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Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 26 Feb 2008

Vol. 648 No. 2

Written Answers.

The following are questions tabled by Members for written response and the ministerial replies as received on the day from the Departments [unrevised].
Questions Nos. 1 to 3, inclusive, answered orally.
Questions Nos. 4 to 15, inclusive, resubmitted.
Questions Nos. 16 to 23, inclusive, answered orally.

Tax Code.

Sean Sherlock

Question:

24 Deputy Seán Sherlock asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance his views on reducing the rate of VAT charged on non-oral contraceptives to the minimum 5% rate in line with the EU VAT directive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7733/08]

The Deputy will be aware that the Finance Bill introduces an amendment to the VAT Act 1972 that will reduce the VAT rate applicable to non oral contraceptive products from 21% to 13.5%. This is a significant reduction in itself which will take effect from the passing of the Finance Bill. It is hoped that this measure will address concerns raised by the various health bodies.

In relation to the scope for further reduction of the VAT rate applicable to such products, the position is that the scope for reducing or removing the VAT rate applicable to any good or service is determined under EU VAT law, with which Irish law must comply. Under EU VAT law, it is not possible to introduce new zero rates of VAT, as we can only retain the zero rating that was in existence on 1 January 1991. As non oral contraceptive products were not subject to the zero rate on 1 January 1991 it would not be possible to apply the zero rate of VAT to condoms.

As the Deputy suggests Member States may have up to two reduced VAT rates of not less than 5 per cent for a specified number of goods or services which are set out in Annex III of the EU VAT Directive. Contraceptive products are included in Annex III. Ireland in common with the vast majority of EU Member States operates a single reduced rate.

Even though EU law does provide for the introduction of a second lower reduced rate of 5%, such a move would have major structural implications for the VAT system and I do not propose to radically change our VAT system structure for this purpose.

Those calling for reduced consumption taxes, should be aware of the numerous determinants of price that explain the price variances across the EU. The level of VAT in practice only plays a small part in determining the price of such products in each Member State. Notwithstanding the above it is hoped that the VAT reduction introduced in the Finance Bill will lead to lower prices, and I hope that the retailer groups which were part of the campaign for the reduced prices will both reduce prices in line with the VAT reduction and look at their own pricing structures.

David Stanton

Question:

25 Deputy David Stanton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance if he has considered or will consider allowing tax relief to businesses that have experienced losses due to works carried out by local authorities or the National Roads Authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7752/08]

The premise on which this question is based appears to be that businesses should receive specific compensation through the tax system for the loss of business which they consider they have experienced or will experience as a result of works carried out by local authorities and others. I do not consider the tax system to be the appropriate mechanism through which to deal with matters of this kind.

In the normal way, the tax system already provides relief to companies and businesses, generally, in relation to losses suffered by them in the course of their trade. Trading losses can be set off against profits in the same accounting period. Such losses can also be set off against profits of the preceding accounting period, if the company or business carried on the trade in that period. Finally, trading losses can be set off against future profits of the same trade, unless the losses have been otherwise utilised.

Dan Neville

Question:

26 Deputy Dan Neville asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance if he foresees any threats to the Irish corporation tax regime; and his plans to mitigate the possible effects. [7820/08]

I want to assure the Deputy that the Government's position on our corporate tax regime is unambiguous. It is clearly stated in the Programme for Government that the 12 ½% rate of corporation tax will remain.

That commitment is protected, in an EU context, by the principle of unanimity in taxation matters. The draft Reform Treaty confirms that position.

Although the Deputy does not specify what threats to the Irish corporate tax regime he has in mind, he may be referring to the Commission's technical work on a common consolidated corporate tax base (CCCTB) which has been the subject of much recent discussion.

It is important to note there has been no political decision taken on the CCCTB at the level of the Council of Ministers. The Commission is carrying out technical work on various aspects of a CCCTB but has not yet made a formal proposal.

As there has not been a formal proposal, it is very difficult to assess the impact of a CCCTB on Ireland and the EU overall. The Irish position on the CCCTB is well known and I will continue to highlight the difficulties I believe such a proposal could cause for individual Member States and overall EU competitiveness. There is, I believe, increasing scepticism among Member States as the Commission's technical work continues.

Greenhouse Gas Emissions.

Terence Flanagan

Question:

27 Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance if he has assessed the implications for the Irish economy of the new EU climate change commitments. [7797/08]

The proposals published by the Commission begin the process which will lead to an agreement on the contributions of individual Member States towards meeting the EU targets agreed at the 2007 Spring Council. The Commission proposes that Ireland reduces its greenhouse gas emissions by 20% by 2020, based on 2005 emissions figures, and achieve an overall target of 16% of final energy consumption from renewable energy by 2020.

The proposals set out by the Commission are complex and far reaching. They require detailed analysis and discussion at EU and domestic level and my Department will be central to this process. The cost in budgetary terms and the economic impact will depend on the methods used to achieve whatever target is finally set. Obviously, we will try to be as fiscally neutral as possible.

The Government fully supports the objectives agreed at the Spring Council last year and the leadership shown by the EU's ambitions in this area of climate change. It is important that national circumstances and competitiveness impacts are considered in the context of finalising the EU's measures. In this regard, it is essential to ensure that the Irish situation in relation to the large difference between our Gross Domestic Product and Gross National Income, our infrastructural deficit, our recent and projected levels of population growth, and the relatively large size of Irish agriculture and its global competitiveness are all taken into account.

It is important however, that we look positively on the challenge and not just dwell on the negatives. To the extent, for example, that extra capital spending generates fuel and other efficiencies in using natural resources this will be to our overall economic and fiscal benefit. The proposals for the Emissions Trading Scheme also involves new revenue streams for national Governments which will also form part of the policy mix.

As I said in my Budget Speech this is a challenge for all citizens not just the Government and will involve choices being made and changes in behaviour to realise the ambition of reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

The Government has been acting over recent years to begin to address the challenge of climate change and we will continue to work towards reducing emissions. However, as I said before, these are Commission proposals and there is still some way to go before they become agreed policy.

Financial Services Regulation.

Catherine Byrne

Question:

28 Deputy Catherine Byrne asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance if he is satisfied with the progress being made to find a satisfactory system for deposit protection in credit unions. [7766/08]

The Irish League of Credit Unions (ILCU) has since 1989, operated a savings protection scheme (SPS) for credit unions. The SPS aims to protect the individual savings of members by ensuring that credit unions are financially and administratively sound and provides for savings protection for each individual credit union member.

It is important to note that under the SPS regime no member of a credit union has experienced any loss of shares and deposits and no credit union has become insolvent. The SPS has only been called upon in a very limited number of cases and it has never been necessary to make savings protection payments to individual credit union members. It is also important to note that sound prudential supervision by the Registrar of Credit Unions under the Credit Union Act, 1997 in ensuring the continuing solvency and liquidity of credit unions safeguards the interests of credit union savers.

Section 46 of the Credit Union Act 1997 provides for approval of savings protection schemes by the Registrar of Credit Unions as the delegate of the Regulatory Authority. Once an approved scheme is in place under the Act it would be incumbent on all credit unions to participate. This highlights the importance of ensuring that an approved savings protection arrangement is consistent with the requirements of the credit union movement as a whole.

In line with changes in the regulatory environment for financial services generally the need for modernisation of the credit union SPS has become evident over time. Proposals for reform of the SPS were the subject of discussions in 2007 between the Registrar and ILCU resulting in the submission of detailed proposals for the reform of SPS in November 2007. I have written to the Chairman of the Financial Regulator confirming my view that an approved savings protection scheme for all credit unions should be in place as soon as possible. In this respect the Chairman of the Financial Regulator has recently advised me that it is the intention of the Financial Regulator to deal with outstanding issues on SPS as quickly as possible. I will be continuing to monitor progress towards this objective in the coming weeks.

Thomas P. Broughan

Question:

29 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance if in view of the decision of the Chancellor of the Exchequer in the UK to increase the level of the deposit protection scheme for deposit holders to £50,000, he will take steps to increase the deposit protection scheme here to a similar amount; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7714/08]

The Irish deposit protection scheme complies with harmonised arrangements set out in the EU Deposit Guarantee Schemes Directive 94/19/EC. The Directive currently provides for a level of protection of 90% of the loss incurred by a depositor when a credit institution cannot repay funds, subject to a maximum payment of €20,000. The Exchequer or the CBFSAI do not fund the scheme; it is funded by a levy of 0.2% on bank deposits.

In the wake of the recent turmoil in the global financial markets, the Ecofin Council of 9 October 2007 requested the Commission and the Financial Services Committee (FSC) to consider possible enhancements of the EU deposit guarantee scheme and to report back to the Council by mid-2008. Ireland is participating in this review and the parameters of the Irish deposit guarantee scheme will be reconsidered in the light of the outcome of the current review. In the meantime I consider it would not be appropriate to bring forward any changes to our scheme pending the outcome of that review.

I think it is also well to bear in mind that while a good deposit protection scheme can help to support confidence in the banking system, the best safeguard of the financial system is the existence of and the effective operation of a sound regulatory and supervisory regime. I am glad to say that Ireland has been positively assessed by the IMF in that regard as recently as September 2007.

Pension Provisions.

Kieran O'Donnell

Question:

30 Deputy Kieran O’Donnell asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance if he has assessed the impact of stock market losses on the robustness of pension provision; and if there are implications for public policy. [7824/08]

In my role as the Minister for Finance I have responsibility for the development of the legal framework governing financial regulation. The day-to-day responsibility for the supervision of financial institutions is a matter for the Financial Regulator.

The Pensions Board is responsible for the regulation of occupational pension schemes and Personal Retirement Savings Accounts in Ireland as part of its statutory role to monitor and supervise the operation of the Pensions Act.

The Deputy will appreciate that pensions are long-term investments. While it is inevitable that the assets in which such funds have invested will experience periods of market volatility, professionally managed pension funds are generally able to ride out such volatility over time.

In the Irish pension system, trustees have important responsibilities to ensure that investment choices are prudent and responsible and strike an appropriate balance between return and the risk inherent in all investments.

In terms of public policy, short-term movements in financial markets have limited effects on wider economic trends. Of course, any deterioration in financial market conditions sustained over a prolonged period of time could, potentially, spill over into economic developments. In this regard, it is important to remember that the fundamentals of the Irish economy remain strong and that the economy has responded quickly and effectively to changing economic conditions in the past.

Ethics Legislation.

James Reilly

Question:

31 Deputy James Reilly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance if he plans to amend the legislation governing the Standards in Public Office Act 2001 in order that it can initiate its own investigations of matters which may breach proper behaviour by persons in its area of responsibility. [7833/08]

Jan O'Sullivan

Question:

36 Deputy Jan O’Sullivan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance if the Government is planning amendments to the Ethics in Public Office Acts; if he will agree to the substantive amendments sought by SIPO; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7728/08]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 31 and 36 together.

As I have informed the House on previous occasions, the Standards in Public Office Act 2001 already allows the Standards in Public Office Commission to carry out investigations on its own initiative, where it considers it appropriate to do so, on breaches of the provisions of the Ethics legislation, by persons in the Commission's area of responsibility, and as provided for by the legislation.

The Deputies will, of course, be aware that issues concerning a non-office-holding member of the Oireachtas would, in the first instance, be a matter for the Select Committee on Member's Interests of the relevant House.

As regards the other changes to the Ethics legislation recommended by the Standards Commission in its last Annual Report, I do not propose to amend the definition of the term "specified act" used in the legislation, or to legislate for a complaint concerning failure to abide by certain defined ethical standards. The existing definition of "specified act" aims to strike a fair balance, and there are already Codes of Conduct to guide the ethical behaviour of Oireachtas members, office-holders and civil servants in their day-to-day business and these codes can be taken into account by the Standards Commission in an investigation of an alleged breach of the legislation.

As regards inquiry officers, again I have informed the House previously that I have no plans to amend the law to enable the Standards Commission to appoint an inquiry officer without having received a complaint. It is reasonable that a complaint to the Standards Commission should be required to commence the inquiry process, which, in itself, can carry serious consequences for the person who is to be the subject of it. Numerous categories of persons, including members of the public and any public representative, are entitled to make a complaint against the persons and office holders against whom complaints can be made to the Commission.

The other Standards Commission amendments are technical. One of them — about the furnishing of "nil" statements — is already provided for in the Ethics in Public Office (Amendment) Bill 2007. Another concerns statutory declarations of tax compliance under the Standards in Public Office Act 2001, and relates to extending the period within which proceedings can be taken in relation to false or misleading declarations. Section 34 of the Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2006, about to be taken at Report Stage in this House, would extend that period in relation to statutory declarations generally, including those required under the Standards in Public Office Act 2001.

I aim to circulate amendments to cater for the remainder of the Standards Commission's recommendations in advance of the Committee Stage debate on the Bill when it is being taken in the House. My intention, assuming agreement among the Whips, is that the Bill should be taken in the current session.

Fiscal Policy.

Shane McEntee

Question:

32 Deputy Shane McEntee asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance if he has had reason to modify his economic or public finance projections for 2008; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7812/08]

On Budget day, my Department projected a GDP growth rate of 3 per cent for this year and a GNP growth rate of 2.8 per cent. While lower than in recent years this is still a robust rate of economic growth given the prevailing international conditions.

A General Government deficit of -0.9 per cent of GDP in 2008 and a General Government debt level of around 26 per cent of GDP at end-2008 were projected in Budget 2008.

In aggregate terms the Budget day forecasts, both economic and fiscal which were presented to the House in December, have not changed.

Of course, as was noted at Budget time, there are risks, both internal and external, to the outlook and my Department will, as always, continue to monitor the situation closely. That said, it is important to remember that the fundamentals of the Irish economy remain strong and that the economy has responded quickly and effectively to changing economic conditions in the past.

Tax Code.

Pat Rabbitte

Question:

33 Deputy Pat Rabbitte asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the estimated number of individuals holding non-domiciled status for tax purposes for each of the past three tax years; if the Revenue Commissioners have undertaken additional steps to clarify the number of visits made to the country by such non-residents; if he has plans to review legislation relating to the treatment of those individuals holding non-domiciled status for tax purposes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7731/08]

I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that the 2005 income tax year was the first year for which it was possible to capture the number of returns of income and gains made by persons not domiciled in the State. The number of individuals that show they are not domiciled in the State on their 2005 return of income is 4,955. In addition, the 2005 returns show 2,239 spouses as non-domicile. Returns for 2006 were due to be filed by 31st October 2007 or, in the case of returns made on ROS (Revenue's online system), by 15 November 2007. The data capture of information of these returns is currently under way and when completed will facilitate the compilation of statistics for 2006.

I am further advised by the Revenue Commissioners that inquiries relating to residence are a feature of the risk-based programmes operated by Revenue. The procedures adopted in relation to validating non-resident status depend on the circumstances in each case and, as with other procedures, they are reviewed by Revenue on a regular basis. The administration of the validation procedures is a matter for the Revenue Commissioners and the methods used to verify claims to non-residence include a range of tests and an intelligence dimension which, for obvious reasons, they do not publicise.

Financial Services Regulation.

Eamon Gilmore

Question:

34 Deputy Eamon Gilmore asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance if he has reason to be concerned about the high level of personal indebtedness here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7725/08]

As the Deputy will be aware, within the implementation of the overall legislative framework, private sector credit growth and debt levels are, in the first instance, a matter for the Central Bank and the Financial Services Authority of Ireland (CBFSAI). This follows from its role as part of the European System of Central Banks and its functions, as the Financial Regulator, in relation to the prudential supervision of financial institutions and the protection of the consumers of those firms.

The CBFSAI reported in its December 2007 Monthly Statistics that demand for credit in 2007 was moderate compared to 2006 and previous years. The rate of increase in private-sector credit in December on a year-on-year basis at 17% was the lowest in five years, while borrowing by households for house purchase was subdued in 2007, compared with the previous two years.

It is important that the increase in personal indebtedness in Ireland over recent years is seen in the context of the strong economic performance, the achievement of record employment levels and sustained increases in after-tax incomes. Low levels of interest rates reflecting Ireland's membership of the eurozone, the household sector's overall net worth, and the prospect of the continuation of robust economic growth in the Irish economy by international standards support the sustainability of current levels of personal indebtedness. The strong state of Ireland's public finances and the overall balance sheet position of Irish households where there has been significant accumulation of assets over recent years also highlight the extent to which the Irish economy continues to be well-positioned to respond to changes in the overall financial environment. It is, of course, important to continue to enhance the competitiveness of the Irish economy through moderation in growth in pay costs, increases in productivity and through the continued adoption of prudent and responsible budgetary policies in order to ensure that Ireland's economic growth remains in line with its underlying potential.

As far as safeguarding the interests of individual borrowers is concerned, the function of Government is to provide an appropriate legislative framework for effective and efficient regulation of the financial services sector, one that is both comprehensive and robust. I am satisfied that on foot of the progress made over recent years, through such measures as the establishment of the Financial Regulator with a statutory consumer protection mandate and the Financial Services Ombudsman we have such a framework in place in Ireland.

In this context, the introduction of the Financial Regulator's Consumer Protection Code last year represents a major step in promoting the interests of consumers. The Code places obligations on regulated entities that provide credit which includes the requirement to act in their customers' best interests to seek appropriate information about the consumer and ensure that the products and services provided are suitable to the consumer. They must also treat their customers fairly and have adequate procedures in place to handle complaints and arrears. These obligations are additional to the statutory prior information and warnings required under the Consumer Credit Act, 1995.

The Financial Regulator has also drawn attention to the need for consumers to choose the right type of loan for their needs and has developed a number of specific initiatives to help consumers make informed choices in terms of the financial products they choose, the amount of risk they take on and the cost of financial products. These initiatives include publishing consumer guides on credit products, fact sheets, cost surveys on personal loans and other retail financial products, all of which are intended to assist borrowers in making the most appropriate credit decisions given their circumstances.

In my role as Minister for Finance, I have consistently highlighted the need for responsible behaviour by both borrowers and lenders and in particular the need to factor into their financial decision making the effects of potential future changes in economic and financial conditions.

The Deputy may wish to note that anyone experiencing difficulty in repaying a loan of any kind should discuss the matter with the loan provider and seek appropriate advice without delay. The Money Advice and Budgeting Service (MABS) which falls under the remit of my colleague, the Minister for Social and Family Affairs, is a national, free, confidential and independent service for people in debt, or in danger of getting into debt. MABS offices, throughout the country, work with people in order to assist them with their financial planning and budgeting for the future.

Departmental Reviews.

Pat Breen

Question:

35 Deputy Pat Breen asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the progress made to date in achieving better value for money from the latest round of expenditure reviews. [7760/08]

Richard Bruton

Question:

92 Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the savings to date made on foot of the latest round of expenditure reviews under the value for money initiative. [8065/08]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 35 and 92 together.

The Government approved some 90 formal Value for Money Reviews to be carried out for the period 2006-2008. This programme of reviews focuses on significant areas of expenditure and major policy issues.

Value for Money and Policy Reviews are part of a package of changes that I have introduced to the Estimates and Budget processes in recent years to move resource allocation policy away from a narrow focus on financial inputs, on to a broader consideration of performance and the delivery of outputs and outcomes.

To date, 49 reviews are complete or almost complete under the 2006-2008 round. Responsibility for carrying out each of the reviews and for publishing them and submitting them to the Select Committees rests with the individual Departments and Offices and details of any individual review should be sought from the relevant Minister.

The reviews when completed will normally be published and submitted to the relevant Select Oireachtas Committee for consideration and in this regard consideration of Value for Money and Policy Reviews is now included in the Orders of Reference for the Select Committees. I have also written to the Select Committee Chairpersons earlier this month to encourage them to ensure that time is scheduled to consider the reviews in detail, and where appropriate, to discuss the reviews and their conclusions and recommendations with the relevant Departments and Offices.

In respect of the reviews under my own Department and the Offices for which I have responsibility the following is the position:

Department of Finance reviews under the 2006-2008 round

Review

Status

Economic and Social Research Institute

Completed July 2006

Information Society Fund

Completed August 2006

Ordnance Survey Ireland

Completed April 2007

Civil Service Childcare Initiative

At Quality Assessment Stage

Construction Procurement Reform Initiative

At draft stage

Procurement Management within the Department

Scheduled for completion by end 2008

The Value for Money and Policy Review of the Grant-in-Aid payment to the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) contained five recommendations, all of which are in the process of being implemented. The recommendations are intended to improve the overall value for money for the grant-in-aid. Among other things, they are directed at relating funding to outputs; benchmarking the ESRI with comparable institutes in other EU member states, and periodically reviewing the policy relevance of the Institute's research. The level of the grant in aid has not changed significantly as a result of the review.

The Information Society Fund terminated at the end of 2005 in line with its intended lifespan. As a result, an annual allocation for the fund is no longer required. The Fund was focused on initiatives in the areas of Electronic Government and Electronic Commerce.

The focus of the Ordnance Survey Ireland (OSI) Review was largely on policy aspects relating to the payment of the grant-in-aid and several of the recommendations should contribute to the efficiency of the organisation and reduce not only the direct Exchequer grant, but also the payments for services made to the organisation by both the public and private sector. One of the recommendations of this Review was that responsibility for Ordnance Survey Ireland should move to the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources. This change took effect from 1st January, 2008. The DCENR will be better placed to comment on further progress achieved as the other recommendations of the Review are implemented.

With regard to the reviews of Procurement Management within the Department, Construction Procurement Reform Initiative (formerly Procurement Management Reform) and the Civil Service Childcare Initiative, it is not possible to anticipate the consequences of these reports until their findings are finalised, considered and implemented.

Question No. 36 answered with Question No. 31.

Capital Projects.

Paul Kehoe

Question:

37 Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance if he will make arrangements that the maximum possible details in respect of appraisals of NDP projects are published, subject to not compromising the States ability to run competitive tenders effectively. [7805/08]

As I have previously indicated, the responsibility for undertaking project appraisals rests in the first instance with the individual Departments and Agencies. They are prepared to facilitate and inform the internal decision making process. It has not been the practice to publish these appraisals as they generally contain commercially sensitive information, the publication of which could be prejudicial to the State's capacity to get best value for money in procurement of capital projects. In these circumstances, I would not consider it appropriate to require that details of appraisals of NDP projects be published as a matter of course.

Tax Code.

Brendan Howlin

Question:

38 Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance his proposals for a review of VAT classifications with a view to reducing the rate of VAT applied to certain environmental goods and services in regard to the commitment contained in the Programme for Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7739/08]

The Programme for Government contains a commitment to examine the scope for reducing the VAT rate on environmental goods and services from the standard VAT rate of 21 per cent to the reduced rate of 13.5 per cent. I should mention that this is just one of a number of initiatives in the Programme aimed at delivering a cleaner environment.

When considering a change in the VAT treatment of a good or service, it is important to bear in mind that the scope for such change is derived from EU law with which Irish VAT law must comply. In this regard, the rate of VAT that applies to a particular good or service is determined by the nature of the good or service, and not by the environmental impact of the good or service. There is no provision in European VAT law that would allow the application of a reduced VAT rate on supplies of goods or services based on their environmental impact per se.

As I announced in the Budget, the VAT rate on the supply of Mischantus rhizomes, seeds bulbs and similar inputs used for the agricultural production of biofuels is being reduced from 21% to 13.5% with effect from 1 March 2008. This measure will assist in the development of agricultural production of such fuels.

Capital Projects.

Richard Bruton

Question:

39 Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance if he has accessed the success to date of the Public Private Partnership projects; and the prospects for use of this system in the future. [7761/08]

As of December 2007, there were 12 Public Private Partnership (PPP) projects with a capital value of over €20 million operational in three sectors: four in the roads sector, three in the education sector, and five in the environmental services sector. Fuller information on these is provided by the relevant sponsoring Department/Agency and is available at www.ppp.gov.ie

In general, under the Capital Appraisal Guidelines and the system of delegated capital sanction, the appraisal and management of PPP projects is a matter for the Accounting Officer in the Department/Agency sponsoring the project. Where specialist agencies are in place in particular sectors, such as the National Roads Authority and the Railway Procurement Agency, it would be a matter for these agencies in the first instance to assess the success of individual projects. As the Comptroller and Auditor General pointed out in reporting on PPPs, however, it will take some time to assess the full value for money of particular PPPs.

I am satisfied that the PPP mechanism, in general, is a viable option for the delivery of infrastructural projects. Some have been notable successes in bringing in projects ahead of time; some others less so. PPPs will continue to be used where justified.

For this reason, medium term targets for the use of PPP procurement are contained in the Multi-Annual Capital Investment Framework 2008 to 2012. The total PPP target for the period 2008 to 2012 is €7.7bn which represents over 13% of the envelope overall. This target relates to projects remunerated over the long term (typically 25-30 years) by unitary payments from Department/Agencies' Votes. In addition, a target of €1.6bn has been set for PPP projects remunerated by user charges which brings the overall target for PPP funded capital investment to approximately 16% of the envelope overall. These targets illustrate the important role that PPP procurement will play in the delivery of public infrastructure and services.

Job Creation.

Martin Ferris

Question:

40 Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the expected impact on tax receipts of the slow down in job creation predicted for 2008. [7694/08]

Budget 2008 was published on 5 December last year. It contains forecasts for all the main macroeconomic variables in 2008, including the forecast rate of unemployment and the growth rate in employment.

These forecasts of the main macroeconomic variables were taken into account by my Department when producing estimates of expenditure and tax revenue for 2008.

The economic projections assume a modest rise in unemployment, as measured on the internationally recognised basis — the labour force survey, to average 5.6 per cent this year, from an estimated outturn of 4.6 per cent in 2007. At the same time employment is forecast to continue to show net gains of some 24,000 or a 1.1 per cent increase. However, this is not expected to fully absorb the projected increase in the labour force, so that a modest rise in unemployment is expected. The Budget 2008 tax revenue forecasts, which assume an increase in revenue of 3.5 per cent, have not been revised.

Tax Yield.

Thomas P. Broughan

Question:

41 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the receipts for DIRT tax received in the years 2005, 2006 and 2007; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7713/08]

The following table sets out the net yield from DIRT collected from 2005 to 2007:

Year

€m

2005

167.1

2006

254.36*

2007

471.75* (provisional)

* The increase in receipts for 2006 and 2007 may be attributed in the main to interest rate rises.

Decentralisation Programme.

Brian O'Shea

Question:

42 Deputy Brian O’Shea asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance if the Government has plans for the review of the programme of decentralisation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7726/08]

Fergus O'Dowd

Question:

53 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the timetable for the completion of decentralisation of Government Departments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7825/08]

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

113 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the number of civil servants who have been relocated to date under the Government’s decentralisation programme; if he will express this as a percentage of the overall original projections; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8114/08]

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

114 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the cost of the Government’s decentralisation programme to date; if such costs were initially envisaged and provided for when the scheme was first announced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8115/08]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 42, 53, 113 and 114 together.

The Programme for Government states that the Government will continue to move ahead with decentralisation and ensure that no public servant is obliged to accept decentralisation against their wishes and that promotion opportunities remain available.

A progress report by the Decentralisation Implementation Group (DIG) was submitted to me and published on 8th October last. The Group reported that implementation of the civil service element of the Decentralisation Programme is progressing satisfactorily.

Over eleven thousand civil and public servants have applied to relocate under the Programme. Of these, over 6,000 or 55% are currently based in Dublin. The Central Applications Facility (CAF) remains open and continues to receive applications.

At the end of 2007, decentralising organisations had a presence in 33 towns. Approximately four thousand staff had been assigned to decentralising posts and over 2,000 of these are currently in their new locations, while the remainder are being trained in advance of decentralisation to a new location, as soon as accommodation becomes available. Taking account of both posts moved and assignments, 48% of the civil service general service posts have already moved or have staff in place with a commitment to move. The comparable figure for the civil service professional & technical staff is 25% and present indications are that it is in the order of 20% for the State Agency sector.

From the announcement of the Programme in December 2003, the focus has been on detailed planning and organisation of the property, staffing and business aspects. The DIG has considered it essential that all organisations take the necessary time to prepare this groundwork well in order to ensure effective implementation of a programme of this scale and complexity. In short, its focus has not been on how speedily the programme can be achieved but how well. It is important to remember that the programme is not just about moving public services. It fundamentally impacts on the staff in those organisations, on their career choices and their expectations.

Property or sites have been acquired or their acquisition is well advanced in a total of 38 locations. In addition, the OPW have been very efficient in securing suitable advance or temporary accommodation in over 20 locations to facilitate early phasing of business units.

The October DIG report provides an update of the OPW timeframes for the expected completion of permanent accommodation. The OPW conducts a review of the property timeframes for permanent accommodation on an ongoing basis and is keeping these timeframes under review based on its experience to date in relation to property selection and acquisition, brief and design issues, tendering periods, planning issues and contractual arrangements.

I remain confident that the public service will deliver this programme in a considered, sensible and sensitive manner. The Government is anxious to ensure that the momentum of the programme is maintained and developed and in that context Secretaries General of decentralising Departments have been asked to review these timeframes in association with the OPW and the DIG to assess where earlier progress could be made either in relation to permanent accommodation or advance accommodation.

There are, however, a number of challenges remaining, which have been identified by the DIG in its latest report. My Department and the wider management of the public service will continue to work closely with staff representatives to seek appropriate solutions to address the concerns of the professional & technical staff in the civil service and those employed in state agencies, while also ensuring the delivery of the Government programme.

With regard to the State Agencies, the DIG has noted, in its most recent report that the pace of progress in relation to the State Agency part of the programme continues to be slow. It expects that all Agencies should now, at a minimum, have initiated HR recruitment policies to support the programme, have begun to put phased timeframes in place and be actively securing advance and/or permanent accommodation solutions in the decentralised location. It also continues to emphasise the central role of the Board and management in each Agency in driving forward the implementation of the programme.

The Government has always recognised that the State Agency aspect of the programme presents different challenges from that of the Civil Service but is determined to make progress towards the objective of moving all the State Agency posts as announced in December 2003. I anticipate considerable progress on this element of the programme over the lifetime of this Government. With a view to advancing this aspect of the programme, the DIG is currently engaging in a round of meetings with each Agency's CEO and the Secretary General of the parent Department in each case.

The Labour Court recommendation in relation to the dispute between FÁS and SIPTU provides a renewed opportunity for both unions and management to address the relevant issues. My Department has been in contact with the Irish Congress of Trade Unions to establish how progress can be made on this aspect of the Labour Court recommendation and I remain confident that through dialogue and negotiation, progress can be advanced.

The estimated gross cost of the property aspects of the original decentralisation programme was €900m at the outset of the programme (2004 prices). This was based on provision of accommodation for 10,300 staff outside of Dublin.

The overall number of staff for which accommodation is required has increased since the announcement of the programme due to additional bodies and locations being added to the programme, changes to business functions of certain organisations, additional space required for work-sharing staff, planned future expansion etc. and consolidation of certain existing regional offices into new buildings. Based on the costs incurred to date, the OPW anticipates that the direct cost of providing accommodation for this increased number of staff will be contained within the overall envelope.

While the majority of posts have not yet moved from Dublin, the OPW has been able to dispose of property in Dublin being held for future needs because the announcement of the decentralisation programme clarified that most of the future expansion of Civil Service accommodation would not be in central Dublin. Total income from such property disposed of between January 2004 and December 2007 was €387.5m. In addition property valued at €75 million was transferred to the Affordable Homes Partnership. In addition OPW has agreed joint venture redevelopment schemes with a minimum value of circa €125m up to the end of 2007 and further ongoing large property disposals are planned having regard to progress with staff moves.

As expected, non-property costs have been increasing since the beginning of 2007 as more advance accommodation is in place, staff training has increased and actual moves have taken place. At end June 2007, the total non-property costs incurred amount to approximately €9m. This reflects the significant rate of progress across decentralising organisations this year in furthering their implementation arrangements. Figures for the remainder of the year are being collated at present.

Tax Code.

Andrew Doyle

Question:

43 Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance his views on the call by Forfás to introduce changes in the way VAT is calculated under EU rates. [7787/08]

I presume the Deputy is referring to the recommendations concerning VAT made by Forfás in their "Review of the European Single Market" of January 2008. In this regard, Forfás calls for new VAT rules for cross-border business to be introduced which would shift the place of taxation to where services are consumed, to replace the existing rules based on the location of the supplier.

The position is that the new rules providing for the shift in taxation to the place of consumption for cross-border services were adopted by the EU Council for Economic and Financial Affairs (ECOFIN) at its meeting on 12 February 2008. The new rules which cover business-to-business (B2B) and certain business-to-consumer (B2C) services were agreed as part of a package of VAT measures designed to streamline and simplify the VAT system for cross-border traders. The measures also include new procedures enabling cross-border traders to apply online through their home Member State for VAT refunds due from other Member States. This change from the existing paper-based system should make for a more efficient service to traders.

The new rules for cross-border B2B transactions will be introduced on 1 January 2010. The new B2C rules, which will cover telecommunications, broadcasting services and electronic services, will be brought into force on 1 January 2015. A "one-stop-shop" facility will support the new B2C arrangements allowing service providers to fulfil their VAT registration and declaration obligations online in respect of the Member States where they conduct business.

Ireland was supportive of the new VAT measures for cross-border services which, in line with Government policy, should reduce the administrative burden on business and thereby deliver a more attractive environment for traders operating across the Internal Market.

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Question:

44 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the impact a common consolidated corporation tax base across the EU would have on this State. [7690/08]

Arthur Morgan

Question:

74 Deputy Arthur Morgan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance his views on whether the work of the working group on Common Consolidated Corporation Tax Base chaired by an official from the Taxation and Customs Union Directorate General of the EU Commission is leading towards the introduction of such a CCCTB across the EU. [7688/08]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 44 and 74 together.

I would note that although various technical work has been taking place, the Commission has not yet made any formal proposal in relation to the common consolidated corporate tax base (CCCTB) proposition, and I would hope that the Commission will reflect on the considerable scepticism and opposition to the proposition among Member States before deciding whether to make any such proposal.

It is important also to remember that there have been no political decisions taken on the CCCTB at the level of the Council of Ministers.

Considering that the Commission has not yet brought forward a proposal it is very difficult for us or any other Member State to estimate its impact with any precision. However, it seems very likely that if, theoretically, such a system were to be introduced, it could give rise to considerable disruption of foreign direct investment activities, could create a disincentive for the location of such investment within the EU, could reduce the ability of Governments, especially in smaller and faster developing member states, to manage their own fiscal affairs, and would be divisive in Europe.

Programmes for Government.

Olwyn Enright

Question:

45 Deputy Olwyn Enright asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the reason he is unwilling to provide a costing of the proposals in the Programme for Government 2007 to 2012. [7792/08]

As I have indicated in previous responses, the Programme for Government is a five year programme in which a number of guiding principles in relation to economic and budgetary matters have been set out.

In October 2007 I published the Pre-Budget Outlook which set out the cost of providing for the existing level of services over the medium term. As the Deputy is aware, the first instalment of the delivery of the Programme for Government — Budget 2008 — was published in December. Budget 2008 announced all new spending and taxation measures in a single, unified way and was a significant reform providing for greater transparency.

Budget 2008 also sets out the latest budgetary and economic assessment for the coming three years with forecast General Government deficits of -0.9 per cent of GDP in 2008, -1.1 per cent of GDP in 2009 and -1.0 per cent of GDP in 2010. This fiscal position is predicated on a somewhat weaker economic outlook than was generally anticipated at the time the Programme for Government was agreed in the summer of 2007.

The current assessment, as set out in the Budget, that GDP growth will average 3½ per cent over the period 2008-2010 has not been revised. As was noted at Budget time, there are risks, both internal and external, to the economic forecasts and my Department will continue to monitor the situation closely.

As I have said previously, the Programme for Government is a five year programme and Budget 2008 is the first instalment of the delivery of that programme.

Tax Code.

Jack Wall

Question:

46 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance his views on the introduction of income tax relief on payments for private health insurance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7744/08]

The position is that tax relief is available for medical insurance premiums paid to an authorised insurer under Section 470 of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997. The relief is granted at source and is at the standard rate.

Decentralisation Programme.

David Stanton

Question:

47 Deputy David Stanton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the further progress that has been made in relation to the possibility of an advance party of Public Appointment Service staff being decentralised to Youghal, County Cork, in particular progress by the Office of Public Works in securing a suitable interim premises; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7751/08]

Under the decentralisation programme the Public Appointments Service will transfer one hundred (100) posts to Youghal. Arrangements are proceeding in accordance with their Decentralisation Implementation Plan. To date, no staff have decentralised, however ten (10) staff are currently in posts in Dublin awaiting a transfer to Youghal.

The Public Appointments Service are considering sending an advance party to Youghal, if suitable office space can be sourced by the Office of Public Works (OPW). In this regard the OPW is checking availability of offices in Youghal.

Tax Code.

Ruairí Quinn

Question:

48 Deputy Ruairí Quinn asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance if he will estimate the annual cost to the Exchequer of the scheme for accelerated capital allowances for energy efficient equipment proposed in the Finance Bill 2008; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7729/08]

Under the proposed scheme of accelerated capital allowances for expenditure on specified energy-efficient equipment, companies will have the benefit of writing-off the full cost of such equipment against their taxable income in the year the expenditure is incurred. Under existing arrangements, companies benefit from wear and tear allowances on the cost of such equipment at a rate of 12.5% per annum over a period of 8 years where the equipment qualifies as plant and machinery.

The additional cost to the Exchequer in terms of tax revenue foregone arising from this incentive will depend on the extent to which it encourages more companies to invest in the specified energy-efficient equipment than would do so in the absence of the accelerated allowances. As this will depend on the take-up of the incentive, it is not feasible to provide a precise estimate of this cost. By way of illustration, however, if as a result of this incentive 5,000 additional items of qualifying energy-efficient equipment were purchased than would otherwise be the case under each class of technology, then assuming expenditure at the minimum qualifying amount for the equipment in each class, the additional cost in tax foregone would amount to about €6 million over the proposed lifetime of the incentive. In order to contain Exchequer costs, however, this incentive will only be available to the corporate business sector and it will operate for a period of three years.

It should be borne in mind that there will also be benefits and savings to investing companies as well as the economy and the environment generally, from the increased use of energy-efficient equipment. Putting a monetary value on these benefits is not a simple matter, but this incentive should be viewed in the nature of a "pump priming" exercise which will operate over three years. It is hoped that over time companies and business will see the ongoing value of investing in energy-efficient equipment in terms of the improved economic returns to themselves as well as the environmental benefits to society, generally.

International Agreements.

Michael D. Higgins

Question:

49 Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance when he expects the re-negotiation of the double taxation agreement between the US and Ireland to take place; the impact he expects this re-negotiation to have on the Exchequer here in future years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7745/08]

I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that there have been recent contacts between officials in the Revenue Commissioners and in the US Treasury about updating the existing US-Ireland income tax treaty. At this stage, no dates have been agreed for a meeting between the officials.

Given that no discussions have yet taken place, it is not possible to estimate any possible Exchequer impact, positive or negative, at this stage.

Financial Services Regulation.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

50 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the extent to which he and his EU colleagues are satisfied that sufficient controls exist here and throughout the European Union to deter sub-prime lending or system manipulation with particular reference to the need to protect the integrity of national and European financial systems, the re-stabilisation of the financial markets, the banking systems and the interests of the consumer; the extent to which concerns were raised in this regard over the past five years and prior to the most recent indicators at European level; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7706/08]

At the outset, I would point out to the Deputy that the Government have taken steps last October in Section 19 of the Markets in Financial Instruments and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2007, which amended Part V of the Central Bank Act 1997, to provide for an appropriate system of authorisation and supervision of retail credit firms engaged in specialist or so-called sub-prime lending and home reversion providers not previously subject to financial regulation in respect of lending activities. The primary purpose of this amendment was to extend to customers of these firms the benefit of the consumer protections provided for in the Financial Regulator's Consumer Protection Code. This regulatory system came into effect on 1 February last.

Non-traditional or specialist mortgages, sometimes referred to as sub-prime mortgages, are estimated to account for about 1% to 2 % of the Irish mortgage market, compared to about 15 % in the US. In Ireland, these products have provided a new mortgage mechanism for customers who might previously have experienced difficulty obtaining a mortgage from a mainstream lender because, for example, of the nature of their work, they are new to Ireland, or they have impaired credit histories. It is important to note that specialist lenders have provided access to credit for these individuals and households who are then in a position to build up or restore a credit record in order to re-finance with mainstream commercial financial service providers. The CBFSAI in its Financial Stability Report 2007 found that the Irish banking sector has a minimal level of involvement in the Irish residential mortgage market for these non-traditional customers. The Report states that the Irish market is characterised by limited mainstream banks' involvement in the market, the relatively very small size of the market and generally modest average loan-to-value ratios.

At the EU level, there is a co-ordinated response to financial stability arrangements and the ability of authorities to respond to market developments, largely set out in the set of common principles and a roadmap of further actions published at the conclusion of the ECOFIN Ministers' meeting on 9 October, 2007. Ireland is participating fully in this work to ensure there is an effective EU-wide system to maintain financial stability taking into account the important cross-border linkages that now exist in EU financial markets.

I am satisfied that the steps taken at national level and the work underway at EU level represent an appropriate response to the need to safeguard financial stability.

Pension Provisions.

Paul Connaughton

Question:

51 Deputy Paul Connaughton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance his views on changing the presentation of Estimates in order that they would show the extra pension liability that is being taken on by Public Service Bodies. [7771/08]

The Estimates Volume provides information on voted expenditure by Departments and Offices in respect of administration and programme costs. This includes expenditure in respect of civil servants' pension costs, as provided for in Vote 7 (Superannuation and Retired Allowances) and the pension costs of other public servants; including Teachers, members and former members of an Garda Siochana and the Defence Forces, amongst others. This expenditure on pensions and its associated receipts are dealt with on a cash basis. Thus accrued liabilities are not shown in the Estimates publications.

A Working Group on Better Financial Reporting has recently been set up to review the current position with respect to the contents of notes to the Appropriation Accounts (which include accruals) and make recommendations for their improvement in terms of quality and relevance, in order to help present a more holistic and up-to-date view. The review will cover long-term liabilities, including pensions at the aggregate level. This information will be included in the Finance Accounts.

Tax Code.

Emmet Stagg

Question:

52 Deputy Emmet Stagg asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the number of people over the age of 65 who have registered for DIRT free accounts arising from incomes below the relevant threshold; if he has an estimate of amount of such tax outstanding due in refunds to such people; the number and the amount of DIRT refunds issued for each year from 2004 to date in 2008; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7738/08]

In Section 34 of the Finance Act 2007, I introduced a new scheme to allow the operation of DIRT exempt savings accounts subject to two conditions — (1) the account holder must be aged 65 years or over or be permanently incapacitated and (2) their total income must not exceed €19,000 for an individual or €38,000 for a married couple.

Provisional figures show that in 2007, 47,218 such accounts were operated; the final figures will be available when the remaining financial institutions have filed their returns for 2007.

The number of people claiming refunds and the amounts for the years 2004 — 2007 is summarised in the table hereunder. This may not include some taxpayers whose DIRT refunds were processed as part of a self-assessment tax return.

Year

Amount of DIRT Repaid

Number of repayments

€m

2004

2.11

1,003

2005

2.32

971

2006

1.19

883

2007

2.20

920

Corresponding figures are not yet available for 2008.

I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that the statutory return of DIRT filed by the financial institutions does not require details of the number of accounts subject to DIRT and Revenue has no solid basis on which to estimate the numbers entitled to refunds or the possible value of such refunds where tax refunds are not claimed by the account holders.

Question No. 53 answered with Question No. 42.

Commission on Taxation.

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Question:

54 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the reason he failed to ensure a balanced membership of the Commission on Taxation to ensure that the interest of low and middle income earners was adequately represented within the membership of the Commission. [7692/08]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Question:

80 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance when the Commission on Taxation is due to report to him. [7691/08]

Liz McManus

Question:

89 Deputy Liz McManus asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance when the Commission on Taxation is expected to report. [7722/08]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 54, 80 and 89 together.

I announced the establishment of a Commission on Taxation on Thursday 14 February 2008. I also announced the terms of reference of the Commission. They state that the Commission is requested to report on the results of its examination and consideration and to make such recommendations as, and when, it thinks fit to the Minister for Finance but not later than 30 September 2009.

I reject the assertion that the membership of the Commission on Taxation is not balanced. The membership of the Commission consists of representatives from the Social Partners — representing the business, trade union, farming and voluntary sectors — the accounting and tax advisory sectors that advise private sector business, both small and large, and includes economic expertise and people who have wide experience in central and local government. As I said when I announced the membership of the Commission, I believe that the wide range of skills and knowledge of the members of the Commission will help ensure that we get a report that can help shape future policy in a positive manner.

Fiscal Policy.

Michael D'Arcy

Question:

55 Deputy Michael D’Arcy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance his views on the concerns expressed by the EU Commission about the deterioration in the public finances. [7783/08]

Arthur Morgan

Question:

62 Deputy Arthur Morgan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance his views on the warning from the European Commission in its annual report on the Irish economy under the Stability and Growth Pact, that the Government faces several economic challenges and a noticeable deterioration in its budgetary position in coming years. [7689/08]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 55 and 62 together.

The European Commission's assessment represents a reasonable view of the Irish economy. While it refers to the challenges of a "transition to a period of lower economic growth, mainly linked to a return to more sustainable activity in the housing sector", it also acknowledges the overall strong position of the public finances.

Ireland is in full compliance with the Stability and Growth Pact requirements and the Government is committed to respecting the terms of the Pact as the economy adjusts to a period of slower growth.

Notwithstanding the challenges, we must not lose sight of the fact that our overall growth performance of the order of 3 per cent for this year is still impressive by international standards. Furthermore, those that have produced forecasts for 2009 and 2010, expect our growth prospects to pick up in these years.

The Government accepts that there can be no unnecessary loosening of fiscal policy and, in that context, the implementation of the National Development Plan remains a key priority. It will help boost the productive capacity of the economy and lay the foundations for future growth.

Ireland has recorded surpluses on the public finances in ten of the last eleven years and we have one of the lowest levels of public debt in the EU. The maintenance of stable public finances remains the cornerstone of Irish economic policy supported by a tax system which will remain conducive to enterprise and investment.

Social Partnership.

Bernard Allen

Question:

56 Deputy Bernard Allen asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance if he will make a statement on his objectives in the negotiations of the forthcoming Social Partnership Agreement. [7753/08]

The Government's objective in entering talks on the Social Partnership Agreement is to achieve a sustainable agreement compatible with improving competitiveness and productivity.

Towards 2016 is a ten-year framework social partnership agreement covering the period 2006 to 2016. The current national pay deal — the first pay agreement under Towards 2016 — expires at various dates in the private sector and at the end of September 2008 in the public service. Talks on a new pay agreement are expected to commence in April.

Public Service pay must develop in a manner that is consistent with competitiveness, price stability and budgetary policy. Government policy on public service pay is that the public service should be in a position to attract and retain its fair share of good quality staff at all levels. It should neither lead the market not trail it.

Pay developments in the period immediately ahead must reflect the more challenging economic and competitiveness scenario that we now face and be more directly linked to changes in productivity.

It is crucial that wage expectations are kept in line with the rapidly changing economic environment in which we are operating. Over the last number of years, wage increases have exceeded productivity growth, with a resulting loss in competitiveness. Regaining market share will require an approach to wage determination which takes greater account of productivity developments as well as labour cost developments in our major trading partners.

One of the core strengths of Social Partnership has been its strong foundation in realism regarding the nature of the competitive challenge for Ireland. It is important that all of us in the public service continue to work to ensure that the services we provide are the best possible, within available resources. The structures we have put in place in the public service pay agreements are an important mechanism to help ensure that we achieve that goal. We need to build on that base in what is agreed in the coming negotiations.

Tax Code.

Simon Coveney

Question:

57 Deputy Simon Coveney asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance if he is satisfied that those entitled to DIRT refund are getting it; and if he has proposals to rectify the apparent under-claiming. [7776/08]

I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that the Revenue has no solid basis on which to estimate the numbers entitled to refunds of DIRT in excess of those who annually seek and are granted tax refunds.

A refund of deposit interest retention tax is provided for in very limited circumstances only, viz. an individual who is not liable or fully liable to income tax and is over 65 years of age at some time during the tax year or is permanently incapacitated by reason of mental/physical infirmity from maintaining himself or herself. (Bodies qualifying for ‘charitable' status and companies are also entitled to refund of DIRT). The taxpayer must advise Revenue that he or she meets the legislative requirements and the amount of the retention tax suffered. With deposit interest rates being relatively low in recent years, the quantum of the interest earned and tax retained would be very small in many cases and it may be considered uneconomic to reclaim.

However, the number of people claiming refunds and the amounts for the years 2002-2007 is summarised in the table hereunder. This may not include some taxpayers whose DIRT refunds were processed as part of a self-assessment tax return.

Year

Amount of DIRT Repaid

Number of repayments

€ M

2002

11.27

1,155

2003

9.71

1,440

2004

2.11

1,003

2005

2.32

971

2006

1.19

883

2007

2.20

920

In Section 34 of the Finance Act 2007, I introduced a new scheme to allow the operation of DIRT exempt savings accounts subject to two conditions: (1) the account holder must be aged 65 years of age or over or be permanently incapacitated; and (2) their total income must not exceed the relevant exemption threshold, i.e. €19,000 (for an individual) or €38,000 (for a married couple).

Provisional figures show that in 2007 some 47,218 such accounts were operated. These figures will increase as the remaining financial institutions file returns for 2007.

In 2007, Revenue widely publicised these changes. An Information Leaflet (DE1) giving comprehensive information for qualifying taxpayers on how to have interest credited to their savings accounts without deduction of DIRT was made available at Revenue offices. Information on DIRT exemption was also included on the Revenue website at www.revenue.ie.

Application forms and information leaflets were also made available at most financial institutions. Revenue also arranged for an information leaflet to be issued to social welfare customers in receipt of state and other pensions. Approximately 100,000 leaflets were issued in this way. Information on the DIRT exemption was also included in Age Action's monthly magazine "Ageing Matters" in June 2007.

During 2008, Revenue will continue to examine a range of channels or means to target the over 65s and it plans to publicise the facility offered by the accounts, including posters in local offices, contact with representative bodies, financial institutions, other Government Departments and agencies, and relevant advertising.

Fiscal Policy.

Joan Burton

Question:

58 Deputy Joan Burton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance his views on the impact of the decline in the construction sector on the economy; if he is satisfied that the budgetary framework of revenues and expenditures set out by him in Budget 2008 remains viable in view of the changed international financial environment and the revised downward projection of housing construction and GNP growth here for 2008; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7750/08]

At Budget time, my Department estimated that new house completions in 2008 would be around 55,000 units. This is below the level experienced in recent years and will exert a drag on economic growth this year. Activity in other areas of the construction sector, including the National Development Plan, is expected to remain reasonably healthy. Thus, in overall terms, GNP growth of 2.8 per cent for this year was forecast at Budget time. While lower than that seen in recent years this is still a robust rate of growth given the prevailing international conditions.

Of course, as was noted at Budget time, there are risks, both internal and external, to these economic forecasts and my Department will, as always, continue to monitor the situation closely.

It is important to remember that the fundamentals of the Irish economy remain strong and that the economy has responded quickly and effectively to changing economic conditions in the past. Short-term movements in financial markets have limited effects on wider economic trends. Of course, any sustained deterioration in financial market conditions could, potentially, spill over into economic developments.

As regards the projections for tax and expenditure it is still very early in the year and the budgetary forecasts have not been changed. Overall, current spending is budgeted to increase by approximately €4 billion or around 8 per cent, capital spending by approximately €1 billion or around 12 per cent and tax revenues by just over €1.6 billion or 3½ per cent in 2008. The General Government debt level is projected to be around 26 per cent of GDP at end 2008, one of the lowest levels in the euro area.

As with economic developments, my Department monitors tax receipts and expenditure on an ongoing basis and as more data becomes available during the year, any significant changes to the expected Exchequer position in 2008, will be signalled and presented at the end of each quarter.

Financial Services Regulation.

John O'Mahony

Question:

59 Deputy John O’Mahony asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance if he has plans to amend the legislation governing the Financial Service Ombudsman in order that he can make rulings on classes of transactions in respect of which refunds should be made instead of hearing each case individually. [7830/08]

The role and functions of the Financial Services Ombudsman (FSO) in dealing with consumer complaints complements that of the Financial Regulator in protecting the interests of consumers of financial services as a whole. During the passage of the FSO legislation through the Oireachtas in 2004 it was stated, on behalf of the Minister for Finance, that the Ombudsman's remit essentially is to deal with individual complaints from customers of financial institutions and it is the responsibility of the Consumer Director in the Financial Regulator to deal with general issues relating to the protection of consumers.

