject to a number of conditions. To qualify, the lessee must use the machinery or plant for the purposes of his or her trade. The machinery or plant must be let to the lessee on such terms that he or she is bound to maintain the machinery or plant and deliver it over in good condition at the end of the lease and the burden of wear and tear must in fact fall on the lessee. However, whether allowances are being claimed by an owner and operator of machinery or plant or by the lessor or lessee of that machinery or plant, allowances are only available in respect of expenditure incurred which is not met directly or indirectly by the State. Section 317 of the Consolidation Act provides specific provision for denying allowances in respect of any expenditure so met by the State. This section does not apply in respect of a company carrying on a food processing trade on the purchase of certain machinery or plant for use in that trade.

I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that claims for capital allowances are generally made in the annual return of income submitted by taxpayers under the self-assessment system. All returns are subject to check and audit to ensure that, inter alia, any allowances are correctly claimed.

Fiscal Policy.

Joan Burton

Question:

168 Ms Burton asked the Minister for Finance the position in respect of the payment of stamp duty by brokers on shares they buy to underpin contracts for difference; the purpose of the announcement by the Revenue Commissioners, on St. Patrick’s Day, of their intention to collect stamp duty on such contracts; if he received representations from the Irish Stock Exchange, brokers, bankers or other interests; if he has postponed the Revenue’s changes, the likely loss of stamp duty from the review and postponement of the Revenue measures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14157/06]

Following the announcement by Revenue clarifying the stamp duty treatment on purchases of shares underpinning the contracts for differences, CFDs, my Department received strong representations that there would be severe consequences for the liquidity of the Irish stock market and thus, on the ability of Irish firms to raise capital and potentially on the viability of stockbroking here.

I considered these representations carefully and, as they seemed to have some substance, I came to the view that the matter needed to be examined in more depth to assess the full consequences of any change, taking account of the international nature of stock markets and the fact that stamp duty on shares traded in Ireland and the UK is collected for the Exchequer via a payments system common to both jurisdictions, CREST.

In the circumstances, and having regard to the fact that the relevant stamp duty legislation predates the development of the CFD market, I decided to have the matter reviewed in advance of the next budget, and issued a statement to that effect.

I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that, in the light of the planned review, with a view to budget 2007 announcements, and of the surrounding circumstances, they decided to allow the existing practices of CFD issuers to continue pending the review. They further advise that, as CFD business could otherwise have simply transferred to non-Irish equities, there is unlikely to be any net loss of stamp duty.

Site Acquisitions.

Jim O'Keeffe

Question:

169 Mr. J. O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Finance the reason the Office of Public Works has not completed site acquisition from Cork County Council for a new Gaelscoil (details supplied) in County Cork arising from the agreement in principle fifteen months ago; and if he will arrange to ensure that the matter is finalised without further delay so that the new school can get under way. [14158/06]

The Commissioners of Public Works act as an agent on behalf of the Department of Education and Science in the acquisition of sites for new school facilities.

Contract documents have now been agreed between the parties and will be signed shortly.

Irish Language.

Brian O'Shea

Question:

170 Mr. O’Shea asked the Minister for Finance the percentage of the staff of his Department able to provide services through Irish. [14179/06]

The Department of Finance has currently over 600 staff members.

In order to ascertain the level of expertise in Irish among staff, a survey was carried out asking staff to rate their ability to write, read and speak Irish and to indicate if they were willing to have their names included in a contact list for the Department.

Based on this survey 33 people or some 5.5% of staff are willing to provide some level of service through Irish to customers of the Department.

Energy Policy.

Thomas P. Broughan

Question:

171 Mr. Broughan asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if he will report on the recent EU Heads of Government decision to establish a common energy policy; the proposed timetable for a new common energy policy; the implications of such a policy for Ireland; if the Polish Government’s proposals for a new European energy security policy akin to an energy NATO will be incorporated into this new policy; if Ireland will be involved in a regional energy market with the UK; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13602/06]

The Taoiseach, accompanied by both the Minister for Foreign Affairs and the Minister for Finance, attended the recent spring European Council.

Future energy policy for Europe was the central issue for this Council with the discussions focusing on the European Commission's recently-published Green Paper, A European Strategy for Sustainable, Competitive and Secure Energy.

The discussions on energy were very much a first step in what promises to be a long and complex process. It is without doubt an issue of central importance to Ireland and the future success of our economy. As Ireland shares many of the challenges facing the EU in the energy area, we will participate actively in the EU debate.

The Polish Government's specific proposals around an energy treaty to deal with energy security of supply challenges were not discussed in detail. The European Council agreed to increase security of supply through among other things ensuring common operational approaches to address crisis situations in a spirit of solidarity, taking subsidiarity into account.

The Government is progressing the development of an all-island energy market on a joint basis. In the longer term, enhanced interconnection with other EU markets will deliver improved security of supply and greater consumer choice. The proposed electricity interconnector with the UK will be the first tangible step in this direction. In that context the European Council conclusions refer to enhanced co-operation and co-ordination between regulators and system operators on a regional basis through co-ordinated information exchange and building on existing bodies such as the European energy regulators group for electricity and gas.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

172 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources his proposals for an enhanced and accelerated programme for alternative and sustainable energy production incorporating security of supply; his proposals for the utilisation of the Corrib gas field; when he expects a resolution to the issues involved; if he intends to alter or amend the procedure in respect of exploration, delivery or storage of oil, gas or other minerals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14057/06]

Ireland currently has approximately 790 MW of renewable capacity connected. This consists of approximately 520 MW of wind powered plant, 240 MW of hydro powered plant with the balance, approximately 30 MW made up of different biomass technologies. The renewables directive, Directive 2001/77/EC, obliges Ireland to develop and implement a programme capable of increasing the amount of electricity from renewable energy sources to 13.2% of total consumption by 2010.

The target of 13.2% approximates to 1,450 megawatts of installed generating capacity to be operational to the electricity network by 2010. The additional new capacity required to achieve the 1,450 MW target will be delivered by a combination of projects under the previous AER V and AER VI competition, the new renewable energy feed in tariff, REFIT, programme, the greener homes domestic grant scheme and the mineral oil tax relief scheme.

The REFIT programme will move from competitive tendering, AER, to a fixed price based system. I expect to be in a position to launch the programme shortly, following a public consultation process which has usefully informed the shape of the new programme.

The multi-annual financial package for renewable energy announced in budget 2006 provides funding of up to €65 million over a five-year period for renewable energy schemes that will include grants for a range of renewable heat, electricity and transport initiatives. The programmes cover the biofuels, biomass heating, combined heat and power, CHP, and domestic energy sectors. The first part of the programme — the greener homes domestic grants scheme — was launched on 27 March 2006 and provides up to €27 million in grant aid for domestic renewable heat technologies, including wood pellet stoves and boilers, solar panels and heat pumps.

In 2005 a pilot mineral oil tax relief scheme for biofuels was rolled out and has resulted in eight projects being awarded excise relief. This will result in 16 million litres of biofuels being placed on the Irish transport market by next year. Building on the success of this scheme I have agreed with the Minister for Finance a further targeted package of excise relief valued at €205 million, which was announced in the budget. The new excise relief programme, which is subject to State-aid approval, will be rolled out from this year to 2010 and will enable Ireland to reach the initial target of 2% market penetration by biofuels by 2008. When fully operational the relief is expected to support the use and production of some 163 million litres of biofuels each year. I am also providing funding towards the capital cost of developing biofuels processing facilities, which will critically underpin the excise relief package.

The Deputy will be aware that development work has ceased temporarily on the proposed onshore pipeline for the Corrib gas field because of concerns relating to safety. Work on the offshore pipeline has been deferred to late 2006 while the construction work on the terminal has been suspended due to concerns about workers' safety in relation to site access. With regard to the onshore pipeline safety issue, I commissioned an international consulting company, Advantica, on 25 August 2005, to carry out a thorough and independent safety review of the proposed upstream onshore pipeline. In parallel with this safety review, I established a public consultation process to ensure that the concerns of the community would be fully addressed in the review.

As part of this process, a two-day public hearing was held in Geesala on 12 and 13 October, chaired by Mr. John Gallagher SC, during which the community was given the opportunity to express its concerns directly to the consultants. The consultants also made a separate site inspection of the pipeline route. They subsequently took the local concerns into account when carrying out their review. The review also critically examined all relevant documentation relating to the design, construction and operation of the pipeline and associated facilities as well as concluding whether or not the proposed installations would comply with recognised international best practice and would deliver a facility that it is fit for purpose. Advantica was also asked to identify any deficiencies in relation to the safety of the pipeline and to make recommendations as to how these, if identified, would be remedied.

The draft safety review was presented to the community on 8 December 2005 and published on the same day. Comments were invited on the draft, with a closing date of 22 December. The final report of the safety review was received in the Department recently and will be published shortly, together with recommendations arising from it made by the Corrib pipeline technical advisory group within the Department.

The Deputy will also be aware that I have after consultation with relevant parties, nominated a mediator, Mr. Peter Cassells, to work with the parties. This process is ongoing.

I hope the mediation process, augmented as needed, by the results of the safety review will allow all those concerned to work together to resolve the difficulties that have arisen. I will ensure that the outcome of all of these initiatives is fully taken into account in making forthcoming decisions on the project. Should the pipeline development works recommence in the near future the developers hope to bring the gas ashore by mid to late 2008.

I have no function in the utilisation of the gas from the Corrib gas field. This is a matter for the developers.

With regard to non-petroleum minerals, exploration and development is undertaken by private enterprise and regulated under the Minerals Development Acts 1940 to 1999. All extraction of minerals under the Acts is subject to payment of royalties to the State. While it is my intention to consolidate and update those Acts in a new minerals development Bill currently in preparation, I do not propose to change that policy. The awards to be made under the Slyne-Erris-Donegal round will be issued under these licensing terms. When this round has been completed, I will turn my attention to the question as to whether the current licensing terms remain appropriate in this age of high gas and oil prices and the emerging tight supply position in Europe.

Under the Gas (Interim) (Regulation) Act 2002, the Commission for Energy Regulation, CER, has the function of licensing natural gas storage facilities. In carrying out its functions, the commission must have regard to the need to ensure that there is sufficient capacity in the natural gas system to enable reasonable expectations of demand to be met and to secure the continuity, security and quality of supplies of natural gas.

In the context of the all-island energy market development framework, as part of the strategic goals enunciated, scope for a common approach on storage and liquefied natural gas within a timeframe of 2005 to 2007, has been identified. Work is progressing in bilateral discussions in both jurisdictions involving the Departments and regulatory authorities on this matter.

In addition, Marathon Oil Ireland Ltd has planned the development of natural gas storage facilities at south west Kinsale. Procedures for the storage of gas in those facilities are a matter for the leaseholder and do not fall within my remit. The CER is finalising the licensing regime and it is planned that the storage facility will be operational in summer, 2006.

Social Partnership Agreement.

Seán Crowe

Question:

173 Mr. Crowe asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the steps he has taken to ensure that An Post workers will receive the money owed to them in respect of Sustaining Progress agreements. [14059/06]

The Labour Court recommendation has put in train a process, which clearly involves the unions in An Post and the company, with regard to the payment of the back money owed to An Post workers. Therefore, the Minister has no function regarding the process but would encourage all parties to engage as set out in the recommendation.

Fisheries Protection.

Paudge Connolly

Question:

174 Mr. Connolly asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if, in the interests of ensuring the sustainability of quality fish stocks in lakes and watercourses here, he will introduce a national by-law to prohibit the killing of coarse fish, enshrining the policy of catch and release, traditionally favoured by Irish and UK anglers; if the relevant Fisheries Acts and statutory instruments will be revised to provide additional deterrents and adequate means of prosecution; if a national policy geared towards education and increasing awareness with partnership based fisheries enforcement will be adopted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14061/06]

Under the Fisheries Acts, the fisheries boards are primarily responsible for the protection, conservation and management of inland fisheries stocks including coarse fish stocks. As Minister I rely on the advice of the boards in determining policy and legislative measures aimed at protecting these stocks.

The Central Fisheries Board is currently undertaking a review of coarse fish policy in Ireland with a view to advising me on developing an informed national policy for the management, development and protection of this important natural resource.

I understand that the group undertaking the review, whose terms of reference include, inter alia, the establishment of the current status of the coarse fishery resource and the need for protective legislation, expects to complete its work shortly and intends to forward its report to me, following due consideration by the fisheries boards.

The group carried out an extensive consultation process and invited submissions from the public and interested parties. The group also convened a workshop and open forum.

I assure the Deputy that any conservation or legislative measures recommended to me arising from the review will be considered without delay and with a view to their implementation as soon as possible.

In the meantime, the National Fishery Managers Executive is considering appropriate fish conservation measures, including possible by-laws, that might be put in place in the short term. I am awaiting their advice, which is due imminently.

Alternative Energy Projects.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

175 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources his proposals to develop the alternative energy sector with a view to a reduction in fossil fuel importation and a higher degree of compliance with the Kyoto principles; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13844/06]

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

216 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources his preferred options in respect of the various methods of electricity generation in the future; the desirable proportions of hydro, wind, bio or other methods; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13891/06]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 175 and 216 together.

I refer the Deputy to my reply to Parliamentary Question No. 56 of today.

Telecommunications Services.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

176 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if his attention has been drawn to recent expressions to the effect that the State might regain some control of the Eircom infrastructure; if he has had discussions with any of the parties involved in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13845/06]

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

219 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if his attention has been drawn to the suggestion that the State should regain control of part of the Eircom infrastructure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13895/06]

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

220 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if his attention has been drawn the need for an urgent investment in the Eircom infrastructure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13896/06]

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

221 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if he or his Department have studied the possible implications of sale or take-over of Eircom; if he has had discussions with any of the parties involved with a view to ascertaining the future development of the infrastructure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13897/06]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 176 and 219 to 221, inclusive, together.

I wish to refer the Deputy to my reply to Question No. 9 of today.

Natural Gas Grid.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

177 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the proposals he has to develop and streamline the natural gas industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13846/06]

Plans to develop and streamline the gas industry involve three main strands: the further liberalisation of the gas market to include domestic customers; the extension of the Commission for Energy Regulation's, CER's, mandate in the gas industry to include responsibility for the regulation of natural gas safety; and the unbundling of Bord Gáis Éireann as a vertically integrated utility.

Under provisions outlined in the Energy (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2006 it is proposed to extend the gas market to domestic customer level. This will ensure that all customers will be able to shop around for their natural gas supplier and the market will be fully contestable. The legislation proposed includes a commencement provision which ensures that the market will be fully open no later than the 1 July 2007 deadline set by EU Directive 2003/55/EC.

The Bill also proposes to expand the functions of the regulator to include the regulation and promotion of natural gas safety, and to promote consultation with the National Standards Authority of Ireland regarding gas safety standards. The Bill provides for the way the CER will carry out these functions by establishing and implementing a natural gas safety framework and by directing natural gas industry players to advise customers and the public on natural gas safety issues.

In the recent Statutory Instrument 760 of 2005, further implementing national and EU policy on the development of the gas market, provision was made for the legal unbundling of the transmission and distribution system operations of Bord Gáis Éireann, BGÉ. Under the provisions of this statutory instrument, BGÉ is required to establish a subsidiary company with responsibility for management of the natural gas transmission and distribution grid. This will further facilitate the operation of third party players in the market.

Question No. 178 answered with QuestionNo. 11.

Electricity Generation.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

179 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the discussions he has had with the ESB, the wind or alternative energy sectors in regard to the liberalisation of the electricity market; if he has given an indication to or received proposals from the potential services providers in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13848/06]

I refer the Deputy to my reply to Parliamentary Question No. 54 of today.

Question No. 180 answered with QuestionNo. 75.

Energy Market Regulation.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

181 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the legislative changes or proposals he has with a view to freeing up or improving competition in the energy market with consequent benefit to the consumer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13850/06]

Alternative Energy Projects.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

182 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the extent to which he expects the development of alternative energy to grow, notwithstanding targets already set but in view of the likelihood of a dramatically increased demand for energy in this jurisdiction over the next ten years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13851/06]

Within the electricity market, the renewables directive, Directive 2001/77/EC, obliges Ireland to develop and implement a programme capable of increasing the amount of electricity from renewable energy sources to 13.2% of total consumption by 2010. The Minister is firmly committed to ensuring that we meet the target. Targets beyond 2010 will be determined in the context of the development of an all-island electricity market. The aim is to develop a long-term strategy to support increased renewable energy penetration on the island as a whole. To this end a consultation paper entitled, 2020 Vision for Renewable Energy, was published in July 2005. The responses to this paper are available on the Department's website and will inform future policy in this area. As part of this work a major grid study is under way to examine the implications of significantly increased renewables in the electricity mix on the island by 2020.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

183 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the steps he proposes to take to develop the energy market in line with the backdrop of the EU Green Paper on energy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13852/06]

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

184 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources when he expects to be in a position to provide adequate research and development facilities with a view to the development of alternative energy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13853/06]

Telecommunications Services.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

185 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if he has studied the report of the Joint Committee on Communications, Marine and Natural Resources on broadband; if he proposes to take action to address the deficiencies highlighted therein; the timescale to achieve such objectives; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13855/06]

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

186 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources when he expects the provision of broadband and associated facilities to achieve the same levels as in other jurisdictions with whom we compete; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13856/06]

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

187 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if provision of broadband facilities here has been impeded by lack of legislation or compliance with existing legislation with regard to access to vital infrastructure for all potential service providers in the industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13857/06]

The provision of electronic communications services is a matter, in the first instance, for the private sector companies operating in a fully liberalised market.

The regulatory framework which governs the provision of electronic communications services, including broadband services, is set out in the Communications Regulation Act 2002 and regulations which transpose the EU regulatory framework for electronic communications. Responsibility for the implementation of the legislation rests with the Commission for Communications Regulation, ComReg.

Energy Resources.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

188 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the position regarding the development of north-south and east-west gas or electricity interconnectors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13858/06]

The security of supply of energy is a key policy objective. The relatively small size of our national electricity and gas markets underlines the need for greater interconnection as a means of enhancing security of supply, promoting competition and integrating the Irish electricity and gas markets into the wider European market.

The Government is fully committed to progressing the development of an east-west electricity interconnection as a matter of priority. The Commission for Energy Regulation, at the Department's request, has been engaged in a process of rigorous exploration of the options for such development. The Minister will be bringing the matter to Government very shortly for final decision on the mechanism to secure an east-west interconnection in terms of financing and developer selection, informed by the advice of the CER.

In November 2004, the British and Irish Governments jointly endorsed plans put forward by the CER and the Northern Ireland Authority for Energy Regulation for the construction of a second north-south electricity interconnector. Planning for the construction of the interconnector is underway by the transmission system operators and it is estimated that the interconnector will be operational by 2012 at the latest.

The additional east-west and north-south interconnectors will provide enhanced system security and reliability and competition. The north-south interconnector development will also critically underpin the all-island single electricity market.

Our established interconnection with the UK, which encompasses two gas interconnectors, ensures that Ireland has sufficient importation capacity from external sources. A south-north pipeline is also under construction and is scheduled for commissioning in October 2006. The pipeline will extend from Gormanston, County Meath to Belfast.

Telecommunications Services.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

189 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources when he expects the Government’s initial target for the provision of broadband to be met; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13859/06]

The provision of telecommunications services and the development and roll-out of telecommunications technology is primarily a matter for the industry itself. The telecoms market is fully liberalised and regulated by the Commission for Communications Regulation, ComReg, which is independent in the exercise of its functions, in accordance with the provisions of the Communications Regulations Act 2002.

In comparison to other European counties, private broadband service providers in Ireland were relatively slow in launching competitive, affordable broadband. However, the situation is improving rapidly. In late 2004, the Government set a target of 400,000 broadband subscribers to be achieved by the end of 2006, that is almost 10% of population or 27% of households. The Minister's challenge to the industry is 500,000 broadband subscribers by the end of 2006, which is approximately 12% of the population or 34% of households.

The latest ComReg quarterly report states that there are 270,700 broadband subscribers as of the end of 2005. This is equivalent to 6.6% of the population. Almost 140,000 new broadband subscribers were added in 2005, a growth rate of 106%. This compares to 100,000 new broadband subscribers in 2004. The Minister is hopeful that the Government target can be met.

Digital Hub.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

190 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the extent to which the digital hub has developed with particular reference to its benefit to the region; the extent to which its objectives have been achieved to date; if targets met are in line with the costs involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13861/06]

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

191 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the investment to date in the digital hub; his intentions for its future development; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13862/06]

Expenditure at the digital hub since 2000 is approximately €127 million. This includes €76 million invested in property and infrastructure as well as €51 million in operational costs.

The Digital Hub Development Agency has been, and will continue to be, successful in developing a digital industry cluster, as well as in regenerating an historic community area in the heart of Dublin by operating a number of significant community and educational initiatives as part of its role in the digital hub district.

During 2005 the Department provided €3.35 million to the Digital Hub Development Agency. Future costs will be kept under review by the Department and will be subject to negotiations with the agency.

On 5 October 2005, the agency announced a competition to develop land in the digital hub. This land is to be developed as a mixture of residential, commercial and retail properties, in addition to public spaces. The private developers competed on the basis of bids of cash plus office space.

On 22 November 2005, the Minister announced the acceptance of tenders for two sites, with a combined area of almost 5.6 acres for approximately €118 million. In return for the land, the State will receive a combination of €72.4 million in cash and €45.7 million in high-quality offices, which will accommodate digital enterprises as the digital hub grows. The breakdown of the tenders means that the digital hub will receive over 13,000 square metres or 140,000 square feet of office space.

The agency has been successful to date in growing the cluster with approximately 50 companies now employing an estimated 500 people in the hub. These enterprises are involved in a range of activities including games software development, mobile technology, animation and television production.

The digital hub has engaged with local community interests on the project from the very beginning. The consultation takes place through the unique community, public, private partnership process, which is chaired by Mr. Peter Cassells. As a result of the consultation, the two private developers are required, under the terms of the development contract, to engage with the local community through the partnership process.

The successful tenderers will be required to make a planning application within six months and, on receipt of planning permission, to construct the office space offered. They must engage with interested parties through the partnership process. The office space will facilitate the future expansion of the digital hub by accommodating digital media enterprises. The amount that will be used for residential or other commercial purposes will be a matter for the tenderers and the planning authorities.

Telecommunications Services.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

192 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources when he expects broadband provision, availability and service here to catch up with the leading European countries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13863/06]

I refer the Deputy to my reply to Question No. 92 of 21 February 2006.

Broadcasting Services.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

193 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the extent to which he expects the availability of radio and television broadcasting to expand and develop overseas, having particular regard to the needs of the Irish emigrants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13864/06]

Broadcasting Legislation.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

194 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if he intends to set out guidelines in respect of radio and television and public and private broadcasting in the future, having particular regard to technological developments and consumer needs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13865/06]

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

207 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources when he expects to be in a position to publish his legislative proposals for the broadcasting sector; the extent to which he expects to interlink the public and private sector to ensure good value and a high standard for the consumer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13882/06]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 194 and 207 together.

I refer the Deputy to my reply to Question No. 15 of today.

Broadcasting Services.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

195 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the nature of discussions he has had or instructions he has given, arising from representations from groups requesting provision of subtitling in respect of television services; the way in which he intends to respond to such proposals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13866/06]

I refer the Deputy to my reply to Question No. 93 of 21 February 2006.

Alternative Energy Projects.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

196 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the full extent of financial assistance available for installation or conversion purposes in respect of houses or buildings with low insulation or energy ability; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13867/06]

Postal Services.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

197 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if he is satisfied that all outstanding issues between management and An Post have been satisfactorily resolved with a view to enabling a smooth expansion and development of services, including compatible or likely future services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13869/06]

Post Office Network.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

198 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if his attention has been drawn to the number of post offices or sub-post offices that have closed down in the past four years; the effect this might have on the future potential and strength of the network; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13871/06]

The Minister has no statutory function in this matter. It is an operational issue for the board and management of An Post.

Telecommunications Services.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

199 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if local loop unbundling has developed sufficiently and smoothly to the benefit of the consumer; the steps he intends to take or instructions he might give to the regulator or service providers in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13872/06]

Mobile Telephony.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

200 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the way in which the quality, cost and service of the mobile telephone system here compares with those in other European countries; his proposals to improve the situation from the consumers’ point of view; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13873/06]

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

224 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the action he will take directly or through the regulator with a view to improving the quality of the mobile telephone service here, with particular reference to signal quality and elimination of dropped calls; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13901/06]

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

227 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources when he expects mobile telephone charges here to be reduced in line with the costs elsewhere in Europe; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13904/06]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 200, 224 and 227 together.

I refer the Deputy to my reply to Question No. 45 of today.

Telecommunications Services.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

201 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the number of potential service providers which have sought to provide broadband services here; the success they have achieved to date; the reasons for any delay or obstruction; his proposals to address the issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13874/06]

According to ComReg there are over 150 companies in the Irish market with at least 45 different broadband offerings across a variety of technologies, including digital subscriber lines, fibre, cable, leased lines and satellite technology. In essence, there are broadband technologies that can deliver broadband to any broadband consumer in Ireland right now.

In order to stimulate the market and to address a national infrastructure deficit, the Government, in partnership with local authorities, is funding the construction of high-speed metropolitan area networks in 120 towns and cities nationwide. These fibre optic networks are being made available on an open-access basis, which means that telecommunications operators can enter the broadband market without the need to build their own networks. Phase one of this programme has delivered fibre optic networks to 27 towns and cities throughout the country and a number of operators are already using the metropolitan area networks to provide enhanced broadband services to their new customers.

The programme has been extended to a further 90 towns in various locations nationwide. Design and procurement has already commenced in several regions and construction is due to commence in the coming months. It is expected that these metropolitan area networks will be completed during 2006 and 2007 and will allow service providers to offer world-class broadband services at competitive costs.

The Department also offers funding assistance for smaller towns and rural communities to become self-sufficient in broadband through the county and group broadband scheme. The scheme is technology-neutral, allowing the community to select the most suitable broadband delivery platform or service provider for the area. To date, over 150 projects have been approved for funding under this programme.

A joint industry-Government fund of €18 million has been established for the broadband for schools programme, which will provide every school in the country with broadband by the first half of 2006. The construction or installation phase is now under way and the project is on target for completion within the set timeframe.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

202 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources Ireland’s position regarding availability, quality and cost of broadband services in the European league; his plans to encourage bringing the services here into line other countries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13875/06]

Mobile Telephony.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

203 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources his proposals to encourage the development of technology to combat mobile phone bullying or the transmission otherwise of pornographic images or material; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13876/06]

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

204 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if he intends to introduce legislative or technical proposals to combat bullying or pornography through the use of text messaging on mobile phones; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13877/06]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 203 and 204 together.

I refer the Deputy to my reply to Question No. 14 of today.

Broadcasting Services.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

205 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the situation regarding the availability of digital television; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13880/06]

Radio Broadcasting.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

206 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources his preferred options for the development of local radio in view of the development of the industry in recent years with particular reference to sales or takeovers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13881/06]

Question No. 207 was answered with QuestionNo. 194.

Broadcasting Services.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

208 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if he expects free-to-air broadcasting or transmission of the Ryder Cup; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13883/06]

Emmet Stagg

Question:

236 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if he has made a decision to designate the Ryder Cup as a free-to-air sports event. [14054/06]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 208 and 236 together.

I refer the Deputies to the reply to Question No. 19 of 6 April 2006.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

209 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if he has had discussions with broadcasters or potential broadcasters in the context of the future development of broadcasting services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13884/06]

I refer the Deputy to the reply to Question No. 142 of 21 February 2006.

Question No. 210 answered with QuestionNo. 11.

Offshore Exploration.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

211 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if he proposes to alter or amend the conditions under which oil, gas or other mineral exploration is undertaken with particular reference to the licensing regime; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13886/06]

The terms governing the licensing of petroleum exploration and development are kept under constant review by the Department in light of the international market in which Ireland seeks to attract exploration companies. Ireland has yet to make the breakthrough needed to establish its prospecting.

The awards to be made under the Slyne-Erris-Donegal round will be issued under the existing licensing terms. When this round has been completed, the terms will be reviewed against the increased level of oil and gas prices in the international market and taking account of related developments in terms elsewhere.

With regard to non-petroleum minerals, exploration and development is undertaken by private enterprise and regulated under the Minerals Development Acts 1940 to 1999. All extraction of minerals under the Acts is subject to payment of royalties to the State. While it is intended to consolidate and update those Acts in a new minerals development Bill, it is not proposed to change that policy.

Questions Nos. 212 and 213 answered with Question No. 65.
Questions Nos. 214 and 215 answered with Question No. 20.
Questions No. 216 answered with QuestionNo. 175.

Telecommunications Services.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

217 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the reason for the slow rate of progress in the provision of broadband services and facilities; the action he proposes to take or direction he intends to issue to all involved with a view to ensuring a competitive technological edge for Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13892/06]

I refer the Deputy to the reply to Question No. 60 of 6 April 2006.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

218 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources his plans to generate serious interest in the provision of nationwide broadband; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13894/06]

I refer the Deputy to the reply to Question No. 60 of 6 April 2006.

Question Nos. 219 to 221, inclusive, answered with Question No. 176.

Electricity Market Regulation.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

222 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if current liberalisation or deregulation procedures are sufficient to encourage competition in the electricity market; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13898/06]

The conditions for competition are being created through progressive liberalisation of the electricity markets. Liberalisation of the electricity market has proceeded on a phased basis since February 2000 under the regulatory oversight of the Commission for Energy Regulation, CER.

In accordance with the Electricity Regulation Act 1999 (Eligible Customer) (Consumption of Electricity) Order 2003, on 19 February 2005, the market opened fully to competition. From that date, all customers have been eligible to source their electricity from any licensed supplier and the entire market became contestable. Scope now exists for all customers, household and non-household alike, to seek out keener prices in the competitive market. This is well in advance of the July 2007 deadline set down in electricity Directive 2003/54/EC.

The opening of the market has benefited customers by broadening customer choice. Already some 42% of the market by volume is supplied by independent suppliers.

The CER is the independent statutory body responsible for regulating and overseeing the liberalisation of the electricity sector in Ireland under the Electricity Regulation Act 1999. Since full market opening the CER has ensured the support systems and processes are in place to enable new entrant electricity suppliers to serve any customer in Ireland. To date suppliers have focused on larger customers because this was the first segment of the market to open to competition. This is a pattern common in other newly liberalising markets. Over time as suppliers target the domestic market, the CER expect to see those benefits extended to the domestic customer.

In an all-island context, work is progressing on the development of a single electricity market. In June last year the CER and the Northern Ireland Authority for Energy Regulation published their high level decision relating to the proposed design for the single electricity market. The market is planned to go live on 1 July 2007.

The potential benefits of a mature single electricity market include a larger, single market with competitive prices; open and transparent competition at all levels of the marketplace; a stable and attractive investment location; improved competitiveness; greater security of supply; robust, integrated infrastructure; a more diverse energy mix; greater energy efficiency and consumer choice; and longer-term savings.

