Vol. 634 No. 5
71 Mr. Coveney asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if research has been carried out by his Department or Fáilte Ireland into the feasibility of providing a conference centre in the Shannon area on a public private partnership basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11751/07]
As the Deputy is aware, my immediate priority is the provision of a National Conference Centre in Dublin, in line with the commitment in the Agreed Programme for Government. Following a protracted public private partnership process, I am hopeful that contractual arrangements with the preferred tenderer will be completed over the coming weeks, leading to the delivery of the conference centre some 40 months later. The Product Development and Infrastructure sub-programme of the National Development Plan 2007 –13, includes provision for the PPP funded capital cost of this project which, when fully operational, is expected to generate additional foreign revenue earnings of between €25m and €50m per year.
Neither my Department, nor I understand Failte Ireland, has undertaken any specific research into the feasibility of providing a conference centre in the Shannon area on a public private partnership basis. I am, however, aware of a proposal by the Irish Tourist Industry Confederation for the development of a major Regional Conference Centre at Shannon/ Limerick, which was included in their submission to the Department of Finance on the National Development Plan.
Given the current priority to ensure the successful delivery of the National Conference Centre, it may be premature at this time to embark on a publicly-funded feasibility study for additional major conference facilities, although the issue will remain under review in the light of emerging demand for conference-related tourism business.
72 Mr. Bruton asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the reason he has not established the Irish Academy for the Performing Arts as promised in the 2002 Programme for Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11765/07]
100 Mr. Kehoe asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the reason the proposal for an academy for the performing arts was abandoned by the Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11753/07]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 72 and 100 together.
I refer the Deputies to my reply of 13th October 2005 and 6th July 2006 in which I stated that responsibility for the establishment of a third-level Irish Academy for the Performing Arts was transferred from the Department of Education and Science to my Department in 2003. However, no transfer of capital funding for the project occurred. Capital funding is not currently available to me to progress the development of an Irish Academy for the Performing Arts.
It should be borne in mind that in 2003 the Government initiated its first educational Public Private Partnership in the form of its €58.4m investment in the Cork School of Music, part of the Cork Institute of Technology, which has facilitated its development as "a centre of musical excellence locally, regionally, nationally and internationally".
73 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if he will report on the nationwide audit of sports facilities; and if same will be completed by the time this Government leaves office. [11715/07]
192 Mr. Gogarty asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if he will report on the nationwide audit of sports facilities; and if this will be completed by the time the Government leaves office; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12001/07]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 73 and 192 together.
As I have informed the House on a number of occasions, the nationwide audit of sports facilities has commenced and is being carried out in stages to help speed up the availability of information. Phase One is being carried out within my Department and will establish a record of national and regional sports facilities.
The work currently being undertaken is a data gathering exercise in conjunction with the main sporting bodies and local authorities to identify the facilities for inclusion in this phase. My Department has compiled a list in excess of one hundred sports facilities of national or regional significance. Many of these have been funded under the Sports Capital Programme since 1999 and a considerable bank of information already exists, although some of this information is not up to date and therefore an updating of data is being undertaken. Furthermore, details of facilities at third level educational institutions and swimming pools have also been included on this inventory. Further engagement with the main sporting bodies, local authorities, facility owners and managers is being undertaken so that a comprehensive database on the range and nature of sporting facilities at national and regional level can be completed.
As stated previously, the enormity of completing the complete audit of sports facilities should not be underestimated and, given the experience of other countries, is likely to take a number of years to complete.
The Programme for Government sets out a commitment to put in place a national sports facility strategy that will identify gaps in facility provision and set out an approach to fill these gaps. A Steering Group has been appointed and consultants have been engaged by my Department to assist in the preparation of the Strategy. It is envisaged that the Strategy will be completed by the summer. The overall aim of the Strategy is to identify the facilities needed for any given sport so that, insofar as is feasible and reasonable, all those who want to participate in sport can do so within a reasonable distance of their home or base, and at reasonable cost.
One of the key outputs from the Strategy will be a definition of an appropriate level of sports facility provision, based on relevant international experience and practice, the Department's policy objectives in this area, and Irish circumstances and conditions. The outcome of this exercise should describe the mix and level of facilities that should be aspired to at national level (including meeting our high performance needs) at our main cities; at smaller but regionally-important urban centres; and at a later stage, at local level. This element of the strategy will greatly help in the completion of the audit.
By ascertaining and mapping what is already in place at a national and regional level, an important part of developing a strategic approach to future facility provision will be put in place, as well as establishing the level of need that exists in the sports sector and helping to determine future priorities.
At the request of the London 2012 Task force, the Department is also undertaking a separate limited London 2012 sports infrastructural audit. This will establish a list of facilities that are likely to attract Olympic and Paralympic training camps prior to London 2012. The audit will focus on universities and national sports-specific facilities.
74 Mr. Connaughton asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the action the Government will take to recognise the achievements of the Irish cricket team in the world cup; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11772/07]
I would like to put on record my pride and delight at the outstanding performance of the Irish Team in qualifying for the Super Eight stage at the Cricket World Cup in the West Indies This is an unprecedented achievement for the Irish Cricket Team. Their impressive performances against Zimbabwe and in particular, Pakistan has deservedly earned them a place in the coveted Super Eight of the World Cup. Their success has played a major role in raising the profile of cricket in Ireland. I congratulate the manager Adrian Birell and his captain Trent Johnston and wish them every success for the Super Eight stage of the competition.
Since 1999, the Government has provided over €1 million in funding, through the Irish Sports Council (ISC), to the Irish Cricket Union which is the National Governing Body for cricket. Included in this figure is the sum of €17,000 allocated in 2005 for the International Cricket Council (ICC) Trophy, a qualifying tournament which was held in Ireland and through which the Irish team actually qualified for the World Cup at which they are currently excelling. Also included is €242,010 granted between 2006 and 2007 for the Cricket World Cup preparations.
Funding to cricket from the ISC has been complemented by funding from my Department for facilities and equipment under the Sports Capital Programme. Since 2000, funding has been provided under the programme towards the improvement of the facilities at cricket's venue for hosting international matches, the Clontarf Cricket Club, and for the establishment of the national Centre of Excellence for the sport, at North County Cricket Club in Balbriggan, Co. Dublin.
In addition, in consultation with the ISC and the Irish Cricket Union, a special provision of €254,000 was made available to improve the facilities of a number of cricket clubs for the hosting of the ICC Trophy. In all, a total of €1.25 million has been allocated under the Sports Capital Programme in the period 2000-2006.
I look forward to continuing success for this outstanding Irish team in the major challenges facing them in the Super Eight stage of the World Cup and to an enduring legacy for the promotion and development of cricket in Ireland in the years to come. I intend to mark their historic achievement in a suitable manner at an appropriate time.
76 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the reason for the delay in advertising the international design competition for the proposed new Abbey Theatre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11747/07]
88 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the position in regard to the proposed move of the Abbey Theatre to a new building at George’s Dock; his views on whether it is justifiable for the Abbey to spend almost €750,000 revamping its auditorium at a time when the move to George’s Dock is being finalised; if he has had discussions with the Abbey regarding same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11737/07]
191 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the position in regard to the proposed move of the Abbey Theatre to a new building at George’s Dock; his views on whether it is justifiable for the Abbey to spend almost €750,000 revamping its auditorium at a time when the move to George’s Dock is being finalised; if he has had discussions with the Abbey regarding same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11961/07]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 76, 88 and 191 together.
As the Deputy is aware the Government decided to proceed with the redevelopment of the Abbey Theatre at George's Dock on a Build, Finance, and Maintain (BFM) basis. At the same time, the Government agreed to hold an international design competition for the new Abbey Theatre.
The OPW is currently finalising the preparation for the design competition. A competition of this nature is a very complex one and takes time to perfect. The technical documentation must be very carefully specified and a design jury set up to select the winning design. I am sure the Deputy would agree, given the significance of this project, that time and care is vital in planning it. The Government is committed to providing a National Theatre of world class and this is not a process which can be rushed. Once the winning design has been selected the building will be procured on a BFM Public Private Partnership basis. It is expected that the planning and procurement arrangements will take a further 12 months to finalise and the building will take 18 months to complete.
Given the timescale involved in procuring a new National Theatre, the National Theatre is expected to remain in situ for some time yet. Much of the equipment at the Abbey has become obsolete and age worn. The works being carried out are essential from a customer service and a health and safety perspective and I am satisfied that the works are necessary. The Abbey Theatre Board is independent of me in decisions of this nature. I understand in any event that the seating installation is modular; it can be reassembled elsewhere, if necessary. Just because the Abbey is due to be relocated is not sufficient reason to allow our National Theatre to fall into disrepair.
77 Ms O. Mitchell asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if his Department has examined the possibility of establishing a National Institute for Tourist Innovation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11745/07]
In recent years, innovation has emerged as a key consideration for most agencies involved in enterprise development, including the key tourism agencies, Fáilte Ireland and Tourism Ireland. This has been explicitly recognised by the Government which is providing over 6 billion euro for Science Technology and Innovation under the Enterprise, Science and Innovation Priority of the National Development Plan. It is the goal of the strategy that Irish business should, over the life of the NDP, become renowned for the excellence of its research and at the forefront of generating and using new knowledge for economic and social progress, within an innovation driven culture.
There has been a high level of innovation in tourism policy in recent years with the complete overhaul of the institutional arrangements for the implementation of policy, the Report of the Tourism Policy Review Group and the development of a range of programmes and initiatives in product development, marketing and training. Last month I launched Fáilte Ireland's Tourism Product Development Strategy for the period 2007-2013. The strategy is a framework to guide public and private investment in tourism over the next seven years. The Tourism Product Development Review Group recommends the setting up of a National Centre for Innovation in Tourism that will fund ongoing applied research, support innovation and entrepreneurship in tourism SMEs, and embed a culture of innovation in the tourism industry.
As part of a phased implementation of the new product development strategy, Fáilte Ireland is considering this recommendation and is undertaking a preliminary examination of the proposal, taking into account the activities and operations of a number of other relevant bodies and educational institutions already working in this area. In this regard it is important that any proposed National Centre for Innovation is seen to add value and avoid overlap or duplication with established agencies elsewhere.
78 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the number of public swimming pools in the north city and County Dublin area; the proposals for new pools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11531/07]
Funding is provided by my Department to local authorities towards the capital costs of a new or replacement public swimming pool or the refurbishment of an existing pool under the terms of the Local Authority Swimming Pool Programme. The Programme provides for a maximum grant of €3.8million. Where a project is being undertaken by an organisation other than a local authority, the proposal must be considered, supported and submitted by the local authority. Before supporting such a project, the local authority would have to be satisfied that the proposal is viable, that the balance of funding required to complete the project is available and that the project when completed, would have a suitable level of public access. Consequently, the question of the location or operation of public swimming pools in any particular area is a matter in the first instance for the relevant local authority.
Under the current round of the Local Authority Swimming Pool Programme, which closed to applicants on 31st July, 2000, the following projects in the Dublin area have been or are being dealt with:
|
Pool Project |
Status |
Funding allocated |
|
€m |
||
|
Finglas (replacement pool) |
Completed |
3.8 |
|
Ballymun (replacement pool) |
Completed |
3.8 |
|
Ballyfermot (replacement pool) |
Under construction |
3.8 |
|
Jobstown (new) |
Completed |
3.8 |
|
Clondalkin (replacement) |
Under construction |
3.8 |
|
St. Michael’s House (new) |
Under construction |
3.7 |
|
Skerries (new) |
Preparing contract documents |
* |
|
Glenalbyn (refurbishment) |
Preparing contract documents |
* |
|
Dundrum (replacement) |
Preparing tender documents |
* |
|
St. Joseph’s School for Deaf Boys (refurbishment) |
Preparing preliminary report |
* |
*Grant aid is formally allocated at the stage when the tender for the project is approved.
The priority under the current round of the Local Authority Swimming Pool Programme is to continue to support those projects remaining within the programme. Of the 57 projects with the current round, 23 have been completed, 18 are under construction or about to start construction, 3 are out to tender and the remaining 13 are at various stages in the process.
My Department is completing an Expenditure Review of the Local Authority Swimming Pool Programme at present. The Review is examining, among other things, how the programme has worked to date and what changes, if any, are required to ensure its effective and efficient delivery. The Review is currently being finalised and it is my intention to publish it as soon as possible. Following consideration of the recommendations in the review it is my intention to launch a new round of the Local Authority Swimming Pool Programme. When the Programme is re-opened, it will be open to all local authorities, including Dublin City Council and Fingal County Council to submit applications under the terms that will apply.
79 Ms McManus asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if his attention has been drawn to the National Economic and Social Forum’s Arts, Cultural Inclusion and Social Cohesion Report, January 2007; his views on its recommendations for a broad range of measures and initiatives to help more people participate in the arts; the action he will take following this report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11727/07]
80 Mr. Deasy asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism his views on the findings of the recent National Economic and Social Forum Report, The Arts, Cultural Inclusion and Social Cohesion which showed that there are major differences in levels of participation in the arts, reflecting major inequalities in society here in terms of education, class, income and age; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11756/07]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 79 and 80 together.
I refer the Deputy to my answer given earlier today to Priority PQ 61.
81 Mr. Costello asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if he will review his decision to grant funding for a 6,000 seat stadium in Tallaght only if the facility is used for soccer exclusively; if his attention has been drawn to the recent request to the High Court by a local GAA club to bring a legal challenge to South Dublin County Council’s ruling on the matter; the position of this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11729/07]
86 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if his attention has been drawn to recent comments from the president of the GAA that the association is disappointed and unhappy at the Government’s refusal to allow gaelic games to be played in the proposed sports stadium in Tallaght; his views on these comments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11730/07]
89 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism his views on the completion of the Shamrock Rovers stadium in Tallaght; if it remains his position as set out in reply to an adjournment debate on 9 February 2006, that the stadium should be used primarily for soccer and that there would be considerable cost implications and further delays if the stadium had to be adjusted to cater for gaelic games; the discussions he has had with either the FAI or the GAA with a view to resolving the dispute; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11742/07]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 81, 86 and 89 together.
In response to approaches from South Dublin County Council, the FAI and Shamrock Rovers FC, I gave a commitment on behalf of the Government that funding would be provided towards the completion of a soccer stadium in Tallaght. The specifications for the stadium is that it would be capable of hosting soccer fixtures and that it would provide capacity for 6,000 seated spectators and this capacity is provided for under the planning approval. In supporting the provision of a soccer stadium at Tallaght, I am seeking to bring to completion a long-standing plan for a soccer stadium on this site and to fulfil the Government's undertaking to provide soccer facilities.
Under the Sports Capital Programme, my Department allocated funding of €2.57m towards this project over the 3 years 2000 to 2002. €2.44m has already been provided to Shamrock Rovers Stadium Development Committee based on work, carried out prior to the end of 2002. The FAI via Shamrock Rovers FC provided €457,000 towards this stage of the project.
It is my understanding that, to accommodate a full size senior GAA pitch in the available space and taking into account the works already completed on the site, significant changes would have to be made to the existing plans, which would impact on the approved capacity for the stadium, cause further delays and increase costs.
I have discussed the matter with the GAA at both national and Dublin County Board level on a number of occasions and my Department has had meetings with senior officials of the South Dublin County Council, the FAI and the GAA in seeking to progress the project. I am deeply disappointed at the continuing impediment that is delaying this project and which could have serious additional cost implications for its development.
I have no problem with the principle of Tallaght stadium being made available to other codes, including GAA , once the stadium is completed to soccer specifications and the Government commitment to the FAI and Shamrock Rovers can be honoured. I hope that South Dublin County Council will soon be in a position to make progress and complete this stadium in a timely and cost effective manner.
82 Ms B. Moynihan-Cronin asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the main elements of the new Fáilte Ireland seven year tourism programme; the shortcomings in the tourist industry here that the report has identified; the initiatives that will be taken during the seven year period to develop tourism here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11738/07]
On 15 February last, Failte Ireland published a seven year strategy to guide public and private sector investment in tourism. The strategy was drawn up by an expert Review group, representing a cross section of tourism interests from both the public and private sectors. In preparing its recommendations, the group undertook a comprehensive analysis of international trends and of the responses of our competitors; it examined product opportunities; and it undertook a very detailed assessment of the quality and the relevance of the Irish tourism product offering, including its ‘fitness for purpose', in today's volatile marketplace.
The Review group carried out a national tourism product audit to assess the quantity and quality of the tourism product. The analysis showed that with selective investment the Irish tourism product has the potential to enable the industry to substantially expand its market share.
The analysis recommended that support for tourism product development should be market driven, with less of a focus on accommodation, other than in specified circumstances. More investment is needed in tourism infrastructure and attractions. Investment is also needed in major new events and other tourism products that will attract visitors.
The strategy proposes a framework and policy guidance for the long-term development of the tourism product. The 67 recommendations cover areas that include:
Capital investment in the hard tourism product;
Infrastructure and services relevant to tourists;
The physical environment;
Packaging and presentation; and
Expanding the skills and capability of people working in the tourism industry.
The recommended proposals fall into two areas: firstly a series of actions around the broader tourism agenda including protecting and managing the physical environment, enhancing access to and around the country and improving access to cultural heritage and secondly a series of funding supports.
The key recommendations of the strategy are reflected in the tourism programme announced in the recently published National Development Plan, 2007-13. I am particularly pleased that the NDP allocation of €800m for tourism — €317m of which is earmarked for product development and infrastructure including provision for the PPP funded capital cost of the National Conference Centre — will enable essential development under the new product strategy to be activated this year. It will also significantly ramp up support available for tourism product development compared with the level of funding provided under the previous NDP. A capital financial envelope of close to €14m will be available this year to help launch the new strategy. In addition, many of the other NDP programmes will also deliver improvements in environmental and other infrastructure recommended by Fáilte Ireland.
83 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the position in regard to the development of the National Conference Centre including the timetable for its construction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11741/07]
85 Ms O. Mitchell asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism when the contract for the National Conference Centre at Spencer Dock will be awarded; the expected timescale for construction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11746/07]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 83 and 85 together.
As I have informed the House, most recently on 15 February, 2007, Spencer Dock International Conference Centre Consortium has been appointed Preferred Tenderer for the provision of a National Conference Centre in Dublin.
The Centre is being procured under a Public Private Partnership process under the auspices of the Office of Public Works — the Contracting Authority. During the Preferred Tenderer phase the Consortium is required to develop and provide the full range of project documents for review and approval by the Contracting Authority. The current expectation is that the contract will be awarded within the coming weeks. It is envisaged that site enabling and related works in preparation for construction would commence shortly thereafter and that the Centre would be operational some 40 months later.
I am delighted that delivery of another major commitment in the Programme for Government may now be about to become a reality.
84 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if he will request Tourism Ireland to launch a major marketing plan for the Shannon and western region following the expected bilateral agreement between the USA and Europe; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11748/07]
102 Mr. Coveney asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if the implications of the implementation of the US/EU Open Skies agreement for the mid-west and western seaboard has been fully considered by his Department and the tourism agencies that he has direct responsibility for; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11752/07]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 84 and 102 together.
I refer the Deputies to my detailed replyto the Priority Question No. 64 on this subject today.
87 Mr. O’Shea asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism his views on providing increased funding to the National Chamber Choir following reductions of financial support for the choir from other sources; if his attention has been drawn to the generally low salaries paid to members of the choir; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11735/07]
I am aware of the situation currently faced by the National Chamber Choir (NCC). However, the main channel of State support to the NCC is the Arts Council. The Arts Council under the Arts Act, 2003, is statutorily independent and I have no role to play in its funding decisions.
I understand that the Arts Council is highly supportive of the National Chamber Choir and regards them as an important element of the music infrastructure. Indeed funding to the Choir from the Arts Council has increased significantly in recent years, from €175,000 in 2001 to €345,000 in 2007 an increase of over 97%. This underlines the Council's commitment to the NCC.
90 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the position in regard to the redevelopment of Lansdowne Road; the timetable for the construction of the stadium following the outcome of the planning appeals process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11739/07]
I refer the Deputy to my reply to Priority Question No. 62 given by me in the House today.
91 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the extent to which he can or will offer grants or other assistance to various musical, arts or theatrical groups that have established a good track record for putting on local productions in towns and villages throughout the country; if he has proposals to assist such groups having particular regard to their invaluable recreational and cultural contribution; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11769/07]
Responsibility for the promotion of the arts at all levels throughout the country is devolved to the Arts Council, a State body funded by my Department. Further details of funding programmes provided by the Arts Council is available on their website www.artscouncil.ie.
Fáilte Ireland allocates funding to assist festivals/cultural events through its Festivals and Cultural Events Initiative. Further details on the initiative is available on the Fáilte Ireland website www.ireland.ie. Both the Arts Council and Fáilte Ireland are independent of my Department in relation to their day-to-day operations and funding decisions.
92 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if his attention has been drawn to the fact that there was an increase of 6% in the number of tourists who were victims of crime here in 2006 compared with 2005 as reported to the Irish Tourist Assistance Service; the action he will take to address this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11770/07]
Crime and measures to prevent and combat it are, as the Deputy is aware, properly matters for my colleague, the Minister for Justice Equality and Law Reform.
It is important to be clear that the 6% increase referred to by the Deputy is in the number of referrals to the Service, primarily from the Gardaí. In its Report, the Service makes it plain that it will continue its awareness raising work with the Gardaí to "increase the number of referrals".
The referrals are of visitors from abroad who have been victims of crime. The figures do not specify the length of stay of these visitors and the noted increase could also refer to the fact that visitors and agencies are now more aware of the work and assistance provided by ITAS for tourists.
While the overwhelming majority of our visitors do not encounter crime, I fully subscribe to the view that there is no acceptable level of crime and that one outrage is one too many.
All of us are aware of the impact a crime can have on a person but tourists are even more vulnerable. They are in a strange environment and their problems can be compounded by language, cultural and legal issues.
Although the remit of the Irish Tourist Assistance Service is not in the area of crime prevention, it works closely with the Gardaí with whom it has an excellent, co-operative relationship.
The Irish Tourist Assistance Service booklet — Helping Tourist Victims of Crime — is available in Garda Stations, Tourist Offices and car rental companies. 40,000 copies of the booklet were distributed to tourists, through the tourism industry, in 2006. I recently launched an ITAS DVD for distribution across the country which contains safety tips for tourists along with relevant information on where to access assistance.
The Service, which is now known as Irish Tourist Assistance Service, was launched in 1994 and, since that time, has assisted over 8,000 visitors. It may not be widely known but Ireland is seen as a ‘best practice' model in Europe in terms of the support it provides tourists in the aftermath of crime.
93 Mr. Bruton asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the reason he has not established the Music Board as promised in the 2002 Programme for Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11764/07]
The Music Board of Ireland was established on an interim basis in May, 2001 by the then Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht, and the Islands, Síle de Valera, T.D.
The Mandate given to the Board was:
to act as a forum for the industry;
to devise and actively promote strategic policies for the development of the industry and the maximisation of its contribution to the national economy;
to assist Government and its agencies in their efforts to develop the industry.
The interim Board was established on the basis that the then Department of Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht, and the Islands, and IBEC, would fund the costs arising on a 50:50 basis for 3 years.
In November 2002 the Board submitted a draft strategic plan for the development of the music industry in Ireland. This draft strategy was carefully considered in my Department, but the end conclusion was that it was not satisfactorily demonstrated that the benefits accruing from the suite of programmes and activities proposed by the interim Board would be commensurate with the costs involved. Accordingly, it was decided not to proceed to statutory establishment, and the Board was not renewed beyond its initial three-year term of office.
The main channel through which State aid is provided to the arts is through the Arts Council and all music genres continue to fall within its remit. This year, I was pleased to be in a position to make an amount of €80m available to the Arts Council to support all areas of the arts, including music.
94 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism his views on the decline in the competitiveness of the Irish film industry and the fact that major productions are going elsewhere; the measures he will put in place to make Ireland an attractive location for film production; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11771/07]
198 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the extent to which he proposes to enhance the development of the film industry here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12093/07]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 94 and 198 together.
I wish to refer the Deputy to my previous replies of 26th October and 30th November 2006, and of 15th February and 6th March 2007 regarding the issues surrounding the present status of film-making in the State.
95 Mr. Sherlock asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the position regarding the plans to capitalise on the staging of the 2012 Olympics in London by updating, modernising and developing sporting facilities here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11740/07]
With London 2012 fast approaching, athletes and teams from other countries may consider using Ireland as a base to prepare and train in the years prior to the Olympic and Paralympic Games in London in 2012. Ireland possesses the advantages of having the same climatic conditions and being in the same time zone as London, as well as being within an hour by air travel. Furthermore, this country will avoid most of the media hype that one often finds in the host country.
In order to ensure that Ireland benefits from the proximity of the Games, I established a Task Force in August 2006 comprising high level representatives from the sporting, business, tourism and cultural sectors. This group is working to ensure that Ireland maximises the benefits arising from the proximity of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games in the areas of training camps for athletes, tourism, business and cultural opportunities.
