Written Answers.

Physical Education Facilities.

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Question:

106 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Education and Science the steps she is taking to address the lack of sports facilities in schools, particularly primary schools. [6771/08]

Minister for Education and Science (Deputy Mary Hanafin)

The Physical Education curriculum has been designed on the basis that facilities in schools may vary, depending on the size of the school and the extent of the site.

Many primary schools have a general purpose room and practically all schools have outdoor play areas which are used for teaching different aspects of the PE programme. A similar situation with sports halls and outdoor facilities applies at second level. In addition, many schools use adjacent local facilities, including public parks, playing fields and swimming pools.

I can assure the Deputy that the Government is committed to promoting appropriate levels of exercise for our children and young people — both in their community and at school. The extent and quality of local sports facilities has been improved dramatically in recent years, with more than €450 million invested by the Government since 1998 in over 5,000 projects through the Sports Capital Programme.

At the same time, general purpose and outdoor play facilities have been provided for schools all over the country through the School Building Programme. Over €2.6 billion was expended on school building infrastructure between 2000 and 2006.

For the period between 2007 and 2013, €4.5 billion, including almost €600 million this year, is to be invested under the National Development Plan. New curricula for PE in primary schools and at Junior Cert level have also been put in place.

Primary schools received €2,000 each in PE equipment grants in 2006, at a total cost of €6.5 million. A similar grant of €4,000 per pupil, at an overall cost of around €3 million, issued to post-primary schools in 2007. In addition, since 2000 my Department has provided in excess of €5.5m in grant-aid to primary schools to facilitate the provision of coaching or mentoring in connection with physical education or to purchase resource materials associated with the provision of physical education. Such materials and equipment would normally have a useful life of several years.

My Department also works closely with the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs and the Department of Health and Children through the Health Service Executive in funding improved playing facilities through the Clár and Rapid Area Schemes and the Dormant Account Fund.

Through an increased focus on exercise in schools and in the community, the Government is working to provide the facilities to encourage more children and young people to get active. Indeed, the ‘State of the Nation's Children' report launched by the Minister for Children in 2007, found that children in Ireland are doing well on physical activity, ranking second across the 32 WHO countries in being physically active for at least 4 hours per week.

Schools Building Projects.

Denis Naughten

Question:

107 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Education and Science the measures she is taking to address the backlog in the school building programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6229/08]

Minister for Education and Science (Deputy Mary Hanafin)

The demand for additional accommodation in schools has risen significantly over the last number of years mainly due to the rapid expansion in teacher numbers particularly in the area of special needs, the growth in the school-going population in rapidly developing areas, including the impact of immigration, and the demands to cater for diversity through the recognition of new Gaelscoileanna and Educate Together schools. Major progress has been made in meeting all of those needs.

We have dramatically increased investment in the school building programme in recent years. During the period of the last National Development Plan 2000-2006 my Department accelerated the school building programme with record levels of investment and the streamlining of delivery systems. An aggregate total of well over €2.6 billion was invested in upgrading existing school infrastructure and providing new school accommodation at both first and second-level. This programme delivered over 7,800 building projects.

In 2007, over 1,500 projects were delivered, including over 700 classrooms to provide permanent accommodation for approximately 17,500 pupils, mainly in developing areas.

The Government is making available almost €600 million for the school building programme in 2008. A key priority of the programme in 2008 and subsequent years will be the delivery of additional capacity in the rapidly developing areas. I am conscious of the need to provide more school places in these areas quickly and these are being delivered.

However, I am equally conscious of the need to address the needs of the many schools throughout the country which may not be in rapidly developing areas but which need major investment for refurbishment and extension. I intend that projects in these schools will also proceed during 2008 and 2009.

New schools have been built in rapidly developing areas and more are planned to accommodate continuing demographic changes. Many schools have had extensions built. Major refurbishments of schools have also been undertaken.

Not only are we investing far more in school buildings, but the improvements that have been made in the planning, design and delivery processes are also helping to deliver projects much faster. There is now much greater forward-planning, with close and regular engagement with local authorities, while a new partnership model has been developed to deliver community facilities in tandem with new schools and the publication of 10-year Area Development Plans.

Innovations in the delivery of school buildings such as Generic Repeat Designs and the use of the Design and Build model ensure that new school buildings are delivered in the fastest time-frame possible. My Department also adopted a policy of devolving much greater authority to local school management boards to manage and deliver smaller building projects, thereby freeing my Department to concentrate on the larger scale projects.

In my most recent announcement on the 2008 large-scale building programme, I approved 48 projects to commence construction including 30 new primary schools in rapidly developing areas that are planned to be in place by next September under an accelerated building programme. It is also intended to provide additional accommodation at a number of schools under this programme.

My Department also has other projects coming on stream to the tendering and construction stages and I will be making further announcements about these as the 2008 school building programme is rolled out.

I assure the Deputy that through both increased investment under the NDP and the improved planning and delivery processes that we have put in place in recent years, the Government will ensure that school accommodation needs will be met.

Education Convention.

Willie Penrose

Question:

108 Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Education and Science if she proposes to establish an education convention to consider the future of governance and management in the primary school system here; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6050/08]

Minister for Education and Science (Deputy Mary Hanafin)

The issues around future governance and management in the primary school system, in the context of changing circumstances, are the subject of dialogue on an ongoing basis with each of the patron bodies, management bodies and education partners. Education issues have also featured strongly in the ongoing structured dialogue between the Government, churches, faith communities and non-confessional organisations in Ireland which are being led by the Taoiseach.

The Deputy will be aware that last December I announced further details of a new model of patronage at primary school level to be piloted from September 2008. The new community national school model reflects the impact of growing diversity in Irish society on the traditional structures for primary education provision. The model will aim to cater for the wishes of parents for denominational, multi-denominational and non-denominational education within the framework of a single patron model and single board of management structure. The model is not intended to replace the existing patron models but to provide an additional option, likely to be used particularly in growing areas. Three schools will be included in the initial pilot under the patronage of County Dublin Vocational Education Committee (VEC).

The implementation of the new pilot patronage model has also involved, and will continue to involve, consultations with the main patron bodies, management bodies and partners.

Our current system of school management has served us well. It means that communities have a strong role in how schools are run and that Patrons can ensure that their ethos is promoted in their schools. Such a locally-based system places a lot of responsibility on board members and my Department is anxious to ensure that members of boards are provided with training and other supports that are needed to discharge board members' responsibilities.

In recognition of these responsibilities, the Teacher Education Section of my Department has developed a new scheme for the provision of support to school management bodies for the purpose of training and development of boards of management in the discharge of their duties and consistent with national and DES priorities. This scheme is administered through the Drumcondra Education Centre.

Early School Leavers.

Brian O'Shea

Question:

109 Deputy Brian O’Shea asked the Minister for Education and Science when her Department will publish the statement of data strategy for 2008 to 2010 that deals with data sharing between her Department and its agencies, regarding tracking students who leave school before junior certificate examinations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6046/08]

Minister for Education and Science (Deputy Mary Hanafin)

I am pleased to confirm to the Deputy that it is my intention to publish a Data Strategy for my Department, covering the 2008 to 2010 period, in March 2008.

The Data Strategy will provide an important contribution to the ongoing development of the evidence-base for education policy over the coming years. Making better use of existing data as well as introducing new and essential sources of information is a key goal for the Department as it seeks to provide services in an increasingly diverse and challenging environment. The Strategy will outline a number of goals and actions to improve the quality and supply of data over the coming three-year period within the resources available to the Department and associated agencies. Included among these will be the development of a Learner Database to encompass all pupils at Primary level and, as a subsequent phase, students at post-primary level.

The development of a Learner Database at Primary level has been identified as a priority in the Programme for Government. It has the potential to facilitate better policy-planning and evaluation and more detailed identification of learner needs in different parts of the country. As part of the development, work has already begun in examining the feasibility of developing a single information platform for schools on which data providers could exchange information with the Department and key agencies such as NEWB, NCSE and the State Examinations Commission. The scale of operation involved, the complexities relating to multiple data requirements and the availability of staff resources to advance the project need to be carefully considered. Resulting from this initial exploratory phase it will be possible to scope out the likely scale and timeline of a Learner Database.

My aim is to improve the quality and scale of data-gathering, subject to data protection guidelines and legislation, to provide up-to-date information on the situation in relation to any pupil — where they are at school, if they are not in any form of education or training and how their needs can be best catered for. This is why the development of a single individualised Learner Database — based on the Personal Public Service Number (PPSN) — and linked to relevant public data holdings can transform the possibilities for using high-quality information and support public services to individual learners as well as reduce the burden of data collection on schools who presently have to make multiple returns to various agencies.

Departmental Funding.

Kathleen Lynch

Question:

110 Deputy Kathleen Lynch asked the Minister for Education and Science if, in view of the cash flow problems which aggravate the inadequate funding arrangements for primary schools, she will introduce a new administrative scheme whereby the capitation grant for primary schools is paid quarterly, in January, April, July and October, involving no additional or extra cost to her Department but ensuring a more effective flow of funding to the primary school system; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6048/08]

Minister for Education and Science (Deputy Mary Hanafin)

My first priority in relation to improving the cash flow for schools is to increase the level of funding to them. Improving the funding for schools is a central part of the education provisions in the Programme for Government. The Programme contains the commitment by Government that the capitation grant for primary schools will be doubled.

My Department will be paying around €167m to primary schools in 2008 to meet their day to day running costs. The improvements announced in the last budget taken together mean that day-to-day funding for primary schools will increase by €21 to €330 per pupil. As a result, a primary school with 300 pupils will receive almost €100,000 to meet their running costs.

The primary school capitation grant has been increased substantially in recent years. Since 1997 the standard rate of capitation grant has been increased from €57.14 per pupil to €178.58 from 1st January, 2008. This represents an increase of 212% in the standard rate of capitation grant since 1997.

Furthermore enhanced rates of capitation funding are paid in respect of children with special educational needs who attend special schools or special classes attached to mainstream schools. The current rates range from €457.00 to €880 per pupil — an increase of 42% from the rate in 2006.

Capitation grants in respect of a particular school year are paid to primary schools in two moieties. The first moiety (approximately 70%) is paid in January with the balance normally being paid in June.

The first instalment in January is calculated on the enrolment figure on the 30th September of the previous school year as the up-to-date enrolment data is not available in my Department at that stage. The balance of the grant is calculated on the enrolment figure on the 30th September of the current school year together with any arrears due from the first instalment.

Contrary to what the Deputy suggests there would either be once-off cost implications for the Department or, if not, then there would be initial negative cash flow implications for schools by changing the payments system to four equal instalments. For example, if the Deputy's proposal was implemented this year without any additional cost to my Department in 2008 it would potentially involve the balance of this year's grant that is normally paid in June being deferred to October. Similarly, if the proposal was being introduced from the start of 2009 then instead of the 70% grant being paid in January schools would have to wait for that element of it to be paid out in instalments during January, April and July. I would be concerned that during the changeover period this would further aggravate rather than help the cash flow in schools.

An alternative to that proposed by the Deputy would be to bring forward the January payment to pre-Christmas so that it is paid earlier in the school year. However, this would also have once-off cost implications for the Exchequer and my priority is to target all available funds to making real increases in the grant level instead.

I remain open to considering any proposals put forward on the payments structure that can be implemented without additional cost but given that the existing payment structure front loads 70% of the payment at the start of the calendar year it is difficult to see how this could be done without actually impacting negatively on cash flow for schools.

Higher Education Grants.

Pat Rabbitte

Question:

111 Deputy Pat Rabbitte asked the Minister for Education and Science if she will reduce the threshold age of 23 for single parents who wish to continue their studies in full-time education; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6062/08]

Ciaran Lynch

Question:

124 Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Minister for Education and Science her plans, to reduce the eligibility threshold age from 23 years or above on 1 January of the year commencing their course for independent assessment having regard to the fact that students are eligible to vote at 18 years and many can be married by the age of 21 and have dependent children; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6061/08]

Minister for Education and Science (Deputy Mary Hanafin)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 111 and 124 together.

Under the terms of my Department's student grant schemes, the position is that students who are entering approved courses for the first time are eligible for grants where they satisfy the prescribed conditions with regard to age, residence, means, nationality and previous academic attainment.

Students are categorised according to their circumstances either as independent mature students, mature students dependent on parents or guardians, or as students other than mature students. In accordance with the Local Authorities (Higher Education Grants) Act 1992, a mature student is defined as a candidate who is at least 23 years of age on the 1st January of the year of entry or re-entry to an approved course.

An independent mature student is defined as meaning a mature student who was not ordinarily resident at home with his/her parents or guardians from the October preceding their entry to an approved course. Independent mature students are assessed without reference to either their parents' or guardians' income. The reckonable income of an independent mature student is that of the candidate and his/her spouse.

When assessing the means of students other than independent mature students, the means test provision of the scheme specifies that the students' means and those of their parents or guardians must be below a prescribed limit. This provision requires that parental income be taken into account irrespective of the individual circumstances in any case where the student is not deemed to be an independent mature student.

A number of representations have been received on this matter, seeking a review of the position where all students who are under the age of 23 are automatically assessed by reference to their parents' income, irrespective of their circumstances.

I am pleased to advise you that the recently-published Student Support Bill will provide the Minister with the power to regulate for different categories of student, including the category of independent student. This will enable me, if there are compelling reasons and adequate resources to do so, to consider extending the current definition of an independent student.

My Department is currently reviewing the circumstances where a means assessment independent of parental income would be appropriate, and in the context of the development of a new unified scheme of student support, is undertaking further consultation on this and related matters with a view to establishing the particular circumstances where assessment as an independent student might be warranted.

The Deputies will be aware that very significant numbers of our third-level students move out of home to go to college and continue to be supported by their parents. The purpose of the student grant schemes is to provide additional assistance where parental income is below a certain threshold or, in the case of independent mature students, where the level of income of the student and his or her spouse warrants additional assistance by way of a grant.

Therefore, any extension of the provision of assessment as an independent student will have to be carefully considered to ensure it is highly targeted at very specific circumstances where students can demonstrate that they have been genuinely self-supporting and living independently for a number of years. The Deputies will appreciate that it would be untenable to have a situation whereby all students could simply move out of their parental home and be deemed to be independent for grants purposes. This would have very significant implications for the student grants budget and would further disadvantage those who need the grant most.

Pupil-Teacher Ratio.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

112 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science the precise improvements that have taken place since the last general election in respect of the promised reduction in pupil-teacher ratios in the classroom, improved facilities for children with autism, Asperger’s syndrome or children with similar needs, improved speech and language therapy and psychological assessments; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6774/08]

Minister for Education and Science (Deputy Mary Hanafin)

The Deputy will be aware that major improvements have been made in staffing at primary level in recent years. There are now in the region of 6,000 more primary teachers than there were in 2002. By the 2006/07 school year, we had reduced the average class size in our primary schools to 24, while the pupil teacher ratio was 16.4:1, including resource teachers etc. In that year, schools were staffed on the basis of a general rule of at least one classroom teacher for every 28 children. Given that the national average was 24, many schools benefited from much more favourable staffing ratios than this.

Extra teachers were provided by the Government for the 2007/08 school year to improve primary school staffing so that schools would generally get at least one classroom teacher for every 27 children.

A further initiative in recent years that has been of direct benefit to primary schools has been the change in the criteria for developing schools. For the current school year the threshold for getting a developing school post was reduced specifically to help schools that are seeing large increases in enrolments each year. Over 330 such posts have been sanctioned in the 2007/08 school year compared to 280 in 2006/07.

The improvements we have made in school staffing in recent years are absolutely unparalleled. The Government is committed to providing more teachers to our primary schools over the next five years in order to reduce class sizes. We will also continue our focus on measures to improve the quality of education in our primary schools to ensure that increased resources lead to better outcomes for our children.

In relation to improved facilities for children with autism, Asperger's syndrome and children with similar needs, the Deputy will be aware of my commitment to ensuring that all children, including those with autism receive an education appropriate to their needs, preferably through the primary and post primary school network. There are now in excess of 275 autism-specific classes around the country, an increase of 66 since the formation of the current Government. The National Council Special Education (NCSE) will continue to establish classes where the need is identified. As part of the continuing expansion of services nationwide I recently gave recognition to the Rehab Group as the patron of a new special school for children with autism in Limerick.

The Deputy will be aware of the commitment in the current Programme for Government commitment to long-term funding for the centres that are currently in the ABA pilot scheme subject to agreement with my Department on standards that will enable them to be supported as primary schools for children with autism. I am pleased to advise the Deputy that this is being actively progressed between officials from my Department and the IAA.

The Deputy may be aware that in order to support teachers my Department has put in place a training programme for teachers in specific interventions associated with autism including TEACCH, PECS and ABA through the Special Education Support Service (SESS). This support has been greatly enhanced by the recruitment of a team of behaviour advisers, recruited since the last general election, under the leadership of a person with a PhD in ABA.

Since May 2007 the number of psychologists employed within the NEPS service has increased from 128 to 138 and it is my intention to further increase this complement to 169 within 2008. In this regard, following a national recruitment process put in place in late 2007 by the Public Appointments Service, interviews are currently being held to form regional panels from which appointments to priority regions.

In common with many other psychological services, NEPS encourages a staged assessment process, whereby each school takes responsibility for initial assessment, educational planning and remedial intervention, in consultation with their assigned NEPS psychologist. Only if there is a failure to make reasonable progress in spite of the school's best efforts, will a child be referred for individual psychological assessment. This system allows the psychologists to give early attention to urgent cases and also to help many more children indirectly than could be seen individually. It also ensures that children are not referred unnecessarily for psychological intervention. A measure of the effect of the above mentioned expansion of NEPS psychologist number, in terms of assessments conducted, will be taken at the end of the current academic year.

The Deputy will be aware that a cross-sectoral team has also been established, comprising senior officials from my Department, the NCSE, the Department of Health and Children and the HSE to co-ordinate the implementation of Part 2 of the Disability Act 2005 and the relevant sections of the EPSEN Act 2004. The appointment of Deputy Jimmy Devins as a Minister of State, at the Departments of Education and Science and Health and Children, will also improve co-ordination between the two sectors in the interests of a better service for children.

In 2002 my Department approved the provision of an additional 75 places on new courses in Speech and Language Therapy in U.C.C., N.U.I.G. and U.L. in addition to 25 places on an existing course in T.C.D. As a result there has been a significant increase in the numbers of Speech and Language Therapists graduating from universities in recent years. Some 93 Therapists graduated 2007 compared to 21 in 2004. It is understood from the Higher Education Authority that 109 places are currently offered annually on Speech and Language Therapy courses compared to 25 places in 2002.

Significant development and improvements have been and will continue to be made in the range of areas identified by the Deputy.

Question No. 113 answered with Question No. 104.

Special Educational Needs.

Kathleen Lynch

Question:

114 Deputy Kathleen Lynch asked the Minister for Education and Science further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 969 and 970 of 30 January 2008, the annual cost for employment of the 9,800 special needs assistants in the primary, post primary and special schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6049/08]

Minister for Education and Science (Deputy Mary Hanafin)

The National Council for Special Education is responsible, through its network of local Special Educational Needs Organisers, for allocating special needs assistants (SNAs) to schools and for reviewing such allocations.

Special needs Assistants are intended to support children who have care needs arising from a disability. There are currently in excess of 9,800 special needs assistants in primary, post-primary and special schools supporting children with special care needs.