In accordance with the Electricity Regulation Act 1999, the Minister has no function with access to the electricity transmission and distribution systems. These are matters for the system operators subject to directions given by the CER from time to time.

Energy Resources.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

223 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the extent of the proposals he has to increase the storage capacity in respect of oil, gas or other fuels; the capacity in terms of days or weeks; his plans to improve the situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13899/06]

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

229 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources his views on whether adequate oil, gas or other fuel storage facilities are sufficient to meet future requirements; if he has in mind proposals to improve or enhance this capability; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13907/06]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 223 and 229 together.

I refer the Deputy to the answer to Questions Nos. 28 and 108 of 6 April 2006.

Question No. 224 answered with QuestionNo. 200.

Telecommunications Services.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

225 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources when he expects mobile telephone roaming charges to be abolished; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13902/06]

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

226 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources when he expects mobile telephone roaming charges to be abolished throughout Europe in line with recent indications at the European Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13903/06]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 225 and 226 together.

I refer the Deputy to the reply to Question No. 23 on 6 April 2006.

Question No. 227 answered with QuestionNo. 200.

Alternative Energy Projects.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

228 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the number and capacity of wind or other alternative energy generating systems currently contributing to the national grid or waiting to do so; if difficulties have been experienced in the matter of access to the grid; if he intends to legislate to ensure ready and smooth access; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13905/06]

I refer the Deputy to the reply to Question No. 40 of 6 April 2006.

Question No. 229 answered with QuestionNo. 223.

Energy Resources.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

230 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources when he expects an east-west electricity interconnector to become a reality; the anticipated degree to which it might be used for outflows or incoming electricity in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13908/06]

Renewable Energy.

Dan Boyle

Question:

231 Mr. Boyle asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the structure of renewable energy grant schemes announced in budget 2006; and if same have been launched. [13965/06]

On 27 March, the Minister launched the "Greener Homes" grant aid package for the domestic sector, which includes funding for wood chip and wood pellet boilers and stoves, solar and heat pump technologies. The following is a breakdown of the level of grant-aid involved between the various technologies:

Technology

Grant Amount

Wood Chip or Wood Pellet Boilers

4,200

Wood Chip or Wood Pellet Stoves

1,100

Wood Chip or Wood Pellet Stoves with Back Boiler

1,800

Heat Pump — Horizontal Ground Collector

4,300

Heat Pump — Vertical Collector

6,500

Heat Pump — Water (well) to Water

4,300

Heat Pump — Air Source

4,000

Solar (per m2 to a maximum of 12m2)

300

The level of grant aid reflects the strong Government commitment to encourage people to install renewable heat technology in their homes.

The scheme is being rolled out on behalf of the Department by SEI and all applications are being processed through SEI. Details of the scheme and application forms are available on the SEI website, www.sei.ie/greenerhomes, and a dedicated lo-call phone line is also open, as follows: 1850 734 734.

Question No. 232 answered with QuestionNo. 20.

Offshore Exploration.

Michael Ring

Question:

233 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources when the Advantica report will be published by the Government in relation to the Corrib gas pipeline. [13970/06]

I intend to publish the final Advantica report on the safety of the Corrib gas pipeline in the near future.

Renewable Energy.

James Breen

Question:

234 Mr. J. Breen asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the support structures and assistance he will put in place to aid the development of renewable energy sources which, with proper expansion and support from the Government and the Commission for Energy Regulation, could answer the energy requirements of rural and farming communities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13971/06]

The renewables directive, 2001/77/EC, obliges Ireland to develop and implement a programme capable of increasing the amount of electricity from renewable energy sources to 13.2% of total consumption by 2010.

The target of 13.2% approximates to 1,450 MW of installed generating capacity to be operational to the electricity network by 2010. Currently Ireland has approximately 790 MW of renewable capacity connected. This consists of approximately 520 MW of wind powered plant, 240 MW of hydro powered plant with the balance, circa 30 MW, made up of different biomass technologies.

The additional new capacity required to achieve the 1,450 MW target will be delivered by projects under the previous AER V and AER VI competitions and the new renewable energy feed in tariff, REFIT, programme.

The new support programme will move from competitive tendering, AER, to a fixed price based system known as the renewable energy feed in tariff, REFIT. Following a public consultation process which has usefully informed the shape of the new programme, I expect to be in a position to launch the programme shortly.

The Electricity Regulation Act 1999 provides for the liberalisation of the entire electricity market for green electricity providers with effect from February 2000. Developers may apply directly to the Commission for Energy Regulation established under the Act, for authorisations to build wind energy electricity generating stations and licenses to generate and supply electricity direct to final customers. Nobody is excluded from the process and any individual or group, including rural and farming communities, may invest in renewable energy projects if they so wish. However, this is a commercial decision for those involved and not one in which the Minister has a function.

The multi-annual financial package for renewable energy announced in budget 2006 provides funding of up to €65 million over a five-year period for renewable energy schemes that will include grants for a range of renewable heat, electricity and transport initiatives. The programmes cover the biofuels, biomass, CHP and domestic energy sectors.

As part of the programme the domestic grants package, the "Greener Homes" scheme, was launched on 27 March 2006 and provides up to €27 million in grant aid for domestic renewable heat technologies which includes the installation of wood pellet stoves and boilers, solar panels and heat pumps. Sustainable Energy Ireland, SEI, is rolling out the scheme on behalf of the Department. Details of the scheme and application forms are available on the SEI website, www.sei.ie/greenerhomes, and a dedicated lo-call phone line is also open, as follows: 1850 734 734.

In addition to these initiatives, Sustainable Energy Ireland administers a series of programmes aimed at supporting the integration of renewable technologies and sustainable energy practices across all sectors of the economy. Its programmes include: the house of tomorrow programme, which supports sustainable energy practices in Irish housing, by providing grant aid to developers of groups of housing; the public sector buildings programme which supports the development of energy efficient public sector buildings; the renewable energy research development and demonstration programme which aims to stimulate deployment of renewables close to market and address the need for information and education; the large industry energy network which promotes sustainable energy best practice in industry; and the low income housing programme which aims to upgrade low income households with energy efficiency features.

The 2005 pilot mineral oil tax relief scheme for biofuels has resulted in eight projects being awarded excise relief and will result in 16 million litres of biofuels being placed on the Irish transport market by next year.

Building on the success of this scheme, the Minister agreed with the Minister for Finance a further targeted package of excise relief valued at €205 million, which was announced in the budget. The new excise relief programme, which is subject to State-aid approval, will be rolled out from this year to 2010 and will enable us to reach the initial target of 2% market penetration by biofuels by 2008. When fully operational the relief is expected to support the use and production of some 163 million litres of biofuels each year. The Minister is also providing funding towards the capital cost of developing biofuels processing facilities, which will critically underpin the excise relief package.

European Energy Market.

James Breen

Question:

235 Mr. J. Breen asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if, in view of statements emanating from recent EU summits regarding the creation of a single European energy market, when the urgently required electricity interconnectors to Britain and Northern Ireland will be operational; his views on whether they will be co-financed by the EU; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13972/06]

The conclusions of the recent spring European Council as well as the Commission's green paper, A European Strategy for Sustainable, Competitive and Secure Energy, both emphasise the imperative for additional physical capacity in order to complete the European internal energy market, with interconnection identified as being particularly important.

It is the Government's policy objective to ensure that existing interconnection is augmented in the long-term interests of security of supply and market development, particularly in light of our small size and peripherality.

The Government is fully committed to progressing the development of east-west electricity interconnection as a matter of priority. In line with the Government's priority wish, the Commission for Energy Regulation, CER, at my Department's request has been engaged in a process of rigorous exploration of the options for such development. The Minister will be bringing the matter to Government shortly for decision as to the mechanism to secure east-west interconnection in terms of financing and developer selection, informed by the advice of the CER.

Further North-South interconnection has also been identified as essential to underpin the proposed all-island energy market. In November 2004, both Governments jointly endorsed plans put forward by the CER and the Northern Ireland Authority for Energy Regulation for the construction of a second South-North electricity interconnector.

Planning for the construction of the interconnector is underway by the transmission system operators and it is estimated that the interconnector will be operational by 2012.

Question No. 236 answered with QuestionNo. 208.

River Dredging Projects.

Paul Kehoe

Question:

237 Mr. Kehoe asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the way in which a person would make an application to dredge the River Barrow and remove sand and gravel from same; the requirements in making the application and concerns his Department would have; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14086/06]

A person who proposes to carry out dredging or removal of sand or gravel in that part of the River Barrow to which the Foreshore Acts apply, would have to apply to the Department for authorisation under those Acts for the proposed works.

Any such application would have to give full details of the proposed operation, together with information on the likely environmental and ecological effects of the development so that its possible implications could be assessed in detail before a decision was taken on it.

Telecommunications Services.

Joe Walsh

Question:

238 Mr. Walsh asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources when he intends to roll-out the metropolitan area network to a town (details supplied) in County Cork. [14124/06]

The provision of telecommunications services, including broadband, is a matter in the first instance for the fully liberalised private sector, regulated by ComReg, the independent Commission for Communications Regulation.

The Government is addressing the infrastructure deficit by building high-speed open access metropolitan area networks, MANs, in 120 towns and cities nationwide, on a phased basis in association with the local and regional authorities. Phase one of this programme has delivered fibre optic networks to 27 towns and cities throughout the country, which were built on time and under budget. This programme has been extended to over 90 towns in various locations nationwide including 15 towns in County Cork. Cork is developing projects in respect of the following towns: Bantry, Blarney, Carrigaline, Charleville, Cobh, Dunmanway, Fermoy, Kanturk, Kinsale, Midleton, Mitchelstown, Passage West, Ringaskiddy, Skibbereen and Youghal.

Design and procurement has already commenced in the Cork region and construction is due to start later this year. It is expected that these MANs will be completed during 2006 and 2007. Clonakilty is not part of the current roll-out but may be included in further phases subject to the necessary approvals and Exchequer funding being made available.

The Department's website www.broadband.gov.ie lists a number of broadband service providers already offering services in Clonakilty, County Cork, using a variety of broadband technologies such as DSL, wireless, fibre, cable and satellite. The website gives prices for the various services on offer, and contact details for each of the companies.

Paul Kehoe

Question:

239 Mr. Kehoe asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the percentage of the country that has ready access to broadband technology for both business and domestic use; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14148/06]

Paul Kehoe

Question:

240 Mr. Kehoe asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the measures which are being put in place to accelerate the roll-out of broadband technology here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14149/06]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 239 and 240 together.

The provision of telecommunications services, including broadband, is a matter in the first instance for the private sector companies operating in a fully-liberalised market, regulated by the independent Commission for Communications Regulation, ComReg.

The Government is addressing the infrastructure deficit in the regions by building high-speed, open-access metropolitan area networks, MANs, in 120 towns and cities nationwide. Phase one of this programme has delivered fibre optic networks to 27 towns and cities throughout the country.

This programme has been extended to over 90 towns in various locations nationwide. It is expected that these MANs will be completed during 2006 and 2007. These networks will allow the private sector to offer world-class broadband services at competitive costs.

The Department also offers funding assistance for smaller towns and rural communities through the county and group broadband scheme. The scheme is technology-neutral, allowing the community to select the most suitable broadband delivery platform for the area. To date, over 150 projects have been approved for funding under this programme.

A joint industry-Government fund of €18 million has been established for the broadband for schools programme, which will provide every school in the country with broadband by the beginning of 2006. This is a crucial strand in the strategy of integrating ICT into teaching and learning and the Department's wider vision of promoting the use of broadband technologies in local communities around the country. The construction and installation phase is now under way and the project is on target for completion within the set timeframe.

Broadband subscriber numbers have increased hugely in the last year. Almost 140,000 new broadband subscribers were added in 2005, a growth rate of 103% in 2005. This compares to 100,000 new broadband subscribers in 2004. The latest ComReg quarterly report states there are 270,700 broadband subscribers as of end-2005. This is equivalent to 6.6% of the population. There are also an estimated 0.6 million narrow band users.

Home Internet penetration figures currently stand at 18.7% of households. DSL dominates the Irish broadband market with a 75% market share. However, FWA and cable are growing strongly, albeit from a small base.

The official Government target is to have 400,000 subscribers by end-2006, that is, almost 10% of the population or 27% of households. The Minister's challenge to industry is 500,000 broadband subscribers by end-2006, which is about 12% of the population or 34% of households.

Paul Kehoe

Question:

241 Mr. Kehoe asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the expected timeframe for the availability of broadband in County Wexford (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14177/06]

The provision of telecommunications services, including broadband, is a matter in the first instance for the private sector companies operating in a fully liberalised market, regulated by the independent Commission for Communications Regulation, ComReg.

It has been clear for some time that the sector has failed to invest at the level necessary to keep pace with the demand for broadband, so the Department's regional broadband programme is addressing the infrastructure deficit by building high speed fibre based broadband networks, in association with the local and regional authorities, in the major towns and cities. These metropolitan area networks, MANs, are open access fibre based trunk networks that will allow the private sector to offer world-class broadband services at competitive costs. Some 20 MANs are now completed, including the Wexford town MAN.

The Department also administers a group broadband scheme which is designed to promote the rollout of broadband access through the establishment of sustainable broadband services in towns, villages, rural hinterlands and under-served areas of larger towns on the basis of local and regional authority co-ordination and community driven initiatives. Under this scheme, broadband projects have been approved for Craanford, Monaseed, Kilanerin, Ballyfad, Ballythomas, Coolgreany, Bridgetown, Kilmore, Kilmore Quay, Ballyhogu, Galbally, Bree, Ramsgrange, Campile, Wellington Bridge, Fethard-on-Sea, Duncannon, Ballyhack, Clongeen, Arthurstown, Ballycullane, Saltmills, New Ross rural, Gorey rural, Courtown, Riverchapel, Ballygarrett, Ballycanew, Ballymoney, Killenagh, Camolin and Ballyoughter, County Wexford.

The Department's website www.broadband.gov.ie gives full details of broadband availability in all areas, including ADSL, cable, fibre, satellite and fixed wireless. The website also lists prices of the various service levels on offer and contact details for each service provider.

Irish Language.

Brian O'Shea

Question:

242 Mr. O’Shea asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the percentage of the staff of his Department able to provide services through Irish; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14180/06]

There is no stipulated quota for the percentage of staff in Government Departments who are required to be able to provide services through Irish. However, my Department does have staff who can provide services through Irish when required. By way of an indication in this regard, the latest figures available show that approximately 8% of the overall staff of my Department are either currently deemed to be proficient in Irish, in accordance with the terms of relevant Department of Finance circulars, or claim proficiency in the spoken language.

Miami Five Case.

Finian McGrath

Question:

243 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the position regarding the Miami Five case in the US; and if he will raise this matter with the US Government. [13925/06]

The case to which the Deputy refers relates to five Cuban citizens who were convicted in the US, in 2001, on charges ranging from espionage to first degree murder. A panel of three judges from the 11th circuit court of appeals in Atlanta overturned the 2001 convictions on 9 August 2005 and ordered a retrial based on new evidence.

The Miami district attorney duly filed an appeal against the decision of the 11th circuit court of appeals. The appeal was heard on 14 February 2006 and the decision is expected shortly.

As I have previously informed the House on a number of occasions, the Government has no standing in this matter, which is a bilateral consular question between the US and the Cuban authorities. Consequently, I do not intend to raise this matter with the US Government.

US Economic Embargo.

Finian McGrath

Question:

244 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will ask the US Government to end the blockade of Cuba; and if he will work with the Cuban authorities on this matter. [13926/06]

The Government, in common with our partners in the European Union, believes that the US economic embargo on Cuba seriously hampers the economic development of Cuba and negatively affects all of its people. EU companies account for at least half of all Cuba's foreign trade. The EU rejects unilateral measures against Cuba, which are contrary to commonly accepted rules of international trade.

In the United Nations General Assembly, Ireland and our EU partners again voted, on 8 November 2005, in favour of the annual Cuban-tabled resolution entitled Necessity of ending the economic, commercial and financial embargo imposed by the United States of America against Cuba.

The EU's policy on Cuba is as set out in the common position agreed on 2 December 1996, during the then Irish Presidency. The General Affairs and External Relations Council reaffirmed the validity of the 1996 common position on Cuba on 13 June 2005. The Council's conclusions on Cuba, which were also adopted on 13 June 2005, reiterated that constructive engagement remains the basis of the EU's policy with the ultimate aim being to encourage a process of transition to pluralist democracy in Cuba.

Unfortunately, the ongoing large-scale violation of human rights in Cuba and the unacceptable attitude of the Cuban government towards some resident EU embassies in Havana are a serious impediment to the further development of relations with Cuba.

Irish Language.

Brian O'Shea

Question:

245 Mr. O’Shea asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the percentage of the staff of his Department able to provide services through Irish; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14181/06]

Some 45 departmental staff members are sufficiently fluent in the Irish language to be able to provide services through Irish. This represents about 3% of our staffing complement, leaving aside staff locally recruited by Irish missions.

The Department is currently in the process of preparing a scheme under the Official Languages Act 2003, which will outline proposals to ensure better availability and a higher standard of services through Irish for our customers. The Department published a notice in the national press in March of this year inviting submissions from interested parties concerning the preparation of the Department's scheme. All submissions received will be considered in the course of preparing the scheme, which is due to be submitted to the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs before the end of July next.

The Department has already taken action to improve the level of service it provides through Irish. An Irish language sub-committee of the Department's partnership committee, the Fochoiste Ghaeilge, has been established to consider the implications for the Department of the Official Languages Act and to develop proposals to meet the challenges posed by the Act concerning the delivery of services in Irish to the public.

The Department also facilitates the attendance by staff at Irish language classes run by both Gaeleagras and Conradh na Gaeilge, and pays for officers to attend week-long immersion courses in the Gaeltacht that are organised each summer by Gaeleagras.

Arrangements are also in train to provide lunchtime in-house Irish classes for departmental officers who wish to improve their Irish language skills. It is expected that these initiatives will, over time, lead to an increased level and quality of service provision through Irish for our customers.

The Department's passport offices in Dublin and Cork, and our consular section in Dublin, as well as our press section and a number of our larger missions, including those in London and Washington and the permanent representation to the EU in Brussels, have officers assigned to them who can provide services through Irish.

National Archives.

Catherine Murphy

Question:

246 Ms C. Murphy asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the consideration that has been given to the establishment of a purpose built public records office in view of the storage constraints in the National Archives; the advances in multimedia technologies that could be built into such a new facility; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14132/06]

The need for a new building for the National Archives has long been recognised and is at this time being actively addressed by the Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism and the Office of Public Works.

Modern technology is used extensively at present in the production of finding aids to the archives and to control the provision of archives to the public. However, it is available for use by the public in only limited ways. It is envisaged the public areas of the new building will take advantage of ongoing technological advances so that technical developments may be fully utilised to the maximum possible extent.

Swimming Pool Projects.

Catherine Murphy

Question:

247 Ms C. Murphy asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism when it is intended to open a new round of applications for swimming pool facilities; the number of those applications made in the last round that remain to be funded; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14133/06]

My Department is carrying out an expenditure review of the local authority swimming pool programme, which is examining, among other things, how it has worked to date, 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 completion of this review, the question of re-opening the programme will be considered.

The local authority swimming pool programme provides grant aid to local authorities in respect of the capital costs of a new swimming pool, a replacement pool or the refurbishment of an existing pool. The closing date for receipt of applications under the current round of this programme was 31 July 2000 and since then a total of 57 projects have or are being dealt with. Of the 57 projects within the programme, 18 have been completed and 14 pool projects are now under construction or are about to start construction. In addition, 25 other projects are at various stages in the programme: six at tender stage, 11 at contract document stage and eight at preliminary report stage.

Irish Language.

Brian O'Shea

Question:

248 Mr. O’Shea asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the percentage of the staff of his Department able to provide services through Irish; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14182/06]

At present, at least 15% of the staff of my Department are able to provide services through Irish. This percentage does not include the staff of the National Archives who form part of my Department but which is designated as a separate public body in the First Schedule to the Official Languages Act 2003.

The main focus for staff is the provision of verbal services through Irish to telephone callers and personal callers to the Department. While some staff provide services concerning written correspondence and documents in Irish, translation is provided in the main by external translation services.

As the Deputy will be aware, my Department is one of the early movers under the decentralisation programme and as a result there are ongoing changes in staff in my Department to facilitate the transfer of staff wishing to decentralise to Killarney. The percentage of staff able to provide services through Irish is therefore subject to ongoing change.

Trade Links with Cuba.

Finian McGrath

Question:

249 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the position regarding trade links with Cuba; and if these links will be developed in 2006. [13923/06]

Irish trade with Cuba is marginal and tends to fluctuate considerably. Exports to Cuba in 2005 amounted to €678,000. The principal exports were cork and wood products, and beverages. Imports from Cuba in 2004 amounted to €308,000. The principal imports were fruit and vegetables, tobacco, coffee, tea and cocoa. The table below shows the value of exports and imports between Ireland and Cuba in respect of the years 2001 to 2005.

There does not appear to be any significant Irish investment in Cuba and there is no Cuban investment in Ireland. Enterprise Ireland is the agency of my Department with responsibility for the development of indigenous industry in Ireland, including trade promotion abroad. Enterprise Ireland's client companies do not regard Cuba as a priority market. Resources are concentrated on markets that show better prospects of development at this stage. Ireland does have an air transport agreement with Cuba.

Year

Exports

Imports

€000

€000

2001

880

1,217

2002

189

941

2003

521

1,263

2004

778

500

2005

678

308

Redundancy Payments.

Ned O'Keeffe

Question:

250 Mr. N. O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the reason for the delay in having redundancy payments made to a person (details supplied) in County Cork. [14098/06]

A claim for payment of a statutory redundancy lump sum out of the social insurance fund was received in the Department in respect of the person concerned on 28 March 2006. Normally, it takes four to six weeks to issue a lump sum payment. When the supporting documentation is received from the employer, I can arrange to expedite the payment to the person concerned as a matter of urgency.

Arthur Morgan

Question:

251 Mr. Morgan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the reason Government funding was made available to a group (details supplied) in 2005 when it had closed in January 2004; and the purpose for which the funding was used. [14130/06]

I am informed by FÁS that a total of €75,210 in respect of redundancy payments was provided to Clare local employment service in 2005.

Irish Language.

Brian O'Shea

Question:

252 Mr. O’Shea asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the percentage of the staff of his Department able to provide services through Irish; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14183/06]

My Department is carrying out a survey to ascertain the number of staff who would be able to provide services through Irish, and also to identify the level of written and spoken Irish language proficiencies within the Department. Therefore, I am unable to provide the Deputy with an exact figure at this juncture.

While the survey is being carried out in advance of my Department being notified to prepare a statutory scheme under the Official Languages Act 2003, we remain committed to providing a quality service to all of our customers, including those who wish to conduct their business through Irish. Any person who corresponds with my Department in Irish will receive a reply in Irish and all key departmental reports and documents are published simultaneously in English and Irish.

Social Welfare Benefits.

John Deasy

Question:

253 Mr. Deasy asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs his views on paying the free telephone allowance to qualifying recipients as part of their weekly social welfare payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13911/06]

The household benefit package of free schemes comprises the electricity and gas allowance, telephone allowance and free television licence and is available to people living permanently in the State who satisfy specific qualifying criteria. The telephone allowance is applied as a cash credit on recipients' telephone bills. The value of the allowance is set at €20.41 per month —€40.82 per two months — excluding VAT. Applying the allowance in this way assists the recipient in managing their household budget.

A survey carried out as part of the review of the free schemes and published in 2000 indicated that the majority of respondents favour retaining the household benefit package of free schemes in preference to a cash payment. The respondents stated that they would not be able to avail of the services covered by the schemes without the benefit of the household benefit package.

John McGuinness

Question:

254 Mr. McGuinness asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if rent allowance has been approved in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; if an increased amount has been granted; and if arrears will be granted. [13941/06]

The supplementary welfare allowance scheme, which includes rent supplement, is administered on my behalf by the community welfare division of the Health Service Executive. Neither I nor my Department has any function in decisions on individual claims. This case concerns rent supplement. The Health Service Executive has confirmed that the person concerned has requested a review of the amount of rent supplement in payment. The executive has advised that details of earnings from the person concerned have been requested and a decision on her entitlement will be made when this information has been supplied.

Jerry Cowley

Question:

255 Dr. Cowley asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs his views, in the case of babies born prematurely, of an additional interim maternity payment for the parents, to ensure that families do not run into financial hardship while caring for these premature babies, who very often have to reside in Dublin for long periods; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13966/06]

The Deputy is referring to situations where a new baby is hospitalised for an extended period after birth and implications arising from that situation where entitlement to maternity benefit and maternity leave is of a defined duration. Entitlement to maternity benefit is contingent in the first instance on entitlement to statutory maternity leave. The right to maternity leave is established under maternity protection legislation, which is the responsibility of my colleague the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform.

This issue was considered in conjunction with the social partners in the context of a review of maternity protection legislation in 2001. The recommendation was that in the event of hospitalisation of a child, an employee should be able to return to work after a minimum of 14 weeks maternity leave, retaining her entitlement to take the balance of her leave when her baby was discharged from hospital. With effect from October 2004, the legislation was amended to provide for these situations. Where maternity benefit has been in payment for a minimum period of 14 weeks, payment may be postponed where the baby has been hospitalised.

The legislation requires that an application to postpone payment must be made in writing; that the maximum duration of the postponement of benefit will be six months, and that payment will resume within seven days following written notification of the baby's discharge from hospital. Payment will then resume until the full duration of benefit is completed. Any further amendments to these provisions would be a matter for my colleague, the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform to consider in the first instance.

Pension Provisions.

Gay Mitchell

Question:

256 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if he will amend the rules regarding the means test for senior citizens applying for the non-contributory pension where a person can have up to €190,500 disregarded from the proceeds of the sale of their home, but if they borrow or sell a share of their home they are not entitled to any disregard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13992/06]

I assume the Deputy is referring to equity release products. These and other similar products allow home owners to benefit from some of the capital tied up in their homes, while continuing to live in them. The introduction of these products has implications for social assistance payments where the claimant is aged 65 years or over.

Social assistance payments are designed to provide financial support for people who do not qualify for one of the contributory pension or benefit schemes. Entitlement to these payments is based on a means test which is intended to ensure that available resources are targeted at those most in need. Accordingly, any resources that a claimant and his or her spouse or partner may have are assessed. These resources may include cash income, property or an asset which could bring in money or provide the claimant with an income.

Sums of money raised through equity release schemes are assessable under the Department's capital assessment rules. Under this method the first €20,000 of the capital is disregarded; the next €10,000 is assessed at €1 per €1,000; the next €10,000 is assessed at €2 per €1,000 and any sums remaining in excess of €40,000 are assessed at €4 per €1,000. These allowances are doubled in the case of a couple. Sums of money which are spent or disposed of immediately are not included in the means assessment.

The sale of residence provisions, to which the Deputy also refers, are designed to facilitate certain persons in receipt of a means tested payment from this Department in selling their principal residence for the purpose of buying or renting alternative accommodation; moving into a private nursing home; moving in with a carer in receipt of carer's allowance or carer's benefit in respect of them or moving to sheltered or special housing in the voluntary, co-operative, statutory or private sectors. The remaining balance of the gross proceeds of the sale of the residence is exempt from the means test, subject to a ceiling of €190,500.

These provisions apply to recipients of disability allowance, blind person's pension and those over 66 years of age who receive a means tested payment from this Department and are intended to facilitate choice for certain people who might previously have been living alone or in unsuitable accommodation. In contrast, equity release arrangements are designed to provide an income stream for older people and it is considered appropriate that these should be assessed for means test purposes.

Social Welfare Benefits.

Róisín Shortall

Question:

257 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the implications in terms of primary and secondary benefits for a carer pensioner on a contributory old age pension who switches to carer’s allowance in view of the fact that the rate of the latter is now higher; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14089/06]

The carer's allowance is a social assistance payment which provides income support to people who provide certain elderly or incapacitated persons with full-time care and attention and whose incomes fall below a certain limit. From January this year the maximum rate of carer's allowance for a carer over 66 years of age increased from €169.80 to €200 per week. The maximum rate of the old age contributory pension increased to €193.30 per week.

While the maximum rate of carer's allowance is higher than the maximum rate of old age contributory pension, a number of secondary payments can be paid with old age contributory pension which are not paid with carer's allowance. These include qualified adult allowance, living alone allowance and fuel allowance.

From June 2005, the respite care grant scheme was extended to all carers who provide full-time care to a person who needs such care. This means the grant is now paid to carers who provide full-time care and who are either in receipt of a social welfare payment such as old age contributory pension or carer's allowance or those who do not receive a weekly social welfare payment from the Department.

Therefore, it may be more advantageous for a person to remain in receipt of old age contributory pension. If a person wishes to have his or her eligibility for carer's allowance assessed under the current rules, he or she should contact carer's allowance section, Government Buildings, Ballinalee Road, Longford. A person who qualifies for two social welfare payments will always receive the payment which is more advantageous to him or her.

Irish Language.

Brian O'Shea

Question:

258 Mr. O’Shea asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the percentage of the staff of his Department able to provide services through Irish; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14184/06]

My Department recognises the rights of customers under the Official Languages Act 2003 to be dealt with in Irish if they so wish and every effort is made to ensure that service through Irish is available and of a very high standard. In line with our responsibilities under the Act, staff of front-line areas have been encouraged and facilitated to attend training courses in Irish language usage. In 2004 and 2005 a total of 235 staff from front-line areas attended training courses which varied from week-long courses in Gaeltacht areas to "tailored" in-house courses of six days duration. The training programme for my Department for 2006 includes further Irish training courses and it is planned to continue such courses in the future.

It is not possible to state categorically what percentage of staff is able to provide service in Irish at present. In line with Part 3 of the Official Languages Act, my Department has submitted to the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs a draft scheme setting out the services it provides through English only; the services it provides through Irish only; the services it provides in both languages, and the steps it will adopt to ensure improvement in the service in Irish.

Driving Tests.

Jerry Cowley

Question:

259 Dr. Cowley asked the Minister for Transport if his attention has been drawn to a situation in Ballina, County Mayo where driving tests, which are only held every second week due to a lack of testers, have been cancelled for the foreseeable future due to the installation of the sewerage scheme; the alternatives which are available to the people of Ballina and surrounding areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13950/06]

It is regrettable that driving tests cannot be conducted in the town of Ballina at present. I am informed this is due to streets being closed off in the centre of the town for the installation of a sewerage scheme. The work has affected all driving test routes. My officials have been in regular contact with both Mayo County Council and the supervisory tester is assessing the situation with a view to finding a suitable alternative route. The priority is to find alternative test routes at the earliest opportunity. A senior official of my Department will meet with the supervisory tester in Ballina on Monday next to see how we can advance a solution to this issue. In the meantime, arrangements can be made for any applicant who needs an urgent test date to be tested in Castlebar, Sligo or any other centre of his or her choice.