In relation to training camps specifically; if Ireland is to be attractive to potential participating athletes, access to high quality sporting and ancillary facilities must be available. In this regard, my Department has undertaken a London 2012 sports infrastructural survey of facilities that might be suitable to develop to meet the training needs of overseas teams preparing for 2012. National Governing Bodies of Sport and third level institutions have been contacted in order to establish the type, range and suitability of the sports facilities available for this purpose.
What is currently being undertaken therefore is a data gathering exercise to gauge the level of facilities Ireland has to offer to potential visiting athletes. This survey process is being completed in line with the standards set out by the London Organising Committee for the Olympic Games (LOCOG). We will then have a clearer picture of the facilities likely to be attractive to participating athletes in the build-up to London 2012 and my Department will then examine whether investment may be required to bring these facilities up to the required standard. Any expenditure on facilities will be aimed not only at attracting teams but primarily at ensuring a lasting legacy for Irish athletes and communities.
96 Mr. Deasy asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the possible commencement date for the new stadium at Lansdowne Road; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11755/07]
I refer the Deputy to my reply to Priority Question No. 62 given by me in the House today.
97 Ms O’Sullivan asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if he will account for the recent Government decision to make Culture Ireland an independent statutory body; the potential benefits for the arts that will follow from this decision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11736/07]
The Arts Act 2003 gives the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism responsibility for promoting the arts within and outside of the State, thus recognising the international dimension of my remit.
In recognition of the changed legislative environment, new mechanisms for the promotion and support of Irish art and artists abroad were put in place in February, 2005, when a new non-statutory body (Culture Ireland) was established, under the aegis of my Department.
Since its establishment on a non-statutory basis, Culture Ireland conclusively demonstrated that there is an important and substantial job to be done in this area, and that the optimal way to do it effectively is through a State agency independent of its parent Department. The advice of the Attorney General is that a statutory body is the option which would most closely meet the requirements, i.e., it would have a separate legal identity, it could enter into contracts on its own authority, and have an independent responsibility for disbursement of funds. Accordingly, the Government authorised me to proceed with the preparation of legislation to establish the agency on a statutory basis.
The international context provides a whole additional layer of opportunities for Irish artists. It provides new opportunities for exhibition and performances, and allows for very beneficial cross-fertilisation and sharing of experience and artistic expression with overseas counterparts. Commercially, it opens up new markets that can prove extremely valuable. Effective promotion of Irish arts in the international context also has very significant benefits in promoting Ireland's image abroad, which, in turn, can develop important diplomatic relationships, highlight our profile abroad, and enhance our relations with other peoples and cultures.
The draft heads of legislation for the establishment of Culture Ireland on a statutory basis are currently being prepared in my Department.
98 Ms Burton asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the position regarding the recent round of negotiations between the GPA, the GAA and the Government in regard to funding for player welfare; if he will clarify the amount of money that will be made available for this purpose; when a final decision will be made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11733/07]
As I have previously indicated, I have had a number of meetings with both the Gaelic Players Association (GPA) and the GAA at which player welfare issues for inter-county players were discussed.
At these meetings and in subsequent letters to both the GPA and the GAA, I have set out the position of the Government on this issue. I do not intend to provide direct funding to meet the costs either of direct grants to GAA players or of player welfare policies. This responsibility rests with the GAA in the same manner as similar player welfare issues in other sports must be dealt with by the responsible National Governing Body of Sport. In this context it is the exclusive prerogative of the Association to decide how it manages and funds such issues and I do not intend to influence the GAA as to the nature or cost of any new player welfare supports it may introduce.
I have previously indicated, however, that in the event that agreement is reached between the GAA and the GPA on additional player welfare supports, I would be prepared to provide additional funding to the GAA on an annual basis, either through the existing Sports Capital Programme in respect of prioritised infrastructural projects or through additional funding by the Irish Sports Council in respect of Games development or a combination of both.
Any moneys provided under these programmes would have the effect of freeing up existing moneys within the Association to meet the additional costs to the Association of agreed player welfare issues. While I have indicated that an amount of €5 million could be set aside, it would be premature to lock into any particular funding mechanism or formally commit to any specific amount of such funding until such time as detailed costed proposals have been submitted to me by the GAA under the headings of infrastructure and games development and considered by my Department. As any financial support to be provided by my Department would be considered in the context of the additional costs to the GAA of new player welfare supports, I would have to be satisfied as to the extent and nature of such supports taking into account the ultimate responsibility of the GAA for funding such supports and in the context of the Government's national sports policy.
99 Mr. Broughan asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if he will provide details of his recent visit to London for the St. Patrick’s Day 2007 parade and celebrations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11728/07]
I represented the Government at a number of events on 17 and 18 March as part of the St. Patrick's Day celebrations in London. St. Patrick's Day has traditionally signalled the start of the tourism season in Ireland and the international celebrations at this time afford a unique opportunity to promote tourism to the island of Ireland.
Great Britain remains Ireland's most important overseas tourism market and at the invitation of the Mayor of London, Mr. Ken Livingstone, I attended the St. Patrick's Festival Dinner as Guest of Honour on the 17th March in the Savoy Hotel. On 18 March, I attended mass at the London Irish Centre following which I watched the London St. Patrick's Day Parade from the Trafalgar Square stage in the company of the Mayor of London. I also attended the Ireland Holiday Pavilion organised by Tourism Ireland at Trafalgar Square on 18 March.
I am also pleased to inform the House that Culture Ireland provided €35,000 to Buí Bolg to participate in two London parades and a further €15,000 to the Greater London Authority for a programme of Irish events at Leicester Square.
101 Ms C. Murphy asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if consideration has been given to establishing an independent body to administer lottery funding taking it out of the political arena; the reason this has not occurred to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11680/07]
The sports capital programme, which is administered by my Department, allocates funding to sporting and community organisations at local, regional and national level throughout the country. The programme is advertised on an annual basis.
I have no plans to transfer responsibility for the allocation of this funding to an independent authority. I believe that the current arrangements for administering the sports capital programme, which have been applied by successive governments over many years, have been extremely successful in ensuring that the programme is responsive to local needs.
It is entirely appropriate that the Minister for Sport should be in a position to use this important instrument of sporting policy to achieve objectives such as supporting projects of particular local or regional significance or encouraging the development of as many sports as possible. Over the period 1998-2006 inclusive, €483 million has been allocated in sports capital funding in 5,781 projects. This massive investment in the creation of a sporting infrastructure is now yielding benefits both in terms of local community developments and increased participation in sport. The scheme is administered in accordance with pre-determined eligibility criteria, all of which must be satisfied before projects may access funding allocated to them.
I would remind the Deputy that as Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism, I am directly accountable to Dáil Éireann for the operation of the sports capital programme. This accountability is ongoing and finds expression, for example, through parliamentary questions, adjournment debates, estimates debates and engagement with Dáil Committees. This is a feature which would be notably absent were the administration of the sports capital programme to be made the responsibility of an independent board. Apart from the obvious issue of how one determines ‘independence', experience elsewhere has shown that decisions by independent boards do not always receive universal acceptance. Where a grant scheme attracts a level of applications well in excess of available funding, as is the case with the sports capital programme, unsuccessful applicants will always experience an understandable sense of disappointment whatever the decision-making process.
103 Ms C. Murphy asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the methodology that will be used to ensure an equitable distribution of lottery funding for 2007; the role the census of population will play; the means of assessment for deficits in facilities that are available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11679/07]
The sports capital programme allocates funding to sporting and to voluntary and community organisations at local, regional and national level throughout the country. The programme is advertised on an annual basis.
Applications for funding under the 2007 programme were invited through advertisements in the Press on October 15th and 16th last. The closing date for receipt of applications was November 24th 2006. All applications received before the deadline are currently being evaluated on an individual basis by my Department in accordance with a detailed set of assessment criteria, which are outlined in the guidelines, terms and conditions of the programme.
The assessment process takes into account factors such as the existing level of facilities in an area, the number and quality of the applications received, the amount of funding being sought by each applicant and the strategic positioning of major facilities that may be required. Following the assessment process outlined above, each application will receive a score, which will give its order of priority within its own county.
Recommendations will then be made to me regarding provisional allocations for each county, based on the most recent Census of Population figures. I am satisfied that the programme achieve a balanced geographical spread of funds throughout the country, while also affording priority to projects in areas of social and economic disadvantage.
I intend to announce the grant allocations for the 2007 programme as soon as possible after the assessment and recommendation processes has been completed.
104 Mr. McGinley asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the progress made in providing a public swimming pool in Ballybofey/Stranorlar; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7198/07]
Under the Local Authority Swimming Pool Programme there are four stages in a swimming pool project. These, in order of progress, are: Feasibility Study/Preliminary Report; Contract Documents; Tender and Construction. I understand that Donegal County Council has recently received a draft Preliminary Report on the swimming pool project from their consultants, which is under consideration, and that the finalised Preliminary Report is to be submitted to my Department in the next month.
The Council has also advanced the Part 8 Planning application for the project to the public consultation stage this month. I am advised that the strategy underlying the development of the project is to maximise the potential for the sharing of physical and management facilities with other sports organisations in the area.
105 Mr. Sargent asked the Taoiseach the languages in which his Department’s telephone messages are recorded; and if his Department’s messages include a version in the Irish language. [11896/07]
My Department's switch operates from Monday to Friday, 9.00 am to 7.00 pm. There is no main automated telephone message for the Department, as calls are taken by switchboard staff who provide a high standard of service in Irish and English. Indeed, in the Department's Official Languages Scheme, we state that we will request Eircom, who provide the switchboard staff, to ensure that such staff continue to have a good level of fluency in Irish. Outside normal hours, calls are dealt with by security staff rather than by an automated message.
There is a facility for staff to create customised voicemail messages in any language on their Direct Dial number and this facility is used by some members of staff.
The Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs have prepared draft regulations dealing with, amongst other things, recorded oral announcements. We are currently working to ensure that we are ready to meet all the requirements of these regulations, when they come into force.
106 Mr. J. O’Keeffe asked the Taoiseach the number of appointments to State boards, State bodies or other like entities which he envisages making or nominating in the period 26 March 2007 to 31 May 2007; if he will identify any such board, body or entity involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11982/07]
The National Economic and Social Development Office (NESDO) was established on a statutory basis on 1 January, 2007. Nominations have been sought from the Social Partners and appointments to the constituent bodies [National Economic and Social Council (NESC), National Economic and Social Forum (NESF) and the National Centre for Partnership and Performance (NCPP)] will be made once that process is complete.
Following on from the Report of the Task Force on Active Citizenship, an Active Citizenship Office will be established, with an Implementation Steering Group comprising senior representatives from relevant sectors to oversee the implementation of the recommendations contained in the report.
There are no further appointments to other State boards or bodies under the aegis of my Department falling to be made before 31 May, 2007.
107 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will urgently assist a person (details supplied) in Dublin 9; if he will take action regarding the new inspectorate costs which are damaging for a small operator; and if he will act on this matter. [11832/07]
108 Mr. Bruton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if his attention has been drawn to the fact that it will cost compliant alarm installers €2,000 to €3,000 to continue to service and maintain alarm systems under the Private Security Authority; the regulatory impact assessment that was carried out on this proposal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11919/07]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 107 and 108 together.
The Private Security Authority, established under the Private Security Services Act 2004, is the regulatory body with responsibility for regulating and licensing the private security industry in the State. The Authority is independent in the exercise of its statutory functions. The Board of the Authority is comprised of industry, employee and employer representatives and is responsible for implementing the legislation and developing policy in this area.
I am informed that the licensing of contractors installing intruder alarms commenced on 1 August 2006. In the interest of creating an equitable licensing regime which acknowledges the differing sizes of different businesses, the Board agreed to introduce a sliding scale of licence fees for contractors, depending on turnover. For smaller businesses the total licence and administration fee, for a licence lasting two years, is €2,250.
Regulation of the private security industry is being carried out by the Authority on a phased basis in full consultation with the industry and key stakeholders. The private security industry itself supports regulation and had actively campaigned for it for many years. The provision of a regulatory environment for the industry will increase confidence in its operation. It is the case, however, that regulation will lead to some cost implications for operators in the various sectors. Ultimately, it is the industry and the consumer who will benefit from the licensing regime introduced by the PSA.
In relation to regulatory impact, Government approval of the heads of the Private Security Services Bill 2001 — and the legislative process which lead to the Private Security Services Act 2004 — predated the introduction of Regulatory Impact Assessment. However, I am assured that the Private Security Authority is conscious of its responsibility to regulate in a way that promotes positive change in the industry without overburdening it.
109 Ms Harkin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the percentage of Garda stations that have intoxilizers on their premises; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11802/07]
The approval, testing and supply of evidential breath testing instruments to the Garda Síochána is a matter for the Medical Bureau of Road Safety, which also provides training to An Garda Síochána in their use. The MBRS has responsibility for the continuing forensic integrity of the instruments.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that evidential breath testing instruments are currently installed in 64 Garda locations, including all Divisional Headquarters Garda stations as well as other stations where they are available to all members of An Garda Síochána on a 24-hour basis, every day of the year. The installation of further evidential breath testing instruments is currently under consideration.
These instruments, which determine the level of alcohol for evidential purposes, are not to be confused with other instruments which determine the presence of alcohol and which are typically deployed at roadside checkpoints.
110 Mr. Costello asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if his attention has been drawn to the fact that a person (details supplied) has been on hunger strike for a period of time, that they wish to receive a visa to visit their spouse and family and that they are still awaiting a decision on their application for refugee status; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11833/07]
It is not the practice to comment in detail on an individual asylum application or on any other issues arising in connection with an application.
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 on receipt of the decision of the Refugee Appeals Tribunal.
111 Mr. Kehoe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of headline crimes which were reported; the number which were detected in the Wexford district, County Wexford in the years 2000 to 2006; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11840/07]
112 Mr. Kehoe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of headline crimes which were reported; the number which were detected in the New Ross district, County Wexford in the years 2000 to 2006; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11841/07]
113 Mr. Kehoe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of headline crimes which were reported; the number which were detected in the Enniscorthy district, County Wexford in the years 2000 to 2006; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11842/07]
114 Mr. Kehoe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of headline crimes which were reported; the number which were detected in the Gorey district, County Wexford in the years 2000 to 2006; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11843/07]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 111 to 114, inclusive, together.
Following the submission to me in 2004 of a report and recommendations by an expert group on crime statistics, I decided that the compilation and publication of crime statistics should be taken over by the Central Statistics Office, as the national statistical agency, from the Garda Síochána. The Garda Síochána Act, 2005 consequently makes provision for this and the CSO has established a dedicated unit for this purpose. Following the setting up of the necessary technical systems and auditing of the data from which the statistics are compiled, I am pleased to note that the CSO is now compiling and publishing criminal statistics and has published provisional headline crime statistics for the third and fourth quarters of 2006. In addition, it has compiled and published a series of quarterly and annual statistics for the period starting with the first quarter of 2003. I understand that the CSO are examining how the crime statistics published might be expanded and made more comprehensive.
Headline crime statistics for 2000-2002 for the Garda Division of Wexford/Wicklow, which includes the Garda Districts of Wexford, New Ross, Enniscorthy and Gorey, are contained in the relevant Garda Annual Reports, copies of which are available in the Oireachtas Library. I have requested the CSO to provide the information sought by the Deputy directly to him.
115 Mr. Kehoe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of robberies and aggravated burglaries where firearms were used which were reported; the number which were detected in the Wexford district, County Wexford in the years 2000 to 2006; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11844/07]
116 Mr. Kehoe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of robberies and aggravated burglaries where firearms were used which were reported; the number which were detected in the New Ross district, County Wexford in the years 2000 to 2006; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11845/07]
117 Mr. Kehoe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of robberies and aggravated burglaries where firearms were used which were reported; the number which were detected in the Enniscorthy district, County Wexford in the years 2000 to 2006; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11846/07]
118 Mr. Kehoe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of robberies and aggravated burglaries where firearms were used which were reported; the number which were detected in the Gorey district, County Wexford in the years 2000 to 2006; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11847/07]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 115 to 118, inclusive, together.
Following the submission to me in 2004 of a report and recommendations by an expert group on crime statistics, I decided that the compilation and publication of crime statistics should be taken over by the Central Statistics Office, as the national statistical agency, from the Garda Síochána. The Garda Síochána Act, 2005 consequently makes provision for this and the CSO has established a dedicated unit for this purpose. Following the setting up of the necessary technical systems and auditing of the data from which the statistics are compiled, I am pleased to note that the CSO is now compiling and publishing criminal statistics and has published provisional headline crime statistics for the third and fourth quarters of 2006. In addition, it has compiled and published a series of quarterly and annual statistics for the period starting with the first quarter of 2003. I understand that the CSO are examining how the crime statistics published might be expanded and made more comprehensive.
Crime statistics for 2000-2002 for the Headline Crimes of robbery and aggravated burglary for the Garda Division of Wexford/Wicklow, which includes the Garda Districts of Wexford, New Ross, Enniscorthy and Gorey, are contained in the relevant Garda Annual Reports, copies of which are available in the Oireachtas Library.
I have requested the CSO to provide the information sought by the Deputy directly to him.
119 Mr. Kehoe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of robberies reported and the number detected in the Wexford district, County Wexford in the years 2000 to 2006; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11848/07]
120 Mr. Kehoe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of robberies reported and the number detected in the New Ross district, County Wexford in the years 2000 to 2006; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11849/07]
121 Mr. Kehoe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of robberies reported and the number detected in the Enniscorthy district, County Wexford in the years 2000 to 2006; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11850/07]
122 Mr. Kehoe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of robberies reported and the number detected in the Gorey district, County Wexford in the years 2000 to 2006; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11851/07]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 119 to 122, inclusive, together.
Following the submission to me in 2004 of a report and recommendations by an expert group on crime statistics, I decided that the compilation and publication of crime statistics should be taken over by the Central Statistics Office, as the national statistical agency, from the Garda Síochána. The Garda Síochána Act, 2005 consequently makes provision for this and the CSO has established a dedicated unit for this purpose. Following the setting up of the necessary technical systems and auditing of the data from which the statistics are compiled, I am pleased to note that the CSO is now compiling and publishing criminal statistics and has published provisional headline crime statistics for the third and fourth quarters of 2006. In addition, it has compiled and published a series of quarterly and annual statistics for the period starting with the first quarter of 2003. I understand that the CSO are examining how the crime statistics published might be expanded and made more comprehensive.
Crime statistics for 2000-2002 for the Headline Crime of robbery for the Garda Division of Wexford/Wicklow, which includes the Garda Districts of Wexford, New Ross, Enniscorthy and Gorey, are contained in the relevant Garda Annual Reports, copies of which are available in the Oireachtas Library.
I have requested the CSO to provide the information sought by the Deputy directly to him.
123 Mr. Kehoe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of rapes and sexual assaults reported and the number detected in the Wexford district, County Wexford in the years 2000 to 2006; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11852/07]
124 Mr. Kehoe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of rapes and sexual assaults reported and the number detected in the New Ross district, County Wexford in the years 2000 to 2006; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11853/07]
125 Mr. Kehoe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of rapes and sexual assaults reported and the number detected in the Enniscorthy district, County Wexford in the years 2000 to 2006; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11854/07]
126 Mr. Kehoe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of rapes and sexual assaults reported and the number detected in the Gorey district, County Wexford in the years 2000 to 2006; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11855/07]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 123 to 126, inclusive, together.
Following the submission to me in 2004 of a report and recommendations by an expert group on crime statistics, I decided that the compilation and publication of crime statistics should be taken over by the Central Statistics Office, as the national statistical agency, from the Garda Síochána. The Garda Síochána Act, 2005 consequently makes provision for this and the CSO has established a dedicated unit for this purpose. Following the setting up of the necessary technical systems and auditing of the data from which the statistics are compiled, I am pleased to note that the CSO is now compiling and publishing criminal statistics and has published provisional headline crime statistics for the third and fourth quarters of 2006. In addition, it has compiled and published a series of quarterly and annual statistics for the period starting with the first quarter of 2003. I understand that the CSO are examining how the crime statistics published might be expanded and made more comprehensive.
Crime statistics for 2000-2002 for the Headline Crimes of rape and sexual assault for the Garda Division of Wexford/Wicklow, which includes the Garda Districts of Wexford, New Ross, Enniscorthy and Gorey, are contained in the relevant Garda Annual Reports, copies of which are available in the Oireachtas Library.
I have requested the CSO to provide the information sought by the Deputy directly to him.
127 Mr. Kehoe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of Gardaí of all ranks who were in the Wexford district, County Wexford at 31 December in each of the years 1997 to 2006 inclusive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11856/07]
128 Mr. Kehoe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of Gardaí of all ranks who were in the New Ross district, County Wexford at 31 December in each of the years 1997 to 2006 inclusive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11857/07]
129 Mr. Kehoe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of Gardaí of all ranks who were in the Enniscorthy district, County Wexford at 31 December in each of the years 1997 to 2006 inclusive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11858/07]
130 Mr. Kehoe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of Gardaí of all ranks who were in the Gorey district, County Wexford at 31 December in each of the years 1997 to 2006 inclusive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11859/07]
131 Mr. Kehoe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of Gardaí stationed in the Wicklow Wexford Garda division during the years 1997 to 2006 inclusive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11860/07]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 127 to 131, inclusive, together.
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 An Garda Síochána increased to a record 13,178 following the attestation of 273 new members on Wednesday 14 March, 2007. This compares with a total strength of 10,702 (all ranks) on 30 June, 1997 and represents an increase of 2,476 (or over 23%) in the personnel strength of the Force during that period. The combined strength (all ranks), of both attested Gardaí and recruits in training on 14 March, 2007 was 14,258. Furthermore, I should say that on 19 December, 2006, as part of a package of anti-crime measures, the Government approved the continuation of the existing Garda recruitment programme to achieve a total Garda strength of 15,000. The accelerated intake of approximately 1,100 new recruits per annum into the Garda College will continue until this target is met. The Garda Budget now stands at €1.4 billion, an 11% increase on 2006 and a 96% increase since 1997 in real terms.
I have been further informed by the Garda authorities that the personnel strength of each District in the Wicklow/Wexford Division on 31 December, 1997 to 2006 and on 26 March, 2007 was as set out in the following table:
|
Wicklow/Wexford |
’97 |
’98 |
’99 |
’00 |
’01 |
’02 |
’03 |
’04 |
’05 |
’06 |
’07 |
|
Wexford |
76 |
86 |
88 |
81 |
89 |
87 |
89 |
86 |
90 |
101 |
105 |
|
Gorey |
63 |
68 |
68 |
69 |
76 |
79 |
78 |
77 |
80 |
87 |
90 |
|
Enniscorthy |
41 |
43 |
40 |
41 |
44 |
44 |
44 |
45 |
45 |
47 |
48 |
|
New Ross |
37 |
40 |
37 |
42 |
41 |
42 |
41 |
41 |
43 |
48 |
48 |
|
Wicklow |
52 |
56 |
57 |
55 |
58 |
58 |
60 |
55 |
54 |
61 |
68 |
|
Total |
269 |
293 |
290 |
288 |
308 |
310 |
312 |
304 |
312 |
344 |
354 |
The personnel strength of the Wicklow/Wexford Division on 31 December, 1997 and 26 March, 2007 was 269 and 354 (all ranks) respectively. This represents an increase of 85 (or 31.5%) in the number of personnel allocated since that date.
Resources are further augmented by a number of Garda National Units such as the Garda National Drugs Unit, the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB), other specialised units and the Criminal Assets Bureau (CAB), all of which have had increased resources.
I should add that it is the responsibility of Garda management to allocate personnel to and within Divisions. These personnel allocations are determined by a number of factors including demographics, crime trends and other operational policing needs. Such allocations are continually monitored and reviewed along with overall policing arrangements and operational strategy. This ensures that optimum use is made of Garda resources and that the best possible service is provided to the public.
132 Dr. Cowley asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if surveillance is being or has been carried out on the land line or mobile phone numbers of a person (details supplied) in view of the fact that he has introduced the necessary legislation to do so; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11867/07]
133 Dr. Cowley asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if surveillance is being or has been carried out on the land line or mobile phone numbers of a person (details supplied) in view of the fact that he has introduced the necessary legislation to do so; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11868/07]
134 Dr. Cowley asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if surveillance is being or has been carried out on the land line or mobile phone numbers of a person (details supplied) in view of the fact that he has introduced the necessary legislation to do so; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11869/07]
135 Dr. Cowley asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if surveillance is being or has been carried out on the land line or mobile phone numbers of a person (details supplied) in view of the fact that he has introduced the necessary legislation to do so; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11870/07]
136 Dr. Cowley asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if surveillance is being or has been carried out on the land line or mobile phone numbers of a person (details supplied) in view of the fact that he has introduced the necessary legislation to do so; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11871/07]
137 Dr. Cowley asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if surveillance is being or has been carried out on the land line or mobile phone numbers of this Deputy in view of the fact that he has introduced the necessary legislation to do so; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11872/07]
138 Dr. Cowley asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if surveillance is being or has been carried out on the land line or mobile phone numbers of a person (details supplied) in view of the fact that he has introduced the necessary legislation to do so; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11873/07]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 132 to 138, inclusive, together.