The break-down of these posts and the estimated annual cost per sector is as follows:

Primary Schools (including Special Schools): 8,038 Special Needs Assistants — Annual Cost €241.140m

Voluntary Secondary Schools: 707 Special Needs Assistants — Annual Cost €21.210m

Community Schools: 381 Special Needs Assistants — Annual Cost €11.430m

Comprehensive Schools: 60 Special Needs Assistants — Annual Cost €1.8m

Schools under Vocational Education Committees: 638 Special Needs Assistants — Annual Cost €19.140m

The costs I have outlined for each sector are based on an average annual salary cost across each sector of €30,000. The current salary scale is applicable from the 1st June 2007 as a result of the implementation of Phase 2 of the "Towards 2016" Social Partnership Agreement.

I should also point out that special needs assistants in primary, voluntary secondary, community and comprehensive schools are employed by the individual school authority and paid centrally on my Department's payroll. In the case of VEC schools, the special needs assistants are employed and paid directly by the VEC concerned. A common salary scale applies across all sectors.

Psychological Service.

Deirdre Clune

Question:

115 Deputy Deirdre Clune asked the Minister for Education and Science if she has plans to ensure that the fee paid to psychologists under the SCPA will be increased; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6099/08]

Minister for Education and Science (Deputy Mary Hanafin)

The Deputy will be aware that all primary and post primary schools have access to psychological assessments either directly through the National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS) or through the Scheme for Commissioning Psychological Assessments (SCPA). The SCPA was established, pending the expansion to all schools of the service provided by NEPS psychologists, specifically to undertake assessments with individual children and young people. School are allowed annual access the scheme at a level commensurate with 2% of school enrolment. A panel of private psychologists was established and has been refreshed annually and currently has 141 psychologists listed.

During the 2006/07 academic year some 4,426 assessments, a 10% increase on the previous year, were carried out under the scheme and paid for by my Department at a cost of approximately €1.46m. In 2007/08 to the end of January claims for some 1,731 assessments have been processed under the scheme, this figure is well in line with the number processed in this period of the preceding year. The matter of the level of the fee per assessment, some €330, is being kept under on-going review.

Schools Building Projects.

Sean Sherlock

Question:

116 Deputy Seán Sherlock asked the Minister for Education and Science when the board of management of a school (details supplied) in County Cork will be informed of when to proceed with the procurement of a new building to replace the present obsolete structures including prefabs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6042/08]

Minister for Education and Science (Deputy Mary Hanafin)

The school authority in question has submitted an application to my Department for a new school. Applications for large scale capital funding are assessed and banded in accordance with published prioritisation criteria. These criteria were agreed following consultation with the Education Partners and the progression of individual projects is considered in the context of the multi-annual School Building and Modernisation Programme.

Following on from a recent meeting with my Department the school authorities have applied for the replacement of the existing temporary accommodation. This application has been approved by the Department.

Physical Education Facilities.

Dinny McGinley

Question:

117 D’fhiafraigh Deputy Dinny McGinley den Aire Oideachais agus Eolaíochta cad é an dul chun cinn atá déanta go dtí seo maidir le Halla Spóirt do scoil (sonraí tugtha), an bhfuil socrú déanta leis an Roinn Gnóthaí Pobail, Tuaithe agus Gaeltachta maidir le maoiniú don tionscnamh; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [6834/08]

Minister for Education and Science (Deputy Mary Hanafin)

Tá tionscadal tograithe an Halla Corpoideachais ag Staid 4/5 (dearadh mionsonrach/Bille Cainníochtaí). Machnófar ar bhonn leanúnach cur chun cinn gach uile tionscadal tógála ar scála mór ó chéim an chéad dearaidh go dtí staid an tógála, i gcomhthéacs an Chlár Ilbhlianach Tógála agus Nuachóirithe Scoileanna atá ar siúl ag mo Roinn.

School Staffing.

Michael D. Higgins

Question:

118 Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of primary schools that have teaching principals; the average size of these schools; the number of pupils, teachers and other staff; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6072/08]

Liz McManus

Question:

137 Deputy Liz McManus asked the Minister for Education and Science the action she has taken to reduce the work load of primary school principals as promised at the IPPN 2005 conference in City West having regard to the health and safety issues, including incidents of stress; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6040/08]

Minister for Education and Science (Deputy Mary Hanafin)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 118 and 137 together.

The information requested by the Deputy in relation to teaching principals is currently being compiled by my Department for the 2007/08 school year.

In the 2006/07 school year there were 2,100 primary schools with teaching principals. There were 159,500 pupils and 9,100 teachers (including ex-quota posts) in these schools.

Schools with a staffing of a Principal and up to 6 mainstream class teachers have a teaching principal. This is outlined in primary circular 0020/2007 which is available on my Department's website www.education.ie.

I am very conscious of the workload issues affecting Principal teachers who have a key role to play in determining the shape of our schools and I am glad to have the opportunity to acknowledge that the post of primary school principal is of critical importance in the management of primary education.

As part of the Programme for Government we are committed to supporting the role of principals through the provision of improved training options for principals, middle management and aspiring school leaders, to increase the number of release days for teaching principals, review the role of middle management in primary schools, to reduce the threshold for the appointment of deputy principals in primary schools, to substantially increase the ancillary services grant so that principals have better administrative support and to maximise the use of IT to cut down on administration and put a database in place to track primary pupils. The Programme for Government also provides that we will seek agreement through partnership for a facility to allow those who have served as principals for more than a certain number of years to return to full-time teaching duties, while maintaining some benefits.

In the 2005/2006 school year my Department, following consultation with the relevant education interests, including the IPPN, introduced on a pilot basis, a system whereby a fully qualified primary school teacher may be employed to act as nominated substitute teacher for the Principals in a cluster of schools taking release days. Twenty clusters have been established under the pilot scheme. The position will be monitored by my Department during the pilot.

In November 2006, my Department introduced a free and confidential Employee Assistance Service (EAS) for all teachers including principals. VHI Corporate Solutions has been contracted by my Department to deliver the service, the purpose of which is to provide teachers, including principals, and their immediate family members with easy access to confidential counselling and to assist in coping with the effect of personal and work related issues. The service is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Since the start of the 2006/07 school year my Department has introduced further initiatives to assist with reducing the workload of primary school principals.

Following the introduction of DEIS in the 2006/07 school year, schools which qualified for the Urban Strand (Band 1 and 2) of the School Support Programme (SSP) are entitled to the allocation of administrative principals on lower enrolment and staffing figures than apply in primary schools generally.

Additionally primary schools with a staffing of Principal plus four or five mainstream class teachers that also have a specialist autism unit established under the approval of the National Council for Special Education, are entitled to appoint the Principal on an administrative basis.

In the current school year the appointment of Deputy Principals on an administrative (non-teaching) basis was introduced at primary level for the first time.

Schools with 24 or more mainstream class teachers (including Developing School Posts and certain posts allocated under Social Inclusion measures) and mainstream schools that, in addition to ordinary mainstream class teachers, also have five or more special classes for children with more complex, low incidence, special needs can appoint the Deputy Principal on an administrative basis.

In all of the above instances, a permanent mainstream class teacher may be appointed to replace the Principal and Deputy Principal.

The existing scheme of release time continues to operate for primary Principals. This scheme enables teaching principals of primary schools to be released from their teaching duties for a specified number of days annually to undertake administrative leadership and management functions. The number of days release time allowed varies between 14 and 22 and is determined by the number of mainstream class teachers in the school. Paid substitution is provided by my Department for the days that principals are on release time.

Schools Amalgamation.

Joanna Tuffy

Question:

119 Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of primary schools that amalgamated in the years 2003 to 2007; the number of applications for amalgamation with her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6052/08]

Minister for Education and Science (Deputy Mary Hanafin)

The information sought by the Deputy is not readily available, however, I have arranged for it to be forwarded to her directly.

The initiative for an amalgamation may come from a variety of sources, such as parents, staff, boards of management and the Patron. The reasons for amalgamation can be many and varied ranging from, demography (decline in enrolments) to desire for co-education, to financial reasons, to condition of school buildings, to parental/teacher demand etc. However, the patron has the key role in the initial stage of establishing feasibility and the decision-making authority for amalgamation belongs to the patron/s subject to my approval. My Department's role is to facilitate any such proposals or discussions between the relevant parties.

The Deputy will be aware that the Programme for Government commits to the long-term funding for the centres that are currently in the ABA pilot programme subject to agreement with my Department on standards that will enable the Department to support them as primary schools for children with autism. I am pleased to advise that the issue is being actively progressed between the IAA and officials in my Department.

I have visited one of the ABA pilot centres on two previous occasions and officials of my Department visited one of the centres the Deputy mentions in the last year.

The centres in question are part of this pilot scheme and while I am appreciative of the invitations to visit, I have no plans to do so while the above mentioned discussions are ongoing.

Higher Education Grants.

Arthur Morgan

Question:

123 Deputy Arthur Morgan asked the Minister for Education and Science the way she will address the low financial supports available to third level and further education students on low income but above the social welfare threshold. [6769/08]

Emmet Stagg

Question:

126 Deputy Emmet Stagg asked the Minister for Education and Science if her attention has been drawn to the fact that the value of the full maintenance grant for third level students at €4,320 a year is unrealistic for any student studying and living in the Greater Dublin Area where independent estimates suggest that the real cost should be closer to €9,500 per year; and if she will make a statement on her proposals to increase the standard and top up grants to match social welfare levels. [6060/08]

Pat Rabbitte

Question:

166 Deputy Pat Rabbitte asked the Minister for Education and Science her plans, to increase the combined family income threshold of €38,675 having regard to the cost of living increase and the extra cost burdens being imposed on students whose families marginally exceed the threshold; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6063/08]

Minister for Education and Science (Deputy Mary Hanafin)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 123, 126 and 166 together.

It has been the practice in recent years to increase the level of maintenance grants annually, at least in line with inflation. Under the 2007 schemes, however, I secured approval for a 10% increase in the standard rate of student grant for the academic year 2007/08. This very substantial increase, at twice the rate of inflation, will assist in meeting the costs associated with attending higher and further education for over 56,000 students who receive a maintenance grant.

This has resulted in an increase in the maximum rate of ordinary grant to €3,420 for 2007/08 and students who qualify will also have the student service charge paid on their behalf. In addition, over 13,200 students in receipt of the Special Rate of maintenance grant have benefited from an even more substantial increase of over 14%, with the maximum rate for 2007/08 increasing to €6,690.

I plan to introduce a single unified scheme of maintenance grants for students and to consolidate the administration of this unified grants scheme in the VEC sector. This will, I believe, provide for a more coherent administrative system. The scheme, which will be underpinned by a new Student Support Bill, will facilitate consistency of application, improved client accessibility and timely delivery of grants. As the Deputy is aware the Student Support Bill was published recently.

Under my Department's student maintenance grant schemes, I am committed to ongoing improvements in the student support schemes including increasing the rates and income limits, as resources permit.

In addition in publicly funded third level institutions there is a Student Assistance Fund (SAF). The objective of the SAF is to assist students in a sensitive and compassionate manner who might otherwise, because of financial reasons, suffer severe hardship or be unable to continue their third level studies. Applications for funding should be made by the individual student to the Access Officer in their institution. The SAF is administered on a confidential, discretionary basis.

Another initiative under the Third Level Access Fund is the Millennium Partnership Fund for Disadvantage. It supports students from disadvantaged areas with regard to retention and participation in further or higher education courses. Information on Partnership/Community Groups can be obtained at An Pobal.

Question No. 124 answered with Question No. 111.

Jan O'Sullivan

Question:

125 Deputy Jan O’Sullivan asked the Minister for Education and Science when she proposes to introduce a new system of means tested free fees for approved part-time courses; if she will introduce free fees on a pilot basis for a selected programme of courses; her objective in relation to providing relief from fees for the approximately 35,000 part time students currently paying fees; the percentage of such students she anticipates being required not to pay fees following the introduction of her new system of free fees; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6059/08]

Minister for Education and Science (Deputy Mary Hanafin)

The Towards 2016 Agreement contains a commitment to put in place a targeted scheme to alleviate the fees in public institutions for part-time courses at third level for those at work who have not previously pursued a third level qualification. In relation to the implementation of this commitment, the HEA has developed proposals for a Modular Accreditation Programme (MAP) that could be delivered on a flexible part time basis through a number of third level institutions. Students participating in the programme will benefit from a substantial fee subsidy. A pilot Modular Accreditation Programme commenced in Tallaght IOT in October 2007.

The Higher Certificate in Good Manufacturing Practice and Technology, to be awarded at HETAC Level 6, will focus on providing education and training in fundamental and applied aspects of science and good manufacturing practice relevant to the pharma/healthcare industry. It is proposed to launch a number of additional Modular Accreditation programmes in 2008.

Students pursuing approved part time undergraduate courses are eligible for tax relief on their fees. The Strategic Innovation Fund which the Government introduced to incentivise reform and modernisation of higher education also provide opportunities for institutions to review their structures to provide better opportunities for part-time provision. For example, in the institute of technology sector, Cork IT is leading a project to enhance opportunities for people in employment to access learning to enhance their skills for current and future occupations.

The Programme for Government also includes a commitment to introduce a more extensive new system of means-tested free fees, with a view to enabling more people with work or family commitments to avail of opportunities at third level. The timescale for implementing this commitment will depend on the resources available in future Budgets.

Question No. 126 answered with Question No. 123.

Language Supports.

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Question:

127 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Education and Science when assessment packs to test students receiving English language support will be available. [6773/08]

Minister for Education and Science (Deputy Mary Hanafin)

To assist primary schools to meet the needs of their pupils for whom English is a second language the Department of Education and Science has commissioned the development of an assessment kit. This kit will assist in determining the English language proficiency of these pupils.

The tests of English language proficiency in the kit were compiled by Integrate Ireland Language and Training (IILT), which is a campus company of Trinity College, Dublin, and funded by the Department of Education and Science. The tests have been designed for use at primary level.

The assessment kit will be distributed to all primary schools just after Easter.

Schools Amalgamation.

Joan Burton

Question:

128 Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Education and Science if informal talks have taken place with the principal or trustees of a school (details supplied) in Dublin 2 regarding its relocation and amalgamation with the local vocational education committee post primary school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6057/08]

Minister for Education and Science (Deputy Mary Hanafin)

At the outset I wish to make it clear that decisions in relation to amalgamations are in the first instance a matter for the respective Patron and Trustees of the schools concerned. My Department works predominantly with the trustees of schools in seeking to obtain an agreement to amalgamate.

With regards to the schools in question, I wish to advise the Deputy that discussions with the relevant partners on the issue of amalgamation have taken place. My Department will not be in a position to facilitate an amalgamation until such time as agreement is reached by the trustees of both schools

Third Level Courses.

Mary Upton

Question:

129 Deputy Mary Upton asked the Minister for Education and Science further to Parliamentary Question No. 88 of 11 December 2007, if work has started on the comprehensive top level review of universities and institutes of technology; the date it is due to be completed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6044/08]

Minister for Education and Science (Deputy Mary Hanafin)

My Department, in conjunction with the HEA, is preparing proposals for a process to develop a clear and coherent strategic policy framework for the future development of the higher education sector in Ireland. It is anticipated that the process to develop the new strategy will commence later this Spring.

Departmental Funding.

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Question:

130 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Education and Science if, in view of under funding of schools, she will reinstate the summer works scheme to ensure that schools can afford to pay for vital repair and maintenance. [6770/08]

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. With so many smaller 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 the building programme this year.

Primary school authorities may use their annual minor works grant to deal with such issues. In November 2006 I increased funding for the minor works grant by 44% on the previous year. Around €27m was paid out to primary schools throughout the country late last year to enable thousands of small scale works to be completed without the need to interact with my Department.

Another avenue to claim grant-aid from my Department is the Emergency Works Fund. Grants from this fund are available for very urgent unforeseen works, primarily of a major health and safety nature, to schools that are in most need of resources for capital works.

Education Services.

Brian O'Shea

Question:

131 Deputy Brian O’Shea asked the Minister for Education and Science when the legislation establishing Education Ireland as a company with responsibility for promoting the development of Ireland as a centre of excellence for international education will be published; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6047/08]

Minister for Education and Science (Deputy Mary Hanafin)

Progress is ongoing on the implementation of the recommendations of the Report of the Internationalisation of Irish Education Services, including the establishment of Education Ireland, a new body with responsibility for promoting the development of Ireland as a centre of excellence for international education.

The Government is committed to establishing Education Ireland as soon as possible and preparations are well advanced to establish the body in the first instance as a limited company.

Draft legislation is also being prepared with the intention of establishing the body on a statutory basis. I intend publishing this legislation during 2008.

Schools Building Projects.

David Stanton

Question:

132 Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Education and Science when the application for an extension for a school (details supplied) in County Cork was first received by her Department; the progress that has been made in dealing with this application since it was made; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6833/08]

Minister for Education and Science (Deputy Mary Hanafin)

The application from the school referred to by the Deputy was received in 2003 and has been assessed in accordance with the published prioritisation criteria for large scale projects. The long term projected staffing figure has also been agreed. Further progression of this project will be considered in the context of my Department's multi annual School Building and Modernisation Programme.

Deirdre Clune

In addition, a language assessment kit, prepared by IILT, will be provided to all primary schools just after Easter. This will enable accurate initial and on-going assessment of the language proficiency of newcomer children. It is proposed to have an assessment kit for post-primary schools available later in the year.

To ensure the language provision is appropriate to meet the needs of newcomer students, the Department has commissioned the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) to undertake a large scale study into how an increasing diversity of students impacts upon the resource requirements and day to day teaching and learning in our primary and post-primary schools. Also, the Department's Inspectorate will be carrying out an evaluation on the teaching of English as a second language in Primary and Post Primary schools in 2008/2009. At an international level, Ireland has signed up to be a participant in the OECD's Thematic Review on Migrant Education.

The findings from these three research projects will enable the Department to determine if the additional resources being provided are addressing the language needs of the students for whom English is not their first language.

Special Educational Needs.

Andrew Doyle

Question:

140 Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Education and Science if she will provide ABA in-service training for special needs teachers in mainstream schools; her views on whether there are many children in the autism spectrum that can not be adequately educated in a mainstream school; and her proposals to provide the special education needed outside the catchment area of the existing 12 ABA schools. [5058/08]

Minister for Education and Science (Deputy Mary Hanafin)

The Deputy will be aware of my commitment to ensuring that all children, including those with autism, receive an education appropriate to their needs. In relation to specific provision for children with autism, my Department considers that as each child with autism is unique, they should have access to a range of different approaches to meet their individual needs. Appropriate placement options include enrolment in mainstream school, with or without support, enrolment in a special autism class attached to a mainstream school or in an autism class attached to a special school.

In terms of autism provision across the country, my Department will continue to work to ensure that all children can have access to a broad programme, with provision for particular methodologies as appropriate, in special classes. In excess of 277 autism-specific classes have now been approved around the country, while more are being set up all the time. The National Council for Special Education will continue to expand the number of such classes as necessary to meet demand.

Children with autism in special classes have the benefit of fully-qualified teachers who are trained in educating and developing children generally and who have access to additional training in autism-specific approaches, including ABA, TEACCH and PECS. The level of such training available to teachers has improved dramatically in recent years and is a major priority for the Government. Children in special classes attached to mainstream schools also have the option, where possible and appropriate, of full or partial integration into mainstream classes and of interaction with other pupils.