Railway Stations.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

260 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport if the proposed new rail station at Spencer Dock will cater for commuter trains from Newbridge, Sallins, Hazelhatch, Kilcock, Maynooth, Leixlip and Confey, having particular regard for the urgent commuter needs of the area and in accordance with indications given to the Joint Committee on Transport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13999/06]

The new rail station in the Docklands will connect to the existing Maynooth line and will allow Irish Rail to run two additional peak services from Maynooth into the station when it becomes operational at the end of 2007. The proposed Clonsilla to Dunboyne line is expected to reopen in 2009 and at that point all services from Dunboyne will also serve the Docklands station.

The station will not cater for services on the Kildare line. However, the needs of commuters along the Kildare line catchment areas will be addressed through the Kildare route project, involving quadrupling the critical section of track between Cherry Orchard and Hazlehatch. This work will allow separation of long distance and commuter services and thus improve speed and capacity for commuter services as well as for Intercity services.

Emmet Stagg

Question:

261 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Transport, further to Question No. 518 of 21 March 2006, when tenders will be invited for the construction of the new station. [14037/06]

I understand from Iarnród Éireann that the preparation of tender documents for the construction of the new Docklands station is underway and that it hopes to invite tenders for construction in May 2006.

Rail Network.

Emmet Stagg

Question:

262 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Transport if he received the inspector’s report on the public inquiry into the Kildare route project; and the estimated timeframe before he will either confirm or reject the railway order. [14038/06]

The public inquiry into the Kildare route project was held from 24 January to 2 February this year. I am now awaiting the inspector's report of the inquiry. Under the provisions of the Transport (Railway Infrastructure) Act 2001, the inspector acts in an independent capacity and therefore, it is a matter for him as to when he submits his report.

In making my decision on granting the railway order, I am obliged under section 43 (1) of the 2001 Act to consider the report of the inquiry as well as the submissions I received in respect of the project, CIE's application for a railway order and the draft order and documents which accompanied the application. At this point, it is not possible for me to say what timeframe I will require to give all these documents due and proper consideration.

Public Transport.

Emmet Stagg

Question:

263 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Transport when he expects to make a decision on funding additional buses for Dublin Bus following the submission of its network review; and the constraints which are on him due to the Government partner’s views on privatisation of bus routes. [14041/06]

Catherine Murphy

Question:

265 Ms C. Murphy asked the Minister for Transport if, in view of the findings of the Dublin Bus network review, funding will be made available for the purchase of 200 new buses to meet the demand for bus services in the greater Dublin area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14087/06]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 263 and 265 together.

The bus network review was submitted to my Department by Dublin Bus on 2 March 2006. Dublin Bus submitted an application for funding to me on 20 January 2006 for additional fleet requirements for 2006 and 2007. My Department is examining this application in the context of Transport 21, the future bus needs of the Dublin area, and the bus network review. I will make a decision on the application when the assessment has been completed and having regard to the outcome of my deliberations on the reform of the bus market, which I intend to conclude in the coming weeks.

Road Network.

Emmet Stagg

Question:

264 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Transport the amount of State expenditure on the M50 prior to the establishment of the National Roads Authority. [14045/06]

The National Roads Authority, NRA, was established in 1994 under the Roads Act 1993. Prior to this, funding of the M50 was the direct responsibility of the then Department of the Environment and Local Government and the local authorities through whose areas the M50 passed. It has not been possible to identify the precise figure requested by the Deputy in the time available. However, my Department will forward the information to him as soon as possible.

Question No. 265 answered with QuestionNo. 263.

Driving Tests.

Róisín Shortall

Question:

266 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Transport the number of driver testers and their grades in each test centre. [14104/06]

The following table sets out the supervisory driver testers assigned to each region and the test centres in each region where driver testers are headquartered. Driver testers are assigned from headquarter centres to meet the demand in other centres. In addition, there is a chief tester and one supervisory driver tester who works full time as a training and standards co-ordinator.

Driving Test Centres

Number of testers assigned to test centres at 3/4/06

North Leinster Region

No. of Supervisors = 2

Finglas

16.5

Raheny

8

Dundalk

Mullingar

Navan

1

South Leinster Region

No. of Supervisors = 2

Churchtown/Rathgar

16

Tallaght

10

Gorey

Naas

2

Tullamore

Wicklow

West Region

No. of Supervisors = 1

Athlone

2

Birr

Castlebar

2.5

Clifden

Ennis

3

Galway

6

Loughrea

2

Roscommon

1

Tuam

1

North West Region

No. of Supervisors = 1

Ballina

Buncrana

Carrick-on-Shannon

2

Cavan

4

Donegal

Letterkenny

3

Longford

Monaghan

2

Sligo

2

South East Region

No. of Supervisors = 1

Carlow

1

Clonmel

2

Dungarvan

Kilkenny

2

Nenagh

Portlaoise

1

Thurles

Tipperary

Waterford

4

Wexford

4

South West Region

No. of Supervisors = 2

Cork

12.5

Killarney

2

Kilrush

Limerick

4

Mallow

Newcastle West

Shannon

Skibbereen

1

Tralee

2

Róisín Shortall

Question:

267 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Transport the basis for his conclusion that the existing number of driver testers plus ten new recruits is sufficient to meet the underlying demand for driving tests, in view of the fact that 130,000 people are on the waiting list and a further 270,000 people hold provisional licences. [14105/06]

In the past, the core of driver testers were in a position to meet the underlying demand for tests within a ten week waiting time. The present backlog of more than 130,000 tests is due to a period of exceptional demand in 2003. However, the underlying level of demand has returned to its pre-2003 level. While the number of testers can deal with the number of applications coming in they cannot deal with the backlog. That is why I brought forward proposals to address the backlog.

Vehicle Licences.

Róisín Shortall

Question:

268 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide a breakdown of the number of bus licences issued by his Department by each category of licence in the last year for which figures are available; and the price of the licence in each category. [14107/06]

Prior to obtaining a passenger licence from my Department, an applicant must first obtain a public service vehicle licence from the Garda Síochána. The Garda must be satisfied that the character and previous conduct of the applicant are such that the applicant is a fit and proper person to hold a licence; the vehicle is safe for the carriage of passengers and complies with roadworthiness regulations under the Road Traffic Acts and the use of the vehicle as a public service vehicle is covered by insurance.

My Department issues three categories of passenger licence, and the details and cost of each are set out in the 1932 Act. An annual continuous licence operates every week of the year and the fee is €7.62. An annual seasonal licence operates for the season to which it relates, such as that applying to a tour or college, and the fee is €5.08. An occasional passenger licence operates for a specific event and expires once the event, such as a concert or race week, finishes. The fee is €0.63 for one event or €5.08 for more than one event such as a race week. These fees will be revised as part of the reform of the 1932 Act.

From 1 January 2005 to date, my Department issued 161 licences to private bus operators, the breakdown being 28 annual continuous licences, 56 annual seasonal licences and 77 occasional licences. These licences are granted under the provisions of the Road Transport Act 1932. Proposals to provide for the replacement of that Act with a modern legislative code, which will result in the development of a new regulatory framework governing public transport generally, are being advanced in my Department.

Róisín Shortall

Question:

269 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Transport where details of bus licences are published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14108/06]

The details of all bus passenger licences issued by my Department are available on request from the bus licensing division of my Department. Copies of all licences where requested are also available free of charge.

Driving Licences.

Róisín Shortall

Question:

270 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Transport the number of drivers on a full driving licence; the number on a provisional licence broken down by first, second, third and fourth provisional licences and so on; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14109/06]

The Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, which holds and administers the national driver file, has advised that 410,602 provisional licences and 1,955,782 driving licences were current at 31 March 2006. The breakdown of the provisional licences is as set in the following table:

Provisional Count

Number of People

1st provisional licence

209,647

2nd provisional licence

100,780

3rd provisional licence

39,676

4th provisional licence

31,455

5th or more provisional licence

29,044

Total

410,602

Róisín Shortall

Question:

271 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Transport the number of current provisional licences; and if he will provide a breakdown of these into the various categories of licences by first, second, third licence and so on. [14110/06]

I have requested the breakdown of provisional licences by category from the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government, who hold and administer the national driver file. The information will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as it is available.

Road Traffic Regulations.

Róisín Shortall

Question:

272 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Transport the way in which private ambulances are regulated and licensed in terms of road traffic requirements; the statutory instruments that apply; if a register is kept; if so, by whom and the access gardaí have to such a register. [14111/06]

Róisín Shortall

Question:

273 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Transport the way in which vehicles whose sole purpose is on-road advertising are regulated and licensed in terms of road traffic requirements; the statutory instruments that apply; the charges that apply; if a register is kept and if so by whom; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14112/06]

Róisín Shortall

Question:

274 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Transport the way in which open top tour buses are regulated and licensed in terms of road traffic requirements; the statutory instruments that apply; the charges that apply; if a register is kept and if so by whom; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14113/06]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 272 to 274, inclusive, together.

An extensive range of requirements must be satisfied to use a vehicle in a public place. In this regard, all vehicles, including those of the type referred to by the Deputy, are required to comply with statutory requirements relating to the construction, equipment lighting and use of vehicles as set out in the Road Traffic (Construction, Equipment and Use of Vehicles) Regulations 1963 to 2002, the Road Traffic (Construction and Use of Vehicles) Regulations 2003 to 2004 and the Road Traffic (Lighting of Vehicles) Regulations 1963 to 1996. In accordance with the European Communities (Vehicle Testing) Regulations 2004, commercial vehicles, ambulances and buses are liable to roadworthiness testing when they are one year old and every year thereafter.

All mechanically propelled vehicles are subject to the road traffic requirements under the Road Traffic Act 1961 to 2005 and the regulatory provisions of Road Traffic (Traffic and Parking) Regulations 1997-2005. There is no separate licensing, register keeping or charging process in operation in terms of road traffic requirements under the Road Traffic Acts for different types of vehicles including the types referred to by the Deputy.

Driving Tests.

Róisín Shortall

Question:

275 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Transport the number of driving testers employed by the State in each of the past ten years. [14115/06]

The number of driving testers employed by the State in each of the past ten years is outlined in the following table. The number given is the end of year figure.

Year

Number of Driver Testers employed

1995

72

1996

70

1997

68

1998

74

1999

101

2000

107

2001

119

2002

114

2003

122

2004

122

2005

120

Róisín Shortall

Question:

276 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Transport if discussions have taken place between him or his officials and the Commission or Council, in the context of the revision of the 1991 driving licence directive — 91/439/EEC — regarding the compatibility with Community law of the issue by Ireland of provisional driving licences that authorise the driving of vehicles on public roads by unaccompanied persons who have not yet attempted the national driving test or have attempted but failed that test; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14131/06]

The operation of a system of provisional driving licences is a national matter. It is not a matter subject to negotiations in respect of recasting EU Directive 91/439 on driving licences.

Irish Language.

Brian O'Shea

Question:

277 Mr. O’Shea asked the Minister for Transport the percentage of the staff of his Department able to provide services through Irish; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14185/06]

A total of 4% of staff in my Department have indicated their ability to provide services through Irish.

Ferry Services.

Jim O'Keeffe

Question:

278 Mr. J. O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the future that is envisaged for the Cape Clear ferry service and the support that will be available to ensure its continued existence. [14118/06]

The company Naomh Ciaráin II Oileán Cléire Teo is in receipt of a subsidy from my Department to provide a passenger and cargo service to Oileán Cléire for the period 1 June 2001 to 31 May 2006 using the State-owned vessel, Naomh Ciaráin II. My officials are examining the different options available in order to ensure continuity of service from 1 June 2006 onwards and are in consultation with the company and the island co-operative in this regard.

Calafoirt agus Céanna.

Dinny McGinley

Question:

279 D'fhiafraigh Mr. McGinley den Aire Gnóthaí Pobail, Tuaithe agus Gaeltachta an bhfuil iarratas ina Roinn le haghaidh deontais do Ché Chladach na gCaorach i gCill Charthaigh, cad é an obair atá le déanamh, cad é costas measta na hoibre agus an bhfuil sé ar intinn aige deontas a cheadú. [14129/06]

Tá iarratas ar chúnamh i leith oibreacha éagsúla ar an gcéibh atá luaite ag an Teachta á mheas ag mo Roinn faoi láthair. Cuirfear san áireamh é nuair atá clár oibre na gcéibheanna beaga á chur le chéile go luath.

Irish Language.

Brian O'Shea

Question:

280 Mr. O’Shea asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the percentage of the staff of his Department able to provide services through Irish; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14186/06]

In line with the commitment in my Department's scheme under the Official Languages Act, the Department is committed to securing an adequate number of staff competent to provide service through Irish in all divisions of the Department. While it is difficult to come up with a method of precisely measuring proficiency levels, I am reasonably confident that approximately 30% of the staff in my Department are capable of providing services through Irish.

Grant Payments.

Joe Walsh

Question:

281 Mr. Walsh asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if payment of the single farm payment scheme will be made to a person (details supplied) in County Cork. [13928/06]

An application under the single payment scheme was received from the person named on 13 May 2005. The person named has submitted an application for the transfer of single payment entitlements by way of the inheritance measure. The applicant has been notified that her application was successful and payment will issue shortly.

John McGuinness

Question:

282 Mr. McGuinness asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if a single farm payment application will be expedited in the name of a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny. [13933/06]

An official of my Department has been in direct contact with the person named concerning the activation of her entitlements under the 2005 single payment scheme. While no payment is due under the 2005 scheme, as the person named did not declare any lands, my officials have clarified matters for the person named in respect of the 2006 scheme.

Greenhouse Gas Emissions.

Trevor Sargent

Question:

283 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the figures detailing the amount of afforestation in each year from 1990 on peat soils which she has supplied in connection with Article 3.3 of the Kyoto Protocol. [13953/06]

Trevor Sargent

Question:

284 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the scientific calculations her Department is making for the effect of emissions of greenhouse gases when peat soils are afforested and when they are harvested. [13954/06]

Trevor Sargent

Question:

285 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the scientific definition of peat soils used by her Department. [13955/06]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 283 to 285, inclusive, together.

The definition of peat soils used by my Department is taken from the Peatlands of Ireland, Soil Survey Bulletin by R.F. Hammond, 1979. It constitutes a peat layer greater than 30 cm on drained peats and greater than 45 cm on undrained peats.

Based on research and the Good Practice Guidance for Land Use, Land-Use Change and Forestry of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, IPCC, an emission factor of 14.66 tonnes of carbon dioxide, per ha., per year for the first four years following afforestation is applied to peat soils. This amount is deducted from the carbon dioxide uptake by the growing forest.

In accordance with the IPCC good practice guidance, soil emissions are not applied to forest land which is harvested. The estimated areas of peat soils afforested each year from 1990 to 2004, and projected over the period 2005-12, used as the basis for calculating carbon sequestration over the period 2008-12, the first commitment period of the Kyoto Protocol, and supplied in connection with Article 3.3 of the Kyoto Protocol are set out in the following table.

Year

Total afforestation (ha)

Area of peat soils afforested Estimated from 2005 to 2012 (ha)

1990

15,817

8,968

1991

19,147

8,769

1992

16,699

7,481

1993

15,998

7,263

1994

19,459

8,387

1995

23,710

10,551

1996

20,981

9,672

1997

11,434

4,974

1998

12,928

5,288

1999

12,668

4,434

2000

15,695

5,415

2001

15,465

4,810

2002

15,054

4,381

2003

9,097

2,720

2004

9,739

2,912

2005

14,000

4,186

2006

14,000

4,186

2007

14,000

4,186

2008

14,000

4,186

2009

14,000

4,186

2010

14,000

4,186

2011

14,000

4,186

2012

14,000

4,186

My Department's analysis shows a downward trend for planting on peat soils over the period 1990 to 2003 from 56.7% to 29.9%. The figures supplied for 2005 to 2012 were estimates, with the area of peat soils afforested fixed at 29.9% representing a no-change scenario. In reality, it is expected that the downward trend will continue and the above figures will be adjusted in the light of information from the planting programme, the national forest inventory and research.

As regards my policy on the afforestation of peat lands, my Department has very strict procedures in place. These procedures effectively rule out grant aid for planting on intact raised bogs of the midlands, or the impoverished, oligotrophic deep blanket peats of the west.

Grant Payments.

Ned O'Keeffe

Question:

286 Mr. N. O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food when payment of the EU single farm payment will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Cork. [13968/06]

An application under the 2005 single payment scheme was received from the person named on 16 May 2005. The person named had established special condition entitlements during the reference period. Special condition entitlements were established where applicants under the livestock premia schemes during the reference period were not obliged to submit an area aid application. As advised in the terms and conditions of the scheme, farmers who were allocated special condition entitlements could convert these to standard entitlements by farming and declaring a sufficient number of hectares in 2005. However, the person named did not declare any land on his 2005 application form. I have asked my officials to make contact with him to establish his situation in regard to eligibility for the 2005 scheme and to advise him on his 2006 application.

Ned O'Keeffe

Question:

287 Mr. N. O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the reason the dairy premium payment of the EU single farm payment has not issued to a person (details supplied) in County Cork. [14095/06]

An application under the 2005 single payment scheme was received from the person named on 9 May 2005. Payment of €10,285.51, in respect of the transferred standard entitlements of the person named, issued on 6 January 2006. A further payment amounting to €5,637.51, in respect of the decoupled dairy premium element of the single payment, has been approved and will issue to the person named shortly.

Ned O'Keeffe

Question:

288 Mr. N. O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the reason for the serious ongoing delay in having payment of the EU single farm payment issued to a person (details supplied) in County Cork in view of the previous reply to a parliamentary question almost eight weeks ago that payment was due to issue at that time. [14097/06]

An application under the 2005 single payment scheme was received from the person named on 12 May 2005. Subsequent to the reply to the previous parliamentary question to which the Deputy refers, further issues arose, which required to be satisfactorily resolved before the application could be processed to a conclusion. The issues related to the conversion of the special condition entitlements to standard entitlements. Special condition entitlements were established where applicants under the livestock premia schemes during the reference period were not obliged to submit an area aid application. As advised in the terms and conditions of the scheme, farmers who were allocated special condition entitlements could convert these to standard entitlements by farming and declaring a sufficient number of hectares in 2005. The conversion has now been completed and payment amounting to €1,550.12 will issue shortly to the person named.

Environmental Policy.

Arthur Morgan

Question:

289 Mr. Morgan asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food with regard to the proposed development of a hard stone quarry (details supplied) in County Wexford and the fact that the application submitted by the developer included a letter from Coillte Teoranta to the developer stating that in the event of planning permission being granted, Coillte Teoranta would grant a right of way through the wood, the consultation which took place regarding the agreement to grant a right of way to a company (details supplied) through the Coillte woodland; the person responsible for agreeing a right of way through the Coillte woodlands pending planning permission from Wexford County Council ; if her attention has been drawn to the fact that under the Wexford development plan 2001, the area and its environs is a designated sensitive area containing two important salmonid sources, that it is a grazing area for wild deer, that there is a ringfort in the vicinity of the proposed site and that there is a national school within 1 km of the proposed site. [14101/06]

Coillte Teoranta was established as a private commercial company under the Forestry Act 1988 and day-to-day operational matters are the responsibility of the company. This issue is an operational matter for Coillte.

It is a matter for the planning authorities to determine whether the proposed development is in line with the proper planning and development of the area. I understand that a full environmental impact assessment has been submitted as part of the planning application and the planning authorities will no doubt take full cognisance of all relevant environmental issues.

Afforestation Programme.

Trevor Sargent

Question:

290 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the number of reported illegal tree-felling instances that have occurred in the last three years; the number of successful prosecutions that have been made from that total; the most common reasons for failure to prosecute successfully; if, in view of the forest service’s stated zero tolerance against such illegal acts, she is satisfied with the number of prosecutions; excluding on-site forest rangers or inspectors, the number of administrative staff that the forest service has allocated to pursuing reported illegal tree-felling acts. [14103/06]

A total of 204 alleged cases of illegal felling have been reported to the forest service in the three years 2003 to 2005 inclusive. Within the same period, a total of 14 cases were found to warrant prosecution. Of these, seven have been successfully prosecuted to date and a further six cases are awaiting hearing through the courts. Proceedings in three more cases are being considered. In only one instance in the last three years has my Department failed to secure a successful prosecution, where the District Court dismissed the case on its merits. Overall, I believe the rate of successful prosecutions achieved is satisfactory.

My Department views the illegal felling of trees with the deepest concern and investigates every case that is reported to it. Where prosecution is considered feasible, my Department actively pursues all such cases. The Deputy will appreciate, however, that the Department can pursue prosecution of offenders through the courts only where the facts of the case and legal advice support such action. In many cases the allegations are either not substantiated, following investigation by the forestry inspectors, or, there has been no breach of the provisions of the Forestry Act 1946. To illustrate the latter point, in nearly one fifth of the 204 reported cases of illegal felling, it was found that a notice to fell trees was not required because of the provisions of Article 37(4) of the Forestry Act 1946. This provision of the Act excludes specified felling events from the notification requirement.

The felling section of the forest service comprises five administrative staff, whose duties include the processing of reports of alleged illegal felling.

Grant Payments.

Denis Naughten

Question:

291 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food when a person (details supplied) in County Roscommon will receive a single farm payment; the reason for the delay in issuing payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14114/06]

The person named submitted an application for the transfer of single payment entitlements by way of gift. The supporting documentation requested by my Department was submitted in late March 2006. The application can now be processed by my Department and the single payment will be issued to the person named as soon as possible.

Food Industry.

Jim O'Keeffe

Question:

292 Mr. J. O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the supports she has for the continued development of Country Markets Limited, which has been in operation for 60 years and which has 58 markets throughout the country and makes a major impact in rural Ireland; if she accepts that it has first class produce and the highest standards of hygiene and quality control with a traceability system which is completely transparent; if she further agrees that the development of country markets should not be stifled by EU regulations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14120/06]

My Department pays an annual grant to the Irish Countrywomen's Association, ICA, and at the request of the ICA, it also pays a grant to Country Markets towards the cost of a full-time organiser to help members in rural areas develop co-operative markets for the sale of garden, farm and home produce. The grant assistance for 2005 for Country Markets was €4,200 and €10,200 for the ICA. Those grants were paid in May 2005.

For 2006, the grant paid will be €4,500 for Country Markets and €10,500 for the ICA and my Department has written to the association outlining other possible sources of public funding including the Leader programme, which funds local development projects and the support programme for community development groups operated by the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs.

Guidelines concerning food hygiene are set out by Country Markets Ltd., and suppliers are subject to periodic inspections from Country Market officials. Country Markets Ltd., the National Standards Authority of Ireland and regulatory authorities have worked very closely to produce a guide to good hygiene practice, IS 344: 2002. This guide is primarily for use by domestic producers who prepare or produce food for sale in country markets.

The EU regulations to which the Deputy refers, are the new food safety measures, known as the hygiene package, which came into force on 1 January 2006. The main purpose of these regulations is to clearly define the responsibilities of all operators in the food chain to ensure maximum food safety for consumers. The new regulations are not intended to stifle trade but the importance of food safety cannot be compromised. If any operator has difficulty with the detail of any regulation or the measures being used for its implementation, this can be discussed as appropriate with my Department or with the other agencies involved in food safety controls such as the Food Safety Authority or the Health Service Executive.

The numbers of food markets in Ireland is increasing. Since February 2005, the number of markets has increased by 25% which suggests that the development of these markets is not being unduly affected by EU regulations.

In addition to country markets, several farmers' markets operate in Ireland. The most recent listing provided by Bord Bia shows that there are 100 such markets on the island of Ireland. Farmers' markets differ slightly from country markets in that they are usually outdoors and sell different product range from the offering at country markets. Farmers' markets generally feature a country market stand which is staffed by representatives from the Country Markets organisation.

Bord Bia has a dedicated person in its small business department to advise and assist producers and start-up companies who wish to utilise such markets from a sales, marketing, product development and consumer perspective.

Afforestation Programme.

Arthur Morgan

Question:

293 Mr. Morgan asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if she will support the extension of the remit of the Ombudsman to cover the activities of Coillte Teoranta; and if she will seek support for such a proposal. [14151/06]

In general, the provisions of the Ombudsman Act 1980 do not cover commercial State bodies. I am not aware of any plans by the Department of Finance to extend the remit of the Office of the Ombudsman to cover Coillte Teoranta or to include any additional commercial state bodies in the Schedule to the Ombudsman Act.

Grant Payments.

Olwyn Enright

Question:

294 Ms Enright asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the reason a single farm payment has not been made to a person (details supplied) in County Offaly in respect of lands and entitlements transferred to them by their mother; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14152/06]

The person named has submitted an application for the transfer of single payment entitlements by way of inheritance. The applicant has been notified that the application was successful and payment will issue shortly.

Poultry Industry.

John Deasy

Question:

295 Mr. Deasy asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the measures she plans to submit to the European Commission as a result of its proposal to co-finance 50% of the cost of market support measures in the egg and poultry sector; if her attention has been drawn to the fact that the EU proposal is expected to be adopted by the end of April; if she would agree that the egg and poultry sector is currently experiencing adverse marketing conditions and urgently requires support measures; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14153/06]

The position in regard to market support measures for the poultry sector is that the EU Commission has proposed a Council regulation that would provide a legal basis for such measures. This proposal will be considered by the Council of Agriculture Ministers on 25 April 2006. If adopted, the regulation will only contain an enabling provision of a general nature. It will then be necessary for the Commission to draw up a subsidiary regulation which would set out the types of measures that member states could propose to be brought into effect. This latter regulation cannot be adopted until after the Council meeting. Following adoption of this subsidiary regulation it will be necessary for member states, if they so wish, to submit proposals for support schemes to the Commission for consideration and approval.

I have already written to the Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Ms Mariann Fisher Boel, outlining some of the measures I consider would be useful to have available to member states. The Commission will also be considering suggestions put forward by member states with a view to drafting the subsidiary regulation referred to above and I will be putting forward suggestions in this context also. The Commission has made it clear that its request for suggestions must not be interpreted as a commitment to co-funding. The Commission must have regard to budgetary considerations and to the importance of not creating imbalances in competitiveness between member states.

I am interested in having a broad-ranging regulation that would accommodate various market options that exist or might emerge in the future and that would be sufficiently versatile to be useful to all member states. Useful measures would include aids to private storage, purchase for disposal of non-saleable stocks of poultry meat and measures to encourage reductions in throughput.

What measures, if any, would actually be utilised in different countries would depend on the market situation and prospects at the time, the evolution of the avian influenza situation and the segments of the industry that were affected by the situation. This will also be the case in Ireland. The poultry industry generally is experiencing difficulties and the need for support measures is under continuous review in my Department in the context of the evolving situation here and the developments at EU level as already set out.

Irish Language.

Brian O'Shea

Question:

296 Mr. O’Shea asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the percentage of the staff of her Department able to provide services through Irish; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14187/06]

In preparation of my Department's scheme under section 11 of the Official Languages Act 2003, staff of my Department were surveyed in March 2005 and approximately 20% of staff responded. Of these, 19% indicated that they can speak, write and carry out their duties in Irish and 13.5% can speak and write Irish but can only carry out some of their duties in Irish. It should be noted that these results were based on self-assessment.

Sexual Offences.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

297 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if, unilaterally or in consultation with his EU colleagues, he has any proposals to combat child pornography on the Internet; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13879/06]

The Internet is an international and world-wide phenomenon. It has no borders and no single organisation controls it. Measures to combat illegal materials and activities on the Internet are therefore hampered by a multiplicity of jurisdictions, differing legal systems, and differing societal norms. Furthermore, new developments in communications technologies allowing for Internet access by new means are a regular occurrence. These are largely positive developments but also bring particular challenges for those charged with protecting against its downsides. Combating illegal, harmful and predatory use of the Internet requires responses at national, EU and international levels. Ireland is fully committed to playing its part, at home and internationally, to both detect and prevent child pornography. Ireland's Child Trafficking and Pornography Act 1998 is acknowledged as one of the most robust pieces of legislation anywhere. In terms of enforcement in Ireland as well as in most jurisdictions, what is illegal off-line is considered illegal on-line.

The Garda Síochána is committed to the investigation of all cases of child pornography and the importance of investigating the child protection issues involved in such cases. The paedophile investigation unit, which is located within the domestic violence and sexual assault unit of the National Bureau of Criminal Investigation, is in existence since November 2002. This unit is tasked with the investigation and co-ordination of cases relating to the possession, production and distribution of child pornography, and any alleged sexual abuse pertaining to it.

On the structural side, a system of self-regulation by the Internet service provider industry is in place, the components of which include an Internet Advisory Board which promotes awareness of Internet downside issues and monitors the progress of self-regulation by the Internet service provider industry; a public hotline for reporting child pornography; and an industry code of practice and ethics setting out the duties and responsibilities of each Internet service provider.

The Internet Advisory Board was established in February 2000. As well as overseeing a self-regulatory regime for the Irish Internet service providers, it encourages best practice procedures, provides advice and facilitates research in Internet-related issues, including child safety. My Department provides secretarial and other supports for the board's work.

The hotline, www.hotline.ie, funded by the Internet Service Providers’ Association of Ireland with support from the EU Safer Internet Action Plan, was launched in November 1999. It accepts and investigates reports from the public in respect of child pornography and other illegal material on the Internet. Special protocols operate between the gardaí and the hotline which maximise co-operation on law enforcement issues so that offences in the area of child pornography can be detected and prosecuted.

The hotline works closely with and is a founding member of the international INHOPE Association, www.inhope.org, a network of European hotlines which is expanding to all parts of the world. The INHOPE Association develops procedures and shares information on the best practices for the tracing and tracking of illegal child pornography.

The self-regulatory approach to Internet regulation is the norm at EU level and worldwide. The Internet Advisory Board helps and supports the Irish Internet service provider industry to deliver an effective self-regulation environment, in accordance with a code of practice and ethics for the industry agreed with the board in February 2002. The Irish code of practice and ethics is recognised throughout Europe as a model of its type.

The European Union has taken a strong line on combating child pornography and other illegal and harmful uses of the Internet. Since 1999, under the Safer Internet Action Plan, the EU has provided financial and other supports for measures in the member states to combat illegal and harmful uses of the Internet, with particular emphasis on protecting children. A new EU action plan, Safer Internet Plus, which covers the period 2005 to 2008 and has a budget of €45 million, was agreed under the Irish Presidency in June 2004 and is now in operation. My Department is represented on the management committee for the programme.

The EU Council adopted a Framework Decision on Combating the Sexual Exploitation of Children and Child Pornography on 22 December 2003. While the Child Trafficking and Pornography Act 1998 is a particularly robust legislative measure, my Department is preparing additional legislative provisions to ensure compliance with this framework decision.

In September 2001, the Council of Europe Ministers' Deputies approved the first international Convention on Cybercrime. The main objective of the convention is to foster international co-operation in protecting society against cybercrime. The convention deals specifically with the distribution of child pornography on the Internet, infringements of copyright, computer-related fraud and violations of network security. Ireland signed up to the convention in June 2002.

Garda Stations.

Sean Fleming

Question:

298 Mr. Fleming asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if information is available in his Department regarding the Garda building programme including the projects on a priority basis and a brief description of each project and the year each project is expected to commence construction; if he will make this information available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13929/06]

I refer the Deputy to the reply to his Question No. 382 of 28 March 2006 in which the position about the Garda building programme was outlined.

Irish Prison Service.

