Written Answers.

Transport Regulation.

John O'Mahony

Question:

12 Deputy John O’Mahony asked the Minister for Transport if he will create the role of a National Transport Regulator; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32940/07]

Joe Carey

Question:

13 Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Transport if he will open up the bus market to increased competition; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32878/07]

Eamon Gilmore

Question:

38 Deputy Eamon Gilmore asked the Minister for Transport if he has plans to introduce new national or regional transport authorities to complement the proposed Dublin Transport Authority and implement Transport 21; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32797/07]

Kieran O'Donnell

Question:

76 Deputy Kieran O’Donnell asked the Minister for Transport if he has plans relating to a review or restructuring of regulatory bodies in the transport sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32935/07]

Minister for Transport (Deputy Noel Dempsey)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 12, 13, 38 and 76 together.

The Programme for Government includes a commitment to examine a National Transport Regulator in the context of the proposed review of the economic regulatory environment.

The first step is, as stated in the Programme for Government, to expedite the establishment of a Dublin Transport Authority which will have overall responsibility for surface transport in the Greater Dublin Area. I am currently examining legislative proposals for the proposed Authority with the intention of bringing them to Government for approval and to publish a Dublin Transport Authority Bill in due course.

The Programme for Government also includes a commitment to improve bus services under Transport 21 by reforming bus licensing to facilitate the optimum provision of services by providing a level playing field for all market participants. The precise arrangements for the procurement of buses from the private sector will be dealt with in this context. The new licensing regime will be designed in a manner consistent with the recently adopted EU Regulation on Public Service Obligations in the transport sector.

While it is not possible at this time to indicate a precise time as to when the legislative proposals on regulatory reform of the bus market will be published, applications for bus licences and notifications from bus operators will continue to be processed under the provisions of the Road Transport Act 1932, as amended, or the notification system with reference to the Transport Act 1958, as appropriate.

The proposed review of the entire economic regulatory framework, to which I referred to at the outset, is being coordinated by the Department of the Taoiseach. The Government is reflecting on how best to proceed with this review, which will of necessity involve a number of Government Departments.

Air Services.

Olivia Mitchell

Question:

14 Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Minister for Transport if he will promote direct flights between Moscow and Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25601/07]

Minister for Transport (Deputy Noel Dempsey)

My policy objective is to ensure that Ireland is served by as wide a range as possible of safe and reliable air services for the benefit of business and tourism. A bilateral air service agreement between Ireland and the Russian Federation has been in place since March 1993, which facilitates direct services between Moscow and Dublin. I understand that a Russian airline is planning to operate a scheduled service between the two cities starting in 2008.

Road Safety.

Willie Penrose

Question:

15 Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Transport when he will publish the report on his Department’s investigation into the presence of vehicles that have been classified as total write-offs and unfit for road use on Irish roads; if he will reform the National Vehicle Driver File in view of these allegations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32778/07]

Alan Shatter

Question:

25 Deputy Alan Shatter asked the Minister for Transport the action he will take to address the situation of potentially thousands of dangerous crashed cars being put back onto Irish roads; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32946/07]

Minister for Transport (Deputy Noel Dempsey)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 15 and 25 together.

As I indicated in reply to a similar questions put down by Deputy Broughan on 18 October and Deputy English on 23 October last the arrangements covering the treatment and notification of write-offs are being examined by the RSA, the Garda Siochana, the Revenue Commissioners who are responsible for the registration of vehicles and my Department in its role in relation to the NVDF. This examination which is still ongoing includes an intensive exercise involving the matching of data held by insurers, where this is made available, against the NVDF records to discover if there are gaps in the information on the NVDF. The verification process is made more difficult given that it is not obligatory on insurance companies to provide the data.

If the examination reveals that there are deficiencies in the current arrangements, appropriate action will be taken. This would include adjustments to the procedures for notifying and recording on the NVDF, appropriate verification of identity and roadworthiness where vehicles are returned to use and legislative changes, if warranted.

Road Network.

Joan Burton

Question:

16 Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Transport if he has reviewed the National Consumer Agency’s submission objecting to the proposed increase in tolls to come into effect when barrier-free tolling is introduced on the M50 in August 2008; the exact amount it will cost the State to buy NTR out of the West Link toll contract; the way the VAT portion of this cost was financed by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32781/07]

Minister for Transport (Deputy Noel Dempsey)

As Minister for Transport I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme element of Transport 21. The implementation of individual national road projects, including the M50, is a matter for the National Roads Authority (NRA) under the Roads Act, 1993 in conjunction with the local authorities concerned.

In addition, issues relating to tolls on national roads are in the first instance a matter for the NRA. The statutory power to levy tolls on national roads, to make toll by-laws and to enter into toll agreements with private investors in respect of national roads, is vested in the NRA under Part V of the Roads Act 1993 (as amended by the Planning and Development Act 2000 and the Roads Act 2007).

Section 57 of the Roads Act 1993 (as amended by Section 271 of the Planning and Development Act 2000) provides that the NRA may make a Draft Toll Scheme in respect of a national road and Section 58 (as amended by Section 272 of the Planning & Development Act 2000) states that objections to the draft toll scheme may be made in writing to the road authority, which in the case of a national road is the NRA.

I understand that a number of objections have been lodged to the Draft Toll Scheme for the M50, on foot of which there is to be an Oral Hearing in accordance with the requirements of Section 58 of the Roads Act 1993, commencing on Wednesday, 12th December 2007, and that the NRA have appointed Mr. Maurice O'Connell to hold this Oral Hearing.

In relation to the buy-out of the West-Link toll concession, the cost of compensating NTR was a matter for determination between the NRA and NTR in line with the 1987 West-Link Agreement. On that basis, NTR will receive annual payments of €50 million, plus CPI, for each of the years 2008-2020, in other words a sum of the order of €600 million.

The VAT payment arising from the buy-out was almost €121.9 million, the cost of which was met by my Department in July 2007. In order to meet this cost, a Supplementary Estimate of €60 million will be sought on the 11th of December 2007. The remainder of the payment is being offset by savings in the Transport Vote in 2007.

Public Transport.

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Question:

17 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Transport the percentage of Bus Átha Cliath and Bus Éireann buses that can accommodate passengers with impaired mobility. [32851/07]

Minister for Transport (Deputy Noel Dempsey)

Since 2000 all buses purchased by Dublin Bus are low-floor wheelchair accessible. I understand from Dublin Bus that currently 67% of the fleet (almost 800 buses) is accessible and that the company plans to have all of the fleet accessible by 2012.

Bus Éireann has informed me that approximately 26% (174 buses) of its fleet of buses used for scheduled services is fully accessible to customers with impaired mobility. (This excludes coaches). The company has achieved practically a complete fleet conversion to low floor accessible buses on all city services operating in Cork, Limerick, Galway and Waterford. In the future all buses purchased by Dublin Bus and Bus Éireann will be fully accessible.

Integrated Ticketing System.

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Question:

18 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Transport when integrated ticketing will be introduced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32852/07]

Pat Rabbitte

Question:

41 Deputy Pat Rabbitte asked the Minister for Transport when integrated ticketing will be introduced in the greater Dublin and mid-east regions; the estimated cost of implementing an integrated ticketing scheme; the amount that has been spent to date on the integrated ticketing programme; if all relevant Bus Éireann services will be included in the integrated ticketing scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32795/07]

Minister for Transport (Deputy Noel Dempsey)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 18 and 41 together.

The Second Report of the Integrated Ticketing Project Board sets out the time lines, scope and budget for the Integrated Ticketing Project.

This involves the integrated ticketing system being launched initially on the scheduled services of Dublin Bus, LUAS and Morton's Coaches, a private bus operator by September 2009.

Irish Rail DART and commuter rail services will be included within a further 12 months, and Bus Eireann will implement a pilot scheme on one of its commuter routes in the Greater Dublin Area. It is also envisaged the other private bus operators will also join the integrated ticketing system over this timeframe.

The Integrated Ticketing Project Board has agreed a programme for the delivery of an integrated ticketing system in the Dublin area within a capital budget of € 49.6 million. This includes long distance commuting into/out of the Dublin area. To date, €12.1 million exchequer funding has been spent.

The Chairman of the Integrated Ticketing Project Board has informed me, in a recent report, that he is pleased to be able to report good progress with the project progressing in accordance with the agreed programme.

Environmental Policy.

Shane McEntee

Question:

19 Deputy Shane McEntee asked the Minister for Transport if he will commission a study of environmental costs caused by the transport sector with a view to introducing possible measures to reduce carbon emissions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32924/07]

Joe Costello

Question:

49 Deputy Joe Costello asked the Minister for Transport if, in view of Sustainable Energy Ireland’s report Energy Efficiency in Ireland, he has plans to introduce new standards for carbon emissions of imported vehicles, measures to encourage the purchase of hybrid or low emissions vehicles or targets to reduce the huge transport carbon footprint; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32807/07]

Liz McManus

Question:

59 Deputy Liz McManus asked the Minister for Transport the percentage of carbon emissions generated by transport; the target being set for 2008 to reduce carbon emissions from transport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29144/07]

Minister for Transport (Deputy Noel Dempsey)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 19, 49 and 50 together.

A number of measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions relating to transport have been included in the National Climate Change Strategy, published by the Department of Environment Heritage and Local Government in April 2007. These include rebalancing of motor taxes, Mineral Oil Tax Relief for biofuels, modal shift through Transport 21 and the achievement of a 5.75% biofuels blend in fuels by 2010. In all, the transport sector will provide up to 13% in total national emission savings under that Strategy.

I have also announced the preparation of a Sustainable Transport Action Plan, which will support the revised National Climate Change Strategy. This Action Plan will set out a broad suite of policies and measures to help the transport sector progress along a more sustainable trajectory and make a further contribution to reducing emissions to year 2020.

Tackling transport emissions requires a cross-Departmental approach and I am determined to ensure that my Department will continue to play its part in ensuring that the transport sector makes its contribution to the task of controlling national greenhouse gas emissions so that Ireland fulfils its international obligations relating to climate change.

Air Services.

Olivia Mitchell

Question:

20 Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Minister for Transport if he is aware of any plans by Aer Lingus to either dispose of or lease Heathrow slots to US airlines, or alternatively, if the airline has itself plans to open a base in a US city to capitalise on its Heathrow slots under Open Skies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25642/07]

Minister for Transport (Deputy Noel Dempsey)

Minister for Transport (Deputy Noel Dempsey)

I have not received the book nor had an opportunity to study it. However, I believe the current allocation of Ministerial responsibilities provides fully for the development of marine and maritime matters. The nature of Government is such that any combination of functions will still require cross Departmental co-operation and co-ordination to deliver the full agenda. This is the case in a maritime context but will not, I believe, adversely affect overall development. The Irish position is not unique and the issue is discussed from time to time at a European level. As the Deputy will be aware, my Department is the Department of Transport and while it covers a broad and very intensive range of issues, I have not found it to be unwieldy or difficult to manage. Indeed I consider that the maritime function is a welcome inclusion and enables the full spectrum of transport issues — land, sea and air — to be considered in context.

Departmental Offices.

Kieran O'Donnell

Question:

24 Deputy Kieran O’Donnell asked the Minister for Transport the issues covered by his press office on 13 and 14 June 2007; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32936/07]

Minister for Transport (Deputy Noel Dempsey)

The Press Office of my Department is responsible for the dissemination of information to the media and coordinating the release of press material on behalf of the Department.

The range of issues that the Press Office must deal with on any given day is wide and very varied, reflecting the many areas of responsibility of the Department. While no daily log of press queries is kept by the press office the media queries dealt with on the days in question would have been numerous. They would have ranged from Coast Guard & related matters, to Road Safety matters to Public Transport issues, appointment of new Minister etc.

Question No. 25 answered with QuestionNo. 15.

Coast Guard Service.

Martin Ferris

Question:

26 Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Transport if there will be job losses as a result of the removal of Marine Resource Co-ordination Centres in Valentia and Malin Head. [32856/07]

Minister for Transport (Deputy Noel Dempsey)

I would like to assure the Deputy that there will be no job losses arising from the change of Coast Guard functions for the Marine Rescue Co-ordination Centres at Valentia and Malin Head. As the Deputy is no doubt aware, I have recently announced an enhancement of the marine emergency response capability in Ireland involving an investment programme to create two state of the art Marine Co-ordination Centres, one in Drogheda and another on the west coast.

The Valentia and Malin Head premises will remain part of the Coast Guard infrastructure, they will be staffed and some operations will continue to be delivered from the locations. The precise nature of the long-term function has yet to be finalised.

The process of migrating from the present situation to the new developments will be planned and implemented in consultation with staff interests. That process will take account of the safety needs of local communities, ongoing improvement of the service to the public and the concerns of individual staff members.

Traffic Management.

Michael Noonan

Question:

27 Deputy Michael Noonan asked the Minister for Transport if he will ensure that operation freeflow in Dublin will continue all year round; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32934/07]

Minister for Transport (Deputy Noel Dempsey)

There are several good reasons why Operation Freeflow, the traffic management initiative for Dublin for the Christmas and New Year period, is not continued around the year.

During the period over Christmas and New Year there are different patterns of travel in the city. In particular, far more people are travelling later in the evening, with a great increase in late-night shopping. The additional late-night public transport services provided as part of Operation Freeflow would not be matched by take-up by the public at other times of the year.

A ban on non-essential road works, which plays an important role in Operation Freeflow, would also obviously not be possible year-round.

Finally, Freeflow involves putting a large number of extra probationary Gardaí on the streets — 160 in Operation Freeflow 2007. As you will appreciate, Garda resources are in demand across a variety of enforcement functions, and the retention of so many Gardaí on Freeflow-type duty after traffic volumes revert to normal levels and patterns would be questionable.

Apart from Operation Freeflow, Transport 21 will make a substantial impact on congestion as the various major investments in traffic management, public transport and roads are rolled out over the coming years.

Road Network.

Joan Burton

Question:

28 Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Transport if he will direct the National Roads Authority under section 41 of the Roads Act 1993 to commence full upgrade works on the N11 from Wicklow to Rosslare, County Wexford; the reason the N11 in County Wexford has not already been upgraded especially with regard to the heavy volume of traffic to and from Rosslare Port; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32782/07]

Joanna Tuffy

Question:

58 Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for Transport if he will direct and finance the NRA under section 41 of the Roads Act 1993 to undertake a full national works programme for the upgrading and maintenance of all national secondary and local roads; if he will direct the NRA and Longford County Council on safety grounds especially to carry out a long promised works and maintenance programme on the N4 approximately three kilometres east of Longford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32784/07]

Brendan Howlin

Question:

71 Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Transport if he will direct the NRA under section 41 of the Roads Act 1993 to upgrade the N28 to Cork port; if his Department and the NRA are examining proposals for an alignment on the N28 to serve the proposed new container terminal entrance at the Port of Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32786/07]

Minister for Transport (Deputy Noel Dempsey)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 28, 58 and 71 together.

As Minister for Transport I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme element of Transport 21. The planning design and implementation of individual national road projects is a matter for the National Roads Authority under the Roads Act, 1993 in conjunction with the relevant local authorities concerned.

I do not propose to issue any directions to the National Roads Authority under section 41 of the Roads Act 1993.

Departmental Records.

Jim O'Keeffe

Question:

29 Deputy Jim O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Transport the process by which news items are brought to his attention by his Department or by his advisers or personal staff; the issues that were brought to his attention in the month of June 2007; the number of advisers, press officers, personal assistants and so on in his office for the complete month of June 2007; if any briefings were given by such individuals to him or his staff when the Ministers changed in June 2007; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32939/07]

Minister for Transport (Deputy Noel Dempsey)

News items may be brought to my attention in a number of ways, e.g. verbal briefings, press clippings, if they are deemed to be important. The Press office, relevant Assistant Secretary or the Secretary General might also bring such items to my attention.

Local Authority Funding.

Jimmy Deenihan

Question:

30 Deputy Jimmy Deenihan asked the Minister for Transport if funding will be provided under the 2008 specific improvement grant scheme to provide a replacement bridge at Ballingar, Lixnaw, County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25133/07]

Jimmy Deenihan

Question:

66 Deputy Jimmy Deenihan asked the Minister for Transport if he will allocate the necessary funding to Kerry County Council to provide a new bridge at Ballinaghar, Lixnaw,County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32234/07]

Minister for Transport (Deputy Noel Dempsey)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 30 and 66 together.

The provision or improvement of non-national roads, including bridges, in its area is a matter for Kerry County Council to be funded from its own resources supplemented by State grants.

In August this year, applications were invited from road authorities for funding under the non-national roads Specific Improvements Grant scheme in 2008. The proposals submitted by Kerry County Council included an application for grant aid for a bridge at Ballinagare.

All applications received for funding under the scheme will be considered by my Department, having regard to compliance with eligibility criteria, the need to prioritise projects, competing demands from other local authorities and the funds available for the scheme in 2008. The 2008 non-national road grant allocations to local authorities will be announced early next year.

Public Transport.

John O'Mahony

Question:

31 Deputy John O’Mahony asked the Minister for Transport if he will promote the provision of real time passenger information; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32941/07]

Minister for Transport (Deputy Noel Dempsey)

Both Irish Rail and Luas already deploy real time information systems. Bus Éireann and Bus Átha Cliath are both proceeding with the introduction of automatic vehicle location technology on board buses. This technology will create the platform for the deployment of real time passenger information.

Road Traffic Accidents.

Kathleen Lynch

Question:

32 Deputy Kathleen Lynch asked the Minister for Transport his views on introducing a unitary system of investigation into all serious road collisions involving the Road Safety Authority and the Health and Safety Authority; if he has had contact with the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, the RSA, the HSA or the local authorities over the investigation by the HSA into road deaths at the site of road works; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32775/07]

Minister for Transport (Deputy Noel Dempsey)

I have no plans at present to make any changes to existing statutory powers in relation to the investigation of road collisions. My officials have had contacts with the agencies mentioned, on the general issue of the involvement of the HSA in the area of roadworks.

Public Transport.

Thomas P. Broughan

Question:

33 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Transport his views on the Meath master plan policy proposals on enhancing public transport and the protection of archaeological heritage in County Meath; the progress his Department has made on evaluating its proposals for public transport, sustainable tourism, housing and energy for County Meath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32805/07]

Minister for Transport (Deputy Noel Dempsey)

I am aware of the privately produced document to which the Deputy refers and which makes particular reference to key road and rail projects in County Meath.

The M3 motorway from Clonee to Kells, which completed the planning process and was approved in 2003, is currently under construction and the National Roads Authority and the Government are anxious to see it completed as soon as possible.

The Navan rail project provides for the re-opening of the rail line from Dublin to Navan in two phases. Phase 1 involves reopening 7.5 kilometres of track from Clonsilla to Pace on the M3 motorway. Iarnród Éireann has submitted a Railway Order application to An Bord Pleanála in respect of this phase. Iarnród Éireann is examining route alignment options in respect of the second phase which will extend the line from Pace on to Navan.

Responsibility for sustainable tourism, housing and energy rests with other Ministers.

Question No. 34 answered with QuestionNo. 11.

Driving Tests.

Ciaran Lynch

Question:

35 Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Minister for Transport his views on a moratoriumon the introduction of the learner permituntil all those holding a provisional drivinglicence, and who are currently on the waiting list for a test, have had an opportunity to avail of a driving test; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26899/07]

Minister for Transport (Deputy Noel Dempsey)

The learner permit has been introduced and there are no plans for a moratorium in that respect.

Aviation Regulation.

Western Rail Corridor.

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Question:

47 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Transport the progress regarding the western rail corridor. [32854/07]

Minister for Transport (Deputy Noel Dempsey)

I refer the Deputy to my answer to Question No. 49 of Thursday, 18 October 2007. The position remains the same.

Question No. 48 answered with QuestionNo. 7.

Question No. 49 answered with QuestionNo. 19.

Public Transport.

Pat Rabbitte

Question:

50 Deputy Pat Rabbitte asked the Minister for Transport his plans to reform bus licensing legislation; when he will to publish proposed legislative changes; the areas of Dublin that still have inaccessible buses; the position regarding the new bus re-equipment programme at Dublin Bus; the number of buses currently in the Dublin Bus fleet; when he will increase the total size of the bus fleet; when he will ensure that all Dublin bus routes are fully accessible for citizens with disabilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32794/07]

Minister for Transport (Deputy Noel Dempsey)

The Programme for Government includes a commitment to improve bus services under Transport 21 by reforming bus licensing to facilitate the optimum provision of services by providing a level playing field for all market participants. The new licensing regime will be designed in a manner consistent with the recently adopted EU Regulation on Public Service Obligations in the transport sector.

While it is not possible at this time to indicate a precise time as to when the legislative proposals on regulatory reform of the bus market will be published, applications for bus licenses and notifications from bus operators will continue to be processed under the provisions of the Road Transport Act 1932, as amended, or the notification system with reference to the Transport Act 1958, as appropriate.

In relation to the Dublin Bus fleet, almost 800 of the total 1182 buses are low floor, wheelchair accessible. All buses purchased since 2000 are accessible and the company plans to have all of the fleet accessible by 2012. In the meantime, Dublin Bus try to ensure that there are accessible buses operating on all of the main corridors. Dublin Bus are currently bringing into service the remainder of the 100 additional buses for which Exchequer funding of €30 million was approved last year. This brings the total Dublin Bus fleet to 1,182 buses — up from just over 900 in 1997.

The capacity of the Dublin Bus fleet, taking into account the 100 additional buses referred to above, is now over 106,000 passengers — an increase of more than 34% on the 2000 capacity. Over the same period, Dublin Bus passenger numbers have grown from 137 million to 146 million passengers per annum, an increase of 7%. The need for additional buses, over and above the 100 currently being brought into service, is being considered in the context of the legislation being prepared for the replacement of the Road Transport Act 1932.

Regional Airports.

Billy Timmins

Question:

51 Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Minister for Transport the discussions he has had with his EU colleagues with respect to attracting new airlines and business to the Shannon region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25022/07]

Michael D. Higgins

Question:

56 Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Minister for Transport if his Department has examined the possibility of establishing a public service obligation for the Shannon-Heathrow route; if not, the grounds on which this option has been ruled out; if he has had discussions with his British counterpart in this regard; if he has decided to carry out any restructuring of his Department in view of the failure of his Department to inform him of Aer Lingus’ decision to transfer Heathrow slots from Shannon to Belfast; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32769/07]

Dan Neville

Question:

57 Deputy Dan Neville asked the Minister for Transport if there have been further discussions or meetings with the Shannon Airport Authority regarding the decision of Aer Lingus to cease the Shannon-Heathrow service; the details of such discussions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32931/07]

Minister for Transport (Deputy Noel Dempsey)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 51, 56 and 57 together.

Responsibility for securing new services to an airport rest with the relevant Airport Authority. I have had no discussions with my EU colleagues as regards attracting new airlines and business to the Shannon region. Neither have I had discussions to date with my UK counterpart concerning the establishment of a PSO on the Shannon Heathrow route because such discussions would be premature. As to meetings and discussions with the Shannon Airport Authority, my Department maintains contact on the airport' development and continues to encourage commercial efforts to secure a replacement service through its hub incentive scheme.

Ireland already has an air services Public Service Obligation (PSO) scheme in operation. The scheme provides for the subvention of air services from Dublin to Kerry, Galway, Knock, Sligo, Donegal and Derry. These PSO routes serve regional airports that, because of their remote locations or limited runway facilities, find it difficult to attract commercial scheduled air services.