I am pleased to inform the Deputy of the significant level of training provided for teachers via the Special Education Support Service established by my Department in a variety of fields in relation to Autistic Spectrum Disorder. The approaches include Language and Communication Approaches, Managing Inclusion, Curriculum Access for Pupils with General Learning Disabilities and Autism, Sensory Integration, PECS, TEACCH, Social Stories, and Applied Behavioural Analysis.

In terms of Applied Behavioural Analysis, a variety of courses were provided in 2007, such as:

Contemporary Applied Behaviour Analysis (10-week course)

Applied Behaviour Analysis (2-day)

Applied Behaviour Analysis (Online (ICEPE))

The first two courses above were delivered by the Specialist Behaviour team appointed by my Department in 2007. This team, which is headed by a person with a PhD in ABA, will be expanded in 2008 and will continue to consolidate teachers' knowledge and skills in the application of behavioural principles to learning. In addition my Department provides funding for ABA consultancy to schools.

Training in strategies of Applied Behaviour Analysis is also provided as part of the Department funded Combined Post-Graduate Diploma Programme of Continuous Professional Development for Teachers involved in Learning Support and Special Education. Seven colleges throughout the country provide this course which includes consideration of the application of behavioural principles to learning and familiarise teachers with the use of these principles. 300 places are provided on these courses.

As well as the above mentioned Diploma, my Department's Teacher Education Section also fund a Certificate in Autistic Spectrum Disorder for teachers and an online Diploma course delivered jointly by the Institute of Child Education and Psychology, Europe (ICEPE) and the St Patrick's College, Drumcondra. The course content of the Certificate Programme for Autistic Spectrum Disorders in St. Patrick's College, Drumcondra provides teachers with training in all evidence-based approaches to meeting the needs of children with autism including Applied Behaviour Analysis. The course provides 18 places per year for teachers. My Department previously funded 75 teachers to take a distance education programme in Autism of the University of Birmingham. The Online programme provided by the Institute of Child Education and Psychology, Europe (ICEPE) and the St Patrick's College, Drumcondra is currently rolling out modules and will provide a dedicated module in Applied Behaviour Analysis from 2009. This course will provide 150 places when it is rolled out in full.

Physical Education Facilities.

Jimmy Deenihan

Question:

141 Deputy Jimmy Deenihan asked the Minister for Education and Science if she is satisfied that the present provision for physical education in both primary and post-primary school is adequate to combat the growing obesity crisis and the poor posture of many of the school going population; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6388/08]

Minister for Education and Science (Deputy Mary Hanafin)

Physical education is a core part of the curriculum at primary level, and at post primary level all schools are required to offer physical education. A revised Junior Cycle Physical Education syllabus was introduced in 2003, and the Leaving Certificate syllabus in PE and the Health and Leisure module of the Leaving Certificate Applied programme are also available. In addition, Social Personal and Health Education which is mandatory at primary and junior cycle level stresses the importance of regular exercise, and the need for a balanced diet as essential to physical and mental well being.

Schools also play a major role in nurturing and promoting the involvement of students in sporting activities in the wider community. Sports organisations such as the Gaelic Athletic Association, Basketball Ireland, the Football Association of Ireland provide extensive opportunities for schools to participate in sport. The Irish Sports Council, in co-operation with bodies such as the FAI and Local Sports Partnerships, has developed a national Buntús Primary Schools Initiative through which additional supports — training, resource cards and equipment — are provided to support teachers and others in introducing young people to sport, and to complement the Physical Education curriculum. The initiative aims to raise the profile of physical activity and sport, improve inservice training opportunities for teachers, assist governing bodies of sport to develop and deliver appropriate supports for teachers, and provide enjoyable and meaningful activity for children which supports the delivery of the curriculum.

For practising teachers, curriculum support services at primary and second level provide training and school based support for teachers. School-based support is a very rich form of support and allows the teacher explore the possibilities and limitations of the environment in which they teach. Through modelling of lessons and professional dialogue, the quality of teaching is enhanced and teachers are further enabled to develop their teaching skills. Teachers must also aim to include all students in PE lessons — irrespective of gender, or physical and/or learning deficits. The Irish Primary PE Association and the PE Association of Ireland (Subject Associations) have been active in organising conferences where teachers can avail of an opportunity to witness the latest thinking in physical education, and my Department also funds programmes on PE through the network of education centres.

The Primary Curriculum Support Programme (PCSP) and the School Development Planning Support (SDPS) have prepared planning templates (with prompts) for schools to assist them in school planning for the implementation of the PE Curriculum and the wider aspects of physical activity and school sport. A key element of this approach is aimed at ensuring that gender and intercultural issues are addressed, and that PE is accessible to all, irrespective of gender or physical or learning abilities.

This Government has worked hard to improve the opportunities for young people to get physical exercise both in school and in their local communities. In a new school building or refurbishment/extension, PE facilities are included as part of the design. Between 2000 and 2006 a total of 516 large-scale projects were delivered in primary and post-primary schools by the Department as part of a record overall investment of €2.6 billion in modernising primary and post-primary school facilities throughout the country. Many more large-scale projects are under construction or due to go to construction in the near future. New PE equipment such as balancing benches and gym mats are funded as part of any major building programme. The Department also provided €6.5m in 2006 and €3m in 2007 for primary and post primary schools respectively, for replacement and updating of PE equipment.

So, through an increased focus on exercise in school and in the community, we are working to encourage more children and young people to get active. Indeed, the ‘State of the Nation's Children' report published by the Minister for Children recently, found that children in Ireland are doing well on physical activity, ranking second across the 32 WHO countries in being physically active for at least 4 hours per week.

Salary Scales.

Eamon Gilmore

Question:

142 Deputy Eamon Gilmore asked the Minister for Education and Science the progress made towards the establishment of a separate salary scale for primary school principals; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6073/08]

Minister for Education and Science (Deputy Mary Hanafin)

The salaries and allowances of school principals at both primary and post-primary level were considered by the Public Service Benchmarking Body, which has recently made recommendations in relation to these grades. The Benchmarking Body is recommending an increase in the allowances paid to primary principals, which will result in primary school principals receiving allowances in the range of €12,261 to €31, 580 in addition to their pay and other allowances.

It was noted in the submissions made to the Benchmarking Body that principal teachers in smaller schools with 1-7 teachers were required to combine full teaching duties with the administrative duties as principal. The Body, in making its award recognised this by adjusting the relative position of principals in primary schools with the position of principals of post primary schools. The largest adjustments are in respect of principals in the smaller primary schools.

The implementation of the Benchmarking Report is now a matter for discussion in the course of the forthcoming talks on arrangements to succeed the current pay agreement under Towards 2016.

As the Benchmarking Body is the appropriate body for reviewing public service pay, there are no plans at present to further review the structure of the pay scales for school principals at primary level.

School Insurance.

Ciaran Lynch

Question:

143 Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Minister for Education and Science when the review of insurance arrangements for voluntary secondary schools which is part of the value for money and policy review initiative will be completed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6045/08]

Minister for Education and Science (Deputy Mary Hanafin)

The review of insurance arrangements for schools, which includes the arrangement for all first and second level schools and not just voluntary secondary schools, is underway. I am unable to provide the Deputy with a precise timescale for completion of the review. However, I expect that the report will be available toward the end of 2008.

Schools Building Projects.

Michael D. Higgins

Question:

144 Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Minister for Education and Science when capital funds from her Department will be made available for the extension, refurbishment and building programme at Galway Technical Institute; when she envisages the project being sanctioned under the school building and modernisation programme; when the institute will be in a position to introduce the exciting and innovative programme it has submitted to her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6039/08]

Minister for Education and Science (Deputy Mary Hanafin)

An application for an extension has been received from the school to which the Deputy refers. An assessment of projected enrolments, demographic trends and housing developments in the area will be required in order to assist in determining the long term projected enrolment for the school on which the school's long term accommodation needs will be based. When the long-term projected enrolment has been finalised and agreed with the school authorities, the Department will draw up schedules of accommodation for the project which will be notified to the school management authority. The required project will be considered in the context of my Department's School Building and Modernisation Programme.

Education Welfare Service.

Joe McHugh

Question:

145 Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Education and Science if County Donegal has been allocated a second education welfare officer; if not, when she envisages the appointment taking place; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6765/08]

Minister for Education and Science (Deputy Mary Hanafin)

The National Educational Welfare Board (NEWB) was established under the Education (Welfare) Act, 2000 as the single national body with responsibility for school attendance. The Act provides a comprehensive framework promoting regular school attendance and tackling the problems of absenteeism and early school leaving. The general functions of the Board are to ensure that each child attends a recognised school or otherwise receives a certain minimum education.

To discharge its responsibilities, the Board is developing a nationwide service on a continuing basis that is accessible to schools, parents/guardians and others concerned with the welfare of young people. For this purpose, Educational Welfare Officers (EWOs) have been appointed and deployed throughout the country to provide a welfare-focused service to support regular school attendance and discharge the Board's functions locally.

I have been informed by the Board that recruitment for an additional 15 staff which were allocated to the NEWB during 2007 is ongoing and will be finalised shortly. This allocation brings the current authorised staffing of the Board to 109 posts of which 90 are working directly in the service delivery area. The staffing complement is comprised of 19 HQ and support staff, 5 Regional Managers, 13 Senior EWO's and 72 EWO's. The financial allocation to the Board in 2008 is €10.119 million. These extra resources will continue to strengthen the NEWB to deliver services locally and contribute to improving the coverage in respect of those services provided by the Board.

In respect of the Deputy's specific question relating to Co.Donegal, the Board currently has the services of one Educational Welfare Officer in the county. As I informed the deputy in reply to a Parliamentary Question which he tabled last November, it is still the Board's intention to deploy another Welfare Officer in Co. Donegal when the additional 15 staff, referred to earlier, have been appointed. The ongoing allocation of posts will continue to be evaluated by the Board in light of operational experience and identified need.

It must be remembered also that the service provided by the NEWB is just one aspect of the comprehensive framework that this Government has put in place to support schools, families and young people themselves. In this regard, extra supports targeted at young people in disadvantaged areas include both educational initiatives such as intensive literacy programmes and the provision of breakfast and homework clubs.

In fact, in addition to the NEWB, there are currently in excess of 620 staff within the education sector in education disadvantage programmes of which over 130 are additional posts allocated under DEIS (Delivering Equality of Opportunity in Schools) the action plan for educational inclusion which provides for a standardised system for identifying levels of disadvantage and a new integrated School Support Programme (SSP). The School Completion Programme (SCP) is a preventative measure designed to combat issues of poor attendance and early school leaving. School attendance is a central objective of SCP with targeted interventions for children at risk of early school leaving through a variety of extra supports aimed at encouraging them to stay in school. These supports cover both educational and non-educational interventions and are provided during and outside of school time. The Home School Community Liaison Scheme (HSCL) works to involve parents in their children's education which is a crucial component in convincing young people of the value of education.

Work is ongoing to develop appropriate protocols for all agencies and services to work together in collaboration. This approach aims to develop the delivery of services in a cohesive way and ensure that optimum use is made of the resources deployed. I will be keeping the issue of the NEWB's staffing under review in light of the rollout of services, the scope for integrated working and any proposals that the Board may put to me in relation to clearly identified priority needs.

Schools Building Projects.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

146 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science the extent to which the school building programme has been accelerated in the past six months, with particular reference to the urgent need to replace temporary prefabricated structures with permanent classroom accommodation in all schools at both primary and secondary level throughout the country; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6775/08]

Minister for Education and Science (Deputy Mary Hanafin)

The budget for 2007 was the first year of the rollout of the new NDP 2007-2013 which will involve an investment of over €4.5 billion in school building infrastructure over the coming years to ensure that school places are available where needed. This investment will be the largest in the history of the State and will enable my Department to continue to take a proactive approach to the provision of modern school accommodation particularly in developing areas and the upgrade of existing accommodation. The main focus of the school building programme for 2008 and subsequent years is to deliver additional capacity in the rapidly developing areas. I am conscious of the need to provide more school places quickly and these are being delivered.

Innovations in the delivery of school buildings such as Generic Repeat Designs and the use of the Design and Build model ensure that new school buildings are delivered in the fastest time-frame possible. My Department has also improved forward planning through greater cooperation between the Department of Education and Local Authorities and the publication of 10-year Area Development Plans.

Educational Projects.

Thomas P. Broughan

Question:

147 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Education and Science if, in view of the widespread and growing use of the Internet in domestic homes, she proposes to take action to ensure that children and their parents or guardians are aware of the potential and the dangers of Internet access; if she has a strategy in place to educate children through the school system about the Internet and the necessity for an awareness; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6067/08]

Minister for Education and Science (Deputy Mary Hanafin)

I launched Webwise, the internet safety initiative which was developed by the National Centre for Technology in Education in February, 2006. The Webwise website, www.webwise.ie, provides information and resources in four specific areas, surfing, chatting, sharing and gaming to teachers, parents and students to help ensure that children and young people have positive and safe on-line experiences. The NCTE published the Webwise Internet Safety Education Pack which was distributed to schools in March 2007. This pack is designed as an adaptive resource to enable individual schools to be proactive in the area of internet safety.

The NCTE's watchyourspace.ie website offers practical tips and advice and supports teenagers who use the web. A key feature is the advice given by teenagers to teenagers on how to cope with the fall-out from abuses and misuse of social networking and picture-sharing websites. It has presentations of the key findings from studies of teenagers' use of the Internet by other teenagers and is integrated with an on-line helpline service from Childline. The website was promoted through a poster campaign in schools.

The NCTE has worked in collaboration with the Social Personal and Health Education (SPHE) Support Service to create the Internet Safety teaching and learning programme, Be SAFE_Be WEBWISE. This programme, which is the first educational programme of its kind in Europe, is designed to address the personal safety needs of our young people when on-line and to help them become safe and responsible Internet users for life. The programme consists of a Teachers' Internet Safety Lesson and Resource Pack for 1st, 2nd and 3rd Year Junior Certificate SPHE classes and in-service training for SPHE teachers.

Working with the National Parents Council (Primary) the NCTE has developed a seminar to take the mystery out of the Internet for parents and to give them the skills to engage with their children's on-line lives. So far over 40 tutors have been trained to deliver this seminar and over 100 schools have applied to avail of the initiative.

The NCTE's Teaching Skills Initiative offers a range of Internet safety courses for both primary and post-primary teachers. These courses provide teachers with advice and strategies for developing safe approaches to teaching and learning while using the Internet and give teachers' practical experience in taking internet safety precautions.

The Internet Advisory Board, of which the NCTE is a member, has produced two booklets on internet safety. My colleague the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Mr. Brian Lenihan T.D. launched last Monday 18th February their new publication ‘Get with IT — A parents' guide to social-networking websites'. This launch took place in conjunction with the makeITsecure 2008 campaign, the aim of which is to drive awareness among citizens of the most common security risks related to accessing and transacting on the internet.

The Schools Broadband Programme provides broadband internet access to Primary and Post Primary schools and includes Content Filtering as an integral part of the service. The Content Filtering service is designed to control the level of access from schools, via the broadband network, to the wider internet. No school is connected to the internet via the schools broadband network unless it has confirmed that an Internet Acceptable Usage Policy is in place and it has selected a Content Filtering option.

School Accommodation.

Liz McManus

Question:

148 Deputy Liz McManus asked the Minister for Education and Science if her Department and Fingal County Council have completed the necessary work to acquire a site for a new primary school (details supplied) in County Dublin as recommended by the Commission on School Accommodation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6070/08]

Minister for Education and Science (Deputy Mary Hanafin)

As the Deputy will be aware the Programme for Government includes a commitment to establish a Developing Areas Unit in my Department, dedicated solely to progressing school planning in rapidly developing areas, building on improvements that have already been made in recent years. This Developing Areas Unit, in conjunction with Fingal County Council has been working to identify and acquire sites, under the Fingal School Model, for rapidly growing areas, including the area to which the Deputy refers. A permanent site for the school to which the Deputy refers will be identified by Fingal County Council as part of the relevant Local Area Plan.

In the interim, a temporary site has been identified to provide, subject to the conclusion of legalities and receipt of planning permission, accommodation for the school in question for September 2008. A planning application in this regard was lodged in January 2008.

Higher Education Grants.

Seymour Crawford

Question:

149 Deputy Seymour Crawford asked the Minister for Education and Science her views on whether it is essential to give freedom to council and vocational educational committee officials to take into account urgent or serious problems regarding education grants, such as serious illness through cancer, accident or even death; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6320/08]

Minister for Education and Science (Deputy Mary Hanafin)

A grant is payable for the normal duration of an approved course and is renewal annually subject to complying with the terms and conditions of the scheme. Grants are not payable in respect of a repeat year of study on the same course. However, a Local Authority or Vocational Educational Committee shall have discretion to waive this provision in exceptional circumstances, such as certified serious illness.

Pension Provisions.

Joe Costello

Question:

150 Deputy Joe Costello asked the Minister for Education and Science if, in the context of the Good Friday Agreement she will examine the possibility of ensuring that a person (details supplied), who has split teaching experience in the public sector on both sides of the Border could have their reckonable service aggregated in order to maximise their pension entitlement; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6055/08]

Minister for Education and Science (Deputy Mary Hanafin)

Teaching service given in Northern Ireland is not recognised for the purpose of teachers' superannuation awards in this State as there is no agreement at present between the jurisdictions on the transferability of pension entitlements. However, as the Deputy may be aware, at an Institutional Format meeting of 30 October 2007 the North/South Ministerial Council considered the issue of cross-border pensions mobility and agreed that the Joint Secretariat should convene a working group of officials from relevant Government Departments to explore options for going forward on the transfer of pension rights on a cross-border basis. That working group met in Armagh on 10 January this year and work is now being undertaken to gather evidence on difficulties experienced by teachers in moving between the jurisdictions North and South as a result of the inability to transfer pension entitlements. The working group is scheduled to reconvene in March.

Educational Disadvantage.

Jan O'Sullivan

Question:

151 Deputy Jan O’Sullivan asked the Minister for Education and Science the steps she has taken to further increase third level participation rights with a special focus on those from disadvantaged areas, as outlined in the programme for Government; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6058/08]

Minister for Education and Science (Deputy Mary Hanafin)

A number of steps are being taken to ensure we continue to build on the success of the previous Programme for Government and National Development Plan (2000-2006) in achieving further increases in participation in third level education by young people and adults from disadvantaged groups and areas.

The first step is the significant commitment of resources over a seven year period for a number of key measures under the Social Inclusion and Human Capital Priorities of the current National Development Plan 2007-13. The second step is the actions associated with the implementation of those measures by a range of personnel in the further and higher education sector, schools, community agencies, as well as officials in my Department and the Higher Education Authority. Over the seven years of the NDP €13 billion will be invested under the Human Capital Priority towards developing the capacity of our higher education institutions to meet a number of key national objectives.

The key objective of third level access programmes is to encourage more young people and adults from disadvantaged schools and areas in continuing or re-engaging with education. The strategic planning and development of our higher education institutions is also being supported by the allocations that are being made through the Strategic Innovation Fund (SIF). In addition to the core funding of higher education institutions, over €510 million will be allocated to third level institutions through the SIF.

The Social Inclusion Priority of the NDP commits that €2 billion will be dedicated over the period 2007-13 to address inequities in participation by students from socio-economically disadvantaged groups (including members of the travelling community and refugees), students with a disability and mature students. This funding underpins the allocations that will be made through the Higher Education Grant scheme (including the ‘Special Rates of Grant') as well as the significant reforms to the existing maintenance grant schemes that are proposed by the recently published Student Support Bill.

