Vol. 636 No. 1
38 D’fhiafraigh S den Aire Gnóthaí Pobail, Tuaithe agus Gaeltachta an bhféadfadh sé a rá cad iad na hiarratais atá faighte ina Roinn ó Chomharchumann na nOileán Beag, Dún na nGall, ar oibreacha feabhsúcháin ar na hoileáin i mbliana agus cad iad na deontais atá ceadaithe go dtí seo i mbliana; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [15084/07]
Tá iarratais faighte ag mo Roinnse le déanaí ó Chomharchumann na nOileán Beag ar chúnamh i leith tograí ar Inis Oirthear, Oileán an Bhráighe, Inis Caorach, Gabhla, Inis Fraoigh agus Inis Mhic an Doirn. Tá sonraí faoi na hiarratais sin sa tábla ag gabháil leis an bhfreagra seo.
Tá na hiarratais seo á meas faoi láthair i gcomhthéacs an airgid a bheidh ar fáil do mo Roinnse le caitheamh ar thograí Gaeltachta agus oileánda i 2007-08 agus na n-éileamh éagsúil ar an airgead sin.
Ní bhfuair mé mórán eolais as an fhreagra, ach sílim go bhfuil an tAire chun é a chur timpeall níos moille tráthnóna inniu. An é sin mar atá an scéal?
Tá liosta fada istigh leis an bhfreagra.
An aontaíonn an tAire leis an obair éifeachtach atá ar siúl ag Comharchumann na nOileán Beag? Sin an scáthghrúpa a thacaíonn le Tír Chonaill agus na hoileáin go léir a bhfuil daoine ina gcónaí orthu. Luaigh an tAire cúpla ceann acu — Toraigh, Inis Bó Finne, Inis Meáin, Gabhla, Árainn Mhór, Inis Mhic an Doirn, Oileán Rua, Inis Fraoigh agus an chuid eile. Tá scéimeanna go leor ullmhaithe ag Comharchumann na nOileán Beag atá istigh leis an Aire sa Roinn.
B'fhéidir go bhféadfadh an tAire freagra a thabhairt ar chúpla ceann de mo cheisteanna. Cad é mar a sheasann an cheist chomh fada agus a bhaineann sí le cé Inis Bó Finne, atá ag titim as a chéile agus isteach san fharraige? Tá deacrachtaí agus trioblóidí móra ag muinitir na háite ag dul i dtír ansin. Caithfear tosaíocht mhór a thabhairt do ché an oileáin sin. Cad é faoin aerstráice atá ceadaithe nó beartaithe d'Oileán Thoraí? Bhí mé ar an oileán seachtain ó shin, agus tá daoine ag fanacht go fóill. Tá duine éigin ag tarraingt na gcos. Níl a fhios agam an é an tAire atá á dhéanamh nó an gcuirfidh sé an locht ar dhuine éigin eile, ach is cinnte go bhfuil muintir Thoraí ag fanacht leis an aerstráice.
An bhfuil sé ar intinn ag an Aire aon airgead a chur ar fáil do na scéimeanna forbartha cuimsitheacha atá i gceist d'Oileán Ghabhla? Admhaím go bhfuil uisce á chur isteach, ach tá céanna, bóithre agus soilse sábháilteachta fágtha ar lár go fóill. An bhféadfadh an tAire léargas a thabhairt dúinn ar na pointí sin?
Beidh an-áthas orm é sin a dhéanamh.
Is eolas úsáideach é seo. Ón mbliain 1997, tá €1.3 milliún caite ar na hoileáin bheaga. Níl mé ag comháireamh Oileán Thoraí ná Árainn Mhór san fhigiúr sin. Chomh maith leis sin, tá €401,000 ceadaithe ach nach bhfuil obair déanta air. Tugann sé sin an figiúr go €1.7 milliún. Bheinn ag súil go rachadh Comhairle Contae Dhún na nGall ar aghaidh leis an obair atá ceadaithe. Maidir le cé Inis Bó Finne, tá tairiscint faighte ag an gcomhairle contae, agus tá sé molta go nglacfaí leis an bpraghas de €481,556. Tá sé curtha in iúl ag oifigigh na Roinne do Chomhairle Contae Dhún na nGall go bhfuiltear sásta breathnú go báúil ar an iarratas sin ar dheontas 75% a chur ar fáil — sin an gnáthrud a chuirtear ar fáil. Is cosúil gurb é an fhadhb atá ann ná nach bhfuil Comhairle Contae Dhún na nGall sásta an 25% eile a chur ar fáil is nach bhfuil sé aici. Mura bhfuil, is ionann é sin is nach mbeidh sé ar chumas na Roinne an deontas a cheadú.