The relevant legislation provides for co-operation between the Financial Services Ombudsman and the Financial Regulator on general issues relating to the protection of consumers. A Memorandum of Understanding has been concluded between the Financial Services Ombudsman and the Financial Regulator to ensure the efficient and effective handling of complaints. An issue drawing attention to a general breach affecting consumers can be referred by the Financial Services Ombudsman to the Financial Regulator. Such issues can then be examined by the Financial Regulator to consider if there are any suspected breaches of the relevant regulatory requirements including the Consumer Protection Code. The Financial Regulator can, as part of its administrative sanctions regime, seek to mediate or take regulatory action in relation to a firm including an order to make refunds to a firm's customers where appropriate.

In response to a Parliamentary question on this issue last November I advised that I would ask the FSO and the Financial Regulator to review their current co-operation arrangements to ensure that these work smoothly where a finding of the FSO in an individual case may have implications for a broader group of customers of a financial services firm. The Ombudsman and the Financial Regulator have reviewed their current co-operation arrangements as requested and have advised in a joint submission to the Department that the Memorandum of Understanding is operating as intended and that co-operation between both offices is highly satisfactory and allows issues to evolve. They have also advised that where a pricing error occurs after the 1 July 2007 the provider is required under the Consumer Protection Code to speedily, efficiently and fairly correct such an error.

The Deputy may be aware that a High Court judgement in October 2008 confirmed that the Financial Services Ombudsman's power of direction, except in relation to a change in general practice, may only relate to an individual claimant and does not extend to payment of compensation for other consumers in relation to similar conduct of the financial service provider. I have asked the Advisory Forum on Financial Legislation to review the implications of this High Court decision in conjunction with the joint submission of the Financial Regulator and the FSO. The Financial Services Ombudsman when he appeared before the Joint Committee on Finance and the Public Service on the 13 February 2008 reported that the company in question has since reviewed its policies and issued a press statement to the effect that it had refunded €300,000 going back 16 years to customers.

Appropriation Accounts.

Tom Hayes

Question:

60 Deputy Tom Hayes asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance if he is satisfied that no depreciation is charged in the accounts of the public service and the implications this has for efficient costing of resource use and planning for the cost of replacement. [7801/08]

As the Deputy is aware, there are two forms of accounting in the public service. The accounts of Government Departments and Offices are prepared on a cash basis while Local Authorities and Commercial State-Sponsored Bodies, for example, prepare their accounts on an accrual basis which includes the charging of depreciation.

The Appropriation Accounts for central Government Departments and Offices are required under legislation to be prepared on a cash basis. In a cash accounting environment, the value of a capital resource is recognised and charged fully to the account in the year of acquisition. In addition, in cash-based accounts, the planning for the cost of replacement of capital items is done on a requirements basis and submitted for Vote approval. It should be noted that cash accounting does not provide the scope to build up a fund of money for future spends either current or capital.

Under the Management Information Framework (MIF) Project new accruals-based accounting systems were rolled out across the civil service over the last four years. It is now possible for all Departments and Offices to capture more detailed information for the better management of spending programmes and to improve the scope of financial reporting. Drawing on the information available under the MIF, an information note in the Appropriation Account reports on the capital assets position and presents the position of Net Assets (original cost less accumulated depreciation). In addition, all Departments and Offices must now present an Annual Output Statement to Dáil Éireann which sets out the target outputs of Departments and Agencies for the resources provided and reports progress on performance as compared with targets for the following year. These initiatives significantly improve the efficiency of resource use in Departments and Offices.

Tax Code.

Jack Wall

Question:

61 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance his views on the introduction of income tax relief on environmental service charges; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7743/08]

I take it that the Deputy's reference to environmental service charges means the annual ‘service charges' i.e. charges in respect of the provision of water for domestic purposes, domestic refuse collection or disposal or domestic sewage facilities. Such charges are allowable at the standard rate up to an overall limit of €400 per annum. Full details are contained in Revenue's Explanatory leaflet and claim form IT 27 Tax Relief for Service Charges which is available on Revenue's website @ www.revenue.ie.

Question No. 62 answered with Question No. 55.

Departmental Properties.

Joanna Tuffy

Question:

63 Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance if, in view of the decision of Dublin City Council to support the global campaign Earth Hour 2008 along with cities through out the world including Sydney and San Francisco that will involve Dublin City Council switching off all non-essential lights under the Council’s control from 8 pm to 9 pm on 29 March 2008, he will agree to participate in this initiative and seek the switching off of non-essential lights in Government Buildings as well as the other buildings in Dublin City that house the respective offices of Government Ministers during this hour; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6827/08]

The Office of Public Works would be happy to participate in the Earth Hour initiative where practicable in respect of the building under its direct management and control.

Tax Code.

Sean Sherlock

Question:

64 Deputy Seán Sherlock asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance if he will introduce an exemption on excise duty to make it viable for Irish producers of energy crops for biofuel to sell their product to the Irish market; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7096/08]

The Government is firmly committed to the development of biofuels generally in Ireland. While the promotion of biofuel is primarily a matter for my colleague, the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, I am pleased to inform the Deputy that in Finance Act 2006 I provided for significant tax measures to promote biofuels in Ireland.

This scheme, which received the necessary EU State Aid approval, commenced in November 2006 and will:

provide for excise relief on up to 163 million litres of biofuels per annum;

cost over €200m over 5 years;

when fully operational, result in CO2 savings of over 250,000 tonnes per annum;

contribute towards meeting a target of 5.75% transport fuel market penetration by biofuels by 2009;

help reduce our dependency on conventional fossil fuels; and

stimulate activity in the agricultural sector.

The overall level of excise relief available for biofuels is regarded as a level which is sufficient to match Ireland's output potential in relation to renewable energy crops for motor fuels over the coming years. These fiscal incentives were designed to kickstart the domestic biofuels industry and evidence suggests that this is happening.

Long-term general excise reliefs are not anticipated. In this regard the Deputy might wish to note that there are additional non-fiscal measures that can be used to promote biofuels. To provide further market certainty and encourage projects of scale, the Government has signalled its intention to move to a Biofuels Obligation by 2009 which will require all fuel suppliers to ensure that biofuels represent a certain percentage of their annual sales. The ‘obligation' will fall under the remit of the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources.

In addition to the incentive provided in the Biofuels Excise Relief Schemes, in Budget 2007, I provided funding for a national top-up of the EU energy crop payment from €45 per hectare to €80 per hectare. This payment is operated by the Department of Agriculture and Food and provides farmers with a further incentive to grow energy crops.

Financial Services Regulation.

Kathleen Lynch

Question:

65 Deputy Kathleen Lynch asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance if he or his officials have received and studied the special report of the Comptroller and Auditor General into the Financial Regulator of May 2007; his views on the findings of the report; the discussions that have taken place with the Financial Regulator arising from the report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7716/08]

The report of the Comptroller and Auditor General to which the Deputy refers was submitted to me by the Comptroller and Auditor General in June 2007 and laid by me before Dáil Eireann. This examination looked at all the areas of activity of the Financial Regulator since its establishment. It focused in particular on:

how the Financial Regulator sets standards and provides guidance to financial service providers, particularly in relation to promulgation of EU single market measures

the operational measures undertaken by the Financial Regulator to monitor compliance by financial service providers with standards

how the Financial Regulator co-operates with other regulators to efficiently and effectively monitor cross-border financial service providers how the Financial Regulator protects and informs the users of financial services in Ireland

the costs of regulation.

The report presents a favourable and positive picture of the financial services regulatory environment in Ireland. It recognises the significant changes in the market and regulatory environment that have impacted on the operation of the Financial Regulator since it was established in 2003 and the organisational developments introduced within the Financial Regulator to respond to required changes. The report includes many positive findings including:

The Financial Regulator has generally been prompt in issuing rules and guidance for financial services providers

In developing standards, regulatory policies and administrative procedures, the Financial Regulator systematically consults with stakeholders and publishes related documentation on its website.

Since its establishment, the Financial Regulator has devoted considerable effort to developing a formal risk-rating model, and significant progress in achieving risk-based supervision has been made.

The Financial Regulator has been developing its capacity to assess the relative costs and benefits of new regulation where it has discretion in how legislation is to be implemented.

The Value for Money examination also highlighted a number of areas where the Financial Regulator could improve in efficiency. Many of these recommendations are being addressed as part of the Financial Regulators Strategic Plan for 2007-2009. These include a re-development of the Financial Regulator's corporate website and the enhanced use of electronic reporting and IT systems generally to support the operations of the Financial Regulator. The Financial Regulator constantly monitors progress against the objectives in the Strategic Plan and reports on that progress in its Annual Report, which is provided to me and laid before each House of the Oireachtas.

In addition, the Financial Regulator has advised me that it has commenced a systematic review of its business processes. This project will include a benchmarking of the Financial Regulator against comparator financial regulators and other similar businesses, domestically and abroad, and an assessment of areas of work currently undertaken by the Financial Regulator that might be suitable for outsourcing. The purpose of the project is to ensure that the Financial Regulator is delivering value for money in its business processes, is operating at relevant and appropriate best practice and that clearly defined and measurable benefits accrue from any changes proposed.

I welcome the report and findings of the C&AG's value for money report on the Financial Regulator. This report is an important part of the accountability framework within which the Financial Regulator operates, while maintaining its appropriate day to day independence.

Economic and Monetary Union.

Brendan Howlin

Question:

66 Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the status, in terms of legislation, implementation and monitoring, of preparations for the single European payments area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7740/08]

Payments systems deal with the transfer of money (funds) between bank accounts. While each Member State has effective payments systems at national level, the integration of the single market in financial services has been hindered by the lack of cross-border interoperability between national payments systems. For some years now the payments industry has been working to improve the dynamics of cross-border business activity by developing a pan-European electronic payments system for payments in euro. It is called SEPA (the single euro payments area). The project is being delivered by the banking industry via the European Payments Council (EPC).

SEPA will be an area where consumers, companies etc can make and receive electronic payments in euro in Europe — whether between or within national boundaries, under the same basic conditions regardless of location. The key components of SEPA are the new payments systems for

Credit transfers, that is, making payments electronically from or into bank accounts, including the use of internet or telephone banking. For example, they include making salary or pension payments into bank accounts.

Debit systems and

The SEPA Cards Framework.

I should mention that SEPA will not provide clearing for paper-based payments such as cheques.

The SEPA Credit Transfers System, the first of the new SEPA payment instruments, was formally launched on 28 January 2008. The SEPA Direct Debit Scheme will be launched in late 2009, after all Member States have transposed the Payments Services Directive which is needed to give it legal underpinning. Cards compliant with the SEPA Cards Framework will be available at a later date.

While the main focus of SEPA is on euro area Member States, SEPA will also apply to euro payments to and from Member States outside the euro area.

As I have already mentioned, the Payment Services Directive (PSD) is needed to provide legal underpinning for the SEPA project, especially the debit card element. The deadline for transposition is 1 November 2009. Work to transpose the PSD is already underway in my Department and consultations with relevant stakeholders have been initiated.

Financial Services Regulation.

Willie Penrose

Question:

67 Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the number of incidents and value of overcharging of customers by banks and financial institutions each year during the period 2002 to 2007; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7717/08]

The issues raised by the Deputy fall within the remit of the Financial Regulator. I understand that the majority of overcharging issues actually predate the establishment of the Financial Regulator in 2003 and, accordingly, statistics are not available in exactly the format requested by the Deputy.

Following a request for similar statistics in PQ No. 2351/08 (on 30 January, 2008), my Department sought the information from the Financial Regulator and had in the meantime provided information in answering that PQ which was the most up to date available at that time pending the response from the Financial Regulator. I can now say that previously unpublished information recently provided in response to my Department's request by the Financial Regulator indicates that the amount of €167 million (this amount is unchanged) relating to overcharging issues dating from the early 1990s identified in the Financial Regulator's Annual Report for 2006 related to 38 financial service providers and 624 individual charging issues. Approximately 80 per cent of the €167 million has been refunded or paid to charity as appropriate. I have arranged for a copy of the information supplied by the Financial Regulator to be forwarded to the Deputy.

This area has been a major focus of the work of the Financial Regulator since its establishment in 2003. In responding to these issues, the main priority has been to ensure that all affected customers receive full and speedy refunds and systems and controls are put in place to deal with the issues that led to overcharging so that future errors may be eliminated or minimised. This has been reflected in the substantial progress made in the reimbursement programmes and a decline in the number of new charging issues reported to the Financial Regulator, as financial service providers have adopted a much more rigorous approach to their internal controls, IT system processes and compliance procedures.

The Financial Regulator is closely monitoring the reimbursement programmes to confirm that they are carried out fully in line with the general principles established by the Financial Regulator in 2005. These ensure that financial service providers make all reasonable efforts to make refunds, with appropriate interest, to all customers who have been affected by overcharging and that the financial institution concerned cannot benefit in any way from amounts that cannot be repaid. Details of the main reimbursement programmes are published in the Financial Regulator's Annual Reports.

It is important to note that the high number of overcharging issues identified is largely due to system reviews and allocation of additional compliance resources by credit institutions and insurers following the establishment of the Financial Regulator in 2003 as well as the reviews initiated by the Financial Regulator and the commencement of its customer-oriented on site inspections at that time.

In addition, under the Financial Regulator's Consumer Protection Code, which came into full effect on 1 July 2007, regulated entities must speedily, efficiently and fairly correct any charging or pricing errors and notify affected consumers of any charging or pricing errors that may have a negative impact on the cost of a service or the value of a product provided.

The whole regulatory structure for Irish financial services was reformed with the establishment of the Financial Regulator, with its statutory consumer protection mandate, in 2003. The progress made on this issue is therefore a reflection of the work of the Financial Regulator in implementing a strong principles-based supervisory approach, in fostering a compliance culture in the financial services industry and in promoting and safeguarding the interests of consumers.

Tax Code.

Róisín Shortall

Question:

68 Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance if he proposes measures to ensure that there is no anomaly under the proposed new VRT regime whereby imported second-hand cars are treated differently to new or second-hand cars sold here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7736/08]

Under the revised VRT system, the VRT rate applicable to both new and used imported cars registered on or after 1 July 2008 will be determined by the CO2 emission rating of the car and will no longer be related to engine size.

As outlined in Annex D to the Summary of 2008 Budget Measures, in respect of pre-owned used cars imported after 1 July 2008, the CO2 emissions will have to be declared to the Revenue Commissioners on form VRT4 (declaration for registration of a used vehicle) by the person registering the vehicle.

The declaration will be required to be supported by documentary evidence of the CO2 emissions. Acceptable documentary evidence (provided the CO2 emissions is shown) will include:

a certificate of conformity for the particular model, (since 2001, EU law requires CO2 emission levels to be recited in this document), or

a previous registration certificate, or

a certificate from the manufacturer or distributor, or

a certificate from an organisation approved by the Revenue Commissioners to provide such certificates.

Where a certificate or a measurement confirming CO2 levels for a vehicle is not available or does not satisfy the Revenue Commissioners, VRT will be charged on registration at the maximum rate allowable i.e. 36%. Such a VRT rating would be open to appeal through the VRT appeals system.

Legislative provision for the revised VRT system is included in the Finance Bill and further details regarding registration procedures and requirements will be set out in a Statutory Instrument.

Financial Services Regulation.

Mary Upton

Question:

69 Deputy Mary Upton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance if, in view of recent developments, he envisages a need to amend the legal framework governing the work of the Financial Services Ombudsman; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7742/08]

It would not be appropriate for me, in my role as Minister for Finance, to comment on any matter which is the subject to Court proceedings as is the case in relation to the developments adverted to in the Deputy's question.

My Department of course monitors closely, in consultation with the Office of the Attorney General, any legal issue with the potential to impact upon the current legislative framework governing the regulation of financial services in order to keep me advised of relevant developments and any legislative or policy issues arising in that context.

Mary Upton

Question:

70 Deputy Mary Upton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance if he proposes measures to ensure that global financial instability does not impact negatively on the health of the domestic credit union sector, particularly in so far as concerns the exposure of credit unions to risky financial instruments purchased under the advice of other financial institutions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7741/08]

As Minister of Finance, my role is to ensure that the legal framework for credit unions is appropriate for the effective operation and supervision of credit unions. The Registrar of Credit Unions is responsible for administering the system of regulation and supervision of credit unions provided under the Credit Union Act, 1997 with a view to the protection by each credit union of the funds of its members, and the maintenance of the financial stability and well-being of credit unions generally.

Under the legislative framework set out in the Credit Union Act the primary function of credit unions is to offer savings and loans services to its members. In view of the very significant growth in credit union savings over recent years reflecting such factors as strong economic and incomes growth overall and the success of the SSIA initiative, the funding position of credit unions is very strong. This has also led, against the backdrop of a significantly greater competition and product choice in the lending market, to significant growth in shares and deposits in many credit unions over and above what is required for their lending activities. These resources are available for investment by credit unions to generate a return for members. The Board of Directors of each individual credit union is responsible for ensuring that its investment policy is prudent and responsible and conforms to what is legally permissible under the Credit Union Act.

In order to assist Boards in effectively discharging this important function, in October 2006 the Registrar of Credit Unions issued a detailed Guidance Note on Investments to help safeguard the risk profile of credit union investments and ensure that members' savings continue to be protected. This provides a solid framework which enables the monitoring of the investment activities of credit unions by the Registrar. Following the recent shift in financial market conditions for investments evident since August last, the Registrar of Credit Unions has recently initiated a process including consultation with stakeholders with a view to revising the existing investment framework. This review will be informed by such factors as recent market developments and an assessment of the investment activities of credit unions overall. My Department is liaising closely with the Registrar of Credit Unions in relation to this work and will advise me on progress in this area.

Tax Code.

Eamon Gilmore

Question:

71 Deputy Eamon Gilmore asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the number and percentage of income earners who paid tax on any part of their income at the higher rate and the standard rate for 2007, irrespective of off-setting using credits; the anticipated figures for each category for 2008; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7724/08]

I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that the information requested by the Deputy is as follows in respect of the income tax years 2007 and 2008.

Tax year

Exempt (Standard rate liability fully covered by credits or Age Exemption Limits)

Marginal Band

Paying tax at the standard rate (including those whose liability at the higher rate is fully offset by credits)

Higher rate Liability not fully offset by credits

All cases

Number

%

Number

%

Number

%

Number

%

2007

868,000

38.0

17,700

0.8

921,700

40.3

478,000

20.9

2,285,400

2008#

878,100

37.6

17,900

0.8

937,000

40.1

504,500

21.6

2,337,600

# Assuming the enactment of the changes announced in the 2008 Budget.

Because of the operation of tax credits, many taxpayers who are nominally liable at the higher rate of tax pay tax at no more than the standard rate of tax. This is due to their higher rate liability for tax being fully offset by the value of their personal credits, as explained in pages C23 to C28 of the 2007 Budget booklet. The above data allows for this effect.

What matters to earners is the amount of their earnings that they keep in their pockets. For all income earners, whether single or married, the position is that their take home pay has increased very significantly in real terms over the last number of years.

Notes

The figures are estimates from the Revenue tax-forecasting model using actual data for the year 2004 adjusted as necessary for income and employment growth for the year in question. They are therefore provisional and likely to be revised. It should be noted that a married couple who has elected or has been deemed to have elected for joint assessment is counted as one tax unit. Figures in the table are rounded to the nearest hundred and any apparent discrepancies in totals are due to this.

Audits Programme.

Pat Rabbitte

Question:

72 Deputy Pat Rabbitte asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the number of random audits carried out by the Revenue Commissioners in each of the years 2003 to 2007 and to date in 2008; the number of such audits expected to be undertaken during 2008 as a whole; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7732/08]

I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that the position in relation to the number of random audits carried out for each of the years 2003 to date is as follows:

In 2003, 274 random audits were completed.

In 2004, the traditional random audit programme was not carried out due to the change in Revenue's approach following a review of the programme. However, 25 cases selected under the programme for previous years were completed in 2004. In 2005, 410 cases were selected for random audit. Of these, 62 cases did not proceed to final audit due to the particular circumstances of the taxpayer (e.g. trading had discontinued, the taxpayer was deceased or the case had been recently audited). 347 cases have been completed, leaving 1 case still ongoing.

In 2006, 402 cases were selected for random audit and 371 of these cases have been completed, leaving 31 cases still ongoing.

In 2007, 401 cases were selected for random audit and 248 cases have been completed, leaving 153 cases still ongoing.

I have been advised by the Revenue Commissioners that they plan to conduct a further random audits programme in 2008, which again will consist of a sample size of at least 400 cases. It is planned to commence the programme in March.

Property Repossessions.

Charles Flanagan

Question:

73 Deputy Charles Flanagan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance if he has assessed the level of home repossessions which are occurring; and if there are implications for public policy. [7795/08]

The Deputy will appreciate that reports relating to court proceedings for property repossessions need to be interpreted with caution, given the variety of circumstances that give rise to such cases and the fact that not all of the proceedings relate to residential property. It should also be noted that even where such orders are secured some are not enforced. The number of orders granted by the High Court is a very small proportion — representing less than 0.2% — of the number of new mortgages issued in the same year. As such, care needs to be exercised in drawing any particular conclusions regarding the property market or public policy overall.

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Financial Regulator (FR), speaking to the 30 January 2008 meeting of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Finance and the Public Service, pointed out that there are no indicators emerging as yet that there is a significant increase in default or arrears levels.

The FR's Consumer Protection Code requires regulated entities to undertake suitability assessments before offering a product or service to consumers. In addition, the Code sets out the requirement that a regulated entity must contact the consumer as soon as it becomes aware that a mortgage account is in arrears and that it must have in place a procedure for handling accounts in arrears. The CEO, also at the 30 January Joint Committee meeting, pointed out that the FR considers this to include a requirement that lenders agree a remedial action plan with a borrower where it detects arrears starting to emerge and to try to assist the borrower to manage his or her financial commitments and not allow the situation to worsen.

As the Deputy will be aware, Section 19 of the Markets in Financial Instruments and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 2007 introduced a system of regulation of non-deposit taking lenders, including specialist or so-called sub-prime lenders, with a view to extending the Consumer Protection Code to their activities. This system is currently being rolled out by the Financial Regulator.

Anyone experiencing difficulty in repaying a mortgage or other loan should discuss the matter with the loan provider and seek appropriate advice without delay. The Money Advice and Budgeting Service (MABS), which falls under the remit of my colleague, the Minister for Social and Family Affairs, is a national, free, confidential and independent service for people in debt, or in danger of getting into debt. MABS offices, throughout the country, work with people in order to assist them with their financial planning and budgeting for the future.

As Minister for Finance, I have consistently highlighted the need for responsible behaviour by both borrowers and lenders and, in particular, the need to factor into their financial decision making the effects of potential future changes in economic and financial conditions.

In overall terms, housing affordability in Ireland is supported by relatively low loan-to-value ratios, income growth, interest rates that are relatively low in historic terms and increases in mortgage interest relief available in particular to first-time buyers. Unfortunately, a small minority of borrowers develop debt problems but house repossession is generally a last resort for lenders. I understand that member institutions of the Irish Banking Federation (IBF) have voluntarily adopted a Code of Practice on Mortgage Arrears and a Code of Practice for Personal Customers. These include provisions for helping customers in financial difficulty.

Question No. 74 answered with Question No. 44.

Tax Code.

Martin Ferris

Question:

75 Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance his views on whether the commitments to cut income tax contained in the Programme for Government are viable; and if he will make a statement outlining that it is not his intention to implement these proposed cuts in the foreseeable future. [7695/08]

The Programme for Government sets out a commitment to reduce the standard rate of income tax to 18 per cent and the top rate of income tax to 40 per cent over the lifetime of the Government, provided economic resources allow.

It is clear that we have now entered a period of lower economic growth than was generally envisaged in the early part of last year. This is reflected in the economic forecasts for 2008 published with the Budget in December last. Real GDP is expected to increase by 3 per cent in 2008 before picking up thereafter so that average growth over the three year period 2008 to 2010 is forecast at 3.5 per cent.

I would remind the Deputy that the Programme for Government is a five year programme. Budget 2008 was the first instalment of the delivery of that programme.

Economic Competitiveness.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

76 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance if in view of the recent criticism by the EU in regard to Ireland’s competitiveness he proposes to take financial initiatives to address the issues raised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7707/08]

I assume the observations referred to are those contained in the recent Recommendation for a Council Opinion on the updated stability programme for Ireland, 2007 — 2010, where the European Commission commented on the recent deterioration in our export competitiveness. This deterioration has primarily been brought about by productivity growth here not keeping pace with price developments.

The Government recognises that, in a small open economy such as Ireland's, it is imperative that sustainable export growth is maintained. Such growth can only be realised through ensuring that our economy and exports, in particular, remain competitive.

In this regard, this Government has been pursuing, and will continue to pursue, a number of policies which will underpin the future competitiveness and growth of our economy, including a firm commitment to responsible budgetary policies. Successive Governments, building on the strength of Social Partnership, have implemented policies which are aimed at rewarding both work and enterprise through maintaining a low tax burden on capital and labour. Furthermore, the continued rollout of the National Development Plan (NDP) remains a key priority for both myself and the Government as a whole. The investment in capital provided for in the NDP is helping to eliminate infrastructural bottlenecks, which hinder economic efficiency, and is also enhancing competitiveness.

Pension Provisions.

Liz McManus

Question:

77 Deputy Liz McManus asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance his views on amending the legislation relating to approved retirement funds with respect to the taxation of the 3% imputed distribution from the age of 60 onwards to ensure that a pensioner’s income stream from the age of 65 is not undermined during the five years immediately preceding turning 65; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7721/08]

The 2006 Budget and Finance Act introduced an imputed or notional distribution of 3% of the value of the assets of an Approved Retirement Fund (ARF) on 31 December each year, where the notional amount will be taxed at the ARF owner's marginal income tax rate. Funds actually drawndown by ARF owners will be credited against the imputed distribution in that year to arrive at a net imputed amount, if any, for the year.

The imputed distribution measure was introduced because the internal review of tax relief for pensions provision undertaken by my Department and the Revenue Commissioners in 2005 (and which was published in early 2006) found that the ARF option was largely not being used as intended to fund an income stream in retirement, but instead was being used to build up funds in a tax-free environment over the long-term.

As a transitional measure, the 3% rate is being phased in over the period 2007 to 2009, with 1% applying in 2007, 2% in 2008 and the full 3% in 2009 and each subsequent year. The new regime applies to ARFs created on or after 6 April 2000 where the ARF holder is 60 years of age or over for the whole of a tax year. The new provisions do not impact on Approved Minimum Retirement Funds (AMRFs), although funds drawn from an individual's AMRF can also be credited against the that individual's imputed ARF distribution.

The imputed distribution measure will encourage the use of ARFs as intended, as funds actually drawn down by ARF owners will be credited against the imputed distribution to arrive at a net imputed amount, if any. This measure restricts the capacity of individuals to use ARFs purely as long-term tax-exempt vehicles. I have no plans at this time to amend the legislation as proposed.

Tax Code.

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Question:

78 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the constraints that directives from the European Union put on the ability of this State to make changes to the VAT regime, including the State’s ability to make changes to the number of VAT bands and the rates which they are set at. [7693/08]

The position is that the VAT regime and indeed the rating of all goods and services are subject to the requirements of EU VAT law with which Irish VAT law must comply. Whilst it would not be possible to provide a detailed breakdown of the complex rules and regulations governing VAT, the following summary addresses the specific points raised by the Deputy.

Under the EU VAT Directive, Member States may retain the zero rates on goods and services which were in place on 1 January 1991, but cannot extend the zero rate to new goods and services. This means that since 1 January 1991 no additional goods or services can have the zero VAT rate applied to them. However, it is possible to move existing zero rated items, as appropriate, to either the reduced rate which in Ireland is 13.5% or the standard rate which is 21%. However, once moved, it would not be possible to revert them to the zero rate.

Member States may have up to two reduced VAT rates of not less than 5 per cent for a specified number of goods or services which are set out in Annex III of the EU VAT Directive. The goods and services in Annex III include certain foods, non-oral medicines, supply, construction and alteration of housing provided as part of a social policy, and newspapers and periodicals. Goods and services at the reduced rate may be moved to the standard rate, but only those listed in Annex III may be reverted from the standard rate to the reduced rate. Ireland, in common with the vast majority of Member States, only operates one reduced VAT rate.

In addition, Member States have the option of maintaining, at a reduced rate of not less than 12 per cent, any items not listed in Annex III, provided they carried the reduced rate on 1 January 1991. These items are considered to be ‘parked' and Ireland's parked rate is the same as our reduced rate of 13.5%. Domestic fuels, restaurant services and labour intensive services are examples of "parked" items.

Member States must apply a standard VAT rate of not less than 15% to goods and services that are not subject to VAT at the zero rate, are not ‘parked' and which are not listed in Annex III of the EU VAT Directive.

Financial Services Regulation.

Joe Costello

Question:

79 Deputy Joe Costello asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance his views on recent increases in banks’ headline borrowing rates, despite no increase in ECB rates, and their apparent reluctance to pass on future cuts in the ECB rates to borrowers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7748/08]

My role as Minister for Finance is to ensure that there is an appropriate and robust legislative framework for the regulation of the financial services sector. I am satisfied that following the reform of the institutional framework for financial regulation, the establishment of the Financial Regulator with its statutory consumer protection mandate and the Financial Services Ombudsman and the subsequent achievements of these bodies we have such a framework in place.

Under this framework, I have no function in relation to the level of interest rates charged by financial institutions to their customers. As the Deputy will be aware, this is inherently a commercial matter for the financial institution concerned and will reflect a broad range of factors including the cost of funding, official interest rates, competitive market conditions and the risk profile of borrowers.

In this context, the Deputy may wish to note that when addressing the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Finance and the Public Service on 30 January, 2008, the Chief Executive Officer of the Financial Regulator pointed out that the cost of funds in the interbank market is increasing. However, as banks spread sources of funding, they will compete more actively in the market, also resulting in an increase in interest rates for depositors.

Interest rates in Ireland, in fact, remain low by historic standards. This reflects the current low level of official ECB rates. The Deputy may wish to note that increased competition in the Irish financial services sector over recent years, reflecting such factors as new entrants and the introduction of a switching code for both personal customers and now for the business sector, has benefited consumers in Ireland significantly through increased choice, new products, lower prices and better services.

The Financial Regulator regularly publishes surveys on its website www.itsyourmoney.ie comparing the costs of various financial products and services provided by various financial service providers in the State. These surveys provide consumers with the information they require to make informed choices as customers of financial institutions. The Deputy will appreciate that on account of such factors as differences in retail market structures, consumer preferences and charging structures, international cost comparisons must be interpreted carefully. However, comparative international information available for Ireland indicates that in overall terms the cost of personal or small business banking compare favourably with other developed countries.

The introduction of the Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA) from 28 January 2008 should also be a factor that promotes greater competition in the market for payment services across Europe, and, potentially, yield to Irish consumers the benefits of participating in a market with much larger economies of scale. SEPA will enable citizens, companies and other economic entities to make and receive payments in euros, within Europe, whether between or within national boundaries under the same basic conditions, rights and obligations, regardless of their location.

Question No. 80 answered with Question No. 54.

Tax Yield.

Jan O'Sullivan

Question:

81 Deputy Jan O’Sullivan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance if he will make a statement on the Exchequer returns for January 2008; the estimated Budget deficit he expects at the end of 2008 and compare this to the deficit forecast in Budget 2008; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7727/08]

As the Deputy may be aware, the monthly Exchequer Returns are available on my Department's website shortly after the end of each month. In addition, my Department's tax receipts, voted expenditure and debt service profiles for 2008, have also been published on the Department's website.

In relation to the returns for January, there was an Exchequer surplus of €630 million at end-January. This was generally in line with expectations.

In overall terms, January's tax receipts were slightly above target. Income tax was ahead of target at end-January but this excess was offset by a similar shortfall on VAT. Each of the other main tax-heads — excise duty, corporation tax, capital gains tax and stamp duty — were in line with expectations. However, taxes were down almost 3 per cent year-on-year, due mainly to slowing receipts from stamp duty and capital gains tax. Total net voted expenditure at end-January was slightly below profile.

An Exchequer deficit of €4,866 million for 2008 was forecast at Budget time and that forecast remains unchanged at this stage.

Financial Services Regulation.

Emmet Stagg

Question:

82 Deputy Emmet Stagg asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance if he is satisfied that the Financial Services Regulator has sufficient powers to deal with banks and credit institutions operating here and that such institutions are sufficiently vetting mortgages and other loans to minimise financial risk to borrowers, particularly those with a weak financial history; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7737/08]

A comprehensive system of banking supervision is in place under both EU and domestic law to ensure that credit institutions do not put customers' deposits at risk through imprudent lending practices. Banking supervision encompasses the authorisation of banks and building societies, their prudential supervision on an ongoing basis and the development of supervisory guidance and requirements for their operation. Prudential supervision involves monitoring the business of banks and building societies and how it is planned, managed, and controlled and checking compliance with statutory and non-statutory requirements. This system of prudential regulation is administered in Ireland by the Financial Regulator, which has extensive powers of inspection, review and enforcement under the relevant legislation.

The Financial Regulator adopts a risk-based and principles-based approach to its work. This model places responsibility for the proper management and control of a financial service provider, and the integrity of its systems, on the board of directors and its senior management. The financial services industry is expected by the Financial Regulator to adhere to ethical leadership standards, grounded on robust fitness and probity, good governance, and good risk management, relevant public disclosure, proper planning and most importantly, a commitment to protect customers.

All consumer credit, including mortgage credit, is also regulated in Ireland under the Consumer Credit Act 1995. The Act makes detailed provision for the form and content of loan agreements and for advertising of consumer credit. The Financial Regulator has powers of investigation, review and enforcement in relation to matters covered by the Act. Consumer complaints about the performance of creditors with respect to their obligations under the Act also fall within the remit of the Financial Services Ombudsman.

The Financial Regulator's supervisory guidance for the credit institutions that it regulates includes guidance on the manner in which banks assess the ability of their customers to support higher repayment burdens, should interest rates increase. At present in cases where the guidance applies home mortgage applications should be assessed at an interest rate at least 2.75% above the prevailing European Central Bank rate.

As regards non-deposit taking lenders in the domestic market, Section 19 of the Markets in Financial Instruments and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2007 amended Part V of the Central Bank Act 1997 to provide for an appropriate system of authorisation and regulation of retail credit firms and home reversion providers. The primary purpose of this amendment was to extend to customers of these firms the benefit of the additional consumer protections provided for in the Financial Regulator's Consumer Protection Code (CPC).

Under the CPC there is an obligation on financial service providers to act in a fair and transparent manner in their dealings with consumers. Before providing a product or service including advice to a consumer, the financial service provider must gather and record sufficient information from the consumer to allow it to provide an appropriate recommendation to that consumer and must supply the consumer with a copy of its written statement setting out the reasons why the product or service offered is considered suitable for that consumer. For example, reasons must be stated as to why the recommended loan is considered as suitable to the consumer having regard to the facts disclosed by him/her. Regulated financial service providers who are in breach of the CPC may be subject to financial and other sanctions.

My function, as Minister for Finance, is to provide an appropriate and robust framework for regulation of the financial services sector with a particular focus on the consumer. I am satisfied that, since the establishment of the Financial Regulator and the Financial Services Ombudsman, and on the basis of enhancements, such as the introduction of the Financial Regulator's Consumer Protection Code, we have such a framework in place.

Tax Code.

Denis Naughten

Question:

83 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance his plans to have Annex III of the EU VAT Directive amended to include road safety products and thereby reduce the rate of VAT applicable on such products; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1965/08]

The position is that the VAT rating of goods and services is subject to the requirements of EU VAT law with which Irish VAT law must comply. Under the VAT Directive Member States may only apply the reduced VAT rate to those goods and services which are listed under Annex III of the VAT Directive. As Annex III does not include the supply of road safety products, the only rate that can apply to such products is the standard VAT rate which in Ireland is 21%.

In relation to amending Annex III of the VAT Directive, the Deputy will be aware that this could only be done in the context of an overall review at Community level of reduced rates. Whilst the Commission launched a debate on reduced rates in July 2007, as yet, no specific Commission proposals have been brought forward. Generally, any significant review of the application of VAT across the different EU Member States can be complex.

Ciaran Lynch

Question:

84 Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance his views on the possible introduction of tax relief on fees paid to property management companies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7720/08]

The position is that individuals may claim tax relief in respect of the cost of ‘service charges' (i.e. charges in respect of the provision of water for domestic purposes, domestic refuse collection or disposal or domestic sewage facilities). Full details are contained in Revenue's Explanatory leaflet and claim form IT 27 Tax Relief for Service Charges which is available on Revenue's website @ www.revenue.ie.

Where the management fee payable by residents to a management company set up to manage an apartment or other residential complex identifies an element in respect of such ‘service charges', that element may, subject to the conditions outlined in Revenue's Explanatory Leaflet, qualify for tax relief up to the limits set out in that Leaflet. The remaining elements of the management fees, such as payments towards the upkeep and maintenance of the property and payments towards a sinking fund do not qualify for tax relief, as is the case for maintenance and upkeep expenses incurred by owner occupiers of residential properties in general.

There are already significant provisions in the tax code to assist owner occupiers of residential property in the form of special incentives such as: mortgage interest relief with larger relief for first-time buyers; stamp duty exemption and relief for new houses bought by owner-occupiers; stamp duty relief for second-hand houses bought and occupied by first-time buyers; capital gains tax exemption for a person's principal private residence and a dwelling house exemption for CAT purposes.

Tax Collection.

Kathleen Lynch

Question:

85 Deputy Kathleen Lynch asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance if he will introduce legislation requiring banks and financial institutions to inform customers on an annual basis of the amount of DIRT tax deducted from their account; if he will provide information for those who claim DIRT tax on the way to do so; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7715/08]

Section 262 of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997 already provides that a financial institution must, following a depositor's request, provide a statement to the depositor showing the gross amount of any relevant interest paid or credited to the depositor, the DIRT deducted, the net payment and the date of that payment. I have no plans to amend this legislative provision at this time.

In Section 34 of the Finance Act 2007 I introduced a new scheme to allow the operation of DIRT exempt savings accounts subject to two conditions: (1) the account holder must be aged 65 years of age or over or be permanently incapacitated; and (2) the account holder's total income must not exceed the relevant exemption threshold, i.e. €19,000 (for an individual) or €38,000 (for a married couple).

Provisional figures show that in 2007 some 47,218 such accounts were operated. These figures will increase as the remaining financial institutions file returns for 2007.

In 2007, Revenue widely publicised these changes. An Information Leaflet (DE1) giving comprehensive information for qualifying taxpayers on how to have interest credited to their savings accounts without deduction of DIRT was made available at Revenue offices. Information on DIRT exemption was also included on the Revenue website at www.revenue.ie. Application forms and information leaflets were also made available at most financial institutions. Revenue also arranged for an information leaflet to be issued to social welfare customers in receipt of state and other pensions. Approximately 100,000 leaflets were issued in this way. Information on the DIRT exemption was also included in Age Action's monthly magazine "Ageing Matters" in June 2007.

During 2008, Revenue will continue to examine a range of channels or means to target the over 65s and it plans to publicise the facility offered by the accounts, including posters in local offices, contact with representative bodies, financial institutions, other Government Departments and agencies, and relevant advertising.

Pension Provisions.

Brian O'Shea

Question:

86 Deputy Brian O’Shea asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance if the Financial Regulator has advised him as to the need for re-defining the definition of an investment instrument as stated in the Investment Intermediaries Act 1995; the substance of this advice; if he will make legislative proposals on the basis of this advice; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7723/08]

I understand that the Deputy is referring to a question, relating to advice on the purchase of notional service by public servants, which I answered on 30 January last. I noted in my reply to that question that matters of this nature could be arranged directly with the relevant Personnel Section and that there was no particular need to obtain independent advice, unless the officer chose to do so. I also noted that with regard to the purchase of Additional Voluntary Contributions (AVCs) by public servants that I had asked my Department to contact the Financial Regulator and the Department of Social and Family Affairs to obtain their views on the case for any legislative amendment. My Department wrote to those bodies on 20 February and I will keep the Deputies informed of progress.

Tax Collection.

Michael D. Higgins

Question:

87 Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the estimate of the number of residents here owning foreign, income generating properties; the number paying tax on such income; the amount of such tax received annually by the Exchequer; the expected instance of non-payment of such tax; the amount of tax expected to be foregone to the Exchequer through non-payment; the expected impact on Exchequer revenues of the measures proposed in the Finance Bill 2008 to combat non-payment of tax due; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7746/08]

I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that, based on information derived from personal income tax returns for the tax year 2005 (the latest year for which the most complete data is available), some 4,450 individuals returned rental income of €56 million from foreign properties. This figure of €56 million was the profit rent, net of allowable expenses such as interest, repairs, insurance, etc.

I am advised that Revenue cannot identify the amount of income tax specifically attributable to income from foreign property, because this will depend on the particular circumstances in each case, including the amount of double taxation relief to be credited for any tax paid in the other jurisdiction.

Revenue is also not in a position to estimate the number of instances of non-payment of Irish tax on income from foreign property or the amount of tax expected to be foregone through such non-payment. As with all categories of undeclared income, estimating the scale of non-declaration is very difficult; this is particularly so where foreign sources are involved.

However, Revenue has set up a specialist Offshore Assets Group and one of the objectives of this unit is to develop systems to identify persons who use or have used offshore properties as a means of evading tax. So far, the Unit has identified more than 2,000 Irish owners of foreign properties. This has been done through the exchange of information with foreign tax administrations; by monitoring advertisements and websites; by registering with foreign land registries; and by looking at returns of foreign bank information under the EU Savings Directive. All of these cases are referred for examination to ensure that there is no Irish tax evasion involved either in relation to the source of the purchase money or any income being generated from renting the property.

Section 126 of the Finance Bill 2008 (as initiated) extends the Revenue reporting obligations of agents to include rent from foreign property; previously, this obligation was confined to Irish property. It is hoped that this will contribute to the identification of non-payment of tax on foreign property income, but the impact of this new measure will not be known until the first returns are submitted.

Tax Yield.

Ruairí Quinn

Question:

88 Deputy Ruairí Quinn asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance if he will estimate the Exchequer income for the years 2008, 2009 and 2010 from the electricity tax proposed in the Finance Bill 2008; if this tax is expected to impact on consumption patterns; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7730/08]

The Finance Bill provides for the introduction of an excise duty on electricity, called electricity tax, as required under the EU Energy Tax Directive. The tax will be charged to the operator who supplies electricity to the consumer. It will apply to supplies of electricity made on or after 1 October 2008. The rates of tax are being set at the minimum rates specified in the Directive; that is 50 cent per megawatt hour — which is 1,000 units — for business use, and €1 per megawatt hour for non-business use.

However, electricity used by households will be exempt from the new tax as will electricity produced from renewables and combined heat and power generation. Energy products and electricity used to produce electricity are also being exempted from excise taxation.

The tax will be paid over to the Revenue Commissioners in arrears, and consequently there should be no yield in 2008. It is estimated that while the electricity tax will have a gross yield of around €7m per annum thereafter, when the exemption from excise taxation of energy products and electricity used to produce electricity is taken into account the net Exchequer yield is estimated at under €1m per annum. The overall cost and impact of the measure on electricity prices and consumption patterns will be marginal.

Question No. 89 answered with Question No. 54.

Social Partnership.

Martin Ferris

Question:

90 Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Taoiseach if he will make a statement on the participation of environmental groups in social partnership. [7907/08]

The Programme for Government commits that "arrangements for representation of environmental issues in Social Partnership will be considered in the course of the review of Towards 2016 which will take place in 2008".

Any change to the structure of Social Partnership must be carefully considered and the Government has previously identified clear and specific criteria against which applications to join the social partnership process are considered.

These include that organisations requesting social partner status be national and representative in nature; that they have the capacity to meet the demands and obligations that arise as part of this participation; and that they will add to the capacity of the social partnership process to address issues effectively. In addition, any organisations would be required to formally endorse the Towards 2016 Agreement.

At the most recent Social Partnership Plenary meeting on 15 February in Dublin Castle, I formally invited the Social Partners to engage in a review of Towards 2016 and a copy of my speech is available in the Oireachtas library. The issue of environmental representation in social partnership will be considered further during this review in consultation with the Social Partners.

Departmental Transport.

David Stanton

Question:

91 Deputy David Stanton asked the Taoiseach if the taxi companies used by his Department and State agencies under the aegis of his Department have a minimum percentage of taxis which are accessible for people with disabilities and wheelchair users; the amount expended by his Department and State agencies on taxi hire each year from 2003 to date in 2008 respectively; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7939/08]

Taxi companies used by this Department and State Agencies under the aegis have a minimum percentage of taxis which are accessible for people with disabilities and wheelchair users. I set out below a schedule which contains details of the amount expended by the Department and by agencies under the aegis of the Department on taxi hire from 2003 to end January 2008.

Department of the Taoiseach

Taxi Hire Cost

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008 (to end January)

Department of the Taoiseach

95,508.49

100,883.46

92,174.58

93,510.82

85,963.52

9,128.22

State Agencies/Bodies

Taxi Hire Cost

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

NESDO (incl. NESC, NESF and NCPP)

4,374.00

4,900.00

7,017.00

7,822.00

10,035.00

1,134.00

National Forum on Europe

1,660.71

2,006.99

2,400.96

3,666.48

5,008.13

65.00

Independent Commission of Inquiry

2,920.00

300.00

Ireland Newfoundland Partnership

376.59

597.86

379.29

2,105.34

Forum for Peace and Reconciliation

193.58

24.98

Information Society Commission

894.58

127.60

Taskforce on Active Citizenship

882.01

Commission of Investigation

1,661.63

2,197.72

Central Statistics Office

17,173.98

17,769.58

17,030.32

18,964.64

22,497.38

2,808.60

Law Reform Commission

169.85

631.85

Total

27,216.85

25,935.17

29,160.35

33,199.98

40,277.70

4,007.60

Question No. 92 answered with Question No. 35.

Tax Code.

Jack Wall

Question:

93 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance if a person (details supplied) in County Kildare has all of their entitlements in relation to their pension and taxation payments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7436/08]

I have been advised by the Revenue Commissioners that the taxpayer has received and continues to receive all the tax credits and reliefs to which he is entitled.

Jack Wall

Question:

94 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance if a person (details supplied) will be issued with a P21 for 2007; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7457/08]

I have been advised by the Revenue Commissioners that a PAYE balancing statement form P21 for the year 2007 will issue to the taxpayer in the coming days.

Mattie McGrath

Question:

95 Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the reason tax is payable on defibrillators; his views on supplying them tax free to communities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7482/08]

The position is that in matters relating to the VAT rating of goods and services, I am constrained by the requirements of EU VAT law with which Irish VAT law must comply. In this regard, I would point out that the rate of VAT that applies to a particular good or service depends on the nature of the good or service and not on the status of the consumer. Accordingly, there is no provision in EU law that would permit the removal or reduction of VAT based on the social or economic status of the consumer or community group.

In relation to the VAT rate that applies to defibrillators, the position is that under the VAT Directive, Member States may retain the zero rates on goods and services which were in place on 1 January 1991, but cannot extend the zero rate to new goods and services. The zero VAT rate cannot therefore be applied to defibrillators which are subject to the standard rate.

In addition, Member States may only apply the reduced VAT rate to those goods and services which are listed under Annex III of the VAT Directive. While Annex III does include the supply of medical equipment for the exclusive personal use of a disabled person, it does not include defibrillators for general use. The reduced rate cannot be applied to the supply of defibrillators. Therefore the only rate of VAT that can apply to the supply of defibrillators is the standard VAT rate which in Ireland is 21%.

Flood Relief.

Sean Sherlock

Question:

96 Deputy Seán Sherlock asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance when work is scheduled to begin on the first phase of the Fermoy plan and the second phase of the Mallow flood relief plan in view of the recent flooding in both towns; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7554/08]

Tender documents for the appointment of a civil engineering contractor to undertake the construction works on the Munster Blackwater River (Fermoy North) Drainage Scheme are currently being finalised. It is expected that a contractor will be appointed by May of this year, once Confirmation of the Scheme by the Minister for Finance is received, as required by the Arterial Drainage Acts, allowing construction works to commence soon after.

In Mallow, construction works on the Munster Blackwater River (Mallow North) Drainage Scheme is hoped to commence before the end of March with construction being completed within twelve months.

The Office of Public Works recognise the importance of continuity of the works in both towns and so intend to commence the detailed design of the follow-on phases in both Fermoy and Mallow very shortly, thereby allowing construction of these phases to commence as the current phases are completed.

Dinny McGinley

Question:

97 Deputy Dinny McGinley asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the progress made regarding the continuous difficulty in the Raphoe area with serious flooding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7605/08]

I am advised by my officials in the Office of Public Works that they are working in close consultation with Donegal County Council in relation to the question of how to tackle the problem of flooding in Raphoe. A pre-feasibility Flood Study, to be funded by OPW, is being undertaken to identify options/solutions that would remove or alleviate the flood risk. It is hoped that the Flood Study report will be available by summer 2008. Provided the study identifies that economically and environmentally sustainable solutions are feasible, then works will commence as soon as possible thereafter. This may take the form of a programme of works to be carried out by Donegal County Council with funding and engineering advice and assistance from OPW.

Tax Code.

Sean Sherlock

Question:

98 Deputy Seán Sherlock asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance his views on the introduction of tax incentives for start-up food companies in regions where traditional food industries have gone into decline with a view to developing a critical mass of such companies in an area with major natural advantages and a strong scientific infrastructure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7618/08]

The most significant tax incentive for all companies, whether large or small and across all sectors, is our low rate of corporation tax of 12.5% on trading income and our relatively low rates of tax on other income as compared with other countries. A broad tax base is the price that must be paid to keep tax rates low and low tax rates benefit businesses generally. Any proposal for new tax incentives has to be considered in this context. Moreover, the introduction of specific tax incentives favouring one sector of industry over another would, quite apart from other difficulties, have State-Aid implications which would bring Ireland into conflict with EU law. For these reasons, I have no plans at this time to introduce an additional tax incentive for start-up food companies as suggested by the Deputy.

But I should mention that I am, however, aware of the particular difficulties facing small and start-up companies and I have made a number of changes to the tax system in recent Budgets to improve the position of such companies.

The Business Expansion Scheme (BES) and Seed Capital Scheme (SCS) have been considerably enhanced in recent years. In the case of the BES, individual investors are provided with tax relief at their marginal tax rate in respect of investments of up to €150,000 per annum in certain qualifying companies. The SCS was introduced in 1993 as an incentive to encourage individuals to start up new businesses. Where the individual has complied with certain conditions, the scheme provides a refund of tax paid in the previous six years to employees who leave employment and start their own business. There is an upper limit in any one year of the tax paid on income of €100,000.

In Budget 2007, I increased the corporation tax liability threshold for treatment as a small company in relation to the payment of preliminary corporation tax, from €50,000 to €150,000. This means that companies with a corporation tax liability of €150,000 or less can opt to pay preliminary tax on the lower of 90% of the final liability of the current accounting period or 100% of the liability of the previous accounting period. This measure gives the vast bulk of Irish companies the benefit of a simpler and more straightforward system of payment in respect of preliminary corporation tax.

I also introduced a new measure for start-up companies in Budget 2007 under which new start-up companies with a corporation tax liability of €150,000 or less for their first accounting period do not have to pay preliminary corporation tax for that first accounting period and instead are required to pay their final corporation tax liability when they submit their tax returns (9 months after the end of the accounting period). In Budget 2008, I increased the liability threshold for both of the measures detailed above from €150,000 to €200,000.

The Deputy makes reference to scientific infrastructure and, in this context, I would refer to the R&D tax credit scheme which was introduced in 2004 which enables a company to write-off a tax credit against its corporation tax liability equivalent to 20% of the additional or incremental qualifying R&D expenditure incurred by it in a particular year compared toR&D expenditure in a base year. In Budget 2008, the base year for expenditure which is used to calculate the qualifying incremental expenditure on R&D under the tax credit scheme was fixed at 2003 for a further 4 years to 2013. The change provides an additional incentive for increased expenditure on R&D in future years and it offers more certainty to industry in relation to the tax credit scheme.

Architectural Heritage.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

99 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance further to Parliamentary Question No. 255 of 30 January 2008, if his Department will treat an application for acquisition, restoration or development as a national park (details supplied); if his attention has been drawn to the widespread support for such a proposal; if he will offer financial support in the event of such a development; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7673/08]

I draw the Deputy's attention to my reply to Parliamentary Question No. 255 of 30 January 2008 i.e. the office of Public Works is responsible for the built heritage in direct state ownership. Donadea Castle and its environs do not fall into this category.