Sean Fleming

Question:

299 Mr. Fleming asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if the recent discussions regarding work changes and restructuring of the prison service are a continuation of the Programme for Competitiveness and Work Agreement 1997; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13930/06]

The Deputy is referring to the proposal for organisational change in the Irish Prison Service, revised July 2005, which was accepted by staff in August 2005. The agreement provides, inter alia, for new working arrangements and the elimination of overtime working across the Prison Service.

The change negotiations were progressed in the context of the national social partnership agreement in place at the time, that is, Sustaining Progress. The benefits for staff arising from the agreement are not affected by, and are consistent with, the benefits arising under Sustaining Progress.

Pension Provisions.

Sean Fleming

Question:

300 Mr. Fleming asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the estimated cost per annum of making pensionable rent allowance that was payable to prison service personnel who retired prior to 1 January 1993 including to widows of deceased personnel. [13931/06]

I am informed by the Irish Prison Service that the information requested is not readily available. When same is compiled, I will contact the Deputy again.

Sean Fleming

Question:

301 Mr. Fleming asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of retired prison service personnel, including widows of deceased personnel, who are in receipt of pensions in respect of people who retired prior to 1 January 1993. [13932/06]

I am informed by the Irish Prison Service that the information requested by the Deputy is not readily available. Inquiries are being made in the matter and when these are complete, I will contact the Deputy again.

Garda Strength.

Trevor Sargent

Question:

302 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of gardaí employed in the Clare Garda division in the past five years by district. [13951/06]

I have been informed by the Garda authorities, who are responsible for the detailed allocation of resources, including personnel, that the personnel strength, all ranks, of the Garda Síochána as at 31 December 1997 and 20 March 2006 was 10,702 and 12,445, respectively. This represents an increase of 1,743, or 16.3%, in the personnel strength of the Garda Síochána during that period.

I have been further informed by the Garda authorities that the number of gardaí, all ranks, in each Garda district in the Clare division as at 31 December 2001-2005, inclusively, and as at 4 April 2006 was as set out in the table hereunder:

District

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

4/4/06

Ennis

133

131

146

157

155

168

Ennistymon

34

32

30

31

33

33

Killaloe

35

36

35

36

36

36

Kilrush

33

35

34

35

37

37

Total

235

234

245

259

261

274

This represents an increase of 39, or 17%, in the number of gardaí, all ranks, stationed in the Clare division during that period.

In addition, I would point out to the Deputy that the division's resources are further augmented by a number of Garda national units such as the Garda national immigration bureau, the criminal assets bureau and other specialised units.

It is the responsibility of Garda management to allocate personnel throughout and within divisions on a priority basis in accordance with the requirements of different areas. The allocation of such resources is determined by a number of factors including demographics, administrative functions, crime trends and other operational policing needs.

The timescale for achieving the target strength of 14,000 members of the Garda Síochána in line with the commitment in An 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. This project is fully on target and will be achieved.

As part of the accelerated recruitment campaign to facilitate this record expansion, 1,125 Garda recruits were inducted to the Garda college during 2005. The college will induct a further 1,100 recruits this year and again in 2007, by way of intakes to the Garda college of approximately 275 recruits every quarter. The first incremental increase of newly attested gardaí under the programme of accelerated recruitment took place on 15 March 2006. The Garda Commissioner will now be drawing up plans on how best to distribute and manage these additional resources and in this context, the needs of the Clare division will be fully considered within the overall context of the needs of Garda divisions throughout the country.

Rights of People with Disabilities.

Paddy McHugh

Question:

303 Mr. McHugh asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his plans to ensure that Irish sign language is given official recognition by Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13952/06]

I refer the Deputy to my reply to Questions Nos. 248 and 249 of Wednesday, 5 April 2006.

Garda Deployment.

Jim O'Keeffe

Question:

304 Mr. J. O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of people who are involved in dealing with information technology within the Garda Síochána; and the number of these who are gardaí and civilians. [13962/06]

I am informed by the Garda authorities that the Garda personnel strength of the information technology division in the Garda Síochána, covering all ranks, is 66. In addition, there are 30 civil servants attached to the information technology division. I wish to point out to the Deputy that significant progress has been made on the implementation of the civilianisation programme approved by Government in 2001. A total of 113 civilian finance officers have been appointed and are carrying out the district finance officer duties which were hitherto performed by gardaí. Moreover, the recent establishment of the Garda information service centre, GISC, in Castlebar, manned by civilian staff, and the pending transfer of civilian staff from the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform to the Garda Síochána as civil servants of the State, are significant developments in the context of greater Garda civilianisation.

The establishment of the GISC alone will, when fully operational, allow for the equivalent of up to 300 gardaí to be freed up for frontline outdoor policing duties on a daily basis. A further review of civilianisation possibilities in the Garda Síochána is now under way with a view to securing many more redeployments of desk-bound gardaí to frontline operational duties over the next four years.

Jim O'Keeffe

Question:

305 Mr. J. O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of people who are involved in dealing with payroll and finance matters within the Garda Síochána; and the number of these who are gardaí and civilians. [13963/06]

The Garda finance director, who is a qualified accountant, has responsibility for overseeing and implementing finance and procurement-related policy, structures and processes for the Garda Síochána. There are 43 personnel in the finance directorate, of which 20 are members of the Garda Síochána and 23 are civilian staff. In addition, payroll duties for the Garda Vote are also provided by my Department's financial shared service centre.

With the devolution of budgetary responsibility within the Garda Síochána, all assistant commissioners, chief superintendents and superintendents have a finance-related role at regional-branch, divisional and district level. At district level, all district officers-superintendents are responsible for notifying payroll transactions regarding payment of certain allowances, deductions from pay and redirection of pay regarding members assigned to their districts.

There is sanction for 120 civilian finance officers, of which 112 are currently in place. Staff appointed to district offices have responsibility for the processing and administration of payroll and finance-related issues at district level. However, the duties of finance officers are not confined exclusively to finance matters as they are required to undertake a range of other duties, as assigned by the district officer-superintendent.

As finance matters are not totally mutually exclusive of all other functions conducted at regional-branch, divisional and district level, it is not possible to provide a breakdown of the number of gardaí and civilian staff in dealing with such matters. I wish to point out to the Deputy that significant progress has been made on the implementation of the civilianisation programme approved by Government in 2001. The recent establishment of the Garda Information Service Centre, GISC, in Castlebar, manned by civilian staff, and the pending transfer of civilian staff from the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform to the Garda Síochána as civil servants of the State are significant developments in the context of greater Garda civilianisation.

The establishment of the GISC alone will, when fully operational, allow for the equivalent of up to 300 gardaí to be freed up for frontline outdoor policing duties on a daily basis. A further review of civilianisation possibilities in the Garda Síochána is now under way with a view to securing many more redeployments of desk-bound gardaí to frontline operational duties over the next four years.

Citizenship Applications.

Trevor Sargent

Question:

306 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will take into account the timeframe for the commemoration of the Easter Rising in April 2006 and accordingly ensure that outstanding approved citizenships are issued including the case of post-nuptial citizenship from a person, details supplied, in County Mayo. [13974/06]

As the Deputy will be aware, the person in question wrote to my Department in respect of this matter. I do not consider that the reasons put forward by her to depart from normal procedures to be of an exceptional nature and, consequently, her case will be dealt with in the normal way. A certificate confirming Irish citizenship will issue to the person in question in the coming weeks.

Garda Stations.

Charlie O'Connor

Question:

307 Mr. O’Connor asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will seek a full report from the Garda Commissioner on advice recently given to the Office of Public Works that it was not to progress plans for a new Garda station in the Tallaght west-Saggart area; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that this decision has generated huge anger in the region; his views on the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13975/06]

The Garda authorities have advised my Department that their accommodation requirements for the operational policing of the Tallaght area will be best met by the re-development of the existing site at The Square and I have accepted this advice.

I can inform the Deputy that good progress is being made with regard to the plans to build a new Garda divisional headquarters and expanded station at Tallaght. In this regard, a brief of accommodation requirements has been agreed and submitted to the Office of Public Works. That office will now prepare an outline sketch scheme which will then be forwarded to my Department and the Garda authorities for urgent consideration.

Paternity Leave.

Finian McGrath

Question:

308 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position regarding developments in respect of paternity leave and the need to assist new families. [13976/06]

There is currently no statutory entitlement to paternity leave. However, many employers in both the public and private sectors have arrangements in place providing short periods of paid paternity leave. Paternity leave was considered in the context of a review of the Parental Leave Act 1998 conducted by a working group chaired by my Department. The working group comprised the social partners, relevant Government Departments and the Equality Authority. The report of the working group on the review of the Parental Leave Act 1998 was published on 29 April 2002.

Paternity leave was considered by the working group, taking into account the following issues: reconciliation of work and family life and balanced participation of men and women in work and family life; the cost to employers; and the comparative situation in EU member states. While acknowledging that a statutory arrangement to provide an entitlement to time off for fathers at the time of childbirth would enhance arrangements for the reconciliation of work and family life, the working group could not reach consensus on the issue. Subsequently, no agreement was reached on paternity leave by the social partners in the context of the negotiations on the Sustaining Progress partnership agreement.

Visa Applications.

Joe Higgins

Question:

309 Mr. J. Higgins asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the reason a person, who is here on a tourist visa, must return to their country of origin if they decide to make an application to remain in Ireland on a student visa. [13978/06]

Inquiries made by the immigration division of my Department indicates that the query raised by the Deputy refers to a non-visa required national. It is open to non-visa required nationals to attend at their local immigration office to seek permission to remain on student conditions without first having to leave the State. They should be in a position to provide the following documentation: evidence of registration on a full-time course leading to a qualification recognised by the Department of Education and Science; evidence of fees paid; evidence of finances to indicate they are in a position to financially support themselves while in the State without recourse to public funds; and evidence of full private medical insurance.

Garda Investigations.

Gay Mitchell

Question:

310 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his views on the contents of a letter from persons, details supplied, in Dublin 12; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13979/06]

I refer the Deputy to my response to Question No. 409 of 6 July 2004. The position remains unchanged.

Refugee Status.

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Question:

311 Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his views on granting refugee status or leave to remain to a person, details supplied. [14015/06]

As the Deputy will be aware, applications for refugee status in the State are determined by an independent process comprising the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner, ORAC, and the Refugee Appeals Tribunal, which make recommendations to the Minster for Justice, Equality and Law Reform on whether such status should be granted.

It is not the practice to comment on individual asylum applications. However, I understand that in the case raised by the Deputy, it has not been possible for the ORAC to make a decision on the asylum application as it has been unable to conduct an interview with the applicant to date due to the health problems of the applicant. It is hoped that the ORAC can progress this case shortly and a final decision will be made by me upon receipt of its recommendation.

Drug Seizures.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

312 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the extent to which drug abuse in County Kildare including drug trafficking has been reported; the action which has been taken in regard to prosecution or conviction in each care therefor; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14016/06]

It has not been possible to collate the information required by the Deputy within the timeframe available. I will contact the Deputy directly when the information is to hand.

Residency Permits.

Pat Carey

Question:

313 Mr. Carey asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform when he expects that the review of the case of a person, details supplied, who wishes to remain here will be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14017/06]

The person concerned 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 a requirement under the revised arrangements that the applicant parent must be resident in the State with the Irish-born child on a continuous basis since the child's birth. Evidence of such residency is also required.

The child in this case was born in the State on 5 June 2004. The applicant left the State on 16 August 2004 and did not return until 22 March 2005. On this basis, the applicant does not meet the criteria for the granting of permission to remain in the State under the revised arrangements, insofar as continuous residency is concerned and her application was refused. The applicant was informed of this decision by letter dated 20 December 2005. All matters relating to the refusal of this application will be taken into account by me in the context of the consideration of the file under the terms of section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999, as amended.

Citizenship Applications.

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Question:

314 Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform further to Question No. 173 of 23 March 2006, and being of good character as a qualification for naturalisation, if political activity is considered to have a bearing on good character; and the kinds of political activity which would be held to constitute bad character. [14018/06]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Question:

315 Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if information regarding an applicant for naturalisation having participated in any political activity while residing here would have a detrimental impact on the decision whether or not to grant citizenship by naturalisation. [14019/06]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Question:

316 Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if applicants for naturalisation have been reported as engaging in political activity while residing here. [14020/06]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Question:

317 Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if applicants for naturalisation have been refused citizenship based on information that they have engaged in political activity while residing here; and the type of political activity which was involved. [14021/06]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 314 to 317, inclusive, together.

In response to Question No. 173 on 23 March 2006, I gave the Deputy a broad overview of the naturalisation process. I explained that, as part of that process, inquiries are made with the Garda Síochána to assist in determining if an applicant can be considered to be of good character. For example, if the Garda Síochána report to me that any applicant is engaged in any criminal activity, which calls into question whether he or she is a suitable candidate to be naturalised, I will obviously give serious consideration to it when I am deciding on the particular application. Factors such as the nature of the activity, when it occurred and if it resulted in criminal proceedings and a conviction will be taken into account. Statistical information is not maintained in such a way that would identify the basis for the granting or refusal of applications for naturalisation.

Public Order Offences.

Emmet Stagg

Question:

318 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, further to Question No. 134 of 23 February 2006, if cases have reached court in respect of the fast food outlets; and if there was a prosecution. [14051/06]

I am informed by the Garda authorities that on 1 February 2006, notices under section 4 of the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act 2003 were served on the premises referred to by the Deputy and that applications for closure orders in respect of these premises are due before Dublin District Court on 12 April 2006.

Residency Permits.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

319 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the residency status in the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 8; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14062/06]

The person concerned arrived in the State on 15 March 2005 and applied for asylum. His application was refused following consideration of his case by the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner and, on appeal, by the Refugee Appeals Tribunal.

Subsequently, in accordance with section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999, as amended, he was informed by letter dated 17 October 2005 that the Minister proposed to make a deportation order in respect of him. He was given the options, to be exercised within 15 working days, of making representations to the Minister setting out the reasons why he should be allowed to remain temporarily in the State, leaving the State before an order is made or consenting to the making of a deportation order. Representations have been received on behalf of the person concerned.

This person's case file, including all representations submitted, will be considered under section 3(6) of the Immigration Act 1999, as amended, and section 5 of the Refugee Act 1996, prohibition of refoulement. I expect the file to be passed to me for decision in due course.

Asylum Applications.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

320 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform from where the evidence has come to indicate stability in Angola in view of the decision in the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 2 and the evidence provided by them; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14063/06]

The person concerned arrived in the State on 19 December 2004 and applied for asylum. His application was refused following consideration of his case by the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner and, on appeal, by the Refugee Appeals Tribunal.

Subsequently, in accordance with section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999, as amended, he was informed by letter dated 21 March 2006 that the Minister proposed to make a deportation order in respect of him. He was given the options, to be exercised within 15 working days, of making representations to the Minister setting out the reasons he should be allowed to remain temporarily in the State, leaving the State before an order is made or consenting to the making of a deportation order.

This person's case file, including all representations submitted, will be considered under section 3(6) of the Immigration Act 1999, as amended, and section 5 of the Refugee Act 1996, prohibition of refoulement. I expect the file to be passed to me for decision in due course.

Residency Permits.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

321 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, further to his reply to Question No. 179 of 9 February 2006, if he will re-examine the case in the name of a person (details supplied) in County Dublin who is threatened with deportation; his views on whether the political situation in the person’s homeland is unstable; if an extension of residency will be considered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14064/06]

I would refer the Deputy to the reply I gave to his Question No. 179 of Thursday, 9 February 2006. The position as outlined in that reply remains unchanged. I am satisfied that the case of the person concerned has been fairly and comprehensively examined and, as such, it is not my intention to revoke the deportation order issued in respect of the person concerned.

Refugee Status.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

322 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position in the family reunification process in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14065/06]

An application from the person referred to in the Deputy's question is with the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner for investigation as required under section 18 of the Refugee Act 1996. When this investigation is complete the file will be returned to the immigration division of my Department for a decision to be made on the application.

Deportation Orders.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

323 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will offer extended residency status in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14067/06]

The person concerned arrived in the State on 24 January 2003 and applied for asylum. His application was refused following consideration of his case by the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner and, on appeal, by the Refugee Appeals Tribunal.

Subsequently, in accordance with section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999, as amended, he was informed by letter dated 18 February 2005 that the Minister proposed to make a deportation order in respect of him. He was given the options, to be exercised within 15 working days, of making representations to the Minister setting out the reasons why he should be allowed to remain temporarily in the State, leaving the State before an order is made or consenting to the making of a deportation order. Representations have been received on behalf of the person concerned.

This person's case file, including all representations submitted, will be considered under section 3(6) of the Immigration Act 1999, as amended, and section 5 of the Refugee Act 1996, prohibition of refoulement. I expect the file to be passed to me for decision in due course.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

324 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will reconsider the decision to deport in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare in view of the fact that the person’s child is an Irish born citizen and the child’s father is legally resident here and will continue to live here; if it is advisable to separate the family in this fashion; if further consideration will be given in this case with a view to extension of the person’s residency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14068/06]

I would refer the Deputy to my replies to Questions Nos. 726 and 781 of 26 January 2005, No. 129 of 14 April 2005, No. 143 of 19 May 2005, No. 470 of 31 January 2006 and No. 194 of 9 March 2006.

As stated in my latest reply to the Deputy on 9 March 2006, an application has been received from the person concerned requesting revocation of her deportation order based on her relationship with a man granted refugee status in the State and their parentage of a child born in Ireland on 10 June 2005. This application is still under consideration by officials in my Department. The person concerned will be notified of the outcome of this application in due course. The Deputy can, however, be assured that the deportation order will not be enforced pending the outcome of this application.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

325 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he has evidence to suggest that deportation in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Dublin will not result in a threat to their life; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14069/06]

The person concerned arrived in the State on 22 October 2003 and applied for asylum. His application was refused following consideration of his case by the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner and, on appeal, by the Refugee Appeals Tribunal.

Subsequently, in accordance with section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999, as amended, he was informed by letter dated 16 February 2006 that the Minister proposed to make a deportation order in respect of him. He was given the options, to be exercised within 15 working days, of making representations to the Minister setting out the reasons why he should be allowed to remain temporarily in the State, leaving the State before an order is made or consenting to the making of a deportation order.

This person's case file, including all representations submitted, will be considered under section 3(6) of the Immigration Act 1999, as amended, and section 5 of the Refugee Act 1996, prohibition of refoulement. I expect the file to be passed to me for decision in due course.

Residency Permits.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

326 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if a person (details supplied) in County Dublin can take up employment while awaiting a final decision on his residency and refugee status; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14070/06]

The person concerned arrived in the State on 22 October 2003 and applied for asylum. His application was refused following consideration of his case by the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner and, on appeal, by the Refugee Appeals Tribunal.

Subsequently, in accordance with section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999, as amended, he was informed by letter dated 16 February 2006 that the Minister proposed to make a deportation order in respect of him. He was given the options, to be exercised within 15 working days, of making representations to the Minister setting out the reasons why he should be allowed to remain temporarily in the State, leaving the State before an order is made or consenting to the making of a deportation order.

This person's case file, including all representations submitted, will be considered under section 3(6) of the Immigration Act 1999, as amended, and section 5 of the Refugee Act 1996, prohibition of refoulement. At present, the person concerned is not entitled to take up employment in the State as he has not been granted permission to remain in the State. I expect the file to be passed to me for decision in due course.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

327 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if or when a further application for family reunification or residency will he entertained in the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 1; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14072/06]

I informed the Deputy in response to his Question No. 695 of 21 March 2006 that an application by the person concerned was refused on the 18 July 2005. The person concerned was naturalised on the 3 March 2005 and became an Irish citizen at that time. There is no provision for the granting of family reunification to adult family members of naturalised Irish citizens.

Garda Operations.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

328 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the action he has taken in response to previous correspondence and information submitted to him in the matter of persons (details supplied) in Dublin 20 who have been subjected to serious harassment and intimidation over a prolonged period; if he will ascertain the way in which a summons to appeal in court on 29 March 2006 on a charge unknown to the person was delivered between midnight on 2 April 2006 and 8 a.m. on 3 April 2006; if his attention has been drawn to the seriousness of the issue, and the need for immediate action; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14076/06]

The report which I have requested from the Garda authorities is currently being finalised and I have requested that it be forwarded as a matter of urgency.

Domestic Violence.

Denis Naughten

Question:

329 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if his Department intends to conduct a widescale public awareness and education campaign on domestic violence; his plans to introduce a training and education programme for public officials, the Judiciary and health care professionals on the topic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14083/06]

As the Deputy will be aware, the National Steering Committee on Violence Against Women, NSC, was set up in 1997 to provide co-ordinated actions by the many statutory and voluntary bodies involved in responding to the problem of violence against women. My Department, in conjunction with the NSC, has conducted a series of successful awareness raising campaigns dealing with various aspects of this issue in recent years. The NSC is currently developing a strategic plan for its work over the next five to ten years, which will include the development of a long-term and wide ranging strategy for raising public awareness of the issue of violence against women. The strategic plan should be completed this year and will be widely circulated. This plan is expected to address the information and awareness needs of relevant public officials and health professionals in partnership with the training and education arrangements already in place for the groups in question.

In the case of the Judiciary, which is independent in the exercise of its functions under the law and the Constitution, the Deputy should note that the provision of training and education is a matter for the Judicial Studies Institute established in 1996 for this purpose. My role in this regard is to support any programmes put in place by the institute through funding made available in the courts Vote, which is administered by the Courts Service.

Child Care Services.

Jim O'Keeffe

Question:

330 Mr. J. O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position in respect of Garda clearance for those applying for jobs at home and abroad; if and the way in which clearance certificates are obtained locally or through the central vetting unit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14092/06]

Gay Mitchell

Question:

334 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will make a statement on the concerns expressed by a child care network (details supplied) in relation to vetting. [14126/06]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Question:

343 Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the provisions that are in place for the vetting of child care workers; the number of many applications that are still waiting for clearance; the waiting time for completion of the vetting process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14142/06]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Question:

344 Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the provisions that are in place for the vetting of child care workers in FÁS programmes, private providers and child care workers whose country of origin is outside Ireland or who have worked for extended periods outside of Ireland; and if he will make a statement on plans for improving the current vetting process. [14143/06]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Question:

345 Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of people that are working in the Garda Síochána vetting unit in Templemore; and the grades and duties of each member of the unit. [14144/06]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 330, 334, 343, 344 and 345 together.

The Garda central vetting unit, GCVU, was established in 2002 and currently processes vetting requests in respect of, inter alia, prospective full-time employees of the Health Service Executive and certain agencies funded by the Health Service Executive as well as in respect of selected employments in other sectors.

In 2004, an inter-agency working group on Garda vetting reported with a clear and focused strategy for enhancing national vetting arrangements. The strategy provides for an expansion of the GCVU's vetting service to all organisations that recruit persons having substantial unsupervised access to children and vulnerable adults. The implementation of the strategy is being overseen by an implementation group on Garda vetting comprising key stakeholders. The GCVU has been successfully decentralised to new, custom designed office accommodation in Thurles, County Tipperary. Since its decentralisation in November 2005, new liaison mechanisms have been successfully implemented in the Health Service Executive and are now being extended to all organisations previously registered for vetting. Significant changes have been made in the work processes of the unit in order to streamline the processing of vetting applications, and these have resulted in an improved service being provided.

An additional 17 staff have been sanctioned for the GCVU to more than double its numbers from 13 to 30. As at 5 April 2006, the personnel strength of the GCVU is one Garda inspector, one Garda sergeant, one Civil Service staff officer and 23 Civil Service clerical officers. These numbers include staff of a newly established sub-unit, namely, the data protection processing unit, to process personal data access requests pursuant to the Data Protection Acts 1988-2003.

The expansion of the Garda vetting service to new organisations and sectors will occur by means of a phased roll out to an increasing number of organisations in the child care and vulnerable adult care sector, including to child care workers in FÁS programmes. To this end, a phased expansion plan within current resource capacities has been prepared and accepted by the implementation group on Garda vetting. This has resulted in an increase in the number of Health Service Executive personnel being vetted in the first quarter in 2006, as well as vetting being introduced for the Private Security Authority. A number of organisations from the voluntary sector are currently being identified for vetting services.

The expansion of the vetting service being provided by the GCVU is proceeding in a planned and structured manner in consultation with Departments responsible for child care. This expansion will continue until vetting is provided for all personnel working in a full-time, part-time or voluntary capacity with children or vulnerable adults. The vetting of persons whose country of origin is other than Ireland or who provide an address outside Ireland is dependent upon the timely co-operation of the relevant non-national authorities. Every effort is made by the GCVU to obtain this information.

The GCVU is currently in receipt of approximately 2,250 valid requests for vetting per week. In addition, the unit receives approximately 250 applications per week that must be returned to the sender for further attention before processing can proceed. At any given time there are approximately 10,000 vetting applications on hand within the GCVU. These applications are currently being processed to a conclusion within approximately four weeks from the date of receipt of a valid application.

For certain categories of person dealing with non-national authorities, the Garda Síochána provides a record of criminal convictions in the form of a police certificate. Specifically, police certificates may be obtained in respect of applicants seeking non-national visas, including those seeking non-national residence, to establish or register businesses in other member states of the European Union and non-national consular services, including those seeking non-national adoptions. Applications for police certificates may be made to the Garda superintendent in charge of the Garda district where the applicant normally resides or where the applicant normally resided in respect of persons now living abroad. Police certificates are not provided for child care clearance, as the latter is only available from the GCVU.

Citizenship Applications.

Jim O'Keeffe

Question:

331 Mr. J. O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if his attention has been drawn to the urgency in completing the acceptance of post-nuptial citizenship for a person (details supplied) in County Cork who married an Irish citizen over five years ago. [14093/06]

A declaration of Irish citizenship as post-nuptial citizenship on foot of his marriage to an Irish citizen was lodged in the citizenship section of my Department by the person in question on 31 May 2005. The declaration was examined recently and was deemed to be in order. A letter informing the person in question of this and requesting the statutory fee has issued and a certificate confirming that he is an Irish citizen will issue as soon as possible after receipt of the fee.

Criminal Prosecutions.

Róisín Shortall

Question:

332 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of provisional drivers prosecuted and the number convicted in each of the years since and including 2000 for driving unaccompanied; and the level of Garda enforcement of this aspect of road traffic law. [14106/06]

I regret that it has not been possible in the time available to obtain the information requested by the Deputy. I will be in touch with the Deputy in respect of this matter when it becomes available.

Refugee Appeals Tribunal.

Jim O'Keeffe

Question:

333 Mr. J. O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the members of the Refugee Appeals Tribunal; the dates of their appointment and the remuneration paid to each of them in each of the years since their appointment. [14119/06]

The information required by the Deputy, in so far as the dates of appointment of members and the remuneration paid to each of them in each of the years since their appointment, is set out in tabular form. RAT members are appointed for a term of three years which is renewable.

As the Deputy is aware, the Refugee Appeals Tribunal is a statutory independent body established under the Refugee Act 1996 in order to deal with appeals against negative recommendations in respect of applications for refugee status issued by the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner, ORAC. The tribunal has been in operation since November 2000 and is comprised of a full-time chairperson and 33 part-time members. The tribunal has undertaken a significant job of work since its establishment, taking some 23,107 decisions up to the end of 2005. It has also been tackling on an ongoing basis the number of appeals on hand and moving from a situation where on 31 January 2004, it had some 2,596 appeals to clear — some 990 of which were six months old — to a situation at the end of February 2006 where it had 1,417 appeals on hand, 392 of which were over six months old.

In line with the general downward trend in asylum applications from, for example, 11,634 in 2002 to 4,323 in 2005, the cost of the operation of the tribunal can also be expected to continue to fall. This will allow the continued redeployment of resources from the asylum process to support the capacity of the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service, INIS, to enhance service provision in the area of immigration — visas, citizenship, etc. — as well as increasing the number of persons found not to have a protection need being returned to their country of origin.

Table 1 — Current Members of RAT and Dates of Appointment

Name

Date of Appointment

Date of Reappointment

1. Eamonn Cahill, SC

20/11/00

20/11/03

2. Aidan Eames, Solr

20/11/00

20/11/03

3. Eamonn Barnes, BL

20/11/00

20/11/03

4. Jim Nicholson, BL

20/11/00

20/11/03

5. Donal Egan, BL

20/11/00

20/11/03

6. Patrick Hurley, Solr

20/11/00

20/11/03

7. Des Zaidan, BL

20/11/00

20/11/03

8. Bernadette Cronin, SC

20/11/00

20/11/03

9. Michael O’Kennedy, SC

05/06/02

20/11/03

10. Olive Brennan, BL

30/04/03

23/01/04

11. Michelle O’Gorman, BL

17/07/01

17/07/04

12. Rory MacCabe, SC

31/07/01

31/07/04

13. David Andrews, SC

05/06/02

03/08/04

14. Ben Garvey, BL

26/09/01

29/09/04

15. Declan McHugh, BL

10/10/01

10/10/04

16. Joseph Barnes, BL

23/05/02

17/01/05

17. Paul A. McGarry, BL

21/01/02

21/01/05

18. Bruce St. John Blake, Solr

22/02/02

22/02/05

19. Denis Linehan, Solr

04/03/02

04/03/05

20. Anne Tait, Solr

12/03/02

12/03/05

21. John Hayes, Solr

12/03/02

12/03/05

22. Bernard McCabe, BL

12/01/04

23. Mary E. Laverty, SC

12/01/04

24. David McHugh, BL

12/01/04

25. Ricardo Dourado, BL

12/01/04

26. Elizabeth O’Brien, BL

12/01/04

27. Susan Nolan, Solr

08/03/04

28. Samantha Cruess Callaghan, BL

10/03/04

29. Margaret Levey, BL

10/06/04

30. Judy Blake, BL

20/12/04

31. Sean Deegan, BL

20/12/04

32. Noel Whelan, BL

20/12/04

33. David Goldberg, SC

20/01/05

Table 2 — Payments to Tribunal Members

Member

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006 end Feb

Aidan Eames

22,098.52

113,790.44

101,587.98

62,563.07

37,750.83

230.51

Anne Tait

0.00

15,611.24

45,345.36

22,391.66

36,839.06

3,478.75

Ben Garvey

2,285.53

95,831.50

154,066.31

194,085.88

101,548.69

15,369.43

Bernadette Cronin

36,878.27

156,103.38

129,799.58

128,348.96

92,817.33

7,311.43

Bernard McCabe

0.00

0.00

0.00

35,397.98

52,391.82

11,562.77

Bruce St. John Blake

0.00

18,045.98

56,366.67

40,357.96

49,210.77

922.03

David Andews

0.00

18,582.94

55,638.86

93,865.54

100,627.26

10,064.18

David Goldberg

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

9,542.10

926.26

David Mc Hugh

0.00

0.00

0.00

58,820.53

74,771.39

18,344.21

Declan McHugh

0.00

35,854.76

13,771.02

45,669.66

30,415.79

7,407.02

Denis Linehan

0.00

20,887.44

57,422.99

131,848.88

65,597.15

4,731.10

Des Zaidan

20,242.33

68,270.77

75,229.36

134,571.91

80,757.86

7,811.77

Donal Egan

42,708.91

88,588.34

116,315.44

94,588.18

46,941.39

1,152.53

Eamon Barnes

26,603.34

62,862.19

41,708.73

62,472.95

27,621.64

8,683.59

Eamonn Cahill

55,988.01

138,951.95

109,653.81

111,416.23

80,003.44

6,953.27

Elizabeth O’Brien

0.00

0.00

0.00

54,094.90

100,390.72

14,327.01

Jim Nicholson

82,097.45

208,039.41

135,415.36

232,762.91

100,964.84

20,915.46

John Hayes

0.00

49,837.87

82,385.41

54,719.25

47,853.73

461.02

Joseph Barnes

0.00

2,025.29

10,049.07

28,957.16

9,550.58

1,417.53

Judy Blake

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

15,645.33

3,069.78

Margaret Levey

0.00

0.00

0.00

11,792.07

57,270.54

230.51

Mary E. Laverty

0.00

0.00

0.00

35,567.97

33,005.80

3,970.01

Michael O’Kennedy

0.00

14,335.84

87,196.92

81,333.21

67,065.77

6,155.28

Michelle O’Gorman

4,670.10

70,907.88

76,735.48

86,734.64

99,540.67

10,527.00

Noel Whelan

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

8,748.33

1,996.50

Paul A. McGarry

0.00

46,659.43

82,419.55

57,781.16

46,931.07

0.00

Olive Brennan

0.00

0.00

19,097.45

123,491.03

98,112.90

20,539.75

Patrick Hurley

21,410.32

129,783.23

90,941.02

116,573.67

88,851.57

12,470.27

Ricardo Dourado

0.00

0.00

0.00

20,698.90

33,563.63

5,331.27

Rory MacCabe

8,745.96

75,845.99

62,849.85

66,473.79

66,501.65

8,609.76

Sean Deegan

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

6508.01

5391.00

Samantha Cruess Callaghan

0.00

0.00

0.00

17,600.68

34,465.07

230.51

Susan Nolan

0.00

0.00

0.00

17,130.24

37,590.42

8,707.77

Total

323,728.74

1,430,815.87

1,603,996.22

2,222,110.97

1,839,397.15

229,299.28

Question No. 334 answered with QuestionNo. 330.