The interception of telecommunications is governed by the provisions of the Interception of Postal Packets and Telecommunications Messages (Regulation) Act 1993. It is not the practice and it would be contrary to the public interest to disclose if an authorisation to intercept has or has not been granted in any particular case.
The retention of and access to telecommunications traffic and location data is governed by the provisions of Part 7 of the Criminal Justice (Terrorist Offences) Act 2005. It is not the practice and it would be contrary to the public interest to disclose if a data access request has or has not been made in any particular case.
Section 9 of the 1993 Act provides for a Complaints Referee to examine complaints of contravention of both the 1993 Act and Part 7 of the 2005 Act. Accordingly, it is open to any person, if s/he considers that there may have been such a contravention, to apply to the Complaints Referee for an investigation into the matter. The current Complaints Referee is His Honour Judge Carroll Moran, Judge of the Circuit Court, who may be contacted via of the Office of the President of the Circuit Court, The Four Courts, Dublin 7.
139 Mr. McGinley asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform when the casino committee report will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11877/07]
I received the draft Report of the Casino Committee on 21 December 2006. The Report is a detailed and comprehensive document dealing with all the issues placed before the Committee. I expect to receive the final version of the report shortly. The Government must then consider the Report.
140 Dr. Upton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will elucidate the options that exist within the current visa regime for a Turkish national with a C visa and Irish born children to upgrade their visa status in order that they would no longer need to leave the State every three months in order to remain here and look after their children. [11879/07]
A C Visa is granted for visits of less than 90 days. As a consequence it is not the general policy to extend permission to remain to persons who are admitted initially for a period of 90 days or less on a C Visa, save in very exceptional and unforeseen circumstances.
A wrap-around information sheet accompanies every visa application form. That sheet makes it clear to the applicant that, in general, persons granted visas for particular purposes are not permitted to remain in the State for any purpose other than that for which the visa was granted. Every visa applicant is required to state on the application form the dates on which he or she proposes to enter and leave Ireland. He or she is also required to declare that the information supplied is correct and complete.
The person concerned must leave and reapply for the appropriate visa from outside the State. Should they wish to return, they should include in their new visa application the purpose and duration of their intended stay.
141 Ms O’Sullivan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if there are restrictions on Palestinian citizens who live and work in another EU State in applying for holiday visas to visit Ireland; if such visas have been granted in the past year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11880/07]
There are no restrictions on Palestinian citizens who live and work in another EU State in applying for holiday visas to visit Ireland. Eleven Visit Visas in total were issued to Palestinian citizens in the last 12 months.
142 Mr. N. O’Keeffe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position regarding a written application to his Department by a person (details supplied) in County Cork to extend their visa to remain here with their spouse. [11881/07]
I refer the Deputy to my previous reply of 3 October 2006 in relation to the person in question. The position remains unchanged.
143 Mr. Sargent asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the languages in which his Department’s telephone messages are recorded; and if his Department’s messages include a version in the Irish language. [11894/07]
I wish to inform the Deputy that pursuant to the scheme prepared by my Department under Section 11 of the Official Languages Act 2003 my Department is committed to providing a range of services through the medium of Irish and through the medium of Irish and English. Under this scheme, my Department has given an undertaking that all prerecorded oral announcements to our customers will be in both the English and Irish languages by the end of the life of the scheme, which is June 2009. It is expected that this objective will in fact have substantially been achieved by the end of this year.
144 Ms O’Donnell asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if there are plans to reform or abolish residential ground rents; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11952/07]
The law already provides for a statutory scheme for the acquisition of the fee simple in dwelling houses which is set out in the Landlord and Tenant (Ground Rents) (No. 2) Act 1978. Part III of that Act provides a special procedure, operated by the Property Registration Authority, whereby a person may acquire the fee simple in their dwelling house.
A legal challenge to the constitutionality of certain provisions of existing ground rents legislation was heard in the High Court during 2005. The court's judgment upholding the constitutionality of the legislation was delivered in early 2006 but this has now been appealed to the Supreme Court and it is likely that the appeal will be heard later this year. Any proposals for further reform of ground rents legislation leading to the abolition of ground rents would need to take into account the outcome of the case before the Supreme Court.
145 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will give an undertaking to the Stardust Relatives Committee for an external examination; and the eminent legal person who is dealing with this matter. [11953/07]
The position remains as set out in my response to the Deputy's parliamentary question on this subject yesterday (ref: 11108/07).
146 Mr. J. O’Keeffe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of US citizens who have been deported from Ireland to the United States in each of the years from 2000 to date in 2007. [11967/07]
The total number of citizens of the United States of America considered for deportation under Section 3 (6) of the Immigration Act, 1999 (as amended) and deported for the seven year period 2000-2006 are shown in the following table.
|
Year |
Number of deportation orders effected in respect of U.S. citizens |
|
2000 |
2 |
|
2001 |
1 |
|
2002 |
2 |
|
2003 |
3 |
|
2004 |
Nil |
|
2005 |
Nil |
|
2006 |
3 |
|
Total |
11 |
The majority of the above cases referred to in the Table involve persons who claimed asylum but their claims were rejected.
147 Mr. J. O’Keeffe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of appointments to State boards, State bodies or other like entities which he envisages making or nominating in the period 26 March 2007 to 31 May 2007; if he will identify any such board, body or entity involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11980/07]
As the Deputy will appreciate, vacancies arise and fall to be filled on State bodies and other entities under my Department's aegis on a ongoing basis. Having reviewed the vacancies which exist or are scheduled to arise during the period in question, the information requested is as follows.
|
State Board/Body |
Appointments/ Nominations Envisaged 26 March, 2007-31 May, 2007 |
|
Parole Board |
1 |
|
Censorship of Publications Board |
5 |
|
Inspector of Prisons and Places of Detention |
1 |
|
Criminal Injuries Compensation Tribunal |
7 |
|
Garda Síochána Complaints Board |
9 |
I also envisage bringing forward proposals to Government to fill vacancies on the Irish Legal Terms Advisory Committee in accordance with to the relevant legislation. The question of appointments to the Prison Visiting Committees during the period in question is under consideration.
148 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if a person (details supplied) will be granted temporary release to attend an entrance exam on 31 March 2007 at 2.15 p.m. as they want to attend college later. [12117/07]
The person referred to by the Deputy is serving a four year sentence with the final two months suspended for the Membership of an Unlawful Organisation. He is serving this sentence under maximum security conditions in Portlaoise Prison and is not due for release until 5 January 2008.
I have recently considered applications for temporary release from this person in relation to a degree course in music. In view of the very serious nature of his offence and the fact that he is not due for release until next year, I was not prepared to override the negative recommendation from the Irish Prison Service and accede to this request.
149 Mr. O’Shea asked the Minister for Finance his proposals to extend the incapacitated child tax credit to parents of children with Asperger’s syndrome; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11798/07]
The position is that the incapacitated child tax credit is only available to parents or guardians in respect of a child who is permanently incapacitated either physically or mentally from maintaining himself or herself as outlined in Section 465 of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997. I have no plans to extend the credit to parents or guardians of children with Asperger's syndrome who would not be considered as permanently incapacitated from maintaining themselves.
It should be noted, however, that in recent years the Government has significantly increased the supports available through the direct expenditure system for children with Autistic Spectrum Disorders. In this regard the Department of Education of Science has established:
182 special classes for children with autism, attached to special and mainstream schools;
5 special classes for children with Asperger's Syndrome;
16 pre-school classes to facilitate the demand for early intervention provision for children on the autistic spectrum; and
14 Stand alone facilities providing an Applied Behavioural Analysis (ABA) specific methodology on a pilot basis (two of these facilities have yet to come on stream). The scheme is operated directly by the Department of Education and Science.
In addition, the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) was established under the Education for Persons with Special Needs Act (EPSEN) 2004 to improve the delivery of education services to persons with special educational needs arising from disabilities with particular emphasis on children. Since it was established in 2005, the NCSE has been responsible for allocating resources for children with special educational needs. The Council has a key role in the delivery of services and operates through a network of special educational needs organisers (SENOs) who act as a focal point of contact for schools and parents. The Deputy may wish to note that it is projected that over €820 million of the 2007 Estimates allocation for the Department of Education and Science will be related to disability and special needs.
150 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Finance the languages in which his Department’s telephone messages are recorded; and if his Department’s messages include a version in the Irish language. [11891/07]
There is currently no prerecorded message service on my Department's main switch line. As outlined in the Department's scheme 2006-2009 under Section 11 of the Official Languages Act 2003, any telephone prerecorded oral announcements introduced will be provided in Irish and English. Individual staff record messages on an ongoing basis on their dedicated phone extensions and are free to leave telephone voice mail announcements in the language(s) of their choice.
151 Ms Burton asked the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to schemes of avoidance of stamp duty (details supplied); if the Revenue Commissioner’s attention has been drawn to such schemes; the reason they have not chosen to act under Section 811 of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11928/07]
I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that they are aware of licensing arrangements between developers and landowners. The arrangement mentioned in the question arises where the developer obtains a licence from the landowner that entitles the developer to enter onto the land and erect buildings. The usual way of achieving this is for the landowner to grant the developer or his bank or both a power of attorney, which allows them to execute a conveyance or transfer of the legal title to the ultimate purchaser without further recourse to the landowner. Because there is no conveyance of the land from the landowner to the developer stamp duty does not arise at this point. Stamp duty does, however, arise when the ultimate purchaser buys the land on which a building will usually have been erected by the developer, subject to the availability of the normal stamp duty reliefs.
Section 811 of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997 is a general anti-avoidance measure. It is intended to defeat the effects of transactions, which have little or no commercial reality but are intended primarily to avoid or reduce a tax charge or to artificially create a tax deduction or tax refund. Individual instances of licence agreements of the kind described above would be reviewed from this perspective. To date no case has been identified for which it would be appropriate to invoke section 811 by reference to an absence of business purpose.
The Deputy will be aware that the Finance Bill 2007 contains a specific proposal to amend the provisions of the Stamp Duty Consolidation Act 1999, to bring in a charge to Stamp Duty in certain circumstances where Licence Agreements are involved. Briefly stated, the proposal, which is subject to a commencement order, is that where by virtue of a licence agreement, the landowner receives a payment amounting to 25% or more of the market value of the land in question, the agreement will be chargeable with Stamp Duty at the same rate as if there were a conveyance or transfer of the land.
152 Mr. Connaughton asked the Minister for Finance the reason the Office of Public Works will not maintain a drain which was originally maintained at Creevagh, Milltown, Tuam, County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11939/07]
The Commissioners of Public Works have reviewed the status of the channels of the Corrib Mask Scheme in the area concerned, and are not aware of any such channel requiring maintenance within the routine maintenance programme. If a specific channel within the scheme requires further maintenance, this should be brought to the attention of the Commissioners whereon the matter will be investigated.
153 Mr. J. O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Finance the number of appointments to State boards, State bodies or other like entities which he envisages making or nominating in the period 26 March 2007 to 31 May 2007; if he will identify any such board, body or entity involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11977/07]
The following vacancies have arisen recently or are due to arise in the coming months on State boards, State bodies or other entities under the aegis of my Department and I would envisage filling the majority of these vacancies by 31 May 2007.
|
Name of Body |
No. of Vacancies |
|
Ordnance Survey Ireland (OSI) |
7 |
|
State Claims Agency (SCA) Policy Committee |
5 |
|
Valuation Tribunal |
4 |
|
Civil Service Disciplinary Code Appeal Board |
1 |
|
Decentralisation Implementation Group |
1 |
|
Financial Services Consultative Consumer Panel |
1 |
|
National Treasury Management Agency Advisory Committee |
2 |
|
Disabled Drivers Medical Board of Appeal |
2 |
154 Ms McManus asked the Minister for Health and Children if 54 boxes of documentation were presented to her by Anne Dunne, S.C. on 31 March 2005: the location of these 54 boxes of documentation; if an organisation (details supplied) will be given access to this material; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11901/07]
When Ms Anne Dunne SC presented her report on post mortem practice to me in March 2005, I was advised by the Attorney General that it could not be published for legal and natural justice reasons. Some sections of the report were released on 18 July 2006 in response to a request under the Freedom of Information Acts from Parents for Justice. However, in the light of the legal advice available to me, I have no plans to publish the full report.
The 54 boxes which comprise the report and appendices are stored in Damastown, Dublin 15 at the premises of Glenbeigh Records Management, who are contracted to provide secure offsite document storage for the Department.
155 Ms Harkin asked the Minister for Health and Children when an assessment will be forthcoming for a person (details supplied) in County Leitrim. [11925/07]
Operational responsibility for the management and delivery of health and personal social services was assigned to the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004, and funding for all health services has been provided as part of its overall Vote. The Executive is, therefore, the appropriate body to consider the particular case raised by the Deputy. My Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to arrange to have the case investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.
156 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of deaths that have occurred over the past ten years from the presence of cryptosporidium in public water supplies; and the groups vulnerable to serious injury or death from this organism. [11955/07]
While illness associated with cryptosporidium are notifiable, the outcome of the illness is not currently recorded. Data from the Health Protection Surveillance Centre show that in Ireland there were 432 cases of cryptosporidiosis in 2004, 570 in 2005 and 361 in 2006. Between 1999 and 2002 there was an average of 60 cases per annum hospitalised (annual rate of 1.5 per 100,000 population). The most vulnerable groups in the population are the young and the immunocompromised.
157 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will intervene with the Mater Hospital on behalf of a person (details supplied) in County Sligo and have an appointment made instantly in view of their extenuating medical circumstances; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11799/07]
Operational responsibility for the management and delivery of health and personal social services was assigned to the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004, and funding for all health services has been provided as part of its overall Vote. Therefore, the Executive is the appropriate body to consider the particular case raised by the Deputy. My Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to arrange to have this case investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.
158 Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health and Children if, with regard to the private for profit hospital co-location plan, the competitive dialogue phase of the process with the Health Service Executive and the relevant hospitals has been completed; the core requirements identified in respect of each public hospital site involved in the scheme; if preferred bidders have been invited to tender to build and operate private hospitals; the specifications which have been determined in each case; if invitations to tender have issued; if guidelines for contracts or draft contracts have been drawn up in her Department or by the HSE; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11800/07]
The Health Service Executive is currently engaged in a public procurement process in relation to the co-location of private hospitals on the sites of public hospitals. I understand that the competitive dialogue stage of the process has been completed and that the Invitation to Tender will issue in the next few days.
The core requirement of a co-located hospital will be to treat the private patients that are currently receiving treatment in the public hospital. The minimum requirements a co-located hospital must provide include:
Ability to admit private patients directly from public hospital Emergency Departments, primary care centres and GPs on a 24/7 basis;
Capacity to treat all private patients currently catered for in the public hospital;
Joint Clinical Governance between the public hospital and the co-located hospital;
Performance Management requirements and documented service level agreements;
Shared Information and Records Management.
Selected bidders must confirm their ability to meet these requirements before progressing to the invitation to tender stage of the procurement process. There will be full adherence to public procurement law and best practice. There will be a rigorous value for money assessment of all proposals. Any transaction will be on a commercial basis and will fully protect the public interest.
159 Mr. Costello asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of medical cards that have been issued in each of the past six months; the number of general practitioner only cards which have issued in each of the past six months; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11828/07]
Details of the numbers of medical card and GP visit card holders are provided to my Department each month by the Health Service Executive's Primary Care Reimbursement Service. The figures are provided on a net basis showing the balance after new cards have been issued and other cards, as appropriate, have been deleted from the Executive's database e.g. following a review of an applicant's circumstances.
The following table shows the number of medical cards/GP visit cards for each of the last six months.
|
Month |
No. of Medical Cards |
No. of GP Visit Cards |
|
1 March, 2007 |
1,228,468 |
58,712 |
|
1 February, 2007 |
1,227,577 |
55,578 |
|
1 January, 2007 |
1,221,695 |
51,760 |
|
1 December, 2006 |
1,219,829 |
47,550 |
|
1 November, 2006 |
1,216,344 |
42,026 |
|
1 October, 2006 |
1,209,284 |
36,017 |
160 Mr. Noonan asked the Minister for Health and Children if her attention has been drawn to the fact that negotiations between her Department, the Health Service Executive and the Shannon Doc Co-operative have broken down; if her attention has further been drawn to the adverse consequences of this breakdown on services provided by general practitioners in the Limerick area; if she will intervene in the dispute to ensure that a realistic offer is made to meet the concerns of the GPs in question; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11862/07]
Out of hours co-operatives allow general practitioners to put in place arrangements to provide services to their patients, while their surgeries are closed in the evenings, on weekends and bank holidays. The development of GP co-operatives is in line with the overall health service policy of strengthening primary care services and ensuring that to the greatest extent possible, people's care needs are met in the primary care setting.
Out of hours co-operatives are now in place in all Health Service Executive (HSE) areas, providing coverage in all or in part of all counties. Between 2000 and 2006 approximately €139 million was allocated to the HSE for out of hours GP co-operatives. In 2007, the HSE Vote includes almost €34 million in baseline funding for these services and a further €3 million to meet the full year cost of Co-op developments commenced in 2006. These figures do not include the fees of the participating doctors.
As the Health Service Executive has the operational and funding responsibility for this service, it is the appropriate body to provide the information sought by the Deputy. My Department has therefore requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to arrange to address this matter and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.
161 Mr. Broughan asked the Minister for Health and Children if, in view of waiting lists encountered by adopted people and natural parents who wish to trace and by those seeking assessments for suitability to adopt, and the sensitive and specialised nature of the work involved, it is the intention of the Health Services Executive southern region to lay off staff working in its adoption service, either permanently or temporarily or with a view to replacing them, in order to avoid a contractual obligation to employ them on permanent contracts; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11876/07]
Over 120,000 people work full-time or part-time in our public health services. In recent years, the Government's ongoing high level of investment in health has achieved and maintained significant increases in the number of doctors, nurses and other health care professionals employed in the public health services. The Government has also invested heavily in the education and training of such personnel in order to secure a good supply of graduates to provide for the healthcare needs of the population into the future.
Subject to overall parameters set by Government, the Health Service Executive has the responsibility for determining the composition of its staffing complement. In that regard, it is a matter for the Executive to manage and deploy its human resources to best meet the requirements of the Actual Service Plan for the delivery of health and personal social services to the public. The Executive is the appropriate body to consider the matter raised by the Deputy. My Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to arrange to have the matter investigated and to have a reply issued to the Deputy.
162 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Health and Children the languages in which her Department’s telephone messages are recorded; and if her Department’s messages include a version in the Irish language. [11893/07]
At present, prerecorded telephone messages are in the English language. My Department is committed to making specific provision for delivery of services through Irish, and is in the process of making arrangements to provide telephone messages in both official languages.
163 Mr. Neville asked the Minister for Health and Children the details of the information team for introducing the recommendations on the report A Vision for Change; and the number of times and dates that this team has met. [11899/07]
I presume the question refers to the independent monitoring group for "A Vision for Change" — the Report of the Expert Group on Mental Health Policy.
I established the monitoring group in March 2006. The Chair of the Group is Dr Ruth Barrington, Chief Executive Officer of the Health Research Board. The other members of the Group are Dr. Tony Bates, Executive Director, National Centre for Youth Mental Health, Mr. Pat Brosnan, Director of Mental Health Services, HSE Mid-Western Area, Dr. Susan Finnerty, Acting Inspector of Mental Health Services, Mr. Paul Flynn, Service User, Ms. Dora Hennessy, Principal, Mental Health Division, Department of Health and Children, Dr. Terry Lynch, General Practitioner and Psychotherapist, and Mr. Stephen Jackson, Department of Health, Social Security and Public Safety, Belfast.
The Group's terms of reference are:
To monitor and assess progress on the implementation of all the recommendations in A Vision for Change;
To make recommendations in relation to the manner in which the recommendations are implemented;
To report to the Minister annually on progress made towards implementing the recommendations of the Report and to publish the report.
The Group is to submit its first report before mid-2007. To date, six meetings have been held on the following dates: 25 April 2006, 22 May 2006, 12 September 2006, 27 November 2006, 18 January 2007 and 15 March 2007.
164 Mr. Neville asked the Minister for Health and Children the details of the National Working Group on Mental Health guidelines for the management of depression and anxiety disorders in primary care. [11900/07]
The National Working Group on Mental Health in Primary Care was established by the Health Service Executive (HSE). The Working Group brought together the expertise of General Practitioners, Consultant Psychiatrists, Psychiatric Nurses, Clinical Psychologists, a Primary Care Director, Mental Health Promotion Officer, Director of Counselling and a Chief Pharmacist. Working in close collaboration, the HSE and the Irish College of General Practitioners developed and piloted guidelines. I am pleased to inform the Deputy that I launched the Mental Health in Primary Care Resource Pack on 31 January 2007.
Following the launch, the resource pack was circulated to all General Practitioners. The materials include:
Mental Health in Primary Care
Guidelines on the Management of Depression & Anxiety Disorders
Guidance on the Provision of Counselling in a Primary Care setting
Alcohol Aware Practice — Service Initiative
New referral forms to Adult and Child & Adolescent mental health services.
165 Mr. Kehoe asked the Minister for Health and Children the reason for the delay in calling a person (details supplied) in County Wexford for the outstanding treatment, particularly as they have been referred to another hospital. [11902/07]
Operational responsibility for the management and delivery of health and personal social services is a matter for the Health Service Executive, and funding for all health services has been provided as part of its overall Vote. Therefore, the Executive is the appropriate body to consider the particular case raised by the Deputy. My Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to arrange to have the matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.
166 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Health and Children when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will be called to hospital in Galway for surgical procedures, in view of the fact that they have been given dates for surgery and they have been cancelled; the number of times dates have issued to this person for admission; the reason they are being cancelled; when can they expect to be called as the delay is causing this person unnecessary distress and worry. [11907/07]
Operational responsibility for the management and delivery of health and personal social services was assigned to the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004, and funding for all health services has been provided as part of its overall Vote. Therefore, the Executive is the appropriate body to consider the particular case raised by the Deputy. My Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to arrange to have this case investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.
167 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Health and Children the level of demand and supply for speech therapy and other supports for children with special needs; her view on the importance of early intervention; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10655/07]
Demand for speech and language therapy in the health services is very significant, hence the substantial investment which has been provided over the last number of years. The number of speech and language therapists employed in the public health service has grown from 281 WTEs in 1997 to 654 WTEs at end December 2006, a 133% growth in that period. The Government has also committed to further investment in disability services via the multi-annual investment plan and this will see further increases in the speech and language therapy resources available.
A particular priority for the Department of Health and Children in recent years has been the expansion of the supply of therapy graduates, including speech and language therapists. In response to concerns regarding labour shortages, the Department of Health and Children commissioned a report from Dr. Peter Bacon and Associates on current and future supply and demand conditions to 2015 in the labour market for speech and language therapists, occupational therapists and physiotherapists (Bacon Report).
The Report was published in 2001 and arising from its recommendations additional courses in speech and language therapy providing 75 places were established in three universities. UCC, NUIG and UL each established courses in speech and language therapy with 25 places on each of the 3 courses. The first cohort of graduates from the UL masters level course in speech and language therapy graduated in 2005 and the first cohort from the bachelor degree programmes in UCC and NUIG will graduate this year. This investment represents an increase in training capacity of 300% in speech and language therapy. The total number of speech and language therapy training places now stands at 100, the level at which the Bacon Report recommended as being sufficient to meet current and future demand to 2015 for speech and language therapists.
The health service acknowledges the major importance of early intervention, hence the decision to initiate implementation of the Disability Act for children aged 0-5 on 1 June of this year. Under the multi-annual investment programme for people with disabilities 2006-2009, the sum of €12.5 million was provided in 2006 and a further €15 million is being provided in 2007 to enhance the level and range of multidisciplinary support services with the priority in both years being to enhance the assessment and support services to children with a disability.
168 Mr. Connaughton asked the Minister for Health and Children if a person (details supplied) in County Galway will be admitted to a home; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11940/07]
Operational responsibility for the management and delivery of health and personal social services was assigned to the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Therefore, the Executive is the appropriate body to consider the particular case raised by the Deputy. My Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to arrange to have the matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.
169 Mr. Connaughton asked the Minister for Health and Children when an application for a nursing home subvention on behalf of a person (details supplied) in County Galway will be processed; the level of subvention they are entitled to; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11941/07]
Operational responsibility for the management and delivery of health and personal social services was assigned to the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Therefore, the Executive is the appropriate body to consider the particular case raised by the Deputy. My Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to arrange to have the matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.
170 Cecilia Keaveney asked the Minister for Health and Children her plans to develop hospital services in the north west, particularly Donegal; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11951/07]
Operational responsibility for the management and delivery of health and personal social services was assigned to the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004, and funding for all health services has been provided as part of its overall Vote. Therefore, the Executive is the appropriate body to consider the particular matter raised by the Deputy. 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.
171 Mr. J. O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of appointments to State boards, State bodies or other like entities which she envisages making or nominating in the period 26 March 2007 to 31 May 2007; if she will identify any such board, body or entity involved; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11979/07]
The information requested by the Deputy is as set out below. It should be noted that the details presented represent both current vacancies on the boards of bodies under the aegis of my Department, which are in the process of being filled, in addition to those vacancies which are due to occur before 31 May 2007. I would envisage filling each of these vacancies in a timely fashion to allow for the work of the boards in question to continue uninterrupted subject to the availability of suitable candidates willing to serve in these positions.