Departmental Schemes.

Arthur Morgan

Question:

100 Deputy Arthur Morgan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to plans to introduce a savings scheme for low-income households on a pilot basis for two years to address the fact that low-income families which have no savings are at a particularly high risk of falling into debt. [4617/08]

The proposal is to develop a pilot savings scheme for low-income households, similar to the SSIA scheme which is now terminated. While the proposal has a number of socially progressive features, I am not convinced that such a scheme is the appropriate way forward. Raising the income levels of those affected by more jobs, higher wages or better social welfare support may be more productive. That is what this Government's policies are achieving.

Departmental Transport.

David Stanton

Question:

101 Deputy David Stanton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance if the taxi companies used by his Department and State agencies under the aegis of his Department have a minimum percentage of taxis which are accessible for people with disabilities and wheelchair users; the amount expended by his Department and State agencies on taxi hire each year from 2003 to date in 2008 respectively; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7934/08]

The amount spent on taxis by my Department and the State agencies under its aegis in the years 2003 to date in 2008 are contained in the following tables. In all cases the minimum percentage of taxis which are accessible for people with disabilities and wheelchair users is 10% of the available fleet of taxis.

Spend by the Department of Finance on taxis for years 2003 to date in 2008

Year

Amount spent on taxis

2003

77,000

2004

79,000

2005

58,000

2006

75,000

2007

86,000

2008 Year to date

6,000

Spend by agencies* on taxis for years 2003 to date in 2008.

Year

Amount spent on taxis

2003

97,000

2004

103,000

2005

126,000

2006

139,000

2007

118,000

2008 Year to date

11,000

* Government offices and Exchequer funded agencies.

Departmental Properties.

Brian Hayes

Question:

102 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance if the Office of Public Works have paid for a site (details supplied) adjacent to Mountjoy Prison; when it was purchased; if the Office of Public Works received a discount in view of the fact that this operation is still in business; if the Office of Public Works is receiving rent from the current occupant; if so, the amount of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7941/08]

The property referred to by the Deputy was acquired by the Commissioners of Public Works to enhance and facilitate the overall development of the Mountjoy Prison site.

It was purchased in December 2006 for the sum of €23.5 million, excluding VAT. A range of factors were taken into account in arriving at the purchase price including allowing the vendor to continue his business operations in the premises until July 2009.

Garda Stations.

Jimmy Deenihan

Question:

103 Deputy Jimmy Deenihan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the number of companies that pre-qualified to tender for the new Garda station in Castleisland, County Kerry; the number of Kerry contractors included; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8007/08]

The number of companies that pre-qualified to tender for the new Garda Station in Castleisland was seven. There was no successful applicant from Co. Kerry.

Offshore Exploration.

Michael Kennedy

Question:

104 Deputy Michael Kennedy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance his views on the tax incentive schemes which exist for oil exploration companies operating in the UK and Norway; if similar incentives will be brought in here to reduce the levels of risk experienced by domestic companies and to encourage further exploration off Irish shores; the incentives currently in place for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8072/08]

In this year's Finance Bill, I have introduced new tax provisions in relation to profits derived from petroleum exploration and production activities. A new tax called a "profit resource rent tax" will apply at rates of 5%, 10% or 15% in addition to the corporation tax rate of 25% that currently applies to profits from petroleum activities. It will apply when profits exceed certain defined levels. This will be worked out by a formula that relates the profits from a petroleum field to the capital investment in the field. The new tax provisions give effect to the Government Decision of 30 July 2007 that a new regime would apply in relation to petroleum profits from discoveries made from 2007 onwards.

In addition to the new profit resource rent tax, the Government also agreed last year that the tax relief in relation to expenditure on activities relating to exploration, development and abandonment should continue on the basis that it is ring-fenced to such petroleum –related activities undertaken by the companies concerned and it should continue to be allowed on a 100% first year basis.

The Government Decision of last year and the Finance Bill 2008 provisions arise from the recommendations of an external review of Ireland's petroleum exploration and production licensing terms which was carried out by Indecon International Economic consultants. That review, in arriving at its conclusions and recommendations, examined the fiscal regimes for oil and gas exploration and production in other countries, including the UK and Norway. I understand that the report of the review entitled "Expert Advice on Review of Irish PetroleumE&P Licensing Terms" is available on the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources' website.

There is a compelling case for increasing the tax-take in the future from more profitable oil and gas fields. Internationally, licensing terms are being amended in favour of national governments in light of increasing oil prices and fewer prospect areas available for exploration. The overall objective of the Finance Bill changes being proposed is to ensure that the State will get a higher return in the case of more profitable oil and gas fields while continuing to encourage the industry to invest in exploration for oil and gas offshore Ireland. There is a balance to be struck in revising the taxation policy as it applies to these activities. This balance must ensure, on the one hand, that Ireland gets an appropriate return for the exploitation of its resources while, on the other, giving sufficient encouragement to those who would search out and extract those resources. I think that the revised arrangements achieve that balance.

Tax Code.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

105 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance if he proposes to introduce further tax or other incentives to encourage the production of bio-fuels; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8104/08]

The Government is firmly committed to the development of biofuels generally in Ireland. While the promotion of biofuel is primarily a matter for my colleague, the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, I am pleased to inform the Deputy that in Finance Act 2006 I provided for significant tax measures to promote biofuels in Ireland.

This scheme, which received the necessary EU State Aid approval, commenced in November 2006 and will:

provide for excise relief on up to 163 million litres of biofuels per annum;

cost over €200m over 5 years;

when fully operational, result in CO2 savings of over 250,000 tonnes per annum;

contribute towards meeting a target of 5.75% transport fuel market penetration by biofuels by 2009;

help reduce our dependency on conventional fossil fuels, and

stimulate activity in the agricultural sector.

The overall level of excise relief available for biofuels is regarded as a level which is sufficient to match Ireland's output potential in relation to renewable energy crops for motor fuels over the coming years. These fiscal incentives were designed to kick-start the domestic biofuels industry and evidence suggests that this is happening.

Long-term general excise reliefs are not anticipated. In this regard the Deputy might wish to note that there are additional non-fiscal measures that can be used to promote biofuels. To provide further market certainty and encourage projects of scale, the Government has signalled its intention to move to a Biofuels Obligation by 2009 which will require all fuel suppliers to ensure that biofuels represent a certain percentage of their annual sales. The ‘obligation' will fall under the remit of the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources.

In addition to the incentive provided in the Biofuels Excise Relief Schemes, in Budget 2007, I provided funding for a national top-up of the EU energy crop payment from €45 per hectare to €80 per hectare. This payment is operated by the Department of Agriculture and Food and provides farmers with a further incentive to grow energy crops.

Economic Competitiveness.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

106 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the extent to which he has examined the cause or causes of hidden inflation leading to loss of competitiveness and jobs in the economy; his proposals to address the issue arising therefrom; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8105/08]

The Consumer Price Index (CPI) is designed to measure the change in the average level of the prices paid by consumers for goods and services. It measures in index form the monthly changes in the cost of purchasing a representative basket of consumer goods and services. The Director General of the Central Statistics Office has sole responsibility for, and is independent in, deciding the statistical methodology and professional standards to be used in compiling the CPI.

Maintaining a moderate rate of inflation remains a key priority of economic policy because of its importance in restoring competitiveness. We have no control over some of the factors influencing competitiveness, such as the exchange rate and oil prices. However, we must always seek to ensure that our domestic cost base does not undermine competitiveness. Regarding wage costs, the Government remains focused, through the partnership process, on securing a pay settlement that supports competitiveness. In this context, it is important to maintain low inflation, pursue a sensible incomes policy and keep public spending growth at sustainable levels in the medium term. This will allow us to keep the burden of taxation low, thus helping to maintain competitiveness, and to maximise our economic potential.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

107 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance his views on the recent European Commission comments regarding the competitiveness of the economy here; the steps he has taken or proposes to take to address the issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8106/08]

I assume the comments referred to are those contained in the recent Recommendation for a Council Opinion on the updated stability programme for Ireland, 2007 — 2010, where the European Commission commented on the recent deterioration in our export competitiveness. This deterioration has primarily been brought about by productivity growth here not keeping pace with price developments.

The Government recognises that, in a small open economy such as Ireland's, it is imperative that sustainable export growth is maintained. Such growth can only be realised through ensuring that our economy and exports, in particular, remain competitive.

In this regard, this Government has been pursuing, and will continue to pursue, a number of policies which will underpin the future competitiveness and growth of our economy, including a firm commitment to responsible budgetary policies. Successive Governments, building on the strength of Social Partnership, have implemented policies which are aimed at rewarding both work and enterprise through maintaining a low tax burden on capital and labour. Furthermore, the continued roll out of the National Development Plan (NDP) remains a key priority for both myself and the Government as a whole. The investment in capital provided for in the NDP is helping to eliminate infrastructural bottlenecks, which hinder economic efficiency, and is also enhancing competitiveness.

Financial Services Regulation.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

108 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance if he and or his EU colleagues directly or through the European Central Bank or otherwise have issued instructions or guidelines to deter practices such as over indulgence on sub-prime lending with a view to maintaining the confidence of international markets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8108/08]

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

109 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the extent and when he and his European colleagues first became aware of the high level of sub-prime or unwise lending; the steps taken, directly or through the European Central Bank or national central banks to combat the problem; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8109/08]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 108 and 109 together.

At the outset, I would point out to the Deputy that as far as the national position is concerned, the Government have taken steps last October under Section 19 of the Markets in Financial Instruments and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 2007, which amended Part V of the Central Bank Act, 1997, to provide for an appropriate system of authorisation and supervision of retail credit firms engaged in specialist or so-called sub-prime lending and home reversion providers not previously subject to financial regulation in respect of lending activities. The primary purpose of this amendment was to extend to customers of these firms the benefit of the consumer protections provided for in the Financial Regulator's Consumer Protection Code. This regulatory regime is in place since 1 February.

Non-traditional or specialist mortgages, sometimes referred to as sub-prime mortgages, are estimated to account for about 1% to 2% of the Irish residential mortgage lending market, compared to about 15% in the US. In Ireland, these products have provided a new mortgage mechanism for customers who might previously have experienced difficulty obtaining a mortgage from a mainstream lender because, for example, of the nature of their work, they are new to Ireland, or they have impaired credit histories. The CBFSAI in its Financial Stability Report 2007 found that the Irish banking sector has a minimal level of involvement in the Irish residential mortgage market for these non-traditional customers. The Report states that the Irish market is characterised by limited mainstream banks' involvement in the market, the relatively very small size of the market and generally modest average loan-to-value ratios.

It is very important to be clear, therefore, that the very significant system-wide difficulties that have emerged in relation to sub-prime lending practices are an issue that have arisen in the US mortgage market. The substantial write-downs of investments that have occurred for some European financial institutions arise from their investments in securities whose value depend on the credit quality of US sub-prime mortgages. The CBFSAI states in its Financial Stability Report 2007 that our credit institutions do not have significant exposures to the sub-prime market, either directly or indirectly. The current market dislocation began with concerns globally, from mid-2007 onwards, about investors' exposures to mounting losses in the US sub-prime mortgage market. Further information on the background and the approach to Financial Stability in the Central Bank and Financial Services Authority of Ireland are set out in the address of the Governor to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance and the Public Service on 30 January 2008.

At the EU level, there is a co-ordinated response to financial stability arrangements and the ability of authorities to respond to market developments, largely set out in the set of common principles and a roadmap of further actions published at the conclusion of the ECOFIN Ministers' meeting on 9 October, 2007. Ireland is participating fully in this work to ensure there is an effective EU-wide system to maintain financial stability taking into account the important cross-border linkages that now exist in EU financial markets.

I am satisfied that the steps taken at national level and the work underway at EU level represent an appropriate response to the need to safeguard financial stability.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

110 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the steps that have been taken or are expected to be taken to prevent recurrences of financial scandals throughout the banking systems, nationally and internationally; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8111/08]

The primary responsibility for managing a bank and for preventing fraud or inappropriate working practices in that bank lies with the management of that institution. No regulatory authority can put in place a supervisory regime to ensure that a financial institution can never be a victim of fraudulent or reckless trading activity from within. It is up to management to have appropriate controls to prevent or detect such activity.

As regards our own financial regulatory system, I am glad to advise the Deputy that a recent IMF examination has confirmed that it reflects best international practice.

There may well be lessons for legislators to be learned from recent adverse experiences in other Member States. The EU Commission is currently addressing a range of issues set out in roadmaps handed down by the Ecofin Councils in October and December 2007. When the Commission reports back on these issues, the question as to whether any further regulatory action would be appropriate can then be considered.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

111 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the extent to which he and his EU colleagues have examined, discussed or evaluated banking and financial services practices at national or European level having particular regard to the need to ensure the security, integrity and application for best practice at all times in order to ensure public confidence in the banking systems here and throughout the European Union; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8112/08]

There is already an extensive body of harmonised EU financial regulation in operation across the Union. This regulatory regime reflects best practice globally and this is reflected by the fact that EU financial regulation standards are now being followed by countries outside the Union.

Recent discussions at EU Councils of Ministers have focused on the broad issue of international financial market turmoil and on its implications for financial stability and economic growth. Given the comprehensive regulatory framework already in place across all Member States, no regulatory response is contemplated at this time. However, the EU Commission has been asked to look into a number of issues and to report back to Council over the coming months.

As regards financial regulation in Ireland, I am glad to say that our regulatory arrangements have been positively assessed by the IMF as recently as last September.

Departmental Properties.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

112 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the total cost to date of property or properties acquired under the Government’s decentralisation programme; the cost of the property disposed of in lieu thereof; the manner, methodology and advice being used in the process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8113/08]

The information sought by the Deputy is as follows:

Total cost of site/building purchases — €70.3m

Total cost of leases taken (rent per annum) — €5.1m

Total estimated cost of fit-outs for leased buildings — €17.7m

The total value of properties disposed since 2004, or transferred to the Affordable Housing Partnership or placed in joint ventures to release value is €587.5m

The Office of Public Works internal professional Valuation service was involved in the provision of advice and in the conducting of negotiations for the acquisition of the decentralised properties.

In the case of disposals, the services of outside Estate Agents were used. These services were acquired through the usual procurement processes.

Questions Nos. 113 and 114 answered with Question No. 42.

Health Services.

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Question:

115 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health and Children the steps being taken to ensure the continued services of a service (details supplied) in Dublin 8 which has over 50 people on a waiting list for the service, while struggling to deliver the services for its existing clients; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7467/08]

Operational responsibility for the management and delivery of health and personal social services was assigned to the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Therefore, the Executive is the appropriate body to consider the particular case raised by the Deputy. My Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to arrange to have the matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.

Long-Term Illness Scheme.

Enda Kenny

Question:

116 Deputy Enda Kenny asked the Minister for Health and Children if sufferers of the muscle weakening disease myasthenia gravis would benefit from the illness being included on the long term illness scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8289/08]

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Question:

150 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will place myasthenia gravis on the list of qualifying illnesses under the long term illness scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7608/08]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 116 and 150 together.

Under the 1970 Health Act, the Health Service Executive may arrange for the supply, without charge, of drugs, medicines and medical and surgical appliances to people with a specified condition, for the treatment of that condition, through the Long Term Illness Scheme (LTI). The LTI does not cover GP fees or hospital co-payments. The conditions are: mental handicap, mental illness (for people under 16 only), phenylketonuria, cystic fibrosis, spina bifida, hydrocephalus, diabetes mellitus, diabetes insipidus, haemophilia, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, muscular dystrophies, Parkinsonism, conditions arising from thalidomide and acute leukaemia. There are currently no plans to extend the list of eligible conditions.

Products which are necessary for the management of the specified illness are available to LTI patients. Other products are available according to the patient's eligibility.

People who cannot, without undue hardship, arrange for the provision of medical services for themselves and their dependants may be entitled to a medical card. In the assessment process, the Health Service Executive can take into account medical costs incurred by an individual or a family. Those who are not eligible for a medical card may still be able to avail of a GP visit card, which covers the cost of general practice consultations.

Non-medical card holders and people whose illness is not covered by the LTI can use the Drug Payment Scheme, which protects against excessive medicines costs. Under this scheme, no individual or family unit pays more than €90 per calendar month towards the cost of approved prescribed medicines. The scheme is easy to use and significantly reduces the cost burden for families and individuals incurring ongoing expenditure on medicines. In addition, non-reimbursed medical expenses above a set threshold may be offset against tax.

Services for People with Disabilities.

David Stanton

Question:

117 Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Health and Children when she will ensure that all persons with disabilities have a legal right to independent assessment of need; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8514/08]

David Stanton

Question:

193 Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Health and Children when she expects to receive the report from the Health Service Executive in relation to the aggregate needs identified in assessment reports prepared including an indication of the periods of time ideally required for the provision of the services, the sequence of such provision and an estimate of the cost of such provision as outlined in section 13(2) of the Disability Act 2005; if it is her intention to publish same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7921/08]

David Stanton

Question:

194 Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Health and Children if the Health Service Executive is maintaining records as per section 13(c) of the Disability Act 2005 specifying the aggregate needs identified in assessment reports which have not been included in the service statements; the aggregate needs identified in assessment reports which have not been met through services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7922/08]

David Stanton

Question:

195 Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of applications for assessments made under section 9 of the Disability Act 2005; the number of assessments completed to date respectively; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7923/08]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 117, 193, 194 and 195 together.

The National Disability Strategy, which was launched in September 2004, provides for a framework of new supports for people with disabilities. The Strategy builds on a strong equality framework, which is reflected in several pieces of equality legislation. The main elements of the Strategy are:

The Disability Act 2005;

The Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs Act 2004;

Six Outline Sectoral Plans published by Government Departments;

The Citizens Information Act 2007.

The Multi-Annual Investment Package as committed to by Government has been put in place to support the National Disability Strategy.

The Disability Act 2005

The Disability Act 2005 is a central element of the National Disability Strategy. The Act is a positive measure designed to advance and underpin participation by people with disabilities in everyday life.

One of the most important aspects of the Department of Health and Children's Sectoral Plan is the arrangements for commencing Part 2 of the Disability Act, 2005. Part 2 of the Disability Act 2005 commenced for children aged under 5 years with effect from 1 June, 2007. This prioritisation reflects the importance of intervention early in life, which can have a significant impact on the disabling effects of a condition or impairment.

In particular Part 2 of the Disability Act 2005 provides people with disabilities with an entitlement to:

An independent assessment of health and education needs;

A statement of the services (Service Statement) which it is proposed to provide;

Pursue a complaint through the Health Service Executive complaints process if necessary;

Make an appeal to the independent Disability Appeals Officer.

With regard to the Deputy Stanton's query on the number of applications for assessments made under Section 9, the assessment of need process is a matter for the Health Service Executive and I have referred this matter to the Health Service Executive who will be in a position to provide information in terms of the numbers involved.

Section 13 of Part 2 of the Disability Act 2005 requires that specific information, as listed in Section 13 paragraph 2, is contained in a report that will be compiled by the Health Service Executive and submitted to the Minister, within six months after the end of each year, indicating what additional services are required to meet identified needs, what the ideal timeframe for delivery of such services would be and the estimated costs involved. The Health Service Executive will submit the first Annual Report to the Minister for Health and Children by the 30 June, 2008, and annually thereafter. The Disability Act 2005 requires that the report be published by the Health Service Executive within one month of its submission to the Minister.

It is proposed that Part 2 of the Disability Act 2005 will be commenced in respect of children aged 5-18 in tandem with the implementation of the EPSEN Act 2004. The Department of Education and Science has informed the Department that it is envisaged that all sections of the EPSEN Act 2004 will be implemented over a five year timeframe, with the assessment process as provided for in the EPSEN Act 2004 due to commence in 2010. In preparation for its implementation, health related support services for children aged 5 to 18 and adults will continue to be enhanced to enable the Health Service Executive to meet needs identified for this group.

The statutory requirements of Part 2 of the Disability Act will be extended to adults as soon as possible but no later than 2011.

The Department of Health and Children and the Health Service Executive has undertaken the first of three annual reviews of progress on the Sectoral Plan, and this first review which was published in December 2007, is available on the Department's website. Further targets have also been identified, specifically in relation to planning for the parallel commencement of the Disability Act 2005 and the EPSEN Act 2004 for 5-18 year olds and adults.

Nursing Homes Repayment Scheme.

Brendan Howlin

Question:

118 Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Health and Children if her attention has been drawn to the fact that many elderly persons and their families were obliged to arrange and pay for private nursing home care due to the lack of public facilities to meet their needs; her views on whether it is equitable that such persons were precluded from seeking repayment of nursing home fees under the terms of the health repayment scheme; her further views on the introduction of a further health repayment scheme to afford equity of treatment of persons who paid fees in respect of private long stay beds only because no public long stay beds were made available to them; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7423/08]

The Health (Repayment Scheme) Act 2006 provides a clear legal framework to repay recoverable health charges for publicly funded long term residential care. All those fully eligible persons who were wrongly charged and are alive will have their charges repaid in full. The estates of all those fully eligible persons who were wrongly charged for publicly funded long term residential care and died since 9 December 1998 will have the charges repaid in full. The scheme does not allow for repayments to the estates of those who died prior to that date. Recoverable health charges are charges which were imposed on persons with full eligibility under the Health (Charges for In-patient Services) Regulations 1976 as amended in 1987 or charges for in-patient services only, raised under the Institutional Assistance Regulations 1954 as amended in 1965.

The scheme does not apply to individuals who have entered long term residential care under the Nursing Home Subvention Scheme. In the case of private nursing home care the contract is between the individual and the private nursing home owner. It is not my intention to extend the parameters of the health repayment scheme.

Medical Cards.

Catherine Byrne

Question:

119 Deputy Catherine Byrne asked the Minister for Health and Children the reason a person (details supplied) in Dublin 8 was refused a medical card; if she will re-examine this application in view of this person’s medical condition and very modest income after all outgoings are deducted; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7424/08]

Medical cards are made available to persons and their dependants who would otherwise experience undue hardship in meeting the cost of General Practitioner (GP) services. In 2005, the GP visit card was introduced as a graduated benefit so that people on moderate and lower incomes, particularly parents of young children, who do not qualify for a medical card, would not be deterred on cost grounds from visiting their GP.

The assessment of eligibility to medical cards and GP visit cards is statutorily a matter for the Health Service Executive (HSE) and, with the exception of persons aged over 70, who have an automatic entitlement to a medical card, is determined following an examination of the means of the applicant and his/her dependants.

As the Health Service Executive has the operational and funding responsibility for these benefits, it is the appropriate body to consider the particular case raised by the Deputy. My Department has therefore requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to arrange to address this matter and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.

Health Services.

Michael Ring

Question:

120 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Health and Children when a child (details supplied) in County Mayo will be called for orthodontic treatment. [7430/08]

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.

Hospital Services.

Charles Flanagan

Question:

121 Deputy Charles Flanagan asked the Minister for Health and Children if it is expected that the new Alzheimer’s unit at St. Vincent’s Hospital, Mountmellick, which has been completed and ready for occupation will be opened; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7443/08]

Operational responsibility for the management and delivery of health and personal social services was assigned to the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Therefore, the Executive is the appropriate body to consider the particular matter raised by the Deputy. My Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to arrange to have the matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.

Health Services.

Áine Brady

Question:

122 Deputy Áine Brady asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of applications to the Health Service Executive to provide medical centres in the County Kildare area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7458/08]

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 this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.

Accident and Emergency Services.

Charles Flanagan

Question:

123 Deputy Charles Flanagan asked the Minister for Health and Children if it is expected that the new accident and emergency unit at Midland General Hospital, Portlaoise, which has been completed and ready for occupation, will be opened; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7461/08]

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

Health Service Accounts.

Denis Naughten

Question:

124 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health and Children further to her reply to Parliamentary Question No. 167 of 3 October 2007, the figure for the total owed for the end of 2007; the percentage debt written off in each year in question; the percentage debt which was carried over in each year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7463/08]

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.

Research Funding.

Denis Naughten

Question:

125 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health and Children the funding provided for research into prostate cancer; the plans for further investment into research into the cancer; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7464/08]

Denis Naughten

Question:

126 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health and Children the funding provided for research into breast and cervical cancer respectively; the plans for further investment into research into each cancer; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7465/08]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 125 and 126 together.

The Deputy's questions relate to the statutory functions of the Health Research Board (HRB) which are to promote, conduct, fund and commission medical, epidemiological and health services research in Ireland. Accordingly, my Department has asked the HRB to examine these matters and to provide the information directly to the Deputy.

Health Services.

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Question:

127 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health and Children the steps being taken to ensure the additional services for the elderly as the continued services of a service (details supplied) in Dublin 8 is in crisis, with over 50 people on a waiting list for the service, while struggling to deliver the services for its existing clients; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7466/08]

Operational responsibility for the management and delivery of health and personal social services was assigned to the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Therefore, the Executive is the appropriate body to consider the particular case raised by the Deputy. My Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to arrange to have the matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.

Home Help Service.

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Question:

128 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health and Children if a review of funding from her Department of the home help services for the elderly is under way or planned, to ensure that adequate funding is available to deliver the level of services required and deserved for the elderly in communities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7468/08]

The Home Help service nationally is a well established and successful component of this Government's strategy to provide a range of services to enable older people to remain in their own homes and communities for as long as possible. While the service is subject to on-going monitoring by my Department and the Health Service Executive, no specific review of funding is planned or underway.

In this context, and in order to address increasing demands in the specific area of Home Helps in recent years, approximately €56 million additional funding has been provided for the service over the three years 2006-8 inclusive. This has enabled the provision of 11.3 million Home Help hours by the Health Service Executive in 2006 and 11.7 million hours in 2007.

Budget 2008 provided significant additional current funding of €22 million to cover a range of new community-based initiatives for Older People. This includes a sum of €5 million for this year towards 200,000 extra Home Help hours. This will bring the expected number of Home Help hours nationally to some 11.98 million in 2008.

Bearing in mind all the circumstances, I am satisfied that the prioritised funding I have made available this year will assist the HSE in meeting increasing demands on its Home Help service. I will, of course, in conjunction with the HSE continue to monitor the service to ensure that provision is maximised across the country.

Hospital Accommodation.

James Reilly

Question:

129 Deputy James Reilly asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will confirm the number of extra beds supplied to hospitals in 2007 that remain unused; the location of these beds; the cost to put these beds in place; the reason they remain unused; if these beds will be used in 2008; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7475/08]

Operational responsibility for the management and delivery of health and personal social services was assigned to the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004 and funding for all health services has been provided as part of its overall vote. Therefore, the Executive is the appropriate body to consider the particular 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.

James Reilly

Question:

130 Deputy James Reilly asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will confirm that a 23 bed unit completed in June 2007 at St Joseph’s General Hospital, County Tipperary, remains unused; the reason it is not in use; the cost to put this facility in place; when it will be put to use; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7476/08]

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.

James Reilly

Question:

131 Deputy James Reilly asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will confirm that 21 beds and an operating theatre at Cavan General Hospital remain unused; the reason these facilities are not in use; the cost to put these facilities in place; when they will be put to use; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7477/08]

Operational responsibility for the management and delivery of health and personal social services was assigned to the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004 and funding for all health services has been provided as part of its overall vote. Therefore, the Executive is the appropriate body to consider the particular issues 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 Services.

James Reilly

Question:

132 Deputy James Reilly asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will confirm that an operating theatre at Louth County Hospital remains unused; the reason this facility is not in use; the cost to put this facility in place; when it will be used; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7478/08]

Operational responsibility for the management and delivery of health and personal social services was assigned to the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004 and funding for all health services has been provided as part of its overall vote. Therefore, the Executive is the appropriate body to consider the particular 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.

James Reilly

Question:

133 Deputy James Reilly asked the Minister for Health and Children if additional staff will be recruited to operate the MRI scanner installed at Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital, Crumlin in October 2007; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7479/08]

Operational responsibility for the management and delivery of health and personal social services was assigned to the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004 and funding for all health services has been provided as part of its overall vote. Therefore, the Executive is the appropriate body to consider the particular 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 Accommodation.

Jack Wall

Question:

134 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of adolescent psychiatric beds available in the HSE system; if there is a waiting list for such beds; if so, the period of waiting time; the number on the waiting list; the geographical area of those awaiting such beds; the plans the HSE has to provide same; the area where such beds will be provided; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7486/08]

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.

Finian McGrath

Question:

135 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will clarify an issue (details supplied). [7521/08]

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.

Finian McGrath

Question:

136 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health and Children the position regarding projects (details supplied). [7522/08]

Operational responsibility for the management and delivery of health and personal social services was assigned to the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004 and funding for all health services has been provided as part of its overall vote. Therefore, the Executive is the appropriate body to consider the particular 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.

Finian McGrath

Question:

137 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health and Children the position regarding a project (details supplied). [7523/08]

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.

Michael Fitzpatrick

Question:

138 Deputy Michael Fitzpatrick asked the Minister for Health and Children the reason the HSE is transferring the normal once weekly dental service from Kilcock to Maynooth, County Kildare, with effect from 1 April 2008; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7533/08]

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.

Pharmacy Services.

Frank Fahey

Question:

139 Deputy Frank Fahey asked the Minister for Health and Children if, before an arbitrary decision is taken to cut fees of pharmacists from 1 March 2008, consideration will be given to the setting up of an independent evaluation of pharmacy services and for a fair and reasonable price to be paid for those concerns, taking into account the concerns and interests of Galway pharmacists; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7540/08]

Brian O'Shea

Question:

203 Deputy Brian O’Shea asked the Minister for Health and Children the proposals she has regarding the concerns of a person (details supplied) in County Waterford; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8016/08]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 139 and 203 together.

I would like to reiterate that the revised pharmaceutical pricing arrangements for wholesale delivery were arrived at following a detailed consultation process accompanied by independent economic analysis. This process involved direct discussion with wholesaler companies and a call for public submissions, published on 20th December 2006, in response to which a total of 161 submissions (including 143 from community pharmacy contractors) were received.

Following the completion of public consultation, and informed by the independent economic analysis, carried out by Indecon Economic Consultants, new reimbursement arrangements were announced by the HSE on 17th September 2007. The report by Indecon was published by the HSE on 13 November 2007. All aspects of the Indecon report were considered by the HSE in making its determination.

The Government is firm in its view that the wholesale mark-up paid on the price of drugs should be reduced to a level that is fair to both taxpayers and wholesalers. The existing mark-up in the range of 15-17.6% is neither reasonable nor sustainable. The decision to pay an 8% mark-up from 1 March, and 7% from 1 January 2009, will go ahead.

However, I am concerned, in particular, to support pharmacies which have a high proportion of medical card patients and where a dispensing fee of €3.27 applies for most transactions. Many of these pharmacies are in rural or inner city areas and provide an important social and health service. With my support, the HSE has indicated it is prepared to offer a higher fee, of no less than €5 per item dispensed, to community pharmacists, on the basis of an interim contract which would be essentially the same as the existing contract.

I met with the Irish Pharmaceutical Union recently and heard their point that there should be an independent assessment of the fees offered. In the light of this, I have established an Independent Body to begin work immediately to assess an interim, fair community pharmacy dispensing fee of at least €5 to be paid for the medical card scheme, the Drugs Payment Scheme and other community drug schemes.

This Body is being chaired by Seán Dorgan, former Head of IDA Ireland. It will take submissions from all sides and will carry out its own analysis. It has been asked to make its recommendations by the end of May 2008. Its recommended fee level, subject to Government approval, will be backdated to 1 March 2008.

The terms of reference of the Independent Body are:

To advise the Minister for Health and Children on the appropriate level of dispensing fee to be paid to community pharmacists for existing services provided under the GMS and community drug schemes having regard to:

(i) the overall public interest including the issues of patient safety and continuity of supply;

(ii) the fee of €5 per item which has already been offered;

(iii) the reasonable costs incurred by pharmacists in providing services under the schemes and the value of the professional service of dispensing; and

(iv) the statutory obligation on the HSE to use the resources available to it in the most beneficial, effective and efficient manner to improve, promote and protect the health and welfare of the public;

and to submit a report on the matter to the Minister for Health and Children. The Independent Body held its first meeting on 25th February 2008.

Both the HSE as the contracting body and the IPU as the representative organisation for community pharmacists, along with other stakeholders, will be entitled to make submissions to the Independent Body addressing whatever factors and issues are of concern to them.

The Independent Body will also be entitled to engage whatever outside expertise it requires to assist it with its task. Based on its consideration of submissions received and its own independent evaluation, the body will recommend an appropriate dispensing fee that would, in its view, represent a fair and reasonable price to be paid for the pharmaceutical service currently being provided by community pharmacists to the HSE under the GMS and community drug schemes.

Each pharmacist will have three options: to avail of the interim contract as outlined by the HSE letter of 2 January 2008 immediately; to accept the interim contract upon the report of the Independent Body; or to stay with the existing retail fee structure until the agreement of a substantive new contract.

I believe this provides all concerned with a reasonable way to make the transition to a fair and transparent method of payment for present services and, I hope, greatly developed pharmacy services in the near future.

In response to a request to all 1600 community pharmacy contractors from the HSE, two community pharmacists have confirmed their intention to withdraw services under the present pharmacy contract. There are no changes planned to the operation of services under the GMS and community drugs schemes and all patients continue to receive their entitlements in the normal way.

Hospital Services.

John McGuinness

Question:

140 Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health and Children the reason for the delay in providing a cataract operation for a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny; and if a date for operation will be set in view of the age of the patient and the urgent need for the operation. [7551/08]

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.

Smoking Ban.

Brian O'Shea

Question:

141 Deputy Brian O’Shea asked the Minister for Health and Children the proposals she has to introduce a ban on smoking in cars in which children under 16 years of age are being transported (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7553/08]

I have no proposals to introduce such a ban.

Care of the Elderly.

Joe Costello

Question:

142 Deputy Joe Costello asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will ensure that there is a full consultation with the organisations representing the elderly on the proposed fair deal legislation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7567/08]

The new nursing home support scheme, A Fair Deal, was announced in December 2006.

Since then, my Department has met with the National Federation of Pensioners' Associations, the Irish Farmers Association, the Irish Senior Citizens Parliament and the Social Partners. The Department also attended the Irish Senior Citizens Parliament AGM at its request and participated in a workshop on the new scheme.

In addition, the Department dealt with queries and representations from interest groups, public representatives and members of the public. All of the issues raised, both during formal consultation and otherwise, were given careful consideration in drafting the Bill.

The Bill providing for the scheme is at a very advanced stage and is currently being finalised by the Office of the Attorney General. I hope to publish the Bill as soon as possible following Government approval.

On publication of the Bill, further engagement will take place with stakeholders on the details of the new scheme. This will take place under the auspices of Towards 2016.

Hospital Services.

Sean Sherlock

Question:

143 Deputy Seán Sherlock asked the Minister for Health and Children the way casemix is compiled in Mallow General Hospital in comparison with procedure in Cork University Hospital and if she is satisfied that reported casemix in Mallow General Hospital is 100%,75%, 50%, 25% or 10% accurate; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7581/08]

Sean Sherlock

Question:

144 Deputy Seán Sherlock asked the Minister for Health and Children further to Parliamentary Question No 119 of 31 January 2008, if her attention was drawn to the fact that an executive management board in Mallow General Hospital previously existed in Mallow; if there are plans to have the EMB re-introduced; if so the time frame of same; what has replaced it in the interim; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7582/08]

Sean Sherlock

Question:

145 Deputy Seán Sherlock asked the Minister for Health and Children further to Parliamentary Question No 119 of 31 January 2008 the key stake holders and medical staff from the Mallow catchment area who were consulted in the course of a recent review at Mallow General Hospital; the persons who were consulted in community based services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7583/08]

Sean Sherlock

Question:

146 Deputy Seán Sherlock asked the Minister for Health and Children further to Parliamentary Question No 119 of 31 January 2008, the persons who are regarded as the key stake holders involved with Mallow General Hospital; the existing management structure in operation at MGH; the areas that fall within the hospital catchment area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7584/08]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 143 to 146, inclusive, together.

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 issues raised by the Deputy. My Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to arrange to have the matters investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.

Nursing Home Subventions.

Paul Connaughton

Question:

147 Deputy Paul Connaughton asked the Minister for Health and Children when a decision will be made on an application for the nursing home subvention by a person (details supplied) in County Galway; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7601/08]

Operational responsibility for the management and delivery of health and personal social services was assigned to the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Therefore, the Executive is the appropriate body to consider the particular case raised by the Deputy. My Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to arrange to have the matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.

Health Services.

Dinny McGinley

Question:

148 Deputy Dinny McGinley asked the Minister for Health and Children if there are plans to extend and develop a health centre (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7606/08]

Bobby Aylward

Question:

201 Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will approve the application forwarded by the Health Service Executive south to her Department for funding for a primary healthcare unit which would cater for the people of south Kilkenny and Waterford; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8001/08]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 148 and 201 together.

The Primary Care Strategy aims to increase health service capacity through the development of 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 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 Deputies. My Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to arrange to have these matters investigated and to have replies issued directly to the Deputies.

Hospital Staff.

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Question:

149 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will ensure that a specialist neurologist and specialist nurse on myasthenia gravis is appointed, attached to one of the main teaching hospitals, and providing essential diagnostic and treatment services as well as liaison with primary care services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7607/08]

Operational responsibility for the management and delivery of health and personal social services was assigned to the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004 and funding for all health services has been provided as part of its overall vote. Therefore, the Executive is the appropriate body to consider the particular 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.

Question No. 150 answered with Question No. 116.

Health Services.

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Question:

151 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health and Children if funding and other resources will be provided to a group (details supplied) to assist people with this condition and to enhance education and awareness among medical professionals and the general public [7609/08]

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

Community Care.

Jack Wall

Question:

152 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Health and Children the position regarding training for the community responders; if a person has been appointed to oversee this community scheme; if funds have been allocated to out the scheme to different communities; the locations that have a community first responders scheme; her views on whether such schemes are worthy of further investment and support; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7611/08]

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.

Home Help Service.

Jack Wall

Question:

153 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Health and Children when a person (details supplied) in County Kildare will receive a decision in relation to an application for home help assistance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7619/08]

Operational responsibility for the management and delivery of health and personal social services was assigned to the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Therefore, the Executive is the appropriate body to consider the particular case raised by the Deputy. My Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to arrange to have the matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.

Pension Provisions.

Pat Rabbitte

Question:

154 Deputy Pat Rabbitte asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will sanction the payment of a gratuity allowance under Article 109 of the local government superannuation scheme to a person (details supplied) in County Meath; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7627/08]

As the Deputy may be aware, Part 3 of the Pensions (Amendment) Act, 2002 and the Pensions Ombudsman Regulations, 2003, established the Office of the Pensions Ombudsman and provided for the establishment of procedures for internal resolution of disputes in relation to pensions. This legislation also provides for the investigation and determination by the Pensions Ombudsman of complaints and disputes which are not resolved at the internal review stage.

The claim for a Gratuity / Allowance under Article 109 of the Local Government Superannuation Scheme was refused in this instance under the internal review process carried out by the Health Service Executive. Subsequently the complaint was referred to the Pensions Ombudsman for investigation. The Pensions Ombudsman made a final determination that the complaint be disallowed. The Pension's Ombudsman is the final arbiter in cases of disputes on pension issues.

Home Help Service.

Jack Wall

Question:

155 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Health and Children when a person (details supplied) in County Kildare will receive home help assistance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7628/08]

Operational responsibility for the management and delivery of health and personal social services was assigned to the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Therefore, the Executive is the appropriate body to consider the particular case raised by the Deputy. My Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to arrange to have the matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.

Health Services.

Timmy Dooley

Question:

156 Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of speech and language therapy positions that remain unfilled here; the extent to which the shortage of speech and language therapists is due to lack of three years' work experience; the efforts being made by her Department to provide work experience to recently qualified speech and language therapists on leaving college; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7629/08]

In January 2007 my Department set up a Working Group on Employment Opportunities for Graduate Therapists including Speech and Language Therapists. This group comprises representatives from the DOHC and HSE HR Divisions, the Therapy professions and IMPACT. The group, working in close partnership, has identified significant factors contributing to this complex situation and has developed a comprehensive Action Plan to address the matter.

The Action Plan has a number of objectives, some of which aim to ensure recently qualified therapists including speech and language therapists have an opportunity to gain employment on leaving college. Substantial progress was made in 2007 to maximize employment opportunities for graduates; however, significant challenges remain. The group will continue to work to address the imbalance in the grading structure, the preparedness of graduates to work directly in PCCC and other relevant actions within their control.

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.

Children in Care.

Jim O'Keeffe

Question:

157 Deputy Jim O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Health and Children the steps that have been taken to deal with the number of children reported missing from the custody of the Health Service Executive; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7630/08]

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

Services for People with Disabilities.

Jim O'Keeffe

Question:

158 Deputy Jim O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Health and Children if she is satisfied with the level of dental services available for intellectually disabled people; and if she has proposals in this regard. [7631/08]

My Department and the Health Service Executive are currently researching and developing a new National Oral Health Policy. Part of the process involves critically examining the many challenges and issues facing the dental sector in Ireland, such as the level of services available to various groups within our society, including people with disabilities. Already, officials of my Department have met representatives of the Irish Society for Disability and Oral Health and the Principal Dental Surgeons in the HSE with lead responsibility for Special Needs. It is expected that the National Oral Health Policy will be finalised later this year.

Hospital Services.

Michael Lowry

Question:

159 Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Health and Children her plans to improve cystic fibrosis facilities for patients in the mid west region; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7651/08]

Michael Lowry

Question:

162 Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Health and Children her plans to post a dedicated cystic fibrosis liaison home nurse and a dedicated CF physiotherapist to the mid west region; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7654/08]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 159 and 162 together.

I have identified the enhancement of services to persons with cystic fibrosis as a key priority over recent years. Development funding of €6.78m has been allocated to the Health Service Executive since 2006 to facilitate the recruitment of specialist staff in this area.

The detailed application of this funding across the various hospital networks is a matter for the Executive and accordingly, my Department has asked the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to reply directly to the Deputy with regard to the services in the Mid-Western Region.

Organ Donation.

Michael Lowry

Question:

160 Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Health and Children her plans to initiate legislation to govern presumed organ donations to replace the current voluntary system; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7652/08]

Two systems that can be used to ascertain an individual's wishes on organ donation are the opt-in system and the opt-out system. The former system (which operates in this country) requires the specific consent of the donor or, where he or she is deceased, their relatives, before organs or tissues are removed. The opt-out system presumes that all deceased persons consent to donation unless they have specifically expressed a wish to the contrary. My Department is advised that even where opt-out/presumed consent systems are in operation the relatives of the deceased may be approached as part of the donor screening process to seek a medical history of any high-risk behaviour. In these circumstances the relatives can register an objection to the donation.

The practice in this country is that, even when a deceased person had indicated his or her willingness to donate organs, the consent of the next-of-kin is always sought. There are differing views as to the appropriateness and effectiveness of a change to the existing arrangements covering the question of consent.

My Department is formulating proposals on human tissue legislation to meet the key recommendation of the Madden Report on Post Mortem Practice and Procedures. The scope of the Bill will cover the removal, retention, storage, use and disposal of human tissue from deceased persons, and related matters.

A Consultative Forum on the development of the legislative proposals was held in June 2007 followed by a public invitation for written submissions. One of the matters that has been raised in this context is the issue of consent for the donation of tissue and organs for transplantation. Discussions are ongoing with the major stakeholders on issues identified from the submissions. It is expected that proposals will be submitted to Government this Spring seeking approval to draft Heads of a Bill.

Hospital Services.

Michael Lowry

Question:

161 Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Health and Children her plans to post a much needed second dedicated cystic fibrosis nurse at Waterford Regional Hospital; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7653/08]

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 the matter investigated and have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.

Question No. 162 answered with Question No. 159.

Medical Cards.

Michael Lowry

Question:

163 Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Health and Children her plans to include cystic fibrosis as a condition that will automatically entitle a patient to a medical card; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7655/08]

At present, medical cards are granted primarily on the basis of means and individual circumstances. Under the Health Act, 2004, determination of eligibility for medical cards is the responsibility of the Health Service Executive. Persons aged seventy years and over are automatically entitled to a medical card, irrespective of means. Under Section 45 of the Health Act 1970, medical cards are provided for persons who, in the opinion of the HSE, are unable without undue hardship to arrange general practitioner medical and surgical services for themselves and their dependants.

This provision also entitles qualifying dependants to avail of a medical card. The HSE may also grant a person full eligibility for a particular service where the person would be unable, without undue hardship, to provide that service for themselves or their dependants.

In assessing an application for a medical card on behalf of a child, the HSE uses guidelines based on the means of the child's parent(s)/guardian(s), which includes their income after tax and PRSI, and takes account of reasonable expenses incurred in respect of rent or mortgage payments, childcare and travel to work. The assessment process also takes account of other factors, such as medical or social need, which may impact on their ability to meet the cost of GP services. The HSE has discretion, in cases of exceptional need, to provide assistance to individuals where undue hardship would otherwise be caused.

I have no plans to provide for the granting of medical cards to any particular group as a whole. However, my Department is currently reviewing all legislation relating to eligibility for health and personal social services with a view to making the system as fair and transparent as possible. As part of this general review, a review of the eligibility criteria for medical cards in the context of economic / financial, medical and social need is being undertaken with a view to clarifying entitlement to a medical card, and is expected to be completed by Autumn, 2008.

Neonatal Screening.

Michael Lowry

Question:

164 Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Health and Children her plans to initiate a national neo-natal screening programme for the detection of cystic fibrosis, in view of the documented benefit early diagnosis would bring to CF patients; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7656/08]

The Health Service Executive National Service Plan for 2008 includes provision for the implementation of a plan for screening newborns for cystic fibrosis and commencement of screening by the end of 2008. My Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to respond more fully to the Deputy on the matter.

Ambulance Service.

Michael Lowry

Question:

165 Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Health and Children her views on the direction that north Tipperary ambulance crews by-pass Nenagh Hospital accident and emergency with many of their patients; the extra resources that will be given to help these crews to cope with the extra workload; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7657/08]

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.

Mental Health Services.

Dan Neville

Question:

166 Deputy Dan Neville asked the Minister for Health and Children if the Health Service Executive is carrying out a new cost benefit analysis to determine whether it would be cheaper to redevelop the Central Mental Hospital facility on its existing site in Dundrum; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7664/08]

The Government decision to approve the development of a new national forensic mental health facility at Thornton Hall, Co. Dublin required that a cost benefit analysis be carried out under the Capital Appraisal Guidelines. This cost benefit analysis is currently being undertaken and the results awaited.

Dan Neville

Question:

167 Deputy Dan Neville asked the Minister for Health and Children her view, in relation to the proposal to redevelop the Central Mental Hospital on the grounds of the new prison site at Thornton Hall, on whether it is inappropriate to locate a therapeutic centre, where patients are treated for recovery from a mental illness, next to a custodial centre, where people are contained for committing crimes and that this move will only serve to further stigmatise people with mental health problems; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7665/08]

In May 2006, the Government formally approved the development of a new national forensic mental health facility at Thornton Hall, Co Dublin, adjacent to the new prison. The new hospital facility will provide a therapeutic, forensic psychiatric service to the highest international standards, in a state-of–the-art building. This decision was consistent with "A Vision for Change" — the report of the Expert Group on Mental Health Policy, which recommended that the Central Mental Hospital (CMH) should be replaced or remodelled to allow it to provide care and treatment in a modern, up-to-date humane setting and that the capacity of the CMH should be maximised.

The redevelopment of the CMH will constitute a separate capital development project independent of the prison complex to replace Mountjoy Prison, and will be owned and managed by the Health Service Executive (HSE). The development of the new CMH is the responsibility of the HSE and at present, a project team is progressing the development of the new hospital. The new hospital will be built on its own campus and will retain its identity as a distinct therapeutic health facility with a separate entrance and address to the prison complex.

Medical Cards.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

168 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health and Children if there is a current medical card in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7670/08]

Medical cards are made available to persons and their dependants who would otherwise experience undue hardship in meeting the cost of General Practitioner (GP) services. In 2005, the GP visit card was introduced as a graduated benefit so that people on moderate and lower incomes, particularly parents of young children, who do not qualify for a medical card, would not be deterred on cost grounds from visiting their GP.

The assessment of eligibility to medical cards and GP visit cards is statutorily a matter for the Health Service Executive (HSE) and, with the exception of persons aged over 70, who have an automatic entitlement to a medical card, is determined following an examination of the means of the applicant and his/her dependants.

As the Health Service Executive has the operational and funding responsibility for these benefits, it is the appropriate body to consider the particular case raised by the Deputy. My Department has therefore requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to arrange to address this matter and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.

Health Services.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

169 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health and Children if she has received correspondence from an association (details supplied) in County Kildare in relation to the proposed closure and relocation of the dental clinic in Kilcock; her plans to review same as a matter of urgency in view of the fact that the community in Kilcock is continually growing and there will be greater need for such services in the locality in the future due to same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7671/08]

I have received correspondence regarding the proposed closure of the dental clinic in Kilcock, Co. Kildare. 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.

Hospital Services.

Michael Ring

Question:

170 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Health and Children when an independent audit will be carried out (details supplied); the impact the audit results will have on transfer proposals; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7680/08]

Michael Ring

Question:

171 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will take action to avert the proposed transfer of services (details supplied); if a review will take place of the proposed transfer; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7681/08]

Michael Ring

Question:

173 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Health and Children the position in relation to the proposed transfer of services (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7683/08]

Michael Ring

Question:

174 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Health and Children the meetings that have taken place in relation to the proposed transfer of services (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7684/08]

Michael Ring

Question:

184 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Health and Children if procedures (details supplied) can remain at a facility. [7871/08]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 170, 171, 173, 174 and 184 together.

The Health Service Executive (HSE) has designated University College Hospital Galway and Limerick Regional Hospital as the two cancer centres in the Managed Cancer Control Network for the HSE Western Region, which includes Mayo. The designation of cancer centres aims to ensure that patients receive the highest quality care while at the same time allowing local access to services, where appropriate. Where diagnosis and treatment planning is directed and managed by multi-disciplinary teams based at the cancer centres, then much of the treatment (other than surgery) can be delivered in local hospitals, such as Mayo General Hospital. The decisions of the HSE in relation to four managed cancer control networks and eight cancer centres will be implemented on a managed and phased basis. Prof. Keane is currently engaging in detailed planning to facilitate the orderly phased transfer of services between locations. The specific questions in relation to the transfer of services and meetings which have taken place in this regard relate to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the HSE under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, my Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to respond directly to the Deputy in this regard.

Health Services.

Michael Ring

Question:

172 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Health and Children when a child (details supplied) in County Mayo will be provided with orthopaedic shoes; and when this child was measured for these shoes. [7682/08]

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.

Questions Nos. 173 and 174 answered with Question No. 170.

Pat Breen

Question:

175 Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Health and Children the status of an application for a person (details supplied) in County Clare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7685/08]

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 Environment, Heritage and Local Government. Therefore, the Executive is the appropriate body to consider the particular case raised by the Deputy. The Department has again requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to arrange to have the matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.

Health Service Reports.

Mary O'Rourke

Question:

176 Deputy Mary O’Rourke asked the Minister for Health and Children when the report on a person (details supplied) will be released; the reason for the long delay; and if her attention has been drawn to the fact that there is considerable concern and disquiet within the community regarding this whole issue. [7686/08]

The HSE commissioned a report into the matter that the Deputy refers to in July 2007. A Report from the Review Inquiry Team has been received by the HSE. As is usual in such cases, the Report is currently undergoing legal examination. The report was conducted in line with the Terms of Reference and Methodology agreed and published at the time of its initiation. Subject to this legal advice it is intended to publish the Report. Finalisation of this process of consideration is receiving priority within the HSE in consultation with its legal advisers.

Health Services.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

177 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health and Children the reason the parents of a person (details supplied) in County Offaly are unable to avail of the same service through the Health Service Executive with regard to their medical needs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7709/08]

Operational responsibility for the management and delivery of health and personal social services was assigned to the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004 and funding for all health services has been provided as part of its overall vote. The Executive is also responsible for the negotiation of the supply of drugs and medicines for the GMS and community drugs schemes. Therefore, the Executive is the appropriate body to consider the 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.

Child Care Services.

Mary O'Rourke

Question:

178 Deputy Mary O’Rourke asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will urgently review the case of a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath where the Health Service Executive has taken no steps to implement the Court Order regarding arrangements for access to their children. [7710/08]

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

Housing Aid for the Elderly.

