Vol. 638 No. 3
111 Deputy Seán Sherlock asked the Minister for Education and Science the amount paid out to date in regard to compensation payments and legal fees by the Residential Institutions Redress Board; if an estimate is available of the expected final costs in regard to each category; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21620/07]
The Residential Institutions Redress Board was established under Statute in 2002 to provide financial redress to victims of child abuse in residential institutions in order to assist them in their recovery and enhance the quality of the remainder of their lives.
I wish to advise the Deputy that expenditure associated with the Redress Board to date is approximately €714 million including €91m in legal costs. The Board has completed the process in 9,276 cases out of a total of 14,546 applications received by the Board. The average award figure currently stands at €67,755, with awards ranging up to €300,000. At this point it is estimated that a provision of some €428 million may be required to meet the remaining award, administration and legal costs, of the Board. This would bring the total cost of the scheme to an estimated €1.14 billion. Based on the total number of applications received, the final cost of the scheme may be somewhere between €1 billion and €1.3 billion, including legal and admin costs which are running at approximately 20% of awards. I should emphasise, however, that this revised estimate, like earlier estimates, is tentative as the Board has some 5,270 outstanding applications to process and the level of award in these remaining cases may vary substantially. The final cost of the scheme will not be known until the Board has completed its work, which may take up to a further 3 years.
Of course, the final cost of the redress scheme must be viewed in the context of the Government's acceptance of its responsibilities in apologising to victims of abuse and one must consider that if the scheme had not been introduced the State in all likelihood would have been engaged in civil court actions which would have been protracted and traumatic for the victims and would have resulted in the State incurring extensive legal and settlement costs. The Government in establishing the scheme considered it was the just and humane thing to do as the State was responsible for children that were placed in institutions by the courts and other public bodies. The C & AG has stated that any estimate of the ultimate liability arising from the Redress Scheme is based on assumptions which are impossible to validate and should therefore be treated in a cautionary way.
112 Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for Education and Science the steps she proposes to take to advance the mutual recognition of primary school teaching qualifications on the island of Ireland in the context of the implementation of the Good Friday Agreement in order to enable persons trained and qualified as primary school teachers in Northern Ireland to be accepted as primary school teachers in the Republic and for primary school teachers trained and qualified in the Republic to be fully accepted as primary school teachers in the North; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21600/07]
Teachers registered in Northern Ireland are currently eligible for registration as teachers with the Teaching Council subject to conditions relating to the Irish language requirement and probation.
Holders of provisional recognition must meet the Irish Language requirement in order to be granted full recognition to teach in mainstream classes in national schools. In addition, they must provide certification that they have attended an approved course in the Gaeltacht.
In the case of graduates of St. Mary's College, the language requirement does not arise provided students have successfully completed the Irish language stream of that course.
Prior to the establishment of the Teaching Council in Ireland, my Department had traditionally granted provisional recognition to teachers who qualify in Northern Ireland and who are awarded "qualified teacher status" by the Department of Education in Northern Ireland (DENI) and registration by the General Teaching Council of Northern Ireland (GTCNI). Functions relating to recognition and registration of teachers have since transferred to the Teaching Council, which was established on a statutory footing in March 2006.
From its establishment on 28 March 2006 to 31 March 2007, a total of 58 applications from Northern Ireland registered teachers were processed by the Teaching Council. A further 25 applications have been received/processed for the period 1 April 2007 to the 28 September 2007.
The issue of the teacher mobility and qualifications is one of four specific areas of cooperation agreed between my Department and the Department of Education in Northern Ireland.
The next Education Sectoral Meeting will take place in November 2007. The issue of how best to take forward issues in respect of teachers' qualifications in order to facilitate cross-border mobility will be discussed, taking into the account the establishment of the relevant Teaching Councils in Ireland and Northern Ireland.
The Irish Teaching Council has a statutory responsibility to cooperate with its equivalent organization in the North (the GTCNI) and there is an ongoing relationship between the two bodies. I would expect that the issue of mutual recognition between the Republic and the North will be advanced in this context into the future.
Further, under the EU Directives for the Mutual Recognition of Professional Qualifications, provisions are made whereby professionals qualified in one (home) Member State can seek professional recognition of their qualifications in another (host) Member State for the purpose of practising their profession in that host Member State. These Directives apply only where the profession is regulated in the host Member State, as teaching is in both Ireland and Northern Ireland.
113 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Education and Science the position regarding the roll out of information communication technology in schools. [21480/07]
The ICT in Schools Programme commenced in 1998 and aims to provide all pupils with the opportunity to achieve computer literacy and acquire the necessary skills for participation in the Information Society. There has been significant investment over the period in providing computers to schools, professional development ICT courses for teachers, improving the availability of digital content, integrating ICT into the curriculum and in supporting schools to integrate ICT into their teaching and learning. The recent priorities under the Programme have been the development of schools' internal networking facilities and the provision of broadband connectivity for schools, which my Department has pursued in partnership with the Telecommunications and Internet Federation within IBEC.
There has been considerable progress since the Programme commenced. The number of computers in schools has increased substantially. In this regard, the latest available Census undertaken by the NCTE in 2005, found that at primary level, there was one computer for every 9 children, while at post-primary level, there was one computer for every 7 students. Schools have been grant-aided to develop their internal networking facilities and broadband connectivity has been provided to schools via a National Broadband Network. Over 130,000 training places have been provided for teachers to improve their ICT skills and assist them to integrate ICT into their teaching practice, while ICT has been included within the pre-service training provided by our teaching training providers. Scoilnet has been developed as a comprehensive resource for teachers and students and a range of relevant digital content has been created specifically to complement the curriculum. Schools have been supported to plan for the integration of ICT into their teaching and learning by the National Centre for Technology in Education and the ICT Advisory Service.
The National Council for Curriculum and Assessment has developed a draft ICT Framework as a practical tool to support teachers in planning and providing opportunities for students to develop their ICT literacy across the curriculum from primary to the end of compulsory education. New syllabi have been developed for the four technology subjects at Leaving Certificate level, in which ICT is a compulsory integral part of both curriculum and assessment. Two of these, Technology and Design and Communications Graphics, which involve the use of Computer Aided Design have now been introduced and will be examined in June 2009. A new Technology Subjects Support Service has been established and schools' have been funded to upgrade their facilities.
The Programme for Government sets out our commitment to implementing a comprehensive Schools' ICT Strategy. This strategy will be underpinned by the investment of €252m in the National Development Plan 2007-2013.
I appointed 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 are the upgrading and renewal of hardware, the provision of software and digital content for learning, teacher professional development, curriculum development, the maintenance of the national broadband network for schools and technical maintenance and support requirements. I expect to receive the Strategy Planning Group's recommendations shortly.
114 Deputy Emmet Stagg asked the Minister for Education and Science her plans to accelerate programmes to deal with adult illiteracy in view of the fact that the Government’s current target would leave up to half a million adults illiterate by 2016; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21615/07]
115 Deputy Arthur Morgan asked the Minister for Education and Science if she is satisfied with the level of literacy support for adults; and if she will make improvements to the level of provision and service. [21475/07]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 114 and 115 together.
Funding from my Department for adult literacy has increased dramatically from just €1 million in 1997 to €30 million in 2007. The 2007 allocation represents an increase of €7.4 million, or 21%, on 2006.
As a result of this increased expenditure, the number of literacy places has increased from 5,000 in 1997 to over 40,000 in 2006. Following on commitments in the "Towards 2016" Partnership Agreement and in the Programme for Government an extra 7,000 literacy places will be provided in the period 2007-2009. I am providing for 3,000 of these additional places in 2007.
The increased financial provision this year also allows for an expansion of the Intensive Tuition in Adult Basic Education Programme, which was launched in 2006. In addition, a family literacy pilot scheme is being developed this autumn to address poor literacy from an intergenerational family perspective.
To ensure a multi-pronged approach is adopted my Department has, in partnership with NALA, used the medium of television to reach an even wider audience. The "Read, Write Now" series, from 2000 to 2005, and the more recent "Really Useful Guide to Words and Numbers" in 2006/2007 provided learners with an opportunity to improve their literacy skills from the comfort and privacy of their own homes. Funding for a new series has been made available.
There are also a number of schemes funded by my Department which target people with special literacy needs, e.g. deaf people, people with dyslexia and a literacy service in Irish for people in Gaeltacht areas.
Adult literacy and numeracy are also an integral component for learners in both the part-time and full-time suite of further education programmes.
In addition, there are workplace literacy schemes in operation around the country. A workplace literacy programme, called Return to Learning Scheme, has been introduced in all Local Authority areas for outdoor workers. Under the FÁS/VEC Return to Education Scheme, participants on the Community Employment Scheme, operated by FÁS, can be released from their work experience programmes to avail themselves of intensive literacy tuition provided by the Vocational Education Committees.
In 2005, and again in 2006, FÁS spent €2 million on addressing the literacy and numeracy needs of staff in the workplace. An additional €1 million is being provided in 2007, bringing the total funding to €3 million for this scheme.
In addition to the wide range of initiatives I have just outlined, a far greater emphasis has been put on improving children's literacy skills in recent years. We are prioritising early intervention so that children's literacy problems do not become entrenched and carry with them into adulthood.
Significant progress has therefore been made, and continues to be made, in addressing the needs of both children and adults with low levels of literacy. The Government's targets for the coming years are designed to be both challenging and achievable.
116 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Education and Science her views on the cost of third level registration fees which has jumped from €190 in 1995 to €800 in 2007; the steps she will take to cut the fees in order to assist the many students with this unfair financial burden; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21625/07]
The student charge is levied by third level institutions to defray the costs of examinations, registration and students services, which are not covered by the free tuition fees scheme. In recent years the charge has been increased from €750 for the academic year 2004/05, to €775 in 2005/06, to €800 in 2006/07 and now stands at €825 for 2007/08, an increase of €25 per student per annum.
All students who are eligible for a means tested student support grant have the student charge paid on their behalf by the Local Authorities or the Vocational Education Committees, in addition to any maintenance grant and tuition fee grant to which they are entitled.
117 Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Education and Science the steps she is taking to deal with the situation experienced in north County Dublin in 2007 in which children from immigrant backgrounds were left without school places at primary level; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21610/07]
In recent years, unprecedented levels of investment has been provided both to improve existing school facilities and to provide extra school places where they are needed. Improved forward planning has also been put in place through greater cooperation between the Department of Education and local authorities and the publication of 10-year Area Development Plans by my Department.
This combination of investment and planning has allowed extensions to be built to schools all over Ireland, while many new schools have also been built in order to meet the needs of developing areas.
Construction work this year alone will deliver over 700 classrooms to provide permanent accommodation for over 17,500 pupils – mainly in developing areas.
Turning to the specific issue of school places in Balbriggan as raised by the Deputy, the situation is as follows. Conscious of the fact that Balbriggan is a developing area, the Department of Education has facilitated a significant expansion in the number of school places in the area in recent years. Established schools have been given extra teachers and accommodation, while new schools also opened in 2005 and 2006. Educate Together had also indicated their intention to open a new school in Balbriggan in 2008. At the same time, the Department has been working with Fingal County Council to acquire land for new school buildings.
Given the population expansion that has been taking place in Balbriggan, Department officials kept the enrolments situation under review over the summer, in consultation with the existing schools. As soon as it became clear that applications for the schools had grown to such an extent that a new school would be needed this year, my Department acted swiftly to secure accommodation for up to 120 children in a new school in Sunshine House.
Educate Together agreed to be the patron of the school and I would like to express my thanks to them for working with us to open the school within such a tight timeframe. I would also like to convey my thanks to the principal of the school whom I know had a difficult first few week with all the media focus on the school and who is deeply committed to ensuring that her pupils get a top quality education.
It was never the Department's intention to establish schools solely for children of a particular ethnic background. However, in a situation where these children were potentially being left without places, a new school was the only option.
The current ethnic make-up of Bracken Educate Together National School is reflective of the nature of the families that had moved to the area recently. It is not the result of any unwillingness on the part of the existing schools to accept children of any particular ethnicity or religion. In fact some of the existing schools have quite large numbers of newcomer children enrolled. I know many people in Balbriggan were very upset by the implications in some sectors of the media that there was any form of racism at play here.
The Department intends to work with all schools in the area to help achieve a better spread of children of all nationalities across the different schools in future years. Common enrolment policies may be one way of achieving this.
I accept that providing sufficient pupil places in all rapidly developing areas, including those with large immigrant communities, is absolutely vital to ensuring that enrolment policies do not lead to immigrants being unable to secure places.
Under the National Development Plan, €4.5 billion is being invested to improve existing school buildings and provide extra accommodation for an expected growth of 100,000 in the school-going population over the coming years. Together with the improvements in planning that have already been put in place, and those that are provided for in the new Programme for Government, this will enable my Department to meet the needs of developing areas into the future.
118 Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Education and Science the support that exists from her Department for the parents of children from non-Irish backgrounds who can not speak or read English; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21839/07]
I am conscious of the challenges that moving to a different country poses for many people, especially where a different language is spoken in the new location. These challenges are particularly acute in cases where children are involved and where neither they, nor their parents, speak the language of their new home.
My Department gives an annual grant to all Vocational Education Committees for the provision of Adult Literacy and Community Education. The cost of the literacy service delivered by the VECs in 2006 was over €20 million. To cater for the needs of adult migrants there is a facility, within the adult literacy service, for those who wish to improve their English to participate in English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) courses. In 2005 there were 10,000 places availed of for ESOL courses and this rose to 12,000 in 2006. This later figure constitutes 30% of the adult literacy places within the adult literacy service.
The language needs of migrants formed part of the negotiations between social partners in drawing up the new social partnership agreement "Towards 2016". A prioritised action included in the agreement is that the annual student cohort availing of the general national literacy service delivered by the Vocational Education Committees will be significantly increased by the provision of an extra 7,000 places by 2009, 3,000 of which will be provided this year. There will be a particular focus on increasing the number of migrants receiving an English language service (ESOL) under the terms of the agreement. We are also committed under the Programme for Government to providing dedicated funding for English language training for targeted groups.
My Department, in conjunction with the Office for Integration, has commissioned an independent review to assist in the development of a national English language training policy and framework for legally-resident adult immigrants based on extensive stakeholder consultation. This is due for completion in early 2008.
In addition, information on the Irish Education system has been placed on the Department's Website (www.education.ie) in 6 languages, i.e. Polish, Latvian, Lithuanian, Russian, Spanish and German.
The importance of addressing the educational needs of newcomers has been emphasised by the establishment by the Government of the Office for Integration and the appointment by the Taoiseach of my colleague Conor Lenihan TD as the Minister for Integration. Minister Lenihan is also a Minister of State in my Department and his Office will greatly help the development of a co-ordinated and cohesive response to the integration of newcomers to Ireland. In particular, it will focus upon the work undertaken by three Government Departments: Education and Science; Justice, Equality & Law Reform; and Community, Rural & Gaeltacht Affairs.
119 Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of post-primary schools in the State owned directly or indirectly by the State; the number of those that having received substantial capital grants for refurbishment or renewal have now contracted to the State in such a way as to prevent them from unilateral disposal by their current owners; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21595/07]
As of the 31st December, 2006, there were a total of 733 Post-Primary schools operating in the State. Of these, 91 are Community or Comprehensive Schools which are owned by my Department and 248 are Vocational Schools/Community Colleges that are owned by the relevant Vocational Education Committee. The remainder (394) are Voluntary Secondary Schools, which are privately-owned and primarily run by Religious Orders.
Since 2000 my Department has invested over €3 billion as part of the upgrading of existing school infrastructure and the provision of new school accommodation in primary and post-primary schools throughout the country. This is the largest investment programme in the history of the State and delivered over 9,000 projects which have transformed the standard of accommodation in these schools.
My Department's policy is to protect investment in non State owned property by way of long-term lease agreements. The purpose of these lease agreements is to allow the State to re-coup some or all of its investment in privately-owned school properties in the event that these properties are no longer used for educational purposes. Given the numbers of projects delivered over recent years if the Deputy wishes to clarify the situation in respect of investment in individual cases then I would be happy to provide him with the information.
120 Deputy Jan O’Sullivan asked the Minister for Education and Science if she will reject calls from university presidents for the reintroduction of third level fees; her views on whether the reintroduction of fees would be a retrograde step that would make access to third level education even more difficult for students from low income backgrounds; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21617/07]
As the Deputy is aware, I have stated on many occasions that the Government has no plans for the reintroduction of third level tuition fees.
121 Deputy Brian O’Shea asked the Minister for Education and Science the proposals she has for reform of the leaving certificate timetable in order to ease pressure on students who have had to take a number of particularly demanding papers in the first few days of the exam; if the proposed changes have been agreed with the schools and the teacher unions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21605/07]
I am acutely aware of the need to address the demands placed on students in the Leaving Certificate written examinations each June. I have indicated that I favour a change to the current position with a view to reducing some of the existing pressures on students. I see scope for adjusting the subject spread over the initial days of the Leaving Certificate examination in order to provide for some reduction in the writing load for students in the early period of the June exams. I have also indicated that I see scope for students to sit their first paper in Leaving Certificate English on a Saturday in May. This would enable them to approach the initial days of the examination with another element of a major subject completed.
I have asked the State Examinations Commission to engage with the partners in education on the matter and this process is ongoing.
122 Deputy Kathleen Lynch asked the Minister for Education and Science the proposals she has to assist families, especially those on low incomes, with the escalating cost of school books; her plans to increase the funding available under the aid for school books grant scheme and the book rental scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21612/07]
I propose to continue to operate grant schemes towards the cost of providing school textbooks for pupils from low-income families at primary and post-primary level and to provide additional funding as resources permit. Schools are notified of the details of the schemes each year by circular letter.
For the purposes of these grants, a needy pupil is a pupil from a family where there is genuine hardship because of unemployment, prolonged illness of a parent, large family size with inadequate means, singe parenthood, or other family circumstances (such as substance abuse) which would indicate a similar degree of financial hardship.
Principal teachers administer the book grant schemes in schools in a flexible way under the terms of the schemes based on their knowledge of particular circumstances in individual cases.
At primary level a total of €5,350,000 — an increase of €1,350,000 on the allocation for the 2005/06 school year — was allocated in respect of the school books scheme in the 2006/2007 school year. The allocation for 2006/2007 included an amount of €0.5m which was made available under the School Books Grant Scheme to primary schools in the School Support Programme (SSP) under DEIS (Delivering Equality of Opportunity in Schools), the new action plan for educational inclusion. An additional €0.25m has been provided for this purpose in 2007. The allocation for 2007 is €5,877,000.
Schools participating in the SSP that indicated that they would operate a book/loan rental scheme in 2006/2007 received grant aid at a higher rate per eligible pupil than applied in the case of schools generally. The extra funding is aimed at supporting the establishment, development and ongoing operation of book loan/rental schemes.
This schemes provides assistance towards the cost of school books thereby ensuring that pupils from low-income families will have access to all necessary books at a nominal fee or even free of charge.
Approximately 142,000 primary school pupils were assisted under the scheme in 2006.
At second level, in addition to the provision of grants towards the cost of providing school textbooks for needy pupils, my Department also provides seed capital funding to certain schools in order to assist in the establishment of book loan/rental schemes. These would be schools designated as disadvantaged or which participate in schemes aimed at combating educational disadvantage.
School returns furnished to my Department to date show that approximately 132,000 pupils at second level were assisted under the scheme in the 2006/2007 school year.
Expenditure on the School Books Grant Scheme in second-level schools in 2006 was €7.518m, of which some €0.8m was provided for the establishment/ongoing support of book loan/rental schemes.
The 2007 allocation is €7.941m and €0.9m of this has been allocated for book loan/rental schemes.
As I indicated already the question of providing additional funding under the school books grant scheme will be considered in the context of available resources.
123 Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Education and Science if she is satisfied with the general level of awareness students have regarding mental health illnesses, in view of the fact that as many as one in ten students suffer from some kind of mental illness; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21621/07]
As the Deputy will be aware the Primary and Second-Level schools have a responsibility to provide a broad, balanced and appropriate curriculum for all students. Social Personal and Health Education (SPHE) is now part of the curriculum for all pupils in primary schools. It provides specific opportunities to enable the child to understand himself or herself, to develop healthy relationships, and to establish and maintain healthy patterns of behaviour.
SPHE has been compulsory in the junior cycle of second-level schools since September 2003. It provides students with a unique opportunity to develop the skills and competence to learn about themselves and to care for themselves and others and to make informed decisions about their health, personal lives and social development.
Modules at junior cycle deal specifically with belonging and integrating, handling conflict constructively, bullying, dealing with peer pressure, coping with stress, emotional health and well-being, influences on decision-making, and relationships and sexuality education. In third year, an awareness of the range of agencies which can help students in difficulty is promoted, as well as the skills of knowing when and how to seek help. SPHE is designed for implementation in the context of a caring whole-school approach which is supported by the pastoral care structures in schools.
The implementation of the SPHE curriculum by schools is a very important strand of Government policy in addressing a range of social and health issues covered by a wide range of policies/strategies, including the National Drugs Strategy, the National Suicide Prevention Strategy and the report of the National Task Force on Obesity.
Work on the development of a curriculum for SPHE in Senior Cycle is now at an advanced stage and the Department looks forward to receiving the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment's (NCCA) recommendations in the matter.
Schools also use Mental Health Matters, a resource pack on mental health for 14 to 18 year olds developed by Mental Health Ireland on an optional basis as a module in the Transition Year Programme, an element of the Leaving Certificate Applied Programme, a component of the SPHE programme or an element of other subjects such as Religion or Home Economics.
All post-primary schools receive ex-quota hours from my Department for the provision of a guidance and counselling service to students. The service is delivered in the majority of schools by guidance counsellors who are qualified to provide counselling support to students.
Schools can also use additional resources provided by my Department under various initiatives to buy in the services of a qualified counsellor/psychotherapist if they consider this necessary to meet students' needs. For example, schools participating in Delivering Equality of Opportunity in Schools (DEIS), the School Completion Programme and the Guidance Enhancement Initiative (GEI) can, and do, use some of the resources received under these initiatives to buy in counselling services.
My Department provides funding to the Institute of Guidance Counsellors (IGC) for a programme of professional supervision for its members. In its first year, 75% of guidance counsellors participated in this programme which is operated through education centres on a national basis. Approximately 60 qualified counsellors provide support and advice on a range of counselling and mental health issues to the guidance counsellors who are participating in the programme. In addition, my Department provides funding to each of the sixteen branches of the Institute of Guidance Counsellors to support the provision of continuous professional development for the members of each branch.
Through the Education Equality Initiative the Department has funded Schizophrenia Ireland to design and develop training materials for educators and students who self-experience mental illness; to implement awareness training programmes for staff in further education colleges; to set up support structures for people with self experience who aspire to attend Further Education courses and to research good practice in Ireland and abroad.
Third Level Learning support services provided to students with mental health difficulties include one-to-one specialist tuition and subject specific tuition. One-to-one specialist tuition provides students with organisation, communication and learning skills to cope with the demands of social, personal and academic integration into Higher Education. Additional subject specific tuition may be provided to compensate for lectures missed due to absences, hospital appointments, effects of medication etc.
124 Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of national schools that report to her Department; the number engaged in amalgamation discussions with other schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21596/07]
There are approximately 3,400 primary schools in the country. The number of schools currently engaged in amalgamation discussions is difficult to determine given that the decision making authority for amalgamation ultimately belongs to the school patrons. The reasons for amalgamation can be many and varied ranging from, demography (decline in enrolments) to desire for co-education, to financial reasons, to condition of school buildings, to parental/teacher demand etc. Should the Deputy require information in relation to a particular amalgamation, I would be happy to arrange to have this provided.
125 Deputy Jim O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Education and Science her views on whether by international comparisons there is serious under-funding of universities and third level colleges here; and her proposals in this regard. [21566/07]
134 Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Minister for Education and Science if her attention has been drawn to the recent OECD report, Education at a Glance, which showed that expenditure on education at all levels here lagged well below the EU and OECD average; if she has plans to increase funding to bring it up to the EU and OECD average; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21608/07]
150 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Education and Science her views on the OECD’s Education at a Glance 2007 report which places Ireland near the bottom regarding education spending in relation to overall wealth generated. [21482/07]
158 Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Minister for Education and Science if her attention has been drawn to the recent OECD report, Education at a Glance, which ranked Ireland at joint bottom place in an international league table that links spending on each second level student to overall wealth; her views on the report; if she will increase funding for this sector; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21607/07]
384 Deputy Ruairí Quinn asked the Minister for Education and Science her views on the Government’s under-spending on education as highlighted in the recent OECD report Education at a Glance 2007 which clearly shows that relative to GDP per capita Ireland spends significantly less on education than other OECD countries; and if she will make a detailed statement on the way the Government will address this matter. [22046/07]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 125, 134, 150, 158 and 384 together.
The OECD report to which the Deputies refer relates to 2004 and hence does not capture the extra investment that has been put into Irish education in the past three years. In fact, the education budget this year, at €8.6 billion, is €2 billion or 30% higher than in 2004.
The report also doesn't capture the thousands of extra teachers hired since 2004. As a result of all these extra teachers, we now have one teacher for every 16 students at primary level and one for every 13 at second level. However, putting aside the progress since 2004, the report highlights that even at that point, Ireland had the second highest increase in total public expenditure on education between 1995 and 2004 of all the OECD countries surveyed.
It also showed how Irish students are performing significantly better than those in other developed countries on a whole range of important measures. For example, the reading ability of Irish 15 year olds was far better than the international average. 91% of Irish 25-34 year olds had completed at least upper second level education or an equivalent course such as a FÁS qualification – compared with an OECD average of 82%. The proportion of the population aged 25-34 with higher education in Ireland at 41% was well above the OECD average of 32%. Ireland was in the top three (with Spain and Finland) most socially equitable countries in terms of educational outcomes and access to higher education. The number of science graduates per 100,000 of employed 25-34 year olds in Ireland was the second highest in the OECD. Third level drop-out rates in Ireland were also significantly below the international average.
At the end of the day, in education it is the outcomes that matter and Ireland's educational outcomes are something to be proud of.
This Government is determined to ensure that Irish students continue to benefit from an excellent education system. To this end, we have already committed €32 billion to education over the next seven years under the new National Development Plan.
We are planning for increased enrolments in our schools, improvements in the curriculum, massive investment in our school building programme and greater participation in 3rd and 4th level education.
In relation to issue of funding for third level education in Ireland, I would like to point out that public investment in higher education here has increased significantly in recent years. The overall provision for the higher education sector amounts to some €1.9 billion for 2007. This represents more than a doubling of the funding made available in 1997. Investment in higher education will increase further under the NDP.
126 Deputy Jan O’Sullivan asked the Minister for Education and Science if her Department has analysed data from the recent census for the purpose of planning school places in accordance with population figures; the conclusions that have been drawn; the measures planned by her Department to address population trends; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21517/07]
As the Deputy will be aware, major improvements have been made in staffing at primary level in recent years. There are now 5,000 more primary teachers than there were in 2002. By the 2006/07 school year, we had reduced the average class size in our primary schools to 24, while the pupil teacher ratio was 16.4:1, including resource teachers etc. In that year, schools were staffed on the basis of a general rule of at least one classroom teacher for every 28 children. Given that the national average was 24, many schools benefited from much more favourable staffing ratios than this.
Extra teachers were provided by the Government for the 2007/08 school year to improve primary school staffing so that schools would generally get at least one classroom teacher for every 27 children. Posts allocated on the basis of this staffing schedule are specifically for mainstream classes and should be deployed accordingly. School authorities are requested to ensure that the number of pupils in any class is kept as low as possible, taking all relevant contextual factors into account (e.g. classroom accommodation, fluctuating enrolment). In particular, school authorities should ensure that there is an equitable distribution of pupils in mainstream classes and that the differential between the largest and smallest classes is kept to a minimum.
A further initiative in recent years 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 350 such posts have been sanctioned in the 2007/08 school year compared to 280 in 2006/07.
The improvements we have made in school staffing in recent years are absolutely unparalleled. The Government is committed to providing more teachers to our primary schools over the next five years. 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.
127 Deputy Deirdre Clune asked the Minister for Education and Science the details of the commitment given in the Programme for Government to examine the provision of waste and water allowances to schools with charges becoming effective after these are exceeded; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21836/07]
The commitment in the Programme for Government is to examine how local authorities might grant allow schools a reasonable level of usage of water and waste services without charge, and that charges would only apply when a school exceeded the allowance.
The Deputy will appreciate that it is a primarily a matter for my colleague the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government to determine precisely how this commitment will be implemented. A key consideration from my perspective is to ensure that any proposed scheme ensures that schools are treated consistently across the country. My Department will of course input to and support the examination to be conducted by the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government.
128 Deputy Seán Sherlock asked the Minister for Education and Science the action she will take to ensure that sex education is available to all school children; her views on a recent survey which indicated that boys who attend all boys schools are unlikely to have adequate sex education provided; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21619/07]
144 Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Education and Science the proposals there are to educate secondary school students about sexually transmitted infections; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21622/07]
156 Deputy Joe Costello asked the Minister for Education and Science the steps being taken to ensure that all secondary schools teach relationship and sexual education which will also include teaching students homosexual relationship and sexual education in order to create a more tolerant learning environment in secondary schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21626/07]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 128, 144 and 156 together.
As the Deputy will be aware, many positive developments in relation to the teaching of Relationships and Sexuality Education (RSE) have taken place in recent years, and these have been further strengthened through making Social Personal and Health Education (SPHE) a mandatory programme for junior cycle since September 2003. In addition, all schools are required to have an RSE programme at senior cycle.
Schools are currently supported in the implementation of RSE by the SPHE and RSE Support Services which are provided in collaboration with the health sector. The supports available to schools include guidelines on policy development, curricula and teacher guidelines, information for parents, teaching resource materials and teacher training. Schools are also encouraged to utilise the resources produced by the Health Promotion Unit.
Earlier this year I launched the report "RSE in the context of SPHE: An assessment of the Challenges to the Full Implementation of the Programme in Post-primary Schools" published jointly by the Crisis Pregnancy Agency and my Department. The report highlighted widespread support for both the broad principles and the content of the SPHE and RSE programme from teachers, parents and health professionals and strong levels of interest and support from parents and students as to the importance of RSE in schools
The report also demonstrated increasing levels of implementation compared with earlier studies, with 76% of schools showing high or moderate levels of implementation, and with 90% of schools teaching RSE at some level. However, a clear need is highlighted to strengthen both implementation levels and consistency in regard to the content of RSE. The immediate priorities are to increase the levels of implementation of RSE and promote consistency in how the content is addressed. To this end, the following actions are being taken: remind all post-primary schools of their obligations in this area; update and re-issue the RSE policy guidelines and finalise a template on RSE policy in order to facilitate schools in developing and implementing RSE programmes; review and update RSE materials; develop lesson plans linked to a DVD resource on contraception, sexually transmitted infections and sexual orientation, in collaboration with the Health Services Executive and the Crisis Pregnancy Agency. (Contract has been awarded on this project); increase the level of information & training available to parents, building on a successful primary model and introduce a programme of subject inspections in this area with effect from 2007/8
The availability of a national curriculum in SPHE at junior cycle has played a vital role in supporting increased implementation of RSE. I am aware of the development work undertaken to date by the NCCA in relation to a Social Personal and Health Education programme at senior cycle. This is now at an advanced stage, and I look forward to receiving the NCCA's recommendations in this regard at an early date.
The Inspectorate has undertaken a thematic review of SPHE in 40 primary schools. [RSE is a component of SPHE]. In the context of this review, which is currently underway, the Inspectorate will ask parents of 5th year pupils for their views on the SPHE curriculum and it's implementation. Reports arising from this review along with a composite report will be published by the Department on it's website. I am confident that these initiatives will help to ensure full implementation of this vital aspect of social education regardless of gender mix within the school.
129 Deputy Ruairí Quinn asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of Irish students who have participated in the Erasmus third level programme that enables Irish based students along with their European counterparts to take a period of time studying for their primary degree in another European country; if her Department has maintained contact with the institutions and the participants of that programme and similar programmes; the statistical information she has relating to the experience of Irish students participating in Erasmus programmes; the numbers involved; the different universities and countries of location and the experiences that have arisen from such participation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21594/07]
The Erasmus programme has been in existence since 1987. Since then, 1.7 million students Europe-wide, including 24,292 students from Ireland, have engaged in study periods abroad under the programme. In 1987, 112 Irish students participated in the programme; this figure rose to 1567 students in 2005-06.
In 2005-06, Irish students spent periods abroad at a variety of universities in 23 different countries, with the three most popular destinations being France (31%), Spain (18%) and Germany (17%). I can arrange to have further statistical information supplied to the Deputy if required.
The Higher Education Authority (HEA) acts as the Irish national agency for the Erasmus programme on behalf of my Department. The HEA promotes, manages and allocates funding to the institutions covered by the programme to support students, teachers and staff from this country who wish to engage in mobility periods abroad. The HEA is in frequent contact with the International Officers of the participating Higher Education Institutions. Regular face-to-face meetings are held with the International Officers to brief them on the implementation of the programme and to gather feedback on the experiences of the institutions, students and staff. So far in 2007, the HEA has had three direct contacts with International Officers and a further meeting is planned before the end of the year. A conference and a celebratory event to mark the 20th anniversary of Erasmus have also been held this year. Both events had student representation present.
To commemorate the 20th Anniversary of Erasmus this year, the HEA published a booklet recounting the experiences of students who had undertaken a study visit. The experiences have been extremely positive and terms like "life changing experience", "confidence building", "language improvement", "friendships made", "networks forged" are just some of the comments made.
130 Deputy Paul Connaughton asked the Minister for Education and Science her plans to prioritise high quality in career professional development for teachers and principals in view of the ending in 2006 of in-service education related to the primary school curriculum; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21837/07]
I would like to thank the Deputy for the opportunity to outline the services in curriculum development provided at primary school level by the relevant support services/agencies. The Primary Curriculum Support Service (PCSP) was set up to mediate the Primary School Curriculum for teachers and to enable them to implement it in their schools. The programme of support delivered to date has spanned the introduction of the curriculum, in-service on specific curricular areas and consolidation and review of certain curricular areas.
The end of the academic year 2006/2007 saw the completion of the implementation schedule for the Primary School Curriculum. The PCSP is being maintained to provide targeted support and assistance to schools across the spectrum of curricular issues. The Regional Curriculum Support Service (RCSS) is part of the PCSP service for schools. RCSS Cuiditheoirí operate at local and regional level in co-operation with the Education Centre Network. They provide school visits, drop-in sessions and afternoon/evening workshops in Education Centres countrywide. Continuous Professional Development at primary level will focus on a number of specific areas moving from a traditional context based approach to an approach emphasising teaching methodologies and issues relating to teaching and learning, including the use of active learning and teaching approaches.
Leadership Development for Schools (LDS) is a DES initiative that started in 2002. Its brief is to provide professional development for school leaders at primary and post-primary level with a view to building capacity in schools towards sustained educational improvement for staff and children. The Support Service operates from Clare Education Centre and offers a range of programmes aimed at both experienced and newly appointed principals.
My Department also provides funding for continuing professional development to the Irish Primary Principals Network (IPPN) as a contribution to more effective and efficient teaching and learning in schools by providing the necessary skills and supports to principals. The provision of direct funding to the IPPN is done within the context of policy objectives and overall strategy in relation to continuing professional development, including the need for a regional and national dimension for any supported activity.
I hope the Deputy agrees that I continue, through the work of my Department, to make available in service support for teachers in the light of needs as they emerge.
131 Deputy Joe Costello asked the Minister for Education and Science her views on the reported increase in homosexuals being bullied in secondary schools and on a promotional campaign to combat homophobic bullying in order to make schools a more tolerable place; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21623/07]
I take the issue of bullying in schools, in all of its forms, including homophobic bullying very seriously and my Department and I are strongly committed to removing all barriers to full participation in education, including barriers caused by the sexual orientation of students.
The Deputy will be aware that the education of students in both primary and post-primary schools in relation to anti-bullying behaviour is part of the Social, Personal and Health Education (SPHE) curriculum. SPHE is now a compulsory subject both at primary level and in the junior cycle of post-primary schools.
All recognised primary and second level schools are required to offer Relationships and Sexuality Education (RSE) which is an integral part of the SPHE curriculum at primary level and at Junior Cycle second level where it has been made mandatory for all schools. In addition, all schools are required to have an agreed school policy and a suitable Relationships and Sexuality Education programme in place for senior cycle pupils. Comprehensive guidelines for Junior and Senior cycle have also been published and provided to schools by the NCCA to support the RSE aspects of the curriculum. An integrated SPHE programme at senior cycle incorporating RSE is being developed.
The SPHE modules at junior cycle in second level schools deal specifically with Belonging and Integrating, handling conflict constructively, dealing with peer pressure, influences on decision-making, relationships and sexuality in terms of values, reproductive system, tackling myths about sex and pregnancy, personal safety, substance use and the impact of teenage pregnancy. Two of the SPHE modules relate specifically to Relationships and Sexuality and Personal Safety. The aims of these modules include bringing students to an understanding of the physical changes that take place during adolescence and exploring with them procedures for protecting their personal safety along with appropriate responses when their safety is threatened. In third year, an awareness of help agencies is promoted and students' skills for obtaining access to them are developed.
For senior cycle students, all schools are required to have an agreed school policy and a suitable Relationships and Sexuality Education Programme in place. The RSE programme at senior cycle deals further with these issues and, in addition, addresses issues such as pregnancy, contraception, sexually transmitted diseases, sexual harassment, sexual assault, and accepting sexual orientation.
The Department of Education and Science has developed two sets of resource materials that are particularly relevant to this area for use with Transition Year and senior cycle students as part of an SPHE programme. These are BALANCE — Who cares? and Exploring Masculinities. These resources use a variety of materials and strategies to explore and discuss issues of gender equality. Specific attention is paid to addressing both sexual harassment and domestic violence in both resources. Also included in the Exploring Masculinities resources are materials on bullying and child sexual abuse.
The Deputy will also be aware that each school is required to have in place a policy which includes specific measures to deal with bullying behaviour, within the framework of an overall school Code of Behaviour and Discipline. Such a code, developed through consultation with the whole school community and properly implemented, can be the most influential measure in countering bullying behaviour in schools.
My Department has issued guidelines as an aid to schools in devising measures to prevent and deal with instances of bullying behaviour and to increase awareness among school management authorities of their responsibilities in this regard. These guidelines were drawn up following consultation with representatives of school management, teachers and parents, and are sufficiently flexible to allow each school authority to adapt them to suit the particular needs of their school.
The Deputy may also be interested to know that dealing with bullying has also been incorporated in training for principals through the Leadership Development for Schools programme. I have also stressed to the teacher unions the importance of not just having a written policy on bullying but also ensuring a climate in which it is not tolerated in any form and in which children know that if they make a teacher aware of bullying that it will be dealt with.
Responsibility for tackling bullying naturally falls to the level of the individual school as it is at local level that an effective anti-bullying climate must be established. I am, however, anxious to support schools in tackling bullying and it is for that reason that so many supports have been put in place in recent years.
132 Deputy Seán Barrett asked the Minister for Education and Science the reasons for denying parents of Irish born children access to third level educational grants in contravention of the European Convention on Human Rights Act 2003, which underpins the right of access to higher and further education for all non-EU nationals living here; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21516/07]
407 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Education and Science the reason parents of Irish born children who are legal residents in the State are excluded from the higher education grant scheme; if she will review this policy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21663/07]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 132 and 407 together.
My Department funds four maintenance grant schemes for third level and further education students. These are the Higher Education Grants Scheme, the Vocational Education Committees' Scholarships Scheme, the Third Level Maintenance Grants Scheme for Trainees and the Maintenance Grants Scheme for Students attending Post Leaving Certificate Courses.
The Higher Education Grants Scheme is administered by the Local Authorities. The other three schemes are administered by the Vocational Education Committees. Under the terms of the maintenance grants scheme grant assistance is awarded to students who meet the prescribed conditions of funding including those which relate to nationality, residency, means and previous academic attainment.
The Nationality requirement as set out in the 2007 Grant schemes states that candidates must hold E.U. Nationality; or have Official Refugee Status; or have been granted Humanitarian Leave to Remain in the State (prior to the Immigration Act 1999); or have permission to remain in the State by virtue of marriage to an Irish national residing in the State or be the child of such person, not having EU nationality; or have permission to remain in the State by virtue of marriage to a national of another EU Member State who is residing in the State and who is or has been employed, or self-employed, in the State, or be the child of such a person, not having EU nationality; or be nationals of a member country of the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland.
A non-EU national who has been granted permission to remain in the State on the basis of an Irish born child does not comply with the above conditions and is ineligible for grant assistance under the nationality requirements of the schemes.
Any extension to the scope of the maintenance grants schemes, can be considered only in the light of available resources and in the context of competing demands within the education sector. I do not believe that this policy is contrary to the legislation cited.
133 Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Education and Science the recent measures that have been taken to reduce class sizes here. [21478/07]
As the Deputy will be aware, major improvements have been made in staffing at primary level in recent years. There are now 5,000 more primary teachers than there were in 2002. By the 2006/07 school year, we had reduced the average class size in our primary schools to 24, while the pupil teacher ratio was 16.4:1, including resource teachers etc. In that year, schools were staffed on the basis of a general rule of at least one classroom teacher for every 28 children. Given that the national average was 24, many schools benefited from much more favourable staffing ratios than this.
Extra teachers were provided by the Government for the 2007/08 school year to improve primary school staffing so that schools would generally get at least one classroom teacher for every 27 children.
A further initiative in recent years 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 350 such posts have been sanctioned in the 2007/08 school year compared to 280 in 2006/07.
The improvements we have made in school staffing in recent years are absolutely unparalleled. The Government is committed to providing more teachers to our primary schools over the next five years. 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.
135 Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Minister for Education and Science her views on the results of the recent survey showing that three quarters of secondary school pupils were not wearing seat belts when travelling in school buses; her further views on a new promotional campaign to ensure maximum compliance with seat belt regulations; if she is considering sanctions against persistent offenders; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21603/07]
Over the last two years, a package of measures to enhance the safety of school transport operations has been put into effect. This includes the phasing out of three-for-two seating arrangements and the installation of seat belts on all vehicles operating under my Department's school transport scheme. Given the progress that has been made, it is of course disappointing to note that the rate of wearing of seat belts, especially in the case of post-primary students, is not higher. However, I would emphasise that the position is more encouraging at primary level and I would like to think that this is a positive trend which I will be seeking to reinforce.
I see education and awareness-building as the best approach to promoting safety-consciousness among school transport users and their parents. Towards that end, a safety campaign launched at the end of August, as children were preparing to return to school, highlighted the fact that it is the law to wear a seat belt and encouraged children to "belt up" whilst travelling on the school bus. In addition, my Department and Bus Éireann, in association with the Road Safety Authority, are currently examining the feasibility of a further safety campaign specifically aimed at older children.
Bus Éireann has also issued a circular to parents of children travelling on school transport, inviting their co-operation, and that of their children, to help make the school transport journey as safe and comfortable as possible. The circular emphasises the importance of safety, the consequences of misbehaviour and the disciplinary measures which may be necessary. I can assure the House that I will continue to promote safety-conscious behaviour on school transport services as a matter of the highest priority.
136 Deputy Jim O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Education and Science her proposals to review and reform the school transport system in view of the anomalies and injustices arising from the archaic catchment area boundaries; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21565/07]
The Programme for Government includes a commitment to review the school transport scheme, including catchment boundaries. My Department is currently considering how best to progress this task.
137 Deputy Michael D’Arcy asked the Minister for Education and Science her plans to conduct a safety audit of WiFi in schools in view of the concerns regarding the wireless connectivity that are emerging in other countries; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21831/07]
The Government published the Report of the Expert Group on Health Effects of Electromagnetic Fields (EMF) on 22nd March, 2007, which examined a wide range of issues in relation to potential health effects of EMF, including those produced by mobile telecommunications. The Expert Group was chaired by Dr Michael Repacholi, former Coordinator, Radiation and Environmental Health Unit, World Health Organisation. The Group concluded that so far, no adverse short or long-term health effects have been found from exposure to the radio frequency signals produced by mobile phones and base station transmitters and that radio frequency signals have not been found to cause cancer.
While I am aware of some media attention on the question of health effects associated with wireless local area networks in schools in the national media and in the UK, the UK Health Protection Agency has similarly concluded that on the basis of current evidence, it does not consider there to be a problem with the safety of wireless local area networks.
The latest data available on the types of networks used by schools is contained in the 2005 Census on ICT infrastructure in schools undertaken by the National Centre for Technology in Education (NCTE). The Census found that 3% of primary schools, 1.4% of post-primary and 2% of special schools used a wireless link only, while 7.2% of primary, 16.3% of post-primary and 8.8% of special schools used a combination of fixed and wireless networks. I am aware that many schools have availed of the grants provided by my Department since December, 2004 to schools to develop their internal networking capability. The NCTE drew up guidelines on Computer Networking in Schools which set out the requirements to be met by schools in relation to the expenditure of these grants. While these grants may, in some instances, have been expended on wireless networks, the NCTE observed in its guidelines that in general, wired networking should be used noting that wired networks can, in many situations, be more reliable than wireless networks.
I would also mention that since 2004, all school building projects are required to comply with my Department's ICT Infrastructure Guidelines for Schools which involve complete cabling installation. These Guidelines acknowledge that in some existing schools it may not be possible to install a complete cabling installation, e.g. in listed buildings, larger schools with limited distribution zones or existing remote buildings. In these cases, the Guidelines allow the use of a wireless Ethernet to be considered as a component of an overall structured cabling infrastructure.
As the Deputy may be aware, the Government has transferred responsibility for the health effects of EMF to the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government and the Minister will be bringing details of the broader mandate for the Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland to the Cabinet for approval. The Government has also agreed to establish a national research programme to undertake further research in Ireland on the health effects of exposure to EMF and I will be liaising with my colleagues to ensure that my Department is kept appraised of any developments in relation to the health effects of wireless local area networks.
138 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Education and Science her views on figures published by her Department in August 2007 showing that almost 110,000 children remain in primary classes of 30 or more; the steps she will take to reduce class sizes to an acceptable level; when class sizes will be reduced below 20:1; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21601/07]
As the Deputy will be aware, major improvements have been made in staffing at primary level in recent years. There are now 5,000 more primary teachers than there were in 2002. By the 2006/07 school year, we had reduced the average class size in our primary schools to 24, while the pupil teacher ratio was 16.4:1, including resource teachers etc. In that year, schools were staffed on the basis of a general rule of at least one classroom teacher for every 28 children. Given that the national average was 24, many schools benefited from much more favourable staffing ratios than this.
Extra teachers were provided by the Government for the 2007/08 school year to improve primary school staffing so that schools would generally get at least one classroom teacher for every 27 children. Posts allocated on the basis of this staffing schedule are specifically for mainstream classes and should be deployed accordingly. School authorities are requested to ensure that the number of pupils in any class is kept as low as possible, taking all relevant contextual factors into account (e.g. classroom accommodation, fluctuating enrolment). In particular, school authorities should ensure that there is an equitable distribution of pupils in mainstream classes and that the differential between the largest and smallest classes is kept to a minimum.
A further initiative in recent years 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 350 such posts have been sanctioned in the 2007/08 school year compared to 280 in 2006/07.
The improvements we have made in school staffing in recent years are absolutely unparalleled. The Government is committed to providing more teachers to our primary schools over the next five years. 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.
139 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science the extent to which she has improved the pupil teacher ratio in the classroom as and from the beginning of the 2007/2008 year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21920/07]
As the Deputy will be aware, major improvements have been made in staffing at primary level in recent years. There are now 5,000 more primary teachers than there were in 2002. By the 2006/07 school year, we had reduced the average class size in our primary schools to 24, while the pupil teacher ratio was 16.4:1, including resource teachers etc. In that year, schools were staffed on the basis of a general rule of at least one classroom teacher for every 28 children. Given that the national average was 24, many schools benefited from much more favourable staffing ratios than this.
Extra teachers were provided by the Government for the 2007/08 school year to improve primary school staffing so that schools would generally get at least one classroom teacher for every 27 children. Posts allocated on the basis of this staffing schedule are specifically for mainstream classes and should be deployed accordingly. School authorities are requested to ensure that the number of pupils in any class is kept as low as possible, taking all relevant contextual factors into account (e.g. classroom accommodation, fluctuating enrolment). In particular, school authorities should ensure that there is an equitable distribution of pupils in mainstream classes and that the differential between the largest and smallest classes is kept to a minimum.
A further initiative in recent years 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 350 such posts have been sanctioned in the 2007/08 school year compared to 280 in 2006/07.
The improvements we have made in school staffing in recent years are absolutely unparalleled. The Government is committed to providing more teachers to our primary schools over the next five years. 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.
140 Deputy Liz McManus asked the Minister for Education and Science her proposals for the introduction of standardised testing for reading and maths in primary schools; if she will ensure the allocation of additional resources to deal with problem areas that may be identified by such tests; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21614/07]
I believe that standardised testing, carried out on a systematic basis, has great potential to enhance the quality of teaching and learning for our students at classroom level, and to provide valuable information for parents about their children's learning.
I have accepted the advice from the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA) that, as part of a range of assessment approaches, all pupils should take standardised tests in English reading and Mathematics at the end of first class or the beginning of second class,and at the end of fourth class or the beginning of fifth class.
My Department has issued a Circular Letter to primary schools requesting that they ensure that standardised testing is implemented on an annual basis in the relevant classes beginning in the calendar year 2007. With effect from 2007/8, the results of testing will be reported to parents in respect of their own children in accordance with a broader reporting template, designed to report progress on children's learning to parents. This template was piloted in a number of selected schools by the NCCA.
The introduction of the measure is being supported by a national programme of teacher professional development in assessment for learning. This will aim to support teachers in placing assessment at the heart of the teaching and learning process, supporting children's cognitive, creative, affective, physical and social development. It is intended that all teachers and principals will have access to the programme on a rolling basis.
A grant of €1.65m issued to schools in December 2006 for the cost of test materials, teachers' manuals, test scoring services or test-related software. It is intended that the implementation of standardised testing at school level will be complemented by a separate programme of national monitoring so that national trends in different categories of school can be tracked over time.