The relevant EU Council Regulation, (EEC) No. 2408/92 of 23 July 1992, allows a Member State to establish a PSO route in respect of scheduled air services to an airport serving a peripheral or development region in its territory, where such air services are considered vital for the economic development of the regions concerned and where air carriers are not prepared to provide them on a commercial basis. In addition, the Department is aware that there may be opportunities for State intervention under the Community Guidelines on Financing of Airports and Start up aid to Airlines departing from Regional Airports.

My Department has recently written to the EU Commission with a view to exploring what the options if any exist for facilitating the provision of air services to meet the connectivity requirements of the West of Ireland in a liberalised, competitive aviation market. My officials have requested an early meeting with the Commission on the matter. Following that meeting, my Department will be in a position to advise me on appropriate contacts with the British authorities. With regard to not being informed of the Aer Lingus decision to transfer Heathrow slots from Shannon to Belfast, this has been fully dealt with following the report of the Secretary General of my Department into the matter.

Road Safety.

Sean Sherlock

Question:

52 Deputy Seán Sherlock asked the Minister for Transport the resources he will allocate to the RSA to dramatically enhance their programme for inspecting the driver and vehicle standards of HGVs; if he will introduce primary or secondary legislation to set higher standards for the testing of HGVs in view of the very high percentage of Irish trucks found to be in breach of standards in the UK; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32804/07]

Minister for Transport (Deputy Noel Dempsey)

The funding provided to the Road Safety Authority is agreed in the context of the annual Estimates, and has been finalised for 2008. It is a matter for the Road Safety Authority to manage resources in line with the funding provided by Budget 2008.

In relation to the standards for testing of commercial vehicles, a fundamental review of the arrangements for the compulsory periodic roadworthiness testing of these vehicles has been conducted by consultants engaged by the Road Safety Authority. On foot of this review, the Road Safety Authority has made a number of recommendations to me, which I have accepted, to strengthen the roadworthiness testing regime and to address a number of related issues. Where necessary, new legislation will be introduced.

I have asked that the relevant stakeholders in this area, including the local authorities, be informed of my acceptance of the recommendations of the RSA report and that the necessary consultative and other implementation arrangements be commenced. These steps will be taken in the coming weeks and the RSA report will then be placed in the public domain.

Road Network.

Dan Neville

Question:

53 Deputy Dan Neville asked the Minister for Transport if the bypass of Adare Village is included in the Government’s National Development Plan 2007 to 2013 in January 2007. [28791/07]

Minister for Transport (Deputy Noel Dempsey)

The N21 Adare Bypass is included in Transport 21, the implementation of which is contained in the National Development Plan 2007-2013. As Minister for Transport I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme element of Transport 21. As the Deputy is aware, the implementation of individual national road projects, including the N21 Adare Bypass, is a matter for the National Roads Authority (NRA) under the Roads Act, 1993 in conjunction with the local authorities concerned.

Question No. 54 answered with QuestionNo. 10.

Transport Policy.

Ruairí Quinn

Question:

55 Deputy Ruairí Quinn asked the Minister for Transport if he will conduct an audit of the planning and implementation of Transport 21 in view of the ongoing delays in a significant number of Transport 21’s major infrastructural projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32772/07]

Minister for Transport (Deputy Noel Dempsey)

Given the scale of investment in Transport 21, the monitoring arrangements supporting the framework must be sufficiently robust to ensure that the projects and programmes identified are proceeding as planned and are properly appraised and provide value for money. Structures are in place in my Department to provide these assurances.

A High Level Monitoring Group has been set up comprising representatives of the relevant Government Departments and assisted by the Chief Executives of the State agencies with responsibility for implementing the projects in Transport 21. The main role of this Group is to monitor the implementation of projects and programmes provided for in Transport 21 and to review compliance with the Department of Finance's Capital Appraisal Guidelines and Value for Money Indicators. To assist the Group, my Department has appointed independent auditors to carry out reviews of a representative selection of projects. These reviews look at capital appraisal and physical implementation of projects.

My Department has also retained specialist advisors to assist it in relation to specific issues arising under the Transport 21 programme. A Programme Board comprising senior managers from the Department is responsible for the overall management of the Transport 21 capital envelope and for issues which are cross sectoral in nature, such as capital appraisal, communications and information.

The huge scale of the Transport 21 programme is such that adjustments to the timescale for individual projects is inevitable. The value of the ten-year financial framework is that it gives us the flexibility to deal with this in an effective way. The monitoring structures and supports which I have already outlined provide a robust framework for making adjustments to the investment programme as circumstances require.

Questions Nos. 56 and 57 answered with Question No. 51.

Question No. 58 answered with QuestionNo. 28.

Brian O'Shea

Question:

62 Deputy Brian O’Shea asked the Minister for Transport if he will report on the recent decision to select a company (details supplied) to build the new Bremore deep water port; when he plans to amend the Harbours Act 1996 to facilitate the development of Bremore; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32791/07]

Minister for Transport (Deputy Noel Dempsey)

Drogheda Port Company has for some years been developing a proposal for a new port facility at Bremore in Fingal County. The company conducted an open competition to select a preferred joint venture partner. The competition elicited considerable interest in the market and Castle Market Holdings, a subsidiary of Real Estate Opportunities Limited, were selected after a detailed evaluation and shortlisting process. An amendment of the Harbours Act 1996 will be necessary to enable formal legal consent to be given to the joint venture. 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.

Cycle Facilities.

Ruairí Quinn

Question:

63 Deputy Ruairí Quinn asked the Minister for Transport his views on the recent report released by the Central Statistics Office on the 2006 Census Travel to Work, School and College; if he has plans to address the ever increasing use of cars to travel to work, school and college; if he will address the complete absence of comprehensive and safe urban cycle-way networks as highlighted by the CSO figures which show that the numbers of people cycling to work remains very low; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32771/07]

Minister for Transport (Deputy Noel Dempsey)

I am aware of the trends from the 2006 Census. It shows a continuation of the growth in the use of the private car and a decline in the numbers commuting by bicycle. My Department has provided funding to support the development of cycle routes and facilities. It has also assisted specific initiatives such as the Safe Routes to Schools Programme supported by the Dublin Transportation Office.

My Department has also provided support for the One Small Step campaign which encourages drivers in the Greater Dublin Area to examine their car usage patterns and to think about using other ways of getting around, such as walking, cycling or public transport, whenever they can. The campaign promotes cycling as one of the best ways of getting fresh air, regular exercise, saving money, saving journey time and benefiting the local and general environment.

Nevertheless more needs to be done to reverse the trend. I am committed to increasing the use of cycling as a mode of transport and I have commissioned research on international best practice, which will inform the development of a National Cycle Policy. This, in turn, will complement the proposed Sustainable Travel and Transport Action Plan, which I intend publishing in 2008 after a full public consultation process. The process will inform the precise measures to be adopted in relation to cycling and other issues.

Driving Tests.

Róisín Shortall

Question:

64 Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Transport if the Road Safety Authority has briefed him on the performance of SGS in the provision of driving tests; if he has requested the RSA to undertake an audit on the consistency of driver testing provided by SGS; his views on the different pass rates achieved by SGS and RSA driving testers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32773/07]

Minister for Transport (Deputy Noel Dempsey)

Under the Road Safety Authority Act 2006 (Conferral of Functions) Order 2006 (S.I. No. 477 of 2006), the Road Safety Authority has responsibility for the delivery of the driving test and the issuing of certificates of competency. The RSA has briefed me from time to time on progress in driver testing arrangements, including arrangements with SGS Ltd. I have not asked the RSA to undertake an audit of SGS.

Rail Services.

Michael Noonan

Question:

65 Deputy Michael Noonan asked the Minister for Transport if he will introduce incentives to encourage the transport of freight by rail including the introduction of competition; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32933/07]

Minister for Transport (Deputy Noel Dempsey)

In line with developments across the EU, rail freight is fully liberalised in Ireland since 1st January, 2007. No proposals have been made to my Department for entry to the market to date. I would welcome any expressions of interest. In the absence of real opportunities or proposals for viable long term rail freight business, the development and use of fiscal incentives has not been considered.

Question No. 66 answered with QuestionNo. 30.

Road Safety.

Brendan Howlin

Question:

67 Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Transport if he has reviewed recent research undertaken by the UK Department of Transport on the use of speed cameras to reduce road death and serious injury; if he has reviewed the type of speed cameras used on Irish roads after the high number of unusable photographs from fixed speed cameras was highlighted by the Comptroller and Auditor General; if he will report on the recent tendering process for up to 100 new privately operated speed cameras; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32780/07]

Minister for Transport (Deputy Noel Dempsey)

Issues relating to the use of speed cameras in the enforcement of speed limits are matters for the Garda Authorities and the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform.

Question No. 68 answered with QuestionNo. 10.

Liz McManus

Question:

69 Deputy Liz McManus asked the Minister for Transport if he has plans to reform the penalty points system in view of recent statistics that up to two thirds of drivers who accumulate twelve penalty points are not voluntarily giving up their driving licenses as they are legally obliged to do; the legislative and other measures he is planning to introduce to ensure that all vehicles on Irish roads, both Irish and foreign registered, are subject to the same laws, regulations and penalties and that any fines or penalties accrued by a driver of a foreign registered vehicle are realised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32779/07]

Minister for Transport (Deputy Noel Dempsey)

The Road Traffic Act 2002 provides for the notification to a person of the endorsement of penalty points, and where appropriate, of the imposition of a six-month disqualification. Where a disqualification is applied, the 2002 Act provides that the licence holder must return their licence to the licensing authority that granted the licence within 14 days of the appropriate date and that failure to comply with this requirement constitutes an offence. All drivers are subject to road traffic law and enforcement, including in relation to this matter, is a matter for An Garda Síochána. I do not have plans to reform the penalty points system in that regard.

I am conscious that enforcing penalties for road traffic offences on foreign registered drivers raises many legal, organisational and procedural issues, which make it very difficult for any one State to enforce such penalties.

For that reason, my Department is pursuing this question at the European, British/Irish and North/South levels where mutual recognition and cross border enforcement possibilities are under consideration. As foreign licence holders do not have an Irish driving licence record, penalty points incurred in this State are recorded against that person on a separate record in the National Driver File. Under the Road Safety Authority Act 2006 (Conferral of Functions) Order 2006 (S.I. No. 477 of 2006) the Road Safety Authority has responsibility for ensuring that penalty points are endorsed on a licence record. Data in relation to penalty points is held on the National Driver File. The realisation of fines and penalties imposed by the Courts is a matter for the Courts Service.

Taxi Regulations.

Jack Wall

Question:

70 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Transport when he will make a decision on the proposal by the Office of the Taxi Commissioner for the introduction of a subsidy scheme to assist with the purchase of wheelchair accessible taxis and hackneys; his views on the recent request by the National Taxi Drivers Union for a 50 cent extra surcharge on taxi fares to compensate drivers for spiralling fuel prices; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32799/07]

Minister for Transport (Deputy Noel Dempsey)

The Commission for Taxi Regulation published new National Vehicle Standards — Requirements for Small Public Service Vehicles on 26 November 2007, which include new accessible vehicle standards for licensing as wheelchair accessible taxis and wheelchair accessible hackneys.

My Department is in discussion with the Commission for Taxi Regulation in relation to a proposed subsidy arrangement to assist taxi and hackney operators with the purchase of wheelchair accessible vehicles that will meet the new accessible vehicle specification developed by the Commission. The recent announcement of the new accessible vehicle standards by the Commission facilitates further detailed examination of the proposal, which continues to be the subject of discussion with the Commission. A final decision will be made on the subsidy scheme proposal as soon as possible having regard to the overall budgetary context.

In so far as taxi fares are concerned, section 42 of the Taxi Regulation Act 2003 provides that decisions in relation to the maximum fares that may be charged in any taximeter area are matters for the Commission for Taxi Regulation. I have no function in relation to the setting of these fares.

Question No. 71 answered with QuestionNo. 28.

Marine Safety.

Brian O'Shea

Question:

72 Deputy Brian O’Shea asked the Minister for Transport if he will report on the number of marine inspectors employed by his Department; the number of spot-check inspections carried out in 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2007; his plans to strengthen the inspection and invigilation of ships operating in Irish ports and waters; the Government’s objectives at EU wide level to address the problems associated with vessels operating under flags of convenience and on strengthening EU wide regulations on safety, pay and working conditions for maritime workers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32789/07]

Minister for Transport (Deputy Noel Dempsey)

The number of marine surveyors employed by my Department currently stands at 24. The number of "spot check" inspections carried out on foreign flag merchant ships visiting Irish ports (Port State Control) under the Paris Memorandum of Understanding on Port State Control and EU Directive 95/21, as amended, is as follows: In 2003, a total of 430 inspections were completed. In 2004, a total of 411 inspections were carried out. In 2005, a total of 422 inspections were completed. In 2006, the total of 24 inspections were completed. For the current year, 344 inspections had been completed by October 31st and it is expected that in excess of 400 inspections will have been completed before the end of the year.

Ireland is a member of the Paris Memorandum of Understanding on Port State Control, Paris MoU, and currently holds the Chairmanship of the Paris MoU. Developments in Port State Control in the coming years will see the introduction of a new inspection regime, which should ensure comprehensive inspection of foreign ships entering all Paris MoU ports and a higher frequency of inspections for problem ships. There will be enhanced powers in this new inspection regime which will provide for wider powers to ban sub-standard ships. On the other hand the new inspection regime will reward quality shipping with less inspections.

In addition to the Port State Control Inspections referred to above, Ireland is a host state in accordance with EU Directive 99/35/EC and carries out mandatory safety inspections on regular ro-ro passenger ferries and high-speed passenger craft operating on international routes to/from Ireland. The figures for these inspections is as follows:

In 2003, a total of 26 inspections were completed. In 2004, a total of 23 inspections were carried out. In 2005, a total of 24 inspections were completed, and in 2006 the total number of inspections completed was also 24. So far in 2007, a total of 28 such inspections have been completed.

I can advise the Deputy that the terms and conditions of employment on board vessels are linked to the State in which the ship is registered. A comprehensive body of Irish employment rights legislation governs the conditions of employment, including minimum wages, of workers on board vessels under the Irish flag. This would include legislation dealing with minimum wages.

If the vessel is not registered in Ireland, then the port state control inspections referred above will cover the International Maritime Organisation's various Safety and Environment Protection Conventions as well as the International Labour Organisation Conventions. The inspection of the latter would cover the welfare of the crew (food, accommodation, hours of work etc) but would exclude rates of pay.

Ireland has consistently supported the International Labour Organisation in its efforts to promote global labour standards for seafarers. A new consolidated Maritime Labour Convention was adopted in February 2006 at the 94th International Labour Conference in Geneva. Ireland was represented at the 94th Conference by a tripartite delegation consisting of Government officials, nominees of the employers (IBEC) and of the workers (ICTU). The new Convention sets out clear principles and rights for seafarers. Ireland fully supports the new Convention and voted in favour of the proposal.

The European Commission has indicated that it will continue to study all possible solutions aimed at safeguarding employment in the maritime sector and that it would also continue to pursue the implementation of International Labour Organisation (ILO) standards into Community law and to encourage discussion on this issue within the framework of the European Social Dialogue.

During 2007, following requests from Member States and the European Parliament, the Commission launched a study titled "Study on the labour market and employment conditions in intra-Community regular maritime transport services carried out by ships under Member States' or third countries flags". The study is due to be completed by mid 2008 and Ireland has played its part in providing detailed information to the study.

Rail Network.

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Question:

73 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Transport if there will be a feasibility study undertaken regarding rail links from Derry to Sligo. [32853/07]

Minister for Transport (Deputy Noel Dempsey)

The upgrading and extension of the mainline railway system is a matter for consideration by Iarnród Éireann in the first instance. I understand from Iarnród Éireann that it has no plans to undertake a feasibility study into a Derry/Sligo rail link. Such a proposal does not form part of Transport 21.

Road Traffic Offences.

Willie Penrose

Question:

74 Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Transport the position regarding discussions between his Department, the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform and the Courts Service on reforming the present mechanism for the collection of fines for motoring offences; the time-frame for the introduction of such legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32777/07]

Minister for Transport (Deputy Noel Dempsey)

The collection of court fines levied in respect of motoring offences and any reform of that collection system are matters for the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform and the Courts Service.

Harbours and Piers.

John Perry

Question:

75 Deputy John Perry asked the Minister for Transport his views on the recommendations contained in the KPMG Report on regional harbours and ports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32943/07]

Minister for Transport (Deputy Noel Dempsey)

In 1998, KPMG Consulting were contracted to undertake a review of the State's regional harbours operating under the Harbours Act 1946. The intention of the review was to chart the way forward for these facilities by setting out a long term, coherent and sustainable development plan for their future.

The review stated that the continued operation of the regional harbours under the outdated provisions of the Harbours Act 1946 is unsustainable on the grounds of good governance. The review recommended that the ports should either be corporatised as commercial State port companies, merged with an existing port company or transferred to the relevant local authorities.

The Ports Policy Statement, which was published in 2005, reiterated the view that most of these regional harbours would best achieve their potential through their transfer to local authority ownership. Where it was not possible to reach agreement on transfer to local authorities, the option of sale of the harbours would be considered. In harbours where significant commercial traffic exists, consideration would be given to bringing such harbours under the control of a port company.

My Department is working with the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, to advance the implementation of the Ports Policy Statement with regard to the transfer of the designated regional harbours to their respective local ownership. My Department has provided funding to protect the fabric of these regional harbours for the last number of years.

In 2006, Sligo Harbour and Annagassan Harbour transferred to Local Authority Control. Dingle Harbour was designated a Fishery Harbour Centre in 2007.

Question No. 76 answered with QuestionNo. 12.

Road Network.

Thomas P. Broughan

Question:

77 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Transport if the National Roads Authority has submitted plans for a new round of public private partnerships for the national road building and maintenance programme; his plans for the financing of future road building and maintenance programmes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32768/07]

Minister for Transport (Deputy Noel Dempsey)

As Minister for Transport I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme element of Transport 21. The implementation of individual national road projects is a matter for the National Roads Authority (NRA) under the Roads Act, 1993 in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. In particular, the allocation of funding in relation to the construction or maintenance of national roads is a matter for the NRA under Section 19 of the Roads Act, 1993.

Also, the statutory power to levy tolls on national roads, to make toll bye-laws and to enter into toll agreements with private investors in respect of national roads, is vested in the NRA under Part V of the Roads Act 1993 (as amended by the Planning and Development Act 2000 and the Roads Act 2007).

The Government's Transport 21 Programme and the National Development Plan provide for an estimated €2 billion in private financing for the existing toll road programme bringing total investment in national roads under Transport 21 to just over €18 billion.

A total of 10 national road improvement schemes were identified by the NRA for development as toll-based PPP projects. The delivery of these 10 schemes represents the completion of the National Roads Authority's toll road programme and the fulfilment of the private finance road targets set out in Transport 21. I am satisfied that the correct balance has been struck in Transport 21 between toll-based PPP projects and projects supported directly by the Exchequer. From time to time the NRA have indicated that the potential exists for further PPP-type road schemes, but I have no plan to expand the PPP network at the moment.

Garda Stations.

Brendan Howlin

Question:

78 Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance if the site has been acquired for the new Garda divisional headquarters for Wexford; the cost of acquiring the site; when he expects construction on this project to begin; when he expects the new station to be available for occupation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32969/07]

Minister of State at the Department of Finance (Deputy Noel Ahern)

The Commissioners of Public Works have signed a contract for sale for a site at Roxborough for a new Garda Station in Wexford. Progress has been made with regard to the conclusion of the legal arrangements to finalise this transaction with the Vendor's Solicitor and the Chief State Solicitor. Full and satisfactory conclusion is essential to enable progress to be made on all other matters in relation to the development of this project.

Departmental Meetings.

Ruairí Quinn

Question:

79 Deputy Ruairí Quinn asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance if his Department has a management advisory committee or an equivalent management committee; if it meets regularly; and if so, the frequency of same; if he and the Ministers of State attached to his Department attend the meetings; if a special advisor or advisors attached to the Ministerial Office or offices attend such meetings; if the minutes are circulated subsequent to each meeting with an indication as to the action to be taken by whom and when; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32981/07]

Ruairí Quinn

Question:

80 Deputy Ruairí Quinn asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance if he convenes specific policy meetings with officials in his Department; the way a policy meeting with officials is different to that of a management meeting, such as a management advisory committee meeting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32995/07]

Tánaiste and Minister for Finance (Deputy Brian Cowen)

I propose to take QuestionsNos. 79 and 80 together.

My Department has a committee consisting of senior management known as the management advisory committee or MAC which meets weekly to discuss progress on the Department's principal activities. The MAC may also meet more frequently if required. The minutes are circulated, with reference where appropriate to follow-up action required and the person or persons responsible.

The MAC also meets annually with each Assistant Secretary/Director and his/her staff down to and including Assistant Principal to discuss their divisional business plans, emerging short, medium or longer term issues, and principal strategic objectives. In addition, the MAC meets regularly with me (usually at 6-weekly intervals) to discuss key issues across the spectrum of the Department's activities, including the legislative programme, budgetary, spending, taxation and economic issues, and industrial relations issues. Attendance on these occasions includes my special advisors, my private secretary, and the Department's press officer. I also meet on a day-to-day basis with one or more senior officials from the various Divisions of my Department to discuss specific policy matters.

Ministerial Staff.

Ruairí Quinn

Question:

81 Deputy Ruairí Quinn asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the number of programme managers, special advisors, policy assistants, personnel on secondment and other personnel who are not part of the existing Civil Service who make up his Department, including permanent civil servants attached to the office of the Minister and Minister of States; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33009/07]

Tánaiste and Minister for Finance (Deputy Brian Cowen)

The part time Teachers (16) assigned to CMOD (Centre for Management, and Organisation Development), are not classified as part of the Civil Service. In addition, 2 of the staff in my Constituency Office are contract staff. Apart from these, all staff employed by my Department are Civil Servants. In relation to the Office of the Minister of State, 4 of the staff are contract staff.

Business Expansion Scheme.

Paul Kehoe

Question:

82 Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance his plans to change the criteria to the business expansion scheme in the Finance Bill or at another time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33015/07]

Tánaiste and Minister for Finance (Deputy Brian Cowen)

I announced in my Budget 2008 statement that the requirement that recycling companies must have received grant assistance before availing of the Business Expansion Scheme (BES) is to be replaced by a requirement that their business proposals must be certified by an industrial development agency or County Enterprise Board before they avail of the scheme. This change to the requirements will be included in Finance Bill 2008. As the BES is an approved State aid, it will be necessary to advise the European Commission of this proposed change.

Departmental Bodies.

Lucinda Creighton

Question:

83 Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the statutory bodies for which he has ministerial responsibility, but for which he is not accountable to Dáil Éireann for daily operational activities. [33079/07]

Tánaiste and Minister for Finance (Deputy Brian Cowen)

The extent of my responsibility for the bodies and agencies on the following list under the remit of my Department varies in accordance with the nature of the legal arrangements. While I have responsibility for policy and legislation in respect of such bodies and agencies, legal responsibility for the performance of their statutory functions and operational responsibilities rests with the relevant body themselves. I do, however, give information, as appropriate, on such matters, as provided to me by the bodies.