Bernard Allen

Question:

179 Deputy Bernard Allen asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will investigate the situation of a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if she will further investigate the situation where the elderly and the sick are suffering due to these administrative issues. [7857/08]

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 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.

Cancer Screening Programme.

Dinny McGinley

Question:

180 Deputy Dinny McGinley asked the Minister for Health and Children when BreastCheck will be extended to County Donegal; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7859/08]

Jan O'Sullivan

Question:

212 Deputy Jan O’Sullivan asked the Minister for Health and Children when it is intended to provide breast cancer screening in each of the counties that will be served by mobile BreastCheck units in the south and west; the start-up dates for each of those counties; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8080/08]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 180 and 212 together.

BreastCheck commenced roll-out in the Western Region last May and in the Southern Region last October. I officially opened the BreastCheck clinical static units in Cork and Galway last December. The screening sequence for roll out to individual counties will be dictated by BreastCheck's management and operational considerations such as maximising uptake, most efficient use of mobile and static units and radiographic personnel. The Programme is designed to offer repeat screening within an interval of 21-27 months.

The Deputies specific questions in relation to timeframes for roll-out of the Programme are the responsibility of the National Cancer Screening Service. Accordingly, my Department has requested the Chief Executive Officer of the Service to respond directly to the Deputies in relation to the matters raised.

Hospital Catchment Areas.

Billy Timmins

Question:

181 Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Minister for Health and Children the catchment area and population for the district hospitals of Wicklow town, Rathdrum and Baltinglass, by hospital; her plans to restore the catchment areas to the eastern regional health authority area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7867/08]

As the Deputy is aware, the Health Act 2004 provides the HSE with responsibility for the management and delivery of health and personal social services. As a Statutory Body, the provision of these services including information in relation to the three district hospitals raised by the Deputy, is a matter for the HSE. Accordingly, the matter has been referred to the Executive for direct rely to the Deputy.

Health Services.

Ciarán Cuffe

Question:

182 Deputy Ciarán Cuffe asked the Minister for Health and Children if she has plans to allow general practitioners to refer clients directly for bone density tests rather than requiring such clients to be referred to specialists; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7869/08]

The Primary Care Strategy aims to support and promote the health and well-being of the population by developing multi-disciplinary teams of professionals, including general practitioners, which enable the vast majority of people's health and social care needs to be met in their local community. I recognise that in order to support and facilitate this model of care, general practitioners need to have access to appropriate diagnostic services.

The Health Service Executive has, I understand, undertaken a number of measures to enhance access for GPs to diagnostic services for patients. As the Executive has the operational and funding responsibility for Primary Care services, it is the appropriate body to provide more detailed information in this regard. My Department has therefore 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.

Parliamentary Questions.

Michael Ring

Question:

183 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Health and Children the reason a full and comprehensive reply has not been received to a parliamentary question to date (details supplied). [7870/08]

The Health Service Executive has advised that a reply issued to the Deputy on the 22nd February 2008.

Question No. 184 answered with Question No. 170.

Cancer Incidence.

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Question:

185 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health and Children the procedures or structures involved in identifying cancer clusters here; the regularity with which a review is carried out of new cancer sufferers; and the regularity with which this is collated by the relevant section in her Department. [7890/08]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Question:

186 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health and Children if reviews of cancer clusters have been carried out in the Tallaght, Dublin 24, region over the past 10 years, particularly in the Springfield/Raheen area. [7891/08]

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

Statistics in relation to cancer incidence are collated by the National Cancer Registry. My Department has asked the Director of the Registry to examine these matters and to reply directly to the Deputy.

Hospital Accommodation.

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Question:

187 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of aftercare free beds available at present in the Dublin region in view of her stated aim of freeing up hospital beds presently occupied by elderly patients. [7892/08]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Question:

188 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of aftercare free beds available on the southside of Dublin in view of her stated aim of freeing up hospital beds presently occupied by elderly patients; and if every effort is made to locate elderly patients close to family supports. [7893/08]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 187 and 188 together.

Operational responsibility for the management and delivery of health and personal social services was assigned to the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Therefore, the Executive is the appropriate body to consider the particular matters raised by the Deputy. My Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to arrange to have the matters investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.

Accident and Emergency Services.

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Question:

189 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health and Children if, in view of the ongoing difficulties being experienced in accident and emergency wards here, particularly in some Dublin hospitals by drunken and intoxicated patients, a review is at present being carried out by her Department or the Health Service Executive to prevent the verbal and physical intimidation of other patients, particularly the elderly and vulnerable, and other medical and staff in the hospital system. [7894/08]

Operational responsibility for the management and delivery of health and personal social services was assigned to the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004 and funding for all health services has been provided as part of its overall vote. Therefore, the Executive is the appropriate body to consider the particular 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.

National Treatment Purchase Fund.

Jack Wall

Question:

190 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Health and Children if a person (details supplied) in County Kildare is entitled to treatment under the National Treatment Purchase Fund; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7901/08]

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

Nursing Home Subventions.

Paul Kehoe

Question:

191 Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Health and Children when the new Health (Nursing Homes) (Amendment) Bill 2006 will come into effect; when patients can apply for subvention under the fairer deal on nursing home care; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7909/08]

The Health (Nursing Homes) (Amendment) Act was signed by the President on 19 February 2007 and came into effect on 8 June 2007. The purpose of the Act is to provide for the existing subvention scheme for private nursing home in primary legislation, including the changes introduced from 1st January 2007 and to help the HSE to implement the scheme on a standardised basis across the country.

The new Nursing Home Support Scheme, A Fair Deal, will replace the existing subvention scheme. The Bill providing for the Fair Deal scheme is at a very advanced stage and is being finalised by the Office of the Attorney General at present. It is intended to introduce the scheme on a national basis once the necessary legal and administrative arrangements are in place and the existing subvention scheme will be phased out over time.

Hospital Waiting Lists.

Seán Ó Fearghaíl

Question:

192 Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Health and Children her views on correspondence (details supplied) relating to the delays that have been experienced by a patient awaiting essential surgery at Beaumont Hospital; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7919/08]

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

Questions Nos. 193 to 195, inclusive, answered with Question No. 117.

Departmental Transport.

David Stanton

Question:

196 Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Health and Children if the taxi companies used by her Department and State agencies under the aegis of her Department have a minimum percentage of taxis which are accessible for people with disabilities and wheelchair users; the amount expended by her Department and State agencies on taxi hire each year from 2003 to date in 2008 respectively; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7936/08]

My Department does not have a contract with any particular taxi company. If a wheelchair accessible taxi is required, this will be requested when a taxi is being called for.

The amount expended on taxi hire by my Department each year from 2003 is as follows:

2003 — €5,626

2004 — €17,110 (This figure is inflated due to Ireland having the EU Presidency)

2005 — €9,222

2006 — €11,925

2007 — €9,889

2008 (to date) — €775

The position regarding the State Agencies is a matter for the Agencies themselves.

Health Services.

Paul Connaughton

Question:

197 Deputy Paul Connaughton asked the Minister for Health and Children if there are funds available from the Health Service Executive that would help persons (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7974/08]

Operational responsibility for the management and delivery of health and personal social services was assigned to the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Therefore the Executive is the appropriate body to consider the particular matter raised by the Deputy. My Department has requested that the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive investigate the matter and issue a reply directly to the Deputy.

Hospital Services.

Paul Connaughton

Question:

198 Deputy Paul Connaughton asked the Minister for Health and Children the reason the therapy unit at St. Bridget’s Hospital, Ballinasloe, County Galway is being closed; if her attention has been drawn to the service it has been to so many patients; the medical reasons to justify the closure; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7975/08]

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.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

199 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health and Children when urgent and necessary heart surgery will be arranged for a person (details supplied) in Dublin 24; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7989/08]

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

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

200 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health and Children when an urgent and necessary scan will be arranged for a person (details supplied) in Dublin 15 at Connolly Hospital, Blanchardstown; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7990/08]

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

Question No. 201 answered with Question No. 148.

EU Directives.

Seán Barrett

Question:

202 Deputy Seán Barrett asked the Minister for Health and Children if Directive 92/73EEC or Directive 92/74EEC have been transposed into Irish law; if they were enacted or transposed by way of statutory instruments; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8006/08]

Council Directive 92/73/EEC was transposed into Irish law by the Medical Preparations (Licensing, Advertisement and Sale) (Amendment) Regulations 1994 (S.I. No. 439 of 1994) and the Medical Preparations (Labelling and Package Leaflets) (Amendment) Regulations 1994 (S.I. No. 440 of 1994).

Council Directive 92/74/EEC was transposed into Irish law by the Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry under the Animal Remedies Regulations 1996 (S.I. No. 179 of 1996).

Question No. 203 answered with Question No. 139.

Health Service Allowances.

Tom Sheahan

Question:

204 Deputy Tom Sheahan asked the Minister for Health and Children the reason a person (details supplied) in County Kerry only receives €94.50 per week subvention. [8017/08]

Operational responsibility for the management and delivery of health and personal social services was assigned to the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Therefore, the Executive is the appropriate body to consider the particular case raised by the Deputy. My Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to arrange to have the matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.

Irish Blood Transfusion Service.

Denis Naughten

Question:

205 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health and Children the reason the Irish Blood Transfusion Service provided live personal data of donors to a third party; if other agencies under the authority of her Department have employed a similar practice; the steps being taken to protect these blood donors from fraud or other abuses of their personal data; if the IBTS or the third party authorised a staff member to remove the date from the secure facility; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8053/08]

The Irish Blood Transfusion Service (IBTS) entered into an Agreement with the New York Blood Centre Inc (NYBC) for the provision of a data query tool on 23 October 2007. The purpose of the data warehousing and reporting tool is to improve the existing IBTS blood banking system computer system, Progesa, in order to provide a better service to its donors and clients. Under the terms of that agreement, the IBTS exported data on CD from its Progesa system. The data was encrypted using a 256 bit key encryption, prior to export on a CD.

The IBTS is very conscious of its obligations under the Data Protection Acts to take appropriate security measures against unauthorised access to, or unauthorised alteration, disclosure or destruction of data. In this instance, the IBTS is confident that it has complied with these obligations by virtue of the robust security measures which have been taken by the Service and NYBC and consider that the risk of any person being in a position to bypass password controls and decrypt the data is extremely remote. The IBTS informed the Data Protection Commissioner as quickly as possible of the details of the case and the Commissioner has been in regular contact with the IBTS on the matter. The Commissioner has noted publicly that the IBTS had a legitimate reason to send the data out of the country, that it had taken its responsibilities to donors and clients seriously and that the information had been securely encrypted.

The IBTS is writing to each donor affected to reassure them and to advise them of the possibility, however remote, that their personal data might be accessed. It is also writing to GPs and hospitals who will in turn contact the patients concerned. An information line has been set up for anyone with concerns. Under the Health Act 2004, the Health Service Executive has direct responsibility for the planning and management of health sector developments for both the HSE itself and the majority of other health agencies. Accordingly, 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 in relation to the HSE and those agencies.

In relation to other health agencies which are directly funded through my Department, arrangements are being made to have the required details collated. The information will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as this exercise is completed.

Health Service Staff.

Jack Wall

Question:

206 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of employment vacancies within the Health Service Executive in Kildare and West Wicklow in relation to occupational therapists, speech and language therapists, child physiologists, nurses, dentists and orthodontists; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8054/08]

Almost 130,000 people work full-time or part-time in our public health services. In recent years, the Government's ongoing high level of investment in health has achieved and maintained significant increases in the numbers of doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals employed in the public health services. The Government has also invested heavily in the education and training of such personnel in order to secure a good supply of graduates to provide for the healthcare needs of the population into the future.

Subject to overall parameters set by Government, the Health Service Executive has the responsibility for determining the composition of its staffing complement. In that regard, it is a matter for the Executive to manage and deploy its human resources to best meet the requirements of its Annual Service Plan for the delivery of health and personal social services to the public. The Executive is the appropriate body to consider the matter raised by the Deputy. My Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to arrange to have the matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.

Health Services.

Pat Breen

Question:

207 Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Health and Children when a person (details supplied) in County Clare will be facilitated; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8068/08]

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

Pat Breen

Question:

208 Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Health and Children when a person (details supplied) in County Clare will be facilitated; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8069/08]

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

Pat Breen

Question:

209 Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Health and Children when a person (details supplied) in County Clare will be facilitated; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8070/08]

Operational responsibility for the management and delivery of health and personal social services was assigned to the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004 and funding for all health services has been provided as part of its overall vote. Therefore, the Executive is the appropriate body to consider the particular 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 Procedures.

Paul Kehoe

Question:

210 Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Health and Children the action her Department have taken since receiving correspondence from a person (details supplied) in Dublin 11 relating to another person; if she will confirm to this Deputy that this will receive all the urgent attention required; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8077/08]

Paul Kehoe

Question:

211 Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Health and Children the reason the Health Service Executive are carrying out an investigation into the Health Service Executive on a case regarding a person (details supplied) in County Wexford; her views on whether this investigation should be carried out by a body independent of the HSE; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8078/08]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 210 and 211 together.

My Department has made enquiries with the Health Service Executive (HSE) and has been advised that the matter referred to by the Deputy concerns a complaint made by a parent in relation to her child's experience in a HSE hospital in 2004. The complaint is being processed in accordance with the Regulations made by me at the end of 2006 to fully implement the statutory complaints process provided for in Part 9 of the Health Act, 2004.

I am satisfied that the HSE is acting in accordance with the Regulations in this matter. My Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the HSE to arrange to have a report in the matter issued directly to the Deputy.

Question No. 212 answered with Question No. 180.

Hospital Building Programme.

Jan O'Sullivan

Question:

213 Deputy Jan O’Sullivan asked the Minister for Health and Children if the process for the selection of a site for a new regional hospital serving the north east has been concluded; when she expects the decision on the location of the new centre of excellence to be made; when the outcome of this process will be made public; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8081/08]

The hospital reconfiguration process in the North East is being overseen by a Health Service Executive (HSE) Steering Group. A sub-committee of the Steering Group was established to progress the issue of site selection for the new regional hospital. Following a tendering process, the HSE appointed a firm of consultants to carry out an independent site location study. The HSE anticipates that the consultants' report will be completed by the end of the month for consideration by the HSE Board and management team.

Mental Health Services.

Willie Penrose

Question:

214 Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Health and Children her Department’s and the Health Service Executive plan in relation to moneys saved from the sale of buildings and lands; if in particular she will ensure that the funding derived therefrom will be invested in the mental health services and not expended in other areas; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8084/08]

A Vision for Change” the Report of the Expert Group on Mental Health Policy, which was launched in January 2006, has been accepted by Government as the basis for the future development of our mental health services. The vision embodied in this policy is to create a mental health system that addresses the needs of the population through a focus on the requirements of the individual. The Report recommends inter alia that a plan to bring about the closure of all mental hospitals should be drawn up and implemented, and that the resources released by these closures should be protected for reinvestment in the mental health service. The Health Service Executive has primary responsibility for implementing this recommendation.

"A Vision for Change" is very clear on this issue and recommends that resources, both capital and revenue, should be retained in the mental health service, with the reconfigured mental health services having priority in their disposal. It also recommends that the full economic value of psychiatric hospital buildings and lands should be professionally assessed towards identifying appropriate future use and maximum value and benefit. The value of these assets significantly counter balances the capital cost of the new mental health services infrastructure requirement. The Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Mary Harney, has also made it clear to the HSE in the context of their Service Plan for 2008 that there can be no question of diverting capital or development funds to meet expenditure pressures arising in relation to core services.

Hospital Staff.

Róisín Shortall

Question:

215 Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health and Children the details of agreement of a common contract between the Health Service Executive and consultants; the breakdown of the fee structure that was recently agreed upon; and if it is the case that a consultant benefits from both a salary from the State and a portion of charges paid by patients. [8089/08]

Talks between health service employers and the Irish Hospital Consultants Association (IHCA) on new contractual arrangements for medical consultants came to a successful conclusion on 24th January 2008. Agreement was reached on the terms and conditions from which an employment contract for consultants will now be drafted.

While the Irish Medical Organisation (IMO) withdrew from the talks on 22 January 2008, it engaged in subsequent dialogue with Mr. Mark Connaughton SC, who had facilitated the agreement. Mr. Connaughton issued his final document on 1 February 2008 setting out the agreed position with the IHCA and his recommendations on a number of issues. His final document also reflects his dialogue with the IMO, with the exception of pay.

The degree to which consultants may engage in private practice will depend on contract type. Under the proposed new contractual arrangements: type A consultants will be paid a public salary (€220,000 — €240,000) and will not have any private fee income from patients; type B consultants (€205,000 — €220,000) may have private fee income for work done on the public hospital campus (including in a co-located hospital) but at least 80% of their clinical/patient output must be public patients; type C (€160,000 — €175,000) will apply only in exceptional situations, where there is a demonstrable benefit to the public health system, and will allow the appointee to treat private patients outside the public hospital campus.

Some of the other key features of the agreement include: the working week will be 37 hours; an extended working day (8am — 8pm), Monday to Friday; consultants may be required to work up to 5 hours structured overtime on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays; the appointment of Clinical Directors to manage clinical services, budgets and lead the development of services for patients; consultants will work in teams to deliver consultant-provided rather than consultant-led services to patients; and there will be a "one for all" access to outpatient diagnostic services based solely on medical need.

Talks have taken place during recent weeks between health service employers and the medical organisations for the purpose of clarifying certain matters within the context of the framework proposed by Mr. Mark Connaughton SC.

Suicide Incidence.

John O'Mahony

Question:

216 Deputy John O’Mahony asked the Minister for Health and Children the breakdown of the gender and the various age groups of people that have committed suicide here for each of the years 2002 to 2007 and comparative figures for other EU Member States; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8095/08]

John O'Mahony

Question:

217 Deputy John O’Mahony asked the Minister for Health and Children the level of suicide here and comparative figures for other EU Member States; the preventative programmes in place in her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8096/08]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 216 and 217 together.

Data on mortality is compiled by the Central Statistics Office (CSO) and published in the Annual and Quarterly Reports on Vital Statistics. The information in relation to suicides for the year 2007 is not yet available but the number of deaths by suicide by year and gender for the years 2002 to 2006 is shown below.

Deaths by suicide classified by age group and gender for the years 2002-2006.

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

Age Group

M

F

M

F

M

F

M

F

M

F

1-4

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

5-14

1

2

2

2

1

0

2

1

1

1

15-24

90

15

96

16

88

9

69

11

72

21

25-34

106

21

72

19

91

17

76

18

76

18

35-44

62

15

87

20

83

19

76

14

51

13

45-54

55

19

57

23

73

19

70

10

56

17

55-64

41

11

45

18

44

14

32

12

42

12

65-74

24

4

15

8

19

7

21

8

14

7

75+

8

4

12

5

7

2

7

4

6

2

Sub-total

387

91

386

111

406

87

353

78

318

91

Total

478

497

493

431

409

* 2005 and 2006 data is provisional. Figures are based on the year that deaths were registered.

Comparative figures across EU member states are not readily available but the 2007 OECD publication "Health at a Glance" indicates a relatively low level of suicide in Ireland. The overall Irish rate is below the EU average and is the 7th lowest in the 27 OECD countries.

"Reach Out" — a National Strategy for Action on Suicide Prevention, 2005-2014 provides a policy framework for suicide prevention activities in Ireland. The strategy calls for a multi-sectoral approach to the prevention of suicidal behaviour in order to foster cooperation between health, education, community, voluntary and private sector agencies. The HSE, through the National Office for Suicide Prevention (NOSP), oversees the implementation of the strategy.

Initiatives funded by the National Office for Suicide Prevention include developing and implementing national training programmes, completing the availability of self-harm services in A&E departments, developing mental health awareness campaigns, implementing recommendations arising from a review of bereavement services, eleven dedicated suicide officers and supporting voluntary organisations working in the field of suicide prevention. A wide range of other expenditure on mental health services generally is of importance in measures to help prevent suicide. A total of some €1 billion is now spent on mental health services, including consultant psychiatry and psychiatric nursing. These services and other services such as Primary Care play a vital role in the drive to reduce the incidence of suicide, and should be taken into account when examining the level of total public expenditure devoted to suicide prevention.

Health Service Reports.

John Deasy

Question:

218 Deputy John Deasy asked the Minister for Health and Children when she expects to release the report into the death of a person (details supplied) in County Waterford; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8099/08]

The HSE commissioned an external expert to undertake a review of the HSE's involvement in this case and to prepare a report on the matter. Work on the formal report has commenced. The HSE has advised that the report will be finalised around the end of the first Quarter, 2008. The HSE has further advised that a decision on whether the report will be made public will be taken upon receipt of the final report.

Nursing Homes Repayment Scheme.

Willie Penrose

Question:

219 Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will ascertain from the scheme administrator of the health repayment scheme, the reason a person (details supplied) in County Dublin who is entitled to payments in respect thereof, has not been awarded moneys due to date; if she will take steps to have same expedited; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8121/08]

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.

Road Safety.

Shane McEntee

Question:

220 Deputy Shane McEntee asked the Minister for Transport the number of times together with dates the Cabinet sub-committee on Road Safety met in 2007 or to date in 2008 [7206/08]

The Cabinet Sub-Committee on Road Safety met twice in 2007, on the 4th of April and the 4th of December. It has not met in 2008 to date.

Local Authority Funding.

Michael Ring

Question:

221 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Transport the funding allocated to a local authority (details supplied) for a scheme in 2008. [7589/08]

Michael Ring

Question:

222 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Transport the funding allocated from 2004 to 2007, on a yearly basis, to a local authority (details supplied) for a scheme. [7590/08]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 221 and 222 together.

The allocations to Mayo County Council under the Local Improvements Scheme in each of the years 2004 to 2008 are set out in the following table.

Year

Allocation

2004

1,438,736

2005

1,438,736

2006

3,200,180

2007

4,004,296

2008

1,971,679

Public Transport.

Thomas P. Broughan

Question:

223 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Transport the cost of insurance cover for Dublin Bus for each year since 2000 to date in 2008; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7639/08]

This is a matter for Dublin Bus and not one in which I have any role.

Light Rail Project.

Olivia Mitchell

Question:

224 Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Minister for Transport if he has received the report on the feasibility of the Rathfarnham LUAS; when he will publish the recommendations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7491/08]

Olivia Mitchell

Question:

225 Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Minister for Transport if he received representations written or oral from either CIE or Dublin Bus in respect of the feasibility study for a Rathfarnham LUAS; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7492/08]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 224 and 225 together.

I refer the Deputy to my answer to Dáil Question No. 112 on Tuesday, 5 February 2008. The position remains unchanged.

I have not received written or oral representations from either CIE or Dublin Bus in respect of the content of feasibility study for a Rathfarnham LUAS.

Taxi Regulations.

Seán Barrett

Question:

226 Deputy Seán Barrett asked the Minister for Transport the qualifications and requirements for those who drive taxis, but who are not the owners; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7546/08]

All persons who drive taxis, wheelchair accessible taxis, hackneys and limousines, including those who also hold licences in respect of the operation of such vehicles, must hold a small public service vehicle driver licence. The grant of those licences is currently the responsibility of the Garda Commissioner. Licences are granted for a five-year period and applicants must have a current driving licence without endorsement/penalty points, have a tax clearance certificate issued by Revenue, give a statement showing the nature of employment during the previous three years and give a specific undertaking in writing in relation to driving hours. An applicant must also satisfy the Gardaí that s/he is a fit and proper person to hold a licence and has not been convicted of an offence that would render him/her unsuitable to hold such a licence, has adequate knowledge of general traffic regulations, the area where services are being made available and the regulations relating to small public service vehicles. The processing of individual driver licence applications and decisions on such applications are matters for the Gardaí.

Public Transport.

Olivia Mitchell

Question:

227 Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Minister for Transport what number of buses purchased by Dublin Bus since 2002 are fully wheelchair accessible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7564/08]

The number of buses purchased by Dublin Bus since 2002 that are fully wheelchair accessible is 496.

Light Rail Project.

Joe Costello

Question:

228 Deputy Joe Costello asked the Minister for Transport if a final decision has been made on the LUAS D line to Broadstone and Liffey Junction, in accordance with the policy outlined in Transport 21; if so whether the decision has been communicated to all parties; and when it is anticipated work on the LUAS Bx and D lines will commence. [7568/08]

My Department engaged independent consultants Booz, Allen and Hamilton to review the proposal from Iarnród Éireann that the Broadstone alignment be used for suburban rail services. I received the report of the independent consultants in recent weeks.

Having considered the report I wrote to both the RPA and CIE on the 4th of February indicating that I was minded to mandate the RPA to proceed with planning the delivery of Luas Line using the old Broadstone Railway alignment. I gave both agencies the opportunity to make written submissions to me before I finalise my decision. I expect to conclude my consideration of this matter in the coming weeks.

As I have stated previously Dublin City Council is currently undertaking an examination of revised traffic management arrangements in the city centre, which will be required for the delivery of the Luas city centre link (line BX), Luas line D to Liffey junction and Metro North.

In addition, the RPA is considering ways of streamlining and combining construction works on these projects in order to minimise the impact on the city centre.

Following completion of further detailed design work and subject to a satisfactory outcome to the city centre traffic management planning work, the RPA plans to submit a Railway Order application for Luas Line BX to An Bord Pleanála later this year. This will influence the timing of Luas Line D, the route for which will be decided having regard to the route of Line BX.

Parking Regulations.

Brian Hayes

Question:

229 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Transport when the statutory instruments will be implemented to allow match day parking and signage to come into force; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7666/08]

Parking prohibitions and restrictions in the environs of a venue during periods when events are being held is a matter for local authorities, including the making of bye-laws under section 36A of the Road Traffic Act 1994.

Rail Network.

Michael Ring

Question:

230 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Transport about the position regarding the western rail corridor; and the money spent on this project to date. [7678/08]

Work is underway on Phase 1 of the Western Rail Corridor from Ennis to Athenry and I am informed by Iarnród Eireann that construction work will be completed early next year.

Transport 21 provides for the completion of Phase 2 & 3 of the project by 2011 & 2014 respectively. My Department has paid €6,846,466m in grants to Iarnród Eireann towards the cost of the project to date and has allocated €60m to meet expenditure on the project in 2008.

Damien English

Question:

231 Deputy Damien English asked the Minister for Transport the position regarding the provision of a rail service to the Hill of Down, County Meath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7876/08]

The location of stations on the rail network is an operational matter for Iarnród Eireann.

Departmental Transport.

David Stanton

Question:

232 Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Transport if the taxi companies used by his Department and State agencies under the aegis of his Department have a minimum percentage of taxis which are accessible for people with disabilities and wheelchair users; the amount expended by his Department and State agencies on taxi hire each year from 2003 to date in 2008 respectively; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7940/08]

I understand from the firm that provides taxi services to my Department that 10% of its fleet are wheelchair accessible. The cost of taxi services provided to my Department since 2003 is set out in the following table:

Year

2003

35,380

2004

68,410

2005

37,597

2006

42,857

2007

48,584

2008 (part)

4,467

Insofar as the agencies under the aegis of my Department are concerned, the arrangements for the procurement of required taxi services are matters to be dealt with directly by the agencies concerned.

Rail Services.

James Reilly

Question:

233 Deputy James Reilly asked the Minister for Transport the measures being taken by his Department to provide increased services in the short to medium term, to commuters on the northern rail and DART line where demand for such services is already at a peak, leading to dangerous overcrowding and more demand is projected as the towns along the rail line grow in line with projections in the Fingal development plan and further north in County Meath and County Louth. [7962/08]

The day-to-day management of DART and suburban rail services is a matter for Iarnród Eireann. Over the period since 2000 a number of major upgrade projects have been completed on the DART services which have increased peak hour capacity on the DART from 14,000 in 2000 to 27,000 now and have also delivered a higher level of service to DART passengers, including accessible stations, air-conditioned DART cars and better reliability of services.

Over the same period, there has also been significant investment in new diesel railcars which have replaced the old intercity type rolling stock and expanded capacity. The Northern line in particular has benefited from this investment.

As regards new developments, the city centre re-signalling project, planning for which has commenced, will support 17 trains per hour instead of the current 12 and this is expected to be completed in 2011.

In addition, by 2015, when the Interconnector project and electrification has been completed, this line will see new high frequency services with trains up to every 5 minutes at peak time.

Rail Accidents.

James Reilly

Question:

234 Deputy James Reilly asked the Minister for Transport if, in view of the recent accident on the northern rail line near Skerries involving a goods train, he will ensure that there are adequate alternative emergency transport services made available for commuters using the service and that an audit or report is carried out to ensure the safety of the line and the rolling stock using that line in order to ensure passenger safety and confidence in the train service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7963/08]

I am informed by Iarnród Éireann that specially arranged alternative bus transfers are routinely offered to longer distance rail commuters whenever services are unavailable due to line closure, and that this was the case from Dundalk and Drogheda when the northern line was closed due to the freight train derailment. From nearer distance stations such as from stations between Balbriggan and Dublin, passengers were directed to scheduled Dublin Bus services and their rail tickets were accepted to these services.

I am aware that Iarnród Éireann is currently conducting an internal investigation into the incident and that the Company is already making arrangements to implement initial recommendations from that investigation.

As required under the Railway Safety Act 2005, the Investigation Unit of the Railway Safety Commission is also conducting an independent investigation of the incident. The report of this investigation may also contain recommendations for Iarnród Éireann, and this report will be published in due course.

Private Bus Services.

Olivia Mitchell

Question:

235 Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Minister for Transport the procedures or protocols in place to govern situations where passengers travelling on privately licensed buses sustain injury on the bus where no collision has taken place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8052/08]

Before bus operators receive a Road Passengers Transport Operators licence from my Department they must have in place insurance for hire and reward which includes public liability insurance. Any claim for injuries sustained while travelling on privately licensed buses is a matter between the person and the licensed bus operator.

Election Monitoring.

Barry Andrews

Question:

236 Deputy Barry Andrews asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if following the all-party resolution of the Dáil on 4 December 2007, in support of free and fair elections in Zimbabwe, the Government has asked the EU to contact the South African Development Community in order to encourage SADC election monitoring of the Zimbabwean elections on 29 March 2008; if the Government will contact Zambia directly in order to encourage SADC election monitoring of the Zimbabwean elections on 29 March 2008; and if the Government will raise the issue of free and fair elections in Zimbabwe at the March meeting of the EU’s General Affairs and External and External Relations Council. [7603/08]

The situation in Zimbabwe is a matter of deep concern, and I am deeply disappointed and saddened by the way it continues to deteriorate.

Ireland and the EU have supported the process of dialogue between the Zimbabwean Government and the opposition, facilitated by South Africa under a mandate from the Southern African Development Community (SADC). The talks have not formally concluded, but with the elections drawing nearer, there is no longer enough time to implement any agreement, which would have to include tackling repressive security laws, freedom of assembly, restrictive media laws and state violence, in time to ensure that these elections take place in appropriate conditions. The European Union will, however, continue to press for free and fair elections right up until 29 March. I will raise the situation in Zimbabwe at the next General Affairs and External Relations Council on 10 March.

I continue to believe that we must work closely with Zimbabwe's neighbours, who are in the best position to influence the situation. Given that the Zimbabwean authorities have made it absolutely clear that they will not invite any EU or UN election observation mission, I believe that monitoring by regional groups is more important than ever. Ireland has proposed to EU partners that we explore with SADC what it plans to do in this regard, and how the EU can best support it. I have also asked our Embassy in Lusaka to raise this question directly with the Zambian Government, which is currently Chair of SADC.

Passport Applications.

Olwyn Enright

Question:

237 Deputy Olwyn Enright asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of Irish passports which were refused during the period 1975 to 1980 to people living and working in Rhodesia; the number of Irish passports granted during the same period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7908/08]

In accordance with United Nations Security Council Resolution 253 of 1968, which imposed mandatory sanctions on the illegal regime in what was then Southern Rhodesia, new passports, or the renewal of existing ones, were not processed in the period 29 May 1968 to 21 December 1979 to Irish citizens for emigration to Southern Rhodesia nor to those of our citizens residing in Southern Rhodesia whose activities furthered or encouraged the unlawful actions of the regime. Since those restrictions were lifted, people who were affected have been able to avail of Irish passport facilities in the same way as Irish citizens generally.

In the time available, it has not been possible to research the records for the period in question. This will be done as soon as possible, and I will communicate directly with the Deputy. In the meantime, if the Deputy has a particular case in mind, I will be happy to have this checked out in the first instance.

Departmental Transport.

David Stanton

Question:

238 Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if the taxi companies used by his Department and State agencies under the aegis of his Department have a minimum percentage of taxis which are accessible for people with disabilities and wheelchair users; the amount expended by his Department and State agencies on taxi hire each year from 2003 to date in 2008 respectively; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7935/08]

The setting of specific minimum requirements for taxis and taxi companies is of course a matter for the Taxi Regulator. Nevertheless, I am advised that 10% of the respective fleets of the two taxi companies used by my Department are accessible to people with disabilities and wheelchair users.

The amounts spent on taxi hire by my Department for the period 2003 to date are outlined in the following table:

Year

Total

2003

118,084

2004

101,161

2005

79,050

2006

74,154

2007

76,936

2008 (to date)

10,500

Passport Applications.

Phil Hogan

Question:

239 Deputy Phil Hogan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the categories of passport applications handled by the special section of the Passport Office referred to in his reply to Parliamentary Question No. 361 of 19 February 2008 in addition to applications forwarded by Members of the Houses of the Oireachtas and the Health Service Executive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7942/08]

Phil Hogan

Question:

240 Deputy Phil Hogan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the reason, if applications for passports made through Members of the Houses of the Oireachtas are recorded manually, he is not in a position to indicate the number of such applications that were handled in 2007; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7943/08]

Phil Hogan

Question:

241 Deputy Phil Hogan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of passport applications made by the Health Service Executive on behalf of children which were handled by the special section of the Passport Office referred to in his reply to Parliamentary Question No. 361 of 19 February 2008; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7944/08]

Phil Hogan

Question:

242 Deputy Phil Hogan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if the information contained in his reply to Parliamentary Question No. 606 of 30 January 2008, that 6,200 passport applications were forwarded by Members of the Houses of the Oireachtas in 2007 is correct; if not, when he was informed that this figure was not correct; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7945/08]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 239 to 242, inclusive, together.

The Department of Foreign Affairs has always sought to be of assistance to Members of the Oireachtas, including in relation to passport applications, and I believe this is widely appreciated.

The background to the special facility for passport applications submitted through Oireachtas Members and/or their Offices is that in the mid 1990s, and at a time when there were long queues outside the Passport Office, the Department's assistance with such passport applications was put on a more structured basis. At the same time, the focus of the Passport Office remained very firmly on ensuring the entitlement of applicants to passports, and the accuracy and integrity of the issuing process. Details of the submitting Members and/or their Offices were a secondary consideration. In this regard, records of the submitting Members and/ or their Offices were recorded manually, and were primarily of use to the section in question in responding to follow-up queries. This often meant that names of contact points in particular offices were recorded rather than the actual name of the Member of the Oireachtas.

I would wish to continue to be of assistance to Members on this issue. However, in the light of the recent focus on it, I have asked the Secretary General of the Department to undertake a review of all aspects of the facility, including whether it should be continued in place. I would of course welcome the input of Members into this review.

Against the background set out in the first paragraph above, I am satisfied that the information conveyed in my previous answers set out the position as accurately as possible. As regards other applications, some 29 applications have been recorded in 2007 as being forwarded through the Health Service Executive. In addition, the Passport Office indicates that applications over the years have been dealt with which were submitted by Health Boards, An Garda Síochána, the Defence Forces, the Department of Foreign Affairs and other Government Departments, NGOs working in developing countries and Members of the Northern Ireland Assembly

Finally, the Deputy will be aware that, following a major investment, Ireland has now one of the most secure passports in the world, and a service to the public that is second to none.

Overseas Development Aid.

Jan O'Sullivan

Question:

243 Deputy Jan O’Sullivan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the work the Government is doing to ensure that the millennium development goals are achieved by the target year of 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8079/08]

The eight Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), adopted in the year 2000 as part of the commitments undertaken by Heads of Government at the Millennium Summit, represent a framework for international economic and social development up to the year 2015. As such they are at the heart of the Government's work in our development cooperation programme. Irish Aid's focus on reducing poverty and supporting the provision of basic services to the poorest people is wholly consistent with the MDGs.

The latest MDG progress report, issued in July 2007, gave us a snapshot of the progress achieved at the midpoint of the 2015 MDG target date, broken down by goal and by region. Overall, there has been good progress on some targets, but the geographical disparities are large. While there has been progress towards the goals globally since 2000, largely due to advances in China and other Asian countries, Africa is lagging behind on most indicators. This is attributed to a combination of institutional weakness, civil and international conflict, and funding shortfalls.

In recognition of these problems Ireland continues to focus around 85 percent of its bilateral country assistance on sub-Saharan Africa and Irish Aid will continue to expand its assistance to the region as our aid programme grows. Much of this funding is devoted to areas which are key to achieving the MDGs. These include combating HIV/AIDS, malaria and other communicable diseases, assisting countries in emergency situations and in reconstruction following conflict, and continuing our programme of support to education, basic health services, water and sanitation in the countries where we have established cooperation programmes. We also provide substantial support to the work of Irish non-governmental organisations in the development field, as well as through the major UN bodies such as UNICEF, UNDP and the High Commission for Refugees.

Ireland is supportive of all international initiatives which address these geographical disparities, such as the MDG Africa Steering Group convened by the UN Secretary General last September. This brought together high level representatives of the African Union, European Union, African Development Bank, Islamic Development Bank, IMF and World Bank, who will meet regularly to examine how to strengthen Africa's efforts to meet the Goals.

A further initiative aimed at measuring progress towards the MDGs has been taken by the British Prime Minister Gordon Brown who has proposed that a Heads of State/Government meeting take place at the UN in September 2008 to revitalise the pledges made in 2000 and provide the impetus for more intensive efforts in the period up to 2015. The Prime Minister wrote to the Taoiseach about his proposal and the Taoiseach has replied indicating Ireland's strong support.

Ireland participates fully in efforts to achieve the MDGs. As set out in the White Paper on Irish Aid, the Millennium Development Goals are the overarching framework for our overseas aid programme. By delivering on the commitment to reach the 0.7% UN target for development funding by 2012, Ireland is also seen as being at the forefront of their implementation internationally.

Economic Competitiveness.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

244 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the steps he has taken or proposes to take, directly or in consort with his EU colleagues to ensure the ongoing competitiveness of this and other European economies, having particular regard to ongoing job relocation to lower cost economies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8107/08]

It would be entirely misleading to suggest that plant relocation or company restructuring giving rise to job losses, whether due to individual firm or sector challenges, indicate that whole economies are uncompetitive. Companies allocate their resources and plant location strategies for many practical and business reasons such as to be closer to key customers, to have access to specialist skills, to address market needs or customer relationship requirements. Firms do not necessarily relocate because of cost issues alone.

One feature of a competitive economy is the growth and flexibility it shows in creating new employment to replace jobs that are lost. The economy is dynamic and jobs will inevitably be lost as sectors decline, new products replace older ones and competition changes how business is done. Ireland clearly is meeting this aspect of competitiveness.

Nevertheless the international operating environment for business is not as benign as it has been over the past few years. This increases the importance of driving productivity growth to counteract the numerous external pressures that are emerging in important areas such as financial and commodity markets. In addition to broad, pro enterprise policies, my Department has given a strong mandate to its development agencies to deliver a wide range of measures to help strengthen their clients capacity to undertake more and better innovation, research, technology acquisition and skills development. These are the competitive characteristics on which Ireland will grow. They will be consistently improved and developed to match the changing needs of business.

In key aspects Ireland remains a strong competitive and efficient location for many sectors. Our competitiveness is robust in the new enterprise sectors on which we are building a growing international reputation. This is borne out by the successful pipeline of R&D projects that IDA Ireland is winning in the face of exceptional competition from other developed countries.

To address inflation and with a view to keeping costs for enterprises under control, the Government and the Social Partners have agreed to intensify co-operation in responding to inflationary pressures within the framework of the pay agreement, and especially through the work of the Anti-Inflation Group and the High Level Group on Manufacturing.

On 25th February, 2008 I attended the EU Competitiveness Council held in Brussels. The Ministers rededicated themselves to fully implementing the Lisbon strategy by progressing the remaining reforms in their National Reform Programmes (NRPs). The Ministers identified four particular areas of concentration, namely investing in people and modernising labour markets, unlocking the business potential, especially of SMEs, investing in knowledge and innovation and energy and climate change. The achievement of the Lisbon objectives also depends on the creation of an effective single market. Coupled with those aims is the commitment to developing and improving education at all levels and to making lifelong learning, in particular, a factor in building the knowledge society.

In general, from Ireland's perspective, the Commission's recent strategic Report on the implementation of the Lisbon strategy reported that Ireland continues to make very good progress in the implementation of our NRP and good progress on most of the commitments made by the Spring European Council. Progress was also good over the full 2005-2007 period with regard to the implementation of policies to address micro-economic challenges, notably improving competitiveness, infrastructure, regulation and social inclusion, increasing R&D investment and efficiency, encouraging greater innovation and entrepreneurship and sustainable development.

In preparation for the Spring Council, 2008 the Member States and the Commission are currently drafting the new Community Lisbon Programme (CLP) for the period 2008-2010, setting out the key Community-level measures. The proposal for a new Community Lisbon programme is based on the integrated guidelines and sets out ten ambitious but realistic priorities that should be achieved at the Community level by 2010.

This new cycle of the Lisbon Strategy presents the EU with renewed vigour to implement this strategy, despite the new uncertainties in financial markets that are now a cause for concern. Active implementation of Lisbon has shown how much it can contribute to extending national and European competitiveness. The importance of science, R&D, innovation, skills and training policies and better regulation are paramount. I believe that the road to meeting the wider environmental challenges of climate change and energy as well as the trade and development issues have most chance of success if managed collaboratively at EU level.

Insurance Industry.

Denis Naughten

Question:

245 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the plans he has to introduce amending legislation to ensure that the Personal Injuries Assessment Board awards provide a direct payment from insurance companies to hospitals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7462/08]

I have no plans to amend the Personal Injuries Assessment Board legislation as proposed. The settlement of hospital bills is a matter for the patient and the hospital concerned, and the PIAB has no function in this matter.

Employment Rights.

Jack Wall

Question:

246 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of labour inspectors employed through the National Employment Rights Agency; the areas that the inspectors operate; the number of court cases determined as a result of their investigations; the number of convictions as a result of such cases; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7575/08]

The Government is committed to delivering the key package of measures agreed under the chapter dealing with Employment Rights and Compliance in the National Social Partnership Agreement, Towards 2016, and in this regard the National Employment Rights Authority (NERA) was established on an interim basis in February 2007.

In accordance with the Towards 2016 commitment, NERA is progressively increasing the number of labour inspectors from 31 to 90. Recruitment processes to select an additional 59 inspectors have been completed and to date 50 of these posts have been filled. A further 5 inspectors are due to commence on the 3rd of March 2008 and appointment of inspectors to fill the 4 remaining posts is progressing. Due to success in recent internal Departmental competitions and internal Departmental transfers, 5 of the original 31 inspectors posts are now vacant and therefore, currently, there are 76 inspectors employed in the National Employment Rights Authority.

As part of the Government decentralisation programme, NERA established its headquarters in Carlow at the end of July 2007. The Social Partnership Agreement Towards 2016 also provided that NERA, would be established on a regional basis and in this regard, a new regional structure of NERA has been put in place.

In addition to inspectors located in NERA headquarters in Carlow, (which covers the counties of Carlow, Kildare, Kilkenny, Laois, Offaly, Wexford, Westmeath and Wicklow), inspectors are located in regional offices now established in Dublin (which covers counties Cavan, Dublin, Meath, Louth and Monaghan), Cork (which covers counties Cork, Kerry, Waterford and South Tipperary), Shannon (which covers counties Clare, Galway, Limerick and North Tipperary) and in Sligo (which covers counties Sligo, Donegal, Leitrim, Longford, Mayo and Roscommon).

Finally, in the year 2007, twenty-eight cases were referred for prosecution following inspections by NERA inspectors. To date, 11 have resulted in conviction

Jack Wall

Question:

247 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of labour inspectors that are stationed in County Kildare or operate specifically in the Kildare area; the number of investigations carried out in each of the past two years; the results of such investigations; the number of court cases; the results of such cases; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7588/08]

The Government is committed to delivering the key package of measures agreed under the chapter dealing with Employment Rights and Compliance in Towards 2016 and in this regard and as part of the Government decentralisation programme, the National Employment Rights Authority (NERA) established its headquarters in Carlow at the end of July 2007.

NERA's regional inspection services office for the Midlands and South East Region, which is co-located with NERA's headquarters in Carlow, covers the counties of Carlow, Kildare, Kilkenny, Laois, Offaly, Wexford, Westmeath and Wicklow. While the twenty-two inspectors working from that regional office are assigned to cases throughout that region they may, as the need arises and at short notice, be deployed to specific areas.

147 and 377 employment rights inspections were undertaken in County Kildare in 2006 and 2007 respectively. These inspections resulted in the initiation of three prosecutions the proceedings in respect of which are still ongoing.

The primary objective of the NERA Inspection Services, where breaches of employment law are detected, is to seek compliance and rectification of any breaches identified, including redress for the individual/s concerned and payment of any arrears due to employees. In this regard the NERA Inspection Services recovered arrears amounting to almost €1.4 million in the year 2006 and €2.5 million in the year 2007.

Job Creation.

Damien English

Question:

248 Deputy Damien English asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the position regarding the future use of the former NEC plant site at Ballivor, County Meath; the number of interested parties who visited the site in the past 12 months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7878/08]

Damien English

Question:

249 Deputy Damien English asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if the Industrial Development Authority has considered taking over the former NEC plant site at Ballivor, County Meath in order to promote local employment opportunities in the area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7879/08]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 248 and 249 together.

IDA Ireland is the agency with statutory responsibility for the attraction of foreign direct investment (FDI) to Ireland and its regions. The marketing of individual areas for new or expansion FDI investments and jobs is a day-to-day operational matter for the Agency. While I may give general policy directives to the Agency, I am precluded under the Industrial Development Acts from giving directives regarding individual undertakings or from giving preference to one area over others.

Since the announcement of the closure of NEC, IDA Ireland has promoted Ballivor as a priority location within the Eastern Region. The Agency continues to work closely with both Enterprise Ireland and Meath County Council with a view to securing a new project for the NEC site and developing initiatives to market Meath, as a whole. Indeed, I am glad to say that a significant number of former NEC employees have found alternative employment with IDA supported industries in the Midlands and East.

As Ireland competes for investments at the highest end of the value chain the concept of scale is crucial to our economic destiny. Leading corporations require a significant population of highly qualified talent, effective physical and digital infrastructure coupled with availability of sophisticated professional support services. If we are to continue being successful in realizing a large proportion of our investments outside of the larger cities, all economic and social stakeholders will need to adhere to the framework on which the NSS is constructed. Future thinking and action must have a regional rather than a local bias and this requires a significant change in mindset.

Although the Agency introduced 3 potential investors to the NEC management in Ballivor during 2006, there have been no site visits to the area by potential investors in the past 12 months. Decisions as to where to visit are ultimately a matter for the investor.

As regards the NEC site, this property is still in the hands of NEC and the Company has not approached IDA in relation to IDA taking over the facility in Ballivor. In Meath, IDA Ireland has 28 hectares (70 acres) of serviced industrial lands available at IDA Navan Business Park, where six IDA projects are located. In addition, there is a new 24 hectares (60 acre) Business Park under development at Drogheda though located technically in Co. Meath. The Agency is also developing a Business & Technology Park in Mullingar. All of these sites are within commuting distance of Ballivor.

Departmental Transport.

David Stanton

Question:

250 Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if the taxi companies used by his Department and State agencies under the aegis of his Department have a minimum percentage of taxis which are accessible for people with disabilities and wheelchair users; the amount expended by his Department and State agencies on taxi hire each year from 2003 to date in 2008 respectively; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7932/08]

As the Deputy is, no doubt, aware the provision of taxis, which are accessible for people with disabilities and wheelchair users, is a matter for each taxi company and the Taxi Regulator. However, my understanding is that the main taxi company used by my Department and its Offices has approximately 10% of vehicles available for people with disabilities and wheelchair users.

The amount expended by my Department and its Offices on taxi hire since 2003 to date in 2008 is as follows:

Year

2003

48,306.50

2004

53,774.15

2005

40,511.23

2006

42,490.49

2007

45,298.50

2008

9,425.30

I am not in a position to provide similar information for the State Agencies under the aegis of my Department; such information falls within the day-to-day administration matters of the State Agencies concerned.

Work Permits.

Niall Collins

Question:

251 Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the position in relation to an application for a work permit by a person (details supplied) in County Limerick. [7948/08]

An employment Permit for an unlimited period has already been issued in respect of the above person. There is no record of any new application having been received.

Employment Rights.

Leo Varadkar

Question:

252 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if fines have been levied against employers for the failure to pay the minimum wage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8020/08]

In 2007 the National Employment Rights Authority carried out 1,942 inspections/visits in relation to the National Minimum Wage Act, 2000. The majority of the inspections/visits undertaken were part of a focused employment rights compliance inspection campaign in sectors covered by the National Minimum Wage.

In 192 cases, breaches were detected for offences such as failure to pay the appropriate rate/training rate under the Act, failure to keep records to show compliance with the Act, failure to keep records for 3 years as required by the Act. No prosecutions have been initiated to date in respect of these breaches. Arrears of €124,475 have been recovered to date.

The primary role of the National Employment Rights Authority in the case of breaches of employment rights legislation, is to seek compliance and rectification of any breaches identified, including redress for the employees concerned and payment of any arrears due to those employees.It should be noted that in the majority of cases employers rectify breaches of employment law and pay any arrears due to employees without prosecution. However, the National Employment Rights Authority reserves the right to initiate prosecutions in respect of breaches of certain employment legislation.

Leo Varadkar

Question:

253 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if the National Employment Rights Authority have the authority to fine employers who breach the Minimum Wage Act 2000; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8021/08]

The primary role of the National Employment Rights Authority, in the case of breaches of employment rights legislation, is to seek compliance and rectification of any breaches identified, including redress for the employees concerned and payment of any arrears due to those employees. It should be noted that in the majority of cases employers rectify breaches of employment law and pay arrears due to employees without prosecution.

While the National Employment Rights Authority reserves the right to initiate prosecutions in respect of breaches of certain employment legislation, it does not have the authority to fine employers who breach the National Minimum Wage Act 2000. This is a matter solely for the courts to determine.

The Deputy should be aware that Rights Commissioners of the Labour Relations Commission, a body independent of my Department, also hear complaints concerning breaches of the National Minimum Wage Act 2000.

Sports Capital Programme.

Finian McGrath

Question:

254 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if he will support a club (details supplied) in Dublin 5. [7520/08]

Under the sports capital programme, which is administered by my Department, funding is allocated to sporting and community organisations at local, regional and national level throughout the country. The programme is advertised on an annual basis.

Applications for funding under the 2008 programme were invited through advertisements in the Press on January 13th and 14th last. The closing date for receipt of applications is 29th February for paper-based applications and 7th March for online applications. All applications received before the deadline will be evaluated against the programme's assessment criteria, which are outlined in the guidelines, terms and conditions of the programme.

The Deputy may be interested to know that the club in question have been allocated €520,000 under the programme since 2002.

National Museum.

Olivia Mitchell

Question:

255 Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if he was consulted regarding the plans to use the Museum of Natural History building to house the Seanad during repair works; if so, the reason no mention of this plan was made in reply to Parliamentary Question No 118 of 12 February 2008; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7562/08]

Olivia Mitchell

Question:

256 Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism his views on plans to use the Natural History Museum building to accommodate the Seanad during reconstruction works in Leinster House; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7563/08]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 255 and 256 together.

The provision of accommodation for Seanad Éireann is a matter for the Office of Public Works whose remit includes responsibility for the acquisition and fitting out of accommodation for the Oireachtas and Government Departments and Offices.

As stated in my response to Parliamentary Question Number 118 of 12 February 2008, referred to by the Deputy, I am anxious that, during the period of repair and redevelopment of the Natural History Museum, the public should not be deprived of the opportunity to view the exhibits held by the Museum.

As pointed out by the Deputy, I did not refer in my response to that Parliamentary Question to the possibility of establishing a temporary Seanad Chamber in the Natural History Museum. The position is that the Office of Public Works advised my Department in the late afternoon of 12 February 2008 that it would be making a presentation to the Commission of the Houses of the Oireachtas in relation to a proposal to carry out structural repairs/improvements to the Seanad and to establish a temporary Seanad Chamber in the ground floor of the Natural History Museum. This information was conveyed to me later that afternoon, and after I had answered the parliamentary question. I understand that the Seanad Committee on Procedure and Privileges are discussing a number of options with the OPW.