Maidir le haerstráice Oileán Thoraí, teastaíonn ceannach éigeantach. Rinneadh go leor oibre le gach duine de na húinéirí talún. Bhí cruinniú ann le gairid leis an méara agus bainisteoir an chontae, agus d'iarr muid go speisialta ar an mbainisteoir contae dul ar aghaidh agus an obair pháipéir ar fad a dhéanamh ar an gceannach éigeantach. Íocfaidh mo Roinn as ach ní mór don chomhairle condae an obair a dhéanamh. Gheall sé dom go ndéanfadh sé iarracht tús a chur leis an obair sin agus nach gcuirfí ar an méar fhada í.
Aontaím leis an Teachta, agus tá díomá orm nach bhfuil an t-aerstráice tógtha mar teastaíonn sé go géar agus ní bheidh aon rath ar Oileán Thoraí gan é. Bhí cruinniú an-tairbheach agam le muintir Oileán Thoraí Dé Sathairn seo caite, ag cruinniú Chomhdháil Oileáin na hÉireann in Inis Meáin na Gaillimhe. Phléigh muid na ceisteanna ar fad ag baint le hOileán Thoraí, agus tá súil agam go mbeimid in ann bogadh ar aghaidh ar cheisteanna a d'ardaigh siad liom, an t-aerstráice san áireamh.
An dtig leis an Aire a rá an bhfuil rud ar bith beartaithe aige don dá oileán eile a luaigh me, Inis Meáin agus Gabhla? Tá pleananna leis an dá oileán sin — chonaic mé an liosta atá istigh ag Gabhla agus tá liosta eile ag Inis Meáin.
Tá sé sin fíor ach nach mbeadh sé níos fearr an t-airgead atá ar fáil cheana a chaitheamh? Tá €5,000 ceadaithe d'Inis Meáin agus tá muid ag fanacht ar Chomhairle Condae Thír Chonaill leis an obair a dhéanamh. Fuair Inis Caorach €75,000, Inis Mhic an Doirne €90,000 agus Uaigh €101,000. Cuirfidh mé an t-eolas ar fáil don Teachta má theastaíonn sé uaidh.
Breathnóimid go balbh ar rudaí eile a cheadú. Tá coimhlintí ann agus daoine a deir gur ceart an t-airgead a chaitheamh ar na hoileáin a bhfuil cónaí buan orthu. Tá mise i bhfabhar, nuair atá acmhainní ar fáil, seans a thabhairt do na hoileáin bheaga seo. Cothromas atá i gceist. Tá clár ann do na hoileáin agus tá sé iarrtha ar na comhairlí contae moltaí a chur ar aghaidh. Ceann de na fadhbanna i dTír Chonaill ná an chomhairle contae á rá nach bhfuil an t-airgead aici. Tá €400,000 tugtha do gach comhairle contae.
Aithníonn an t-údarás áitiúil go bhfuil an céatadán ag dul suas i gcónaí.
I gcás bóithre, tá sé scartha ar bhunús 50:50. Tá na comhairlí contae freagrach as na bóithre agus faigheann siad airgead ón Státchiste leo. Más cé atá i gceist, faigheann an chomhairle 25% le teorainn £600,000 — níl a fhios agam cé mhéad sin i euro — ar an méid ón chomhairle contae agus i gcás áise nach áis chomhairle chontae í, íocann an Roinn 100%. As an €400,000 atá tairgthe againne don chomhairle contae, tá muid ag súil le €150,000 ón chomhairle contae fosta. Má deir an chomhairle contae, áfach, nach bhfuil pingin aici le caitheamh ar oileáin agus í freagrach as na bóithre agus céanna ar an hoileáin sin, ba bhocht an scéal é agus ní bheadh sin inghlactha domsa ná don Teachta ach oiread nach mbeadh an gnáthcheart ag na hoileánaigh teacht ar airgead ó na comhairlí contae ar nós chuile shaoránaigh eile.
39 Mr. O’Shea asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the progress made to date on the aim of significantly reducing the hardship caused to individuals and society by drug misuse; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15277/07]
Problem drug use remains one of the key challenges facing Irish society. However, through the implementation of the actions in the national drugs strategy in the first instance and, second, the projects and initiatives operated through the local and regional drugs task forces, problem drug use in our society is being addressed and the hardship caused to individuals and society is being alleviated.
With respect to treatment, it is important to note that more than 8,200 heroin users are now in receipt of methadone. This represents an increase of 66% on the 4,936 recorded on the central methadone treatment list in December2000.
The research outcome study in Ireland, ROSIE, commissioned by the national advisory Committee on drugs, NACD, found that the overall treatment of heroin users is very effective with the key achievements being significant reductions in heroin and other drug use; 27% abstinent from all drugs after one year; extensive reductions in drug injecting; improvements in physical and mental health; extensive reductions in criminal activity; and increased contact with health and social care services. The substantially increased funding being provided by my Department illustrates the serious drive by the Government to alleviate the problem. I recently announced a 16% increase in funding to tackle drug misuse in 2007, which follows on the increases over the preceding two years. There has been an 87% increase since 2004 and therefore the figures for the past three years are 18%, 37% and 16%.