National Treasury Management Agency

National Pensions Reserve Fund Commission

State Claims Agency

National Development Finance Agency

Central Bank and Financial Services Authority of Ireland

Irish Financial Services Appeals Tribunal

Financial Services Ombudsman Council

Credit Union Advisory Committee

Ordnance Survey Ireland

Special EU Programmes Body

Valuation Tribunal

Office of the Revenue Commissioners

Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General

Office of Public Works

Office of the Ombudsman

Office of the Information Commissioner

Standards in Public Office Commission

State Laboratory

Valuation Office

Public Appointments Service

Office of the Commission for Public Service Appointments

EU Directives.

Joanna Tuffy

Question:

84 Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance if the Government has plans to postpone the adoption of the Energy Tax Directive 2003 in view of the financial difficulties that will face many coach operators who are contracted to carry out school runs, scheduled services and tour operations, when their fuel rebate is withdrawn as a consequence of this directive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33107/07]

Tánaiste and Minister for Finance (Deputy Brian Cowen)

The 2003 EU Energy Tax Directive incorporated special derogations which allowed specific excise duty reliefs to be applied in a number of Member States. In the Irish context, these derogations allowed for reduced rates to apply to fuel used for public transport services which includes school transport services.

While these derogations expired on 31 December 2006, Ireland, along with other Member States, sought retention of its derogations beyond that date. However the European Commission, who are the deciding authority, have to date refused all such requests. The Commission maintain that, in keeping with the EU Energy Tax Directive, Member States must apply at least the EU minimum rates of excise on fuels in such circumstances and that any further favourable excise treatment is not allowable. In this regard the Commission's decision was published on its website in March 2007. At the Commission's behest my officials have indicated that Ireland will avail of the forthcoming Finance Bill to make the necessary legislative changes to conform with the Directive.

In the circumstances, the relevant line Departments who have primary responsibility in this regard are, in conjunction with my Department, exploring alternative non-tax support mechanisms that could be put in place where appropriate to maintain the assistance currently being provided, subject of course to compatibility with EU State Aid requirements. In the interim the reduced rates applicable to fuel used will be maintained.

Tax Yield.

Leo Varadkar

Question:

85 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the amount of revenue that has been accrued from inheritance tax for each year since 2000 with a breakdown by group A, B and C of the beneficiaries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33126/07]

Leo Varadkar

Question:

86 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the amount of revenue that has been accrued from probate tax for each year since 2000 with a breakdown by group A, B and C of the beneficiaries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33127/07]

Tánaiste and Minister for Finance (Deputy Brian Cowen)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 85 and 86 together.

I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that the information available in respect of net receipts from inheritance and probate tax is as follows:

Year	Inheritance Tax	Probate Tax
	€m	€m
2000	154.72	37.51
2001	121.50	21.41
2002	128.06	5.38
2003	130.65	2.55
2004	171.29	2.76
2005	196.65	1.73
2006	299.37	1.76

Details from inheritance taxes returns are not maintained in such a way as to provide a basis for compiling the detailed information sought by the Deputy. It is, therefore, not possible to separately identify the details relating to the distribution of cases by class of relationship to the donor without a protracted investigation of Revenue records.

A probate tax of 2 per cent applied to estates valued in excess of an exemption threshold (£40,000 in 2000) and was abolished in respect of deaths occurring on or after 6 December 2000. The group thresholds A, B and C did not apply to probate tax.

Gaming Legislation.

Leo Varadkar

Question:

87 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance if agreement was reached between any agency or State body attached to his Department to support or assist in any way in the development of the proposed Sonas development on the former Phoenix Park Racecourse at Castleknock, Dublin 15; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33141/07]

Tánaiste and Minister for Finance (Deputy Brian Cowen)

In August 1994, the National Lottery Company informed the Department of Finance that it had entered into a reciprocal confidentiality agreement with a third party, the Vector Ogden Group, which had a proposal to build a complex in the old Phoenix Park Racecourse comprising an International Conference Centre and a casino. I understand that such an agreement was considered a necessary preliminary to the National Lottery Company's investigating with these promoters the prospects of the Company's involvement in the casino side of this operation. I am informed that this agreement was signed in July 1994 by An Post, the National Lottery Company, and Ogden Entertainment Services (Ireland) Ltd and that the agreement was effective from the date of its signing and had a termination date of 31 December 1994.

In February 1998, the Chairman of the National Lottery Company wrote to the Department of Finance about the Company's intention to go into a 12-month non-disclosure agreement with Sonas Centre Ltd, stating that Sonas had "expressed an interest in considering the NLC [the National Lottery Company] in some role in relation to casino gaming and for this to be evaluated by the parties, a non-disclosure agreement is necessary". Having considered the matter, and with the agreement of the then Minister, the Department replied in March 1998 informing the National Lottery Company that it would have no objection to the National Lottery Company's entering the agreement.

Leo Varadkar

Question:

88 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance if consideration was given to amend legislation to permit casino gaming during the 1989 to 1994 period; the level of his involvement and that of the National Lottery Company in this process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33143/07]

Tánaiste and Minister for Finance (Deputy Brian Cowen)

The establishment and operation of a casino would be subject to the provisions of the Gaming and Lotteries Acts, which are a matter, in the first instance, for my colleague the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform.

In respect of the period referred to by the Deputy, the records in my Department do not indicate that the National Lottery Company made any proposal to the Minister for Finance or the Department that would have necessitated an amendment to legislation to permit casino gaming and do not suggest that the Minister or the Department were involved in formulating such amendments to legislation.

Tax Code.

Leo Varadkar

Question:

89 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance if there is anything in European law or intergovernmental agreements that would prevent or impede Ireland from reducing corporation profit tax; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33148/07]

Tánaiste and Minister for Finance (Deputy Brian Cowen)

There are no legal or other impediments of which I am aware which would prevent Ireland from changing its standard rate of corporation tax on a general basis.

The Government made clear its commitment to the standard 12.5% rate of corporation tax in its agreed Programme for Government.

Health Insurance.

Thomas P. Broughan

Question:

90 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health and Children if her Department has given any further consideration to the pricing and cost of health insurance here especially in view of reported increases in premiums in early 2008; and if her Department has consulted on the creation of a health services regulator whose functions would include the pricing of health insurance. [33182/07]

Minister for Health and Children (Deputy Mary Harney)

With regard to the pricing of health insurance, it is a matter for the insurer to determine the appropriate premium. Community rated health insurance in Ireland is significantly cheaper than comparable cover elsewhere particularly for vulnerable groups such as older people.

The Voluntary Health Insurance (Amendment) Bill 2007, currently before the Oireachtas, provides for the removal of the current limited role of the Minister of Health and Children from involvement in the commercial affairs of the VHI, including price setting.

Prudential regulation is a matter for the Financial Regulator and it is necessary that insurers have freedom in relation to the pricing of their products for the purposes of achieving and retaining authorisation. Against this background, it would not be appropriate to establish a health services regulator whose functions would include the pricing of health insurance.

The Health Insurance Acts (and regulations) have been enacted in the interests of the common good, providing for community rating, open enrolment and lifetime cover. Companies offering health insurance contracts are obliged to comply with the regulatory framework provided for in the Health Insurance Acts and related regulations. The health insurance industry is monitored by the Health Insurance Authority to ensure compliance with the common good regulatory framework.

Departmental Reports.

James Reilly

Question:

91 Deputy James Reilly asked the Minister for Health and Children the person who carried out the review of recruitment procedures for locum consultants; the date the review was completed; the recommendations made by the review; if the recommendations have been implemented; if she will make a copy of the review available; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32965/07]

Minister for Health and Children (Deputy Mary Harney)

In 2001 at the request of the then Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Micheál Martin, Ms Maureen Lynott carried out a review of the circumstances surrounding the employment of a person to a particular locum psychiatrist position in the Irish Public Health Service.

This review was completed in February 2002. Ms Lynott's report made a number of recommendations regarding inter-agency cooperation, recruitment procedures by employing authorities of medical practitioners and legal matters.

The report was the subject of follow-up action with relevant health agencies. The report has also informed the preparation of the Medical Practitioners Act, 2007. A full copy of the report is available on the Department's website www.dohc.ie/publications.

The Health Service Executive (HSE) has advised that the actual recruitment and selection of locum consultants is a matter for each individual hospital. The principles governing recruitment of locum consultants are set out in Comhairle na nOspideal Circular 1/1998 and HSE HR Circular 012/2007.

Health Service Staff.

M. J. Nolan

Question:

92 Deputy M. J. Nolan asked the Minister for Health and Children when the embargo on recruitment of staff in the Health Service Executive will be lifted; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32966/07]

Minister for Health and Children (Deputy Mary Harney)

The current recruitment pause is a temporary measure initiated as part of the HSE financial break-even plan for 2007. In any instance where a critical or essential vacancy arises it may be filled through redeployment of existing staff by the line manager or re-assignment of responsibilities based on assessment of priority need.

Notwithstanding this, the HSE recognises that there are some circumstances where appointment of staff may be necessary in frontline services. Accordingly, a process has been put in place to evaluate, monitor and approve requests for derogation from the general recruitment pause. A group has been established which meets weekly to consider such applications. Of the applications received, a total of 520 derogations in whole-time equivalent terms have been approved up to 28 November where posts have been identified as critical to service delivery.

I have been advised by the Health Service Executive that the recruitment pause will continue for December 2007 and the current arrangement will be reviewed prior to the end of the year. It is intended that a robust employment control framework will continue to be applied to services in 2008.

Departmental Meetings.

Ruairí Quinn

Question:

93 Deputy Ruairí Quinn asked the Minister for Health and Children if her Department has a management advisory committee or an equivalent management committee; if it meets regularly; and if so, the frequency of same; if she and the Ministers of State attached to her Department attend the meetings; if a special adviser or advisers attached to the ministerial office or offices attend such meetings; if the minutes are circulated subsequent to each meeting with an indication as to the action to be taken by whom and when; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32983/07]

Ruairí Quinn

Question:

94 Deputy Ruairí Quinn asked the Minister for Health and Children if she convenes specific policy meetings with officials in her Department; the way a policy meeting with officials is different to that of a management meeting, such as a management advisory committee meeting; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32997/07]

Minister for Health and Children (Deputy Mary Harney)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 93 and 94 together.

My Department's Management Advisory Committee (MAC) generally meets every Monday morning. Its work programme is structured and provides for regular consideration of matters of particular importance. Such matters are then brought to my attention, in the first instance, by the Secretary General, and also by individual MAC members.

In addition to dealing with internal management issues, such as finance and personnel, policy/service issues are tabled and discussed at MAC meetings to develop a corporate approach.

Minutes of MAC meetings are placed on my Department's intranet and copies of specified reports considered by MAC are circulated to me, the Ministers of State and the special advisors.

My interaction with the management of the Department is in line with a recommendation of the Travers report, as follows:

‘Ministers and their Special Advisors should avoid becoming involved, to too great an extent, in the day — to — day operations and administration of the Department. In that context, Ministers should consider whether their involvement with the MAC should be on the basis of, perhaps, quarterly meetings which are well formulated and structured to focus on the key policy and operational issues of the Department. The Minister's key conduit of contact with the overall organisational arrangements for the Department should be through the Secretary General.' (p80)

Accordingly, it has not been my practice as Minister in this Department, nor in the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, to attend MAC meetings. I believe Departmental management should be able to meet collectively to discharge its functions as a civil service management unit.

In addition, neither the Ministers of State attached to my Department nor any special advisors attend the monthly MAC meetings.

However, I have ongoing contact with my Department's Secretary General, individual MAC members and other senior management on particular proposals, policies and issues. This can mean weekly, and sometimes, daily interaction with individual MAC members.

In addition to this day — to — day contact, I meet with the Secretary General on the morning of each Government meeting; I meet with the Ministers of State as a group each week; and I meet together with the Ministers of State and my special advisors with the MAC on a quarterly basis, as indicated in the quoted recommendation from the Travers report.

I have also agreed arrangements for interaction with individual MAC members approximately bimonthly, should the need arise to deal with aspects of their work which have not come up in more frequent issue-based meetings.

Ministerial Staff.

Ruairí Quinn

Question:

95 Deputy Ruairí Quinn asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of programme managers, special advisers, policy assistants, personnel on secondment and other personnel who are not part of the existing Civil Service who make up her Department, including permanent civil servants attached to the office of the Minister and Ministers of State; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33011/07]

Minister for Health and Children (Deputy Mary Harney)

The following tables detail the number of programme managers, special advisors, policy assistants, personnel on secondment and other personnel who are not part of the existing Civil Service who make up my Department. Details are also provided in respect of the number of permanent civil servants attached to my office and the offices of the Ministers of State.

Minister's Office
Grade	Civil Servant/Other	Number W.T.E.
Special Advisor	Other	2
Special Advisor/Programme Manager	Other	1
Special Advisor/Press Advisor	Other	1
Personal Assistant	Other	2
Clerical Officer on Secondment	Civil Servant	2
Department of Health and Children	Civil Servant	8

Minister of State, Mr Brendan Smith T.D.
Grade	Civil Servant/Other	Number W.T.E.
Special Advisor	Other	1
Personal Assistant	Other	1
Personal Secretary	Other	1
Clerical Officer on Secondment	Civil Servant	2
Department of Health and Children	Civil Servant	6.7

Minister of State, Dr Jimmy Devins T.D.
Grade	Civil Servant/Other	Number W.T.E.
Special Advisor	Other	1
Personal Assistant	Other	1
Personal Secretary	Other	0.46
Personal Secretary	Other	0.54
Civilian Driver	Other	2
Department of Health and Children *	Civil Servant	5

*An Executive Officer from the Department of Education and Science is also assigned to Minister Devins Office.

Minister of State, Mr Pat the Cope Gallagher T.D.
Grade	Civil Servant/Other	Number W.T.E.
Personal Assistant	Other	1
Personal Secretary	Other	1
Clerical Officer on Secondment	Civil Servant	2
Civilian Driver	Other	2
Department of Health and Children	Civil Servant	5

Minister of State, Ms Máire Hoctor T.D.
Grade	Civil Servant/Other	Number W.T.E.
Personal Assistant	Other	1
Personal Secretary	Other	1
Civilian Driver	Other	2
Department of Health and Children	Civil Servant	6.5

In addition, there are 12.1 W.T.E. non-civil servants seconded on a temporary basis to my Department from a number of organisations and 1 officer on contract to my Department.

Health Services.

Paul Kehoe

Question:

96 Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Health and Children the reason a child (details supplied) in County Wexford has to wait two years for an appointment to see an ear, nose and throat consultant; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33016/07]

Minister for Health and Children (Deputy Mary Harney)

Operational responsibility for the management and delivery of health and personal social services is a matter for the Health Service Executive and funding for all health services has been provided as part of its overall Vote. Therefore, the Executive is the appropriate body to consider the particular case raised by the Deputy. My Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to arrange to have the matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.

Jack Wall

Question:

97 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Health and Children the premiums paid to home help personnel in the Kildare-west Wicklow areas for weekend periods; if this payment is in line with the guidelines as laid down by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment in relation to working hours and the appropriate rates; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33021/07]

Minister for Health and Children (Deputy Mary Harney)

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 payment of premiums to eligible personnel, has been provided as part of its overall vote. The Executive is the appropriate body to consider the particular issues raised by the Deputy. My Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to arrange to have these matters investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.

Hospital Services.

Bernard Allen

Question:

98 Deputy Bernard Allen asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will investigate the reason the day procedures ward at Cork University Hospital was closed for the schools’ mid-term break; and the further reason a busy hospital ward closed to coincide with school holidays. [33032/07]

Minister for Health and Children (Deputy Mary Harney)

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.

Bernard Allen

Question:

99 Deputy Bernard Allen asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will investigate the reason the day procedures ward at Cork University Hospital is closing for a three week period over the Christmas 2007 period. [33033/07]

Minister for Health and Children (Deputy Mary Harney)

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.

Health Service Staff.

Jack Wall

Question:

100 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will investigate the discrepancy between the statement issued in Dáil Éireann on 29 November 2007 and the letter received from the Health Service Executive on 21 November 2007 (details supplied); if she will clarify the position of the provision of occupational therapists in the Kildare/west Wicklow areas of the HSE; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33037/07]

Minister for Health and Children (Deputy Mary Harney)

According to information provided by the Health Service Executive on 29 November 2007 in the context of an Adjournment Debate on occupational therapy services in the Kildare/West Wicklow area, there were 8.5 vacant posts in the occupational therapy service in this area, including two maternity leave vacancies. According to clarification provided by the HSE to my Department yesterday (5 December), there remains 8.5 vacancies — one of which is a maternity leave vacancy and one of which is a clinical placement post.

The current recruitment pause is a temporary measure initiated as part of the HSE financial break-even plan for 2007. The HSE recognises that there are some circumstances where appointment of staff may be necessary in frontline services. Accordingly, a process has been put in place to evaluate, monitor and approve requests for derogation from the general recruitment pause. A group has been established which meets regularly to consider such applications. The HSE has confirmed that approval by way of derogation has been given to fill 3 maternity leave posts, one current and two in January 2008 in the occupational therapy service in Kildare/West Wicklow.

Departmental Funding.

Jack Wall

Question:

101 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Health and Children her views on correspondence (details supplied); the funding allocated by her Department or the Health Service Executive to the group over each of the past five years; the plans she or the HSE has to increase the funding and to provide a staffing grant to the society; the mechanisms available to the society to obtain such grants; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33071/07]

Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children (Deputy Máire Hoctor)

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 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.

Health Services.

Catherine Byrne

Question:

102 Deputy Catherine Byrne asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of stabilisation service beds, community based residential detoxification beds, medical detoxification unit beds and step-down or half-way house beds available here for rehabilitating drug addicts; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33073/07]

Minister for Health and Children (Deputy Mary Harney)

The question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, my Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to arrange to have this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.

Departmental Funding.

Michael McGrath

Question:

103 Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Health and Children if her attention has been drawn to the work being carried out by the Irish Osteoporosis Society; if her Department or the Health Service Executive provides core funding to the society; and if so, if this funding will continue into 2008. [33099/07]

Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children (Deputy Máire Hoctor)

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 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.

Health Service Reform.

Thomas P. Broughan

Question:

104 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will expand the regulatory and inspection functions of the Health Information and Quality Authority; and if she will specifically invigilate and regulate the pricing structures and services offered by companies (details supplied) especially in view of reports of proposed increased health insurance premiums in 2008. [33186/07]

Minister for Health and Children (Deputy Mary Harney)

The Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) was established in May 2007. This represents a crucial element of the Health Reform Programme and is a new departure for the Irish Health Services.

A core function of the Authority is to set standards on safety and quality of health services and to monitor enforcement of these standards in an open and transparent way. The Act gives HIQA strong powers in this area in relation to services provided by the Health Service Executive and bodies funded by the Executive to provide health services on its behalf. The introduction of such regulatory regimes in the public sector in the first instance is a feature of such developments in other jurisdictions. The extension of these provisions to the private sector would involve further legislation of a complex nature.

In January 2007, I established the Commission on Patient Safety and Quality Assurance chaired by Dr Deirdre Madden. The Commission is developing proposals for a health service wide system of governance based on corporate accountability for the quality and safety of all health services. One of its terms of reference is to specifically examine and make recommendations in relation to a statutory system of licensing for both public and private health care providers and services. The Commission is expected to issue its report in mid 2008.

Companies offering health insurance contracts are obliged to comply with the regulatory framework provided for in the Health Insurance Acts and related regulations. The Health Insurance Acts (and regulations) have been enacted in the interests of the common good, providing for community rating, open enrolment and lifetime cover. Insurers are obliged to accept all persons who wish to avail of a health insurance contract offered, to do so for a standard premium (with limited exceptions that primarily relate to reduced rates for students and children), and to renew the contracts of persons. They are not permitted to discriminate on the basis of health status. Insurers offering cover are also required to provide a minimum level of cover across a range of services, including private maintenance charges in public hospitals, consultants fees, private hospitals charges, out-patient and maternity benefits, convalescence, psychiatric treatment and substance abuse.

Currently, the VHI is obliged to notify the Minister of proposed premium increases. However, the VHI Bill presently before the Oireachtas correctly provides for the removal of the Minister's involvement in premia increases. Prudential regulation is a matter for the Financial Regulator. Therefore, it is a matter for the insurer to determine the appropriate premium.

Coast Guard Service.

Joe McHugh

Question:

105 Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Transport if the jobs that were proposed for Malin Head and Valentia in the Deloitte and Touche report will be realised; if not, the reason for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33087/07]

Joe McHugh

Question:

113 Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Transport when the decision was taken to reject the proposals set out in the Deloitte and Touche report to expand the Malin Head and Valentia Coast Guard Stations; the person who had the responsibility for making this decision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33089/07]

Minister for Transport (Deputy Noel Dempsey)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 105 and 113 together.

The Deloitte and Touche Irish Coast Guard Study made over one hundred recommendations for the future development of the Coast Guard service having regard to international best practice and value for money. Many of these recommendations have already been implemented by the IRCG.

A number of the recommendations are strategic in nature. One of these is the recommendation to reduce the number of rescue co-ordination centres from the current three to two. It was recommended that each location should be capable of supporting the entire IRCG national network and the building of two new centres was put forward as an option. The decision on location was left to the Department. Further recommendations detail the requirements for the centres, covering matters such as equipment, layout and environment. The decisions I took recently were made against the background of the Deloitte and Touche study and the Decentralisation Programme.

I consider that the communications system is the backbone infrastructure on which Coast Guard operations depend. It is essential that it is of high quality, efficient, effective and that it provides value for money. I am concerned at the state of the present equipment and have confirmed that a €2 million investment in essential equipment should proceed without any further delay. I also confirmed that this equipment should be sufficient to operate two fully manned Co-Ordination centres. Each centre will have the capability to run the entire Coast Guard network which will allow for a seamless transfer of co-ordination should one centre become suddenly unworkable for any reason. I also confirmed that locating one on the east coast and one on the west coast is the preferred option and that the east coast centre should be co-located with the HQ for operational reasons.

Dublin Transport Authority.

Thomas P. Broughan

Question:

106 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Transport when he will introduce legislation necessary to establish the Dublin Transport Authority; the reason there has been an ongoing delay with bringing forward this legislation; the timeframe for a fully operational DTA; if the functions of the DTA as proposed by the Dublin Transport Authority Establishment Team’s report to him in March 2006 will still be the key responsibilities of the DTA; the functions of the Railway Procurement Agency, the Dublin Transportation Office or any other national, regional or local transport authority that will be transferred to the new DTA; if there will be an early announcement on the interconnector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33024/07]

Minister for Transport (Deputy Noel Dempsey)

The Agreed Programme for Government includes a commitment to expediting the establishment of a statutory Dublin Transport Authority. The new Authority will have overall responsibility for surface transport in the Greater Dublin Area (GDA) subject to direction by Government in respect of significant policy issues. Accordingly establishment of the new Authority will involve some alteration to existing institutional arrangements for the planning and delivery of surface transport in the GDA. The details will be set out in the planned legislation.

The principal functions of the proposed Authority are set out in the Programme for Government and will include: strategic transport planning; procurement of public transport infrastructure; procurement of public transport services; allocation of current and capital Exchequer funds for the provision of public transport infrastructure and services; regulation of public transport fares, routes, and service levels; delivery of integrated ticketing, integrated passenger information and integrated fares; better integration of transport and land use planning; ensuring effective traffic management. This is in line with the recommendations made in the report of the Dublin Transport Authority Establishment Team.

Preparation of the necessary legislation is well advanced and I will bring a Memorandum to Government in due course. My overriding priority is to establish as quickly as possible a statutory Authority that will be effective. The current position regarding the Interconnector is that Iarnród Éireann are proceeding with the detailed planning and design of the project with a view to submission of an application for a Railway Order to An Bord Pleanála in 2009.