The management of the National Museum of Ireland is already developing a plan for the dismounting, documenting and storing of exhibits and is also considering the possibility of displaying a selection of exhibits elsewhere during the period of refurbishment.

Swimming Pool Projects.

Dinny McGinley

Question:

257 Deputy Dinny McGinley asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if a site has been identified for the proposed swimming pool in Ballybofey/Stranorlar, County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7579/08]

I refer the Deputy to my reply to PQ Ref No. 2615 on Wednesday 30 January 2008. The position remains the same.

Departmental Transport.

David Stanton

Question:

258 Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if the taxi companies used by his Department and State agencies under the aegis of his Department has a minimum percentage of taxis which are accessible for people with disabilities and wheelchair users; the amount expended by his Department and State agencies on taxi hire each year from 2003 to date in 2008 respectively; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7927/08]

I understand that over 10% of the cars operated by the main taxi company used by my Department are wheelchair accessible. This company also has a policy of encouraging its drivers when changing their vehicles to take the accessibility issue into consideration. Furthermore, I understand the company operates a waiting list for new drivers and gives preference to drivers with wheelchair accessible vehicles off this list.

The taxi companies used by the agencies under the aegis of my Department is a day to day matter for the agencies themselves.

Expenditure by my Department on taxi hire for 2003 and 2004 is not readily available. Expenditure from 2005 to date in 2008 is set out in the following table:

Year

Expenditure

2005

23,170

2006

21,210

2007

25,590

2008 (to date)

3,850

The National Museum and National Library were part of my Department until May 2005 when they were established as separate entities but the expenditure by those bodies in that period is not readily available in my Department.

Social Welfare Benefits.

Enda Kenny

Question:

259 Deputy Enda Kenny asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if he plans to extend the free travel scheme to include the use of the Air Link bus to Dublin Airport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7449/08]

My Department operates the free travel scheme which provides free travel on the main public and private transport services for those eligible under the scheme. These include road, rail and ferry services provided by companies such as Bus Átha Cliath, Bus Éireann and Iarnród Éireann, as well as Luas and services provided by over 80 private transport operators.

Airlink Services are not covered by the free travel scheme. However, there are several other buses serving Dublin airport from the city centre, such as the 16A, on which the free travel pass can be used. So there is no question of pass holders having to pay to access Dublin airport by public transport.

Joe Costello

Question:

260 Deputy Joe Costello asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if, in relation to rent allowance provided by Health Service Executive community welfare officers the HSE inspects a premises before awarding rent allowance; the HSE requires the landlord to furnish a tax clearance certificate before awarding rent allowance; if not the reason for same; if the HSE will deal with complaints of anti-social behaviour from residents associations in relation to rent allowance tenants; if the HSE exchanges information with the Private Residential Tenancies Board in relation to payments to landlords; and if the HSE exchanges information with the local authority in relation to inspections of standards in rented accommodation. [7512/08]

The supplementary welfare allowance scheme, which includes rent supplement, is administered on my behalf by the Community Welfare Service of the Health Service Executive. The purpose of the rent supplement scheme is to provide short-term income support to eligible people living in private rented accommodation whose means are insufficient to meet their accommodation costs and who do not have accommodation available to them from any other source. Rent supplement recipients who have a long-term housing need are being transferred to the Rental Accommodation Scheme (RAS) operated by the local authorities.

In order to qualify for a rent supplement a person must satisfy a means test and be habitually resident in the State. The Executive must satisfy itself also that the applicant has a genuine accommodation need for which he or she cannot provide, that a bona fide tenancy arrangement exists between the applicant and the landlord and that the property being rented is suitable to his or her needs.

In determining whether the accommodation is suited to the person's accommodation needs, the Executive must establish the household composition, the size of the accommodation unit and identify any special needs that the person may have. As part of this process, the Executive may carry out a visit to the residential premises in question. This home visit may also be used to confirm the applicant's residence at the address in question.

The Executive may consider that a property is not suited to the applicant's needs if the accommodation does not comply with housing regulations. Enforcement of such regulations is a matter for Local Authorities rather than the Community Welfare Service and Community Welfare Officers are not qualified to undertake this work. However, payment of rent supplement may be withheld where the Executive has been notified by a housing authority regarding non-compliance with housing standards.

Where a notification is received from a housing authority in respect of an existing tenant, the Executive would normally discuss the situation with the tenant and take whatever action it decides is necessary in the best interests of the tenant. The objective is to ensure that substandard accommodation does not come within rent supplementation.

The Executive has provided data to local authorities in relation to all long-term recipients of rent supplement as part of the implementation of RAS. Over 30,000 cases have been notified to date. The local authorities inspect all such accommodation before accepting it into RAS to ensure it conforms to the relevant standards.

In relation to landlord taxation matters, it is the tenant, not the landlord, who makes the application for rent supplement. Payment of rent supplement is made to the tenant in most cases and rent supplement, if awarded, is the property of the tenant in all cases. The tenant is an uninvolved third party insofar as the landlord's relationship with Revenue is concerned. It is not a requirement that the tenant's landlord must produce a tax clearance certificate before rent supplement is paid to a tenant as it would be inappropriate to insert the tenant, particularly vulnerable tenants, into the relationship between Revenue and the landlord.

However, my Department co-operates closely with the Revenue Commissioners in relation to taxation. It has provided, on an annual basis for many years, details of landlords whose tenants receive rent supplement and continues to work with Revenue on ways to improve the range and quality of information it provides.

With regard to anti-social behaviour, such behaviour by a tenant is a matter for the landlord in the first instance. There are a number of avenues open in such cases, including the mediation service for landlords and tenants operated by the Private Residential Tenancies Board and/or recourse to the Garda Síochána and/or the Courts in relation to enforcement of the law in relation to anti-social behaviour. If necessary, a landlord may seek termination of the tenancy which, if effected, would result in the termination of rent supplement.

Under the Residential Tenancies Act 2004, landlords are legally obliged to register tenancies with the Private Residential Tenancies Board (PRTB). My Department is committed to working closely with the PRTB to ensure that all tenancies that come within the area of rent supplementation, comply with the statutory system of tenancy regulation and safeguards. To that end, my Department provides details of rent supplement payments to the PRTB to enable them identify tenancies that are not registered and to take any follow-up action necessary.

General Register Office.

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Question:

261 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the number of marriages for which the General Registers Office has provided clearance over the past three years; and the number of these that involved a non-EU citizen. [8067/08]

I presume that the Deputy is referring to the clearance of foreign divorces in respect of persons who are proposing to remarry in this country.

Statistics of the kind referred to by the Deputy are not routinely maintained. However, the statistics sought are currently being compiled in the General Register Office and these will be made available to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Pension Provisions.

Ulick Burke

Question:

262 Deputy Ulick Burke asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if he will reconsider the plight of a small number of self employed people who are denied pension entitlements due to the age barrier having entered the scheme on its introduction on 5 April 1988 and could not have fulfilled the ten requirement conditions on age grounds, that is having reached 66 years prior to completion of the ten years contributions; his views on allowing them the facility of purchasing the shortfall years contributions as is available to other groups; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7528/08]

It is a fundamental principle of our social insurance system that those qualifying for benefits must satisfy a range of contribution and other conditions. In the case of contributory pensions, this involves commencing payment of contributions 10 years before pension age, payment of a minimum number of contributions at an appropriate rate and reaching a minimum average annual contribution rate. The state pension (contributory) is a valuable benefit and the conditions are designed to ensure that those qualifying have had a sufficient and ongoing attachment to the social insurance system.

A special pension for the self-employed was introduced in 1999 to enable people who were over age 56 at the time of the introduction of PRSI for the self-employed in 1988, and who could not therefore meet the standard qualifying conditions, to receive a contributory pension. The qualifying conditions require payment of 260 contributions and the pension is paid at half the maximum rate.

Similar arrangements were introduced around the same time for people with social insurance contributions dating from before the unified system of social insurance were introduced in 1953. The objective of both these measures was to provide pensions for people who could not receive payments under standard qualifying conditions, with due regard being paid to the contributory principle underpinning entitlement to social welfare payments generally.

There is no facility within the social insurance system to allow for payment of social insurance contributions which were not due in the first place by virtue of a person's status as an employee, self-employed, or as a voluntary contributor.

The special pension for the self-employed was considered to be a reasonable response to the issues raised in this case and that remains the situation. The state pension (non-contributory) is, of course, available to those people who do not qualify for a contributory pension, or who receive a reduced payment, and who can satisfy a means test.

Social Welfare Offices.

Joanna Tuffy

Question:

263 Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs when he expects the social welfare office in Dunmanway, County Cork to re-open following its temporary closure in 2007; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7555/08]

As provided for in my Department's Modernisation Action Plan, a strategic review of customer facing services is being undertaken this year. The terms of reference for this review provide, inter alia, for recommendations in relation to the criteria to be used to determine the locations in which my Department should have a Local Office or Branch Office presence.

The position in relation to the Branch Office in Dunmanway will be considered in the light of the report on this review. My Department has put measures in place to ensure continuity of service for customers in the Dunmanway area. These measures are working effectively.

Social Welfare Benefits.

Seymour Crawford

Question:

264 Deputy Seymour Crawford asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs when a person (details supplied) in County Cavan can expect a decision on their application for carers allowance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7565/08]

The person concerned applied for carer's allowance on 12 October 2007. The case has been referred to an Investigative Officer of my Department to determine that all the conditions for receipt of the allowance are satisfied.

On 22 February 2008, an interim decision issued, refusing the claim on the grounds that full time care and attention is not required in this case. The person concerned is afforded the opportunity to submit, within 21 days, any further medical evidence available for review. On completion of the necessary investigations a decision will be made and the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.

Under Social Welfare legislation decisions in relation to claims must be made by Deciding Officers and Appeals Officers. These Officers are statutorily appointed and I have no role in regard to making such decisions.

Jack Wall

Question:

265 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if a support group (details supplied) is entitled to funding under any of his Departments schemes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7587/08]

My Department assists and encourages the unemployed, particularly the long term unemployed, lone parents and other social welfare recipients to return to training or education through a range of measures administered by my Department's social and family support service. These measures include the payment of income support through the back to education allowance scheme, the back to work allowance and funding through the activation and family support programme.

The activation and family support programme fund provides once-off funding to third parties such as support groups to assist welfare recipients, as well as members of their families, improve their employability, personal and family situations through education, training and personal development courses. The fund is focused on assisting people most marginalised in social and economic terms and is operated in a manner that enables a quick response to any needs identified. It is not within the remit of the schemes operated by my Department to provide core funding for projects such as capital costs or salaries.

The activities supported have given much help by way of intensive training, counselling and other supports to groups at risk of developing long-term welfare dependency. Those who need special help of this type include the very long-term unemployed, travellers, people with literacy difficulties, lone parents, the long-term ill and people with disabilities.

The initiatives funded demonstrate the positive results of a partnership approach between my Department, the Voluntary and Community Sector and other local players in identifying and addressing local needs in terms of education, training and development.

During 2006, the support group concerned was funded by my Department to run a computer course for people on disability allowance. If the group wish to apply for further funding for similar initiatives it should contact the Facilitator at Newbridge local office.

Brian Hayes

Question:

266 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the percentage of rental supplement recipients who were paying rents equivalent to their relevant rent limit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7668/08]

Rent supplement, which is administered on my behalf by the Health Service Executive (HSE) as part of the supplementary welfare allowance scheme, is subject to a limit on the amount of rent that an applicant may incur. Rent limits are set at levels that enable eligible household types to secure and retain basic suitable rented accommodation, having regard to the different rental market conditions that prevail in various parts of the State. The objective is to ensure that rent supplement is not paid in respect of overly expensive accommodation having regard to the size of the household.

Information available to my Department indicates that 69% of recipients of rent supplement pay rent which is at the maximum rent limit appropriate to their circumstances, 21 % pay rent which is below the relevant rent limit and 10% payment which is above the relevant limit.

The HSE may award Rent Supplement in cases where the rent exceeds these rent limits in certain circumstances e.g. where there are special housing needs related to exceptional circumstances or where the tenant has sufficient additional income, for example from part-time employment, with which to meet the additional cost. This discretionary power ensures that individuals with particular needs can be accommodated within the scheme and specifically protects against homelessness. This discretion was applied in 10% of current rent supplement claims.

I intend to have rent limits reviewed this year with a view to implementing any revision found to be necessary, from 1 July 2008. A consultative approach will be used to conduct this review.

Departmental Expenditure.

Brian Hayes

Question:

267 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the amount his Department paid the Health Service Executive for the administration of the rent supplement scheme in 2005, 2006 and 2007; the way this cost was calculated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7669/08]

The supplementary welfare allowance scheme (SWA), which includes rent supplement, is administered on my behalf by the community welfare division of the Health Service Executive.

The table below shows the administration cost of the SWA scheme for 2005, 2006 and 2007.

Year

Amount

€m

2005

47.3

2006

51.4

2007

57.2

Payment is made in respect of the total cost incurred in administering the SWA scheme. There is no breakdown available to show the cost of administering components of the supplementary allowance scheme such as rent supplement.

Social Welfare Fraud.

Brian Hayes

Question:

268 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the number of cases of fraud detected in relation to claiming of the rent supplement scheme in 2007; if prosecutions were made in these cases and money recovered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7696/08]

Rent Supplement is administered on my behalf by the community welfare service of the Health Service Executive (HSE), as part of the supplementary welfare allowance scheme.

Where the HSE becomes aware that a person receiving a supplementary allowance is not entitled to that allowance, the payment may be stopped and an overpayment may be raised. Any overpayment of allowance incurred in circumstances of this kind may be recoverable from the recipient. It is a matter for a Community Welfare Officer (CWO) of the HSE to determine if an overpayment should be raised and recovered, taking into account all of the circumstances of each particular case. Where an overpayment is deemed to be recoverable, a CWO will make appropriate arrangements with the tenant for recovery of the overpayment.

Provisional figures indicate that the number of supplementary welfare allowance overpayment cases identified for 2007 was 1454 at an estimated value of €2.38m. There is currently no breakdown available for cases of fraud or suspected fraud and overpayments arising for other reasons.

The HSE has statutory power to initiate legal proceedings against individuals alleged to have fraudulently claimed supplementary welfare allowance payments. In practice, very few such prosecutions have been brought against persons alleged to have carried out fraud on supplementary welfare and/or rent supplement claims.

Social Welfare Benefits.

Brian Hayes

Question:

269 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the number of persons in receipt of rent supplement in 2005, 2006 and 2007; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7697/08]

The following table shows the number of recipients of rent supplement at the end of the years 2005, 2006 and 2007.

Recipients of Rent Supplement — 2005, 2006 and 2007

Year

Recipients

2005

60,176

2006

59,861

2007

59,726

Ruairí Quinn

Question:

270 Deputy Ruairí Quinn asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the reason a person, who is employed for less than 391 consecutive days, in advance of returning to full-time education, loses the back to education allowance, the rent support allowance and the top up grant and that during a three year degree course a person trying to better their employment prospects will lose €64,000; the steps he will take to coordinate the financial support required to implement the commitments in the Programme for Government on the expansion of adult education provision to be met; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7872/08]

The Department of Education and Science has a range of programmes for people wishing to return to education which provide supports for people participating in certain education programmes funded by VECs. That Department has overall responsibility for coordination of the expansion of adult education provided for in the Programme for Government.

The back to education allowance (BTEA), administered by my Department, to which the Deputy refers, is a second chance education opportunities scheme designed to encourage and facilitate people on certain social welfare payments to improve their skills and qualifications and, therefore, their prospects of returning to the work force. To qualify for participation in the BTEA scheme an applicant must be, inter alia, in receipt of a relevant social welfare payment for at least six months, in the case of people wishing to complete a second level course, or twelve months in the case of people wishing to pursue third level qualifications.

The BTEA scheme was established to assist people who have been out of the workforce for some time and whose opportunities of obtaining employment would be enhanced by participation in the scheme. The requirement to be in receipt of a relevant social welfare payment for a minimum period has always been a feature of the BTEA scheme and this eligibility criterion is necessary to ensure that limited resources are directed at those most in need. People who are already in employment are not considered to be in the target group for the BTEA scheme.

I am satisfied that, overall, the current arrangements ensure that the scheme continues to support those people who are more distant from the labour market. Any further changes to the scheme will have to be considered in the context of budget improvements and resources available for social welfare improvement generally.

The supplementary welfare allowance scheme, which includes rent supplement, is administered on my behalf by the Community Welfare division of the Health Service Executive. The purpose of the scheme is to provide short-term income support to eligible people living in private rented accommodation whose means are insufficient to meet their accommodation costs and who do not have accommodation available to them from any other source. In general, recipients of rent supplement are primarily dependent on a social welfare or health service executive weekly payment. Persons in full-time education other than back to education allowance participants administered by my Department do not qualify.

Jim O'Keeffe

Question:

271 Deputy Jim O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the provisions he is making to accommodate pensioners who collect their pension in post offices that are automated, in view of the introduction of swipe cards instead of pension books; if there is a facility being put in place for the collection of pensions by agents of elderly persons who are unable to collect their pension personally; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7916/08]

It is government policy to facilitate the greater use of electronic payment systems in the economy in the interests of developing a world class payments environment in Ireland. In this context, the National Payments Implementation Program Advisory Group, under the aegis of the Department of An Taoiseach, monitors the growth in electronic payments, the reduction in cash transactions and any new payment mechanisms which come on the market. My Department is represented on this Group.

The current range of payment options offered by my Department to customers' includes payment at a local post office or to a bank or building society account; or certain credit unions that have been authorised by the banking and credit union regulators. Customers opt for a particular payment method having regard to their own personal circumstances. Currently some 50% of customers receive their payment electronically direct to their Post Office, bank or financial institution. The remaining customers are paid by paper based payment instruments — cheques, post drafts or personal payment order books.

The Department is implementing a three year strategy to change paper based payment instruments to electronic payments at post offices and financial institutions. The programme is being implemented on a phased basis to coincide with book renewal production schedules and as personalised payable order books expire. The replacement of books with swipe cards will have no impact on customers paid at post offices. Customers will simply present their Social Services Card and sign for their payment in the normal way. An Post and the Irish Postmaster's Union (IPU) are committed to assisting customers in the use of cards for collecting their payment. For those customers who cannot collect their payment in person, the Department is putting arrangements in place to allow a nominated person collect their payment using a Social Services card.

Departmental Transport.

David Stanton

Question:

272 Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if the taxi companies used by his Department and State agencies under the aegis of his Department have a minimum percentage of taxis which are accessible for people with disabilities and wheelchair users; the amount expended by his Department and State agencies on taxi hire each year from 2003 to date in 2008 respectively; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7938/08]

My Department has a contract with National Radio Cabs for the provision of a taxi service in the Dublin area. This company has 780 taxis in its fleet, 80 of which are wheelchair accessible. I understand this company encourages its drivers when changing vehicles to take accessibility issues into consideration. It operates a waiting list for those wishing to join the company and gives preference to wheelchair accessible vehicles. About 10% of its fleet consist of disabled accessible vehicles.

Details of expenditure on taxis by my Department since 2003 is as follows:

Year

2003

46,522

2004

38,633

2005

50,031

2006

56,199

2007

48,011

2008

4,485 (to date)

The five statutory bodies operating under the aegis of my Department are the Pensions Board, the Combat Poverty Agency, the Citizens Information Board (formerly Comhairle), the Family Support Agency and the Social Welfare Tribunal. In addition the Pensions Ombudsman comes under the remit of my Department. The attached table contains the information sought regarding those bodies.

Name of Statutory Body

Taxi/Cab company contract

Total number of taxis in the fleet and the number which are wheelchair accessible

Amount expended on taxi hire each year

The Pensions Board

Yes — City Cabs

700 Taxis in fleet 70 Wheelchair accessible

2003: €2,000 2004: €2,000 2005: €2,000 2006: €2,699 2007: €2,696 2008: €238

Combat Poverty Agency

YES — National Radio Cabs

780 Taxis in fleet 80 Wheelchair accessible

2003: €607 2004: €1,094 2005: €1,891 2006: €944 2007: €2,879 2008: €193

Family Support Agency

YES — National Radio Cabs

780 Taxis in fleet80 Wheelchair accessible

Included in Department of Social and Family Affairs account 2003-2006 2007: €2,244 2008: €404

Social Welfare Tribunal

NO

N/A

2003: NIL 2004: NIL 2005: €21 2006: NIL 2007: NIL 2008: NIL

Office of the Pensions Ombudsman

NO

N/A

Minimal amounts paid from petty cash each year.

Social Welfare Appeals.

Jack Wall

Question:

273 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if there is a waiting list in relation to oral hearings of social welfare claims; if so, the period of time an applicant has to wait; the number on the waiting list; the number of appeal officers employed by his Department; if there are vacancies of staff due to illness or retirement; if so, the number of placements vacant; the procedures in place in the interim to ensure that the applicant has income; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8059/08]

I am advised that the Social Welfare Appeals Office receives in excess of 14,000 appeals each year and that the provision of a prompt service remains a major customer service objective of that Office. Available resources are prioritized to the greatest possible extent so as to achieve the best possible standard of service to its customers. At the same time, however, it is necessary to ensure that improvements in processing times are achieved in a manner which is not in conflict with the demands of natural justice and the requirement that every appeal be fully investigated and examined on all its merits.

I am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that as of 21 February 2008 there were 1,576 persons awaiting an oral hearing of their appeal of whom 340 have been notified of a date for their hearing. Oral hearings are granted at the discretion of the Appeals Officer usually in circumstances where there is a conflict of evidence presented by the parties and where an oral hearing is requested by the appellant in order to present his or her case to the Appeals Officer.

During 2006, the last year for which statistics have been published, the average time taken to process all appeals (oral hearings and those decided summarily) was 21 weeks. When allowance is made for the 25% most protracted cases, the average time was reduced to 13.8 weeks. Given the logistics involved in organising oral hearings including, allowing sufficient advance notice to the appellant, it is estimated that the average time to finalise an appeal is increased by about 8 weeks where an oral hearing is involved.

Processing times cover all phases of the appeal process including the submission by my Department of its comments on the grounds for the appeal, further medical examination by my Department's medical assessors in certain sickness related cases and the arrangements for the holding of oral hearings which are currently afforded in two out of every three cases determined by Appeals Officers.

There are currently 18 Appeals Officers assigned to the Social Welfare Appeals Office and there are no vacancies at present due to illness or retirement. Persons awaiting the determination of their appeal and who are without a basic income may apply for supplementary welfare allowance which is administered on behalf of my Department by the Health Service Executive.

Social Insurance.

Jack Wall

Question:

274 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the problems that persons are having in seeking to obtain a PPS number in County Kildare due to a change in procedure that the applicant must now apply to the Newbridge office instead of the local offices; the reason these changes are being made; if a review of the procedure will take place to ensure that applicants are not having delays in obtaining payments due to the changes made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8085/08]

The majority of Irish citizens now have a PPS number and since the modernisation of civil registration in 2003, all children born in the Republic of Ireland are automatically issued with a PPS number following the registration of the birth. The Department has, for some time, been encountering attempted abuses of the PPS registration process. In order to combat fraudulent activity of this nature, the number of outlets for the allocation of PPS numbers is being rationalised to one centralised location per County. To date 13 centres have been established outside Dublin and Newbridge is the centre for customers in County Kildare. Acquiring a PPS number is a once in a lifetime event. The PPS number is a main personal identifier and the key to access a broad range of services. It is not therefore unreasonable that a customer attends a dedicated centre on a once off basis for this purpose.

There is a considerable element of flexibility in the new arrangements, which allow customers attend the nearest or the most convenient centre to their place of residence. The quality of the service is not affected any way by these arrangements.

Ferry Services.

Joanna Tuffy

Question:

275 Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if, in the past three years, his Department has imposed a financial penalty on any ferry operations, sailing between the mainland and the islands, for breach of their contracts; if so, the details of the breach; the amount of the fines in each case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7585/08]

Details of financial penalties imposed by my Department on ferry operators in the past three years are shown in the table below:

Name of Operator

Island

Penalty Imposed

Details of Breach

Tithe Saoire Chléire Teo.

Cléire

2,278

Unauthorised use of back-up vessel

Tithe Saoire Chléire Teo.

Cléire

599

Contracted sailings not provided

Turasmara Teo.

Toraigh

1,068

Contracted sailings not provided

Michael Leneghan

Inis Bigil

1,993

Passenger Boat Licence expired

John Shelly

Long Island

4,277

Passenger Boat Licence expired

Community Development.

Noel Coonan

Question:

276 Deputy Noel J. Coonan asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs when a decision will be made for an application for funding under the community services programme for a group (details supplied) in County Tipperary; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7510/08]

This application under the Community Service Programme was not recommended by POBAL for funding. However, I requested further information on the project, which is now under consideration. A decision on the project will be made in the near future.

Dormant Accounts Fund.

Jack Wall

Question:

277 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if a support group (details supplied) in County Kildare are entitled to funding under the dormant accounts scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7571/08]

Disbursements from the Dormant Accounts Fund are designed to assist three broad categories of persons:

those who are socially or economically disadvantaged;

those who are educationally disadvantaged; and

persons with a disability.

The legislation provides for Government to make decisions on disbursements from the Fund following a transparent process.

The 2008 Dormant Accounts Programme is currently being finalised and I will shortly be seeking Government approval in respect of the list of priority measures to be supported from the Fund during 2008. Details of the 2008 Programme will be published when approved by Government.

Departmental Transport.

David Stanton

Question:

278 Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if the taxi companies used by his Department and State agencies under the aegis of his Department have a minimum percentage of taxis which are accessible for people with disabilities and wheelchair users; the amount expended by his Department and State agencies on taxi hire each year from 2003 to date in 2008 respectively; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7929/08]

My Department has an account with a taxi company based in Dublin and expenditure on taxis outside of Dublin is processed on an individual basis through travel and subsistence claims. The percentage of taxis that are accessible for people with disabilities is a matter for the Commission for Taxi Regulation. One of the specific objectives given to the Commission in the 2003 Taxi Regulation Act, is to promote access to small public service vehicles by people with disabilities.

The amounts spent by my Department on taxis from 2004 to 2008 are detailed in the table below. My Department is currently arranging for details of amounts spent by my Department in 2003 and by the bodies that come within the ambit of the Department from 2003-2008 to be collated and these will be forwarded to the Deputy, as soon as they are available.

Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs spend on taxis 2004-2008

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008 (to date)

€18,904

€19,321

€22,680

€26,809

€3,225

Drugs Rehabilitation Programmes.

Catherine Byrne

Question:

279 Deputy Catherine Byrne asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the number of community based projects and schemes involved in drug rehabilitation which are funded by his Department and are operational in Dublin; the name of each of these projects and schemes; the amount of funding they each received in 2007; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8004/08]

Catherine Byrne

Question:

280 Deputy Catherine Byrne asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the number of community based projects and schemes involved in drug rehabilitation which are funded by his Department and are operational nationwide; the name of each of these projects and schemes; the amount of funding they each received in 2007; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8005/08]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 279 and 280 together.

Over 230 projects with a treatment and rehabilitation focus were funded through the Local & Regional Drugs Task Forces in 2007 at a cost of approx. €16m. Of these, in the region of 150, with expenditure of €10m in 2007, are located in the 12 Dublin Local Drug Task Force (LDTF) areas. A further 20 are located in the Bray and Cork LTDF areas (over €2m) and a further 65 are in the Regional Drugs Task Force (RDTF) areas, costing more than €4m. A small number of the RDTF projects are located in Co. Dublin. I am arranging for my officials to forward details of the projects and funding to the Deputy.

Departmental Programmes.

Jack Wall

Question:

281 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the action he will take or the funding he will provide, to assist groups to develop the Gordon Bennett Car Rally theme in the towns and villages that facilitated the race at the start of the last century, to ensure that the route is clearly defined and protected and that each town and village and settlement has its own unique attraction and history in relation to their connection with the race in view of its importance. [8055/08]

As the Deputy will be aware, my Department operates a number of grant schemes and programmes and some funding may be available to assist groups to develop the Gordon Bennett Car Rally theme. Details of all the programmes and schemes operated by my Department, including eligibility criteria can be accessed on the Department's website at www.pobail.ie

It should be noted, however, that each of the schemes and programmes operated by my Department are governed by rules and regulations, which projects must meet in order to qualify for funding.

National Drugs Strategy.

John O'Mahony

Question:

282 Deputy John O’Mahony asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the research which has been carried out on drug misuse here; if there is ongoing research; the plans there are for more research into the area of drug misuse; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8090/08]

Research is one of the five pillars of the National Drugs Strategy. The key objective under this pillar is to have valid, timely and comparable data available on the extent of drug misuse in Ireland. In this context, the National Advisory Committee on Drugs (NACD) was established in 2000 to advise Government in relation to the prevalence, prevention, treatment, rehabilitation and consequences of problem drug use in Ireland, based on its analysis of research findings and information available to it. Details of all published research carried out by the NACD is available at www.nacd.ie

The Alcohol & Drug Research Unit (ADRU) of the Health Research Board (HRB), which acts as Ireland's focal point for the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA), also carries out research into problem drug use and full details of its published research is available at www.hrb.ie. My Department also funds the work of the National Documentation Centre, which is managed by the Alcohol & Drug Research Unit of the HRB, and details are available at www.ndc.hrb.ie. In addition, some research has been carried out at a more local level under the aegis of Local and Regional Drug Task Forces.

Research into problem drug use in Ireland is, therefore, ongoing and consideration of future research requirements will form one element of the development of the new National Drugs Strategy 2009-16, which is now underway.

Fish Quota.

Dara Calleary

Question:

283 Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the context for the restrictions put on the catching of the Spurdog species of fish; if these restrictions will be reviewed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7425/08]

The International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) scientific advice is that the stock of spurdog is depleted, that there should be no targeted fishery for spurdog and that the by-catch in mixed fisheries be reduced to the lowest possible level. On the basis of this advice, Council Regulation (EC) No 40/2008 provides for a 5% by-catch limit for spurdog/dogfish for all community vessels up to a maximum of 390 tonnes for the year in Ireland's case. I have asked the Marine Institute to examine the current fisheries that are affected by the provisions in relation to spurdog and to advise me if there is a case to have a review of the current restrictions.

Harbours and Piers.

Dara Calleary

Question:

284 Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food further to Parliamentary Question No. 313 of 13 February 2008 regarding a harbour development (details supplied); the level of funding that was requested from Mayo County Council; when this request was communicated; and the future plans within her Department for funding this project. [7918/08]

Purteen Harbour is owned by Mayo County Council and responsibility for its repair and maintenance rests with the Local Authority in the first instance. A development options study for Purteen Harbour is being carried out by my Department's Western Engineering Division on behalf of Mayo County Council. Considerable progress was made in 2007 and it is hoped to have the study concluded by April of this year. My Department's Engineering Division has been involved in negotiations with Mayo County Council with regard to the provision of funding for the current year and I am pleased to advise that €11,250 has been allocated towards the project for 2008.

A further check of my records indicates that Purteen Harbour was not included in Mayo County Council's list of funding proposals for 2008. I regret any confusion caused by my reply to Parliamentary Question 313 of 13th February 2008 which indicated otherwise.

Decentralisation Programme.

Joanna Tuffy

Question:

285 Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when she expects the construction of the new Bord Iascaigh Mhara offices in Clonakilty, County Cork to be completed; the number of BIM staff to be decentralised to Clonakilty; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7536/08]

I am advised that the new offices for Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM) in Clonakilty will be completed in March 2009. The number of staff from BIM to be decentralised to Clonakilty is 93. The construction of the new BIM Headquarters in Clonakilty is proceeding on schedule. BIM Board and management are working to prepare for the full decentralisation of the BIM Headquarters in line with Government Policy.

Forestry Development.

Joanna Tuffy

Question:

286 Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the area of forestry planted in each of the past five years; the area of land harvested in the same period; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7537/08]

The information sought for each of the past five years is as follows:

Year

Area of new forest planted

Area of forest harvested

2003

9,097 hectares

10,454 hectares

2004

9,739 hectares

9,907 hectares

2005

10,096 hectares

8,364 hectares

2006

8,037 hectares

7,715 hectares

2007

6,947 hectares

7,413 hectares

In addition to the area of new forestry planted in each of the years listed above, it should be remembered that, as a general rule, the area harvested in each year will also be replanted.

Joanna Tuffy

Question:

287 Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the amount of funding her Department has allocated to assist the forestry sector here in each of the past five years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7538/08]

The following are the allocations for the forestry sector for the years 2003-2007.

Year

Allocation

€000

2007

131,639

2006

136,308

2005

123,946

2004

115,915

2003

82,581

(1) Figures for 2005 to 2007 are inclusive of Capital savings carried forward from the previous year.

(2) 2007 figures include the budget for schemes administered by Crop Policy (Allocation €3m).

Grant Payments.

Paul Connaughton

Question:

288 Deputy Paul Connaughton asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when the 2007 area based payment and single farm payment will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Galway.; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7602/08]

An application under the Single Payment-Disadvantaged Areas Scheme was received on the 24 April 2007. A request for the transfer of 48.36 standard entitlements to the person named under the 2007 Single Payment Scheme was also received on 24 April 2007. As the person named is not a registered herd owner and, as entitlements can only be transferred to persons who hold a herd number, it has not been possible to complete the requested transfer. The person named has been advised on several occasions of the need to obtain a herd number and has been directed to Galway District Veterinary Office, the body responsible for the issuing of herd numbers for that county.

In addition, as the requested transfer is by way of inheritance, the person named has been requested to submit documentation relating to the inheritance. To date, insufficient documentation has been received in support of the claim of the person named.

Possession of a valid herd number is also a requirement for eligibility under the Disadvantaged Areas Scheme. Upon allocation of a herd number and receipt of outstanding documentation, my Department will process the application for both schemes and will correspond directly with the person named.

Marine Safety.

Jim O'Keeffe

Question:

289 Deputy Jim O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if her attention has been drawn to the commitment given that boat owners who spent many weeks in the search to locate the MFV Honeydew, at huge cost and expense, would be compensated for the fuel expended during the course of the search; the reason this commitment has not been discharged to date; and when and the way this commitment will be carried out. [7632/08]

The Department of Transport is responsible for all matters related to maritime safety, marine accidents, marine search and rescue and the operations of the Irish Coastguard. My Department has no direct function in the relation to the matters raised.

Grant Payments.

Michael Lowry

Question:

290 Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when single farm payments will be issued to a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7649/08]

There is no record of an application under the 2007 Single Payment Scheme having being received by my Department from the person named.

An official of my Department has been in direct contact with the person named, advising her of the non-receipt of the 2007 Single Payment Scheme application. She was requested to submit proof of postage, as is set out in the Scheme's Terms & Conditions in relation to forms that are not received by my Department. While the applicant did not obtain such proof of postage, information in relation to the submission of the application is being considered by my Department and the applicant will be informed of the outcome of the deliberations as soon as possible.

Michael Lowry

Question:

291 Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when single farm payments will be issued to a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7650/08]

An application under the Single Payment Scheme/Disadvantaged Areas Scheme was received from the person named on 15 May 2007. My Department has decided that, pending the outcome of the legal proceedings currently under way, to process the application by excluding the lands, which are the subject of the legal proceedings. Payment in respect of the remainder of the lands declared by the person named will issue shortly.

Michael Ring

Question:

292 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will receive their disadvantaged area scheme payment for 2007. [7679/08]

An application under the Single Payment Scheme/Disadvantaged Areas Scheme was received from the person named on 19 April 2007. The application was fully processed and payment issued in full in respect of the Disadvantaged Areas Scheme on 19 February 2008. In relation to the Single Payment Scheme, the advance payment issued on 16 October 2007 and the balancing payment issued on 3 December 2007.

Animal Diseases.

Seymour Crawford

Question:

293 Deputy Seymour Crawford asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if support or compensation is available to a person (details supplied) in County Cavan; the support that can be provided; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7842/08]

Johne's disease is a notifiable disease under the Diseases of Animals Act 1966 (Notification and Control of Animal Diseases) Order 2006. My Department no longer slaughters animals affected with Johne's but has adopted a more proactive approach in dealing with the issue including urging farmers to be vigilant when buying in stock.

I believe that tackling the problem of this disease is achievable only on the basis of a sustained commitment by all of the key players in the farming sector. In this context my Department is currently developing a herd health initiative to deal with non — regulated diseases, including Johne's, in a more comprehensive and integrated manner.

I regret the particular difficulties that this person has with this disease. While it is not possible to provide compensation in this instance, my Department's Veterinary officials have been in contact with the person concerned to provide advice and support and are available to consult with his private veterinary practitioner if requested.

Offshore Islands.

Jim O'Keeffe

Question:

294 Deputy Jim O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the reason the synchro-lift at Dinish Island, Castletownbere has not been operational for the past seven months causing considerable cost and inconvenience to the local fishing fleet; if she will take steps to resolve the difficulties involved; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7898/08]

The synchro-lift at Dinish Island, Castletownbere is currently not in operation due to a Human Resources issue which has Health and Safety implications.

My Department is fully cognisant of the importance of the synchro-lift at Dinish Island and is currently actively involved in finding a resolution to the Human Resources issue. I am hopeful that significant progress will be made in the near future and the matter resolved.

Departmental Transport.

David Stanton

Question:

295 Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if the taxi companies used by her Department and State agencies under the aegis of her Department have a minimum percentage of taxis which are accessible for people with disabilities and wheelchair users; the amount expended by her Department and State agencies on taxi hire each year from 2003 to date in 2008 respectively; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7926/08]

My Department has accounts with a number of taxi companies. I have been informed that approximately 10% of taxis in each company are wheelchair accessible.

The amount spent on taxis by my Department since 2003 is set out in the table below. These figures comprise payments to both the firms with whom my Department has accounts and taxis used by officials in my Department as part of normal work related travel arrangements, both home and abroad.

Year

Amount Spent on Taxis

2003

77,356

2004

96,424

2005

64,659

2006

70,644

2007

79,418

2008 to-date

7,772

The use of taxis by agencies under the remit of my Department is an operational matter for the agencies themselves.

Grant Payments.

Beverley Flynn

Question:

296 Deputy Beverley Flynn asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the payments that were received from her Department by persons (details supplied) in County Mayo for the years 2001 and 2002. [7949/08]

The persons named were granted a herd number by my Department on 12 October 2001. According to my Department's records, the persons named submitted no applications under the Livestock Premia Schemes or the Disadvantaged Areas Scheme in respect of the 2001 or 2002 scheme years. An application was lodged under the Rural Environment Protection Scheme (REPS) on 3 September 2002. My Department issued payment in respect of this application in February 2003.

The persons named applied for an allocation of entitlements under category D of the 2005 Single Payment Scheme National Reserve. Category D catered for farmers who commenced farming after 31 December 2002 or who, having commenced farming during 2002, did not draw down any direct payments in that year. The application was deemed ineligible as the persons named commenced farming in 2001. On a re-examination of the file it appears that the persons named purchased land in 2002. They might therefore qualify for an allocation from the 2005 National Reserve under category B(1)(investment in land) While the persons named did not apply to the 2005 National Reserve under this category my Department will now examine the case again with a view to making an allocation from the 2005 National Reserve. The persons named will be informed of the outcome in writing.

Forestry Sector.

Paul Connaughton

Question:

297 Deputy Paul Connaughton asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when the new agro-forestry scheme will be introduced; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7971/08]

The forestry programme of the National Development Plan 2007 to 2013 provides for the introduction of a number of new schemes that will encourage and support Irish forestry. State Aid approval for the afforestation schemes, including an agro-forestry scheme, was received from the European Commission on 13 September 2007. I have already introduced the new Afforestation Scheme and the new Forest Environmental Protection Scheme, as well as the new Native Woodland Scheme, all of which are key to the growth of the afforestation programme. The agro-forestry scheme is another strand to this and represents a completely new approach to afforestation for Ireland. I intend to consult widely before drawing up the detail of the scheme. This process will begin over the coming months and the scheme itself will be launched as soon as possible thereafter.

Bovine Disease Controls.

Damien English

Question:

298 Deputy Damien English asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if her Department have plans to relax the regulations regarding meat and bone meal; if so, if her Department will allow MBM to be used as fertilizer in the coming years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8009/08]

The Irish rendering industry produced 151,000 tonnes of meat and bone-meal (MBM) in 2007. The use or disposal of this material is strictly controlled under Regulation (EC) No. 1774 of 2002 and the bulk of MBM produced continues to be disposed of by way of export for incineration. My policy is to encourage alternative uses of MBM in Ireland and I am aware of proposals to use MBM in the production of fertilizer.

Commission Regulation 181 of 2006 allowed the application of MBM based fertilisers subject to a grazing restriction of 21 days. The Regulation further permits Member States to introduce stricter national controls. Landspread of organic fertilisers containing Category 3 MBM is permitted in this country under S.I. No. 615 of 2006 subject to such controls, including a requirement that the fertiliser go through a process of technical transformation to render it unpalatable to animals; a 3-year prohibition on grazing by farmed animals where the fertiliser is applied; a 12-month prohibition on making silage or hay where the material is applied; prohibition on access by farmed animals to the fertiliser; a requirement that the fertiliser must not come into contact with feed; and the registration of end-users subject to conditions laid down by the Department.

Ireland has traditionally taken advantage of flexibility to introduce stricter national controls to counter the risk of BSE and other diseases such as foot-and-mouth disease in the context of protecting public and animal health and to safeguard our very important beef export industry. My Department is currently engaged in a review of regulations in this area with a view to possible relaxation in light of the significantly reduced incidence of BSE.

Damien English

Question:

299 Deputy Damien English asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if her Department has had discussions with companies that are considering using meat and bone meal as fertilizer; if in these discussions annual tonnage forecasts were discussed for said use of MBM; the details of same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8010/08]

The Irish rendering industry produced 151,000 tonnes of MBM in 2007. The use or disposal of this material is strictly controlled under Regulation (EC) No. 1774 of 2002 and the bulk of MBM produced continues to be disposed of by way of export for incineration.

My policy is to encourage alternative uses of MBM in Ireland. In excess of 20,000 tonnes of MBM was used in cement manufacture during 2007 as a very useful replacement for fossil fuels. I am also aware of proposals to use Category 3 MBM in the production of fertilizer. Landspread of organic fertilisers containing Category 3 MBM is permitted in this country under S.I. No. 615 of 2006, subject to certain restrictions.

I can confirm that officials of my Department have had initial discussions with a number of parties interested in the use of MBM in fertilizer. As the information concerned is commercially sensitive, I cannot disclose the details of any forecasts discussed during those meetings regarding how much MBM might be used for this purpose.

Food Industry.

Phil Hogan

Question:

300 Deputy Phil Hogan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the reason for the delay in granting the necessary approval for a company (details supplied) in respect of food inspections; if she will intervene as a matter of urgency to complete the necessary inspections with a view to granting a licence to the firm in the interests of 14 posts of employment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8100/08]

The food business operator in this matter is currently approved for a number of activities under the European Communities (Food and Feed Hygiene) Regulations, 2005 (S.I. No. 910 of 2005).

An application was received in my Department, on 8th February 2008, for approval in respect of additional activity. My Department sought additional information, which is required in order to evaluate the recent application, from the food business operator. This information has now been received and it is intended that the Department's Veterinary Public Health Inspection Service will carry out an on-site inspection, as required by the European food hygiene regulations in order to assess the suitability of the establishment for approval, on Thursday 28th February 2008.

Grant Payments.

Michael Ring

Question:

301 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will receive the remainder of their single payment scheme 2007 payment. [8116/08]

The outstanding payment in respect of the 2007 Single Payment Scheme issued to the person named on 21 January 2008 following the completion of the processing of an application to transfer payment entitlements. No further monies are due to the applicant under this Scheme.

National Drugs Strategy.

Catherine Byrne

Question:

302 Deputy Catherine Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Science if and when the University of Limerick carried out and published the survey of the SPHE programme in post primary schools, as it was assigned to do under the national drugs strategy 2001 to 2008; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7626/08]

The University of Limerick was requested by the SPHE Management Committee to carry out an evaluation of Implementation of SPHE at Junior Cycle in 2002. Two other evaluation reports were completed in 2003 — Review of SPHE at Junior Cycle by the SPHE Support Service (Rita Burtenshaw) Review of Records of In-Sevice Training for Teachers of SPHE (David Millar).

The findings from these three Evaluation Reports were published in a document entitled The SPHE Story — an example of incremental change in the school setting. This document is available in hard copy as well as on the SPHE website at http://www.sphe.ie/.

Substance Use is one of ten modules addressed in the SPHE curriculum and as such was included in the evaluating process. The National Drugs Strategy did not provide the impetus for the commissioning of the report carried out by the University of Limerick, nor indeed for either of the other reports mentioned above.

The Departments commitments under the Strategy did include the delivery of the SPHE programme in all Second level schools. (Action 33 refers) This has been mandatory for all Junior Cycle pupils since September 2003.

Departmental Expenditure.

Brian Hayes

Question:

303 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Education and Science the total money spent on the primary school building programme in 2007, with a breakdown of expenditure under the different schemes within the building programme, if there were funds left over from the original budget provided and if so the position regarding this funding; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7415/08]

The total money spent on the Primary School Building Programme in 2007 was €398.555m. No funds were left over from the original budget and indeed an additional €92.555m was spent in excess of the original provision for the year. The breakdown of this expenditure is contained in the document below.

The total spend figure of €398.555m is inclusive of an adjustment amounting to €27.1m that was conducted in the course of the year relating to 2006 payments to OPW for remediation works (€20m) and site purchases (€7.1m). The adjustment is reflected fully in the expenditure figures for both remediation works and site purchases in the following table.

Primary Capital Spend 2007

€m

Major Projects: New Buildings, Extensions and Refurbishment

145.363

Summer Works

55.591

Minor Works Grant

27.593

Small Schools Scheme/Initiative

43.445

Permanent Accommodation Scheme

19.133

Contingency

18.195

Site Purchase

35.218

Remediation Programmes

34.430

Other (including Furniture, Young Offenders, CLÁR etc)

19.587

Total

398.555

Schools Building Projects.

Brian Hayes

Question:

304 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Education and Science the names of primary schools in each county where school building projects were progressed to construction during 2007 under the major capital works scheme. [7416/08]

Brian Hayes

Question:

305 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Education and Science the names of primary schools in each county where school building projects were progressed to completion during 2007 under the major capital works scheme. [7417/08]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 304 and 305 together.

During 2007 a total of eighty five large scale projects were under way in the primary school sector. Of these projects thirty seven reached practical completion while the remaining forty eight are still in the construction phase. The details are shown in the attached tabular statement.

Large Scale Primary Projects under Construction During 2007 but not yet Completed

County

Roll No

School

1

Cavan

19983B

St Clare’s NS Ballyjamesduff

2

Cork

19433M

Holy Family SS, Charleville

3

Cork

20204E

Kilworth NS, Cork

4

Donegal

17036P

SN Naomh Colmchille. Killmacrennan

5

Dublin

16786H

St. Brigid’s Convent NS, The Coombe

6

Dublin

20186F

Castaheany Educate Together, Ongar, D.15

7

Dublin

19946S

Rutland Street NS, Dublin 1

8

Dublin

20060G

Monkstown Educate Together NS

9

Laois

15556I

Portarlington Convent NS

10

Mayo

15866A

Carrakennedy NS, Westport

11

Meath

18044T

SN Naomh Padraig, Stamullen

12

Monaghan

20120V

Scoil Chroi Ro Naofa, Clones

13

Sligo

19688W

Dromore West Central NS

14

Tipperary

19968F

Gaelscoil Durlas Eile

15

Westmeath

16914N

Baile Coiréil NS, Coralstown

16

Westmeath

19948W

SN gCeithre Maistrí, Diseart Mhuire, Bothar na Dithreibhe

17

Wicklow

06176U

Blessington No 1 NS

18

Carlow

14837L

SN Peadar agus Pol, Ballon

19

Cavan

11541V

Dromaili SN

20

Cork

18279A

Carrigaline 3 NS Carragline

21

Donegal

19553W

Dungloe Central

22

Dublin

19015R

St. Joseph’s Girls National School, Finglas,

23

Dublin

19945Q

Rathfarnham Educate Together, Loreto Avenue

24

Dublin

20048O

Gaelscoil Lios na nOg, Dublin 6

25

Dublin

20091R

St Peters NS, Phibsboro

26

Galway

17198S

SN Muire Gan Smal, Ballinasloe

27

Galway

17485C

Briarhill NS

28

Galway

17771W

Lisheenkyle NS

29

Galway

20115F

Scoil Einne, Spiddeal

30

Kerry

19548G

Nano Nagle NS Lixnaw

31

Kildare

00779U

Presentation Convent, Maynooth

32

Kildare

08099P

St Laurence’s NS, Sallins

33

Kilkenny

15340I

Carrigeen NS

34

Laois

16617H

Ballyadams NS

35

Laois

20118L

Scoil Bhride, Clonaslee

36

Leitrim

20203C

Mohill NS

37

Limerick

08926B

St Nicholas Church of Ireland School, Adare

38

Louth

17124M

Ardee Monastery

39

Mayo

19916J

St Peter’s NS, Snugboro, Castlebar

40

Offaly

11203B

St Kieran’s NS, Clareen

41

Tipperary

18207V

SN Baile an Atha, Killaloe

42

Waterford

13635R

Ballyduff NS, Kilmeaden

43

Waterford

18462O

Scoil Lorcain, Ballytruckle

44

Waterford

19539F

St. Pauls Junior School, Lisduggan

45

Waterford

19853L

Gaelscoil Portláirge

46

Wexford

14254K

SN Mhuire, Danescastle

47

Wexford

16145P

Loreto Primary School Gorey

48

Wexford

19739N

Scoil Mhuire Coolcotts

Large Scale Primary Projects Completed in 2007

County

Roll No

School

1

Carlow

18615N

SN Ceartarlach, Green Road, Carlow

2

Carlow

19315G

St Laserians Special School, Carlow

3

Clare

04548V

Clonlara NS

4

Clare

17026M

Clarecastle BNS

5

Cork

07242M

Cloghroe Mxd BlarneyCo. Cork

6

Cork

13747F

Riverstown NS Glanmire

7

Cork

17050J

SN Naomh Sheamuis, Durras

8

Donegal

17018N

Scoil Phadraig, Dobhair

9

Donegal

19411C

SN Baile Raighin, Letterkenny

10

Dublin

13612F

Presentation Convent, Terenure

11

Dublin

16629O

Kilternan Church of Ireland NS

12

Dublin

19320W

Our Lady of Good Counsel Boys NS Johnstown

13

Dublin

19500B

Phoenix Park Spec Sch

14

Dublin

19613O

Scoil Cnoc Mhuire Sin Knockmore Ave

15

Dublin

19646G

Scoil Santain Bothar na Habhann Mor Tallaght

16

Dublin

20098I

Castleknock ETNS, Beechpark

17

Dublin

20137P

Mary Mother of Hope NS, Castaheaney

18

Dublin

20194E

Adamstown National School -First school

19

Dublin

20194E

Adamstown National School — Second school

20

Galway

17631G

Ceathru na nGarrdhanta Tuam

21

Kerry

10050U

St. Gertrudes NS Scairt Liath

22

Kerry

20111U

Rathmore NS

23

Kildare

13328I

St. Patrick’s NS, Newbridge, Co. Kildare

24

Kildare

19897I

Scoil Uí Riada Kilcock

25

Kilkenny

17905T

Scoil Naisiunta Tobair Eoin

26

Laois

15537E

Ballyfin NS

27

Laois

18641O

SN Naomh EoinKillenard Portarlington

28

Limerick

06936R

St. John’s Convent, Cathedral Place

29

Mayo

18542M

St. Patrick’s, Castlebar

30

Offaly

17056V

Rahan NS

31

Offaly

17540D

SN Mhanachain an Tobar Tubber

32

Offaly

18690E

Scoil Bhride, An Cruachan, Rhode

33

Tipperary

15970S

Ballytarsna

34

Waterford

17351A

SN Mhuire Baile Mhic Gonair

35

Wexford

14492D

Curracloe NS

36

Wexford

17235V

SN Chaomhain Torrchoill Gorey

37

Wicklow

20110S

SN Mhuire Senior School, Blessington

Brian Hayes

Question:

306 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Education and Science the names of primary schools in each county where school building projects were progressed to construction during 2007 under the small schools scheme.. [7418/08]

Brian Hayes

Question:

307 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Education and Science the names of primary schools in each county where school building projects were progressed to completion during 2007 under the small schools scheme.. [7419/08]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 306 and 307 together.