The increased funding this year is facilitating a doubling of the amount available for the roll-out of the action plans of the regional drugs task forces, the implementation of the 67 projects under the emerging needs fund in the local drugs task force areas and the implementation of initiatives under the young people's facilities and services fund and local drugs task force projects.
Over 440 projects are supported by the local drugs task forces; 470 facilities and services projects are being delivered through the young people's facilities and services fund, including the employment of 188 youth and outreach workers and over 20 sports development officers. The driving objective of the fund is to target and look after at-risk young people, offer them alternatives to getting involved in drugs and to try to keep them on the straight and narrow and away from the dangers of drugs. Through the fund, young people are offered access to positive pursuits, including sports and other recreational activities, that increase the potential for healthy lifestyles.
Investment in the fund has increased substantially in recent years. Some of the largest projects include the Cabra Parkside centre; Ballywaltrim Community Centre in Bray; St. Catherine's Community Sports Centre in Marrowbone Lane; St. Teresa's Hall, Donore Avenue; and Donnycarney Youth and Community Centre.
Additional information not given on the floor of the House.
In total, nearly 650 people are employed in drug-related initiatives funded by my Department. It is worth noting that the €50 million in my Department's Vote is only part of an overall allocation of well over €200 million provided by the Government across a number of Departments to tackle the drugs problem this year. It is also worth noting that last year I launched a report entitled A Community Drugs Study — Developing Community Drugs Indicators, which was produced by the NACD and which examined the experiences and perceptions of three communities — Ballymun, Bray and Crumlin — with respect to drug use and associated issues. While problems persist in the communities relating to drugs, drink, anti-social behaviour and crime, the study noted significant improvements in regard to the school leaving age, reductions in some types of crime, the expansion of drug treatment services and improved employment opportunities over the period researched. The study also demonstrated clearly the merits of the approach underpinned by the national drugs strategy, stressing in particular the level of community involvement through drugs task forces.
Substantial progress is being made on the implementation of all aspects of the national drugs strategy and the increased funding is allowing us to build on the successes to date. Furthermore, the future implementation of the recommendations of the report of the working group on drugs rehabilitation, which will be launched in the next few weeks, will represent another big step forward. I am also expecting to receive shortly a recommendation from the National Drugs Strategy Team for an increased role for the Family Support Network, which was called for in the mid-term review of the strategy.
Overall, great efforts are being made from the ground up to tackle the ongoing problem of drug misuse in an ever-evolving global situation. While I acknowledge that much remains to be done to continue to tackle the problem, as is the case in all developed countries, I believe significant success has been achieved in reducing the hardship caused to individuals, families, communities and society at large.
I thank the Minister of State for his comprehensive reply. Let us consider the phrases he used regarding the national drugs strategy. He referred to the mid-term review and implied the aims and objectives of the strategy are fundamentally sound. My interpretation of this is that he is trying to adopt the right approach. He says frequently that progress is being made across the pillars, but this does not indicate its extent, which could be great or very small. The statement is vague and unfocused.
The fact that there are an estimated 300,000 cannabis users in the country, and possibly 28,000 dependent thereon, is one side of the matter. The Minister of State mentioned heroin in his reply and referred to increased treatment places. This increase is very welcome and I acknowledge it but I must draw attention to a case that arose in my area with which I dealt recently. A young man of approximately 20 years, whose weight has decreased to six stone and who lives on mashed Rice Krispies, is still taking a lot of heroin. He has sores and I am told his teeth are falling out and his veins are collapsing. I understand the only suitable setting for him is in a controlled detox bed. To the best of my knowledge, such beds are available in Beaumont but nowhere else. The young man is suicidal and in danger of dying and his mother, who communicated with me this morning, is receiving no responses from the system.
Highlighting one such case is not the best way to argue a point but one should note the circumstances I described arise elsewhere. It is fine to list statistics and percentages but when a family is faced with a case such as I have described, one must ask whether the system is able to provide for a very urgent need.
I was trying to summarise and my reply was very long. When the Deputy looks at my script, he will realise there was more to it than I stated. The strategy is mainly about heroin because that is where it all started. It was the drug of most concern in disadvantaged areas. I hear what the Deputy is saying about cannabis and other issues and I am not suggesting everything is perfect.
On the issue of the young man whom Deputy O'Shea knows, I accept rehabilitation and a continuum of care have comprised two weaknesses. People need different types of treatment. A high dependency detox bed, of which there are approximately 25 in the public sector nationally, is not necessary in every case, but it was a recommendation of the Rehab report, which went before the last meeting of the Cabinet sub-committee on social inclusion and will be published in the coming weeks. The statutory bodies have agreed on the recommendation for extra beds. A HSE group is working on a report on detox beds in respect of alcohol and drug addiction services.
Much has happened. I am not suggesting the situation is perfect, but the gaps are being closed and the situation is better every year. A high dependency detox bed might be necessary in the case referred to by the Deputy, but many speak of how they cannot get into Beaumont Hospital or Cuan Dara when entry is not always necessary. Rehabilitation and detox in the community with relevant and appropriate after-care is probably more important for most people. This is what we are trying to provide.