Integrated Ticketing System.

Fergus O'Dowd

Question:

107 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Transport his views on the ongoing integrated ticketing project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33201/07]

Minister for Transport (Deputy Noel Dempsey)

The Integrated Ticketing Project Board was established last year with responsibility to deliver the smartcard technology required to deliver an integrated smart card ticketing system within an agreed specification, timeline and budget. The Project Board submitted a comprehensive proposal for the delivery of the project, setting out the timelines, scope and budget for the Integrated Ticketing Project. The proposal put the expected capital cost of the integrated ticketing system at €49.6 million. On the 1st June, my Department wrote to the Chairman of the Project Board authorising him to proceed with the implementation of the project along the lines proposed by the Board.

Integrated ticketing will be launched initially on the scheduled services of Dublin Bus, LUAS and Morton's Coaches, a private bus operator, by September 2009. Irish Rail DART and commuter rail services will be included within a further 12 months, and Bus Eireann will implement a pilot scheme on one of its commuter routes in the Greater Dublin Area. It is also envisaged the other private bus operators will also join the integrated ticketing system over this timeframe. The Board has recently agreed a Memorandum of Understanding setting out the role, responsibilities, actions and commitments to the integrated ticketing project of each of the parties for the effective and successful delivery of the integrated ticketing system. The procurement system for the Back Office clearing system to govern transactions between operators is currently underway. The Chairman of the Integrated Ticketing Project Board has informed me, in his recent report, that good progress is being made on the Project in accordance with the agreed programme.

Departmental Meetings.

Ruairí Quinn

Question:

108 Deputy Ruairí Quinn asked the Minister for Transport if his Department has a management advisory committee or an equivalent management committee; if it meets regularly; and if so, the frequency of same; if he and the Ministers of State attached to his Department attend the meetings; if a special advisor or advisors attached to the Ministerial Office or offices attend such meetings; if the minutes are circulated subsequent to each meeting with an indication as to the action to be taken by whom and when; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32986/07]

Minister for Transport (Deputy Noel Dempsey)

Table of statutory bodies under the aegis of the Department of Transport
Statutory Body
Dublin Airport Authority
Shannon Airport Authority
Cork Airport Authority
Irish Aviation Authority
Commission for Aviation Regulation
CIÉ
Iarnród Éireann
Bus Átha Cliath
Bus Éireann
Railway Procurement Agency
Railway Safety Commission
Railway Safety Advisory Council
National Roads Authority
Dublin Transportation Office
Medical Bureau of Road Safety
Commission for Taxi Regulation
Advisory Council to the Commission for Taxi Regulation
Road Safety Authority
Marine Casualty Investigation Board
Port of Cork Company
Drogheda Port Company
Dublin Port Company
Dundalk Port Company
Dun Laoghaire Harbour Company
Galway Harbour Company
New Ross Port Company
Shannon/Foynes Port Company
Port of Waterford Company
Wicklow Port Company
Arklow Harbour Commissioners
Baltimore Harbour Commissioners
Bantry Bay Harbour Commissioners
Kinsale Harbour Commissioners
Kilrush Harbour Commissioners
Tralee and Fenit Pier and Harbour Commissioners
River Moy (Ballina) Harbour Commissioners
Westport Port and Harbour Commissioners
Wexford Harbour Commissioners
Youghal Harbour Authority

Decentralisation Programme.

Joe McHugh

Question:

112 Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Transport if he will clarify his Department’s position on decentralisation; and his views on whether the centralising of jobs from peripheral areas such as Malin and Valentia to Drogheda complies with the Government policy of decentralisation. [33088/07]

Minister for Transport (Deputy Noel Dempsey)

A total of 80 posts have relocated or are awaiting relocation under the decentralisation programme. This number includes 35 civil servants from my Department who have relocated to new Departments. At present, there are 17 posts in each of the centres at Malin Head and Valentia. Discussions with staff in these centres are expected to commence shortly. Relocation of staff will be on a voluntary basis in accordance with Government policy.

Question No. 113 answered with QuestionNo. 105.

Air Services.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

114 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport the policy influence retained by his Department in Aer Lingus through the 25% shareholding in the company; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33157/07]

Bernard J. Durkan

Question No. 124 answered with QuestionNo. 116.

Rail Services.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

125 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport the extent to which commuter capacity has been increased in respect of all trains serving the railway stations at Kilcock, Maynooth, Leixlip, Confey, Hazelhatch and Sallins, County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33172/07]

Minister for Transport (Deputy Noel Dempsey)

I refer the Deputy to my replies to PQs no 28134 and 28135 on 13 November 2007 and to PQs no 24658 and 24659 of 18 October 2007 which set out the position regarding the provision of additional capacity on the Maynooth and Kildare lines.

Driving Tests.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

126 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport the extent to which he gave instructions to the relevant authorities in regard to the reduction of waiting times for driving tests; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33173/07]

Minister for Transport (Deputy Noel Dempsey)

Under the Road Safety Authority Act 2006 (Conferral of Functions) Order 2006 (S.I. No 477 of 2006) this is a matter for the Road Safety Authority.

Road Traffic Accidents.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

127 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport if he has received recent reports setting out details of fatal and non-fatal traffic accidents in which provisional driver licence holders were involved and other licence holders; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33174/07]

Minister for Transport (Deputy Noel Dempsey)

Under the Road Safety Authority Act 2006 (Conferral of Functions) Order 2006 (S.I. No 477 of 2006) this is a matter for the Road Safety Authority.

Road Safety.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

128 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport if he will direct policies towards improved road safety; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33175/07]

Minister for Transport (Deputy Noel Dempsey)

Road safety is already a matter to which I attach a high priority. Two recent important initiatives in this area have been the establishment by me of the Road Safety Authority on 1 September 2006, and the launch by An Taoiseach in October of the Road Safety Strategy 2007-2012. With the establishment of the RSA, a single statutory body now exists to focus on road safety matters and to co-ordinate a range of road safety initiatives. The RSA also has a key role in advising me on road safety policy. The Road Safety Strategy sets out the direction in road safety for the next six years, with the overall objective of reducing road deaths to no more than 60 per million of population by the end of 2012.

Question No. 129 answered with QuestionNo. 61.

Questions Nos. 130 to 132, inclusive, answered with Question No. 114.

Rail Network.

Thomas P. Broughan

Question:

133 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Transport the reason the Limerick to Foynes rail line was disconnected from the Irish Rail national network on 5 November 2007 in view of the cost of reconnecting the line in the future and the necessity to preserve rail freight and other infrastructure in the mid-west; his views on whether from a transport strategic point of view, the Foynes line should remain connected especially as part of the Limerick re-signalling programme in 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33189/07]

Minister for Transport (Deputy Noel Dempsey)

This is a day to day operational matter for Iarnród Éireann and not one in which I have any role.

Marine Safety.

Thomas P. Broughan

Question:

134 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Transport his plans to introduce an emergency towing vessel service on the Irish coast; if he has held or intends to hold discussions with his UK Ministerial counterpart regarding shared ETV facilities on the Irish Sea and Celtic Sea; and if his Department has carried out a cost benefit analysis for this project and business models to carry out the ETV function. [33190/07]

Minister for Transport (Deputy Noel Dempsey)

Emergency Towing Vessels (ETV's) are deployed to empower a State to proactively protect its coast and all maritime activities within its Exclusive Economic and Marine Pollution Responsibility Zones. The tasking of ETVs include intervention in casualty response to prevent pollution from oils or hazardous and noxious substances and damage to the environment, life or property; pollution enforcement; oil recovery; reduction of pollution costs; fire fighting; and enhancement of search and rescue services.

My Department is reviewing the options to ensure that Ireland has access to ETV capacity to protect the coast from the consequences of major oil pollution or vessel stranding. In reviewing options I also intend to include discussion with our counterparts in the UK.

Departmental Meetings.

Ruairí Quinn

Question:

135 Deputy Ruairí Quinn asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his Department has a management advisory committee or an equivalent management committee; if it meets regularly; and if so, the frequency of same; if he and the Ministers of State attached to his Department attend the meetings; if a special advisor or advisors attached to the Ministerial Office or offices attend such meetings; if the minutes are circulated subsequent to each meeting with an indication as to the action to be taken by whom and when; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32982/07]

Minister for Foreign Affairs (Deputy Dermot Ahern)

My Department has a Management Advisory Committee (MAC), comprising the Secretary General of the Department and the Heads of all Divisions in the Department. The MAC meets regularly, approximately once a month. To date, this year, there have been eight MAC meetings, and further meetings are planned before the end of the year.

I attend a number of the MAC meetings, together with the two Ministers of State attached to my Department, Mr. Dick Roche T.D. and Mr. Micheál Kitt T.D. My Special Advisor and my Press Advisor would normally attend MAC meetings that I am attending. Normally, minutes are circulated after each meeting of the Management Advisory Committee. The content of those minutes varies considerably, depending on the issues discussed. The meetings which I and my Ministerial colleagues have with the Management Advisory Committee offer a valuable opportunity to discuss the various strategic issues facing the Department, with a particular focus on ensuring timely delivery on the commitments made in the Programme for Government. These meetings are, of course, in addition to the ongoing contacts which I and my Ministerial colleagues have with Departmental officials, including members of the MAC, on various policy issues.

Ruairí Quinn

Question:

136 Deputy Ruairí Quinn asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he convenes specific policy meetings with officials in his Department; the way a policy meeting with officials is different to that of a management meeting, such as a management advisory committee meeting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32996/07]

Minister for Foreign Affairs (Deputy Dermot Ahern)

I convene specific policy meetings on a regular basis with officials of my Department. Their frequency and content varies having regard to the challenges and priorities that arise at a given time.

The main difference between these meetings and the meetings of the Management Advisory Committee (MAC) which I attend are that the former are usually one subject agendas, dealing, for example with the Irish Aid programme or Northern Ireland, whereas the latter generally take a broader view of the work of the Department.

Ministerial Staff.

Ruairí Quinn

Question:

137 Deputy Ruairí Quinn asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of programme managers, special advisors, policy assistants, personnel on secondment and other personnel who are not part of the existing Civil Service who make up his Department, including permanent civil servants attached to the office of the Minister and Minister of States; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33010/07]

Minister for Foreign Affairs (Deputy Dermot Ahern)

The core staff number authorised for my Department is currently 1,576. This figure includes approximately 300 staff who are recruited locally to work in our Missions abroad but excludes clerical staff employed on fixed term contracts to work in the Passport Offices during the peak season. It excludes a limited number of interns engaged on fixed term contracts to work in the Department's Political and Legal Divisions and in Irish Aid, as well as a public servant who is on secondment from the IDA.

There have been no programme managers in the Department of Foreign Affairs since 1997. I have one Special Adviser (non-established), one Press Adviser (non-established) and one Personal Secretary (non-established) based in the Department of Foreign Affairs. I also have one Personal Assistant (non-established) based in the office in my constituency.

My colleague Mr. Dick Roche T.D., Minister of State with special responsibility for European Affairs at my Department and at the Department of An Taoiseach, has appointed one Special Adviser (non-established), one Personal Assistant (non-established) and two Temporary Civilian Drivers (non-established) to his office. He also appointed one Personal Secretary (non-established) to his constituency office. My colleague Mr. Michael Kitt T.D., Minister of State with special responsibility for Overseas Development at the Department of Foreign Affairs, has appointed one Personal Assistant (non-established) and two Temporary Civilian Drivers (non-established), together with one Personal Secretary (non-established) to his constituency office.

The non-established officers and civilian drivers referred to are employed on the basis of a contract which is coterminous with the appointment of the relevant office holder.

Official Engagements.

Michael Ring

Question:

138 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the funding that was spent in the USA by his Department in the past twelve month period; the events that took place in America that were attended by him or his Department officials; the costs of travel, and so on for attendance at each event by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33047/07]

Michael Ring

Question:

139 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the amount of funding spent by his Department and the Government in attending the St. Patrick’s Day Parade event in America, including details of all costs such as travel, drinks, receptions, accommodation and so on; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33048/07]

Michael Ring

Question:

141 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the funding spent by his Department in America in 2006 and to date in 2007, to include all travels costs, reception costs, details of events, sponsorship and funding allocated to US based organisations and so on; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33050/07]

Minister for Foreign Affairs (Deputy Dermot Ahern)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 138, 139 and 141 together.

With reference to the Deputy's query regarding St. Patrick's Day, I, along with an official party of four, travelled to Washington from 14 March to 16 March 2007 to join the Taoiseach in a programme of events and ceremonies designed to both celebrate St. Patrick's Day and to promote Irish interests in the United States. The total costs of the visit, including flights and accommodation, came to €30,492.

I am not in a position to comment on any travel or other costs incurred by any Government Department other than my own in relation to this or other visits to the United States as these are matters for each individual Minister and Department. In 2006 I visited Dallas and Washington to participate in the official St. Patrick's Day celebrations for that year. In addition, I made a number of visits to the United States in 2006 and 2007 for the purpose of discussions with senior figures in the Administration and in Congress on a range of issues including developments in Northern Ireland, immigration reform and other bilateral issues. These visits also provided an opportunity for meetings with groups active on immigration reform and other issues of concern to the Irish community. Estimated costs of these visits are provided below.

US Visits 2006 and 2007
	Dallas & Washington 11-17 March 2006	Washington 23-24 May 2006	New York 25-27 Sept 2006	New York 10-12 Nov 2006	Washington 14-16 March 2007	New York/ Washington 30 Sept-04 Oct 2007
TOTAL (€)	50,968	4,721	31,248	7,015	30,492	30,173

In addition, there have been a number of visits to the United States by officials from my Department for a range of purposes including bilateral consultations, participation in conferences and training programmes. It would not be feasible to provide a detailed breakdown of costs in individual cases.

With reference to the Deputy's query regarding funding allocated by my Department to US based organisations, I can confirm that funding to support the Irish Immigration Centres, the Irish Lobby for Immigration Reform and support groups in the United States amounted to €1.128m in 2006 and the outturn in 2007 will exceed €1.554m. A €2m contribution to an endowment fund for The Ireland Funds, in support of the work undertaken by that organisation, has been provided for in my Department's 2007 budgetary allocation. Departmental funding in support of Irish cultural activities in the United States amounted to €35,221 in 2006 and the outturn in 2007 will be in the order of €44,000, although not all such funding was channelled through US based organisations.

In addition to travel and attendance at events in the United States by me, as Minister, and by officials from Dublin, the Ambassador in Washington and the diplomatic staff and officials of the Embassy and the four Consulates General engage in a targeted programme of representational activities and participate in a range of events in the United States in support of Government economic and political objectives.

Departmental Funding.

Michael Ring

Question:

140 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the funding spent by his Department on a project (details supplied) in the USA; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33049/07]

Minister for Foreign Affairs (Deputy Dermot Ahern)

While it would not be possible in the time allocated to check the files for earlier years, it is my understanding that the Department of Foreign Affairs has not provided any funding to the institution in question.

Question No. 141 answered with QuestionNo. 138.

Overseas Development Aid.

Michael McGrath

Question:

142 Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the amount of overseas aid allocated to Sudan in 2007; and his views on withdrawing overseas aid to the country in protest at the decision to jail a British school teacher (details supplied). [33098/07]

Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs (Deputy Michael P. Kitt)

To date in 2007, Irish Aid has provided in excess of €16 million in overseas aid to Sudan. A further €0.5 million has been approved in funding to support the Darfur peace talks and Ireland has made a contribution of €2 million in support of the African Union Mission in Sudan (AMIS). Our overseas aid funding is provided to a range of United Nations (UN) and Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs). No funding has been channelled through the Government of Sudan. Our funding is focused on alleviating the suffering of the people affected by conflict and other humanitarian crises in Sudan.

Emigrant Support Services.

Frank Feighan

Question:

143 Deputy Frank Feighan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will review funding of Irish welfare centres in Britain in view of the reductions by the boroughs in Birmingham and London; and if he will make representations to British Government in connection with this policy of cutbacks their boroughs are implementing. [33155/07]

Minister for Foreign Affairs (Deputy Dermot Ahern)

Reaching out to and strengthening links with the Irish community in Britain and with those of Irish ancestry is a cornerstone of Government policy. The establishment and operation of the Irish Abroad Unit in the Department of Foreign Affairs has greatly enhanced our capacity to develop and implement more responsive policies in this regard. Government funding to assist our community in Britain will exceed €11.5 million this year. This represents an increase of more than €1 million over the funds made available in 2006. Approximately €50 million has been provided since the Government commenced funding Irish community organisations in 1984. A similar level of funding will be made available in 2008. Applications for funding through the Government's Emigrant Services programme will be invited early in 2008, and I would encourage those organisations who give valuable assistance to the Irish community in Britain and who need further support to apply for this funding. The primary emphasis of Government funding in Britain will continue to be directed at supporting frontline services. This support for frontline agencies in their social outreach programmes helps them to assist our most vulnerable fellow countrymen and women, including the elderly members of the community susceptible to health and social problems.

Last week's report by Committee D of the British-Irish Inter-Parliamentary Body on the Irish Community in Britain supports the view that the British Government has a duty of care to the Irish community, and reflects the almost unanimous agreement by the British members of the Committee that the Irish community in Britain should be given more support by the British Government and local authorities. I warmly welcome this report. Unfortunately, however, there has been a policy shift by local authorities across Britain away from funding social and community services for individual ethnic groups. This in places is presenting a challenge for organisations specifically serving the Irish community, who now find themselves in a tougher funding environment. I share the view that the Authorities in Britain should maintain their well established responsibilities to the Irish community in their areas, and I will have this view conveyed through the Ambassador in London.

Human Rights Issues.

Thomas P. Broughan

Question:

144 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the initiatives the Government is taking or in which the Government is involved to ensure that the rights of the Kurdish people are vindicated, fully respected and to assess the present situation of the Kurdish people within the five States which encompass historic Kurdistan. [33185/07]

Minister for Foreign Affairs (Deputy Dermot Ahern)

There are significant Kurdish minority populations in Turkey, Iraq and Iran, and a smaller population in parts of Syria.

There are 15 million people of Kurdish ethnic origin living in Turkey, mostly in the south east of the country. The Government's concerns about the human rights situation in Turkey, including the situation of people of Kurdish origin, are raised on a regular basis in our contacts with the Turkish Government. Most recently, I raised our concerns about the human rights situation in Turkey at my meeting with Turkish Foreign Minister Babaçan on the margins of the UN General Assembly in October.

In recent years Turkey has made significant progress in the adoption of wide-ranging political and legal reforms. Important human rights reforms have been introduced and legislation enacted aimed at strengthening the enforcement of human rights, including the cultural rights of all citizens, including those of Kurdish origin. The security situation in the south east of the country, which had gradually improved since 1999, has worsened in the past two years. This follows the resumption of violence by the PKK, a Kurdish separatist organisation that appears on the EU list of terrorist organisations. Tensions have been particularly high in recent months, with an increase in casualties on both sides. The killing of 12 Turkish soldiers in a coordinated attack on a post on the Iraqi border, and the capture of a further 8 in the same incident, were the most high profile incidents. This has prompted the dangerous possibility of a large-scale Turkish incursion into northern Iraq to quell the threat. We continue to closely monitor developments in the region through our Embassy in Ankara, and in cooperation with our EU partners.

In Iraq, the de facto autonomy of the Kurdish region since the mid 1990s has been confirmed and strengthened following the end of the regime of Saddam Hussein. The two main Kurdish parties are key members of the broad coalition that makes up the Iraqi Government. The President of Iraq is the Kurdish leader Jalal Talibani. The Iraqi Constitution, adopted by popular vote in October 2005, recognises Kurds as one of the component peoples of Iraq, and provides for the exercise of a large degree of autonomy by the three Kurdish provinces, acting together as a Kurdish region. There is reason to hope that this settlement, if it can survive the serious violence threatening to destabilise Iraq, can provide a long-term solution to the issue of the rights and aspirations of Kurds within Iraq.

The Government are not aware of any serious discrimination against Kurdish people in Iran specifically on the basis of their ethnic origin. However, the conservative regime which has come to power in Iran in recent years shows much less tolerance than its reformist predecessor for expressions of identity by Iran's many ethnic minorities, and this has led to violent incidents and arrests in a number of provincial cities, including in Kurdish areas. In addition, the overall human rights situation in Iran continues to be a matter of concern, and Ireland co-sponsored a resolution adopted by the UN General Assembly in November 2007, which expressed serious concern at the continuing violations of human rights in Iran. Among a number of recommendations, the resolution called upon the Government of Iran to eliminate all forms of discrimination based on religious grounds or against persons belonging to minorities.

Regrettably, there has been a continual worsening of the human rights situation in Iran in recent years. The EU's human rights dialogue with Iran, through which we sought constructively to encourage improvements, has fallen into abeyance due to Iran's refusal to agree to further meetings. We will continue to monitor the human rights situation in Iran, including the situation of the Kurdish minority, through our Embassy in Tehran and in cooperation with our EU partners.

Departmental Meetings.

Ruairí Quinn

Question:

145 Deputy Ruairí Quinn asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if his Department has a management advisory committee or an equivalent management committee; if it meets regularly; and if so, the frequency of same; if he and the Ministers of State attached to his Department attend the meetings; if a special advisor or advisors attached to the Ministerial Office or offices attend such meetings; if the minutes are circulated subsequent to each meeting with an indication as to the action to be taken by whom and when; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32979/07]

Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment (Deputy Micheál Martin)

My Department has a Management Board comprising the Secretary General of the Department, who chairs the Board, the Department's Assistant Secretaries General, the CEO of Forfás, and two Principal Officers, one of whom is the Head of the Department's Planning Unit.

The Board meets on average twice monthly and the Ministers of State at the Department, Ministerial Advisors and I usually attend every second meeting. Minutes of each Board meeting are produced which identify the Actions to be followed up and the Business Units responsible for same. Both the agenda and minutes for each meeting are made available to all staff on the Department's Intranet site.

Ruairí Quinn

Question:

146 Deputy Ruairí Quinn asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he convenes specific policy meetings with officials in his Department; the way a policy meeting with officials is different to that of a management meeting, such as a management advisory committee meeting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32993/07]

Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment (Deputy Micheál Martin)

As outlined in my reply to a separate Parliamentary Question to Deputy Quinn today, my Department has a Management Board which meets, on average, twice a month. My Departmental Ministers of State and I usually attend every second meeting of the Board. As the Deputy would expect, each Board meeting deals with a number of items of business as set out in an agenda for that meeting. In addition, specific policy meetings are convened by me and/or my Ministers of State as required, and such meetings would usually be devoted to a particular item of Departmental business.

Ministerial Staff.

Ruairí Quinn

Question:

147 Deputy Ruairí Quinn asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of programme managers, special advisors, policy assistants, personnel on secondment and other personnel who are not part of the existing Civil Service who make up his Department, including permanent civil servants attached to the office of the Minister and Minister of States; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33007/07]

Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment (Deputy Micheál Martin)

The table below sets out details in respect of personnel in my Department as requested above:

	Numbers
Programme Managers	Nil
Special Advisors	4
Policy Assistants	Nil
Personnel on secondment	7 (5 civil servants and 2 public servants working in Line Divisions)
Other personnel who are not part of the existing Civil Service who make up my Department	14 (including 6 civilian drivers)
Permanent Civil Servants attached to the Minister and Minister of States Office	23
This Department offers 3 and 6-month placements to third-level students each year	Currently — 4 Students

Departmental Properties.