Taxi Regulations.

Róisín Shortall

Question:

335 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he is now in a position to provide the information requested in Question No. 304 of 22 February 2006; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14134/06]

I am informed by the Garda authorities that the number of taxi drivers who appealed against a decision of the Garda Síochána not to renew or accept their applications for each of the past five years, the number of these appeals that were successful, the numbers that failed and the numbers pending are as set out in the following table.

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

Appeals

21

26

33

17

34

Successful Appeals

10

10

13

7

14

Failed Appeals

4

9

10

6

4

Pending

1

0

1

1

2

I am further informed that in many cases the taxi driver opts to withdraw the appeal.

Garda Equipment.

Róisín Shortall

Question:

336 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of breathalysers currently in use by the Garda with a breakdown for each individual Garda station. [14135/06]

The Garda Commissioner is fully aware that I will continue to provide the necessary resources to the Garda Síochána, as requested by him, to enable them to carry out their duties in relation to our traffic laws.

I am informed by the Garda authorities that there are three types of breathalysers in use by that Garda Síochána — the blow-in-the-bag alcolyser and the alcometer, both of which are used for roadside breath testing, and the intoxilyser, which is installed in a number of Garda stations. The alcolyser and alcometer test for the presence of alcohol in the breath. The intoxilyser evidential breath testing instrument tests the driver's breath for the level of alcohol and eliminates the need for a doctor to take a blood or urine sample. Currently, there are 390 alcometers on issue to members in Garda district headquarters as well as the blow-in-the-bag type that are on issue in every Garda station. The breakdown of alcometers per Garda district is as set out in tabular form.

District

Alcometers

Naas

6

Kildare

2

Carlow

5

Baltinglass

2

Monaghan

7

Bailieboro

2

Ballyconnell

2

Carrickmacross

1

Cavan

6

Ennis

6

Ennistymon

2

Killaloe

2

Kilrush

2

Anglesea Street

7

Gurranabraher

3

Mayfield

3

Togher

4

Fermoy

4

Cobh

2

Midleton

4

Mallow

2

Bandon

4

Bantry

1

Clonakilty

3

Kanturk

2

Macroom

1

Letterkenny

8

Buncrana

4

Ballyshannon

6

Milford

2

Glenties

1

Galway

6

Clifden

1

Gort

1

Loughrea

3

Salthill

3

Tralee

4

Cahirciveen

1

Killarney

4

Listowel

2

Portlaoise

8

Abbeyleix

2

Birr

3

Tullamore

2

Henry Street

6

Roxboro Road

2

Askeaton

1

Newcastlewest

2

Bruff

3

Mullingar

5

Athlone

3

Granard

2

Longford

3

Drogheda

7

Dundalk

3

Kells

4

Navan

1

Trim

3

Balbriggan

2

Ashbourne

2

Castlebar

4

Ballina

5

Belmullet

2

Claremorris

2

Swinford

2

Westport

2

Roscommon

5

Ballinasloe

2

Boyle

2

Castlerea

2

Tuam

4

Sligo

6

Ballymote

1

Carrick-on-Shannon

4

Manorhamilton

3

Thurles

6

Cahir

2

Clonmel

2

Nenagh

1

Templemore

2

Tipperary

1

Waterford

7

Dungarvan

5

Kilkenny

4

Thomastown

2

Tramore

2

Wexford

4

Enniscorthy

2

Gorey

7

New Ross

2

Wicklow

1

Store Street

2

Fitzgibbon Street

7

Bridewell

2

Santry

8

Coolock

4

Raheny

4

Pearse Street

7

Kevin Street

3

Donnybrook

3

Crumlin

3

Terenure

7

Tallaght

3

Dún Laoghaire

9

Bray

5

Blackrock

4

Blanchardstown

8

Ballyfermot

5

Lucan

4

Dublin Castle

11

Totals

390

There are 64 evidential breath testing instruments, one in each of the following Garda stations.

Station

Ashbourne

Athlone

Ballina

Baltinglass

Bandon

Bantry

Belmullet

Birr

Blanchardstown

Bray

Bridewell

Bruff

Buncrana

Cahirciveen

Carlow

Carrick on Shannon

Carrickmacross

Castlebar

Cavan

Clifden

Clonmel

Donegal

Drogheda

Dún Laoghaire

Dundalk

Dungarvan

Ennis

Ennistymon

Galway

Glenties

Gorey

Gort

Henry Street

Kanturk

Kells

Kilkenny

Killarney

Kilrush

Letterkenny

Longford

Loughrea

Macroom

Mallow

Midleton

Monaghan

Mullingar

Naas

Nenagh

Newcastlewest

Pearse Street

Portlaoise

Roscommon

Santry

Sligo

Store Street

Terenure

Thurles

Tralee

Trim

Tuam

Tullamore

Waterford

Wexford

Wicklow

Garda Training.

Róisín Shortall

Question:

337 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of gardaí trained in the use of the hand-held laser speed gun with a breakdown by Garda division. [14136/06]

I regret that it has not been possible in the time available to obtain the information requested by the Deputy. I will be in touch with the Deputy in relation to this matter when it becomes available.

Róisín Shortall

Question:

338 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of gardaí trained in the use of the roadside breathalyser, and the number of gardaí trained in the use of the evidential breath testing machine. [14137/06]

I am informed by the Garda authorities that training in the use of the roadside breathalyser — alcometer — and the evidential breath testing machine — intoxilyser — is ongoing. The number of gardaí currently trained in the use of the roadside breathalyser and the number of gardaí trained in the use of the evidential breath testing machine as at 5 April 2006 are set out in the following table.

Alcometer

2,160

Evidential Breath Testing Machine

1,752

With regard to increased resources for the Garda traffic corps, as a result of the Government's approval of my proposal to increase the strength of the Garda Síochána to 14,000 members, the Garda Commissioner will be in a position, as each cycle of recruit training is completed, to assign additional new members to the areas of greatest need with particular regard to certain priorities. An assistant commissioner, Mr. Eddie Rock, was appointed on 22 February 2005 to head up the corps. Between now and 2008, the traffic corps will increase its numbers to a complement of 1,200 on the following phased basis: 2006 — 805; 2007 — 1,030; and 2008 — 1,200.

It is intended that by the end of the first quarter of 2006 the numbers in the traffic corps will have increased by 60 and thereafter increased by a further 60 each quarter to reach a total complement of 805 at the end of 2006. The new members will be assigned to divisions which have been established, as a result of close analysis and evaluation of road safety issues, to be in most need of additional resources to pursue enforcement strategies.

Róisín Shortall

Question:

339 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the level of Garda in-service training on road traffic issues; the courses covered in this area; and the throughput in each course in a typical year. [14138/06]

I have been informed by the Garda authorities that road traffic is a key element of continuous professional development, with the following road traffic related courses provided as part of the continuous professional development programme — traffic corps training, divisional traffic inspectors, traffic corps supervisors, speed detection equipment, forensic collision investigation, fixed charge penalty system, evidential breath testing, PSV inspectors, GATSO, Ultra-Lite-Laser, CPD core programme, conflict resolution, intercultural issues, non-Irish national vehicles-drivers and Stinger.

I have been further informed that the composition of these courses varies, as some of the courses are for members attached to specific areas within the traffic policing function. Some courses are given to all operational members and some are strictly for certain ranks or departments. Garda management states that the information requested by the Deputy on the throughput in each course in a typical year is not readily available.

Road Traffic Offences.

Róisín Shortall

Question:

340 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the statistics that are available on the number of speed detections by gardaí by detection instrument used and to provide a breakdown of these for the past five years for which figures are available. [14139/06]

Róisín Shortall

Question:

341 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if statistics are available on the number of prosecutions of speeding offences taken by speed detection device and the corresponding number of failed prosecutions to provide a breakdown of these for the past five years for which figures are available. [14140/06]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 340 and 341 together.

I regret that it has not been possible in the time available to obtain the information requested by the Deputy. I will be in touch with the Deputy with regard to this matter when it becomes available.

Garda Strength.

Róisín Shortall

Question:

342 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he is now in a position to provide the information requested in Question No. 179 of 1 March 2006; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14141/06]

As the Deputy will be aware, I was not in a position to provide all the information requested in relation to Question No. 179 of 1 March 2006 at that time. I have now been informed by the Garda authorities, who are responsible for the detailed allocation of resources, including personnel, that the Garda personnel strength, all ranks, of the Carriage Office as at 31 December 1998 to 2005, inclusive, was as set out in the following table,

Year

Strength

1998

20

1999

18

2000

13

2001

10

2002

8

2003

8

2004

8

2005

7

I am glad to see the reduction in number of gardaí assigned to the Carriage Office as this means more officers are assigned to front line duties. I am anxious that this trend continues across the remit of the force. Garda personnel assigned throughout the country, together with overall policing arrangements and operational strategy, are continually monitored and reviewed. Such monitoring ensures that optimum use is made of Garda resources and the best possible Garda service is provided to the public.

I have also been informed by the Garda authorities that the personnel strength, all ranks, of the Garda Síochána as at 31 December 1997 and 20 March 2006 was 10,702 and 12,445, respectively. This represents an increase of 1,743, or 16.3%, in the personnel strength of the Garda Síochána during that period.

Moreover, the timescale for achieving the target strength of 14,000 members of the Garda Síochána in line with the commitment in An 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. This project is fully on target and will be achieved.

As part of the accelerated recruitment campaign to facilitate this record expansion, 1,125 Garda recruits were inducted to the Garda College during 2005. The college will induct a further 1,100 recruits this year and again in 2007, by way of intakes to the Garda College of approximately 275 recruits every quarter. The first incremental increase of newly attested gardaí under the programme of accelerated recruitment took place on 15 March 2006. The Garda Commissioner will draw up plans on how best to distribute and manage these additional resources and in this context the needs of the Carriage Office will be fully considered.

Questions Nos. 343 to 345, inclusive, answered with Question No. 330.

Missing Persons.

Catherine Murphy

Question:

346 Ms C. Murphy asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he intends to re-establish the missing persons helpline and deliver on the recommendations made in the report into the evaluation of the national missing persons helpline; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14145/06]

I refer the Deputy to the contribution made by the Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children in the Adjournment debate on the missing persons helpline on my behalf in the House on 4 April 2006.

Garda Training.

Róisín Shortall

Question:

347 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the training that is provided to gardaí to prepare them as a witness in drink driving prosecutions; the extent of legal support that is currently offered to gardaí in preparing for such cases; if his attention has been drawn to the view of some individual gardaí that under-training and poor legal support as a witness undermines the prosecuting of cases and contributes to poor prosecution and conviction rates of drink driving cases; his plans to improve training and legal support; the amount provided in the 2006 Estimates for this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14146/06]

I have been informed by the Garda authorities, who are responsible for the detailed allocation of resources, including personnel, that student probationer gardaí receive the following training on drink driving procedure. During phase I, student gardaí attend a classroom- based lecture on the legislation in respect of drink driving. The lecture covers the various offences under the Road Traffic Acts and the powers of arrest available to members of the Garda Síochána in these circumstances. The time allocated to the delivery of this lecture to the students is four hours. The lecture also covers roadside procedure and station procedure regarding drink driving offences.

During phase II, student gardaí receive the following training with regard to drink driving offences: a two hour class presentation on drink driving procedure; two weeks attachment to traffic units, during which they undergo deep experiential learning and observation of drink driving cases; and a one week attachment to the local District Court or court procedures office, where prosecution of drink driving cases may be observed.

During phase III, student gardaí attend a further classroom-based lecture, with specific reference to a number of High Court and Supreme Court stated cases, on the legislation in relation to drink driving. This lecture focuses on the necessary proofs which must be established in court by gardaí prosecuting drink driving offences. The time allocated to the delivery of this lecture to the students is one hour.

A mock prosecution of a drink driving offence also forms part of the phase III individual case studies. A certain number of student gardaí are required to role-play the prosecution of their case in this mock court setting. Good clear evidence and the necessary proofs are required by the "prosecuting" student gardaí, who are "cross examined" by college staff. The students' class colleagues also witness the prosecution and take part in an evaluation after the mock court. Students also attend a two hour training class on the Lion Intoxilyzer 6000 Irl. This class covers the workings of the intoxilyzer, the duties and responsibilities of trained operators and also refers to particular High Court and Supreme Court stated cases.

During phase V, student gardaí attend a further three hours of classroom-based lectures on drink driving legislation and necessary proofs which must be established in court by Gardaí prosecuting drink driving offences. As part of the continuous professional development core programme for 2006, training in the use of evidential breath testing is provided.

I am further informed by the Garda authorities that the use of members of the Garda Síochána as prosecutors in the case of drink driving convictions in all Garda divisions other than the Dublin metropolitan region has benefits for the operation and management of prosecutions. Members of the Garda Síochána who must present the prosecution case in open court and who have to face the rigour of court procedures, judicial supervision and criticism are likely to be diligent in assembling and assessing evidence. In cases where senior Garda officers prosecute, the normal managerial supervision of performance is strengthened when the manager, in his role as prosecutor, must be comprehensively briefed by the investigating garda.

I am also advised that it has been the tradition, because of demands made in the Dublin metropolitan region, to request the assistance of the chief prosecution solicitor in the prosecution of offences before the Dublin District Courts.

Irish Language.

Brian O'Shea

Question:

348 Mr. O’Shea asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the percentage of the staff of his Department able to provide services through Irish; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14188/06]

I wish to advise the Deputy that my Department has recently drafted a new Irish language scheme which is awaiting final approval by the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs. Among the provisions of the new scheme will be an audit to identify the members of staff who wish to be involved in offering services through Irish.

The Deputy may wish to note that a previous skills survey completed in 2004 identified 67 staff who claimed a degree of proficiency in Irish. The audit which is due to be carried out later this year will identify staff who are interested in providing services through Irish. The Department will then address any training needs identified. It is then proposed that all staff, including switchboard and reception staff, in my Department and associated bodies will have access to a list of officers who will be able to provide services in Irish. In addition, language awareness will be included in induction and customer service training for both new and existing staff.

I am satisfied that the proposed new scheme for my Department will further ensure the highest possible level of provision of services through Irish to those customers wishing to avail of such a service.

Asylum Applications.

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Question:

349 Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the progress which has been made on the asylum application of a person (details supplied). [14192/06]

It is not the practice to comment in detail on individual asylum applications. As the Deputy will be aware, applications for refugee status in the State are determined by an independent process comprising the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner and the Refugee Appeals Tribunal which make recommendations to the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform on whether such status should be granted. A final decision on this application will be made upon receipt of the decision of the Refugee Appeals Tribunal.

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Question:

350 Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the progress which has been made on the asylum application of a person (details supplied). [14193/06]

It is not the practice to comment in detail on individual asylum applications. As the Deputy will be aware, applications for refugee status in the State are determined by an independent process comprising the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner and the Refugee Appeals Tribunal which make recommendations to the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform on whether such status should be granted. I have been informed that the applicant in question has an appeal registered with the Refugee Appeals Tribunal and a final decision will be made by me upon receipt of their recommendation.

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Question:

351 Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the progress which has been made on the asylum application of a person (details supplied). [14194/06]

As the Deputy will be aware, applications for refugee status in the State are determined by an independent process comprising the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner and the Refugee Appeals Tribunal which make recommendations to the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform on whether such status should be granted. It is not the practice to comment in detail on individual asylum applications. However, I have been informed that, while a decision regarding the applicant's appeal was issued by the Refugee Appeals Tribunal on 27 January 2006, the applicant subsequently commenced judicial review proceedings, which are still before the courts.

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Question:

352 Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the progress which has been made on the asylum application of a person (details supplied). [14195/06]

It is not the practice to comment in detail on individual asylum applications. As the Deputy will be aware, applications for refugee status in the State are determined by an independent process comprising the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner and the Refugee Appeals Tribunal, which make recommendations to the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform on whether such status should be granted.

I have been informed that the applicant in question has an appeal registered with the Refugee Appeals Tribunal and a final decision will be made by me upon receipt of their recommendation.

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Question:

353 Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the progress which has been made on the asylum application of a person (details supplied). [14196/06]

The person concerned arrived in the State on 17 December 2004 and applied for asylum. Her application was refused following consideration of her case by the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner and, on appeal, by the Refugee Appeals Tribunal.

Subsequently, in accordance with section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999, as amended, she was informed by letter dated 24 March 2006 that the Minister proposed to make a deportation order in respect of her. She was given the options, to be exercised within 15 working days, of making representations to the Minister setting out the reasons she should be allowed to remain temporarily in the State; leaving the State before an order is made or consenting to the making of a deportation order.

This person's case file, including all representations submitted, will be considered under section 3(6) of the Immigration Act 1999, as amended, and section 5 of the Refugee Act 1996, prohibition of refoulement. I expect the file to be passed to me for decision in due course.

Prison Staff.

Olwyn Enright

Question:

354 Ms Enright asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the reason there was no criteria as to what constituted a pass and a fail outlined in the exam taken on the 10 December by prison officers for promotion; the reason those who sat the exam in the afternoon got to re-sit the exam when those who sat the same paper in the morning did not get this opportunity; when those who sat the exam will be called for the next interview; the status on which this interview call will be made; if he will explain how the marking in the exam was adjudicated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14197/06]

The application form for the assistant chief officer stated:

Candidates will be required to reach a minimum standard on each test in order to be considered for Stage Two of the process. Candidates will be placed in order of merit and a number will go forward to Stage Two of the process. Because of the significant number of Officers eligible to apply, prior to the commencement of Stage I of the competition, the numbers going forward to Stage II (the Interview) will be agreed following discussions with the Irish Prison Service and the Prison Officers Association. An Officer reaching the minimum standard is not automatically entitled to proceed to an interview.

There was a predetermined criteria set by the firm of occupational psychologists as to what constituted the minimum standard. An agreement was reached with the Prison Officers Association that the first 150 candidates who had reached the minimum standard would be called for interview.

On 6 December 2005, 310 prison officers were scheduled to sit a competency based exam as part 1 of the promotion process to assistant chief officer. The design and preparation of the exam was outsourced to a firm of occupational psychologists which supervised the running of the exam and marked the exam papers.

There were two sessions held in two centres, that is, Dublin City University, DCU, and the Irish Prison Service training centre at Beladd, Portlaoise. Two parallel versions of the same test were used in each location, that is, different versions of the same test. The morning session proceeded without incident. However, the afternoon session for those 143 candidates sitting the second parallel version of the papers was aborted as two typing errors were identified in paper 2. The errors did not affect the correct answer, but apparently caused some anxiety among those sitting the exam at DCU. Those officers in the Portlaoise centre completed the test without drawing the attention of the invigilators to the errors on the exam. The invigilators took a unilateral decision to abort the test in DCU and contacted their counterparts in Beladd requesting them to do the same.

In response to this development the Irish Prison Service, in consultation with the firm of occupational psychologists involved, arranged for staff who had attended the afternoon session on 6 December 2005 to re-sit the exam papers 2 and 3 on Friday, 3 February 2006. Officers in Beladd were asked to re-sit paper 2 as it was thought that although the errors were not brought to anyone's attention there they may have caused some difficulty in completing the test.

The interviews will commence on 10 April 2006. While agreement was reached that those rated in the top 150 will be called for interview, a number of candidates tied on the same mark for 150th place and as result a total of 161 candidates will therefore be called for interview.

All candidates provided their responses on computer readable sheets which were scanned and checked by a third party company. The results were sent back to the firm of occupational psychologists who compiled the final order of merit.

Higher Education Grants.

Michael Ring

Question:

355 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Education and Science her views on allowing people who are on the one parent family allowance and are under 23 years of age who want to return to college to be assessed on their own income for the third level grant; and the action which can be taken for a person like this who wants to return to college but wants to be assessed on his or her own income. [13964/06]

Under the terms of my Department's 2005 third level student maintenance grant schemes the position is that, generally speaking, students who are entering approved courses for the first time are eligible for grants where they satisfy the prescribed conditions with regard to age, residence, means, nationality and previous academic attainment. A mature student is defined for the purposes of the schemes as a candidate who is at least 23 years of age on 1 January of the year of entry or re-entry to an approved course.

Mature students are categorised as either independent mature students or mature students dependent on parents or guardians. An independent mature student is defined as meaning a mature student who was not ordinarily resident at home with his or her parents or guardians from the October preceding their entry to an approved course. Independent mature students are assessed without reference to either their parents' or guardians' income or address.

When assessing the means of students other than independent mature students, the means test provision of the scheme specifies that the students' means and those of their parents or guardians must be below a prescribed limit. This provision requires that parental income be taken into account irrespective of the individual circumstances in any case where the student is not an independent mature student. It is not proposed, at present, to change the current definition of mature students.

School Transport.

Joe Higgins

Question:

356 Mr. J. Higgins asked the Minister for Education and Science if, given that her Department is ultimately responsible for the welfare and protection of children, she will take immediate action to guarantee health and safety and child protection standards for children with special needs in cases where Bus Éireann contracts out its school transport to taxi drivers. [14199/06]

Joe Higgins

Question:

401 Mr. J. Higgins asked the Minister for Education and Science if, given that her Department is ultimately responsible for school transport and contracts out the provision of school transport to Bus Éireann, she will take immediate action to guarantee heath and safety and child protection standards for children with special needs in cases where Bus Éireann contracts out its school transport to taxi drivers. [14204/06]

Joe Higgins

Question:

402 Mr. J. Higgins asked the Minister for Education and Science if she will abolish the practice of Bus Éireann handing over responsibility of school transport to taxi drivers or hackney drivers and introduce instead an appropriate bus service. [14205/06]

Joe Higgins

Question:

403 Mr. J. Higgins asked the Minister for Education and Science if, until she introduces an appropriate school bus service for the transport of all special needs children, she will immediately introduce an escort, qualified and trained to work with special needs children, to accompany children whose school transport has been contracted out to taxi and hackney drivers at all times during their journey to and from school. [14206/06]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 356 and 401 to 403, inclusive, together.

Bus Éireann is responsible for the day to day operation of the school transport service on behalf of my Department.

Over 135,000 children are carried on school transport services each day to primary and post-primary schools including approximately 8,000 children with special educational needs. The cost of transporting children with special educational needs, including grants, now accounts for about 33% of the overall allocation for school transport. The allocation for school transport in 2006 is €152 million.

Bus Éireann endeavours to provide the best possible transport service for children with special needs. The size of vehicle required is determined by the number of special needs pupils requiring the service and the suitability of the vehicle to meet the requirements of the pupil. The Deputy will appreciate that it is not always possible to facilitate a child, by virtue of his or her special needs, on a regular school transport service. Furthermore, many children with special needs travel long distances from home to school and individual school transport, such as a taxi service, may be deemed to be the most suitable and appropriate mode of transport.

In the education sector, vetting is available in respect of prospective employees of children in detention schools, as well as special needs assistants and bus escorts accompanying children with special needs. My colleague, the Minister of State at the Department of Education and Science with special responsibility for children, Deputy Brian Lenihan, announced a doubling of the number of staff employed in the Garda central vetting unit, which has been relocated to Thurles under the Government's decentralisation programme, to ensure that it can handle a greater volume of requests from employers. The provision of additional staff resources will enable the Garda Síochána's vetting services to be extended to all persons working with children and vulnerable adults. This will include teachers, caretakers, bus drivers and others working with children, whether on a full-time or part-time basis.

My Department allocates funding to schools to enable them to employ escorts on school transport services. These escorts are specifically engaged by the schools to cater for children with special educational needs whose care requirements are such as to necessitate continuous support. These escorts are a valuable service for children with special needs who require assistance.

Special Educational Needs.

Finian McGrath

Question:

357 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the amount of public money which was spent on legal cases challenging families of children with disabilities in 2005 and 2006; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13916/06]

The Deputy will appreciate that my Department does not expend public funds in a process of challenging through the legal process the parents of children with disabilities. However, where the parents of children with special educational needs initiate litigation proceedings against the State in which my Department is a named party, every effort is made to resolve matters without the proceedings in question progressing to an advanced stage. In this regard, I wish to assure the Deputy that I am always conscious of my duty to ensure that funds allocated to my Department are effectively applied for the purposes intended in an economical and efficient manner.

I wish to emphasise that legal costs incurred by the State in defending those cases which are brought to court are not met directly by my Department. In accordance with financial procedures in cases involving damages or compensation against the State, costs are generally charged to the Chief State Solicitor's office Vote as sanctioned by the Attorney General.

My Department meets the legal costs of plaintiffs where there is a settlement or an order for costs against the State where my Department is named. The Department has spent the following amounts in 2005 and this year to date in special needs cases in which the Minister for Education and Science is a defendant, respondent or notice party. In 2005, a sum of €1,600,009.11 was spent while a total of €16,736.51 has been spent in 2006.

There has been enormous progress made over the past number of years in relation to increasing the number of teachers in our schools who are specifically dedicated to providing education for children with special educational needs. At primary level, approximately 5,000 teachers in our primary schools now work directly with children with special needs, including those requiring learning support. This compares to fewer than 1,500 in 1998. Indeed, one out of every five primary school teachers is now working specifically with children with special needs.

At second level, approximately 1,647 whole-time equivalent additional teachers are in place to support pupils with special educational needs. This compares to approximately 200 teachers who were in place in 1998 for such pupils. In addition, there are 532 whole-time equivalent learning support teachers.

Enormous progress has also been made regarding increasing the number of special needs assistants, SNAs, in our schools who specifically cater for the care needs of children with special educational needs. There are over 7,300 whole-time equivalent SNAs in primary and second level schools supporting children with special needs.

In addition, my Department spends over €30 million on school transport and over €3 million towards specialised equipment and materials for pupils with special educational needs.

I can confirm that I will continue to prioritise the issue of special needs education and, in co-operation with the National Council for Special Education and the education partners, ensure that all children with special educational needs are adequately resourced to enable them to meet their full potential.

Billy Timmins

Question:

358 Mr. Timmins asked the Minister for Education and Science the position regarding a school (details supplied) in County Wicklow which was due to close on Friday, 31 March without funding; the resources which where announced by her last week in relation to same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13917/06]

As outlined previously to the Deputy, the National Council for Special Education, NCSE, through the special education needs organiser, SENO, sanctioned a third pre-school or early intervention class for children with autistic spectrum disorders to the school concerned on 21 March 2006 to facilitate the enrolment of specific named pupils pending further investigation into appropriate education provision for these pupils. An additional teaching post was sanctioned on a temporary basis until the end of the current school year to support this class.

In addition, the SENO sanctioned 11 part-time special needs assistants, SNAs, on 21 March 2006 to cater for the individual care needs of the children attending the pre-school or early intervention special classes. There are now 18 part-time SNAs sanctioned to the school to cater for the children attending these pre-school or early intervention special classes.

I wish to also advise the Deputy that the two original temporary pre-school or early intervention teaching posts sanctioned by my Department to the school previously have now been sanctioned as posts of indefinite duration, formerly known as permanent posts, for as long as there are sufficient appropriately referred children to warrant these special classes.

The need for the continuance of the third pre-school or early intervention class is being considered by the NCSE. Factors such as the needs of the individual children, levels of existing provision in the area and geographical location of the attendees are matters that the NCSE will need to take into account in making a decision on the matter.

I can confirm that I will continue to prioritise the issue of special needs education for children with autism and, in co-operation with the National Council for Special Education, ensure that all children with special needs are adequately resourced to enable them to meet their full potential.

Third Level Institutions.

Finian McGrath

Question:

359 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science if there is a long-term strategy to downgrade a college (details supplied) in order to facilitate a takeover by Trinity College Dublin; and if he will clarify this matter. [13918/06]

The college referred to by the Deputy is a privately owned institution and is funded by my Department. My Department does not have any strategy, nor is it aware of any strategy in place, to downgrade the college to facilitate a takeover by Trinity College Dublin. If there were such a strategy in place I would be concerned, and I would invite the Deputy to submit to my officials any information that he has to suggest that such a strategy is in place.

I understand that the Christian Brother trustees of the college referred to by the Deputy have announced that, following earlier approaches by them to Trinity College Dublin, they have agreed in principle to form a co-trusteeship for the college.

Youth Services.

Ivor Callely

Question:

360 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Education and Science if the recruitment of the National Youth Council of Ireland’s assessor of youth work has progressed. [13919/06]

The post of an assessor of youth work was advertised in the national press in December 2005 by the Public Appointments Service on behalf of my Department. A total of 15 applications for the post were received and a selection and interview process has taken place recently. The Public Appointments Service is currently finalising various details and procedures relating to the appointment of the assessor of youth work to my Department.

Ivor Callely

Question:

361 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Education and Science the way in which the establishment of a development unit as outlined in the National Youth Council of Ireland’s development plan has progressed. [13920/06]

The national youth work development plan, prepared by the national youth work advisory committee, NYWAC, recommends the establishment of a youth work development unit.

As announced in November 2005, the unit is being established by my Department on a pilot basis within the National University of Ireland, Maynooth. Further details, including the terms of reference, resourcing, etc., are under discussion between my Department and the other relevant interest groups.