Dublin Dental Hospital Board (14)
Health Research Board (10)
Irish Medicines Board (1)
National Cancer Registry Board (10)
National Council on Aging and Older People (1)
National Social Work Qualifications Board (17)
National Treatment Purchase Fund (1)
St. Luke's Hospital Board (2)
Voluntary Health Insurance Board (1)
172 Mr. J. O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Health and Children if her attention has been drawn to the fact that there is a four year delay for school children in County Cork who are being referred for an assessment for speech therapy; her views on whether this is unacceptable; and her proposals in this regard. [11984/07]
As the Deputy may be aware, a sum of €75 million for revenue purposes was provided to the Health Service Executive for Disability Services in the 2007 Budget. This sum incorporates the 2007 element of the Government's multi-annual investment programme for the National Disability Strategy. This Strategy is committed to enhancing the level and range of multidisciplinary support services to adults and children with an intellectual, physical and sensory disability and those with autism.
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.
173 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of persons employed by the Health Service Executive within the hospital and health centre structure; the number employed by the HSE itself; the number employed on a contract basis by using contract companies; the cost to the executive in each instance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11985/07]
Over 120,000 people work full-time or part-time in our public health services. In recent years, the Government's ongoing high level of investment in health has achieved and maintained significant increases in the numbers of doctors, nurses and other health care professionals employed in the public health services. The Government has also invested heavily in the education and training of such personnel in order to secure a good supply of graduates to provide for the health care needs of the population into the future.
Subject to overall parameters set by Government, the Health Service Executive has the responsibility for determining the composition of its staffing complement. In that regard, it is a matter for the Executive to manage and deploy its human resources to best meet the requirements of its Annual Service Plan for the delivery of health and personal social services to the public. The Executive is the appropriate body to consider the matter raised by the Deputy. My Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to arrange to have the matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.
174 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Health and Children the value of the land approximately, to be given to private individuals to build private hospitals on public land; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12091/07]
No public land is being given to private individuals to build private hospitals. In July 2005, following Government approval, I issued a policy direction to the Health Service Executive to develop co-located private hospitals on the sites of public hospitals. The aim of this initiative is to transfer private activity from within the public hospital system to new privately-financed and managed facilities and thereby free up approximately 1,000 additional beds for public patients.
The land to develop co-located private hospitals will be leased on a commercial basis to successful bidders. There will be a rigorous value for money assessment of all proposals. Any transaction will be on a commercial basis and will fully protect the public interest. There will be full adherence to public procurement law and best practice.
175 Dr. Upton asked the Minister for Health and Children if further to a direct response to this Deputy following a parliamentary question she will provide documentary evidence that a person (details supplied) in Dublin 10 refused a place in a nursing home on behalf of their son; and if she will provide written evidence that the nursing home accepts patients who need to be fed through a peg and have MRSA. [12118/07]
Operational responsibility for the management and delivery of health and personal social services was assigned to the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Therefore, the Executive is the appropriate body to consider the particular case raised by the Deputy. My Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to arrange to have the matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.
176 Ms C. Murphy asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will publish the code of governance for the Health Service Executive prior to the dissolution of Dáil Éireann; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11963/07]
As you are aware, a draft code of governance has been prepared by the Health Service Executive and was submitted to me in late September. The contents of this Code have been assessed by my Department and discussions are being finalised with other Departments/Offices that have an interest in this issue.
I anticipate that the examination of the Code will be completed shortly and I will be in contact with the HSE at that point. The Executive will publish its code of governance once it has been approved by me under section 35 of the Health Act 2004 but I cannot say if this will happen prior to the dissolution of Dáil Éireann.
177 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will report on compliance with the requirement for restaurants and catering outlets to display the origin of meat sold; the numbers of businesses that have been found to infringe this requirement; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9141/07]
Responsibility for the enforcement of food labelling legislation rests with the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI). Checks on compliance with the Health (Country of Origin of Beef) Regulations are being incorporated into routine hygiene inspections for establishments covered by these regulations. Such inspections are carried out by the Environmental Health Officers (EHOs) in the Health Service Executive (HSE) operating under a service contract with the FSAI.
As the Health (Country of Origin of Beef) Regulations 2006 (S.I. 307 of 2006) which have been recently amended by Health (Country of Origin of Beef) (Amendment) Regulations 2007 (S.I. 85 of 2007) are relatively new, the arrangements for recording specific checks for compliance have yet to be finalised. Discussions are ongoing in this regard.
My Department has recognised the need to provide clear information to food business operators regarding their obligation to comply with the new regulations. An explanatory leaflet has been prepared by the FSAI and will be circulated to all relevant food businesses in the coming weeks. A guidance note for EHOs on the enforcement of the regulations was circulated earlier this month.
178 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Health and Children the training required by officials who inspect laboratories used for animal experiments; the number of tests carried out to date in 2007; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9138/07]
Inspections of registered user establishments are carried out in accordance with Section 10 of the Cruelty to Animals Act 1876, as amended. The Act provides for all registered establishments to be visited from time to time by inspectors for the purpose of securing compliance with the provisions of the Act. Under the Act only persons who hold a relevant medical or veterinary qualification are eligible to be appointed as, or assigned the duties of, inspector. The role of inspector is primarily one of animal welfare and all appointed inspectors are veterinary officials of the Department of Agriculture and Food. Officials of my Department do not carry out these inspections.
The latest statistics on the use of animals for experimental and other scientific purposes are in respect of 2005 and these are available on my Department's website, www.dohc.ie. The total number of live animals used in experiments in 2005 was 37,940.
179 Mr. Crowe asked the Minister for Health and Children her views on the fact that drug users from rural areas are forced to travel long distances to Dublin to receive treatment and to enter detoxification. [7778/07]
The 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.
180 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources his preferred options for the broadcasting of all sporting events here; if he expects to be in a position to ensure free to air transmission of sport events in general; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12098/07]
The Television Without Frontiers Directive provides that member states of the European Communities 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. The Broadcasting (Major Events Television Coverage) Act 1999 (Designation of Major Events) Order 2003 specified the events designated as events of major importance to society for which the right of a qualifying broadcaster to provide coverage on free television services should be provided in the public interest.
Section 9 of the Broadcasting ( Major Events Television Coverage) (Amendment) Act 2003 requires me to carry out a review of designated events not later than three years after the passing of the 2003 Act and every three years thereafter, that is to say, not later than 2009. Following a review of designated events in 2006, I announced on 5 April 2006 that it was my intention, following consultation with my Cabinet colleagues, to continue to designate the current list of designated events as events of major importance to society for which the right of a qualifying broadcaster to provide coverage on a live basis on free television should be provided in the public interest.
This decision was made following a public consultation process conducted by my Department that resulted in close to 190 submissions being received from members of the public and interested parties. The designation of events as events of major importance to society provides a right of access to qualifying broadcasters, that is broadcasters who provide near universal coverage, to provide coverage of a designated event on free television services subject to normal commercial considerations for broadcasting.
181 Mr. Kehoe asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources his views on offering grants towards the cost of satellite broadband services for people in areas unable to avail of low-cost broadband; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11878/07]
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, carrier neutral Metropolitan Area Networks (MANs) in 120 towns and cities nationwide, on a phased basis in association with the local and regional authorities. Twenty-seven of these have been completed with the remaining due for completion during 2007 and 2008. These Metropolitan Area Networks will allow the private sector to offer world-class broadband services at competitive costs. Complementary to the MAN networks, the recently concluded Group Broadband Scheme (GBS) has funded over 120 projects specifically aimed at smaller communities.
However, despite this Government investment and private sector investment I am aware that there are still some parts of the country where the private sector is unable to justify the commercial provision of broadband connectivity. A Steering Committee comprising officials from my Department and ComReg is currently finalising a new scheme, the National Broadband Scheme. The scheme, when it is fully rolled out, will ensure that all reasonable requests for broadband from houses and premises in areas unserved by broadband are met. Work on the design of an appropriate public tender is under way. The tender will be technology neutral, meaning all Service Providers regardless of the platform over which a service is provided, can compete under the tender process.
182 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the languages in which his Department’s telephone messages are recorded; and if his Department’s messages include a version in the Irish language. [11885/07]
My Department has a telephonist assistant service in place to cover normal business hours. The Department has facilities to utilise recorded telephone answering messages in both Irish and English outside of those hours. Staff are encouraged to use both languages when recording their personal greeting for those occasions when their assigned telephone extension is temporarily unattended or engaged.
183 Mr. J. O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the number of appointments to State boards, State bodies or other like entities which he envisages making or nominating in the period 26 March 2007 to 31 May 2007; if he will identify any such board, body or entity involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11971/07]
The number of current vacancies as of 26 March 2007 or falling due on or before 31 March 2007 is 55 in all State Boards, State Bodies or other like entities. I intend to fill any vacancies that arise between now and the end of May in the normal way.
184 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the languages in which his Department’s telephone messages are recorded; and if his Department’s messages include a version in the Irish language. [11892/07]
The Department published its Scheme under Section 11 of the Official Languages Act 2003 in November 2006. It details the services the Department will provide through the medium of Irish, through the medium of English and through the medium of Irish and English for the next three years. The Scheme commits the Department to work towards ensuring that all prerecorded oral announcements to our customers shall be in Irish, or in English and Irish. This objective will be achieved by the end of the 3 year period. In the meantime, the telephone messages of the Department of Foreign Affairs are at present recorded in English.
185 Mr. Carey asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will obtain an up to date report on the police investigation into the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 11; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11921/07]
As the Deputy will be aware, the authorities in Bulgaria launched an investigation into the case mentioned by him in June 2005 but it appears that, as a result of administrative and personnel problems at the Regional Police Directorate in Sofia, there have been delays in the processing of cases.
The Irish Embassy has been assured by the Bulgarian authorities that a decision will soon be made on whether to proceed with a prosecution, and has been in direct contact with the person mentioned by the Deputy in order to ensure that she is fully informed of developments. I have instructed the Embassy to continue to liaise with the Bulgarian authorities on this case and I will contact the Deputy directly as soon as there is any further information.
186 Mr. Carey asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will ask the Irish Consular authorities if they will establish when or if the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 11 will proceed to a court hearing as nothing has been heard from the authorities in that State since November 2006; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11922/07]
I would like to inform the Deputy, that on my instructions, the Irish Embassy in Madrid has made contact with the court authorities to ascertain when the case he referred to will be heard. I will communicate directly with the Deputy as soon as there is further information.
187 Mr. J. O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of appointments to State boards, State bodies or other like entities which he envisages making or nominating in the period 26 March 2007 to 31 May 2007; if he will identify any such board, body or entity involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11978/07]
I envisage making several appointments or nominations in the relevant period. The term of office of one member of the Ireland-United States Commission for Educational Exchange (the Fulbright Commission) will come up for renewal in May 2007. The terms of office of the Administrative Council and Board of Management of the Fondation Irlandaise (the Irish Cultural Centre) in Paris expire in May and the composition of the new Council and Board is currently under consideration. Ireland and France each appoints seven members to the Administrative Council, while Ireland normally appoints 14 of the 15 members of the Management Board, which is a less formal subsidiary body of the Council.
188 Mr. O’Connor asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the position regarding Ireland’s relations with Ukraine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12111/07]
In recognition of the Ukrainian people's choice of democracy and reform in the Presidential elections of late 2004, Ireland took steps to strengthen bilateral links through increased contact at political level with Ukraine. My visit to Kiev in July 2005 and then Foreign Minister Tarasyuk's return visit to Dublin in February 2006 were the first official bilateral visits at Foreign Minister level between our two countries since the establishment of diplomatic relations fifteen years ago. The Ceann Comhairle and six members of the Oireachtas also visited Ukraine in October 2005 and were received at the highest level; an invitation has been extended to the Speaker of the Ukrainian Parliament to make a return visit to Ireland in October.
Ukraine's Parliamentary elections in March 2006 consolidated the earlier democratic breakthrough. A new government was established in August 2006. However, disputes centred on the relative powers of the President and the Prime Minister have persisted. The uncertain political situation in Ukraine has caused some unavoidable loss of momentum in bilateral relations. Nevertheless, the procedure for periodic political consultations between my Department and the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry agreed during my visit to Kiev was initiated with a high-level meeting last October.
From a low base, the value of trade in goods and services between Ireland and Ukraine rose from €59.2 million in 2004 to €96.3 million in 2005 and this trend is expected to continue. In June 2006, Minister of State Michael Ahern T.D. led Enterprise Ireland's first Trade Mission to Ukraine. 21 Irish companies and organisations participated and a further trade mission is planned later this year. There have been a number of significant Irish investments in Ukraine, suggesting that Irish business is becoming more aware of commercial opportunities there.
Ireland has contributed to a number of development projects in Ukraine. In particular, we are assisting in the area of administrative capacity building and would intend to continue to support Ukraine's reform process to the degree possible. Ireland is also an active participant in the elaboration of EU policy to support Ukraine in the work of consolidating democracy and implementing economic reform under the European Neighbourhood Policy Action Plan. In this regard, negotiations recently got under way on an enhanced agreement between the EU and Ukraine.
189 Mr. O’Connor asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will report on the implementation of the White Paper. [12112/07]
The White Paper, published in September 2006, sets out the direction that the Irish Aid programme will take over the coming years and reiterates the key principles that underlie our development efforts. It builds on the experience gained over our 32-year history and charts the path for Ireland's contribution to the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals.
Many of the initiatives outlined in the White Paper are now underway and progressing successfully:
We are in the final stages of the first recruitment campaign for Ireland's Rapid Response Corps. Establishment of the Corps was a key element in the White Paper. We have had a very positive response to our call for skilled professionals to apply to join the Corps. Interviews are currently being conducted and training for successful applicants will begin at the end of April.
To further strengthen Ireland's response to disasters a new agreement has been reached with the World Food Programme, for the pre-positioning of emergency supplies at Brindisi, Italy, Accra in Ghana and at the Curragh. The Irish Aid-funded supplies are part of an international network of bases designed to respond to major crises within 48 hours of needs being declared.
In the coming weeks the first meeting of the Interdepartmental Committee on Development recommended in the White Paper will take place. The Committee will strengthen coherence in the Government's overall approach to development and will ensure best use is made of the range of expertise and skills available across the civil service.
I will shortly announce the terms of reference and membership for the Hunger Task Force. The task force, made up of Irish and international experts, will examine the particular contribution that Ireland can make to tackling the root causes of chronic food insecurity and hunger, particularly in Africa.
A key decision of the White Paper was to increase the number of partner countries in which Irish Aid works. Malawi was recently designed as our ninth partner country and a development cooperation programme is expected to begin there shortly.
Increasing public understanding and awareness of the work of Irish Aid was another key decision in the White Paper. Last month a summary of the White Paper was distributed to every home in the country. We have had a very positive response. Over the past couple of months, over 50,000 people have downloaded the White Paper and traffic on the Irish Aid website has nearly tripled. Later this year, Irish Aid will open an Information and Volunteering Centre on Dublin's O'Connell Street. The centre will be an important resource for people interested in volunteering and in development issues more broadly.
Irish Aid is also working to implement the key decisions in the White Paper in areas such as good governance, investing in social and productive sectors and in conflict prevention and peace-building to ensure that our programme is as effective as possible in tackling poverty and promoting the protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms.
Full implementation of all the initiatives in the White Paper is ongoing but we have made good progress to date. The White Paper has set down a clear roadmap as the development assistance budget increases significantly over the coming years.
190 Mr. O’Connor asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the position in relation to his efforts to support a solution to the Cyprus crisis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12113/07]
The United Nations has the lead role in the search for a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus problem. The Government fully supports the leadership of the UN Secretary General in this important work, and we welcome the efforts of the Secretary-General's Special Representative to Cyprus, Mr. Michael Moeller, to bring both sides together to seek progress toward a political settlement.
The most recent initiative in this regard dates from July 2006, when UN Under Secretary General Gambari brokered an agreement between President Papadopoulos and Mr Mehmet Ali Talat, representing the Turkish Cypriot community, on a set of principles and decisions recognising that the status quo was unacceptable and that a comprehensive settlement was both desirable and possible. They agreed to begin immediately a two-track process involving discussions by technical committees of issues affecting the day-to-day life of the people and, concurrently, of substantive issues leading to a comprehensive settlement. Regrettably however, these committees were not subsequently set up amid disagreements as to which committee was responsible for which issues. Consultations to try to resolve the impasse resumed at the end of January 2007, under the auspices of the Special Representative, but without success as yet.
On a more hopeful note, there have been some positive steps in recent months by both sides in relation to access across the Green Line which divides the communities. These have focused on the Ledra Street Crossing in Nicosia, where most recently the Cypriot authorities have removed a wall which has divided the communities there since 1963. We welcome this step, and all actions that help to create the conditions for the opening of these crossing points, which can in turn increase the level of contact and confidence between the two communities.
Ireland will continue, through our Embassy in Nicosia, to encourage both sides to renew their commitment to the negotiating process and the achievement of the objective of a bizonal, bicommunal federal State through an honourable, balanced and durable settlement protecting and guaranteeing the basic interests and aspirations of all.
193 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the level of investment in sport over the past ten years; the sporting facilities that have been provided; the benefit to communities and sportsmen and sportswomen here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11824/07]
The last ten years have seen a dramatic increase in Government funding for Irish sport, from €17 million in 1997 to over €295 million in 2007. By the end of 2006, the Government had invested over €900 million directly into sport since 1997, to support the promotion and development of Irish sport and the provision of a modern sporting infrastructure with high quality facilities catering for the participation, coaching, training and competition needs of all levels and types of sport. This amount included expenditure under the Sports Capital Programme and the Local Authority Swimming Pool Programme; funding allocated to the Irish Sports Council, Horse Racing Ireland and Bord na gCon; and spending on the redevelopment of Lansdowne Road, Croke Park and the development of a sports campus at Abbotstown.
Sports funding, mainly through the National Lottery-funded sport capital programme administered by my Department, has been enormously beneficial to clubs, sports organisations and voluntary and community groups in virtually every village, parish and town throughout the country. In the past ten years, a total of over €494.8 million has been allocated in sports capital funding to 6,296 projects in villages, towns and parishes throughout the country, with special attention being given to facilities in areas of social and economic disadvantage.
The projects funded include the provision and development of facilities such as natural playing surfaces, synthetic and all-weather playing surfaces, changing facilities, floodlighting, indoor sports halls, and a vast range of sports equipment. While the majority of the funding has been to local clubs and organisations, it has also catered for the development of sporting infrastructure at regional and national level, thereby increasing the general participation in sport while also enhancing the level of coaching and competitiveness. Significant national sporting centres funded include those for the sports of Rowing, Hockey, Boxing and Tennis.
Grant aid under the Local Authority Swimming Pool Programme from 1997 to end February 2007 amounts to €93,677,542. The provision of sufficient public swimming pools throughout the country, catering for both current and potential demand, is essential to broader societal goals for healthy adult lifestyles and the promotion of all aspects of children's development.
The Irish Sports Council, the statutory body with responsibility for the development of sport, has received funding totalling €204.6 million since it was established in 1999 up to the end of 2006. The Sports Council's funding allocation for 2007 stands at over €54 million. This money has been spent on initiating, developing and enhancing a wide range of programmes aimed at increasing participation and raising standards in Irish sport, including direct support in terms of grant-aid and indirect support in terms of sport science and medical backup to elite and top aspiring athletes. An Irish Institute of Sport has also been established to deliver optimal support services for Olympic and Paralympic athletes and sports.
Government support for the horse and greyhound racing industries is provided under the Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund, as approved by the Oireachtas. Under the provisions of the Horse and Greyhound Racing Act 2001, the Fund receives a guaranteed level of finance based on the excise duty on off-course betting. Since 2001, this Fund has provided a guaranteed level of funding to Horse Racing Ireland and Bord na gCon, which, by the end of 2006, amounted to €317 million and €79 million respectively. In 2007, the horse and greyhound racing industries will receive over €58 million and €14 million respectively from the Fund. This commitment to funding has enabled Horse Racing Ireland and Bord na gCon to undertake a programme of capital investment that has underpinned a growth in the sectors.
Government funding to Croke Park amounts to approximately €114 million. This includes an allocation of €3.65m at the end of 2006 towards the installation of floodlights, which has further enhanced what can now be regarded as a world-class stadium. This 82,300-capacity modern facility, fully equipped to cater for hurling, football and camogie matches, is a fitting platform for players, both male and female, to display their talents. The stadium has also been the venue for Ireland's International Rules matches against Australia, has hosted the ceremonies for the Special Olympics held here in Ireland in 2003 and accommodated recent rugby and soccer internationals in Croke Park, an arrangement which will continue this year and next.
In January 2004, the Government agreed to provide funding of €191 million towards the redevelopment of Lansdowne Road Stadium as a 50,000-capacity all-seater state-of-the-art facility. Expenditure to date amounts to almost €23 million. The recent decision by An Bord Pleanála has now cleared the way for the redevelopment of Lansdowne Road to commence. The new stadium will meet the needs of the modern games of rugby and soccer while also providing a platform to showcase the talent of our international teams to the world, allowing them to build on the progress that they have made to date.
The Government is committed to the development of a campus of sports facilities at Abbotstown, which can be seen as a real and tangible symbol of Ireland's determination to compete on the international stage by ensuring that our sports men and women have at their disposal cutting edge sporting facilities. The National Aquatic Centre, which opened in 2003, was the first facility developed at the Sports Campus at Abbotstown. The capital expenditure on the Centre was almost €71 million and the Centre was completed on time and within budget.
The Government has provided an amount of €149 million under the National Development Plan 2007 to 2013 for the development of the Abbotstown Campus. This comprises €119 million to fund Phase One of the Campus project and €30 million, committed at this stage, towards the development of further facilities in the next phase of development.
The facilities to be provided in Phase One of the project will include: a National Field Sports training centre, catering for rugby, soccer, Gaelic games and hockey; a National Indoor Training Centre which will provide world class training facilities for over 30 Governing Bodies of Sport; accommodation for sports men and women; sports science/medical facilities; all-weather synthetic pitches for community use; and renovation of existing buildings to cater for needs identified by sports bodies.
This unprecedented level of investment in sport is clear evidence of the importance that the Government attaches to establishing modern, well-equipped and well-managed sporting facilities supported by a wide range of programmes that are significantly benefiting our communities.
194 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the regional breakdown of the allocation of sports capital lottery funds over the past ten years; the level of funding that may be available in 2007 and the next five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11826/07]
The sports capital programme, which is administered by my Department, allocates funding to sporting and to voluntary and community organisations at local, regional and national level throughout the country. The programme is advertised on an annual basis.
The amount of sports capital funding allocated on a county basis in each of the past ten years is contained in the following tabular statement.
The 2007 sports capital programme was advertised in the Press on 15 and 16 October last. The closing date for receipt of applications was 24 November 2006. All applications received before the deadline are being evaluated against the programme's assessment criteria, which are outlined in the guidelines, terms and conditions of the programme. I intend to announce the grant allocations for the 2007 programme in the coming weeks.
Payments in respect of allocations under the sports capital programme and of other sports capital grants such as those towards the establishment of key regional and national facilities and to national governing bodies of sport are made from the national lottery-funded C1 subhead of my Department's Vote. The total amount provided for in the subhead for payments to grantees progressing or completing their projects in 2007 is €63,092,000.