Leo Varadkar

Question:

148 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the lands in the ownership of the IDA, their acreage and the percentage of that remains undeveloped; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33113/07]

Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment (Deputy Micheál Martin)

Under the Industrial Development Act of 1986, as amended by the Acts of 1993 and 1995, IDA Ireland has the power to acquire, hold and dispose of land and any other property or any interest therein for the purpose of facilitating an industrial undertaking. Accordingly, the management of IDA Ireland's industrial property portfolio is a day-to-day operational matter for the Agency, as part of the statutory responsibility assigned to it by the Oireachtas and it is not a matter in which I have a function.

The Agency acquires the freehold or leasehold interest in, and disposes of, land in response to the changing sectoral needs of existing and prospective FDI clients. I have been informed by IDA Ireland that a total of 1,552 hectares are currently in the absolute ownership of the Agency. Of this amount approximately 1,100 hectares are available for use by clients of IDA. The property programme is managed carefully by the Agency and, for reasons of commercial sensitivity, aggregate or detailed information regarding lands that are undeveloped or to be developed is not divulged.

Company Closures.

Leo Varadkar

Question:

149 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the action an employee can take to have their wages paid where a company has ceased trading; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33114/07]

Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment (Deputy Billy Kelleher)

Where a company has ceased trading but is still solvent and has not paid an employee in full, the employee may refer a complaint against that company to a Rights Commissioner. In accordance with the Payment of Wages Act 1991 non-payment of wages properly payable by an employer to an employee on any occasion will be regarded as an unlawful deduction from wages unless the deficiency or non-payment is attributable to an error of computation.

A complaint to the Rights Commissioner may be made by giving them notice of it in writing on the appropriate form. The form is available from the Rights Commissioner Service or from Information Services in the National Employment Rights Authority (NERA). Such a complaint must be made within a period of 6 months beginning on the date of the contravention to which the complaint relates. If the Rights Commissioner is satisfied that there are exceptional circumstances s/he may decide to extend the period for up to a further 6 months.

Where a Company has ceased trading and is insolvent then the Insolvency Payments Scheme, operated under the Protection of Employees (Employers' Insolvency) Act, 1984, and administered by my Department, provides for the payment of certain wage-related entitlements where an employee's employment is terminated as a result of the employer's insolvency. These entitlements include arrears of wages, sick pay, holiday pay, minimum notice, etc. However, claims under the Scheme can only be processed if a company is formally insolvent within the definition of the Act and a "relevant officer" — normally a receiver or liquidator — has been appointed and certifies the claims.

Leo Varadkar

Question:

150 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the action an employee can take to get a P45 where a company has ceased trading; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33115/07]

Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment (Deputy Billy Kelleher)

I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that a Form P45 is required, under PAYE regulations, to be given by an employer to an employee on cessation of employment. This form certifies the employee's pay, tax and PRSI contributions from the start of the tax year to the date of the cessation, and also certifies that the deductions have been made in accordance with the instructions given by Revenue.

Should reasonable requests for issue of a P45 be refused, the employee should notify their local Revenue office in writing, that they have failed, after several attempts, to get a P45 and the matter will be followed up by Revenue. An employer who fails to issue a P45 may be subject to civil penalties under Section 987 of the Taxes Consolidation Act for breach of the PAYE regulations, or may be charged with a Revenue offence under Section 1078 of the same Act, for failing, without reasonable excuse, to issue a required certificate or notification.

Economic Competitiveness.

Leo Varadkar

Question:

151 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his views on the National Competitiveness Council’s report for 2007; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33117/07]

Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment (Deputy Micheál Martin)

I welcome the National Competitiveness Council's recent Annual Report that benchmarks Ireland against its international peers in the OECD, and the Council's associated publication, Ireland's Competitiveness Challenge.

The new thematic approach presented by the NCC in this year's report is a worthwhile and useful development. By identifying a small number of strategic themes, centring on cost competitiveness, enhancing productivity and building innovative enterprises, the NCC has presented enterprise policy guidance that will help inform the Government's approach to enterprise policy.

It is important to recognise that, as NCC's Chairman puts it in his forward, we are well placed to take on competitive challenges with the resources that are now available to us. This is because of our remarkable achievements over the past 15 years and the careful yet robust enhancement of enterprise policy. These resources will be carefully managed and invested to best effect for the economy. They will be channelled through strategic initiatives such as the National Development Plan, the National Skills Strategy and the Strategy for Science, Technology and Innovation. These are the policy frameworks in which the strategies will comprehensively address and set the operational agenda to strengthen the productive capacity of the economy and support what firms want to do for themselves.

I also welcome some very important findings concerning the competitiveness and efficiency of our enterprise sector. The NCC mentions that our annual average productivity growth in key sectors such as chemicals/pharmaceutical, financial and telecommunications services is above that of the most developed economies in the EU and that of the United States of America. This very significant outcome relates to sectors that tend to be dominated by foreign investment but it is also mirrored in important indigenous sectors such as food products, agriculture and construction.

The NCC says these two key competitive indicators show a strong or improving performance. This reinforces the many competitive advantages Ireland has and reinforces my belief that Ireland is a very productive and competitive location for business investment.

The NCC reports also show that Ireland is number 1 in the OECD economies in its attractiveness for Greenfield investment projects. This analysis is reinforced by more recent information published in IBM's Global Location Trends annual report for 2006. Ireland holds third position in the top ranking destinations for FDI employment when measured against country size. Ireland is in second position on this measure for ICT employment and investment.

There are undoubtedly challenges to be addressed, not least in terms of our cost base at present, and these are clearly signalled in the report. I am satisfied however that through our prudent management of the economy, through our social partnership structure, and through the provision of competition and other structural reforms in the economy that we will be able to meet those challenges.

Work Permits.

Leo Varadkar

Question:

152 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of green card work permits refused on the grounds that as a consequence of granting the permit the employer will have more than 50% non-EEA employees for the six months from February 2007; the numbers broken down by the employment sectors to which these refusals related; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33118/07]

Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment (Deputy Micheál Martin)

The table below shows the number of Green Cards refused wholly or partly because, if granted, the employer would have more than 50% of non-EEA employees and the employment sector to which these refusals relate in the six months from February 2007. I would point out that it is open to applicants to appeal decisions regarding employment permits application.

Month	Refusal Based on 50% non-EEA Employees	Sector
February	0
March	0
April	1	1. Nursing Home
May	2	1. Nursing Home
		2. Motor Company
June	0
July	0

Skill Shortages.

Leo Varadkar

Question:

153 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will report on the achievements to date of the Expert Group on Future Skills; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33119/07]

Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment (Deputy Micheál Martin)

The Government established the Expert Group on Future Skills Needs (EGFSN) in 1997 to provide advice on Ireland's future skills requirements and make recommendations as to how those needs could be met.

The EGFSN is an independent advisory body appointed by the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment in consultation with the Minister for Education and Science. It reports to both Ministers. The group is broadly representative of social partnership, with members from enterprise, academia, government departments, and employer and worker organisations. The EGFSN operates under the auspices of Forfás which provides research and secretariat support to it.

In 2001, a Skills and Labour Market Research Unit (SLMRU) was established in FÁS to provide additional research capability to the Group on an ongoing basis. The SLMRU operate a National Skills Database on behalf of the EGFSN. This database contains demand and supply side data including employment indicators, vacancy data, economic immigration statistics and education and training supply data. The current mandate of the Group runs from 2007 to 2009.

The work of the EGFSN is undertaken at two levels: economy wide and sector specific. The early work of the Group focused on sector level skills forecasting. Sectors examined to date include ICT, Biotechnology, Food Processing, and Engineering. More recently, the work of the Group has examined horizontal skills issues facing enterprise across all sectors. These include management development, research, in-company training and careers and labour market information and dissemination. A listing of work undertaken to date is in the appendix below.

In 2005, the EGFSN undertook research to underpin the development of the new economic migration regulations that were introduced in January 2007. This work was published in Skills Needs of the Irish Economy: the Role of Migration. The EGFSN continues to review the skills requirements of the economy that can be met through migration on an ongoing basis and informs policy development in that area.

Last year, the EGFSN undertook extensive research to underpin the development of the national skills strategy. The resulting publication — Tomorrow's Skills: Towards a National Skills Strategy — was launched in March of this year and outlines strategic objectives from a skills perspective in the period to 2020.

Current studies being undertaken by the EGFSN include: Skills Needs of the Medical Devices Sector, Skills and Research Needs of the Financial Services Sector, High Level ICT Skills in the ICT Sector and Skills and Labour Requirements of the Construction Sector. All of these studies are being undertaken in close collaboration with the different interest groupings involved.

In 2008, the EGFSN will continue to support the work of both Government Departments in implementing the National Skills Strategy and it will also report on progress in this regard. The EGFSN has also established links with the Skills Expert Group in Northern Ireland and at my request is organising an All-Island Skills Conference for 2008. Research for an all-island statement on skills demand is currently underway.

The mandate governing the EGFSN was reviewed and revised earlier this year. A Group was appointed this year and current membership and the interests that they represent are indicated in the appendix below.

Appendix 1
Current Membership of Expert Group on Future Skills Needs
Chairperson: Ms Anne Heraty, Chief Executive, CPL Resources
Ms. Ruth Carmody, Assistant Secretary, Department of Education and Science
Ms. Liz Carroll, Training and Development Manager, ISME
Mr. Enda Connolly, Divisional Manager, IDA Ireland
Mr. Fergal Costello, Head of IoT Designation, Higher Education Authority
Mr. Ned Costello, Chief Executive, Irish Universities Association
Mr. Brendan Ellison, Principal Officer, Department of Finance
Mr. Roger Fox, Director of Planning and Research, FÁS
Mr. David Hedigan, Manager, Enterprise Ireland
Mr. Garry Keegan, Director, Acumen
Mr. John Martin, Director for Employment, Labour & Social Affairs, OECD
Mr. Dermot Mulligan Assistant Secretary, Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment
Mr. Pat Hayden Principal Officer, Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment
Mr. Brendan Murphy, Director, Cork Institute of Technology
Mr. Alan Nuzum, CEO, Skillnets
Ms. Aileen O’Donoghue, Director of Financial Services Ireland, IBEC
Ms. Mary O’Leary, School Teacher
Mr. Peter Rigney, Industrial Officer, ICTU
Ms. Jacinta Stewart, Chief Executive, City of Dublin VEC
Mr. Martin Shanahan, Head of Human Capital and Labour Market Policy, Forfás

Appendix 2
The Expert Group on Future Skills Needs has published the following reports since 1997.
Report	Date of Publication
National Skills Bulletin	October 2007
Monitoring Ireland’s Skills Supply: Trends in Education/Training Outputs	June 2007
Tomorrow’s Skills: Towards a National Skills Strategy	March 2007
National Skills Bulletin 2006	December 2006
Future Skills Requirements of the International Digital Media Industry: Implications for Ireland	July 2006
Careers and Labour Market Information in Ireland	July 2006
Skills at Regional Level in Ireland	May 2006
SME Management Development in Ireland	May 2006
Monitoring Ireland’s Skills Supply: Trends in Educational/Training Outputs	January 2006
Data Analysis of In-Employment Education and Training in Ireland	January 2006
National Skills Bulletin 2005	October 2005
Skills Needs in the Irish Economy: The Role of Migration	October 2005
Languages and Enterprise	May 2005
Skills Requirements of the Digital Content Industry in Ireland Phase I	February 2005
Innovate Market Sell	November 2004
The Supply and Demand for Researchers and Research Personnel	September 2004
Literature Review on Aspects of Training of those at Work in Ireland	June 2004
Financial Skills Monitoring Report	November 2003
Responding to Ireland’s Growing Skills Needs — The Fourth Report of the Expert Group on Future Skills Needs	October 2003
The Demand and Supply of Skills in the Biotechnology Sector	September 2003
Skills Monitoring Report — Construction Industry 2003/10	July 2003
Benchmarking Education and Training for Economic Development in Ireland	July 2003
The Demand and Supply of Engineers and Engineering Technicians	June 2003
The Demand and Supply of Skills in the Food Processing Sector	April 2003
National Survey of Vacancies in the Private Non-Agricultural Sector 2001/2002	March 2003
National Survey of Vacancies in the Public Sector 2001/2002	March 2003
The Irish Labour Market: Prospects for 2002 and Beyond	January 2002
Labour Participation Rates of the over 55s in Ireland	December 2001
The Third Report of the Expert Group on Future Skills Needs — Responding to Ireland’s Growing Skills Needs	August 2001
Benchmarking Mechanisms and Strategies to Attract Researchers to Ireland	July 2001
Report on E-Business Skills	August 2000
Report on In-Company Training	August 2000
The Second Report of the Expert Group on Future Skills Needs — Responding to Ireland’s Growing Skills Needs	March 2000
Business Education and Training Partnership 2nd Forum, Dublin	March 2000
Business Education and Training PartnershipReport on the Inaugural Forum, Royal Hospital Kilmainham	March 1999
The First Report of the Expert Group on Future Skills Needs — Responding to Ireland’s Growing Skills Needs	December 1998

Business Regulations.

Leo Varadkar

Question:

154 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the third recommendation of the Business Regulatory Forum; if he will implement this recommendation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33120/07]

Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment (Deputy Micheál Martin)

In its report of April this year, the Business Regulation Forum recommended that "an administrative burden reduction programme should be initiated in Ireland without delay." In response to this, earlier this year I set up the High Level Group on Business Regulation under the chairmanship of my Department's Secretary General. The Group comprises representatives of Government Departments and agencies, the business sector and the ICTU. It has decided to focus initially on ways to reduce, simplify and eliminate unnecessary administrative burdens and associated costs in the five priority areas identified in the Business Regulation Forum's Report and to capture the savings arising from that work on a case-by-case basis. The five priority areas identified by the BRF are taxation, statistical reporting, environmental regulations, health and safety regulations and company and employment law. I expect the group to submit an initial report to me by July 2008.

I presume the Deputy's question refers to the call by the BRF that "a target for administration burden reduction should be set" and that "simplification and measurement should proceed iteratively, with further shortlists of regulations, identified by business, until the national target has been met".

In this regard, I would advise the Deputy that workshops have been held with business to identify issues of real concern to business. The High Level Group has been examining ways to simplify the areas identified and measuring the benefits of reductions made. Before setting a definitive target, I will be consulting with other Departments and Agencies on the extent of administrative burdens and on measures that have been undertaken or are planned to reduce that burden. It is important that any target set is appropriate to the Irish context.

Leo Varadkar

Question:

155 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if his Department has carried out an investigation into the usage of standards costs model to quantify the cost of the administrative burden on businesses of complying with Government regulations; the outcome of such an investigation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33139/07]

Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment (Deputy Micheál Martin)

During 2006, PriceWaterhouse Coopers were contracted to carry out a pilot study using the Standard Cost Model (SCM). This pilot project sought to carry out a full measurement of the administrative burdens caused by two specified ‘Information Obligations' ie the Annual Return to the Companies Registration Office (CRO); and the requirement on retailers to provide unit-priced labelling on products.

The pilot study showed that the administrative cost associated with the CRO's Annual Return Form was found to be in the region of €35 million, across 144,907 companies. The workshop and interviews conducted in order to establish this cost also yielded a number of suggestions for simplification. The CRO had either already considered or is working on these suggestions.

The study showed that the administrative cost to the 36,364 retail units to which the product pricing legislation applies was found to be in the region of €387 million. In consultation with the retailers themselves, however, the study found that only a small proportion of this cost was regarded as a burden as most companies would feel obliged to display pricing information even in the absence of the regulation.

In conclusion, the Business Regulation Forum stated that given the resource implications associated with undertaking a full baseline measurement (i.e. using the Standard Cost Model as had been done in other countries), "a prioritised and selective approach is the most realistic way forward for Ireland". The BRF further stated that in this prioritised approach, "a SCM-type methodology can be used primarily to measure reductions achieved rather than for identifying the most burdensome areas".

In response to the BRF Report, earlier this year I set up the High Level Group on Business Regulation under the chairmanship of my Department's Secretary General. The Group comprises representatives of Government Departments and agencies, the business sector and the ICTU. It has decided to focus initially on ways to reduce, simplify and eliminate unnecessary administrative burdens and associated costs in five priority areas identified in the Business Regulation Forum's Report. In conducting its work the High Level Group has adopted the approach proposed by the BRF i.e. identifying priority areas in consultation with business, seeking to reduce or eliminate the administrative burdens involved and measuring the savings on a case-by-case basis.

National Conference Centre.

Leo Varadkar

Question:

156 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if, during the 1989 to 1994 period, a commitment was given to fund and assist in the development of a national conference centre as part of or associated with the proposed Sonas development on the former Phoenix Park Racecourse; the Minister, agency or State body that made that commitment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33145/07]

Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment (Deputy Micheál Martin)

Under the Industrial Development Acts, the property function is vested in IDA Ireland. Enterprise Ireland has no role in property development. I have made enquiries from IDA and I have been informed that as far as the Agency is aware it did not have any involvement with this project.

Departmental Funding.

Leo Varadkar

Question:

157 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if the National Irish Safety Organisation receives any grants or funding from his Department; the amount and timeframe of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33151/07]

Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment (Deputy Billy Kelleher)

NISO, the National Irish Safety Organisation, which is a voluntary and non-profit making body making a valuable contribution to occupational health and safety in Ireland was given €100,000 in 2006 and €75,000 in 2007 by my Department to assist its restructuring and redevelopment plan. It is proposed to make a grant of €100,000 available to NISO in the Estimates for 2008.

In 2006, NISO embarked on a new strategic direction following on from a review of the organisation by PriceWaterhouseCoopers. A recommendation of the review was that NISO should strengthen the organisation in order to offer a wider range of services, including training, and a more professional approach with a view to increasing revenue and membership and ultimately becoming self-financing during 2009.

Departmental Meetings.

Ruairí Quinn

Question:

158 Deputy Ruairí Quinn asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if his Department has a management advisory committee or an equivalent management committee; if it meets regularly; and if so, the frequency of same; if he and the Ministers of State attached to his Department attend the meetings; if a special advisor or advisors attached to the Ministerial Office or offices attend such meetings; if the minutes are circulated subsequent to each meeting with an indication as to the action to be taken by whom and when; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32974/07]

Ruairí Quinn

Question:

159 Deputy Ruairí Quinn asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if he convenes specific policy meetings with officials in his Department; the way a policy meeting with officials is different to that of a management meeting, such as a management advisory committee meeting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32988/07]

Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism (Deputy Séamus Brennan)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 158 and 159 together.

My Department has a Management Advisory Committee (MAC), which normally meets on a fortnightly basis. I attend the MAC meetings once a month together with my special adviser and press adviser. The minutes of all MAC meetings, setting out the matters discussed, decisions made and any actions to be taken are circulated to the staff in the Department.

I meet regularly with officials of my Department to deal with policy issues. These meetings differ from MAC meetings in that they focus on specific matters which are considered in depth and in respect of which detailed decisions are taken. Matters are dealt with at MAC meetings at a more strategic and overall management level.

Ministerial Staff.

Ruairí Quinn

Question:

160 Deputy Ruairí Quinn asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the number of programme managers, special advisors, policy assistants, personnel on secondment and other personnel who are not part of the existing Civil Service who make up his Department, including permanent civil servants attached to the office of the Minister and Minister of States; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33002/07]

Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism (Deputy Séamus Brennan)

There are no Programme Managers or Policy Assistants appointed in my Department. I have, however, appointed a Special Adviser, a Press Adviser, a Personal Assistant on secondment from the Department of Education and Science, and a Personal Secretary to temporary unestablished positions. All of these appointments have been sanctioned by the Department of Finance.

I propose to take Questions Nos. 162 to 164, inclusive, together.

The agreement reached between my Department, the Irish Sports Council, the GAA and the GPA, is in recognition of the contribution of Senior Inter County players to our indigenous sports of hurling and football. The scheme provided for in the agreement is a response to a joint submission from the GAA and the GPA for support for Senior Inter County players and I have no plans to extend the scheme to other team sports.

Departmental Bodies.

Lucinda Creighton

Question:

165 Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the statutory bodies for which he has ministerial responsibility, but for which he is not accountable to Dáil Éireann for daily operational activities. [33076/07]

Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism (Deputy Séamus Brennan)

As Minister, I have overall responsibility for the formulation of national policy in the areas of Arts, Sport and Tourism and, through my Department, for monitoring its implementation. The statutory bodies under the aegis of my Department which have responsibility for the execution of policy are listed in my Department's Statement of Strategy 2005-2007 and Annual Reports which are available on my Department's website. In accordance with long established practice, I do not answer Parliamentary questions relating to the day to day activities of the agencies in question.

Exchequer funding for these bodies is provided through the voted expenditure of my Department as set out in the Book of Estimates each year and I attend at the meeting of the Select Committee at which the Estimates are considered. Each statutory agency is responsible for complying with normal financial procedures in relation to the disbursement of funds allocated to it.

All the funds discharged through my Department's Vote are monitored and controlled in accordance with public financial procedures established by the Department of Finance. The accounts of my Department and the State agencies under its aegis are audited by the Comptroller and Auditor General and together with his report are laid before each House of the Oireachtas.

In addition, the Secretary General of my Department and the chief executives of the State bodies under its aegis are subject to examination by the Public Accounts Committee.

Swimming Pool Projects.

Enda Kenny

Question:

166 Deputy Enda Kenny asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if the local authority swimming pools programme has been re-opened; if not, when is it planned to be re-opened; the proposals in place regarding the terms of the programme; if he will increase the maximum available grant aid of €3.8 million per project through the programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33091/07]

Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism (Deputy Séamus Brennan)

A Value for Money and Policy Review Report of the Local Authority Swimming Pool Programme is being finalised at present. The Report is examining, among other things, how the programme has worked to date and what changes, if any, are required to ensure its effective and efficient delivery. The level of grant aid currently available under the programme is one of the issues addressed.

Following consideration of the recommendations and publication of the Report, it is my intention to launch a new round of the Local Authority Swimming Pool Programme. There is a provision of €184m in the National Development Plan, 2007-2013 in respect of the Local Authority Swimming Pool Programme.

Enda Kenny

Question:

167 Deputy Enda Kenny asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the progress made on the application by Mayo County Council regarding the provision of a new swimming pool (details supplied) under the local authority swimming pools programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33092/07]

Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism (Deputy Séamus Brennan)

The project referred to by the Deputy dates back to April 1995 when the then Minister for the Environment and Local Government approved the Preliminary Report for a major refurbishment of an existing pool. The Contract Documents for the project were approved by the then Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation in February 2000. However, Mayo County Council indicated in July 2002 that it intended to build a new public swimming pool on a site adjacent to a holiday village where certain sports facilities already existed. The council engaged consultants to prepare a revised Preliminary Report which was submitted to the Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism in November 2004. Some of the reasons for proposing a new site were: a new facility could be developed more quickly without any loss of amenity during the construction period of about 15 months; a new complex could be designed without the constraints which would arise if the existing structure were used; a new more efficient facility would be easier to manage and more customer friendly, particularly for people with disabilities; and much of the equipment at the existing facility was getting towards the end of its life span and would not facilitate best practice.

The work proposed for the new facility includes a 25 metre, six lane swimming pool, a children's learner pool with play features, sauna and steam room, viewing gallery, fitness gym, children's play room, meeting room and treatment room. The consultants also recommended that the building be designed in a way that other facilities could be added later.

Following detailed examination by the Department's technical advisors, OPW, the Preliminary Report for this project was approved by the then Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism in April 2005, allowing Mayo County Council to prepare Contract Documents. My Department now awaits the submission of Contract Documents for the project. It is understood that the Council intends to advance their project now that another project in the County is progressing to construction.