The Small Schools Scheme allows Boards of Management to address their accommodation and building priorities with a guaranteed amount of funding and gives Boards of Management control of the building project. The details of the primary schools sought by the Deputy are given in the following tabular statement.

Project Completed in 2007

County

Roll No.

School

Cavan

14073G

Castletara National School

Cavan

14211P

Laragh National School No. 2

Clare

02439G

Scoil Mhuire, Feakle

Clare

03898U

Toonagh National School

Clare

03928D

Mullach National School

Clare

15350L

Stonehall National School

Clare

18696Q

Doora National School

Cork

04442F

Kyle National School

Cork

10243I

Ahiohill National School

Cork

12292I

Canover National School

Cork

17324U

Hollymount National School

Donegal

15208I

Stramore National School

Donegal

15729N

Rathmullen National School

Donegal

16279N

Ballyheerin National School

Donegal

16375J

Frosses National School

Donegal

17447N

Crannog Bui

Donegal

17822N

S N Min a Chladaigh

Donegal

18250W

S N Baile Mor

Donegal

19235I

Portlea National School

Donegal

19252I

S N Umlach

Galway

10591I

S N an Ard Mor

Galway

12574S

Lurga National School

Galway

12782C

Kilcoona National School

Galway

14425L

Derrybrier National School

Galway

16596C

Abbey National School

Galway

18163E

Annaghdown National School

Galway

18608Q

Claddaghduff National School

Kerry

17072T

Killocrim National School

Kerry

18590A

S N Erc Ballyheiigue

Kilkenny

14476F

Wandesforde National School

Laois

16160L

Clonaghadoo National School

Leitrim

08390J

Masterson National School

Leitrim

18589P

Kilthclogher National School

Limerick

18030I

Caherelly National School

Longford

10223C

Tashinny National School

Mayo

12936D

Cloonlyon National School

Mayo

13555T

Fahy National School

Mayo

16630W

Ceara National School

Mayo

17082W

Hollymount National School

Mayo

17176I

Mulranny National School

Mayo

17482P

Clogher National School

Meath

17029S

Cushenstown National School

Roscommon

06100K

Keadue National School

Roscommon

10967E

Tureen National School

Roscommon

13047A

Lisacul National School

Sligo

09691F

Killeenduff National School

Sligo

16136O

Cliffoney National School

Sligo

16927W

Kilmactranny National School

Sligo

18029A

Drimina National School

Tipperary

17511T

S N Baile an Iubhair

Tipperary

17608L

Lorrha National School

Waterford

11969N

Carrickbeg National School

Westmeath

17806P

Kilcleagh National School

Cavan

17240O

Tunnyduff National School

Sligo

03924S

Owenbeg National School

Cavan

17630E

S N Maodhog, East Knockbride

Cavan

18355N

Knocknagilia National School, Aughadreena

Clare

11765U

Doonbeg National School

Clare

17801F

S N Na Maighdine Muire, Broadford

Donegal

17035N

S N Mhin Teineadh De, Ard A Ratha

Donegal

17956L

Scoil Chomcille Naofa, Ballylast, Castlefin

Galway

16464I

Castleblakeney National School

Kerry

11248A

S N An Ghleanna, An Daingean

Kildare

18179T

S N Bride, Lackagh, Monastervan

Kilkenny

18257N

S N Baile an Fhasaigh, Ballyfacey, Glenmore

Laois

18265M

Bhride National School, Ard Duach, Carlow

Laois

18368W

Mhuire Fatima Nat. School, Timahoe, Portlaoise

Limerick

09702H

St. James National School, Cappagh, Askeaton

Limerick

17138A

Scoil Cill Colmain, Ard Achadh

Longford

15122V

St. Bernard’s National School, Abbeylara

Longford

17644P

Scoil Mhuire, Aughnagarron, Granard

Mayo

18712L

S N Cnoc Ruscaighe, Westport

Meath

16790V

S N Naomh Seosamh Dunsany

Meath

18051Q

Coole National School, Garradice, Kilcock

Offaly

17336E

S N Muire Banrioghan, Dunkerrin

Tipperary

18512D

Scoil Phrionsias Naofa, Garryshane

Waterford

16950R

S N An Carraigh Liath, Dungarvan

Wexford

17612C

St. Galvan’s National School, Caroreigh, Taghmon

Wicklow

12413R

Donaghmore Nat. School, Donaghmore, Donard

Wicklow

16924Q

Caomhin Naofa N. S., Glean Da Lock, Bri Cualann

Projects to Contruction in 2007

County

Roll No.

School

Monaghan

17751E

Clontibret National School, Clontibret

Cavan

15120R

Killyconnan National School, Stradone

Clare

17633K

S N Eoin Baiste, Ballyvaughan

Clare

18630J

Carrigaholt National School, Ennis

Cork

04578H

Ballyvongane Mixed National School Aghina

Cork

12259K

S N Oir Cheann, Eyeries

Cork

18266O

Ballygown National School, Mallow

Cork

18491V

S N Garran an Easaigh, Kilbrittain

Cork

19507P

Scoil Chaitigheirn, Eyeries

Donegal

15847T

S N Leitir Mhic An Bhaird, Lifford

Donegal

17130H

S N Dubhthach, Machaire Ui Rabhartaigh

Donegal

19235I

Portlean National School, Kilmacrennan

Carlow

18024N

Ardattin National School

Donegal

17575W

Glencovitt National School

Cork

13543M

Derrinacahara National School

Galway

10675O

Ballymana National School, Craughwell

Galway

13416F

Lettermullen National School, Galway

Galway

15796F

Currandrum National School, Claregalway

Galway

16596C

St. Feichin’s National School, Abbey, Loughrea

Galway

17007I

S N Ard Raithin, Galway, (Labane NS)

Galway

17051L

Coldwood National School, Craughwell

Galway

17760R

S N Baile An Leasa, Dunmore

Galway

18252D

Scoil Mhuire, Doire, Glinne

Kerry

10326M

Scoil Nuachabhail, Gort a tSleibhe

Kerry

19659P

St. Brendan’s National School, Fenit, Tralee

Laois

15562D

Foxrock National School, Ballacolla (Cloch)

Laois

18203N

Portarlington National School, (Sandy Lane)

Leitrim

16932P

S N Achadh, Mhaolain Garadice

Leitrim

19519W

St. Brid’s Drumcong Central National School

Limerick

07857D

S N Aibhe, Killinure

Limerick

16764U

Kilrneedy National School

Limerick

17184H

Oola National School

Limerick

17299B

Scoil Mhuire, Effin

Limerick

17981K

S N Gleann na gCreabhar Anglesboro

Limerick

18717V

S N Ciarain, Kilfinny

Mayo

12815O

Cregduff National School, Ballinrobe

Mayo

12938H

Taveena National School, Charlestown

Mayo

15014S

Corclough National School

Monaghan

20067U

St. Joseph’s National School, Knockatallon

Offaly

15638K

Edenderry 2 National School

Offaly

16990G

Sn Naomh Callin Roshina

Offaly

18331W

S N Caoimhin Naofa, Clonlisk

Roscommon

13498K

Cloonfour National School, Rooskey

Roscommon

14056G

Mount Talbot National School

Roscommon

17353E

S N Cill Trostain, Strokestown

Sligo

09691F

Killeenduff National School, Easkey

Tipperary

17237C

S N Cill Barthoinn, Coolbawn

Tipperary

17712G

S N Chiarda Naofa, Kilkeary

Tipperary

17799V

S N na Haille, An Mhoin Ard

Tipperary

18085K

Ballyneale National School, Carrick on Suir

Tipperary

18343G

S N Chaoimhghin, Littleton

Tipperary

18396E

S N Rath Eilte, Thurles

Waterford

18048E

S N Naomh Deaglan, Ard Mor

Westmeath

03936C

Coole National School, Mullingar

Westmeath

16340N

Ballinagore Mixed National School

Wicklow

17920N

Donard National School, Co. Wicklow

Galway

01000E

Esker National School

Galway

17764C

Ballyturn National School

Kerry

18214S

Kilconta National School

Limerick

04466T

Mainister National School

Tipperary

16166A

Carrig National School

Tipperary

18465U

Lissenhall National School

Schools Refurbishment.

Brian Hayes

Question:

308 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Education and Science the names of the primary schools in each county which received capital funding under the summer works scheme and the total funding provided for each county under the scheme.. [7420/08]

In the period from 2004 to 2007 around 3000 building projects for primary and post-primary schools were approved for funding under the Summer Works Scheme at a cost in excess of €300m. The following tabular statement gives details of the schools approved for funding in 2007. I have arranged for the details of the capital funding approved by county to be forwarded to the Deputy.

Sector

County

Roll No.

School

Address

Project

Primary Schools

Carlow

01116A

Baile An Chuilinn N S

Muinebeag

General Upgrade to Toilets

Primary Schools

Carlow

02124E

Scoil Nais Molaise

Old Leighlin, Via Bilboa

Upgrade Mechanical

Primary Schools

Carlow

13607M

St Columbas N S

Tullow

Conversion Works

Primary Schools

Carlow

16080N

S N Phadraig Naofa

Patrician Brothers, Tullow

Partial Replacement of Windows

Primary Schools

Carlow

17053P

Bishop Foley Memorial School

Carlow

Upgrade Electrical

Primary Schools

Carlow

17663T

St Patricks N S

Rathvilly

Replacement of Windows & yard

Primary Schools

Carlow

18424G

Scoil Nais Iosef Naofa

Carlow

General Upgrade to Toilets

Primary Schools

Carlow

19784S

St Laserians Mxd Ns

Leighlinbridge

Tarmacing

Primary Schools

Carlow

19784S

St Laserians Mxd Ns

Leighlinbridge

Ramps

Primary Schools

Carlow

19958C

S.N. Naomh Fhiach

Graiguecullen

Upgrade Mechanical

Primary Schools

Cavan

01356U

S.N. Naomh Fhiach

Kilnaleck

Complete Replacement of Windows

Primary Schools

Cavan

08453H

Crubany NS

Cruabanai

Upgrade Mechanical

Primary Schools

Cavan

08490N

St Clares Primary School

Cavan

Complete Replacement of Windows

Primary Schools

Cavan

16093W

Ballyconnell Mxd N S

Ballyconnell

Complete Replacement of Windows

Primary Schools

Cavan

16390F

Scoil Bhride

Killshandra

Complete Replacement of Windows

Primary Schools

Cavan

17240O

Tunnyduff NS

Killshandra

Complete Replacement of Windows

Primary Schools

Cavan

17990L

S N Drom Cnamh

Drom Cnamh

General Upgrade to Toilets

Primary Schools

Cavan

18355N

Knocknagilla N S

An Sraith Doimhin

Complete Replacement of Windows

Primary Schools

Cavan

18355N

Knocknagilla N S

An Sraith Doimhin

Sewerage

Primary Schools

Cavan

19202Q

Drumkilly Ns

Kilnaleck

Complete Replacement of Windows

Primary Schools

Cavan

19285A

Kill N S

Cootehill

Upgrade Mechanical

Primary Schools

Cavan

19378H

Ballynarry N S

Drung

Boiler Replacement

Primary Schools

Cavan

19608V

St Killians N S

Mullagh

Complete Replacement of Windows

Primary Schools

Cavan

20172R

St Josephs N S

Kingscourt

Partial Replacement of Windows

Primary Schools

Clare

02439G

S N Mhuire

Feakle

Partial Replacement of Windows

Primary Schools

Clare

03928D

Mullach N S

Mullach, Ennis

Car Parking

Primary Schools

Clare

03928D

Mullach N S

Mullach, Ennis

Sewerage

Primary Schools

Clare

03928D

Mullach N S

Mullach, Ennis

Upgrade Electrical

Primary Schools

Clare

04919H

Cratloe N S

Cratloe

Complete Replacement of Windows

Sector

County

Roll No.

School

Address

Project

Primary Schools

Clare

07315N

Holy Family Snr

Ennis

Conversion Works

Primary Schools

Clare

10191P

Coore NS

Mullach, Inis

Conversion Works

Primary Schools

Clare

13876Q

Moveen N S

Kilkee

Conversion Works

Primary Schools

Clare

14468G

Kilmaley N S

Ennis

Resource Room

Primary Schools

Clare

15370R

Killaloe Boys N S

Killaloe

Repairs of Roof

Primary Schools

Clare

16908S

Sixmilebridge N S

Ennis

Upgrade Electrical

Primary Schools

Clare

17020A

Quilty Ns

Quilty, Ennis

Partial Replacement of Roof

Primary Schools

Clare

17270A

S N Colm Cille

Inis Diomain

Complete Replacement of Windows

Primary Schools

Clare

17633K

S N Eoin Baiste

Ballyvaughan, Via Galway

Builders Work

Primary Schools

Clare

17633K

S N Eoin Baiste

Ballyvaughan, Via Galway

Conversion Works

Primary Schools

Clare

17633K

S N Eoin Baiste

Ballyvaughan, Via Galway

Repairs of Roof

Primary Schools

Clare

17633K

S N Eoin Baiste

Ballyvaughan, Via Galway

Upgrade Electrical

Primary Schools

Clare

17633K

S N Eoin Baiste

Ballyvaughan, Via Galway

Widening Doors/Entrances

Primary Schools

Clare

17633K

S N Eoin Baiste

Ballyvaughan, Via Galway

General Upgrade to Toilets

Primary Schools

Clare

17832Q

Kilnaboy N S

Ennis

Complete Replacement of Roof

Primary Schools

Clare

18339P

Sn Iosef Naofa

An Mhaigh, Leacht Ui Chonchubhair, Inis,

Repairs of Roof

Primary Schools

Clare

18540I

Cluain Draigneach

Cluain Draighneach, Lios Ui Chatasai, Ennis,

Upgrade Electrical

Primary Schools

Clare

18696Q

S N Dubh Rath

Caislean An Chlar, Doora, Ennis,

Ramps

Primary Schools

Clare

19552U

St. Tola's NS

Shannon

Complete Replacement of Windows

Primary Schools

Clare

20127M

Scoil Na Maighdine Mhuire

Cora Chaithlin, Newmarket on Fergus, Inis,

Repairs of Roof

Primary Schools

Cork

00467B

Ballinspittle N S

Kinsale

Partial Replacement of Roof

Primary Schools

Cork

01197D

Strawberry Hill B N S

Sundays Well, Cork

Upgrade Electrical

Primary Schools

Cork

02707F

Sundays Well G N S

Cork

Toilet Facilities

Primary Schools

Cork

04054T

Ballindangan Mixed N S

Mitchelstown

Complete Replacement of Windows

Primary Schools

Cork

04152T

S N Cnoc An Bhile

Upton

Access for all

Primary Schools

Cork

04578H

Ballyvongane Mixed N S

Aghina

Upgrade Electrical

Primary Schools

Cork

07006A

Ballyclough Mixed N S

Mallow

Upgrade of Windows

Primary Schools

Cork

07101R

Inchiclough N S

Bantry

Builders Work

Primary Schools

Cork

08430S

Scoil Naomh Seosamh

Skibbereen

Partial Replacement of Windows

Sector

County

Roll No.

School

Address

Project

Primary Schools

Cork

09161W

Our Lady Of Mercy N S

Bantry

Ramps

Primary Schools

Cork

09537S

Ballinadee N S

Bandon

Sewerage

Primary Schools

Cork

10724B

South Abbey N S

Youghal

Repairs of Roof

Primary Schools

Cork

12041G

St John The Baptist N S

Middleton

Ramps

Primary Schools

Cork

12169J

Templebrady NS

Crosshaven

Erecting Partitions

Primary Schools

Cork

12259K

S N Oir Cheann

Eyeries, Bantry

General Upgrade to Toilets

Primary Schools

Cork

12292I

Canovee Mixed N S

Carrigadrohid

Partial Replacement of Windows

Primary Schools

Cork

12292I

Canovee Mixed N S

Carrigadrohid

Upgrade Electrical

Primary Schools

Cork

12292I

Canovee Mixed N S

Carrigadrohid

Toilet Facilities

Primary Schools

Cork

12447L

Baltydaniel N S

Mallow

Widening Doors/Entrances

Primary Schools

Cork

12473M

Greenmount Monastery N S

Scoil Muire Na Ngras, Greenmount

General Upgrade to Toilets

Primary Schools

Cork

13031I

St Josephs Convent N S

Rathluirc

General Upgrade to Toilets

Primary Schools

Cork

13375R

Scoil Bhride

Cros Mhathuna, Bandon

Complete Replacement of Windows

Primary Schools

Cork

13483U

S N Ath Na Lionta

Mallow

Repairs of Roof

Primary Schools

Cork

13647B

Castlemartyr N S

Castlemartyr

Upgrade Electrical

Primary Schools

Cork

13648D

St Lukes Mxd N S

Mahonys Ave, Cork

Conversion Works

Primary Schools

Cork

13661S

Dunmanway Convent N S

Dunmanway

Partial Replacement of Roof

Primary Schools

Cork

13663W

Lower Glanmire N S

Glanmire

Partial Replacement of Windows

Primary Schools

Cork

13910N

S N Bun An Tsabhairne

Crosshaven

Repairs of Roof

Primary Schools

Cork

14000C

Scoil Naomh Mhuire

N Mhuire An Oileain, Sharman, Crawford St,

General Upgrade to Toilets

Primary Schools

Cork

14014N

S N Baile Deasmumhan

Mallow

General Upgrade to Toilets

Primary Schools

Cork

14107U

Castletownroche N S

Castletownroche

General Upgrade to Toilets

Primary Schools

Cork

14198D

Naomh Eoin Easpal

Mayfield

General Upgrade to Toilets

Primary Schools

Cork

14433K

Abbeystrewry N S

Skibbereen

Partial Replacement of Windows

Primary Schools

Cork

15563F

Lisheen Mixed N S

Skibbereen

Ceiling Repairs

Primary Schools

Cork

15594Q

Grange Fermoy N S

Fermoy

General Upgrade to Toilets

Primary Schools

Cork

16128P

Mitchelstown Con N S

Mitchelstown

General Upgrade to Toilets

Primary Schools

Cork

16128P

Mitchelstown Con N S

Mitchelstown

Partial Replacement of Windows

Primary Schools

Cork

16128P

Mitchelstown Con N S

Mitchelstown

Upgrade Electrical

Sector

County

Roll No.

School

Address

Project

Primary Schools

Cork

16159D

Mallow Con N S

Mallow

Partial Replacement of Roof

Primary Schools

Cork

16339F

S N Iosef Naofa

Mardyke, Cork

Spalling Concrete

Primary Schools

Cork

16680O

Scoil Colmcille

Blarney St, Cork

Upgrade Mechanical

Primary Schools

Cork

16901E

S N Padraig Naofa N B

Skibbereen

Upgrade of Windows

Primary Schools

Cork

17103E

St Marys Girls Convent

Carrigtwohill

Upgrade Electrical

Primary Schools

Cork

17112F

Ballyhea N S

Ballyhea, Rathluirc

General Upgrade to Toilets

Primary Schools

Cork

17300G

Lios Maighir

Newmarket

General Upgrade to Toilets

Primary Schools

Cork

17300G

Lios Maighir

Newmarket

Partial Replacement of Roof

Primary Schools

Cork

17300G

Lios Maighir

Newmarket

Upgrade Play Area

Primary Schools

Cork

17324U

Scoil Naomh Breandan

Cnoc An Chuilinn, An Rath Mhor

Repairs of Roof

Primary Schools

Cork

17363H

Sn Cros Tseain

Bun An Tabhairne, Corcaigh

Partial Replacement of Windows

Primary Schools

Cork

17528N

S N Naomh Caitriona

Connaithe Conna, Mallow

Partial Replacement of Roof

Primary Schools

Cork

17600S

S N Na Scairte Leithe

Saleen Cloyne, Midldeton

Complete Replacement of Roof

Primary Schools

Cork

17639W

Scoil Na Mbraithre

Mitchelstown

Complete Replacement of Windows

Primary Schools

Cork

17715M

S N Rath A Bharraigh

Clonakilty

Complete Replacement of Roof

Primary Schools

Cork

17754W

S N Naomh Eoin B

Ballincollig

Complete Replacement of Roof

Primary Schools

Cork

17761T

S N Mhuire

Araglinn, Cill Uird

Complete Replacement of Roof

Primary Schools

Cork

17790D

Curraghagalla N S

Kilworth

Upgrade Electrical

Primary Schools

Cork

17794L

S N An Phairc

Youghal

Partial Replacement of Roof

Primary Schools

Cork

18020F

S N An Gharrain

Upton

Sewerage

Primary Schools

Cork

18128C

S N Mhuire Mxd

Coisceim, Mallow

General Upgrade to Toilets

Primary Schools

Cork

18153B

S N Padraig Naofa C

Dillons Cross, Cork

Complete Replacement of Windows

Primary Schools

Cork

18196T

S N Gleannamhain

Glanworth

Complete Replacement of Windows

Primary Schools

Cork

18266O

Ballygown N S

Ballygown, Mallow

General Upgrade to Toilets

Primary Schools

Cork

18266O

Ballygown N S

Ballygown, Mallow

Other External Environment

Primary Schools

Cork

18266O

Ballygown N S

Ballygown, Mallow

Partial Replacement of Roof

Primary Schools

Cork

18266O

Ballygown N S

Ballygown, Mallow

Gates

Primary Schools

Cork

18278V

S N Faill O Gcobhthaigh

Ballydesmond, Mallow

Complete Replacement of Windows

Primary Schools

Cork

18356P

S N Barra Naofa

Scoil Barra, Sraid Gillabbey

General Upgrade to Toilets

Sector

County

Roll No.

School

Address

Project

Primary Schools

Cork

18356P

S N Barra Naofa

Scoil Barra, Sraid Gillabbey

Upgrade Play Area

Primary Schools

Cork

18431D

Sn Droichead Na Bandan

Bandon

Internal/External Doors

Primary Schools

Cork

18491V

S N Garran An Easaigh

Killbrittain

General Upgrade to Toilets

Primary Schools

Cork

18535P

St. Johns Girls N S

Ballea Rd, Carrigaline

Internal/External Doors

Primary Schools

Cork

18566D

S N Athair Maitiu C

An Tochair, Corcaigh

Partial Replacement of Roof

Primary Schools

Cork

18587L

Scoil Mhuire Banrion

Mayfield, Cork

Partial Replacement of Windows

Primary Schools

Cork

19231A

S N Barra Naofa Bhuach

Beaumount, Cork

Erecting paritions

Primary Schools

Cork

19231A

S N Barra Naofa Bhuach

Beaumount, Cork

Roof repairs

Primary Schools

Cork

19348V

Newcestown N S

Newcestown, Bandon

Complete Replacement of Windows

Primary Schools

Cork

19404F

Sn Mhuire

Ballyhooley

Other Structural

Primary Schools

Cork

19420D

Sn Fhiachna

Gleann Garbh

Upgrade Electrical

Primary Schools

Cork

19426P

St Marks BNS

The Glen, Cork City

Widening Doors/Entrances

Primary Schools

Cork

19507P

Scoil Chaitigheirn

Na Haorai, Beanntrai

Upgrade Mechanical

Primary Schools

Cork

19759T

St Marys Special School

Rochestown, Cork

Ramps

Primary Schools

Cork

19760E

Scoil Triest

Lota, Cork

Upgrade Mechanical

Primary Schools

Cork

19882S

Scoil An Athair Tadhg O Murchu,

Duglas,Corcaigh

Repairs of Roof

Primary Schools

Cork

19908K

Gaelscoil Mhachan

Carraig Dubh, Corcaigh

General Upgrade to Toilets

Primary Schools

Cork

20077A

Scoil An Spioraid Naomh (Boys)

Bishopstown, Cork

Complete Replacement of Windows

Primary Schools

Cork

20140E

Scoil Mhuire Fatima

North Monastery, Cork

Partial Replacement of Windows

Primary Schools

Cork

20162O

Sonas Special Primaryjunior School

Carrigaline

Sewerage

Primary Schools

Donegal

05164I

Scoil Naomh Cholmcille

Oilean Thorai, An Bhun Bhig

Repairs to Cracks

Primary Schools

Donegal

14631O

Scoil Cholmchille

Malin, Lifford

Complete Replacement of Windows

Primary Schools

Donegal

14910S

Castlefin 1 B N S

Castlefin

Conversion Works

Primary Schools

Donegal

15729N

Rathmullen N S

Rathmullen

Upgrade Electrical

Primary Schools

Donegal

15729N

Rathmullen N S

Rathmullen

Upgrade Mechanical

Primary Schools

Donegal

16384K

Sn Arainn Mhor Ii

Arainn Mhor

Repairs of Roof

Primary Schools

Donegal

16837V

S N Duchoraidh

Duchoraidh

Complete Replacement of Roof

Primary Schools

Donegal

17130H

Scoil Naomh Dubhthach

Machaire Ui Rabhartaigh, Gort A Choirce, Letterkenny,

Ramps

Sector

County

Roll No.

School

Address

Project

Primary Schools

Donegal

17447N

S N Crannaighe Buidhe

Crannog Bui, Ardara

Car Parking

Primary Schools

Donegal

17447N

S N Crannaighe Buidhe

Crannog Bui, Ardara

General Upgrade to Toilets

Primary Schools

Donegal

17447N

S N Crannaighe Buidhe

Crannog Bui, Ardara

Partial Replacement of Windows

Primary Schools

Donegal

17552K

Scoil Bhrighde

Porthall, Lifford

Complete Replacement of Roof

Primary Schools

Donegal

17598L

Sn An Leinbh Iosa

Coxtown, Carrigans

Partial Replacement of Roof

Primary Schools

Donegal

17704H

S N Fhionnain

Baile Chonaill, An Falcarrach

Partial Replacement of Roof

Primary Schools

Donegal

17721H

Scoil Treasa Naofa

Malainn, Lifford

Complete Replacement of Windows

Primary Schools

Donegal

17822N

Scoil Bhrighde

Min A Chladhaigh, Gort A Choirce

Sewerage

Primary Schools

Donegal

18007N

S N Olibhear Pluinceid

Rann Na Feirste, Anagaire

Partial Replacement of Roof

Primary Schools

Donegal

18076J

Sn Muire Gan Smal

Leithbhearr

Upgrade Electrical

Primary Schools

Donegal

18129E

Scoil Naomh Peadar

Mountcharles

Partial Replacement of Roof

Primary Schools

Donegal

18250W

S N Baile Mor

Dunfanaghy Po, Letterkenny

Conversion Works

Primary Schools

Donegal

18250W

S N Baile Mor

Dunfanaghy Po, Letterkenny

Toilet Facilities

Primary Schools

Donegal

18421A

Sn Dun Ceannfhaolaidh

Dun Ceannfhaolaidh

Partial Replacement of Windows

Primary Schools

Donegal

18791K

Scoil Cholmcille

Droim An Mhaoir, Moville

Upgrade Mechanical

Primary Schools

Donegal

19252I

S N Umlach

Carrigart

Complete Replacement of Windows

Primary Schools

Dublin

00714P

Lucan B N S

Lucan

Upgrade Electrical

Primary Schools

Dublin

05600C

Clochar San Dominic

Dunlaoghaire

Upgrade Electrical

Primary Schools

Dublin

12014D

St Andrews N S

Lucan

Upgrade Electrical

Primary Schools

Dublin

15132B

Harold Boys N S

Dalkey

Upgrade Mechanical

Primary Schools

Dublin

15622S

St Patricks N S

Chapelizod Village, Chapelizod

Classroom

Primary Schools

Dublin

15895H

Drumcondra N S

Church Avenue, Drumcondra

Repairs of Roof

Primary Schools

Dublin

16659A

St Columbas Con G & I

Iona Road, Glasnevin

Upgrade Electrical

Primary Schools

Dublin

17148D

S N Eoin Baisde G Sen

Seafield Road, Clontarf

Repairs of Roof

Primary Schools

Dublin

17210F

Clochar Lughaidh Cailin

Williams Park, Rathmines

General Upgrade to Toilets

Primary Schools

Dublin

17211H

Clochar Lughaidh Naoidh

Williams Park, Rathmines

Partial Replacement of Windows

Primary Schools

Dublin

17284L

Baldoyle B N S

Scoil Naisiunta Baile Duill, Br Clochaise

Repairs of Roof

Primary Schools

Dublin

17470I

St Raphaelas N S

Upper Kilmacud Road, Stillorgan

General Upgrade to Toilets

Primary Schools

Dublin

17569E

Blessed Oliver N S

Baile An Ridire, Baile Brigin

Complete Replacement of Roof

Sector

County

Roll No.

School

Address

Project

Primary Schools

Dublin

17899C

Scoil Carmel

Teach Giuise, Tallaght

Partial Replacement of Windows

Primary Schools

Dublin

17954H

Scoil Caoimhin Naofa

Mount Merrion, Blackrock

Change System from Oil to Gas

Primary Schools

Dublin

17961E

S N Lusca

Lusk

Complete Replacement of Roof

Primary Schools

Dublin

17970F

Our Lady of Mercy Convent School

Baile An Bhothair

Ramps

Primary Schools

Dublin

17971H

St Michaels Spec School

Glenmaroon, Chapelizod

Complete Replacement of Windows

Primary Schools

Dublin

18080A

Scoil Mhuire Mxd

Tucketts Lane, Howth

Upgrade Mechanical

Primary Schools

Dublin

18170B

Sn Muire Na Freastogala

Siuracha Na Carthanachr, Baile Uailcin

Complete Replacement of Windows

Primary Schools

Dublin

18171D

Our Lady Assumption Boys N S

Siuracha Na Carthanacha, Baile Uailcin

Complete Replacement of Windows

Primary Schools

Dublin

18173H

S N Briotas

Brittas

Complete Replacement of Windows

Primary Schools

Dublin

18173H

S N Briotas

Brittas

Upgrade Play Area

Primary Schools

Dublin

18455R

Our Lady Of Assumption

Siuracha Na Carthanacha, Baile Uailcin

Complete Replacement of Windows

Primary Schools

Dublin

18499O

St Augustines School

Obelisk Park, Blackrock

Partial Replacement of Windows

Primary Schools

Dublin

18806U

Kilternan N S 1

Kilternan

Resource Room

Primary Schools

Dublin

18817C

S N Brighde

Cullenswood House, Br Feadha Cuilinn

Covered Walkway

Primary Schools

Dublin

18904U

St Peters Special Sch

Lucena Clinic, 59 Orwell Road

Toilet Facilities

Primary Schools

Dublin

18976W

S N Cholmille B

Swords

Upgrade Electrical

Primary Schools

Dublin

19159S

St Pauls G N S

Greenhills, Kimmage West

Upgrade Mechanical

Primary Schools

Dublin

19177U

St Pius X N S Boys

Fortfield Park, Terenure

Ramps

Primary Schools

Dublin

19178W

St Pius X G N S

Fortfield Park, Terenure

Ramps

Primary Schools

Dublin

19197D

St Kevins B N S

Barry Avenue, Finglas North-West

General Upgrade to Toilets

Primary Schools

Dublin

19258U

Scoil Padraig Naofa Boys

Hollypark, Foxrock

Upgrade Electrical

Primary Schools

Dublin

19314E

Scoil Na Maighdine Mhuire Boy

Broadford Rise, Balinteer

Complete Replacement of Windows

Primary Schools

Dublin

19319O

St Olafs N S

Balally Drive, Dundrum

Toilet Facilities

Primary Schools

Dublin

19335M

Scoil na nAingeal

Newtownpark Ave., Blackrock

Upgrade Play Area

Primary Schools

Dublin

19438W

Scoil Colmcille Senior

Wyattville, Ballybrack

Complete Replacement of Roof

Sector

County

Roll No.

School

Address

Project

Primary Schools

Dublin

19465C

St Kevins Boys

Kilnamanagh, Tallaght

Upgrade Electrical

Primary Schools

Dublin

19466E

St Kevins Girls

Kilnamanagh, Tallaght

Upgrade Electrical

Primary Schools

Dublin

19471U

St Pauls Junior National School, Ayrfield, Malahide Rd

General Upgrade to Toilets

Primary Schools

Dublin

19494J

Bishop Galvin N S

Orwell Park, Templeogue

Partial Replacement of Roof

Primary Schools

Dublin

19509T

Scoil Nano Nagle

Bawnoge, Clondalkin

Upgrade Electrical

Primary Schools

Dublin

19510E

Talbot Senior N S

Bawnoge, Clondalkin

Upgrade Electrical

Primary Schools

Dublin

19524P

Our Lady Immac Sen N S

Our Lady Immac Sen Ns, Darndale

Window Cill Repairs

Primary Schools

Dublin

19535U

Brackenstown Senior N S

Brackenstown, Swords

Repairs of Roof

Primary Schools

Dublin

19537B

St Attractas Junior N S

Meadowbrook, Dundrum

Partial Replacement of Roof

Primary Schools

Dublin

19538D

St Kevins Junior N S

Newbrook Ave, Donaghmede

Complete Replacement of Windows

Primary Schools

Dublin

19545A

Corduff N S

Corduff, Blanchardstown

General Upgrade to Toilets

Primary Schools

Dublin

19565G

Scoil Treasa Firhouse

Scoil Treasa Ballycullen Ave, Firhouse

Ramps

Primary Schools

Dublin

19574H

Marley Grange N S

Divine Word Ns, Marley Grange

Complete Replacement of Windows

Primary Schools

Dublin

19611K

Scoil Naomh Colmcille

Newbrook Rd, Donaghmede

Complete Replacement of Windows

Primary Schools

Dublin

19619D

St Malachys N S

Rivermount, Finglas

Upgrade Mechanical & electrical

Primary Schools

Dublin

19627C

John Paul Ii N S

Sonesta, Malahide

Partial Replacement of Windows

Primary Schools

Dublin

19641T

St Colmcille Jun Ns

Wyattville, Ballybrack

Complete Replacement of Roof

Primary Schools

Dublin

19658N

Bishop Shanahan N S

Orwell Park, Templeogue

Partial Replacement of Roof

Primary Schools

Dublin

19662E

St Michaels N S

Dominican Convent, Ballyfermot

Partial Replacement of Roof

Primary Schools

Dublin

19702N

St Thomas Junior N S

Jobstown, Tallaght

Upgrade Electrical

Primary Schools

Dublin

19727G

St Marys Central N S

Belmont Avenue, Donnybrook

General Upgrade to Toilets

Primary Schools

Dublin

19764M

Our Lady Of Wayside N S

Bluebell, Inchicore

General Upgrade to Toilets

Primary Schools

Dublin

19765O

St Thomas Senior N S

Jobstown, Tallaght

Replace Carpets

Primary Schools

Dublin

19766Q

Scoil Iosagain/Mhuire

Mount La Salle, Ballyfermot

Partial Replacement of Windows

Primary Schools

Dublin

19767S

Scoil Mhuire/Seosamh

Mount La Salle, Ballyfermot

Partial Replacement of Windows

Primary Schools

Dublin

19840C

Holy Family School

Dunedin Park, Monkstown

Change System from Oil to Gas

Primary Schools

Dublin

19855P

Gaelscoil Chluain Dolcain

Bothar Nangor, Cluain Dolcain

Complete Replacement of Windows

Primary Schools

Dublin

19901T

Booterstown N S

Cross Ave, Blackrock

Ramps

Primary Schools

Dublin

19904C

Holy Cross N S

Upper Kilmacud Road, Dundrum

Complete Replacement of Windows

Sector

County

Roll No.

School

Address

Project

Primary Schools

Dublin

19938T

St Josephs

Tivoli Road, Dun Laoghaire

Partial Replacement of Roof

Primary Schools

Dublin

19939V

Scoil Naisiunta An Dea Aoire

Whitehall Road, Churchtown

Complete Replacement of Windows

Primary Schools

Dublin

19979K

St Kevins N S

Sallynoggin

Complete Replacement of Windows

Primary Schools

Dublin

20029M

St Brigids Infant N S

Wellmount Avenue, Finglas West

Complete Replacement of Windows

Primary Schools

Dublin

20059V

Mother Of Divine Grace

Holy Faith Ns, Ferndale Ave

Complete Replacement of Windows

Primary Schools

Dublin

20121A

St John Of God Special School

Glenageary

Replace Carpets

Primary Schools

Dublin

20173T

St Annes Primary School

Fettercairn, Tallaght

Complete Replacement of Windows

Primary Schools

Dublin 1

15056L

S N San Vinseann Cailin

North William St

Upgrade Mechanical

Primary Schools

Dublin 1

15816I

St Vincents Inf Boys

North William Street

Upgrade Mechanical

Primary Schools

Dublin 1

17881G

Scoil Ui Chonaill

Nth Richmond Street

Partial Replacement of Windows

Primary Schools

Dublin 10

18342E

Sn Louise De Marillac

Ballyfermot

Partial Replacement of Windows

Primary Schools

Dublin 11

04992R

Scoil An Croi Naofa

Glasnevin

Upgrade Electrical

Primary Schools

Dublin 12

17683C

Muire Og 2 Loreto Con

Crumlin Road

General Upgrade to Toilets

Primary Schools

Dublin

19533Q

S N Muire Agus Iosef

Bayside, Sutton

Builders Work

Primary Schools

Dublin 13

19393D

Mhuire Iosef Junior

Verbena Estate

Builders Work

Primary Schools

Dublin 16

19490B

Scoil Mhuire

Ballyboden

Upgrade Mechanical

Primary Schools

Dublin 16

19742C

St Colmcille Senior N S

Knocklyon

Partial Replacement of Windows

Primary Schools

Dublin 17

17104G

St Francis Junior National School

Priorswood

General Upgrade to Toilets

Primary Schools

Dublin 17

17785K

San Nioclas Myra

Kinsealy

Upgrade Mechanical & electrical

Primary Schools

Dublin 18

19497P

Scoil Mhuire, Rathsallagh

Shankill

Car Parking

Primary Schools

Dublin 20

10653E

Chapelizod N S

Chapelizod

Repairs of Roof

Primary Schools

Dublin 20

18323A

Scoil Lorcain Boys

Palmerstown

Conversion Works

Primary Schools

Dublin 22

18655C

Scoil Naomh Seosamh

Clondalkin

Upgrade Electrical

Primary Schools

Dublin 22

19220S

Scoil Naomh Ide

Clondalkin

Partial Replacement of Roof

Primary Schools

Dublin 22

19221U

Scoil Naomh Aine

Clondalkin

General Upgrade to Toilets

Primary Schools

Dublin 24

19576L

S N Aenghusa

Scoil N Aenghusa Sin, Balrothery, Tallaght

Upgrade Mechanical

Primary Schools

Dublin 24

19950J

St Dominics N S

Tallaght

Upgrade Electrical

Primary Schools

Dublin 24

19950J

St Dominics N S

Tallaght

Structural works

Sector

County

Roll No.

School

Address

Project

Primary Schools

Dublin 4

16567S

St Brigids Convent N S

Haddington Road

Upgrade Mechanical

Primary Schools

Dublin 4

17279S

Scoil Muire

Haddington Road

Upgrade Electrical

Primary Schools

Dublin 5

18361I

S N Caitriona C

Coolock

Partial Replacement of Roof

Primary Schools

Dublin 5

18362K

S N Caitriona Naionain

Coolock

Partial Replacement of Roof

Primary Schools

Dublin 6

09750S

St Josephs Boys N S

Terenure

Upgrade Mechanical

Primary Schools

Dublin 6

12755W

Kildare Place N S

96 Upper Rathmines Rd

Upgrade Electrical

Primary Schools

Dublin 6

14717B

Rathgar NS

Rathgar

Boiler Replacement

Primary Schools

Dublin 7

16864B

St Josephs Special Sch

Cabra

Dust Extraction

Primary Schools

Dublin 8

20104A

St Audoens Ns

Cook Street

Fire Alarms

Primary Schools

Dublin 8

20104A

St Audoens Ns

Cook Street

Ramps

Primary Schools

Dublin 9

11525A

St Patricks N School

Drumcondra

Upgrade Electrical

Primary Schools

Dublin 9

16754R

St Vincents Convent Inf N S

67 Griffith Avenue

General Upgrade to Toilets

Primary Schools

Dublin 9

19303W

Na Maighdine Mhuire

Girls National School, Ballymun

Upgrade Electrical

Primary Schools

Dublin 9

16759E

S N Mhuire Na Mbrathar

Marino

Upgrade Electrical

Primary Schools

Dublin 9

18763F

St Michaels Hse Spec Sc

Ballymun Rd

Curricular Requirements

Primary Schools

Dublin 9

18911R

Bantiarna Na Mbuanna G

Baile Munna

General Upgrade to Toilets

Primary Schools

Dublin 9

19242F

Our Lady Of Victories Infant N S

Ballymun Road

General Upgrade to Toilets

Primary Schools

Dublin 9

19302U

Sn Na Maighdine Muire B

Ballymun

Upgrade Electrical

Primary Schools

Galway

06044D

S N Cill Cuile

Loughrea

Complete Replacement of Roof

Primary Schools

Galway

10591I

S N An Ard Mhoir

Carna, Conamara

Partial Replacement of Windows

Primary Schools

Galway

11669B

S N Naomh Brid

Nead An Iolraidh, Renvyle

Upgrade Mechanical

Primary Schools

Galway

12250P

Scoil Mhuire Primary Sch

Dublin Rd, Tuam

Classroom

Primary Schools

Galway

12782C

Bunscoil Naomh Chuana

Kilcoona, Headford

Sewerage

Primary Schools

Galway

12782C

Bunscoil Naomh Chuana

Kilcoona, Headford

Repairs of Roof

Primary Schools

Galway

12782C

Bunscoil Naomh Chuana

Kilcoona, Headford

Upgrade Mechanical

Primary Schools

Galway

13416F

S N Leitir Meallain

Leitir Meallain

Complete Replacement of Roof

Primary Schools

Galway

13416F

S N Leitir Meallain

Leitir Meallain

Complete Replacement of Windows

Primary Schools

Galway

13416F

S N Leitir Meallain

Leitir Meallain

Sewerage

Primary Schools

Galway

13416F

S N Leitir Meallain

Leitir Meallain

Toilet Facilities

Sector

County

Roll No.

School

Address

Project

Primary Schools

Galway

13621G

S N Muire

Letterfrack

Upgrade Mechanical

Primary Schools

Galway

13665D

S N An Cillin

Ballyshrule, Ballinasloe

Fencing

Primary Schools

Galway

13665D

S N An Cillin

Ballyshrule, Ballinasloe

General Upgrade to Toilets

Primary Schools

Galway

13665D

S N An Cillin

Ballyshrule, Ballinasloe

Sewerage

Primary Schools

Galway

13665D

S N An Cillin

Ballyshrule, Ballinasloe

Upgrade Electrical

Primary Schools

Galway

13914V

Scoil Naomh Iosef

Rathun, Bearna

Partial Replacement of Windows

Primary Schools

Galway

13927H

Inishbofin N S

Inishbofin

Repairs of Roof

Primary Schools

Galway

14420B

S N Naomh Padraig

Tully, Renvyle

Upgrade Mechanical

Primary Schools

Galway

14425L

S N Doire Ui Bhriain

Baile Locha Riabhach

Complete Replacement of Windows

Primary Schools

Galway

14590D

Ainbhthin Naofa

Rosscahill

Boiler Replacement

Primary Schools

Galway

14590D

Ainbhthin Naofa

Rosscahill

Sewerage

Primary Schools

Galway

14590D

Ainbhthin Naofa

Rosscahill

Upgrade Electrical

Primary Schools

Galway

15796F

S N Cor An Droma

Claregalway

Partial Replacement of Windows

Primary Schools

Galway

15796F

S N Cor An Droma

Claregalway

Upgrade Mechanical

Primary Schools

Galway

15835M

St Brendans N S

Loughrea

Repairs of Roof

Primary Schools

Galway

15900U

The Glebe N.S.

Aughrim, Ballinasloe

Car Parking

Primary Schools

Galway

15900U

The Glebe N.S.

Aughrim, Ballinasloe

Complete Replacement of Windows

Primary Schools

Galway

15900U

The Glebe N.S.

Aughrim, Ballinasloe

Toilet Facilities

Primary Schools

Galway

16596C

St Feichins N S

Abbey, Loughrea

Other Structural

Primary Schools

Galway

16596C

St Feichins N S

Abbey, Loughrea

Upgrade Electrical

Primary Schools

Galway

16750J

Parochial N S

Cearnog Ti Na Cuairte, Gaillimh

Repairs of Roof

Primary Schools

Galway

17007I

S N Ard Raithin

Ard Raithin, Gaillimh

General Upgrade to Toilets

Primary Schools

Galway

17051L

S N Na Fuar Coilleadh

Craughwell

Car Parking

Primary Schools

Galway

17051L

S N Na Fuar Coilleadh

Craughwell

Resource Room

Primary Schools

Galway

17071R

S N Baile A Mhoinin

Droichead, Beil An Atha Mhoir

Partial Replacement of Roof

Primary Schools

Galway

17095I

S N Na Cealltraighe

Kinclare, Cealltrach Ballinasloe

Upgrade Electrical

Primary Schools

Galway

17118R

S N Naomh Fhursa

Clarain, Odhar Po

Upgrade Mechanical

Primary Schools

Galway

17197Q

S N An Leath Bhaile

Tuaim

Complete Replacement of Windows

Primary Schools

Galway

17207Q

S N Domhnach Padraig

Cathair Loisgreain

Partial Replacement of Roof

Primary Schools

Galway

17221K

Sn Colmcille

An Caislean An Gearr, Gaillimh

Complete Replacement of Roof

Sector

County

Roll No.

School

Address

Project

Primary Schools

Galway

17282H

Scoil Na Mbraithre

Tuam

Complete Replacement of Windows

Primary Schools

Galway

17502S

S N Naomh Thomais

Tobar Pheadar, Gaillimh

Ramps

Primary Schools

Galway

17502S

S N Naomh Thomais

Tobar Pheadar, Gaillimh

Upgrade Electrical

Primary Schools

Galway

17574U

S N Naomh Ciarain

Cill Chiarain, Conamara

Upgrade Electrical

Primary Schools

Galway

17613E

S N Caitriona Naofa

Eachdruim

Sewerage

Primary Schools

Galway

17647V

Muire Na Dea Comhairle

Headford

Partial Replacement of Roof

Primary Schools

Galway

17648A

S N Breandain Naofa

Ath Cinn, Gaillimh

Partial Replacement of Roof

Primary Schools

Galway

17760R

S N Baile An Leasa

Dunmor, Tuam

Complete Replacement of Roof

Primary Schools

Galway

17760R

S N Baile An Leasa

Dunmor, Tuam

General Upgrade to Toilets

Primary Schools

Galway

17760R

S N Baile An Leasa

Dunmor, Tuam

Upgrade Mechanical

Primary Schools

Galway

17863E

Scoil Iarlatha Naofa

Mionloch, Beal Atha Na Slua

Toilet Facilities

Primary Schools

Galway

18021H

Sn An Croi Ro Naofa

Beal Clair

Partial Replacement of Windows

Primary Schools

Galway

18021H

Sn An Croi Ro Naofa

Beal Clair

Sewerage

Primary Schools

Galway

18021H

Sn An Croi Ro Naofa

Beal Clair

Upgrade Electrical

Primary Schools

Galway

18021H

Sn An Croi Ro Naofa

Beal Clair

Repairs of Roof

Primary Schools

Galway

18021H

Sn An Croi Ro Naofa

Beal Clair

Upgrade Mechanical

Primary Schools

Galway

18163E

Sn N Breandain

Eanach Dhuin, Cor An Dulla

Partial Replacement of Windows

Primary Schools

Galway

18163E

Sn N Breandain

Eanach Dhuin, Cor An Dulla

Sewerage

Primary Schools

Galway

18163E

Sn N Breandain

Eanach Dhuin, Cor An Dulla

Upgrade Mechanical

Primary Schools

Galway

18252D

Scoil Mhuire

Doire Glinne, Cross Bhothar Mhama

General Upgrade to Toilets

Primary Schools

Galway

18252D

Scoil Mhuire

Doire Glinne, Cross Bhothar Mhama

Upgrade Mechanical

Primary Schools

Galway

18289D

Scoil Naomh Iosef

Castlehackett, Belclare Tuam

Sewerage

Primary Schools

Galway

18441G

Scoil Naomh Chuan

Cill Iomair, Beal Atha Na Sluagh

General Upgrade to Toilets

Primary Schools

Galway

18460K

Sn Baile An Mhuilinn

Baile An Mhuillinn, Tuam

Partial Replacement of Roof

Primary Schools

Galway

18490T

Sn M An Croi Gan Smal

Leenane

Complete Replacement of Windows

Primary Schools

Galway

18514H

S N Choilm Chille

Baile Na Habhann

Partial Replacement of Roof

Primary Schools

Galway

18514H

S N Choilm Chille

Baile Na Habhann

Other External Environment

Primary Schools

Galway

18608Q

S N Muire Gan Smal

Cladach Dubh

Complete Replacement of Roof

Primary Schools

Galway

18608Q

S N Muire Gan Smal

Cladach Dubh

General Upgrade to Toilets

Primary Schools

Galway

18686N

S N Gort Na Leime

Dunmore, Tuam

Repairs of Roof

Primary Schools

Galway

19201O

Holy Family School

Renmore, Galway

Repairs of Roof

Sector

County

Roll No.

School

Address

Project

Primary Schools

Galway

19225F

Scoil Michil Naofa

Baile Ban, Gaillimh

Covered Walkway

Primary Schools

Galway

19226H

Scoil na Trionoide Naofa

Muirbheach

Covered Walkway

Primary Schools

Galway

19357W

Sn Tir Na Cille

Sn Tir Na Cille, An Mam

Complete Replacement of Windows

Primary Schools

Galway

19377F

Naomh Colman Mac Duaigh

Tierneevin, Gort

General Upgrade to Toilets

Primary Schools

Galway

19388K

Clonberne Central Sch

Clonberne, Ballinasloe

Complete Replacement of Windows

Primary Schools

Galway

19449E

St Oliver Plunketts N S

Newcastle, Athenry

Complete Replacement of Windows

Primary Schools

Galway

19744G

Nioclas Naofa

Dunmore

Partial Replacement of Roof

Primary Schools

Galway

19818J

Creggs Central N S

Creegs, Via Roscommon

Partial Replacement of Roof

Primary Schools

Galway

19818J

Creggs Central N S

Creegs, Via Roscommon

Sewerage

Primary Schools

Galway

19965W

Scoil Mhuire

Clarinbridge

Upgrade Electrical

Primary Schools

Kerry

09878V

Aghatubrid N S

Killarney

Complete Replacement of Windows

Primary Schools

Kerry

10326M

Scoil Nuachabhail

Gort A Tsleibhe, Baile Mhic Ealgoid

Boiler Replacement

Primary Schools

Kerry

11248A

Sn An Ghleanna

An Daingean

Upgrade Electrical

Primary Schools

Kerry

11419B

Scoil Bhreanainn

Portmagee

Widening Doors/Entrances

Primary Schools

Kerry

12354E

Clogher Mxd N S

Ballymacelligott

Partial Replacement of Windows

Primary Schools

Kerry

12832O

Scoil Mhuire B

Killorglin

Complete Replacement of Windows

Primary Schools

Kerry

14987H

S N An Chlochan

An Clochan

Upgrade Electrical

Primary Schools

Kerry

14998M

Lyre A Crompane N S

Listowel

Internal/External Doors

Primary Schools

Kerry

17072T

S N Cill Cruinn

Lios Tuathail

Upgrade Mechanical

Primary Schools

Kerry

17161S

Kiltallagh N S

Kiltallagh, Castlemaine

General Upgrade to Toilets

Primary Schools

Kerry

18049G

Muire Na Mainistreach

Muire Na Mainistreach, Cill Airne

Complete Replacement of Windows

Primary Schools

Kerry

18214S

Cil Conla N S

Cill Conla, Ballybunion

Sewerage

Primary Schools

Kerry

18247K

S N Mhuire Na Mbraithre

Tralee

Lift

Primary Schools

Kerry

18590A

Scoil Naomh Erc

Ballyheigue, Tralee

Builders Work

Primary Schools

Kerry

18590A

Scoil Naomh Erc

Ballyheigue, Tralee

General Upgrade to Toilets

Primary Schools

Kerry

18590A

Scoil Naomh Erc

Ballyheigue, Tralee

Partial Replacement of Roof

Primary Schools

Kerry

18590A

Scoil Naomh Erc

Ballyheigue, Tralee

Partial Replacement of Windows

Primary Schools

Kerry

18705O

Tarbert National School

Tarbert

Conversion Works

Primary Schools

Kerry

19487M

Holy Cross Mercy School

New Road, Killarney

Complete Replacement of Windows

Primary Schools

Kerry

19512I

St Olivers Ns

Ballycasheen, Killarney

Complete Replacement of Windows

Sector

County

Roll No.