This priority also encompasses the Third Level Access Sub-Programme, which includes the annual allocations through three funds: the Fund for Students with a Disability, the Student Assistance Fund and the Millennium Partnership Fund.

Small Schools Scheme.

Jim O'Keeffe

Minister for Education and Science (Deputy Mary Hanafin)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 154 and 155 together.

The Deputies will appreciate that the number of building projects under consideration can change on a day to day basis as new applications are received and existing applications are progressed within my Department. The progression of all large scale building projects from initial design stage through to construction phase is considered on an on-going basis in the context of my Department's Multi-Annual School Building and Modernisation Programme in which the main focus is to deliver school places within rapidly developing areas. The progression of the school in question as with all large scale projects will be considered in this context.

For the past number of years, it has been my Department's practice to announce large scale building projects in phased groups. Details of these announcements are available on my Department's website at www.education.ie

Seymour Crawford

Question:

156 Deputy Seymour Crawford asked the Minister for Education and Science when funding will be made available for the restructuring of a school (details supplied) in County Cavan where there are serious problems with the roof structure and lack of necessary facilities such as showers in changing rooms; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6321/08]

Minister for Education and Science (Deputy Mary Hanafin)

The building project for the School referred to by the Deputy is at an early stage of architectural planning. The further progression of the project in question will be considered in the context of my Department's multi-annual School Building and Modernisation Programme.

School Staffing.

Martin Ferris

Question:

157 Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Education and Science if she will establish a registry of qualified substitute teachers. [6767/08]

Minister for Education and Science (Deputy Mary Hanafin)

The recognition and registration of teachers in Ireland is a function of the Teaching Council. The Teaching Council has one Register of Teachers per section 29 of the Teaching Council Act 2001. To be on the register, a teacher must be appropriately qualified. I have no plans to establish a further register.

Question No. 158 answered with Question No. 152.

Early School Leavers.

Jack Wall

Question:

159 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Education and Science further to Parliamentary Question No. 731 of 11 December 2007, when she will make a decision on the way to provide for the learning needs of young people who leave school early or who may not wish to progress directly into employment or higher education and adults seeking second chance education in the adult, further and vocational education sector as per the National Adult Education Learning Council; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6043/08]

Minister for Education and Science (Deputy Mary Hanafin)

This Government has pursued a dual strategy of both encouraging more young people to finish school and ensuring much greater second chance and further education opportunities for those who left school early. This has led to an increase in the proportion of young people with at least the Leaving Certificate or equivalent, as well as improving the educational profile of 20-24 year olds through increased opportunities in the further education and training sector.

For those who leave the education system early, my Department will continue to provide flexible responses through such initiatives as Youthreach, which provides young people with second chance education and an alternative mode of participation. This programme currently has around 3,600 places and an additional 100 places have been provided for in 2008.

Second chance education in the adult, further and vocational education sector is provided mainly through part-time programmes in adult literacy, the Back to Education Initiative (BTEI) and the full-time Youthreach and VTOS programmes. Over 28,000 participants are catered for through the BTEI and another 500 places have been provided for in 2008.

Following the formation of the ad-hoc National Adult Learning Council in 2002, concerns emerged that the functions envisaged for it were too wide-ranging and were not sufficiently focused. Additionally, a number of developments had occurred which would impact on its work. Therefore, a strategic review of the role and functions of the Council was undertaken to address these concerns. The outcome of the review has been under consideration in my Department and a decision on the best way forward is due to be made shortly, taking full account of existing provision and structures.

Schools Building Projects.

David Stanton

Question:

160 Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Education and Science the progress that has been made in the provision of a new building for a school (details supplied) in County Cork. [6832/08]

Minister for Education and Science (Deputy Mary Hanafin)

The project to which the Deputy refers is at early architectural planning. Officials from my Department have requested a Stage 2(a) submission; Developed Sketch Design, on receipt of a date for receipt of this submission a date for a review meeting will be arranged. Progression of all projects to tender and construction will be considered in the context of my Department's multi-annual School Building and Modernisation Programme.

Special Educational Needs.

Jimmy Deenihan

Question:

161 Deputy Jimmy Deenihan asked the Minister for Education and Science if she will approve an ABA school for autistic children in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6403/08]

Minister for Education and Science (Deputy Mary Hanafin)

The Deputy will be aware of my commitment to ensuring that all children including those with special needs can have access to an education appropriate to their needs preferably in school settings through the primary and postprimary school network. This facilitates access to individualised education programmes, fully qualified professional teachers who have received additional training in autism, special needs assistants, and the appropriate school curriculum with the option where possible of full/partial integration and interaction with other pupils. As each child with autism is unique it is important that children have access to a range of methods so their broader needs can be met.

In excess of 275 autism-specific classes have now been approved around the country at primary and post primary level by my Department in conjunction with National Council for Special Education (NCSE), while more are being set up as required. At primary level there are a maximum of six children in each special class with a teacher and at least two special needs assistants. Extra assistants are provided where the children need them on a case by case basis.

My Department is currently funding a number of ABA pilot schemes which were established in the absence of this network of special classes in our schools. The Deputy will be aware that the Programme for Government commits to the long-term funding for the centres that are currently in the ABA pilot programme subject to agreement with my Department on standards that will enable the Department to support them as primary schools for children with autism. I am pleased to advise that the issue is being actively progressed.

In terms of autism provision in other locations, including Co. Kerry, we will continue to work to ensure that all children can have access to a broad programme, with provision for ABA as appropriate, in special classes. However, now that a national network of special classes is available, new centres will not be brought into the pilot programme. My Department is determined to ensure that each child has access to the autism-specific education that is now being made available to schools throughout the country.

Eamon Gilmore

Question:

162 Deputy Eamon Gilmore asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of special needs assistants employed in primary schools on 31 January 2008; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6074/08]

Minister for Education and Science (Deputy Mary Hanafin)

The total number of Special Needs Assistants employed in primary schools and paid through my Department's payroll in January 2008 was 8,038 (whole time equivalents).

School Staffing.

Joe McHugh

Question:

163 Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Education and Science her views on proposals for classes with more than twenty pupils having a classroom assistant to help both the teacher and the pupils; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6764/08]

Minister for Education and Science (Deputy Mary Hanafin)

My Department has no plans to introduce classroom assistants for classes with twenty pupils or more. The mainstream teacher allocation of all primary schools, is determined by reference to the enrolment of the school on the 30th September of the previous school year. The staffing schedule is outlined in a circular which is issued annually to all primary schools. In addition such schools may be eligible for additional teacher or special needs assistant allocations in accordance with the criteria for the allocation of special needs resources.

Special needs assistant support in schools is allocated based on the assessed care needs of one or more children with special educational needs. As the Deputy will be aware, major improvements have been made in staffing at primary level in recent years. There are now in the region of 6,000 more primary teachers than there were in 2002. By the 2006/07 school year, we had reduced the average class size in our primary schools to 24, while the pupil teacher ratio was 16.4:1, including resource teachers etc. In that year, schools were staffed on the basis of a general rule of at least one classroom teacher for every 28 children. Given that the national average was 24, many schools benefited from much more favourable staffing ratios than this.

Extra teachers were provided by the Government for the 2007/08 school year to improve primary school staffing so that schools would generally get at least one classroom teacher for every 27 children.

A further initiative in recent years that has been of direct benefit to primary schools has been the change in the criteria for developing schools. For the current school year the threshold for getting a developing school post was reduced specifically to help schools that are seeing large increases in enrolments each year. Over 330 such posts have been sanctioned in the 2007/08 school year compared to 280 in 2006/07.

The improvements we have made in school staffing in recent years are absolutely unparalleled. The Government is committed to providing more teachers to our primary schools over the next five years in order to reduce class sizes. We will also continue our focus on measures to improve the quality of education in our primary schools to ensure that increased resources lead to better outcomes for our children.

Teachers’ Remuneration.

Ruairí Quinn

Question:

164 Deputy Ruairí Quinn asked the Minister for Education and Science if, in view of the increased burden on teaching principals in primary schools, she has proposals to change the basic contract whereby her Department would award teaching principals with a principal’s salary in addition to an allowance for their additional teaching duties; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6071/08]

Minister for Education and Science (Deputy Mary Hanafin)

The salaries and allowances of school principals at both primary and post-primary level were considered by the Public Service Benchmarking Body, which has recently made recommendations in relation to these grades. The Benchmarking Body is recommending an increase in the allowances paid to primary principals, which will result in primary school principals receiving allowances in the range of €12,261 to €31, 580 in addition to their pay and other allowances.

It was noted in the submissions made to the Benchmarking Body that principal teachers in smaller schools with 1-7 teachers were required to combine full teaching duties with the administrative duties as principal. The Body, in making its award recognised this by adjusting the relative position of principals in primary schools with the position of principals of post primary schools. The largest adjustments are in respect of principals in the smaller primary schools.

The implementation of the Benchmarking Report is now a matter for discussion in the course of the forthcoming talks on arrangements to succeed the current pay agreement under Towards 2016. As the Benchmarking Body is the appropriate body for reviewing public service pay, there are no plans at present to further review the structure of the pay scales for school principals at primary level.

School Transport.

Sean Sherlock

Question:

165 Deputy Seán Sherlock asked the Minister for Education and Science if she will review the pick-up and drop-off point distance for school transport from 2.4km to a lesser distance to facilitate large numbers of students who do not reside along a main road and as a result must wait for their bus at a specified location that in many cases is not safe from traffic hazards; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5090/08]

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

Bus Éireann operates the school transport services on behalf of my Department. It is a major logistical operation which involves the planning of bus routes in such a way as to ensure that, as far as possible, eligible pupils have a reasonable level of service while, at the same time, ensuring that school transport vehicles are fully utilised in an efficient and effective manner.

As a rule, primary school transport routes are planned so that, as far as possible, no eligible child will have more than 2.4 kilometres to travel to a pick-up point. Pupils living off the main route of a service are generally expected to make their own way, or to be brought to convenient pick-up points along the main route. Home pick-ups were never envisaged as being part of the School Transport Scheme.

Safety of children travelling on the school transport service is of paramount importance to my Department and to Bus Éireann. Bus Éireann place special emphasis on safety and, to this end, have a wide range of checking procedures in place to ensure that a safe and reliable service is provided. The designation of specific school bus pick-up points is an operational matter for Bus Éireann. I should say, however, that parents and guardians also have to play their part in ensuring that children are brought to and collected safely from relevant pick up points along the route of the journey.

Question No. 166 answered with Question No. 123.

Schools Ownership.

Willie Penrose

Question:

167 Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of the 3,300 primary schools which are owned in whole or in part by the State through her Department or the Office of Public Works; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6051/08]

Minister for Education and Science (Deputy Mary Hanafin)

As the Deputy will be aware, the vast majority of primary schools are owned by the relevant Patron reflecting the traditional roles of the Patrons, through the Churches, of providing lands and buildings for schools. In recent years the Department has been progressively acquiring sites for schools and it is anticipated that this activity will be increased in the coming years. Presently the specific information sought by the Deputy is not readily available. Following a process of restructuring in the Department's Planning and Building Unit, a new section dealing with site acquisition and property management has been established. This section will, inter alia, in the coming months be developing an asset register to record such information.

Freedom of Information.

Lucinda Creighton

Question:

168 Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Taoiseach if he will provide in tabular form the number of freedom of information requests that have been received by his Department each year since 1997; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6953/08]

The Taoiseach

The information requested by the Deputy is outlined in the following table:Freedom of Information Applications Received in the Department of the Taoiseach.

Year	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sept	Oct	Nov	Dec	Total
1998				7	14	2	13	3	10	8	21	4	82
1999	18	9	57	2	9	7	20	13	11	16	32	13	207
2000	23	19	22	13	12	11	15	21	8	9	25	11	190
2001	37	25	31	33	22	19	31	18	12	12	24	12	276
2002	20	12	14	10	10	9	10	8	7	13	15	18	146
2003	21	29	30	10	11	7	13	6	4	2	6	3	142
2004	1	8	2	4	1	5	3	3	0	12	1	5	45
2005	2	3	1	2	2	7	6	5	5	16	5	7	61
2006	9	1	4	7	6	4	4	5	5	3	3	3	54
2007	14	1	8	4	2	6	9	10	0	4	7	6	71
2008	4	4*											8*

* to 18 February 2008.

All FOI applications received in my Department are processed by statutorily designated officials in accordance with the 1997 and 2003 Acts and, in accordance with those statutes, I have no role in relation to processing individual applications.

Water and Sewerage Schemes.

Ulick Burke

Question:

169 Deputy Ulick Burke asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance if he has plans for the replacement of the manual sluice gate provided by the Office of Public Works at Darcy’s Mills, Ballycahill, Killimor, County Galway with an automated one; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6914/08]

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

The manual sluice installed by The Office of Public Works is operating satisfactorily and The Office of Public Works have no plans at present to replace it with an automated sluice.

Tax Code.

Ciarán Cuffe

Question:

170 Deputy Ciarán Cuffe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance if, with regard to the requirement for tenants to deduct 20% of the gross rent payable directly to their landlord’s bank account when their landlord is non-resident, the number of cases where tenants’ tax credits have been reduced in this instance; the number of these cases that have been appealed to the Revenue Commissioners; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6931/08]

Tánaiste and Minister for Finance (Deputy Brian Cowen)

I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that where they are notified by a PAYE taxpayer that s/he has paid rent to a non-resident landlord, a reduction in tax credits is automatically created in order to collect the tax that has/should have been withheld by the tenant. This meets the tenant's liability in relation to the tax withheld. The Revenue Commissioners also advise that they are not in a position to provide a complete answer in the timeframe for issue of a reply to the Deputy's question. Accordingly, I will contact the Deputy directly with relevant information at a later date.

Tax Collection.

Jan O'Sullivan

Question:

171 Deputy Jan O’Sullivan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance if he will provide in tabular form the annual increases in the retail price of different categories of packets of 20 cigarettes since 1990; the portion of the increase related to Government taxes; the portion of the increase due to price rises by the tobacco industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6936/08]

Tánaiste and Minister for Finance (Deputy Brian Cowen)

I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that the information available relates to the pre-budget price of the most popular price category of 20 filter tipped cigarettes. The Annual Budget tax increases, the amount of trade increases and the tax element of those trade increases are shown on the following table.

Schedule of Budget Increases and Trade Increases since 1990
Budget Date	Pre Budget Retail Price	Budget Tax Increase	Post Budget Price	Trade Increase	Tax element of trade increase
		€	€	€
30-Jan-91	2.49	0.13	2.62	0.05	0.02
29-Jan-92	2.67	0.20	2.87	0.08	0.03
24-Feb-93	2.95	0.13	3.08	0.06	0.02
26-Jan-94	3.14	0.10	3.24	0.04	0.01
8-Feb-95	3.28	0.15	3.43	0.05	0.02
23-Jan-96	3.48	0.13	3.61	0.02	0.01
22-Jan-97	3.63	0.09	3.71	0.04	0.01
3-Dec-97	3.75	0.13	3.88	0.05	0.02
2-Dec-98	3.92	0.06	3.99	0.06	0.02
1-Dec-99	4.05	0.64	4.69	0.09	0.03
6-Dec-00	4.77	0.00	4.78	0.10	0.04
5-Dec-01	4.88	0.13	5.00	0.21	0.07
4-Dec-02	5.21	0.50	5.71	0.16	0.06
3-Dec-03	5.87	0.25	6.12	0.13	0.05
1-Dec-04	6.25	0.00	6.25	0.10	0.04
7-Dec-05	6.35	0.00	6.35	0.20	0.07
6-Dec-06	6.55	0.50	7.05	0.10	0.04
5-Dec-07	7.15	0.30	7.45	N/A	N/A

Under current EU and Irish law, the excise duty (tobacco products tax) levied on cigarettes must be a mixture of specific and ad valorem elements. The specific component of this must represent between 5% and 55% of the total tax (excise + VAT) in the retail price and the overall incidence of excise duty (specific + ad valorem) must amount to at least 57% of the price. VAT is also charged on the selling price. A trade increase includes VAT and Ad Valorem at the applicable rates.

Freedom of Information.

Lucinda Creighton

Question:

172 Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance if he will provide in tabular form the number of freedom of information requests that have been received by his Department each year since 1997; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6948/08]

Tánaiste and Minister for Finance (Deputy Brian Cowen)

The information sought is provided in the table below. The number of FOI requests received by the Department of Finance is given for each year since 1998 as the Freedom of Information Act for Government Departments did not come into effect until 21 April 1998.

Freedom of Information requests 1998-2007
	1998	1999	2000	2001	2002	2003	2004	2005	2006	2007	Cumulative Total
FOI requests	205	349	342	326	326	305	78	93	72	66	2,162

Departmental Expenditure.

Lucinda Creighton

Question:

173 Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance his proposals to rebuild the Dáil chamber; the construction costs projected for the proposed renovation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6955/08]

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

There are no current plans to rebuild the Dáil chamber.

Departmental Properties.

Damien English

Question:

174 Deputy Damien English asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the amount spent for each of the past five years for the lease and rent of occupied premises and unoccupied premises for each Government Department and their agencies; and if he will provide the information in tabular readable form. [6974/08]

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

The details requested will take some time to compile and consequently it is not possible to provide the information regarding the amount spent for each of the past five years for the lease and rent of occupied premises and unoccupied premises for each Government Department and their agencies in the limited time scale requested. This Office will endeavour to provide the information directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Tax Code.

Fergus O'Dowd

Question:

175 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance if he will address the issues raised by a group (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7040/08]

Tánaiste and Minister for Finance (Deputy Brian Cowen)

I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that individual payments from the salmon hardship scheme have two identifiable component parts and that one part is taxable while the other is not. The taxable component is that part of the payment which is based on a fisherman's catch and is taxable on recipients in the year of receipt. Accordingly, commercial fishermen should include this part of any payment as a receipt in their accounts. The part of the payment which is based on the 2006 licence fee is not liable to tax. I understand that when making payments Bord Iascaigh Mhara identify the amount of the payment relating to the 2006 licence fee so that this may be excluded from income tax returns.

I am also informed that to facilitate recipients wishing to spread the taxable amount over three years, eligible applicants may opt under the scheme to receive their payment in one sum or alternatively to have it paid in three equal amounts over a three-year period.

Departmental Properties.

Michael Ring

Question:

176 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the payments being received annually in each of the past three years by the Department of Health and Children or the Office of Public Works for the provision of space to mobile phone operators on masts owned by that Department or the OPW (details supplied), giving details of the payments received for each mast location; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7152/08]

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

The Office of Public Works can confirm that they have not issued licences to mobile phone operators in respect of any masts at the locations mentioned in the Deputy's question as they are not the owners of the properties.

Tax Clearance Certificates.

Leo Varadkar

Question:

177 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance if the policy with regard to the automatic renewal of tax clearance certificates to sole traders has changed; if so, the reason for such a change; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7159/08]

Leo Varadkar

Question:

178 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance if the policy with regard to the automatic renewal of tax clearance certificates to limited companies has changed; if so, the reason for such a change; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7160/08]

Tánaiste and Minister for Finance (Deputy Brian Cowen)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 177 and 178 together.