Under the National Development Plan (2007-2013) an investment of €991 million will be made in sports infrastructure over the period of the Plan to ensure the provision of recreational facilities on a nationwide basis, including local swimming pools, the facilities at the Sports Campus at Abbotstown and the redevelopment of Lansdowne Road.
|
County |
1997 |
1998 |
1999 |
2000 |
2001 |
2002 |
2003 |
2004 |
2005 |
2006 |
Total |
|
€ |
€ |
€ |
€ |
€ |
€ |
€ |
€ |
€ |
€ |
€ |
|
|
Carlow |
82,533 |
55,868 |
120,625 |
369,494 |
1,168,159 |
489,000 |
440,000 |
632,000 |
446,000 |
777,500 |
4,581,179 |
|
Cavan |
168,875 |
121,895 |
333,941 |
452,027 |
591,698 |
691,200 |
580,000 |
1,075,000 |
785,000 |
1,315,000 |
6,114,636 |
|
Clare |
228,553 |
126,974 |
196,809 |
1,170,699 |
898,975 |
1,123,000 |
1,125,000 |
1,727,000 |
1,356,000 |
1,940,000 |
9,893,010 |
|
Cork |
3,984,438 |
401,237 |
3,249,260 |
3,850,481 |
4,769,132 |
7,257,000 |
5,545,400 |
6,524,000 |
8,374,000 |
9,719,500 |
53,674,448 |
|
Donegal |
226,013 |
1,237,995 |
2,312,193 |
5,142,439 |
3,211,168 |
5,049,000 |
1,177,500 |
1,802,000 |
1,572,000 |
2,977,500 |
24,707,808 |
|
Dublin |
2,821,358 |
1,580,189 |
6,466,776 |
15,579,305 |
13,908,710 |
23,075,900 |
14,605,500 |
14,691,000 |
15,897,652 |
23,699,037 |
132,325,427 |
|
Galway |
256,487 |
247,599 |
2,269,022 |
1,512,258 |
3,192,122 |
3,058,000 |
2,558,000 |
3,435,014 |
6,260,000 |
4,108,500 |
26,897,002 |
|
Kerry |
595,507 |
355,527 |
901,514 |
1,258,310 |
2,119,193 |
3,335,200 |
3,748,000 |
4,476,000 |
3,603,000 |
4,087,500 |
24,479,751 |
|
Kildare |
198,079 |
1,378,301 |
2,515,351 |
2,541,381 |
3,853,655 |
4,870,000 |
3,166,000 |
3,357,000 |
1,750,000 |
1,821,500 |
25,451,267 |
|
Kilkenny |
203,158 |
74,915 |
339,020 |
529,481 |
763,747 |
1,116,500 |
942,500 |
850,000 |
1,384,000 |
1,891,000 |
8,094,321 |
|
Laois |
63,487 |
71,105 |
622,172 |
437,425 |
1,197,363 |
1,189,000 |
450,000 |
786,000 |
771,000 |
1,283,000 |
6,870,552 |
|
Leitrim |
48,250 |
57,138 |
76,184 |
666,612 |
439,964 |
821,600 |
454,800 |
479,000 |
660,000 |
953,000 |
4,656,548 |
|
Limerick |
297,119 |
330,132 |
797,396 |
956,113 |
2,705,812 |
2,776,000 |
2,485,500 |
1,925,000 |
3,392,000 |
5,429,000 |
21,094,072 |
|
Longford |
69,836 |
35,553 |
110,467 |
751,685 |
648,836 |
759,400 |
576,000 |
745,000 |
703,000 |
726,000 |
5,125,777 |
|
Louth |
109,197 |
126,974 |
275,533 |
559,954 |
1,339,574 |
2,545,000 |
1,342,100 |
1,644,000 |
1,377,000 |
2,844,000 |
12,163,332 |
|
Mayo |
217,125 |
166,336 |
629,790 |
982,777 |
1,625,265 |
2,284,000 |
1,574,600 |
1,594,000 |
1,422,000 |
2,390,000 |
12,885,893 |
|
Meath |
350,448 |
146,020 |
279,342 |
1,192,284 |
1,477,975 |
1,605,000 |
2,560,000 |
2,260,000 |
1,576,000 |
2,670,000 |
14,117,069 |
|
Monaghan |
241,250 |
83,803 |
248,869 |
502,181 |
615,823 |
1,233,000 |
485,000 |
996,000 |
944,000 |
2,544,500 |
7,894,426 |
|
Offaly |
132,053 |
88,882 |
401,237 |
688,198 |
618,997 |
405,000 |
1,004,000 |
1,157,000 |
1,260,000 |
2,954,000 |
8,709,367 |
|
Roscommon |
66,026 |
71,105 |
419,014 |
714,863 |
1,206,251 |
1,301,000 |
777,600 |
1,027,000 |
880,000 |
1,148,000 |
7,610,859 |
|
Sligo |
199,349 |
120,625 |
402,507 |
591,063 |
1,250,692 |
1,527,600 |
963,000 |
1,453,000 |
2,020,000 |
1,306,000 |
9,833,836 |
|
Tipperary |
440,599 |
143,480 |
495,198 |
1,042,455 |
1,802,393 |
2,478,000 |
1,657,000 |
2,398,000 |
2,177,000 |
3,631,000 |
16,265,125 |
|
Waterford |
228,553 |
167,605 |
299,658 |
1,010,711 |
3,133,714 |
3,253,000 |
2,210,000 |
2,080,000 |
1,925,000 |
1,787,000 |
16,095,241 |
|
Westmeath |
74,280 |
128,244 |
859,613 |
651,376 |
1,319,258 |
2,569,000 |
707,000 |
1,083,000 |
1,905,000 |
1,447,000 |
10,743,771 |
|
Wexford |
311,086 |
152,369 |
492,658 |
1,227,837 |
915,481 |
2,206,000 |
1,221,000 |
1,887,000 |
2,267,000 |
2,412,500 |
13,092,931 |
|
Wicklow |
215,855 |
85,072 |
267,915 |
1,115,465 |
1,405,600 |
1,813,000 |
1,003,000 |
1,700,000 |
1,527,000 |
2,323,960 |
11,456,867 |
|
Total |
11,829,514 |
7,554,942 |
25,382,064 |
45,496,874 |
56,179,561 |
78,830,400 |
53,358,500 |
61,783,014 |
66,233,652 |
88,185,997 |
494,834,518 |
195 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the time scale for the next round of sports capital national lottery applications and funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11827/07]
The sports capital programme, which is administered by my Department, is the primary means of providing funding to sporting and community organisations towards the provision of sporting facilities at local, regional and national level throughout the country. The programme is advertised on an annual basis.
The 2007 sports capital programme was advertised in the Press on 15 and 16 October last. The closing date for receipt of applications was 24 November 2006. All applications received before the deadline are being evaluated against the programme's assessment criteria, which are outlined in the guidelines, terms and conditions of the programme. I intend to announce the grant allocations for the programme in the coming weeks.
Arrangements for the 2008 sports capital programme have not yet been decided.
196 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the languages in which his Department’s telephone messages are recorded; and if his Department’s messages include a version in the Irish language. [11884/07]
In line with my Department's Scheme under Section 11 of the Official Languages Act, 2003, the pre-recorded messages which are in place when the Department's Offices are closed or when the switchboard operator is busy are in both the Irish and English languages.
Although the National Archives forms part of my Department, it is designated as a separate public body in the First Schedule to the Official Languages Act, 2003 and is not covered by the Department's Scheme. The National Archives switchboard is manned at all times and therefore pre-recorded messages are not used.
197 Mr. J. O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the number of appointments to State boards, State bodies or other like entities which he envisages making or nominating in the period 26 March 2007 to 31 May 2007; if he will identify any such board, body or entity involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11970/07]
The following are the list of current vacancies and vacancies that are due to arise in the period referred to by the Deputy on the Boards of the key bodies under the aegis of my Department.
A vacancy currently exists on the Board of the National Library of Ireland for a member of staff of the National Library of Ireland and consultations are in hand for the making of this appointment as set out in Section 19 (6) of the National Cultural Institutions Act, 1997.
There are currently six vacancies on the Board of the Irish Museum of Modern Art, IMMA. Appointments to the Board are made in accordance with the provisions of the Articles of Association of IMMA.
There is currently one vacancy on the Board of Governors and Guardians of the National Gallery of Ireland. There will be an additional vacancy on the Board from 31st March 2007. The National Gallery of Ireland, Board of Governors and Guardians was constituted under the National Gallery of Ireland Acts, 1854-55.
Four vacancies will arise on the Board of Fáilte Ireland on the 28th May 2007. Appointments to the Board are made in accordance with the procedures set out in Section 14 of the National Tourism Development Authority Act 2003.
In appointing persons to the Boards of key bodies under the aegis of my Department I follow the guidelines set out in the Cabinet Handbook regarding eligibility, transparency and gender balance.
199 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the degree to which his Department controls policy in respect of the arts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12094/07]
My policy on the arts is to promote and strengthen the arts in all its forms, increase access to and participation in the arts, and make the arts an integral and valued part of our national life.
Responsibility for the promotion of the arts at all levels throughout the country is primarily devolved to the Arts Council. The Arts Council is the principal agency through which State funding is channelled to the arts. Under the Arts Act, 2003, the general functions of the Council include the following: to stimulate public interest in the arts; to promote knowledge, appreciation and practice of the arts; and to assist in improving standards in the arts.
The Arts Council is a statutorily independent body, funded by my Department and independent in its day-to-day operations, including in relation to its funding decisions. During my own term as the Minister responsible for the arts, funding for the Arts Council has increased by almost 68% from €47.67 million in 2002 to €80 million in 2007. These are significant amounts of money in any context and have transformed and increased access to the arts and allowed the Arts Council to support artists and arts organisations nationwide.
My Department has taken a more direct role in relation to the provision of grant-aid for arts and culture infrastructure and has provided substantial funding for the capital development of facilities around the country in recent years. For example, my Department has provided over €43m to 40 arts facilities through the Arts and Culture Capital Enhancement Support Scheme (ACCESS). Furthermore I hope to shortly announce the successful applicants under the new round of ACCESS II funding. ACCESS has been widely acknowledged as a significant intervention in the provision of quality cultural spaces throughout the country.
200 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if he has had recent discussions with the various sporting authorities in regard to the development of their various stadia; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12095/07]
Funding made available by my Department can be provided through a number of channels to sporting bodies and there are ongoing lines of communications through which the needs of sporting bodies are conveyed to the Department including those relating to their plans and aspirations for stadia. I have discussed stadia needs of National Governing Bodies at a number of meetings in the context of the allocation of funding for such projects.
The principal ongoing source of Government funding for sports facilities is the Sports Capital Programme and since 1998, capital funding of €483m has been provided to 5,781 projects. Included among these projects is a network of top quality national facilities including stadia for various sports bodies. These include the National Rowing Centre at Inniscarra, the National Tennis Centre, the National Boxing Stadium, the National Hockey Stadium at UCD, GAA County grounds, soccer stadia and rugby stadia.
In addition there are separate individual programmes of funding for major sports projects including the Government contribution to investments at Croke Park (€114m) for the GAA, Lansdowne Road Stadium (€191m) for the IRFU and FAI jointly, and the development of the National Aquatic Centre which benefits a number of water sports and leisure water activities and the National Sports Campus at Abbotstown which will provide facilities for the benefit of over 30 Governing Bodies of Sport.
Government funding of the Irish horse and greyhound racing industries through the Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund has enabled a programme of capital investment in horse and greyhound racing tracks in recent years which has underpinned a growth in both sectors. This will continue under the new National Development Plan for 2007-2013 which includes a provision of €70 million for both industries and will enable Horse Racing Ireland and Bord na gCon to undertake the further development of a network of racing stadium facilities.
The Deputy will be aware that my Department is currently developing a national Sports Facility Strategy. The intention is that, when completed, the Strategy will provide better policy direction for future investment and grant assistance at national, regional and local level. Consultants have been recently engaged by the Department to assist in this process and are currently managing a consultation process to establish the views of sporting bodies, Local Sports Partnerships and any other interested parties on the future provision of sports facilities by Government. This consultation process will offer National Governing Bodies of Sport an unique opportunity to have a say in the design of the future strategy for sports facilities in Ireland. The Strategy should be completed by the Summer.
201 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the degree to which it is anticipated to meet the travel and accommodation requirements of the tourist industry in the future with particular reference to expected developments in the aftermath of the Open Skies policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12096/07]
I believe that the proposed Open Skies agreement between the EU and the US represents a very positive development for Irish Tourism. It has been a major objective of tourism policy and has long been supported by industry interests and endorsed by the Tourism Policy Review Group. The new services to the US will facilitate the opening of new markets for Irish tourism. In this regard, I know that the airline carriers will be anxious to exploit the new opportunities.
Aer Lingus has already announced that it proposes to commence new services to San Francisco, Orlando and Washington Dulles later this year.
In terms of the additional accommodation requirements, I am aware that Fáilte Ireland's Hotel Survey recorded an annual room occupancy of 64% in 2006 indicating that, throughout the year and across the regions, there is capacity available in the hotel sector.
Developments will, of course, be kept under review by the Tourism Strategy Implementation Group and the Tourism Agencies to ensure that the Irish Tourism industry benefits to the maximum extent from this excellent new opportunity.
202 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the degree to which his Department has concluded its decentralisation programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12097/07]
As the Deputy is aware, my Department was designated under the Government's decentralisation programme as one of the "early mover" Departments. The tender process in respect of the permanent building was completed some time ago and the Office of Public Works (OPW) selected the preferred bidder, P. J. Hegarty & Sons. Planning permission has been granted. The OPW expects the developer to be on site shortly and the building is expected to be ready for occupation by mid 2008.
The total number of staff in the Department is 130. Of that number, 47 staff (including 2 new Service Officers) have now moved to temporary accommodation in Fossa, Killarney. In the summer of 2007, the Department will decentralise a further 22 posts to the temporary offices in Fossa. Units from each of the sectoral areas of Arts, Sport and Tourism have been selected for inclusion in the second phase of the advance move. The temporary accommodation is capable of accommodating up to 70 officers.
The final phase, i.e. the move to the permanent accommodation in Killarney town is now expected to take place by mid 2008.
203 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism his proposals for the future development at Campus Stadium Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12099/07]
With regard to the future development of the National Sports Campus at Abbotstown, the Government has provided an amount of €149m under the National Development Plan 2007 to 2013 for the development of a Campus of Sports Facilities. This comprises €119m to fund Phase One of the Campus project and €30m, committed at this stage, towards the development of further facilities in the next phase of development.
The facilities to be provided in Phase One of the development will meet the indoor and outdoor training needs of Irish elite sportspersons who compete at national and international levels and will also provide for the needs of the local community. Preliminary planning for this phase has commenced and the National Sports Campus Development Authority is currently preparing a Tender to appoint a Design and Project Management Team for the project. It is too early in the development stage of the project to have projected statistics for utilisation of the facilities but the National Governing Bodies have confirmed their willingness to use the facility extensively, when it is developed.
The facilities to be provided in Phase One of the project will include: a National Field Sports training centre, catering for rugby, soccer, Gaelic games and hockey; a National Indoor Training Centre which will provide world class training facilities for over 30 Governing Bodies of Sport; accommodation for sports men and women; sports science/medical facilities; all-weather synthetic pitches for community use; and renovation of existing buildings to cater for needs identified by sports bodies.
The Government decision for this stage of development included agreement to move the HQ of FAI to the former State Laboratory building at Abbotstown. Planning permission for a change of use for the State Laboratory was secured and work on the building is about to get underway. Subject to suitable terms on the lease being finalised, it is expected that the FAI will relocate there during this year. It is also intended to provide a headquarters for the Institute for Sport by refurbishing an existing building on the site and the Institute should be based there later this year.
A planning study for the Abbotstown site has recently been completed by an inter-agency group, which included the Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism, which was undertaken under the provisions of the Fingal County Development Plan. This Study sets out the mix of sporting, leisure, and amenity facilities that would be appropriate for the site. The Planning Study was presented to Fingal County Council and was considered at a Council Meeting on 12 March. A proposal to change the Zoning of a large portion of the site to "Open Space" to allow for Sports Use and for the woodland area of the site to be zoned "High Amenity" will be considered by the Council before the summer.
In January, under the National Sports Campus Development Authority Act 2006, the National Sports Campus Development Authority was established on a statutory basis to succeed in function and responsibility Campus and Stadium Ireland Development Company Ltd (CSID). To coincide with the coming into being of the new Authority, the Board was appointed which was composed of a judicious mix of the Board Members of the former company CSID and some new faces who will bring their particular expertise to the tasks facing the new Authority, under the Chairmanship of Mr Dan Flinter. In addition to overseeing the development of Phase One of the Campus, the new Board has been requested to identify and prioritise the next phase of the development of the Abbotstown project.
The Abbotstown facilities, when completed will provide a much needed range of training and competitive facilities for our sportspersons who continue to represent our country with passion, pride and success.
204 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the amount of allocations from the proceeds of the National Lottery to County Kildare in the year 2006; his expected expenditure under these headings in 2007; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12100/07]
205 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the degree to which he expects to increase expenditure by his Department from the proceeds of the National Lottery in 2007; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12101/07]
206 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the degree to which he expects to award grant aid from the proceeds of the National Lottery to the various eligible projects throughout the country; his projected expenditure in 2007 under this heading; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12102/07]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 204 to 206, inclusive, together.
The sports capital programme, which is administered by my Department, is the primary means of providing funding to sporting and community organisations towards the provision of sporting facilities at local, regional and national level throughout the country. The programme is advertised on an annual basis.
Payments in respect of allocations under the sports capital programme and of other sports capital grants such as those towards the establishment of key regional and national facilities and to national governing bodies of sport are made from the national lottery-funded C1 subhead of my Department's Vote.
The amount of grant aid allocated under the subhead to County Kildare in the year 2006 was €1,821,500.
The 2007 sports capital programme was advertised in the Press on 15 and 16 October last. The closing date for receipt of applications was 24 November 2006. All applications received before the deadline are being evaluated against the programme's assessment criteria, which are outlined in the guidelines, terms and conditions of the programme. I intend to announce the grant allocations for the programme, including those for County Kildare, in the coming weeks.
The total amount provided for in the subhead for payments of sports capital grants in 2007 is €63,092,000. It is not possible to state at this stage how much of the subhead provision will be paid to grantees from County Kildare in 2007 as payments are dependent on grantees themselves progressing or completing their projects and satisfying the conditions for grant payments as outlined in the guidelines, terms and conditions of the sports capital programme.
207 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the languages in which his Department’s telephone messages are recorded; and if his Department’s messages include a version in the Irish language. [11889/07]
The Department's telephone messages are recorded in English only. The inclusion of an Irish version is currently under review.
My Department is fully committed to the implementation of the Official Languages Act 2003. It is already fulfilling many of the requirements of the 2003 Act.
208 Mr. Neville asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will review the situation in relation to the eligibility of people at 29 years of age having completed the community employment scheme cycle to continue on this scheme. [11905/07]
Community Employment (CE) is an active labour market programme designed to provide eligible long term unemployed people and other disadvantaged persons (including those with a disability) with an opportunity to engage in useful work within their communities on a fixed term basis. CE helps unemployed people to re-enter the active workforce by breaking their experience of unemployment through a return to a work routine and to assist them to enhance/develop both their technical and personal skills.
As part of the restructuring of CE approved in 1999, future participation in CE by an individual was capped at 3 years, effective from April, 2000. This change was introduced to discourage repeated participation in CE and to encourage unemployed persons to avail of training/education options where possible, which are shown to have more successful progression outcomes for individuals. The three-year cap was amended in August 2001 to allow particularly disadvantaged persons to remain on the programme for a further period. In general, approximately 20% of participants including persons less than 55 years of age may benefit from an additional year on the programme under the flexibility guidelines introduced in August 2001.
In November 2004, it was decided that the 3-year cap would be extended for CE participants aged over 55. This category of participants is now eligible to participate on CE for a maximum of 6 years.
In July 2006 my Department published its Sectoral Plan under the Disability Act, 2005. One of the key highlights of this Plan is to increase participation rates of people with disabilities on CE over the period of the Plan and to raise the CE participation limits for people with disabilities, in order to provide additional training to assist progression to employment: for people with disabilities under 55 years of age, the participation limit has been raised by one year from 3 to 4 years; for people with disabilities over 55 years of age, the participation limit has also been raised by one year from 6 to 7 years.
I am informed by FÁS that the participation limits to which I have referred will continue to be operated flexibly at local level.
209 Mr. Gogarty asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the steps members of the Arts Council have taken to satisfy themselves that the appropriate standards of health and safety for both circus workers and members of the public visiting circuses are implemented and adhered to by circuses (details supplied). [11927/07]
The Arts Council comes under the remit of the Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism. The Deputy's question should accordingly be addressed to the Minister responsible for that Department, Mr. John O'Donoghue, T.D.
The Health and Safety Authority is responsible for the enforcement of occupational health and safety standards and would be happy to provide information in that regard to the Deputy in relation to circuses.
210 Mr. Connaughton asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if the lands earmarked for an industrial park (details supplied) in County Galway have been purchased from Teagasc; if the contract has been signed; if this land is in the ownership of the IDA; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11937/07]
The management of IDA Ireland's industrial property portfolio, including the purchase of land is a day-to-day operational matter for the agency and not a matter in which I have a function.
I understand from IDA Ireland that the agency is in discussion with Teagasc regarding the purchase of lands at Mellows College, Athenry, Co Galway. As of yet no contracts have been signed but both parties are optimistic that contracts will be completed in the near future.
211 Mr. J. O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of appointments to State boards, State bodies or other like entities which he envisages making or nominating in the period 26 March 2007 to 31 May 2007; if he will identify any such board, body or entity involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11975/07]
Some 2 appointments will be made to the Board of Enterprise Ireland before 31 May 2007. Some 2 appointments will be made to the Board of Shannon Development before 31 May 2007. Appointments to the Board are made by myself, with the agreement of the Minister for Finance and the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism. One appointment will be made to the Board of Forfás arising from the resignation of the acting Director General of Science Foundation Ireland. The legislation provides that the Director General of SFI must be on the Board of Forfás. Accordingly the incoming Director General of SFI will be appointed to the board of Forfás on appointment. However I do not expect this to happen until possibly July of this year.
Some 3 appointments to the Board of the NSAI will be made in April of this year. Some 13 appointments consisting of 12 members and a chairperson will be made to the Board of the National Consumer Agency, on enactment of the Consumer Protection Bill. It is most likely that the Bill will be enacted within the timeframe referred to in the question and that the Board of the Agency shall be appointed by the Minister prior to the start of June. Some 6 Rights Commissioners will be appointed before 31 May 2007, 5 under the terms of Towards 2016, and 1 arising from a vacancy.
As 4 members of the Board of the NCC are required to retire on 31 May each year, 4 appointments will be made subsequent to these retirements. Some 16 appointments will be made before 31 May 2007, to the Expert Group on Future Skills Needs, which has recently completed its term of office. The Group will be in place until end-2009. Appointments to the Advisory Board of the NERA may be made before 31 May 2007.
212 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the reason a statutory redundancy payment was not made to a person (details supplied) in County Carlow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11986/07]
From enquiries made in the Redundancy Payments section of this Department, I understand that the person concerned, who was made redundant on 11th March 2005, received a statutory redundancy payment of €49,800.00 from his employer in respect of his employment from 30 September 1963 to 11th March 2005. He signed Form RP2 acknowledging receipt of the statutory redundancy payment. A period of lay-off due to strike action, from 8th July to 8th August 1980 and from 16 to 26 September 1984, which amounted to 43 days, was deducted from the calculation of total service.
An employee must seek a statutory redundancy lump sum or part thereof from his former employer within 12 months from the date of termination of his employment. If he were dissatisfied with the Redundancy Lump Sum he could have lodged an appeal with the Employment Appeals Tribunal also within 12 months from the date of termination. The Employment Appeals Tribunal has discretion to extend this 12-month period to 2 years. As it is now over 2 years since the redundancy in question, the person concerned is now out of time for bringing a claim for any balance of his statutory redundancy payment before the Employment Appeals Tribunal.
213 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the compliance which can be enforced in respect of a Labour Court hearing and decision in the matter of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12103/07]
The Labour Court conducts hearings on trade disputes and then issues recommendations setting out its opinion on the dispute and the terms on which it should be settled. The law on industrial relations disputes does not generally seek to impose a solution on the parties to a dispute but rather seeks to assist them in arriving at a solution.
I understand that the Labour Court held a hearing in relation to the dispute referred to by the deputy and their Recommendation on the matter issued in August 2006. As it is a Court of last resort in the industrial relations process, it is expected that the parties come to the process in good faith and consequently are prepared to give serious consideration to the Court's recommendations.
Recommendations of the Labour Court are not legally binding however and ultimately, responsibility for the settlement of a trade dispute rests with the parties to the dispute.
214 Mr. O’Connor asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will report on efforts to improve trade with Ukraine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12110/07]
The Government's efforts to strengthen Irish exports to Ukraine are primarily channelled through Enterprise Ireland (EI). Since late 2004, following the "Orange Revolution" in that country, a number of initiatives have been undertaken by the EI office in Moscow (which also services the Ukraine), to increase and deepen trade ties between the two countries.
Following a successful EI seminar on business in Ukraine in 2005, I myself led Ireland's first ever official Trade Mission to that country in June 2006. 21 companies and organisations participated, including representatives of state and semi-state bodies. Over 100 buyer meetings were directly brokered by EI during the course of the mission. In June this year, EI will run a 5 day Market Study Visit to Ukraine for a delegation of their client companies. This visit will concentrate on the capital, Kyiv, but will also afford participants the opportunity to explore business opportunities in Lviv, in Western Ukraine, where a number of Irish companies have set up operations.
EI has, over the past 2 years, built up a substantial network of Ukrainian contacts and support resources, and has focused its efforts on sectors such as IT and Telecommunications, Financial Services/ Banking Systems, Education, Medical Devices and Agricultural Machinery, which have been identified as markets likely to generate the most opportunities in the short to medium term for Irish industry. Linkages have been developed with local trade and business associations and with private contractors, to provide logistic support for Irish companies when they visit the Ukrainian market.
In 2006, EI launched a Ukrainian domain corporate website, www.enterprise-ireland.com.ua, to provide Ukrainian businesses with economic information about Ireland and to highlight the activities of Irish companies active there. The website is in Russian and readily accessible as a valuable information resource for the large section of the Ukrainian population who are native and second language Russian speakers. It is planned to add Ukrainian language content to the website later this year.