Ivor Callely

Question:

362 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Education and Science her views on the progress on the National Youth Council of Ireland’s working group on volunteering; and if a date has been agreed for the proposed volunteer seminar. [13921/06]

Ivor Callely

Question:

363 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of youth workers who have been trained under the national youth education programme in regard to the National Youth Council of Ireland’s training strategy. [13922/06]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 362 and 363 together.

While the youth affairs section of my Department provides grant-in-aid to the National Youth Council of Ireland, the details of its programme of work are a matter for the organisation itself. My Department has been in contact with the National Youth Council which will provide the required information directly to the Deputy.

Special Educational Needs.

Seán Ardagh

Question:

364 Mr. Ardagh asked the Minister for Education and Science if there is an obligation on the State to provide education for children in their sixth year, similar to a person (details supplied) in Dublin 8 who has autism and cannot access a place next year. [13936/06]

Seán Ardagh

Question:

365 Mr. Ardagh asked the Minister for Education and Science the services which will be provided for a person (details supplied) in Dublin 8 who has autism and is in a lacuna next year as there is no education place available to them. [13937/06]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 364 and 365 together.

I understand that the child in question is currently accessing education provision through placement in a pre-school early intervention autism specific class in Scoil Mhuire national school, Ballyboden, Dublin 16. As the Deputy is aware, the National Council for Special Education, NCSE, is now operational. A specific function of the NCSE, through its network of local special educational needs organisers, SENOs, is to identify appropriate educational placements for all children with special educational needs, including children with autism. The SENO is a focal point of contact for parents and schools. My officials have liaised with the local SENO in the context of the child referred to by the Deputy. The parents of the child in question should make contact with the relevant SENO who can assist in accessing an appropriate educational placement for the child. Contact with the relevant SENO can be made by contacting the NCSE at 046-9486400 or alternatively by accessing the NCSE website at www.ncse.ie.

Higher Education Grants.

Seán Ardagh

Question:

366 Mr. Ardagh asked the Minister for Education and Science if a higher education grant will be granted to a person (details supplied). [13938/06]

The circumstances surrounding the case to which the Deputy refers are the subject of an inquiry to the relevant institute of technology. When a decision is made on the matter a response will issue to the awarding authority.

Languages Programme.

Paddy McHugh

Question:

367 Mr. McHugh asked the Minister for Education and Science her plans to ensure that Irish sign language is given official recognition by the Government; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13939/06]

I wish to advise the Deputy that Irish sign language, ISL, has formal recognition in the Education Act 1998. Under the Act, it is a function of the Minister for Education and Science to ensure, subject to the provisions of the Act, that there is made available to each person resident in the State, including a person with a disability or who has other special educational needs, support services and a level and quality of education appropriate to meeting the needs and abilities of that person. This includes provision for students learning through ISL.

A number of initiatives which seek to promote, develop and implement ISL to ensure it will achieve greater recognition and use in the education system are currently in place. These include the following. The special schools for the deaf in Cabra, Dublin, have been encouraged to the use of sign language in class. In-service training is provided in the use of ISL. My Department has provided funding for an ISL weekly home tuition service whereby deaf tutors visit the homes of deaf pre-school children and deaf school-going pupils to provide training in ISL for the deaf children-pupils, their siblings and parents. My Department has sanctioned a pre-school for deaf children on a pilot basis. Programmes are delivered through the medium of ISL as a first language. My Department, through the Higher Education Authority, HEA, has established and fully funds a centre for deaf studies in Trinity College, Dublin, which provides diploma courses for ISL-English interpreters, for deaf tutors and in deaf studies.

School Enrolments.

Olwyn Enright

Question:

368 Ms Enright asked the Minister for Education and Science the process to be followed when appeals against the refusal by a school to enrol a child are lodged to her Department under section 29 of the Education Act 1998; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13959/06]

Olwyn Enright

Question:

369 Ms Enright asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of appeals lodged to her Department against the decision to enrol a child under section 29 of the Education Act 1998 since the legislation came into force; the number of such appeals which have been successful; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13960/06]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 368 and 369 together.

Section 29 of the Education Act 1998 provides for an appeal to the Secretary General of my Department where a board of management of a school or a person acting on behalf of the board refuses to enrol a student, suspends a student for more than 20 days in an academic year or expels a student from the school. Appeals must be dealt with within 30 days of receipt but an appeals committee may seek an extension of not more than 14 days.

Appeals are processed under detailed procedures in three stages. The first stage, local resolution, lasting seven days, allows time for a local resolution to emerge. The second stage, facilitation, involves the appointment of an independent facilitator. The facilitator seeks to resolve the issue underlying the appeal to the satisfaction of both parties. Appeals which are not resolved at the local or facilitation stages progress to the third stage, appeal hearing, a full hearing before an appeal committee. An appeals committee consists of three people, one of whom is a departmental inspector. The committee members are drawn form a panel of experienced educationalists many of whom are ex-school principals.

When an appeal has been determined, the appeals committee must set out its decision, its reasons for the decision and, where an appeal has been upheld, any recommendations to the Secretary General as to the actions to be taken to remedy the matter. If an appeal is upheld, the Secretary General may then give directions to the board of management to remedy the matter which was the subject of the appeal and the board is required by the Act to comply with such directions.

In the case of a school established or maintained by a VEC, the appeal against the decision of the board of management of the school will be made, in the first instance, to the VEC. If the appellant remains unhappy with the outcome of this process at VEC level he or she has an entitlement to make an appeal directly to the secretary general.

My Department has received 548 appeals against decisions to refuse to enrol pupils, and 279 of these appeals were either resolved prior to hearing or were withdrawn by the appellant. Of the 269 appeals which went to hearing, 156 were upheld in favour of the appellant and 113 were not upheld.

School Closures.

Dermot Fitzpatrick

Question:

370 Dr. Fitzpatrick asked the Minister for Education and Science her plans for a school (details supplied) in Dublin 7; if it is her Department’s intention to close the school; the strategic plans to develop the school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13989/06]

My Department has no plans to close the school referred to by the Deputy. The future development of any school is a matter in the first instance for the patron in consultation with my Department.

School Accommodation.

Dermot Fitzpatrick

Question:

371 Dr. Fitzpatrick asked the Minister for Education and Science her plans to provide much needed accommodation for a school (details supplied) in Dublin 7; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13990/06]

Officials in the school planning section of my Department met recently with the owners of the building in which the school referred to by the Deputy is currently located. The owners of the building have agreed that they will be in a position to accommodate the school for a further year.

Officials in my Department continue to explore other options for the long-term accommodation of the school. The difficulty, however, of obtaining a suitable site or building in the area in which the school is located cannot be underestimated.

School Staffing.

Olwyn Enright

Question:

372 Ms Enright asked the Minister for Education and Science the reason there is no appeals procedure against decisions for the post of principal or deputy principal within the vocational educational committee structure; if this applies to all other post-primary schools; if she will review the situation with a view to ensuring that an appeals procedure will be introduced; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13993/06]

The selection and appointment procedures for posts of responsibility in post-primary schools are agreed between the respective school management bodies, the teacher unions and my Department and are set out in circular letters issued by my Department. There is no appeals procedure for the appointment of principal and deputy principal in post-primary schools.

The terms and conditions of employment of teachers, including appointment procedures, are matters appropriate to the teacher's conciliation council which is comprised of representatives of the teacher unions, school management, the Department of Finance and my Department.

Higher Education Grants.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

373 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science if and when a top-up grant or other assistance is payable on foot of a maintenance grant paid in 2004 to a person (details supplied) in County Kildare under the 2004-05 PLC maintenance grant scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13994/06]

Under the terms of the maintenance grants scheme for post-leaving certificate courses 2005, grants are available to eligible candidates who are entering approved PLC courses for the first time in the 2005-2006 academic year. Candidates are ineligible if they already hold a FETAC level 5 qualification, formerly known as a FETAC, NCVA, level 2 qualification, a FETAC level 6 qualification, formerly known as a FETAC, NCVA, level 3 qualification, or a third level qualification at level 6 or higher. Notwithstanding this condition, candidates who already hold a qualification no higher than FETAC level 5, formerly known as a FETAC, NCVA, level 2 qualification, and are now pursuing a course that offers progression may be deemed eligible for grant aid.

Under the scheme, a grant is tenable for the normal duration of the approved PLC course and is renewable annually subject to the satisfactory participation, attendance and the approval of the vocational education committee. A record of achievement is generally issued in respect of individual modules of a course, whereas a full award, FETAC level 5, formally known as a FETAC, NCVA, level 2 qualification-level 6 qualification, formally known as FETAC, NCVA, level 3 qualification, is issued were all modules of a particular course have been successfully completed.

My Department understands that the candidate referred to by the Deputy has previously pursued an approved PLC course at FETAC level 5. However, she did not attain the terminal qualification on completing the course. In the circumstances, she may not be deemed as progressing under the terms of the PLC scheme.

Schools Building Projects.

Olivia Mitchell

Question:

374 Ms O. Mitchell asked the Minister for Education and Science her views on the efforts of parents in south Dublin seeking, with County Dublin Vocational Educational Committee, patronage sanction for a gaelcholáiste to meet the post-primary school needs of the several gaelscoileanna in the area. [14022/06]

My Department is not in receipt of an application from the group referred to by the Deputy to establish a gaelcholáiste in south Dublin. Consideration will be given to such an application if and when received.

School Staffing.

Michael Lowry

Question:

375 Mr. Lowry asked the Minister for Education and Science if an additional teacher will be sanctioned for a school (details supplied) in County Tipperary; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14023/06]

The mainstream staffing of a primary school is determined by reference to the enrolment of the school on 30 September of the previous school year. The actual number of mainstream posts sanctioned is determined by reference to a staffing schedule which is issued to all primary schools each year.

According to data submitted to my Department by the board of management of the school referred to by the Deputy, the enrolment in the school on 30 September 2005 was 68 pupils. In accordance with the staffing schedule, Circular 0023/2006, which has issued to all primary schools and is also available on my Department's website at www.education.ie, the mainstream staffing in the school for the 2006-07 school year will be a principal and two mainstream class teachers.

Within the terms of the current staffing arrangements for primary schools, there is provision for additional posts, referred to as developing school posts, to be assigned to schools on the basis of projected enrolments for the next school year. Under these arrangements, a developing school post may be sanctioned provisionally where the projected enrolment at 30 September of the school year in question equals or exceeds a specified figure. If the specified figure is not achieved on 30 September, sanction for the post is withdrawn. It is open to the board of management to submit an appeal under certain criteria to an independent appeal board which was established to adjudicate on appeals on mainstream staffing allocations in primary schools. Details of the criteria and application dates for appeal are contained in the staffing schedule. They are also available in Circular 0024/2006, Appeal Board for Mainstream Staffing in Primary Schools, which is available on my Department's website. Hard copies of this circular have been issued to all primary schools.

It is proposed that the first meeting of the appeal board will be held in May 2006. Further meetings will be held in July and October 2006. The closing dates for receipt of appeals are 12 May, 24 June and 18 October, respectively. Appeals must be submitted to Primary Payments Section, Department of Education and Science, Athlone, on the standard application form, clearly stating the criterion under which the appeal is being made. The standard application form is available from Primary Payments Section or on my Department's website. The appeal board operates independently of the Minister and my Department and its decision is final.

I am sure the Deputy will appreciate that it would not be appropriate for me to intervene in the operation of the independent appeal board.

School Accommodation.

Michael Lowry

Question:

376 Mr. Lowry asked the Minister for Education and Science if her attention has been drawn to the issues regarding a school (details supplied) in County Tipperary; if the school will be included in this years building and modernisation programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14024/06]

The school's application under the additional accommodation scheme 2006 was not successful. Based on the information supplied by the school, it became evident that a more major project was required to address the school's accommodation needs into the future.

In order for the need to be thoroughly assessed, the management authority has been advised to complete an application form for major capital investment. This will enable the school planning section in my Department to fully determine the school's long-term accommodation needs. Factors such as current and projected enrolment, demographic trends in the area, and the likely impact of recent and proposed housing developments will be considered as part of my Department's assessment in determining the school's long-term needs. When this is fully determined, a decision will be made on how best to address the school's needs going forward. Consideration will also be given to the project's suitability for delivery under the small schools scheme at the appropriate time.

Teaching Performance.

Pat Carey

Question:

377 Mr. Carey asked the Minister for Education and Science the measures her Department has taken to monitor teacher performance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14025/06]

The issue of quality of teaching within a school falls within the remit of the board of management and principal of that school. It is the duty of the board to provide, or cause to be provided, an appropriate education for all students attending the school. The Education Act requires that "schools use their available resources to establish and maintain systems whereby the efficiency and effectiveness of its operation can be assessed, including the quality and effectiveness of teaching in the school." The guidance and direction of teachers, the assignment of their teaching duties and the monitoring of the quality of learning and teaching on a day-to-day basis is the responsibility of the principal teacher of the school, who is accountable to the board. The inspectorate, through whole-school evaluation, monitors the performance of principals and boards of management in this regard.

The inspectorate of my Department is responsible for evaluating schools, including the quality of teaching and the effectiveness of individual teachers. The framework for whole-school evaluations in both primary and post-primary schools includes the evaluation of teaching. In post-primary schools, inspectors also conduct an evaluation of teaching during the course of subject inspections. At primary level, inspectors evaluate the work of teachers on probation.

In 2005, 253 whole-school reports, both whole-school evaluations and tuairiscí scoile, were conducted in primary schools and 53 whole-school evaluations were completed in post-primary schools. The inspectorate evaluated and reported on 1,611 probationary teachers at primary level in 2005, and at post-primary level 676 subject inspections were conducted. In addition to WSE, subject inspection, and evaluation of teachers on probation at primary level, inspectors periodically conduct thematic evaluations of specific aspects of educational provision, paying particular attention to the quality of teaching observed.

Where, in the course of evaluations, under-performance of teachers is noted, the inspectorate draws the attention of the principal to this fact. At primary level, rule 161 of the rules for national schools outlines the evaluation procedures to be followed where the work of a teacher has deteriorated to such an extent that the estimate "satisfactory" is no longer merited. In the case of teachers employed by Vocational Education Committees, Department of Education and Science Circular 43/85 outlines the evaluation procedures to be followed in the context of adverse reports on teaching performance.

Schools Building Projects.

M. J. Nolan

Question:

378 Mr. Nolan asked the Minister for Education and Science when funding will be available for the extension to a school (details supplied) in County Carlow; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14026/06]

My Department is in receipt of an application for capital funding from the school to which the Deputy refers. The application has been assessed in accordance with the published prioritisation criteria for large scale building projects and has been assigned a band 2 rating. Progress on the project is being considered in the context of the school building and modernisation programme from 2006 onwards.

M. J. Nolan

Question:

379 Mr. Nolan asked the Minister for Education and Science when funding will be made available for the extension to a school (details supplied) in County Carlow; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14027/06]

I can confirm to the Deputy that the school to which he refers has applied to my Department for large scale capital funding. 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.

In the meantime, approval has been given to the school for the rental of temporary accommodation to meet its immediate accommodation needs. This is a short-term rental agreement which will only remain in place until such time as the permanent accommodation needs of the school are met.

Pádraic McCormack

Question:

380 Mr. McCormack asked the Minister for Education and Science the progress which is being made in relation to an application for a new national school for the Knocknacarra area, Galway; when it is likely that this application will be approved and advanced on; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14028/06]

The building project for the school in question is at an early stage of architectural planning. The project is currently at stage 1/2, site suitability and site analysis. The school was listed in my announcement of 2005 as a project to progress through architectural planning up to pre-tender stage, that is, up to and including advanced architectural planning, following the appointment of a full design team.

The design and planning of a building project is covered by stages 1 to 5, during which the project is developed from the assessment of site suitability, through the detailed design, including the obtaining of planning permission, to the point where detailed bills of quantities are prepared. The project at Knocknacarra will be allowed to progress to stage 5. This is the final stage before invitation of tenders.

Progression of projects to construction will be considered in the context of the school building and modernisation programme 2006-09.

School Curriculum.

Pat Carey

Question:

381 Mr. Carey asked the Minister for Education and Science the regulations which govern the amount of school time which is to be devoted to the teaching of religion in primary schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14029/06]

Section 15 of the Education Act 1998 requires boards of management of schools to uphold, and be accountable to the patron for upholding, the characteristic spirit of the school as determined by the cultural, educational, moral, religious, social, educational, linguistic and spiritual values and traditions which inform and are characteristic of the objectives and conduct of the school.

Provision is made for the inclusion of religious education on the curriculum for primary schools. My Department recognises the rights of the different church authorities to design these curricula and to supervise their teaching and implementation. To this end, 30 minutes of the school day is allocated to the teaching of religious education at primary level.

Schools Building Projects.

Emmet Stagg

Question:

382 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Education and Science if she has received the stage two submission in relation to the required phase two extension to a school (details supplied); and when it will be considered. [14032/06]

The building project for the school referred to by the Deputy is at an early stage of architectural planning.

My Department's officials have recently received the stage 2 submission, outline sketch scheme. When the stage 2 is reviewed, my Department will be in further contact with the school authorities as to the next steps involved in progressing this building project.

School Accommodation.

Emmet Stagg

Question:

383 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Education and Science if, in view of the fact that 23 children will not be taken into a school (details supplied) in September 2006, she has alternative arrangements which might be put in place to ensure that these children receive their education from September 2006. [14033/06]

The school to which the Deputy refers made an application for additional temporary accommodation for the 2006-07 school year. This has been approved by my Department. The extra accommodation will meet the needs of the school's enrolment policy which operates a cut-off point. This cut-off point will result in the carry over of a small number of pupils to the next school year which is not uncommon where an increasing demand for enrolments manifests itself. In the case in question, the cut-off point does not contravene the requirements of the Education Welfare Act.

With regard to the schools long-term accommodation needs, the property management section of the Office of Public Works, which acts on behalf of my Department in regard to site acquisitions generally, is continuing, in consultation with the local authority, to explore all possibilities in relation to the acquisition of a site for a new school building. In tandem, my Department is examining the demographics of the area to determine the optimum school size required. It has commenced consultations with the school authority in this regard. It is my Department's intention to provide the new school building as expeditiously as possible.

Schools Building Projects.

Emmet Stagg

Question:

384 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Education and Science if design teams have been appointed in relation to new schools (details supplied) in County Kildare. [14040/06]

The schools referred to by the Deputy are three of 62 major building projects announced by me in January last to commence architectural planning in 2006. In all, 1,300 building and modernisation projects will be active in our primary and post-primary schools during 2006. Capital expenditure on primary and post-primary schools this year will exceed €500 million.

Site inspections have been carried out for each school with a view to determining the scope of works necessary for the building projects. The next key task is to appoint architectural design teams to each project and this exercise will be initiated shortly by the school building section. Progression of these projects to construction will be considered in the context of the school building and modernisation programme 2006-10.

School Enrolments.

Emmet Stagg

Question:

385 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Education and Science if, in view of the investment of State money to the tune of €6.3 million in the provision of the new national school at Naas, she has no powers with regard to directing the enrolment policy in relation to the six national schools in the town; and if there were discussions with the other boards of management regarding enrolment policy in Naas prior to sanctioning of the project. [14055/06]

The school to which the Deputy refers currently accommodates two junior infant classes. When fully occupied, it will operate as a two-stream 16-classroom school. To enable it develop in this manner, it can only enrol two junior infant classes annually. This incremental development is common to all newly established schools to ensure that a shortage of accommodation at the school is avoided by an over enrolment of junior infant classes in the early stages and crucially, to ensure that the enrolments and staffing levels in other schools in the area, where older pupils would inevitably be drawn, are not adversely affected.

Typically, a new school commences in temporary accommodation. Accommodation is provided incrementally, thereafter, to meet the schools junior infant intake level each year in the context of junior infant accommodation available in other schools in the area. A new school would have achieved a certain sustainable growth level without affecting other schools before transferring to its permanent accommodation. Its developmental curve would continue on this basis until all its accommodation is in use.

Because a building is available for the school in question at inception does not mean that an orderly growth can be abandoned given the effect that excessive enrolments will have on other schools in the area which have also been funded by the taxpayer. While enrolment policies are a matter for school authorities, the Department expects the enrolment polices of individual schools to complement the demand for pupil places in an area and, as in this case, to assist the growth of the new school in an orderly fashion. This is in the best interests of the schools, pupils and wider community alike. Accordingly, the issue is not a question of issuing a directive in relation to the enrolment policies of other schools. Fundamentally, the existing schools, which have served the community well, particularly by obliging with extra pupil places when there was severe pressure for such places in recent years, now have a certain level of accommodation and teaching allocations in place. This cannot be ignored because a new school and a new building have come on stream which will, in their own right, cater for the continuing growing needs of the area as time goes by as was always my Department's intention. The question is how to support the new school until it is in a position to operate within the confines of its own current funding resources which will grow year on year. This is under discussion with the board of management. Discussions with the relevant boards of management took place early last year in relation to the issue of enrolment.

Schools Building Projects.

Denis Naughten

Question:

386 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Education and Science, further to Question No. 201 of 26 January 2006, if she will outline the status of the project; if the project will be expedited; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14080/06]

Contracts for the transfer of the site for the school in question have been signed. However, 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 solicitors 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.

School Curriculum.

Denis Naughten

Question:

387 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Education and Science if she intends to introduce sex, relationship, gender and gender based violence education programmes in schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14082/06]

All recognised primary and second level schools are required to offer relationships and sexuality education, RSE. It is an integral part of the social, personal and health education or SPHE curriculum at primary level and at junior cycle second level where it has been made mandatory for all schools with effect from September 2003. In addition, all schools are required to have an agreed school policy and a suitable relationships and sexuality education programme in place for senior cycle pupils. Comprehensive guidelines for junior cycle and senior cycle have also been published and provided to schools by the NCCA to support the RSE aspects of the curriculum. An integrated SPHE programme at senior cycle incorporating RSE is being developed.

The overall aims of the SPHE curricula are to foster the personal development, health and well-being of students and help them to create supportive relationships and become responsible citizens; to develop a framework of values, attitudes, understanding and skills that will inform their actions and decision making; and to establish and maintain healthy patterns of behaviour.

At primary level, SPHE is one of the seven curriculum areas in the revised primary school curriculum that was introduced in 1999. SPHE has been implemented in all schools since September 2003 and is taught to pupils from junior infants class upwards to sixth class. One of the three strands within SPHE is "Myself". The strand units within this include: taking care of my body; growing and changing; and safety and protection.

This means that pupils from the beginning of their primary schooling learn, in an age-appropriate way, how their bodies develop, the importance of caring for one's body and that of others with dignity and respect and how to identify people, places and situations that may threaten personal safety.

The SPHE modules at junior cycle in second level schools deal specifically with belonging and integrating, handling conflict constructively, dealing with peer pressure, influences on decision-making, relationships and sexuality in terms of values, reproductive system, tackling myths about sex and pregnancy, personal safety, substance use and the impact of teenage pregnancy. Two of the SPHE modules relate specifically to relationships and sexuality and personal safety. The aims of these modules include bringing students to an understanding of the physical changes that take place during adolescence and exploring with them procedures for protecting their personal safety along with appropriate responses when their safety is threatened. In third year, an awareness of help agencies is promoted and students' skills for obtaining access to them are developed.

For senior cycle students, all schools are required to have an agreed school policy and a suitable relationships and sexuality education programme in place.

The RSE programme at senior cycle deals further with these issues and, in addition, addresses issues such as pregnancy, contraception, sexually transmitted diseases, sexual harassment, sexual assault, and accepting sexual orientation.

The Department of Education and Science has developed two sets of resource materials that are particularly relevant to this area for use with transition year and senior cycle students as part of an SPHE programme. These are BALANCE — Who cares? and exploring masculinities. These resources use a variety of materials and strategies to explore and discuss issues of gender equality.

Specific attention is paid to addressing both sexual harassment and domestic violence in both resources. Also included in the exploring masculinities resources are materials on bullying and child sexual abuse. Finally, all second level schools receive ex-quota guidance counselling hours from my Department.

Child Protection.

Denis Naughten

Question:

388 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Education and Science, further to Question No. 485 of 29 November 2005, if she is satisfied that the child protection guidelines are being implemented by schools; the steps that she has taken to ensure that the guidelines are being applied in all schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14084/06]

The authorities of primary and post-primary schools are required to implement the child protection guidelines issued by my Department and I have no information to suggest that this requirement is not being met.

The Deputy will be aware that the inspectorate conducts whole-school evaluations or WSE on schools. As part of the WSE, the inspectors evaluate the implementation of the board of management's policies and procedures as part of the evaluation of management. They inquire about the procedures and policies the board has put in place arising from the adoption of the child protection guidelines; the name of the person who has been appointed as the designated liaison person or DLP for the school on foot of the guidelines; how the board communicates these policies to members of staff and to other members of the school community; and how the board reviews the effectiveness of the school's child protection measures.

Where an inspector finds that a school is not complying with its obligations in relation to child protection, or has any other concerns about child protection measures in the school, the inspector discusses the matter with the board of management and the principal and makes recommendations for remediation.

In-service training on the Department's child protection guidelines has been provided to primary and post-primary principals and teachers appointed as designated liaison persons or DLPs in relation to child protection. More than 4,000 primary teachers have availed of training and proposals are under consideration for further information and training seminars. At post-primary level, an estimated 75% of schools had availed of the in-service training programme by the end of the 2004-05 school year and it is anticipated that most if not all schools will have had a management or staff person trained in the guidelines by the end of the current school year.

A follow-on half day closure for each post-primary school was approved to allow DLPs to brief school personnel on the Department guidelines. A telephone advisory service for DLPs has been established by the post-primary management bodies to assist them in delivering in-school briefings and in dealing with issues arising. In addition, a CD-ROM containing a resource pack for staff briefings was prepared by the joint managerial body for issue to schools.

Schools Building Projects.

Ned O'Keeffe

Question:

389 Mr. N. O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Education and Science if she will give full consideration to purchasing a site in County Cork for the purpose of developing a specific project (details supplied). [14096/06]

The property management section of the Office of Public Works has been requested to source a site for the development referred to by the Deputy. While a number of sites have been identified and examined, a more detailed assessment of some of the sites is now required. The Office of Public Works will be in further contact with my Department as soon as this assessment is complete.

Special Educational Needs.

Gay Mitchell

Question:

390 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Minister for Education and Science, further to Question No. 309 of 15 December 2005, if she will arrange for a senior official of her Department to convene a case conference involving all those involved to discuss and draw up a plan for the most suitable education programme for a pupil at a school in Dublin 16 living in Dublin 12 (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14100/06]

Gay Mitchell

Question:

391 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Minister for Education and Science, further to Question No. 309 of 15 December 2005, if she will arrange for home tuition to be provided for a pupil who had been living in Dublin 12 and attending at a school in Dublin 16 (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14102/06]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 390 and 391 together.

The National Educational Welfare Board is aware of the situation referred to by the Deputy. Section 21 of the Education (Welfare) Act requires schools to notify the education welfare officer when a student is out of school for a protracted period. Following such notification an EWO is required to consult with the student, parents and school and make all reasonable efforts to ensure that provision is made for the continued education of the child and his or her full participation in school. I have been informed by the NEWB that the EWO will be in contact with the school and with the parents of the student in question.

Education Centres.

Jim O'Keeffe

Question:

392 Mr. J. O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Education and Science regarding the establishment of the national education centre for the Irish language in Baile Mhúirne if her attention was drawn to a press release by An Comhairle Oideachas Gaeltacht agus Gaelscolaíocht in 2003 (details supplied) and two motions passed by that organisation in 2005 pledging its full support for the setting up of the centre; and if she accepts that this represents the position of that organisation as opposed to any other one that may have been put forward by that organisation. [14117/06]

I understand that this issue is to be the subject of further discussion by An Chomhairle shortly. I await the outcome of that discussion. In regard to the Baile Mhuirne proposal generally, further deliberation and discussions with the relevant interests are needed before a final decision on the project can be made. It is intended that these discussions will be completed as quickly as possible.

Special Educational Needs.

Gay Mitchell

Question:

393 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Minister for Education and Science if she will give a positional response to the needs of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 12. [14123/06]

My Department is most anxious that all children, including children with autistic spectrum disorders, receive an education appropriate to their needs. In this regard the preferred approach to the provision of appropriate education for all children, including children with autism, is through the primary and post-primary school network, whether through placement in mainstream classes, in special classes or in special schools. My Department would also support an eclectic approach in regard to the education of children with autism where a range of teaching methods are available, for example, treatment and education of autistic and related communication handicapped children or TEACH, applied behavioural analysis or ABA, and picture exchange communication system or PECS. I understand that the child in question is currently accessing education provision through placement in an autism specific class in Scoil Chiarán.

Ionaid Oideachais.

Dinny McGinley

Question:

394 D'fhiafraigh Mr. McGinley den Aire Oideachais agus Eolaíochta cad é an stádas atá ag na hionaid oideachais Gaeltachta faoi láthair, cá bhfuil siad suite, an bhfuil sé ar intinn aici iad a chur ar bhonn lánaimseartha; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [14147/06]

Tá líonra ionad oideachais á maoiniú ag mo Roinn. Tá na h-ionaid sin suite tríd an tír chun forbairt ghairmiúil agus tacaíocht a thabhairt d'oidí agus don phobal oideachais áitiúil. Déantar taighde chun riachtanais na n-oidí agus na scoileanna sa cheantar maguaird a aimsiú agus ansin cuirtear cursaí in-seirbhíse oiriúnacha ar fáil a fhreastalaíonn ar na riachtanais sin. Chomh maith leis sin, bíonn na hionaid oideachais rannpháirteach sna cúrsaí in-seirbhíse náisiúnta. Tá 21 ionad oideachais ag feidhmiú go lán-aimseartha agus naoi gcinn ag feidhmiú ar bhonn páirt-aimseartha. Tá trí cinn sna Gaeltachtaí seo a leanas: Chorca Dhuibhne, i gCiarraí, i gConamara agus Árann agus i gCort a'Choirce, i nDún na nGall. Is é tuairim mo Roinne ná go bhfreastalaíonn na h-ionaid oideachais seo ar riachtanais oidí na tíre maidir le forbairt ghairmiúil leanúnach.

Schools Building Projects.

Olwyn Enright

Question:

395 Ms Enright asked the Minister for Education and Science when funding for a school (details supplied) in County Laois will be provided; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14150/06]

The school referred to by the Deputy was invited to participate in the 2005 small school initiative and accepted the devolved grant on offer for the provision of an extension under that initiative. My Department is moving towards a model of devolving building projects to school management authorities where appropriate. The devolving of funding to local level will accommodate school authorities to have responsibility and ownership of their building projects and assist in moving projects through the design process, to tender and construction at the earliest possible date. The school management authorities recently sought a meeting with the school building section of my Department regarding issues relating to their project and this meeting is being held today.

Irish Language.