I heard what the Minister of State stated and I accept that the case described is exceptional, but I was raising the fact that there does not appear to be anywhere for the young man to go when he is in such an awful state. On the other side of the coin, cocaine is a growing problem throughout the country. We cannot wait for the new drugs strategy to put effective new recommendations into operation. This issue must be addressed more urgently than is currently the case.
In terms of the suffering of individuals and families, is the situation better or worse after ten years of this Government and five years of the Department? One can say it is better in terms of resources and funding, which no one disputes, but we are not keeping pace with the awful problems. Garda figures suggest that drugs with a value of €6.6 million entered my constituency last year. This problem also includes the recreational use of cocaine.
The Minister of State put his finger on the issue when he stated that, to some extent, the national drugs strategy is dated, as it was developed in respect of chronic heroin issue. Unfortunately, figures suggest that heroin use is increasing in my constituency.
While there may not be enough places for young men such as the one referred to by the Deputy, there are places in Beaumont Hospital and Cuan Dara. There are a couple of dozen beds in private trusts and so on, but those in the medical field decide which cases are priorities. As another question has been asked on the issue of cocaine, in respect of which we commissioned a report, I will leave the matter alone.
The situation is better after ten years. Of course, I would say that, but a NACD survey called A Community Drugs Study: Developing Community Indicators for Problem Drug Use was conducted in the areas most affected by drugs and where the original drug task forces were located. In general, people spoke positively on the issue. The problems have not gone away, but the people surveyed in the communities ravaged by drugs for 15 or 20 years were not quoting me or any politician. They said that facilities, treatment and services had improved and they knew where to go for help which was available at statutory and community levels.
The strategy is not dated. It is due for review within the next two years. It has concentrated on the hardest drugs in the poorest areas and will continue to do so. Other drugs such as cocaine have come along but the emphasis will always be on the opiates and the poorest people who are most affected.
40 Dr. Cowley asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if he will provide funding under the CLÁR and RAPID programmes for the transport of Mayo people with urgent hospital appointments and with no means of transport and for the upgrading of Ballycroy Health Centre which is in a CLÁR area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15093/07]
There is no measure under the CLÁR programme to provide for the transport of people with urgent hospital appointments who have no means of transport. CLÁR provides funding for capital projects only and not for day-to-day operational matters.
My Department is holding discussions with the Health Service Executive, HSE, regarding the implementation of the next round of CLÁR's co-funded health measures for 2007-09. The project for the upgrading of the Ballycroy Health Centre should be submitted for consideration to the HSE, western region, Merlin Park Regional Hospital, Galway. The HSE is responsible for the identification and selection of projects in CLÁR areas to be included under the proposed measure for 2007-09.
My Department has no input into the selection of the projects to be funded under the measure. There are no designated RAPID areas in County Mayo.
I thank the Minister for his reply. I heard the Minister say on local radio that there may be money available for people who need transport. Some people must borrow €110 to travel to Galway to have a pacemaker checked. Galway is almost as far from Blacksod in Belmullet as it is from Dublin. Older people cannot afford that price. The Minister for Health and Children told me that it is up to the HSE to deal with this problem, but the HSE says the legislation constrains its managers from any spending that will put it into debt and jeopardise the service. It appears that it will have a surplus of €2.5 million in running the emergency ambulance service so this expenditure would put it into jeopardy. If there is money available in CLÁR, it should be provided if possible because these people have a right to transport. The HSE is willing and able to provide the transport if it has the money.
Ballycroy is in a CLÁR area which has suffered a massive 50% depopulation in 50 years. I greatly welcome the work of the CLÁR programme and congratulate the Minister in that regard. The health centre in Ballycroy is falling down. Neither the practice nurse nor the practice secretary have rooms. I am aware that the Minister is concerned about this hinterland which needs services. There are a plethora of services in other places but the service in Ballycroy is poor due to lack of infrastructure. The Minister agrees that this is the problem. If there was a health centre here, people would receive much better service, including paramedical services such as chiropody, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, dental treatment and leg ulcer treatment, etc. The existing health centre dates back to the time when doctors were treating diphtheria and people had to walk to the centre. It urgently needs upgrading. The former health board sold off the surrounding land which was a retrograde step. A new centre is needed and although the HSE must apply, I ask the Minister to consider it seriously.