Irish merchandise exports to Ukraine increased by 49% between 2004 and 2005 and by 8% between 2005 and 2006, when they reached €25.2m. Irish services exports to Ukraine have shown an even more dramatic change, with an increase of 71% to €60m between 2004 and 2005 (the latest full year for which services data are available). Merchandise imports from Ukraine have also been increasing and currently stand at €9.3m for 2006, while services imports were €4m in 2005.
Discussions have been ongoing for some time to conclude a Double Taxation Agreement with Ukraine, which would significantly reduce the barriers to international business and trade between our two countries.
215 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the languages in which his Department’s telephone messages are recorded; and if his Department’s messages include a version in the Irish language. [11895/07]
My Department endeavours to ensure that customers who make contact by telephone speak directly to a telephonist or an officer. Therefore, my Department uses limited pre-recorded oral announcements in the delivery of its schemes and services. Pre-recorded messages are confined to Lo-call numbers and the announcements are currently recorded in English.
I am aware of my Department's obligations under the Official Languages Act. When the regulations in relation to pre-recorded oral announcements are finalised, this service will be provided on all pre-recorded telephone messages.
216 Dr. Cowley asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs his views on whether in view of the recent announcement that the free travel scheme is being extended to travel within Northern Ireland, it is now a perfect time to introduce free travel to all Irish pensioners regardless of their country of residence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11908/07]
The free travel scheme is available to all people living in the State aged 66 years or over. All carers in receipt of carer's allowance and carers of people in receipt of constant attendance or prescribed relative's allowance, regardless of their age, also receive a free travel pass.
The scheme is also available to people under age 66 who are in receipt of certain disability type welfare payments, such as disability allowance, invalidity pension and blind person's pension. People resident in the State who are in receipt of a social security invalidity or disability payment from a country covered by EU Regulations, or from a country with which Ireland has a bilateral social security agreement, and who have been in receipt of this payment for at least 12 months, are also eligible for free travel.
There have been a number of requests and enquiries in relation to the extension of entitlement to free travel in Ireland to Irish born people living outside Ireland, or to those in receipt of pensions from my Department, particularly in the UK, when they return to Ireland for a visit.
I have been advised that it would not be possible to extend entitlement to free travel simply to Irish born people living abroad as to do so would be contrary to European legislation which prohibits discrimination on the grounds of nationality. More recently, the European Commission has indicated that to extend the scheme to people in receipt of an Irish pension could also be considered discriminatory.
I have raised the issue with Commissioner Spidla and officials from my Department met with European Commission officials on a number of occasions in an effort to clarify the legal issues involved. I am keeping this issue under review.
217 Dr. Cowley asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs his views on whether families in receipt of social welfare payments, with children over the age of 22 years in full time education, should have the payments for these children granted until they are finished their education and that age should not have a bearing on this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11910/07]
Most social welfare payments provide for an increase in respect of qualified children.
Social welfare customers in receipt of a long term payment or in receipt of a short term payment for more than six months can claim an increase for each child who is over 18 years and up to age 22 and attending a full-time day course of education at an institute of education. If the child reaches age 22 during an academic year while attending a full-time day course of education, they continue to be regarded as a qualified child up to the end of that academic year, provided they continue to receive full-time education.
I am satisfied that this provision assists social welfare recipients in supporting a qualified child dependant up to and including primary degree level in most cases. Any improvement could only be considered in a budgetary context and in light of competing priorities.
I have no immediate plans to change current arrangements but I will keep the matter under review.
218 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs when the oral hearing in relation to the appeal for a respite care grant for 2005 for a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will be scheduled as the delay is most unfair in view of the fact that the matter has been ongoing for many months. [11911/07]
The person concerned appealed against the decision to refuse him a Respite Care Grant for 2005. In accordance with the statutory requirements, the relevant departmental papers and comments of my Department were sought. These have now been provided and I am informed that the case has been referred to an Appeals Officer who proposes to hold an oral hearing.
I am advised that a date is not yet available for the oral hearing but that a date will be set as soon as it can be accommodated.
219 Mr. Cregan asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the situation in relation to the rules regarding categories of workers who had to pay PRSI during the years 1967 to 1974; if the necessity to pay contributions was based on income or category of workers; the definition of manual or non-manual workers; the reason some workers were refused the opportunity to pay contributions, while others deemed manual were allowed pay even if on higher wages; if this discriminatory provision was ever challenged legally or set aside by an appeals officer; and if people with gaps in their record can now have their contributions restored or can they be given the right to purchase them back. [11915/07]
Until 1974, liability for social insurance contributions was compulsory for almost all workers over the age of sixteen years who were either manual workers employed under a contract of service, regardless of their remuneration, or non-manual workers whose remuneration did not exceed a specified limit.
The remuneration limit in 1974 was £1,600 per annum for full-time workers or equivalent for part-time workers. This had been increased from £600 per annum from 5 January, 1953, £800 per annum from December, 1958, £1,200 from September, 1965, and £1,600 from May, 1971 until the remuneration limit was removed on 31st March, 1974. There were no changes to insurance liability in 1967.
The removal of the remuneration limit was due to the recognition that traditional differences in pay and conditions between manual and non-manual workers had been gradually eroded, that the borderline between what constitutes manual work and non-manual work had become blurred and that similar arrangements in European social security codes were gradually being removed. Accordingly, it was decided there were arguments for treating manual and non-manual workers equally within the social insurance system.
There is no record of a legal challenge in relation to these provisions. Decisions made by Appeals Officers some thirty five years ago are not now available.
Where a non-manual worker reached the insurable limit and was therefore no longer compulsorily insured, the legislation enabled that worker to make voluntary contributions provided he or she had a minimum of 156 contributions paid and applied within a prescribed period.
There is no scope in legislation to facilitate the payment of contributions that were not due or to retrospectively pay social insurance contributions for which a person was not liable. However, in recognition of the fact that some workers may have been in and out of insurance coverage over their working life because of fluctuations in their earnings, special arrangements were put in place in 1988 with the introduction of special partial pensions related to the average of the contributions paid, subject to a minimum average of five full-rate contributions paid or credited.
220 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the reason a person (details supplied) in County Mayo was refused jobseeker’s allowance. [11930/07]
The person concerned made an application for jobseeker's allowance on 23 February 2007. Due to an administrative error, she was incorrectly informed that her means exceeded the limit for entitlement to jobseeker's allowance in her case.
Her case is currently being re-examined and she has been asked to supply further details in connection with her claim. A decision on her claim will issue as soon as possible once this information is received.
The Department aims to provide a quality service to customers and the error which occurred in this case is regretted.
221 Mr. J. O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the number of appointments to State boards, State bodies or other like entities which he envisages making or nominating in the period 26 March 2007 to 31 May 2007; if he will identify any such board, body or entity involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11981/07]
The five statutory agencies operating under the aegis of my Department are the Pensions Board, the Combat Poverty Agency, the Citizens Information Board (formerly Comhairle), the Family Support Agency and the Social Welfare Tribunal. In addition the Pensions Ombudsman comes under the remit of my Department.
There are 2 vacancies on the Citizens Information Board which are in the process of being filled.
222 Mr. Costello asked the Minister for Transport if he will amend the Roads Bill 2007 to reflect the wishes of the residents of the Croke Park area who are seeking residents only parking permits on the occasion of big match and other major event days; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11829/07]
The imposition of restrictions and prohibitions on parking on public roads is a complex matter and legal advice was sought in this regard from the Office of the Attorney General. I have included a section in the Roads Bill 2007, which is now before the Houses, to deal with this matter. It will empower local councils to make bye-laws for the application of restrictions and prohibitions on parking in areas (such as around the environs of Croke Park) when specified events such as a sporting or entertainment events are being held.
223 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Transport the languages in which his Department’s telephone messages are recorded; and if his Department’s messages include a version in the Irish language. [11897/07]
The out of hours message on the Department's main switchboard is bilingual with the English version played initially followed by the Irish version giving identical information.
Individual voicemails are at the discretion of staff members as to the language(s) in which they wish to record their message.
224 Mr. J. O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Transport the number of appointments to State boards, State bodies or other like entities which he envisages making or nominating in the period 26 March 2007 to 31 May 2007; if he will identify any such board, body or entity involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11983/07]
The following table outlines the existing and anticipated vacancies on State boards and other bodies under my aegis for the period in question. I will give due consideration to filling any particular vacancy as and when that vacancy arises and taking account of the particular circumstances prevailing at the time.
|
State Board |
Vacancies Existing or Anticipated |
|
National Roads Authority |
3 |
|
Advisory Council to the Commission for Taxi Regulation |
17 |
|
Commissioner for Taxi Regulation |
1 |
|
Advisory Council on Rail Safety |
14 |
|
Irish Aviation Authority |
1 |
|
Railway Procurement Agency |
1 |
|
CIE |
1 |
|
Road Safety Authority |
2 |
|
Dublin Airport Authority |
Nil |
|
Cork Airport Authority |
0 |
|
Shannon Airport Authority |
Nil |
|
Dublin Transportation Office |
Nil |
|
Medical Bureau of Road Safety |
Nil |
|
Marine Casualty Investigation Board |
Nil |
|
Port of Cork |
5 |
|
Drogheda Port Company |
3 |
|
Dublin Port Company |
6 |
|
Dún Laoghaire Harbour Company |
6 |
|
Galway Harbour Company |
6 |
|
Dundalk Port Company |
9 |
|
Wicklow Port Company |
9 |
|
Shannon Foynes Port Company |
6 |
|
New Ross Port Company |
6 |
225 Ms C. Murphy asked the Minister for Transport if all the 100 buses purchased by Dublin Bus are now in use on the bus corridors they were identified to serve; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12119/07]
Dublin Bus has advised me that it has taken delivery of the 100 additional buses. The deployment of the buses is an operational matter for the company in which I have no role.
226 Mr. Costello asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the reason Pobal has refused an application by a club (details supplied) for funding from the dormant accounts fund programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11863/07]
The group in question applied for assistance from the Dormant Accounts Fund under the measure providing supports for ICT (Information and Communications Technology) Initiatives for Disadvantage Young People. The intention of this funding is to provide greater access to ICT and to promote ICT skills development among disadvantaged young people.
The proposal from the group in question did not score high enough to warrant a funding recommendation. The group was advised on 31st January of the outcome and of their right to seek a review of the decision. A request for a review was received on 22nd February and this is currently being processed. The group will be notified of the outcome of the review in due course.
227 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the languages in which his Department’s telephone messages are recorded; and if his Department’s messages include a version in the Irish language. [11886/07]
During normal office hours, people phoning my Department's main numbers are usually greeted personally in Irish in Gaeltacht based offices and in Irish, or Irish and English (bilingually), in other offices.
Outside of normal office hours, callers hear either a recorded message in Irish or a bilingual recording in Irish and English.
Where a direct dial number is used (i.e. where the caller has the direct number of a particular person or business unit) and the phone is unattended, the caller will be invited by recorded message to leave a message. That recorded message can be in Irish, be bilingual, or be in English, depending on how the person being called has set up their voicemail. In Gaeltacht based offices or offices dealing with Irish language matters, staff record such messages in Irish while in other offices staff record such messages bilingually or, more usually, callers will be invited in English to leave a message.
228 Mr. Bruton asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the funding initiatives he has developed to support organisations seeking to build a sense of community integrated into Irish life among ethnic minority groups; and if he has identified the need for further development in this area. [11944/07]
Ethnic minority groups are supported in the main under the Local Development and Social Inclusion Programme (LDSIP) and the Community Development Programme. Other programmes and schemes administered by, or on behalf of, my Department are open to community groups regardless of their ethnicity. Information on the various schemes is available on the Department's website at www.pobail.ie.
The LDSIP aims to counter disadvantage, promote equality, social and economic inclusion through the provision of funding and support to local partnerships. The programme is administered by Pobal on behalf of the Department and is delivered through 69 local and community partnerships companies and two Employment Pacts in designated areas.
Refugees, asylum seekers, migrant workers and their families are all named as target groups of the LDSIP. Partnerships have developed actions to support the integration of ethnic minority communities in the areas of labour market, community development, and community-based youth initiatives.
Since December 2006 actions under the LDSIP have been complemented by the Initiative to Support the Integration of Legally Resident Immigrants (which is the responsibility of the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform). One strand of this Initiative is specifically for partnerships companies to support local-level strategies. To date 15 Partnerships have been awarded funding.
In addition, six Partnerships were funded in 2006 through the Vulnerable Immigrants Measure of the Dormant Accounts Fund, to enhance the employability of legally resident immigrants in their areas.
My Department's Community Development Programme supports the core costs of 182 community projects located in areas of disadvantage throughout the country. These projects are managed by local voluntary management committee and provide a focal point for community activity within their area of operation. Ethnic minority groups, where they experience disadvantage and/or marginalisation, are one of a number of target groups that benefit under the programme.
229 Mr. J. O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the number of appointments to State boards, State bodies or other like entities which he envisages making or nominating in the period 26 March 2007 to 31 May 2007; if he will identify any such board, body or entity involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11972/07]
I do not envisage making any appointments or nominating any individuals to State Boards, State Bodies or other like entities in the period 26 March 2007 to 31 May 2007. For completeness I might however add that a decision on possible retention of certain existing members of a particular board, whose terms will soon expire, may arise for consideration by Government during the period in question.
230 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food when a person (details supplied) in County Meath will be issued with their 2005 national reserve allocation and payment; the reason for the delay; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11861/07]
The person named submitted an application for an allocation of entitlements from the 2005 Single Payment Scheme National Reserve under Category B.
Category B caters for farmers who made an investment in production capacity in a farming sector for which a direct payment under Livestock Premia and/or Arable Aid schemes would have been payable during the reference period 2000-2002. Investments can include purchase or long term lease of land, purchase of suckler and/or ewe quota or other investments. The person named applied under Category B(i) in relation to investment in land and B(iv) in relation to investment in buildings and has been deemed successful.
The person named also benefited from another measure (Force Majeure during the reference period) under which the year 2001 was removed when calculating his entitlements under the Single Payment Scheme.
The Regulations governing the Single Payment Scheme provide that checks must be made to ensure that an allocation from the National Reserve, to an applicant who has already benefited under other measures associated with the Single Payment Scheme, does not result in double benefit. An applicant may only benefit from the measure that is most beneficial. All checks have now been completed and it has been established that an allocation from the National Reserve is more beneficial in this case and therefore the Force Majeure status has been rescinded in favour of an allocation from the National Reserve.
A formal letter outlining my Department's decision has issued to the person named and the relevant payment due will issue shortly.
231 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the languages in which her Department’s telephone messages are recorded; and if her Department’s messages include a version in the Irish language. [11883/07]
My Department's telephone messages are recorded in English. Arrangements are being put in place to provide a version in the Irish language in line with my Departments Scheme 2006-2009 under Section 11 of the Official Language Act 2003.
232 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if there are grants available for a person (details supplied) who does not have a herd number to build a slatted shed on the lands which have been inherited from their late father; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11917/07]
The Farm Improvement Scheme will be introduced as soon as EU approval is received for the Rural Development Programme 2007-2013. It is proposed that this Scheme will provide grant-aid for the construction of slatted sheds and, as in the case of previous Schemes, applicants will be required to have a herd number or other Department identifier in order to apply for grant-aid under the Scheme.
233 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if the grant approved to a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will now be granted. [11932/07]
The person named above is an applicant under the Farm Waste Management Scheme. Core documentation relating to his application remains outstanding. My Department is not in a position to further process this application until all relevant documentation has been received.
234 Mr. Connaughton asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the outcome of an appeal for extra entitlements for a person (details supplied) in County Galway; if her attention has been drawn to the fact that the farmer in question lost four cows from their quota of twenty cows in 2002, if her further attention has been drawn to the fact that they did their best to have them replaced on time; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11934/07]
The person named has now been given credit for twenty suckler cows for the year 2002 in the calculation of his Single Payment entitlement. This will lead to an increased Single Payment for 2005 and 2006 and the supplementary payment will be processed without delay.
235 Mr. J. O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the number of appointments to State boards, State bodies or other like entities which she envisages making or nominating in the period 26 March 2007 to 31 May 2007; if she will identify any such board, body or entity involved; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11969/07]
I will be making two appointments to the Board of Teagasc in the period specified.
236 Ms O’Sullivan asked the Minister for Education and Science if funds will be provided in 2007 for an extension to a school (details supplied) in County Dublin; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11801/07]
I can confirm to the Deputy that the school to which she refers applied for capital funding under the Department's Small Schools Scheme, SSS, for 2007. The school's application was unsuccessful due to higher priorities under the prioritisation criteria for the scheme. However, it is open to the school authorities to apply for funding under the 2008 scheme, details of which will be announced later this year.
In the meantime the school has applied for grant aid to rent a temporary prefabricated Special Education Room to cater for immediate needs. This application is under assessment and the school will be notified of the outcome shortly.
Advancement of a project for the school under the traditional method of procurement is being considered under the Department's Multi-annual School Building and Modernisation Programme.
237 Mr. Noonan asked the Minister for Education and Science if she has found alternative accommodation for a school (details supplied) in County Limerick as it has to vacate its current accommodation at the end of the 2006/2007 school year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11837/07]
A suitable building for the school in question has been identified. A formal offer, subject to Contract, for its purchase has been made by my Department to the vendor's agents within the past week. The vendor has been allowed 14 days from the date of the offer in which to respond and my Department is hopeful of a positive response.
238 Ms Burton asked the Minister for Education and Science if her attention has been drawn to the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 15; if her attention has further been drawn to the fact that the person has been without education for a long period of time and is in need not only of education but of the stability of a school place; if intervention has been made by her Department to secure a school place for the person; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11839/07]
Enrolment decisions are the responsibility of the Board of Management of each individual school. My Department has no role in relation to processing applications for enrolment by schools.
Section 29 of the Education Act 1998, provides parents with an appeal process where a Board of Management of a school or a person acting on behalf of the Board refuses enrolment to a student. Where a school refuses to enrol a pupil, the school is obliged to inform parents of their right under Section 29 of Education Act 1998 to appeal that decision to the Secretary General of my Department. It is only where an appeal under Section 29 is upheld that the Secretary General of my Department may direct a school to enrol a pupil.
The National Educational Welfare Board (NEWB) is the statutory agency which can assist parents who are experiencing difficulty in securing a school place for their child. The NEWB can be contacted at National Educational Welfare Board, National Headquarters, 16-22 Green Street, Dublin 7 or by telephone at 01-8738700.
An appeal under section 29 of the Education Act 1998 was heard in October 2006 in respect of a refusal by a Special School to enrol the child referred to by the Deputy. The appeal was not upheld. In issuing its findings the appeals committee reported that the school in question was not an appropriate placement for this child in light of her educational needs. The child has been diagnosed with significant acquired brain injury and requires specialist advice and input regarding her educational placement.
The appeals committee recommended that the National Educational Welfare Board, in consultation with The National Council for Special Education, should assist the child's parents in arranging for a suitable educational placement. The National Educational Welfare Board, NEWB, is aware of this case and an Educational Welfare Officer, EWO, has been assisting the child's mother in seeking an appropriate placement.
My Department has sanctioned home tuition hours for the child as an interim measure. A home tutor with experience in working with persons with Acquired Brain Injury was sourced by the EWO and this home tuition arrangement is currently ongoing.
The Appeals Committee also recommended that a further assessment of the child should be carried out and this took place in December 2006. Following the results of the assessment, the EWO contacted and made applications to a number of schools in the Dublin area that cater for children with Mild Learning Disability.
The NEWB has informed my Department that, to date, one school has said it is full but will process an application for September 2007. A second school has refused to enrol the child and my Department is informed that the mother has decided not to appeal this decision. A third school is reviewing the application and has asked the EWO to set up a professionals meeting and this process is in hand.
239 Mr. O’Shea asked the Minister for Education and Science the position regarding the entitlement of a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary under the new pension scheme for primary school caretakers employed under the 1979 scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11864/07]
In 2006 I introduced, with the concurrence of the Minister for Finance, pension arrangements for caretaking staff employed under the 1979 Scheme. These arrangements provide that membership of the pension scheme will be effective from 1 September 2001 in the case of eligible caretakers in service at that time. The pension scheme will be a contributory, defined benefit scheme and will provide standard public service pension benefits.
Deduction of ongoing contributions commenced from eligible personnel with effect from 7 March 2006. Arrears of contributions are payable in respect of the period from 1 September 2001 to the date ongoing deductions commenced, or the date membership ended if earlier. Eligible staff will be notified in due course of the arrears due in respect of that period. In accordance with standard public service arrangements, there is also provision for reckoning service given prior to 1 September 2001 subject to verification of the service concerned and payment of the appropriate contributions.
The specific case referred to by the Deputy is currently being examined. I will arrange to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy confirming the position.
240 Mr. Bruton asked the Minister for Education and Science her views on the recognition of Montessori teachers as persons eligible to deliver a primary education programme; if she will introduce measures to ensure that such teachers who do not have the required certification in Irish could obtain it; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11875/07]
Two Montessori qualifications are currently recognised for the purpose of appointment to the following posts in primary schools: resource teaching posts, special classes and special schools. The two recognised qualifications are (i) the three-year full-time course in the Association Montessori Internationale (AMI) College, Mount St. Mary's, Milltown, Dublin 14 and (ii) the HETAC accredited B.A. in Montessori Education or B.A. (Hons.) in Montessori Education in St. Nicholas Montessori College, Dún Laoghaire. Teachers with Montessori qualifications recognised by my Department are also eligible to work as substitute teachers in mainstream primary schools.
Teachers with the above recognised Montessori qualifications are granted restricted recognition to teach in special schools and in the categories of special classes in mainstream schools where Irish is not a curricular requirement. Such teachers are also eligible for posts as resource teachers (low incidence) for children with special needs in mainstream schools (Circular 02/2005). The conditions governing the recognition of qualifications are set out in Circular 25/00, "Recognition of Teacher Qualifications for the Purpose of Teaching in National Schools".
The Deputy may be aware that, with effect from 28th March, 2006, the Teaching Council is the designated authority for recognition of qualifications for the regulated profession of primary teacher. The issue raised in relation to the Irish requirement for Montessori teachers should be taken up with the Council.
I wish to inform the Deputy that my Department has agreed to a request from the Irish Montessori Education Board for a meeting to discuss issues of concern to them. The necessary arrangements for the holding of the meeting will be made as soon as possible.
241 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Education and Science the languages in which her Department’s telephone messages are recorded; and if her Department’s messages include a version in the Irish language. [11888/07]
Voicemail messages are bilingual (Irish and English) when a member of staff in my Department can provide a service through Irish.
Where staff are unable to provide a service through Irish, the caller is offered the option to have the call returned, within one working day, by an Irish speaking member of staff.
My Department published its Scheme under Section 11 of the Official Languages Act in December 2005. The Scheme, which covers the period 2005-2008, includes a commitment to provide a dedicated telephone number for Irish speaking customers. In order to meet this commitment, a targeted language training programme is being delivered to increase the numbers of staff capable of providing services through Irish.
242 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Minister for Education and Science if her Department has plans to refurbish or to rebuild the swimming pool (details supplied) in Dublin 24; the timeframe to undertake the necessary works; the estimated cost of same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11904/07]
The Department is in receipt of an application from the school to which the Deputy refers for the refurbishment/redevelopment of its sports complex including the swimming pool. The project has been assessed in accordance with the published prioritisation criteria for large scale building projects and has been assigned a band 4 rating. Progress on the project will be considered in the context of the multi-annual School Building and Modernisation programme.
243 Mr. Carey asked the Minister for Education and Science when it is expected that an agreement will be reached between the trustees of a school (details supplied) in Dublin 11 and her Department regarding the management arrangements for the sports hall and the way the issue of community access will be addressed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11920/07]
My Department has provided funding in excess of €34m for the construction of nine dual use halls with enhanced facilities, attached to post-primary schools.
Eight of the halls, including the hall referred to by the Deputy, are in Dublin and one is in Cork.
The halls in question have been built as part of a joint programme to develop community sports facilities in drugs task force areas. As the halls are of a much greater magnitude than the average school PE hall, issues relating to the funding, management structure and staffing of the halls have had to be considered.
My Department is at present considering detailed proposals which have been put forward by the trustees of the school in question in relation to the future operation of the sports hall. Following such consideration, my Department will revert to the trustees with a view to reaching agreement at an early date on the future management arrangements for the hall, taking into account issues relating to both school and community access.
244 Dr. Cowley asked the Minister for Education and Science the reason students of a school (details supplied) in County Mayo have to cross a busy road to be collected by the school bus in view of the fact that students of an adjacent school are collected in their school grounds; the reason a bus shelter between the two schools is not being used which would avoid any unnecessary risk; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11923/07]
I have asked Bus Éireann to communicate directly with the Deputy as the planning and organising of school bus routes is an operational matter for the company.
245 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Education and Science if, in order to ensure the delivery of the most appropriate teaching skills in the teaching of English as a second language, she will ensure the religious ethos exemption will not be used in such a way as to impede the recruitment, establishment or promotion of those with exceptional skills who have come into the area of teaching, and whose contribution is both necessary and invaluable; if she has satisfied herself that to invoke the religious exemption in order to adversely affect the employment prospects of an applicant to a teaching position would breach the spirit and letter of Irish, European and international equality legislation. [11926/07]
I am anxious for schools to appoint the most suitable people to language support posts and am determined to ensure that language support teachers have access to the right assessment tools to help them to establish the abilities and needs of individual students.