Brian O'Shea

Question:

396 Mr. O’Shea asked the Minister for Education and Science the percentage of the staff of her Department able to provide services through Irish; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14189/06]

In a survey of staff in my Department in early 2005, approximately 3% of administrative staff and 40% of the inspectorate indicated fluency in Irish. Almost 50% of staff in the National Educational Psychological Service, NEPS, said they could deliver a partial service through Irish. My Department has always actively promoted the development of Irish language competency skills by refunding fees for recognised Irish courses pursued in an officer's own time and supporting staff attendance at Irish-language courses conducted by Gaeleagras. To support the implementation of the Official Languages Act an intensive language training programme for staff began in October 2005 and is being delivered, in the first place, to staff in those sections identified as having the greatest requirement for the delivery of services through Irish. Priority has also been given to staff with a good level of Irish who need refresher courses. This should increase staff numbers capable of providing a service to the public through Irish. Training includes modules on letter writing and official/technical terminology and takes place one day per week for an eight-week period and is delivered in-house by an outside provider. The second of these training programmes is almost completed. They will continue to be rolled out on a section-by-section basis. In addition, Irish language information resources are being developed and made available for all staff on my Department's intranet site.

Departmental Correspondence.

Olwyn Enright

Question:

397 Ms Enright asked the Minister for Education and Science the reason she has not replied to a letter from a person (details supplied) of 17 July 2005 and subsequent correspondence dated the 27 November 2005; if a response will issue and the reason only an acknowledgement has issued from her private secretary; when the inquiries stated in the reply will be completed and a detailed response supplied; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14198/06]

My Department has no record of receiving the letter dated 17 July 2005 from the person named by the Deputy. A copy of this letter was included with a large quantity of other documentation that was received with a letter dated 27 November 2005. This documentation is currently being considered by my Department and a reply will issue in the near future.

Schools Building Projects.

Catherine Murphy

Question:

398 Ms C. Murphy asked the Minister for Education and Science if she anticipates a 16 or 24 teacher school (details supplied) to be in place by September 2007; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14201/06]

The property management section of the Office of Public Works, which acts on behalf of my Department in relation to site acquisitions generally, is continuing, in consultation with the local authority, to explore all possibilities in relation to the acquisition of a site for a new building for the school to which the Deputy refers. In tandem, my Department is examining the demographics of the area to determine the optimum school size required. It has commenced consultations with the school authority in this regard. It is my Department's intention to provide the new school building as expeditiously as possible.

Catherine Murphy

Question:

399 Ms C. Murphy asked the Minister for Education and Science the anticipated date for the commencement of work on building a school (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14202/06]

A letter of intent has recently been issued to the lowest tenderer for the project referred to by the Deputy. Once it is established that all insurances, tax clearance procedures and so on are in order, a formal letter of acceptance will issue and the project will be allowed to proceed to site.

Educational Disadvantage.

Breeda Moynihan-Cronin

Question:

400 Ms B. Moynihan-Cronin asked the Minister for Education and Science when the traveller education strategy will be published; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14203/06]

I expect to receive shortly a report with recommendations for a Traveller education strategy. This report spans the full spectrum of lifelong learning from pre-school to adult and further education. The report emphasises the important role that Traveller parents have in their own education and that of their children. Inclusion is a core principle which has guided the development of the report. The report is in the final stages of preparation. The report will provide me with advice and guidance on how best to continue to cater for and improve education provision for the Traveller community. The education needs of the Traveller community are a high priority for me and my Department and I look forward to examining the report.

Questions Nos. 401 to 403, inclusive, answered with Question No. 356.

Child Protection.

Joe Higgins

Question:

404 Mr. J. Higgins asked the Minister for Education and Science if she will take immediate steps to ensure that a mandatory obligation is placed on every organisation working with children to carry out comprehensive vetting procedures on the employment or contracting of staff. [14207/06]

Ensuring the protection, health and welfare of children is a key concern for the Government, for parents, for agencies that work with children and for society generally and I assure the Deputy that the Government is determined to do all that we can to keep our children and vulnerable adults safe. In the education sector, vetting is currently available in respect of prospective employees of children in detention schools as well as special needs assistants, SNAs, and bus escorts to children with special needs. My colleague, Deputy Brian Lenihan, Minister of State with special responsibility for children, announced a doubling of the number of staff employed in the Garda central vetting unit, which has been relocated to Thurles under the Government's decentralisation programme in order to ensure it they can handle a greater volume of requests from employers. The provision of additional staff resources will enable the Garda Síochána's vetting services to be extended to all persons working with children and vulnerable adults. This will include teachers, caretakers, bus drivers and others working with children, whether on a full-time or part-time basis.

As a first step in the expansion of services provided by the vetting unit, it is proposed that new staff employed in the 2006-07 school year will be vetted.

In the case of new teachers, vetting will form part of the process of the registration by the newly established Teaching Council. The council will be responsible for submitting the applications to the vetting unit. In the case of non-teaching staff, it will be the responsibility of the relevant school authorities, including vocational education committees where appropriate, to submit the applications.

My Department is engaged in discussions with the relevant interests — school management authorities, unions, the Teaching Council and the vetting unit — on the procedures and processes which will apply in relation to the vetting of persons in the education sector. Guidelines for school authorities are being prepared and will be issued shortly.

European Schools.

Brian O'Shea

Question:

405 Mr. O’Shea asked the Minister for Education and Science the cost in 2005 for her Department to operate the school in Brussels for the children of Irish nationals working there; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14208/06]

Each year Ireland, in common with the other member states of the European Union, recruits and seconds primary and post-primary teachers to serve in the 12 European schools, including the three schools located in Brussels. The European schools provide education at first and second levels for the children of parents working in the European Commission or other European institutions.The costs for individual member states are solely connected to the secondment costs of teachers. The European Commission, as the employer of the parents of the pupils, provides direct financing for each school to cover the other costs of the schools, as the education of such children is free.

The cost to my Department towards operating the schools in Brussels in 2005, by way of seconding teachers for that year, is currently being compiled and will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as available.

Schools Building Projects.

Paul Kehoe

Question:

406 Mr. Kehoe asked the Minister for Education and Science if students from areas in County Wexford will be included for annual enrolment at the new school to be provided (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14209/06]

Paul Kehoe

Question:

407 Mr. Kehoe asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of students that will be catered for in a new school being developed (details supplied) in County Wexford; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14210/06]

Paul Kehoe

Question:

408 Mr. Kehoe asked the Minister for Education and Science if the development of a secondary school in an area (details supplied) in County Wexford through a public private partnership will result in additional housing for that town; and if this would be a means of providing a direct incentive to the developer who would enter into a PPP. [14211/06]

Paul Kehoe

Question:

409 Mr. Kehoe asked the Minister for Education and Science the proposals with regard to the provision of a secondary school in an area (details supplied) in County Wexford; the promoters behind each proposal; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14212/06]

Paul Kehoe

Question:

410 Mr. Kehoe asked the Minister for Education and Science the management structure envisaged for the proposed secondary school in an area (details supplied) in County Wexford; if parents will be consulted with regard to the views on the management structure for this new school; if Department policy facilitates the provision of a second community school in a town where there is an existing community school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14213/06]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 406 to 410, inclusive, together.

The proposed new post-primary school for Gorey will be delivered by way of a public private partnership and will cater for up to 1,000 pupils. This level of accommodation is based on assessment of the demographics emanating from current and future housing developments.

My Department is in discussion with the local authority with regard to the identification of a suitable site for the school referred to by the Deputy. I will announce further PPP project bundles during the year and the school referred to by the Deputy will be considered in this context and in accordance with the published prioritisation criteria.

The incentive for prospective bidders will be self contained within a project bundle. As to whether or not there will be yet further housing developments in the area, this is entirely a matter for the local authority. As the bundle containing the Gorey project has not yet been tendered, proposals have not been invited by the NDFA from prospective bidders.

My Department will be engaging with the relevant education partners as regards the process and arrangements that will be required to ensure a smooth transition from a one school centre to a two school centre. Part of this process will involve defining the enrolment policies that will underpin effective provision once Gorey becomes a two school centre, the enrolment policy that should operate at the existing post-primary school during the transition period and the management model.

Paul Kehoe

Question:

411 Mr. Kehoe asked the Minister for Education and Science if a date for the publication of the make-up of the first bundle of schools under the Department’s public private partnership programme has been set; if a school (details supplied) in County Wexford will be included in this first bundle; the anticipated timeframe for delivery of the project; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14214/06]

I announced the first PPP project bundle consisting of St. Mary's CBS and Scoil Chríost Rí, Portlaoise, St. Rynagh's Community College, Banagher and Gallen Community School, Ferbane on 22 November 2005. Work on this project bundle is ongoing in my Department and as I previously stated will be offered to the market in the middle of this year. My Department is in discussion with the local authority with regard to the identification of a suitable site for the School referred to by the Deputy.

I will announce further PPP project bundles during the year and the school referred to by the Deputy will be considered in this context and in accordance with the published prioritisation criteria.

Travel Expenses.

Paul Kehoe

Question:

412 Mr. Kehoe asked the Minister for Defence if travelling expenses are available to a soldier travelling a long distance to and from work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14085/06]

The long-standing practice in the public service is that persons may not be recompensed for expenses entailed in travelling to and from their normal work location.

Defence Forces Retirement Scheme.

Catherine Murphy

Question:

413 Ms C. Murphy asked the Minister for Defence if he will change the circumstances in which retired military personnel can claim the military service allowance to incorporate those who retired prior to 1990; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14088/06]

Arising from a recommendation made in 1990 by the Commission on Remuneration and Conditions of Service in the Defence Forces, the Gleeson commission, MSA was made pensionable in the case of personnel retiring on or after 1 August 1990. As I have previously indicated to the House, this approach was fully consistent with settled public service pensions policy which provides that the benefit of an allowance being made pensionable for serving personnel does not extend to existing pensioners.

More recently, the final report of the commission on public service pensions, which was published in January 2001, was considered and broadly accepted by Government. In that report, the commission specifically addressed the issue of the pensionability of allowances, including the MSA, and the consequences for public service pensioners generally. However, having considered the arguments advanced by the groups affected, together with long-standing public service pensions policy in that context and the substantial cost implications involved, the commission did not recommend any increase for the pensioners concerned. Aside from pre-August 1990 Defence Forces pensioners, the other groups affected include certain retired members of the Garda Síochána, the Prison Service and retired teachers. No change in existing policy on this matter has been authorised or is contemplated and, accordingly, there is no scope for departing from settled public service pensions policy in the case of MSA.

Departmental Files.

Catherine Murphy

Question:

414 Ms C. Murphy asked the Minister for Defence the reason the military service pensions files and the 1916-1923 medals files, both of which are up to 90 years old, continue to be withheld; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14090/06]

The issue of making the Department's files relating to pension and medal applications of persons who took part in the 1916 Rising and the War of Independence more widely available is being examined at present.

Irish Language.

Brian O'Shea

Question:

415 Mr. O’Shea asked the Minister for Defence the percentage of the staff of his Department able to provide services through Irish; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14190/06]

There are 14 members of staff in my Department who are able to provide services through Irish. This represents 4% of the overall staff in my Department. My Department is engaged in devising a scheme under the Official Languages Act 2003 to enhance services to our customers in Irish.

Register of Electors.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

416 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he has had discussions with the various local authorities with a view to enabling An Post undertake the updating of the voter’s register, having particular regard to the need to ensure that a body with the nationwide network of An Post should be given the job which would in fact be complimentary to services already undertaken through the post office and delivery service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13900/06]

In law, the preparation of the register of electors is a matter for each local registration authority. It is their duty to ensure, as far as possible and with the co-operation of the public, the accuracy and comprehensiveness of the register. Their work in this area includes the carrying out of house-to-house inquiries, delivery of registration forms and running local awareness campaigns.

I share the concerns expressed on the quality of the register. My Department wrote to registration authorities on 14 July 2005 and requested them to take all necessary steps to secure significant improvement in the quality of the register. A national awareness campaign was conducted in November 2005 associated with the work on preparation of the register underway at that stage. Also in November 2005, my Department completed work on new and updated guidance for registration authorities on preparing and maintaining the register. The aim of the guidance is to secure significant improvement in the accuracy and comprehensiveness of the register by setting out clearly the legal requirements in this complex area, and identifying best practice for registration authorities in their work on the register.

The draft guidance has been circulated for comment to all registration authorities and returning officers and to the Joint Committee on the Environment and Local Government which, in December 2005, discussed the guidance. Following this consultation process, my Department is finalising the guidance. However, in view of the importance of securing improvements in the register, registration authorities have also been asked to proceed to implement the draft guidance with immediate effect.

While there are no proposals on the lines referred to in the question, I will continue to keep these important issues under close review.

Proposed Legislation.

Finian McGrath

Question:

417 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he has legislative proposals to allow Independent TDs use the term “independent” on the ballot paper instead of non-party at all future elections. [13927/06]

Electoral law sets out a procedure for the nomination of candidates including a provision enabling a candidate to include, on his or her nomination paper, and which subsequently appears on the ballot paper, a reference to the registered political party of which he or she is a candidate. Persons who are not members of a political party may enter on the nomination paper the expression "Non-Party" or may leave the space blank.

These provisions are based on the premise that the expression "Non-Party" on the ballot paper indicates adequately that a person does not belong to a political party. There are no proposals for legislative change in this regard.

Water and Sewerage Schemes.

Jerry Cowley

Question:

418 Dr. Cowley asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to a situation in the Cloontia and Doocastle area on the Mayo and Sligo border where water is only available for a maximum of 30% of the day and that families have no water in the evenings or at night; when the residents of this area will have a proper water supply; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13949/06]

The operation of public water supply services is the responsibility of the local authorities and I have no direct function in the matter. However, I understand that the source of supply for these areas of County Mayo is Sligo County Council's Lough Talt water supply scheme and that, as a result of ongoing improvements by Mayo County Council to the distribution network within its functional area, the quality of service to consumers in the areas concerned will improve. The works to the distribution network have been part funded under the national water conservation measure of my Department's water services investment programme 2005-2007. The upgrading of the Lough Talt Water supply scheme, which is also included in that programme, is scheduled to commence construction in 2007 at a cost of €1.9 million and will further improve service to consumers.

Wildlife Preservation.

Brian O'Shea

Question:

419 Mr. O’Shea asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his proposals to limit the cormorant population in the River Suir, bearing in mind the problems caused to the salmon smolt population by the rapidly increasing cormorant population; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13987/06]

The cormorant is a protected wild bird under the Wildlife Acts and my Department does not have a policy for controlling or limiting the cormorant population. Application may be made to the National Parks and Wildlife Service of my Department for a licence under section 42 of the Wildlife Act 1976, as amended, to scare, capture or kill protected wild birds or protected wild animals that are causing serious damage to a fishery. Such applications would be determined by my Department having regard to all relevant considerations, including that of conservation.

Local Authority Housing.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

420 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the reason Respond is given the task of prioritising applications on the local authority housing list; if all such applicants have had their status updated and points awarded; the way in which a decision can be reached in the absence of such an update; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13996/06]

The assessment and prioritisation of housing needs of all applicants for housing is a matter for individual local authorities, to be undertaken in accordance with their schemes of letting priorities. This applies also in respect of housing provided for letting by the voluntary sector. The needs of applicants on waiting lists are regularly reviewed and updated by local authorities.

Housing provided by the voluntary sector is funded by my Department through two separate schemes. The capital assistance scheme addresses the special housing needs of persons such as the elderly, disabled, homeless and elderly returning emigrants. Under the terms of the scheme, assistance is available to approved voluntary housing bodies where 75% of the units to be provided are to be used as full-time residential accommodation for eligible categories of persons on local authority waiting lists. The remainder of the accommodation may be provided to other applicants in need of housing as determined by the approved voluntary housing body. In regard to the capital loan and subsidy scheme, which supports the provision of standard housing accommodation, it is expected that the units would be provided to persons on local authority waiting lists.

Competition Authority Report.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

421 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he has studied the Competition Authority’s report or comment on the Building Control Bill; if the report has an implication for the Bill; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13997/06]

The report of the Competition Authority on competition in the professional services — architects — makes a number of recommendations on the registration of the title of "Architect" as provided for in the Building Control Bill 2005. I will give careful consideration to these recommendations on Committee Stage of the Bill.

Grant Payments.

Michael Lowry

Question:

422 Mr. Lowry asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the status of an application for payment to a person (details supplied); when payment will issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14000/06]

A contract for sale has yet to be submitted to the Chief State Solicitor's office by the solicitor acting for the person named.

Waste Disposal.

Michael Lowry

Question:

423 Mr. Lowry asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will introduce incentives for the collection of farm waste plastics; the status of the waste plastic initiative; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14001/06]

Under the Waste Management (Farm Plastics) Regulations 2001, producers, that is, manufacturers and importers, of farm plastics, including silage bale wrap and sheeting, are required to take steps to recover farm plastics waste which they have placed on the market or alternatively to contribute to, and participate in, compliance schemes to recover the waste in question. The Irish Farm Film Producers Group, IFFPG, is currently the sole approved body in Ireland for the purposes of implementing a compliance scheme for the recovery of farm plastics waste.

Under the IFFPG scheme, producers apply a levy on the sale of farm plastics that in turn is transferred to the IFFPG for use in funding the collection and recovery of farm plastics waste. The IFFPG is a not-for-profit organisation and it is a matter for the company, under the terms of this producer responsibility initiative and in accordance with the polluter pays principle, to set a rate of levy which will cover its operational costs.

The scheme has operated successfully to date. It is estimated that around 8,500 tonnes, some 55%, of farm plastics placed on the market in 2004 were collected for recycling. An estimated 55,000 farmers availed of the collection service in 2004. IFFPG estimates that more than 12,500 tonnes of farm plastics were collected in 2005. While responsibility for the collection and recovery of farm plastics rests with the compliance scheme, my Department monitors the scheme on an ongoing basis. I am anxious to preserve and continue the success of the farm plastic scheme. Discussions are taking place involving my Department and IFFPG to explore options for improvement to the scheme and resolution of outstanding issues.

Road Network.

Pat Carey

Question:

424 Mr. Carey asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the strategies which are in place within his Department to ensure that the needs of an increasing population are taken account of in road planning; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14002/06]

Under section 17 of the Roads Act 1993, the National Roads Authority has a general duty to secure the provision of a safe and efficient network of national roads and for that purpose the authority has overall responsibility for the planning and supervision of works for the construction and maintenance of national roads. The National Roads Authority operates under the aegis of my colleague the Minister for Transport and his Department.

The provision and improvement of non-national roads is a matter for local authorities to be funded from their own resources supplemented by State grants provided by my Department. There have been significant increases in recent years in the level of State aid provided to local authorities for the improvement and maintenance of non-national roads. State aid in 2006 for non-national roads, at almost €558 million, is the highest ever level of funding available and represents a very substantial increase of 13% on last year's record allocation, or an increase of almost €62.5 million. The 2006 allocation also represents an increase of 313% on the 1994 allocation and an increase of 154% on the 1997 allocation.

Total road grant allocations to local authorities for each of the years 1994 to 2006 are set out in the following table.

Year

Allocation

€ million

1994

135.10

1995

134.53

1996

186.48

1997

219.43

1998

258.57

1999

307.51

2000

341.23

2001

410.42

2002

438.46

2003

433.99

2004

476.80

2005

495.27

2006

557.73

Local Authority Levies.

Sean Fleming

Question:

425 Mr. Fleming asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the amount of development levies collected on a county basis for each of the years 2001 to 2005 inclusive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14003/06]

The following table is based on information supplied by planning authorities and sets out the development contributions collected by local authorities for the period 2001-04 and an estimate of development contributions collected in 2005.

County Area

2001

2002

2003

2004

Estimate 2005

Carlow

721,492

527,526

4,108,871

5,423,712

4,979,226

Cavan

985,723

1,250,997

1,726,563

2,443,668

2,905,970

Clare

1,342,238

1,848,373

5,030,619

15,012,318

8,639,087

Cork

9,803,819

13,650,879

18,640,420

23,372,801

38,739,433

Donegal

3,011,577

2,886,599

4,077,770

5,408,421

5,420,650

Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown

6,067,832

7,761,776

8,248,405

12,005,514

23,000,000

Fingal

14,764,631

16,338,872

22,828,194

36,418,076

50,780,348

Galway

3,688,593

3,472,987

6,283,355

10,192,308

12,653,760

Kerry

1,902,843

3,540,009

4,142,871

8,414,791

12,105,223

Kildare

6,078,742

9,249,082

9,681,082

21,553,713

20,220,462

Kilkenny

2,949,594

3,242,523

3,990,300

8,104,213

13,541,275

Laois

1,511,250

2,531,622

4,058,654

4,846,814

12,907,000

Leitrim

427,771

763,472

1,904,028

2,177,356

4,200,000

Limerick

2,277,417

2,896,451

3,246,640

5,102,569

12,675,000

Longford

866,501

1,438,301

1,306,556

2,840,998

3,574,312

Louth

5,174,232

8,993,794

11,621,455

13,576,797

28,110,342

Mayo

1,301,687

786,940

1,266,487

4,156,144

19,043,049

Meath

12,861,534

9,506,636

21,223,966

23,739,581

40,130,188

Monaghan

1,039,145

1,021,967

1,187,936

1,684,053

8,725,905

Offaly

983,783

1,194,923

2,440,985

5,077,802

5,197,593

Roscommon

798,832

1,958,157

3,449,130

3,679,966

6,389,417

Sligo

1,286,519

2,416,388

2,527,829

2,669,171

4,479,110

South Dublin

10,704,857

11,243,420

2,397,997

20,759,303

31,566,815

Tipperary North

1,092,348

1,014,080

15,249,361

5,227,791

6,913,274

Tipperary South

1,204,065

2,003,725

3,751,818

5,342,596

5,227,000

Waterford

1,659,281

1,596,213

1,663,166

3,519,316

5,044,301

Westmeath

2,067,964

1,819,521

3,793,639

5,274,025

8,338,049

Wexford

5,096,974

6,507,272

8,043,630

11,591,327

32,124,511

Wicklow

5,236,242

7,929,194

8,951,778

11,541,145

33,380,176

Sub Total

106,907,486

129,391,699

186,843,506

281,156,288

461,011,476

City Council

Cork City

1,820,076

3,094,378

7,521,882

10,831,391

11,043,400

Dublin City

7,606,758

8,654,092

11,378,014

27,571,393

58,403,217

Galway City

3,815,743

5,142,663

5,795,645

7,358,804

5,400,000

Limerick City

1,214,372

2,493,006

2,521,556

4,592,920

7,687,886

Waterford City

611,577

2,219,625

1,388,454

5,807,685

6,450,605

Sub Total

15,068,526

21,603,764

28,605,551

56,162,193

88,985,108

Total

121,976,012

150,995,463

215,449,057

337,318,481

549,996,584

Water and Sewerage Schemes.

Emmet Stagg

Question:

426 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he has approved the contract documents for the lower Liffey Valley sewerage scheme. [14042/06]

Kildare County Council's contract documents for the major elements of this scheme are under examination in my Department and I expect a decision to issue shortly.

Local Authority Staff.

Emmet Stagg

Question:

427 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if, further to Question No. 907 of 21 March 2006, he has requested the lifting of the embargo on the recruitment of additional local authority staff in areas where there is substantial population growth or is he making staffing returns to his colleague. [14043/06]

Government policy on the control and regulation of numbers in the public sector, including local authorities, was announced in the Minister for Finance's budget statement of 7 December 2005. As I stated in the reply to Question No. 280 of 16 February 2006, I am keeping the overall employment position in the local government sector under regular review. I am awaiting information from local authorities on the staffing position at the end of the March 2006 quarter, and the relevant details will be forwarded to the Department of Finance in due course.

Water and Sewerage Schemes.

Emmet Stagg

Question:

428 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he is in a position to approve the upper Liffey Valley sewerage scheme. [14046/06]

Kildare County Council's revised preliminary report and water services pricing policy report for this scheme are under examination in my Department and I expect decision to issue shortly.

Housing Grants.

Emmet Stagg

Question:

429 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if the information requested in Question No. 247 of 2 March 2006 is available. [14050/06]

The information sought is being compiled in my Department and will be published in the Annual Housing Statistic Bulletin 2005 in the next few weeks.

Local Government Reform.

Emmet Stagg

Question:

430 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, further to Question No. 910 of 21 March 2006, if he will provide an answer. [14052/06]

I refer to the reply to Question No. 910 of 21 March 2006. The position is unchanged.

Architectural Heritage.

Emmet Stagg

Question:

431 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, further to Question No. 834 of 21 March 2006, his views on whether, due to the lack of land, there will be no further development of Maynooth Castle. [14053/06]

I refer to the reply to Question No. 834 of 21 March 2006. The position is unchanged.

Voluntary Housing Schemes.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

432 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the reason approved local authority housing applicants have to pay for a site under the subsidised sites schemes and obtain a mortgage to build on said sites while housing agencies such as Respond avail of the sites and full cost of construction free of any charge or burden; the further reason people who purchase a site under the scheme and pay a mortgage are also subject to a clawback while housing agencies have no such obligation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14077/06]

Local Authority Funding.

Denis Naughten

Question:

433 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the funding provided in the year 2000 and each subsequent year to each local authority under the general purpose grant allocation from the local government fund; the percentage increase to each local authority when compared with the previous year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14078/06]

The information requested is set out in the following tables.