Sports Funding.

Leo Varadkar

Question:

168 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism his view on sports clubs and community centres that accept large capital grants from the State but will not make their facilities available to political parties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33109/07]

Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism (Deputy Séamus Brennan)

The national lottery-funded sports capital programme, which is administered by my Department, allocates funding to sporting and community organisations at local, regional and national level throughout the country.

All applications must adhere to our guidelines, terms and conditions, which are reviewed annually. There is no prohibition on grantees in receipt of funding making their premises available to political parties. This is a matter for individual grantees.

Sport and Recreational Development.

Leo Varadkar

Question:

169 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if agreement was reached between any agency or State body attached to his Department to support or assist in any way in the development of the proposed Sonas development on the former Phoenix Park Racecourse at Castleknock, Dublin 15; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33140/07]

Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism (Deputy Séamus Brennan)

I am informed that no agreement was given by any agency of my Department to provide support or assistance in this matter.

Social Welfare Code.

Leo Varadkar

Question:

170 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if social welfare benefits are withheld from convicts while they are in prison; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33137/07]

Minister for Social and Family Affairs (Deputy Martin Cullen)

Social welfare legislation provides that a person is disqualified from receipt of social welfare payments while undergoing imprisonment or detention in legal custody. An exception to this general principle is provided for in cases where a period of imprisonment is being served in place of payment of a fine.

Notwithstanding the above, the qualification criteria for various schemes would automatically disqualify a person in such circumstances; for example, the requirement to be available for full-time work (jobseeker's payments) or the requirement to be employed for a minimum of 19 hours per week (family income supplement).

In other cases such as child benefit, where the qualified person, usually the child's mother, is imprisoned or detained, the payment is transferred to the appropriate person with whom the child resides for the relevant period.

Departmental Meetings.

Ruairí Quinn

Question:

171 Deputy Ruairí Quinn asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if his Department has a management advisory committee or an equivalent management committee; if it meets regularly; and if so, the frequency of same; if he and the Ministers of State attached to his Department attend the meetings; if a special advisor or advisors attached to the Ministerial Office or offices attend such meetings; if the minutes are circulated subsequent to each meeting with an indication as to the action to be taken by whom and when; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32985/07]

Ruairí Quinn

Question:

172 Deputy Ruairí Quinn asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if he convenes specific policy meetings with officials in his Department; the way a policy meeting with officials is different to that of a management meeting, such as a management advisory committee meeting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32999/07]

Minister for Social and Family Affairs (Deputy Martin Cullen)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 171 and 172 together.

My Department has a Management Board, chaired by the Secretary General, which meets regularly on a monthly basis. Minutes of the Board meetings, which note actions to be taken and the people responsible for progressing these actions, are circulated subsequent to each meeting.

A separate meeting of the Management Board is held each month which I and my advisor attend. Matters discussed at these meetings focus on major policy and strategic business issues. Minutes of these meetings are circulated subsequent to each meeting.

In undertaking my ministerial role, I meet with officials of my Department on an ongoing basis to discuss issues relating to their areas of responsibility. These meetings usually focus on a specific policy or business issue and are generally attended by officials with responsibility for the particular issue under discussion. While actions arising from such meetings are noted and acted on at official level, no formal minutes are circulated.

I am satisfied that the arrangements in place through which I consult with officials at the top and senior levels in my Department are effective in supporting me to discharge fully and effectively my ministerial responsibilities.

Ministerial Staff.

Ruairí Quinn

Question:

173 Deputy Ruairí Quinn asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the number of programme managers, special advisors, policy assistants, personnel on secondment and other personnel who are not part of the existing Civil Service who make up his Department, including permanent civil servants attached to the office of the Minister and Minister of States; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33013/07]

Minister for Social and Family Affairs (Deputy Martin Cullen)

There are a total of 13.5 staff employed in my private and constituency offices. These include 9.5 administrative staff, comprising 1 Higher Executive Officer, on secondment from the Department of Transport, 2 Executive Officers and 6.5 Clerical Officers. All of the administrative staff are established civil servants. Since my appointment as Minister for Social and Family Affairs on 14th June 2007, I have appointed, on a contract basis for my term of office, four non-established civil servants, a Press Adviser, a Personal Secretary, a Personal Assistant and a Constituency Assistant.

There has been no Minister of State formally assigned to my Department. However, Minister of State, Ms. Máire Hoctor, who is Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children, has special responsibility for older people, areas of which fall within the remit of my Department. There are no staff assigned to her office from my Department.

Social Welfare Appeals.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

174 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs when an appeal in the matter of the application for rent supplement will be heard in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33027/07]

Minister for Social and Family Affairs (Deputy Martin Cullen)

The supplementary allowance (SWA) scheme, including rent supplement, is administered on my behalf by the Community Welfare division of the Health Service Executive (HSE).

The Executive has advised that it has awarded a rent supplement of €263.92 per week to the person concerned with effect from 24th August 2007. The Executive has further advised that person concerned will be notified of this decision in writing and any outstanding arrears will be issued in due course.

Pension Provisions.

Richard Bruton

Question:

175 Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs his views on whether private citizens are saving enough to provide for pension provision; and his further views on whether the target of 50% of working earnings is a standard that can be achieved universally. [29686/07]

Minister for Social and Family Affairs (Deputy Martin Cullen)

Minister for Social and Family Affairs (Deputy Martin Cullen)

The person concerned is in receipt of maximum rate Widow's (Contributory) Pension of €191.30 plus € 21.90 fuel allowance, per week. As her spouse had worked in England, the relevant information was referred to the Department of Social Security in Newcastle upon Tyne (DHSS) to assess her eligibility for a widow's pension. It is a matter for that Department to advise the person concerned of her entitlement. A reminder has been sent to DHSS in this case.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

179 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the correct rent support payable in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare. [33208/07]

Minister for Social and Family Affairs (Deputy Martin Cullen)

The supplementary allowance (SWA) scheme, including rent supplement, is administered on my behalf by the Community Welfare division of the Health Service Executive (HSE). The Executive has advised that following a review of the persons rent supplement assessment, it has awarded a rent supplement of €470.60 per month to the person concerned with effect from November. The Executive has further advised that payment of rent supplement at the new rate and any outstanding arrears will be issued in due course.

Community Development.

Brian Hayes

Question:

180 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs his views on the concerns raised at a recent meeting (details supplied); if in view of these concerns, he will re-examine the proposed areas of coverage for the new partnership schemes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32963/07]

Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs (Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív)

I refer the Deputy to earlier Questions on this topic, in particular my reply to Question No. 106 of 29 November 2007 and my reply to Question 10 of 1st November 2007, relating to the cohesion process.

As indicated in these replies, the core objective of the cohesion process is the alignment of local, community and rural development structures to achieve full coverage by one integrated local development company within a given area. Following three years of exhaustive consultations with and between local agencies to develop the most suitable configurations of groups, Government decided on revised areas of coverage for local development companies in March of this year. As part of this consultation process, South Dublin County Steering Group, which operates under the aegis of the South Dublin County Development Board and includes representatives of the KWCD and Tallaght Partnerships, proposed new arrangements in relation to the delivery of services in South Dublin by Partnership companies. The proposed arrangements provided that South Dublin would in future be served by two partnership companies and that the coverage areas of both companies would be aligned with the county boundaries. This was reflected in the March Government Decision, details of which were conveyed to LEADER and Partnership Groups on 4th April last.

The new service delivery arrangements will facilitate the extension of the local development programme to all areas of South Dublin. The realignment of coverage areas along county boundary lines will mean certain parts of Walkinstown and Greenhills will be covered by a different Partnership company than heretofore. For this reason, my officials met with representatives of the Walkinstown & Greenhills network on the 26th November to hear their concerns about the new arrangements. Both Tallaght and KWCD Partnership which have proposed new names for their respective organisations to reflect their wider remit and areas of coverage also attended the meeting. I understand that the Partnerships concerned have been working closely with the Network in order to ensure that linkages between the network and the emerging Partnerships are strengthened and that services for local communities are maintained and enhanced in the new arrangements.

Departmental Meetings.

Ruairí Quinn

Question:

181 Deputy Ruairí Quinn asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if his Department has a management advisory committee or an equivalent management committee; if it meets regularly; and if so, the frequency of same; if he and the Ministers of State attached to his Department attend the meetings; if a special adviser or advisers attached to the ministerial office or offices attend such meetings; if the minutes are circulated subsequent to each meeting with an indication as to the action to be taken by whom and when; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32976/07]

Ruairí Quinn

Question:

182 Deputy Ruairí Quinn asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if he convenes specific policy meetings with officials in his Department; the way a policy meeting with officials is different to that of a management meeting, such as a management advisory committee meeting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32990/07]

Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs (Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 181 and 182 together.

My Department has a Management Advisory Committee (MAC) chaired by the Secretary General that meets on an ongoing basis to address general high-level issues relating to the Department and on occasion to address specific issues. In addition, I personally meet the MAC, on a monthly basis. Ministers of State at my Department generally attend these meetings, particularly when specific items relating to their functions are to be discussed. Advisors also generally attend. Standard arrangements for formal meetings regarding minutes etc. are observed.

Separately of course I meet my officials on particular policy matters, including, at times, at the request of my officials to address either long-term policy issues, to review performance of programmes and to consider proposals for adjustments and amendments. These differ in that they tend to deal with specific policy or operational issues. These meetings can vary from the relatively formal to an informal "touching base" nature. I understand the Ministers of State at my Department operate in a broadly similar way.

Ministerial Staff.

Ruairí Quinn

Question:

183 Deputy Ruairí Quinn asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the number of programme managers, special advisors, policy assistants, personnel on secondment and other personnel who are not part of the existing Civil Service who make up his Department, including permanent civil servants attached to the office of the Minister and Minister of States; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33004/07]

Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs (Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív)

The following tables show the staff in my office.

Office	Number	Title	Civil Servant	Non Civil Servant
Minister’s Office	1	Special Adviser		Non Civil Servant
	1	Personal Assistant		Non Civil Servant
	1	Personal Secretary		Non Civil Servant
	1	Media Adviser	Civil Servant on secondment

In addition to the above there are a total of eleven Civil Servants attached to my Office. These staffing levels are in line with those provided for in the guidelines to Ministers, and are paid for out of the vote of the Department, approved by the Oireachtas (full details of these costs were given at the estimates debate).

The table shows the staff in the Minister of State's Office
Minister of State’s Office	Number	Title	Civil Servant	Non Civil Servant
	1	Personal Assistant		Non Civil Servant
	1	Personal Secretary		Non Civil Servant

In addition to the above there are a total of five Civil Servants attached to the Minister of State's, Pat Carey TD's, Office. These staffing levels are in line with those provided for in the guidelines to Ministers, and are paid for out of the vote of the Department, approved by the Oireachtas (full details of these costs were given at the estimates debate). Staffing of the Office of Minister for Integration is dealt with by the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform.

Departmental Funding.

Leo Varadkar

Question:

184 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if the National Irish Safety Organisation receives any grants or funding from his Department; the amount and timeframe of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33149/07]

Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs (Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív)

I understand that my Department has no records of any grants or funding being awarded to the National Irish Safety Organisation.

Departmental Meetings.

Ruairí Quinn

Question:

185 Deputy Ruairí Quinn asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if her Department has a management advisory committee or an equivalent management committee; if it meets regularly; and if so, the frequency of same; if she and the Ministers of State attached to her Department attend the meetings; if a special advisor or advisors attached to the Ministerial Office or offices attend such meetings; if the minutes are circulated subsequent to each meeting with an indication as to the action to be taken by whom and when; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32973/07]

Ruairí Quinn

Question:

186 Deputy Ruairí Quinn asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if she convenes specific policy meetings with officials in her Department; the way a policy meeting with officials is different to that of a management meeting, such as a management advisory committee meeting; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32987/07]

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Deputy Mary Coughlan)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 185 and 186 together.

My Department has a Management Advisory Committee (MAC) chaired by the Secretary General which meets fortnightly. My Special Advisor is a member of the Committee. Periodically, a meeting of the MAC is held at Ministerial level which involves the MAC and myself and the Ministers of State. I chair those meetings. Reports are prepared of all MAC meetings and are subsequently circulated.

Apart from the regular MAC meetings, there are a number of formats for meetings which I hold with senior officials of my Department. Some of these meetings are convened to discuss specific policy issues and others cover a range of topics. The attendance would normally depend on the topic or topics but would normally involve Secretary General or Assistant Secretaries as well as those officers working on the particular area being discussed.

Ministerial Staff.

Ruairí Quinn

Question:

187 Deputy Ruairí Quinn asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the number of programme managers, special advisors, policy assistants, personnel on secondment and other personnel who are not part of the existing Civil Service who make up her Department, including permanent civil servants attached to the office of the Minister and Minister of States; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33001/07]

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Deputy Mary Coughlan)

The information sought by the Deputy is set out in the table.

	Minister Coughlan	Minister of State Brown	Minister of State Sargent	Minister of State Wallace
Permanent Civil Servants	11.1 *	2	4	5
Programme Managers	0	0	0	0
Special Advisors	1 (PCS)	0	1	0
Policy Assistants	0	0	0	0
Personnel on Secondment	1 (PCS)	1 (PCS)	2 (PCS)	0
Other non Permanent Civil Servants	3	4	2.5	5

PCS denotes Permanent Civil Servant.

*Comprises of a number of staff on a work sharing basis.

Grant Payments.

Michael Ring

Question:

188 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will receive payments from her Department for 2007; if any payments have issued to them in 2007; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33038/07]

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Deputy Mary Coughlan)

The person named held 23.07 payment entitlements under the Single Payment Scheme in 2007. In order to receive full payment, the applicant must declare one hectare of land in respect of each entitlement held. The person named declared 22.55 hectares of eligible lands in 2007 and received a 50% advance payment, amounting to €3,554.63, on 16 October 2007 based on the number of hectares declared. My Department issued a balancing payment for the same amount to the applicant on 3 December 2007. Payment in relation to the Disadvantaged Areas Scheme issued to the person named on 19 September 2007 for €2,301.77.

Fisheries Protection.

P. J. Sheehan

Question:

189 Deputy P. J. Sheehan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the circumstances of a raid by gardaí and staff of the Sea Fisheries Authority on a premises in Union Hall on 29 December 2006; the number of personnel involved, the amount of fish and other items seized; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33090/07]

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Deputy Mary Coughlan)

The Sea Fisheries and Maritime Jurisdiction Act 2006, provided for the establishment of the Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA). This independent authority was established on January 1st 2007. The Act clearly provides that the Authority is independent in the exercise of its functions and as such I have no remit as to its work programme or its strategic deployment of resources.

Schools Refurbishment.

Eamon Scanlon

Question:

190 Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Education and Science the position in relation to an application for a development grant for a school (details supplied) in County Cork to enable them to build a new class room; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32970/07]

Minister for Education and Science (Deputy Mary Hanafin)

The School Planning Section of my Department has recently received correspondence from the school referred to by the Deputy, requesting an application form in respect of the Major Capital Works programme. The requested material has been forwarded to the school.

Departmental Bodies.

Brian Hayes

Question:

191 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Education and Science the reason her Department has to date not established Education Ireland; when this new body will be established; the level of funding that will be allocated to it; if the EFL sector will be represented on the board of Education Ireland; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32971/07]

Minister for Education and Science (Deputy Mary Hanafin)

Minister's Office

1 Special Advisor (non Civil Servant)

1 Personal Assistant (non Civil Servant)

1 Personal Secretary (non Civil Servant)

1 Press officer (Civil Servant on secondment)

Minister of State Office:

1 Personal Assistant (non Civil Servant)

1 Personal Secretary (non Civil Servant)

2 Civilian Drivers (non Civil Servants)

There is one person who is on secondment to my Department as a Post Primary Inspector. There are 10 Civil Servants working in my Private and Constituency offices and 8 Civil Servants working in the Private and Constituency offices of the Minister of State. The staffing numbers for my offices and those of the Minister of State are within the staffing guidelines laid down by the Department of Finance.

Schools Building Projects.

Olwyn Enright

Question:

195 Deputy Olwyn Enright asked the Minister for Education and Science the position regarding the construction of a new school (details supplied) in County Laois; the reason for the delay in commencement of construction; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33028/07]

Minister for Education and Science (Deputy Mary Hanafin)

The tender report for the school referred to by the Deputy is under examination in my Department at present. The school's Board of Management will be kept advised of developments when the examination is complete.

Schools Refurbishment.

Olwyn Enright

Question:

196 Deputy Olwyn Enright asked the Minister for Education and Science the position of an application by a school (details supplied) in County Laois under the summer works scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33029/07]

Minister for Education and Science (Deputy Mary Hanafin)

As the Deputy may be aware, the Summer Works Scheme was introduced in 2004. Since then, over 3,000 projects costing in excess of €300 million have been completed. Considerable extra investment has been provided in the Budget to increase funding for school buildings to almost €600 million next year. With so many small projects having been completed over the past few years, I intend to focus on delivering as many large projects as possible in 2008. There will not, therefore, be a new Summer Works Scheme as part of our building programme next year.

Schools Building Projects.

Charles Flanagan

Question:

197 Deputy Charles Flanagan asked the Minister for Education and Science the reason for the delay in accepting the tender for the construction of the new primary school building at Emo, County Laois having regard to the fact that the site is prepared, the planning permission has been obtained and the building construction company are in a position to commence work; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33030/07]

Minister for Education and Science (Deputy Mary Hanafin)

The tender report for the school referred to by the Deputy is under examination in my Department at present. The school's Board of Management will be kept advised of developments when the examination is complete.

Youthreach Programme.

Michael Ring

Question:

198 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Education and Science if a Youthreach student (details supplied) in County Mayo will be provided with an allowance towards their travel costs in view of the fact that the nearest public transport service will leave them nine miles from home yet a private transport operator passes by their house and that their parents were told that they would be provided with transport if they proceeded with this course. [33046/07]

Minister for Education and Science (Deputy Mary Hanafin)

The Youthreach Programme is an Inter-Departmental initiative which provides two years integrated education, training and work experience to young people aged 15-20 years who have left school early without any qualifications or vocational training.

A weekly travel allowance is in operation and is available to students who are 3 miles or more from the nearest centre. The allowance is administered at local level by the VEC.

The person concerned should contact their local VEC in relation to this.

Schools Building Projects.

Noel Coonan

Question:

199 Deputy Noel J. Coonan asked the Minister for Education and Science the position in relation to a school building project design team appointment in a school (details supplied) in County Tipperary; the reason for the delay in processing this application; the reason that the project has been put on hold; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33057/07]

Minister for Education and Science (Deputy Mary Hanafin)

The commencement and progression of all large scale building projects from initial design stage through to construction phase, including this project, is considered on an on-going basis in the context of my Department's Multi-Annual School Building and Modernisation Programme.

The Deputy can be assured that my Department will continue to ensure that building projects such as the one in question will be commenced and delivered within the earliest possible timeframes. Officials from my Department will be in contact with the school authorities when the Department is in a position to authorise progression of this project.

Schools Refurbishment.

Noel Coonan

Question:

200 Deputy Noel J. Coonan asked the Minister for Education and Science the position in relation to an application by a school (details supplied) in County Tipperary for additional accommodation; the reason for the delay in processing this application; if her attention has been drawn to the urgency of the situation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33058/07]

Minister for Education and Science (Deputy Mary Hanafin)

An application for an extension/refurbishment has been received from the school referred to by the Deputy. The building project required to meet the school's accommodation needs will be considered in the context of the School Building and Modernisation Programme.

School Equipment.

Noel Coonan

Question:

201 Deputy Noel J. Coonan asked the Minister for Education and Science the status on an application for audio visual equipment for a school (details supplied) in County Tipperary; when she expects a decision to be made; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33059/07]

Minister for Education and Science (Deputy Mary Hanafin)

In April 2007, I announced details of this once-off scheme, which was among the priority funding measures approved for support in 2007 under the Educational Disadvantage category of the Dormant Account Fund. Eligibility for the scheme was restricted to the 873 primary and post primary schools that are participating in my Department's School Support Programme under DEIS (Delivering Equality of Opportunity in Schools).

The scheme provides for small scale grants primarily for the purchase of the following types of ICT equipment to support children's learning and development:

Digital Camera

Digital Video Camera

Laptop

Tablet PC

Other Computer

Data Projector

Interactive Whiteboard (including software)

Wireless mouse and keyboard

Educational Software

In October the Government approved projects in 815 schools for funding of €3,312,088. The school referred to by the Deputy was approved for a grant of €6,500. My officials issued a letter of offer of grant aid to the relevant VEC on 1 November. A form of acceptance was subsequently received by my Department on 19 November.

Schools Refurbishment.

Noel Coonan

Question:

202 Deputy Noel J. Coonan asked the Minister for Education and Science the status on an application for a demonstration library project for a school (details supplied) in County Tipperary; when she expects a decision to be made; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33060/07]

Minister for Education and Science (Deputy Mary Hanafin)

I assume the application for the school to which the Deputy refers was made under the Dormant Accounts Scheme. In light of the very large number of project proposals received and the level of oversubscription the Dormant Accounts Fund Inter-Departmental Committee on Educational Disadvantage recommended that arrangements should be made to transfer these proposals to the Department's Planning and Building Unit for consideration in the context of the Department's overall Schools Building and Modernisation Programme. The application referred to by the Deputy will be considered in this context.

School Transport.

Brendan Kenneally

Question:

203 Deputy Brendan Kenneally asked the Minister for Education and Science if concessionary tickets for school transport will be issued to pupils (details supplied) in County Waterford as outlined in this Deputy’s letter to her Department on 12 September 2007; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33093/07]

Minister of State at the Department of Education and Science (Deputy Seán Haughey)

Under the terms of my Department's Post Primary School Transport Scheme, a pupil is eligible for transport if s/he resides 4.8 kilometres or more from her/his local post primary education centre.

The scheme is not designed to facilitate parents who choose to send their children to a post-primary centre outside of the catchment area in which they reside. However, children who are fully eligible for transport to the post-primary centre in the catchment area in which they reside, may apply for transport on a concessionary basis to a post-primary centre outside of their own catchment area — otherwise known as catchment boundary transport. These children can only be facilitated if spare seats are available on the bus after all other eligible children travelling to their local post-primary centre have been catered for. Such children have to make their own way to the nearest pick up point within that catchment area.

The Transport Liaison Officer for Co. Waterford and Bus Éireann have advised that the transport service in question is operating to capacity. The families in question should continue to liaise with Bus Éireann regarding the availability of catchment boundary seats in the future.

State Examinations.

Pat Breen

Question:

204 Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Education and Science if, in respect of changes to the 2008 leaving certificate examination, she is satisfied that scheduling English paper two and chemistry on the same day does not impose unnecessary extra pressure on students; if her attention has been drawn to plans by the State Examinations Commission to review this schedule; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33094/07]

Minister for Education and Science (Deputy Mary Hanafin)

The new Leaving Certificate examination schedule for 2008 has been agreed with a working group representing the Partners in Education, and is designed to reduce the demand on students especially during the first week of the examinations. It advances Chemistry, which is sat by some 7000 students, and Geography, sat by some 25,000 students, to Thursday and Friday respectively of the first week, which, along with Home Economics which is sat by some 12000 students, ensures that the majority of students get a break of at least one half day during this intensive phase.

The revised schedule for the first Thursday provides for an examination day spanning from 9.30 to 5.00pm, with 6 hours 20 minutes of examination time. I am confident that the benefits of a break during the first week will outweigh any disadvantage as a result of the length of the day.