In order to ensure that schools can accurately and objectively assess the language requirement of children, my Department will be sending to primary schools assessment materials which have been developed by Integrate Ireland Language and Training (IILT). The assessment materials will enable schools to ensure that the specific language requirements of children needing support are met in a targeted way. The IILT materials will also enable accurate initial and on-going assessment of the language proficiency of the child and his or her need for continued language support.
In relation to the question of ethos raised by the Deputy, the position is that section 15 of the Education Act states that it is the duty of the Board of Management "to manage the school(s) on behalf of the patron" and "uphold, and be accountable to the patron for so upholding, the characteristic spirit of the school(s) as determined by the cultural, educational, moral, religious, social, linguistic and spiritual values and traditions which inform and are characteristic of the objectives and conduct of the school...".
246 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for Education and Science when outdoor toilets at Ballyguiltenane, County Limerick will be replaced; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11933/07]
The Department has been in contact with the school authorities in relation to this matter. An application from the school for funding to provide toilet facilities under the Emergency Works Grant is awaited.
247 Mr. Connaughton asked the Minister for Education and Science if her attention has been drawn to the fact that her Department gave an undertaking that encroachment into the catchment area of a school (details supplied) in County Galway at Dysart by a bus serving the Athlone PPC would end in June 2006; if her attention has further been drawn to the fact that this encroachment is continuing; if the encroachment will end as and from June 2007; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11935/07]
My predecessor agreed to sanction the continuance of the existing transport arrangements, referred to by the Deputy, for the current school year. The relevant Transport Liaison Officers will be notified of any change in these arrangements in advance of the next school year.
248 Mr. Connaughton asked the Minister for Education and Science if her attention has been drawn to the overcrowding at a school (details supplied) in County Galway; if her attention has further been drawn to the length of time it is taking for approval for a substantial extension to this school; the stage the application is at; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11936/07]
The building project for the school referred to by the Deputy is at an early stage of architectural planning.
A meeting was recently convened with Officials from my Department, the Board of Management and the Design Team in order to evaluate the Stage 2 submission. At the meeting, the project was approved to proceed to Stage 3 (Developed Sketch Scheme) of Architectural Planning. Officials from my Department will be in further contact with the school authorities when the Stage 3 documentation has been received and evaluated.
Progression of the project to tender and construction will be considered in the context of the multi-annual School Building and Modernisation programme.
249 Cecilia Keaveney asked the Minister for Education and Science if funding is available to support people undertaking distance learning courses; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11945/07]
My Department funds four maintenance grant schemes for third level and further education students. These are the Higher Education Grants (HEG) Scheme, the Vocational Education Committees' (VEC) Scholarships Scheme, the Third Level Maintenance Grants Scheme for Trainees (TLT) and the Maintenance Grants Scheme for Students attending Post Leaving Certificate Courses (PLC). The decision on eligibility for third level grants is a matter for the relevant local authority or VEC.
Generally speaking, students who are entering approved courses for the first time are eligible for grants where they satisfy the relevant conditions as to age, residence, means, nationality and previous academic attainment. In order to qualify for financial assistance under the Third Level Student Support Schemes operated by my Department, a person must pursue a full-time undergraduate course, which must generally be of at least two years duration, at an approved third level institution.
Under the Free Fees Initiative, the Department meets the tuition fees of eligible students who are attending full-time undergraduate courses which must be of at least two years duration, at approved colleges.
An undergraduate course by distance learning, is not regarded as full-time study, accordingly, such students are ineligible for grant assistance under the Third Level Student Support Schemes.
Tax relief is available for tuition fees paid by students who are attending certain third level colleges. Such students, or their parents, as appropriate, can avail of tax relief, at the standard rate, on tuition fees paid in respect of part-time undergraduate courses of at least two years duration in such colleges, provided that both the college and the course satisfy the prescribed Codes of Standards and are approved by the Minister for Education and Science.
Further details and conditions in relation to tax relief are available from each individual's local tax office.
250 Cecilia Keaveney asked the Minister for Education and Science her plans to update the software for the computers that all schools have been issued by her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11946/07]
As the Deputy will be aware, the National Development Plan 2007-2013 provides for investment of €252m in the ICT in Schools Programme and I will be publishing a comprehensive new strategy for ICT in Schools covering the period to 2013. The new strategy will aim to develop an e-Learning culture in our schools that will ensure that ICT usage is embedded in teaching and learning across the curriculum.
I have recently announced the appointment of a Strategy Planning Group to advise me on the prioritisation of measures under the planned investment over the period of the NDP. Among the issues which the new strategy will address will be the provision of software and digital content for learning. It will also address teacher professional development, the maintenance of the national broadband network for schools, technical maintenance and support requirements and the upgrading and renewal of hardware. I have asked the Strategy Planning Group to look at the critical success factors for those schools that are successfully integrating ICT into their teaching and learning and to take account of the full range of educational supports and funding available to further the integration of ICT into teaching and learning.
The Strategy Planning Group is chaired by Mr Jerome Morrissey, Director of the National Centre for Technology in Education and its membership comprises individuals with a range of complementary experiences and expertise in education, industry and the public service. It is expected that the Group will report in May.
251 Cecilia Keaveney asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of English language assistant teachers that have been appointed in primary schools in County Donegal in each of the past five years. [11947/07]
The information requested by the Deputy is provided in the following table:
|
School Year |
Number of Posts |
|
2002/03 |
Nil |
|
2003/04 |
3 |
|
2004/05 |
5 |
|
2005/06 |
7 |
|
2006/07 |
15 |
252 Cecilia Keaveney asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of resource teachers that have been newly appointed in each of the past five years in County Donegal; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11948/07]
I wish to advise the Deputy that the information sought in respect of the number of newly appointed resource teachers in each of the past five years in schools in County Donegal is not readily available in my Department.
As the Deputy is aware, 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.
My Department implemented a new scheme for allocating resource teachers to all mainstream primary schools in September 2005. The general allocation scheme is designed to ensure that each school has learning support/resource teaching available to meet the needs of children with high incidence special needs and those with learning support needs.
Pupils assessed as having low incidence disabilities, such as autism, may be eligible for an individual allocation of resource teaching hours following submission of an application by the school to the local Special Educational Needs Organiser (SENO).
At primary level, there are now more than 5,500 teachers in our primary schools working directly with children with special needs, including those requiring learning support. This compares to approximately 1,500 in 1998.
At second level, approximately 1,878 whole time equivalent additional teachers are in place to support pupils with special educational needs. This compares to the approximately 200 teachers that were in place in 1998 for such pupils. In addition, there are 533 whole time equivalent learning support teachers in our second level schools.
The Deputy will also be aware that with effect from 1 January 2005, the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) has taken over key functions from my Department in relation to special educational provision. The NCSE was formally established as an independent statutory body on the 1st October 2005 under the Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs Act 2005. The Council acts under the broad policy direction of the Department of Education and Science but has the resources and the remit to play the leading role in the delivery of education services to children with disabilities/special needs.
253 Cecilia Keaveney asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of special needs assistants that have been appointed to primary schools in County Donegal in each of the past five years. [11949/07]
There are currently 264 Special Need Assistants (whole-time equivalents) employed in primary schools in County Donegal.
As the Deputy is aware, there are over three thousand two hundred primary schools in the country. The compilation of information regarding the number of SNAs appointed to individual schools would require an inordinate amount of administrative time in my Department.
254 Ms Burton asked the Minister for Education and Science if she will supply the information previously requested in relation to schools in Dublin 15 (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11950/07]
Information in relation to class sizes is provided in the annual census of primary schools. The details for the current school year (2006/2007) are currently being compiled by my Department and the information requested is not readily available.
As the Deputy will be aware, major improvements have been made in staffing at primary level in recent years. At the beginning of the current school year there are no less than 5,000 extra teachers in our primary schools, compared with 2002. The average class size in our primary schools is 24 and there is now one teacher for 17 pupils at primary level, including resource teachers etc.
Children with special needs and those from disadvantaged areas are getting more support than ever before to help them to make the most of their time at school.
Indeed, with the thousands of extra primary teachers hired by this Government, recent years have seen the largest expansion in teacher numbers since the expansion of free education. Furthermore, the Government is committed to providing even more primary teachers next year to reduce class sizes.
As the Deputy knows all primary schools are staffed on a general rule of at least one classroom teacher for every 28 children. Of course, schools with only one or two teachers have much lower staffing ratios than that — with two teachers for just 12 pupils in some cases and so on — but the general rule is that there is at least one classroom teacher for every 28 children in the school. Next year (2007/2008 school year) this is being reduced to 27 children per classroom teacher.
A further initiative that has been of direct benefit to primary schools has been the change in the criteria for developing schools. For the current school year the threshold for getting a developing school post was reduced specifically to help schools that are seeing large increases in enrolments each year. Over 280 such posts were sanctioned in the 2006/07 school year compared to 170 in 2005/06.
The improvements we have made in school staffing in recent years are absolutely unparalleled.
But we are determined to go even further, and so the 2007 Estimates include provision for another 800 primary teachers. About 500 of these will be classroom teachers, which includes our commitment to reduce class sizes.
I assure the Deputy that we will continue to prioritise further improvements in school staffing going forward. We will also continue our focus on measures to improve the quality of education in our primary schools to ensure that increased resources lead to better outcomes for our children.
255 Mr. J. O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of appointments to State boards, State bodies or other like entities which she envisages making or nominating in the period 26 March 2007 to 31 May 2007; if she will identify any such board, body or entity involved; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11974/07]
The Deputy can be assured that in appointing persons to State boards, State bodies or other like entities I will follow the guidelines set out in the Cabinet Handbook regarding eligibility, transparency and gender balance.
256 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Education and Science if her attention has been drawn to the fact the current enrolment of 247 pupils at a school (details supplied) in County Wexford is projected to increase to 319 by the year 2011 and that four classes are at present conducted from prefabricated buildings; when her Department will issue a schedule of accommodation works to enable this school’s building project to proceed to detailed design in view of the urgent need for additional accommodation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12089/07]
I can confirm to the Deputy that the school to which he refers has applied to the Department for additional accommodation. The Long term Projected Staffing has recently been re-examined in light of the projected demographics of the area and has been increased to a Principal plus 12 Mainstream Teachers from a Principal plus 8 mainstream teachers. Progress on the proposed project for the school is now being considered in the context of the multi-annual School Building and Modernisation Programme.
257 Mr. Connaughton asked the Minister for Education and Science if boards of management of primary schools or individual members of such boards could be responsible for damages in respect of claims by persons who were abused by teachers who were convicted sex offenders in view of the fact that the State has been deemed not to be responsible for such damages; if her attention has been drawn to the fact that many boards of management are worried in relation to their responsibilities in this regard; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12090/07]
Our current system of school management has served us well. It means that communities have a strong role in how schools are run and that Patrons can ensure that their ethos is promoted in their schools. I know that such a locally-based system places a lot of responsibility on voluntary members of boards and I am anxious to ensure that members of boards are provided with the training and other supports that they need to discharge their responsibilities.
The Department has provided funding to the various school management bodies to enable them to provide training for their boards of management. Since last year, the Drumcondra Education Centre has had responsibility for offering training for boards of management to meet their identified needs. Areas covered by this training include legal issues, financial management, bullying and child protection.
While members of Boards have a responsibility to ensure that procedures are in place within the school to keep their pupils safe and to investigate any allegations of abuse, they are not personally liable for claims against the school. The Education Act specifically protects individual members from being sued. It is important that there is local responsibility and vigilance in relation to child abuse but of course this does not mean volunteer members of boards being exposed to claims. Nor do I believe that this issue will stop people from volunteering to participate on boards.
While the courts have found that the State was not liable for cases of child abuse in schools, nonetheless the Government is determined to ensure that all schools have policies and procedures in place to protect their pupils. Over the past number years, a range of measures have been put in place to ensure that this is the case.
The Department has provided a range of supports and guidance to schools in the implementation of child protection policy. Child protection guidelines and procedures, based on Children First — the Department of Health & Children's national guidelines, have been issued to all primary and post-primary schools.
These guidelines make very clear the reporting and investigation mechanisms to be followed in cases of suspected child abuse wherever they occur, and the lead role of the HSE in dealing with such cases. The Department has provided an extensive in-service training programme for school principals and teachers to assist them in dealing with child protection issues and in implementing these guidelines.
Procedures have also been introduced, based on Children First, for Departmental staff to assist them in dealing with any allegations or complaints of abuse which are made to them. Under these procedures, the existences of allegations of abuse are notified directly to the HSE and all allegations of abuse received in the Department are treated with the utmost seriousness.
A range of other initiatives have been put in place, including the Stay Safe programme, Social, Personal and Health Education and Internet Safety guidelines — all with a view to educating students in relation to issues of personal health, well being and safety.
In addition, from the beginning of the 2006/2007 academic year, all new teachers and other ancillary staff who have unsupervised access to children are subject to Garda vetting. Vetting will be broadened to include all 55,000 serving teachers over the next few years.
258 Mr. O’Connor asked the Minister for Education and Science if she will report on plans to provide a sports hall at a school (details supplied) in Dublin 12; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12092/07]
I can confirm to the Deputy that an application has been received for a sports hall from the school to which he refers. This application has been assessed in accordance with the published prioritisation criteria for large scale building projects and has been assigned a band 4 rating. Progress on the proposed works is being considered in the context of the multi-annual School Building and Modernisation Programme.
259 Mr. O’Connor asked the Minister for Education and Science if progress will be made in respect of the need for additional accommodation at a school (details supplied) in County Dublin; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12106/07]
The Department has acknowledged the need to relocate the existing primary school referred to by the Deputy to a greenfield site. The acquisition of a site for this development is being actively pursued. When this matter has been finalised, progress on the proposed project can be considered under the School Building and Modernisation Programme.
260 Mr. O’Connor asked the Minister for Education and Science if she will confirm progress on the building programme at a school (details supplied) in Dublin 6W; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12107/07]
I am pleased to inform the Deputy that my Department recently issued a letter to the school in question authorising the Board of Management in conjunction with its Design Team to proceed to Stage 4/5 (Detailed Design/Bill of Quantities) and on to tender stage.
261 Mr. O’Connor asked the Minister for Education and Science if she will confirm that consideration is being given to the need for a new school building for a school (details supplied) in Dublin 24; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12108/07]
The Department has acknowledged the need to relocate the existing primary school referred to by the Deputy to a greenfield site. The acquisition of a site for this development is being actively pursued. When this matter has been finalised, progress on the proposed project can be considered under the multi-annual School Building and Modernisation Programme.
262 Mr. O’Connor asked the Minister for Education and Science if she will confirm that proper provision is being made to allow for extensive public use of the physical education hall at a school (details supplied) in Dublin 24; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12109/07]
My Department has provided funding in excess of €34m for the construction of nine dual use halls with enhanced facilities, attached to post-primary schools. Eight of the halls, including the hall referred to by the Deputy, are in Dublin and one is in Cork.
The halls in question have been built as part of a joint programme to develop community sports facilities in drugs task force areas. As the halls are of a much greater magnitude than the average school PE hall, issues relating to the funding, management structure and staffing of the halls have had to be considered.
My Department understands from County Dublin VEC that the appropriate staffing complement is in place in the hall in question and that the hall is now being used for both school and community purposes.
263 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Defence the languages in which his Department’s telephone messages are recorded; and if his Department’s messages include a version in the Irish language. [11887/07]
The staff of my Department have access to a voice mail service and are free to leave telephone voice mail announcements in the language of their choice. The current position is that some of the telephone messages are recorded in both Irish and English.
264 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for Defence the establishment of the Reserve Defence Force at commissioned officer level by command and unit; the vacancies that currently exist at commissioned officer level in the Reserve Defence Force by command and unit; the number of Reserve Defence Force officers that have been promoted to captain since 1 October 2005; the appointments of these promotions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11959/07]
The establishment of the Reserve Defence Force at commissioned officer level by command and unit, the vacancies that currently exist at commissioned officer level in the Reserve Defence Force by command and unit, the number of Reserve Defence Force officers that have been promoted to Captain since 1 October 2005 and the appointments of these promotions are outlined in the following tabular statements:
(1) Annex A outlines the establishment of the Reserve Defence Force at Brigade and Unit level.
(2) Annex B outlines Officer promotions to the rank of captain and appointments filled.
(3) Annex C outlines current RDF Officer vacancies by Brigade and Unit level.
The military authorities anticipate that promotion competitions to fill Commandant vacancies will be conducted before the end of April 2007. Competitions to fill existing and consequent Captain vacancies will be conducted subsequent to that date.
|
1 Southern Brigade Reserve |
|||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Lt Col |
Comdt |
Capt |
Lt |
Total Officers |
|
|
Bde HQ |
1 |
6 |
12 |
3 |
22 |
|
BTC |
1 |
2 |
3 |
6 |
|
|
32 Res Inf Bn |
|||||
|
Bn HQ |
1 |
4 |
5 |
||
|
HQ Coy |
1 |
3 |
2 |
6 |
|
|
A Coy |
1 |
1 |
4 |
6 |
|
|
B Coy |
1 |
1 |
4 |
6 |
|
|
C Coy |
1 |
1 |
4 |
6 |
|
|
D Coy |
1 |
1 |
4 |
6 |
|
|
Sp Coy |
1 |
3 |
2 |
6 |
|
|
33 Res Inf Bn |
|||||
|
Bn HQ |
1 |
4 |
5 |
||
|
HQ Coy |
1 |
3 |
2 |
6 |
|
|
A Coy |
1 |
1 |
4 |
6 |
|
|
B Coy |
1 |
1 |
4 |
6 |
|
|
C Coy |
1 |
1 |
4 |
6 |
|
|
D Coy |
1 |
1 |
4 |
6 |
|
|
Sp Coy |
1 |
3 |
2 |
6 |
|
|
34 Res Inf Bn |
|||||
|
Bn HQ |
1 |
4 |
5 |
||
|
HQ Coy |
1 |
3 |
2 |
6 |
|
|
A Coy |
1 |
1 |
4 |
6 |
|
|
B Coy |
1 |
1 |
4 |
6 |
|
|
C Coy |
1 |
1 |
4 |
6 |
|
|
Sp Coy |
1 |
3 |
2 |
6 |
|
|
31 Res Arty Regt |
|||||
|
Regt HQ |
1 |
1 |
|||
|
HQ Bty |
3 |
1 |
4 |
||
|
Gun Bty |
1 |
3 |
4 |
8 |
|
|
Gun Bty |
1 |
3 |
4 |
8 |
|
|
Gun Bty |
1 |
3 |
4 |
8 |
|
|
31 Res Cav Sqn |
1 |
3 |
6 |
10 |
|
|
31 Res Engr Coy |
1 |
3 |
3 |
7 |
|
|
31 Res CIS Coy |
1 |
3 |
2 |
6 |
|
|
31 Res MP Coy |
1 |
2 |
2 |
5 |
|
|
31 Res Logs Bn |
|||||
|
Bn HQ |
1 |
1 |
2 |
||
|
Med Coy |
5 |
7 |
12 |
||
|
Tpt Coy |
1 |
2 |
5 |
8 |
|
|
Camp Staff |
1 |
2 |
1 |
4 |
|
|
Atts |
|||||
|
3 AD Bty |
1 |
2 |
1 |
4 |
|
|
4 AD Bty |
1 |
2 |
1 |
4 |
|
|
Total |
1 |
45 |
94 |
96 |
236 |
|
Lt Col |
Comdt |
Capt |
Lt |
Total Officers |
|
|
Bde HQ |
1 |
6 |
12 |
3 |
22 |
|
BTC |
1 |
2 |
3 |
6 |
|
|
62 Res Inf Bn |
|||||
|
Bn HQ |
1 |
4 |
5 |
||
|
HQ Coy |
1 |
3 |
2 |
6 |
|
|
A Coy |
1 |
1 |
4 |
6 |
|
|
B Coy |
1 |
1 |
4 |
6 |
|
|
C Coy |
1 |
1 |
4 |
6 |
|
|
D Coy |
1 |
1 |
4 |
6 |
|
|
Sp Coy |
1 |
3 |
2 |
6 |
|
|
65 Res Inf Bn |
|||||
|
Bn HQ |
1 |
4 |
5 |
||
|
HQ Coy |
1 |
3 |
2 |
6 |
|
|
A Coy |
1 |
1 |
4 |
6 |
|
|
B Coy |
1 |
1 |
4 |
6 |
|
|
C Coy |
1 |
1 |
4 |
6 |
|
|
Sp Coy |
1 |
3 |
2 |
6 |
|
|
67 Res Inf Bn |
|||||
|
Bn HQ |
1 |
4 |
5 |
||
|
HQ Coy |
1 |
3 |
2 |
6 |
|
|
A Coy |
1 |
1 |
4 |
6 |
|
|
B Coy |
1 |
1 |
4 |
6 |
|
|
Sp Coy |
1 |
3 |
2 |
6 |
|
|
62 Res Arty Regt |
|||||
|
Regt HQ |
1 |
1 |
|||
|
HQ Bty |
3 |
1 |
4 |
||
|
Gun Bty |
1 |
3 |
4 |
8 |
|
|
Gun Bty |
1 |
3 |
4 |
8 |
|
|
Gun Bty |
1 |
3 |
4 |
8 |
|
|
62 Res Cav Sqn |
1 |
3 |
6 |
10 |
|
|
62 Res Engr Coy |
1 |
3 |
3 |
7 |
|
|
62 Res CIS Coy |
1 |
3 |
2 |
6 |
|
|
62 Res MP Coy |
1 |
2 |
2 |
5 |
|
|
62 Res LS Bn |
|||||
|
Bn HQ |
1 |
1 |
2 |
||
|
Med Coy |
5 |
7 |
12 |
||
|
Tpt Coy |
1 |
2 |
5 |
8 |
|
|
Camp Staff |
1 |
2 |
1 |
4 |
|
|
Atts |
|||||
|
2 AD Bty |
1 |
2 |
1 |
4 |
|
|
Total |
1 |
42 |
90 |
87 |
220 |
|
Lt Col |
Comdt |
Capt |
Lt |
Total Officers |
|
|
Bde HQ |
1 |
6 |
12 |
3 |
22 |
|
BTC |
1 |
2 |
3 |
6 |
|
|
51 Res Inf Bn |
|||||
|
Bn HQ |
1 |
4 |
5 |
||
|
HQ Coy |
1 |
3 |
2 |
6 |
|
|
A Coy |
1 |
1 |
4 |
6 |
|
|
B Coy |
1 |
1 |
4 |
6 |
|
|
C Coy |
1 |
1 |
4 |
6 |
|
|
D Coy |
1 |
1 |
4 |
6 |
|
|
Sp Coy |
1 |
3 |
2 |
6 |
|
|
56 Res Inf Bn |
|||||
|
Bn HQ |
1 |
4 |
5 |
||
|
HQ Coy |
1 |
3 |
2 |
6 |
|
|
A Coy |
1 |
1 |
4 |