The law does not allow me to pay current costs because I have only capital funds under CLÁR. I face the same problems in my constituency as the Deputy faces in his area. I have beaten a path to the door of the HSE. It blows my mind how an organisation that has €15 billion a year to spend cannot find a million or two to provide essential basic services for people. I just do not understand it and I never will. While I realise one has to watch budgets, we are never stuck for €100,000 in my Department which only has a budget of half a billion euro. However, doctors differ and patients die, so let us talk about the money that is available. I provided €2.5 million for CLÁR capital projects for 2004-06. To date I have received bills for €1.363 million. That means I still have to get invoices for approximately €1 million. With another €2 million from the HSE that comes to €3 million which we sanctioned in 2004 for the 2004-06 period and we still have not got the work done. One of the projects refers to my own parish where the money was allocated in 2003, but has not been spent. That is very frustrating, with people saying they are short of money. Early in 2006, if not in 2005, we told the HSE we would go again because it takes so long to get these projects through. I met Professor Drumm, eventually, last November, and told him we had money on the table. I told him we were putting up a third of the cost of these capital projects and the HSE should put up two thirds, since they are health initiatives. We subsequently had meetings and it has now been agreed to put a 2007-09 programme in place, although a good part of 2007 has passed already. We have agreed to put €3 million in the kitty, with the HSE contributing €6 million, giving a total of €9 million.
I want to make it clear that I do not select the projects. If the HSE sends me a bundle of eligible projects totalling €9 million, which are in CLÁR areas and come under the top seeding as regards size of initiative so that we get a fair spread and deal with the more isolated areas, as indicated by the Deputy, there will be no delay in sanctioning them. However, I cannot sanction projects that do not come before me. I repeat that I find it hard to reconcile a shortage of funds with an inability to make application for the money that is on the table. The Deputy might be able to explain it as a doctor, but I cannot.
This is one of the richest countries in the world. The Minister referred to a €15 billion spend. The point is that the older people who really need this service are not getting it. I know there is collective responsibility in Cabinet and the Minister is well capable of banging the table. I hope he will bang the table in this regard, bearing in mind that an older person, with no income but his or her pension, has no choice but to borrow €110 to travel to Galway for essential hospital services and get home again, and has no way of getting this money back. It is disgraceful and it is important that the Minister uses whatever time he has left in Government to address this issue.
I absolutely agree with the Deputy that what has happened is totally unsatisfactory. People from the islands, with very serious medical conditions, are not being afforded services to hospitals, but he wants me to bang the wrong table. As he knows, the Oireachtas passed a law giving executive responsibility to the HSE, so that the Minister cannot give a specific instruction in this regard. I will, however, continue to bang the table of the HSE, which has responsibility in this matter. I fully agree with the Deputy and am glad, since he has much more medical expertise than I have, that he is equally dissatisfied with this. It is absolutely wrong and I could not concur with him more. I disagree with him only as regards two points. There is money on the table, but the HSE has not picked it up yet and that is regrettable.
41 D’fhiafraigh Mr. McGinley den Aire Gnóthaí Pobail, Tuaithe agus Gaeltachta cad iad na hiarrachtaí atá á ndéanamh ag Údarás na Gaeltachta maidir le tionscail agus fostaíocht a thabhairt go Paróiste Chloich Cheann Fhaola, Dún na nGall. [14982/07]
Mar is eol don Teachta, bíonn iarrachtaí leanúnacha ar siúl ag Údarás na Gaeltachta chun deiseanna fostaíochta agus forbartha a chruthú i ngach ceantar Gaeltachta, Paróiste Chloich Cheann Fhaola ina measc.
Tá torthaí 2006 den suirbhé bliantúil d'fhostaíocht i dtionscadail a fuair cúnamh ón Údarás curtha ar fáil ó thús na bliana seo. Tuigim ón Údarás go léiríonn an suirbhé seo gur tháinig méadú ar an bhfostaíocht i gceantar Chloich Cheann Fhaola le linn 2006, is é, 12 post breise lánaimseartha agus dhá phost breise páirtaimseartha nó séasúrach. Dá réir sin, b'iad na figiúirí dheireadh bliana don pharóiste, na hoileáin mhara san áireamh, ná 132 post lánaimseartha agus 145 post páirtaimseartha nó séasúrach.
Tá béim agus fócas faoi leith á ndíriú ag an Údarás i 2007 ar Eastát an Fhál Charraigh chun tograí nua a aimsiú agus tá cuairteanna suímh ag dul ar aghaidh cheana féin. Tá tograí suntasacha ar bun i nGort an Choirce freisin. Mar shampla, tá ionad forbartha bia agus gorlann tograí bia á bhforbairt i Machaire Rabhartaigh agus breis áiseanna ar nós sólainne agus linn snámha á gcur ar fáil in óstán áitiúil. Cruthófar fostaíocht bhreise sa cheantar de bharr na hinfheistíochta seo.
Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire as ucht an eolais sin. Tá mé cinnte go dtuigeann an tAire cé chomh tábhachtach agus atá ceantar stairiúil Chloich Cheann Fhaola ó thaobh na Gaeltachta de. Má cuimhníonn an tAire ar na scoileanna sa cheantar, beidh a fhios aige gur cheantar láidir Ghaeilge í Chloich Cheann Fhaola, mar go bhfuil an Ghaeilge mar theanga dhúchais na ndaltaí i Scoil Mhachaire Uí Rabhartaigh, Scoil Chnoc na Naomh i nDoire Chonaire, Scoil Ghort a' Choirce, Scoil Chaiseal na gCorr agus Scoil na gCroisbhealach sa bhFál Carrach. Tá sé de dhualgas orainn tacaíocht eacnamaíochta agus fostaíochta a thabhairt don áit. Cuirim fáilte roimh an 12 post lán-aimseartha agus an deich bpost páirt-aimseartha a cuireadh ar fáil i gCloch Cheann Fhaola i 2006. Má smaoinímid ar na deacrachtaí atá ag an bpobal mór sin maidir leis na tionscail agus an fhostaíocht a bhí ag braith ar acmhainní an Údaráis, is léir go bhfuil siad in ísle bhrí. Tá a fhios ag an Aire nach mbeidh iascaireacht bradáin, fiú amháin, acu i mbliana — tá deireadh curtha leis i Machaire Uí Rabhartaigh, i mBaile an Easa agus ar na hoileáin. Tá an talamhaíocht ag dul in ísle bhrí sa cheantar, cé gur dhúiche mhaith talmhaíochta a bhí ann san am atá thart. Ba mhaith liom iarraidh ar an Aire tréan-iarracht a dhéanamh níos mó fostaíochta a mhealladh isteach sa cheantar fá choinne daoine óga a choinneáil sa bhaile, leanúint ar aghaidh le labhairt na teanga agus an teanga a fhorbairt sa cheantar sin. Deirtear go bhfuil 145 post séasúrach sa cheantar. An bhfuil na daoine sin ag obair i bpostanna turasóireachta — sna hóstáin, mar shampla? An féidir leis an Aire breis eolais a thabhairt?
Níl eolas cruinn agam faoi sin. Iarrfaidh mé ar Údarás na Gaeltachta an t-eolas a thabhairt don Teachta. Tá mé cinnte go ndéanfar suirbhé i mBaile Átha Cliath ar na postanna déantúsaíochta sa cheantar. Ní dóigh liom go raibh mórán méadú oraibh le blianta beaga anuas, mar go raibh méadaithe mór i bhfostaíocht sna seirbhísí. Caithfimid aghaidh a thabhairt ar na bhfíricí sin i gcomhthéacs na Gaeltachta. Dá bhrí sin, nuair a thosaigh mé a dh'obair mar Aire sa Roinn seo, chuir mé béim mhór ar athrú threo ó thaobh an Údaráis de. Go ginearálta, níl líon na bpostanna déantúsaíochta ag méadú go tréan sa Domhan Thiar, gan trácht ar Éirinn. Is dá bharr sin go bheartaíomar anuraidh ar 30 post a chruthú i nGaoth Dobhair. Tá gach tacaíocht tugtha agam don Údarás chun páirc nua a dhéanamh as eastát tionsclaíochta Ghaoth Dobhair. Tuigim nach bhfuil an paróiste céanna i gceist. Tá sé fíor-thábhachtach go ndéanfaí iarracht postanna a chruthú sna bparóistí — caithfimid an cheist seo a scrúdú. Sa chuid eile den tír, tá daoine ag taisteal deich nó 15 míle chun a chuid oibre a dhéanamh. Má tá fostaíocht gar go leor do dhaoine, in áit atá éasca taisteal chuige, tá sé ceart go leor an fhostaíocht a bheith suite sa cheantar i gcoitinne. Mar a dúirt mé go minic anseo, ní féidir le héinne in aon áit eile ar domhan dul san iomaíocht linn maidir le postanna a bhaineann leis an teanga a chruthú. Mar a luaigh an Teachta, táimid ag caint mar gheall ar cheann de na Gaeltachtaí is láidre sa tír. Tá mé ag smaoineamh ar rudaí ar nós bunú an acadaimh i nGaoth Dobhair nuair a labhraím mar gheall ar an chur chuige nua-aimseartha. Nílimid ag díriú go hiomlán ar dhéantúsaíocht. Tá agus beidh ról ag na tionscail traidisiúnta ó thaobh chinnteacht ioncaim de. Tá ról ag na gcoláistí samhraidh ó thaobh chinnteacht ioncaim agus postanna. Tá láidreacht mhaith déanta i dtalmhaíocht agus iascaireacht, mar shampla, le blianta beaga anuas. Níl an bhuan-fhostaíocht chéanna á cur ar fáil is a bhí uair amháin. Caithfimid breathnú air as an nua. Creidim go bhfuil na deiseanna fostaíochta is mó i rannóg na seirbhísí. Nuair a deirim "seirbhísí", d'fhéadfadh aon chineál seirbhíse a bheith i gceist. Tá sé dúshlánach go maith ag leithéidí d'Údarás na Gaeltachta ó thaobh fostaíochta agus déantúsaíochta de, mar a bhí, mar shampla, i nGaoth Dobhair deich nó 20 bliain ó shin.