Responsibility for the administration of the various tax clearance schemes is assigned in legislation to the Revenue Commissioners. I am advised by Revenue that there has been no change in the policy with regard to the automatic renewal of tax clearance certificates to either sole traders or limited companies. As part of Revenue's ongoing commitment to developing simplified processes and procedures and reducing the regulatory burden on business and personal taxpayers, a facility was introduced some time ago to automatically renew tax clearance certificates for compliant taxpayers. This service is particularly useful for persons tendering for public contracts or renewing licences annually.

A taxpayer whose tax affairs are in order, is issued with tax clearance certificates each year for a period of three years after the issue of the original certificate. The taxpayer is not required to re-apply during this period. Prior to the expiry date of the fourth tax clearance certificate, Revenue notifies the taxpayer that s/he needs to complete an updated application form in order to renew their tax clearance certificate.

Tax Code.

James Bannon

Question:

179 Deputy James Bannon asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the reason a person (details supplied) has not received their tax rebate under Section 482 despite submitting the necessary form in October 2007; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7163/08]

Tánaiste and Minister for Finance (Deputy Brian Cowen)

I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that they endeavoured to process by 31 January 2008 all 2006 tax returns submitted on time, that is, those received by 31 October 2007, and to have tax returns submitted after that date processed as soon as possible thereafter. I am sure the Deputy will appreciate that a very high volume of returns are received by Revenue at that time of year. The position is that the return for the person in question, which was dated 1 November 2007, was processed on 14 February 2008. I am advised that the claim under Section 482 (in addition to other credits claimed) has resulted in a refund of tax being due and that a repayment cheque will issue to this person within the next few days.

Róisín Shortall

Question:

180 Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the number of times which the Revenue Commissioners have requested information from the Private Residential Tenancies Board for the purpose of investigating tax-compliance in respect of rental income from individual tax-payers. [7191/08]

Tánaiste and Minister for Finance (Deputy Brian Cowen)

I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that Section 148 of the Residential Tenancies Act 2004 provides for the furnishing of PPSNs of individuals, and registered numbers of companies by Revenue to the Private Residential Tenancies Board (PRTB) in order to enable the provision of tenancy details from the Tenancies Board to Revenue. I am further advised that no central register is kept in Revenue of requests to the PRTB. Information is sought and provided on request on a case-by-case basis and no delays or difficulties have been encountered.

Health Services.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

181 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health and Children when she expects to meet speech and language therapy requirements at all schools throughout the country in the future; the extent to which she is aware of this ongoing need at the present time; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7123/08]

Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children (Deputy Jimmy Devins)

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

Paul Connaughton

Question:

182 Deputy Paul Connaughton asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of expressions of interest that the Health Service Executive has received regarding the public advertisement to provide medical centres at various places throughout the country; the number of expressions of interest that were received from Galway City and County; if there was more than one expression of interest in the areas of Mountbellew, Portumna, Athenry and Gort; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6887/08]

Minister for Health and Children (Deputy Mary Harney)

The provision of the appropriate infrastructure to facilitate the delivery of primary care services is being considered by the HSE having regard to a number of factors. These include the type and configuration of the services involved, the mixed public/private nature of our health system, the suitability of existing infrastructure and the capital requirements of the health services generally over the coming years. I understand that in December 2007 the HSE sought expressions of interest from the private sector for the provision of the Primary Care Team infrastructure, with the HSE proposing to enter into fixed term leases with such providers.

As the Health Service Executive has the operational and funding responsibility for Primary Care services, it is the appropriate body to consider the particular matters 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.

Drug Treatment Programme.

Catherine Byrne

Question:

183 Deputy Catherine Byrne asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of residential detoxification beds available in Dublin and nationwide; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6898/08]

Catherine Byrne

Question:

184 Deputy Catherine Byrne asked the Minister for Health and Children the way a recovering drug addict can access a residential detoxification bed; the criteria that must be met; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6899/08]

Catherine Byrne

Question:

185 Deputy Catherine Byrne asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of drugs detox beds currently available in Dublin and nationwide; her plans to increase the number of these beds; if a timetable has been set for increased bed numbers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6900/08]

Minister for Health and Children (Deputy Mary Harney)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 183 to 185, inclusive, together.

Question:

190 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health and Children if ongoing and in-depth public consultations with the relevant local communities were held in each area before the roll-out of the primary care teams; if opportunities for the participation of communities in the planning and development stages were created in accordance with commitments given under Action 19 of the Primary Care Strategy 2001; the number of consumer panels, community health fora or similar bodies that have been established to facilitate this consultation process; the decision-making powers that rest with the communities in relation to the way primary care services are planned for their areas. [6926/08]

Minister for Health and Children (Deputy Mary Harney)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 187 to 190, inclusive, together.

The Primary Care Strategy aims to develop services in the community to give people direct access to integrated multi-disciplinary teams of general practitioners, nurses, home helps, physiotherapists, occupational therapists and others. It has been estimated that up to 95% of people's health and social services needs can be properly met within a primary care setting and the establishment of new Primary Care Teams can contribute greatly to enhancing community based health services.

The HSE received additional funding of €40m in the period 2006 to 2008 for the establishment of some 200 primary care teams involving some 600 additional front line professionals. The Government has committed under the Towards 2016 agreement to the establishment of 300 Primary Care teams by 2008; 400 by 2009 and 500 by 2011. A review of these targets is due to be undertaken in 2008.

Action 19 of the Primary Care Strategy commits to the involvement of communities and service users in the planning and delivery of primary care services. It is important that the HSE develops practical and effective ways to bring this about. The recruitment pause put in place in September 2007 was initiated as part of the HSE financial break-even plan to facilitate the delivery of services on budget in accordance with the provisions of the 2007 National Service Plan. During this period, the HSE put in place a derogation process to deal with the filling of essential posts to protect front-line services and close to 900 posts were approved under this process.

I understand that this temporary pause in recruitment ended on 31st December 2007 and that recruitment of the additional staff for the 2006 phase of Primary Care Team development is proceeding subject to the provisions of the employment control mechanism operated by the HSE. As the Health Service Executive has the operational and funding responsibility for Primary Care Services, it is the appropriate body to consider the particular matters 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.

Health Services.

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Question:

191 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health and Children the reason that the findings of the Health Service Executive working group on cystic fibrosis have not been published. [6927/08]

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.

Hospital Staff.

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Question:

192 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health and Children if her attention has been drawn to the critical situation in St. Brigid’s Psychiatric Hospital, Ballinasloe which is operating on a skeleton staff as a result of Health Service Executive cutbacks; if she will intervene immediately to address the unacceptable level of staffing, especially in the psychiatric intensive care unit and the closure of therapy units, adversely affecting patients and staff; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6928/08]

Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children (Deputy Jimmy Devins)

Operational responsibility for the management and delivery of health and personal social services was assigned to the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004 and funding for all health services has been provided as part of its overall vote. The Executive, therefore, is the appropriate body to consider the particular matter raised by the Deputy. My Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to arrange to have the matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.

Health Services.

John Cregan

Question:

193 Deputy John Cregan asked the Minister for Health and Children the reason a diet supplement has not been granted to a person (details supplied) in County Limerick in view of the fact that another person, with the same dietary requirements has been granted this supplement; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6934/08]

Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children (Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher)

The Deputy's question relates to the funding, 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.

Tom Sheahan

Question:

194 Deputy Tom Sheahan asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will provide in the budget for Kerry General Hospital €20,000 for the provision of four glucose monitoring systems for the diabetes patients and sufferers in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6938/08]

Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children (Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher)

The Deputy's question relates to the funding, 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.

Freedom of Information.

Lucinda Creighton

Question:

195 Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will provide in tabular form the number of freedom of information requests that have been received by her Department each year since 1997; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6950/08]

Minister for Health and Children (Deputy Mary Harney)

The Freedom of Information Act 1997 came into effect on 21 April 1998 for Government Departments and Offices. Therefore, 1998 is the first year for which information is available in respect of the information sought by the Deputy. The published figures in respect of the number of Freedom of Information requests received in my Department for the years 1998 to 2007 inclusive are tabulated as follows.

Year	Number of FOI Requests
1998	144
1999	684
2000	448
2001	574
2002	997
2003	834
2004	446
2005	392
2006	217
2007	147

Health Services.

Mattie McGrath

Question:

196 Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health and Children her views, following concerns raised by elderly constituents in Tipperary South, on extending the provision ofdigital hearing aids to people over the age of 65 in order that they do not feel discriminated against because of their age; her further views on measures in place in other countries for the provision of hearing aids to elderly people; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6984/08]

Minister for Health and Children (Deputy Mary Harney)

The Community Audiology Service of the HSE provides hearing aids to eligible adults with medical cards. The question of the criteria for allocation of digital hearing aids, as opposed to other types of appliances, is a matter for the HSE. I have asked the HSE for a report on the matter and I will revert to the Deputy.

Ministerial Travel.

Jan O'Sullivan

Question:

197 Deputy Jan O’Sullivan asked the Minister for Health and Children the purpose of her recent visit to the US; the health care units she visited; the benefit she hopes to bring to services here as a result of her visit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6988/08]

Minister for Health and Children (Deputy Mary Harney)

The purpose of my recent official visit to the United States was to visit a number of health care facilities with a view to seeing, at first hand, how services are planned, organised and delivered. These included the Mayo Clinic, Phoenix, Arizona, the Arizona School of Dentistry and Oral Health, MD Anderson Cancer Centre, Houston, Texas and the Veterans Administration (V.A.) Medical Centre in Washington DC.

The facilities visited are internationally recognised centres of excellence with proven track records for innovation and results. These meetings will be of particular benefit to me and my officials in the preparation of the National Oral Health Policy, which I plan to publish this year, and the reorganisation of our national cancer services which is already underway under the direction of Prof. Tom Keane. We also looked at a number of patient safety initiatives and developments in relation to performance management and use of information and electronic patient records, which will be of considerable benefit in improving health service delivery here.

I also took the opportunity while in the United States to meet with the Deputy Secretary, US Department of Health and Human Services, Mr Tevi D. Troy to discuss matters of mutual interest in health care delivery.

Housing Aid for the Elderly.

Michael McGrath

Question:

198 Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Health and Children if a decision on an application by a person (details supplied) in County Cork for special housing aid for the elderly will be reviewed by Health Service Executive south. [7008/08]

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 (HSE) under the Health Act 2004 and funding for all health services has been provided as part of its overall vote. The HSE's responsibility includes the operation of the Housing Aid Scheme for the Elderly, on behalf of the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. Therefore, the Executive is the appropriate body to consider the particular case raised by the Deputy. The 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.

Hospital Waiting Lists.

Ned O'Keeffe

Question:

199 Deputy Edward O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will expedite a hospital bed for a person (details supplied) in County Cork. [7009/08]

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.

Patients waiting more than three months on a surgical waiting list may qualify for treatment under the National Treatment Purchase Fund. It is open to the person in question or anyone acting on their behalf to contact the Fund directly in relation to their case.

Health Services.

Denis Naughten

Question:

200 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health and Children the steps which she is taking to ensure that the therapy services available to patients at St. Bridget’s Hospital, Ballinasloe up to 8 February 2008 are reinstated; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7029/08]

Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children (Deputy Jimmy Devins)

Operational responsibility for the management and delivery of health and personal social services was assigned to the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004 and funding for all health services has been provided as part of its overall vote. The Executive, therefore, is the appropriate body to consider the particular matter raised by the Deputy. My Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to arrange to have the matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.

Liz McManus

Question:

201 Deputy Liz McManus asked the Minister for Health and Children the written information provided to mastectomy patients for them to know their entitlements. [7151/08]

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 question raised by the Deputy. My Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy in relation to the matter raised.

Nursing Homes Repayment Scheme.

James Bannon

Question:

202 Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will expedite an application to the health repayment scheme in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Longford; the reason for the delay in processing the application; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7165/08]

Minister for Health and Children (Deputy Mary Harney)

The Health Service Executive has responsibility for administering the Repayment Scheme and the information sought by the Deputy relates to matters within the area of responsibility of the Executive.

My Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to arrange to have the matter investigated and to have a reply issued to the Deputy.

Accident and Emergency Services.

John Curran

Question:

203 Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Health and Children the position regarding the situation at the children’s accident and emergency in Tallaght Hospital; the future plans for the accident and emergency department in Tallaght Hospital with regard to children; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7171/08]

Minister for Health and Children (Deputy Mary Harney)

I am aware of the concerns previously raised regarding the level of service to be provided at Tallaght in the context of the development of the National Paediatric Hospital. It should be noted that currently the vast majority of children attending the National Children's Hospital Emergency Department do not require admission, and will continue to access their care at the new Ambulatory and Urgent Care Centre which is to be developed at Tallaght. It has been estimated that when the first Ambulatory and Urgent Care Centre is developed at Tallaght it will cater for approximately 48,000 emergency attendances, 9,000 day cases and 58,000 out-patient attendances. Clearly the projected level of activity would change depending on the number of such centres to be developed.

As part of the Multi-Annual Investment Programme 2006-2009 under the Disability Strategy, the Government provided the Health Service Executive with an additional €75m in both 2006 and 2007. This funding included monies to provide new and enhanced services for people with disabilities, to implement Part 2 of the Disability Act 2005, which came into effect on June 1st 2007 for the under 5's and also for the continuation of the implementation of the transfer of persons with intellectual disability from psychiatric hospitals and other inappropriate placements.

The Government is also honouring its promise in relation to the Multi-Annual Investment Programme for people with disabilities, with a further €50m investment which was announced in the 2008 Budget.

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

Finian McGrath

Question:

207 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will assist a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath. [7179/08]

Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children (Deputy Jimmy Devins)

As part of the Multi-Annual Investment Programme 2006-2009 under the Disability Strategy, the Government provided the Health Service Executive with an additional €75m in both 2006 and 2007. This funding included monies to provide new and enhanced services for people with disabilities, to implement Part 2 of the Disability Act 2005, which came into effect on June 1st 2007 for the under 5's and also for the continuation of the implementation of the transfer of persons with intellectual disability from psychiatric hospitals and other inappropriate placements.

The Government is also honouring its promise in relation to the Multi-Annual Investment Programme for people with disabilities, with a further €50m investment which was announced in the 2008 Budget.

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

National Cancer Registry.

Finian McGrath

Question:

208 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will investigate and clarify information (details supplied). [7180/08]

Minister for Health and Children (Deputy Mary Harney)

As the Deputy was advised on 18 December and 13 February last, the National Cancer Registry issued a response on this matter to the Deputy on 5 March 2007.

Health Services.

Finian McGrath

Question:

209 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will assist persons (details supplied) in Dunlin 9. [7183/08]

Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children (Deputy Jimmy Devins)

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

Road Network.

Dara Calleary

Question:

210 Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Transport the status of discussions between his Department and Mayo County Council in relation to a road project (details supplied) in County Mayo; the specific funding requests that were received from Mayo County Council in relation to this road; and the future plans for investment in the road. [6904/08]

Minister for Transport (Deputy Noel Dempsey)

The improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads in their areas is a matter for local authorities to be funded from their own resources supplemented by State grants.

Following the issue of road grants for 2007, Mayo County Council sought additional funding for the upgrading of the R312 Castlebar — Belmullet Road. The Council was informed, on 5 March 2007, that the 2007 regional and local road grant allocations had already been notified to local authorities, and that accordingly there were no funds available from which further grants could be provided for the proposed project in 2007.

However, in order to facilitate future consideration of the proposal, the Council was requested to submit details of the proposed scheme, including confirmation of the proposed works, a draft expenditure profile, details of the Council's proposed own resources expenditure on the scheme and possible funding from other sources. A reply was received from the Council on 30 October 2007.

Grants to local authorities in 2008 for regional and local roads were allocated to local authorities on 15 February. Mayo County Council's overall allocation of €30,092,304 includes an allocation of €200,000 for design work on the R312 Castlebar to Belmullet Road.

Progress with this project is a matter for Mayo County Council.

Dara Calleary

Question:

211 Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Transport if he will outline in tabular form the roads submitted to his Department by Mayo County Council for funding under the 2008 non-national roads scheme and the priority given to each. [6905/08]

Minister for Transport (Deputy Noel Dempsey)

The improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads in their areas is a matter for local authorities to be funded from their own resources supplemented by State grants. State road grants for regional and local roads are allocated to local authorities under a number of grant categories. These include the Specific Improvement Grants scheme. The initial selection of projects to be funded under that scheme, and the priority to be attached to each project, is entirely a matter for the local authorities.

The projects submitted to my Department by Mayo County Council in respect of 2008 under the Specific Improvement Grants scheme are outlined in Table 1.

Table 1: Mayo County Council Specific Improvement Grant Applications 2008
Road Number	Scheme Name	Grant Requested 2008
		€
	Newport Road Castlebar Rehins (Ph. 2)	1,600,000
R321	Bohola — Kiltimagh (Shanaghy — N5)	500,000
R331	Ballinrobe — Claremorris (Brookhill — Millbrook)	460,000
L1190-R314	Bearnadearg	660,000
R324	Cross-Neale	300,000
R314	Killala — Ballycastle, Killybrone	300,000
R311	Link Road: Newport Road to Lough Lannagh Road Roundabout	200,000
R319	Achill Sound Bridge	1,500,000

In addition to the above, the Council sought funding for design work on the R312 Castlebar/ Belmullet Road.

Mayo County Council also sought funding for Low Cost Safety Improvement works at a number of locations. Details are outlined in Table 2.

Table 2
Priority	Scheme	Estimated Cost
		€
1	R313 Belmullet — Blacksod Road	100,000
2	L5650-0 Creagh Road, Ballinrobe	45,000
3	R294 Bonniconlon — Tubbercurry Road at Drumsheen	15,000
4	R319 Achill — Bunnacurry Road @ Cashel	15,000
5	L-1611-0 Roundfort Road, Ballinrobe	20,000
6	L-1205-0 Glencastle — Geesala Road	30,000
7	R324 @ Balla	10,000
8	L1508-0/L1510-0 Junction at Ballyhankeen	20,000
9	R310/R315 Junction at Pontoon	10,000
10	R313 Bangor Erris Belmullet Road	100,000
11	L-5649-0/L-1607-0 Junction at Roxborough	20,000
12	R330 Westport — Ballinrobe Road at Cooloughra	20,000
13	L-1705-0 Balla — MayoAbbey Road at Lagaturrin	10,000

Any questions regarding the prioritisation of particular projects should be addressed to Mayo County Council.

Road grants for 2008 in respect of regional and local roads were allocated to local authorities on 15 February 2008. The total road grants allocated to Mayo County Council were €30,092,304.

Freedom of Information.

Lucinda Creighton

Question:

212 Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide in tabular form the number of freedom of information requests that have been received by his Department each year since 1997; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6954/08]

Minister for Transport (Deputy Noel Dempsey)

The information requested by the Deputy is contained in the following table.

Year	FOI Requests Received
1998	82
1999	182
2000	210
2001	197
2002	194
2003	156
2004	43
2005	78
2006	92
2007	91

Transport Policy.

Michael D'Arcy

Question:

213 Deputy Michael D’Arcy asked the Minister for Transport if his Department has considered using carbon neutral cement in the construction of major infrastructural projects in Transport 21. [6991/08]

Minister for Transport (Deputy Noel Dempsey)

The implementation of Transport 21 projects is the responsibility of the various State agencies involved and I have no function in the matter.

Public Transport Licences.

Emmet Stagg

Question:

214 Deputy Emmet Stagg asked the Minister for Transport if the licence granted to a company (details supplied) has been renewed by his Department. [7011/08]

Minister for Transport (Deputy Noel Dempsey)

The Road Transport Act, 1932, as amended, provides the statutory basis for regulating the provision of public bus services by private bus operators. In accordance with the legislation, private bus operators apply to my Department for licences to operate scheduled bus passenger services within the State.