141 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Education and Science her plans to distribute the Peters Projection map of the world to replace the inaccurate Mercator world map which is being used in most classrooms here; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21624/07]
My Department does not intend to distribute world maps using Peters projection to schools. Post-primary schools are supplied with an equipment list and specifications for a Social Studies room in the context of a refurbishment, extension or the provision of a new school building. This equipment list and specifications (coded as Environmental and Social Studies — ESS) is also available on my Department's website and can be accessed by schools and subject departments for guidance in updating their teaching resources. This ESS equipment list and specifications was updated in 2005 in line with syllabus changes at Leaving Certificate Geography and History. This revised list includes the Political Wall Map of World Winkel equal area projection.
Prior to 2005 it was recommended that schools purchase maps using Peters projection through the ESS Social studies room equipment list and specifications. This was changed to a Winkel projection following the 2005 revision of syllabi. Schools may have purchased world maps using Mercator's projection in the past but these were not recommended in the ESS list and specifications.
Geography and History teachers use wall maps and globes as teaching resources.
The globe is a true three-dimensional representation of the earth's shape and structure. A wall map will always be an approximation as it uses a projection to represent a sphere on a two-dimensional flat surface. The Mercator projection, created in 1569, was used by sailors and navigators as it represented lines of longitude and latitude as straight lines. However, the Mercator projection distorts the shape of land masses and shows both Africa and South America as being significantly smaller in size. This projection increases the size of land masses in the northern hemisphere and reduces those in the southern hemisphere. This issue came into particular focus as development studies began to address inequality and population growth in the developing world. Mercator's projection seems to present a "first world" view of economic development based on colonialism and exploitation by distorting the physical area of the earth and the poorest "third world"areas.
This was challenged by the Peters projection of 1973. This is one of many equal area projections. The maps using these projections represent land masses in proportion to their areas. The Peters projection is favoured by development agencies as it more accurately represents the size and shape of countries in the developing world. However this projection is visually challenging for students as the northern hemisphere is flattened and elongated.
My Department now recommends, through the ESS equipment list and specifications, that schools purchase the world map using the Winkel equal area projection. This projection reduces the distortion of the shape and area of landmasses and visually represents the relative proportion and position of landmasses and ocean areas for geography students.
In the Primary School Curriculum and in the revised Leaving Certificate Geography Syllabus students and their teachers are encouraged to challenge perceptions of the shape of the earth created by projections. The presence of Mercator's, Peter's or Winkel's projection in the classroom should assist teachers to critically evaluate these representations of the earth.
142 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Education and Science the steps she has taken to date to implement the Joint Committee on Education and Science report of the Provision of Educational Services in a Multi-Ethnic/Multi Cultural Society; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21519/07]
The Joint Committee Report of the Provision of Educational Services in a Multi-Ethnic/Multi-Cultural Society, which was published in April of 2004, is an important snap-shot of the educational needs of newcomers at a particular point in time.
I am pleased that since its publication, a great deal of work has been done in this area, which addresses the issues highlighted in the Report.
The importance of addressing the educational needs of newcomers has been emphasised by the establishment by the Government of the Office for Integration and the appointment by the Taoiseach of my colleague Conor Lenihan TD as the Minister for Integration. Minister Lenihan is also a Minister of State in my Department and his Office will greatly help the development of a co-ordinated and cohesive response to the integration of newcomers to Ireland. In particular, it will focus upon the work undertaken by three Government Departments: Education and Science; Justice, Equality & Law Reform; and Community, Rural & Gaeltacht Affairs.
Since the publication of the Joint Committee's Report, my Department has secured a number of achievements in regard to the educational integration of newcomers. These achievements are as follows:
Language Support Teachers are provided at primary and post-primary levels to those schools which have newcomer pupils who do not have English as their first language. As Minister, I removed the ‘cap' of two Language Support Teachers per school and extended the provision of language support beyond two years. As a result, some schools with a large number of newcomer children without English as their first language have up to 6 Language Support Teachers.
Towards 2016 provides for the provision of an extra 550 language support teachers by 2009 including 200 teachers (175 primary and 25 post-primary) in 2007, with a further 150 in 2008 and 200 in 2009. This will bring the overall number of such teachers to approximately 1,800 by 2009 (there are currently 1,450).
Language assessment kits, based on best international practice are to be provided to all primary schools during the 2007/08 school year. The kits will enable accurate initial and on-going assessment of language proficiency of newcomer children with a particular focus upon assessing whether language support needs to be provided beyond the current two year limit.
NCCA intercultural guidelines to support teachers and schools in developing a more inclusive learning environment and in providing students with knowledge and skills they need to participate in a multicultural world. Corresponding guidelines for intercultural education in post-primary schools have also been made available by the NCCA.
My Department continues to provide funding to Integrate Ireland Language Training (IILT) to provide Language Support Teachers with in-service training to assist them in meeting the English language needs of their pupils/students.
The Department has distributed a resource book ("Up and Away") for English Language Support Teachers to all primary schools which will serve as the basis for induction seminars for newly appointed Language Support Teachers.
Information on the Irish Education system has been placed on the Department's Website (www.education.ie) in 6 languages including Polish, Latvian, Lithuanian, Russian, Spanish and German.
An information pack for newcomer parents has been developed on a North/South basis. The pack will include information on education services, adult and community education programmes along with information on the health services, welfare entitlements, housing allocations, etc.
A practical toolkit for schools has been developed to facilitate capacity building for intercultural issues on a whole-school basis which will be targeted at mainstream classroom teachers. this will be distributed to schools in 2008.
The Department, in conjunction with the Office for Integration, have commissioned an independent review to assist in the development of a national English language training policy and framework for legally-resident adult immigrants based on extensive stakeholder consultation. This is due for completion in early 2008.
143 Deputy Seán Barrett asked the Minister for Education and Science the progress made in securing a green field site to relocate a school (details supplied) in Dublin 18 in order to satisfy a growing demand for places and in view of the inability of extending the existing buildings to accommodate 24 classrooms due to the size of the existing site; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21544/07]
The Department is currently considering a number of options to provide for the accommodation needs of the school to which the Deputy refers. As soon as a decision has been made, the Department will be in contact with the school authority.
145 Deputy Mary Upton asked the Minister for Education and Science the numbers, in respect of all primary schools reporting to her Department which are exclusively boys schools, exclusively girls schools and which are mixed boys and girls; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21597/07]
The information sought by the Deputy is provided in the following Table.
|
Number of Pupils |
||||
|
Sex Category of School |
No. of Schools |
Boys |
Girls |
Total |
|
Single Sex Schools |
411 |
51,046 |
37,071 |
88,117 |
|
Junior Schools |
22 |
2,117 |
1,717 |
3,834 |
|
Senior Schools |
134 |
14,520 |
5,678 |
20,198 |
|
All-Thru Schools |
255 |
34,409 |
29,676 |
64,085 |
|
Single Sex with Mixed Infants |
120 |
7,074 |
22,170 |
29,244 |
|
Mixed Schools |
2,629 |
168,045 |
156,560 |
324,605 |
|
Junior Schools |
95 |
11,851 |
11,215 |
23,066 |
|
Senior Schools |
64 |
8,885 |
8,033 |
16,918 |
|
All-Thru Schools |
2,470 |
147,309 |
137,312 |
284,621 |
|
Total |
3,160 |
226,165 |
215,801 |
441,96 |
146 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Education and Science the amount private fee paying schools will be subsidised by the State in the 2007/2008 school year. [21481/07]
There are currently 56 fee-charging second level schools in the country, of which 21 are Protestant, 2 Inter-denominational, one Jewish and the remainder Catholic. Fee-charging schools, with the exception of the Protestant and Jewish fee-charging schools for which special arrangements apply, do not receive capitation or related supports. Protestant fee-charging schools receive funding through a block grant. This grant has its origins in the desire of the State to enable students of the Protestant and Jewish persuasions to attend schools which reflect their denominational ethos, and it includes payments in respect of capitation.
In addition, Protestant and Jewish fee-charging schools are eligible for payment of such grants as the transition year support grant, the secretarial grant and caretaking grant. Figures for the allocation of these grants in the 2007/08 school year are not yet available. The Deputy should note that fee-charging schools not embraced by the Block Grant do not qualify for payment of capitation or related supports.
Teachers in fee-charging schools are paid by the State, irrespective of the school's religious ethos. The payment of teachers' salaries is part of a complex scheme of funding for fee-charging schools, which has traditionally sought to balance considerations of equity, pragmatism and State support for minority religions. This may well reflect a long standing pragmatism that the State would be required to provide teachers for the pupils in question were they located within the free education scheme. Salary figures for teachers in fee-charging schools for the 2007/08 school year are not yet available
Minority religion schools also receive capital funding for building projects and have done so under successive Governments on the same basis as other secondary schools while approximately 50% of capital costs for Catholic fee-charging schools building projects are met by the State. However, school building projects, whether for fee charging schools or schools in the free education sector, are selected for inclusion in the Schools' Building and Modernisation Programme on the basis of priority of need. In that regard the Deputy should note that the proportion of the school building programme spent in fee-charging schools in recent years has been extremely small.
147 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science if her attention has been drawn to the concerns of the parents of children with autism with particular reference to their ongoing educational and development needs; the extent to which she has or will meet these concerns and requirements in early date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21919/07]
The Deputy will be aware of my commitment to ensuring that all children, including those with autism, receive an education appropriate to their needs. I am determined to ensure that all children get the support they need to reach their full potential. I am particularly conscious that the parents of children with special needs are under much pressure and give much dedicated time and commitment to their children. It is also true that the record of the State over decades in providing for children with special needs was very poor and that we are still playing catch-up. However, significant advances have been made in recent years, improving the lives of children with special needs and their families.
With regard to specific provision for children with autism, the Government believes that as each child with autism is unique; such children should have access to a range of different approaches to meet their individual needs.
Applied behavioural analysis, or ABA, is one of the methods used in special classes for children with autism. An issue of contention which arises is whether one particular methodology should be the dominant in some settings.
Advice received from international experts on autism, the National Educational Psychological Service and the inspectorate inform the Department of Education and Science's view that a range of approaches should be used, rather than just one. An analysis of research, including the report of the Irish Task Force on Autism, also supports this approach, and autism societies in other countries also caution against relying on just one method. By enabling children in special classes to have access to a range of methods, including ABA, the Government is doing what we are advised is in the best interests of such children.
The use of ABA as part of the range of interventions is particularly useful for addressing behavioural issues. The Department of Education and Science therefore supports the use of ABA and training is provided for teachers in its use. However, the Department does not accept, based on research, advice and best practice, that it should be the only method used. Whereas ABA helps to improve behaviour, other methods, such as TEACCH and PECS, are just as important in developing children's communication and speech skills.
It is important that children have access to a range of methods so their broader needs can be met. Children in special classes have the benefit of fully-qualified teachers trained in educating and developing children generally and who have access to additional training in autism-specific approaches, including ABA. The level of such training available to teachers has improved dramatically in recent years and is a major priority for the Government.
Children in special classes also have the option, where possible and appropriate, of full or partial integration into mainstream classes and of interaction with other pupils.
In excess of 265 autism-specific classes have now been approved around the country at primary and post primary level, while more are being set up all the time. At primary level there are a maximum of six children in each special class with a teacher and at least two special needs assistants. Extra assistants are provided where the children need them. An individual child can have his or her individual SNA if he or she needs one.
Again I reiterate my commitment to ensuring that all children including those with special needs can have access to an education appropriate to their needs.
148 Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for Education and Science if her attention has been drawn to a recently published study (details supplied) which indicates that Ireland ranks seventh in national terms for the years required to obtain a first degree, and sixth with regards to the number of hours per week spent studying by students; her proposals to raise the contents and conclusions of this report with the Higher Education Authority; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21599/07]
The Higher Education Policy Institute report (2007) references data derived from the Eurostudent Survey of 2005 and from a more detailed survey that took place in England and Wales. In Ireland the Eurostudent Survey was undertaken by the Higher Education Authority who commissioned the ESRI to manage the survey.
The Higher Education Policy Institute report indicates that of the 8 European countries referenced, Ireland has the second shortest duration of study leading to a first degree. The country with the shortest duration (England and Wales) is only slightly below Ireland. These findings indicate that the implementation of the Bologna process has yet to lead to much reduced programme lengths outside of Ireland and the UK. It is anticipated that this pattern will change over the coming years with an increasing focus on countries to reduce the length of programmes associated with a first degree.
There is no suggestion in the report that the length of study directly correlates with the quality of learning and the quality of the outcomes attained. Nevertheless, the survey does highlight the need to ensure that continuous measures are undertaken within higher education to ensure that the quality of outcomes is maintained and enhanced. In this regard, the establishment by Ireland of the National Framework of Qualifications is a vital development as are the quality assurance arrangements that underpin Irish higher education. The Framework is one of the first two National Frameworks in Europe to be formally aligned with the Framework for Qualifications of the European Higher Education Area. It is also noteworthy that all Irish quality assurance agencies will have completed reviews in relation to their compliance with European Standards and Guidelines for Quality Assurance by mid-2008.
149 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Education and Science the reason for the long delay in publishing figures on class sizes for 2006/2007, which were published in August 2007, in view of the fact that schools were required to make returns on class sizes by November 2006; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21602/07]
While schools are requested to return the information by 31 October each year — 4 weeks after the Census date — in many cases schools do not make a return until much later. It is not possible to finalise the Primary school database until all schools have been returned. In recent years, some schools have been outstanding as late as June following the Census.
151 Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Education and Science the steps she is taking to deal with the acute shortage of class places for children entering primary school, particularly in the greater Dublin area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21609/07]
The Department is aware that there are extensive housing developments and population increases in the greater Dublin area and that this has led to increased demand for school places.
Earlier this year, the Department published a Draft Area Development Plan setting out infrastructural requirements for the foreseeable future for the north Dublin, east Meath and south Louth areas. This Plan covers the areas referred to by the Deputy.
The Commission on School Accommodation has completed a public consultation process on the Draft Plan and it is the Commission's intention to publish a final plan shortly. When this is published, it will become the framework against which capital investment for the areas concerned will be made for the foreseeable future.
The Draft Plan shows that considerable interventions have already been made by the Department to increase pupil places in the areas concerned and that these interventions are being backed up by a significant capital investment programme.
To underpin infrastructural requirements, the Government is investing €4.5 billion in school buildings under the National Development Plan to ensure that school places are available where they are needed. This year alone will see construction work to provide over 700 classrooms in new schools and extensions to existing schools — most of these in the developing areas. When complete, these classrooms will provide modern facilities for over 17,500 pupils. The Department expects this level of activity to continue for the foreseeable future.
152 Deputy Kathleen Lynch asked the Minister for Education and Science if her attention has been drawn to the warning from the chief executive of Educate Together that Ireland is facing an unacceptable and dangerous situation unless the State gets involved in the proper planning for schools to meet the needs of the increasingly diverse community; the steps she will take to avert such a situation developing; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21611/07]
It is generally accepted that our primary school system has served the country very well over the years. Primary schools have always been an important feature in communities and provide a base in which social inclusion is fostered and where the involvement and support of parents and the broader community is well recognised. Since the advent of greatly increased immigration to Ireland, primary schools have played an extremely important role in providing a welcoming and inclusive environment for newcomer children.
The very high level of activity on the Schools Building and Modernisation Programme reflects the rapid population increase being experienced here in recent years. The Department is planning to provide sufficient pupil places in all rapidly developing areas, including those areas where there might be large immigrant communities. This year alone will see construction work to provide over 700 classrooms in new schools and extensions to existing schools – most of these in the developing urban areas. When complete, these classrooms will provide modern facilities for over 17,500 pupils. The Department expects the need to provide similar levels of additional accommodation to continue for the foreseeable future.
I fully accept that from the perspective of ensuring integration of new communities in the country it is not desirable that children should be educated separately. Indeed the House will be aware that my Department makes substantial extra provision for schools in respect of language needs of pupils in a large number of schools with children from an immigrant background. In excess of 1,450 language support teachers are currently employed in primary and post primary schools.
Other measures have also been taken to assist school in this area. The National Council for Curriculum and Assessment has also produced intercultural guidelines to support teachers and schools in developing a more inclusive learning environment and in providing students with knowledge and skills they need to participate in a multicultural world. Corresponding guidelines for intercultural education in post-primary schools have also been made available by the NCCA.
My Department also provides funding to Integrate Ireland Language Training to provide Language Support Teachers with in-service training to assist them in meeting the English language needs of their pupils/students.
In order to assist newcomer parents, information on the Irish Education system has been placed on the Department's Website (www.education.ie) in six languages including Polish, Latvian, Lithuanian, Russian, Spanish and German. It is intended to include further languages as the need arises.
It is not the intention of the Department to establish schools solely for children of a particular ethnic background. However, in a situation where these children were potentially being left without school places, the Department had to act immediately and take whatever steps were necessary to ensure that they were accommodated.
153 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Education and Science the action she will take to address the situation whereby Catholic ethos schools are turning away students on religious grounds. [21479/07]
It is a matter for individual schools to determine their enrolment policies. In doing so schools must act in accordance with the requirements of the Education Act and equal status legislation.
As the Deputy will be aware, the vast majority of primary schools in this country were established by the Catholic Church.
However, they have historically welcomed pupils from all backgrounds and continue to do so. In fact, many Catholic schools would now have large numbers of newcomer children with a diversity of faiths enrolled. My Department is determined to continue to support this practice by ensuring that sufficient school places are available in all areas.
154 Deputy Emmet Stagg asked the Minister for Education and Science her views on the exceptionally high cost of sites acquired by the State for primary and secondary schools; her plans to ensure better value for money in regard to the acquisition of such sites; if the Government has considered the introduction of compulsory purchase powers to acquire sites urgently needed for educational purposes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21616/07]
The cost of any site is determined both by the amount of land required to accommodate the size of the school together with the value of land pertaining in the actual location of the proposed school. The Property Management Section of the Office of Public Works acts on behalf of the Department in relation to site acquisitions generally. In certain circumstances local authorities also acquire sites on behalf of my Department.
The use of compulsory purchase procedures can be quite protracted and it would not necessarily mean the faster acquisition of sites. Neither would compulsory purchase orders mean the acquisition of sites at a price below market value. In all cases my Department undertakes a valuations of the sites prior to purchase and acquisitions are pursued on the basis of this valuation.
155 Deputy Pat Rabbitte asked the Minister for Education and Science when the full complement of 300 welfare officers will be sanctioned for the Education Welfare Board in order that it can fulfil its statutory duty with regard to school attendance; her views on the body’s assertion that it is only intervening in 10% of cases referred to it; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21618/07]
The National Educational Welfare Board is developing a nationwide service on a continuing basis that is accessible to schools, parents/guardians and others concerned with the welfare of young people. For this purpose, Educational Welfare Officers (EWOs) have been deployed throughout the country to provide a welfare-focused service to support regular school attendance and discharge the Board's functions locally.
I am pleased to advise the Deputy that my Department's Estimates for 2007 includes a provision of €9.808 million for the National Educational Welfare Board. This represents an increase of 20% on the 2006 allocation and of 50% on the 2004 level. This substantial increase in funding is a clear indication of this Government's commitment to prioritise investment in favour of those most at risk. Through increased investment and improved services we are determined to optimise access, participation and educational outcomes at every level of the system for disadvantaged groups.
An additional 15 staff have been allocated to the NEWB in 2007. This brings the current authorised staffing of the Board to 109 posts of which 90 are allocated to working directly in the service delivery area. The staffing complement is comprised of 19 HQ and support staff, 5 regional managers, 13 Senior EWO's and 72 EWO's.
The Board operates through 5 regional teams, with bases in Dublin, Cork, Limerick, Galway and Waterford. A service is provided from 26 locations nationwide. Staff are deployed in areas of greatest disadvantage and in areas designated under the Government's RAPID programme. In addition, the Board follows up on urgent cases nationally where children are not currently receiving an education. Educational Welfare Officers play a pivotal role in implementing the service provided by the NEWB through monitoring school attendance and working to improve it. The EWOs also help parents that are experiencing a difficulty with getting a school place for their child.
Since January 2004, 20,000 cases involving students with reported school attendance difficulties have been resolved by the Board. The NEWB has also issued an Information Leaflet to every family with children of school going age advising them of their rights and responsibilities in relation to education and school attendance and where they can get help.
The first national data on school attendance has been collected and is being used to inform the Board's work. In relation to the effectiveness of the service, it is encouraging to note research findings that attendance at school in the areas where EWOs are working intensively improved by 4% in 2004/05 compared with the previous year. Attendance data relating to the 2005/06 school year is currently being analysed by the NEWB.
It should, however, be remembered that the Board is just one aspect of the comprehensive framework that this Government has put in place to improve school attendance and encourage more young people to finish school. In this regard, extra supports targeted at young people in disadvantaged areas include both educational initiatives such as intensive literacy programmes and services such as breakfast clubs and homework clubs. In fact, in addition to the NEWB, there are currently in excess of 600 staff within the education sector with a role in school attendance. Home School Community Liaison Coordinators, in working with parents, promote school attendance and its importance for success in school. School attendance is a central objective of School Completion Programme with attendance tracking a core feature and one of its preventative strategies. Access to these services is being increased with the continued rollout of services under DEIS the Action Plan for tackling educational disadvantage.
This government is determined to do all that is possible to ensure that every child gets all the opportunities and support they need to enable them to achieve their potential and participate fully in education. I will be keeping the issue of the NEWB's staffing under review in light of the rollout of services, the scope for integrated working and any proposals that the Board may put to me in relation to clearly identified priority needs.
157 Deputy Tony Gregory asked the Minister for Education and Science if she will make a statement on the dispute of a school (details supplied) in Dublin 7. [21515/07]
I am aware of the situation to which the Deputy refers. However, the use of school property not owned by the State is entirely a matter for a Board of Management and the Patron. The only concern for the Department is to ensure that any non-mainstream school usage of the school premises does not impede the delivery of the curriculum.
159 Deputy Mary Upton asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of qualified national school teachers and the number of unqualified national school teachers working in the primary school system; the number of students studying to become national school teachers; if she will project the outcome for the year 2008; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21598/07]
The total number of teachers teaching in primary schools as at June of this year, was 28,735. 28,117 of that number were qualified primary teachers, a further 175 qualified post-primary teachers but not qualified primary teachers, and 443 were unqualified teachers.
Currently there are 3,213 students pursuing Bachelor of Education degrees in the Colleges of Education, approximately one third of which are due to graduate in 2008. There are a further 299 students pursuing the 18 month Post Graduate Diploma in Education (Primary Teaching) in those Colleges. The number of Post Graduate students represents just one cohort of entrants — February 2007. These students are also due to graduate in 2008. Another cohort will enter in February 2008.
There are a further 775 students currently enrolled in 18 month Post Graduate distance learning course with the Hibernia College. 255 of those are due to graduate in summer 2008, 260 in autumn 2008, and 260 in summer 2009.
160 Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Education and Science when she will introduce the long promised Student Support Bill. [21477/07]
412 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Education and Science if she will make changes to the administration of the higher education grant by local authorities and the VEC; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21668/07]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 160 and 412 together.
As the Deputies may already be aware, I plan to introduce a single unified scheme of maintenance grants for students and to consolidate the administration of this unified grants scheme in the VEC sector. This will, I believe, provide for a more coherent administrative system. The scheme, which will be underpinned by a new Student Support Bill, will facilitate consistency of application, improved client accessibility and timely delivery of grants.
The Student Support Bill is at an advanced stage of preparation, and I hope to be in a position to publish it shortly.
161 Deputy Liz McManus asked the Minister for Education and Science if she will request the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment to consider the cost of school books when drawing up new or amending existing curricula, in view of the escalating cost of school books; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21613/07]
Apart from a small number of prescribed texts at second-level, mainly in the case of language subjects, decisions on which textbooks to use in first and second-level schools are taken at school level.
Syllabus planners are conscious of the need to avoid over-frequent changes to textbooks, primarily in order to minimise increases in the cost burden for parents. However, textbooks have to be changed periodically to enable teachers to keep their own and their students' work educationally stimulating and to ensure that content and methodology are kept up to date.
School authorities have been advised that books should be changed only to the extent that is absolutely necessary.
My Department operates a grant scheme towards the cost of providing school textbooks for pupils from low-income families in schools at first and second-level. Schools are notified of the scheme each year by circular letter.
Principal teachers administer the book grant schemes in schools in a flexible way under the terms of the schemes based on their knowledge of particular circumstances in individual cases.
My Department will provide funding amounting to some €13.8m under the schemes in 2007.
162 Deputy Ruairí Quinn asked the Minister for Education and Science if her attention has been drawn to the comments made by the justice department of the Conference of Religious of Ireland in respect of the Government plan to reduce adult illiteracy to between 10% to 15% before 2016 as logical, unambitious and unacceptable; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21593/07]
I am aware of the comments made by CORI last week. Funding from my Department for adult literacy has increased dramatically from just €1 million in 1997 to €30 million in 2007. The 2007 allocation represents an increase of €7.4 million, or 21%, on 2006.
As a result of this increased expenditure, the number of literacy places has increased from 5,000 in 1997 to over 40,000 in 2006. Following on commitments in the "Towards 2016" Partnership Agreement and in the Programme for Government an extra 7,000 literacy places will be provided in the period 2007-2009. I am providing for 3,000 of these additional places in 2007.
The increased financial provision this year also allows for an expansion of the Intensive Tuition in Adult Basic Education Programme, which was launched in 2006. In addition, a family literacy pilot scheme is being developed this autumn to address poor literacy from an intergenerational family perspective.
To ensure a multi-pronged approach is adopted my Department has, in partnership with NALA, used the medium of television to reach an even wider audience. The "Read, Write Now" series, from 2000 to 2005, and the more recent "Really Useful Guide to Words and Numbers" in 2006/2007 provided learners with an opportunity to improve their literacy skills from the comfort and privacy of their own homes. Funding for a new series has been made available.
There are also a number of schemes funded by my Department which target people with special literacy needs, e.g. deaf people, people with dyslexia and a literacy service in Irish for people in Gaeltacht areas.
Adult literacy and numeracy are also an integral component for learners in both the part-time and full-time suite of further education programmes.
In addition, there are workplace literacy schemes in operation around the country. A workplace literacy programme, called Return to Learning Scheme, has been introduced in all Local Authority areas for outdoor workers. Under the FÁS/VEC Return to Education Scheme, participants on the Community Employment Scheme, operated by FÁS, can be released from their work experience programmes to avail themselves of intensive literacy tuition provided by the Vocational Education Committees.
In 2005, and again in 2006, FÁS spent €2 million on addressing the literacy and numeracy needs of staff in the workplace. An additional €1 million is being provided in 2007, bringing the total funding to €3 million for this scheme.
In addition to the wide range of initiatives I have just outlined, a far greater emphasis has been put on improving children's literacy skills in recent years. We are prioritising early intervention so that children's literacy problems do not become entrenched and carry with them into adulthood.
Significant progress has therefore been made, and continues to be made, in addressing the needs of both children and adults with low levels of literacy. The Government's targets for the coming years are designed to be both challenging and achievable.
163 Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Minister for Education and Science her views on the continuing high failure rate of maths and science in the leaving certificate, particularly in view of the importance of these subjects in regard to many career options; the steps she will take to address this situation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21604/07]
In the State examinations all candidates who attempt an examination in a particular subject are awarded a grade ranging from an A (85% and above) to an NG (less than 10%). In the Leaving Certificate, the A grade is sub-divided into an A1 and A2. Irrespective of the grade obtained, all candidates receive a certificate that records all their grades and no candidate is deemed to have failed any examination.
I am broadly satisfied that the Leaving Certificate results obtained in most subjects this year followed a generally similar pattern to those of previous years. The results patterns and variations will be the subject of further comment in the State Examinations Commission (SEC) 2006 Annual Report.
Leaving Certificate Maths at all three levels – Foundation, Ordinary and Higher – has seen improvements this year in the proportion of students scoring at Grade A. The EFNG rate at all three levels is marginally higher than in 2006, but still below the levels of 2005.
In Leaving Certificate Physics, at Higher level, a greater proportion of students scored at Grade A this year. There was a small increase in the percentage scoring at Grades E, F and NG compared with 2006, but the rate was still below the 2005 rate. At Ordinary level the A rate was down marginally but the overall ABC rate was up; while the EFNG rate was up slightly, it too was below the 2005 value.
In Chemistry at Higher level there was a decrease in the proportion scoring at Grade A, but the overall ABC rate was higher than last year; the EFNG rate was lower than in either of the two previous years. At Ordinary level the A rate in Chemistry was higher than last year. The proportion scoring Grades E, F and NG at this level was higher than last year – 16.8% compared with 15.5%. However, it should be noted that, since the cohort is small, these percentages represent quite small numbers of students – just over two hundred in each case.
In Leaving Certificate Biology, at Higher level, a greater proportion of students scored at Grade A this year, while there was an increase in the percentage scoring at Grades E, F and NG compared with 2006. At Ordinary level the A rate was somewhat lower while the EFNG rate was up, although it was still below the 2005 value.
Overall, these variations are modest and are broadly consistent with the patterns in previous years. While the EFNG rates in Maths and the sciences at Higher level are higher than the corresponding rates in many other subjects it may be noted that the A rates in these subjects also tend to be significantly higher than in most other subjects.
The National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA) has undertaken a review of mathematics provision across second level. A discussion paper was circulated to schools in October 2005 and this was followed by a three-month consultation period. A report of the consultation was published in April 2006. Following on this process the NCCA submitted proposals for a phased revision of the Junior and Leaving Certificate syllabuses in June of this year. I am currently considering the most appropriate approaches to progressing these proposals.
With regard to the sciences, revised syllabuses have been introduced in Leaving Certificate Biology, Physics and Chemistry. All of these were examined for the first time in the last five years. A revised syllabus has also been introduced in Junior Certificate Science; the first examination in the revised syllabus was in 2006. This provides for a more investigative approach to science education with some 30 experiments and investigations which have to be carried out over the period of the programme. This hands-on approach is seen as critically important to enhancing the attractiveness of the subject and to encouraging more students to choose the physical sciences at senior cycle. All of these developments are being, or have been, supported by national inservice programmes for teachers. In addition, some €13m was issued to schools in 2004 to provide resource grants to support the implementation of the revised Junior Certificate Science syllabus.
The three Leaving Certificate science subjects are now included in the first phase of the senior cycle review currently being undertaken by the NCCA. This revision of the syllabuses is intended to build on the progress achieved at junior cycle level. To this end the revised syllabuses will be presented in terms of learning outcomes and will have an increased emphasis on science process skills and on an investigative approach to teaching and learning.
164 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Taoiseach the boards, bodies, authorities, agencies and quangos under the remit of his Department; the date of establishment; the number of members, staff and budget for each of the past ten years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21744/07]
165 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Taoiseach the boards, bodies, authorities, agencies and quangos under the remit of his Department that have been abolished in the past ten years; the number of members, staff and budget in the year of abolition; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21759/07]
166 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Taoiseach the appointments he has made to State boards, agencies, quangos, bodies and authorities since 1 July 2007; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21774/07]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 164 to 166, inclusive, together.
The main bodies under the remit of my Department are the National Statistics Board, the National Centre for Partnership and Performance, the National Economic and Social Council and the National Economic and Social Forum. Details of their respective memberships and recent appointments are attached at Appendix A. The Law Reform Commission operates under the aegis of my Department and so details of this membership are also included.
The National Statistics Board was established on a statutory basis inNovember 1994, under the Statistics Act, 1993. The Board has no paid staff and no budget. Expenses incurred relate to the payment of stipends to five Board members, to the holding of meetings and to the publication of reports.
The National Economic and Social Council (NESC), the National Economic and Social Forum (NESF) and the National Centre for Partnership and Performance (NCPP) and the National Economic & Social Development Office have been in operation for various periods of time on a non statutory basis. Under the National Economic and Social Development Act, 2006, the bodies were established on a statutory basis as constituent bodies of the National Economic & Social Development Office (NESDO). The provisions of the Act came into force by order of the Taoiseach, as provided for in the Act, on 1st January, 2007. Details of staffing levels and budgets for each body are attached at Appendix B.
The All Party Oireachtas Committee on the Constitution was established in 1997. To date, it has been funded by a grant administered by my Department. Members have been appointed by Party Leaders at each change of Government and the secretariat has varied over the past 10 years between 2 and 3 full-time staff at various times. The Budget has risen from £250,000 per annum to approx. €400,000. The Committee is to become a Joint Committee of the Houses of the Oireachtas in the 30th Dáil.
In addition, the Ireland Newfoundland Partnership in Dublin was established in 2001 under the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment and has been under the remit of the Department of the Taoiseach since January 2004. It has a membership of 13 and the staff comprises a Director, an Assistant Director and one member of support staff. Its costings since 2004 are just under €1.2 million.
Following on from the work of the Information Society Commission, an eInclusion Stakeholders group was established by my Department in 2006 to continue the work that the ISC were doing. It has a membership of 28 including representatives of the Social Partners, Government Departments and Agencies, academics and those engaged in the delivery of eInclusion projects and programmes at local and EU level. The group will monitor progress on a national eInclusion strategy, which addresses those in each lifecycle stage that are digitally excluded. The secretariat for the group is provided by the Information Society Policy Unit in my Department.
The following are the most significant bodies under the remit of my Department which have been abolished:—
The first Information Society Commission was established by the Government in May 1997, in response to the Report of Ireland's Information Society Steering Committee: "Information Society Ireland: Strategy for Action".
The Commission was an advisory body whose main function was to monitor and advise Government on the development of an Information Society in Ireland. One of the most important of the Commission's tasks was to raise awareness amongst the general public and industry of the opportunities and benefits offered by the Information Society. The Commission completed its term of office in December 2000.
The Commission had 10 members and 8 secretariat staff. The budget for the Commission in 2000 was: £560,000 (€711,053). The Commission had a staff complement of 8 in its final year.
The second Information Society Commission (ISC) was appointed by me in November 2001 and completed its term of office on 31 December, 2004. In its final year there were 20 members of the second ISC and 8 secretariat staff. The budget for the ISC in 2004 was €700,000. The ISC was established as an independent advisory body to Government. It had a key role in shaping the evolving public policy framework for the development of the Information Society in Ireland. It reported directly to the Taoiseach and drew on high-level representation from the business community, the social partners and the public service. The membership of the ISC in its final year was 20.
The National Millennium Committee was established in 1998 to examine and to make recommendations on projects of national significance to be included in the Government's Millennium Programme. The Committee's work was done by April 2000, following the commitment by the Government of Committee funds to the recommended projects. The total amount allocated to the Committee for the Millennium Programme was €30.09 million — all of which was allocated by April 2000. A small office of four Civil Servants, provided the secretariat to the Committee. This Office remained in place until June 2002, when it was abolished, to supervise the drawdown of the allocated funds according to agreed drawdown arrangements. The staffing cost of this Office in 2002 was €132,000. The Board had 13 members at the time of its abolition.
The National Centre for Partnership (NCP) ceased to exist in October 2000 and was replaced by the National Centre for Partnership & Performance (NCPP) in 2001.
I established the Taskforce on Active Citizenship on 18 April, 2006 to examine the extent to which citizens engage in the issues that affect them and their communities. There were 20 members of the Taskforce which completed its work in March 2007, when it presented a set of recommendations to Government. The recommendations were accepted by Government, in principle, and at the launch of the Report on 28 March, 2007, I announced my intention to establish a Steering Group, to be chaired by Mary Davis, to lead the implementation of the Report. The membership of the Group will be announced in the near future. The Secretariat to the Taskforce comprised 4 civil servants from the Department of the Taoiseach. The annual budget for each of the years 2006 and 2007 was €200,000.
The Commission of Investigation (Dublin and Monaghan Bombings 1974) completed its work and presented its Final Report to me in March 2007. The Commission comprised of a Sole Member, one Senior Council and three Administrative Staff. Its total spend for 2007 was €405,000.
|
State Board/Agency: National Statistics Board |
||
|---|---|---|
|
Name |
Occupation / Organisation |
Date of Appointment |
|
Mr. Frank Cunneen |
Health & Safety Authority (IBEC) |
February 2004 February 2006 |
|
Mr. Ciaran Dolan |
ICMSA |
February 2004February 2006 |
|
Ms. Paula Carey |
ICTU |
February 2004 |
|
Ms. Mary Doyle |
Department of the Taoiseach |
February 2004 February 2006 July 2007 |
|
Prof. Brendan Walsh |
University College Dublin |
February 2004 February 2006 July 2007 |
|
Dr. Patricia O’Hara |
Western Development Commission |
February 2004 February 2006 July 2007 |
|
Mr. Derek Moran |
Department of Finance |
July 2003 February 2004 February 2006 |
|
Mr. Paul Sweeney |
ICTU |
October 2006 July 2007 |
|
Mr. Danny McCoy |
IBEC |
July 2007 |
|
Mr. Michael J. McGrath |
Department of Finance |
July 2007 |
|
Mr. Con Lucey |
IFA |
July 2007 |
|
List of appointments to the Law Reform Commission since 2002 |
|||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Name |
Occupation |
Date of Appointment |
|
|
President |
Mrs Justice Catherine McGuinness |
Judge of the Supreme Court |
22 February 2005 |
|
Commissioner (Full-time) |
Patricia T. Rickard-Clarke, |
Solicitor |
15 September 1997 Reappointed 30 September 2004 Reappointed 1 September 2007 |
|
Commissioner (Part-time) |
Dr. Hilary A Delaney, B.L. |
Senior Lecture in Law, TCD |
15 April 1997. Reappointed 15 April, 2002 Resigned May 2005 |
|
Commissioner (Part-time) |
Professor Finbarr McAuley, B.C.L., LLB, Mphil, LLD, |
Jean Monnet Professor of European Criminal Justice, UCD |
1 September 1999. Reappointed 1 September 2004 Reappointed 1 September 2007 |
|
Commissioner (Part-time) |
Marian Shanley |
Solicitor |
13 November 2001 Reappointed 12 November 2004 Reappointed 1 September 2007 |
|
Senior Counsel (Part-time) |
Donal O’Donnell |
Senior Counsel |
28 June 2005 (replaced Dr. Hilary A. Delaney, BL) Reappointed 1 September 2007 |
|
Name |
Occupation / Organisation |
Date ofAppointment |
|
|
Executive Chairperson |
Mr. Peter Cassells |
October 2001-April 2004reappointed: 7 November 2005 |
|
|
Government Departments |
Mr. Philip Kelly, Asst. Secretary Deputy Chairperson |
Dept. of the Taoiseach |
October 2001reappointed: 24 January 2006 |
|
Mr. Ciaran Connolly, Asst Secretary |
Dept. of Finance |
October 2001reappointed: 24 January 2006 |
|
|
Mr. John Walsh, Asst. Secretary |
Dept. of Enterprise, Trade & Employment |
June 2002 — (replaced Mr. Maurice Cashell) Reappointed: 24 January 2006 Retired: 20 September 2007 |
|
|
Employers |
Mr. Brendan McGinty |
Director, Human/Industrial Resources, IBEC |
October 2001Reappointed: 24 January 2006 |
|
Mr. Liam Doherty |
Director, Human Resource Services, IBEC |
October 2001Reappointed: 24 January 2006 |
|
|
Mr. Gavin Marie |
IBEC |
replaced Mr. Liam Doherty in April 2007 |
|
|
Mr. Eddie Keenan |
CIF |
24 January 2006 |
|
|
Ms. Irene Canavan |
Arnotts |
24 January 2006 |
|
|
Mr. Morgan Nolan |
Industrial Relations, CIF |
Jan 2004 — (replaced Terry McEvoy) |
|
|
Trade Unions |
Mr. Fergus Whelan |
Industrial Officer, ICTU |
October 2003 — replaced Mr. Tom Wall Reappointed: 24 January 2006 |
|
Mr. Jerry Shanahan |
AMICUS |
24 January 2006 |
|
|
Ms. Catherine Byrne |
INTO |
24 January 2006 |
|
|
Mr. Des Geraghty |
Member of Executive Council, ICTU |
September 2004 — (replaced Mr John Tierney, MSF) |
|
|
Mr. Gerry McCormack |
SIPTU |
24 January 2006 |
|
|
Ms Angela Kirk |
IMPACT |
September 2004 — (replaced Ms Marie Levis) |
|
|
Mr. Sean Heading, Education & Training Services Trust has been nominated by ICTU as an alternate |
TEEU |
||
|
Independent Members |
Prof. Joyce O’Connor |
National College of Ireland |
24 January 2006 |
|
Ms. Dorothy Butler Scally |
Human Resources Consultant |
24 January 2006 |
|
|
Dr. Catherine Kavanagh |
UCC |
24 January 2006 |
|
Name |
Occupation / Organisation |
Dates of Membership |
|
|
Chairperson |
Mr. Dermot McCarthy |
Secretary General, Dept. of the Taoiseach |
September 2003 June 2007 |
|
Deputy Chair |
Ms. Mary Doyle |
Assistant Secretary, Dept. of the Taoiseach |
September 2003 June 2007 |
|
Trade Union Pillar |
|||
|
Mr. David Begg |
General Secretary, ICTU |
September 2003 June 2007 |
|
|
Mr. Peter McLoone |
General Secretary, IMPACT |
September 2003 June 2007 |
|
|
Mr. Manus O’Riordan |
Economist, SIPTU |
September 2003 June 2007 |
|
|
Ms. Joan Carmichael |
Assistant General Secretary, ICTU |
September 2003 |
|
|
Ms. Sally Anne Kinahan (replaced Joan Carmichael) |
Assistant General Secretary, ICTU |
January 2004 June 2007 |
|
|
Mr. Jack O’Connor |
Vice President, SIPTU |
September 2003 June 2007 |
|
|
Business and Employer or Organisation Pillar |
|||
|
Mr. Turlough O’Sullivan |
Director General,IBEC |
June 2007 |
|
|
Ms. Aileen O’Donoghue |
Director, Financial Services Ireland |
September 2003 June 2007 |
|
|
Mr. Brian Geoghegan |
Director, IBEC |
September 2003 |
|
|
Mr. Danny McCoy (replaced Brian Geoghegan) |
Director of Policy, IBEC |
October 2005 June 2007 |
|
|
Mr. John Dunne |
Chief Executive, Chambers of Commerce Ireland |
September 2003 June 2007 |
|
|
Mr. Liam Kelleher |
Director General, Construction Industry Federation |
September 2003 June 2007 |
|
|
Agricultural and Farming Organisation Pillar |
|||
|
Mr. Seamus O’Donoghue |
Secretary, ICOS |
September 2003 June 2007 |
|
|
Mr. Ciaran Dolan |
General Secretary, ICMSA |
September 2003 June 2007 |
|
|
Mr. Michael Berkery |
General Secretary, IFA |
September 2003 June 2007 |
|
|
Mr. Eddie Punch |
General Secretary, ICSA |
June 2007 |
|
|
Mr. Damien McDonald |
Chief Executive, Macra na Féirme |
September 2003 |
|
|
Mr. Colm Markey |
National President, Macra na Féirme |
June 2007 |
|
|
Community and Voluntary Pillar |
|||
|
Fr. Sean Healy |
Head of Justice Office, CORI |
September 2003 June 2007 |
|
|
Mr. Donall Geoghegan |
Programme Manager, National Youth Council |
September 2002 September 2003 |
|
|
Mr. John Dolan |
Chief Executive, Disability Federation of Ireland |
September 2003 June 2007 |
|
|
Ms. Deirdre Garvey |
Chief Executive, the Wheel |
September 2003 |
|
|
John Mark McCafferty |
Policy Officer, Saint Vincent de Paul |
September 2003 |
|
|
Mr. Séamus Boland |
Chief Executive, Irish Rural Link |
June 2007 |
|
|
Ms. Brid O’Brien |
Senior Policy Officer, Irish National Organisation of the Unemployed |
June 2007 |
|
|
Ms. Camille Loftus |
Community Platform |
June 2007 |
|
|
Government Department Nominees |
|||
|
Secretary General |
Dept. of Finance |
September 2003 June 2007 |
|
|
Secretary General |
Dept. of Enterprise, Trade and Employment |
September 2003 June 2007 |
|
|
Secretary General |
Dept. of Social and Family Affairs |
September 2003 June 2007 |
|
|
Secretary General |
Dept. of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources |
September 2003 |
|
|
Secretary General |
Dept. of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government |
September 2003 June 2007 |
|
|
Secretary General |
Dept. of Education and Science |
June 2007 |
|
|
Independent Nominee |
|||
|
Prof. John Fitzgerald |
Senior Research Officer, ESRI |
September 2003 |
|
|
Prof. Eithne McLaughlin |
Dept. of Social Policy, Queens University, Belfast |
September 2003 |
|
|
Mr. Colin Hunt |
Head of Research, Goodbody Stockbrokers |
September 2003 |
|
|
Dr. Peter Bacon |
Economic Consultant |
September 2003 |
|
|
Prof. Brigid Laffan |
Department of Politics, UCD |
September 2003 |
|
|
Dr. Sean Barrett (replaced Colin Hunt) |
Department of Economics, Trinity College |
January 2005 June 2007 |
|
|
Mr. Con Lucey |
Economist,IFA |
June 2007 |
|
|
Prof. Peter Clinch |
UCD |
June 2007 |
|
|
Prof. Elizabeth Meehan |
Queen’s University |
June 2007 |
|
Full Membership 2004 |
|||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Name |
Occupation / Organisation |
Dates of Membership |
|
|
Independent Chairperson |
Maureen Gaffney |
Jan/Feb 2004 May 2007 |
|
|
Deputy Chairperson |
Mary Doyle |
Asst. Sec., Dept. of the Taoiseach |
Jan/Feb 2004 May 2007 |
|
Strand (i): Oireachtas |
Michael Woods |
Fianna Fáil TD |
Jan/Feb 2004 |
|
John Curran |
Fianna Fáil TD |
Jan/Feb 2004 |
|
|
Senator Mary O’Rourke |
Fianna Fáil |
Jan/Feb 2004 |
|
|
Senator Paschal Mooney |
Fianna Fáil |
Jan/Feb 2004 |
|
|
Senator Brendan Daly |
Fianna Fáil |
Jan/Feb 2004 |
|
|
Senator Geraldine Feeney |
Fianna Fáil |
Jan/Feb 2004 |
|
|
Pat Carey |
Fianna Fáil TD |
Jan/Feb 2004 |
|
|
Senator Paul Coghlan |
Fine Gael |
Jan/Feb 2004 |
|
|
Damien English |
Fine Gael TD |
Jan/Feb 2004 |
|
|
Paul Kehoe |
Fine Gael TD |
Jan/Feb 2004 |
|
|
Joan Burton |
Labour TD |
Jan/Feb 2004 |
|
|
Willie Penrose |
Labour TD |
Jan/Feb 2004 |
|
|
Senator Kate Walsh |
Progressive Democrats |
Jan/Feb 2004 |
|
|
Senator Feargal Quinn |
Independents |
Jan/Feb 2004 |
|
|
Jerry Cowley |
Technical Group TD |
Jan/Feb 2004 |
|
|
Strand (ii): Employer/Trade Unions |
|||
|
Employer/Business Organisations |
Jackie Harrison |
IBEC |
January/February 2004 |
|
Maria Cronin |
IBEC |
October/November 2004 (replaced Jackie Harrison) |
|
|
Tony Donohue |
IBEC |
September 2006 (replaced Maria Cronin)May 2007 |
|
|
Heidi Lougheed |
IBEC |
January/February 2004 May 2007 |
|
|
Patricia Callan |
Small Firms Association |
January/February 2004 May 2007 |
|
|
Kevin Gilna |
Construction Industry Federation |
January/February 2004 |
|
|
Dr. Peter Stafford |
Construction Industry Federation |
replace Kevin Gilna Oct 05 May 2007 |
|
|
Robert O’Shea |
Chambers of Commerce/Tourist Industry/Exporters Association |
January/February 2004 |
|
|
Sean Murphy |
Chambers of Commerce/Tourist Industry/Exporters Association |
replace Robert O’Shea Aug 05 May 2007 |
|
|
Trade Unions |
Eamon Devoy |
Technical Engineering & Electrical Union |
January/February 2004 May 2007 |
|
Blair Horan |
Civil & Public Service Union |
January/February 2004 May 2007 |
|
|
Jerry Shanahan |
AMICUS |
January/February 2004 May 2007 |
|
|
Manus O’Riordan |
SIPTU |
January/February 2004 May 2007 |
|
|
Paula Carey |
ICTU |
January/February 2004 |
|
|
Esther Lynch |
ICTU |
Sept 2006 (Replaced Paula Carey) May 2007 |
|
|
Agricultural/Farming Organisations |
Mary McGreal |
Irish Farmers Association |
Jan/Feb 2004 |
|
Michael Doody |
Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers Association |
Jan/Feb 2004 May 2007 |
|
|
Mary Johnson |
Irish Co-Operative Organisation Society |
Jan/Feb 2004 |
|
|
Carmel Brennan |
Macra na Feirme |
Jan/Feb 2004 |
|
|
Anne Murray |
Irish Country Women’s Association |
Jan/Feb 2004 |
|
|
Carmel Dawson |
Irish Country Women’s Association |
June 2006 (Replaced Anne Murray) May 2007 |
|
|
Emer Duffy |
Irish Co-Operative Organisation Society |
May 2007 |
|
|
Michael Berkery |
General Secretary IFA |
May 2007 |
|
|
Catherine Buckley |
Macra na Feirme |
May 2007 |
|
|
Strand (iii): Community & Voluntary Sector |
|||
|
Women’s Organisations |
Orla O’Connor |
National Women’s Council of Ireland |
Jan/Feb 2004 May 2007 |
|
Joanna McMinn |
National Women’s Council of Ireland |
Jan/Feb 2004 |
|
|
Unemployed |
June Tinsley |
INOU |
Jan/Feb 2004 |
|
John Farrell |
INOU |
replaced June Tinsley Oct 05 |
|
|
Patricia Short |
ICTU Centres for the Unemployed |
Jan/Feb 2004 |
|
|
Disadvantaged |
Sr. Brigid Reynolds |
CORI |
Jan/Feb 2004 May 2007 |
|
John-Mark McCafferty |
Society of Saint Vincent de Paul |
Jan/Feb 2004 May 2007 |
|
|
Audrey Deane |
Society of Saint Vincent de Paul |
Nov 2004 (replaced John-Mark McCafferty) |
|
|
Sharon Keane |
Anti-Poverty Networks |
Jan/Feb 2004 |
|
|
Joe Gallagher |
Anti-Poverty Networks |
replaced Sharon Keane Sept 05 |
|
|
Youth/Children |
Malcolm Byrne |
NYCI |
Jan/Feb 2004 |
|
Marie Claire McAleer |
NYCI |
replaced Malcolm Byrne Sept 04 |
|
|
Raymond Dooley |
Children’s Rights Alliance |
Jan/Feb 2004 |
|
|
Jillian Ban Turnhout |
Children’s Rights Alliance |
replaced Raymond Dooley Aug 05 May 2007 |
|
|
Older People |
Robin Webster |
National Council for Ageing and Older People/Senior Citizen’s Parliament/Age Action |
Jan/Feb 2004 |
|
Others |
Frank Goodwin |
The Carers Association |
Jan/Feb 2004 May 2007 |
|
Seamus Boland |
Irish Rural Link |
Jan/Feb 2004 May 2007 |
|
|
Fergus O’Ferrall |
The Wheel |
Jan/Feb 2004 |
|
|
Ivan Cooper |
The Wheel |
May 2007 |
|
|
Brid O’ Brien |
Pavee Point |
Jan/Feb 2004 |
|
|
Aisling Walsh |
Disability Federation of Ireland |
Jan/Feb 2004 |
|
|
Joanne McCarthy |
Disability Federation of Ireland |
replaced Aisling Walsh in 2006 May 2007 |
|
|
Michael O’ Halloran |
Chief Executive Officer Irish Senior Citizens Parliament |
May 2007 |
|
|
Marie Claire McAleer |
National Youth Council of Ireland |
May 2007 |
|
|
Karen Murphy |
Irish Council for Social Housing Head of Services |
May 2007 |
|
|
Frances Byrne |
OPEN |
May 2007 |
|
|
Kathleen McCann |
Congress Centres Network |
May 2007 |
|
|
Stavros Stavrou |
Integrating Ireland |
May 2007 |
|
|
Maria Joyce |
National Traveller Womens Forum |
May 2007 |
|
|
Strand (iv): Central Government, Local Government and Independents |
|||
|
Central Government |
Secretary General |
Dept. Finance |
Jan/Feb 2004 May 2007 |
|
Secretary General |
Dept. Enterprise, Trade & Employment |
Jan/Feb 2004 May 2007 |
|
|
Secretary General |
Dept. Social & Family Affairs |
Jan/Feb 2004 May 2007 |
|
|
Secretary General |
Dept. Community, Rural & Gaeltacht Affairs |
Jan/Feb 2004 May 2007 |
|
|
Secretary General |
Dept. Environment, Heritage & Local Government |
Jan/Feb 2004 May 2007 |
|
|
Local Government |
Councillor John Egan |
General Council of County Councils |
Jan/Feb 2004 |
|
Councillor Ger Barron |
General Council of County Councils |
Nov 2004 (replaced Cllr. John Egan) May 2007 |
|
|
Councillor Patsy Treanor |
General Council of County Councils |
Jan/Feb 2004 |
|
|
Councillor Jack Crowe |
General Council of County Councils |
Nov 2004 (replaced Cllr Patsy Treanor) |
|
|
Councillor Constance Hanniffy |
General Council of County Councils |
Jan/Feb 2004 May 2007 |
|
|
Councillor Patricia McCarthy |
Association of Municipal Authorities |
Jan/Feb 2004 |
|
|
Donal O’Donoghue |
County and City Managers Association |
Jan/Feb 2004 |
|
|
John Tierney |
County and City Managers Association |
Nov 2004 (replaced Donal O’Donoghue) |
|
|
Councillor Mattie Ryan |
Association of County and City Councils |
May 2007 |
|
|
Councillor Paddy O’Callaghan |
Association of Municipal Authorities of Ireland |
May 2007 |
|
|
Councillor William Ireland |
Local Authorities Members Association |
May 2007 |
|
|
Independents |
Dr Colm Harmon |
Institute for the Study of Social Change, UCD |
Jan/Feb 2004 May 2007 |
|
Dr Mary P. Corcoran |
Department of Sociology |
Jan/Feb 2004 May 2007 |
|
|
Dr Brian Nolan |
ESRI |
Jan/Feb 2004 |
|
|
Paul Tansey |
Tansey, Webster, Stewart & Company Ltd. |
Jan/Feb 2004 |
|
|
Cait Keane |
South Dublin County Council |
Jan/Feb 2004 May 2007 |
|
|
Marie Carroll |
Southside Partnership |
May 2007 |
|
|
Professor Rose Ann Kenny |
TCD |
May 2007 |
|
National Economic & Social Council (NESC) |
||
|---|---|---|
|
Year |
Number of Staff |
Budget |
|
€’000 |
||
|
2006 |
6 |
952 |
|
2005 |
7 |
790 |
|
2004 |
7 |
749 |
|
2003 |
7 |
697 |
|
2002 |
6 |
773 |
|
2001 |
6 |
573 |
|
2000 |
6 |
470 |
|
1999 |
6 |
464 |
|
1998 |
6 |
384 |
|
1997 |
6 |
472 |
The current number of members on the NESC Council is 32.
|
Year |
Number of Staff |
Budget |
|
€’000 |
||
|
2006 |
6 |
704 |
|
2005 |
6 |
689 |
|
2004 |
6 |
580 |
|
2003 |
6 |
669 |
|
2002 |
6 |
773 |
|
2001 |
6 |
729 |
|
2000 |
6 |
351 |
|
1999 |
6 |
500 |
|
1998 |
6 |
464 |
|
1997 |
6 |
514 |
NESF was originally established by the Government in 1993, The membership of the newly constituted Forum has not yet been announced. There were 62 members on the previous Forum.
|
Year |
Number of Staff |
Budget |
|
€’000 |
||
|
2006 |
9 |
1,450 |
|
2005 |
8 |
1,041 |
|
2004 |
9 |
1,086 |
|
2003 |
9 |
847 |
|
2002 |
9 |
932 |
|
2001 |
5 |
420 |
The current number of members on the NCPP Council is 14.
|
Year |
Number of Staff |
Budget |
|
€’000 |
||
|
2006 |
4 * |
1,923 |
|
2005 |
3 * |
1,168 |
|
2004 |
2 * |
1,032 |
|
2003 |
2 * |
641 |
|
2002 |
2 * |
628 |
|
2001 |
2 * |
45 |
*The Chief Officer of NESDO is also the Director of NESC and is included in both the NESDO and NESC tables.