There are no plans to change the timetable for 2008. However, each year, when drawing up the timetable for the following year, the State Examinations Commission invites the input of the Partners in Education so that their experience can inform the formulation of the next year's schedule.

School Transport.

Michael McGrath

Question:

205 Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science if a group of children attending a primary school greater than 3.2 km from their home can avail of the school transport system due to the fact that their nearest school does not have the capacity to accommodate them. [33095/07]

Minister of State at the Department of Education and Science (Deputy Seán Haughey)

Under the terms of my Department's Primary School Transport Scheme, pupils who reside 3.2 kilometres or more from, and are attending, their nearest suitable national school as determined by my Department, are eligible for free school transport.

It is open to pupils who are not attending their nearest school to apply for concessionary transport to the school which they are attending. Concessionary transport is offered subject to a number of terms and conditions, including the availability of spare seating on an existing service.

Parents of the pupils should liaise with their local Bus Éireann office to establish whether their children may avail of fare-paying transport on the foregoing terms.

If the Deputy wishes to forward the names and addresses of the children and the school in question, my Department will examine the particular circumstances of the case.

Michael McGrath

Question:

206 Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the review of the school transport system being undertaken by her Department; and when the review will be completed. [33096/07]

Minister of State at the Department of Education and Science (Deputy Seán Haughey)

The Programme for Government includes a commitment to review the school transport scheme. My Department is currently considering how best to progress this task. It is not possible at this stage to provide the Deputy with a timeframe.

School Accommodation.

Since then, over 3,000 projects costing in excess of €300 million have been completed. Considerable extra investment has been provided in the Budget to increase funding for school buildings to almost €600 million next year. With so many small projects having been completed over the past few years, I intend to focus on delivering as many large projects as possible in 2008. There will not, therefore, be a new Summer Works Scheme as part of our building programme next year.

Schools Recognition.

Thomas P. Broughan

Question:

211 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Education and Science if she will ensure that a school (details supplied) will receive full recognition and funding; and if these children and staff might be integrated into the new school facility for children in the autistic spectrum at another school. [33181/07]

Minister for Education and Science (Deputy Mary Hanafin)

The first facility referred to by the Deputy is not a recognised school. Some of the children involved are in receipt of home tuition arrangements. Places are available in recognised school provision for those children who are of school-going age. Arrangements can be made to transition the children to these places.

With regard to the Deputy's reference to the second school, I wish to advise him that my Department has granted temporary recognition for a special school to open in the facility in question from 1st September 2007. I am pleased to advise the Deputy that the school management has indicated that it may be possible to make provision available to the children currently enrolled in the first mentioned facility subject to them meeting the enrolment criteria. The employment of school staff is a matter for the Board of Management of the school.

As the Deputy will be aware, the National Council for Special Education is responsible, through its network of local Special Educational Needs Organisers, for the establishment of special classes for autism and for allocating resource teachers and special needs assistants to schools to support children with special needs.

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.

Departmental Meetings.

Ruairí Quinn

Question:

212 Deputy Ruairí Quinn asked the Minister for Defence if his Department has a management advisory committee or an equivalent management committee; if it meets regularly; and if so, the frequency of same; if he and the Ministers of State attached to his Department attend the meetings; if a special advisor or advisors attached to the Ministerial Office or offices attend such meetings; if the minutes are circulated subsequent to each meeting with an indication as to the action to be taken by whom and when; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32977/07]

Ruairí Quinn

Question:

213 Deputy Ruairí Quinn asked the Minister for Defence if he convenes specific policy meetings with officials in his Department; the way a policy meeting with officials is different to that of a management meeting, such as a management advisory committee meeting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32991/07]

Minister for Defence (Deputy Willie O’Dea)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 212 and 213 together.

The Management Advisory Committee (MAC) of my Department comprises the Secretary General, the Department's two Assistant Secretaries and the Head of Corporate Services. Other officers of the Department attend meetings for particular agenda items e.g. the Human Resources Manager attends when H.R. issues are under discussion. Subject to the availability of personnel, the MAC normally meets once a week. Minutes of the meetings are kept and appropriate follow-up action taken.

Whilst it is not the practice for myself or Minister of State Kitt or any Ministerial advisors to regularly attend MAC meetings, I have regular meetings and contact with the Secretary General and the other MAC members as part of the on-going business of the Department. I regularly meet with officials of my Department to discuss a wide variety of specific policy issues.

Ministerial Staff.

Ruairí Quinn

Question:

214 Deputy Ruairí Quinn asked the Minister for Defence the number of programme managers, special advisors, policy assistants, personnel on secondment and other personnel who are not part of the existing Civil Service who make up his Department, including permanent civil servants attached to the office of the Minister and Minister of States; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33005/07]

Minister for Defence (Deputy Willie O’Dea)

My office in the Department includes a Special Advisor, a Press Advisor, a Personal Assistant and a Personal Secretary, none of whom are part of the permanent Civil Service staff. There are also ten civil servants assigned to my Constituency and Private offices. Two civil servants are attached to the Minister of State's office.

Reserve Defences Forces.

Leo Varadkar

Question:

215 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Defence if there is a medical corps attached to the Reserve Defence Forces; the number of members thereof; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33110/07]

Minister for Defence (Deputy Willie O’Dea)

The military authorities have advised me that there are three Medical Companies within the Reserve Defence Force (RDF) as outlined below:

Medical Company	Formation	Officers	Non-Commissioned Officers	Privates	Total
62 LSB	2 Eastern Brigade RDF	12	28	36	76
31 LSB	1 Southern Brigade RDF	5	29	85	119
54 LSB	4 Western Brigade RDF	4	19	37	60
Total		21	76	158	255

Overseas Missions.

Leo Varadkar

Question:

216 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Defence the complement of medical officers that will be sent on the mission to Chad; if the proportion of medics will be higher than on previous missions such as UNIFIL; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33111/07]

Minister for Defence (Deputy Willie O’Dea)

On 20 November 2007, the Government authorised the despatch of a contingent of the Permanent Defence Force for service with the UN mandated EU operation in the Republic of Chad and the Central African Republic, known as EUFOR TCHAD/RCA. Dáil Éireann approved the necessary enabling motion on 28 November 2007. Medical units deployed as part of Irish contingents on overseas missions are designed by the Director of the Army Medical Corps based on the requirements of the particular mission and having regard to the availability of services, which may be available from other troop contributing nations/partner nations. The proposed Defence Forces initial entry force, to be deployed to EUFOR TCHAD/RCA in early 2008, will include 1 Medical Officer and 2 Medical Orderlies. In addition, the Army Ranger Wing unit will include a number of qualified medical personnel to augment the medical capability.

The main Irish contingent, to be deployed to the mission area at a later stage, will comprise some 400 personnel. This contingent will include a Medical unit comprising 2 Medical Officers, 1 Dental Officer, 11 Medical Orderlies and 1 Dental Surgery Assistant. The proposed medical deployment outlined above is subject to change depending on the final assessment of the operational environment in which the troops will operate.

In the case of the deployment of the Defence Forces contingent to the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) in October 2006 as part of an integrated Finnish/Irish Battalion, the Irish contingent included 1 Medical Officer and 4 Medical Orderlies.

Diplomatic Relations.

Leo Varadkar

Question:

217 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Defence if he has requested the Department of Foreign Affairs to strengthen diplomatic relations with Libya, Sudan, La RCA, Nigeria and Cameroon in view of Ireland’s decision to send troops to Chad; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33112/07]

Minister for Defence (Deputy Willie O’Dea)

Policy in relation to Ireland's diplomatic relations with other countries is a matter for the Minister for Foreign Affairs. The Minister for Foreign Affairs visited Sudan and Chad during November 2007. In both countries, he outlined Ireland's expected role in the UN-mandated EUFOR Tchad/RCA mission and our commitment to the humanitarian objectives of that mission.

I have been advised by the Department of Foreign Affairs that recent years have seen a significant expansion of Ireland's diplomatic network in Africa, most recently with the establishment of an Embassy in Malawi. Ireland has a resident Embassy in Abuja, Nigeria, and has good diplomatic relations with that country. Ireland also has diplomatic relations with Chad, Sudan and Libya, and established diplomatic relations with Cameroon earlier this year. The Minister for Foreign Affairs is currently considering possible changes to the current arrangements for accreditation to Chad. Ireland does not at present have diplomatic relations with the Central African Republic.

Garda Stations.

Brendan Howlin

Question:

218 Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he is satisfied with conditions for Gardaí employed at Wexford Garda Station; when he expects the new Wexford Garda Station to be available for occupation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32968/07]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Deputy Brian Lenihan)

The programme of replacement and refurbishment of Garda accommodation around the country is based on agreed priorities established by An Garda Síochána in consultation with the Garda representative associations. The programme is progressed by the Garda authorities working in close co-operation with the Office of Public Works, which has responsibility for the provision and maintenance of Garda accommodation.

I am informed that the Commissioners of Public Works have signed a contract for purchase of a site at Roxborough for a new Garda Station in Wexford. Progress has been made in finalising the necessary legal arrangements and these must be concluded before the development phase of the project can commence. I am also informed by the Garda authorities that the situation will be kept under review and the relevant Garda officials will continue to liaise closely with the Office of Public Works to ensure that the Garda accommodation requirements are met. I am also advised by the Garda authorities that, in the interim, some remedial works have been completed on the existing station.

Departmental Meetings.

Ruairí Quinn

Question:

219 Deputy Ruairí Quinn asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if his Department has a management advisory committee or an equivalent management committee; if it meets regularly; and if so, the frequency of same; if he and the Ministers of State attached to his Department attend the meetings; if a special advisor or advisors attached to the Ministerial Office or offices attend such meetings; if the minutes are circulated subsequent to each meeting with an indication as to the action to be taken by whom and when; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32984/07]

Ruairí Quinn

Question:

220 Deputy Ruairí Quinn asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he convenes specific policy meetings with officials in his Department; the way a policy meeting with officials is different to that of a management meeting, such as a management advisory committee meeting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32998/07]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Deputy Brian Lenihan)

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Deputy Brian Lenihan)

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Deputy Brian Lenihan)

The Immigration Operations Section of my Department has provided the statistical data requested by the deputy in the table below. The data covers the past five years, from January 2003 to November 2007.

Applications for Business Permission
Year	Applications Received	Permission Granted
2003	251	134
2004	350	97
2005	629	99
2006	1,179	108
2007	249	80

Residency Permits.

Leo Varadkar

Question:

228 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of people who have been granted long-term residency for each of the past ten years with a breakdown by nationality; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33130/07]

Leo Varadkar

Question:

229 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of people who have been refused long-term residency for each of the past ten years with a breakdown by nationality; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33131/07]

Leo Varadkar

Question:

232 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the average length of time it takes to process an application for long-term residency for each of the past ten years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33134/07]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Deputy Brian Lenihan)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 228, 229 and 232 together.

Long term residency is an administrative scheme that was introduced in May 2004 and is focused on persons who have been legally resident in the State for over five years on the basis of work permit / work authorisation / work visa conditions. Such persons may apply to the Immigration Division of my Department for a five year residency extension. To date, the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service has received over 6,000 applications under the scheme.

The statistics requested by the Deputy are not available for each of the past 10 years as the scheme was introduced in May 2004. I can, however, provide the Deputy with the following statistics:

Year	Refused	Granted
2006	917	1,239
2007	170	538

The number of applications currently on hand for long term residency is 6243.

The General Immigration Division of my Department deals with a variety of applications for permission to remain in the State, including long term residency. Applications for long term residency are processed having regard to the overall workload of the Division. I understand that applications received in July 2006 are currently being dealt with.

Citizenship Applications.

Leo Varadkar

Question:

230 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of people who have been granted naturalisation for each of the past ten years with a breakdown by nationality; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33132/07]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Deputy Brian Lenihan)

The table below sets out the available information requested by the Deputy. Statistics are not compiled in such a manner as to provide data on the grant of naturalisation by country of origin.

Year	Certificates Issued
1997	297
1998	352
1999	416
2000	125
2001	1,048
2002	1,332
2003	1,664
2004	1,335
2005	1,451
2006	1,390
2007	1,444 (as at 25 Nov 2007)

Leo Varadkar

Question:

231 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of people who have been refused naturalisation for each of the past ten years with a breakdown by nationality; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33133/07]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Deputy Brian Lenihan)

The table below sets out the available information requested by the Deputy. Statistics are not compiled in such a manner as to provide data on refusal by country of origin.

Year	Applications Refused
1997	68
1998	31
1999	79
2000	57
2001	8
2002	109
2003	179
2004	759
2005	1,867
2006	509
2007	341 (as at 25 Nov 2007)

Question No. 232 answered with QuestionNo. 228.

Leo Varadkar

Question:

233 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the average length of time it takes to process an application for naturalisation for each of the past ten years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33135/07]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Deputy Brian Lenihan)

The Disability Act 2005 (Code of Practice) (Declaration) Order 2006 (S.I. No. 163 of 2006; signed 6 April 2006) declared the Code of Practice on Accessibility of Public Services and Information provided by Public Bodies an approved code of practice .

The Disability Act 2005 (Commencement) Order 2007 (S.I. No. 234 of 2007; signed 18 May 2007) fixed 1 June 2007 as the date on which the provisions of Part 2 of the Act came into operation in relation to persons under 5 years of age. The Disability (Assessment of Needs, Service Statements and Redress) Regulations 2007 (S.I. No. 263 of 2007; signed 1 June 2007) made various provisions to enable Part 2 of the Act, as they relate to persons under 5 years of age to have full effect.

Section 29 of the Disability Act 2005 concerning heritage sites will come into operation on 31 December 2007 and the Minister of State has recently requested the National Disability Authority to produce a new Code of Practice in this area in accordance with section 30 of the Act. A Declaration Order will be made by the Minister of State following his approval of such a code.

Visa Applications.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

237 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position in the matter of family reunification in the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 24; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33202/07]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Deputy Brian Lenihan)

I refer the Deputy to my answer to Parliamentary Question 180 of 15 November 2007. The position remains unchanged. The applications referred to were refused on the grounds that insufficient documentation was submitted and that, further, it would have been contrary to general policy to approve visas.

The normal time period within which an appeal may be submitted (two months) has elapsed. In the circumstances of the case, however, and as stated in my reply to Parliamentary Question 180 of 15 November 2007, an appeal will be considered on an exceptional basis if submitted within a reasonable period of time. As stated in my previous reply, any such appeal should include an outline of why the applicants feel that there are compelling reasons why their case should be regarded as exceptional to the general policy. To date, no such appeal has been received by my Department.

Asylum Support Services.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

238 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he can arrange for transfer to alternative accommodation to facilitate special dietary requirements in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33203/07]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Deputy Brian Lenihan)

The Reception and Integration Agency (RIA) is responsible for the accommodation of asylum seekers in accordance with the Government policy of direct provision and dispersal. The RIA has no role in respect of other types of accommodation, including private rented.

It would appear from the details provided that the person referred to in the question is currently in private rented accommodation. In order to clarify the circumstances of this case, some background is required.

The person referred to in the question was accommodated in Glen Vera Hotel Accommodation Centre in Cork on 1 October, 2002. Two years, ten months later, his spouse arrived in the State and claimed asylum, joining him two months later in the Glen Vera centre on 4 October, 2005.

Shortly after being joined by his spouse, the RIA received an application seeking self catering accommodation citing his age and his dietary requirements as justification. No specific medical condition was cited nor was any documentary medical evidence provided to support the application.

In response to the request for self catering accommodation — specifically in respect of his dietary requirements — the RIA advised that there is an obligation on accommodation centres to offer menus which reflect the reasonable ethnic needs and medical requirements of its residents. He was advised to meet with the centre chef to discuss his dietary requirements.

His spouse went missing from the Glen Vera Hotel Accommodation Centre on 8 September, 2006. She subsequently lodged a new asylum application on 26 November, 2007 and she is now accommodated in the Hibernian accommodation centre, Abbeyleix. He himself went missing from the Glen Vera Hotel Accommodation Centre on 15 May, 2007 and appears now to be in private rented accommodation.

If the person referred to in the question, who seems to be in private rented accommodation wishes to be re-accommodated by RIA, he should submit a request accordingly, citing any medical evidence in support of any particular type of accommodation requested. It needs to be clearly understood that the Direct Provision system is at the core of RIA's accommodation portfolio and that self catering forms only a very small element of that portfolio. Demand for self catering is such that demand far exceeds supply and there are no plans to increase that element of RIA's accommodation portfolio. In considering any specific request for accommodation, RIA must balance competing demands and make decisions accordingly.

Further to Parliamentary Question No. 263 put down for answer on the 5th July 2007 I am informed by the Immigration Division of my Department that the person in question made a Family Reunification application in October 2006.

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 approximately 24 months to process.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

244 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform further to his reply to Parliamentary Question No. 959 of 26 September 2007, the reason stamp four or temporary residency status cannot be awarded to a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33212/07]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Deputy Brian Lenihan)

The position regarding Temporary residence status is that it cannot be determined until an application has been fully considered under section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999, as amended.

I expect the file to be passed to me for a decision in due course.

Local Authority Funding.

Noel Coonan

Question:

245 Deputy Noel J. Coonan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if staff and funding have been put in place for the processing of local authority grant aid schemes, the mobility aids grant scheme, the housing aid for older people scheme and housing adaptation grant for people with a disability; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33066/07]

Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government (Deputy Batt O’Keeffe)

The revised Housing Adaptation Grant Schemes for Older People and People with a Disability were implemented on 1 November 2007.

In relation to funding for the schemes, monies allocated to local authorities for the administration of the Disabled Persons and Essential Repairs Grant Schemes in 2007 have been re-directed to fund the new Adaptation Grant Schemes from 1 November to the end of this year.

In 2008, monies previously allocated to the Disabled Persons, Essential Repairs and Special Housing Aid for the Elderly Grant Schemes will be used to fund the new schemes. Local authorities will be notified of individual allocations following the publication of the Revised Estimates for Public Services 2008.

My Department is currently reviewing the overall employment position in the local government sector, in consultation as appropriate with the Department of Finance, having regard to the need to deliver front line services, and achieve value for money within the parameters of Government policy on public service employment generally. Under Section 159 of the Local Government Act 2001, the allocation of available staffing resources to the functions within individual local authorities is a matter for the City or County Manager concerned.

The issue of additional staffing resources to administer the new framework of grant aid is also under consideration in the context of ongoing negotiations with the Health Service Executive regarding the transfer of the Special Housing Aid for the Elderly Scheme from the Health Service Executive to the local authority sector.

Natural Heritage Areas.

Pat Breen

Question:

246 Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will extend the date for landowners who wish to object to the proposed designations of special protection areas for the protection of hen harriers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32972/07]

Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government (Deputy John Gormley)

Special Protection Areas for hen harriers are proposed for designation in accordance with Article 4 of the European Council Directive on the conservation of Wild Birds (79/409/EEC) as transposed into Irish law by the European Communities (Natural Habitats) Regulations, 1997.

Under these Regulations a landowner may seek review of a proposed designation of land as a Special Protection Area by making an objection in writing, based on scientific grounds, to my Department along with a clear map of the land in question. The Regulations provide that such objections must be made within a three-month period of the site being notified. It is necessary in the context of EU infringement proceedings against Ireland under the Directive strictly to adhere to this three-month limit.

Departmental Meetings.

Ruairí Quinn

Question:

247 Deputy Ruairí Quinn asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if his Department has a management advisory committee or an equivalent management committee; if it meets regularly; and if so, the frequency of same; if he and the Ministers of State attached to his Department attend the meetings; if a special advisor or advisors attached to the Ministerial Office or offices attend such meetings; if the minutes are circulated subsequent to each meeting with an indication as to the action to be taken by whom and when; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32980/07]

Ruairí Quinn

Question:

248 Deputy Ruairí Quinn asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he convenes specific policy meetings with officials in his Department; the way a policy meeting with officials is different to that of a management meeting, such as a management advisory committee meeting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32994/07]

Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government (Deputy John Gormley)

I propose to take Question Nos. 247 and 248 together.

My Department has a Management Advisory Committee, consisting of the Secretary General and six Assistant Secretaries, which meets on a weekly basis. My Special Adviser attends these meetings for agenda items dealing with weekly Government and Oireachtas business and Ministerial diary priorities. The Ministers of State, the Special Advisers and I meet with the Management Advisory Committee generally once a month at which management and policy issues are discussed. Minutes of both meetings are prepared and circulated.

I also meet with the relevant officials in my Department, as required, to discuss business and policy related matters.

Ministerial Staff.

Ruairí Quinn

Question:

249 Deputy Ruairí Quinn asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the number of programme managers, special advisors, policy assistants, personnel on secondment and other personnel who are not part of the existing Civil Service who make up his Department, including permanent civil servants attached to the office of the Minister and Minister of States; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33008/07]

Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government (Deputy John Gormley)

The current staffing position in the Ministerial Offices in my Department is set out in the tables below:

Minister's Office
Permanent Civil Servants	Temporary Unestablished Civil Servants
10.5	4 Special Advisers* 1 Personal Assistant 2 Personal Secretaries**

*One Special Adviser is the Department's Press & Information Officer and one is Programme Manager based in Government buildings.

**Two officers job share in the post of Personal Secretary.

Minister Tony Killeen's Office
Permanent Civil Servants	Temporary Unestablished Civil Servants
5	1 Personal Assistant 1 Personal Secretary 2 Civilian Drivers

Minister Batt O'Keeffe's Office
Permanent Civil Servants	Temporary Unestablished Civil Servants
8	1 Personal Assistant 1 Personal Secretary 2 Civilian Drivers

Departmental Bodies.

Lucinda Creighton

Question:

250 Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the statutory bodies for which he has Ministerial responsibility, but for which he is not accountable to Dáil Éireann for daily operational activities. [33078/07]

Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government (Deputy John Gormley)

I am not accountable to Dáil Éireann for the daily operational matters of any of the agencies or bodies under the aegis of my Department.

Planning Issues.

Paul Nicholas Gogarty

Question:

251 Deputy Paul Gogarty asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the procedures involved in the adoption of a strategic development zone plan by members of a local authority; the action that will be taken should the democratically elected members of a local authority vote down such a plan, if it is deemed to be flawed; if the council management must automatically revert to drawing up a new plan, or find another means of developing the land, or if this defeated plan goes directly to An Bord Pleanála in any case; if the elected members have a say as to what happens following the non-adoption of a plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33082/07]

Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government (Deputy John Gormley)

Under Part IX of the Planning and Development Act 2000, the Government may by Order, on foot of a proposal from the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, designate a site or sites as a Strategic Development Zone (SDZ) to facilitate development considered, in the Government's opinion, to be of economic or social importance to the State. The Government Order will specify the development agency for the SDZ.

The Act provides that a draft planning scheme must be prepared within two years of the designation of the SDZ. The draft planning scheme is then subject to a statutory public consultation process and submitted to the elected members of the relevant planning authority for consideration along with a Manager's report which summarises the issues raised during the public consultation and gives the Manager's response to those issues.

As set out in section 169 (4)(b) of the Act, the draft planning scheme is deemed to be made six weeks after the submission of that draft planning scheme and the Manager's report to the elected members unless the planning authority decides, by resolution, to: i) make, subject to variations and modifications, the draft planning scheme, or ii) decides not to make the draft planning scheme.