The Company referred to in the question is currently the holder of eight licences issued under the Road Transport Act 1932 in respect of continuous services that they provide in the Dublin area.

All of those licences that have been issued to the company were renewed on 31st October 2007. It is a condition of the renewal of a licence that, save in exceptional circumstances, all of the services to which it relates must be in operation. In the case of two of the licences issued to them, the company applied to my Department seeking an extension to the introductory period for the services. These requests were approved by my Department.

Consultancy Contracts.

Pat Breen

Question:

215 Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Transport if consultants have been retained by his Department to stress test the robustness of the business plans submitted by Dublin Airport Authority for Dublin, Cork and Shannon Airports; if not, if his Department has plans to have these business plans independently assessed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7167/08]

Minister for Transport (Deputy Noel Dempsey)

I have no immediate plans to initiate work by consultants on the assessment of the robustness of the business plans, which I have received for Dublin, Cork and Shannon Airports. My Departmental officials have examined the plans concerned and I would envisage some further discussions with the Airport Authorities about key aspects of the restructuring process in the period ahead. In that regard I should mention that I have appointed Peter Cassells to liaise with the DAA and the CAA in an effort to resolve speedily the longstanding disagreement on Cork debt.

Pension Provisions.

Pat Breen

Question:

216 Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Transport if an independent evaluation of the Irish airlines pension plan was carried out prior to the privatisation of Aer Lingus; if not, if his attention has been drawn to plans to do so prior to the break up of the Dublin Airport Authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7168/08]

Minister for Transport (Deputy Noel Dempsey)

The Irish Airlines (General Employees) Superannuation Scheme is a multi-employer scheme in which the Dublin Airport Authority, Aer Lingus and SR Technics participate.

Pension entitlements under this scheme are primarily matters for the Trustees, the members of the scheme and the companies participating in the scheme. An actuarial valuation is carried out by the Scheme's actuary generally every three years.

At the time of the Aer Lingus IPO the last actuarial valuation for the Irish Airlines (General Employees) Superannuation Scheme was carried out with an effective date of 31 March 2005. The next actuarial valuation is due in March this year.

Future pension arrangements will be one of the issues to be considered in the context of the separation of Cork and Shannon airports.

Air Services.

Pat Breen

Question:

217 Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Transport the discussion which took place between his Department and the European Commission regarding an application for a PSO on the Shannon Heathrow route; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7169/08]

Minister for Transport (Deputy Noel Dempsey)

My Department had discussions recently with the EU Commission about air connectivity from the West of Ireland and in particular about the possible imposition of a Public Service Obligation (PSO) on the Shannon-Heathrow route. The Commission's position, as clarified following those discussions, is that the EU Regulation governing PSOs is an exception to the general rule of free provision of air services and that any such exception should be considered as restrictively as possible and applied only as far as necessary. In order for a route to be eligible for a PSO, under the Regulation it must not only be vital for the economic development of the region concerned but the existing services must be inadequate. In assessing whether services are adequate, account has to be taken of all existing air transport services, direct and indirect.

In relation to the Shannon to London route, the Commission has noted that there are already regular direct air services between Shannon and the London airports of Gatwick, Stansted and Luton. Allowing for these connections, the Commission has indicated that it would be difficult to justify a PSO on the Shannon to London route.

Freedom of Information.

Lucinda Creighton

Question:

218 Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will provide in tabular form the number of freedom of information requests that have been received by his Department each year since 1997; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6949/08]

Minister for Foreign Affairs (Deputy Dermot Ahern)

Please find detailed below figures relating to the Freedom of Information Requests processed by my Department on an annual basis. The figures relate to the period from April 1998, which is when the legislation came into operation.

1998 (April-Dec)	1999	2000	2001	2002	2003	2004	2005	2006	2007	2008 (to date)
71	156	153	127	130	95	45	41	49	43	10

In addition, to the requests detailed above, my Department responds to requests for information, outside of the FOI Acts, in a spirit of openness and transparency. My Department also assists members of the public to formulate their requests in order to ensure that accurate information in a user friendly format is provided to the requesting party.

Official Vehicles.

Simon Coveney

Question:

219 Deputy Simon Coveney asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will provide a detailed list of all vehicles owned by his Department here and abroad, including makes, models, engine sizes and emissions labels where they exist; if in each case they have hybrid engines or use biofuels; and if there is a policy of buying low emissions cars when they need to be replaced. [7036/08]

Minister for Foreign Affairs (Deputy Dermot Ahern)

At present, there are three vans in use by my Department in Dublin. These are Nissan Primastar vans, each with a diesel engine with a capacity of 1870cc.

In the time available it has not been possible to compile a complete list of the Department's official vehicles abroad. However, I would point out that, since the beginning of 2006, carbon emissions have been taken into account in vehicle purchases made by the Department. And secondly, and in order to take account of the wider availability of new technologies, the Department, at my request, is currently preparing a policy position on the purchase of official vehicles which will ensure that environmental considerations are taken fully into account as existing vehicles are replaced, which is normally done at four year intervals.

Work Permits.

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Question:

220 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the status of the temporary one year work permit under the married to an EU national programme; if this has been suspended and the reason; and when it is expected to be made available again. [6883/08]

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

The Employment Permits Section of my Department informs me that spouses of Irish or EU nationals may still apply for an employment permit while awaiting the outcome of their application for residency. The current policy in relation to new first time employment permit applications applies. However, the fee is waived in those cases where the following documents are included with the application:

A cover letter indicating that the application is for a non-EEA national married to an EU national.

A copy of the EU spouse's passport pages showing photograph and personal details.

A copy of the marriage certificate/marriage licence.

Job Creation.

John Cregan

Question:

221 Deputy John Cregan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the progress being made by the Industrial Development Authority and Shannon Development in relation to the creation of new employment in the Askeaton Business Park, Askeaton County Limerick; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6933/08]

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

IDA Ireland is the agency with statutory responsibility for the attraction of foreign direct investment (FDI) to Ireland and its regions, while Enterprise Ireland is responsible for indigenous industry. Shannon Development's remit includes the provision of property solutions to accommodate the FDI and indigenous sectors in the Mid West region. While I may give general policy directives to the agencies, I am precluded under the Industrial Development Acts from giving directives regarding individual undertakings or from giving preference to one area over others.

The Askeaton site is a Shannon Development-owned land bank, comprising 228 acres situated on the southern bank of the Shannon Estuary. The site has been identified as an important site from a business and employment perspective for both Co. Limerick and the wider Region in the Planning and Land Use Transportation Study, the Mid-West Regional Planning Guidelines and the Limerick County Development Plan. In line with its remit Shannon Development has undertaken engineering analysis of the landbank to access its suitability for utility intensive industry and is also considering other development options.

IDA Ireland works closely with Shannon Development in the promotion and marketing of the Askeaton Business Park. The site is actively marketed through IDA's network of overseas offices as a solution for utility intensive projects and, as a result of this effort, IDA hosted a visit to the site from a potential investor in early February 2008. The visit was preliminary in nature and the potential investor is currently evaluating Askeaton along with other potential locations around the world.

Ultimately decisions regarding where to locate a project, including what areas to visit, are taken by investors based on the ability of the locations to support their business needs.

Freedom of Information.

Lucinda Creighton

Question:

222 Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will provide in tabular form the number of freedom of information requests that have been received by his Department each year since 1997; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6946/08]

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

The Freedom of Information Act came into effect on the 21st April 1998. The number of FOI requests that have been received by my Department each year since 1998 is set out in the following table.

My Department takes a proactive approach to Freedom of Information and to openness and transparency in general. Much information is released outside of FOI and therefore is not reflected in the following statistics. The FOI (Amendment) Act 2003 made a number of changes to FOI, including the introduction of up-front fees. The introduction of up-front fees has coincided with a drop in the overall volumes of requests, although other factors may also apply.

Year	Number of FOI Requests Received
1998	286
1999	244
2000	238
2001	233
2002	205
2003	153
2004	62
2005	86
2006	71
2007	57

Employment Appeals

Damien English

Question:

223 Deputy Damien English asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of cases based on a complaint of age discrimination that have been brought before the Employment Appeals Tribunal in each of the past five years; and if he will present the information in tabular readable form. [6963/08]

Damien English

Question:

224 Deputy Damien English asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of cases based on a complaint of racial discrimination that have been brought before the Employment Appeals Tribunal in each of the past five years; and if he will present the information in tabular readable form. [6964/08]

Damien English

Question:

225 Deputy Damien English asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of cases based on a complaint of gender discrimination that have been brought before the Employment Appeals Tribunal in each of the past five years; and if he will present the information in tabular readable form. [6965/08]

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

I propose to take Questions Nos. 223 to 225, inclusive, together.

Claims on age, racial or gender discrimination are not made directly to the Employment Appeals Tribunal but can be factors in cases under the Unfair Dismissals Acts, the Redundancy Payment Acts, the Minimum Notice and Terms of Employment Acts and the Organisation of Working Time Act lodged with the Tribunal. The Tribunal does not, therefore, specifically record data in this regard.

The Deputy may wish to contact the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform with regard to data recorded by the Equality Authority who hear cases under the Employment Equality Acts.

Grant Payments.

Denis Naughten

Question:

226 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment further to his reply to Parliamentary Question No. 254 of 13 February 2008 the years and value of such State funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7028/08]

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

The additional information requested by the Deputy has been provided by Enterprise Ireland and is set out in the following tabular statement.

As I pointed out in my reply last Wednesday, payment and repayment of grants are day to day operational matters for the Industrial Development agencies, in this case Enterprise Ireland, and I do not have a role in these matters. If the Deputy requires any further information in relation to these payments, this can be obtained from Enterprise Ireland directly.

Year	Amount Paid
	€
1998	63,672.27
1999	15,935.21
2000	90,948.80
2001	201,551.87

Job Losses.

Additionally, the CWO wrote to the person concerned on 12 February 2008 to make an appointment to consider her present circumstances. To date the person concerned has not contacted the CWO.

Security of the Elderly.

Emmet Stagg

Question:

230 Deputy Emmet Stagg asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the high cost to purchase personal alarms for senior citizens for emergency response and the annual fee for same; and if he will introduce a grant scheme to cover the initial set-up costs and annual fee charge. [7010/08]

Minister of State at the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs (Deputy Pat Carey)

Grants in respect of personal alarm systems are available for senior citizens as part of my Department's ‘Scheme of Community Support for Older People'.

The funding available under the Scheme (maximum amounts) is as follows:

€300 in respect of the once-off cost of installing a socially monitored alarm system;

€200 in respect of physical security equipment;

€200 in respect of security lighting;

€50 in respect of smoke alarms;

€150 in respect of interior emergency lighting for qualifying older people on our offshore islands.

The Scheme is administered by local community and voluntary groups with the support of my Department. Individual applicants must be over 65 years of age and have a genuine need for the security equipment.

In the case of the alarm systems, the maximum grant provided is fixed at a realistic sum on the basis of grants sought and disbursed in the previous year by my Department. I understand that a number of the private commercial suppliers of socially monitored alarm systems quote prices of under €300 for the supply and installation of the equipment. The ongoing monitoring costs charged by the suppliers are approximately €80 per annum per individual and, given that the Scheme has benefited as many as 100,000 older people, the costs to my Department of providing funding for all such monitoring costs would be considerable.

It is my view that available resources are best directed towards continuing to fund the installation costs of personal alarms systems to those older members of the community in need of such assistance.

Freedom of Information.

Lucinda Creighton

Question:

231 Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if he will provide in tabular form the number of freedom of information requests that have been received by his Department each year since 1997; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6943/08]

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

As the Deputy will be aware, my Department was established in June 2002. As follows are details of all Freedom of Information requests that have been received since the inception of my Department. This information is also available for each year since 2002 in the Annual Reports by the Minister for Finance on Freedom of Information, which can be accessed at www.foi.gov.ie/ publications and in the Information Commissioners Annual Reports, which can be accessed at www.oic.gov.ie.

Year	Total Received

2008 to Date	11
2007	27
2006	37
2005	29
2004	40
2003	60
From June 2002	50

Rural Transport Scheme.

Billy Timmins

Question:

232 Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if he has a pilot rural transport scheme that operates in the evening time; if so the number of these that are operating; the manner of same; his plans to extend it; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7193/08]

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

As the Deputy is aware, in many rural areas, there are no public transport services at night. While there are, in the more developed rural areas, either hackney or taxi services, these are at the discretion of the providers of these services and do not provide a guaranteed service to rural people.

It was against this background, therefore, that in May 2007 I introduced a new evening transport service, on a pilot basis, to allow rural people to fully participate in the various activities — community, sporting and social — that take place in their areas. The new Scheme also aims to address the market failure that currently exists in this area.

The 34 groups currently delivering the Rural Transport Programme — operated by the Department of Transport — were invited to submit applications to be considered under my Department's new scheme. Following the appraisal of the proposals submitted, seven groups were selected to run the pilot Scheme, namely:

West Cork Rural Transport;

Avondhu Development Group in East Cork;

Meath Accessible/Kilnaleck Community Cavan;

County Sligo LEADER Partnership;

Tumna Shannon Development Company Roscommon;

Síob Teoranta Donegal; and

Laois Trip.

The budget for the pilot is €500,000. The first service commenced in June 2007 and service numbers and passenger numbers increased throughout the Autumn. Although only in the early stages yet, I understand that the services are being very well received by communities and passengers alike. Indications are that older people, people with a disability and young people are particularly enthusiastic about the new services and new activities are being planned around the availability of services.

All services focus on maximising the general community good and I am, of course, conscious of the need to ensure that no displacement takes place of commercially viable existing services as a result of the introduction of the new scheme.

My intention is that the pilot Scheme will be reviewed after a year and decisions in relation to its future will be informed by the outcome of the evaluation.

Freedom of Information.

Lucinda Creighton

Question:

233 Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if she will provide in tabular form the number of freedom of information requests that have been received by her Department each year since 1997; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6940/08]

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

The following table sets out the number of requests my Department has received under the Freedom of Information Act during the period 1997 to date.

1997	1998	1999	2000	2001	2002	2003	2004	2005	2006	2007	2008 to 19/2/08
0	150	420	427	339	363	317	278	210	217	156	20

Notes:

1. The figures for 2004 onwards include requests concerning the forestry service with effect from 1st January 2004.

2. The figures for 2007 onwards include requests concerning a range of sea fisheries, aquaculture and marine functions with effect from 19th October 2007.

Meat and Bonemeal Production.

Damien English

Question:

234 Deputy Damien English asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the amount in tonnes of meat and bone meal produced in the State for each of the past five years, with a breakdown under each category; and if she will present the information in tabular readable form. [6959/08]

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

The amount in tonnes of meat and bonemeal produced in the State for each of the past 5 years is as follows:

	Category 1 MBM Produced	Category 3 MBM Produced	Total
2003	49,311.19	89,142.14	138,453.33
2004	75,823.90	62,713.83	138,537.73
2005	84,026.67	59,352.93	143,379.60
2006	98,953.44	53,540.54	152,493.98
2007	97,124.28	53,392.91	150,517.19

Under the 2007 National Reserve, the herdowner applied under Category C which caters for farmers for whom at least 40% of their Single Payment was derived from direct payments associated with sheep production (Ewe Premium/Rural Word Premium) during the reference period. Their existing Single Payment must be less than €6,000 and the value of individual payment entitlements must be less than the District Electoral Division (DED) average value. He has been deemed ineligible under this category as the percentage derived from sheep production is only 21.7% which is less than the required 40%. A formal letter outlining my Department's decision has issued to him.

There is no record in the National Reserve Section of an appeal having been submitted in June 2007 in this case. The only documentation received in June 2007 was the National Reserve application form.

Rural Environment Protection Scheme.

James Bannon

Question:

239 Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the reason a person (details supplied) in County Longford should be forced to wait almost a year for payment under REPS 3, following her decision to merge REPS 2 and 3 payments with REPS 4 and pay these at the end of the year with the single farm payment which will impact adversely on this person and on the entire farming industry, to the detriment of the livelihoods of individual farmers who signed a contract with her Department for specific payment at specific times; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7162/08]

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

I had further discussions with Commissioner Fischer Boel in Brussels earlier this week about the difficulties with the European Commission in relation to the established practice of paying REPS 2 and REPS 3 participants at the beginning of each contract year. I am very glad to say that I obtained the Commissioner's agreement that Ireland can continue to receive REPS payment claims and make payments as has been done in the past, until the expiry of REPS 2 and REPS 3 contracts.

I have directed my officials to take immediate steps to release REPS 2 and REPS 3 payments which had been on hold since early January and payment for valid outstanding claims will begin to issue later this week. Payments to REPS 4 farmers under contracts which commenced in 2007 are now issuing. My officials are in discussion with the European Commission on the payment arrangements to apply to REPS 4 contracts commencing in 2008 and I expect the matter to be clarified shortly.

James Bannon

Question:

240 Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the reason a person (details supplied) in County Longford should be forced to wait almost a year for payment under REPS 3, following her decision to merge REPS 2 and 3 payments with REPS 4 and pay these at the end of the year with the single farm payment, which will impact adversely on this person and on the entire farming industry to the detriment of the livelihoods of individual farmers who signed a contract with her Department for specific payment at specific times; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7164/08]

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

I had further discussions with Commissioner Fischer Boel in Brussels earlier this week about the difficulties with the European Commission in relation to the established practice of paying REPS 2 and REPS 3 participants at the beginning of each contract year. I am very glad to say that I obtained the Commissioner's agreement that Ireland can continue to receive REPS payment claims and make payments as has been done in the past, until the expiry of REPS 2 and REPS 3 contracts.

I have directed my officials to take immediate steps to release REPS 2 and REPS 3 payments which had been on hold since early January and payment for valid outstanding claims will begin to issue later this week.

Payments to REPS 4 farmers under contracts which commenced in 2007 are now issuing. My officials are in discussion with the European Commission on the payment arrangements to apply to REPS 4 contracts commencing in 2008 and I expect the matter to be clarified shortly.

Capitation Grants.

Ruairí Quinn

Question:

241 Deputy Ruairí Quinn asked the Minister for Education and Science her views on the analysis in the paper Profile of Basic Running Costs in Primary Schools that the capitation grant covers approximately 50% of the school running cost (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6076/08]

Minister for Education and Science (Deputy Mary Hanafin)

I am aware of the funding pressures on schools generally and it is a key priority for the Government to improve funding for the day-to-day running costs of schools. For that reason specific commitments in relation to improving school funding form a central part of the education provisions in the Programme for Government. These commitments are a direct follow on from the clear thrust of Government policy over recent years to improve the position of primary schools in particular.

In 2008 alone my Department will be paying around €167m to primary schools to meet their day to day running costs. The improvements announced in the last budget mean that the combined day-to-day funding for primary schools will increase by €21 to €330 per pupil. As a result, a primary school with 300 pupils will receive almost €100,000 to meet their running costs.

The primary school capitation grant has been increased substantially in recent years. Since 1997 the standard rate of capitation grant has been increased from €57.14 per pupil to €178.58 from 1st January, 2008. This represents an increase of 212% in the standard rate of capitation grant since 1997.

Furthermore enhanced rates of capitation funding are paid in respect of children with special educational needs who attend special schools or special classes attached to mainstream schools. The current rates range from €457.00 to €880 per pupil — an increase of 42% from the rate in 2006.