6 |
|
|
B Coy |
1 |
1 |
4 |
6 |
|
|
C Coy |
1 |
1 |
4 |
6 |
|
|
Sp Coy |
1 |
3 |
2 |
6 |
|
|
58 Res Inf Bn |
|||||
|
Bn HQ |
1 |
4 |
5 |
||
|
HQ Coy |
1 |
3 |
2 |
6 |
|
|
A Coy |
1 |
1 |
4 |
6 |
|
|
B Coy |
1 |
1 |
4 |
6 |
|
|
C Coy |
1 |
1 |
4 |
6 |
|
|
D Coy |
1 |
1 |
4 |
6 |
|
|
Sp Coy |
1 |
3 |
2 |
6 |
|
|
54 Res Arty Regt |
|||||
|
Regt HQ |
1 |
1 |
|||
|
HQ Bty |
3 |
1 |
4 |
||
|
Gun Bty |
1 |
3 |
4 |
8 |
|
|
Gun Bty |
1 |
3 |
4 |
8 |
|
|
Gun Bty |
1 |
3 |
4 |
8 |
|
|
54 Res Cav Sqn |
1 |
3 |
6 |
10 |
|
|
54 Res Engr Coy |
1 |
3 |
3 |
7 |
|
|
54 Res CIS Coy |
1 |
3 |
2 |
6 |
|
|
54 Res MP Coy |
1 |
2 |
2 |
5 |
|
|
54 Res Logs Bn |
|||||
|
Bn HQ |
1 |
1 |
2 |
||
|
Med Coy |
5 |
7 |
12 |
||
|
Tpt Coy |
1 |
2 |
5 |
8 |
|
|
Camp Staff |
1 |
2 |
1 |
4 |
|
|
Total |
1 |
43 |
90 |
94 |
228 |
|
Eastern Group |
Southern Group |
|||||
|
HQ Technical Support Group |
Dublin Unit |
Waterford Unit |
Cork Unit |
Limerick Unit |
Total |
|
|
Cdr |
||||||
|
Lt Cdr |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
4 |
|
|
Lt |
12 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
28 |
|
Total Officers |
12 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
32 |
|
Headquarters |
Infantry School |
Combat Support College |
Combat Service Support College |
Total |
|
|
Lt Col |
1 |
1 |
|||
|
Comdt |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
4 |
|
Capt |
2 |
4 |
5 |
6 |
17 |
|
Lt |
1 |
1 |
|||
|
Total Officers |
5 |
5 |
6 |
7 |
23 |
|
Promotions to Captain since 01 October 2005 |
|
|---|---|
|
Appointment & Unit |
Brigade |
|
Pl Comd, Recce Pl, 65 Res Inf Bn |
2 Eastern Brigade |
|
2i/c A Coy, 34 Res Inf Bn |
1 Southern Brigade |
|
2i/c B Coy, 58 Res Inf Bn |
4 Western Brigade |
|
Pl Comd, A Coy, 34 Res Inf Bn |
1 Southern Brigade |
|
Int Offr, Bn HQ, 32 Res Inf Bn |
1 Southern Brigade |
|
Pl Comd, No. 2 Pl, 54 Res MP Coy |
4 Western Brigade |
|
SO Logs (Capt), 65 Res Inf Bn |
2 Eastern Brigade |
|
2i/c B Coy, 33 Res Inf Bn |
1 Southern Brigade |
|
Gen List, att 33 Res Inf Bn |
1 Southern Brigade |
|
Reserve Defence Force Vacancies by Unit |
||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2 Eastern Brigade |
||||
|
Bde HQ |
Lt Col |
Comdt |
Capt |
Lt |
|
7 |
11 |
|||
|
Total |
18 |
|||
|
62 Res Inf Bn |
Lt Col |
Comdt |
Capt |
Lt |
|
3 |
||||
|
Total |
3 |
|||
|
65 Res Inf Bn |
Lt Col |
Comdt |
Capt |
Lt |
|
1 |
3 |
|||
|
Total |
4 |
|||
|
67 Res Inf Bn |
Lt Col |
Comdt |
Capt |
Lt |
|
2 |
2 |
|||
|
Total |
4 |
|||
|
62 RES Arty Regt |
Lt Col |
Comdt |
Capt |
Lt |
|
Total |
0 |
|||
|
62 RES Cav Sqn |
Lt Col |
Comdt |
Capt |
Lt |
|
Total |
0 |
|||
|
62 RES Fd Engr Coy |
Lt Col |
Comdt |
Capt |
Lt |
|
2 |
||||
|
Total |
2 |
|||
|
62 Res Cis Coy |
Lt Col |
Comdt |
Capt |
Lt |
|
1 |
||||
|
Total |
1 |
|||
|
62 RES MP Coy |
Lt Col |
Comdt |
Capt |
Lt |
|
Total |
0 |
|||
|
62 RES Logs SP Bn |
Lt Col |
Comdt |
Capt |
Lt |
|
5 |
3 |
|||
|
Total |
8 |
|||
|
62 Air Def Bty |
Lt Col |
Comdt |
Capt |
Lt |
|
Total |
0 |
|
Total Vacancies 2 E Bde |
||||
|
Lt Col |
Comdt |
Capt |
Lt |
|
|
18 |
16 |
6 |
||
|
Total |
40 |
|
a. 1 Southern Brigade |
||||
|
Bde HQ |
Lt Col |
Comdt |
Capt |
Lt |
|
2 |
8 |
1 |
||
|
Total |
11 |
|||
|
32 Res Inf Bn |
Lt Col |
Comdt |
Capt |
Lt |
|
Total |
0 |
|||
|
33 Res Inf Bn |
Lt Col |
Comdt |
Capt |
Lt |
|
1 |
1 |
1 |
||
|
Total |
3 |
|||
|
34 Res Inf Bn |
Lt Col |
Comdt |
Capt |
Lt |
|
1 |
1 |
|||
|
Total |
2 |
|||
|
31 RES Arty Regt |
Lt Col |
Comdt |
Capt |
Lt |
|
Total |
0 |
|||
|
RES Cav Sqn |
Lt Col |
Comdt |
Capt |
Lt |
|
1 |
||||
|
Total |
1 |
|||
|
31 RES Fd Engr Coy |
Lt Col |
Comdt |
Capt |
Lt |
|
1 |
3 |
|||
|
Total |
4 |
|||
|
31 Res Cis Coy |
Lt Col |
Comdt |
Capt |
Lt |
|
Total |
0 |
|||
|
31 RES MP Coy |
Lt Col |
Comdt |
Capt |
Lt |
|
Total |
0 |
|||
|
31 RES Logs SP Bn |
Lt Col |
Comdt |
Capt |
Lt |
|
4 |
4 |
1 |
||
|
Total |
9 |
|||
|
3 Air Def Bty |
Lt Col |
Comdt |
Capt |
Lt |
|
Total |
0 |
|||
|
4 Air Def Bty |
Lt Col |
Comdt |
Capt |
Lt |
|
Total |
0 |
|
Total Vacancies 1 S Bde |
||||
|
Lt Col |
Comdt |
Capt |
Lt |
|
|
7 |
15 |
8 |
||
|
Total |
30 |
|
4 Western Brigade |
||||
|
Bde HQ |
Lt Col |
Comdt |
Capt |
Lt |
|
1 |
5 |
|||
|
Total |
6 |
|||
|
51 Res Inf Bn |
Lt Col |
Comdt |
Capt |
Lt |
|
2 |
3 |
1 |
||
|
Total |
6 |
|||
|
56 Res Inf Bn |
Lt Col |
Comdt |
Capt |
Lt |
|
1 |
||||
|
Total |
1 |
|||
|
58 Res Inf Bn |
Lt Col |
Comdt |
Capt |
Lt |
|
1 |
1 |
|||
|
Total |
2 |
|||
|
54 RES Arty Regt |
Lt Col |
Comdt |
Capt |
Lt |
|
Total |
0 |
|||
|
54 RES Cav Sqn |
Lt Col |
Comdt |
Capt |
Lt |
|
Total |
0 |
|||
|
54 RES Fd Engr Coy |
Lt Col |
Comdt |
Capt |
Lt |
|
3 |
||||
|
Total |
3 |
|||
|
54 Res Cis Coy |
Lt Col |
Comdt |
Capt |
Lt |
|
1 |
1 |
|||
|
Total |
2 |
|||
|
RES MP Coy |
Lt Col |
Comdt |
Capt |
Lt |
|
Total |
0 |
|||
|
RES Logs SP Bn |
Lt Col |
Comdt |
Capt |
Lt |
|
6 |
8 |
|||
|
Total |
14 |
|
Total Vacancies 4 W Bde |
||||
|
Lt Col |
Comdt |
Capt |
Lt |
|
|
12 |
17 |
5 |
||
|
Total |
34 |
|
Reserve Defence Force Training Authority |
||||
|
RDFTAHQ |
Lt Col |
Comdt |
Capt |
Lt |
|
Total |
0 |
|||
|
Inf Sch |
Lt Col |
Comdt |
Capt |
Lt |
|
Total |
0 |
|||
|
CSC |
Lt Col |
Comdt |
Capt |
Lt |
|
1 |
||||
|
Total |
1 |
|||
|
CSSC |
Lt Col |
Comdt |
Capt |
Lt |
|
1 |
||||
|
Total |
1 |
|
Total Vacancies RDFTA |
||||
|
Lt Col |
Comdt |
Capt |
Lt |
|
|
2 |
||||
|
Total |
2 |
|
b. Naval Service Reserve |
|||
|
NSR (Cork) |
Cdr |
Lt Cdr |
Lt |
|
1 |
|||
|
Total |
1 |
||
|
NSR (Limerick |
Cdr |
Lt Cdr |
Lt |
|
Total |
0 |
||
|
NSR (Dublin |
Cdr |
Lt Cdr |
Lt |
|
Total |
0 |
||
|
NSR (Waterford |
Cdr |
Lt Cdr |
Lt |
|
1 |
1 |
||
|
Total |
2 |
|
Total Vacancies Naval Service Reserve |
|||
|
Cdr |
Lt Cdr |
Lt |
|
|
1 |
2 |
||
|
Total |
3 |
265 Mr. J. O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Defence the number of appointments to State boards, State bodies or other like entities which he envisages making or nominating in the period 26 March 2007 to 31 May 2007; if he will identify any such board, body or entity involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11973/07]
I do not envisage making or nominating any appointments to State Boards, State Bodies or other like entities in the period 26th March 2007 to 31st May 2007.
266 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the difficulties faced by residents in an affordable housing partnership (details supplied) in Dublin 11; the mechanism available to such residents to ensure an adequate standard of completion of their homes; the steps he is taking to ensure acceptable standards in new homes in this sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11805/07]
My Department has not received representations referred to in the Question, which I understand is a private residential development.
The developer of a residential estate is statutorily required to complete this development in accordance with the terms of the planning permission and a development which has not been completed in accordance with the planning permission is unauthorised development. Enforcement of planning control is a matter for the planning authority, which can take action where a development requiring planning permission has not obtained permission, or where permission has not been complied with.
Under the Planning and Development Act 2000 planning authorities have substantial enforcement powers. The Act also contains other relevant provisions in relation to the completion of housing estates:
Sections 34(4)(g) and 180(2)(b) of the Act provide that a planning authority may attach a condition to a planning permission requiring the giving of adequate security for the satisfactory completion of a development, and, if the development is not subsequently completed satisfactorily, may apply the security to that satisfactory completion.
Section 160 of the Act provides that a planning authority may apply to the Circuit Court or the High Court for an order requiring that a development be carried out in accordance with the permission.
It is clear therefore that planning authorities have very substantial powers to compel the completion of housing estates by developers in accordance with the terms of the planning permissions.
The 2000 Act also imposed new duties on planning authorities in the enforcement area. A planning authority must issue a warning letter in relation to any unauthorised development it becomes aware of (except in the case of trivial or minor development), no matter how it becomes aware of it. There is also a statutory obligation to carry out an investigation and expeditiously decide whether an enforcement notice should be issued. The planning authority's decision on whether to issue an enforcement notice must be entered on the planning register and, in cases where it is decided not to issue an enforcement notice, any complainant must be informed.
Accordingly if the residents consider that this estate has not been completed in accordance with the planning permission, they should make a written complaint to the planning authority, who, as stated above, are obliged to follow up such complaints.
Section 180 of the Planning Act provides that where estates have not have been completed to the satisfaction of the planning authority and enforcement proceedings have not been commenced within the relevant period, the planning authority must, if requested to do so by the majority of the residents of the estate, initiate the procedures for taking the estate in charge. The decision as to whether to take the estate in charge is ultimately one for the discretion of the elected members.
267 Mr. Aylward asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the plans with his Department for the provision of a relief road for Thomastown in County Kilkenny. [11830/07]
The provision and maintenance of non-national roads in County Kilkenny is a matter for Kilkenny County Council to be funded from its own resources supplemented by State grants provided by my Department.
In July last year local authorities were invited by my Department to submit applications for consideration for funding under the 2007 Specific Improvements Grant scheme. The initial selection of projects to be submitted under this scheme is a matter for local authorities. Kilkenny County Council submitted six applications for consideration. Three schemes prioritised by the Council received allocations, totalling €3,100,000, in 2007. The Council's application for funding for a relief road at Thomastown did not, however, receive an allocation.
My Department will again be seeking applications under the Specific Improvements Grant scheme later this year and it will be open to Kilkenny County Council to prioritise and submit an application for consideration for funding in 2008 under this scheme.
268 Mr. McGinley asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the position regarding the proposed sewerage scheme for Killybegs, County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11874/07]
The Killybegs Sewerage Scheme is approved for funding under my Department's Water Services Investment Programme 20050-2007 at an estimated cost of €18m.
I approved Donegal County Council's Preliminary Report for the scheme in November 2006. The wastewater treatment plant for Killybegs will be procured under a single Design/Build/Operate contract that also includes Bundoran, while the collection system and outfall will be procured under a separate traditional style contract. My Department is awaiting the submission of Contract Documents by Donegal County Council for both elements of the scheme.
269 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the languages in which his Department’s telephone messages are recorded; and if his Department’s messages include a version in the Irish language. [11890/07]
The recorded greetings for my Department's main telephone number give the name of the Department in both the Irish and English languages: the remainder of the message is recorded in English. Arrangements will be made shortly for the provision of the recorded message in both Irish and English.
270 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government further to an outbreak of cryptosporidium in the water supply from Lough Owel at Mullingar, County Westmeath a few years ago, the grant aid allocated by his Department to Westmeath County Council to sustain an appropriate filtration and treatment facility for the water supply at this location; the time frame from the outbreak to the commissioning of this treatment plant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11956/07]
The Mullingar Regional Water Supply (Treatment) Scheme, which involved the construction of a new water treatment plant at the Lough Owel source, had been approved for funding under my Department's Water Services Investment Programme and was being advanced through planning by Westmeath County Council when the cryptosporidium outbreak occurred in May 2002. The new treatment plant became operational in September 2003 and was fully commissioned in 2005. Grants amounting to some €9.1 million have been recouped by my Department to the Council in respect of the scheme.
271 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the cost in relation to the unused electronic voting machines, of storing those machines on an annual basis, for county and constituency since 2002; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11957/07]
Information provided by returning officers to my Department in relation to storage costs (including insurance) for the electronic voting equipment under local arrangements is set out in the following table; the information is provided by returning officers on a county/city basis and delivery of the equipment for use at the June 2004 elections began towards the end of 2003. Arrangements are now underway for the storage of electronic voting equipment at centralised premises in Gormanston and machines from a number of constituencies have already been transferred to the Gormanston facility.
|
County/City |
Annual Storage Costs (incl. VAT) 2004 |
Annual Storage Costs (incl. VAT) 2005 |
Annual Storage Costs (incl. VAT) 2006 |
|
€ |
€ |
€ |
|
|
Carlow-Kilkenny |
28,506.00 |
29,595.00 |
30,166.00 |
|
Cavan-Monaghan |
25,828.00 |
25,828.00 |
27,075.32 |
|
Clare |
10,800.00 |
3,600.00 |
3,600.00 |
|
Cork City |
27,207.50 |
42,499.50 |
53,942.33 |
|
Cork County |
37,609.30 |
37,609.30 |
35,124.00 |
|
Donegal |
9,293.00 |
15,714.00 |
16,685.80 |
|
Dublin City |
65,000.00 |
72,350.00 |
71,265.00 |
|
Dublin County |
62,938.66 |
62,938.66 |
49,034.86 |
|
Galway |
5,253.00 |
5,253.00 |
Nil |
|
Kerry |
26,125.00 |
26,125.00 |
22,624.96 |
|
Kildare |
27,125.86 |
27,125.86 |
31,984.21 |
|
Laois-Offaly |
28,178.00 |
28,178.00 |
27,647.60 |
|
Limerick |
57,675.86 |
57,675.86 |
64,465.30 |
|
Longford |
2,995.16 |
15,095.16 |
18,439.88 |
|
Roscommon |
10,374.98 |
10,374.98 |
9,816.00 |
|
Louth |
298.00 |
298.00 |
593.47 |
|
Mayo |
34,930.00 |
34,930.00 |
37,426.00 |
|
Meath |
20,366 |
20,366.00 |
21,976.51 |
|
Sligo |
Nil |
Nil |
Nil |
|
Leitrim |
Nil |
3,000.00 |
3,150.00 |
|
Tipperary (N&S) |
42,700.00 |
42,700.00 |
31,200.00 |
|
Waterford |
52,888.48 |
52,888.48 |
57,699.17 |
|
Westmeath |
22,805.34 |
22,805.34 |
21,772.62 |
|
Wexford |
16,875.00 |
16,876.00 |
19,064.76 |
|
Wicklow |
42,455.80 |
42,455.80 |
54,241.29 |
|
Total |
658,228.94 |
696,281.94 |
705,995.08 |
272 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government further to the recent outbreak of cryptosporidium in the water supply in Galway, the number and location of similar outbreaks each year for the past 10 years and if he will make a statement regarding the testing procedure on water supplies to identify the presence of abnormal levels of this organism. [11958/07]
In recent years local authorities have notified my Department of suspected cryptosporidium infection of water supplies in Carlow, Ennis, Mullingar and Roscommon. No evidence of such infection was subsequently found in the Carlow or Roscommon supplies.
My Department has issued detailed guidance to all local authorities on minimising the risk of cryptosporidium in water supplies. The guidance was prepared in consultation with the Department of Health and Children and the Environmental Protection Agency and, inter alia, covers source protection, monitoring, treatment processes, storage and distribution and responding to an outbreak.
In November 2004, the National Disease Surveillance Centre published the Report of the Waterborne Cryptosporidiosis Sub-Committee which has also been circulated to local authorities. This report provides comprehensive analysis of the cryptosporidium issue, together with recommendations in relation to prevention of waterborne cryptosporidiosis and incorporates a risk assessment model for use by sanitary authorities.
Where a significant capital works programme is required to respond to a cryptosporidium risk, funding is provided by my Department under the Water Services Investment Programme.
273 Ms C. Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government when the committee he set up to consider the issues surrounding taking estates in charge and management companies will conclude their work; if their report will be published; if that report will be published within the lifetime of this Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11962/07]
My Department set up a Working Group on Management Companies/Taking in Charge of Estates which considered the question of responsibility for the maintenance of common shared facilities (roads, sewerage, footpaths, public lighting, large open spaces, smaller landscaped open spaces, car-parking, etc) in residential estates, including the newer type of mixed high-density estate. The Group has now completed its work and it is intended to issue guidance shortly to planning authorities based on the outcome of its deliberations.
274 Ms C. Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his views on the integrity of the planning system if predicated on the ability of local authorities to enforce them; if his attention has been drawn to the extent of reported unauthorised developments and the timeframe they are dealt with by county nationally; if a local authority has sought sanction for the employment of additional staff in relation to planning compliance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11968/07]
According to returns supplied to my Department for the Annual Planning Statistics 2005, a total of 6,419 warning letters were issued by planning authorities in 2005, 2,667 enforcement cases were initiated, 948 enforcement cases were complied with, a further 105 convictions were achieved and planning authorities have the remainder in hands. Section 154 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 sets out the timeframes for dealing with enforcement notices under the Act.
In relation to staffing, the Annual Statistics indicate that 275 staff were engaged in planning enforcement in planning authorities in 2005. There are no proposals with my Department from local authorities for the employment of additional staff in relation to planning compliance.
The Draft Development Management Guidelines, which will be finalised and published shortly, advise local authorities that adequate staff, financial and other resources should be allocated to ensuring that compliance with the development plan and planning conditions are given the importance that they deserve. It is a matter for the manager of each local authority, under section 159 of the Local Government Act 2001, to make such staffing and organisational arrangements as may be necessary for the purposes of carrying out the functions of the local authorities for which he/she is responsible, subject to overall Government policy on the control and regulation of numbers in the public sector, including local authorities, announced in the Minister for Finance's Budget statement of 7 December 2005. I am continuing to keep the overall employment position in the sector under regular review, having regard to the need to deliver quality front line services and achieve value for money within the parameters of Government policy on public service employment generally.
The Planning and Development Act 2000 gave substantial additional powers to planning authorities in the enforcement area. These were further supplemented by provisions in the Planning and Development (Strategic Infrastructure) Act 2006, which empowers planning authorities to refuse permission to any developer who has seriously failed to comply with a previous planning permission and the developer will have to go to the High Court if he wishes to apply to have this decision overturned. I am therefore satisfied that local authorities have adequate resources and powers to take required action in such cases.
275 Mr. J. O’Keeffe asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the number of appointments to State boards, State bodies or other like entities which he envisages making or nominating in the period 26 March 2007 to 31 May 2007; if he will identify any such board, body or entity involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11976/07]
The statutory processes involved in appointments to State bodies and boards under the aegis of my Department are set out in reply to Questions Nos. 287 and 288 of 8 March 2007. The number of such appointments or nominations envisaged in the period 26 March 2007 to 31 May 2007 is set out in the following table:
|
Name |
Appointments/ Nominations envisaged between 26 March and 31 May 2007 |
|
An Bord Pleanála |
1 |
|
An Chomhairle Leabharlanna |
1 |
|
Building Regulations Advisory Body |
19 |
|
Comhar |
8 |
|
Dublin Docklands Development Authority Board |
8 |
|
Dublin Docklands Development Authority Council |
25 |
|
Housing Finance Agency |
3 |
|
National Building Agency |
1 |
|
Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland |
4 |
276 Mr. N. O’Keeffe asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the regulations for scrapping cars; the criteria to be met in establishing and laying out the site; and the overall criteria for such a business. [11987/07]
Directive 2000/53/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 18 September 2000 on end-of life vehicles (ELVs) sets out specific measures to be put in place by EU Member States in relation to the collection, storage, treatment, dismantling, reuse and recycling of end-of-life vehicles. Under the Directive, each Member State is required, inter alia, to ensure that all end-of-life vehicles are dismantled, treated and recovered at no cost to the final holder/owner of that vehicle and in a manner that does not cause environmental pollution.
Enabling legislative provisions were included in the Protection of the Environment Act 2003 — which inserts a new part in the Waste Management Act 1996 — to facilitate the development of regulations concerning implementation of the Directive. The Waste Management (End-of-Life Vehicles) Regulations 2006, which came into effect on 8 June 2006, fully transpose the provisions of the Directive in Ireland and have been laid before each House of the Oireachtas.
Any facility wishing to operate as an authorised treatment facility for the collection and storage and treatment of end-of-life vehicles is required to hold a permit in accordance with the Waste Management (Permit) Regulations 1998 or, as appropriate, a waste licence in accordance with the Waste Management (Licensing) Regulations 2004. The consideration of applications for waste permits and the decision making process in relation to the granting of waste permits, as well as ensuring compliance with the requirements of the regulations, is a matter for the relevant local authority and my Department has no function in the matter. The licensing of relevant waste facilities is a matter for the Environmental Protection Agency, which is independent in the exercise of its statutory functions in this regard.
277 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the percentage of land, on a county basis and nationwide, that has been designated as included in special areas of conservation; the percentage guideline set by the EU in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12087/07]
278 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the reason no consultation took place with persons affected in the recent designation of lands as special areas of conservation in view of the impact this will have to land owners, land values and the future plans for the lands involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12088/07]
279 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the amount of land of an area (details supplied) in County Mayo that has been designated as included in a special area of conservation; if objections have been lodged in this regard; and when a decision will be made on those objections. [12105/07]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 277 to 279, inclusive, together.
The following table shows the breakdown by county of hectarage proposed for designation as SAC. The European Commission does not offer a guideline on the percentage of national coverage that should be designated as a Special Area of Conservation (SAC).
|
County |
Area of county in HA |
cSAC Area in HA |
% Land covered by proposed cSACs |
|
County Clare |
319,773.09 |
38,398.90 |
12.01 |
|
County Cork |
746,569.42 |
24,011.46 |
3.22 |
|
County Cavan |
193,542.25 |
11,786.93 |
6.09 |
|
County Carlow |
89,627.19 |
4,417.36 |
4.93 |
|
County Donegal |
485,617.55 |
85,425.48 |
17.59 |
|
County Dublin |
92,565.89 |
3,859.27 |
4.17 |
|
County Galway |
612,429.28 |
129,270.64 |
21.11 |
|
County Kildare |
169,535.88 |
1,728.12 |
1.02 |
|
County Kerry |
475,000.06 |
119,697.04 |
25.20 |
|
County Kilkenny |
206,337.18 |
4,285.13 |
2.08 |
|
County Laois |
172,001.03 |
6,491.78 |
3.77 |
|
County Leitrim |
159,009.41 |
17,842.05 |
11.22 |
|
County Longford |
109,129.37 |
5,989.52 |
5.49 |
|
County Louth |
82,559.06 |
3,861.56 |
4.68 |
|
County Limerick |
268,557.32 |
5,999.64 |
2.23 |
|
County Mayo |
559,763.32 |
124,702.53 |
22.28 |
|
County Meath |
234,206.74 |
2,494.74 |
1.07 |
|
County Monaghan |
129,544.64 |
49.45 |
0.04 |
|
County Offaly |
200,103.48 |
6,486.69 |
3.24 |
|
County Roscommon |
254,800.27 |
13,690.94 |
5.37 |
|
County Sligo |
183,670.00 |
25,210.11 |
13.73 |
|
County Tipperary |
425,455.04 |
14,509.29 |
3.41 |
|
County Waterford |
183,812.93 |
10,392.32 |
5.65 |
|
County Wicklow |
202,662.58 |
32,367.12 |
15.97 |
|
County Westmeath |
183,950.36 |
9,490.51 |
5.16 |
|
County Wexford |
235,889.00 |
6,570.63 |
2.79 |
|
Total (National figures excluding proposed marine SACs) |
6,976,112.31 |
709,029.25 |
10.16 |
Public consultation on proposed designation of areas as proposed SAC is provided for under the Habitats Regulations 1997-2005. Any person notified or with an interest in the land involved may within a period of three months lodge an objection to the proposal.
My Department has received 33 objections to the proposed SAC to be known as Mweelrea/Sheeffry/Erriff Complex to which it is assumed Question No. 279 refers. These objections were received in early March and are under examination at present. Decisions will issue to the objectors as soon as possible.