Maidir le seirbhísí, dá mbeadh infheisteoir sa Ghaeltacht agus fonn air gnó éigin bunaithe ar sheirbhísí riachtanacha sa cheantar a chur ar bun, an aontaíonn an tAire liom gur beag cuidiú nó tacaíocht a bheadh ar fáil ó na heagrais Stáit nó a Roinn féin? An bhfuil bac ann go fóill? An é polasaí an Rialtais agus an Údaráis é gan tacaíocht airgid a thabhairt do thionscnaimh ar seirbhísí iad? An mbíonn an fhreagracht orthu féin?
Go ginearálta, braitheann sé ar an chineál seirbhíse atá ar fáil. Mar shampla, ní bheadh fadhb ar bith ag an Údarás cúnamh a thabhairt maidir le seirbhísí idirnáisiúnta airgeadais. Tá cúnamh tugtha aige do sheirbhísí agus tionscail na Gaeilge ar nós aistriúcháin freisin. Ní thugann sé cúnamh do mhiondíol ar an ngnáthbhealach, áfach. Glactar leis gur "deadweight" é, mar a thugtar air sa mBéarla. Níor cheart go mbeadh deontas ar fáil dó sin, agus bheadh ceisteanna iomaíochta, míchothroim agus mar sin de ag baint leis.
Más maith leis an Teachta, iarrfaidh mé ar Údarás na Gaeltachta a pholasaí i dtaobh seirbhísí a chur chuige chun an cás a mhíniú. Níl an scéal dubh agus bán, mar is léir go gcuireann an tÚdarás airgead ar fáil do sheirbhísí áirithe. Má tá duine ag iarraidh siopa a bhunú, ní chuirtear airgead ar fáil, áfach. Is fearr an t-eolas cruinn ón Údarás a chur chuig an Teachta.
Ag deireadh na bliana 2006, bhí 2,436 duine fostaithe i dtionscail i dTír Chonaill a fuair cúnamh ó Údarás na Gaeltachta. Is é an chomparáid is fearr ar féidir a dhéanamh ná le ceantair taobh amuigh den Ghaeltacht. Tá na fadhbanna sa Ghaeltacht scoite amach, ach tá i bhfad níos mó ceantar cosúil leo taobh amuigh den Ghaeltacht.
42 Mr. Boyle asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs when he expects that agreement will be reached on access for walkers and open access will be available. [15086/07]
In February 2004, I established Comhairle na Tuaithe to address the three priority issues of access to the countryside, developing a countryside code and developing a countryside recreation strategy. Comhairle na Tuaithe comprises representatives of the farming organisations, recreational users of the countryside and State bodies with an interest in the countryside.
To date, Comhairle na Tuaithe has identified and reviewed a set of access parameters in the countryside, which it believes will serve as a basis for conflict prevention and integrate a variety of needs and responsibilities. It has also agreed the key features necessary for countryside code development, with a focus on the potential application of the internationally recognised Leave No Trace initiative. Details of the access parameters and the countryside code are available in a booklet and on my Department's website at www.pobail.ie. It has also completed its work on the development of a national countryside recreation strategy.
In its report, Comhairle na Tuaithe made the following recommendations in relation to access: that the Attorney General be requested to examine restating and-or reflecting in legislation the current common law position in relation to the protection of landowners' property rights where recreational access is allowed on their land; that the Law Reform Commission be requested to make recommendations on the broader issues of access to the countryside for recreational users focusing on the constitutional and legal position pertaining in Ireland; that Comhairle na Tuaithe considered that no cost burden or liability, within the meaning of the Occupiers Liability Act 1995, should attach to farmers-landowners as a result of allowing recreational users on their land; and that Comhairle na Tuaithe also recognised that farming organisations would continue to pursue direct compensation for access to land by recreational users of the countryside.
When I received its report in early September, I considered that these recommendations would be my first priority. To ensure that these issues were addressed as a matter of urgency, I established an expert group, comprising a senior counsel and officials from the Office of the Attorney General, the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform and my Department to urgently advise on tackling the legal issues raised in the report and to report back to me by the end of this month. When I receive the report from the expert group, I will carefully consider any recommendations it may make.
I have repeatedly made clear my view that a local community-based approach is the best way forward where issues of access to the countryside arise. Where it is not possible to reach agreement, in a particular location, alternative routes should be explored and developed so that landowners' rights over access to their lands are not interfered with.
I again restate that any proposal for direct Exchequer payment for access is not acceptable and is not under discussion.
Additional information not given on the floor of the House.
I have met representatives of the farming organisations in the past few months to discuss their views on the matter of access to the countryside in particular and countryside recreation in general. I am fully in agreement that there should be no cost burden on farmers for the maintenance of permissive ways open to the public at no charge.
The Deputy should note that I recently attended a meeting with Comhairle na Tuaithe and following from those discussions, my Department has drafted proposals in relation to the development and maintenance of new and existing waymarked ways and looped walks. These draft proposals were circulated for observations to the members of Comhairle na Tuaithe in the past few days.