Table 1: L.G.F. General Purpose Grant Allocations 2000-2006

Local Authority

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

Carlow County Council

5,528,139

6,834,590

7,727,102

8,550,012

9,728,045

10,682,438

11,791,970

Cavan County Council

9,173,748

10,584,524

11,704,245

12,763,044

15,140,507

16,821,425

18,075,814

Clare County Council

7,324,318

8,831,743

9,524,638

11,389,001

13,119,878

13,831,947

14,741,484

Cork County Council

28,287,872

34,346,705

36,503,870

40,885,788

45,568,050

49,050,276

51,554,596

Donegal County Council

18,123,735

22,241,740

24,197,831

27,501,531

32,298,892

35,713,379

38,547,272

Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council

24,119,073

26,410,385

27,889,622

29,105,207

32,523,127

35,043,452

36,832,637

Fingal County Council

19,758,195

21,719,297

23,067,650

24,054,842

26,968,845

28,844,494

30,317,184

Galway County Council

18,176,264

22,234,413

23,788,328

26,308,990

29,413,192

32,616,878

35,296,907

Kerry County Council

12,669,228

15,793,578

17,025,044

18,851,104

21,515,805

23,399,482

25,497,932

Kildare County Council

11,810,017

13,445,469

15,303,344

16,541,890

19,507,617

21,799,170

23,893,115

Kilkenny County Council

9,228,658

11,541,052

12,672,851

13,852,731

16,247,569

17,878,074

19,226,389

Laois County Council

8,911,942

10,112,603

11,363,361

12,345,838

14,627,815

15,968,328

17,019,082

Leitrim County Council

7,270,916

8,626,795

9,498,936

10,486,848

11,875,969

13,063,981

14,128,356

Limerick County Council

13,898,596

15,218,963

16,466,828

18,548,018

20,810,886

22,513,686

24,160,987

Longford County Council

6,958,664

7,659,458

8,637,773

9,673,977

11,266,561

12,508,061

13,296,084

Louth County Council

6,696,872

7,333,073

8,286,979

9,464,262

10,739,283

11,496,518

12,083,486

Mayo County Council

17,807,062

20,097,045

22,136,892

25,330,464

29,752,341

32,568,821

34,973,227

Meath County Council

13,038,999

14,928,818

17,715,578

18,532,580

21,849,991

23,776,226

26,089,431

Monaghan County Council

7,546,154

8,517,483

9,441,027

10,492,148

11,880,507

13,287,104

14,363,459

North Tipperary County Council

8,634,713

10,738,079

11,773,642

12,742,525

15,073,723

16,453,791

17,775,415

Offaly County Council

7,627,532

8,728,140

9,398,295

10,371,348

12,287,077

13,965,967

14,662,707

Roscommon County Council

11,395,159

13,589,602

15,188,170

15,832,438

17,802,907

19,318,766

20,646,920

Sligo County Council

8,464,875

9,269,039

11,293,523

12,050,669

13,910,355

15,161,087

16,617,403

South Dublin County Council

15,184,106

16,626,595

18,652,158

19,498,244

21,870,507

23,442,061

24,638,923

South Tipperary County Council

11,460,468

13,140,265

14,282,421

15,729,880

18,176,993

19,813,401

21,576,779

Waterford County Council

10,131,985

11,968,195

13,319,771

15,342,673

17,556,648

18,900,701

20,618,871

Westmeath County Council

9,928,019

11,511,046

12,428,512

14,592,028

16,598,009

18,088,035

19,562,134

Wexford County Council

11,376,616

12,457,393

13,295,995

15,021,831

16,899,923

19,026,652

20,163,308

Wicklow County Council

9,267,974

11,285,211

12,296,360

13,954,952

15,717,095

17,437,258

18,791,404

Cork City Council

14,140,866

16,257,286

17,525,439

18,326,457

20,571,177

22,070,779

24,190,814

Dublin City Council

49,382,300

54,073,619

57,409,551

73,385,905

81,537,355

86,806,479

92,187,394

Galway City Council

5,439,512

5,956,265

6,420,782

6,777,613

7,765,314

8,306,487

8,765,669

Limerick City Council

6,053,333

6,977,429

7,619,444

8,498,080

9,670,037

10,401,855

10,932,934

Waterford City Council

4,276,163

4,682,398

5,406,076

6,105,503

7,017,618

7,538,868

8,030,490

Clonmel Borough Council

1,881,671

2,074,970

2,269,576

2,421,693

2,817,955

3,026,749

3,246,558

Drogheda Borough Council

2,405,658

2,930,275

3,722,263

3,603,075

4,025,247

4,305,655

4,525,485

Kilkenny Borough Council

1,131,474

1,238,963

1,377,642

1,442,748

1,665,800

1,791,342

1,882,801

Sligo Borough Council

1,507,622

2,171,368

2,298,982

2,400,941

2,692,269

2,896,281

3,044,154

Wexford Borough Council

1,243,185

1,427,365

1,563,233

1,823,350

2,051,811

2,208,137

2,320,876

Local Authority

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

Arklow Town Council

891,801

976,522

1,112,004

1,166,484

1,313,449

1,404,822

1,539,764

Athlone Town Council

1,121,306

1,227,829

1,382,775

1,448,086

1,625,701

1,751,512

1,856,000

Athy Town Council

353,764

387,371

425,786

503,912

608,994

651,493

714,073

Ballina Town Council

813,382

890,653

954,232

1,116,909

1,325,492

1,415,439

1,529,354

Ballinasloe Town Council

524,840

574,700

622,481

657,380

767,615

823,783

902,912

Birr Town Council

376,772

412,565

489,878

578,258

682,765

732,175

787,852

Bray Town Council

2,854,840

3,126,051

3,301,399

3,474,089

3,872,222

4,163,243

4,375,802

Buncrana Town Council

452,709

563,565

656,785

693,056

788,491

845,720

888,899

Bundoran Town Council

303,269

368,513

433,667

461,014

531,192

571,006

600,159

Carlow Town Council

993,165

1,271,639

1,354,267

1,418,438

1,592,826

1,704,188

1,822,194

Carrickmacross Town Council

281,488

308,229

359,740

421,203

487,049

530,247

572,465

Carrick-on-Suir Town Council

541,631

660,084

763,946

805,527

913,204

997,256

1,093,049

Cashel Town Council

312,489

381,814

460,020

488,421

567,942

609,661

668,223

Castlebar Town Council

658,247

720,782

775,867

816,902

925,816

985,490

1,035,805

Castleblaney Town Council

231,695

253,729

285,462

341,136

418,735

451,925

474,999

Cavan Town Council

446,557

488,980

598,736

632,685

759,510

816,951

858,661

Clonakilty Town Council

294,184

353,701

444,449

472,227

543,626

592,585

622,840

Clones Town Council

302,360

331,084

367,283

391,974

454,638

499,544

547,528

Cobh Town Council

737,332

807,378

918,659

965,405

1,090,484

1,171,706

1,231,529

Dundalk Town Council

3,288,718

3,601,147

4,172,913

4,138,586

4,609,045

4,947,412

5,235,951

Dungarvan Town Council

640,213

711,039

765,637

806,262

914,019

985,620

1,035,942

Ennis Town Council

1,317,473

1,534,941

1,657,136

1,932,278

2,162,594

2,311,619

2,429,641

Enniscorthy Town Council

594,326

828,545

907,640

965,667

1,090,773

1,172,357

1,232,213

Fermoy Town Council

366,377

471,213

569,464

628,253

754,330

810,242

851,610

Kells Town Council

232,216

254,541

322,291

374,777

435,569

465,921

492,876

Killarney Town Council

728,290

1,115,202

1,221,266

1,329,029

1,573,427

1,679,917

1,785,532

Kilrush Town Council

314,282

344,139

407,641

455,517

536,551

585,584

620,096

Kinsale Town Council

199,928

218,921

294,376

316,151

370,562

396,511

416,996

Letterkenny Town Council

730,228

799,598

858,624

902,969

1,021,252

1,098,543

1,154,630

Listowel Town Council

459,420

503,064

560,208

592,616

677,119

726,879

766,841

Longford Town Council

665,302

829,563

918,833

965,586

1,090,684

1,171,116

1,230,909

Macroom Town Council

275,126

301,263

372,429

442,018

536,650

574,137

603,450

Mallow Town Council

516,258

617,427

694,561

815,691

973,415

1,048,414

1,101,942

Midleton Town Council

299,421

327,866

364,232

388,801

451,120

509,574

535,591

Monaghan Town Council

691,676

757,386

879,573

918,660

1,038,651

1,118,222

1,179,841

Naas Town Council

547,152

599,132

826,340

968,554

1,152,089

1,297,736

1,422,392

Navan Town Council

301,610

330,263

404,697

430,885

497,784

536,408

563,795

Nenagh Town Council

644,156

705,352

801,600

870,607

986,146

1,056,881

1,116,928

New Ross Town Council

559,087

612,201

661,857

698,331

794,340

904,943

973,173

Skibbereen Town Council

230,906

268,893

318,755

341,505

398,676

428,360

450,230

Templemore Town Council

274,318

320,891

396,553

439,380

507,204

579,703

624,685

Thurles Town Council

565,623

664,413

716,680

755,347

857,562

922,598

989,427

Tipperary Town Council

445,199

501,639

590,438

624,056

711,980

785,111

860,526

Tralee Town Council

1,833,125

2,239,885

2,482,838

2,592,152

2,894,291

3,108,105

3,266,793

Trim Town Council

324,785

355,640

403,941

430,099

496,912

536,670

569,104

Tullamore Town Council

732,629

827,445

964,947

1,039,534

1,172,681

1,254,885

1,318,955

Westport Town Council

454,546

568,484

635,116

670,521

763,503

816,087

857,753

Wicklow Town Council

594,234

1,106,216

1,180,573

1,257,638

1,414,524

1,516,377

1,634,559

Youghal Town Council

567,870

735,837

854,504

898,684

1,016,500

1,098,495

1,158,759

Totals

469,148,008

540,738,573

592,406,833

659,443,488

751,712,404

816,987,264

874,673,699

Table 2: L.G.F. General Purpose Grant Allocations 2000-2006 Percentage Increase

Local Authority

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2006**

%

%

%

%

%

%

%

%

Carlow County Council

10.36

23.63

13.06

10.65

13.78

9.81

10.39

11.41

Cavan County Council

9.72

15.38

10.58

9.05

18.63

11.10

7.46

9.08

Clare County Council

8.31

20.58

7.85

19.57

15.20

5.43

6.58

9.18

Cork County Council

10.53

21.42

6.28

12.00

11.45

7.64

5.11

6.09

Donegal County Council

8.93

22.72

8.79

13.65

17.44

10.57

7.94

8.29

Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council

6.53

9.50

5.60

4.36

11.74

7.75

5.11

5.11

Fingal County Council

-8.19

9.93

6.21

4.28

12.11

6.95

5.11

8.70

Galway County Council

13.99

22.33

6.99

10.60

11.80

10.89

8.22

9.88

Kerry County Council

19.39

24.66

7.80

10.73

14.14

8.75

8.97

9.31

Kildare County Council

10.18

13.85

13.82

8.09

17.93

11.75

9.61

13.62

Kilkenny County Council

13.61

25.06

9.81

9.31

17.29

10.04

7.54

8.73

Laois County Council

16.01

13.47

12.37

8.65

18.48

9.16

6.58

7.58

Leitrim County Council

15.85

18.65

10.11

10.40

13.25

10.00

8.15

8.15

Limerick County Council

8.69

9.50

8.20

12.64

12.20

8.18

7.32

8.72

Longford County Council

21.39

10.07

12.77

12.00

16.46

11.02

6.30

7.65

Louth County Council

9.43

9.50

13.01

14.21

13.47

7.05

5.11

6.62

Mayo County Council

19.50

12.86

10.15

14.43

17.46

9.47

7.38

7.38

Meath County Council

8.71

14.49

18.67

4.61

17.90

8.82

9.73

12.79

Monaghan County Council

5.19

12.87

10.84

11.13

13.23

11.84

8.10

9.51

North Tipperary County Council

9.84

24.36

9.64

8.23

18.29

9.16

8.03

8.73

Offaly County Council

17.05

14.43

7.68

10.35

18.47

13.66

4.99

9.92

Roscommon County Council

9.88

19.26

11.76

4.24

12.45

8.51

6.87

7.89

Sligo County Council

14.22

9.50

21.84

6.70

15.43

8.99

9.61

9.93

South Dublin County Council

7.17

9.50

12.18

4.54

12.17

7.19

5.11

10.79

South Tipperary County Council

11.40

14.66

8.69

10.13

15.56

9.00

8.90

8.83

Waterford County Council

6.04

18.12

11.29

15.19

14.43

7.66

9.09

10.20

Westmeath County Council

15.61

15.95

7.97

17.41

13.75

8.98

8.15

9.69

Wexford County Council

7.79

9.50

6.73

12.98

12.50

12.58

5.97

7.38

Wicklow County Council

9.35

21.77

8.96

13.49

12.63

10.94

7.77

10.12

Cork City Council

-3.40

14.97

7.80

4.57

12.25

7.29

9.61

9.82

Dublin City Council

-5.61

9.50

6.17

27.83

11.11

6.46

6.20

5.77

Galway City Council

9.75

9.50

7.80

5.56

14.57

6.97

5.53

10.06

Limerick City Council

1.78

15.27

9.20

11.53

13.79

7.57

5.11

5.28

Waterford City Council

6.34

9.50

15.46

12.94

14.94

7.43

6.52

9.51

Clonmel Borough Council

10.46

10.27

9.38

6.70

16.36

7.41

7.26

8.61

Drogheda Borough Council

-17.41

21.81

27.03

-3.20

11.72

6.97

5.11

10.26

Kilkenny Borough Council

6.05

9.50

11.19

4.73

15.46

7.54

5.11

5.63

Sligo Borough Council

5.92

44.03

5.88

4.43

12.13

7.58

5.11

5.11

Wexford Borough Council

17.73

14.82

9.52

16.64

12.53

7.62

5.11

5.34

** Adjusted for estimated Global Valuation changes.

Local Authority

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2006**

%

%

%

%

%

%

%

%

Arklow Town Council

8.41

9.50

13.87

4.90

12.60

6.96

9.61

11.54

Athlone Town Council

0.11

9.50

12.62

4.72

12.27

7.74

5.97

5.97

Athy Town Council

6.78

9.50

9.92

18.35

20.85

6.98

9.61

11.07

Ballina Town Council

6.07

9.50

7.14

17.05

18.68

6.79

8.05

10.40

Ballinasloe Town Council

6.37

9.50

8.31

5.61

16.77

7.32

9.61

12.04

Birr Town Council

6.70

9.50

18.74

18.04

18.07

7.24

7.60

7.74

Bray Town Council

5.74

9.50

5.61

5.23

11.46

7.52

5.11

8.22

Buncrana Town Council

12.63

24.49

16.54

5.52

13.77

7.26

5.11

5.51

Bundoran Town Council

6.99

21.51

17.68

6.31

15.22

7.50

5.11

5.41

Carlow Town Council

5.98

28.04

6.50

4.74

12.29

6.99

6.92

9.26

Carrickmacross Town Council

32.48

9.50

16.71

17.09

15.63

8.87

7.96

9.16

Carrick-on-Suir Town Council

9.74

21.87

15.73

5.44

13.37

9.20

9.61

11.16

Cashel Town Council

6.95

22.18

20.48

6.17

16.28

7.35

9.61

9.75

Castlebar Town Council

6.20

9.50

7.64

5.29

13.33

6.45

5.11

11.49

Castleblaney Town Council

7.45

9.51

12.51

19.50

22.75

7.93

5.11

5.11

Cavan Town Council

6.52

9.50

22.45

5.67

20.05

7.56

5.11

6.09

Clonakilty Town Council

13.38

20.23

25.66

6.25

15.12

9.01

5.11

6.97

Clones Town Council

6.99

9.50

10.93

6.72

15.99

9.88

9.61

9.68

Cobh Town Council

11.08

9.50

13.78

5.09

12.96

7.45

5.11

6.33

Dundalk Town Council

-15.15

9.50

15.88

-0.82

11.37

7.34

5.83

7.03

Dungarvan Town Council

7.45

11.06

7.68

5.31

13.37

7.83

5.11

6.84

Ennis Town Council

5.87

16.51

7.96

16.60

11.92

6.89

5.11

11.16

Enniscorthy Town Council

6.77

39.41

9.55

6.39

12.96

7.48

5.11

5.54

Fermoy Town Council

6.74

28.61

20.85

10.32

20.07

7.41

5.11

5.11

Kells Town Council

14.13

9.61

26.62

16.29

16.22

6.97

5.79

8.83

Killarney Town Council

6.14

53.13

9.51

8.82

18.39

6.77

6.29

8.43

Kilrush Town Council

8.46

9.50

18.45

11.74

17.79

9.14

5.89

6.63

Kinsale Town Council

7.76

9.50

34.47

7.40

17.21

7.00

5.17

5.17

Letterkenny Town Council

6.14

9.50

7.38

5.16

13.10

7.57

5.11

5.11

Listowel Town Council

6.49

9.50

11.36

5.78

14.26

7.35

5.50

5.50

Longford Town Council

13.53

24.69

10.76

5.09

12.96

7.37

5.11

7.61

Macroom Town Council

41.75

9.50

23.62

18.69

21.41

6.99

5.11

5.11

Mallow Town Council

31.31

19.60

12.49

17.44

19.34

7.70

5.11

5.69

Midleton Town Council

21.67

9.50

11.09

6.75

16.03

12.96

5.11

5.11

Monaghan Town Council

6.17

9.50

16.13

4.44

13.06

7.66

5.51

5.51

Naas Town Council

6.34

9.50

37.92

17.21

18.95

12.64

9.61

21.83

Navan Town Council

7.00

9.50

22.54

6.47

15.53

7.76

5.11

5.11

Nenagh Town Council

19.99

9.50

13.65

8.61

13.27

7.17

5.68

6.83

New Ross Town Council

19.73

9.50

8.11

5.51

13.75

13.92

7.54

7.82

Skibbereen Town Council

11.02

16.45

18.54

7.14

16.74

7.45

5.11

5.73

Templemore Town Council

7.15

16.98

23.58

10.80

15.44

14.29

7.76

8.49

Thurles Town Council

6.31

17.47

7.87

5.40

13.53

7.58

7.24

8.41

Tipperary Town Council

9.37

12.68

17.70

5.69

14.09

10.27

9.61

9.67

Tralee Town Council

8.78

22.19

10.85

4.40

11.66

7.39

5.11

5.11

Trim Town Council

6.89

9.50

13.58

6.48

15.53

8.00

6.04

6.41

Tullamore Town Council

6.13

12.94

16.62

7.73

12.81

7.01

5.11

7.83

Westport Town Council

6.50

25.07

11.72

5.57

13.87

6.89

5.11

7.70

Wicklow Town Council

8.53

86.16

6.72

6.53

12.47

7.20

7.79

10.64

Youghal Town Council

24.59

29.58

16.13

5.17

13.11

8.07

5.49

6.30

** Adjusted for estimated Global Valuation changes.

Denis Naughten

Question:

434 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the funding provided in the year 2000 and each subsequent year under the water services investment programme to each local authority; the total funding allocated by the Department under the programme in each year in question; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14079/06]

Capital expenditure on schemes approved under the water services investment programme is recouped by my Department to local authorities on the basis of progress and spending by authorities on individual projects rather that overall annual allocations. The amounts recouped to authorities during the period 2000 to 2005 are set out in the following table.

Table: Water Service Investment Programme Recoupments 2000-2005

Local Authority

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

WSIP

WSIP

WSIP

WSIP

WSIP

WSIP

Arklow Town Council

324,421.66

429,196.91

Athlone Town Council

1,308,002.91

253,947.62

806,527.47

440,075.14

Athy Town Council

56,570.64

Ballinasloe Town Council

25,394.76

18,896.00

Birr Town Council

41,964.12

29,526.00

Carlow Co. Council

2,928,083.99

2,494,813.62

2,196,263.00

3,919,040.78

Carlow Town Council

801,259.01

617,550.20

696,846.84

Cavan Co. Council

4,192,832.21

4,257,935.86

4,637,959.28

3,531,233.57

3,812,265.69

3,146,880.59

Carrickmacross Town Council

197,539.93

Clare Co. Council

9,838,175.69

6,001,171.97

7,236,417.00

2,487,756.85

4,341,441.00

7,693,257.00

Clonakility Town Council

130,315.76

30,388.52

Clones Town Council

981,933.50

808,539.09

Clonmel Borough Council

88,475.06

324,365.68

785,905.40

1,086,083.19

413,486.68

1,190,814.18

Cobh Town Council

331,723.42

Cork City Council

24,682,601.03

74,400,819.49

61,796,700.87

43,802,164.82

23,295,930.95

7,667,056.50

Cork North Co. Council

418,732.95

1,135,637.20

3,347,915.98

1,444,634.65

Cork South Co. Council

10,822,785.36

2,895,316.20

1,747,041.03

5,885,469.94

8,450,510.74

1,290,969.16

Cork West Co. Council

1,551,302.24

2,423,693.97

Donegal Co. Council

5,352,232.96

8,650,005.65

11,135,791.02

7,702,585.07

8,368,336.72

12,289,654.57

Drogheda Borough Council

9,240,800.49

1,953,323.36

2,760,020.02

Dublin City Council

82,523,899.94

96,983,552.44

68,021,978.89

35,104,027.84

27,700,903.75

42,516,238.84

Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown

2,442,214.93

2,482,879.13

3,992,028.02

3,549,014.31

3,830,698.84

3,608,068.84

Dundalk Town Council

11,138,950.85

2,812,188.83

127,989.60

3,076,124.93

9,809,183.78

Ennis Town Council

566,731.08

850,606.00

542,376.00

278,833.00

Enniscorthy Town Council

542,875.92

Fermoy Town Council

2,174,067.02

897,892.65

214,268.30

157,634.24

17,189.81

Fingal Co. Council

9,795,869.54

19,788,954.83

16,114,622.18

24,163,201.52

10,668,783.67

25,899,979.63

Galway City Council

13,345,566.84

30,110,479.91

21,875,277.01

6,823,649.00

6,459,528.00

3,429,411.00

Galway Co. Council

28,518,468.34

18,537,754.39

9,703,639.67

9,605,697.00

6,134,573.61

8,761,645.75

Kerry Co. Council

7,619,517.64

4,491,485.45

8,219,633.48

6,023,863.97

3,075,196.13

1,365,497.75

Kildare Co. Council

20,173,438.56

5,734,506.96

7,614,366.93

25,052,413.93

13,965,523.86

29,897,849.25

Kilkenny Co. Council

709,676.92

4,103,736.46

3,229,801.48

1,070,956.46

1,161,771.94

864,871.76

Killarney Town Council

409,142.62

Laois Co. Council

1,311,967.41

560,534.43

2,133,078.93

3,451,605.12

3,243,071.56

1,516,256.76

Leitrim Co. Council

777,356.37

4,782,277.87

4,556,359.06

5,934,776.15

4,327,902.10

3,306,036.76

Limerick City Council

32,606,991.94

62,712,898.25

62,305,476.00

37,714,468.00

20,597,367.28

30,087,139.51

Limerick Co. Council

3,103,599.20

2,062,599.36

12,824,265.00

5,795,779.42

3,957,853.47

4,128,164.92

Listowel Town Council

42,247.20

Longford Co. Council

1,382,629.13

4,928,214.95

2,010,372.54

376,324.00

588,340.25

770,347.60

Longford Town Council

121,482.91

61,147.38

8,619.40

Louth Co. Council

2,702,071.78

634,945.59

1,269,179.36

2,601,951.22

2,665,230.27

3,399,683.14

Macroom Town Council

46,726.36

212,329.83

Mayo Co. Council

11,970,792.21

32,505,307.51

46,885,728.84

38,531,896.00

28,657,544.00

13,040,251.00

Meath Co. Council

17,667,306.97

11,688,815.00

13,460,428.30

15,810,191.17

22,892,251.09

23,460,532.75

Monaghan Co. Council

1,026,149.95

42,438.70

59,080.06

1,495,860.28

1,924,974.90

Monaghan Town Council

7,188,465.88

5,039,337.70

834,842.02

1,966,455.50

1,730,597.05

41,280.70

Nenagh Town Council

205,498.22

928,086.00

2,627,955.00

New Ross Town Council

600,000.00

North Tipp. Co. Council

3,494,051.28

1,684,539.92

547,084.73

736,375.84

2,816,072.34

2,109,833.46

Offaly Co. Council

984,686.79

2,695,667.22

5,418,740.46

6,276,950.98

8,217,294.58

7,723,206.65

Roscommon Co. Council

12,048,250.05

794,661.77

1,514,463.00

2,973,202.02

13,095,718.00

3,014,903.92

Skibbereen Town Council

131,426.58

29,571.00

3,285.64

Sligo Borough Council

2,058,728.46

2,355,008.19

6,875,106.95

2,152,940.88

1,004,177.50

204,313.23

Sligo Co. Council

7,765,932.28

3,221,886.98

1,354,286.37

2,426,921.80

3,412,052.51

3,545,849.16

South Dublin Co. Council

922,817.45

2,665,878.18

803,534.00

11,289,744.41

10,394,348.99

2,287,719.45

Templemore Town Council

253,955.00

478,223.00

1,685,173.00

South Tipp. Co. Council

6,278,264.23

4,644,270.00

5,128,401.23

6,276,655.23

14,656,654.55

3,366,313.42

Thurles Town Council

569,153.74

Tralee Town Council

137,734.20

99,708.82

132,722.37

9,360.00

Tullamore Town Council

277,470.78

484,713.00

432,961.59

Waterford City Council

2,571,845.72

5,503,140.38

6,046,539.56

1,451,617.79

1,154,338.20

3,393,320.72

Waterford Co. Council

2,399,865.56

1,221,686.53

1,596,516.28

5,517,862.43

11,867,522.33

21,980,276.60

Westmeath Co. Council

5,475,664.99

1,632,188.19

2,184,372.96

11,230,551.84

5,452,333.88

2,337,772.81

Wexford Borough Council

1,012,156.47

560,694.75

7,883,091.84

13,805,701.27

1,251,502.52

58,019.69

Wexford Co. Council

5,074,923.10

12,498,894.12

10,918,911.77

4,189,981.17

4,230,598.13

1,469,599.42

Wicklow Co. Council

604,410.17

3,802,443.69

701,773.50

21,788.71

1,988,449.27

5,030,589.65

Youghal Town Council

91,317.02

540,454.64

652,483.39

54,722.39

42,047.75

Local Government.

Jim O'Keeffe

Question:

435 Mr. J. O’Keeffe asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the fact that Bandon Town Council is anxious to achieve urban council status; the steps that need to be taken to achieve this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14121/06]

The Local Government Act 2001 is designed to provide a modern legislative framework for all local authorities. Under the Act all town councils, including former town commissioners such as Bandon Town Council, may take action to promote the community interest; exercise a representational role, with an office of mayor and structured linkage to the county council; provide local amenities and raise a local community contribution; and make local by-laws and have statutory input to the local development plan process under the planning code.

Certain town councils, other than former town commissioners, are responsible under the relevant statutory service codes, for certain mainline functions in the housing, roads and sanitary services areas. The Oireachtas, in its comprehensive review and restatement of local government legislative powers in recent years, did not extend responsibility for such mainline functions to additional town councils and legislation would be required to amend this position. I am keeping the position generally under review in the ongoing local government modernisation programme with the aim of ensuring good accessible service delivery at town and county level.

Social and Affordable Housing.

Catherine Murphy

Question:

436 Ms C. Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he intends to raise the limit of €165,000 for annuity loans given that this is significantly short of the cost of affordable houses in many parts of the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14159/06]

The maximum loan that can be advanced by local authorities for the acquisition or construction of a house was increased to €185,000 with effect from 1 January 2006. I have no proposals to increase this limit further but will continue to keep the matter under review.

Catherine Murphy

Question:

437 Ms C. Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the guidance his Department has given to local authorities on the limits they should set on the shared ownership loans; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14160/06]

The loan limit for the shared ownership scheme was reviewed and increased with effect from 1 January 2006. The maximum loan which may be advanced by a local authority in respect of the share of the dwelling being purchased, at a minimum of 40%, is €185,000. However, the cost of the dwelling may exceed this amount. Local authorities may also apply a limit that is lower than €185,000 to reflect local market conditions, to ensure priority of funding for lower income groups and to avoid any significant impact on house prices in their area. The setting of a maximum house value and the level of mortgage finance advanced is a matter for local authorities subject to the maximum loan limit and the borrower's ability to repay the loan.

Financial Services.

Catherine Murphy

Question:

438 Ms C. Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the outcome of discussions and progress made with lending institutions on mortgage provision where a clawback applies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14161/06]

Following discussions with a number of the main financial institutions, Bank of Ireland Mortgage Bank and the Educational Building Society have introduced mortgage finance products for persons who wish to access affordable housing. These products are now available consequent to agreement with my Department on the rankings of the various charges including provision for a clawback as a charge on the property. Discussions are ongoing with a view to the entry by other institutions to this segment of the mortgage market as soon as possible. In addition, discussions are continuing to resolve the issue of persons currently in affordable housing wishing to re-mortgage with private lenders.

Social and Affordable Housing.

Catherine Murphy

Question:

439 Ms C. Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the number of social and affordable houses he has been advised will become available in 2006 by local authorities where those houses are located; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14162/06]

My Department has been provided with significant investment for the social and affordable housing programme for the period 2006-08. Exchequer capital resources for the period stand at almost €4 billion and this sum rises to more than €6.5 billion when non-voted and current spending provisions are included. This money will be invested in response to identified need, with in the region of 23,000 new units of social housing to be commenced and 15,000 units of affordable housing to be delivered over the same period. In addition, further households will be assisted through the new rental accommodation scheme. In total, we expect some 50,000 households to benefit from various social and affordable housing measures over the coming three years.

As part of this expanded provision it is expected that in the region of 6,000 starts will be achieved under the main local authority housing construction programme in 2006. The process of examining individual local authority housing construction programmes is currently under way and allocations will be made shortly. By the very nature of the programme delivery of units is dispersed widely across all local authorities and their many locations.

The local authority housing programme is part of the wider social and affordable housing programmes for which the main strategy for delivery is the local authority five-year action plans for social and affordable housing. The action plans, now at their mid-way stage, are currently being reviewed. The review is focussing on examining how targets have been met in the first two years of the plan and on incorporating any adjustments required for the remaining years of the plan, in light of performance including expected 2006 outputs, and the results of the recent housing needs assessment. The outcome of the reviews will ensure that local authorities continue to have a framework for the integrated and cohesive planning and delivery over the coming years of specific social and affordable housing measures based on their relevant housing strategy.

Catherine Murphy

Question:

440 Ms C. Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the number of sites that have been made available and the amount handed over to local authorities in lieu of Part V obligations in 2005; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14163/06]

Part V agreements with developers may include the provision of land, units or sites within the proposed development or off-site within the functional area of the planning authority; the payment of money in lieu of land transfers or a combination of the above options. Figures supplied by local authorities to my Department in respect of 2005 indicate that 57 fully or partially developed sites were acquired on foot of Part V agreements with developers. In addition, approximately €16.4 million has been received in lieu of land transfers and €2.9 million in withering levies.

Water and Sewerage Schemes.

Catherine Murphy

Question:

441 Ms C. Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the current water supply demand in the greater Dublin area; the sources that currently supply that demand; the projected need to 2010; the sources that will satisfy that demand; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14164/06]

I refer to the reply to Question No. 235 of 9 March 2006.

Catherine Murphy

Question:

442 Ms C. Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the progress made on the leak detection project for water supplies in the greater Dublin area since its commencement; the further work planned; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14165/06]

I refer to the reply to Question No. 234 of 9 March 2006.

Catherine Murphy

Question:

443 Ms C. Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the measures he intends to introduce in relation to water conservation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14166/06]

I refer to the reply to Question No. 233 of 9 March 2006.

Local Authority Funding.

Catherine Murphy

Question:

444 Ms C. Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he intends to introduce, fully or partially, the Indecon report on local government funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14167/06]

The recently published report on the financing of local government projects the future expenditure demands on local authorities and puts forward a number of recommendations in relation to the financing of the sector. Future expenditure will be met by a combination of the buoyancy in the existing funding system, some additional funding and the achievement of efficiencies in service delivery.

As regards the existing funding system, there is significant natural buoyancy in the current revenue sources of local authorities. For example, at local level the valuation base is growing rapidly as a result of our continued economic growth. In addition, revenue from motor taxation, which is paid directly into the local government fund, continues to increase without any increases in the rates of this taxation. In 2006 the fund will amount to some €1.4 billion. I was in a position to announce record levels of general purpose grants to local authorities from the fund, amounting to some €875 million for 2006. This was an increase of more than 7% on the 2005 allocation and a 160% increase on, or 2.5 times, the 1997 level.

To supplement the existing income sources, a number of initiatives will be pursued. First, I am considering ways of bringing planning fees, which are fixed by regulations, into line with the economic cost of dealing with planning applications. Second, I will introduce legislation to make commercial properties liable for rates from the date of valuation as opposed to the beginning of the following year. This will generate more than €25 million extra a year. Third, to boost income to the local government fund, I am tackling motor tax evasion and will be examining a system of continuous registration of vehicles. Additional revenues will be complemented by a range of efficiency initiatives.

In partnership with local authorities, I will examine the scope for greater sharing of services between authorities and my Department will develop a standard costing system for the sector to deliver enhanced management information, particularly in relation to unit costs. I am developing proposals to enhance arrangements for local audit committees in line with best practice. I will also continue to ensure that the value for money unit in my Department undertakes in-depth analyses of local authority activities and identifies best practice.

The availability of good information is a key to good decision making and key financial data for local government is now being published on my Department's website. Some €2 million has been set aside this year for an innovation fund to identify ways of delivering further efficiencies and to disseminate best practice in this regard to all local authorities. I will announce details of this during the year.

Housing Grants.

Catherine Murphy

Question:

445 Ms C. Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he intends to respond to the recommendation in the Indecon report on the disabled person's grant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14168/06]

I refer to the reply to Question No. 232 of 9 March 2006. The position is unchanged.

Private Rented Accommodation.

Catherine Murphy

Question:

446 Ms C. Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the consideration he has given to the regulation of management companies in mixed developments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14169/06]

Catherine Murphy

Question:

447 Ms C. Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will amend the relevant sections of the Planning and Development Act 2000 to exclude the use of management companies, except for multi-occupancy dwellings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14170/06]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 446 and 447 together.

Management companies for residential developments are generally constituted under the Companies Acts and required to comply with the provisions of company law, which comes within the area of responsibility of the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment. I understand also that many aspects of the establishment and operation of these companies are governed by the conveyancing documentation relating to particular developments. In many cases, day-to-day management and maintenance in apartment complexes or mixed developments is carried out by property managing agents, which are commercial entities engaged by management companies. I understand that the functions of the new national property services regulatory authority being established under the aegis of the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform, are to include the regulation of property managing agents.

With regard to planning conditions and management companies, the majority of planning authorities have indicated, in response to a request for information from my Department, that if they attach planning conditions regarding the establishment of management companies in mixed developments of houses and apartments, they generally do so only in relation to the shared private areas relating to the apartments. In a circular issued on 26 January 2006 regarding the taking in charge of estates, planning authorities were informed that the existence of a management company to maintain elements of common buildings, carry out landscaping etc. must not impact upon the decision by the authority to take in charge roads and related infrastructure of a housing estate where a request to do so is made. I am considering whether further advice should issue to planning authorities regarding management companies and planning conditions.

The Deputy will also be aware that a Law Reform Commission working group is examining a range of legal issues regarding management of multi-unit structures. The Government will consider the recommendations in its final report, including the need for any new legislation in this area.

Water and Sewerage Schemes.

Pat Breen

Question:

448 Mr. P. Breen asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the plans in place to upgrade the water and sewerage services in Killaloe, County Clare; when he expects these to commence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14173/06]

No proposals have been received by my Department from Clare County Council for water or sewerage works in Killaloe, nor were any such proposals included in the list of schemes submitted by the council in response to my Department's request to local authorities in 2003 to undertake fresh assessments of the needs for capital works in their areas. Accordingly, no provision has been made for a proposal for Killaloe in the Water Services Investment Programme 2005-2007.

Local authorities have, however, recently been asked to carry out new assessments of needs and to review their water and waste water infrastructural priorities in light of economic, demographic and other developments that have taken place since the previous needs assessments were completed. New priorities emerging from this process will be reflected in future phases of the water services investment programme.

Irish Language.

Brian O'Shea

Question:

449 Mr. O’Shea asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the percentage of the staff of his Department able to provide services through Irish; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14191/06]

My Department's customer service action plan has the objective to ensure that persons who wish to conduct their business through the medium of Irish are facilitated and that correspondence received in Irish will be answered in Irish. At present, some 3% of staff surveyed in the Department are available to provide services through the medium of Irish. A number of other staff who may not be as fully proficient in the Irish language also provide limited services through Irish.

My Department's scheme for the provision of services through Irish, prepared under section 11 of the Official Languages Act 2003, contains an ongoing commitment to provide appropriate training for all staff of the Department in the Irish language both during and outside office hours and to encourage staff to improve their Irish language skills.

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