School

Address

Project

Primary Schools

Kerry

19659P

St Brendans N S

Fenit, Tralee

Builders Work _ heating installation

Primary Schools

Kerry

19659P

St Brendans N S

Fenit, Tralee

Complete Replacement of Windows

Primary Schools

Kerry

19659P

St Brendans N S

Fenit, Tralee

Repairs of Roof

Primary Schools

Kerry

19846O

Realt Na Maidne

Listowel

Complete Replacement of Roof

Primary Schools

Kerry

19941I

Gaelscoil Faithleann

Cill Airne

Repairs of Roof

Primary Schools

Kildare

12998C

S N Cianog Naofa

Tigh Mochua, Coolcarrigan

Complete Replacement of Windows

Primary Schools

Kildare

12998C

S N Cianog Naofa

Tigh Mochua, Coolcarrigan

Upgrade Mechanical & electrical

Primary Schools

Kildare

15040T

Mercy Convent Primary School

Naas

Partial Replacement of Windows

Primary Schools

Kildare

15456E

Ballyshannon N S

Ballyshannon, Kilcullen

PE Hall Repairs

Primary Schools

Kildare

15870O

Scoil Chonnla Phadraig

Newbridge

Upgrade Mechanical

Primary Schools

Kildare

15957D

Rathangan B N S

Rathangan

Sewerage

Primary Schools

Kildare

17254C

Scoil Chorbain

Naas

General Upgrade to Toilets

Primary Schools

Kildare

17567A

Almhaine N S

Kilmeague, Naas

Sewerage

Primary Schools

Kildare

17567A

Almhaine N S

Kilmeague, Naas

Upgrade Electrical

Primary Schools

Kildare

17787O

S N Colmcill Naofa

Moone, Athy

Complete Replacement of Windows

Primary Schools

Kildare

18073D

S N Mhuire Girls

Allenwood, Naas

Sewerage

Primary Schools

Kildare

18092H

Cadamstown NS

Cadamstown, Moyvalley

Boiler Replacement

Primary Schools

Kildare

18096P

S N Coill Dubh

Naas

Upgrade Electrical

Primary Schools

Kildare

18445O

S N Scoil Treasa

Kilshanroe, Enfield

Boiler Replacement

Primary Schools

Kildare

18988G

St Raphaels Special Sch

Celbridge

Upgrade Electrical

Primary Schools

Kildare

19455W

St Marks Special School

Piercetown, Newbridge

Complete Replacement of Windows

Primary Schools

Kildare

19675N

St Brigids N S

Kilcullen

Complete Replacement of Windows

Primary Schools

Kilkenny

00796U

Scoil Lachtain

Freshford

Upgrade Electrical

Primary Schools

Kilkenny

16865D

Clontubrid Mixed N S

Freshford

Sewerage

Primary Schools

Kilkenny

17108O

St Johns Infants N S

Kilkenny

Toilet Facilities

Primary Schools

Kilkenny

17224Q

S N Muire Gan Smal

Graigenamanagh

Upgrade Electrical

Primary Schools

Kilkenny

17314R

Scoil Naomh Eoin Dea

Kilkenny

Upgrade Mechanical

Primary Schools

Kilkenny

17628R

S N Naomh Padraig Mxd

Baile Haol

PE Hall Repairs

Primary Schools

Kilkenny

17649C

St Brigids Convent N S

Ballyragget

Widening Doors/Entrances

Primary Schools

Kilkenny

18257N

S N Baile An Fhasaigh

Ballyfacey, Glenmore

Partial Replacement of Windows

Sector

County

Roll No.

School

Address

Project

Primary Schools

Kilkenny

18660S

S N Shan Nioclas

Bearna Na Gaoithe

Complete Replacement of Roof

Primary Schools

Laois

13937K

Stradbally Convent

Stradbally

Complete Replacement of Windows

Primary Schools

Laois

13937K

Stradbally Convent

Stradbally

General Upgrade to Toilets

Primary Schools

Laois

15562D

Cloch An Tsionnaigh N S

Foxrock, Ballacolla

Complete Replacement of Windows

Primary Schools

Laois

16160L

Clonaghadoo N S

Clonaghadoo, Kilcavan

Mechanical

Primary Schools

Laois

17604D

Raithin An Uisce N S

Raithin An Uisce, Portlaoise

Partial Replacement of Roof

Primary Schools

Laois

17692D

Sraid Bhaile Boys N S

Sraid Bhaile

Complete Replacement of Windows

Primary Schools

Laois

18075H

Rathdomhnaigh N S

Rathdowney

Upgrade Electrical

Primary Schools

Laois

18150S

Fraoch Mor N S

Fraoch Mor, Portlaoise

Partial Replacement of Windows

Primary Schools

Laois

18203N

Cul An Tsudaire N S

Cul An Tsudaire, Portarlington

General Upgrade to Toilets

Primary Schools

Laois

18203N

Cul An Tsudaire N S

Cul An Tsudaire, Portarlington

Partial Replacement of Roof

Primary Schools

Laois

18203N

Cul An Tsudaire N S

Cul An Tsudaire, Portarlington

Upgrade of Windows

Primary Schools

Laois

18206T

Na Carraige N S

Na Carraige, Mountmellick

Conversion Works

Primary Schools

Laois

18532J

Ardlios N S

Ardlios, Ballickmoyler

Fire Alarms

Primary Schools

Laois

18532J

Ardlios N S

Ardlios, Ballickmoyler

General Upgrade to Toilets

Primary Schools

Laois

18532J

Ardlios N S

Ardlios, Ballickmoyler

Upgrade Mechanical

Primary Schools

Laois

18532J

Ardlios N S

Ardlios, Ballickmoyler

Upgrade Play Area

Primary Schools

Laois

19791P

Cullohill Ns Rathdowney

St Tighearnach, Cullohill Ns

Repairs of Roof

Primary Schools

Laois

20100P

The Kolbe Special School

Block Rd, Portlaoise

General Upgrade to Toilets

Primary Schools

Leitrim

08390J

Mastersons N S

Manorhamilton

Upgrade Electrical

Primary Schools

Leitrim

08673V

The Hunt N S

Castle Street, Mohill

Repairs of Roof

Primary Schools

Leitrim

15382B

Drumlease N S

Dromahair

Toilet Facilities

Primary Schools

Leitrim

15960P

Gortletteragh Central

Fornocht, Cara Droma Ruisc

General Upgrade to Toilets

Primary Schools

Leitrim

16932P

Aughawillan N S

Garadice

Provision of a Play Area

Primary Schools

Leitrim

16932P

Aughawillan N S

Garadice

Sewerage

Primary Schools

Leitrim

17558W

S N Rosan

Carrigallen, Via Cavan

General Upgrade to Toilets

Primary Schools

Leitrim

17906T

Marist G N S

Cara Droma Ruisc

Partial Replacement of Windows

Primary Schools

Leitrim

18181G

S N Corr Na Gaoithe

S N Corr Na Gaoithe, Dowra

General Upgrade to Toilets

Primary Schools

Leitrim

18656E

Sn Beal An Atha Mhoir

Scoil Naomh Padraig, Beal An Atha Mhoir

Complete Replacement of Windows

Sector

County

Roll No.

School

Address

Project

Primary Schools

Leitrim

19360L

Drumkeerin Central N S

Drumkeerin Central Sch, Drumkeerin

Upgrade Mechanical

Primary Schools

Limerick

07857D

S N Ailbhe

Killinure, Limerick

General Upgrade to Toilets

Primary Schools

Limerick

08342V

Bohermore N S

Ballysimon

Complete Replacement of Windows

Primary Schools

Limerick

10929T

Rathkeale N S 2

Rathkeale

Toilet Facilities

Primary Schools

Limerick

11307N

Ballyguiltenane N S

Glin

Complete Replacement of Roof

Primary Schools

Limerick

12834S

St Michaels

11 Barrington St, Limerick

Repair Plaster/Stonework

Primary Schools

Limerick

13790G

Bulgaden N S

Bulgaden, Kilmallock

Upgrade Electrical

Primary Schools

Limerick

15692Q

Bilboa N School

Bilboa, Cappaghamore

General Upgrade to Toilets

Primary Schools

Limerick

16715H

St John The Baptist Boys N S

Downey Street, Pennywell

Conversion Works

Primary Schools

Limerick

16764U

Kilmeedy N S

Kilmeedy

Ramps

Primary Schools

Limerick

16910F

Scoil Iosagain

Sraid Seasnain, Limerick

General Upgrade to Toilets

Primary Schools

Limerick

16946D

Sn An Phairtin Mixed

Parteen

Complete Replacement of Roof

Primary Schools

Limerick

17138A

Scoil Cill Colmain

Ard Achadh

Upgrade Mechanical

Primary Schools

Limerick

17184H

Oola National School

Oola, Tipperary

Complete Replacement of Windows

Primary Schools

Limerick

17298W

Kilbehenny N S

Kilbehenny, Mitchelstown

Sewerage

Primary Schools

Limerick

17299B

Scoil Mhuire

Effin, Killmallock

Sewerage

Primary Schools

Limerick

17593B

Scoil Naomh Mhuire

Cnoc Ui Coileain, Abbeyfeale

Complete Replacement of Windows

Primary Schools

Limerick

17738B

Scoil Tobar Padraig

Tobar Phadraig, Luimneach

Complete Replacement of Windows

Primary Schools

Limerick

17814O

Gearoid Ui Ghriobhtha

Loughill, Mountrenchard

Boiler Replacement

Primary Schools

Limerick

17941V

St Munchins G N S

Ballynanty, Limerick

Partial Replacement of Windows

Primary Schools

Limerick

17942A

Scoil Mhainchin Buach

Bothar Siolbroin, Limerick

Partial Replacement of Roof

Primary Schools

Limerick

17981K

Anglesborough NS

Kilbeheny, Michelstown

Sewerage

Primary Schools

Limerick

18030I

Scoil Ailbhe

Cathair Ailbhe, Ballybricken, Grange

Complete Replacement of Roof

Primary Schools

Limerick

18177P

Scoil Aine Naofa

Rathkeale

CCTV

Primary Schools

Limerick

18260C

Scoil Mhuire

Beal An Atha, Rathluirc

Complete Replacement of Windows

Primary Schools

Limerick

18426K

Scoil Ide Naofa

Raithineach, Bealach

Complete Replacement of Roof

Primary Schools

Limerick

18677M

Scoil Mathair De

Cuar Bothar Theas, Luimneach

Complete Replacement of Windows

Primary Schools

Limerick

18717V

S N Ciarain

Cillfiobhnai, Ath Dara

Sewerage

Primary Schools

Limerick

19200M

St Vincents Sp School

Lisnagry

Upgrade Electrical

Primary Schools

Limerick

19272O

Sn Naomh Iosef

Ballybrown, Clarina

Complete Replacement of Roof

Primary Schools

Limerick

19372S

South Hill N S

South Hill, Limerick

Conversion Works

Sector

County

Roll No.

School

Address

Project

Primary Schools

Limerick

19475F

St Brigids N S

Singland, Limerick

Complete Replacement of Windows

Primary Schools

Limerick

19667O

Our Lady Of Lourdes N S

Rosbrien, Limerick

Spalling Concrete

Primary Schools

Limerick

19830W

Corpus Christi N S

Moyross, Limerick

Repairs of Roof

Primary Schools

Limerick

19894C

An Mhodh Scoil

Ascail Ui Chonaill, Luimneach

Partial Replacement of Roof

Primary Schools

Longford

10223C

Tashinny N S

Tashinny, Colehill

Sewerage

Primary Schools

Longford

12136R

S N An Ghleanna

Glen, Mostrim

Upgrade Mechanical

Primary Schools

Longford

14049J

Whitehall N S

Tarmonbarry, Longford

Complete Replacement of Windows

Primary Schools

Longford

14049J

Whitehall N S

Tarmonbarry, Longford

Tarmacing

Primary Schools

Longford

14049J

Whitehall N S

Tarmonbarry, Longford

Upgrade Mechanical

Primary Schools

Longford

14672F

Colehill Mixed N S

Colehill, Longford

Widening Doors/Entrances

Primary Schools

Longford

15122V

St Bernards Mixed N S

Abbeylara, Longford

Conversion Works

Primary Schools

Longford

17561L

Samhthann N S

Ballinalee, Longford

Complete Replacement of Windows

Primary Schools

Longford

17644P

Scoil Mhuire

Aughnagarron, Granard

Resource Room

Primary Schools

Longford

18259R

Scoil Muire Gan Smal

Lanesboro

General Upgrade to Toilets

Primary Schools

Longford

18733T

S N Mhuire

Cluain De Rath

Repairs of Roof

Primary Schools

Longford

19171I

S N Naomh Mhuire

Baile Nua An Chaisil

Partial Replacement of Roof

Primary Schools

Longford

19353O

St Patricks Ns Longford

Dromard, Moyne

Ramps

Primary Schools

Longford

19467G

Saint Mels

Saint Mels, Ardagh

Upgrade Electrical

Primary Schools

Louth

06576N

Dromin N S

Dromin, Dunleer

Complete Replacement of Windows

Primary Schools

Louth

14069P

Dun Dealgan N S

Jocelyn Street, Dundalk

Repair Plaster/Stonework

Primary Schools

Louth

14252G

Callystown Mixed N S

Callystown, Clogherhead, Drogheda

Boiler Replacement

Primary Schools

Louth

14578N

Scoil Naomh Fainche

Collan

Complete Replacement of Roof

Primary Schools

Louth

15260K

S N N Maolmhaodhagh

Dundalk

Boiler Replacement

Primary Schools

Louth

15260K

S N N Maolmhaodhagh

Dundalk

Complete Replacement of Roof

Primary Schools

Louth

16208N

Termonfeckin Mixed N S

Termonfeckin, Drogheda

play area & car park

Primary Schools

Louth

16249E

Bellurgan N S

Bellurgan, Ravensdale, Dundalk

General Upgrade to Toilets

Primary Schools

Louth

16431Q

S N Oilibear Beannaithe

Stonetown Lubhadh, Dundalk

Complete Replacement of Windows

Primary Schools

Louth

16469S

St Nicholas Monastery NS

Philip Street

Conversion Works

Primary Schools

Louth

16760M

Dromiskin Mixed N S

Dromiskin

Sewerage

Sector

County

Roll No.

School

Address

Project

Primary Schools

Louth

17195M

C.B.S. Primary

Chapel Street, Dundalk

Window Cill Repairs

Primary Schools

Louth

17195M

C.B.S. Primary

Chapel Street, Dundalk

Partial Replacement of Roof

Primary Schools

Louth

17862C

Realt Na Mara Sois.

Mill Street, Dundalk

Repairs of Roof

Primary Schools

Louth

18001B

S N Naomh Lorcan

Omeath, Dundalk

Complete Replacement of Windows

Primary Schools

Louth

18019U

S N Chaoimhin Naofa

Philipstown, Dunleer

Complete Replacement of Roof

Primary Schools

Louth

18034Q

S N Mhuire

Muchgrange, Grianphort Dun Dealgan

General Upgrade to Toilets

Primary Schools

Louth

18148I

Scoil Bhride Mixed N S

Lann Leire

Complete Replacement of Windows

Primary Schools

Louth

18312S

S N Talamh Na Manach

Talamh Na Manach, Carlingford

General Upgrade to Toilets

Primary Schools

Louth

18391R

S N Brighde

Fochaird, Mountpleasant Dundalk

General Upgrade to Toilets

Primary Schools

Mayo

05215W

S N Croi Iosa

Ballina

Toilet Facilities

Primary Schools

Mayo

12206M

S N Naomh Padraig

Corrabheagain, Knockmore

Boiler Replacement

Primary Schools

Mayo

12206M

S N Naomh Padraig

Corrabheagain, Knockmore

Roof repairs

Primary Schools

Mayo

12350T

S N Na Haille

Ballinrobe

Upgrade Mechanical

Primary Schools

Mayo

12568A

Sn Inbhear

Barr Na Tra, Beal An Atha

Partial Replacement of Windows

Primary Schools

Mayo

12569C

S N Ros Dumhach

Beal Atha An Fheadha

Upgrade Electrical

Primary Schools

Mayo

12936D

Cloonlyon N S

Charlestown

Complete Replacement of Windows

Primary Schools

Mayo

12936D

Cloonlyon N S

Charlestown

Other External Environment

Primary Schools

Mayo

12936D

Cloonlyon N S

Charlestown

Upgrade Electrical

Primary Schools

Mayo

12938H

S N Tamhnighan Fheadha

Charlestown

Repairs of Roof

Primary Schools

Mayo

12938H

S N Tamhnighan Fheadha

Charlestown

Upgrade Electrical

Primary Schools

Mayo

12938H

S N Tamhnighan Fheadha

Charlestown

Complete Replacement of Windows

Primary Schools

Mayo

13174H

St Columbas N.S.

Inishturk

Repairs of Roof

Primary Schools

Mayo

13555T

S N Faitche

Westport

Sewerage

Primary Schools

Mayo

14193Q

S N Dubh Thuama

Gaoth Saile, Beal An Atha

Curricular Requirements

Primary Schools

Mayo

14258S

Cill Mhor Iorrais

Beal An Mhuirthead, Ballina

Complete Replacement of Windows

Primary Schools

Mayo

14923E

Keenagh N S

Keenaghbeg P O, Beal Atha An Fheadha

Repairs of Roof

Primary Schools

Mayo

15014S

Corclough N S

Corchloch, Beal An Mhuirthid

Complete Replacement of Windows

Primary Schools

Mayo

15014S

Corclough N S

Corchloch, Beal An Mhuirthid

Repairs to Cracks

Primary Schools

Mayo

15014S

Corclough N S

Corchloch, Beal An Mhuirthid

Tarmacing

Sector

County

Roll No.

School

Address

Project

Primary Schools

Mayo

15032U

S N Muire Gan Smal

Ceathru Thaidgh, Beal Atha An Fheadha

Complete Replacement of Roof

Primary Schools

Mayo

15113U

S N Sheamais

Barnacogue, Swinford

General Upgrade to Toilets

Primary Schools

Mayo

16122D

Knock N S

Claremorris

Upgrade Electrical

Primary Schools

Mayo

16289Q

St Johns N S

Carrowmore, Swinford

Conversion Works

Primary Schools

Mayo

16289Q

St Johns N S

Carrowmore, Swinford

General Upgrade to Toilets

Primary Schools

Mayo

16904K

S N Lainn Cille

Cathair Na Mart

Upgrade Electrical

Primary Schools

Mayo

16952V

Coogue N S

Aghamore, Ballyhaunis

Complete Replacement of Roof

Primary Schools

Mayo

16984L

S N Naomh Sheosamh

Shrule, Via Galway

Complete Replacement of Windows

Primary Schools

Mayo

17039V

S N Coill Mor

Drummin, Westport

Other Structural

Primary Schools

Mayo

17119T

S N B Ball Aluinn

Ball Aluinn

Partial Replacement of Windows

Primary Schools

Mayo

17176I

S N Realt Na Mara

Mulranny

Partial Replacement of Roof

Primary Schools

Mayo

17201E

Iosagain Buachailli Nai

Clochar Na Trocaire, Beal An Atha

General Upgrade to Toilets

Primary Schools

Mayo

17482P

Clogher Ns

Clogher Po, Claremorris

Complete Replacement of Windows

Primary Schools

Mayo

17482P

Clogher Ns

Clogher Po, Claremorris

Toilet Facilities

Primary Schools

Mayo

17615I

Sn Naomh Proinnsias

An Choill Rua, Odhar

Other Structural

Primary Schools

Mayo

17615I

Sn Naomh Proinnsias

An Choill Rua, Odhar

Upgrade Electrical

Primary Schools

Mayo

17615I

Sn Naomh Proinnsias

An Choill Rua, Odhar

Other Structural

Primary Schools

Mayo

18003F

S N Athracht Naofa Boys

Charlestown

Complete Replacement of Windows

Primary Schools

Mayo

18562S

S N An Teaghlaigh

Parke, Turloch

Partial Replacement of Roof

Primary Schools

Mayo

18594I

S N Achaidh An Ghlaisin

Beal An Mhuirthead

Other Structural

Primary Schools

Mayo

18694M

Convent Of Mercy N S

Castlebar

Partial Replacement of Roof

Primary Schools

Mayo

18848N

S N Peadair Agus Pol

Straide, Foxford

Repairs of Roof

Primary Schools

Mayo

19375B

St Brids Special Sch

Pavilion Road, Castlebar

Ramps

Primary Schools

Mayo

19651W

Carracastle Central N S

Carracastle, Ballaghaderreen

Upgrade Mechanical

Primary Schools

Mayo

19776T

Geesala Central School

Beal An Atha

Conversion Works

Primary Schools

Meath

00883P

Aine Naofa N S

Navan

Repairs of Roof

Primary Schools

Meath

05630L

Scoil Mhichil Na Buachailli

Scoil Na Mbrathar, Patrick Street, Trim,

Sewerage

Sector

County

Roll No.

School

Address

Project

Primary Schools

Meath

15104T

Bride Naofa N S

Cannistown, Navan

Upgrade Electrical

Primary Schools

Meath

16143L

S N Pheadair Agus Phoil

Drumconrath, Navan

Complete Replacement of Windows

Primary Schools

Meath

17175G

Bohermeen N S

Bohermeen, Navan

General Upgrade to Toilets

Primary Schools

Meath

17480L

S N Baile Cheant

Baile Cheant, An Uaimh

Complete Replacement of Windows

Primary Schools

Meath

17520U

S N Mhuire

Robinstown, Navan

Sewerage

Primary Schools

Meath

17520U

S N Mhuire

Robinstown, Navan

Tarmacing

Primary Schools

Meath

17560J

S N Seosamh Naomtha

Dun Doire, An Uaimh

Sewerage

Primary Schools

Meath

17856H

S N Dun Uabhair

Dun Ubhair, Drogheda

Complete Replacement of Windows

Primary Schools

Meath

17947K

Scoil Naomh Bride

Boardsmill, Trim

Partial Replacement of Roof

Primary Schools

Meath

18037W

S N Mhuire

Baile Ui Earain, Baile Loibin

General Upgrade to Toilets

Primary Schools

Meath

18040L

S N Naomh Padraig

Slane,

General Upgrade to Toilets

Primary Schools

Meath

18051Q

Coole N.S

Garradice, Kilcock,

Boiler, toilet & sewerage works

Primary Schools

Meath

18767N

S N Realt Na Mara Girls

Domhnach Cearnaigh, Mornington

Complete Replacement of Roof

Primary Schools

Meath

19486K

Scoil Nais Deaglain

Ashbourne

Upgrade Mechanical

Primary Schools

Meath

19671F

St Pauls N S

Abbeylands, Navan

Replace Carpets

Primary Schools

Meath

20033D

Dunboyne Senior N S

Dunboyne

Complete Replacement of Windows

Primary Schools

Monaghan

00373P

Deravoy National School

Deravoy, Emyvale

Ramps

Primary Schools

Monaghan

13811L

Corcreagh N S

Corcreagh, Shercock

Complete Replacement of Roof

Primary Schools

Monaghan

15329U

Bun Scoil Louis Naofa

Cloughvalley, Carrickmacross

Repairs of Roof

Primary Schools

Monaghan

17735S

St Patricks NS

Broomfield, Castleblayney

Complete Replacement of Windows

Primary Schools

Monaghan

18539A

Scoil Naomh Mhuire

Cluain Tiobraid

Partial Replacement of Roof

Primary Schools

Monaghan

19251G

Scoil Naomh Deagha

Inniskeen, Dundalk

Widening Doors/Entrances

Primary Schools

Monaghan

19434O

Latton

Latton N S, Castleblayney

Complete Replacement of Roof

Primary Schools

Monaghan

19936P

Gaelscoil Ultain

An Cnoc, Muineachan

General Upgrade to Toilets

Primary Schools

Monaghan

20067U

St Josephs N S

Knockatallon, Scotstown

Partial Replacement of Roof

Primary Schools

Monaghan

20174V

Scoil Eanna

Ballybay

Upgrade Electrical

Primary Schools

Offaly

07949I

S N Osmann

Birr

Boiler Replacement

Primary Schools

Offaly

12370C

St Brendans Monastery

Birr

Boiler Replacement

Primary Schools

Offaly

13118U

Clara Convent N S

Clara

Partial Replacement of Roof

Primary Schools

Offaly

13191H

High Street NS

Belmont

Replace Carpets

Primary Schools

Offaly

15638K

Edenderry 2 N S

Edenderry

Boiler Replacement

Sector

County

Roll No.

School

Address

Project

Primary Schools

Offaly

15638K

Edenderry 2 N S

Edenderry

Upgrade of Windows

Primary Schools

Offaly

16013V

Edenderry Convent N S

St Marys Road, Edenderry

Gutters/Facia

Primary Schools

Offaly

16620T

Daingean N S

Daingean

Complete Replacement of Windows

Primary Schools

Offaly

16928B

S N Naomh Philomena

Tullamore

Upgrade Electrical

Primary Schools

Offaly

16990G

S N Naomh Callin

Ros Sionnaigh, Ballinahown, Athlone,

Conversion Works

Primary Schools

Offaly

16990G

S N Naomh Callin

Ros Sionnaigh, Ballinahown, Athlone,

Conversion Works

Primary Schools

Offaly

16990G

S N Naomh Callin

Ros Sionnaigh, Ballinahown, Athlone,

General Upgrade to Toilets

Primary Schools

Offaly

16990G

S N Naomh Callin

Ros Sionnaigh, Ballinahown, Athlone,

Repair Plaster/Stonework

Primary Schools

Offaly

16990G

S N Naomh Callin

Ros Sionnaigh, Ballinahown, Athlone,

Repairs of Roof

Primary Schools

Offaly

16990G

S N Naomh Callin

Ros Sionnaigh, Ballinahown, Athlone,

Upgrade Electrical

Primary Schools

Offaly

16990G

S N Naomh Callin

Ros Sionnaigh, Ballinahown, Athlone,

Upgrade Mechanical

Primary Schools

Offaly

16990G

S N Naomh Callin

Ros Sionnaigh, Ballinahown, Athlone,

Upgrade Play Area

Primary Schools

Offaly

17031F

Shinchill N S

Shinchill, Killeigh

Partial Replacement of Windows

Primary Schools

Offaly

17616K

Naomh Mhuire N S

Inis Na Mbreathnach, Geisill

Repairs of Roof

Primary Schools

Offaly

18331W

S N Caoimhin Naofa

Cluain Lisc, Shinrone

Complete Replacement of Roof

Primary Schools

Offaly

18331W

S N Caoimhin Naofa

Cluain Lisc, Shinrone

Upgrade Electrical

Primary Schools

Offaly

18335H

S N Mhuire Naofa

An Rod

Partial Replacement of Roof

Primary Schools

Offaly

18364O

S N Muire Bainrion

Edenderry

Complete Replacement of Windows

Primary Schools

Offaly

18690E

Scoil Bhride

An Cruachan, An Tulach Mor

Partial Replacement of Windows

Primary Schools

Offaly

19354Q

St Colmans N S

Cappagh, Croghan

Upgrade Electrical

Primary Schools

Roscommon

06100K

S N Cill Ronain

Boyle

Complete Replacement of Roof

Primary Schools

Roscommon

06100K

S N Cill Ronain

Boyle

General Upgrade to Toilets

Primary Schools

Roscommon

06100K

S N Cill Ronain

Boyle

Upgrade Electrical

Primary Schools

Roscommon

10967E

Threen N S

Castlerea

Complete Replacement of Windows

Primary Schools

Roscommon

10967E

Threen N S

Castlerea

Upgrade Electrical

Primary Schools

Roscommon

10967E

Threen N S

Castlerea

Upgrade Mechanical

Primary Schools

Roscommon

13047A

S N Lios A Cuill M

Castlerea

Complete Replacement of Windows

Primary Schools

Roscommon

13047A

S N Lios A Cuill M

Castlerea

Upgrade Electrical

Primary Schools

Roscommon

13498K

Cloonfour N S

Rooskey, Via Carrick On Shannon

Partial Replacement of Windows

Primary Schools

Roscommon

13498K

Cloonfour N S

Rooskey, Via Carrick On Shannon

Repairs of Roof

Primary Schools

Roscommon

13498K

Cloonfour N S

Rooskey, Via Carrick On Shannon

Toilet Facilities

Primary Schools

Roscommon

13498K

Cloonfour N S

Rooskey, Via Carrick On Shannon

Upgrade Mechanical

Sector

County

Roll No.

School

Address

Project

Primary Schools

Roscommon

14056G

Mount Talbot N S

Mount Talbot

Erecting Partitions

Primary Schools

Roscommon

14056G

Mount Talbot N S

Mount Talbot

Fencing

Primary Schools

Roscommon

14056G

Mount Talbot N S

Mount Talbot

Partial Replacement of Windows

Primary Schools

Roscommon

15043C

Clochar Na Trocaire

Mainistir Na Buille, Boyle

Boiler Replacement

Primary Schools

Roscommon

15614T

Taughmaconnell N S

Teach Mhic Conaill, Beal Atha Na Sluaighe

Complete Replacement of Windows

Primary Schools

Roscommon

15628H

St Josephs B N S

Boyle

Complete Replacement of Roof

Primary Schools

Roscommon

15628H

St Josephs B N S

Boyle

Upgrade Electrical

Primary Schools

Roscommon

15628H

St Josephs B N S

Boyle

Upgrade Mechanical

Primary Schools

Roscommon

17329H

S N Paroisteach

Boyle

General Upgrade to Toilets

Primary Schools

Roscommon

18571T

S N Cnoc An Chrocaire

Cnoc An Chrocaire

General Upgrade to Toilets

Primary Schools

Roscommon

18729F

Ballintleva N S

Curraghboy, Athlone

Partial Replacement of Roof

Primary Schools

Roscommon

18729F

Ballintleva N S

Curraghboy, Athlone

Toilet Facilities

Primary Schools

Roscommon

18729F

Ballintleva N S

Curraghboy, Athlone

Upgrade Mechanical

Primary Schools

Roscommon

19720P

N Micheal Agus Padraig N.S.

Cootehall, Boyle

Complete Replacement of Windows

Primary Schools

Sligo

03924S

Owenbeg N S

Owenbeg P O, Ballina

Upgrade Electrical

Primary Schools

Sligo

13242V

Castlerock N S

Aclare

Partial Replacement of Roof

Primary Schools

Sligo

14636B

Carraroe N S

An Ceathru Rua, Sligeach

General Upgrade to Toilets

Primary Schools

Sligo

16136O

Cliffoney N S

Cliffoney

Boiler Replacement

Primary Schools

Sligo

16136O

Cliffoney N S

Cliffoney

Complete Replacement of Windows

Primary Schools

Sligo

16136O

Cliffoney N S

Cliffoney

General Upgrade to Toilets

Primary Schools

Sligo

18029A

S N Muire Gan Smal

Druimeanna, Tubbercurry

Complete Replacement of Windows

Primary Schools

Sligo

18029A

S N Muire Gan Smal

Druimeanna, Tubbercurry

Other Structural

Primary Schools

Sligo

18029A

S N Muire Gan Smal

Druimeanna, Tubbercurry

Sewerage

Primary Schools

Sligo

18029A

S N Muire Gan Smal

Druimeanna, Tubbercurry

Upgrade Electrical

Primary Schools

Sligo

18029A

S N Muire Gan Smal

Druimeanna, Tubbercurry

Upgrade Mechanical

Primary Schools

Sligo

18053U

Sooey N S

Sughaidh, Cul Atha Boyle

Upgrade Mechanical

Primary Schools

Sligo

18979F

S N Ursula

Strandhill Road, Sligo

General Upgrade to Toilets

Primary Schools

Sligo

19206B

Sch Of Immaculate Conc

Cregg House, Sligo

Curricular Requirements

Sector

County

Roll No.

School

Address

Project

Primary Schools

Sligo

19389M

Sn Muire Gan Smal

Droimban Curraigh, Baile An Mhota

Complete Replacement of Windows

Primary Schools

Sligo

19408N

Rathcormack N S

Rathcormack

Internal/External Doors

Primary Schools

Sligo

19826I

St Brendans N S

Cartron, Sligo Town

Complete Replacement of Windows

Primary Schools

Sligo

19923G

St. Josephs National School

Banada, Tourlestrane

Complete Replacement of Windows

Primary Schools

Sligo

19964U

Scoil Mhuire Gan Smal

Ballymote

Complete Replacement of Roof

Primary Schools

Sligo

19974A

Scoil Eoin Naofa

Sraid An Teampaill, Sligeach

Complete Replacement of Roof

Primary Schools

Sligo

19985F

Our Lady Of Mercy N S

Pearse Road, Sligo

General Upgrade to Toilets

Primary Schools

Tipperary

04067F

Convent Of Mercy

Newport

Complete Replacement of Windows

Primary Schools

Tipperary

04075E

Moyglass N S

Moyglass, Fethard

Ceiling Repairs

Primary Schools

Tipperary

04075E

Moyglass N S

Moyglass, Fethard

Erecting Partitions

Primary Schools

Tipperary

04075E

Moyglass N S

Moyglass, Fethard

Upgrade of Windows

Primary Schools

Tipperary

04075E

Moyglass N S

Moyglass, Fethard

Toilet Facilities

Primary Schools

Tipperary

13991Q

Birdhill N S

Killaloe

Toilet Facilities

Primary Schools

Tipperary

16059W

Emly N S

Emly

Complete Replacement of Roof

Primary Schools

Tipperary

16112A

St Marys Convent

Nenagh

Toilet Facilities

Primary Schools

Tipperary

16344V

St Marys Jnr B N S

Nenagh

Upgrade Electrical

Primary Schools

Tipperary

16725K

S N Mhuire Na Mbraithre

Carrick On Suir

Upgrade Electrical

Primary Schools

Tipperary

16979S

St Colmcilles Primary School

Templemore

Upgrade Mechanical

Primary Schools

Tipperary

17237C

S N Cill Barfhionn

Coolbawn, Nenagh

Upgrade Electrical

Primary Schools

Tipperary

17237C

S N Cill Barfhionn

Coolbawn, Nenagh

Upgrade Mechanical

Primary Schools

Tipperary

17511T

S N Baile An Iubhair

Thurles

Repairs of Roof

Primary Schools

Tipperary

17511T

S N Baile An Iubhair

Thurles

Sewerage

Primary Schools

Tipperary

17634M

Scoil Ailbhe

Thurles

Upgrade Electrical

Primary Schools

Tipperary

17703F

S N Ard Croine

Nenagh

Ramps

Primary Schools

Tipperary

17712G

S N Chiarda Naofa

Kilkeary, Nenagh

Upgrade Electrical

Primary Schools

Tipperary

17731K

S N Iosef Naofa

Templemore

Windows

Primary Schools

Tipperary

17799V

S N Na Haille

An Mhoin Ard

Repairs of Roof

Primary Schools

Tipperary

18085K

Ballyneale N S

Carrick On Suir

Boiler Replacement

Sector

County

Roll No.

School

Address

Project

Primary Schools

Tipperary

18085K

Ballyneale N S

Carrick On Suir

Builders Work

Primary Schools

Tipperary

18085K

Ballyneale N S

Carrick On Suir

Upgrade Electrical

Primary Schools

Tipperary

18135W

Scoil Angela

Ursuline Convent, Thurles

Upgrade Electrical

Primary Schools

Tipperary

18343G

S N Chaoimhghin

Baile Dhaith, Thurles

Partial Replacement of Roof

Primary Schools

Tipperary

18343G

S N Chaoimhghin

Baile Dhaith, Thurles

Partial Replacement of Windows

Primary Schools

Tipperary

18343G

S N Chaoimhghin

Baile Dhaith, Thurles

General Upgrade to Toilets

Primary Schools

Tipperary

18350D

S N Na Hinse

Thurles, Thurles

Partial Replacement of Windows

Primary Schools

Tipperary

18396E

S N Rath Eilte

Thurles

Toilet Facilities

Primary Schools

Tipperary

18465U

S N Lios An Halla

Nenagh

Upgrade Electrical

Primary Schools

Tipperary

18501V

Grangemockler N S

Carrick On Suir

Upgrade Mechanical

Primary Schools

Tipperary

18512D

Scoil Phroinsias Naofa

Garryshane

Complete Replacement of Windows

Primary Schools

Tipperary

18512D

Scoil Phroinsias Naofa

Garryshane

Partial Replacement of Roof

Primary Schools

Tipperary

18557C

S N Teampall Doire

Nenagh

Partial Replacement of Roof

Primary Schools

Tipperary

18716T

Cahir B N S

Cahir

General Upgrade to Toilets

Primary Schools

Tipperary

19356U

Killenaule N S

Killenaule, Thurles

Boiler Replacement

Primary Schools

Tipperary

19421F

Kilross Ns

Kilross

Gutters/Facia

Primary Schools

Tipperary

19690J

Clonoulty Central N S

Goolds Cross

General Upgrade to Toilets

Primary Schools

Tipperary

19874T

Scoil Na Toirbhirte

Presentation Convent Ns, Thurles

Upgrade Mechanical

Primary Schools

Tipperary

19937R

Gaelscoil Aonach

Bothar Naomh Chonlain, Aonach Urmhumhan

Resource Room

Primary Schools

Waterford

07737Q

Villierstown N S

Cappoquin

General Upgrade to Toilets

Primary Schools

Waterford

11969N

Carrickbeg N S

Carrick On Suir

General Maintenance

Primary Schools

Waterford

11969N

Carrickbeg N S

Carrick On Suir

General Upgrade to Toilets

Primary Schools

Waterford

11969N

Carrickbeg N S

Carrick On Suir

Partial Replacement of Windows

Primary Schools

Waterford

11969N

Carrickbeg N S

Carrick On Suir

Sewerage

Primary Schools

Waterford

12535I

S N Ursula Naofa

Ursuline Convent, Waterford

Complete Replacement of Windows

Primary Schools

Waterford

14568K

Killea Boys N S

Dunmore East

General Upgrade to Toilets

Primary Schools

Waterford

14679T

S N Baile Builearaigh

Baile Builearaigh

Complete Replacement of Windows

Sector

County

Roll No.

School

Address

Project

Primary Schools

Waterford

15046I

St Stephens N S

Waterford

General Upgrade to Toilets

Primary Schools

Waterford

16976M

S N Deaglan

Portlairge

Upgrade Electrical

Primary Schools

Waterford

17159I

Garranbane NS

Dungarvan

General Upgrade to Toilets

Primary Schools

Waterford

17536M

S N Dun Aill

Tramor

Upgrade Mechanical

Primary Schools

Waterford

18048E

S N Naomh Deaglan

Ard Mor

General Upgrade to Toilets

Primary Schools

Waterford

18048E

S N Naomh Deaglan

Ard Mor

Repairs of Roof

Primary Schools

Waterford

18048E

S N Naomh Deaglan

Ard Mor

Upgrade Play Area

Primary Schools

Waterford

18077L

S N Cnoc Machan

Bun Machan

Boiler Replacement

Primary Schools

Waterford

18077L

S N Cnoc Machan

Bun Machan

Complete Replacement of Windows

Primary Schools

Waterford

18077L

S N Cnoc Machan

Bun Machan

General Upgrade to Toilets

Primary Schools

Waterford

18793O

Sc Naomh Eoin Le Dia

Passage Road, Waterford

Complete Replacement of Roof

Primary Schools

Waterford

19244J

St Josephs Special Sch

Parnell Street, Waterford

Repairs of Roof

Primary Schools

Waterford

19947U

Mount Sion C.B.S. N S

Barrack Street, Waterford

Lift

Primary Schools

Waterford

19953P

St Marys N S

Dungarvan

Upgrade Electrical

Primary Schools

Waterford

20116H

Glor Na Mara N S

Tramore

Partial Replacement of Windows

Primary Schools

Westmeath

00934G

Presentation Convent (Jnr)

Mullingar

Resource Room

Primary Schools

Westmeath

02263S

Crowenstown N S

Crowenstown, Delvin

Complete Replacement of Windows

Primary Schools

Westmeath

02263S

Crowenstown N S

Crowenstown, Delvin

Upgrade Electrical

Primary Schools

Westmeath

05513H

Castlepollard Mixed N S

Castlepollard

General Upgrade to Toilets

Primary Schools

Westmeath

05916G

Tyrrellspass Mixed N S

Tyrrellpass

Sewerage

Primary Schools

Westmeath

14450K

St Feighans Mxd N S

Fore, Castlepollard

Repairs of Roof

Primary Schools

Westmeath

16340N

Ballinagore Mixed N S, Ballinagore

Mullingar

Curricular Requirements

Primary Schools

Westmeath

16961W

Kilcumeragh N S

Kilcumeragh, Mota

Tarmacing

Primary Schools

Westmeath

16961W

Kilcumeragh N S

Kilcumeragh, Mota

Upgrade Mechanical

Primary Schools

Westmeath

16961W

Kilcumeragh N S

Kilcumeragh, Mota

Upgrade Play Area

Primary Schools

Westmeath

17167H

Bl Oliver Plunkett N S

Moate

General Upgrade to Toilets

Primary Schools

Westmeath

17189R

Rath Eoghan N S

Rath Eoghan

Partial Replacement of Roof

Primary Schools

Westmeath

17606H

Naomh Micheal N S

Castletown-Finea, Mullingar

Repairs of Roof

Sector

County

Roll No.

School

Address

Project

Primary Schools

Westmeath

17708P

Sc Ciarain

Lower Warren, Athlone

Complete Replacement of Roof

Primary Schools

Westmeath

17708P

Sc Ciarain

Lower Warren, Athlone

Replace Carpets

Primary Schools

Westmeath

17708P

Sc Ciarain

Lower Warren, Athlone

Upgrade Mechanical

Primary Schools

Westmeath

17806P

Cill Cleithe N S

Cill Cleithe, Moate

Classroom

Primary Schools

Westmeath

17806P

Cill Cleithe N S

Cill Cleithe, Moate

Complete Replacement of Windows

Primary Schools

Westmeath

17806P

Cill Cleithe N S

Cill Cleithe, Moate

Sewerage

Primary Schools

Westmeath

17991N

Eoin Naofa N S

Ballymore, Mullingar

Complete Replacement of Windows

Primary Schools

Westmeath

17991N

Eoin Naofa N S

Ballymore, Mullingar

Conversion Works

Primary Schools

Westmeath

17991N

Eoin Naofa N S

Ballymore, Mullingar

Conversion Works

Primary Schools

Westmeath

17991N

Eoin Naofa N S

Ballymore, Mullingar

General Upgrade to Toilets

Primary Schools

Westmeath

17991N

Eoin Naofa N S

Ballymore, Mullingar

Partial Replacement of Roof

Primary Schools

Westmeath

17991N

Eoin Naofa N S

Ballymore, Mullingar

Replace Carpets

Primary Schools

Westmeath

17991N

Eoin Naofa N S

Ballymore, Mullingar

Upgrade Mechanical

Primary Schools

Westmeath

18193N

S N Naomh Fiontan

Lismacaffrey

General Upgrade to Toilets

Primary Schools

Westmeath

18381O

Scoil Na Mbraithre

Mullingar

Upgrade Mechanical

Primary Schools

Westmeath

18405C

S N Phoil Naofa

Athlone

Complete Replacement of Roof

Primary Schools

Westmeath

18533L

Scoil Mhuire

Taughman, Mullingar

General Upgrade to Toilets

Primary Schools

Westmeath

18598Q

Earnain Mxd N S

Dealbhna Mor

Partial Replacement of Windows

Primary Schools

Westmeath

18598Q

Earnain Mxd N S

Dealbhna Mor

Upgrade Electrical

Primary Schools

Westmeath

18679Q

An Ghrianan N S

Moate

Partial Replacement of Windows

Primary Schools

Westmeath

18679Q

An Ghrianan N S

Moate

Upgrade Play Area

Primary Schools

Westmeath

18764H

Ard Na Gcraith N S

Ard Na Gcraith, Walderstown

Covered Walkway

Primary Schools

Westmeath

18764H

Ard Na Gcraith N S

Ard Na Gcraith, Walderstown

Handrails

Primary Schools

Westmeath

18764H

Ard Na Gcraith N S

Ard Na Gcraith, Walderstown

Upgrade Play Area

Primary Schools

Westmeath

19008U

Scoil Phadraig

Baile An Mhuileann, Muileann Cearr

Gutters/Facia

Primary Schools

Westmeath

19205W

Naomh Tola N S

Coill Uailleach, Mullingar

Upgrade Electrical

Sector

County

Roll No.

School

Address

Project

Primary Schools

Westmeath

19350I

S N Chruimin Naofa

Muilte Farannain

Repairs of Roof

Primary Schools

Westmeath

19650U

Scoil Cholmain Naofa

Bellview, Mullingar

Conversion Works

Primary Schools

Westmeath

20063M

Scoil An Chlochair Cill Bheagan

Kilbeggan

Upgrade Mechanical

Primary Schools

Wexford

01840C

St Canice S Convent

Rosbercon, New Ross

Upgrade Electrical

Primary Schools

Wexford

09184L

Shielbeggan Convent

Shielbeggan, Ramsgrange

Other Structural

Primary Schools

Wexford

11380A

Caime N S

Caime, Enniscorthy

Roof & windows

Primary Schools

Wexford

14900P

Gusserane N S

Gusserane, New Ross

Boiler Replacement

Primary Schools

Wexford

15948C

Clologue N S

Clologue, Ferns

Partial Replacement of Roof

Primary Schools

Wexford

16409A

St Marys N S

Ballygarrett, Gorey

Builders Work

Primary Schools

Wexford

16828U

S N Bearna Na H-Aille

Oylegate, Enniscorthy

Upgrade Electrical

Primary Schools

Wexford

16841M

S N Nmh Brighde

Blackwater, Enniscorthy

General Upgrade to Toilets

Primary Schools

Wexford

17267L

Scoil Iobar Naofa

St Ibars Ns, Clohamon

General Upgrade to Toilets

Primary Schools

Wexford

17610V

S N Baile Fada

Ballyfad, Inch

Upgrade Mechanical

Primary Schools

Wexford

17638U

S N Nmh Seosaimh

Dunard, Poll Na Peiste

Partial Replacement of Roof & electrical

Primary Schools

Wexford

17858L

S N Coill An Iarainn

Kilanerin, Gorey

Upgrade Mechanical

Primary Schools

Wexford

18010C

S N Mhuire

Davidstown, Enniscorthy

Upgrade Mechanical

Primary Schools

Wexford

18308E

S N Moin Na Gcaor

Monageer, Ballysimon

Fire Alarms

Primary Schools

Wexford

18308E

S N Moin Na Gcaor

Monageer, Ballysimon

Sewerage

Primary Schools

Wexford

18308E

S N Moin Na Gcaor

Monageer, Ballysimon

Upgrade Mechanical

Primary Schools

Wexford

18558E

S N Baile An Phiarsaigh

Drinagh

Complete Replacement of Windows

Primary Schools

Wexford

18684J

S N Bhaile Mhuirne

Murrintown

Sewerage

Primary Schools

Wexford

19604N

Scoil Mhuire

Horeswood, Campile

Upgrade of Windows

Primary Schools

Wexford

19890R

Naomh Maodhog N.S.

Ferns

Roof repairs

Primary Schools

Wicklow

00984V

Glenealy 1 N S

Glenealy

Complete Replacement of Windows

Primary Schools

Wicklow

10683N

Kilbride N S, Manor Kilbride

Blessington

Fencing

Primary Schools

Wicklow

10683N

Kilbride N S, Manor Kilbride

Blessington

Gutters/Facia

Sector

County

Roll No.

School

Address

Project

Primary Schools

Wicklow

14398L

The Glebe N S

Wicklow

Upgrade Electrical

Primary Schools

Wicklow

14972R

All Saints National School

Carnew

General Upgrade to Toilets

Primary Schools

Wicklow

15359G

Shillelagh No 1 N S

Shillelagh

Ceiling Repairs

Primary Schools

Wicklow

15383D

St Peters Infts

Arklow

Partial Replacement of Windows

Primary Schools

Wicklow

15676S

Padraig Naofa B N S

De La Salle, Wicklow

Complete Replacement of Windows

Primary Schools

Wicklow

16590N

St Brigids Convent

Kilcoole

Complete Replacement of Windows

Primary Schools

Wicklow

17181B

St Josephs N S

Templerainey, Arklow

Partial Replacement of Windows

Primary Schools

Wicklow

17265H

Rathdrum Boys N S

Rathdrum

General Upgrade to Toilets

Primary Schools

Wicklow

17810G

Sn Nicolais Naofa

Dunluain

Complete Replacement of Windows

Primary Schools

Wicklow

17920N

Donard N S

Donard

Complete Replacement of Roof

Primary Schools

Wicklow

17920N

Donard N S

Donard

Complete Replacement of Windows

Primary Schools

Wicklow

17920N

Donard N S

Donard

General Upgrade to Toilets

Primary Schools

Wicklow

17920N

Donard N S

Donard

Upgrade Electrical

Primary Schools

Wicklow

18242A

Carnew N S

Carnew

Partial Replacement of Roof

Primary Schools

Wicklow

18357R

S N Padraig Naofa

Curtlestown, Enniskerry

Upgrade Electrical

Primary Schools

Wicklow

18489L

Tinahely N S

Tinahely

General Upgrade to Toilets

Primary Schools

Wicklow

18732R

Naomh Seosamh B N S

Newtownmountkennedy, Greystones

Partial Replacement of Windows

Brian Hayes

Question:

309 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Education and Science the names of the primary schools in each county which received emergency works funding; and the total funding provided for each county under the scheme. [7421/08]

The details of the schools approved for funding under the contingency fund in 2007 are given in the following tabular statement. I have arranged to have the details of total funding by county forwarded to the Deputy. 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 that cannot be funded by the schools from their annual minor works grant.

Phase

School Name

County

Roll No.

Primary

Scoil Padraig Naofa, Tullow

Carlow

16080N

Primary

Bennekerry National School

Carlow

17501Q

Primary

Myshall NS

Carlow

17994T

Primary

Holy Family, Askea

Carlow

19477J

Primary

St Fiacc’s National School, Graiguecullen

Carlow

19958C

Primary

Kilnaleck National School

Cavan

01356U

Primary

Killeshandra No 2

Cavan

11205F

Primary

St Marys National School, Virginia

Cavan

16083T

Primary

Knocktemple National School, Virginia

Cavan

17625L

Primary

Knocktemple National School, Virginia

Cavan

17625L

Primary

St Annes NS, Bailieborough

Cavan

18059J

Primary

St Marys Boys National School, Belturbet

Cavan

18127A

Primary

St Flannans National School, Inagh

Clare

14622N

Primary

CBS Bunscoil, Ennis

Clare

16677C

Primary

Clonmoney NS, Newmarket-on-Fergus

Clare

18032M

Primary

St Marys National School, Corofin

Clare

18227E

Primary

St Clares NS, Ennis

Clare

19233E

Primary

St Conaires National School

Clare

19274S

Primary

St Conaire’s National School

Clare

19274S

Primary

Labasheeda National School

Clare

19386G

Primary

St Senans NS, Kilrush

Clare

20041C

Primary

Scoil na Maighdine Mhuire, Newmarket on Fergus

Clare

20127M

Primary

Shanballymore NS, Mallow

Cork

03704E

Primary

St Josephs NS, Kinsale

Cork

04572S

Primary

Ballyhass NS

Cork

04953H

Primary

Scoil Ursula, Blackrock

Cork

05940D

Primary

Freemount National School, Rathluirc

Cork

06295F

Primary

Cloghroe National School

Cork

07242M

Primary

Rathduff National School, Grenagh

Cork

08393P

Primary

Rathduff National School, Grenagh

Cork

08393P

Primary

Shandrum National School, Charville

Cork

11496T

Primary

Whitegate NS

Cork

11992I

Primary

St Anthonys NS Ballinlough

Cork

12203G

Primary

Gogginshill National School

Cork

12263B

Primary

Canovee NS

Cork

12292I

Primary

SN Ath na Lionta

Cork

13483U

Primary

SN Alha na Lionta, Mallow

Cork

13484U

Primary

Scoil Bhride, Ballydehob

Cork

14225D

Primary

Scoil Naisiunta an Chroi Naofa

Cork

15484J

Primary

Ballyheada National School, Ballinhassig

Cork

15550T

Primary

Ballyheada National School, Ballinhassig

Cork

15550T

Primary

Scoil Iosaf Naofa, Ballintemple

Cork

15781P

Primary

Scoil Naomh Micheál, Whites Cross

Cork

15792U

Primary

Mitchelstown Convent National School

Cork

16128P

Primary

Convent Primary School, Mallow

Cork

16159D

Primary

Aghina National School, Macroom

Cork

16253S

Primary

Convent NS, Cobh

Cork

16377N

Primary

Dunderrow National School

Cork

16940O

Primary

Scoil Chroist Ri

Cork

17066B

Primary

Scoil Mhuire gan Smal, Glasheen

Cork

17105I

Primary

Scaretleigh N.S.