The numbers of members and staff are as of 31st December in each year.
The current number on the board of NESDO is 5.
167 Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance his plans to regulate or license betting exchanges to ensure that users are being treated fairly and that operators are suitable persons to operate in the market place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21486/07]
Under current betting legislation, betting exchanges are not deemed bookmakers. They differ from bookmakers in that they facilitate the matching of bets between outside parties unlike a bookmaker who takes the bet and the associated risk involved. Consequently betting exchanges are treated, for tax purposes, as normal companies, and as such are subject to corporation tax on their profits, which in the case of betting exchanges, comes from commissions charged on transactions. The question of regulating the services of such companies does not arise in tax law.
168 Deputy Michael Kennedy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the progress on the provision of a new Garda headquarters for Swords, County Dublin; and if he will provide a new court house for Swords on the same campus. [21499/07]
The Commissioners of Public Works are currently sourcing a suitable site in the Swords area for the development of a new Garda Headquarters and a new Court House on the same campus.
169 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the legal process that will be followed by the Office of Public Works in providing bus lanes in the Phoenix Park for example planning application to Dublin City Council or another process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21707/07]
170 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance if he will report on the actions of the Office of Public Works with regard to opening the Phoenix Park up to public buses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21708/07]
171 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance if the Office of Public Works has to apply for planning permission to make changes to the road network in the Phoenix Park such as the creation of bus lanes or alterations to the entrance gates; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21729/07]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 169 to 171, inclusive, together.
One of the measures contained in the Phoenix Park Transportation Study, dated October 2006, relates to the provision of a public bus service to the city, through the Phoenix Park. Arising from this, the OPW entered into discussions with Dublin Bus who responded recently to the effect that in order to make the service feasible, the provision of at least some level of bus lanes would be necessary.
The provision of bus lanes is a new proposal and was raised after lodgement of the Planning Application by OPW for renewal of Chesterfield Avenue in July this year. If it is decided to install bus lanes on Chesterfield Avenue, a Planning Application for such work would be required.
The OPW has also been in discussions with Dublin Bus in relation to the provision of a Shuttle Bus service in the Phoenix Park, another measure contained in the Transportation Study and intends to seek expressions of interest in this regard shortly.
The introduction of a one way traffic system at Chapelizod and Islandbridge gates and the closure of Military road to through traffic, for the increased safety of all Park users, was implemented in July this year with the full co-operation of Dublin City Council. This was another measure contained in the Transportation Study but did not require planning permission. The changes affected traffic movements only and did not involve any alterations to the actual gates, which are protected structures.
172 Deputy Tom Hayes asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance when works on the bridge and road at the main entrance to the Swiss Cottage in Cahir, County Tipperary will be completed. [21385/07]
It is expected that all works at the Swiss Cottage will be completed this year.
173 Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance his views on liaising with a local community in providing a park on ground adjoining a local Garda station; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21398/07]
The Commissioners of Public Works have had no written request from the local community to provide a park on ground within the local Garda Station referred to.
174 Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance if he will review the case of a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary, for a tax refund on the grounds that they had been in touch with his Department regarding the relevant tax years and therefore as their case was active the time limit for claiming this refund should not have applied in this case. [21407/07]
I have been advised by the Revenue Commissioners that Section 17 of the Finance Act 2003 prohibits the repayment of tax outside the four-year period. The documentation including tax deduction certificates relating to the tax years 1999/00, 2000/01 and 2001 received from the taxpayer concerned were outside the time limit for making such claims and therefore the credit unfortunately cannot be refunded.
175 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance if a person (details supplied) in County Kildare will be furnished with a P21 for 2006; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21432/07]
I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that they have no record of receiving a request from the individual for a P21 for 2006. On receipt of the Deputy's query a review was carried out by the Revenue Commissioners and a P21 issued to the individual concerned on 25 September 2007.
176 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance if officials from the Office of Public Works will meet with persons (details supplied) in County Mayo in relation to a serious and ongoing flooding problem. [21473/07]
The Commissioners of Public Works have no responsibility for maintenance of the river in the area concerned. However, the Office of Public Works is happy to assist with technical advice and guidance in this matter.
To this end, Officials from the OPW met with Officials from Mayo Co. Council, together with an elected member of Mayo Co. Council last year and a possible solution was proposed which is still being considered. In the circumstances, the meeting requested by the Deputy would be more appropriate to the Local Authority.
177 Deputy Martin Mansergh asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance if, following completion of bridge repairs, Swiss Cottage, Cahir, County Tipperary, will re-open to the public next season; and, if so, the months during which it will open. [21510/07]
A formal re-opening will take place at Swiss Cottage in March 2008 and the site will be open from mid-March to mid-October.
178 Deputy Michael Creed asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to the fact that live poultry attract a VAT rate of 13.5% in the Republic of Ireland whereas in Northern Ireland live poultry are zero rated for VAT; his views on the competitive disadvantage this places the industry in the Republic of Ireland at; and the steps he proposes to take to address the matter. [21539/07]
The position is that the VAT regime and indeed the rating of all goods and services are subject to the requirements of EU VAT law with which Irish VAT law must comply. While we can retain the zero and livestock rating provisions which were in existence on 1 January 1991, we cannot introduce any new ones. Therefore, it is not possible to apply either a zero or livestock rate to the supply of live poultry.
Under Annex III of the VAT Directive, VAT registered hatcheries are liable to VAT at the 13.5 per cent rate on their supplies of live poultry. VAT registered farmers are entitled to claim VAT on their input costs which would include VAT paid on live poultry.
In relation to unregistered farmers, the Deputy will be aware that such farmers receive compensation for VAT paid on their inputs through the farmers flat rate addition. The flat-rate scheme is a simplified and practical method of applying value-added tax to farming. It compensates unregistered farmers on an overall basis for the VAT charged to them on their purchases of goods and services. This is achieved without applying the normal VAT rules on registration and returns. The farmers VAT flat-rate addition for unregistered farmers was increased in my last Budget from 4.8 per cent to 5.2 per cent. In this regard, the Government's position of maintaining the farmers flat rate addition at the appropriate rate has not changed.
179 Deputy David Stanton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance his views on introducing a form of tax relief or incentive scheme to enable towns such as Youghal and Cobh in County Cork to rejuvenate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21569/07]
Both of the towns mentioned by the Deputy have benefited from designation for tax incentives in the recent past. Youghal was designated for tax incentives under the Seaside Resort Scheme which ran from 1995 to 1999, while Cobh was among the 42 towns and cities that had integrated areas designated for tax relief under the 1999 Urban Renewal Scheme. Cobh still benefits from this designation.
Following a major review of various property and area based tax incentive schemes I announced in Budget 2006 that most of the existing reliefs were being terminated subject to certain transitional provisions. These included the Urban Renewal and Town Renewal Schemes. There are no plans to re-introduce schemes along the lines of those terminated in Budget 2006.
180 Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the terms on which national years of service are available for purchase by public service workers; if his attention has been drawn to the complaint that AVCs are sold to public servants without a clear comparison of the relative benefits of opting to buy back years instead; and if he has initiatives in preparation to ensure that pensioners have full information on both options at the time of committing to AVC purchase. [21592/07]
In the Civil Service, for which I am primarily responsible, subject to certain conditions an officer may consider purchasing service where s/he has a potential shortfall in service at the relevant retirement age — in other words the officer may be in a position to make additional provision in order to accrue the maximum 40 years' service required for full superannuation benefits by their retirement age. Any superannuation benefits already accrued by the officer in other employment (other than Social Welfare benefits) are taken into account when determining the maximum amount of service the officer may purchase. Any officer wishing to purchase service must apply to his/her Personnel Section. An officer who is permitted to purchase service may opt to do so either by lump-sum payments or by periodic contributions from salary.
In the wider Public Service, it is a matter for each public service body to decide if it wishes to offer a purchase facility to its staff. As I understand it, most if not all public service bodies offer such a facility based on the scheme applicable in the Civil Service.
The AVC schemes operating in the Civil and Public Service are separate from the main pension schemes. In the Civil Service, they are administered by Trustees nominated by the relevant Union under an approved Trust Deed. My Department or other relevant employer (e.g. the Department of Education for teachers, individual State bodies, etc.) co-signs the Trust Deed as Principal Employer. The Trust Deed for each AVC plan makes it clear that the employer's role is primarily a facilitatory one, and that no liability attaches to the Exchequer in relation to the investment and management of the Fund or the payment of benefits under the plan. AVCs are a private arrangement between the individual and the provider. An AVC scheme in the Civil or Public Service is no different to an AVC in the private sector in that it is set up under Trust Law, requires Revenue approval and is subject to the same regulatory regime as an AVC in the private sector. For the purposes of regulation by the Pensions Board (under the Pensions Act) an AVC scheme is classified as a Defined Contribution (DC) scheme.
I am aware of recent comments in the media concerning AVC Schemes operating in the public service. As regards the relative merits of the purchase of service scheme vis-à-vis an AVC scheme, this would be a matter for the officer to consider in the context of his/her own individual circumstances. If in doubt about the matter, independent advice could be sought by the officer.
In relation to the availability of information, detailed information on the purchase of notional service scheme in the Civil Service is available on the Government's website www.cspensions.gov.ie together with some basic information on AVCs. Furthermore, a letter issued from my Department to all Heads of Departments in December 2006 in which they were advised of the requirements to provide specified pensions information to scheme members under the Occupational Pension Schemes (Disclosure of Information) Regulations [S.I. 301 of 2006], including information on the availability of purchase and AVC arrangements. They were also advised that the obligations apply to bodies under the aegis of their respective Departments and that they should ensure that those bodies are formally made aware of the disclosure requirements.
181 Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance when the new divisional headquarters of An Garda Síochána will commence construction in Wexford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21636/07]
182 Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance if a site has been purchased for the new Garda divisional headquarters in Wexford; the location of the site; the amount paid for same; if the site is in the legal ownership of the State; when construction is expected to commence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21637/07]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 181 and 182 together.
The Commissioners of Public Works have signed a contract for sale for a site at Roxborough for a new Garda Station in Wexford. The Vendor's Solicitor and the Chief State Solicitor are currently concluding the legal arrangements, as a priority, in order to finalise this transaction.
The purchase price will be made public on completion of all legal formalities. Legal ownership of the site remains with the vendor and transfers to the State on completion of the acquisition.
On completion of the acquisition, procurement of the new Garda Station building will commence. Discussions are underway with An Garda Síochána to determine the best method of procurement in this case. It is not possible at this early stage to predict when construction will start. However, it is expected that work on site could commence in 2008.
183 Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the position in relation to decentralising the Wicklow district of the Revenue Commissioners to Wicklow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21641/07]
I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that they have no plans at this stage to move the location of the Wicklow Revenue District. The Wicklow Revenue District is currently located in Claremont Road, Sandymount, Dublin 4. There is also a small resource in Government Building, the Murrough, Wicklow Town and a Revenue presence in both Arklow and Wicklow ports.
184 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the number of stamp duty refunds greater than €50,000 and greater than €100,000 that were made as a consequence of the stamp duty changes introduced in July 2007; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21726/07]
185 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the amount of the largest single refund that resulted from the stamp duty changes introduced in July 2007; and ifhe will make a statement on the matter. [21727/07]
186 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the number of people who had their stamp duty refunded as part of the changes introduced to stamp duty in July 2007 with a breakdown of the amount of the refunds (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21728/07]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 184 to 186, inclusive, together.
I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that the amount of stamp duty refunded under the provisions of the Finance (No.2) Act 2007 up to and including 26 September 2007, and the numbers of associated transactions, are as follows.
|
Range |
Number of Transactions |
Total amount refunded |
|
€ |
€ |
|
|
Less than 10,000 |
22 |
170,073 |
|
10,000–20,000 |
156 |
1,730,056 |
|
20,000–30,000 |
55 |
1,447,750 |
|
30,000–50,000 |
37 |
1,250,352 |
|
50,000–100,000 |
7 |
526,590 |
|
Greater than 100,000 |
3 |
337,950 |
|
Totals |
280 |
5,462,771 |
The largest individual refund made up to 26 September as €115,200.
187 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the boards, bodies, authorities, agencies and quangos under the remit of his Department; the date of establishment; the number of members, staff and budget for each of the past ten years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21739/07]
In the time available, it has not been possible to collate the data required by the Deputy. This process is underway and my Department will forward the information to the Deputy as soon as the process is completed.
188 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the boards, bodies, authorities, agencies and quangos under the remit of his Department that have been abolished in the past ten years; the number of members, staff and budget in the year of abolition; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21754/07]
In the time available, it has not been possible to collate the data required by the Deputy. This process is underway and my Department will forward the information to the Deputy as soon as the process is completed.
189 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the appointments he has made to State boards, agencies, quangos, bodies and authorities since 1 July 2007; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21769/07]
I have made no appointments to boards under the aegis of my Department since 1 July 2007. However, as part of a Government decision, it has been decided to make the following reappointments to a body under the aegis of my Department.
|
Name of Body |
Name of Appointee |
Date Appointed |
|
Civil Service Arbitration Board |
Mr James Connolly Mr Derek HunterMr Tom Wall |
Reappointed 11 July 2007 |
190 Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Health and Children the procedures for Irish people who wish to adopt children outside of the EU jurisdiction; if, in this context, the adoption by Irish persons from such non-EU countries have to be formally approved by the Irish Adoption Board; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21514/07]
Intercountry adoption is regulated by the Adoption Acts 1952 — 1998. The Acts which are most relevant to intercountry adoption are the Adoption Act 1991 and the Adoption Act, 1998.
There are a number of statutory procedures regulating intercountry adoption. For example, for an adoption to be recognised in Ireland, all prospective adoptive parents habitually resident in Ireland must be assessed and obtain a Declaration of Eligibility and Suitability to adopt. This requirement applies to all intercountry adoptions, regardless of whether the country of origin of the child is outside the EU jurisdiction or not. This is one of a number of requirements under the Adoption Act, 1991, including, inter alia, the comparability of the adoption law of the country of origin of the child and Irish law. The Adoption Board produces a number of booklets for prospective adoptive parents which explain the processes relating to assessment and adoption in detail.
All procedures are in line with international best practice. The Deputy may wish to note that the current system of intercountry adoption is currently being examined in the context of the forthcoming Adoption (Hague Convention, Adoption Authority and Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2007 which is being drafted. The Bill will give the force of law to the Convention on the Protection of Children and Co-operation in respect of Intercountry Adoption (Hague Convention 1993).
191 Deputy Chris Andrews asked the Minister for Health and Children when St. Luke’s Hospital, Rathgar will transfer its cancer treatment services to St. James’s Hospital; if this transfer of services will take place over a period of time; the services that will be located on the St. Luke’s site to replace the existing services; his plans for the future developments of the St. Luke’s site; and if the land in St. Luke’s will be sold. [21367/07]
The transfer of services from St. Luke's Hospital to new facilities at St. James's Hospital is not due to take place for a number of years.
In the meantime, two additional linear accelerators will be commissioned at St. Luke's in early 2008 and two replacement linear accelerators will be commissioned later in 2008. These will provide much needed interim capacity pending the roll out of the National Plan for Radiation Oncology.
No decisions have yet been taken in relation to the future use of the site and facilities at St. Luke's. However, I intend to ensure that these resources are utilised in the best interest of the health services.
192 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will ensure that backdated payments to January 1997 regarding nursing home costs, promised by the HSE, are awarded to a person (details supplied) in Dublin 12. [21379/07]
The Health Service Executive has responsibility for administering the Repayment Scheme and the information sought by the Deputy relates to matters within the area of responsibility of the Executive. 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.
193 Deputy Olwyn Enright asked the Minister for Health and Children if her attention has been drawn to the delays being experienced by people on the national transfer list, launched by the Health Service Executive in April 2006; her views on same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21381/07]
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 healthcare 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.
194 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health and Children if persons (details supplied) in Dublin 6W will be assisted. [21384/07]
As the Deputy may be aware, an additional sum of €75m 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 multi-disciplinary 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.
195 Deputy Olwyn Enright asked the Minister for Health and Children the reason for the delay in rolling out the public long-stay patients repayment scheme; the time frame for payment; the measures in place to deal with the backlog of applications; her views on the matter; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21391/07]
The Health Service Executive (HSE) has responsibility for administering the scheme in conjunction with the appointed scheme administrator KPMG/McCann Fitzgerald.
The HSE has indicated that the scheme is progressing as speedily as possible and every effort is being made to make repayments. The HSE has indicated that the delays in making repayments under the scheme have been due to legal and technical issues. Firstly, over 13,400 estates who lodged claims to date had not extracted a grant of representation in respect of the estate of the deceased patient. In these instances the person entitled to extract the grant of representation has to be identified before an application can be processed and to date over 6,500 certificates of entitlement permitting individuals to apply for a repayment have issued. Secondly, there has been a high incidence of claimants providing insufficient information and these claims have taken longer to process as the scheme administrator must be provided with certain information in order to ensure that the correct person and correct amount is repaid. Thirdly, it has been necessary for the scheme administrator to visit over 330 HSE facilities to scan records which form the basis for the calculation of repayments. The format in which this information is held varies widely between institutions and usually includes a mixture of paper files, handwritten files and computer files.
In an effort to address some of the issues mentioned above, the HSE and the scheme administrator are currently conducting an intensive national roadshow campaign throughout the country. The project is part of the ongoing promotion of the scheme and is also aimed at meeting existing applicants directly to resolve form deficiencies. Open days have been held over the past 6 weeks in Dublin, Dundalk, Waterford, Cork, Galway and Limerick. Further open days will take place in Sligo, Athlone and the Cavan Monaghan area in the coming weeks. These events have been widely promoted through advertising and public relations campaigns on local radio and regional media. The open days have been well attended and have resulted in positive progress in resolving deficiencies and progressing applications.
The closing date for receipt of applications is 31st December 2007 and the HSE has indicated that final repayments should be made by mid 2008.
196 Deputy Olwyn Enright asked the Minister for Health and Children the opening date for a hospital (details supplied) in County Offaly; the reason for the delay in its opening; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21392/07]
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 issue 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.
197 Deputy Edward O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Health and Children the reason a person (details supplied) in County Cork was refused a medical card when they have a long term illness; and if their application will be re-examined with a view to granting them a medical card. [21393/07]
Medical cards are made available to persons and their dependants who would otherwise experience undue hardship in meeting the cost of General Practitioner (GP) services. In 2005 the GP visit card was introduced as a graduated benefit so that people on moderate and lower incomes, particularly parents of young children, who do not qualify for a medical card would not be deterred on cost grounds from visiting their GP.
Since the beginning of 2005 substantial changes have been made to the way in which people's eligibility for a medical card is assessed and these apply equally to the assessment process for a GP visit card. The income guidelines have been increased by a cumulative 29% and in addition allowance is now made for reasonable expenses incurred in respect of mortgage/rent, childcare and travel to work costs. In June 2006 I agreed a further adjustment to the income guidelines for GP visit cards. These are now 50% higher than those in respect of medical cards.
As the Health Service Executive has the operational and funding responsibility for these benefits, it is the appropriate body to consider the particular case raised 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.
198 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will direct the HSE to re-enter the Shipsey process to address outstanding issues with pharmacies operating under the GMS system; if her attention has been drawn to the impact that industrial action will have on patients; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21399/07]
I wish to confirm that the Health Service Executive remains committed to the Shipsey process.
199 Deputy Tom Hayes asked the Minister for Health and Children when payment will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary in relation to the refund of nursing home charges. [21414/07]
The Health Service Executive has responsibility for administering the Repayment Scheme and the information sought by the Deputy relates to matters within the area of responsibility of the Executive.
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.
200 Deputy Tom Hayes asked the Minister for Health and Children when repayment of nursing home charges will be made to a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary. [21415/07]
The Health Service Executive has responsibility for administering the Repayment Scheme and the information sought by the Deputy relates to matters within the area of responsibility of the Executive.
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.
201 Deputy Edward O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Health and Children if home help will be made available for a person (details supplied) in County Cork. [21439/07]
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.
202 Deputy Brian O’Shea asked the Minister for Health and Children the proposals she has to ensure the earliest possible diagnosis of cystic fibrosis in girls (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21445/07]
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 issue 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.
203 Deputy John Deasy asked the Minister for Health and Children the way the national repayment scheme applies to patients in private nursing home accommodation who applied for public beds but these were not available; if her attention has been drawn to the fact that many people with family in private nursing homes have been turned down under the repayment scheme; and ifshe will make a statement on the matter. [21454/07]
The Health (Repayment Scheme) Act 2006 provides a clear legal framework to repay recoverable health charges for publicly funded long term residential care. All those fully eligible persons who were wrongly charged and are alive will have their charges repaid in full. The estates of all those fully eligible persons who were wrongly charged for publicly funded long term residential care and died since 9 December 1998 will have the charges repaid in full. The scheme does not allow for repayments to the estates of those who died prior to that date.
Recoverable health charges are charges which were imposed on persons with full eligibility under the Health (Charges for In-patient Services) Regulations 1976 as amended in 1987 or charges for in-patient services only, raised under the Institutional Assistance Regulations 1954 as amended in 1965.
Persons who were in publicly contracted beds in private nursing homes are covered by the terms of the Supreme Court judgment. The provisions of the judgment do not apply to individuals in private nursing homes who have entered these homes under the Nursing Home Subvention Scheme. In the case of private nursing home care the contract is between the individual and the private nursing home owner.
204 Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Health and Children when a person (details supplied) in County Clare will be facilitated; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21472/07]
Operational responsibility for the management and delivery of health and personal social services was assigned to 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 this case investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.
205 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Health and Children the reason her Department has not made proposals in relation to helicopter emergency medical services in the National Strategic Reference Framework 2007-13; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21484/07]
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/issue 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.
206 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Health and Children when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will be called for an orthopaedic procedure on their knee. [21491/07]
Operational responsibility for the management and delivery of health and personal social services was assigned to 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 this case investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy. Patients waiting more than three months on a surgical waiting list may qualify for treatment under the National Treatment Purchase Fund. It is open to the person in question or anyone acting on their behalf to contact the Fund directly in relation to their case.
207 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Health and Children her views in relation to a submission (details supplied); the proposals that are to take place in relation to this matter; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21492/07]
218 Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health and Children the new programmes in, or approaches to, training and employment for people with mental health problems that have been adopted, or are planned by her Department; and if she will implement this recommendation as outlined in a Vision for Change. [21563/07]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 207 and 218 together.
The Report of the Expert Group on Mental Health Policy, "A Vision for Change", which was launched in January 2006, provides a framework for action to develop a modern, high quality mental health services for a seven to ten year period. The Report represents Government policy and is the basis for the future development of our mental health services.
The recommendations in "A Vision for Change" that relate to employment and training are the responsibility of the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment.
208 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of mobile BreastCheck units in the west and north west of Ireland; the cost of operating these units; the number of patients screened through these mobile units in each month in 2007 and the location of each of the units over the periods in question; the planned programme for the remainder of 2007 and 2008; when BreastCheck will be fully rolled out throughout the west and north west; the completion date for all existing women in the target category; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21501/07]
I am committed to ensuring that the BreastCheck service is rolled out to the remaining regions in the country as quickly as possible. I have allocated additional revenue funding of €8 million to the National Cancer Screening Service for this year to meet the additional costs involved. The full complement of 111 staff for roll-out has been approved.
I have also made available an additional €26.7m capital funding for the construction of two new clinical units and the provision of seven additional mobile units and state of the art digital equipment. The static units at University College Hospital Galway and the South Infirmary/Victoria Hospital in Cork are due to be completed in late Autumn and BreastCheck has confirmed that the roll-out will commence in October. The BreastCheck clinical unit in the Western Area at University College Hospital Galway will have three associated mobile units. BreastCheck has already commenced screening in the West, with the provision last May of a mobile unit at Roscommon County Hospital.
Screening in individual counties will be dictated by BreastCheck's management and operational considerations. The Deputy's specific questions in relation to operating costs of mobile units, numbers of patients screened in each month, location over the periods in question and detailed phasing and timelines are the responsibility of the National Cancer Screening Service. Accordingly, my Department has requested the Chief Executive Officer of the Service to respond directly to the Deputy in relation to the matters raised.
209 Deputy Martin Mansergh asked the Minister for Health and Children her plans and the timescale for extending BreastCheck and the national cervical cancer screening programme to County Tipperary. [21511/07]
I am committed to ensuring that the BreastCheck service is rolled out to the remaining regions in the country as quickly as possible. I have allocated additional revenue funding of €8m to the National Cancer Screening Service for this year to meet the additional costs involved. The full complement of 111 staff for roll-out has been approved and recruitment is underway.
I have also made available an additional €26.7m capital funding for the construction of two new clinical units and the provision of seven additional mobile units and state of the art digital equipment. The static units at University College Hospital Galway and the South Infirmary/Victoria Hospital in Cork are due to be completed in late Autumn and BreastCheck has confirmed that the programme will commence national roll-out in October. Screening in individual counties will be dictated by BreastCheck's management and operational considerations.
I have allocated additional revenue funding of €5.0m to the National Cancer Screening Service this year for the roll-out of the Irish Cervical Screening Programme and an additional 30 posts have been approved. The national roll out of the Programme is planned for January 2008. All elements of the programme, call/recall, smear taking, laboratories, colposcopy and treatment services will be quality assured, organised and managed to deliver a single integrated national service. Accordingly, the Service is not planning to roll out the programme incrementally on a regional basis.
210 Deputy Martin Mansergh asked the Minister for Health and Children her plans to improve the orthodontic service in the south east region, and in particular the waiting times. [21512/07]
On the 25th September last, I announced the research and development of a new National Oral Health Policy. This new oral health strategy will be undertaken by my Department in conjunction with the HSE. The development of a new strategy will allow a critical examination of the many challenges and issues currently facing the dental sector, including orthodontic services.
In regard to the Deputy's question in relation to waiting times to improve orthodontic services, the position is that the new Programme of Government contains a commitment that orthodontic cases can be referred to the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) by creating an orthodontic fund to treat children who have been waiting the longest for treatment. Officials from my Department will examine the steps involved in advancing this issue while also having discussions with the National Treatment Purchase Fund.
211 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health and Children when she expects to offer core funding to a centre (details supplied) in County Kildare having particular regard to the essential day care and back up services provided by the centre for persons with special needs arising from disability or infirmity; if her attention has been drawn to the fact that it is four years since any such allocation has been made and that there are daily increasing demands on the services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21528/07]
As the Deputy may be aware an additional 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 multi-disciplinary support services to adults and children with an intellectual disability.
With regard to the issue of deficit funding, additional funding of €10 million was provided in the 2006 Budget and €5 million was provided in the 2007 Budget to address core under funding and core staffing issues in services for people with disabilities provided by the voluntary sector.
As the allocation of funding, including core deficit funding, is a matter for the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004, 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.
212 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health and Children her plans to provide speech and language therapy and upgraded physiotherapy services for children and adults in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21529/07]
As the Deputy may be aware, an additional sum of €75m 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 multi-disciplinary 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.
213 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health and Children if it is intended to extend the availability and scale of the mobility allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21530/07]
The mobility allowance is a monthly payment administered by the Health Service Executive, which provides financial support to severely disabled people who are unable to walk or use public transport and is intended to enable them to benefit from a change in surroundings, for example, by financing the occasional taxi journey.
To be eligible to receive the mobility allowance applicants must satisfy the following conditions: be over 16 years and under 66 years — however, an allowance, once granted, will be continued after the age of 66 as long as the other criteria for eligibility are met. I currently have no proposals to amend this scheme.
214 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health and Children the degree to which funding will be improved for personal assistants providing services to the elderly and persons with special needs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21534/07]
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.
215 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Health and Children when persons (details supplied) in County Mayo will receive payment under the health repayment scheme. [21552/07]
The Health Service Executive has responsibility for administering the Repayment Scheme and the information sought by the Deputy relates to matters within the area of responsibility of the Executive.
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.
216 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Health and Children if a bed will be provided for a person (details supplied) in County Mayo in order that they can commence the treatment that they vitally need. [21557/07]
Operational responsibility for the management and delivery of health and personal social services was assigned to 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 this case investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.
217 Deputy Seán Barrett asked the Minister for Health and Children her views on the increase of 174% in child care orders within two years, from 411 care orders in 2004 to 1,125 in 2006; her further views on the 90% increase in applications for supervision orders within the same period, from 273 applications in 2004 to 520 requests in 2006; the reason for these increases; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21560/07]
Under the Health Act 2004, the provision of health and personal social services is the responsibility the Health Service Executive. Therefore, the Deputy's question has been forwarded to the HSE and I have requested that they reply to the Deputy directly.
219 Deputy Bernard Allen asked the Minister for Health and Children the reason a person (details supplied) in County Cork was refused a claim under the health repayment scheme. [21631/07]
The Health Service Executive has responsibility for administering the Repayment Scheme and the information sought by the Deputy relates to matters within the area of responsibility of the Executive.
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.
220 Deputy Dinny McGinley asked the Minister for Health and Children when a nursing home refund will be granted to a person (details supplied) in County Donegal. [21639/07]
The Health Service Executive has responsibility for administering the Repayment Scheme and the information sought by the Deputy relates to matters within the area of responsibility of the Executive.
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.
221 Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Health and Children the status of an application for a person (details supplied) in County Clare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21644/07]
The Deputy's question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal 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.
222 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Health and Children when home help services will be provided to a person (details supplied) in County Mayo. [21689/07]
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.
223 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Health and Children when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will receive payment under the health repayment scheme. [21690/07]
The Health Service Executive has responsibility for administering the Repayment Scheme and the information sought by the Deputy relates to matters within the area of responsibility of the Executive. 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.
224 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Health and Children when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will be given a dermatology appointment. [21691/07]
Operational responsibility for the management and delivery of health and personal social services was assigned to 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 this case investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.
225 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Health and Children if she has completed her consideration of whether or not to ban the sale of herbal ecstasy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20962/07]
The Misuse of Drugs Act 1977 and regulations made thereunder regulate and control the import, export, production, supply and possession of a range of named narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances listed in the Schedules to the Act. Substances are scheduled under the Act in accordance with the Department's obligations under international conventions and/or where there is evidence that the substances are causing significant harm to public health in Ireland. The Act also limits packaging and labelling of controlled drugs. Herbal ecstasy is a term used to describe a combination of herbs which are marketed as a ‘natural high' and which are not scheduled substances under Misuse of Drugs legislation. The list of scheduled substances is kept under review on an ongoing basis. In particular, the Department reviews any evidence that substances are being abused and are causing significant harm to public health. For example, last year the law surrounding psychotropic (magic) mushrooms in their raw state was clarified in the light of evidence of increased availability and significant harm being done and it is now an offence to sell or possess magic mushrooms. There are no plans to add herbal ecstasy to the list of scheduled substances.
226 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of drugs detox beds currently available here; her plans to increase the number of such beds; if a timetable has been set for increased bed numbers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20965/07]
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 the specific matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.
227 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Health and Children when the two cocaine specific treatment centres promised in the Programme for Government will be established and operational; the number of places that will be available in these centres; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20973/07]
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 the specific matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.
228 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Health and Children the progress of her consideration of a national needle exchange programme for addicts; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20963/07]
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 the specific matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.
229 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of cocaine related deaths reported in each year from 2002 to date in 2007; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20961/07]
The General Mortality Register, the main source of information on drug-related deaths prior to the establishment of the National Drug Related Deaths Index in 2005, shows that the number of cocaine-only deaths was two in 2002, one in 2003 and nine in 2004, which is the latest year for which data are available. The statistics in the General Mortality Register are collected by the Central Statistics Office which measures — as it is required to do — direct drug-related deaths based on an international classification system. It does not have a reliable measure of deaths which are indirectly related to drug use and so does not provide the full picture of drug-related deaths. For example, a death resulting from an infectious disease contracted through drug use may not feature in the General Mortality Register as drug-related. To remedy these limitations, the Departments of Health and Children and Justice, Equality and Law Reform jointly asked the Health Research Board to establish a National Drug-Related Deaths Index. This index was established to comply with Action 67 of ‘Building on Experience: National Drug Strategy 2001-2008'. The index is a census of drug and alcohol-related deaths and deaths among substance users in Ireland which is one of the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction's key indicators to measure the consequences of the drug situation. The data for the index is drawn from a number of sources including the General Mortality Register; the Coroner's Service; the Hospital Inpatient Inquiry; and the Central Treatment List.
A committee that is co-chaired by the two aforementioned Departments, provides general and technical advice on the development of the index. Retrospective work done to date on the index indicates that there were 14 cocaine-related deaths in 2002 compared to seven in 2001 and five in each of 1998, 1999 and 2000. Of the 14 deaths in 2002, 12 were of known drug users and 11 involved more than one drug. Eleven of those who died were living in the Dublin area. According to incomplete data for 2003, there were four cocaine-related deaths in that year, although data collection is Dublin has not yet been completed. The data presented above from the National Drug Related Deaths Index includes statistics from the coroner's service on "sudden and unexpected deaths with positive drug toxicology or a history of drug dependency". This data is extracted from closed coroner files. Files may not be closed for a period of time due to a number of reasons such as awaiting toxicology results, pathology results, Garda reports and delay in criminal court proceedings. These processes must be complete before an inquest is held and the file closed. For example, for some deaths which occurred in 2003 the inquest was held in 2005. This indicates that there may be up to a two-year delay before the cause of death is ascertained and the file is closed.
230 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health and Children the plans in place to roll out a national cervical screening programme; if there will be pilot areas; if so, the location of these areas; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21698/07]
I have allocated additional revenue funding of €5 million to the National Cancer Screening Service this year for the roll-out of the Irish Cervical Screening Programme and an additional 30 posts have been approved. The national roll-out of the Programme is planned for January 2008. The Service is planning to have cervical screening managed as a national call/recall programme via effective governance structures that provide overall leadership and direction, in terms of quality assurance, accountability and value for money. All elements of the programme, call/recall, smear taking, laboratories, colposcopy and treatment services will be quality assured, organised and managed to deliver a single integrated national service. Accordingly, the Service is not planning to roll out the programme incrementally on a regional basis.
231 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health and Children if the BreastCheck mobile unit in County Roscommon will provide a full-time five day week service to women in County Roscommon until the BreastCheck unit in Galway opens. [21699/07]
232 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health and Children if the BreastCheck mobile unit in County Roscommon is providing a five day full time service; and the number of women from County Roscommon who have been screened by this service since it opened earlier in 2007. [21700/07]
233 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of mobile units of BreastCheck ready to start operating in the west and north west when the BreastCheck unit in County Galway opens. [21701/07]
234 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will put in place a pilot BreastCheck programme in the west and north west to screen women aged 65 and over. [21702/07]
235 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health and Children if the BreastCheck mobile unit in County Roscommon will provide a full-time service to women in County Roscommon after the Breast Check unit in County Galway opens. [21703/07]
236 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health and Children if there are schedules in place for the roll out of BreastCheck in the west and north west when the BreastCheck unit in Galway opens; and if so, the details of same. [21704/07]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 231 to 236, inclusive, together.
I am committed to ensuring that the BreastCheck service is rolled out to the remaining regions as quickly as possible. I have allocated additional revenue funding of €8 million to the National Cancer Screening Service for this year to meet the additional costs involved. The full complement of 111 staff for roll-out has been approved. I have also made available an additional €26.7 million capital funding for the construction of two new clinical units and the provision of seven additional mobile units and state-of-the-art digital equipment. The static units at University College Hospital, Galway and the South Infirmary Victoria Hospital in Cork are due to be completed in late Autumn and BreastCheck has confirmed that the roll-out will commence in October. As the Deputy is aware, BreastCheck has already commenced screening in the West, with the provision last May of a mobile unit at Roscommon County Hospital. The BreastCheck clinical unit in the Western Area at University College Hospital, Galway will have three associated mobile units. Screening in individual counties will be dictated by BreastCheck's management and operational considerations.
The expert advice from BreastCheck and the National Cancer Forum, as contained in the National Strategy for Cancer Control, is that following the national extension of the current programme, the upper age limit should be extended to women aged 69. As the priority of BreastCheck is to screen women who have not yet been screened, it is fully focused on the commencement of the first round of screening in the West and South. I will consider extending the age limit as recommended when the national roll-out of the programme is sufficiently developed and it is assured that a quality service is being delivered. Any woman irrespective of her age who has immediate concerns or symptoms should contact her GP who, where appropriate, will refer her to the symptomatic services in her area. The Deputy's specific questions about the operation of mobile units, the number of patients screened in Roscommon and detailed phasing and timelines are the responsibility of the National Cancer Screening Service. Accordingly, my Department has requested the Chief Executive Officer of the Service to respond directly to the Deputy about these matters.
237 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health and Children when heart surgery will be offered to a person (details supplied) in Dublin 24; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21711/07]
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 HSE 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.
238 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Health and Children the boards, bodies, authorities, agencies and quangos under the remit of her Department; the date of establishment; the number of members, staff and budget for each of the past ten years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21741/07]
The information requested by the Deputy is being compiled by my Department and will be forwarded to him as soon as it is finalised.
239 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Health and Children the boards, bodies, authorities, agencies and quangos under the remit of her Department that have been abolished in the past ten years; the number of members, staff and budget in the year of abolition; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21756/07]
The information requested by the Deputy is presently being compiled by my Department and will be forwarded to him as soon as it is finalised.
240 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Health and Children the appointments she has made to State boards, agencies, quangos, bodies and authorities since 1 July 2007; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21771/07]
Since 1 July 2007 I have appointed six members to the board of the National Haemophilia Council and one member each to the boards of the National Paediatric Hospital Development Board and the Postgraduate Medical and Dental Board.
241 Deputy Chris Andrews asked the Minister for Health and Children the services that will, and will not, be available at the newly refurbished Irishtown Health Centre; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21808/07]
As the Health Service Executive has the operational and funding responsibility for Primary Care services, including decisions relating to the range of services to be provided from particular locations, it 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.
242 Deputy Chris Andrews asked the Minister for Health and Children her views on relocating a person (details supplied). [21809/07]
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.
243 Deputy Chris Andrews asked the Minister for Health and Children if a full time care assistant will be provided for a person (details supplied) in Dublin 2; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21810/07]
The Deputy's question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal 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.
244 Deputy Chris Andrews asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will investigate the delayed repayment under the Health Service Executive health repayments scheme for persons (details supplied). [21811/07]
The Health Service Executive has responsibility for administering the Repayment Scheme and the information sought by the Deputy relates to matters within the area of responsibility of the Executive. 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.
245 Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Health and Children if her attention has been drawn to the fact that insurance companies who require detailed health assessments can currently obtain expensive test results free of charge when they use general practitioners as the facilitator of these health assessments; and her views on whether it would be appropriate to arrange for cost recovery from the insurance companies for such services. [21812/07]
Entitlement to health services in Ireland is primarily based on residency and means. Any person, regardless of nationality, who is accepted by the Health Service Executive as being ordinarily resident in Ireland is entitled to either full eligibility to health services under either category 1 (medical card holders) or category 2 (limited eligibility). While people in category 2 are liable for a charge for attendance at accident and emergency departments, people in both categories are entitled to outpatient public hospital services including consultant services free of charge. Therefore, when a person with either full or limited eligibility attends a GP and is then referred for public hospital outpatient services, including diagnostic tests, those services are provided without charge. Work is under way in my Department on a new legislative framework to provide for clear statutory provisions on eligibility and entitlement for health and personal social services, including appropriate charging mechanisms. The aim is to produce a clear set of statutory provisions that ensure equity and transparency and to bring the system up to date with developments in service delivery and technology that have occurred since the Health Act 1970.
246 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Health and Children if her attention has been drawn to the recent directive from the Health Service Executive to pharmacies in relation to the reduction of the wholesale mark-up on medicines from 1 January 2008; the effect this will have on rural pharmacies; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21813/07]
247 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Health and Children if rural pharmacies will be forced to restrict service and even opt out of the medical card scheme as they will be operating at a loss, if the new measure to cut the wholesalers margin calculated on the ex-factory price of medicines is introduced; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21814/07]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 246 and 247 together.
My Department and the HSE have been reviewing the pharmaceutical supply chain, with a view to seeking value for money in the State's drugs bill in order to better fund existing and innovative therapies without compromising continuity of supply or patient safety. An HSE-led negotiating team, including officials from my Department, engaged with the Irish Pharmaceutical Healthcare Association (IPHA) and the Association of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers of Ireland (APMI), representing the proprietary and generic supplier representative bodies, and completed new agreements with these bodies in mid-2006. These agreements are in place.
As wholesale margins are not addressed in the new IPHA and APMI Agreements, it was intended to negotiate direct formal arrangements with the wholesale sector. Following completion of the manufacturer agreements and in line with the process agreed by the Cabinet Committee on Health, the negotiating team entered talks with the wholesaler representative body, the Pharmaceutical Distributor's Federation (PDF).
Early in discussions, PDF refused to negotiate a new margin for community supply, based on its own legal advice that this was a contractual matter between individual wholesalers and retailers. Subsequent legal advice to the HSE, confirmed by legal advice to my Department, indicated that, under section 4 of the 2002 Competition Act, PDF as an association of undertakings may not collectively negotiate fees, prices or margins on behalf of its members. Given the fact that the Irish Pharmaceutical Union is also an association of undertakings, it is not possible for the State to negotiate with PDF or the IPU on fees or margins as such negotiations would place these bodies at risk of prosecution.
In light of the legal position arising from the wholesaler legal advice, the negotiating team re-considered how best to address the review of pharmaceutical supply. Based on the legal advice, a consultation process accompanied by independent economic analysis was considered the most appropriate means to allow for the determination of new reimbursement arrangements. Following the completion of this process, and informed by independent economic analysis, new reimbursement arrangements were announced by the HSE on 17th September 2007.
In its examination of the issues involved, the negotiating team considered a reimbursement level that reflects the market value of pharmaceutical wholesale services, and security and continuity of supply at current levels to patients. The evidence on which the decision is based, following examination of the issues, direct consultation and independent economic analysis, all indicates that the State is currently paying a premium for the services in question. It is possible and necessary for revised arrangements to be put in place without a substantial impact on the delivery of such services.
Information available to the negotiating team indicates that small and rural pharmacies typically receive discounts of 2-3% on the existing wholesale margin, while larger urban pharmacies and chains typically receive discounts of up to 12%. Therefore, smaller and rural pharmacies would be proportionately less affected by the revised arrangements. I would point out that pharmacists provide services under the medical card scheme under the terms of a contract agreed with the HSE. In the light of the legal advice received, and following consultation with the IPU, a separate procedure was also agreed to examine available options for advancing contractual negotiations in compliance with Irish and EU competition law. This process is being chaired by Mr Bill Shipsey, SC. This process is continuing.
248 Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health and Children the average length of time a patient has to wait for an assessment appointment with an occupational therapist; the number of people in the Dublin north west area waiting on an assessment appointment; the number of occupational therapists employed in the Health Service Executive in the Dublin region and specifically in the Dublin north west area; and her plans to recruit additional occupational therapists to ensure that all referrals are acted on more promptly. [21815/07]
The Deputy's question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal 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.
As the Deputy may be aware an additional sum of €75m for revenue purposes was provided to the Health Service Executive for Disability Services in the 2007 Budget. This amount 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 multi-disciplinary support services to adults and children with an intellectual, physical and sensory disability and those with autism, including Therapy Services.
249 Deputy Dan Neville asked the Minister for Health and Children her views on whether €25 million per annum is the maximum resources that the system could absorb; and if so if this is the maximum revenue available with due recognition to the long term economic and social benefit of improved population mental health. [21857/07]
262 Deputy Dan Neville asked the Minister for Health and Children if the €25 million in 2006 and 2007 have been targeted mainly at catchment and the low average funding areas that exhibit social and economic disadvantage as recommended in A Vision for Change. [21871/07]
263 Deputy Dan Neville asked the Minister for Health and Children the outputs that have been delivered on the €25 million per annum in 2006 and 2007. [21872/07]
266 Deputy Dan Neville asked the Minister for Health and Children if funds to mental health services have been diverted to other services areas; and if so, the measures that should be introduced to protect mental health budgets at central and regional levels. [21875/07]
267 Deputy Dan Neville asked the Minister for Health and Children her views on whether she should apportion a floor budget of 12% of the total health spend to mental health services. [21876/07]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 249, 262, 263, 266 and 267 together.
Since 1997, significant additional revenue funding has been invested in mental health services. Approximately €1 billion will be spent on mental health services in 2007 which includes an additional €51 million which was allocated in 2006 and 2007 for the development of mental health services in line with "A Vision for Change". This is one third of the total cost of €150 million estimated by the Expert Group to fully implement the mental health strategy over 7 years. Future funding will be considered in the context of the estimates process for 2008 and subsequent year.