The analysis referred to by the Deputy involves just 5 schools. There are clear limitations in extrapolating a general position for all 3,200 primary schools from such a limited sample. However, I agree that increases in primary capitation must be a priority and that is why we are committed to doubling it by 2012. This year, despite the overall difficult economic environment I delivered an increase of €15 per pupil on capitation levels in 2008. I want to assure the Deputy that this Government has a track record of significantly increasing funding for schools and we will continue to build on this and deliver on our Programme for Government commitment.

Schools Building Projects.

Terence Flanagan

Question:

242 Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Education and Science when a new school will be built in an area (details supplied) in Dublin 5; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6889/08]

Minister for Education and Science (Deputy Mary Hanafin)

I announced recently a list of schools which are due to go to construction in 2008. My Department will be in contact with the school authorities over the next number of days to advise on the most appropriate preparation schedule applicable on each project.

The school to which the Deputy refers is not included in that announcement. However, I intend to make further announcements regarding projects that will be proceeding to construction during the course of the year as the school building programme is rolled out.

Higher Education Grants.

Ulick Burke

Question:

243 Deputy Ulick Burke asked the Minister for Education and Science the arrangements she has made between local authority council and VECs for the transfer of the higher education grants in order that the 2008/2009 grants scheme can be processed on time; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6909/08]

Minister for Education and Science (Deputy Mary Hanafin)

As the Deputy is aware, I plan to introduce a single unified scheme of maintenance grants for students and to consolidate the administration of this unified grants scheme in the VEC sector. This will, I believe, provide for a more coherent administrative system. The scheme, which will be underpinned by the recently published Student Support Bill, will facilitate consistency of application, improved client accessibility and timely delivery of grants.

I want to ensure a smooth transition to the new arrangements and, in this regard, I intend to continue the existing arrangements for the 2008/09 academic year. While the existing arrangements will continue to apply for 2008/09, I hope to be in a position very shortly to announce more immediate service level improvements by publishing the student grant schemes for the coming academic year some months ahead of their publication in previous years. I am pleased to advise you that the application forms for the 2008/09 academic year are available on my Department's website for information purposes and hard copies will be available in local authorities and VECs within the next week.

Schools Building Projects.

Ulick Burke

Question:

244 Deputy Ulick Burke asked the Minister for Education and Science the provision she has made for the promised extension for a school (details supplied) in County Galway which she has identified as having serious overcrowding; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6910/08]

Minister for Education and Science (Deputy Mary Hanafin)

The application from the school referred to by the Deputy has been assessed in accordance with the published prioritisation criteria for large scale projects. Further progression of this project will be considered in the context of my Department's multi annual School Building and Modernisation Programme.

Ulick Burke

Question:

245 Deputy Ulick Burke asked the Minister for Education and Science the position regarding the provision of a new school (details supplied) in County Galway; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6911/08]

Minister for Education and Science (Deputy Mary Hanafin)

The application from the school referred to by the Deputy has been assessed in accordance with the published prioritisation criteria for large scale projects. Following on from a technical visit by the Department the Patron has confirmed the availability of additional lands for a new school building. Further progression of this project will be considered in the context of my Department's multi annual School Building and Modernisation Programme.

Michael Creed

Question:

246 Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Education and Science the situation regarding a proposed new school (details supplied) in County Cork; and if her Department will respond to the school regarding lease arrangements for the current school due to the ongoing delays in providing a new school. [6918/08]

Minister for Education and Science (Deputy Mary Hanafin)

The question of the acquisition of a site for the school in question is being pursued. Once a suitable site has been identified agreement to enter a contract for purchase will be considered in the context of the Department's 2008 budget for acquisition of sites. Once the site issues have been resolved the further progression of the building project in question will be considered in the context of my Department's multi-annual School Building and Modernisation Programme.

Officials in my Department have notified the school authorities of the new lease arrangement for the current school.

School Staffing.

Dan Neville

Question:

247 Deputy Dan Neville asked the Minister for Education and Science if she will assign a resource teacher to a person (details supplied) in County Limerick. [6921/08]

Minister for Education and Science (Deputy Mary Hanafin)

As the Deputy may be aware, the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is responsible, through its network of local Special Educational Needs Organisers, 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.

I have arranged for the details supplied by the Deputy to be forwarded to the NCSE for their attention and direct reply.

Schools Building Projects.

Sean Sherlock

Question:

248 Deputy Seán Sherlock asked the Minister for Education and Science if she will sign off on funding for the provision of a new national school (details supplied) in County Cork which was recently forced to close due to vermin infestation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6930/08]

Minister for Education and Science (Deputy Mary Hanafin)

The school authority in question has submitted an application to my Department for a new school building. Applications for large scale capital funding are assessed and banded in accordance with published prioritisation criteria. These criteria were agreed following consultation with the Education Partners and the progression of individual projects is considered in the context of my Department's multi-annual School Building and Modernisation Programme.

Following on from a recent meeting with my Department the school authorities applied for the replacement of the existing temporary accommodation. This application has been approved by my Department and a decision conveyed to the school.

School Accommodation.

Seán Ó Fearghaíl

Question:

249 Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Education and Science her views on correspondence from a school (details supplied) in County Kildare; if she will provide for this school’s urgent accommodation needs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6935/08]

Minister for Education and Science (Deputy Mary Hanafin)

The school referred to by the Deputy has made an application to my Department for temporary accommodation. The application is currently being processed and a decision will be communicated to the school authorities as soon as possible.

Freedom of Information.

Lucinda Creighton

Question:

250 Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Minister for Education and Science if she will provide in tabular form the number of freedom of information requests that have been received by her Department each year since 1997; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6945/08]

Minister for Education and Science (Deputy Mary Hanafin)

The following table contains the numbers of Freedom of Information requests that have been received by my Department each year since 1997.

Freedom of Information Requests
Year	Personal	Non-Personal	Mixed	Total
2007	370	93	6	469
2006	978	124	6	1,108
2005	3,609	104	3	3,716
2004	1,697	142	4	1,843
2003	2001	30	0	2,031
2002	1,049	158	11	1,218
2001	1,268	272	5	1,545
2000	912	298	3	1,213
1999	500	230	3	733
1998	100	73	11	184

An assessment of projected enrolment trends, demographic trends and housing developments in the area is necessary in order to determine the long term projected staffing figure on which the amalgamated schools accommodation needs will be based.

Once the long term projection has been determined and agreed with the school authorities the building project will be considered in the context of the multi annual School Building and Modernisation programme.

Special Educational Needs.

Jan O'Sullivan

258 Deputy Michael D’Arcy asked the Minister for Education and Science the persons who will be the patrons of the second proposed primary school where planning permission has been applied for on a site (details supplied) in County Wexford. [6999/08]

Michael D'Arcy

Question:

259 Deputy Michael D’Arcy asked the Minister for Education and Science the persons who will be the patrons of the proposed new secondary school on a site (details supplied) in County Wexford. [7000/08]

Minister for Education and Science (Deputy Mary Hanafin)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 257 to 259, inclusive, together.

The Deputy will be aware that my Department considers Gorey as a rapidly developing area and in this context a site has been identified. Subject to planning permission and finalisation of legalities surrounding site ownership, two eight classroom schools will be provided for September 2008 and the expansion of the schools to 16 classroom primary schools and the construction of the special needs unit will be delivered as required.

The proposed post primary school will be delivered by way of a Public Private Partnership. The school will cater for up to 1,000 pupils. This level of accommodation is based on assessment of the demographics emanating from current and future housing developments. The issue of patronage for the proposed schools will be decided in the near future.

Schools Building Projects.

Michael D'Arcy

Question:

260 Deputy Michael D’Arcy asked the Minister for Education and Science when a school (details supplied) in County Wexford first applied for major redevelopment works to her Department; the reason there been such a delay in this project; and when her Department expect works to start. [7001/08]

Minister for Education and Science (Deputy Mary Hanafin)

All applications for large scale capital funding are assessed against published prioritisation criteria and assigned a band rating. Progress on individual projects, including the project referred to by the Deputy, will be considered in the context of my Department's multi-annual School Building and Modernisation Programme consistent with that band rating.

School Management.

Paul Kehoe

Question:

261 Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Education and Science further to Parliamentary Question No. 337 of 13 February 2008, if she will meet with the principal and chairman of the board of management of the school (details supplied) in County Wexford; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7004/08]

Minister for Education and Science (Deputy Mary Hanafin)

Officials from the Forward Planning Area of my Department will be in contact with the school authorities shortly to arrange a meeting as part of the future development of post primary education in Enniscorthy.

Schools Building Projects.

Paul Kehoe

Question:

262 Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Education and Science when she will be announcing her Department’s multi-annual school building and modernisation programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7005/08]

Minister for Education and Science (Deputy Mary Hanafin)

Since May 2007 the number of psychologists employed within the NEPS service has increased from 128 to 138 and during 2008 this complement will increase to 169. In this regard, following a national recruitment process put in place in late 2007 by the Public Appointments Service, interviews are currently being held to form regional panels from which appointments to priority regions will be made. As I have previously stated, and in line with Government commitments under the T2016 Agreement, it is further my intention to increase NEPS psychologist personnel to 200 during 2009.

My Department, and this Government, is committed to the maintenance of a robust psychological service based on international practice.

Schools Building Projects.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

267 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science when she expects to meet in full the building programme requirements as set out by the authorities of the various schools throughout the country with particular reference to meeting those needs arising from a burgeoning population; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7121/08]

Minister for Education and Science (Deputy Mary Hanafin)

The demand for additional accommodation in schools has risen significantly over the last number of years mainly due to the rapid expansion in teacher numbers particularly in the area of special needs, the growth in the school-going population in rapidly developing areas, including the impact of immigration, and the demands to cater for diversity through the recognition of new Gaelscoileanna and Educate Together schools. Major progress has been made in meeting all of those needs.

We have dramatically increased investment in the school building programme in recent years. During the period of the last National Development Plan 2000-2006 my Department accelerated the school building programme with record levels of investment and the streamlining of delivery systems. An aggregate total of well over €2.6 billion was invested in upgrading existing school infrastructure and providing new school accommodation at both first and second-level. This programme delivered over 7,800 building projects.

The budget for 2007 was the first year of the rollout of the new NDP 2007-2013 which will involve an investment of over €4.5 billion, including almost €600 million this year, in school building infrastructure over the coming years to ensure that school places are available where needed. This investment will be the largest in the history of the State and will enable my Department to continue to take a proactive approach to the provision of modern school accommodation particularly in developing areas and the upgrade of existing accommodation.

A key priority of the programme in 2008 and subsequent years will be the delivery of additional capacity in the rapidly developing areas. I am conscious of the need to provide more school places in these areas quickly and these are being delivered. New schools have been built in rapidly developing areas and more are planned to accommodate continuing demographic changes. Many schools have had extensions built. Major refurbishments of schools have also been undertaken.

Not only are we investing far more in school buildings, but the improvements that have been made in the planning, design and delivery processes are also helping to deliver projects much faster. There is now much greater forward-planning, with close and regular engagement with local authorities, while a new partnership model has been developed to deliver community facilities in tandem with new schools and the publication of 10-year Area Development Plans.

In my most recent announcement on the 2008 large-scale building programme, I approved 48 projects to commence construction including 30 new primary schools in rapidly developing areas that are planned to be in place by next September under an accelerated building programme. It is also intended to provide additional accommodation at a number of schools under this programme.

My Department also has other projects coming on stream to the tendering and construction stages and I will be making further announcements about these as the 2008 school building programme is rolled out.

I assure the Deputy that through both increased investment under the NDP and the improved planning and delivery processes that we have put in place in recent years, the Government will ensure that school accommodation needs will be met.

School Staffing.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

268 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science when she expects pupil teacher ratios in the classroom to be brought into line with European best practice; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7122/08]

Minister for Education and Science (Deputy Mary Hanafin)

Minister for Education and Science (Deputy Mary Hanafin)

Approximately 1,100 extra primary and post-primary teachers have been put in place this school year. We are also planning for about 1,200 more for the 2008/09 year.

As I have said on many occasions in the past, high quality teachers are by far the most important ingredient in our education system. The record increases in teacher numbers in recent years have been absolutely unprecedented.

Significant improvements have been made in the pupil teacher ratio at primary and post-primary level in recent years. The ratio at primary level has dropped from 22.2:1 in the 1996/97 school year to 16.41:1 in the 2006/07 school year. The ratio at post-primary level has dropped from 16:1 in the 1996/97 school year to 13.13:1 in the 2006/07 school year.

In the primary sector alone, there are now in the region of 6,000 more teachers on my Department's payroll than there were in 2002. Extra teachers have been provided in the 2006/07 and 2007/08 school years specifically to reduce class sizes in our primary schools. The number of teachers working in the areas of language support and special needs has also increased significantly.

The Programme for Government contains a commitment to provide a further 4,000 primary teachers by 2012. With the additional teachers already put in place this year and those provided for in the Budget, we are ahead of target with about 2,000 extra primary teachers to be delivered within just two years.

School Accommodation.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

273 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science when she will eliminate the use of prefabs throughout the country by replacement with permanent structures; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7128/08]

Minister for Education and Science (Deputy Mary Hanafin)

I assure the Deputy that every effort is made by the Department to keep expenditure on prefabricated accommodation as low as possible. Where accommodation is needed at very short notice, however, a temporary solution can be the only option. Such accommodation may also be used where the need is short-term, such as when a school requires a temporary building while it is awaiting the completion of construction of permanent facilities. Last year, only 5% of the total investment in school buildings went on the rental of temporary accommodation.

This year nearly €600 million will be invested in school buildings and construction work will take place which is expected to provide permanent accommodation for about 20,000 pupils when complete.

The Deputy will be aware that in the past newly-recognised schools have generally had to open in temporary accommodation. I have been anxious to move away from this approach in developing areas and this year we are working hard to open as many new schools as possible in permanent accommodation.

Department officials have been working in partnership with local authority staff to acquire sites needed for new schools next September. Considerable effort has also been invested in pre-planning discussions with a view to ironing out any difficulties that might otherwise have been experienced at planning permission stage. I also held very productive meetings with a number of county managers and their senior planners and appreciate the effort that they have put into working with us on this. Sites for each of the September 2008 projects have been identified and site master-plans have been developed by the technical teams.

Our aim, where possible, is to put permanent solutions in place on a phased basis to meet the immediate September 2008 needs with a second phase to follow as required. Permanent solutions will be possible where a long-term site has been secured. A significant amount of building work on the new schools is being done off-site. The successful tenderers for the construction of each individual project have been notified. Project teams which were recruited from the private sector in October 2007 have been tasked with preparing the planning applications, undertaking the necessary surveys and overseeing the delivery of the schools on each site.

To conclude, expenditure on temporary accommodation has tended to represent a very small proportion of the overall investment in school buildings in recent years. The use of prefabs is avoided where possible but sometimes they can be the only feasible option. And we are now working to ensure that, where possible, new schools in developing areas will open in permanent accommodation from the start.

Schools Building Projects.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

274 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science the progress with regard to the provision of the proposed new school at Ardclough, Straffan, Co. Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7129/08]

Minister for Education and Science (Deputy Mary Hanafin)

The project to which the Deputy refers is at early architectural planning. Officials from my Department have requested a Stage 2(a) submission; Developed Sketch Design, on receipt of a date for receipt of this submission a date for a review meeting will be arranged.

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

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

275 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science the progress with regard to the provision of the proposed new school at Kill, County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7130/08]

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

276 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science further to her reply to Parliamentary Question No. 1082 of 30 January 2008, if there is further progress on same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7131/08]

Minister for Education and Science (Deputy Mary Hanafin)

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

289 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science the position in relation to the provision of the urgently required extension to a school (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7144/08]

Minister for Education and Science (Deputy Mary Hanafin)

Officials from my Department are currently awaiting a date for receipt of the Stage 3 submission (i.e. Developed Sketch Scheme) from the school's Design Team. On receipt of this date a review meeting will be organised between the Board of Management, it's Design Team and the Department to assess the submission.

School Accommodation.

Joanna Tuffy

Question:

290 Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for Education and Science if there are plans to provide additional school places for the developing population in the area around and near Kinsale, Cork south west; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7156/08]

Minister for Education and Science (Deputy Mary Hanafin)

Róisín Shortall

Question:

294 Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Education and Science the steps she will take to assist schools (details supplied) in Dublin 9 to access funding for the urgent upgrading of the school buildings and assembly hall in view of the fact that her Department have accepted that these works are necessary yet no funding has been forthcoming. [7189/08]

Minister for Education and Science (Deputy Mary Hanafin)

The schools to which the Deputy refers made certain requests of my Department for capital works in the context of an amalgamation negotiation. They have not, otherwise, completed a formal application under any section/scheme of the Department's Capital Programme.

The amalgamation is not being pursued and, while this does not preclude the schools from applying for capital funding, they must decide which section/scheme of the Department's capital programme is most appropriate to their needs. Any such application will be assessed in accordance with the relevant governing criteria which treat all applications in an open, transparent and equitable manner.

Freedom of Information.

Lucinda Creighton

Question:

295 Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Minister for Defence if he will provide in tabular form the number of freedom of information requests that have been received by his Department each year since 1997; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6944/08]

Minister for Defence (Deputy Willie O’Dea)

The Freedom of Information Act 1997 commenced on 21 April 1998 for Government Departments. Therefore, there are no records of Freedom of Information requests for 1997.

Figures for 1998-2008 are shown as follows:

Year	Number
1998	81
1999	133
2000	129
2001	124
2002	131
2003	106
2004	49
2005	41
2006	51
2007	28
2008 to date	6

Ministerial Transport.

Simon Coveney

Question:

296 Deputy Simon Coveney asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will provide a comprehensive list of all cars owned by the State used to drive Ministers and junior Ministers; the engine size of each; the emissions label on each and if it has a hybrid engine or uses biofuels regularly. [7033/08]

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

The details requested with regard to cars provided for Members of the Government are set out in the following table:

Model	No. of Cars in Fleet	Vehicle cc	Emissions CO2/Km	Fuel Type
Audi A6	1	2398	240	Petrol
Audi A6	2	2967	223	Diesel
Lexus GS300	2	2995	232	Petrol
Lexus GS450H	3	3456	186	Hybrid Petrol-Electric
Mercedes Benz E240	3	2597	238	Petrol
Mercedes Benz E320	2	3199	194	Diesel
Mercedes Benz S350	1	3498	281	Petrol
Toyota Prius	2	1498	104	Hybrid Petrol-Electric
Volvo S80	2	2498	244	Petrol

The requirements for the fleet of cars provided for Members of the Government are subject to regular review and assessment in order to ensure that the most suitable vehicles are purchased having regard to a range of criteria including whole-of-life cost, fuel efficiency, economy and environmental considerations, bearing in mind the function of the vehicles and their suitability for the specific transport requirements involved. The current contract in place for the supply of large executive saloon cars specifies diesel-powered vehicles. Accordingly, as older models in the fleet are replaced, the number of diesel powered vehicles will significantly increase. Hybrid petrol-electric cars are already in use and more of these or biofuel cars may be purchased as appropriate.

Registration of Title.

Róisín Shortall

Question:

297 Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the situation regarding the requirement of property owners to register such ownership with the Land Registry; and if this information is available publicly and specifically to the Revenue Commissioners. [7190/08]

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

It is not clear from the Deputy's query whether or not her question relates to a situation where: 1. The title to a property is already registered in the Land Registry and the registered owner transfers the property or part of the property to a new owner or 2. The title to the property has not been registered in the Land Registry to date.