Paul Nicholas Gogarty

Question:

252 Deputy Paul Gogarty asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the procedures involved in the adoption of a local area plan by members of a local authority; the action that will be taken should the democratically elected members of a local authority vote down such a plan, if it is deemed to be flawed; if the council management must automatically revert to drawing up a new plan, or find another means of developing the land; if the elected members have a say as to what happens following the non-adoption of a plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33083/07]

Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government (Deputy John Gormley)

The making, amending or revoking of a local area plan is a reserved function of the elected members of the planning authority for the area.

Section 18 of the Planning and Development Act, 2000 states that "A planning authority may at any time, and for any particular area within its functional area, prepare a local area plan in respect of that area."

Section 19(1)(b) of the Act states that a local area plan must be made in respect of an area which meets all of the following criteria:

(1)is designated as a town in the most recent census of population, other than a town designated as a suburb or environs in that census;

(2)has a population in excess of 2000 persons; and

(3)is situated within the functional area of a planning authority, which is a county council.

Under Section 19(2) of the Act, as amended by the Planning and Development (Amendment) Act 2002, the contents of the local area plan must be consistent with the objectives of the Development Plan for the area.

Section 20 of the Act, as amended by the Planning and Development (Amendment) Act 2002, provides for public consultation on a draft local area plan, and for the Manager to submit a report to the elected members for their consideration on any submissions or observations received during the public consultation process and the Manager's response to these issues. Following consideration of the Manager's report, if the elected members decide to vary or modify the draft local area plan, a further public consultation period of eight weeks is provided for. The Manager will then submit a further report to the elected members for their consideration on the submissions and observations received and the Manager's response to them. Following consideration of the Manager's report, the local area plan will be deemed to be made or amended, as appropriate, six weeks after the furnishing of the Manager's report.

The legislation provides that a planning authority may decide not to make a local area plan. While the legislation does not specifically state what should happen in such an event, the council executive would be guided by any resolution made by the elected members in this regard.

Coastal Protection.

Joanna Tuffy

Question:

253 Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if the Government has formulated plans in place for dealing with the impact of climate change on coastal towns and communities here; the amount of money allocated to affected local authorities to deal with this problem; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33105/07]

Thomas P. Broughan

Question:

261 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he has conducted or intends to conduct further studies on the impact of global warming on the Irish coastline including cost benefit, hydrological impact assessments and analysis of proposed high rise and high density development along Dublin Bay, Baldoyle Bay, Cork Harbour and other such locations around the coastline; and if he will issue guidelines to county and city councils on this matter. [33184/07]

Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government (Deputy John Gormley)

I propose to take Question Nos. 253 and 261 together.

The position set out in the replies to Question Nos. 36 and 96 of 14 November 2007 has not changed.

I propose to take Question Nos. 255 to 257, inclusive, together.

I refer to the reply to Questions Nos. 573 and 574 of 4 December 2007. As already outlined in that reply the Ethics Registrar in the relevant local authority is responsible for overseeing the application of the ethics framework and taking any necessary action in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Local Government Act, 2001. My Department has no role in this regard.

Hunting Licences.

Leo Varadkar

Question:

258 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will grant a licence for a group (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33124/07]

Leo Varadkar

Question:

259 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he has received enough information from a group (details supplied) to allow him to make a decision on whether to grant a licence for the stag hunt; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33125/07]

Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government (Deputy John Gormley)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 258 and 259 together.

Section 26(1) of the Wildlife Act 1976 provides that I may grant to the master or other person in charge of a pack of stag hounds, a licence authorising the hunting of deer by that pack, during such period or periods as is or are specified in the licence.

The Ward Union Hunt applied to my Department for a hunting licence for the 2007/2008 season. In my consideration of the licence application I raised a number of issues of serious concern with the Ward Union Hunt including in relation to animal welfare, conservation and protection of stags generally and compliance with previous licence conditions. Meetings were held between my Department and representatives of the Ward Union Hunt and correspondence was exchanged with the Hunt in order to convey my serious concerns and provide them with an opportunity to address these concerns.

I have given this matter my careful and urgent consideration and I will come to a definitive conclusion shortly.

Social and Affordable Housing.

Thomas P. Broughan

Question:

260 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his plans in relation to social and affordable housing lists; the way he proposes to eliminate those lists or reduce them down to a reasonable waiting period; and the number of citizens and families on social housing lists (details supplied). [33183/07]

Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government (Deputy Batt O’Keeffe)

The most recent assessment of need for social housing was undertaken by local authorities in March 2005. The results of that assessment indicated that there were 43,684 households on local authority housing waiting lists. Data in relation to these assessments for each housing authority, including waiting times, are available on my Department's website at www.environ.ie. The next statutory assessment of housing need is due to be undertaken by housing authorities in March 2008.

Comprehensive information on the number of people seeking affordable housing is not collected by my Department. The Government is well placed to deliver on the commitments in Towards 2016 to start or acquire some 27,000 new homes for those in need of social housing over the next three years. The total Exchequer provision for social housing in 2007 is almost €1.4 billion — an increase of 10% on the 2006 provision. The funding will support the commencement of a significant number of new social housing units, and further progress under the regeneration programmes, as well as bringing to completion a large number of units under both the local authority and voluntary housing programmes.

Question No. 261 answered with QuestionNo. 253.

Departmental Meetings.

Ruairí Quinn

Question:

262 Deputy Ruairí Quinn asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if his Department has a management advisory committee or an equivalent management committee; if it meets regularly; and if so, the frequency of same; if he and the Ministers of State attached to his Department attend the meetings; if a special advisor or advisors attached to the ministerial office or offices attend such meetings; if the minutes are circulated subsequent to each meeting with an indication as to the action to be taken by whom and when; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32975/07]

Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources (Deputy Eamon Ryan)

My Department has a Management Committee which is chaired by the Secretary General. It includes the Deputy Secretary General and the Assistant Secretaries of the Department. The Personnel Officer of the Department also attends and the Private Secretary to the Secretary General is Secretary to the Committee. Meetings generally take place weekly. Minutes are circulated subsequent to each meeting including, where relevant, documenting actions to be taken by whom and when. Formal meetings between myself and the Management Committee also take place on a regular basis every 6 weeks or so. The meetings are attended by the Minister of State and by the special advisors. Minutes of these meetings are also prepared and circulated.

Ruairí Quinn

Question:

263 Deputy Ruairí Quinn asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he convenes specific policy meetings with officials in his Department; the way a policy meeting with officials is different to that of a management meeting, such as a management advisory committee meeting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32989/07]

Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources (Deputy Eamon Ryan)

The policy meetings that I convene fall into two categories. Firstly, I convene regular meetings with members of the Management Committee of my Department as a group, every six weeks or so and with the Sectoral Divisions of the Department on a three to four weekly basis. Secondly, I convene ad hoc meetings on policy issues with Departmental officials as they arise. These meetings may be with officials at any level of the Department and occur relatively frequently.

Meetings with Sectoral Divisions and ad-hoc policy meetings are attended by officials from the relevant sectoral area and focus on sectoral or relevant cross-Government policy issues. My meetings with the Management Committee, whilst focusing on policy, also consider corporate issues relevant to all areas of the Department. An example would be monitoring of expenditure under the Department's Vote.

Ministerial Staff.

Ruairí Quinn

Question:

264 Deputy Ruairí Quinn asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the number of programme managers, special advisors, policy assistants, personnel on secondment and other personnel who are not part of the existing Civil Service who make up his Department, including permanent civil servants attached to the office of the Minister and Minister of States; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33003/07]

Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources (Deputy Eamon Ryan)

The number of programme managers, special advisers, policy assistants, personnel on secondment and other personnel who are not part of the existing Civil Service who make up my Department, including permanent civil servants attached to my office and the Office of the Minister of State in my Department, is shown in the following table.

Title	Minister’s Office	Minister of State’s Office
Programme Managers	Nil	Nil
Special Advisers	2 (1 on secondment)	1
Policy Assistants	Nil	Nil
Other Personnel (Personal Assistant/Personal Secretary)	2	Nil
Personnel on secondment	1 Special Adviser (included above)	Nil
Permanent Civil Servants	10	2

In addition, within the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, there is currently one person on secondment from the Commission for Communications Regulation, one from the Electricity Supply Board and six Stagiaires on temporary 11 month contracts.

Telecommunications Services.

Michael Ring

Question:

265 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources when the broadband action plan funding will be put in place to ensure that areas (details supplied) in County Mayo will be broadband enabled. [33043/07]

Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources (Deputy Eamon Ryan)

The provision of broadband services is mainly a matter for private sector providers operating in a fully liberalised market, regulated by the independent Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg). I am informed that Ballinrobe and Claremorris are served by a number of broadband providers. In addition, under the second phase of the MANs Programme, a 7.2 km MAN in Ballinrobe town and a 9 km MAN in Claremorris town, are currently under construction.

Michael Ring

Question:

266 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the areas that have been broadband enabled under the broadband action plan; the areas that have yet to be done; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33044/07]

Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources (Deputy Eamon Ryan)

The provision of broadband services is mainly a matter for private sector providers operating in a fully liberalised market, regulated by the independent Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg). 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 to broadband projects in rural areas under the recently concluded Group Broadband Scheme and investment in Metropolitan Area Networks (MANs) in towns and cities under the Regional Broadband Programme. My Department operates a dedicated website, www.broadband.gov.ie. Some of the services listed on that website are offered by service providers under the Group Broadband Scheme and using the MANs.

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 to enter the next phase of the procurement process. 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 Department has invited these remaining candidates to participate in the "Competitive Dialogue" procurement process and the candidates are due to present their proposed solutions to meet the Department's requirements for the delivery of broadband to the unserved areas of the country. It is anticipated that a preferred bidder will be selected and appointed in June 2008.

Michael Ring

Question:

267 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the funding allocated to the broadband action plan in each of the past three years and to date in 2007; the reason these projects are not going ahead; if there has been a cutback in the funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33045/07]

Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources (Deputy Eamon Ryan)

The provision of broadband services is mainly a matter for private sector service providers operating in a liberalised market, regulated by the independent Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg).

It continues to be a priority of the Government that there will be broadband coverage across the entire country. 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) in towns and cities under the Regional Broadband Programme.

Under the Group Broadband Scheme (GBS), which was launched in 2004, 127 broadband projects are operational and the grantees received €3.1 million in grant aid.

Under the Metropolitan Area Network (MANs) Programme, Phase I, the Department offered grant aid to Local Authorities of €78 million for the construction of 27 high speed, open access fibre optic networks. All twenty-seven MANs have been completed under the first phase and are currently being managed by ENet, the Managed Services Entity.

€35 million has been spent to date on broadband initiatives during 2007 on Phase II of the Metropolitan Area Networks (MANs). Construction is currently under way in 66 towns under this Phase and contracts have been signed by Local authorities for a further €65 million.

My Department is currently undertaking a Value for Money and Policy Review of Phase I of the MANs programme. This review will help to inform decisions on the future allocation of the National Development Plan envelope for broadband infrastructure.

Expenditure on broadband infrastructure and services by my Department amounted to €26 million in 2004, €19 million in 2005 and €32 million in 2006.

An indicative €435 million of Exchequer funds has been provided for the Communications and Broadband Programme in the 2007-2013 National Development Plan. It is not possible at this stage to give a detailed breakdown of the approximately €400 million that remains to be allocated over the period of the Plan. Some of this allocation will be expended on the National Broadband scheme and on commitments under Phase II of the MANs.

Energy Research Projects.

Simon Coveney

Question:

268 Deputy Simon Coveney asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the results of the inventory compiled by his Department and SEI of energy research projects under way in 2004, including the amount that was funded by the Exchequer in that year; the amount spent by the Exchequer on energy research projects in any subsequent years for which he has figures; and the locations where annual reports for the years 2004, 2005 and 2006 in terms of outputs and outcomes of expenditure under the energy RTDI subhead of his Department’s Vote and the research and related programme expenditure of SEI can be found. [33055/07]

Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources (Deputy Eamon Ryan)

The 2004 Energy Research and Demonstration Inventory Report (summary and project files) is available as a downloadable PDF from the following location www.sei.ie/index.asp?locID=1030&docID=1. The 2005 report is available as an interactive website comprising the summary report as well as all of the individual project summaries, searchable by category, at http://inventory.sei.ie. Outputs for those years are contained within the respective reports.

The extensive exercise of collation of the 2006 report is under way, with publication expected in early 2008. Sustainable Energy Ireland's (SEI) Research and Demonstration expenditure for the period is available in SEI's 2006 Annual Report at www.sei.ie.

The following is a summary of the expenditure for the years for which the full inventory exists:

Year	Total Energy R&D Expenditure, €m	Exchequer Funding, €m (incl. in Total)
2004	24.6	8.0
2005	12.8	8.7

Electricity Interconnectors.

Simon Coveney

Question:

269 Deputy Simon Coveney asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the breakdown of the timetable that will ensure delivery of the east west electricity interconnector with Great Britain by 2012; and when he expects Eirgrid to report to him on its cost benefit analysis and feasibility planning for further interconnection with the UK and Europe. [33056/07]

Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources (Deputy Eamon Ryan)

I can advise the Deputy that work on the project is progressing well. EirGrid, under the regulatory oversight of the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER), is finalising the structure of the competition to select a developer and is also progressing work on route selection and the technical specification of the interconnector.

To oversee and ensure delivery of the interconnector to schedule, a high level coordination group has been established under the Chairmanship of the CER and comprising representatives of EirGrid and my Department.

The CER has been advised by EirGrid that the interconnector will be operational by early 2012, subject to a number of critical targets being met. In particular, the delivery of the interconnector by this date is dependent upon receipt of planning permission, both in the United Kingdom and Ireland, with minimum delay and the availability of the materials for the construction of the interconnector.

I am advised by the CER that the most up-to-date timeline for delivery of the interconnector is as outlined as follows.

Q4 2007: Competition for the design and construction of the interconnector launched by EirGrid

EirGrid has indicated to the CER that it will be in a position to launch the competition for the design and construction of the interconnector before the end of the year.

Q3 2008: Winning bidder selected following competition and conclusion of contract negotiations

When the competition is completed, the winning bidder will be selected by EirGrid. Details of the contract for design and construction will be completed by the end of quarter 3, 2008.

Q3 2011: Completion of works — subject to material availability and planning permission

Planning applications to be submitted to the British and Irish authorities in mid 2008. Subject to receipt of planning permission and the availability of materials (such as cable and transformers), EirGrid estimates quarter 3, 2011 for the completion of works.

Q1 2012: Completion of commissioning and testing and commencement of commercial operations

Subject to the target of Q3 2011 being met for the construction of the interconnector, following a period of commissioning and testing, the interconnector will commence commercial operations in early 2012.

With regard to further interconnection with the UK and Europe, the current focus is on the delivery of the second north/south electricity interconnector and the east/west electricity interconnector. At the Government's request EirGrid, within the next two years, will undertake cost benefit analysis and feasibility planning for further interconnection with the UK and potentially with Europe in the longer term.

Electricity Power Lines.

Joe Costello

Question:

270 Deputy Joe Costello asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if his attention has been drawn to the concerns of people regarding the erection of 400kV power lines in certain parts of the country; his views on installing these power lines underground; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33069/07]

Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources (Deputy Eamon Ryan)

European Union policy seeks to ensure secure and competitively priced electricity markets into the future. Better interconnection between electricity systems is a key aspect of this policy and the White Paper "Delivering a sustainable energy future for Ireland" underlines Ireland's commitment to a more sustainable energy future through a range of measures including increased electricity and gas interconnection.

The Single Electricity Market for Ireland came into effect on 1st November this year. As part of this market development, and to promote competition and better sharing of resources, EirGrid is developing a second North South electricity interconnector. The increased capacity provided by this interconnector is also intended to facilitate fuel savings, lower emissions and increased integration of wind generated energy. In addition to the benefits on an all island basis, EirGrid is strengthening the high voltage network in Counties Meath, Cavan and Monaghan, thereby adding to the availability of bulk high quality power in the North East. Strengthening of the network in this way will greatly improve the electricity infrastructure in these areas and their attractiveness for investment.

The planning and development of these 400kV lines is an operational matter for EirGrid and I have no statutory function in this matter. I have, however, received the following advice from EirGrid on the undergrounding of 400kV power lines. Internationally, high voltage electricity lines are placed underground only in heavily built up areas. This does not apply in this case and overhead lines are the most technically feasible solution to providing a secure and reliable supply of high voltage electricity to the North East. Overhead lines are also by far the most economic way of transporting power, with underground lines costing between 6 and 10 times as much as standard overhead lines. This is important bearing in mind that electricity networks are financed by all electricity customers. In addition, finding and repairing a fault on an overhead line can usually be done within hours, whereas the same process for an underground line can take weeks if not months to effect. A time delay in repairing a fault in a high voltage power line could cause a lengthy and significant loss of power to a large number of customers.

To the best of EirGrid's knowledge, there is no 400kV Alternating Current (AC) line of the length proposed in these two projects placed underground in any part of the world. Some 97% of the onshore high voltage transmission network in Europe is of high voltage alternating current carried by overhead lines.

In routing overhead lines EirGrid aims to keep as far away from communities and houses as possible, and a minimum clearance of 50 metres is the routing aim. The possible routes for the two 400kV power lines are currently the subject of public consultation by EirGrid.

Departmental Bodies.

Lucinda Creighton

Question:

271 Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the statutory bodies for which he has ministerial responsibility, but for which he is not accountable to Dáil Éireann for daily operational activities. [33077/07]

Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources (Deputy Eamon Ryan)

The information requested by the Deputy is set out as follows. In addition, I refer the Deputy to my reply to Parliamentary Question No. 693 on 27th November outlining those independent statutory bodies, established by the Government, for which I have Ministerial responsibility but which are legally independent in the performance of their functions.

Statutory Body

An Post

Broadcasting Commission of Ireland

Bord Gáis Éireann

Bord Na Móna

Broadcasting Complaints Commission

Central Fisheries Board

Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg)

Commission for Energy Regulation (CER)

Eastern Regional Fisheries Board

EirGrid

ESB

Irish National Petroleum Corporation Ltd (INPC)

Loughs Agency

National Oil Reserves Agency (NORA)

National Salmon Commission

North Western Regional Fisheries Board

Northern Regional Fisheries Board

RTÉ

Shannon Regional Fisheries Board

South Western Regional Fisheries Board

Southern Regional Fisheries Board

Sustainable Energy Ireland (SEI)

Western Regional Fisheries Board

The Mining Board

TG4

Single Market Committee (SEM Committee)

Electricity Transmission.

Simon Coveney

Question:

272 Deputy Simon Coveney asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the stage the plans to transfer ownership of the electricity transmission system from ESB to Eirgrid are at; the timetable for the implementation of the transfer by end 2008 as stated in the programme for Government; if he has had recently or will hold in the near future meetings with ESB unions or the ESB ESOT to discuss issues arising from the transfer; and the outcome of talks that occurred. [33084/07]

Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources (Deputy Eamon Ryan)

The Government Programme commits to the transfer of ownership of the electricity transmission network assets from ESB to EirGrid by end 2008. The mechanisms to implement the transfer to EirGrid of ownership of the assets comprise a range of legislative, commercial, legal and financial dimensions, which are currently under consideration by my Department.

I will be seeking Government approval to draft the necessary legislation. The Bill will include provisions enabling EirGrid to fulfil the requirements of the Transmission Asset Ownership function and undertake any necessary borrowing. The legislation is also likely to include a range of amendments to existing electricity legislation to fully reflect the new arrangement. The advice of the Attorney General on the precise parameters of the legislation will determine the scoping of legislation.

In line with successive Partnership Agreements, there will be a full process of engagement with the management and unions of both ESB and EirGrid on implementation of the transfer of the asset ownership function. The process will also include engagement on legitimate concerns of the ESB's Employee Share Ownership Trust (ESOT).

I met with the ESB Group of Unions on 23rd July in relation to the energy policy objectives set out in the Programme for Government and the Energy Policy White Paper which impact on ESB. In inviting the unions to meet me, it was my intention to hear any concerns that they might have on the issues and to provide a clear outline of my own position and that of the Government.

I have made it clear to the Group of Unions that I am willing to discuss constructively any legitimate issues of concern that they may have. I look forward to a positive process of engagement and to further meetings as appropriate with the Group of Unions.

Government policy is clear in relation to implementation of the decision in a way that ensures the future of both EirGrid and ESB as strong viable Semi State entities, as well as reflecting the position of the State and the ESOT as shareholders.

Alternative Energy Projects.

Simon Coveney

Question:

273 Deputy Simon Coveney asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the steps that have been taken since the forum on innovation and employment in energy, held on 13 July 2007, to attract higher levels of investment in the renewable energy sector here; and the progress in the whole-Government energy innovation and employment initiative announced that day. [33213/07]

Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources (Deputy Eamon Ryan)

On 13 July this year, I hosted a forum for senior representatives from across the Irish energy sector. The theme of the meeting was innovation and job creation in the energy sector. The purpose of holding the event was to start a dialogue with the key players in the energy sector regarding the opportunity to locate investment in clean energy technologies in Ireland.

Investment in clean and green energy technologies is growing worldwide. Ireland's advantage in renewable natural resources such as wind and ocean energy creates the potential to benefit from such investment.

Meeting the challenge of climate change and ensuring secure energy supplies into the future means adopting a radically different approach to our energy services. I believe that these challenges should be seen as presenting tangible opportunities to generate significant economic activity in the energy services and green technology sectors, with clear benefits to the economy.

This forum was the beginning of a process of regular engagement with the energy industry. On 23 November I hosted a high-level discussion for senior members of the Irish and international finance community on the subject of financing for sustainable energy, as a further step in the process.

This was an opportunity for discussion and an exchange of views with the finance community on the investment climate in Ireland for sustainable energy. I intend to host another forum with the energy sector in the New Year as part of a regular engagement and dialogue.

The objective of these engagements, and of the targeted Exchequer assistance available for use of renewable energy, is to promote the development of the renewables sector in Ireland. In my view good progress is being made in this regard.

Dáil Éireann debate - Thursday, 6 Dec 2007

Transport Regulation.

John O'Mahony

Joe Carey

Eamon Gilmore

Kieran O'Donnell

Air Services.

Olivia Mitchell

Road Safety.

Willie Penrose

Alan Shatter

Road Network.

Joan Burton

Public Transport.

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Integrated Ticketing System.

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Pat Rabbitte

Environmental Policy.

Shane McEntee

Joe Costello

Liz McManus

Air Services.

Olivia Mitchell

Road Traffic Accidents.

Rory O'Hanlon

Port Development.

Ciaran Lynch

Ministerial Responsibilities.

Jack Wall

Departmental Offices.

Kieran O'Donnell

Coast Guard Service.

Martin Ferris

Traffic Management.

Michael Noonan

Road Network.

Joan Burton

Joanna Tuffy

Brendan Howlin

Departmental Records.

Jim O'Keeffe

Local Authority Funding.

Jimmy Deenihan

Jimmy Deenihan

Public Transport.

John O'Mahony

Road Traffic Accidents.

Kathleen Lynch

Public Transport.

Thomas P. Broughan

Driving Tests.

Ciaran Lynch

Aviation Regulation.

Billy Timmins

Aer Lingus.

Bernard J. Durkan

Rail Network.

Alan Shatter

Road Safety.

Michael D. Higgins

Port Development.

Mary Upton

Airport Development Projects.

Jan O'Sullivan

Departmental Records.

Fergus O'Dowd

Road Traffic Accidents.

Rory O'Hanlon

Road Safety.

Kathleen Lynch

Western Rail Corridor.

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Public Transport.

Pat Rabbitte

Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 6 Dec 2007