The proportion of overall health spending on mental health is frequently used to make a point on the adequacy of funding. However, it is not entirely valid to make this comparison, as the nature and scope of health services change, funding ratios automatically change.
"A Vision for Change" recommended there should be flexibility regarding catchment area size and composition, taking inter alia deprivation into account in catchment areas for populations of between 250,000 and 400,000. Organisation and management of services within each catchment should be coordinated locally by Mental Health Catchment Area Management Teams and managed nationally by the HSE.
In 2006, the HSE developed a population based allocation model for allocating additional mental health funding to areas of greatest need and this model was further developed this year.
Operational responsibility for the management and delivery of health and personal social services was assigned to the Health Service Executive (HSE) under the Health Act 2004 and funding for all health services has been provided as part of its overall vote. The Executive, therefore, 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 the matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.
250 Deputy Dan Neville asked the Minister for Health and Children if in relation to budgeting as a tool for promoting effectiveness and efficiency through accountability, the Controller and Auditor General should conduct a follow up special report into the mental health system. [21858/07]
The Comptroller and Auditor General (C&AG) is an independent body appointed under Section 33 of the Constitution. The C&AG works independently of Government Departments and it is, therefore, a matter for the C&AG to decide on his work programme.
251 Deputy Dan Neville asked the Minister for Health and Children the progress in the implementation of the management and organisational changes recommended in chapter 16 of A Vision for Change. [21859/07]
265 Deputy Dan Neville asked the Minister for Health and Children the management and organisational changes recommended in chapter 16 of A Vision for Change that fit with the Government’s transformation plan. [21874/07]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 251 and 265 together.
The Report of the Expert Group on Mental Health Policy, "A Vision for Change", which was launched in January 2006, provides a framework for action to develop a modern, high quality mental health services for a seven to ten year period. The Government has accepted the Report as the basis for the future development of our mental health services.
Implementation of the individual recommendations of "A Vision for Change", is a matter primarily for the Health Service Executive (HSE).
The HSE deliver mental services at local level through 32 local HSE offices, each with a Local Health Manager. This structure is to ensure an integrated approach to the management of Primary, Community and Continuing Care Services. The Mental Health Executive which comprises the Clinical Director, Director of Nursing and Area Mental Health Manager assume the role of the Mental Health Management Team for their respective Local Health Office area. An Assistant National Director has a lead national role for mental health and is responsible through the National Director for ensuring that "A Vision for Change" is fully implemented.
The HSE is appointing a full time Project Manager to develop an implementation plan for "A Vision for Change". This plan will be available in the Autumn and will include a timed and prioritised set of short, medium and longer term goals designed to implement key recommendations. The Project Manager will work with each area and the Local Health Office Management structures.
252 Deputy Dan Neville asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will introduce a quality mark for crèches following worried patients complaints to the Health Service Executive revealing a series of shocking incidents in childcare facilities. [21860/07]
Pre-school services are subject to statutory regulation and inspection in accordance with Part VII of the Child Care Act 1991. The Child Care (Pre-School Services) Regulations 1996 and (Amendment) Regulations 1997, which were introduced to give effect to this provision, were replaced with effect from 3 September 2007 by the revised and improved Child Care (Pre-School Services) (No. 2) Regulations 2006. The Regulations apply to pre-schools, playgroups, day nurseries, crèches, childminders looking after more than three children and other similar services which cater for children under six years of age.
The Health Service Executive (HSE) has statutory responsibility for implementing the Regulations and services are required to notify to the Pre-School Services Inspectorate. In addition to an advisory role in assisting pre-school services to comply with the Statutory requirements, the Inspectorate also carries out annual inspections of pre-school services to ensure that they comply with the regulatory standards. With the coming into effect of the revised 2006 Regulations, new arrangements have also been put in place by the HSE to meet the commitment given to standardisation of the inspection process and to making the outcome of inspections publicly available. It is considered that the increased transparency of the new system will provide further protection for parents and their children. In addition, a Working Group on Standards has been set up under the Office of the Minister for Children and will examine a best practice approach to developing qualitative standards to assist the inspection process as well as the more general advisory role of the Inspectorate.
253 Deputy Dan Neville asked the Minister for Health and Children her views on the fact that tens of thousands of cancer and smear tests are being carried out at hospital laboratories here which are not accredited and that only 30% of crucial diagnostic work is being carried out at accredited laboratories. [21861/07]
The national roll out of the Irish Cervical Screening Programme is planned for January, 2008. The National Screening Service is planning to have cervical screening managed as a national call/recall programme via effective governance structures that provide overall leadership and direction, in terms of quality assurance, accountability and value for money. All elements of the programme call/recall, smear taking, laboratories, colposcopy and treatment services will be quality assured, organised and managed to deliver a single integrated national service. The Service is developing new contractual arrangements for tests and has my full support in this regard.
As regards other diagnostic work, I have asked my officials to seek information from the HSE about the current position in relation to accreditation and report this directly to the Deputy.
254 Deputy Dan Neville asked the Minister for Health and Children the savings in the instruction by the Health Service Executive to the suicide resource officers to cancel all meetings, training seminars and training course on suicide and suicide prevention in hotels. [21862/07]
Responsibility for the implementation of "Reach Out" the National Strategy for Action on Suicide Prevention, which was published in September 2005, rests with the HSE's National Office for Suicide Prevention (NOSP). The Minister and the National Office are committed to the implementation of the strategy. Significant additional funding of €3.05 million was provided in 2006 and 2007 which brings the total funding available to support suicide prevention initiatives in 2007 to €8 million. The National Office is engaged in a significant level of training including the ASIST (Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training) programme and has already trained 91 trainers and delivered over 200 2-day workshops to over 5000 people around the country. The National Office will continue to coordinate and deliver training, as required.
Operational responsibility for the management and delivery of health and personal social services was assigned to the Health Service Executive (HSE) under the Health Act 2004 and funding for all health services has been provided as part of its overall vote. The Executive, therefore, 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 the matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.
255 Deputy Dan Neville asked the Minister for Health and Children if there are barriers to adequately resourcing the mental health service beyond those detailed in A Vision for Change. [21863/07]
264 Deputy Dan Neville asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will produce and implement a plan for A Vision for Change giving annualised funding projections. [21873/07]
270 Deputy Dan Neville asked the Minister for Health and Children the way funds expended on mental health services are tracked and reported by the Health Service Executive and her Department. [21879/07]
271 Deputy Dan Neville asked the Minister for Health and Children her views on whether mental health services are under-funded; and if so, the reason for same. [21880/07]
272 Deputy Dan Neville asked the Minister for Health and Children her views on whether the amount of funding allocated to mental health is inequitable compared with other areas of health; and if so, the reform necessary to ensure equity in the mental health services. [21881/07]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 255, 264, 270, 271 and 272 together.
Implementation of the individual recommendations of "A Vision for Change" the Report of the Expert Group on Mental Health Policy is a matter primarily for the HSE. In July 2006, the HSE established an implementation group to ensure that mental health services develop in a synchronised and consistent manner across the country and resource service managers and clinicians in making the recommendations in "A Vision for Change" a reality. The HSE intend to publish their implementation plan by the Autumn which is to include a timed and prioritised set of short, medium and longer term goals. In acknowledging the need to provide a dedicated and coordinated response to "A Vision for Change", the HSE appointed a full time Project Manager to progress the implementation plan.
Since 1997, significant additional revenue funding has been invested in mental health services. Approximately €1 billion will be spent on mental health services in 2007 which includes an additional €51 million which was allocated in 2006 and 2007 for the development of mental health services in line with "A Vision for Change". This is one third of the €150 million estimated by the Expert Group to fully implement the mental health strategy over 7 years. Future funding will be considered in the context of the estimates process for 2008 and subsequent years.
The HSE's national service plan outlined plans to achieve priorities during 2007. As part of the reporting procedure with my Department, the HSE provide quarterly performance monitoring reports on progress against planned activity.
256 Deputy Dan Neville asked the Minister for Health and Children the way capital allocations for 2007 are proceeding. [21864/07]
The Government's sustained high level of investment in healthcare has enabled the completion and commissioning of numerous new facilities in both the acute and the non-acute sectors.
This year, the overall level of capital funding for the health sector is €664m. The Health Service Executive has responsibility for the planning and management of the bulk of health sector capital projects and has been provided with €546m of the available capital budget. While its level of funding uptake to-date this year is behind that projected at the beginning of the year, the HSE anticipates that the capital budget for projects other than those in the Information and Communications Technology area will be fully drawn down by year-end. The HSE's ICT Directorate, which has this year focused on meeting immediate priority requirements and on strategic planning for investments over the coming years, will not be in a position to fully utilise its €49m capital allocation for 2007.
The capital programmes in health agencies directly funded by my Department and in the Office of The Minister for Children are progressing well. Major initiatives being undertaken this year include the national roll-out of the BreastCheck programme, health research, the Equal Opportunities Childcare Programme and the completion of the National Childcare Investment Programme.
257 Deputy Dan Neville asked the Minister for Health and Children the capital projects in mental health that were completed in 2006 in view of the fact that in both 2005 and 2006 the Health Service Executive underspent its capital vote; and if any of this was in mental health. [21865/07]
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, therefore, 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 the matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.
258 Deputy Dan Neville asked the Minister for Health and Children if a plan and timetable for closure of mental hospitals and release of funds has been produced. [21866/07]
The Report of the Expert Group on Mental Health Policy, "A Vision for Change", which was launched in January 2006, provides a framework for action to develop a modern, high quality mental health services for a seven to ten year period. The Report represents Government policy and is the basis for the future development of our mental health services. The report recommends that steps be taken to bring about the closure of all psychiatric hospitals and to re-invest the resources released by these closures in the mental health service. The Report emphasises that this process should take place on a phased basis with wards closing sequentially.
Implementation of "A Vision for Change" is a matter primarily for the Health Service Executive (HSE). The HSE has stated that it anticipates the closure of mental hospitals and the reinvestment of the proceeds to take place on a phased basis. It has also emphasised that hospitals can only close when the clinical needs of the remaining patients have been addressed in more appropriate settings such as additional community residences, day hospitals and day centres together with a substantial increase in the number of the well-trained, fully staffed, community-based multidisciplinary Community Mental Health Teams as is recommended in "A Vision for Change".
The identification of assets which may be in excess of known HSE requirements and assessment of their value is the responsibility of the HSE National Director of Estates. The Executive, therefore, 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 the matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.
259 Deputy Dan Neville asked the Minister for Health and Children her views on extending the National Treatment Purchase Fund to mental health services. [21868/07]
The National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) was established to expedite the provision of treatment for patients on public hospital waiting lists who have been waiting longest for surgery. I have no plans to expand the remit of the NTPF to the type of treatment referred to by the Deputy.
260 Deputy Dan Neville asked the Minister for Health and Children if she provided dedicated funding for mental health service research as recommended in A Vision for Change. [21869/07]
The Health Research Board (HRB) is the statutory body with responsibility for improving health through research and information. My Department provides funding for mental health research to the HRB as part of its overall vote. The Mental Health Research Division (MHRD) of the Health Research Board carries out national and international research, information gathering and the dissemination of research outcomes on mental health in Ireland. The Division manages and reports on the National Psychiatric In–Patient Reporting System (NPIRS) and is developing COMCAR — a system which collects information on community psychiatric services. Both databases will inform on policy and planning for mental health services nationally and regionally. In addition, research is an integral part of the work of the Health Service Executive and the Mental Health Commission.
261 Deputy Dan Neville asked the Minister for Health and Children the way the additional funding designated for the development of child and adolescent services is being expended to date. [21870/07]
In 2006 €3.25 million was provided to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for the enhancement of child and adolescent services including the development of eight new teams; €7.95 million has been provided in 2007 to significantly improve both community and hospital based services and facilitate the provision of early intervention services. The multidisciplinary nature of existing child and adolescent mental health teams will be enhanced and a further eight new teams will be developed in 2007.
The implementation of "A Vision for Change" requires the recruitment of 40 additional child and adolescent mental health teams. It is envisaged that these will be provided on a phased basis over a 5 year period — 16 have already been funded. In January 2006 there were 58 approved permanent consultant psychiatric posts in child and adolescent mental health services. In January 2007 the number of approved consultant psychiatric posts in this area had increased to 72. 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, including the provision of child and adolescent services, has been provided as part of its overall vote. The Executive, therefore, is the appropriate body to consider the particular issue 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.
268 Deputy Dan Neville asked the Minister for Health and Children the position in relation to the re-examination of breast cancer test records at Barringtons Hospital in Limerick; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21877/07]
The work of the Review Group is underway and the Group has advised the Department that it expects to complete its work in November.
269 Deputy Dan Neville asked the Minister for Health and Children the breast cancer units that are closed and are planned to be closed around the country. [21878/07]
The HSE announced last week the designation of four managed cancer control networks (coterminous with the four HSE administrative regions) and eight cancer centres nationally as follows: HSE Dublin North East: Beaumont Hospital; Mater Misericordiae Hospital;Dublin Mid Leinster: St. James's Hospital; St. Vincent's Hospital;HSE South: Cork University Hospital; Waterford Regional Hospital;HSE West: University College Hospital Galway; Limerick Regional Hospital.
The Minister recently approved National Quality Assurance Standards for Symptomatic Breast Disease Services under the Health Act 2007. Arising from the designation of cancer centres and in order to comply with the Standards, the Executive has directed the following thirteen hospitals with low case volumes (less than twenty procedures per year) to cease breast cancer services immediately, to be followed by further staged reductions in the number of hospitals providing breast cancer services from twenty-two to the eight cancer centres.
1.Naas General Hospital
2.Tullamore General Hospital
3.St Columcille's Hospital, Loughlinstown
4.Mallow General Hospital
5.Louth County Hospital
6.Cavan General Hospital
7.Our Lady's Hospital, Navan
8.Mid Western Regional Hospital, Nenagh
9.Ennis General Hospital
10.St Michael's Hospital, Dun Laoghaire
11.Roscommon County Hospital
12.Portiuncula Hospital
13.Mercy University Hospital, Cork (cytology and histopathology services in association with South Infirmary Victoria Hospital exempted)
A number of these hospitals have in practice already discontinued symptomatic breast services. The National Hospitals Office has already planned the redirection of this symptomatic caseload. Additional groups of hospitals will be similarly directed, in line with the further development of quality assured capacity in the eight designated centres.
273 Deputy Mary O’Rourke asked the Minister for Health and Children when the nursing home payments will be repaid to a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath; and the reason for the long delay. [21885/07]
The Health Service Executive has responsibility for administering the Repayment Scheme and the information sought by the Deputy relates to matters within the area of responsibility of the Executive. 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.
274 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Health and Children when a person (details supplied) in Dublin 22 will be admitted to the National Rehabilitation Centre; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21898/07]
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.
275 Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Health and Children the average waiting time for each of the specialties within Cork University Hospital; the number of patients on the outpatient waiting list; the number of consultants available for each specialty; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21899/07]
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/issue 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.
276 Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Health and Children further to Parliamentary Question No. 344 of 27 March 2007, if her Department has completed its development of a rehabilitative action plan for people with disabilities including those with acquired brain injury; if not, when same will be completed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21900/07]
My Department has not completed its development of a rehabilitative action plan for people with disabilities, including those with Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) and is still considering the issue.
277 Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Health and Children further to Parliamentary Question No. 295 of 20 February 2007, if the Health Research Board has commenced its examination of the nature of data collection for the national physical and sensory disability database; when she expects recommendations to be produced on how best to capture the needs of persons with acquired brain injury; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21901/07]
As the Deputy is aware this is a collaborative project between the Health Research Board (HRB) and Headway Ireland. Letters have been sent to regional HSE staff by HRB informing them of the project and procedures to follow in relation to the project. Headway Ireland are responsible for circulating a sample of 15 names from their waiting list to the appropriate regional database teams so that they can be interviewed for the National Physical and Sensory Disability Database (NPSDD). These names were due to be selected and circulated in the week beginning 24th September. As soon as 10 NPSDD interviews and 10 corresponding Headway assessments have been completed, a comparison of the information contained in both will be conducted by the HRB.
278 Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of consultants in rehabilitation medicine in each of the Health Service Executive areas; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21902/07]
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.
279 Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of people with acquired brain injury on the waiting list for the National Rehabilitation Centre; the average waiting time for entry to the hospital and for entry into the high dependency unit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21903/07]
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.
280 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health and Children if funding will be offered through national lottery funds to a fund (details supplied) in County Kildare for the opening of an occupational therapy centre for children with special needs in early 2008; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21918/07]
My Department received an application for a grant from the Health and Children allocation of National Lottery funds from the Organisation referred to. There is a protocol in my Department for processing applications for National Lottery grants. Following assessment, evaluation, and recommendation, applications are considered in the context of the recommendation and the overall level of funds available to me. This application is one of many under consideration for a grant from my Department, and the Organisation in question will be informed as soon as a decision has been made.
281 Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Transport and the Marine the envisaged capacity of the proposed development of Bremore Port; and the extent to which it will fulfil the need for expansion of port capacity on the east coast and remove the pressure for expansion in Dublin Port. [21778/07]
The Bremore proposal is in line with established ports policy. Subject to the necessary further feasibility, commercial and regulatory work, it also presents a unique opportunity to provide significant additional port capacity in a prime location on the east coast. It is intended to develop the new facility in a number of phases. The actual capacity of the first phase will be determined by the joint venture partners in the light of the further work referred to above which has yet to be carried out.
Amendment of the Harbours Act 1996 will be necessary to enable the joint venture to proceed. More generally, the existing legislation is more than ten years old and requires updating. My Department has made substantial progress in preparing the Heads of a new Harbours Bill to further support implementation of ports policy and to update existing legislation. I propose to seek early Government approval for the drafting of the Bill and I intend to pursue its enactment as quickly as possible.
I believe the Bremore project will help to promote competition while relieving congestion at Dublin Port. I think it is also important to reiterate that this proposal is being advanced as a stand-alone project and is not dependent or linked to any relocation of capacity from Dublin Port.
282 Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Transport and the Marine the respective roles of An Bord Pleanála in respect of an application for Dublin Port expansion to be treated as a critical infrastructure, the Dublin City Council which is preparing a strategic plan for the development of the entire port area as an amendment to the city development plan and his Department which is responsible for shaping national port policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21779/07]
284 Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Transport and the Marine the intended make-up of the task force on Dublin Bay; and its terms of reference and powers. [21781/07]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 282 and 284 together.
An Bord Pleanála's Strategic Infrastructure Division has responsibility for implementation of the provisions of the Strategic Infrastructure Act 2006. Dublin City Council is the local authority for Dublin City and, as the Deputy indicates, my Department has responsibility for national ports policy. Last week, Dublin City Council launched an 8 week public consultation period on its Dublin Bay Study, ending 30 November 2007. That looks at a wide range of economic, amenity, recreational and environmental issues linked to Dublin Bay, including the port area.
In a submission to the consultants carrying out the study, my Department pointed out that Dublin Port currently handles the vast majority of the trade for the Greater Dublin Area and beyond and as such is of vital strategic importance to the economy. Some 79% of the State's RoRo trade and some 62% of the LoLo trade was handled at Dublin Port in 2006. The National Spatial Strategy identifies strategic merit in relieving pressure on Dublin through targeted interventions in building up port capacity elsewhere.
The National Development Plan indicates that the Government will undertake a comprehensive study of the role of Dublin Port, taking account of locational considerations, in the context of overall ports policy on the island of Ireland, wider transport policy, urban development policy, the National Spatial Strategy and national economic policy. Dublin City Council has indicated that their Dublin Bay study is aimed at launching a public debate. The Council will submit the findings of their report and any public submissions they receive thereon to my Department for consideration as part of the NDP study. Preparations for this study will be initiated in the near future. I have no proposals for a task force on Dublin Bay.
283 Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Transport and the Marine if he has completed his review of port capacity need; and when he will publish the Government’s plans for the sector. [21780/07]
In 2005/06 UK consultants, Fisher Associates, in conjunction with the Department carried out a port capacity study. This report was delivered to the Department in June 2006. Seven ports made detailed submissions regarding their proposals for increasing unitised capacity. In October 2006, the Department published an Information Paper outlining the broad conclusions of the study, which is available on the Department's website www.transport.ie. My Department is continuing to actively monitor the capacity situation. I am encouraged by the fact that the ports continue to make significant progress with their proposals.
285 Deputy Brian O’Shea asked the Minister for Transport and the Marine the amount spent by his Department on public service obligation in services in 2006; the services that benefitted; the amount of payment in each case; the number of passengers who availed of the service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21446/07]
I presume that the Deputy is referring to air services operated between Dublin and the regional airports on foot of a Public Service Obligation under my Department's Essential Air Services Programme. The requested information is set out in the table.
|
Services Dublin to: |
Expenditure |
Passenger Numbers |
|
€ |
||
|
Donegal & Sligo* |
5,157,686 |
74,943 |
|
Derry & Knock* |
4,283,291 |
43,092 |
|
Galway |
3,044,983 |
67,988 |
|
Kerry |
3,004,951 |
91,268 |
|
Total |
15,490,911 |
277,291 |
*Each of these services is operated and remunerated as a combined service to the two regional airports in question.
286 Deputy Brian O’Shea asked the Minister for Transport and the Marine the proposals he has to introduce public service obligation on service from Waterford Airport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21447/07]
Under the terms of Council Regulation (EEC) No. 2408/92 of 23 July 1992, a Member State may, in limited circumstances, impose a Public Service Obligation in respect of an air service and may subvent that service if no airline is prepared to operate it on a commercial basis. When the question of introducing such an arrangement on the Waterford-Dublin route was raised in 1993, I understand that the E.U. Commission refused to sanction the proposal because the route is relatively short and because Waterford was already adequately served by other transport modes. In the interim, the relevant surface transport links have been upgraded and continue to be improved. In the circumstances, I have no proposals to revive the question of including the airport in the Irish PSO air service programme.
The Government's decision in February 2007 to allocate almost €86 million for capital investment at the regional airports included a substantial allocation for projects at Waterford Airport. In addition to improving operational safety, the new infrastructure is intended to make a major contribution to the airport's efforts to develop additional services operating on a commercial basis to a number of destinations.
287 Deputy Catherine Byrne asked the Minister for Transport and the Marine the position regarding the collapsed culvert (details supplied) in Dublin 12; the plans in place to repair same and re-open the road; when this will take place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21466/07]
The improvement and maintenance of public non-national roads in its area is a statutory function of each road authority in accordance with the provisions of section 13 of the Roads Act, 1993.
288 Deputy Michael Kennedy asked the Minister for Transport and the Marine when the application by the private bus operator for a new service from Swords to Dublin city via the Dublin Port tunnel will be finalised and the new service commenced; the way the Dublin Bus application for services to north Dublin via Dublin Port tunnel is progressing; and the time frame for completion. [21470/07]
289 Deputy Michael Kennedy asked the Minister for Transport and the Marine the necessary procedures to facilitate the use of Dublin Port tunnel by Dublin Bus for its services from the Fingal, north Dublin region; and the expected time frame involved. [21471/07]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 288 and 289 together.
The Dublin Port Tunnel is currently being used by Dublin Bus, Bus Éireann and a number of private operators, resulting in significant time savings for commuters. In the case of Dublin Bus in particular, the 142 service is using the Tunnel and my Department is open to authorising additional services through the Tunnel, given the benefits it offers. However, where a proposed bus service through the Tunnel is likely to conflict with a prior application for a similar service, my Department follows its normal Departmental procedures and this is the case in relation to the Route 41X where my Department considered that the proposal from Dublin Bus conflicted with a prior application from a private operator for services on or along the route in question.
On the 22nd March, 2007, Dublin Bus notified my Department of its proposal to re-route four of its existing Route 41X services from Swords via the Port Tunnel. At that time, my Department advised the Company that the proposal was in conflict with a prior application from a private operator for a high frequency bus service from Swords via the Port Tunnel to the City Centre. Therefore, in accordance with normal Departmental procedures, Dublin Bus was advised that a decision on its proposal was being deferred until the prior application was finalised. Dublin Bus is aware of these procedures.
Consideration of the prior application has been completed. My Department is in contact with the applicant and it is expected that the licence will issue shortly. It is a condition of all licences that the services authorised must be in operation in their entirety within four months from the date of issue of the licence.
290 Deputy Michael Kennedy asked the Minister for Transport and the Marine if he will report on progress on the metro rail transport system to Swords, County Dublin; and the various procedures and timescales involved. [21500/07]
Following an extensive public consultation process, the Minister for Transport announced the selected route for Metro North in October 2006. Work is now well underway by the Railway Procurement Agency on the preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement and the documentation required to support an application to An Bord Pleanala for a Railway Order (the legal permission needed to build and operate Metro North).
Metro North will run underground from St. Stephen's Green to north of Ballymun before continuing on above ground to south of Dublin Airport. Here it will move underground beneath Dublin Airport before continuing above ground via Swords to Lissenhall. It will have underground stops at St. Stephen's Green, O'Connell Bridge, Parnell Square, Mater, Drumcondra, Griffith Avenue, Dublin City University, Ballymun and Dublin Airport. It will have above ground stops at Santry Demesne, Metropark, Fosterstown, Swords, Seatown and Lissenhall. RPA are currently engaged in ongoing consultation with residents and other stakeholders related to design options for Metro North along its entire route.
On 13th September 2007 the RPA announced the outcome of the first stage of the procurement process for Metro North. This involved the selection of those candidates who have been prequalified for the tender stage of the project. In all, 14 candidates have passed the pre-qualifying stage – 4 infrastructure providers, 5 rolling stock providers and 5 operators. Qualified candidates have until 2 November to form bidding groups and the tender documentation will be issued to those groups by the RPA early in 2008. The RPA now expect to commence construction work on Metro North in 2009, subject to having an enforceable Railway Order in place.
291 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Transport and the Marine his views on the provision of a metro west spur to serve Tyrrelstown, Damastown and Clonee/Ongar; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21646/07]
Transport 21 includes provision for Metro West, linking Tallaght, Clondalkin, Liffey Valley and Blanchardstown to Metro North. Following a detailed public consultation exercise which involved the consideration of two possible route options, the Board of the Railway Procurement Agency (RPA) chose a preferred route alignment for Metro West which was announced on 5th July last. The Railway Procurement Agency (RPA) is progressing this project, which is on target for completion in 2014.
While Transport 21 involves a very large commitment of financial resources, those resources are also finite. It has therefore been necessary to prioritise the investments to be made over the ten year period. There is no financial provision in Transport 21 for the construction of a spur from Metro West to serve the areas mentioned in the Deputy's question. However, Transport 21 does include provision for a spur off the Maynooth suburban rail line to Navan. The first phase of this project will be to construct a twin track railway line from Clonsilla Station to the planned M3 Interchange at Pace linking into the city centre at the new Docklands Station. Two new stations are proposed along the route at Dunboyne and a major Park and Ride facility at Pace. Provision is also being made for a third station at Hansfield, which is to be developed as a Strategic Development Zone.
The route will be convenient for commuters from the Tyrrelstown, Damastown and Clonee/ Ongar areas, with ample parking spaces to be provided at all sites, particularly the Pace/M3 Interchange site.
292 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Transport and the Marine his proposals, in regard to the commitment given in the programme for Government, to enhance and extend the rural transport initiative nationwide; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20982/07]
The Programme for Government restates the commitment to rural transport that underpins my Department's Rural Transport Programme (RTP) which was launched last February. The new Programme, administered by Pobal, is building on the success of the former Rural Transport Initiative (2000-2006) by putting that pilot initiative on a permanent mainstreamed basis with significantly increased funding with the objectives of expanding existing services and extending the scheme geographically.
Some Euro 9 million has been provided for the Programme in 2007. This is in line with the undertaking in Towards 2016, the Social Partnership Agreement, to steadily increase annual funding for the RTP over a period to some four times the 2005 level of Euro 4.5 million. In support of this undertaking, the National Development Plan 2007-2013, Transforming Ireland, commits some Euro 90 million to the Rural Transport Programme over its full term.
I am satisfied that the individual Rural Transport groups working with Pobal and supported by funding at this level will deliver on the Programme for Government as far as rural transport is concerned.
293 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Transport and the Marine the boards, bodies, authorities, agencies and quangos under the remit of his Department; the date of establishment; the number of members, staff and budget for each of the past ten years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21745/07]
The information requested by the Deputy is being compiled and will be forwarded to him as soon as possible.
294 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Transport and the Marine the boards, bodies, authorities, agencies and quangos under the remit of his Department that have been abolished in the past ten years; the number of members, staff and budget in the year of abolition; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21760/07]
The information requested by the Deputy is being compiled and will be forwarded to him as soon as possible.
295 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Transport and the Marine the appointments he has made to State boards, agencies, quangos, bodies and authorities since 1 July 2007; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21775/07]
The following table contains the information requested by the Deputy.
|
Name of Body |
No of appointments |
|
Advisory Council to the Commission for Taxi Regulation |
1 |
|
Irish Aviation Authority |
1 |
|
Medical Bureau of Road Safety |
1 |
|
Dublin Port Company |
2 |
|
Shannon Foynes Port company |
2 |
296 Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Transport and the Marine if his Department will accept the contents of the recent feasibility study which strongly advocates the re-opening of the railway stations at Killucan, Hill of Down and so on; if his Department will liaise with Iarnród Éireann to help make progress with this project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21825/07]
The location of stations on the rail network is an operational matter for Iarnród Éireann. I understand from the company that Westmeath and Meath County Councils have submitted to them the results of a feasibility study on the re-opening of a station at Killucan or Hill of the Downs. I understand that Iarnród Éireann are currently considering this report and will respond in due course to the Councils.
297 Deputy Dan Neville asked the Minister for Transport and the Marine if he will confirm recent reports that thousands of euro are to be spent in promoting the Transport 21 programme again; the reason for same; and the budget allocated. [21884/07]
Transport 21 represents the largest capital investment commitment ever made by Government to the development of transport infrastructure in this country. It comprises a programme of projects that will greatly improve our national roads and public transport systems over the ten year period to 2015, at a cost of €34 billion. It will provide integrated, safe and accessible transport networks that will improve the quality of life of all our citizens.
I consider it essential that the general public and all interested parties are made aware of the proposals in Transport 21 and are kept up-to-date on the progress being made. To help in achieving this objective, my Department has developed an information and communications strategy and now proposes to engage the requisite skills, resources and experience to assist in the implementation of the strategy, by creating a high-level of public awareness and understanding of Transport 21.
The funding for this information and communications programme will be determined in the overall context of my Department's Estimates provision for 2008.
298 Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Transport and the Marine when he will begin the public consultation process to select a preferred route for the new LUAS line to Lucan, Co. Dublin. [21925/07]
As the Deputy may be aware, on Thursday last, 27th September, I launched the public consultation process on behalf of the RPA for the new Luas Line from Lucan to the City Centre.
The Lucan Luas Line is a key component of the Government's Transport 21 investment programme. This new line will be approximately 15 km in length and is expected to add some 25 million extra passengers per annum to the Luas network. The expected journey time from Lucan to the city centre is about 42 minutes.
Two main route options, together with a number of local sub-options, have so far been identified by the RPA. The public, and indeed all interested parties, have now been asked to submit their views and comments to the RPA on the route which this new Luas line should take.
The first route option identified by the RPA runs from Lucan Village to Trinity College via Ballyowen Park, Liffey Valley, Cherry Orchard, Ballyfermot, Inchicore, James's Hospital and Christchurch. The second option runs from Newcastle Road in Lucan to St. Stephen's Green via Castle Riada, Collinstown Park, Park West, Drimnagh, Rialto, The Coombe and Kevin Street.
I am delighted to see that the RPA is maintaining the momentum on the suite of Luas and Metro projects under Transport 21 which will, when completed, serve to ease congestion, increase accessibility and improve the public travel experience throughout the Greater Dublin Area.
299 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs Ireland’s position on the crisis in Burma. [22079/07]
301 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will actively support the pro-democracy protestors in Burma and ensure the safety of the Buddhist monks. [21589/07]
309 Deputy Charlie O’Connor asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on the situation in Burma; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21851/07]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 299, 301 and 309 together.
As the current crisis in Burma has unfolded I have, in my statements of 24 August and 24 and 26 September, made the views of the Government absolutely clear. They have been reiterated in a national statement by Ireland at the Human Rights Council in Geneva on 27 September.
We have expressed our full solidarity with the people of Burma and our admiration for the courageous monks, nuns and other citizens who are exercising their right to free speech and free assembly. The violent response of the Burmese authorities, which has now resulted in numerous deaths, hundreds injured, and which threatens to plunge Burma into chaos, is utterly unacceptable and reprehensible.
The Burmese regime must immediately end its violence and repression of protesters. It must also, at long last, engage in a meaningful process of dialogue to bring about democratisation and national reconciliation. I repeat the call for the release of Aung San Suu Kyi and all political prisoners, including all those detained over the course of the recent protests.
I intend to highlight the issue in my address today to the United Nations General Assembly, and in a meeting with Secretary-General Ban-ki Moon. I welcome the consultations that have taken place in the Security Council, under French chairmanship, but regret the fact that it has not yet been possible for the Security Council to consider the matter formally. The Burmese regime must engage constructively with the UN Secretary General's Special Envoy, Dr Ibrahim Gambari, and I welcome the fact that Dr Gambari has been able to visit the country over the weekend, and to meet with Aung San Suu Kyi and other opposition leaders. I hope that Burmese authorities will take this opportunity to cooperate with this good offices mission, and to respond positively and actively. I also met with the Chairperson and representatives of Burma Action Ireland on 28 September, which among other things allowed me to hear the views of Burmese in exile.
It is vitally important that the international community maintain pressure for positive change by the Burmese authorities at this time. I have appealed strongly and directly to the Foreign Ministers of China and India to use their influence in this regard and it would appear that the Chinese authorities, in particular, are conscious of their responsibilities. I welcome China's diplomacy behind the scenes, and in particular its role in facilitating Burmese cooperation with Dr Gambari. I will also be discussing the issue tomorrow in Washington with the US Secretary of State.
The Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) also has an important role to play in convincing the Burmese government to respect the basic human rights of its own people. In this regard, I very much welcome the unprecedented statement delivered by the Chairman in Office of ASEAN in New York on 27 September 2007, which expressed ASEAN members' revulsion at the use of violent force by the Burmese authorities, and called for utmost restraint and renewed efforts towards a peaceful transition to democracy in Burma/Myanmar. I also highlighted the issue in a meeting yesterday with the Indonesian Foreign Minister in New York.
Our Ambassadors in the region have made demarches to a number of Foreign Ministries seeking the cooperation of their governments in bringing pressure to bear on the regime in Burma. Senior officials in my Department have delivered similar messages to Ambassadors from the region based in Dublin.
Ireland and our EU partners apply a range of sanctions and restrictive measures to Burma, referred to as the EU Common Position. In a statement of 25 September 2007, the EU underlined to the Burmese authorities that it would not hesitate to reinforce and strengthen the existing sanctions regime, should violence be used against the unarmed and peaceful demonstrators. Now that this has occurred, options for an extension of sanctions are under urgent consideration. It would clearly be important that these be targeted against the régime, and not cause further suffering to the people of Burma.
Ireland will continue to work with all partners, including within the EU and UN, and with those countries which wield influence with the Burmese regime, to encourage positive change in Burma.
300 Deputy Ciarán Cuffe asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on not attending the planned European Union, African Union summit meeting in Portugal scheduled for December 2007, if Mr Mugabe attends also; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21428/07]
I continue to be gravely concerned at the ongoing deterioration in the situation in Zimbabwe. The hardship and deprivations being experienced by ordinary Zimbabweans are an affront to values which Europe and Africa share. The dire situation gives added urgency to the efforts being made by President Mbeki and SADC to broker a political accommodation between the parties and an economic rescue plan which will respond to the catastrophic current situation. We support President Mbeki's efforts in this regard. I believe that Zimbabwe's neighbours are best placed to keep up the necessary pressure on President Mugabe's government to alter the failed policies which have brought economic collapse and misery to its people.
Ireland supports and looks forward to the EU-Africa Summit in Lisbon from 8-9 December 2007. I believe that this Summit will be timely and important for strengthening Europe's overall relationship with Africa and reaffirming our tradition of mutual engagement. The EU and Africa share an interest in working together to tackle the full spectrum of global challenges, including achieving the Millennium Development Goals, peace and security, human rights, migration, the environment, energy and trade. There are also specific country situations on which we share common concerns. The preparation of a Joint EU-Africa Strategy which will be adopted at the Lisbon Summit this December gives us an opportunity to define together how we can co-operate on these issues going forward.
The EU and the African Union will have to work together to find a formula for Zimbabwe's representation at the Lisbon Summit. The question of how the situation in Zimbabwe might be addressed at the Summit is also under consideration.
Ireland believes that it would be better if President Mugabe did not attend the Summit, and we have urged the Portuguese Presidency to explore creatively all other options for Zimbabwean representation. For example, at EU-ASEAN Summits, Burma/Myanmar has been represented by its Foreign Minister. However, I am aware that many African countries feel strongly on this issue. Likewise, many EU Member States do not wish the EU's relations with an entire continent to be held hostage to one country's problems. Invitations to the EU-Africa Summit have not yet been issued, and until all avenues have been explored it would be premature to comment further on how the issue will unfold.
Partnership with Africa is a priority for the Government and a focus of Ireland's foreign policy. This, as well as our deep concern about the situation in Zimbabwe, will be fully weighed when the time comes to decide whether to attend the Summit. Partnership with Africa is a priority for the Government and a focus of Ireland's foreign policy. This, as well as our deep concern about the situation in Zimbabwe, will be fully weighed when the time comes to decide whether to attend the Summit.
302 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will ensure that Rockall Island comes under Irish jurisdiction; and the position regarding Ireland’s case at the UN. [21590/07]
During the 1960s and 1970s the issue of Rockall was a source of some legal and political controversy in both Ireland and the United Kingdom. Much of that controversy arose from fears at the time that jurisdiction over Rockall and similar rocks and skerries was thought to be central in supporting claims to the mineral rights in the adjacent seabed and to fishing rights in the surrounding seas.
However, during the course of the Third United Nations Conference on the Law of the Sea, which took place from 1973 to 1982, the Irish delegation worked hard to establish a satisfactory legal regime applicable to islands. This effort was completely successful. The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, which was adopted at Montego Bay at the conclusion of the Conference on 10 December 1982, provides at Article 121, paragraph 3 that: "Rocks which cannot sustain human habitation or economic life of their own shall have no exclusive economic zone or continental shelf."
Rockall is such a rock and Article 121 (3) applies to it. Ireland ratified the Convention on 21 June 1996. The United Kingdom acceded to the Convention on 25 July 1997. It is accordingly accepted by both states that Rockall cannot be used as a basis for delimiting their respective continental shelves or fisheries zones. Each country remains aware of the position of the other.
Rockall was not therefore a factor in the subsequent negotiations between Ireland and the UK on delimitation of the continental shelf between the two countries which concluded in agreement in 1988. The UK also later withdrew its claim to a 200 nautical mile exclusive fisheries zone measured from Rockall when it acceded to the Law of the Sea Convention in 1997.
In a wider context, Iceland and Denmark (on behalf of the Faeroe Islands) both make claims to the continental shelf that overlaps that area in the North East Atlantic in respect of which Ireland and the UK reached agreement in 1988. The four countries have met regularly since 2002 in an effort to resolve the issues arising from overlapping claims, most recently last week in Reykjavik. Further talks in this ongoing process are planned. The issue of ownership of the rock of Rockall has been of no significance in these discussions.
303 Deputy Chris Andrews asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of reported homicides or suspected homicides of Irish citizens abroad each year. [21591/07]
Over the last decade, the number of Irish citizens travelling and living abroad has increased dramatically; they are now to be found in a wider range of locations throughout the world than ever before.
As a result, the need for consular assistance and support continues to increase. For example, the number of visits abroad in 2006 was almost 7 million. The vast majority of these visits are trouble free, but unfortunately, some result in death or serious injury. The number of fatalities varies from year to year, and to date in 2007, assistance has been sought from the Department in over 100 such cases. In many of these cases, deaths have occurred in very traumatic and difficult situations. The Department does not breakdown the fatalities by causes of death as those are often in dispute.
I am very pleased, however, to report that in the overwhelming number of cases, citizens indicate that they are extremely appreciative of the quality of the support and advice they receive from the Department and our missions overseas in these, often tragic, circumstances.
304 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his recent discussions with the United States Government in relation to undocumented Irish immigrants; the position regarding the issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21709/07]
The Deputy will be aware that efforts by the United States Congress to pass comprehensive immigration reform legislation failed to get the necessary support earlier this year. This was a major disappointment and a setback for the thousands of undocumented Irish people in the United States, and also for their families in Ireland. It is now widely considered that this important issue is unlikely to be back before Congress in a meaningful way in advance of the next US Presidential and Congressional Elections.
In the aftermath of this disappointment, I made clear my determination to actively review the situation and to explore possible alternative options, including bilateral arrangements. In the months since the collapse of the comprehensive reform bill, my Department and the Embassy in Washington have initiated contacts at senior official level in Washington and have been engaged in a wide range of consultations with Congressional, Administration and Irish community figures to assess how best to proceed.
I am availing of my visit to the United States this week to re-enforce these efforts at senior political level through discussions with members of the Administration and Congress, including Secretary of State Rice, Senators Kennedy, Leahy, Schumer and Graham and with the Friends of Ireland in Congress. I will also have talks with representatives of the Irish Lobby for Immigration Reform and direct contact with the undocumented Irish community in New York.
305 Deputy Michael Noonan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs when a decision will be made on an application for a passport by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21710/07]
The Passport Office can only issue a passport to an Irish Citizen. In the case referred to by the Deputy, the applicant needed to acquire a Foreign Birth Registration (FBR) certificate. An FBR certificate is required in all cases where an applicant wishes to claim citizenship through a grandparent.
I understand that a certificate has now been issued by the Embassy in Kuala Lumpur. As a result, the applicant should now make a formal application for a passport which will be processed speedily once the application and supporting documentation are received.
306 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the boards, bodies, authorities, agencies and quangos under the remit of his Department; the date of establishment; the number of members, staff and budget for each of the past ten years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21740/07]
307 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the boards, bodies, authorities, agencies and quangos under the remit of his Department that have been abolished in the past ten years; the number of members, staff and budget in the year of abolition; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21755/07]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 306 and 307 together.
The Advisory Board for Irish Aid, which replaced the Irish Aid Advisory Committee (IAAC), was established in August 2002 to provide general oversight and advice to the Minister for Foreign Affairs and the Minister of State for Overseas Development on the strategic direction of the Government's programme of assistance to developing countries. The principal expenditure of the Advisory Board relates to commissioning research.
|
Year |
Board Members |
No. of Staff |
Budget |
|
€ |
|||
|
2002 |
11 |
3 |
65,727 |
|
2003 |
11 |
3 |
608,632 |
|
2004 |
11 |
4 |
950,257 |
|
2005 |
16 |
4 |
1,008,119 |
|
2006 |
16 |
4 |
1,062,884 |
|
2007 |
16 |
4 |
1,200,000 |
The Development Education Advisory Committee (DEAC) was appointed by the Minister for Foreign Affairs in 2003 following the recommendations of the Ireland Aid Review Committee. Its purpose is to advise the Minister, Minister of State and Irish Aid on policy regarding development education. It initially had 12 members but was expanded in 2005 to a 16 member committee. As an advisory body, the administration of DEAC is serviced by the Department of Foreign Affairs from the Department's overall budget.
The Díon Advisory Committee was set up in response to concern about the situation of Irish emigrants in Britain in 1984. The Committee advises the Government and makes recommendations on Emigrant Services funding to voluntary organisations that work with vulnerable Irish people resident in Britain. In February 2003, the Emigrant Services allocation (known as the Díon committee) was transferred to the Department of Foreign Affairs from the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment. There are 8 members of the Committee. The administration of the Committee is provided by our Embassy in London and financed within the Department's overall budget.
The Ireland — United States Commission for Educational Exchange (the Fulbright Commission) finances study, research, teaching and other educational activities between Ireland and the United States of America. The Fulbright Commission has eight members and enjoys autonomy of management and administration in accordance with the Educational Exchange (Ireland and the United States of America) Act, 1991. From 1997 until 2000 the Grant-in-Aid given to the Commission was £100,000 annually. In 2001 the annual Grant-in-Aid figure was increased to €254,000 per annum and has remained at this level since then.
The Hunger Task Force was recently established, in line with the recommendation of the White Paper on Overseas Development Assistance, to identify t he contributions that Ireland can make to international efforts to reduce hunger. The Task Force has been appointed for a period of six months, after which it will present a final report to the Minister of State with responsibility for Overseas Development. The Task Force has 16 members and had its first meeting on 14 September 2007. Its administration is serviced by the Department of Foreign Affairs and it has no distinct budget.
The following organisations have been abolished or replaced by other bodies.
The Irish Aid Advisory Committee (IAAC) was in existence between 1993 and 2002. Its purpose was to provide advice to the Minister for Foreign Affairs on the strategic direction of the Government's programme of assistance to developing countries. In 2002, the year it was replaced (as stated above) by the Advisory Board for Irish Aid, the IAAC had 14 Committee members, one member of staff and a budget of €507,895.
The Agency for Personal Service Overseas (APSO) was established by the Government in March 1974 to promote and sponsor temporary service in the developing countries of the world. The activities of APSO were formally integrated into the Development Cooperation Division of the Department of Foreign Affairs on 1 January 2004. In 2003, the year of abolition, the Board of Directors of APSO consisted of eleven members, with nineteen staff and a budget of €22,890,636.
The National Committee for Development Education (NCDE) was established in 1994 to promote development education throughout all sectors. It was abolished at the end of December 2002 following the recommendations of the 2002 Ireland Aid Review Committee. In 2002, the year of abolition, there were 13 appointed members of the Committee, a budget of € 2,708,375 and 6 staff members who were transferred to the new Development Education Unit within the Department of Foreign Affairs.
The Irish Refugee Agency was created in 1991 to assist with the integration of Vietnamese refugees in Ireland and it subsequently assisted with Bosnian and Kosovar refugees. In 2001, following the recommendations in the report of the Interdepartmental Group on the Integration of Refugees in Ireland , the Government decided to replace the existing structures for dealing with refugees (including the Refugee Agency) with the Reception and Integration Agency (RIA) under the aegis of the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform. In 2001, the year of abolition, the Irish Refugee Agency had 13 board members. The Agency had a budgetary allocation of £150,000 for January-April 2001 and six staff members who were integrated integration into the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform.
The Cultural Relations Committee (CRC) was established in 1949 under the aegis of the then Department of External Affairs and was transferred from the Department of Foreign Affairs to the Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism in 2002. The Grant-in-Aid administered by the Committee for 2002 was €672,000. The role and function of the CRC was to advise the Minister of Foreign Affairs on the administration of the annual Grant-in-Aid voted by the Oireachtas for the development of cultural relations with other countries. There were 22 members of the Committee, with an increase to 25 members in 2002. Its administration was serviced by the Department of Foreign Affairs.
308 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the appointments he has made to State boards, agencies, quangos, bodies and authorities since 1 July 2007; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21770/07]
There are currently four bodies under the aegis of my Department. They are:
The Advisory Board for Development Cooperation Ireland (formerly the Advisory Board Ireland Aid);
The Development Education Advisory Committee;
The Board of the Ireland – United States Commission for Educational Exchange (Fulbright Commission); and
The Díon Committee, which advises on support for our emigrant communities in Britain.
I have made no new appointments to these bodies since 1 July 2007.
310 Deputy Charlie O’Connor asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his plans to establish new embassies abroad; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21937/07]
Ireland has a network of 74 resident diplomatic and consular Missions abroad, as well as the British-Irish Intergovernmental Secretariat in Belfast and the North-South Ministerial Council Joint Secretariat in Armagh. While the opening of new Embassies abroad is considered by the Government on an ongoing basis, any expansion of our diplomatic network can only be undertaken having regard to clear priorities.
The White Paper on Irish Aid, published in September 2006, designated Malawi as Ireland's ninth programme country. In February of this year, the Government approved my proposal to seek the agreement of the Government of Malawi to the opening of an Irish Embassy in Lilongwe. This agreement has now been received and our first resident Ambassador to Malawi will take up duty shortly.
The successful trade mission, led by the Taoiseach in January, to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates underlined the potential value to Ireland of having a second resident Embassy in the Gulf region. Accordingly, and in order to take advantage of this potential, the Government in March agreed to my recommendation that an Embassy be established in the United Arab Emirates. The timing of the establishment of this new embassy in Abu Dhabi will be considered at an early date.
Apart from Malawi and the United Arab Emirates, there are no plans at present to establish any other new Embassies.
311 Deputy Charlie O’Connor asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will report on his dealings with the new power sharing administration in the North; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21938/07]
The restoration of the Northern Ireland Assembly and Executive on 8 May last was the culmination of the Government's intensive work, in partnership with the British Government, to achieve full implementation of the Good Friday Agreement and the sustained operation of all its institutions. As a member of the Government delegation at Stormont on that occasion, I had the opportunity to meet with the First and Deputy First Ministers and the new Ministers in the Executive.
Since restoration of the Assembly and Executive on 8 May, the North-South and East-West institutions established under the Agreement have been working well and with full participation by the Northern Ireland Executive.
I accompanied the Taoiseach to the ninth Summit meeting (and the first since devolved government was restored in Northern Ireland) of the British-Irish Council in Belfast on 16 July. First Minister Paisley and Deputy First Minister Mc Guinness, together with relevant ministerial colleagues, represented the Northern Ireland Executive. The Summit was a positive, business-like and constructive event. We had a very useful discussion on strategic transport and agreed to examine the potential for further cooperation and collaboration in relation to transport planning and investment. Recognising the potential of the BIC to strengthen relations between its members and to develop cooperation further between them across a range of sectors of mutual interest and benefit, the Council agreed it is now opportune to review the future direction of the BIC.
The following day, I participated in the Plenary meeting of the North/South Ministerial Council in Armagh. The Taoiseach led a delegation of Government Ministers to meet with the First Minister, Ian Paisley, the deputy First Minister, Martin McGuinness, and Ministers from the Northern Ireland Executive.
We had an open discussion on many issues of common interest, North and South, including economic challenges, and considered how we might work together for our mutual benefit.