I thank the Minister for his reply. As this is the last time Priority Questions to the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs will be taken in the 29th Dáil, I thank him and the Minister of State for their engagement on this and other issues.
One never knows.
Getting back to the matter in hand, has the Minister a sense of urgency in bringing this issue to some degree of finality? His reply refers to his establishment of an advisory group to report back to him at the end of this month. None of us expects that to be acted upon considering the current electoral cycle. To what extent does the formation of the advisory group advance the timescale given in the recommendations of Comhairle na Tuaithe? What advice has the Minister or his Department sought from the Attorney General on the first recommendations? Will the Minister or his Department ask the Law Reform Commission to undertake a report on this matter? Have any timescales been provided in respect of either of those two measures? There is an impression that this is an issue that will continue to rumble on because of a lack of appropriate political leadership.
His response about the lack of the refusal of direct State intervention for the use of walkways and rights of way in these circumstances seems to be a new nuance on the part of the Minister as the issue at hand is whether landowners will have the right to directly charge for their use. I would have thought the Minister was more emphatic on this issue in the past. No one involved in this issue has had any difficulty with the idea of compensation or the need for assistance in making the routes accessible for walkers but there is a great deal of controversy about being able to charge and to continue to charge for using open walkways in the countryside. I ask the Minister to be emphatic on that point in particular.
It amazes me the Deputy does not understand that we set up the expert group with a tight reporting timeframe by the end of April because of our opinion that if we went by the Law Reform Commission route, we would be waiting years for a comprehensive report, which would probably be very detailed——
The Minister will still need to go to the Law Reform Commission.
We will not do that. The reason for setting up the expert group was to get the answers we needed to our questions within four months. I announced at the ploughing championships last September that I would not go to the Law Reform Commission. I stated that when we examined its proposal we thought we could short-circuit it and have a report by the end of April. Even if the Law Reform Commission had taken on the job, there is no possibility of its report being ready by the end of April. We have instead focused on the key issues and we are obtaining the expert legal advice. The Office of the Attorney General is involved in this expert group. The nature of legal advice is that until any such advice is tested in a court of law, one does not know whether it stands up.
I recently had a meeting with Comhairle na Tuaithe and we discussed the development of walkways and their maintenance, which is an important issue. All the parties engaged in a positive manner. I pay tribute to the members of Comhairle na Tuaithe who have moved this forward so far, considering where we all started from. These proposals were recently circulated for observation to the members of Comhairle na Tuaithe. People often confuse the issue of the walkways with the top of the mountain issue, but they are two separate issues that have become entangled. I have circulated my proposals on the walkways issue and I will await the response with interest. Before I circulated them I explained the general thrust of them to Comhairle na Tuaithe and I allowed it a few days to reply as to whether it considered them worth circulating. I hope this will progress the issue.
On the final issue, it is amazing that one can repeat something hundreds of times, and every time I repeated this statement I used the same formulation, that there will be no national State scheme of support for access. I deliberately used that formulation because it would be ridiculous if I, for example, prevented a local Leader company from purchasing or obtaining a lengthy lease on 100 metres of land relating to a monument or needed for access purposes. If I intervened in this way, people could say that I was using State money, directly or indirectly, having stated that no such money would be provided in respect of access. I am stating that there will be no scheme under which people will be paid a certain amount of money for access. I ruled out such a development from the beginning.
The Deputy also inquired about charging for entry. It is easy to state that one should never charge for access to land. However, one is charged for entry to Dublin Zoo, which is on land that is owned by somebody. One of the fundamental mistakes the Deputy could make would be to in some way infer that land that does not happen to be blessed by God with great fertility is any less owned by a farmer than that which is so blessed.
We must proceed to the next question.
Is the Deputy stating that if I invested a great deal of money establishing a park on my land, I should not be allowed to charge people for entry? Is he of the view that people should not be charged entry to golf courses that are located on rough land? The Deputy must be extremely careful as regards definitions. I am fascinated by his question.
We must conclude on this question.
I wish to ask a brief supplementary.
It must be very brief because we have exceeded the time allocated for this question.
The Minister is deliberately misrepresenting the position. This issue relates to rights of way and traditional walking routes, which exist in urban areas as much as they do in rural areas. There would be a major public reaction against any attempt to introduce a charge in respect of a right of way in an urban area. In trying to seek a resolution to this problem, the Minister should once and for all state that he is not prepared to accept the principle of charging in respect of a right of way or a traditional walking route. I do not believe he is saying that; I am of the view that he is leaving the matter open.
The Deputy is aware that it would be illegal to charge people for using a right of way. I happen to live in one of the few parishes in which people have successfully defended their rights of way in the courts. I do not, therefore, need to repeat what the law states in this regard. I am no lawyer but, as I understand it, if a public right of way exists, it is illegal to charge anybody for using it.
We must conclude Priority Questions.
I do not understand the Deputy's question because what I have said is a statement of fact.