In the case of 1., the position is that pursuant to Section 51 of the Registration of Title Act 1964, no legal interest passes to the new owner until such time as the new ownership has been registered in the Land Registry.

In the case of 2., registration of title in the Land Registry is compulsory in certain circumstances. Further details in this regard can be obtained from the Property Registration Authority, including from their website.

When an application for registration is completed in the Land Registry, the effect of that registration is entered on a folio. There are some 1.8 million folios in the Land Registry which collectively make up "the Register". The Register is a public record and any person may inspect the Register or apply for a certified copy on payment of the prescribed fee.

Residency Permits.

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Question:

298 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if his attention has been drawn to the case of a person (details supplied) who applied for residency on the basis of marriage to an Irish national in June 2007; if he will take steps to expedite the application due to the fact that their spouse was made redundant resulting in acute financial hardship for the couple and their two children; and if he will make some form of visa or permission to work available in the interim. [6882/08]

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

An application for residence in the State on the basis of marriage to an Irish national was received from the person in question in June 2007. Applications of this kind, in fairness to all other such applicants, are dealt with in strict chronological order and are currently processed within a twelve month period. It should be noted that marriage to an Irish national does not confer an automatic right of residence in the State.

Enquiries conducted by the Immigration Operations Unit of my Department have established that the Irish national spouse of the person concerned made an application for Family Income Supplement in February 2008, which suggests that this person is in employment. It is also noted from information submitted by the person in question that a significant payment arising from a personal injury claim was due for payment during 2007.

Citizenship Applications.

Bernard Allen

Question:

299 Deputy Bernard Allen asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform when a decision will be made on the application for citizenship made by a person (details supplied) in County Cork who reapplied on 27 July 2007 for citizenship having previously applied in 2003 when they were told that they had applied before time. [6897/08]

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

An application for a certificate of naturalisation from the person referred to in the Deputy's Question was received in the Citizenship section of my Department in July 2007. Officials in that section are currently processing applications received in mid 2005 and have approximately 13,200 applications on hand to be dealt with before that of the person in question. These are generally dealt with in chronological order as this is deemed to be the fairest to all applicants.

However, I understand that the person concerned is a refugee. In accordance with the Government's obligations under the United Nations Convention relating to the Status of Refugees of 28 July 1951, every effort is made to ensure that applications from persons with refugee status are dealt with as quickly as possible, having regard to the general volume of applications on hand. It is likely, therefore, that further processing of the application will commence later this year. I will inform the Deputy and the person concerned when I have reached a decision on the matter.

Civil Partnerships.

Pat Rabbitte

Question:

300 Deputy Pat Rabbitte asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if in regard to the report of the Working Group on Domestic Partnership (details supplied) he has initiated research into who exactly makes up the cohort of non-conjugal relationships and what their needs are, as recommended in the report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6906/08]

Pat Rabbitte

Question:

301 Deputy Pat Rabbitte asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if in regard to the recommendation made in the report of the Working Group on Domestic Partnership (details supplied) there is a need for protection for some people in these arrangements but that these might be better served through regular review of legislation and reform where necessary; if he has initiated any review of legislation in this area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6907/08]

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

I propose to take Questions Nos. 300 and 301 together.

The information requested by the Deputy is as set out in the table. The latest available figures for Community Policing are as at 31 December 2007. The latest date for which figures are readily available for strength of the stations referred to by the Deputy is 31 January 2008.

Station	Strength 31/12/06	Community Strength 31/12/06	Strength 31/12/07	Community Strength 31/12/07	Strength 31/1/08
Clondalkin	92	11	104	11	103
Lucan	70	7	84	7	84
Ronanstown	92	12	87	12	84

All Gardaí have responsibility, inter alia, to be involved in Community Policing issues as they arise. The Deputy will appreciate that, as with any large organisation, on any given day, personnel strengths of individual stations may fluctuate due, for example, to promotions, retirements and transfers.

It is the responsibility of the Garda Commissioner to allocate personnel throughout the Force taking everything into account. The next allocation of Probationer Gardaí is due to take place on 13 March next. In that regard, the needs of the Garda Stations referred to will be fully considered by the Commissioner within the overall context of the needs of Garda stations throughout the country.

Freedom of Information.

Lucinda Creighton

Question:

305 Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will provide in tabular form the number of freedom of information requests that have been received by his Department each year since 1997; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6951/08]

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

As the Deputy will be aware, the Freedom of Information Act, 1997 came into force on 21st April 1998. My Department received 306 FOI requests that year.

The figures for the subsequent years are as follows:

1999	2000	2001	2002	2003	2004	2005	2006	2007
648	683	683	660	636	444	433	477	445

My Department has received 53 requests approximately to date this year.

Residency Permits.

Damien English

Question:

306 Deputy Damien English asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the options open to non-EEA nationals, who currently have permission to remain in the State on an employment permit, to remain in the State on retirement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6957/08]

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

There is no special procedure for moving from being an employment permit holder to residence as a retired person. Cases are dealt with in broadly the same manner as any other application to reside in Ireland as a retiree.

In general, a non-EEA person who wishes to retire here must have sufficient financial resources to be able to support themselves including having private medical insurance and not require State services or benefits. A critical determinant would be the financial independence of the person. Any financial resources or pension entitlements acquired through employment would be counted in any determination.

Damien English

Question:

307 Deputy Damien English asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform when an application for a person (details supplied) in County Meath will be processed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6958/08]

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

The position in relation to granting long term residency is as follows: Persons who have been legally resident in the State for over five years on the basis of work permit/work authorisation/work visa conditions may apply to the Immigration Division of my Department for a five year residency extension. In that context they may also apply to be exempt from employment permit requirements. The dependants of the aforementioned, who have been legally resident in the State for over five years may also apply for long term residency. This particular long term permission does not grant an exemption from employment permit requirements to any such dependants. Time spent in the State on student conditions cannot be counted towards long term residency. While applications for long term residency are under consideration, the person concerned should ensure that their permission to remain in the State is kept up to date.

An application for long term residency from the person referred to by the Deputy was received in November 2007 and an acknowledgement has recently issued to him. I understand that applications received in July 2006 are currently being dealt with. As soon as a decision is made on the case, the person concerned will be notified.

Judicial Reviews.

Damien English

Question:

308 Deputy Damien English asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the total cost to and the damages paid by the State in relation to judicial reviews that his Department were responsible for in 2006; and if he will provide the information in tabular readable form. [6961/08]

Damien English

Question:

309 Deputy Damien English asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of applications for judicial review that his Department was responsible for in 2006; the number of applications where leave was granted for each year; and if he will present the information in tabular readable form. [6962/08]

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

Joe McHugh

Question:

315 Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his views on whether the Garda presence in border towns is adequate, in view of the fact that a paramilitary organisation (details supplied) have publicly announced that they intend to undertake paramilitary activities in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7148/08]

Joe McHugh

Question:

316 Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his plans in relation to the policing of the north-west, in view of the recent interview (details supplied); the assurances he will give to the people of County Donegal, who are in close proximity to both Derry City and Strabane; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7149/08]

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

I propose to take Questions Nos. 314 to 316, inclusive, together.

The threat from dissident republican groups remains a high priority for my Department in terms of its ongoing review of both counter-terrorism and related legislation and the resource requirements of the Garda Síochána. At an operational level, the Garda Síochána carries out regular reviews of the threat assessment arising from the activities of these groups. All relevant events are factored into this threat assessment as a means of further developing its operational counter-terrorism strategies.

There is ongoing co-operation between the Garda Síochána and the law enforcement authorities in Northern Ireland, including the exchange of intelligence, to ensure appropriate measures are put in place to combat both the terrorist and criminal activities of these groups. I also understand that the Garda Síochána is engaging in high-visibility policing along the Border and that special intelligence-led operations are put in place, as appropriate.

The Garda authorities continue to review resource requirements for Garda Divisions along the Border, in accordance with policing demands and emerging and potential threats from dissident republican groups. I am informed that senior Garda management is satisfied that the current Garda presence along the Border is sufficient to meet existing demands. This situation is kept under continuous review.

Residency Permits.

Pat Breen

Question:

317 Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the procedure to acquire long term residency for a person (details supplied) in County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7166/08]

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

The position in relation to granting long term residency is as follows: Persons who have been legally resident in the State for over five years on the basis of work permit/work authorisation/work visa conditions may apply to the Immigration Division of my Department for a five year residency extension. In that context they may also apply to be exempt from employment permit requirements. The dependants of the aforementioned, who have been legally resident in the State for over five years may also apply for long term residency. This particular long term permission does not grant an exemption from employment permit requirements to any such dependants. Time spent in the State on student conditions cannot be counted towards long term residency.

As the Deputy is aware, Section 36 of the Immigration, Residence and Protection Bill 2008, which is currently at Second Stage in the Dáil, provides a statutory basis for long-term residence in the State. It is my intention, subject to enactment of the Bill, to bring this statutory scheme into operation as soon as possible following enactment of the Bill. In doing so the necessary arrangements will be put in place to facilitate the making of applications under the statutory scheme.

Citizenship Applications.

John Curran

Question:

318 Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform when he expects to make a decision regarding applications for naturalisation made by persons (details supplied) in Dublin 22. [7173/08]

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

I am further informed by Garda authorities that they are currently evaluating responses to a tender competition for the provision of a Computer Aided Dispatch System. Among the functional requirements for the system is an SMS service for the deaf community. Implementation of the CAD system will be in two phases with rollout of the system expected to commence in 2010. In the interim An Garda Síochána is currently researching international good practice in emergency access for deaf and hard of hearing people to explore the possibility of providing an SMS service within a shorter timeframe.

Visa Applications.

Willie Penrose

Question:

323 Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will take steps to have an application for a visa in respect of a person (details supplied) who wishes to visit this country, immediately expedited, particularly in the context where this person has visited this country for two previous three month stays, during which they abided by all rules and regulations governing the granting of such visas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7186/08]

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

I refer to my reply to the Deputy's question of 19 February 2008. I am pleased to inform the Deputy that the application referred to was approved on 5 February 2008.

Liquor Licensing Laws.

Róisín Shortall

Question:

324 Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform further to Parliamentary Question No. 546 of 12 February 2008, the number of prosecutions taken by the Gardaí in respect of off-licence delivery services for the supply of alcohol to minors; and the manner in which the Gardaí can enforce the law in respect of the supply of intoxicating liquor where this is provided through telephone or text ordering for delivery to peoples homes. [7192/08]

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

Section 31(2) of the Intoxicating Liquor Act 1988, as amended by section 16 of the Intoxicating Liquor Act 2003, creates an offence for the holder of a licence authorising the sale of intoxicating liquor to sell or deliver or permit any person to sell or deliver intoxicating liquor to any person for consumption off his or her licensed premises by a person under the age of eighteen years of age in any place, except with the explicit consent of the person's parent or guardian in a private residence in which he or she is present either as of right or with permission.

Under section 17(3) of the Intoxicating Liquor Act 2003, it is an offence for a licensee, with intent to evade the conditions of the licence, to take intoxicating liquor from the licensed premises for the purpose of its being sold on the account, or for the benefit or profit, of the licensee, or to permit any other person to do so. Once such activity is uncovered by Gardaí, or is reported to An Garda Síochána, such incidents are the subject of investigation. I have asked the recently-established Government Alcohol Advisory Group to examine the adequacy and effectiveness of existing sanctions and penalties, particularly those directed towards combating excessive and under-age alcohol consumption.

The following table shows the number of prosecutions commenced for offences under section 31(2) of the Intoxicating Liquor Act 1988, as amended, between 2003 and 2007. It is not possible from the manner in which statistics are collated on PULSE to differentiate between on and off licensed premises.

Number of prosecutions commenced for offences under section 31(2) of the Intoxicating Liquor Act 1988, as amended, between 2003 and 2007
Year	Proceedings Commenced
2007*	14
2006	11
2005	19
2004	26
2003	26
Total	96

*Figures for 2007 are provisional, operational and liable to change.

Planning Issues.

Terence Flanagan

Question:

325 Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will provide a breakdown of the total number of developments which have not been taken in charge by local authorities (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6890/08]

Terence Flanagan

Question:

326 Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will provide a progress report on the new circular regarding the taking in charge process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6891/08]

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

I propose to take Questions Nos. 325 and 326 together.

My Department does not collect the information requested in the Question. As part of the overall review and update of the local government service indicators a new indicator in relation to taking in charge is being introduced from 2008 onwards. This will provide benchmark data in 2009 for monitoring the taking in charge process, and in particular the priority being accorded by individual authorities to the taking in charge of unfinished or legacy estates. This information will allow my Department to review the ongoing work of planning authorities in this area.

As stated in the reply to Question No. 227 of 7 February 2008, my Department will shortly issue updated guidance to planning authorities on the taking in charge of residential estates, including the limited circumstances where it may be appropriate to condition a management company.

Water and Sewerage Schemes.

Dara Calleary

Question:

327 Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he has received a submission from Mayo County Council in relation to extra funding for a sewerage scheme (details supplied) County Mayo; and his response is to that issue. [6902/08]

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

The Achill Sound Sewerage Scheme is included in my Department's Water Services Investment Programme 2007-2009 as a scheme to start construction in 2008. Mayo County Council's request for a review of the funding arrangements for the scheme is being considered in my Department and is being dealt with as quickly as possible.

Dara Calleary

Question:

328 Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he has received all tender documentation from Mayo County Council in relation to a sewerage scheme (details supplied); if there is further documentation in relation to the scheme outstanding; and when he will be in a position to sanction funding for the construction of same. [6903/08]

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

The Kiltimagh Sewerage Scheme is included in my Department's Water Services Investment Programme 2007-2009 as a scheme to start construction in 2008. Mayo County Council's Report on Tenders for the collection system was received in my Department last week and is being dealt with as quickly as possible. I understand that the Council has yet to invite tenders for the wastewater treatment plant.

National Monuments.

Ulick Burke

Question:

329 Deputy Ulick Burke asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will provide adequate protection for the Turoe Stone to remain at its present location; his views on whether under EU Law the Office of Public Works are allowed to remove, change location or alter in any way items of natural heritage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6912/08]

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

The proposal to move the Turoe Stone to a climatically controlled indoor environment has been put forward in the light of professional advice that this was the only way in which further serious damage and deterioration in the Stone's condition can be avoided. However, I have asked my Department's National Monuments Service to examine in detail all aspects of the ongoing and future, conservation, protection and presentation of the Turoe Stone in consultation with the Office of Public Works, the National Museum of Ireland and the Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism, as appropriate. As part of that exercise a number of suggested interim alternative locations for the national monument in County Galway will also be examined from the point of view of their suitability or otherwise.

My Department met with Galway City and County Council officials in the matter in December 2007 and I have asked the Department to keep the two local authorities and local public representatives informed of further developments. Under national statutory provisions in relation to archaeological heritage protection, in accordance with Section 14 of the National Monuments Act 1930 (as amended), any works proposed in relation to a national monument, including any movement or alteration thereof require the consent of the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, following consultation with the Director of the National Museum of Ireland. With regard to relevant international agreements, Ireland ratified the European Convention on the Protection of the Archaeological Heritage (Valletta Convention) in 1997. Under the terms of the Convention the Parties undertake to implement measures for the physical protection of the archaeological heritage. Measures to be undertaken include making provision as circumstances demand for archaeological heritage conservation and maintenance, preferably in situ where feasible, but also making provision for appropriate storage places for archaeological remains which have been removed from their original location. The archaeological principle of a presumption in favour of preservation in situ is part of the Department's established policy on archaeology as set out in the 1999 publication "Framework and Principles for the Protection of the Archaeological Heritage".

At all times in considering how best to protect the integrity of the Turoe Stone, the provisions of the National Monuments Acts and, in the broader context, the obligations of the Valletta Convention have been, and will continue to be, adhered to and respected. My Department's aim in this matter is to ensure the long-term protection of the national monument for current and future generations in accordance with best archaeological practice and with national and international law.

Fire Stations.

Ulick Burke

Question:

330 Deputy Ulick Burke asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he has received an application for funding from Galway County Council for the provision of a new fire station for Loughrea, County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6913/08]

336 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if according to legislation, people who have a television, yet cannot receive any signal from the national broadcaster and are not connected to any satellite provider are still liable for a television licence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6884/08]

The Programme for Government reaffirms the commitment in the Energy Policy White Paper to the transfer of ownership of the electricity transmission network assets from ESB to EirGrid by end 2008. There has been no departure from that position. 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.

The drafting and publication of the necessary legislation is a key step in the process. 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).

A number of meetings have already taken place with the various stakeholders in relation to the energy policy objectives set out in the Programme for Government and the Energy Policy White Paper which impact on ESB. I have made it clear 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 relevant parties.

Government policy is clear in relation to implementation of the transmission assets decision in a way that ensures the strategic 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.

Postal Services.

Simon Coveney

Question:

343 Deputy Simon Coveney asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the position regarding the implementation of a postcode system here; if he has reverted to Government on the issue following further analysis to quantify the benefits; and if the public consultation process has started. [7032/08]

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

The National Postcode Project Board (NPPB) presented its recommendation as to the most appropriate postcode system for Ireland, the costs and benefits arising from its introduction along with a detailed implementation plan. A proposal concerning the introduction of postcodes went to Government in May 2007 and Government decided that, prior to the introduction of postcodes, further analysis to quantify the wider economic and societal benefits should be carried out.

In arriving at its recommendation, the NPPB's advisors carried out two extensive consultations with stakeholders both within the postal sector and outside it with a view to arriving at a postcode model that would best meet the needs of the stakeholders and to measure the likely costs and benefits of the introduction, promotion and maintenance of such a postcode.

In order to progress the project, my Department is currently carrying out this analysis and it is my intention to revert to Government on this matter as soon as the analysis is complete.

Dáil Éireann debate - Wednesday, 20 Feb 2008

Physical Education Facilities.

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Schools Building Projects.

Denis Naughten

Education Convention.

Willie Penrose

Early School Leavers.

Brian O'Shea

Departmental Funding.

Kathleen Lynch

Higher Education Grants.

Pat Rabbitte

Ciaran Lynch

Pupil-Teacher Ratio.

Bernard J. Durkan

Special Educational Needs.

Kathleen Lynch

Psychological Service.

Deirdre Clune

Schools Building Projects.

Sean Sherlock

Physical Education Facilities.

Dinny McGinley

School Staffing.

Michael D. Higgins

Liz McManus

Schools Amalgamation.

Joanna Tuffy

School Accommodation.

Emmet Stagg

Special Educational Needs.

Michael D'Arcy

Róisín Shortall

Higher Education Grants.

Arthur Morgan

Emmet Stagg

Pat Rabbitte

Jan O'Sullivan

Language Supports.

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Schools Amalgamation.

Joan Burton

Third Level Courses.

Mary Upton

Departmental Funding.

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Education Services.

Brian O'Shea

Schools Building Projects.

David Stanton

Deirdre Clune

Water Charges.

Martin Ferris

Departmental Website.

Thomas P. Broughan

School Accommodation.

Ruairí Quinn

Teaching Qualifications.

Joanna Tuffy

Language Supports.

Denis Naughten

Special Educational Needs.

Andrew Doyle

Physical Education Facilities.

Jimmy Deenihan

Salary Scales.

Eamon Gilmore

School Insurance.

Ciaran Lynch

Schools Building Projects.

Michael D. Higgins

Education Welfare Service.

Joe McHugh

Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 20 Feb 2008