The Council took a number of important decisions. We agreed two major infrastructure projects: an investment of €580 million /£400 million to upgrade the road in the North serving Derry and Letterkenny; and the restoration of the Ulster Canal from Clones to Lough Erne.
Upgrading the road to Derry and Letterkenny to dual-carriageway status will bring significant benefits for people living throughout the North West. Restoring the Ulster Canal will give a major boost to tourism and economic development in the border areas of Cavan, Monaghan and Fermanagh.
We also discussed other potential infrastructure projects, including the Irish Government commitment to support the development of a bridge at Narrow Water linking Carlingford with Warrenpoint and enhancing tourist links between County Louth and County Down.
We agreed at the Plenary to take forward the review, provided for in the St. Andrews Agreement, of the North/South Implementation Bodies and Areas for Co-operation. The review will report back to the first NSMC Summit in 2008.
The Council also agreed a busy schedule of NSMC sectoral meetings to take place through the autumn. The first such meeting took place earlier this month, on 14 September, when the Minister for Transport met with his Northern counterpart in the NSMC transport sector.
I am planning to meet with the First Minister and the deputy First Minister in the Institutional format of the NSMC before the end of the year.
I am also looking forward to participating in the next NSMC Plenary meeting, which will be held in Dundalk later this year. In addition a further Summit meeting will be hosted by the Government in the course of 2008.
Since restoration engagement with the Northern Ireland Executive has been extremely positive. The Government is committed to working with the new Executive and political representatives in Northern Ireland to address the many issues of mutual concern in a spirit of partnership and friendship. I look forward to continued productive engagement and cooperation with Northern colleagues in the period ahead.
312 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will abolish the six year regulation for people over the age of 55 years who are employed on community employment schemes to enable them to continue working on CE schemes beyond the six year time limit in view of their limited employment opportunities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21425/07]
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.
In April 2000 limits were introduced on the amount of time that a person could participate on CE (3-years total time on CE from 3rd April 2000 – participation on CE before this date is disregarded). CE capping was introduced to facilitate the movement of participants through the programme, allowing new participants who may not otherwise have such an opportunity, avail of the programme.
Thereafter, to cater for older workers in particular, in November 2004 I revised the 3 year CE capping to allow those of 55 years of age and over to avail of a 6-year period on CE (again based on participation since 3rd April 2000). Subsequently, the participation limit for persons eligible for CE based on a Social Welfare disability linked payment (including those under 55) was increased by 1 year. These measures were introduced in recognition of the fact that older participants and participants with a disability may find it more difficult to progress into the open labour market. Currently there are over 6,000 people over 55 years of age on CE. This represents circa 29% of those on CE, a figure which has increased from 25% at year end 2005.
Notwithstanding this enhanced access for those which fall into the over 55 age group, there is a wide range of other client groups which must also be given access to the opportunity CE provides e.g. Lone Parents, persons with disabilities, stabilised substance abusers and unemployed persons aged under 55. In the delivery of places locally, FÁS is obliged to balance the needs of all groups in terms of access to Community Employment.
CE still remains as an active labour market programme with the emphasis on progression into employment. The programme is managed within this context, with consideration to the availability of resources and the needs of participants and the community.
It should also be noted that persons may wish to avail of FÁS\Local Employment Service Offices which provide information on other employment and training opportunities which may be available to those in local communities exiting or ineligible for Community Employment Schemes.
313 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he has guidelines in relation to part-time fire brigade members seeking time release from full time employment to meet their duties in relation to fire fighting; if not, his plans to do so; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21435/07]
I understand that retained fire fighters are employed directly by the local authorities. Neither my Department nor the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government nor the local authorities have guidelines on the question of the release of retained firefighters to carry out their fire fighting duties. However, I further understand that there is an onus on retained fire fighters to obtain permission from their other employer to secure release to carry out their fire fighting duties.
If retained fire fighters cannot obtain that permission and if they are in dispute with their other employer on this issue, it is open to them to refer the matter to the Labour Relations Commission for resolution of the dispute.
314 Deputy Bernard Allen asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if persons over 66 will be allowed to continue working under the community employment scheme particularly people who have been working under that scheme in excess of five years and who would prefer to work on after retirement age. [21449/07]
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.
In line with Government policy, participation on employment schemes has an upper age limit of 65 years of age i.e. FÁS may provide funds to community based employers to cover participant costs until the day before their 66th birthday.
CE still remains as an active labour market programme with the emphasis on progression into employment. The programme is managed within this context, with consideration to the availability of resources and the needs of participants and the community.
315 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he is satisfied with the operation of the spousal work permit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21721/07]
316 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he has carried out a review of the spousal work permit since the changes that were introduced in January 2007; if he will carry out a further review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21722/07]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 315 and 316 together.
The spousal work permit was announced by me in January 2007 as part of a suite of employment permit schemes representing a coherent, flexible and responsive economic migration policy. In formulating the new arrangements, my priority was to ensure that they are responsive to the needs of our dynamic labour market and are supportive of continued economic growth and competitiveness.
I will be keeping the operation of all the employment permit schemes under review to ensure that they continue to adapt to the changing needs of the economy and the employment market. Where necessary we will adapt and change their format and operation as the economy and employment market continues to develop.
317 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the boards, bodies, authorities, agencies and quangos under the remit of his Department; the date of establishment; the number of members, staff and budget for each of the past ten years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21737/07]
318 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the boards, bodies, authorities, agencies and quangos under the remit of his Department that have been abolished in the past ten years; the number of members, staff and budget in the year of abolition; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21752/07]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 317 and 318 together.
The following table sets out the information requested by the Deputy.
|
Name of Board, Body, Authority, Agency or Quango |
Date Established |
Date of Abolition |
No. of Members |
No. of Staff |
Budget for Each year since 1 July 1997 to 1 September 2007 |
|
€million |
|||||
|
An Foras Áiseanna Saothair (FÁS) |
1/1/88 |
— |
17 |
1997: 2,013 1998: 2,087 1999: 2,075 2000: 2,235 2001: 2,297 2002: 2,358 2003: 2,387 2004: 2,305 2005: 2,294 2006: 2,241 2007: 2,241 |
1997 – 607.158 1998 – 630.690 1999 – 675.664 2000 – 746.746 2001 – 834.279 2002 – 863.841 2003 – 828.357 2004 – 830.142 2005 – 948.045 2006 – 1,016.413 |
|
Director of Consumer Affairs |
21/02/78 |
01/05/07 |
1(a) |
2007- 62(b) |
1997 – 2.242 1998 – 2.336 1999 – 2.296 2000 – 2.753 2001 – 3.689 2002 – 4.362 2003 – 4.486 2004 – 3.407 2005 – 3.630 2006 – 3.603(c) |
|
Interim Board of the National Consumer Agency(d) |
06/06/05 |
01/05/07 |
13 |
5(e) |
2006 – 2.264 |
|
National Consumer Agency |
01/05/2007 |
— |
13 |
2007 – 62 & 5 temporary staff |
(c) |
|
Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement (ODCE) |
21/11/01 |
— |
— |
2001 – 15 2002 – 37.3 2003 – 37.2 2004 – 36 2005 – 36.6 2006 – 34.8 2007 – 36.7 |
2001 – 0.795 2002 – 2.838 2003 – 2.836 2004 – 3.067 2005 – 2.899 2006 – 3.356 |
|
Interim Board of the Irish Auditing and Accounting Supervisory Authority (IAASA) |
April ’01 |
3/1/06 |
15 |
2001 – N/A 2002 – 0 2003 – 0 2004 – 1 2005 – 5 |
2001 – 0.061 2002 – 0.103 2003 – 0.199 2004 – 0.320 2005 – 1.620 (including set-up costs) |
|
IAASA |
03/01/06 |
— |
15 |
2006 – 7 2007 – 17 |
2006 – 0.570 |
|
Name of Board, Body, Authority, Agency or Quango |
Date Established |
Date of Abolition |
No. of Members |
No. of Staff |
Budget for Each year since 1 July 1997 to 1 September 2007 |
|
€million |
|||||
|
The Competition Authority(f) |
October 1991 |
— |
5 |
1997 – 20 1998 – 17 1999 – 25 2000 – 25 2001 – 36 2002 – 34 2003 – 41 2004 – 48 2005 – 55 2006 – 52 |
1997 – 1.047 1998 – 1.129 1999 – 1.310 2000 – 1.856 2001 – 2.779 2002 – 3.291 2003 – 4.354 2004 – 4.738 2005 – 5.360 2006 – 6.104 |
|
Company Law Review Group (CLRG) |
2001 |
— |
22 |
Supported by Departmental Staff |
The costs associated with the CLRG are included as part of the Departments Administrative Budget(g) |
|
Business Regulation Forum (BRF) |
Nov 2005 |
Feb 2007 |
22 |
Supported by Departmental Staff |
The costs associated with the BRF are included as part of the Departments Administrative Budget(g) |
|
High Level Group on Business Regulation |
March 2007 |
— |
15 |
Supported by Departmental Staff |
The costs associated with the high Level Group are included as part of the Departments Administrative Budget |
|
National Competitive-ness Council |
2 May 1997 |
— |
1997 – 11 1998 – 13 1999 – 15 2000 – 14 2001 – 15 2002 – 16 2003 – 16 2004 – 15 2005 – 16 2006 – 16 2007 – 15 |
(h) |
(i) |
|
National Employment Rights Authority |
Established in February 2007 on an interim basis pending the enactment of the Employment Law Compliance Bill which will give NERA a statutory footing. |
— |
No Board, hence no members |
Currently 95 |
First Year of operation |
|
Name of Board, Body, Authority, Agency or Quango |
Date Established |
Date of Abolition |
No. of Members |
No. of Staff |
Budget for Each year since 1 July 1997 to 1 September 2007 |
|
€million |
|||||
|
Labour Relations Commission |
21/01/1991 |
— |
7 |
1997 – 38 1998 – 46 1999 – 39 2000 – 41 2001 – 45 2002 – 44 2003 – 45 2004 – 53 2005 – 54 2006 – 53 |
1997 – 1.798 1998 – 2.093 1999 – 2.211 2000 – 2.085 2001 – 2.396 2002 – 2.781 2003 – 3.566 2004 – 4.308 2005 – 4.671 2006 – 4.626 |
|
Employment Appeals Tribunal (EAT) |
1 Jan 1968 |
— |
1997 – 62 1998 – 82 1999 – 82 2000 – 82 2001 – 83 2002 – 83 2003 – 83 2004 – 104 2005 – 104 2006 – 104 2007 – 116 |
1997 – (j) 1998 – (j) 1999 – (j) 2000 – (j) 2001 – (j) 2002 – 23 2003 – 23 2004 – 27 2005 – 27 2006 – 27 2007 – 32 |
1997 – (k) 1998 – (k) 1999 – (k) 2000 – (k) 2001 – (k) 2002 – (k) 2003 – (k) 2004 – 1.641 2005 – 1.195 2006 – 2.279 |
|
Labour Court |
1946 |
— |
9 plus 1 Registrar |
1997 – 25 1998 – 27 1999 – 25 2000 – 24 2001 – 24 2002 – 24 2003 – 25 2004 – 25 2005 – 25 2006 – 25 2007 – |
1997 – (l) 1998 – (l) 1999 – (l) 2000 – 1.180 2001 – 1.896 2002 – 2.220 2003 – 2.270 2004 – 2.309 2005 – 2.403 2006 – 2.761 |
|
National Authority for Occupational Safety & Health |
1989 |
— |
11 increased to 12 in 2004 |
1997 – 107 1998 – 119 1999 – 132 2000 – 157 2001 – 157 2002 – 164 2003 – 166 2004 – 165 2005 – 164 2006 – 185 2007 – 185 |
1997 – £4.946 1998 – £5.200 1999 – £5.829 2000 – £7.963 2001 – €11.995 2002 – 13.816 2003 – 14.019 2004 – 16.084 2005 – 20.804 2006 – 26.630 |
|
Name of Board, Body, Authority, Agency or Quango |
Date Established |
Date of Abolition |
No. of Members |
No. of Staff |
Budget for Each year since 1 July 1997 to 1 September 2007 |
|
€million |
|||||
|
Patent Agents Board |
Established under Rule 6 of the Register of Patent Agents Rules, 1992 (S.I. No.180 of 1992 dated 2 July 1992). |
— |
5 (currently 4 as 1 member has recently resigned) |
None — An Executive Officer from the Patents Office acts as Secretary to the Board when meetings are held. |
None |
|
Trade Mark Agents Board |
Established under Rule 51(2) of the Trade Mark Rules, 1996 (S.I. No.199 of 1996 dated 27 June 1996). |
— |
5 (currently 4 as 1 member has recently resigned) |
None — An Executive Officer from the Patents Office acts as Secretary to the Board when meetings are held. |
None |
|
Personal Injuries Assessment Board |
13/04/04 |
— |
11 |
2004 – 32 2005 – 48 2006 – 75 current – 80 |
2004 – 3.359 2005 – 7.378 2006 – 11.258 (m) |
|
National Standards Authority of Ireland |
14/04/97 |
N/A |
13 |
1997 – 135 1998 – 165 1999 – 173 2000 – 173 2001 – 193 2002 – 180 2003 – 166 2004 – 155 2005 – 162 2006 – 180 2007 – 159 |
1997 – 9.294 1998 – 11.860 1999 – 13.678 2000 – 15.713 2001 – 16.802 2002 – 17.105 2003 – 17.695 2004 – 18.510 2005 – 20.475 2006 – 21.641 |
|
IDA Ireland |
In 1969 as Industrial Development Authority of Ireland. In 1994 as IDA Ireland |
— |
12 |
1997 – N/A 1998 – N/A 1999 – 294 2000 – 295 2001 – 293 2002 – 295 2003 – 292 2004 – 287 2005 – 280 2006 – 275 2007 – 275 |
1997 – 170.257 1998 – 168.197 1999 – 160.510 2000 – 197.278 2001 – 158.155 2002 – 199.979 2003 – 155.429 2004 – 123.492 2005 – 149.816 2006 – 165.611 |
|
Name of Board, Body, Authority, Agency or Quango |
Date Established |
Date of Abolition |
No. of Members |
No. of Staff |
Budget for Each year since 1 July 1997 to 1 September 2007 |
|
€million |
|||||
|
Enterprise Ireland |
1998 |
— |
12 |
1998 – 826 1999 – 1,038 2000 – 1,079 2001 – 1,091 2002 – 973 2003 – 985.5 2004 – 938 2005 – 920 2006 – 921 2007 – 879 |
1998 – 143.444 1999 – 269.837 2000 – 276.415 2001 – 346.801 2002 – 303.309 2003 – 267.307 2004 – 268.008 2005 – 278.390 2006 – 295.289 |
|
Crafts Council of Ireland |
1971 |
— |
15 |
1997 — 10 1998 — 8 1999 — 8 2000 — 9 2001 — 10 2002 — 14 2003 — 14 2004 — 13 2005 — 13 2006 — 13 2007 — 14 |
1997 – 0.635 1998 – 1,221 1999 – 0.902 2000 — 1,535 2001 — 2,371 2002 — 2,561 2003 — 2,333 2004 — 2,454 2005 — 3,005 2006 — 2,978 |
|
Forfás |
01/01/94 |
— |
1997 to 2002 – 12 2003 to date – 13 |
1997 – 114 1998 – 113 1999 – 116 2000 – 117 2001 – 119 2002 – 119 2003 – 117 2004 – 115 2005 – 113 2006 – 116 2007 – 116 |
1997 – £9.483 1998 – £10.550 1999 – £11.980 2000 – £12.828 2001 – £16.640 2002 – €19.945 2003 – 20.265 2004 – 22.395 2005 – 27.576 2006 – 30.181 |
|
35 City and County Enterprise Boards (CEBs) (n) |
October 1993 |
— |
14 |
5 |
1997 – €27.894 1998 – €28.859 1999 – €28.129 2000 – €30.100 2001 – €29.816 2002 – €32.171 2003 – €30.406 2004 – €28.687 2005 – €30.567 2006 – €32.829 |
|
Name of Board, Body, Authority, Agency or Quango |
Date Established |
Date of Abolition |
No. of Members |
No. of Staff |
Budget for Each year since 1 July 1997 to 1 September 2007 |
|
€million |
|||||
|
Shannon Development (o) |
28/01/59 |
— |
1997 – 12 1998 – 12 1999 – 12 2000 – 11 2001 – 12 2002 – 12 2003 – 10 2004 – 11 2005 – 12 2006 – 12 2007 – 12 |
1997 – 206 1998 – 207 1999 – 204 2000 – 200 2001 – 198 2002 – 200 2003 – 195 2004 – 187 2005 – 175 2006 – 159 2007 – 130 |
1997 – 38.127 1998 – 40.392 1999 – 39.393 2000 – 41.005 2001 – 37.024 2002 – 34.860 2003 – 39.828 2004 – 33.335 2005 – 30.445 2006 – 43.547 |
|
InterTrade-Ireland(p) |
13/12/99 |
— |
12 Board Members (currently 11) |
1999 – N/A 2000 – 12 2001 – 30 2002 – 34 2003 – 40 2004 – 39 2005 – 39 2006 – 40 2007 – 42 |
1999 – 0.086 2000 – 1.993 2001 – 3.162 2002 – 4.646 2003 – 6.189 2004 – 7.127 2005 – 7.679 2006 – 9.664 |
|
Science Foundation Ireland |
Established as Sub Board of Forfas in 2000. In 2003, SFI was established as separate legal entity under Industrial Development (Science Foundation Ireland) Act, 2003 |
— |
12 |
2003 – 14 2004 – 19 2005 – 33 2006 – 36 2007 – 36 |
2003 – 49.159 2004 – 113.730 2005 – 129.561 2006 – 147.570 |
|
Name of Board, Body, Authority, Agency or Quango |
Date Established |
Date of Abolition |
No. of Members |
No. of Staff |
Budget for Each year since 1 July 1997 to 1 September 2007 |
|
€million |
|||||
|
Irish Council for Bioethics |
Sept 2002 |
— |
2002 – 21 2003 – 21 2004 – 21 2005 – 15 2006 – 13 2007 – 13 |
2002 – 1 2003 – 2 2004 – 2 2005 – 2 2006 – 4 2007 – 4 |
2002 – 0.150 2003 – 0.150 2004 – 0.215 2005 – 0.255 2006 – 0.321 |
|
Advisory Science Council (ASC) |
2000 – The ASC, formerly constituted as ICSTI, held its first meeting in May 2005 |
— |
2005 – 13 2006 – 13 |
The ASC has no dedicated staff but is supported by the Science and Technology division of Forfas which has 13 staff members. |
2005 – 0.071 2006 – 0.185 |
319 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the appointments he has made to State boards, agencies, quangos, bodies and authorities since 1 July 2007; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21767/07]
Following is the appointments made by me since 1 July 2007:
Science Foundation Ireland (SFI)
I made two appointments to the Board of Science Foundation Ireland on 25th July, 2007.
Irish Auditing and Accounting Supervisory Authority (IAASA)
I made one appointment to IAASA on 11th July 2007.
Forfás
I made one appointment to the Board of Forfas on 2nd July 2007.
Crafts Council of Ireland
I made three appointments to the Board of the Crafts Council of Ireland on 1st July 2007.
Labour Relations Commission
I appointed one Rights Commissioner on the 26th July 2007.
320 Deputy Dan Neville asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his plans for business for the provision of employment in business and industry at the business park, Askeaton, County Limerick. [21856/07]
Responsibility for the development of property solutions for enterprise promotion in the Mid West Region lies with Shannon Development. Responsibility for grant assistance to companies locating in the Region is an operational matter for the relevant development agencies. IDA Ireland is the national agency with statutory responsibility for the attraction of foreign direct investment (FDI) to Ireland and its regions (incl. Co. Limerick), while Enterprise Ireland is responsible for indigenous industry in the Mid-West region. Both Shannon Development and IDA Ireland work closely together in the development, promotion and marketing of tailored property solutions throughout the Mid West which includes the Askeaton Business Park.
The Business Park is a Shannon Development-owned land bank, comprising 228 acres situated on the southern bank of the Shannon Estuary. The site has been identified as an important site from a business and employment perspective for both Co. Limerick and the wider Region in the Planning and Land Use Transportation Study, the Mid-West Regional Planning Guidelines and the Limerick County Development Plan. The typical investment projects which both Shannon Development and IDA Ireland seek to win are in advanced higher-value manufacturing and services activities (often containing an R&D element) requiring high-level skills, infrastructure and advanced business services. This reflects the changing nature of modern FDI projects whose primary needs can be summarised as follows: a high-quality serviced environment within proximity of a critical population mass capable of providing a skilled workforce, world-class access infrastructure (e.g. road access to key cities, sea ports and international airports), telecommunications infrastructure with multiple broadband carriers and proximity to third level educational institutions including universities and technical colleges.
The Askeaton Business Park is considered to be nationally significant given its location on the deep-water estuary, proximity to Foynes and Limerick Ports, proximity to urban clusters in Limerick City and Askeaton, railhead access on the Foynes-Limerick route and its site boundary with the N69 providing direct access to southern ports such as Cork and Rosslare. The completion of the Southern Ring Road and the proposed Limerick Tunnel will furthermore enable direct road access to Shannon Airport for passenger and freight services and will facilitate access to the West and East Coasts including Dublin Port.
The development and servicing of the Askeaton Business Park as a solution for these large scale infrastructure intensive type projects is an ongoing project for Shannon Development, drawing on the experience of IDA in the development of similar such sites in other locations, e.g. Oranmore, Co. Galway and Grangecastle, Co. Dublin. In this context Shannon Development is working closely with IDA Ireland on the development of Strategic Sites in the Shannon Region.
The Askeaton Business Park is marketed through IDA Ireland's network of overseas offices as a location for international export-orientated projects. Ultimately, however, decisions regarding where to locate a project are taken by investors based on a variety of criteria and on the capability of any particular location to support their business needs.
321 Deputy Tony Gregory asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if he will increase the Arts Councils budgetary allocation to bring it into line with the average per capita spending on the arts in the EU; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21443/07]
322 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism his views on the Arts Council’s request for €100 million in funding for 2008; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21723/07]
323 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the amount of money given to the Arts Council for each of the past ten years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21725/07]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 321 to 323, inclusive, together.
As Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism I am committed to securing the best possible funding for the Arts Council and the arts sector generally. The Arts Council's funding requirement for the year ahead will be addressed in the context of the 2008 Estimates. In doing so, the Government must balance competing demands from every part of our economy and society.
Funding for the Arts Council has increased from €47.67 million in 2002 to €80 million in 2007 — an increase of almost 68%. These are significant amounts of money in any context. This funding has transformed the arts, increasing access to and participation in the arts, and has provided an excellent platform for future development.
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.
The table below shows the funding provided to the Arts Council between 1997 and 2007.
|
Year |
Funding |
% Change |
Supplementary Estimate |
Total including Supplementary |
|
€m |
||||
|
1997 |
26.41 |
26.41 |
||
|
1998 |
33.14 |
25.5 |
33.14 |
|
|
1999 |
35.55 |
7.3 |
35.55 |
|
|
2000 |
45.08 |
26.8 |
45.08 |
|
|
2001 |
46.37 |
2.9 |
1.77 |
48.14 |
|
2002 |
47.67 |
2.8 |
47.67 |
|
|
2003 |
44.1 |
-7.5 |
44.10 |
|
|
2004 |
52.5 |
19.0 |
2.00 |
54.50 |
|
2005 |
61 |
16.2 |
5.23 |
66.23 |
|
2006 |
72.31 |
18.5 |
10.00 |
82.31 |
|
2007 |
80.0 |
10.6 |
80.00 |
324 Deputy Mary Upton asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the preparations his Department will make during the next year to ensure that Ireland improves its performance in the 2008 Summer Olympics; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21417/07]
The Irish Sports Council, which is funded by my Department, works in partnership with the Irish Institute of Sport, the Olympic Council of Ireland (OCI), the Paralympic Council of Ireland (PCI) and the relevant governing bodies of sport in the preparation and participation of Irish competitors at the Olympic and Paralympic Games. Significant progress has been made to date by all the agencies in preparation for the Beijing Olympics and Paralympic Games and planning is well underway for the final twelve months in the lead up to the Games in 2008.
The Olympic and Paralympic Councils of Ireland are the agencies responsible for the organisation and participation of the Irish teams at the Olympic and Paralympic Games. The Irish Sports Council provides annual funding to both Councils for administration and programme costs aimed specifically at preparation for the Games. In 2007, the Council allocated total funding of €556,000 to the OCI and €479,000 to the PCI to support their operational costs and Beijing preparation programmes. In the final twelve months to Beijing, the OCI and PCI have responsibility for a number of areas including: team manager training programmes, preparation visits to Beijing by key personnel, heat and acclimatisation strategy, the organisation of multi-sport camps and holding camps in advance of the Games.
Arising from the Sydney Review 2001 and the Athens Review 2005, the Irish Sports Council has introduced many initiatives and programmes to enhance the preparations of Ireland's Olympic and Paralympic athletes. These include: the introduction of structured performance planning with the National Governing Bodies, the introduction of professional coaching and management structures within the sports with the appointment of full-time performance personnel, the review and subsequent revision of the International Carding Scheme, the establishment of the Irish Institute of Sport which has a brief to drive excellence in the development of high performance sport and support services for athletes, the introduction of professional administrative and support structures in the Olympic and Paralympic Councils of Ireland and the establishment of Olympic and Paralympic Performance Committees to ensure optimum cooperation in the preparation and performance of Irish teams.
Since 2004, the Irish Sports Council has allocated a total of €18.6m in high performance funding to 13 focus Olympic and Paralympic sports for performance plans and International Carding Scheme payments. The 13 focus sports in receipt of high performance funding are: Athletics, Boxing, Rowing, Sailing, Equestrian, Canoeing, Cycling, Hockey, Shooting, Swimming, Tennis, Badminton and Paralympic Sport (includes Wheelchair Sport, Cerebral Palsy Sport and Blind Sport).
Funding for the high performance programmes will continue in 2008 with a clear focus on qualification for and participation in the Olympic and Paralympic Games in Beijing.
325 Deputy Mary Upton asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the advice he has received from the board of the National Library of Ireland in respect of its recent decision to suspend its heraldic services pending clarification of the legal basis under which the National Library of Ireland provides such services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21419/07]
326 Deputy Mary Upton asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the legislative action he will take in relation to the sections of the National Cultural Institutions Act, 1997 in relation to the granting of arms; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21420/07]
327 Deputy Mary Upton asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if he will bring forward new legislation in the form of a Genealogy and Heraldry Bill to provide a sound legal basis for the State’s heraldic services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21422/07]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 325 to 327, inclusive, together.
The Director of the National Library has recently written to my Department in relation to a number of legal matters pertaining to the Board of the Library. These matters are currently being examined by my Department.
328 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the boards, bodies, authorities, agencies and quangos under the remit of his Department; the date of establishment; the number of members, staff and budget for each of the past ten years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21732/07]
329 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the boards, bodies, authorities, agencies and quangos under the remit of his Department that have been abolished in the past ten years; the number of members, staff and budget in the year of abolition; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21747/07]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 328 and 329 together.
The information sought by the Deputy in respect of the organisations under the remit of my Department since its establishment in mid 2002 is set out hereunder, with the exception of the budgetary information. This is set out in my Department's Estimates, which are published annually as part of the Estimates Volumes.
|
Name of Body / State Board Boards/Bodies |
Date of Establishment |
Number of Board Members |
Authorised Staff Numbers |
|
Bord Fáilte (abolished 27.5.03) |
1955 |
11 |
132 |
|
CERT (abolished 27.5.03) |
1963 |
18 |
91 |
|
CERT and Bord Fáilte were amalgamated to create the new National Tourism Development Authority known as Fáilte Ireland, which now includes the former Regional Tourism Authorities, which were companies established by Bord Fáilte |
|||
|
Campus Stadium Ireland Development Authority |
2000 |
11 |
4 |
|
Campus Stadium Ireland Development Authority was replaced by the National Sports Campus Development Authority |
330 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the appointments he has made to State boards, agencies, quangos, bodies and authorities since 1 July 2007; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21762/07]
Since 1 July 2007 I have made the following appointments to the state bodies under the aegis of my Department;
|
Body |
Appointment |
|
National Library of Ireland |
Mr Gerard Long |
|
Board of Governors and Guardians of the National Gallery of Ireland |
Mr Lochlann Quinn (Chairman) (Re-appointment) |
331 Deputy Seymour Crawford asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism when funding will be provided for a theatre (details supplied) in County Monaghan; his views on whether this is an important cross border area and that this project which failed to receive funding under Access II is an important issue in underwriting the Peace Process; when or the way this group might receive funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21845/07]
My Department provides capital grant support to arts projects through the Arts & Culture Capital Enhancement Support (ACCESS) Scheme. Under the present ACCESS Scheme, 156 applications were received by the closing date of November 2006. In April 2007, 67 of these were selected for funding. Applications for grant aid of €213m in total were received. The amount of funding available was €32m and, as a result difficult decisions had to be made and many worthwhile projects, including this one, were not selected on this occasion.
All the funds under the current round of the scheme have now been fully allocated. Funding of some €81m is available for ACCESS under the NDP 2007 — 2013 and I would expect a further round of funding to be announced in due course.
I am fully aware of the importance of this project to people living in the Monaghan and border areas. My officials will be meeting shortly with representatives from the Monaghan project to discuss the project in greater detail. The application has been kept open and will be reconsidered should further funds become available or should one of the successful projects not go ahead.
332 Deputy Charlie O’Connor asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the position regarding representations from a club (details supplied) in Dublin 6W in respect of commercial rates for sports bodies; if he will have the matter investigated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21850/07]
The representation referred to in the question was received by my Department last week. An acknowledgement has issued to the club. This representation is now with the relevant section within my Department and the issues raised are being considered. A reply will issue to the club in due course.
However, I would point out that the representation is in relation to commercial rates for which my Department has no responsibility.
333 Deputy Michael Kennedy asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the payments paid in respect of rental subsidies to tenants for private rented accommodation in each of the years 1997 to 2006. [21469/07]
The expenditure on Rent Supplement for 1997 to 2007 is shown in the following tabular statement. Expenditure up to the end of August 2007 was €262 million. Total expenditure in 2007 will be of the order of €400 million
The supplementary welfare allowance scheme, which includes rent supplement, is administered on my behalf by the Community Welfare division of the Health Service Executive. The purpose of the scheme is to provide short-term income support, in the form of a weekly or monthly payment, to eligible people living in private rented accommodation whose means are insufficient to meet their accommodation costs and who do not have accommodation available to them from any other source.
Rent supplements are subject to a means test. They are normally calculated to ensure that, after payment of rent, an eligible person has income equal to the rate of basic supplementary welfare allowance appropriate to their family circumstances, less a minimum contribution, currently €13, which each recipient is required to pay from his or her own resources.
Many recipients pay more than €13 because recipients are also required to contribute any additional assessable means that they have over and above the appropriate basic supplementary welfare allowance rate towards their accommodation costs.
|
Year |
€000 |
|
1997 |
95,610 |
|
1998 |
111,740 |
|
1999 |
128,240 |
|
2000 |
150,590 |
|
2001 |
179,438 |
|
2002 |
252,340 |
|
2003 |
331,470 |
|
2004 |
353,760 |
|
2005 |
368,705 |
|
2006 |
388,339 |
|
2007* |
262,255 |
* End Aug 2007
334 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs his plans to adjust the guidelines of the household benefit package to ensure that widows aged between sixty and sixty five years receive the household benefit package where their deceased spouses were in receipt of disability allowance for a period over one year before their deaths; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21429/07]
The household benefits package, which comprises the electricity/gas allowance, telephone allowance and free television licence schemes, is generally available to people living in the State, aged 66 years or over, who are in receipt of a social welfare type payment or who satisfy a means test. People aged over 70 years of age can qualify for the household benefits package regardless of their income or household composition. The package is also available to carers and people with disabilities under the age of 66 who are in receipt of certain welfare type payments such as disability allowance.
Those aged under 70 must live alone or only with certain excepted people in order to qualify. Excepted people for the purposes of the scheme include qualified adults, dependent children under age 18 or under age 22 if in full time education, people who are so incapacitated as to require constant care and attention for at least 12 months, people who would qualify for the allowance in their own right, people who are providing constant care and attention to any member of the household who is so incapacitated as to require constant care and attention for at least 12 months.
Widows and widowers aged from 60 to 65 whose late spouses had been in receipt of the household benefit package or free travel retain that entitlement. This measure is in place to ensure that households who have this entitlement do not lose it on the death of a spouse.
335 Deputy Edward O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if a companion free travel pass will be made available to a person (details supplied) in County Cork. [21438/07]
Under the terms of the free travel scheme, certain incapacitated people can qualify for a free travel companion pass if they are medically assessed as unfit to travel alone. Where the applicant is under 70 years they must submit a medical certificate completed by their general practitioner providing details of their incapacity.
The application for a companion pass by the person concerned was refused, following a review by the Departments Chief Medical Assessor, on medical grounds. She was informed of this decision in June 2007 and was advised that further medical evidence in support of her application could be forwarded to the Department. The person concerned is already in receipt of a pass which allows her to travel with her spouse/partner.
336 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs his views on the liberalisation of the means test for the carers allowance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21533/07]
Supporting and recognising carers in our society is, and has been, a priority of the Government since 1997. Over that period, weekly payment rates to carers have greatly increased, qualifying conditions for carer's allowance have significantly eased, coverage of the scheme has been extended and new schemes such as carer's benefit and the respite care grant have been introduced and extended.
The primary objective of the carer's allowance is to provide income support to low income carers. Carer's allowance, in line with other social assistance schemes, is means tested. This ensures scarce resources are directed at those in greatest need.
The carer's allowance means test is one of the more flexible tests in terms of the assessment of household incomes. The means test has been significantly eased over the years most notably with regard to spouse's earnings. Budget 2007 provided for an income disregard for a couple of €640 per week. This ensures a couple can earn in the region of €36,000 per annum and still receive the maximum rate of carer's allowance and the associated free travel and household benefits. This measure surpasses the Towards 2016 commitment to ensure those on average industrial earnings continue to qualify for a full carer's allowance.
In addition, the rates of carer's allowance have been increased to €200 per week for those aged under 66 and to €218 per week for those aged over 66.
The complete abolition of the means test would have substantial cost implications and it is debatable whether this could be considered to be the best use of resources. The view of some support and health organisations is that it would be much more beneficial to carers if additional resources were invested in the type of community care services which would support them in their caring role, such as additional respite care facilities, more home helps, public health nurses and other such services.
I will keep the supports for carers available from my Department under review in order to continue to improve the schemes and ensure commitments on income support are delivered.
337 Deputy Arthur Morgan asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 1; and if he will review their case and the criteria to qualify for the back to education allowance to ensure persons on low incomes and others requiring financial assistance are given a sufficient chance at pursuing an education. [21556/07]
The back to education allowance (BTEA) facilitates people on certain social welfare payments to improve their skills and qualifications and, therefore, their prospects of returning to the active work force. The scheme enables qualified people who have been getting a social welfare payment to continue to receive a payment while pursuing an approved full-time education course.
To qualify for participation, an applicant must be in receipt of a relevant social welfare payment and must be at least 21 years of age prior to commencing an approved course of study. A person must have been in receipt of a social welfare payment for at least six months (156 days) for a second level option course and 12 months (312 days) for a third level option course immediately prior to commencing an approved course of study.
The person concerned does not satisfy the eligibility criteria for participation in the scheme as he has been unemployed for less than the minimum period specified.
The requirement to be in receipt of a relevant social welfare payment for a minimum period has always been a feature of the BTEA scheme and this is considered necessary to ensure that limited resources are directed at those most in need.
The objective of the scheme is to help long-term unemployed social welfare recipients, by way of education and training to improve their prospects of acquiring sustainable employment. My Department is committed to encouraging those who have been out of the active work force to avail of appropriate pre-employment training, development and education opportunities. People who are already in employment or only a short time unemployed are not in the target group for the BTEA scheme.
338 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the reason a person (details supplied) in County Kildare is not entitled to a deposit for rental accommodation under the supplementary welfare allowance scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21567/07]
The supplementary welfare allowance scheme is administered on my behalf by the community welfare division of the Health Service Executive. Under the terms of the scheme, an exceptional needs payment (ENP) may be made to help meet an essential once-off cost, such as a rent deposit, which the applicant is unable to meet out of his/her own resources. There is no automatic entitlement to this payment. Each application is determined by the Executive based on the particular circumstances of the case.
The Health Service Executive has advised that it has not received an application for payment of a rent deposit from the person concerned. If the person concerned wishes to make an application for payment of a rent deposit, she should contact the community welfare officer in her area so that her entitlement can be assessed.
339 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the reason social welfare appellants from County Mayo have to travel to Castlerea to attend oral hearings in respect of their appeals; and his views on whether this is reasonable for appellants to have to travel outside of their county to attend a social welfare appeal in respect of carers allowance. [21629/07]
340 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if social welfare oral hearings are being scheduled in a town (details supplied) in County Mayo; and if not. the reason for same. [21630/07]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 339 and 340 together.
I am advised by the independent Social Welfare Appeals Office that oral hearings are held on a regular basis Ballina, Castlebar, Claremorris, Swinford and Westport Co. Mayo.
I am further advised that the Appeals Office's policy is to hold hearings at venues as convenient as possible to the appellant. However, in exceptional circumstances, where an urgent oral hearing is required, an appeal may, with the appellant's agreement, be scheduled in an adjoining county.
341 Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the reason for the anomaly in the back to school clothing and footwear allowance scheme which bars a lone parent from receiving the benefits; and the action being taken to treat all parents receiving the BSCFA equally. [21686/07]
Lone parents are not barred from receiving back to school clothing and footwear allowance (BSCFA). 40% of all BSCFA payments are made to lone parents, benefiting more than 30,000 lone parent households.
The BSCFA scheme provides a one-off payment to eligible families to assist with the extra costs when their children start school each autumn. The allowance is not intended to meet the full cost of school clothing and footwear but only to provide assistance towards these costs. Lone parents or couples may qualify for payment of an allowance if they are in receipt of a social welfare payment or Health Service Executive (HSE) payment, are participating in an approved employment scheme or attending a recognised education and training course and have household income at or below certain set levels.
The income limits for the BSCFA take account of household size and are increased each year. Income Limits for 2007 are:
|
Couple |
Lone Parent |
|
|
€ |
€ |
|
|
1 child |
470.80 |
331.30 |
|
2 children |
492.80 |
353.30 |
|
3 children |
514.80 |
375.30 |
|
4 children |
536.80* |
397.30* |
*The limit is increased by €22.00 for each additional child.
342 Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the cross-Departmental or inter-agency groups, committees, or bodies on which his Department is currently represented indicating in each case the purpose of that body and the purpose of the participation of his Department. [21705/07]
The information requested is currently being compiled within the Department and will be made available to the Deputy as soon as possible.
343 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the boards, bodies, authorities, agencies and quangos under the remit of his Department; the date of establishment; the number of members, staff and budget for each of the past ten years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21743/07]
The information requested is currently being compiled within the Department and will be made available to the Deputy as soon as possible.
344 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the boards, bodies, authorities, agencies and quangos under the remit of his Department that have been abolished in the past ten years; the number of members, staff and budget in the year of abolition; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21758/07]
The five Statutory agencies operating under the aegis of my Department, at present, 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.
No statutory boards, agencies or other such authorities, under the remit of my Department, have been abolished in the past ten years.
345 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the appointments he has made to State boards, agencies, quangos, bodies and authorities since 1 July 2007; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21773/07]
The five Statutory agencies operating under the aegis of my Department, at present, 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 was one appointment to the Pensions Board, with effect from 1st August 2007, Ms. Orlaigh Quinn — Department of Social and Family Affairs representative.
There were two appointments to the Citizens Information Board with effect from 31st August 2007 as follows: Mr Daragh O'Connor — Department of Social and Family Affairs representative and Ms. Margaret Zheng — the Citizens Information Board staff representative.
346 Deputy Dan Neville asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs his views on the fact that a total of 290,000 people here including one child in every ten are living in consistent poverty; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21883/07]
Combating poverty and building an inclusive society are key priorities for the Government. The National Action Plan for Social Inclusion (NAPinclusion) 2007-2016 and the social inclusion commitments in the National Development Plan were drawn up in consultation with the social partners and after a wide-ranging consultation process with other stakeholders. The NAPinclusion adopts a lifecycle stage approach, in line with Towards 2016 with specific measurable goals set for each group: children; people of working age; older people and people with disabilities and their communities.
The overall goal in the NAPinclusion is to reduce the number of those experiencing consistent poverty from 7 per cent of the population to between 2 per cent and 4 per cent by 2012, with the aim of eliminating consistent poverty by 2016.
The plan sets out a wide-ranging and comprehensive programme of actions over the period to achieve the overall consistent poverty goal and to ensure that every person has access to income and resources (material, cultural and social) that are regarded as acceptable by Irish society.
Ending child poverty is a particular priority in the NAPinclusion. Four of the twelve high level goals in the NAPinclusion focus on education initiatives and adequate income supports for children. Detailed action targets cover health, education, income support, early childhood development and care and participation to ensure that children reach their true potential.
The social welfare commitments in the Programme for Government prioritise the objectives of the NAPinclusion. They include: improvements in the State Pension and the Carers Allowance; more support for lone parents; and improvements in Child Benefit and in the Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance and the School Meals Programme. Support for the Office for Social Inclusion is a key commitment, in particular, for its work to progress the use of poverty impact assessments by government departments, local authorities and statutory agencies in the development of policies and programmes to ensure that the Government's social inclusion agenda is achieved.
My plans, in working with Government to deliver the programme over the coming years, are to build on the significant and visible progress that has been made in reducing poverty in the past 10 years and to deliver real improvements in living standards and well being for the most vulnerable in our society.
347 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the amount of funds spent under the last Leader programme on self catering tourist accommodation; the estimated expenditure under the present programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21502/07]
Based on returns from the Local Action Groups involved in the delivery of the 2000-06 Leader Programmes, the amount of expenditure on self-catering accommodation was €5,661,125.40. The following table shows details of expenditure by LEADER Group area.
The new Rural Development Programme for Ireland for the period 2007-13 was approved by the European Commission on July 24th last. Under Axis 3 of the new Programme, €45.4m is being provided for the encouragement of tourism activities in rural areas. The objective of this measure is to maximise the sustainable, regionally balanced, tourism potential of all rural areas through provision of necessary infrastructure and development of the countryside as a recreational resource for all. This will include funding for the provision of self-catering accommodation where demand arises for such support.
|
Group |
Funds spent on self catering tourist accommodation under the LEADER+ programme 2000 – 2006 |
|
Arigna |
230,885.35 |
|
Ballyhoura |
163,904.00 |
|
Blackwater Resource Development |
247,168.20 |
|
BNS |
196,733.00 |
|
Carlow LEADER |
Nil |
|
Cavan Monaghan Rural Development |
445,984.22 |
|
Comhar Iorrais |
566,394.00 |
|
Comhdháil Oileáin na hÉireann |
246,462.33 |
|
Donegal Local Development |
493,771.48 |
|
East Cork Area Development |
40,000.00 |
|
Galway Rural Development |
0.00 |
|
Inishowen Rural Development |
149,937.00 |
|
IRD Duhallow |
60,000.00 |
|
Irish Country Holidays |
Nil |
|
Irish Farmhouse Holidays |
Nil |
|
KELT |
188,437.00 |
|
Laois Rural Development |
93,911.27 |
|
Longford Comminity Resources |
49,494.50 |
|
Louth |
507,740.00 |
|
Meath LEADER |
338,087.63 |
|
MFG |
48,071.24 |
|
Mid-South Roscommon |
187,357.67 |
|
Offaly LEADER+ Company |
150,000.00 |
|
Rural Dublin LEADER Co. |
74,277.00 |
|
Rural Resource Development |
NIL |
|
Sligo LEADER Partnership |
72,279.83 |
|
South Kerry Development |
15,000.00 |
|
South West Mayo |
190,926.46 |
|
Tipperary LEADER |
Nil |
|
Tuatha Chiarrai |
28,830.32 |
|
Waterford LEADER Partnership |
Nil |
|
West Cork LEADER Co-op |
222,376.00 |
|
West Limerick Resources |
233,698.00 |
|
Western Rural Development |
47,325.00 |
|
Westmeath Community Development |
87,852.66 |
|
Wicklow Rural Partnership |
121,087.00 |
|
W.O.R.D |
163,134.24 |
|
Total |
5,661,125.40 |
348 Deputy Paul Connaughton asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs when a person (details supplied) in County Galway will be offered a place on the rural social scheme; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the person has been on the waiting list for this scheme for a considerable period of time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21633/07]
Currently, all of the 2,600 places available on the Rural Social Scheme have been taken up. In the circumstances, Implementing Bodies have been encouraged to form waiting lists of suitable eligible applicants in their areas, which can then be used to fill vacancies as and when they arise.
I understand that the person referred to by the Deputy is currently 4th on Galway Rural Development Company's waiting list. I also understand that the person was offered a position some time ago but did not accept it as the location was not suitable. I would suggest that the person liaise directly with GRDC, as they will be able to keep him informed of ongoing developments.
349 Deputy Paul Connaughton asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs when a person (details supplied) in County Galway will be offered a place on the rural social scheme; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the person has been waiting for such a place for a considerable period of time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21634/07]
I understand that the person referred to by the Deputy had expressed an interest in joining the Rural Social Scheme (RSS) on 14th June 2007. At that time, Galway Rural Development Company (GRDC) outlined the eligibility conditions for the Scheme, including the qualifying payments from the Department of Social and Family Affairs (D/SFA).
Because of his particular circumstances, the person concerned was advised to apply for the Farm Assist payment from the D/SFA in order to determine his eligibility for the Scheme. However, he did not wish to pursue an application for this payment.
I now understand that the person is due to take up a place on a Community Employment Scheme with effect from Monday next, 8th October 2007 and he has been advised to contact GRDC if he is interested in joining the RSS in the future.
350 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the boards, bodies, authorities, agencies and quangos under the remit of his Department; the date of establishment; the number of members, staff and budget for each of the past ten years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21734/07]
351 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the boards, bodies, authorities, agencies and quangos under the remit of his Department that have been abolished in the past ten years; the number of members, staff and budget in the year of abolition; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21749/07]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 350 and 351 together.
It is not practical, within the time available to provide the information sought. I am arranging for the material to be compiled as a priority and provided directly to the Deputy.
352 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the appointments he has made to State boards, agencies, quangos, bodies and authorities since 1 July 2007; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21764/07]
Since 1st July 2007, two members — Áine Hyland and Pat Farrell — were re-appointed to the Dormant Accounts Board (with effect from 4th July). One new Board member, Colin Wilson, was appointed with effect from 10th August.
353 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs when, given that it is 12 months since he published the draft regulations under Section 9.1 of the Official Languages Act 2003, he will issue the final regulations on same; the reason for the delay in issuing them; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21929/07]
I refer the Deputy to my reply to Parliamentary Question No. 28 of 27 September 2007.
354 Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the legislative changes proposed with reference to dog fighting and related matters following recent discussions with Dr. Ian Paisley. [21364/07]
The particular matter raised by the Deputy arises from a recent television programme about dog fighting in Northern Ireland following which the matter was discussed between An Taoiseach and the Northern Ireland First Minister.
Under the provisions of the Protection of Animals Acts 1911 and 1965 dog fighting is among those activities that is illegal. The enforcement of the legislation and the prosecution of cases is the responsibility of An Garda Síochána.
The Control of Dogs Acts 1986 and 1992 and Regulations made thereunder provide the regulatory framework for dog control. Enforcement of this legislation is the responsibility of the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government and local authorities.
The Deputy will be aware that the Programme for Government includes a commitment to consolidate responsibility for the welfare of all animals (including non-farm animals) within my Department. There is also a commitment to introduce a new Animal Welfare Bill and update existing legislation, to ensure that the welfare of animals is properly protected and that the penalties for offenders are increased significantly.
355 Deputy James McDaid asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the steps she is taking, in view of a recent television programme (details supplied) on dog fighting and the cruelty that it involves, to ensure this part of Ireland is not used as a support for such a practice. [21403/07]
The particular matter raised by the Deputy arises from a recent television programme about dog fighting in Northern Ireland following which the matter was discussed between An Taoiseach and the Northern Ireland First Minister.
Under the provisions of the Protection of Animals Acts 1911 and 1965 dog fighting is among those activities that is illegal. The enforcement of the legislation and the prosecution of cases is the responsibility of An Garda Síochána.
The Control of Dogs Acts 1986 and 1992 and Regulations made thereunder provide the regulatory framework for dog control. Enforcement of this legislation is the responsibility of the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government and local authorities.
The Deputy will be aware that the Programme for Government includes a commitment to consolidate responsibility for the welfare of all animals (including non-farm animals) within my Department. There is also a commitment to introduce a new Animal Welfare Bill and update existing legislation, to ensure that the welfare of animals is properly protected and that the penalties for offenders are increased significantly.
356 Deputy Jim O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the reason for the delay in payment of a disadvantaged area based payment to a person (details supplied) in Cork south west; and if she will make arrangements for payment. [21406/07]
Payments under the 2007 Disadvantaged Areas Scheme commenced on 21 September, with payments issuing to all applicants whose applications were clear on that date. Payments continue to issue as individual cases are confirmed eligible for payment.
Payment in full issued to the person named on 28 September, in the amount of €4,456.75. There was no delay in making the payment in question to the person named.
357 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the funding that was made available in 2006 for animal welfare. [21416/07]
An amount of €3.2 million was made available in 2006 for animal welfare activities in my Department. These activities included, for example, measures to deal with compromised on-farm animal welfare, research, the payment of ex-gratia monies to assist organisations involved in the direct delivery of animal welfare services as well as costs associated with the implementation of the Control of Horses Act.
In addition to the above, Veterinary Inspectors of my Department in their normal day-to-day duties perform a significant amount of animal welfare-related work, the cost of which while considerable would be very difficult to quantify in monetary terms.
Other funding measures coming within the welfare funding remit of my Department include the Farm Animal Welfare Advisory Council which promotes and addresses issues of animal welfare in a practical manner and which has made a significant contribution to addressing important welfare issues.
358 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the legal standing of her Department’s approved test for bovine tuberculosis; if there is a confirmatory test that has legal standing; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21504/07]
The principal test used in the TB programme is the Single Intradermal Comparative Test (skin test) as specified in Council Directive 64/432 EEC. There is no confirmatory test and thus no provision in legislation for such a test. Indeed, Article 17 of the Bovine Tuberculosis (Attestation of the State and General Provisions) Order 1989, (S.I. No. 308 of 1989), as amended, provides that, where an animal has given a positive result to a test, it shall not be tested again with tuberculin. While Directive 64/432/EEC provides that Member States may also authorize the use of other approved tests such as the gamma-interferon assay as a supplementary test in infected herds for the purposes of identifying and removing additional infected animals, any animal which reacts positively to the skin test is deemed to be a reactor.
359 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if her Department’s bovine tuberculosis eradication scheme is in compliance with annex B (31) of Council Directive 80/219/EEC which requires, inter alia, that the test sites on the animals necks shall be clipped and cleansed for bovine tuberculosis testing purposes; if a legal provision was made to give effect to this minimum EC testing requirement;, if not, the reason this provision was not made; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21505/07]
The issues referred to are now regulated under Commission Regulation (EC) No 1226/2002 which replaced Annex B to Directive 64/432/EEC in its entirety and thus superseded any previous amendments to that Annex, including those provided for in Council Directive 80/219/EEC. The conduct of the intradermal comparative test is governed by Directive 64/432/EEC, the Bovine Tuberculosis (Attestation of the State and General Provisions) Order 1989 (S.I. No. 308 of 1989) and the legally binding contract (ER4 document) the Minister has with each private veterinary practitioner (PVP) testing under the programme. Each testing PVP signs the conditions contained in the ER4 document on an annual basis and this includes the requirement to clip and cleanse the sites prior to injection. There is also a quality control programme in place that ensures that all testing PVPs comply with the conditions of their contract.
360 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the reason her Department is refusing to issue a de-restriction notice withdrawing all bovine tuberculosis and brucellosis restrictions on a herd (details supplied); if she has satisfied herself that a comprehensive herd test was performed in January 2007 and that the veterinary inspector endorsed each animals identity card before returning same to the herd owner verifying that each animal in the herd passed the test, and was free of TB and brucellosis; if she will direct that a formal notice withdrawing all restrictions on the herd will be issued; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21506/07]
As indicated in my reply to Questions 39881/06 and 39882/06 on 23 November 2006, the holding relating to the herdnumber referred was restricted in October 2005 because of the repeated failure of the herdowner to have the herd tested for TB and Brucellosis as required by EU and national legislation.
The herd was eventually tested on 3 January 2007 for Brucellosis and on 6 January 2007 for Bovine Tuberculosis. All animals were reported as having passed these tests. However, in view of the fact that the herd had been restricted since October 2005, under EU legislation a further test is needed before the herd can be de-restricted. Unfortunately, the testing veterinarian was not aware of this and signed and returned a number of animals' passports to the herdowner. The DVO wrote to the herdowner reminding him that his herd remained under restriction and advising him that an Authorised Officer would call to his premises under Article 12(3) of the Bovine Tuberculosis (Attestation of the State and General Provisions) Order 1989 to collect all cattle passports in his possession. However, the herdowner failed to surrender the cattle identity cards.
The DVO has been in touch with the herdowner on several occasions to carry the second test but to date the herdowner has failed to co-operate in this matter. When this test has been carried out with negative results for these two diseases, his herd will be de-restricted.
The Deputy should be aware that the herdowner in question has presented his herd for testing only once in the past 3 years in spite of on-going efforts by the DVO to have the herd tested. This behaviour increases the risk of the spread of disease and is most unfair to his neighbours who have had their herds tested annually. The matter is also the subject of legal proceedings.
361 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when she will issue farmers with a copy of her Department’s inspection checklist on cross compliance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21508/07]
My Department's inspection checklist on cross-compliance is an internal checklist for use by Department Inspectors and it is not a document for completion by the farmer. This checklist has been reviewed as part of the full review my Department carried out on the inspection arrangements for the Single Payment Scheme with a view to simplification of the arrangements (including paperwork) where possible while, at the same time, ensuring compliance with the regulatory requirements.
The inspection checklist has been made available to the farming organisations and is also freely available on my Department's website at www.agriculture.gov.ie under the heading ‘Cross-compliance'. The review of the checklist together with the outcome of the Commission's review of the cross-compliance arrangements generally, has been fully discussed with the farming organisations in advance of the commencement of the inspections for 2007.
In addition, my Department recently published a leaflet entitled "What to expect if you are selected for an inspection under the Single Payment Scheme/Disadvantaged Areas' Compensatory Allowance Scheme" a copy of which was posted to every herd owner in the country. That leaflet is also available on my Department's website.
362 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if she will ensure that the new EU sugar restructuring regulation supersedes the current regulation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21509/07]
Last week, the Council of Agriculture Ministers reached political agreement on an amendment to the current restructuring aid Regulation, one effect of which is to increase the allocation to the Irish beet growers to €52.8m. The allocation to the processor would also increase but the final allocation for the processor depends on the outcome of the legal proceedings instituted by the processor.
363 Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if her Department has conducted an audit of agriculture policy across all enterprises relative to policy in Northern Ireland; the changes she proposes to policy in the Republic in the context of an all Ireland approach to the industry; and the issues she is pursuing with her Northern Ireland counterpart. [21536/07]
The co-operation that can take place within the Agriculture sector was laid down in the Good Friday Agreement. The areas specifically identified were animal and plant health. Subsequently the North South Ministerial Council (NSMC) agreed that there should be formal co-operation in the following sectors of agriculture: the development of an All-Island Animal Health Strategy for control of animal movements and the prevention, containment and eradication of epizootic diseases in Ireland; the development of an All-Island Plant Health and Research Strategy including co-operation between both jurisdictions in relation to plant protection products; and liaison on issues arising at WTO, EU enlargement and the mid-term review of the CAP.
Co-operation in the development of an all-island animal health and welfare strategy has progressed through the NSMC and by a number of working groups which continued to meet during the suspension of the Northern Ireland Assembly.
In recognition of the commonalities of needs and priorities in both parts of the island in terms of implementation of EU Common Agricultural Policy, both Departments continue to cooperate closely on the implementation of CAP reforms. This process involves regular information exchanges, co-ordination of actions, where appropriate and looking ahead to emerging changes to EU rules and to emerging EU policies to develop complementary policy negotiating strategies.
I will be discussing these areas and other topics of interest when I meet with Ministers Gildernew and Foster at the Agriculture Sectoral meeting on 9th November.
364 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if she will introduce comprehensive and effective regulations regarding an area (details supplied) and ensure full compliance. [21548/07]
All beef sold or served in the retail or catering sector is now required by law to carry an indication of country of origin. Primary legislation was enacted by the Oireachtas last year, which extended the compulsory country of origin labelling requirement for beef to the catering sector. The information which must be given on the label includes the registered number of the slaughterhouse or cutting plant and, where imported from a Third Country, an indication of the country of origin.
The general EU food labelling regulations covering all food sold in Ireland require that the information be given clearly, accurately and in a language understood by the consumer. Among these requirements is origin marking in cases where failure to provide such information would be likely to mislead the consumer to a material degree. This legislation comes under the remit of the Department of Health and Children.
365 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the discussions that have taken place between the Government and the European Union on the threat of foot and mouth disease here. [21549/07]
The first case in the recent Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) outbreak was confirmed on 3rd August and, in response, I introduced an immediate ban on the importation from Britain of susceptible animals and products, including fresh meat, raw milk and other products. Within a couple of days the European Commission adopted a Commission Decision which banned the export from Britain of those animals and products which had been included in my earlier ban.
That original Commission Decision has since been discussed and revised on a number of occasions at meetings of the European Commission's Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health (SCoFCAH), whose meetings are always attended by officials from my Department. In addition, officials from my Department are in regular contact with Commission colleagues in relation to various aspects associated with animal disease outbreaks, including the recent FMD outbreak.
Furthermore, the FMD outbreak was raised by the UK delegation and reviewed at last week's meeting of the Agriculture Council, which I attended. The Deputy can be assured that my officials and I are fully engaged with the European Commission and the Council of Agriculture Ministers in relation to any EU initiatives relating to the FMD outbreak in Britain.
366 Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the position regarding a person (details supplied) in County Wicklow who is waiting for his consolidation payment for some time; if same will be awarded; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21575/07]
Under the Single Payment Scheme, farmers who lose lands that they had rented in and farmed during the reference years 2000-2002 may apply to consolidate their single payment entitlements onto their remaining eligible lands, provided they continue to farm at least 50% of the land they farmed in the reference years. In 2006, the person named did not continue to farm at least 50% of the lands he declared in the reference period so his application to consolidate his entitlements was refused. However, he has now agreed to voluntarily give up some of his single payment entitlements in order to satisfy the 50% rule. The consolidation application has now been processed and payment will issue shortly.
367 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the boards, bodies, authorities, agencies and quangos under the remit of her Department; the date of establishment; the number of members, staff and budget for each of the past ten years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21731/07]
In reply to the Deputy, the following is the position:
|
Date of establishment: 1994 |
||
|---|---|---|
|
Number of Board members including Chairman: 15 |
||
|
Year |
Staff |
Expenditure (million) |
|
1997 |
67.5 |
£20.52 |
|
1998 |
67.5 |
£18.48 |
|
1999 |
67.5 |
£22.06 |
|
2000 |
64.5 |
€23.11 |
|
2001 |
78.5 |
€25.40 |
|
2002 |
79.25 |
€26.16 |
|
2003 |
79.25 |
€25.26 |
|
2004 |
89.25 |
€25.22 |
|
2005 |
88.25 |
€29.88 |
|
2006 |
91.25 |
€32.24 |
|
Date of establishment: 8 September 1988 |
||
|---|---|---|
|
Number of Board members including Chairman: 11 |
||
|
Year |
Staff |
Grant-in-aid €m* |
|
1997 |
1,524 |
64.32 |
|
1998 |
1,563 |
70.63 |
|
1999 |
1,606 |
71.39 |
|
2000 |
1,610 |
88.78 |
|
2001 |
1,612 |
105.56 |
|
2002 |
1,641 |
115.53 |
|
2003 |
1,628 |
120.38 |
|
2004 |
1,604 |
116.83 |
|
2005 |
1,579 |
123.10 |
|
2006 |
1,598 |
134.03 |
*This relates only to annual Exchequer grant-in-aid as Teagasc generates its own income which also forms part of its annual budget.
|
Date of establishment: 1 January 1989 |
||
|---|---|---|
|
Number of Board members including Chairman: 9 |
||
|
Year |
Staff |
Turnover (€million) |
|
1997 |
1,119 |
97.63 |
|
1998 |
1,068 |
104.73 |
|
1999 |
1,106 |
112.54 |
|
2000 |
1,095 |
123.29 |
|
2001 |
1,082 |
115.47 |
|
2002 |
1,231 |
144.13 |
|
2003 |
1,213 |
172.12 |
|
2004 |
1,188 |
184.97 |
|
2005 |
1,230 |
215.67 |
|
2006 |
1,214 |
213.79 |
*Coillte generates its own sources of finance and does not receive an allocation from the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.
|
Date of establishment: 23 July 1992 |
|||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Year |
No. of Council Members |
Staff |
Expenditure (million) |
|
1997 |
13 |
4 |
£1.19 |
|
1998 |
13 |
4 |
£1.06 |
|
1999 |
14 |
5 |
£0.92 |
|
2000 |
16 |
5 |
€1.37 |
|
2001 |
14 |
4 |
€0.98 |
|
2002 |
14 |
5 |
€1.71 |
|
2003 |
14 |
5 |
€1.75 |
|
2004 |
14 |
5 |
€2.44 |
|
2005 |
14 |
6 |
€2.34 |
|
2006 |
13 |
5 |
€2.70 |
Irish National Stud
Date of establishment: 11 April 1946
Number of Board members including Chairman: 7
As the National Stud is a commercial body which operates on a normal commercial basis its staff numbers and budgets are primarily a matter for the body itself. The information can be obtained from the annual reports of the Irish National Stud Co ltd or directly from the organisation itself.
Veterinary Council of Ireland*
Date of establishment: 1 January 2006 (previously the Veterinary Council which was set up under the Veterinary Surgeons Act 1931)
Number of Board members including Chairman: 19
Staff: 3
*The Veterinary Council of Ireland is mainly funded from registration fees from Veterinary Practitioners and does not receive any exchequer funding.
|
Date of establishment: 1 October 1995 |
||
|---|---|---|
|
Number of Board members including Chairman: 14 |
||
|
Year |
Staff |
Expenditure |
|
1997 |
6 |
£315,532 |
|
1998 |
6 |
£297,737 |
|
1999 |
6 |
£292,956 |
|
2000 |
6 |
£347,752 |
|
2001 |
6 |
€490,375 |
|
2002 |
6 |
€543,192 |
|
2003 |
6 |
€573,380 |
|
2004 |
6 |
€587,282 |
|
2005 |
6 |
€615,007 |
|
2006 |
6 |
€608,765 |
*The National Milk Agency is funded by means of a statutory levy on producers.
368 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the boards, bodies, authorities, agencies and quangos under the remit of her Department that have been abolished in the past ten years; the number of members, staff and budget in the year of abolition; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21746/07]
An Bord Glas was merged with An Bord Bia on 1 July 2004. All of the 11 staff, functions and annual budget of €2.63m were transferred to An Bord Bia on that date.
369 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the appointments she has made to State boards, agencies, quangos, bodies and authorities since 1 July 2007; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21761/07]
Since the 1 July last, I have made two appointments to the board of Teagasc and one to COFORD.
370 Deputy Dan Neville asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the reason for delay in approval of grants and approval to complete work under the farm improvement scheme in County Limerick. [21855/07]
The Farm Improvement Scheme was launched by my Department on 12 July 2007 and provides grant-aid for inter alia, animal housing, slurry storage facilities and investments in relation to dairy hygiene. Approvals to commence work are now being issued to farmers who have submitted completed applications for grant-aid under the Scheme, including farmers in County Limerick.
371 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if she is satisfied regarding the adequacy of food labelling with particular reference to the identification of the country of origin; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21905/07]
The Minister for Health & Children has overall responsibility for the general food labelling legislation. Responsibility for enforcement of labelling legislation rests with the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) through its service contracts with my Department, the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, the Health Services Executive, the Local Authorities and the National Consumer Agency. In relation to the particular issue of country of origin labelling, compulsory beef labelling legislation incorporating the origin of this meat has been in place since September 2000. I have already collaborated with the Minister for Health & Children and introduced legislation to ensure that all beef sold or served in the retail or catering sector is now required to carry an indication of the country of origin. This legislation is enforced by the FSAI. Regarding the labelling of poultry meat, there are EU Regulations which provide for the labelling of unprocessed poultry meat at retail level. The Regulations require such poultry meat to be labelled with the information regarding class, price, condition, registered number of slaughterhouse or cutting plant and, where imported from a Third Country, an indication of country of origin.
In relation to other meats I have signalled my intention to have legislation brought forward to require the country of origin to be shown on poultry meat, pigmeat and sheep meat sold in the retail and catering sectors. A draft of such regulations was prepared by my Department and is currently being finalized by the Department of Health & Children. A public consultation process is currently being conducted. Following consideration of any views received it will be necessary to submit the draft regulations to the European Commission for approval. The EU Commission is currently reviewing the whole area of food labelling and in that context my Department contributed to Ireland's submission which was co-ordinated by the Department of Health & Children. Within this submission Ireland explained why it felt that origin labelling should be compulsory for all meat. As well as direct contact with the Commission on this I have also raised this matter in the Agriculture and Fisheries Council and I will continue to press for progress as I believe consumers are entitled to full information on the origin of food products.
372 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if she is satisfied that there is no risk of crop contamination arising from importation of genetically modified food products; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21906/07]
I am satisfied that the risk of crop contamination arising from the importation of genetically modified food products is minimal and probably non existent.
373 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the acreage dedicated to the production of biofuels in 2007; her projections for the future; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21907/07]
The area devoted to energy crops has increased to meet the growing demand for biomass feedstocks. The area of oilseed rape, which is used to produce liquid biofuel, increased from 5,000 hectares in 2006 to 7,500 hectares in 2007. In addition, almost 800 hectares of willow and miscanthus were planted in 2007 following the introduction of establishment grants under the new Bioenergy Scheme. The developing Bioenergy market and attractive grants on offer are encouraging farmers to plant more land with energy crops. As set out in Budget 2007, €14 million is being made available over the period 2007-2009 to incentivise farmers to grow energy crops. The funding includes €6 million to support a new energy crop premium of €80 per hectare. The €80 premium will be paid, subject to certain conditions, as a top-up to the existing EU premium of €45 per hectare available under the EU Energy Crops Scheme. A further €8 million is being made available to provide establishment grants to farmers interested in planting willow and miscanthus.
The future outlook for energy crops depends on a number of factors, not least profitability at farm level. In general, the production of energy crops will have to be demand led and will only occur if the economic returns are greater than those offered by more traditional outlets. In the short-term, the soaring world demand for grain is likely to lead to an increase in the area devoted to conventional cereal crops in Ireland and elsewhere in response to the current high grain prices. More long-term projections are difficult to forecast at this stage. Much will depend on the rate of development of production and consumption patterns for biofuels over the next number of years. To stimulate demand for biofuels, the Government is providing over €200 million in excise relief and plans to introduce a new ‘biofuel obligation' to ensure that biofuels represent 5.75% of Ireland's transport fuel market by 2009 and 10% by 2020. The European Commission recently adopted a new binding target of 10% for the amount of biofuels used in transport fuel by 2020. These measures should provide the long-term market certainty required to allow the biofuel industry develop to sufficient scale in Ireland and in turn create market opportunities for locally produced feedstock.
374 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the extent to which she expects Irish produce to compete on worldwide export markets in the aftermath of the WTO; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21908/07]
Our exports of agri-food products have grown steadily in recent years to reach record levels of over €8bn in 2006. These exports are now increasingly concentrated in the high-value EU market. Our future success will to some extent be determined by the level of competition on our main markets and this will be affected by any new WTO deal. However, our ability to compete will also be affected by the actions we take to ensure that our agri-food sector is a highly competitive producer of the goods demanded by European and other consumers.
The Agrivision 2015 Action Plan which I published in March 2006 sets out my vision for a competitive, consumer-focused and knowledge driven agri-food sector which will contribute to a vibrant rural economy, society and environment and which exploits opportunities in non-food areas. In addition to a broad vision statement, the Plan sets out one hundred and sixty six specific actions to be implemented for the development of the sector. It was drawn up in the light of recent CAP reforms and the likelihood of a more liberalised trade policy under a new WTO agreement but also against the background of other changes which will impact on the sector such as lifestyle changes, the emergence of technology and Research and Development as market drivers and structural changes in the farming and the retail sector. I believe the measures provided for in the Agri-Vision 2015 Action Plan in conjunction with the provisions of the 2003 CAP reforms will facilitate the continued growth of Irish Agri-Food exports and ensure that Irish agri-food exports are competitive on world markets.
375 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the final breakdown of compensation in respect of Greencore and producers in the aftermath of the CAP reform; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21909/07]
Under the Government's decision, the percentage of the EU restructuring aid to be reserved for beet growers and machinery contractors was set at 32.38% (€47.1m). Of this 27.50% (€40m of the €47.1m) was for beet growers and the balance for machinery contractors. The balance of the aid (€98m) was allocated to Greencore. The High Court ruled, in effect, that these percentages would have to be recalculated. Last week, the Agriculture and Fisheries Council reached political agreement on an amendment to the restructuring aid Regulation, one effect of which is to increase the allocation to Irish beet growers from €40m to €52.8m. The allocation to the processor would also increase but the final allocation for the processor depends on the outcome of the legal proceedings. Separately, growers will receive up to €120m in compensation through the Single Farm Payments Scheme in the period up to 2013 and €44m, in Diversification aid from the Restructuring Fund.
376 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the areas within the EU where sugar beet is currently grown; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21910/07]
Prior to the introduction of the temporary scheme for the restructuring of the sugar industry in the Community, sugar beet was grown for sugar processing in all but four Member States, namely Cyprus, Estonia, Luxembourg, and Malta. In the first two years of the restructuring scheme, which involves quota renunciation and closure of the associated processing facilities, restructuring applications were submitted in 12 Member States. Details of these applications are given, by Member State, in the table below. Last week, the Council of Agriculture Ministers reached political agreement on a proposal to make the restructuring scheme more attractive with a view to reducing the EU sugar quota by a further 3.8m tonnes. The effect that this will have on sugar beet production in individual Member States remains to be seen.
|
Member State |
(1) Total sugar quota |
(2) Quota renounced |
(3) Col (2) as % of Col (1) |
|
% |
|||
|
Italy |
1,557,443 |
803,597 |
52 |
|
Spain |
996,961 |
109,797 |
11 |
|
Sweden |
368,262 |
42,562 |
12 |
|
Ireland |
199,260 |
199,260 |
100 |
|
Finland |
146,087 |
56,087 |
38 |
|
Hungary |
401,684 |
108,093 |
27 |
|
Czech Rep |
454,862 |
102,473 |
23 |
|
Slovakia |
207,432 |
70,133 |
34 |
|
Portugal |
69,718 |
54,718 |
78 |
|
Greece |
317,502 |
158,800 |
50 |
|
Slovenia |
52,973 |
52,973 |
100 |
|
Latvia |
66,505 |
66,505 |
100 |
377 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if she is satisfied that all food and food products imported here from other EU countries have satisfied the EU production, processing and hygiene standards; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21911/07]
378 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if she is satisfied that all imported meat into Ireland comes with a disease free status; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21912/07]
382 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the extent to which she can verify that all meat and food imports into Ireland are subject to the same production, management, processing and traceability requirements applicable within the European Union; the basis for her verification; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21916/07]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 377, 378 and 382 together.
Conditions for trade in animal products with third countries follow the principles established under agreements of World Trade Organisation and the International Organisation for Animal Health. The European Commission is mandated to negotiate these on behalf of the European Community and, through its Food and Veterinary Office (FVO), to monitor compliance in those third countries it has approved for trade with the EU. This approval is on the basis that the Commission adjudges the third country's controls offer an equivalent level of guarantee for the protection animal and human health to those being operated in the Community. Where there are risks to the public or animal health in the Community from disease outbreaks occurring in approved third countries Safeguard Measures are invoked restricting or banning imports from the affected country or region until the risk has been eliminated.
Consignments of animal products for food purposes must be imported and processed through a EU approved Border Inspection Post (BIP) where documentary, identity and physical examination of the consignments are undertaken in accordance with EU requirements. The FVO also audits the operation of BIPs in the Member States. I have consistently pointed out at EU level that produce imported from third countries must meet standards equivalent to those required of Community producers. In this context I have been in regular contact with EU Commissioner for Health and Consumer Protection Mr. Markos Kyprianou. The Commissioner has assured me that the Commission will not hesitate to take the appropriate protection measures if a product, imported from a third country or produced in the domestic market represents a risk for the health of EC consumers, livestock or plants. I should add that in WTO discussions in the Council, I have always emphasized the need to take account of the non-trade aspect of market access, which I regard as a crucial element in the overall negotiations.
379 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the measures she has taken or proposes to take to isolate the possibility of an outbreak of foot and mouth or bluetongue disease here; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21913/07]
My Department and I have been particularly proactive in taking measures designed to minimise the risk of the introduction to Ireland of either Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) or Bluetongue.
With regard to the threat of FMD, I introduced an immediate ban on the importation to Ireland from Great Britain of live susceptible animals, fresh meat, raw milk and other products from such animals as soon as the first case of FMD was confirmed in Surrey on 3 August. I also instructed the immediate installation of disinfection points at Irish ports and airports. My Department also published information leaflets for people travelling from Britain and published information notices in the national newspapers as well as providing advice to the organisers of agricultural shows. Furthermore, my Department set-up a dedicated FMD website which contains a significant amount of useful information and advice. Within days of the introduction of my ban on imports from Britain, the European Commission introduced a ban on the export from Britain of susceptible live animals and products, including those included in my earlier ban. The Commission Decision was strictly enforced by my Department and a subsequent Commission Decision, introduced in the immediate aftermath of the first case in the second cluster of cases on 12 September, is currently being enforced by my Department. In the short period during which live exports from Britain were permitted, there were three consignments of live animals imported from Britain and all have been traced and clinically examined and found not to have any signs of disease.
With regard to Bluetongue, my Department and I have responded proactively to the increased threat posed by the spread of the disease across northern Europe last year by engaging the Department of Zoology at NUI Galway to assist in carrying out a comprehensive surveillance survey of the midges that potentially spread the virus. In addition, my Department's laboratory service has been testing thousands of blood samples for any evidence of Bluetongue since August 2006. My Department has also updated its contingency plans and legislative basis and has provided advice leaflets to farmers and the veterinary profession as well as having organised an industry seminar on bluetongue in July and comprehensive information is available on the Department's bluetongue website – www.bluetongue.ie.
The more recent detection of the disease in Britain, along with the rapid spread of the disease across northern Europe and its detection at more northerly points than ever before, inevitably increase the threat to Ireland. On Friday last, the Department of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs in Britain confirmed an outbreak of Bluetongue and immediately put in place the control measures required by Council Directive 2000/75/EC. There is, already, as a result of the FMD outbreak in Britain, a ban on the importation from Britain of live animals. With regard to the threat presented by both Bluetongue and FMD, my approach is to ensure adequate awareness of the diseases and, particularly, the clinical signs with which farmers, veterinary practitioners and other livestock handlers ought to be familiar and to encourage vigilance among them when inspecting animals. In that regard, farmers and veterinary practitioners should note that Bluetongue is a notifiable disease and suspicions of the disease must be reported immediately to my Department. My Department and I are very conscious of the need to ensure such adequate awareness and are keeping the communications strategy under constant review. Secondly, I am satisfied that the control measures currently in place are, at all times, proportionate to the current level of risk. This is obviously a situation that also requires to be kept under review and I will not hesitate to refine and update those control measures should I be satisfied that the risk has increased and that further control measures are appropriate.
In relation to the threat posed by the two diseases, my Department and I have been working closely with the Department of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs in London, the European Commission in Brussels and, particularly, the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD) in Belfast. I have been and continue to be in frequent contact with my Ministerial colleagues in London and Dublin while my officials are in constant contact with their counterparts. Working closely with DARD to ensure that the island of Ireland remains free of both Bluetongue and FMD is a priority for both Departments.
380 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if her attention has been drawn to concerns within the farming sector regarding the future viability of agriculture here in the aftermath of the CAP reform and in anticipation of the WTO; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21914/07]
The 2003 CAP reforms have been very positive for Irish agriculture. They have provided farmers with certainty about income support levels through the Single Farm Payment, while freeing them to increase their income from the market by responding to consumer demands. My main concern, now, is to ensure that there is a period of stability to allow farmers to implement the changes necessitated by decoupling and to adapt to the market needs in a stable policy environment. The 2003 CAP reform is still being implemented and further major policy change should not be contemplated at this stage.
The Agrivision 2015 Action Plan which I published in March 2006 sets out my vision for a competitive, consumer-focused and knowledge driven agri-food sector which will contribute to a vibrant rural economy, society and environment and which exploits opportunities in non-food areas. It was drawn up in the light of recent CAP reforms and the likelihood of a more liberalised trade policy under a new WTO agreement but also against the background of other changes which will impact on the sector. In relation to the ongoing WTO negotiations my over-riding objective is to ensure that the terms of the final agreement can be accommodated without the need for further reform of the CAP. I have consistently outlined my position in the clearest possible terms in the Agriculture and Fisheries Council. I will continue to work closely with like-minded Ministers in other Member States to seek support for my position. I am determined that any WTO agreement must be balanced and must not be concluded at the expense of EU and Irish agriculture.
381 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food her plans to ensure the future development of the agricultural industry with particular reference to the meat and dairy sectors; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21915/07]
Ireland is a food trading country. The industry serves 80 million customers throughout Europe and the world. This Government's vision for success is focused on the objective of ensuring that the Irish agri-food sector compares to the best in the EU and in the world in terms of knowledge base, competitiveness, innovation and marketing. My own approach and commitment to the future is based on the Agri Vision 2015 Action Plan, which I launched in 2005. This sets out the Government's vision for an agri-food sector that is competitive, consumer-focussed, which contributes to a vibrant rural economy, society and environment, and which also exploits opportunities in non-food areas.
The Action Plan sets out a wide range of actions that are required of all participants in the agriculture and food sector. These actions are needed to equip the sector to meet the challenges of a more competitive and liberalised market. Farmers, the processing industry, researchers, the advisory services, exporters and all those involved in the industry have a role to play in an integrated food chain if we are to achieve the vision that is set out. As commercial subsidies will play a much-reduced role in the future, success or failure will be determined primarily by the skills and energy of private business of all sizes and at all levels in the sector. Our vision for the future has been framed in the context of the Lisbon Agenda, which sets the overall EU policy framework for the economic and social regeneration of Europe if it is to remain a leading player in the global economy. The EU has committed itself to more growth and more jobs and, in particular, to investment in knowledge and innovation in unlocking business potential. This Government is convinced that the indigenous agriculture and food sector can make a significant contribution to the Lisbon process by retaining employment in rural areas in a modern efficient and competitive farming sector, in high-tech jobs in Research and Development and in the processing industry.
Meat Sector
To support the beef sector in responding to the very real challenges it faces on an ongoing basis in a very competitive environment, I have announced a number of policy initiatives and proposals. Amongst these is the Animal Welfare and Recording Scheme for Suckler Herds, aimed at assisting improvements in both quality and productivity, and thereby further underpinning competitiveness. Negotiations on finalising the scheme with the Commission, as required under EU law, are ongoing with a view to resolving outstanding issues as rapidly as possible. In addition, Bord Bia are intensifying their promotional efforts, particularly in our principal European markets. This will build on the already well-established marketing efforts, which are carried out on an ongoing basis by Bord Bia and the industry itself. In addition a Market Access Group has been established recently comprising representatives of my Department, An Bord Bia and the industry. Its main aim is to facilitate trade in Irish meat to non-EU markets. These initiatives are among a series of measures designed to assist and strengthen the beef sector and further position it to face the challenges of the future. Others include the Capital Investment Aid Scheme for the beef and sheepmeat sectors, which is directed towards improving efficiency and competitiveness in processing, expansion of Quality Assurance Schemes, and advances in Breed improvement programmes being progressed by ICBF.
Dairy Sector
To date in 2007, the dairy industry has experienced strong demand and prices for all dairy products and the outlook for the remainder of the year looks very positive. This has had a positive effect on producer prices, which have been increasing in recent months. Over the next years, intervention and market support measures will diminish in importance and the dairy industry will face internal and external price pressures. Capital investment and research and development in the industry are priorities in the Agri Vision 2015 Plan of Action. In this context, I launched a new dairy processing industry investment package in 2006. The package recognised the critical need for the State to engage with the processing sector in order to achieve the most favourable climate in which it can operate. The package will also assist the sector in terms of increasing scale and efficiency. In April 2007, a total of 19 capital investment projects were approved and awarded Government grant assistance of €114 million, which will generate an estimated capital spend of €286 million. The Dairy Processing Investment Fund will support capital investment related to the processing of dairy products, to underpin competitiveness and viability of the dairy industry in Ireland.
There is also a need for improved efficiency and long-term competitiveness at producer level. Reducing costs and increasing scale means getting more milk quota into the hands of active and committed producers at the lowest possible cost. I introduced a new Milk Quota Trading Scheme for the 2007/2008 quota year. I announced the 2008/09 scheme last week and the next quota trading exchange is due to run before the end of the year. The current Milk Quota regime was extended to 2014/15 as part of the Luxembourg Reform of the CAP in 2003. A Health Check review was agreed as part of this, but a Council Decision will be required for any proposed changes to the regime. The review will take place in 2008 and the key issue is the future of milk quotas. The Commission has already made it clear that it will be proposing the abolition of quotas from 2015, with a phasing out period before then, and will put forward a number of options in Spring 2008.
383 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if a transfer will be offered or arranged for a person (details supplied) in County Kildare from the Department of Social and Family Affairs to her Department’s office at Maynooth or Celbridge; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21917/07]
My Department's offices in Maynooth are temporary and the staff there will be relocating to the Department's facilities in Backweston next year. The move to Backweston is not part of the decentralisation process and vacancies arising there are currently being filled by redeployment of my Department's existing staff.
385 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science if she will assist a person (details supplied) in Dublin 5. [21388/07]
The Deputy will be aware that the home tuition scheme which provides funding to parents to provide education at home for children who, for a number of reasons such as chronic illness, are unable to attend school was extended in recent years to facilitate tuition for children awaiting a suitable educational placement and also to provide early intervention for preschool children with autism. Children diagnosed with autism are eligible for 10 hours home tuition per week from age 2.5 and the allocation increases to 20 hours per week when they reach 3 years of age. The child referred to by the Deputy has been allocated a place in an early intervention class for children with autism and may enrol when he is 3 years of age. In the interim he will be eligible for home tuition as outlined above and I have arranged for home tuition forms to be issued to his parent.
386 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Education and Science the reason a person (details supplied) in County Kildare has to travel two miles to obtain the bus when in fact the bus passes their door; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21396/07]
The School Transport Scheme, which is operated by Bus Éireann on behalf of my Department, facilitates eligible children travelling to Primary and Post Primary schools. The person referred to by the Deputy, in the details supplied, should liaise, in the first instance, with the local Transport Liaison Officer but it appears from the information supplied that she would not qualify for transport under the terms of the relevant school transport schemes.
387 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Education and Science the reason the resource teaching hours and special needs assistance support to a person (details supplied) in County Mayo was reduced; if this support will be restored to 22 hours a week; and the reason the parents were not notified of the proposed cut in their son’s teaching support hours by her Department. [21410/07]
As the Deputy will be aware, the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is responsible, through its network of local Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs), for allocating resource teachers and special needs assistants (SNAs) to schools to support children with special needs. My officials have been in contact with the NCSE in relation to this case and I understand that 3.5 resource teaching hours were granted to the school for the pupil in question in February 2007. These hours remain in place. The NCSE has advised that the pupil did not meet the criteria for full time SNA support and this was reduced in September 2007. The SENO discussed the decision with the school at the time. All schools have the names and contact details of their local SENO. Parents may also contact their local SENO directly to discuss their child's special educational needs, using the contact details available on www.ncse.ie.
388 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Education and Science the plans that exist to provide alternative school premises for a school (details supplied) in Dublin 7 in view of their pending eviction from their current premises by summer 2008; if her Department will liaise with the school to agree a plan; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21433/07]
The Department is aware that the current lease of the school to which the Deputy refers is due to expire in June 2008. In this context, the department is actively pursuing a number of options to accommodate the school. In the longer term, the Department has requested that a permanent location for the school be included as part of the master planning process on the Grangegorman site.
389 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Education and Science if she will confirm that a school (details supplied) in Dublin 7 will be able to move into the Grangegorman Dublin Institute of Technology site in the first wave of new buildings on this site; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21434/07]
The Grangegorman Development Agency has been informed by my Department that a site for a sixteen classroom school is required for the school in question and that provision should be made for this in the overall strategic plan for the development of the Grangegorman site. The proposed phasing for the delivery of the various aspects of the development will be identified by the Grangegorman Development Agency as part of the strategic plan as outlined in Section 12 of the Grangegorman Development Act 2005.
390 Deputy Michael Kennedy asked the Minister for Education and Science her plans for the acquisition of new school sites in Balbriggan; and the discussions taking place with Finglas County Council and land owners or developers. [21456/07]
Given the rapidly developing nature of Balbriggan, the Department is moving, as a matter of top priority, to acquire a number of sites reserved for both primary and post primary provision in the area. Discussions are at an advanced stage with the local authority in this regard. The Deputy will appreciate that due to commercial sensitivities, I am unable to comment on the specifics of any given site at this time.
391 Deputy Michael Kennedy asked the Minister for Education and Science if it is possible to request schools in the Dublin-North region to publish their lists of pupil intake before 28 February each year in order to facilitate a more orderly method of dealing with pupils on waiting lists. [21457/07]
Section 15(2)(d) of the Education Act 1998 requires the Board of Management to publish the policy of the school concerning the admission to and participation in the school.
The compulsory school starting age in a National School is 6 years of age. Enrolment in individual schools is the responsibility of the managerial authority of those schools and my Department does not seek to intervene in decisions made by schools in such matters. My Department's main responsibility is to ensure that schools in an area can, between them, cater for all pupils seeking places. This may result, however, in some pupils not obtaining a place in the school of their first choice.
It is open to all schools to apply for extra temporary accommodation to meet the immediate need for places at junior infant level or for older children. Such applications are invariably granted but of course schools need to make sure that they apply for extra accommodation in time. It is the responsibility of the managerial authorities of schools that are not in a position to admit all pupils seeking entry to implement an enrolment policy in accordance with the Education Act. In this regard a Board of Management may find it necessary to restrict enrolment to children from a particular area or a particular age group or, occasionally, on the basis of some other criterion. In formulating an admissions policy a school must, however, ensure it is lawful. In particular, it must act in accordance with section 7 of the Equal Status Act 2000 (as amended by Section 50 of the Equality Act, 2004).
The Board of Management of a school is also obliged under section 19(3) of the Educational Welfare Act 2000 to make a decision in writing in respect of an application for enrolment within 21 days and to inform the parents in writing of that decision. Where a Board of Management refuses to enrol a student in a school, the parent of the student or, where the student has reached 18 years of age, the student himself or herself, following the conclusion of any appeal procedures at school level, has a statutory entitlement under section 29 of the Education Act (as amended by Section 4 of the Education (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2007, to appeal that decision to the Secretary General of my Department.
A committee is established to hear the appeal with hearings conducted with a minimum of formality. In most cases appeals must be dealt with within 30 days. Where appropriate, the Secretary General may give whatever directions to the Board of Management that are considered necessary to remedy the matter complained of.
Details on appealing decisions on enrolment under section 29 of the Education Act (as amended by Section 4 of the Education (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 2007), are available on my Department's website at www.education.ie
392 Deputy Michael Kennedy asked the Minister for Education and Science if a school (details supplied) County Dublin will have sufficient school places in the coming years to accommodate the growing number of pupils in the Skerries, Loughshinny and Balrothery areas. [21458/07]
The school to which the Deputy refers opened in 1999 and was built to accommodate 1,000 pupils. Based on the 2006/2007 enrolments, the school had 108 vacant pupil places.
The Department is aware of the extensive housing developments and population increases in Skerries which is leading to an increased demand for school places. Earlier this year, the Department published a Draft Area Development Plan setting out infrastructural requirements for the foreseeable future for the north Dublin, east Meath and south Louth areas which includes Skerries.
On foot of this draft plan, the Department is of the view that a new post primary school for circa 600 pupils will be required in Skerries in the coming years. In that context, a site requires to be reserved which is being pursued under the Fingal School Model Agreement process. A timeframe for the delivery of a new school will be set when a suitable site has been identified and acquired.
393 Deputy Michael Kennedy asked the Minister for Education and Science if she will report on progress on the proposed new secondary school in Donabate; and when applications for enrolment will be available to the local community. [21459/07]
My Department is committed to providing a permanent building for the new post-primary school in Donabate. The school will be delivered along with new schools in Phibblestown, Co. Dublin and Laytown, Co. Meath under a design and build contract that is aimed at delivering 3,000 school places for these rapidly developing areas. The Department has appointed a Project Manager to oversee the delivery of these projects. The procurement process is well advanced for a Design Team to do the initial design of these 3 new schools.
The School Planning Section of my Department has approved temporary accommodation for the school to commence operation in September 2008. Applications for enrolment in the new school is a matter for County Dublin Vocational Education Committee, who are the patron body.
394 Deputy Michael Kennedy asked the Minister for Education and Science her progress on the provision of a permanent extension to a school (details supplied) in County Dublin; and the time scale involved. [21460/07]
The school to which the Deputy refers submitted a Major Capital application to expand to a 16 classroom school. I am pleased to inform the Deputy that following discussions between my Department and the school authority, the school has agreed to expand to a 24 classroom school. This building project has been given a Band 1 rating, and as such will be treated as a high priority in the School Building and Modernisation programme. This is part of the range of measures being put in place to ensure adequate school provision in the Balbriggan area.
395 Deputy Michael Kennedy asked the Minister for Education and Science the progress for the provision of additional accommodation for a school (details supplied) in County Dublin in view of the fact that the number of children on the waiting list for the 2008-09 school year. [21461/07]
I am pleased to inform the Deputy that the school to which he refers is included among the schools recently given approval for the appointment of a design team to progress an extension project. A technical site visit will be undertaken shortly. This is one of a range of projects to increase school capacity in the Balbriggan area.
396 Deputy Michael Kennedy asked the Minister for Education and Science when the permanent recognition for a school (details supplied) in County Dublin will be notified; and her plans for a new permanent school building. [21462/07]
I am pleased to inform the Deputy that the management authorities of the school to which he refers were recently notified that the Department granted recognition to the school with effect from 1 September 2007.
The Department is moving to acquire a number of sites reserved in the Balbriggan area under the Fingal School Model Agreement for the provision of educational facilities. A permanent site for this school is being acquired under this process. The school's Board of Management will be kept informed of progress in this regard. This is one of a range of projects to increase school capacity in the Balbriggan area.
397 Deputy Michael Kennedy asked the Minister for Education and Science her plans for a permanent extension to a school (details supplied) in view of the growth in population in Balrothery village. [21463/07]
I can confirm that a Major Capital Application for the school to which the Deputy refers is currently being assessed in the context of the Departments Multi-Annual Building and Modernisation Programme and other projects in rapidly developing areas.
398 Deputy Michael Kennedy asked the Minister for Education and Science if a new primary school in Skerries will be available in September 2008 in view of the number of extra children who will be commencing school then. [21464/07]
Two school sites have been reserved in Skerries for primary education requirements by Fingal County Council. The Department has instructed the County Council to acquire one of the sites, as a matter of priority, for the purpose of providing a new primary school for September 2008 and also permanent accommodation for St. Michael's House Special School. The Department intends to have suitable temporary accommodation in place on this site to enable the commencement of a new primary school for September 2008.
399 Deputy Michael Kennedy asked the Minister for Education and Science if she will request primary schools in the Balbriggan area to forward to her Department a list of the names and addresses of all children on their waiting lists for 2008, 2009 and 2010 in order to quantify the exact number of children needing school spaces for the next three years and to facilitate her Department in making school accommodation available in a timely fashion. [21465/07]
The Department has, in the past, had some difficulties obtaining such information from schools who had concerns regarding provisions of the Data Protection Act. In view of this, the Department will issue a circular to schools, clarifying the position and advising schools to draw parents' attention, on the enrolment forms, to the fact that such information may be provided in the context of planning for school provision.
However, the Deputy should also note that owing to a high incidence of duality across enrolment lists, together with inward and outward migration, and the practice of accepting multiple school places, access to such enrolment data alone will not fully or adequately inform the Department when planning additional school places.
400 Deputy Enda Kenny asked the Minister for Education and Science further to Parliamentary Question No. 155 of 4 July 2007, the schools in County Mayo where class sizes are in excess of 30 pupils which numbers amount to in excess of 1800 pupils; when she expects that in these particular schools' class sizes will be reduced to the stated extent of Government policy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21485/07]
As the Deputy will be aware, major improvements have been made in staffing at primary level in recent years. There are now 5,000 more primary teachers than there were in 2002. By the 2006/07 school year, we had reduced the average class size in our primary schools to 24, while the pupil teacher ratio was 16.4:1, including resource teachers etc. In that year, schools were staffed on the basis of a general rule of at least one classroom teacher for every 28 children. Given that the national average was 24, many schools benefited from much more favourable staffing ratios than this.
Extra teachers were provided by the Government for the 2007/08 school year to improve primary school staffing so that schools would generally get at least one classroom teacher for every 27 children. Posts allocated on the basis of this staffing schedule are specifically for mainstream classes and should be deployed accordingly. School authorities are requested to ensure that the number of pupils in any class is kept as low as possible, taking all relevant contextual factors into account (e.g. classroom accommodation, fluctuating enrolment). In particular, school authorities should ensure that there is an equitable distribution of pupils in mainstream classes and that the differential between the largest and smallest classes is kept to a minimum.
A further initiative in recent years 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 350 such posts have been sanctioned in the 2007/08 school year compared to 280 in 2006/07.
The improvements we have made in school staffing in recent years are absolutely unparalleled. The Government is committed to providing more teachers to our primary schools over the next five years. 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.
401 Deputy Brian O’Shea asked the Minister for Education and Science if remedial teaching in Irish is provided in gaelscoileanna; her proposals in this regard; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21640/07]
The Deputy will be aware that my Department implemented a general allocation system of learning support/resource teachers (LS/RT) to mainstream primary schools in September 2005. The system is intended to cater for children with high-incidence special education needs such as borderline mild general learning disability and mild general learning disability and specific learning disability. The allocation is also intended to support those with learning support needs, that is, those functioning at or below the tenth percentile on a standardised test of reading and/or mathematics.
It is a matter for each school to identify the pupils with learning support and high-incidence special education needs that will receive supplementary teaching support. Each school will have enough resource teaching hours to provide its pupils with a level of support appropriate to their needs. The school can use its professional judgement to decide how these hours are divided between different children in the school, to ensure that all their needs are met. My Department issued a guidance circular to schools which contained detailed information on how the system operates.
The learning support resource teaching service is available to all mainstream national schools including gaelscoileanna. Boards of Management are obliged to recruit fully recognised and qualified teachers to LS/RT posts to deliver this service.
402 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Education and Science if she will continue to provide educational services from the existing buildings at a school (details supplied) in Dublin 15; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21658/07]
The Department is in receipt of proposals from the Board of Management of the school to which the Deputy refers in relation to the future development of the school. In considering these proposals, further information and clarifications have been sought from the school authority. A response is awaited in this regard. Any decision regarding the future development of the school is a matter ultimately for the Patron body and the Board of Management.
403 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Education and Science if she will acquire a site to accommodate a school (details supplied) in Dublin 15; if this will be the same site as has been identified for the location of permanent buildings for another school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21659/07]
404 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Education and Science her plans with regard to the future of a school (details supplied) in Dublin 15; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21660/07]
433 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Education and Science if she will continue to provide educational services from the existing buildings at a school (details supplied) in Dublin 15; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21720/07]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 403, 404 and 433 together.
The school to which the Deputy refers extended its provision of educational facilities in September 2007 on foot of an extension of the parish boundaries to take in the new developments in Tyrellstown.
Due to the restricted nature of the existing school site, the Department agreed that the school could operate on a split campus basis and in that context temporary accommodation was provided. Educational provision will continue in both locations pending delivery of a permanent school.
The Department is in receipt of proposals from the Board of Management of the school in relation to the future development of the school. In considering these proposals, further information and clarifications have been sought from the school authority. A response is awaited in this regard. Any decision regarding the future development of the school is a matter ultimately for the Patron body and the Board of Management. The Department is in the process of acquiring one of the reserved sites in the Tyrellstown area to provide permanent accommodation for this school.
405 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Education and Science the formula used for assessing the need for schools and school places for the Hansfield SDZ in Dublin 15; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21661/07]
In analysing the need for future educational provision in the Hansfield SDZ, the Department, using the 2006 Census figures, takes account of the of the average occupancy rate for Fingal and the national average of school going children as percentage of total population.
It was also assumed that demand for educational provision emerging in the area would be met within the Hansfield area as schools in the surrounding area are operating at maximum capacity at present. As the Deputy may be aware, the reserved site in Hansfield is governed by regulations attaching to the Hansfield SDZ. The schools in Hansfield will be delivered commensurate with the phasing arrangements in the SDZ in a similar manner as those for the Adamstown SDZ.
406 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Education and Science the reason her Department advised Fingal County Council that the Castleknock area in Dublin 15 did not require an additional secondary school site in view of the fact that the area action plan for the Phoenix Park Racecourse was being prepared by the council; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21662/07]
The Deputy will be aware that the Department is advancing plans to make considerable extra post primary provision available in the Dublin 15 area. This includes three 1,000 pupils post primary schools to be developed in Phibblestown, Tyrellstown and Hansfield. With regard to Castleknock specifically, the Department is examining site possibilities for a new post primary school with the local authority.
408 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Education and Science if her Department monitors residential planning applications in areas where there is a known shortfall in school places; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21664/07]
The Department continually monitors situations regarding demand for primary and post primary schools in areas where there will be a suspected shortfall in school places. Officials from School Planning Section are in regular contact with the Planning Department of local authorities and receive regular updates on housing completions, planning applications, potential infill etc.
My Department is included among the prescribed authorities to whom local authorities are statutorily obliged to send draft development plans or proposed variations to development plans for comment. As a matter of course meetings are arranged with local authorities to establish the location, scale and pace of any major proposed developments and their possible implications for school provision.
409 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Education and Science the planning objections or submissions she made to local authorities in 2006 and 2007; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21665/07]
This information is not readily available. However, as a matter of course, the Department routinely makes submissions to local authorities on draft local area plans and other development plans in accordance with statutory provisions.
410 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Education and Science if she will provide a map showing the property boundary between lands owned by her Department in Littlepace, Dublin 15 and the private homes at Pace Road, Clonee, Dublin 15; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21666/07]
425 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Education and Science if her attention has been drawn to the fact that she has encroached on land owned by residents (details supplied) in Dublin 15, in constructing a new school building; if she will compensate residents for this infraction; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21681/07]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 410 and 425 together.
I understand that the Deputy refers to an ownership dispute regarding the boundary between land owned by the Department and adjacent private houses.
The Department acquired this land early 2006 and title to it (including the disputed piece) is registered in the Property Registration Authority. Some months ago, while the school building project on the site was under way, a number of residents in the private houses made a claim to ownership of the strip of land in question. In order not to delay the school building project while this claim was being examined, my officials immediately instructed the building contractor to proceed to complete the school excluding the disputed portion of land. The school is now completed.
As there is ambiguity as to ownership of the land in question the Department has requested the Office of the Chief State Solicitor to write to the legal representatives of the owners of the adjacent properties in an effort to agree a resolution to the situation. I do not propose to release the site map concerned while the matter is under consideration with the Chief State Solicitor's Office and until a resolution has been agreed.
411 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Education and Science the negotiations she has had with a company (details supplied) with regard to the acquisition of primary and secondary school sites at Kellystown and Porterstown in Dublin 15; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21667/07]
As the Deputy may be aware, the Department works in partnership with Fingal County Council under the Fingal School Model Agreement to acquire sites for educational provision in the Fingal area. As such, the Department has had no direct negotiations with the company to which the Deputy refers with regard to the acquisition of primary and secondary school sites at Kellystown and Porterstown in Dublin 15.
413 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Education and Science the reason students attending private, fee-paying colleges are not considered for the higher education grant; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21669/07]
The Higher Education Grants Schemes operate under the Local Authorities (Higher Education Grants) Acts, 1968 to 1992. Under the Higher Education Grants Scheme an approved course is defined as a full-time undergraduate course of at least two years duration or a full-time postgraduate course of not less than one year duration pursued in an approved institution.
An approved institution is defined to mean a university, university college or other institution of higher education in so far as it provides a course or courses of not less than two years duration, being a course, or courses, which the Minister for Education and Science approves for the time being for the purposes of the Acts. Each Year, the Higher Education Grants Scheme specifies a list of approved institutions for the purposes of the Schemes. The approved institutions mainly comprise of public funded third level institutions.
There are no plans at present to extend the scope of the student support schemes to private colleges. Any extension to the scope of the grants scheme to include private colleges can be considered only in the light of available resources and in the context of competing demands within the education sector. Tax relief, at the standard rate of tax, is available on tuition fees paid to certain private colleges in the State. Further details and conditions in relation to such tax relief are available from any tax office.
414 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Education and Science the size of the secondary school site at Phibblestown in Dublin 15; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21670/07]
The Deputy will be aware that the Department is advancing plans to make considerable extra post primary provision available in the Dublin 15 area.
Specifically, the new 1,000 pupil post-primary school will be delivered on an 8.5 acre site in Phibblestown.
415 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Education and Science if she has paid rent to a company (details supplied) for the use of land in their ownership to accommodate temporary school buildings at Littlepace, Clonee, Dublin 15; the amount paid; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21671/07]
Information concerning agreements between the Department and landowners is commercially sensitive and I am not in a position to provide the information sought by the Deputy.
416 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Education and Science the amount of rent she has paid to private landowners to accommodate school buildings for each of the past five years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21672/07]
The information sought by the Deputy is not available in the format requested.
417 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Education and Science the amount of rent she has paid to private landowners to accommodate school buildings in Dublin 15 for each of the past five years; the landowners who have been paid; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21673/07]
The information requested by the Deputy is not readily available. However, I will ask my officials to contact the Deputy with information that they can compile.
418 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Education and Science if she will acquire the reserved school site (details supplied) in Dublin 15, which was reserved by the council for future school use over ten years ago and is located in an area in which there is a known school place deficit and ongoing development; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21674/07]
The Department has raised this matter with the local authority to establish if the site reservation in the immediate area to which the Deputy refers is still valid.
419 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Education and Science the admissions policy that will be used by the new VEC national schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21675/07]
As part of the announcement I made earlier this year in relation to the development of a new additional model of patronage for national schools, I indicated that the proposed national community school will be an all inclusive school which will cater for the religious faiths represented in the area to be served by the school.
420 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Education and Science if it is still intended to establish a VEC national school in Dublin 15 by September 2008; the location of that school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21676/07]
It is still intended that the proposed new model of national community school will be introduced on a pilot basis in September 2008. The Department is actively engaged in ongoing consultations with the relevant Education Partners to explore the detailed implementation measures that will need to be put in place prior to the opening of the new school. A specific location for the school has yet to be decided.
421 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Education and Science if she is in the process of acquiring a school site from a school (details supplied) in Dublin 15; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21677/07]
The site referred to by the Deputy is not currently under consideration by the Department. However the Department is actively sourcing a site to provide additional post primary provision in the Castleknock area.
422 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Education and Science if her Department has ever used a compulsory purchase order to acquire land for educational use; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21678/07]
423 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Education and Science the powers she has to acquire land for school buildings by means of a compulsory purchase order; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21679/07]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 422 and 423 together.
The Department does not have the authority to use compulsory purchase orders in relation to matters arising from site acquisitions. The Property Management Section of the Office of Public Works acts on behalf of the Department in relation to site acquisitions generally. In certain circumstances local authorities also acquire sites on behalf of my Department.
The use of compulsory purchase procedures can be quite protracted and it would not necessarily mean the faster acquisition of sites. Neither would compulsory purchase orders mean the acquisition of sites at a price below market value. Where no alternative course of action exists, my Department may ask that CPOs be used, but the potential for the acquisition time to be quite protracted will be considered.
424 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Education and Science the progress she has made in acquiring the remaining one acre of the reserved site in Littlepace, Clonee Dublin 15, in view of the fact that Fingal County Council has agreed a price with the owner; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21680/07]
The acquisition process for the additional land to which the Deputy refers is at an advanced stage. However, the Deputy will appreciate that, due to the commercial sensitivities of land acquisition, I am unable to comment on the detail in relation to specific land purchases.
426 Deputy Frank Feighan asked the Minister for Education and Science the position in respect of a teacher (details supplied) who qualified in the Northern Ireland in secondary school training where this training is recognised as covering primary and secondary training; if the Teaching Council of Ireland recognises such training here; if it covers primary teaching in schools here; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21687/07]
The Teaching Council has had responsibility for registering teachers since its establishment on 28 March, 2006. My Department does not have any involvement in this process.
When an applicant for registration applies to the Teaching Council with a qualification other than those automatically recognised by the Council (previously by the Department of Education and Science), their qualifications are assessed against established criteria previously drawn up by the Department and subsequently adopted by the Teaching Council.
From a teacher education perspective, specifically in the areas of professional/curriculum studies and teaching practice, the criteria are broken down by sector — Primary and Post Primary — each focusing on the teaching of the specific age ranges 4-12 years (Primary) and 12-18 years (Post Primary). If the teacher in question meets the requirements for the Primary sector, he or she may be recognised as a primary school teacher for the purposes of registration with the Teaching Council.
427 Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Education and Science her plans to review the finishing times for primary school students; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21694/07]
The Rules for National Schools specify that a school must be open to receive pupils not later than 09.30 a.m. Subject to this requirement, the decision with regard to the actual opening time of a school is a matter for the Board of Management of the school concerned. There are no proposals to change this position.
Circular 11/95 and the Rules for National Schools state that pupils in infant classes may have a school day that is one hour shorter than the length of the normal school day, (i.e. 5 hours and forty minutes). It is a matter for the Board of Management of a particular school to decide whether this concession should be applied in the case of its school. If pupils in infant classes are being given a shorter day, their parents should be notified accordingly and invited to collect them at time of dismissal.
Schools that have notified parents of their policy in this regard would be entitled to expect that parents would comply with the stated policy. However, it is acknowledged that particular circumstances can arise whereby the implementation of the shorter school day for pupils in infant classes can cause difficulties for some parents. This can be especially so where, for instance, parents have other children in senior classes in the school who would not be finished until one hour after the infant classes have concluded.
In such situations parents should make contact with the Board of Management of the school and explain the difficulties that they will encounter if the school policy is strictly implemented. The Department would request schools to take a sympathetic approach to cases where the school policy causes genuine difficulties for parents.
428 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science if she has received the contracts for the acquisition of a site in Ballinamore, County Leitrim for a new post-primary school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21695/07]
The Office of Public Works (OPW) are acting on behalf of my Department on the acquisition of a site for this school. The site comprises two lots of lands. Contracts have been signed. The Chief State Solicitor is, however, still awaiting further documentation that is needed to close the sale and transfer title and his Office is in regular contact with the vendors' Solicitors to expedite closure.
When the site is secured the school project can be considered for further advancement in the context of the School Building and Modernisation Programme.
429 Deputy Paul Gogarty asked the Minister for Education and Science the position regarding plans for a new post-primary school at Ballinamore in County Leitrim; if the issues in respect of the purchase of land and appointment of a design team, which have resulted in significant delays over recent years, have been rectified; if a design team is formally approved for this year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21715/07]
The Office of Public Works (OPW) are acting on behalf of the Department in relation to the acquisition of a site for the project and the acquisition of same is currently at contract/conveyancing stages. On completion of the site acquisition process the project will progress in the context of the Department's multi-annual School Building and Modernisation Programme.
430 Deputy Paul Gogarty asked the Minister for Education and Science the process whereby design teams are appointed for schools; if this is only done at intervals; if so, the plans in place to facilitate schools that may not be ready by 1 September each year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21716/07]
The School Planning Section of the Department processes applications for school building projects on an ongoing basis. The appointment of a design team to suitable projects, is considered in the context of the multi-annual School Building and Modernisation Programme. Such appointments are included as part of a series of announcements published at intervals on the Department's website.
In general, temporary accommodation is provided as an interim measure to facilitate schools where there is an immediate shortfall in accommodation.
431 Deputy Phil Hogan asked the Minister for Education and Science if it is her intention to provide laboratory technicians in all second level schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21717/07]
Significant progress has been made in progressing a range of areas highlighted in the Report of the Task Force on the Physical Sciences e.g.
A new science curriculum has been introduced at primary level supported by a resource grant in December 2004 of €1000 per school plus €10 per pupil.
A revised syllabus in Junior Certificate Science was introduced in 2003 and it was examined for the first time in June 2006. Revised syllabi in Leaving Certificate Physics, Chemistry and Biology have also been introduced and examined within the last five years. Work on the revision of the two remaining Leaving Certificate subjects — Agricultural Science and Physics and Chemistry (combined) — is well advanced. The introduction of each of the revised syllabi has been supported by comprehensive in-service programmes for teachers.
Additional equipment grants have been provided to schools, and laboratories continue to be refurbished as part of the ongoing school building programme. In that context, €16 million was issued to schools in 2004 to support the implementation of the revised Junior Certificate Science syllabus.
Investment in the Programme of Research in Third Level Institutes (PRTLI) is continuing apace to enhance and promote world class standards in research, innovation and development.
My Department does not allocate provision for laboratory technicians/assistants in second level schools. The recommendation made by the Task Force Report in this area, in 2002 prices, was costed at €18.8m annually. The current cost of such provision is estimated at c. €24.6m for science subjects only, but could exceed €120m annually if applied to other practical subjects. While I have made it clear that I am not yet convinced of the need for lab assistants and that I believe that their provision would lead to demands for similar assistance in other subjects with a strong practical component, the Government is committed under the Strategy for Science, Technology and Innovation to re-visiting the issue. A decision on this issue can only be made in the context of the resources available from time to time in the Estimates.
As the Deputy will be aware, the Strategy for Science, Technology and Innovation 2006 to 2013 sets out a range of measures to further strengthen science teaching and learning and improve the uptake of senior cycle Physics and Chemistry. These include ensuring that the project based hands-on investigative approach now in place at junior cycle is extended to senior cycle, that the appropriate type of assessment is used and that there is an emphasis on the inter-disciplinary nature of science in society.
Other aspects of the Plan include:
reviewing the implementation of the primary science curriculum to ensure its effectiveness in stimulating interest and awareness in science at a very young age,
strengthening teacher training in this area
reforming maths and Leaving Certificate Physics and Chemistry curricula
promotion of science initiatives in Transition Year; and
the provision of information and brochures on science opportunities and careers, linking effectively with school guidance services.
Taken together, the comprehensive set of measures provided for in the SSTI will build on the improvements made in recent years and ensure even greater support for science education.
432 Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Education and Science the status of the appeal for a higher education grant for a person (details supplied) in County Wexford; when a decision will be made; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21719/07]
A reply has issued from the Higher Education: Equity Of Access unit of my Department in respect of a Notice of Appeal submitted from the candidate referred to by the Deputy.
434 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Education and Science her Department’s plans to address an anomaly (details supplied) that exists within the postgraduate programme in primary teaching; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21730/07]
I believe that the issue to which the Deputy refers is the degree requirement that must be satisfied by applicants for the Post Graduate Diploma in Education (Primary Teaching) and the fact that this degree must be at level 8 on the National Qualifications Framework, whilst there are other academic qualifications at level 8 on the Framework which are not honours degrees and do not satisfy this particular minimum entry requirement.
I consider that in the case of Primary School Teacher Training it is essential that participants applying for the course meet the required criteria, as currently set down, which include an honours level primary degree (a degree at Level 8 on the National Qualifications Framework).
435 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Education and Science the boards, bodies, authorities, agencies and quangos under the remit of her Department; the date of establishment; the number of members, staff and budget for each of the past ten years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21736/07]
The information requested by the Deputy is not readily available in my Department and would involve an inordinate amount of administrative time to compile.
Please see the following list of bodies under the aegis of my Department. If the Deputy has any queries in relation to a particular body then officials in my Department would be more than happy to discuss these with him.
Bodies under the Aegis of the Department
Advisory Council for English Language Schools
An Chomhairle um Oideachais Gaeltachta agus Gaelscolaíochta
Centre for Early Childhood Development and Education
Commission on School Accommodation Needs
Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies
Education Finance Board
Further Education & Training Awards Council
Grangegorman Development Agency
Higher Education and Training Awards Council
Higher Education Authority
Integrated Ireland Language and Training Ltd.
International Education Board — Ireland
Irish Research Council for Science, Engineering and Technology
Irish Research Council for the Humanities and Social Sciences
Léargas — The Exchange Bureau
National Centre for Technology in Education
National Centre Guidance in Education
National Council for Curriculum and Assessment
National Council for Special Education
National Education Welfare Board
National Qualifications Authority of Ireland
Residential Institution Redress Board
Royal Irish Academy of Music
Royal Irish Academy
State Examinations Commission
The President's Award – Gaisce
The Teaching Council
436 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Education and Science the boards, bodies, authorities, agencies and quangos under the remit of her Department that have been abolished in the past ten years; the number of members, staff and budget in the year of abolition; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21751/07]
The information requested by the Deputy is being compiled in my Department and will be sent to him as soon as possible.
437 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Education and Science the appointments she has made to State boards, agencies, quangos, bodies and authorities since 1 July 2007; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21766/07]
The information requested by the Deputy is provided in the following table.
|
State Board |
No. of Appointments |
Date of Appointment |
|
Union of Students in Ireland |
1 |
01/10/2007 |
|
National Qualifications Authority Ireland (NQAI) Board |
1 |
01/10/2007 |
|
Limerick Education Centre |
1 |
01/10/2007 |
|
Kildare Education Centre |
1 |
01/10/2007 |
|
Grangegorman Development Agency |
1 |
September 2007 |
|
New Schools Advisory Committee (NSAC) Appeals Committee |
3 |
July 2007 |
|
Athlone Institute of Technology (Governing Body) |
2 |
01/07/2007 |
|
Cork Institute of Technology (Governing Body) |
1 |
01/10/2007 |
|
Dublin Institute of Technology (Governing Body) |
1 |
01/07/2007 |
|
Dundalk Institute of Technology (Governing Body) |
1 |
01/07/2007 |
|
Dún Laoghaire Institute of Art, Design and Technology (Governing Body) |
2 |
01/07/2007 |
|
Limerick Institute of Technology (Governing Body) |
2 |
01/09/2007 |
|
Institute of Technology Sligo (Governing Body) |
2 |
01/09/2007 |
|
Institute of Technology Tallaght (Governing Body) |
2 |
16/08/2007 |
|
1 |
01/09/2007 |
|
|
Institute of Technology Tralee (Governing Body) |
2 |
01/07/2007 |
|
1 |
07/09/2007 |
|
|
Waterford Institute of Technology (Governing Body) |
2 |
01/09/2007 |
438 Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Education and Science the reason a school (details supplied) in County Westmeath which is accommodated in an old building not able to sustain current needs, has not received funding for an urgently needed extra classroom and toilets despite application under a number of schemes and being promised the necessary €480,000; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21807/07]
An application was submitted by the school referred to by the Deputy under the Permanent Accommodation Scheme 2007. On Monday, 5 March 2007, I announced details of the schools to receive funding under the Permanent Accommodation Scheme 2007. However, this application was not successful.
In the context of the available funding for temporary accommodation and the number of applications for that funding, it was not possible to approve all applications received and only those with an absolute and demonstrated need for additional accommodation were approved. All schools are required, as an interim measure, to maximize the use of existing accommodation until my Department is in a position to make extra accommodation available.
439 Deputy Jimmy Deenihan asked the Minister for Education and Science the progress to date regarding the provision of a new school building for a school (details supplied) in County Kerry to replace the present inadequate premises; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21820/07]
The building project for the school referred to by the Deputy was one of a number of schools I announced in 2005 to progress through architectural planning. The long term projected enrolment has recently been reassessed for this school. As the brief for the project was subsequently increased, my Department's technical team carried out an assessment to determine how best to progress the project. It was decided that the project is a suitable candidate for an 8 Classroom Generic Repeat Design (GRD) school. The Board of Management has accepted this proposal.
Officials from my Department wrote to the Board of Management in May 2007 requesting a Stage 3 submission. When the stage 3 submission is received in my Department, my Officials will arrange a meeting with the School Authorities and their Design Team in order to evaluate the documentation. It is envisaged that unless there are very exceptional circumstances involved, the meeting will be sufficient to approve the stage. Progression of the project to tender and construction will be considered in the context of the multi-annual School Building and Modernisation programme.
440 Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Education and Science when an application by a person (details supplied) in County Limerick for the provision of home tuition will be processed and granted. [21821/07]
I wish to advise the Deputy that the application for Home Tuition is currently under consideration within my Department for the child in question. It is expected that a decision will be made on this application shortly.
441 Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Education and Science the status of the application by a school (details supplied) in County Westmeath for necessary additional accommodation; when the accommodation will be in place; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21822/07]
A revised stage 3 submission (detailed design) for the project referred to by the Deputy, is currently with my Department. A meeting with the school management and their Design Team is due to be held on the 12th October to evaluate this submission. If this submission proves satisfactory the school will be authorised to take the project to the next stage i.e. Planning Permission and preparation of Tender Documentation.
442 Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Education and Science if her Department has liaised with Westmeath County Council in order to ensure that there is adequate land zoned in the context of the review of the county development plan taking place to allow a secondary school to be constructed at Kinnegad, County Westmeath in line with the N4/M4 area development plan; if she will ensure that such a school be planned for now in advance of 2011 as set out in the development plan; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21823/07]
Since the publication of the N4/M4 area development plan, officials of the Department have met with Westmeath County Council officials on a number of occasions. The future education infrastructural requirements at primary and post primary level in Kinnegad, and county Westmeath generally, were discussed in detail. Population trends in the area are being monitored by School Planning Section and the necessary steps to provide for a new secondary school will be taken to meet needs as they arise.
443 Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Education and Science the amount of funding allocated to enable additional accommodation to be provided at a school (details supplied) in County Westmeath; the position in relation to the application; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21852/07]
On 5 March 2007, I announced details of the schools to receive funding under the Small Schools Scheme 2007. The application from the school to which the Deputy refers was successful and officials from School Building Section have been in contact the school authority advising them of the next steps in the process.
444 Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Education and Science if her attention has been drawn to the situation regarding the provision of school transport for a person (details supplied) in County Cork; if she will ensure that school transport is made available; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21904/07]
An application for school transport on behalf of the pupil referred to by the Deputy in the details supplied was received in the School Transport Section of my Department on 21st September 2007. Bus Éireann, which operates the School Transport Scheme on behalf of my Department, has been requested to submit a report on the availability of a school transport service to meet this pupil's needs. When this report is received, my Department will notify the family concerned of the outcome.
445 Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Education and Science the progress to date on the plans to re-organise schools (details supplied) to form a junior and senior school on a single site in Clondalkin, Dublin 22 with the provision of two sixteen classroom schools. [21921/07]
I am pleased to inform the Deputy that agreement has been reached to re-organise the two schools to which the Deputy refers to form junior and senior schools. In order to ensure that future demand for education through the medium of Irish in Clondalkin can be catered for, it is the Department's intention to plan for the delivery of two sixteen classroom schools. It has been agreed with County Dublin VEC that both schools can be developed on the site currently occupied by a second level all Irish school. Consequently, additional capacity will also be required at that second level school. The site is currently being master-planned and the school authorities will be kept up to date in that regard.
446 Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Defence the reason for the recent resignation of the secretary general of the Irish Red Cross; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21507/07]
The Irish Red Cross Society is an autonomous body, established in accordance with the Red Cross Act, 1938, with full powers to manage and administer its affairs through its governing body, the Central Council. The terms and conditions of service of employees are matters for the Society itself. The Minster for Defence has no function in the administration of the Irish Red Cross and does not get involved in the day to day running of its affairs.
447 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Defence the boards, bodies, authorities, agencies and quangos under the remit of his Department; the date of establishment; the number of members, staff and budget for each of the past ten years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21735/07]
I refer to the tables below, detailing the boards, bodies, authorities and agencies under the remit of my Department; the date of establishment; the number of members and the staff and budget for each of the past ten years.
|
Year (as of 31 Dec) |
Board Members |
Staff |
Budget |
|
1998 |
15 |
3 |
£350,000 |
|
1999 |
15 |
3 |
£360,000 |
|
2000 |
14 |
3 |
£473,000 |
|
2001 |
14 |
3 |
£504,000 |
|
2002 |
14 |
3 |
€625,000 |
|
2003 |
14 |
3 |
€657,000 |
|
2004 |
13 |
3 |
€693,000 |
|
2005 |
12 |
3 |
€1,123,000 |
|
2006 |
15 |
4 |
€749,000 |
|
2007 (as at Sept 26th) |
15 |
4 |
€879,000 |
|
Established 1 July 1939 |
|||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Year |
Terms of Office |
No. of Government Nominees |
Grant in Aid January to December |
|
1997 |
May 1997-April 2000 |
16 |
£535,000 (€679,310) |
|
1998 |
16 |
£555,000 (€704,705) |
|
|
1999 |
16 |
£575,000 (€730,100) |
|
|
2000 |
May 2000 -April 2003 |
17 |
£590,000 (€749,146) |
|
2001 |
17 |
£609,000 (€773,270) |
|
|
2002 |
17 |
€809,000 |
|
|
2003 |
May 2003-April 2006 |
17 |
€821,000 |
|
2004 |
16 |
€866,000 |
|
|
2005 |
16 |
€888,000 |
|
|
2006 |
May 2006-April 2009 |
17 |
€910,000 |
|
2007 |
17 |
€931,000 |
|
Established 7th May 2003 |
|||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Year |
Number of Members |
Number of Staff |
Budget since Establishment |
|
€ |
|||
|
2003 |
14 |
25 |
5,579,000 |
|
2004 |
14 |
22 |
5,593,000 |
|
2005 |
14 |
20 |
5,767,000 |
|
2006 |
14 |
21 |
5,928,000 |
|
2007 |
14 |
29 |
6,099,000 |
|
Established under section 5 of the Army Pensions Act 1927 |
|||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Year |
Members |
Staff |
Expenditure |
|
1997 |
3 |
2 |
58,048.49 |
|
1998 |
3 |
2 |
55,448.10 |
|
1999 |
3 |
2 |
44,915.79 |
|
2000 |
3 |
2 |
63,859.14 |
|
2001 |
3 |
2 |
69,138.99 |
|
2002 |
3 |
2 |
82,245.27 |
|
2003 |
3 |
2 |
86,275.52 |
|
2004 |
3 |
2 |
89,944.13 |
|
2005 |
3 |
2 |
97,060.27 |
|
2006 |
3 |
2 |
100,089.72 |
448 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Defence the boards, bodies, authorities, agencies and quangos under the remit of his Department that have been abolished in the past ten years; the number of members, staff and budget in the year of abolition; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21750/07]
There have been no abolitions of boards, bodies, authorities and agencies in my Department in the past ten years. There are no quangos under the remit of the Department of Defence.
449 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Defence appointments he has made to State boards, agencies, quangos, bodies and authorities since 1 July 2007; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21765/07]
I have re-appointed two members to the Board of Coiste an Asgard since 1 July 2007. There have been no further appointments to State boards, agencies, bodies and authorities in my Department. There are no quangos under the remit of the Department of Defence.
450 Deputy Seymour Crawford asked the Minister for Defence if there are proposals or commitments to change the number of army barracks in the border region; if so, when and the location of same; his views on whether there is clear need for clarification on this issue in order that rumours can be dealt with head on and ensure personnel and their families together with the security of the State are guaranteed long term; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21846/07]
Permanently occupied military installations in the border region are located at Rockhill House, Letterkenny, Co. Donegal; Lifford, Co. Donegal; Finner Camp, Bundoran, Co. Donegal; Monaghan Barracks, Monaghan; Dún Uí Néill Military Barracks, Cavan and Aiken Barracks, Dundalk, Co. Louth.
The Government, in July, 1998, approved a programme of evacuation and sale of six barracks considered surplus to military requirements. The barracks in question were located at Ballincollig, Fermoy, Castleblayney, Naas, Kildare and Islandbridge, Dublin. The sale of Fitzgerald Camp, Fermoy, Castleblayney Military Post, Devoy Barracks, Naas and Clancy Barracks, Dublin have been completed, together with most of Murphy Barracks, Ballincollig. The disposal of the remaining lands at Ballincollig is being progressed at present.
Subsequent to its closure, the Government decided on 1 July 2003 that Magee Barracks, Kildare, would be among the State property released for inclusion in the Sustaining Progress Affordable Housing Initiative. The legal formalities relating to its transfer under the Initiative are being progressed with the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, which is the lead Department for the development of the Affordable Housing Initiative, and in consultation with the Chief State Solicitor's Office.
No decision has been made to close further barracks. My Department's property portfolio is, however, kept under on-going review. Properties deemed surplus to military requirements are disposed of and the funds invested to meet the equipment and infrastructure needs of the Defence Forces.
451 Deputy Seán Barrett asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will introduce legislation to regulate estate management companies, particularly in view of the level of fees being charged in estates occupied mainly by first time buyers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21559/07]
It is important at the outset to distinguish between the functions of management agents and property management companies. Management agents undertake property-related services under contract for the property management companies which comprise the residents in multi-unit developments. The management fee is normally set by the company and is used to fund the activities undertaken on its behalf by the management agent.
Because they provide property services, management agents will, together with auctioneers and estate agents, be covered by the licensing system to be operated by the National Property Services Regulatory Authority. In December last, the Government approved the drafting of legislation to establish this Authority and it is currently being drafted in the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel.
The position in relation to property management companies is that the Law Reform Commission published a Consultation Paper on Multi-Unit Developments in December last year. The Paper outlines the broad range of issues arising in relation to the governance and operation of such developments and makes it clear that action to address the problems arising in this area will be required across several policy fields, including the planning and development code, company law, consumer protection law and the development of regulatory structures.
In recognition of the cross-cutting nature of many of the issues identified by the Law Reform Commission in its Paper, a high-level interdepartmental committee has been established to assist in the development of a coherent and comprehensive response to these issues. A key task of this committee is to identify the legislative and administrative actions to be taken and to determine a timescale for implementation. In particular, the committee will have regard to the definitive recommendations for legislative reforms which, following a lengthy consultation process, will be set out in the Law Reform Commission's forthcoming Report on Multi-Unit Developments. It is expected that the Report will be published later this year.
452 Deputy John Perry asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the status a family reunification visa application for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21370/07]
I am informed by the Immigration Division of my Department that the person in question made a Family Reunification application in February 2007. The application was forwarded to the Refugee Applications Commissioner for investigation as required under Section 18 of the Refugee Act 1996. This investigation has been completed and the Commissioner has forwarded a report to my Department. This application will be considered by my Department and a decision will issue in due course. At the present time Family Reunification applications are taking up to 24 months to process.
453 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will respond to a query (details supplied). [21387/07]
I am informed by the Garda authorities that the area referred to is regularly patrolled by uniformed and plain clothes Gardaí from the Raheny Garda District. These patrols are backed up by the District Drug Unit, Community Policing Unit and Mountain Bike Unit, supplemented by the Divisional Crime Task Force and Traffic Units.
Local Garda management is aware of a number of persons who occasionally gather in the public park areas near the location referred to. Incidents of anti-social behaviour in these areas are dealt with under the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Acts. I am advised that Garda patrols will be intensified. Where there is sufficient evidence, appropriate action will be taken by the Garda authorities.
Current policing policy in the area is predicated on the prevention of crime including crimes of violence against persons and property, the prevention of public order offences and the maintenance of an environment conducive to the improvement of the quality of life of the residents. This strategy is, and will continue to be, central to the delivery of the policing service in this area.
454 Deputy Jan O’Sullivan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform when a decision will be made on an application for family reunification for a person (details supplied) in County Limerick; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21426/07]
I am informed by the Immigration Division of my Department that the person in question made an application for Family Reunification under the provisions of Section 18 of the Refugee Act 1996 in May 2005. The application was refused on 29 August 2006. However, the application is being re-examined following the receipt of further requested documentation. In this regard a decision will issue to the person in question as soon as possible.
455 Deputy Ruairí Quinn asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the considerations taken into account when deciding on applications for residence permits made by non-EU or EEA nationals who are same sex partners of Irish citizens and who wish to reside with them in the State; the weight attached to proof of an enduring and long term relationship between the parties; the weight attached to the fact that the parties have entered into a civil union or marriage under the laws of another State; if there has been change in applicable policy in recent times; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21448/07]
A non-EEA national who is the partner of an Irish citizen may seek permission to remain in the State based on such a relationship and each case will be considered by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service on the particular circumstances of the case.
The circumstances which would support such a request would be where the partners have been in a relationship for at least 4 years (i.e. evidence of a durable relationship); the immigration record of the non-EEA national; if the persons appear to have a genuine intention of residing together in the State; if the persons have an income in the State which would support them; if there is no evidence to suggest that the request for permission to remain is being used as a way of circumventing other immigration procedures. Evidence of a civil union or marriage entered into in another jurisdiction would not of itself determine the application but could contribute to proof of a durable relationship.
The normal outcome of a successful request would be that the non-EEA national would be allowed remain in the State either as a student, a dependant of the Irish citizen or as a person entitled to work in the State subject to obtaining the relevant work permit. While the Minister has discretion to allow persons to remain in the State with an exemption from work permit requirements it is not his general policy to do so in cases of this type. An exemption from work permit requirements granted in a particular case cannot be used as a precedent for other cases. There has not been a change to policy in this area recently.
456 Deputy Pat Rabbitte asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he is satisfied that Gardaí in Kilkenny City are adequately supplied with vehicles both marked and unmarked; the number of marked and unmarked vehicles allocated to the city area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21495/07]
The detailed allocation of Garda resources, including transport, is a matter for the Garda Commissioner. I am informed by the Garda authorities that there are 12 vehicles allocated to Kilkenny District for operational policing in Kilkenny City, seven of which are marked (including one motorcycle) and five are unmarked. I am further informed that local Garda management report that the current allocation is sufficient for operational policing purposes.
457 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform when a decision will be reached in the family reunification application of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 7. [21496/07]
The visa application referred to by the Deputy is currently receiving attention. A decision will issue in the near future.
458 Deputy Michael Kennedy asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his plans to bring about a Fingal Garda division responsible for all Garda activity in the area administered by Fingal County Council; and the timescale involved for same. [21498/07]
The Garda Commissioner has been reviewing Garda Divisional Boundaries with a view to making them coterminous with local authority boundaries. I will carefully consider his proposals for re-organisation.
459 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of Gardaí in a town (details supplied) in County Mayo at present. [21553/07]
460 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the breakdown of the number of Gardaí in a town (details supplied) in County Mayo on a yearly basis for the past five years. [21554/07]
461 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his plans to increase the number of Gardaí in a town (details supplied) in County Mayo in view of circumstances. [21555/07]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 459 to 461, inclusive, together.
As of 31 August last, the latest date for which figures are readily available, the personnel strength of Ballinrobe Garda Station was 9 (all ranks).
The following table shows the personnel strength (all ranks) of Ballinrobe Garda Station at the end of each year from 31 December 2002 to 31 December 2006.
|
31/12/02 |
31/12/03 |
31/12/04 |
31/12/05 |
31/12/06 |
|
9 |
11 |
11 |
11 |
9 |
The Deputy will appreciate that, as with any large organisation, on any given day, the strength of the organisation, or units within it, may fluctuate due, for example, to retirements, resignations etc. It is the responsibility of the Garda Divisional Officer to allocate personnel within his or her Division taking everything into account. The situation will be kept under review by the Garda Commissioner and when additional personnel next become available the needs of Ballinrobe Garda Station will be fully considered by him within the overall context of the needs of Garda Divisions throughout the country.
462 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform when long-term residency will be granted to persons (details supplied) in County Mayo. [21558/07]
As outlined in my response to Parliamentary Question No. 673 put down for answer on the 26th June 2007, persons who have been legally resident in the State for over five years on the basis of work permit/work authorisation/work visa conditions may apply to the Immigration Division of my Department for a five year residency extension. In that context they may also apply to be exempt from employment permit requirements.
While applications for long term residency are under consideration, the persons concerned should ensure that their permission to remain in the State is kept up to date.
An application for long term residence from the persons referred to by the Deputy was received in July 2006. I understand that applications received in early July 2006 are currently being dealt with. As soon as a decision is made on the case, the person concerned will be notified.
As the Deputy will be aware, under the provisions of the Registration of Deeds and Title Act 2006, the Property Registration Authority was established as and from 4 November, 2006. The Property Registration Authority replaces the Registrar of Deeds and Titles as the registering authority in relation to property registration in Ireland and, subject to the above Act, is independent in the performance of its functions.
In order to be of assistance I have forwarded the Deputy's query to the Authority for its attention and direct reply. I understand that a reply has already issued.
I would also like to refer the Deputy to a service for TDs and Senators concerning the current status of applications of this type which was introduced in May 2006. The service was introduced, inter alia, to provide a speedier and more cost effective alternative to submitting Parliamentary Questions.
464 Deputy Arthur Morgan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will make a decision to permit a person (details supplied) in County Louth to remain in the State until the birth of their baby; the date on which he will make the decision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21587/07]
The person concerned and her daughter arrived in the State on 14 March, 2003 and claimed asylum. Their application was refused following consideration of their case by the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner and, on appeal, the Refugee Appeals Tribunal.
The person concerned was informed by letter dated 19 August, 2004 that the Minister proposed to make Deportation Orders in respect of her and her daughter and afforded them three options in accordance with Section 3 (3) (b) (ii) of the Immigration Act, 1999 (as amended) namely to leave the State voluntarily, to consent to the making of Deportation Orders or to submit, within 15 working days, written representations to the Minister setting out the reasons why they should be allowed to remain temporarily in the State i.e. why they should not be deported.
Their case was examined under Section 3 (6) of the Immigration Act, 1999 (as amended), and Section 5 of the Refugee Act, 1996 (as amended) on the Prohibition of Refoulement. Consideration was given to all representations submitted on their behalf for permission to remain temporarily in the State. On 11 July, 2007 I refused permission to remain temporarily in the State and instead signed Deportation Orders in respect of the person concerned and her daughter. Notice of these Orders was served by registered post requiring the person concerned to present herself and her daughter to the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB), on 23 August, 2007, in order to make travel arrangements for their deportation from the State. She presented as required and was given further presentation dates which she kept. She is due to present again on 24 October 2007 at Dundalk Garda Station.
The effect of the Deportation Orders is that the persons concerned must leave the State and remain thereafter outside the State. The enforcement of the Deportation Orders remains an operational matter for the Garda National Immigration Bureau. Consequently any inquiries requesting a postponement of the enforcement process should be directed to that agency.
465 Deputy Mary Upton asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will review the citizenship application of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 6 with a view to having it processed as soon as possible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21627/07]
An application for a certificate of naturalisation from the person referred to was received in the Citizenship Section of my Department on 4 November 2005.
On examination of the application it was determined that this person did not meet the statutory residency requirements as set out in the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended. A letter informing him of this was issued on 7 December 2005.
It is open to the individual concerned to lodge a new application if and when he is in a position to meet the statutory residency requirements.
466 Deputy P. J. Sheehan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the reason a new application number was issued to a person (details supplied) in County Cork in their application for naturalisation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21628/07]
An application for a certificate of naturalisation from the person referred to was received in the Citizenship Section of my Department in June 2006.
On examination of this application it was determined that the individual did not meet the residency requirements as set out in the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended. A letter informing him of this was issued on 28 October 2006.
A fresh application was received in the Citizenship Section in May 2007 and a new file number was therefore allocated. Officials in that Section are currently processing applications received in the beginning of 2005 and have approximately 14,400 applications on hand to be dealt with before that of the person concerned. These are generally dealt with in chronological order as this is deemed to be the fairest to all applicants. It is likely that further processing of the application will commence towards the end of 2009.
I will inform the Deputy and the person concerned when I have reached a decision in the matter.
467 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will provide a list of all the Garda stations in the State; the population of the areas which they cover; the number of Gardaí by rank stationed in each one; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21642/07]
A list of all Garda Stations in the State, broken down by Division, is available on the Garda website (www.garda.ie/angarda/stations.html).
I am informed by the Garda authorities that the Central Statistics Office is currently examining the 2006 Census of Population figures in relation to Small Area Population Statistics (SAPS). It is not expected that these SAPS figures will be available until mid-November 2007. It is, therefore, not yet possible to provide population figures for each Garda Division based on the 2006 Census figures.
The personnel strength of all Gardaí, broken down by rank, in each Garda Operational District is as set out in the following table.
|
SU — Superintendent; IN — Inspector; SG — Sergeant; GD — Garda. |
|||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Divisions/District |
CR |
DC |
AC |
CS |
SU |
I |
SG |
GD |
Total |
|
D.M.R. South Central |
|||||||||
|
Pearse Street |
2 |
1 |
9 |
38 |
302 |
352 |
|||
|
Kevin Street |
1 |
7 |
31 |
186 |
225 |
||||
|
Donnybrook |
6 |
21 |
162 |
190 |
|||||
|
D.M.R. Southern |
|||||||||
|
Crumlin |
1 |
2 |
5 |
30 |
143 |
181 |
|||
|
Tallaght |
1 |
5 |
30 |
220 |
256 |
||||
|
Rathmines |
1 |
6 |
26 |
139 |
173 |
||||
|
D.M.R. Northern |
|||||||||
|
Santry |
1 |
2 |
6 |
40 |
211 |
260 |
|||
|
Coolock |
1 |
6 |
32 |
205 |
244 |
||||
|
Raheny |
1 |
6 |
24 |
149 |
180 |
||||
|
D.M.R. West |
|||||||||
|
Blanchardstown |
1 |
2 |
6 |
49 |
279 |
337 |
|||
|
Lucan |
1 |
5 |
26 |
163 |
195 |
||||
|
Clondalkin |
1 |
5 |
25 |
179 |
210 |
||||
|
D.M.R. North Central |
|||||||||
|
Store Street |
1 |
2 |
8 |
36 |
247 |
294 |
|||
|
Fitzgibbon Street |
1 |
6 |
26 |
188 |
221 |
||||
|
Bridewell |
1 |
9 |
29 |
143 |
182 |
||||
|
D.M.R. Eastern |
|||||||||
|
Dún Laoghaire |
1 |
2 |
7 |
27 |
173 |
210 |
|||
|
Bray |
1 |
5 |
30 |
176 |
212 |
||||
|
Blackrock |
1 |
4 |
26 |
159 |
190 |
||||
|
Louth / Meath |
|||||||||
|
Drogheda |
1 |
1 |
3 |
17 |
100 |
122 |
|||
|
Ashbourne |
1 |
1 |
10 |
72 |
84 |
||||
|
Dundalk |
1 |
3 |
23 |
117 |
144 |
||||
|
Kells |
1 |
7 |
46 |
54 |
|||||
|
Trim |
1 |
9 |
38 |
48 |
|||||
|
Balbriggan |
1 |
1 |
7 |
58 |
67 |
||||
|
Navan |
1 |
1 |
11 |
57 |
70 |
||||
|
Longford / Westmeath |
|||||||||
|
Mullingar |
1 |
1 |
3 |
4 |
16 |
90 |
115 |
||
|
Athlone |
1 |
1 |
12 |
63 |
77 |
||||
|
Longford |
1 |
1 |
11 |
58 |
78 |
||||
|
Granard |
1 |
6 |
36 |
43 |
|||||
|
Laois / Offaly |
|||||||||
|
Portlaoise |
1 |
1 |
2 |
19 |
99 |
122 |
|||
|
Abbeyleix |
1 |
7 |
35 |
43 |
|||||
|
Birr |
1 |
7 |
37 |
45 |
|||||
|
Tullamore |
1 |
2 |
16 |
76 |
95 |
||||
|
Carlow / Kildare |
|||||||||
|
Naas |
1 |
1 |
1 |
20 |
121 |
144 |
|||
|
Kildare |
1 |
1 |
16 |
67 |
85 |
||||
|
Carlow |
1 |
13 |
85 |
99 |
|||||
|
Baltinglass |
1 |
3 |
9 |
57 |
70 |
||||
|
Wexford/Wicklow |
|||||||||
|
Wexford |
1 |
1 |
2 |
14 |
88 |
106 |
|||
|
Gorey |
1 |
2 |
13 |
73 |
89 |
||||
|
Enniscorthy |
1 |
10 |
39 |
50 |
|||||
|
New Ross |
1 |
8 |
41 |
50 |
|||||
|
Wicklow |
1 |
2 |
12 |
55 |
70 |
||||
|
Waterford / Kilkenny |
|||||||||
|
Waterford |
1 |
2 |
5 |
25 |
133 |
166 |
|||
|
Dungarvan |
1 |
1 |
9 |
46 |
57 |
||||
|
Tramore |
1 |
7 |
40 |
48 |
|||||
|
Kilkenny |
1 |
2 |
3 |
15 |
80 |
101 |
|||
|
Thomastown |
1 |
5 |
34 |
40 |
|||||
|
Tipperary |
|||||||||
|
Thurles |
1 |
1 |
2 |
16 |
58 |
78 |
|||
|
Clonmel |
1 |
1 |
12 |
60 |
74 |
||||
|
Cahir |
1 |
8 |
45 |
54 |
|||||
|
Nenagh |
1 |
1 |
8 |
38 |
48 |
||||
|
Templemore |
1 |
9 |
48 |
58 |
|||||
|
Tipperary Town |
1 |
1 |
6 |
35 |
43 |
||||
|
Cork City |
|||||||||
|
Anglesea Street |
1 |
1 |
3 |
11 |
54 |
254 |
324 |
||
|
Togher |
1 |
1 |
21 |
108 |
131 |
||||
|
Mayfield |
1 |
1 |
18 |
84 |
104 |
||||
|
Gurranabraher |
1 |
1 |
11 |
81 |
84 |
||||
|
Cork North |
|||||||||
|
Cobh |
1 |
7 |
47 |
55 |
|||||
|
Fermoy |
1 |
1 |
2 |
17 |
65 |
86 |
|||
|
Mallow |
1 |
1 |
10 |
52 |
64 |
||||
|
Midleton |
1 |
1 |
11 |
63 |
76 |
||||
|
Cork West |
|||||||||
|
Bandon |
1 |
1 |
2 |
16 |
84 |
104 |
|||
|
Bantry |
1 |
1 |
7 |
41 |
50 |
||||
|
Clonakilty |
1 |
1 |
7 |
40 |
49 |
||||
|
Macroom |
1 |
1 |
6 |
36 |
44 |
||||
|
Kanturk |
1 |
6 |
37 |
44 |
|||||
|
Kerry |
|||||||||
|
Tralee |
1 |
1 |
1 |
19 |
103 |
125 |
|||
|
Caherciveen |
1 |
6 |
37 |
44 |
|||||
|
Killarney |
1 |
1 |
13 |
75 |
90 |
||||
|
Listowel |
1 |
2 |
10 |
43 |
56 |
||||
|
Limerick |
|||||||||
|
Henry Street |
1 |
2 |
8 |
42 |
256 |
309 |
|||
|
Roxboro Road |
1 |
3 |
17 |
106 |
127 |
||||
|
Askeaton |
1 |
6 |
34 |
41 |
|||||
|
Bruff |
1 |
6 |
35 |
42 |
|||||
|
Newcastle West |
1 |
1 |
7 |
36 |
45 |
||||
|
Clare |
|||||||||
|
Ennis |
1 |
1 |
3 |
23 |
172 |
200 |
|||
|
Kilrush |
1 |
5 |
32 |
38 |
|||||
|
Killaloe |
1 |
7 |
35 |
43 |
|||||
|
Ennistymon |
1 |
5 |
26 |
32 |
|||||
|
Galway West |
|||||||||
|
Clifden |
1 |
4 |
25 |
30 |
|||||
|
Galway |
1 |
1 |
3 |
7 |
33 |
191 |
236 |
||
|
Gort |
1 |
5 |
29 |
35 |
|||||
|
Louhrea |
1 |
7 |
40 |
48 |
|||||
|
Salthill |
1 |
1 |
11 |
55 |
68 |
||||
|
Roscommon / Galway East |
|||||||||
|
Ballinasloe |
1 |
1 |
10 |
41 |
53 |
||||
|
Boyle |
1 |
7 |
31 |
39 |
|||||
|
Castlerea |
1 |
7 |
36 |
44 |
|||||
|
Roscommon |
1 |
1 |
1 |
14 |
56 |
73 |
|||
|
Tuam |
1 |
1 |
9 |
49 |
60 |
||||
|
Mayo |
|||||||||
|
Ballina |
1 |
1 |
11 |
47 |
60 |
||||
|
Belmullet |
1 |
4 |
23 |
28 |
|||||
|
Castlebar |
1 |
1 |
2 |
17 |
64 |
85 |
|||
|
Claremorris |
1 |
6 |
38 |
45 |
|||||
|
Swinford |
1 |
1 |
7 |
40 |
49 |
||||
|
Westport |
1 |
6 |
33 |
40 |
|||||
|
Sligo / Leitrim |
|||||||||
|
Sligo |
1 |
1 |
2 |
5 |
24 |
124 |
157 |
||
|
Ballymote |
1 |
7 |
25 |
33 |
|||||
|
Carrick-on-Shannon |
1 |
2 |
8 |
44 |
55 |
||||
|
Manorhamilton |
1 |
10 |
39 |
50 |
|||||
|
Donegal |
|||||||||
|
Ballyshannon |
1 |
1 |
14 |
75 |
91 |
||||
|
Buncrana |
1 |
1 |
13 |
77 |
72 |
||||
|
Glenties |
1 |
1 |
8 |
44 |
54 |
||||
|
Letterkenny |
1 |
1 |
4 |
29 |
154 |
189 |
|||
|
Milford |
1 |
9 |
45 |
52 |
|||||
|
Cavan / Monaghan |
|||||||||
|
Bailieboro |
1 |
11 |
55 |
67 |
|||||
|
Ballyconnell |
1 |
1 |
9 |
28 |
39 |
||||
|
Carrickmacross |
1 |
1 |
15 |
66 |
83 |
||||
|
Cavan |
1 |
1 |
13 |
68 |
83 |
||||
|
Monaghan |
1 |
2 |
2 |
22 |
104 |
131 |
468 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of people employed by the Equality Authority; the percentage of those who are women or have a disability; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21643/07]
I would first clarify for the Deputy that the Equality Authority, which falls within the remit of my Department, does not recruit its own staff. General service staff are assigned to the Equality Authority by my Department's Human Resources Division as vacancies arise. There are currently 54 people employed in the Equality Authority, 61% of whom are women.
My Department maintains records on staff with a disability on the basis of self-declaration which is provided on a confidential basis. As the Equality Authority has a relatively small number of staff, I am reluctant to state the percentage of those staff with a disability. I can say, however, that my Department, as a whole, exceeds the 3% target for staff with a disability.
469 Deputy Joe Costello asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will regularise the status of persons (details supplied) in Dublin 15; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21683/07]
I am informed by the Immigration Division of my Department that a decision in relation to the application for residence in the State based on EU Treaty Rights recently issued to the person concerned.
The person in question did not meet the criteria for eligibility for residence in the State in accordance with Regulation 3(2) S.I. 656/2006 European Communities ( Free Movement of Persons) No.2, Regulations 2006. It is open to the person in question to return to the Garda National Immigration Bureau to enquire about renewing her previous immigration status in the State if appropriate.
470 Deputy Joe Costello asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the status of the application of a person (details supplied) in County Galway to remain in the State on humanitarian grounds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21684/07]
The person concerned arrived in the State on 09 July, 1998 and applied for asylum. Her application was refused following consideration of her case by the Asylum Division and, on appeal, by the Asylum Appeals Division.
Subsequently, in accordance with Section 3 of the Immigration Act, 1999, as amended, she was informed by letter dated 16 November, 2000, that the Minister proposed to make a deportation order in respect of her. She was given the options, to be exercised within 15 working days, of making representations to the Minister setting out the reasons why she should be allowed to remain temporarily in the State; leaving the State before an order is made or consenting to the making of a deportation order. Representations have been received on behalf of the person concerned.
This person's case file, including all representations submitted, will be considered under Section 3(6) of the Immigration Act, 1999, as amended, and Section 5 of the Refugee Act, 1996 (Prohibition of Refoulement). I expect the file to be passed to me for decision in due course.
471 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the boards, bodies, authorities, agencies and quangos under the remit of his Department; the date of establishment; the number of members, staff and budget for each of the past ten years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21742/07]
472 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the boards, bodies, authorities, agencies and quangos under the remit of his Department that have been abolished in the past ten years; the number of members, staff and budget in the year of abolition; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21757/07]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 471 and 472 together.
I have set out information relevant to the Deputy's query, in particular insofar as the current year is concerned. In light of the limited time available for reply and the wide range of organisations in question, it would not be feasible to compile the equivalent figures over a 10 year period without the application of a disproportionate amount of staff time. More detailed information is generally available in the Book of Estimates and in annual and other reports from the organisations in question. I can also advise the Deputy that I regard the use of the term ‘quango' as entirely inappropriate in the context of the important public services provided by the agencies under my Department's aegis.
|
Name of Board/ Body/ Authority or Agency under Remit of Department |
Date of Establishment |
Number of Members or Staff (2007) |
Budget for 2007 |
Board/Body/Authority or Agency under remit of Department abolished over last 10 years |
Budget at time of abolition |
|
Criminal Injuries Compensation Tribunal |
8th May, 1974 |
1 Tribunal Chairperson 6 Tribunal Members 3 Staff * |
€4.526m |
— |
— |
|
Censorship of Publications Board |
16 July, 1929 |
5 Members 1 Staff * |
Nil |
— |
— |
|
Censorship of Publications Appeals Board |
13 February, 1946 |
5 members 1 Staff * |
Nil |
— |
— |
|
National Disability Authority |
12 June, 2000 |
33 Staff |
€6.304m |
— |
— |
|
Office of the Data Protection Commissioner |
1988 |
23 Staff |
€1.176m |
— |
— |
|
National Property Services Regulatory Authority |
10th October, 2005 |
6 Board Members 6 Staff |
€0.482m |
— |
— |
|
Legal Aid Board |
11 October, 1996 ** |
13 Board Members 384 Sanctioned Staff |
€33.405m |
— |
— |
|
Equality Tribunal |
1999 |
35 Staff |
€2.14m |
— |
— |
|
Equality Authority |
1999 |
12 Board Members 54 Staff |
€5.6m |
— |
— |
|
Commission for the Support of Victims of Crime *** |
March, 2005 |
5 members 1 Part time Coordinator |
€1.1m (grant assistance to organisations assisting victims of crime) |
— |
— |
|
Internet Advisory Board *** |
February, 2000 |
16 members |
€100,000 (research and developing awareness programmes on the downside of the internet) |
— |
— |
|
Office of Film Censor |
16 July, 1923 |
22 Staff |
€1.285m |
— |
— |
|
Censorship of Films Appeal board |
16 July, 1923 |
8 |
— |
— |
— |
|
Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner |
November, 2000 |
227 Sanctioned Staff |
€2,297,900 (non-pay only) |
— |
— |
|
Refugee Appeals Tribunal |
November, 2000 |
31 Members Serving 1 Chairperson 129 Sanctioned Staff |
€2,090,590 (non-pay only) |
— |
— |
|
Independent Monitoring Committee for Refugee Legal Services |
October, 1999 |
9 Members Serving |
N/A |
— |
— |
|
Name of Board/ Body/ Authority or Agency under Remit of Department |
Date of Establishment |
Number of Members or Staff (2007) |
Budget for 2007 |
Board/Body/Authority or Agency under remit of Department abolished over last 10 years |
Budget at time of abolition |
|
Courts Service |
9 November, 1999 |
17 Members 1,050 Staff |
€102.8m |
Courts Service Transitional Board (Replaced by Courts Service Board on 9 November, 1999) |
N/A |
|
Property Registration Authority Land Registry and Registry of Deeds |
2006 1,892 and 1,708 |
11 Members 705 Staff |
€44,194m |
Interim Board of the Land Registry/Registry of Deeds. Ceased to exist in 2006 in advance of the establishment of the Property Registration Authority, which is now responsible for management and control of the Land Registry and Registry of Deeds. |
The interim board did not have a separate budget. A total of €527,702 in fees and €16,561 in respect of travel and expenses was paid to members in the 10 years to 2006. |
|
Smithwick Tribunal of Inquiry |
May 2005 |
1 Member 11 Staff |
€1.092m |
— |
— |
|
Private Security Authority |
May, 2004 |
8 Members 24 Staff (Permanent) 8 Temporary 1 Contract |
€1.571m |
||
|
Private Security Appeal Board |
August, 2006 |
4 Members |
Budget yet to be finalised. |
— |
— |
|
Independent Commission for the Location of Victims Remains |
May 1999 |
2 Members |
Expenditure on the ICLVR is unlikely to exceed €0.3m in 2007 |
— |
— |
|
Independent Monitoring Commission |
January, 2004 |
4 Members 6 Staff |
€1.536m |
||
|
Independent International Commission on Decommissioning |
September 1997 |
3 Members 3 Staff (1 part time) |
€1.563m |
||
|
Forensic Science Laboratory |
1975 |
72 Staff |
€6,034m |
||
|
An Garda Síochána |
1922 |
13,288 attested members 1,358 Training Recruits as of 31/8/07 2,192 Civilians |
€1.4bn |
— |
— |
|
Garda Síochána Complaints Board |
1987 |
9 Members 18 Staff |
€1.598m |
— |
— |
|
Name of Board/ Body/ Authority or Agency under Remit of Department |
Date of Establishment |
Number of Members or Staff (2007) |
Budget for 2007 |
Board/Body/Authority or Agency under remit of Department abolished over last 10 years |
Budget at time of abolition |
|
Garda Síochána Complaints Appeal Board |
1987 |
3 Members |
— |
— |
— |
|
Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission |
10 February, 2006 |
3 Members 98 Staff |
€7.027m |
— |
— |
|
Garda Síochána Inspectorate |
28 July, 2006 |
11 Staff including 3 inspectors |
€1,998m |
— |
— |
|
Morris Tribunal |
24 April, 2002 |
1 Member 9 Staff |
€8.5m |
— |
— |
|
Hartnett Inquiry |
14 September 2005 |
1 Member |
€0.68m |
— |
— |
|
Office of the Inspector of Prisons |
April 2002 |
3 Staffs |
€0.375m |
||
|
Mental Health Criminal Law Review Board |
September, 2006 |
3 Board Members 3 Staff |
€0.3m |
— |
— |
|
Parole Board |
April, 2001 |
11 Board Members 3 Staff |
€0.275m |
Sentence Review Group |
Not readily available |
|
Prisons Authority Interim Board |
April, 1999 |
12 Members |
No specific budget for Board but expenditure on fees total €136,000 per annum |
— |
— |
|
Arbour Hill Prison Visiting Committee |
April, 1976 |
8 Committee Members |
€18,000 |
— |
— |
|
Castlerea Prison Visiting Committee |
February 1997 |
12 Committee Members |
€18,000 |
||
|
Cloverhill Prison Visiting Committee |
December, 2000 |
12 Committee Members |
€18,000 |
— |
— |
|
Cork Prison Visiting Committee |
1972 |
12 Committee Members |
€18,000 |
— |
— |
|
Limerick Prison Visiting Committee |
Not readily available |
12 Committee Members |
€18,000 |
— |
— |
|
Loughan House Place of Detention Visiting Committee |
May, 1973 |
12 Committee Members |
€18,000 |
— |
— |
|
Midlands Prison Visiting Committee |
April, 2001 |
11 Committee Members |
€18,000 |
— |
— |
|
Mountjoy Prison Visiting Committee |
Not readily available |
11 Committee Members |
€18,000 |
— |
— |
|
Name of Board/ Body/ Authority or Agency under Remit of Department |
Date of Establishment |
Number of Members or Staff (2007) |
Budget for 2007 |
Board/Body/Authority or Agency under remit of Department abolished over last 10 years |
Budget at time of abolition |
|
Portlaoise Prison Visiting Committee |
Not readily available |
12 Committee Members |
€18,000 |
— |
— |
|
St. Patrick’s Institution Visiting Committee |
Not readily available |
12 Committee Members |
€18,000 |
— |
— |
|
Shelton Abbey Place of Detention Visiting Committee |
May, 1978 |
10 Committee Members |
€18,000 |
— |
— |
|
Training Unit Place of Detention Visiting Committee |
June, 1978 |
10 Committee Members |
€18,000 |
— |
— |
|
Wheatfield Prison Visiting Committee |
June, 1989 |
11 Committee Members |
€18,000 |
— |
— |
|
Curragh Place of Detention Visiting Committee |
Expenditure in last full year of operation €34,144 (2003) |
||||
|
Fort Mitchell Place of Detention Visiting Committee |
Expenditure in last full year of operation €34,144 (2003) |
||||
|
Shanganagh Castle Place of Detention Visiting Committee |
Expenditure in last full year of operation €38,280 (2001) |
||||
|
State Pathologist’s Office |
1974 |
5 Staff |
€3.84m |
— |
— |
|
National Crime Council |
1999 |
15 Members 4 Staff |
€0.544m |
— |
— |
|
Remembrance Commission |
June, 2003 |
2 Staff |
€1.25m |
— |
— |
|
Dublin Archdiocese Commission of Investigation |
28 March, 2006 |
1 Commissioner 4 P/TCommisssion Members 1 Solicitor 8 Administration Staff |
€3.5m |
— |
— |
Footnotes:
*1 Executive Officer shared between Criminal Injuries Tribunal and Censorship of Publications
**The Legal Board was set up on an administrative basis in 1979 and established as a statutory body on 11 October, 1996.
***Secretariat provided from Departmental staff
In addition to the organisations identified above as having been abolished over the past 10 years, various entities will from time to time have been established with a specific and limited remit and upon completion of that remit will simply have ceased to exist.
473 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the appointments he has made to State boards, agencies, quangos, bodies and authorities since 1 July 2007; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21772/07]
I can inform the Deputy that I have made appointments as set out below during the period in question. I can also advise the Deputy that I regard the use of the term ‘quango' as entirely inappropriate in the context of the important public services provided by the agencies under my Department's aegis.
|
Name of Board/Agency |
Appointments made since 1 July, 2007 |
|
Criminal Injuries Compensation Tribunal |
1 Chairperson and 6 ordinary members |
|
Censorship of Publications Board |
1 |
|
Legal Aid Board |
1 |
|
Equality Authority |
1 Chairperson and 11 ordinary members |
|
Private Security Appeal Board |
4 |
|
Refugee Appeals Tribunal |
6 appointments (including 3 re-appointments) |
I have also made an appointment to the position of Refugee Applications Commissioner.
474 Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will request the Garda authorities to increase the number of Garda personnel allocated to Kinnegad Garda station, County Westmeath in view of the fact that there has been a fivefold increase in the population since the 1970’s; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21824/07]
As of 31 August last, the latest date for which figures are readily available, the personnel strength of Kinnegad Garda Station was 8 (all ranks). The Deputy will appreciate that, as with any large organisation, on any given day, the strength of the organisation, or units within it, may fluctuate due, for example, to retirements, resignations etc. It is the responsibility of the Garda Divisional Officer to allocate personnel within his or her Division taking everything into account.
The situation will be kept under review by the Garda Commissioner and when additional personnel next become available the needs of Kinnegad Garda Station will be fully considered by him within the overall context of the needs of Garda Divisions throughout the country.
475 Deputy Tom Hayes asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position regarding the case of a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary who has applied for citizenship. [21853/07]
An application for a certificate of naturalisation from the person referred to in the Deputy's Question was received in the Citizenship Section of my Department in May 2007.
On examination of the application it was determined that the person concerned did not satisfy the residency requirements as set out in the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended. A letter informing the applicant of this was issued on 14 August 2007.
It is open to the individual in question to lodge a new application if and when he is in a position to meet the statutory residency requirement applicable at that time.
476 Deputy Dan Neville asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will respond to the official report from the Welsh Assembly Government specifically naming Ireland as a route for bringing illicit human cargo into the United Kingdom. [21882/07]
On 28th August, the Welsh Assembly Government issued a press statement announcing that it was to publish draft guidance for professionals with responsibility for the care and protection of children, aimed at making them more aware of the increasing trafficking in persons and helping to safeguard children who may have been trafficked. In that press statement, it was stated that there is an increasing trend for children to arrive via smaller airports in the UK or in Wales by ferry from Ireland.
In the actual draft guidance, there is one sentence referring to Ireland. It reads "Some children arrive in Wales by ferry from Ireland". My officials contacted the Children's health and social services directorate of the Welsh Assembly Government for a full report on any issues that they were aware of, in relation to Ireland. We were informed that this sentence was included based solely on anecdotal evidence provided by a Welsh NGO.
In an article in Wales on Sunday on 2 September 2007, Deputy Health Minister Gwenda Thomas, who launched the Assembly Guidance for Professionals, was quoted as saying she had seen no evidence of child trafficking through Wales.
The Assembly Guidance is based on a document produced by the UK's Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre (CEOP). The document "A Scoping Project on Child Trafficking in the UK" was published in June 2007. This document also mentions Ireland as a Transit country. My officials recently spoke with Ms. Aarti Kapoor, the Author of the Report for CEOP, who said that there was anecdotal evidence of trafficking through Ireland in one of the 330 cases of child trafficking examined in the study. To quote Ms. Kapoor fairly, she went on to say that she believes there is potential for trafficking through Ireland but that she has not seen any evidence of it.
I am not aware of anywhere in either of these reports where Ireland is named as a major route for child trafficking, as was claimed in some coverage.
That being said, I am not complacent about the trafficking of either children or adults into Ireland or into other jurisdictions via Ireland. Legislation creating an offence of recruiting, transporting, transferring to another person, harbouring or knowingly arranging or facilitating the entry into, travel within or departure from the State of a person for the specific purpose of the trafficked person's sexual or labour exploitation or removal of his or her organs is at present being drafted in the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel and will be published shortly.
In addition, it is intended that the Immigration, Residence and Protection Bill will, subject to enactment, provide the necessary framework for addressing the immigration aspects of trafficking so as to comply with the relevant protection provisions in the Council of Europe Convention. In particular, in the context of the treatment of victims, it is intended that a framework will be put in place whereby a victim of trafficking can be afforded an immediate period of recovery and reflection in the State and also, in circumstances where he or she wishes to participate in any criminal proceedings in the matter, a further period of residence to enable him or her to do so.
The legislation will be the first in a series of measures to be rolled out over the next year.
477 Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the status of an application for leave to remain by a person (details supplied) in County Dublin. [21922/07]
The person in question is the subject of a Family Reunification application made by his wife in February 2006.
The application was forwarded to the Refugee Applications Commissioner for investigation as required under Section 18 of the Refugee Act 1996. This investigation is completed and the Commissioner has forwarded a report to my Department.
This application will be considered by my Department and a decision will issue in due course.
At the present time Family Reunification applications are taking up to 24 months to process.
478 Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the status of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 22; and the position regarding previous or current applications for leave to remain. [21923/07]
The person in question submitted an application on 4th April, 2005 for permission to remain in the State under the revised arrangements for parents of Irish children born prior to 1st January, 2005, commonly known as the IBC/05 scheme. The application was refused as the applicant did not meet the continuous residency criteria.
My Department is currently appealing a number of matters related to the IBC/05 scheme, including the issue of continuous residency, to the Supreme Court. The application in question may be considered further in the light of the findings of the Court.
479 Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the status of an application by a person (details supplied) in Dublin 22 for refugee status. [21924/07]
The person in question submitted an application for asylum to the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner on 17th August, 2005. That application was refused on 12th September, 2005. On 7th September, 2005 the individual concerned applied for permission to remain in the State under the revised arrangements for parents of Irish born children born prior to 1st January, 2005, commonly referred to as the IBC/05 Scheme. However, as the closing date for receipt of applications under the IBC/05 scheme was 31st March, 2005 the application was received too late for consideration. Consequently the application and all supporting documentation were returned to the applicant on 26th October, 2005. On 16th November, 2006 the person in question submitted another late application.
My Department is currently appealing a number of matters related to the IBC/05 Scheme to the Supreme Court. The application in question may be considered further in the light of the findings of the Court.
480 Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the requirements and application procedure for a person from South Africa who has been here for a number of years on a short term visa and who wishes to make an application to remain; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21931/07]
Applications for permission to remain are dealt with on a case by case basis. I understand that the Immigration Division of my Department has been in contact with the person concerned seeking further information and supporting documentation.
On receipt of this documentation, the application will be considered further.
481 Deputy Pat Rabbitte asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his views on the circumstances set out in (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21935/07]
Persons who have been legally resident in the State for over five years (ie: 60 months) on the basis of work permit/work authorisation/work visa conditions may apply to the Immigration Division of my Department for a five year residency extension. In that context they may also apply to be exempt from employment permit requirements.
An application for long term residency from the person referred to by the Deputy was received on 18th April 2007.
While applications for long term residency are under consideration, the person concerned should ensure that their permission to remain in the State is kept up to date. I understand that applications received in July 2006 are currently being dealt with.
I am informed by the Immigration Division of my Department that they will be in touch with the person concerned shortly outlining the options open to her.
482 Deputy Charlie O’Connor asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will confirm his plans to deal with the Civil Unions Bill 2006; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21936/07]
Government legislation providing for Civil Partnership is being developed in my Department, in line with the commitment in the Programme for Government, and is provided for in the Government Legislative Programme published by the Chief Whip on 25 September.
483 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the position in relation to an essential repairs grant application for persons (details supplied) in County Mayo. [21383/07]
The administration of the Essential Repairs Grant scheme, including the processing and approval of individual applications, is a matter for the local authority concerned and is one in which my Department has no direct function.
484 Deputy Olwyn Enright asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government when the new grant schemes, proposed under the policy document, Delivering Homes, Sustaining Communities, will come into affect; the action that will be taken regarding the applications of the old grant schemes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21390/07]
The revised housing adaptation grant schemes for older people and people with a disability, which were announced earlier this year as part of the Government's new housing policy statement Delivering Homes, Sustaining Communities, will be implemented on 1 November 2007. All applications made under the Disabled Persons' and Essential Repairs Grant schemes before 1 November 2007 will be processed under the terms and conditions of the existing schemes.
485 Deputy Seán Fleming asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the number of projects on a local authority basis that have been approved since 2002 under the serviced land initiative; and the value of the projects. [21401/07]
The following table sets out details of Serviced Land Initiative schemes approved by my Department since the beginning of 2002.
|
County |
No. of Schemes |
Value |
|
€ |
||
|
Carlow |
1 |
714,000 |
|
Clare |
2 |
3,066,000 |
|
Cork |
17 |
35,660,000 |
|
Dun Laoghaire/Rathdown |
1 |
20,000,000 |
|
Galway |
3 |
2,230,000 |
|
Kerry |
2 |
489,000 |
|
Kildare |
6 |
6,099,000 |
|
Kilkenny |
3 |
1,986,000 |
|
Louth |
3 |
3,086,000 |
|
Mayo |
8 |
2,054,000 |
|
Meath |
3 |
7,160,000 |
|
Offaly |
1 |
1,895,000 |
|
Roscommon |
1 |
215,000 |
|
Tipperary |
3 |
3,077,000 |
|
Waterford |
3 |
4,400,000 |
|
Westmeath |
4 |
7,391,000 |
|
Wexford |
1 |
4,200,000 |
|
Total |
62 |
105,072,000 |
486 Deputy James McDaid asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if it is time, that Ireland began the process of banning all blood sports including stag hunting and fox hunting in view of the recent exposure by the BBC of cruelty to animals. [21404/07]
487 Deputy James McDaid asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will examine the licence for catching hares in view of the exposure by the BBC of the hidden cruelty to some animals that this probably exists in other sporting areas. [21405/07]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 486 and 487 together.
My responsibilities under the Wildlife Acts and the Habitats Regulations relate to the conservation of populations of certain wild animals. As foxes are not a protected species under the Wildlife Acts I do not have a licensing or regulatory responsibility in relation to fox hunting.
Applications for hunting licences under the Wildlife Act, 1976, are processed by my Department. Each licence application is dealt with individually and any conservation impact on the particular species is taken into account in line with the provisions of the Act. My Department recently issued a licence to the Irish Coursing Club allowing most of its affiliated clubs to net hares for the purpose of hare coursing. One Club (Westmeath United Coursing Club) has been excluded from the netting licence for the 2007/2008 season following a successful prosecution for the illegal netting of hares in 2006. It was also decided to curtail the number of courses allowed by Cappoquin and Dungarvan coursing clubs. There is no current evidence that coursing has a significant effect on hare populations and my decision to issue this licence took into consideration the final report of the Status of Hares in Ireland – Hare Survey of Ireland 2006/07.
In relation to hare coursing, that report also highlights the significant improvement in hare survival brought about through compulsory muzzling in 1993. While I note that the improvements made by the Irish Coursing Club are having an effect, the results of the survey highlight the need for further research into the impacts of hare coursing at a local level.
My Department has been in discussions with representatives of the Ward Union Stag Hunt concerning their application for a hunting licence for the coming season. I have raised a number of issues of serious concern with the Ward Union Hunt including in relation to conservation and protection of stags generally and compliance with previous licence conditions. I will be making my decision on the licence application as soon as possible.
Animal welfare and legal protection of animals from cruelty are the responsibility of my colleague, the Minister for the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food. The Agreed Programme for Government includes a commitment that a comprehensive Animal Welfare Bill will be introduced, which will update existing legislation to ensure that the welfare of animals is properly protected and that the penalties for offenders are increased significantly.
488 Deputy Phil Hogan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the reason he has decided to sanction the location of the Turoe Stone from its environment at Turoe to a museum at Galway City; if he will confirm that international practice has been considered in the case of this decision; the consequences that it will have on the local rural community who are seeking to develop attractions like this carved stone as an opportunity to attract visitors to a rural community; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21424/07]
I refer to the reply to Question No. 188 of 27 September, 2007. The position is unchanged.
489 Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his plans to deal with the noise pollution impact of house alarms on residences in high density urban housing complexes; if it is feasible to legislate for lower sensitivity sensors to prevent triggering of the systems by strong winds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21440/07]
There are various legislative provisions applicable to noise nuisance, as well as a number of practical arrangements to reduce the instances of unnecessary noise from alarms and to tackle persistent incidence of such noise.
Section 107 of the Environmental Protection Agency Act 1992 provides local authorities with powers to require measures to be taken to prevent or limit noise. In the case of a faulty alarm, a local authority may serve a notice under this section. Where the Council receives a complaint, an advisory letter is issued to the owner/occupier advising of the terms of the current standards for intruder alarms systems.
A European Standard for external intruder alarms (EN50131) has replaced all national standards, and incorporates considerably stricter controls, regarding minimum and maximum duration for the sounding of alarms. The new limits are 90 seconds minimum and 15 minutes maximum duration from the sounding of external alarms in buildings; the alarms must cease automatically after the maximum duration. This standard has been applied by the National Standards Authority of Ireland for intruder alarms installed by certified installers since 1 March 2004.
The Private Security Services Act 2004 provided for the establishment of a Private Security Authority to licence, control and supervise all alarm installers of security equipment, and for the Authority to have powers to maintain and improve standards in the provision of services, including standards for intruder alarms. I understand that with effect from 1 November 2005, installers of alarms were required to register with the Private Security Authority and with effect from 1 August 2006, installers cannot operate without a licence, the granting of which will require proof that the installer has attained the EN 50131 standard.
In addition, I understand that the connection of monitored business intruder alarm systems to Garda Siochána stations is contingent upon, inter alia, the use of alarm systems which are certified by the NSAI and installed by certified installers. The current European Standard along with improved equipment and the co-operation of the installers certified by the NSAI, should together ensure that the incidence of false alarms and the failure of audible alarms to cut off will be significantly reduced. Under the Environmental Protection Agency Act 1992 (Noise) Regulations 1994, a local authority or any person may seek an order in the district court to have noise giving reasonable cause for annoyance abated. The procedures involved have been simplified to allow action to be taken without legal representation. A public information leaflet outlining the legal avenues available to persons experiencing noise nuisance is available from my Department or on www.environ.ie. I am also currently examining options to strengthen legislation on noise pollution as provided for in the Agreed Programme for Government.
490 Deputy Tony Gregory asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if his Department has received a request from Dublin City Council for a special tenant purchase scheme for specific areas (details supplied) in Dublin 1 suffering high levels of anti-social activity in order to help sustain the communities there; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21441/07]
My Department has not received any such request.
491 Deputy Tony Gregory asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if, in view of the major fires (details supplied), he will ensure that the EPA and the fire authorities re-examine public safety measures at these plants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21442/07]
The Fire Services Act, 1981 places a duty of care on persons, having control of premises to which the Act applies, to take all reasonable measures to prevent the outbreak of fire and to ensure as far as possible the safety of those using the premises in the event of fire. The Act also enables fire authorities to provide advice on fire safety measures to owners or occupiers of any premises. Pre-fire planning is undertaken by fire authorities for premises in respect of which they consider it warranted. The enforcement provisions and penalties for offences under the Fire Services Act, 1981 have been significantly strengthened in recent times. Notwithstanding prevention and mitigation procedures, fires do still occur and in the event of an incident occurring at a premises, it is a matter for the relevant fire authority to provide advice and guidance to the owner or person in control to rectify any perceived deficiencies in fire safety procedures for that premises.
Each local authority also has a Major Emergency Plan which may be activated in the event of a major emergency. The Major Emergency Plans, which take account of potentially hazardous facilities, are reviewed on a regular basis and tested, including through inter agency exercises with the other principal response agencies, normally An Garda Síochána and the Health Services Executive. As part of the Major Emergency Development Programme, 2006-2008, local authorities are conducting risk assessments of potentially hazardous facilities within their functional areas. This risk assessment will be taken into account in the development of the new updated emergency plans.
In considering an application for an Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control licence, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) examines, amongst other things, the necessary measures to be taken by the applicant to prevent accidents in the carrying on of an activity and where an accident occurs, the measures to be taken to limit its consequences for the environment.
The Protim Abrasives warehouse in Cork, where a fire occurred in September 2007, is not a site licensed by the EPA and is therefore outside the remit of the Agency. However, I understand that the Agency provided advice to Cork County Council on the investigation and assessment of the impact of the fire on the environment. The Protim Abrasives factory in Dublin, subject of a fire in June 2006, is a facility which is subject to Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control licensing by the Agency. Licensing of relevant activities including conditions attached to a licence and monitoring of compliance with a licence, are matters for the Agency.
492 Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his views on reviewing the planning regulations regarding the provision of carparking facilities for long established licensed premises having regard to the severe financial imposition where there is a limited annual turnover; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21444/07]
I assume that the Question refers to conditions attached to planning permissions requiring the payment of development contributions.
Development contributions are a key mechanism in ensuring that the local community gains from new developments. Section 48 of the Planning and Development Act, 2000 provides that planning authorities may levy development contributions in respect of public infrastructure and facilities provided by, or on behalf, of the local authority that benefit development in the area, based on a scheme of contributions adopted for the area.
The Act requires local authorities to base the contributions levied on the actual estimated cost of providing the infrastructure in question. It is also important to note that development contribution schemes are adopted by the elected members of planning authorities after a public consultation process. This approach has been endorsed by the Oireachtas in the context of the Act. In May 2007 my Department published a report arising from the deliberations of an Inter-Departmental Committee on Development Contribution Schemes. This report was also accompanied by a guidance circular to all planning authorities which focused on a number of key issues identified by the Committee. Authorities were reminded of the need for extensive consultation with stakeholders in drawing up and administering schemes, the importance of openness and accountability, and the importance of achieving a balance between an appropriate level of development contribution charges and the need to attract future investment into their areas.
It is a matter for planning authorities to determine their own policy requirements in relation to the provision of off-street car-parking, for instance, through the inclusion of specific objectives in their Development Plans. In drafting the Development Plan, planning authorities are statutorily required to elicit the views and comments of any interested parties through a public consultation process at draft and material amendment stages. These views and comments are presented to the elected members by the Manager for their consideration.
493 Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he has received an application for funding to carry out further refurbishment work of houses at an estate (details supplied) in County Westmeath, under the remedial works scheme; if he will ensure that approval is given to such an application in order to ensure that this necessary work will be carried out for the residents in this estate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21513/07]
Approval was given to Westmeath County Council in May 2005, under my Department's Remedial Works Scheme, for a pilot project which consisted of refurbishment works to 10 houses in the estate in question at a cost of €1.2m. In March of this year, the Council submitted proposals in respect of further works. The Department met with the Council in May 2007 to discuss their proposals. It is now a matter for the Council to address the issues raised by the Department in order to advance this project.
494 Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to conservation issues surrounding the proposed route for a by-pass (details supplied) in County Cork; if so, the action he has taken on the matter; and when the compulsory purchase orders for same will be published. [21538/07]
The process of route selection for major road schemes is intended to allow road proposals to be refined to avoid or mitigate any adverse effects on the environment discovered during that process. The potential scientific importance of woodland adjacent to Ballyvourney was brought to my attention during the process of route selection for a by-pass of the village which is currently being planned by the National Roads Authority (NRA) and Cork County Council as part of the larger N22 Macroom/Ballyvourney Scheme.
Having considered the circumstances, including the presence in the wood of several protected species, I consider that this woodland is sufficiently important from a scientific point of view to extend an existing local woodland Special Area of Conservation under the EU Habitats Directive to include it.
My Department and the NRA have been working together to ensure that any implications for the timeframe for the road project arising from the designation will be minimised. The timing of the publication of the compulsory purchase orders, following public consultation on the revised route selection, will be a matter for the NRA and the local authority.
495 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the position in relation to an extension to a water scheme (details supplied) in County Mayo; the stage the project is currently at; the estimated completion date for the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21550/07]
The scheme to extend the Lough Mask Regional Water Supply from Shrah to Westport and to upgrade the water treatment plant in Tourmakeady is included in my Department's Water Services Investment Programme 2007-09, to start construction next year.
My Department approved Mayo County Council's Contract Documents for the scheme in January 2007, subject to agreement between the Council and the Department in relation to the amount of the non-domestic capital contribution required. An updated Water Services Pricing Policy Report received from the Council is now being examined in my Department and is being dealt with as quickly as possible with a view to facilitating early invitation of tenders.
496 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the reason a person (details supplied) in County Mayo has been deemed as being not eligible to be considered for re-housing by the a local authority due to the status of their spouse. [21551/07]
Decisions in relation to the eligibility of individual applicants for local authority housing and in relation to the allocation of such housing are matters for the local authority concerned and ones in which my Department has no direct function.
497 Deputy Seán Fleming asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the provisions in place in respect of people under the shared ownership housing scheme whose monthly repayments can not exceed 35% of their income, at the time of taking out a shared ownership loan, where a persons income declines or interest rates increase during the period of the loan such that their repayments then exceed 35% of their income; the stress testing of people’s abilities to repay loans in changing circumstances that are carried out under this scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21577/07]
It is a matter for each local authority to administer house purchase loans having regard to housing needs, local market conditions and individual circumstances. In approving a shared ownership transaction, local authorities must consider, inter alia, the ability of applicants to make the necessary mortgage and rent payments and satisfy themselves that the borrower's income is sufficient to meet the financial commitments involved under the scheme: as a guide, outgoings should not exceed 35% of a household's net income.
Where difficulties do arise, Article 10 of the Housing Regulations 1980 (Amendment) Regulations 1996 provides that, in cases of hardship, the loan repayment period may be extended and arrears capitalised so as to make repayments more manageable for the borrower.
498 Deputy Seán Fleming asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the details of the changes in interest rates payable under the shared ownership housing scheme since January 2007; if people under this scheme can go on to a fixed interest rate in order that their payments will not change with the variable interest rate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21578/07]
Details of the interest rates payable under the shared ownership scheme, including mortgage protection insurance, since 1 January 2007 to the present are set out in the table below:
|
Rate of Interest % |
Period Applicable |
|
5.098 |
1 January 2007 to 31 March 2007 |
|
5.348 |
1 April 2007 to 30 June 2007 |
|
5.598 |
1 July 2007 to present |
Under the scheme, the rate of interest is variable for the mortgage term. However, borrowers have the option of purchasing the house outright at any stage and refinancing in the private sector with a fixed or variable rate mortgage. While I am satisfied that the terms available to borrowers are satisfactory, I will keep arrangements under review in consultation with local authorities and the Housing Finance Agency.
499 Deputy Arthur Morgan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the statistics available from local authority assessments of social housing needs for the year 2006 in relation to individual categories of need (details supplied). [21579/07]
500 Deputy Arthur Morgan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the number of households on social housing waiting lists for the year 2006 in each local authority here. [21580/07]
501 Deputy Arthur Morgan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the breakdown of the figures for the number of households on local authority social housing waiting lists in relation to duration on the waiting list, household composition, household size as a percentage of total need, age profile of applicants for housing, household income levels of applicants and citizenship status of households. [21581/07]
502 Deputy Arthur Morgan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the breakdown of households on social housing waiting lists by category of need for 2006 for each local authority here. [21582/07]
503 Deputy Arthur Morgan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the breakdown of households on social housing waiting lists by category of tenure for 2006 for each local authority here. [21583/07]
504 Deputy Arthur Morgan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the breakdown of households on social housing waiting lists by category of length of time on the waiting list for 2006 for each local authority here. [21584/07]
505 Deputy Arthur Morgan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the breakdown of households on social housing waiting lists by category of employment status for 2006 for each local authority here. [21585/07]
506 Deputy Arthur Morgan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the breakdown of households on social housing waiting lists by category of income analysis for 2006 for each local authority here. [21586/07]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 499 to 506, inclusive, together.
A statutory assessment of housing need is undertaken by local authorities on a triennial basis. The most recent assessment of need for social housing was undertaken by local authorities in March 2005. In that context data in relation the number of applicants on individual authority waiting lists in 2006 are not available in my Department. The next statutory assessment of housing need is due to be undertaken by housing authorities in March 2008.
The results of the 2005 assessment indicated that there were 43,684 households on local authority housing waiting lists. The table below sets out the number of households on local authority waiting lists in 2005, broken down by individual categories of need.
|
Category of Need |
Number of Households |
|
Homeless |
2,399 |
|
Travellers |
1,012 |
|
Existing accommodation unfit |
1,725 |
|
Existing accommodation overcrowded |
4,112 |
|
Involuntary sharing of accommodation |
3,375 |
|
Young persons leaving institutional care |
262 |
|
Medical or compassionate grounds |
3,547 |
|
Older persons |
1,727 |
|
People with disabilities |
480 |
|
Not able to meet costs of existing accommodation |
25,045 |
|
Total |
43,684 |
More comprehensive data in relation to the 2005 assessment at an individual local authority level were published in the Annual Bulletin of Housing Statistics 2005, a copy of which is available on my Department's website www.environ.ie. This includes data on applicant's: time on waiting lists, household composition; household size as a percentage of total need; age; income levels; citizenship status; category of tenure; and employment status.
507 Deputy Martin Mansergh asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his views on affording official recondition and funding to an organisation (details supplied). [21638/07]
The ‘Heritage Towns' is a Fáilte Ireland tourism initiative, which in turn is under the aegis of the Department of Art, Sport and Tourism. Funding for the Heritage Towns organisation would be a matter for that Department and I understand that this organisation has received funding previously. However, my Department has a Built Heritage Capital Programme which may benefit Heritage Towns. Funds under the annual Civic Structures Conservation Grants scheme are available for the restoration and conservation of buildings of significant architectural heritage merit, which are in public ownership or open to the public generally. The 2008 scheme will be announced early next year.
My Department also funds a scheme of grants for the conservation of protected buildings, which is administered by the local authorities. It is a matter for each individual local authority to assess and prioritise applications and approve funding. The scheme is aimed at assisting owners and occupiers to carry out conservation works on structures of architectural significance which are listed in the Record of Protected Structures. Enquiries about this scheme should be made directly to the relevant local authority.
In addition, my Department has provided funding of up to €2million for 18 Walled Towns a number of which would be members of the Heritage Towns of Ireland. Finally, the Heritage Council also makes funding available for conservation and heritage projects.
508 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will appoint a commission to review the local election boundaries in advance of the 2009 local elections; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21648/07]
Unlike for Dáil and European Parliament constituencies, there are no legal requirements in relation to the frequency of local electoral area reviews. The last review of local electoral areas was carried out in 1998; the next local elections are due to take place in 2009. I am at present considering the issues around a review of local electoral areas and I expect to be in a position to make a statement on the matter shortly.
509 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if in view of the disparity that has developed in the population per councillor ratio in the three former constituencies of Dublin County Council, he will increase the number of councillors in Fingal and south Dublin County; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21650/07]
510 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his legislative powers to vary the number of councillors in a council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21651/07]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 509 and 510 together.
Section 22 of the Local Government Act 2001 provides for the alteration of the number of members of a local authority; however this section has not been commenced to date. The Agreed Programme for Government contains a commitment to publish a Green Paper on Local Government Reform by the end of the year, which will examine a number of issues in relation to the organisation of Irish local government. A White Paper on Local Government Reform will then follow next year. I will give consideration to those parts of the Local Government Act 2001 which have not yet been commenced, including section 22, as part of this reform process.
511 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will introduce legislation to give rights to homeowners where views, prospects and natural light have been adversely affected by the growth of high trees, such as leylandii, on neighbouring properties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21652/07]
Planning legislation does not make any particular provision for recognition of a right to light or remedy from any nuisance which may be caused by trees in an urban residential area. This is an issue that should ideally be resolved at a local level by the parties involved rather than through specific primary legislation. However, while I have no specific proposals at present, the matter will be kept under review by my Department.
512 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will lift the public sector recruitment embargo for rapidly expanding local authorities such as Fingal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21654/07]
513 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if a study has been done on the effect that the public sector recruitment embargo has had on services delivered by local authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21655/07]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 512 and 513 together.
I refer to the reply to Questions Nos. 1137 and 1159 of 26 September, 2007. While no formal study has been carried out, the views of local authorities including authorities with rapidly expanding populations are informing the current consultation between my Department and the Department of Finance in relation to the current ceiling on local authority staff numbers.
514 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the number of fines levied and prosecutions taken for the violation of tree protection orders in each of the past ten years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21656/07]
515 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will increase the sanction against people or organisations that violate tree protection orders; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21657/07]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 514 and 515 together.
Under Section 156 of the Planning and Development Act, 2000, the maximum penalty for an offence under Section 205 of the Act on tree preservation orders is now €12.7 million and 2 years imprisonment on conviction on indictment, or €1,905 or 6 months imprisonment on summary conviction. I am satisfied that these fines are an appropriate deterrent for these offences and I have no plans to amend them at this time.
My Department does not collect figures on the number of fines levied and prosecutions taken for the violation of tree preservation orders. However, my Department has collected figures on the number of such orders in force. The information for the years from 2002 to 2006 is set out in the following table:
|
2006 |
117 |
|
2005 |
115 |
|
2004 |
119 |
|
2003 |
123 |
|
2002 |
115 |
516 Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the reason for his Department’s rationale in proposing to construct another 32 houses at a location (details supplied) in County Wicklow in view of the fact that a feasibility study carried out on behalf of his Department highlighted the fact that the existing water and sewage infrastructure was totally inadequate and in need of an upgrade, the road network was at full capacity, and that priority should be given to the provision of a community resource centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21685/07]
Wicklow Town Council undertook a feasibility study in respect of a proposed remedial works project at the estate in question. While the feasibility study indicated issues in respect of the existing water and sewage infrastructure and road network, it also included proposals to address these matters. Infill houses are proposed in areas to minimise or avoid any unsupervised open space which may contribute to anti-social behaviour in the estate.
On 11 September 2007, my Department wrote to Wicklow Town Council indicating that funding would be available for the infill houses, environmental works and infrastructure proposals as outlined.
Under the Housing Management Initiative, direct control has been given to local authorities from 1 January 2007 over their internal capital receipts from the sale of local authority dwellings, to be used primarily for their improvement works programmes, including the provision of community facilities. While the Department approves the overall programmes it is the responsibility of local authorities to prioritise and advance individual projects.
517 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government when the Aarhus Convention will be transposed into law; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21696/07]
Ireland signed the Aarhus Convention on Access to Information, Public Participation in Decision-Making and Access to Justice in Environmental Matters on 25 June 1998. Progress towards ratification of the Convention is closely aligned with work at EU level and, in that context, the European Union has adopted two Directives as part of the ratification process for the Convention. These deal with public access to environmental information (2003/4/EC) and public participation in certain environmental decision-making procedures (2003/35/EC).
Regulations transposing the European Communities (Access to information on the Environment) Directive 2003/4/EC were signed and came into effect on 1 May 2007.
The process to transpose Directive 2003/35/EC is already well advanced with legislation completed to amend the majority of the relevant consent systems. The remaining work will be finalised by the Departments concerned at the earliest possible date.
Having regard to the above, I will ensure that the instrument of ratification of the Aarhus Convention is submitted to Government and laid before the Dáil as soon as possible.
518 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the plans in place to ensure builders will have to supply energy efficiency certificates for houses completed in 2007 and houses under construction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21697/07]
The European Communities (Energy Performance of Buildings) Regulations 2006 transposed the EU Directive on the Energy Performance of Buildings into Irish law and provided for the implementation of a Building Energy Rating (BER) system.
From 1 January 2007, when a new dwelling is offered for sale or rental "off plans", a provisional BER certificate must be produced by the vendor or landlord to potential buyers or tenants, based on the pre-construction plans. When the new dwelling is completed, a BER certificate must be supplied to the tenant or purchaser based on the plans as constructed (to take account of any design changes during construction). When a new dwelling is built for a specific owner-occupier, a BER certificate must be supplied by the builder, prior to the owner taking up occupation of the dwelling.
Transitional BER exemptions apply to new dwellings for which planning permission was applied on or before 31 December 2006, where the new dwellings involved are substantially completed on or before 30 June 2008. The transitional BER exemptions were required to avoid delaying commencement of work on new buildings at an advanced stage of design and planning and to enable the roll out of a substantial number of trained and registered BER Assessors in the first half of 2007. The transitional exemptions also allowed Sustainable Energy Ireland to complete the setting up of a system for the smooth and efficient administration and oversight of the BER certification system — involving the recruitment of staff, the installation of ICT systems, etc.
The overall systems are now in place. There are 12 approved training providers; 468 persons have attended and passed Assessor training that meets the BER training specification; and 185 of these have registered with Sustainable Energy Ireland and can undertake official ratings.
519 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the boards, bodies, authorities, agencies and quangos under the remit of his Department; the date of establishment; the number of members, staff and budget for each of the past ten years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21738/07]
The information requested is being compiled and will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as possible.
520 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the boards, bodies, authorities, agencies and quangos under the remit of his Department that have been abolished in the past ten years; the number of members, staff and budget in the year of abolition; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21753/07]
The information requested is being compiled and will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as possible.
521 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the appointments he has made to State boards, agencies, quangos, bodies and authorities since 1 July 2007; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21768/07]
A number of different statutory processes are involved in appointments to state boards and bodies under the aegis of my Department. In some cases statutory selection procedures must be followed or nominations must be sought from independent nominating panels before appointments are made by the Government or by the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. In other cases only particular public office holders may be appointed to certain boards and bodies. In a number of situations, only some appointments to the body or board concerned are made by the Minister.
The information requested in relation to recent appointments is set out in the following table:
|
Name of State Body/Board |
Appointments made since 1st July 2007 |
|
Rent Tribunal |
7 |
|
Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland |
2 |
|
An Comhairle Leabharlanna |
1 |
522 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the number of registered developments (details supplied) in County Mayo; the number of unregistered developments in the county; and the action that can be taken against unauthorised developments in County Mayo. [21776/07]
523 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his views on whether it is appropriate for a local authority to choose to ignore legislation that he brings into force (details supplied). [21777/07]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 522 and 523 together.
Section 261 of the Planning and Development Act, 2000, required all quarries (except those which obtained permission in the 5 years prior to 28 April 2004) to register with their local planning authority between 28 April 2004 and 27 April 2005. Accordingly Mayo County Council will hold information on the number of quarries registered with it, and may hold information on the number of unregistered quarries. My Department does not hold this information.
With regard to action against unauthorised developments, planning authorities have substantial powers and obligations, under the Planning and Development Acts 2000-2006, in relation to unauthorised developments. The 2000 Act provided for a strengthened enforcement regime and increased penalties on conviction for the offence of unauthorised development. Further, section 35 of the 2000 Act, as amended in 2006, gave planning authorities a new power to refuse planning permission, without recourse to the High Court, to a developer who has substantially failed to comply with a previous planning permission.
The Planning Act also imposes substantial obligations on planning authorities in the enforcement area. A planning authority is statutorily obliged to 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, including the reasons for the decision, 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.
Planning authorities are, of course, subject to the law and if any person considers that he or she has been adversely affected by a planning authority's action, or lack of action, with regard to planning enforcement, which he or she considers was unlawful, unfair or unreasonable, it is open to the person involved to make a complaint to the Manager or Director of Planning in the first instance or to the Ombudsman. I am not aware that any planning authority is not implementing section 261 of the Planning Act in relation to registration, etc. of quarries.
524 Deputy Frank Fahey asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will respond to the request from Galway City Council for the approval of the appointment of temporary engineering staff to the proposed transport office in Galway City Council. [21818/07]
525 Deputy Frank Fahey asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his views on the need for the appointment of staff to prepare tender documentation for the Galway bus strategy, the provision of park and ride facilities and the improvement of traffic circulation in the city with a view of improvement in public transport. [21819/07]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 524 and 525 together.
My Department is awaiting a response on additional information sought in April, 2007 from the City Council on their application for additional staff for the establishment of a Galway Transportation Unit.
526 Deputy Seymour Crawford asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the progress made regarding the housing remedial work scheme for an estate (details supplied) in County Monaghan; his views on the fact that the moneys had been allocated for this some time ago and that it is vital that the valuable work that has already been carried out is recommenced at the earliest possible date, not only for the rented houses but for those privately owned; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21847/07]
The estate in question has been designated for funding under my Department's Remedial Works Scheme. The pilot phase of the project has been completed. The overall proposals for the remaining dwellings are now being examined in my Department in relation to their scope and suitability as well as indicative costings and implementation, and a response will be made to the Town Council as soon as possible.
527 Deputy Seymour Crawford asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will re-examine the fact that the Donaghmoyne group water scheme has not been granted support towards their new treatment plant in spite of the fact that there was a total commitment that no group would be penalised if they did not remain in a bundle; if he will confirm that there is significant funding unused in the 2007 allocation towards group water schemes. [21848/07]
The project for the provision of water treatment facilities for privately sourced group water schemes through bundled Design/Build/Operate contracts was pilot tested in Monaghan on foot of a recommendation by the National Rural Water Monitoring Committee. The pilot project initially involved eleven group water schemes, including Donaghmoyne, and three local authority public water supply schemes and the Department provided a 100% capital grant to finance the project under the Rural Water Programme.
The Donaghmoyne Group Scheme subsequently withdrew from the pilot project, notwithstanding the special 100% grant for participating groups. Following its withdrawal from the pilot project, the Donaghmoyne Group Scheme progressed alternative upgrading works from initial planning through to construction stage.
In common with other publicly funded programmes, the eligibility criteria for grant assistance under the Rural Water Programme require compliance with certain public procurement, financial management and control procedures, including prior clearance of technical specifications and approval of grants in advance of commencement of works.
The Donaghmoyne Group Water Scheme Committee was advised on a number of occasions that their proposal was not in compliance with the requirements for grant purposes. In the circumstances, no funding can be made available under the Rural Water Programme. It is expected that all funding allocated for the Rural Water Programme in 2007 will be fully drawn down.
528 Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his views on introducing a grant scheme for individual domestic uptake of renewable energy, similar to the clear skies initiative in the UK; his further views on whether, as well as the current grant for community based developments, an individual could get help to reduce the initial expenditure for installing clean renewable technologies such as solar powered water heaters, geothermal heat pumps and wind turbines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21372/07]
The Greener Homes Scheme is administered by Sustainable Energy Ireland (SEI) and has been very successful since its launch in March 2006. The programme includes grants for wood chip and wood pellet boilers and stoves, solar and heat pump technologies. The aim of this scheme was to stimulate demand for renewable heat technologies in homes. The demand is clear, with 16,000 grants approved to date, and the sector is now on a firm footing. The number of registered renewable energy installers has increased dramatically and there has been a ten-fold increase in products available on the Irish market. This clearly demonstrates the very significant level of market development since the scheme was first launched.
Grants are also available for the installation of renewable heat technologies in clubhouses, community centres and commercial premises throughout the country. The ReHeat scheme and its predecessor programmes have been in operation for almost two years. The scheme was expanded earlier this year to provide grants for technologies such as wood chip/pellets, geothermal and solar and to allow community and voluntary groups to avail of funding. To date, funding has been approved for over 105 capital investments in renewable heat facilities, across the hospitality, agricultural, public, business, and industrial sectors.
The White Paper on Energy Policy and the Programme for Government commit to developing Ireland's clear and undoubted potential for distributed generation, including micro-generation. My Department is working with the relevant agencies including SEI, the Commission for Energy Regulation, ESB Networks and the Electro-Technical Council of Ireland, to put in place the appropriate administrative, technical and safety standards and practices to underpin the widespread deployment of micro generation technologies. The question of supports for domestic wind turbines will be considered as part of this process.
529 Deputy Michael Kennedy asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the way broadband services can be enhanced for residents living in rural areas of north Dublin; and his plans for a joint roll-out of services in north Dublin and Meath. [21455/07]
The provision of broadband services is, in the first instance, a matter for the private sector. Broadband service providers operate in a fully liberalised market, regulated by the independent Commission for Communications Regulation. The role of the Government is to formulate regulatory and infrastructure policies to facilitate the provision of high quality telecommunications services by competing private sector service providers.
The widespread provision of broadband services continues to be a priority for the Government. In that regard my Department has undertaken initiatives to address the gaps in broadband coverage. These include providing grant-aid under the recently concluded Group Broadband Scheme and investment in Metropolitan Area Networks (MANs).
Despite these Government initiatives, there are still some parts of the country where the private sector will be unable to justify the commercial provision of broadband services. Accordingly, the procurement process for a National Broadband Scheme (NBS) is under way. The NBS will provide broadband services to areas that are currently unserved and will ensure that all reasonable requests for broadband in unserved areas are met.
The first phase of the procurement process, Pre-Qualification Questionnaire (PQQ), is now complete and four candidates have pre-qualified. As my Department indicated on 2 September 2007, the four candidates are, in alphabetical order, BT Communications Ireland Ltd Consortium, Eircom Ltd, Hutchinson 3G Ireland Ltd and IFA/Motorola Consortium. The next phase of the procurement process involves inviting candidates to participate in a competitive dialogue process. My Department is anticipating that the award of the NBS contract will be Quarter 2 of 2008, with rollout of the services due to begin as soon as possible thereafter. This timeline is subject to negotiations with candidates during the competitive dialogue phase of the procurement process.
530 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the boards, bodies, authorities, agencies and quangos under the remit of his Department; the date of establishment; the number of members, staff and budget for each of the past ten years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21733/07]
531 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the boards, bodies, authorities, agencies and quangos under the remit of his Department that have been abolished in the past ten years; the number of members, staff and budget in the year of abolition; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21748/07]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 530 and 531 together.
In the time available, it has not been possible to identify and assemble the information requested. My Department is compiling the data sought by the Deputy in this regard, and I shall forward it to him as soon as possible.
532 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the appointments he has made to State boards, agencies, quangos, bodies and authorities since 1 July 2007; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21763/07]
The information requested by the Deputy is set out in the table below:
|
Body |
Name and date of appointment |
|
Digital Hub Development Agency |
Ms Alice Davis 09/08/07 |
|
ESB |
Mr. Padraig McManus 20/07/07 |
|
Sustainable Energy Ireland |
Mr. Brendan Halligan 28/09/07 |
|
South Western Regional Fisheries Board |
Mr. John Martin 12/09/07 |
533 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources when a grant will be awarded to a group (details supplied) in County Galway as has been promised. [21926/07]
All monies have been paid to the group on the basis of the vouched eligible capital expenditure documentation it submitted to my Department.
Under the Group Broadband Scheme (GBS), projects were approved for a capped amount of grant aid based on the project and financial plans. The draw down of such grant aid was, however, conditional on the production of documentation to vouch that the requisite eligible capital expenditure had been incurred within one year of the grant approval offer. There was no mechanism under the GBS for the award of supplementary payments to groups where a shortfall occurred between the vouched eligible expenditure incurred and the grant amount originally offered.