Cork

17600S

Primary

Scartleigh NS — Midleton

Cork

17600S

Primary

Scartleigh National School

Cork

17600S

Primary

Scoil Mhuire Naofa, Carrigtohill

Cork

18000W

Primary

Maria Assumpta National School

Cork

18238J

Primary

GS Teaghlaigh Naofa

Cork

18292F

Primary

Ballinora National School, Waterfall

Cork

18428O

Primary

School of Divine Child

Cork

18483W

Primary

Scoil Bhride, Eglantine

Cork

18563U

Primary

St Josephs CBS, Doneraile

Cork

18657G

Primary

Scoil Iosagain, Mallow

Cork

18883P

Primary

St Paul’s School, Montonette

Cork

19203S

Primary

Scoil Barra Naofa Buachailli, Beaumont

Cork

19231A

Primary

Scoil Mhuire, Ballyhooly

Cork

19404F

Primary

St Brendan’s Girls NS, The Glen

Cork

19427R

Primary

Bandon Boys School

Cork

19977G

Primary

North Presentation, Gerald Griffin Street

Cork

20036I

Primary

Star of the Sea

Cork

20105C

Primary

Sonas Special Junior School

Cork

20162O

Primary

Scoil Naomh Fiachra, Letterkenny

Donegal

12077E

Primary

St Davaddogs National School, Letterkenny

Donegal

16471F

Primary

Scoil Colmcille,Newtowncunningham

Donegal

16820E

Primary

Scoil Fhionain, Falcarragh

Donegal

17704H

Primary

Woodland N.S.

Donegal

17728V

Primary

Belcruit National School

Donegal

18844F

Primary

Little Angels

Donegal

19724A

Primary

Scoil Mhuire, Stranorlar

Donegal

19927O

Primary

Scoil Iosagain , Buncrana

Donegal

19967D

Primary

St Brigids National School, Castleknock

Dublin

00697S

Primary

Scoil an Chroi Naofa

Dublin

04992R

Primary

Presentation Primary School, Georges Hill

Dublin

05933G

Primary

Presentation Primary School, Georges Hill

Dublin

05933G

Primary

Burrow National School, Sutton

Dublin

09642P

Primary

St Andrews National School, Lucan

Dublin

12014D

Primary

Presentation Primary School, Warrenmount

Dublin

13611D

Primary

St Patricks Junior School, Skerries

Dublin

16333Q

Primary

St Vincent De Paul, Griffith Ave

Dublin

16753P

Primary

St Louis Infant School, Rathmines

Dublin

17211H

Primary

St Louis Infant NS, Rathmines

Dublin

17211H

Primary

St Vincents Primary School, Glasnevin

Dublin

17214N

Primary

Our Lady of Good Counsel GNS, Drimnagh

Dublin

17355I

Primary

Our Lady of Good Counsel — Drimnagh

Dublin

17356K

Primary

Our Lady of Good Counsel, Drimnagh

Dublin

17356K/19669S/17355I

Primary

St Catherines Infant School/Dominican Convent GNS

Dublin

17466R/17465P

Primary

St Mary’s National School, Garristown

Dublin

17559B

Primary

Scoil an Lanai Glasa, Clontarf

Dublin

17730I

Primary

St Sylvesters Infants School, Malahide

Dublin

17928G

Primary

Luck NS

Dublin

17961E

Primary

St Michael’s School, Holy Angels, Glenmaroon, Chapelizod

Dublin

17971H

Primary

St Michaels House Special School

Dublin

18210K

Primary

St Louise — Drumfinn Road

Dublin

18342E

Primary

Scoil Mhuire, Clondalkin

Dublin

18602E

Primary

Scoil Mhuire, Clondalkin

Dublin

18602E

Primary

St Michaels House Special School, Rathgar

Dublin

18671A

Primary

St Michaels House Special School, Rathgar

Dublin

18671A

Primary

St Michaels House Special School, Ballymun

Dublin

18763F

Primary

Benincasa School, Blackrock

Dublin

18863I

Primary

Benincasa Special School, Blackrock

Dublin

18863J

Primary

St Colmcilles GNS, Swords

Dublin

18977B

Primary

Scoil Naomh Padraig, Ballyroan

Dublin

19114T

Primary

Scoil Fhursa, Kilmore West

Dublin

19297H

Primary

Scoil na Maighdine Mhuire, Ballinteer

Dublin

19314E

Primary

Our Ladys BNS

Dublin

19314E

Primary

Our Lady Of Good Counsel Girls

Dublin

19321B

Primary

Holy Trinity Senior School, Grange Road

Dublin

19406J

Primary

Holy Trinity Senior School, Grange Road

Dublin

19406J

Primary

St Josephs Junior and Senior Schools

Dublin

19431I/19583I

Primary

Scoil Colmcille Naofa,Knocklyon

Dublin

19474D

Primary

Scoil Mhuire,Ballyboden

Dublin

19490B

Primary

Bishop Galvin National School, Templeogue

Dublin

19494J

Primary

Bishop Galvin National School, Templeogue

Dublin

19494J

Primary

St Oliver Plunkett NS, Monkstown

Dublin

19499T

Primary

Ard Scoil Mhuire, Belgard heights

Dublin

19541P

Primary

St Josephs Senior School, Ballymun

Dublin

19583I

Primary

St Paul’s SNS Ayrefield

Dublin

19618B

Primary

St Pauls Junior School, Greenhills

Dublin

19623R

Primary

St Pauls Jnr School

Dublin

19623R

Primary

St Philips Senior NS, Clonsilla

Dublin

19643A

Primary

St Marys Senior National School, Rowlagh

Dublin

19647I

Primary

St Marys Senior National School, Rowlagh

Dublin

19647I

Primary

Rush National School, Rush

Dublin

19660A

Primary

De la Salle Schools, Ballyfermot Road

Dublin

19766Q/19767S

Primary

De La Salle Schools, Ballyfermot Road

Dublin

19766Q/19767S

Primary

Sacred Heart National School, Sruleen, Clondalkin

Dublin

19799I

Primary

Sacred Heart National School, Clondalkin

Dublin

19799I

Primary

Holy Family National School, Dun Laoghaire

Dublin

19840L

Primary

Holy Rosary National School, Firhouse

Dublin

19878E

Primary

St Annes National School, Shankhill

Dublin

19888H

Primary

St Josephs NS — Coolock

Dublin

19913D

Primary

St John of Gods, Artane

Dublin

19920A

Primary

Muslim National School, Clonskeagh

Dublin

19949B

Primary

Muslim School

Dublin

19949B

Primary

St Johns National School, Ballybrack

Dublin

19960M

Primary

St Marys Place, Dorset Street

Dublin

20005V

Primary

Gaelscoil Bhaile Munna, Ballymun

Dublin

20015B

Primary

Gael Scoil Chnoc Liamhna

Dublin

20043G

Primary

Glasnevin Educate Together National School

Dublin

20168D

Primary

Arch Bishop McQuaid NS, Loughlinstown

Dublin

20218P

Primary

St Benedicts Ongar NS, Littlepace, D15

Dublin

20231H

Primary

St Benedict’s & St Marys National School

Dublin

20281W

Primary

Institute of Herology

Dublin

No RN

Primary

Carysfort National School, Blackrock

Dublin

14586M

Primary

St. Paul’s Irish Christian Brothers School

Dublin

16695E

Primary

St Josephs Girls NS, Finglas

Dublin

19015R

Primary

Scoil an Linbh Iosa, St Francis Street

Galway

04515G

Primary

S N Creachnhaoil

Galway

05754G

Primary

Brownsgrove National School, Tuam

Galway

12138V

Primary

Mercy Primary School — Tuam

Galway

12250P

Primary

SN Inis Meain, Oileain Arann

Galway

12339I

Primary

Scoil an Chlochair, Gort

Galway

13208V

Primary

Scoil Mhuire, Oranmore

Galway

13365O

Primary

Briarfield National School, Tuam

Galway

14294W

Primary

Killea BNS

Galway

14568k

Primary

St Josephs National School, Kinvara

Galway

15523Q

Primary

Scoil Niocláis Naofa, An Cladach

Galway

16943U

Primary

SN an Droma, Loughrea

Galway

17331R

Primary

Sacred Heart NS

Galway

17368R

Primary

Derryoober National School, Woodford

Galway

17547R

Primary

Killeeneen National School, Craughwell

Galway

18268S

Primary

Milltown NS

Galway

18460K

Primary

Jesus & Mary NS — Scoil Ide, Salthill

Galway

18634R

Primary

Scoil Ide

Galway

18634R

Primary

Kilkerrin Central National School, Ballinasloe

Galway

19380R

Primary

Cappatagle NS

Galway

19506N

Primary

Kilchreest NS, Loughrea

Galway

19544V

Primary

Rosedale School, Renmore

Galway

20070J

Primary

Rosedale School, Renmore

Galway

20070J

Primary

St Brendan’s National School, Tralee

Kerry

16898S

Primary

St Fossa National School, Killarney

Kerry

17012B

Primary

Holy Cross Mercy School, Killarney

Kerry

19487M

Primary

S N Scairteach an Ghleanna, Killarney

Kerry

19745I

Primary

SN Scairteach an Ghleanna

Kerry

19745I

Primary

Gaelscoil Lios Tuathail

Kerry

20013U

Primary

Athy Model School

Kildare

06209J

Primary

Mercy Convent, Naas

Kildare

15040T

Primary

Scoil Brid, Celbridge

Kildare

16566Q

Primary

Scoil Padraig Naofa, Athy

Kildare

16705E

Primary

Maynooth Boys NS

Kildare

17341U

Primary

St Conleths Primary Schools

Kildare

17873H/17872F

Primary

Coill Dubh NS

Kildare

18096P

Primary

St Patricks NS, Johnstownbridge, Meath

Kildare

18130M

Primary

Scoil Mhicil Naofa

Kildare

18288B

Primary

Scoil Mhichil Naofa

Kildare

18288b

Primary

St Conleths National School

Kildare

18449W

Primary

St Conleths School

Kildare

18449W

Primary

Straffan National School

Kildare

18644U

Primary

Tiermohan National School, Naas

Kildare

18666H

Primary

St Annes Special School

Kildare

19277B

Primary

Scoil Ui Riada, Cill Choca

Kildare

19897I

Primary

North Kildare ETNS

Kildare

19995I

Primary

Sundai School Premises

Kildare

20023A

Primary

Sundai School Premises

Kildare

20023A

Primary

Presentation Convent Girls School, Mooncoin

Kilkenny

05437R

Primary

St Patricks National School, Kilmacow

Kilkenny

16875G

Primary

St Brendans National School, Ballyfoyle

Kilkenny

17093E

Primary

SN Chiarain Naofa

Kilkenny

17589K

Primary

St Aidans National School, Kilmanagh

Kilkenny

19344N

Primary

School of the Holy Spirit

Kilkenny

19523N

Primary

Sacred Heart School, Portlaoise

Laois

13386W

Primary

Camross National School, Portlaoise

Laois

15933M

Primary

Scoil Padraig Naofa, Mountmellick

Laois

16070K

Primary

The Heath National School, Portlaoise

Laois

18150S

Primary

Derrylamogue National School, Rosenallis

Laois

18513F

Primary

Cullohill NS

Laois

19791P

Primary

Gaelscoil an tSli Dala, Ballaghmore

Laois

20224K

Primary

Ballaghameehan National School

Leitrim

13908D

Primary

Largy National School

Leitrim

17206O

Primary

Four Masters National School, Kinlough

Leitrim

20079E

Primary

St Mary’s GNS

Limerick

00570R

Primary

Templeglantine NS

Limerick

02358G

Primary

Ardpatrick National School, Kilmallock

Limerick

08419H

Primary

Carnane NS

Limerick

09132P

Primary

Carrigkerry National School

Limerick

11280T

Primary

Ballyguiltenane National School, Glin

Limerick

11307N

Primary

Shanagolden National School

Limerick

17438M

Primary

St Munchins GNS, Ballynanty Road

Limerick

17941V

Primary

Scoil Aine Naofa

Limerick

18177P

Primary

Ahalin National School, Ballingarry

Limerick

18612H

Primary

Scoil Ide, Corbally

Limerick

18872K

Primary

St Augustines LYEP

Limerick

19587Q

Primary

St Augustines LYEP

Limerick

19587Q

Primary

Our Lady of Lourdes, Rosbrien

Limerick

19667O

Primary

Our Lady of Lourdes , Rosbrien

Limerick

19667O

Primary

St Fergus National School Glin

Limerick

20102T

Primary

St Marys BNS

Limerick

20185D

Primary

St Marys Boys School, Island Road

Limerick

20185D

Primary

Colehill N.S.

Longford

14672F

Primary

St Mels NS, Ardagh

Longford

19467G

Primary

St Mary’s National School, Edgeworthstown

Longford

20124G

Primary

St Olivers School, Carlingford

Louth

02322I

Primary

St Malachy’s Infants School, Dundalk

Louth

15260K

Primary

Kilcurley National School,

Louth

16749B

Primary

Scoil Naomh Peader, Droimineasclainn, Dundalk

Louth

16760M

Primary

Realt na Mara, Dundalk

Louth

17862C

Primary

SN Padraig Naofa, Drogheda

Louth

17949O

Primary

St Finians National School, Dunleer

Louth

17952D

Primary

SN Bhride, Faughart, Dundalk

Louth

18391R

Primary

Marymount NS

Louth

19215C

Primary

Redeemer Boys and Girls School, Dundalk

Louth

19246N/19247P

Primary

St Johns NS — Rathmullen

Louth

19479N

Primary

Scoil Mhuire Na nGael

Louth

19598V

Primary

St Josephs NS Dundalk

Louth

19673J

Primary

Le Cheile Educate Together National School

Louth

20146Q

Primary

Scoil Eoin Baiste, Dundalk

Louth

20163Q

Primary

Scoil Eoin Baiste, Fatima

Louth

20163Q

Primary

St Francis National School, Dundalk

Louth

20259E

Primary

Scoil Chriost Íosa

Mayo

05215W

Primary

Scoil Chroi Iosa, Ballina

Mayo

05215W / 20275E

Primary

Fionnabhair NS

Waterford

17535K

Primary

Scoil Naomh Brid, Cullens

Mayo

07054L

Primary

Shraheen National School, Beal Easa

Mayo

12808R

Primary

St Josephs National School,Bekan

Mayo

13659I

Primary

Scoil Chroi Ri Naofa

Mayo

13684H

Primary

Killawalla National School, Westport

Mayo

14064F

Primary

Banagher NS

Mayo

18175L

Primary

Parke National School, Castlebar

Mayo

18562S

Primary

Scoil Padraig, Westport

Mayo

20230F

Primary

Newton National School, Ardee

Meath

03275H

Primary

Our Lady of Mercy — Kells

Meath

12068D

Primary

St Marys Primary School, Trim

Meath

16646O

Primary

St Colmcille’s BNS, Kells

Meath

16722E

Primary

Culmullen National School,Drumree

Meath

17312N

Primary

Culmullen National School, Drumree

Meath

17312N

Primary

Scoil Mhuire, Robinstown

Meath

17520U

Primary

Scoil Oilibheir Naofa, Kilcloon

Meath

17652O

Primary

Scoil Naomh Bride, Trim

Meath

17947K

Primary

Scoil Mhuire, Navan

Meath

17969U

Primary

St Patricks National School, Slane

Meath

18040L

Primary

SN Mhuire, Moynalvey

Meath

18344I

Primary

St Fiach’s National School, Oldcastle

Meath

18358T

Primary

St Michaels National School, Enfield

Meath

18453N

Primary

St Ciarans National School, Castlejordan

Meath

19300Q

Primary

St Declans National School, Ashbourne

Meath

19486K

Primary

St Thomas’ Junior National School, Lucan

Meath

19542R

Primary

St Marys Special School

Meath

19560T

Primary

St Stephen’s National School, Johnstown, Navan

Meath

20179I

Primary

St Stephens National School, Johnstown

Meath

20179I

Primary

Scoil Oilibheir Naofa, Bettystown

Meath

20216L

Primary

St Michaels National School, Stranooden

Monaghan

16129R

Primary

St Josephs National School, Carrickmacross

Monaghan

17099Q

Primary

St Louis Infant School, Park Road

Monaghan

18494E

Primary

Scoil Padraig, Carrickmacross

Monaghan

19736H

Primary

Scoil Eanna, Ballybay

Monaghan

20174V

Primary

Scoil Bhride, Clara

Offaly

13118U

Primary

High Street Mixed NS

Offaly

13191H

Primary

Cloneyhurke NS, Portarlington

Offaly

15923J

Primary

Scoil Mhuire, Tullamore

Offaly

18057F

Primary

Scoil Phroinsias Naofa, Clara

Offaly

18406E

Primary

Ballymurray NS

Roscommon

12964I

Primary

St Annes School, Castlerea

Roscommon

13198U

Primary

St Johns National School Ballinameen

Roscommon

14925I

Primary

St Johns National School, Ballinameen

Roscommon

14925I

Primary

St Josephs National School, Boyle

Roscommon

15628H

Primary

Gorthaganny National School

Roscommon

16127N

Primary

Abbey National School

Roscommon

17255E

Primary

St Marys NS, Strokestown

Roscommon

17808T

Primary

Scoil Mhuire, Brusna

Roscommon

17904P

Primary

St Michaels NS, Tubbercurry

Sligo

04802J

Primary

Scoil Naomh Eanna

Sligo

14636B

Primary

St Edwards National School, Ballytivnan

Sligo

17277O

Primary

St Edwards National School, Ballytivnan

Sligo

17277O

Primary

SN Realt na Mara, Rosses Point

Sligo

17641J

Primary

Sooey NS

Sligo

18053U

Primary

St Mary’s National School,Templeboy

Sligo

18580U

Primary

Scoil Ursula, Strandhill Road

Sligo

18979F

Primary

Scoil Ursula, Strandhill Road

Sligo

18979F

Primary

Scoil Ursula, Strandhill Road

Sligo

18979F

Primary

Presentation NS, Clonmel

Tipperary

12180U

Primary

Presentation Convent School, Clonmel

Tipperary

12180U

Primary

St Patricks Boys School, Fethard

Tipperary

13014I

Primary

Emly National School

Tipperary

16059W

Primary

St Marys Convent Primary School, Nenagh

Tipperary

16112A

Primary

St Mary’s Boys National School, Nenagh

Tipperary

16344V

Primary

CBS Nanagh

Tipperary

16727O

Primary

Arcroney NS

Tipperary

17703F

Primary

Scoil Iosaf Naofa, Corville

Tipperary

18345K

Primary

Kilruane National School, Nenagh

Tipperary

18369B

Primary

Scoil Mhuire, Carrick on Suir

Tipperary

18538V

Primary

Scoil Mhuire

Tipperary

18538V

Primary

Lisvernane NS

Tipperary

19294B

Primary

Clogheen National School

Tipperary

19540N

Primary

Clogheen National School

Tipperary

19540N

Primary

Gaelscoil Chluain Meala

Tipperary

20007C

Primary

Scoil Mhuire

Tipperary

20062K

Primary

St Stephen’s De La Salle

Waterford

15046I

Primary

St Josephs School, Dungarvan

Waterford

16732H

Primary

Whitechurch National School, Cappagh

Waterford

18108T

Primary

St Annes National School, Kilmacthomas

Waterford

18167M

Primary

St Annes National School, Kilmacthomas

Waterford

18167M

Primary

Christchurch National School

Waterford

18681D

Primary

Listerlin National School, Mullivat Via. Waterford

Waterford

18748J

Primary

St Martins Special School

Waterford

19108B

Primary

St Josephs Special School

Waterford

19244J

Primary

St Josephs School

Waterford

19244S

Primary

Portlaw NS

Waterford

19970P

Primary

Waterpark National School

Waterford

20143K

Primary

Waterpark National School

Waterford

20143K

Primary

Kilmacthomas NS

Waterford

20170N

Primary

St Saviours NS

Waterford City

19511G

Primary

Saplings — Mullingar

Westmeath

00006a

Primary

Presentation Junior School

Westmeath

00934G

Primary

St Patricks National School, Delvin

Westmeath

02263S

Primary

St Oliver Plunketts National School, Moate

Westmeath

17167H

Primary

Dysart National School

Westmeath

17290G

Primary

Kilcleagh NS, Castledaly

Westmeath

17806P

Primary

Presentation Senior School, Mullingar

Westmeath

18212O

Primary

St Colmans National School, Mullingar

Westmeath

19650U

Primary

Scoil Etchen Noafa, Kinnegad

Westmeath

19848S

Primary

St Mary’s National School, Athlone

Westmeath

20073P

Primary

St Senans NS Templeshannon

Wexford

08221J

Primary

St Patrick’s National School, Bunclody

Wexford

12841P

Primary

Monamolin National School, Gorey

Wexford

13335F

Primary

St Marys National School, Ballygarrett

Wexford

16409A

Primary

Cushionstown National School, Foulsmills

Wexford

16673R

Primary

Cushionstown National School, Foulkstown

Wexford

16673R

Primary

CBS Wexford

Wexford

17217T

Primary

St Patricks National School, Craanford

Wexford

17354G

Primary

Castledockrell National School, Bunclody

Wexford

17519M

Primary

Castledockerell National School, Enniscorthy

Wexford

17519M

Primary

St Fintans NS, Mayglass

Wexford

18133S

Primary

St Ibar’s National School, Castlebridge

Wexford

18707S

Primary

Screen National School

Wexford

18839M

Primary

Realt na Mara, Kilmore

Wexford

19352M

Primary

St Philomena’s Primary School

Wicklow

07246U

Primary

St Saviours National School, Rathdrum

Wicklow

12529N

Primary

St. Michael’s G.N.S.

Wicklow

13932A

Primary

Johnathan Swift NS, Dunlavin

Wicklow

14269A

Primary

Holy Rosary School,

Wicklow

17576B

Primary

Coolfancy National School, Tinahely

Wicklow

18118W

Primary

SN Padraig Naofa, Avoca

Wicklow

18198A

Primary

Scoil Padaig Naofa

Wicklow

18198A

Primary

St Peters Boys, Bray

Wicklow

18464S

Primary

Newtownmountkennedy National School

Wicklow

18732R

Primary

St Fergals Jnr School, Bray

Wicklow

19508R

Primary

St Fergals Snr School, Bray

Wicklow

19654F

Primary

St Francis National School, Greystones

Wicklow

19734D

Primary

St Francis National School, Greystones

Wicklow

19734D

Primary

Newtownmountkennedy National School

Wicklow

20278K

Primary

Site @ Rathstewart, Athy

Kildare

No RN

Primary

Oliver Plunkett School

Donegal

18007N

Schools Building Projects.

Brian Hayes

Question:

310 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Education and Science for the names of primary schools in each county where school building projects were progressed to completion during 2007 under the permanent accommodation scheme. [7422/08]

In the period 2003 to 2007, 335 primary and post primary schools accepted an allocation of funding under the Permanent Accommodation Scheme at a cost in excess of €103m. This Scheme allows schools to proceed with small scale permanent building projects with minimum interaction with my Department. Of the 335 approved projects, 166 were completed by the end of 2007, 47 are on site and the remainder are in advanced stages of architectural planning. I will arrange to forward a list of the projects to the Deputy.

Schools Funding.

Dara Calleary

Question:

311 Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Education and Science the level of investment in two schools (details supplied) in County Mayo since the year 2000. [7426/08]

Bofield Mixed N.S. (RN 14418O) has received €119,718.98 in Capital Funding since 2000. This comprises €20,191 in 2005 for Radon Mitigation, €2,273.08 in 2004 and €97,254.90 in 2002 for repair to windows, play areas, walls and surface water. Ceara N.S. (RN 16630W) has received €384,323.46 in Capital Funding since 2000. This is comprised of €380,000 from the Small Schools Scheme in 2006 and 2007 and a Furniture payment of €4,323.46 in 2002. In addition to the above payments, all Primary Schools with permanent recognition (including Bofield Mixed N.S. and Ceara N.S.) benefit annually from the Minor Works Grant, which has a current rate of €5,500 per school and €18.50 per pupil and €74.00 per special needs pupil.

In 2004, all Primary Schools received a Science Grant in the amount of €1,000 per school and €10 per pupil, which has allowed the acquisition of appropriate resources and materials for science work. In 2006, all Primary Schools received a once-off PE Equipment grant of €2,000.

Schools Building Projects.

Dara Calleary

Question:

312 Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Education and Science the contacts between her Department and a school (details supplied) in County Mayo since the year 2000; the content of those contacts; and the position of the building project. [7427/08]

I assume the Deputy is referring to contacts relating to the building project. The Planning and Building Unit of my Department would have had numerous contacts with the school in question from 2000 to date. These would have included correspondence/phone contacts etc, in relation to the development of the building project from initial application stage, development of a brief for the project, appointment of a design team, progression of the project through the various stages of architectural planning etc. The delivery of all building projects, including the project for the school in question will be considered in the context of my Department's multi-annual School Building and Modernisation Programme.

Darragh O'Brien

Question:

313 Deputy Darragh O’Brien asked the Minister for Education and Science when a school (details supplied) in Dublin 13 will pass stage two of the new school buildings programme; and when the project will move to stage three. [7429/08]

The commencement and progression of all large scale building projects from initial design stage through to construction phase, 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.

School Enrolments.

Brian Hayes

Question:

314 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of section 29 appeals taken to her Department on a county basis; the number of cases where the appeal was upheld; the number where the appeal was rejected; the measures that are taken by her Department to ensure that the appeals mechanism is consistently applied throughout the entire county to ensure that all matters regarding the important process is consistently applied and rigorously enforced; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7444/08]

The information requested by the Deputy on a county by county basis is not readily available within my Department and would involve an inordinate amount of administrative time to compile. However, I can inform the Deputy that in 2006 and 2007 a total of 266 and 383 appeals respectively were dealt with by my Department under Section 29 of the Education Act, 1998. These figures cover both first and second level students. The position in relation to 2006 is that 65 appeals were withdrawn. A further 15 appeals were resolved by local agreement and 22 were resolved by an independent facilitator. The remaining 161 cases were heard by an appeals committee and of these 73 were upheld in favour of the student.

In 2007, 81 appeals were withdrawn. A further 20 appeals were resolved by local agreement and 64 were resolved by an independent facilitator. The remaining 218 cases were heard by an appeals committee and of these 88 were upheld in favour of the appellant. All appeals under section 29 of the Education Act 1998 are dealt with in accordance with the "Procedures for Hearing and Determining appeals" which issued under Circular M48/01 in 2001. These procedures are available on my Department's web site at www.education.gov.ie. The procedures are universally applied regardless of the geographic location of any appeal.

Special Educational Needs.

Brian Hayes

Question:

315 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Education and Science to confirm the number of people who work at the special education unit within her Department; the number of people who work for the National Council for Special Education; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7446/08]

I wish to advise the Deputy that there are 22 people working in the special education section of my Department. The National Council for Special Education has 98 staff comprising 79 Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs) and 19 civil servants. There is currently a recruitment process underway to fill an additional 3 SENO posts. This is a significant allocation of staff working exclusively in supporting and improving delivery of education services to persons with special educational needs.

State Examinations.

Simon Coveney

Question:

316 Deputy Simon Coveney asked the Minister for Education and Science if pupils of grind schools are assigned examination numbers in public examinations that enable them to be identified as pupils of such schools by correctors; if pupils of such schools are treated differently in any way in the allocation of numbers; if in her opinion this undermines the anonymity of the system; and if she will ensure that changes are made to the system to ensure the complete anonymity in every way of pupils in the future. [7459/08]

The State Examinations Commission has statutory responsibility for operational matters relating to the certificate examinations, including organising the holding of examinations and determining procedures in places where examinations are conducted. I am advised by the Commission that it is very strongly committed to maintaining the anonymity of candidates in its examining processes. This anonymity is enhanced through the system of allocating examination numbers to candidates sitting the Certificate Examinations. The position is that the Commission receives entries for admission to the Certificate Examinations from a number of sources. Details of pupils attending recognised post-primary schools are obtained electronically from my Department based on data submitted by schools in their October Returns. As part of the transfer process of this data to the Commission, Junior Certificate (including those attending VTOS centres) and Leaving Certificate candidates are assigned ranges of examination numbers.

Candidates who are not attending recognised post-primary schools and who apply for admission to the Leaving Certificate examination, generally known as External Candidates, are assigned a different range of examination numbers. The Commission has received applications from 4,093 External Candidates to take the Leaving Certificate examination in 2008. The Commission has advised me that it is satisfied that the methodology used to allocate examination numbers does not undermine the anonymity of the system.

Special Educational Needs.

Terence Flanagan

Question:

317 Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Education and Science if she will respond to a query from a person (details supplied) in Dublin 13; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7481/08]

As the Deputy will be aware, the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is responsible, through its network of local Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs), for allocating resource teachers and special needs assistants (SNAs) to schools to support children with special needs. SNAs are sanctioned specifically to assist in the care of pupils and students with disabilities in an educational context. The SENOs operate within the policy outlined in my Department's circular for allocating such support.

My officials have been in contact with the NCSE regarding the reference to special needs assistant support for the pupil referred to by the Deputy. The NCSE has confirmed that the SENO has not received a request for such support from the school. 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.

School Management.

Paul Nicholas Gogarty

Question:

318 Deputy Paul Gogarty asked the Minister for Education and Science when details of the patron body and enrolment policy will be published for the new school at Clonburris, County Dublin, announced by her Department on 1 February 2008; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7515/08]

I wish to advise the Deputy that the issue of patronage for the proposed new school at Clonburris will be decided in the near future. Enrolment in individual schools is the responsibility of the managerial authority of those schools and my Department does not seek to intervene in decisions made by schools.

School Accommodation.

Róisín Shortall

Question:

319 Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Education and Science if her attention has been drawn to the unsatisfactory accommodation for a school (details supplied) in Dublin 9; the reason this school is without running hot water; if this is standard practice in schools; and the action she will take to address this problem. [7525/08]

My Department is not aware that the school in question does not have running water. Primary school authorities may use their annual minor works grant to deal with smaller scale works. 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. The school management should make contact with the Modernisation and Policy Section of my Department's Planning and Building Unit in the matter.

Schools Building Projects.

Joanna Tuffy

Question:

320 Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for Education and Science the position in relation to the proposed new school building for a school (details supplied) in County Cork; when she expects works to commence on the project; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7532/08]

The commencement and progression of all large scale building projects from initial design stage through to construction phase, 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. Officials will be in contact with the school authorities when the Department is in a position to authorise further progress of this project.

School Accommodation.

Jack Wall

Question:

321 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Education and Science if her attention was drawn to the fact that in 2004 her Department carried out a technical survey on a school (details supplied) in County Kildare and recommended a new school building; when a new school will be provided; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7541/08]

Jack Wall

Question:

322 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Education and Science the discussion that has taken place in relation to rationalisation and reconfiguration of primary schools in County Kildare; when a decision will be issued in relation to a new school building for a primary school (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7542/08]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 321 and 322 together.

I can confirm that the Department is in receipt of an application for major capital works from the school to which the Deputy refers. Progress on all applications is being considered in the context of the multi-annual School Building and Modernisation Programme.

Schools Building Projects.

Joanna Tuffy

Question:

323 Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for Education and Science the status with regard to the proposed construction of a new school (details supplied) in County Cork; when she expects work to commence; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7543/08]

I wish to advise the Deputy that the Property Management Section of the Office of Public Works (OPW), which acts on behalf of my Department in relation to site acquisitions generally, has been asked to source a suitable site for the school in question. When a site has been secured the proposed building project for the school will be considered in the context of my Department's multi-annual School Building and Modernisation Programme.

Joanna Tuffy

Question:

324 Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for Education and Science the position in relation to the proposed new extension to a school (details supplied) in County Cork; when she expects works to commence on the project; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7544/08]

The development of the proposed building project for the school in question is at an early stage. The progression of all large scale building projects from initial design stage through to construction phase, including the application in question, is considered on an on-going basis in the context of my Department's multi-annual School Building and Modernisation Programme.

Jack Wall

Question:

325 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Education and Science if her attention has been drawn to the situation in a primary school (details supplied) in County Kildare, who since 2005 have had three emergency works moneys from her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7556/08]

I can confirm that my Department is in receipt of an application for major capital works from the school in question. Discussions are on-going with the authorities of the school in relation to their long term accommodation needs and the needs of the centre in general. As part of this process, meetings have also taken place with both the County and Town Councils with a view to ensuring that the appropriate level of educational provision is made in the context of planned housing developments. My Department expects to be in a position to make a decision on the long-term needs of the area shortly and will have further discussions with school management authorities at that stage.

Jack Wall

Question:

326 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Education and Science the position regarding an application for a new secondary school in a town (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7573/08]

My Department has identified a suitable site for the school in question. The acquisition of this site is at the negotiation stage at present. The proposed building project for the school will be considered for progression in the context of my Departments Multi-Annual School Building and Modernisation Programme.

Jack Wall

Question:

327 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Education and Science the position regarding a school extension (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7574/08]

The school to which the Deputy refers to have applied for large scale capital funding. The application has been assessed in accordance with the published criteria for large scale building projects. Progress on individual projects will be considered in the context of the multi-annual School Building and Modernisation Programme.

Jack Wall

Question:

328 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Education and Science the position of an application for a new school (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7586/08]

The commencement and progression of all large-scale building projects from initial design stage through to construction phase, 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. Officials will be in contact with the school authorities when the Department is in a position to authorise further progress of this project.

School Accommodation.

Tom Hayes

Question:

329 Deputy Tom Hayes asked the Minister for Education and Science when prefabricated classrooms will be provided to a school (details supplied) in County Tipperary. [7591/08]

An application for temporary accommodation has been received from the school referred to by the Deputy. The application is being assessed and when this is completed the school authorities will be informed of the position without delay.

Schools Building Projects.

Finian McGrath

Question:

330 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the position regarding a matter (details supplied). [7592/08]

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.

I announced recently a list of schools which are due to go to construction in 2008. The school to which the Deputy refers was 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.

Teachers’ Remuneration.

Tom Hayes

Question:

331 Deputy Tom Hayes asked the Minister for Education and Science if there are developments on plans to bring teachers’ salaries into line regardless of whether they achieved first, second or third class honours in their Bachelor of Arts degrees; and if there will be a limit on when the degree was awarded for teachers to benefit. [7596/08]

The issue raised by the Deputy was recently the subject of a recent claim from the Teachers Union of Ireland, which was discussed at the Teachers Conciliation Council. The Claim sought to have a pass degree, together with 12 years satisfactory teaching experience equated to an honours degree for the purpose of receiving the degree allowance. Currently, Teachers receive an allowance of €1,846 for a pass degree and €4,928 for an honours degree. The claim from the Teacher Unions was not conceded on the grounds that teaching experience gained by a teacher was already recognised by the incremental salary scale, and that the degree allowance aims to recognise academic performance by teachers.

A further issue is currently being examined by the Teachers Conciliation Council regarding the award of a third class honours degree by the University of Limerick. As these discussions are under the auspices of the Teachers' Conciliation Council, it would be inappropriate for me to comment further until the matter has been finalised.

Special Educational Needs.

Finian McGrath

Question:

332 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science if she will support a matter (details supplied).

As the Deputy will be aware, my Department provides a range of teaching and care supports for children with special educational needs, including children with Down Syndrome. The precise level of support is determined by the special educational needs of the particular child. Children with Down Syndrome are entitled to additional provision in school, either under the terms of the general allocation system of teaching supports if the child's assessment places the child in the high incidence disability category or through an allocation of additional resources if the child is assessed as being within the low incidence category of special need, as defined by my Department's circular.

In circumstances where a Down Syndrome child has other associated needs and would fall into the low incidence disability categories, this may automatically attract an individual resource teaching allocation. The number of additional teaching hours allocated would range from three to five hours per week depending on the pupil's special educational needs including the level of general learning disability. Applications for such support should be referred to the local Special Educational Needs Organiser SENO by the school.

I am satisfied that the mechanisms are in place to provide appropriate resources for children with special needs in our schools, including those with Down Syndrome.

Jim O'Keeffe

Question:

333 Deputy Jim O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Education and Science the normal waiting time for a child with dyslexia to be given an individual education plan following psychological assessment. [7633/08]

The development of an individual education plan or IEP is normally a task for a Learning Support / Resource Teacher in conjunction with a pupil's Class Teacher, or in the case of Post-Primary, Subject Teacher. While it is difficult to generalise, in the absence of specific detail and circumstance, it would be desirable, where recommended in the context of an educational assessment, that an IEP would be developed without undue delay. My Department's NEPS service is available to school authorities / teachers to provide advice on the matter.

State Examinations.

Jim O'Keeffe

Question:

334 Deputy Jim O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Education and Science if her attention has been drawn to concerns in relation to the limited resources of readers for State examinations for children with dyslexia, in that it appears that the child has only access to a reader on two occasions during their schooling, while sitting the junior certificate and leaving certificate exams; if she will arrange to extend the facility in consultation with school authorities and parents in order that children with dyslexia can have the possibility of familiarising themselves with the system of readers before sitting the exams; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7634/08]

The State Examinations Commission has statutory responsibility for operational matters relating to the certificate examinations, including organising the holding of examinations and determining procedures in places where examinations are conducted.

The State Examinations Commission operates a Scheme of Reasonable Accommodations in relation to the assessment of candidates with special needs at the Certificate Examinations. Reasonable Accommodations are designed to remove as far as possible the impact of a disability on a candidate's performance in the examination, so that he or she can demonstrate in the examination his or her level of achievement — they are not designed to compensate for a possible lack of achievement arising from a disability.

Applications for reasonable accommodations are considered within a published framework of principles recommended by an Expert Advisory Group which reported in January 2000. The range of reasonable accommodations which may be approved for examination candidates include the use of special examination centres; readers for candidates who have reading difficulties; scribes, tape-recorders, and the use of computer technology for candidates who have writing difficulties; exemption from elements of standard assessment; use of bilingual translation dictionaries by candidates who do not have English or Irish as their first language.

Applications for reasonable accommodations are submitted by the school which a candidate attends on prescribed application forms. Applications are normally invited one year in advance of the examination concerned. In respect of the 2008 Certificate Examinations some 4,500 applications for the use of a reader in the examinations have been approved to date.

I am advised by the State Examinations Commission that readers are appointed by the school authorities. The Commission recognises that a candidate may have worked with a particular person during his/her course of study and, in the interests of the candidate, the Commission accepts that a school may wish to nominate as reader such a person or some other person from the school locality.

A person nominated as reader should have a capacity to read the question paper in any language subject chosen by the candidate. It is acceptable to have different persons act as reader to match the subject choices of the candidate. The Commission informs schools that, where the person acting as reader is not familiar with the candidate's requirements, it is desirable that he/she should attend at the examination centre on the day before the examinations commence in order to meet the candidate and to allow for practice sessions with the candidate.

Schools Building Projects.

Michael Lowry

Question:

335 Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Education and Science if works on a school (details supplied) in County Tipperary will be progressed in the 2008 building programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7644/08]

The commencement and progression of all large scale building projects from initial design stage through to construction phase, 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. Officials will be in contact with the school authorities when the Department is in a position to authorise further progress of this project.

Michael Lowry

Question:

336 Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Education and Science if a school (details supplied) in County Tipperary will be progressed in the 2008 building programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7645/08]

This extension/refurbishment project is at an early stage of architectural planning. The further progression of all large scale capital projects, including this project, will be considered in the context of my Department's multi-annual School Building and Modernisation programme.

Michael Lowry

Question:

337 Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Education and Science if a school (details supplied) in County Tipperary will be progressed in the 2008 building programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7646/08]

This project is at an early stage of architectural planning. The further progression of all large scale capital projects, including this project, will be considered in the context of my Department's multi-annual School Building and Modernisation programme.

Michael Lowry

Question:

338 Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Education and Science if a project for a school (details supplied) in County Tipperary will be progressed in the emergency works scheme as a health and safety issue; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7647/08]

An application for capital funding towards the provision of additional accommodation has been received from the school authority. All applications for large scale capital funding, including the application in question, are assessed against published prioritisation criteria and assigned a band rating.

Progress on all projects will be considered in the context of my Department's multi-annual School Building and Modernisation Programme.

Michael Lowry

Question:

339 Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Education and Science if a project for a school (details supplied) in County Tipperary will be progressed in the emergency works scheme as a health and safety issue; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7648/08]

As part of the expansion of the Small Schools Scheme, a grant was sanctioned in March 2007 to enable the Board of Management of the school in question to extend and refurbish their school. The initiative allows Boards of Management to address their accommodation and building priorities with a guaranteed amount of funding and gives Boards of Management control of the building project. The school authorities have received planning permission for their project and are at tender stage at present.

Niall Collins

Question:

340 Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Education and Science the progress on a project (details supplied) in County Limerick. [7663/08]

The school referred by the Deputy is one of six schools that make up the Second Bundle of the Department's current Public Private Partnership Programme. This bundle consists of Bantry Community College, Kildare Town Community School, Athboy Community School, Wicklow Town Community College, Gaelscoil Bheanntraí and the school in question.

Work on the preparation of Output Specifications and the Public Services Benchmark (PSB) is nearing completion. Outline planning permission has been obtained for five of the six schools and a notification of a decision to grant outline permission has been received in respect of the sixth school. It is envisaged that this second bundle will be handed over to the National Development Finance Agency (NDFA) shortly to commence the procurement process.

Pat Breen

Question:

341 Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Education and Science the status of an application for capital grant aid for major capital works by a school (details supplied) in County Clare; if her Department will facilitate a meeting; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7705/08]

Joe Carey

Question:

351 Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Education and Science when she envisages the appointment of a design team for the major capital works for national schools in relation to a school (details supplied) in County Clare; the time-frame for carrying out the works applied for under this scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7902/08]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 341 and 351 together.

An application for capital funding towards the provision of an extension at the school to which the Deputy refers has been received in my Department. The long term accommodation needs of the school has been determined and notified to the school authority. The commencement and progression of all large scale building projects from initial design stage through to construction phase, 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:

342 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science if urgent consideration can or will be given to an application by a school (details supplied) in County Kildare under the building programme and summer works plans; when she will progress this issue in view of the critical situation facing the college; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7708/08]

The progression of all large scale building projects, including the project for the school in question, from initial design stage through to construction phase will be considered on an on-going basis in the context of my Department's Multi-Annual School Building and Modernisation Programme. On 1 February, I announced a list of schools which are due to go to construction in 2008. It is also my intention to make further announcements of projects to progress to tender and construction during the course of the year as the school building programme is rolled out.

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

Third Level Grants.

Jack Wall

Question:

343 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Education and Science the reason a student (details supplied) in County Kildare is not being awarded a grant towards the cost of their education; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7850/08]

Jack Wall

Question:

344 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Education and Science the reason a student (details supplied) in County Kildare is not being awarded a grant towards their education; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7851/08]

Jack Wall

Question:

345 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Education and Science the reason a student (details supplied) in County Kildare has not received an education grant; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7852/08]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 343 to 345, inclusive, together.

The decision on eligibility for third level grants is a matter for the relevant assessing authority — i.e. the local authority or VEC. These bodies do not refer individual applications to my Department except, in exceptional cases, where, for example, advice or instruction regarding a particular clause in the relevant scheme is required. If an individual applicant considers that she/he has been unjustly refused a maintenance grant, or that the rate of grant awarded is not the correct one, she/he may appeal, in the first instance, to the relevant local authority or VEC.

Where an individual applicant has had an appeal turned down, in writing, by the relevant local authority or VEC, and remains of the view that the body has not interpreted the schemes correctly in his/her case, an appeal form outlining the position may be submitted by the applicant to my Department.

Residential Institutions Redress Scheme.

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Question:

346 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Education and Science if there is a link between the level of damages awarded by the Redress Board to individual complainants and the timing of the complaints made. [7853/08]

The Residential Institutions Redress Board was established under statute in 2002 to provide financial redress to victims of child abuse in residential institutions in order to assist them in their recovery and enhance the quality of the remainder of their lives. The Board is entirely independent in the performance of its functions and the application process is confidential in accordance with the terms of the Residential Institutions Redress Act, 2002.

My Department therefore has no function in the application process or in determining the level of awards to be paid to individual complainants.

I can tell you, however, that the criteria employed by the Board in determining a person's eligibility to be considered for an award, together with the criteria governing the level of awards which may be paid is published and is contained on the Board's website www.rirb.ie. Awards are determined by the Redress Board having regard to the severity of the abuse and the severity of physical and psychological injury and loss of opportunity resulting from the abuse.

Any further queries in this regard may be forwarded directly to the Board at the following address: The Residential Institutions Redress Board, Block 5, Belfield Office Park, Beech Hill Road, Clonskeagh, Dublin 4.

Inquiry into Child Abuse.

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Question:

347 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Education and Science when she expects the Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse’s final report to be published; and the reason the completion of the Commission’s work has been delayed. [7854/08]

The Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse was established in 1999 and was subsequently put on a statutory basis under the Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse Act, 2000. The terms of reference of the Commission are set out in the 2000 Act as amended by the Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse (Amendment) Act, 2005. The purpose of the Commission is to investigate child abuse in institutions in the State, to enable persons who have suffered such abuse to give evidence to committees of the Commission, to provide for the preparation and publication of a report containing the results of the Commission's investigation and any recommendations it considers appropriate for the prevention of child abuse. The Commission is entirely independent in the performance of its functions. However, I understand that the Commission intends to publish the report in October 2008.

Schools Building Projects.

Eamon Scanlon

Question:

348 Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Education and Science the position with regard to an application for improvement works to a school (details supplied) in County Leitrim; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7868/08]

An application for capital funding towards the provision of an extension has been received from the school authority referred to by the Deputy. An assessment of projected enrolment trends, demographic trends and housing developments in the area will be required in order to determine the long term projected enrolment figure on which the school's accommodation needs will be based. Progress on the project will be considered in the context of my Department's multi-annual School Building and Modernisation Programme.

Social Welfare Payments.

Ruairí Quinn

Question:

349 Deputy Ruairí Quinn asked the Minister for Education and Science the reason a person, who is employed for less than 391 consecutive days, in advance of returning to full-time education, loses the back to education allowance, the rent support allowance and the top up grant and that during a three year degree course a person trying to better their employment prospects will lose €64,000; the steps he will take to coordinate the financial support required to implement the commitments in the Programme for Government on the expansion of adult education provision to be met; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7874/08]

Eligibility for the Back to Education Allowance and associated payments, is a matter for the Department of Social and Family Affairs.

The Special Rate of Maintenance Grant is available to students in receipt of the ordinary maintenance grant under each of my Department's four maintenance grant schemes. In order to qualify for the special rate of maintenance grant a candidate must meet a number of conditions, including the following:

1. An applicant must qualify for the ordinary maintenance grant.

2. Total reckonable income in the relevant tax year must not exceed the lower income limits as set out in the relevant Maintenance Grant Schemes and, where applicable, net of Child Dependent Increase payments

3. As at the prescribed date — i.e. 31st December each year — the source of income must include one of the eligible long-term Social Welfare payments.

The prescribed income limit for the special rate of maintenance grant for the academic year 2007/2008 is €18,055.

The Deputy will be aware that I have recently published the Student Support Bill. This Bill will provide a statutory framework for reforming the administration of student grants and a coherent basis for a new single unified scheme of student maintenance grants. My Department, in consultation with the key stakeholders, will consider all criteria regarding eligibility for maintenance grants, including the special rates of maintenance grant, as part of the ongoing work on the Student Support Bill and the introduction of a single unified scheme.

The co-ordination of the financial support required to implement the commitments in the Programme for Government on the expansion of adult education provision falls within the remit of my Department. This process involves frequent consultation with other appropriate Departments and organisations.

Adult Education.

Dan Neville

Question:

350 Deputy Dan Neville asked the Minister for Education and Science if she will extend a course (details supplied) until at least June 2008. [7900/08]

The course that the Deputy refers to is provided by the local VEC under the Back to Education Initiative (BTEI). The BTEI provides part-time Further Education programmes for adults. The aim is to give them an opportunity to combine a return to learning with family, work and other responsibilities.

Programmes are offered on a part-time basis, in the mornings, afternoons, evenings or at weekends. Under the BTEI a programme may be offered for as little as one hour per week or as much as 17 hours per week, depending on the needs and demands of the prospective learners. It is recommended that programme duration for individual learners not exceed 400 hours per annum i.e. 400 hundred hours over a twelve month period.

My Department sanctions hours to VECs under the BTEI scheme to operate these part-time programmes. The operation of the programme is a matter for the VEC. Any queries in relation to the operation of this programme should be addressed to the VEC in question.

Question No. 351 answered with Question No. 341.

School Transport.

Eamon Scanlon

Question:

352 Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Education and Science when a grant for school transport will be awarded for children attending a school (details supplied) in County Leitrim; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7920/08]

The Deputy will be aware, from my reply to Parliamentary Question No. 507 of 19 February, 2008, that the pupils referred to, in the details supplied, are not eligible for free school transport. In that regard, the payment of a grant does not arise.

Special Educational Needs.

David Stanton

Question:

353 Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Education and Science the position, views or opinions, of the National Council for Special Education on the provision of applied behavioural analysis education for autistic children; if she will outline same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7924/08]

The National Council for Special Education has not submitted any advice to me in relation to the provision of applied behavioural analysis. However, the Task Force on Autism advised that my Department makes available a range of approaches and resources to meet the unique needs of each student with an ASD in all school settings. Advice received from international experts on autism, the National Educational Psychological Service and the inspectorate supports this approach, and autism societies in other countries also caution against relying on just one intervention. By enabling children in special classes to have access to a range of methodologies, including ABA, the Government is doing what we are advised is in the best interests of such children.

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

In excess of 277 autism-specific classes have now been approved around the country at primary and post primary level and the National Council for Special Education will continue to establish more such classes where the need arises. At primary level there is a maximum of six children in each special class with a teacher and at least two special needs assistants (SNAs). Extra assistants are provided where the children need them. An individual child can have access to full-time support from an individual SNA if he or she needs one.

Schools Building Projects.

David Stanton

Question:

354 Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Education and Science if her Department has received an application to extend a school (details supplied) in County Cork; the progress that has been made with same. [7925/08]

The Department is in receipt of an application for capital funding from the school to which the Deputy refers. The application has been assessed in accordance with the published prioritisation criteria for large-scale building projects. Progress on the project is being considered in the context of the multi annual School Building and Modernisation Programme.

Departmental Transport.

David Stanton

Question:

355 Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Education and Science if the taxi companies used by her Department and State agencies under the aegis of her Department have a minimum percentage of taxis which are accessible for people with disabilities and wheelchair users; the amount expended by her Department and State agencies on taxi hire each year from 2003 to date in 2008 respectively; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7931/08]

The information requested by the Deputy on the amounts expended by my Department on taxi hire for staff is contained in the following table. My Department has accounts with three taxi companies. Two of these companies have a minimum of 10% of taxis, while the third company has a minimum of 20% of taxis, which are accessible for people with disabilities and wheelchair users.

Day to day expenditure on taxis by the agencies under the aegis of my Department is a matter for the individual Agencies.

Year

Expenditure

2003

37,129.97

2004

68,146.57

2005

77,438.26

2006

73,028.87

2007

56,204.57

2008 to 22/2/2008

5,767.08

Schools Building Projects.

Enda Kenny

Question:

356 Deputy Enda Kenny asked the Minister for Education and Science when the planned reconstruction of a school (details supplied) in Dublin 20 will take place; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7946/08]

The development of the proposed building project for the school referred to by the Deputy is at an advanced stage. The progression of all large scale building projects from initial design stage through to construction phase, including the project in question, will be considered on an on-going basis in the context of the Department's Multi-Annual School Building and Modernisation Programme.

School Accommodation.

Paul Nicholas Gogarty

Question:

357 Deputy Paul Gogarty asked the Minister for Education and Science when a decision is expected on the approval of funding for temporary accommodation for a school (details supplied); if she will treat the matter with urgency; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7950/08]

An application for capital funding towards the provision of an extension at the school to which the Deputy refers was received and assessed. The long term projected staffing, on which the future accommodation needs of the school will be based, has been determined and notified to the school authority.

In order to determine how best to provide for the school's accommodation needs into the future, it will be necessary to have a technical assessment of existing buildings carried out. Officials from the Department will be in contact with the school authority to arrange a date in due course.

Schools Building Projects.

Jack Wall

Question:

358 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Education and Science the plans that her Department has for a new secondary school (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7953/08]

I can confirm to the Deputy that the Department is in receipt of an application from the relevant Vocational Education Committee for large scale capital funding for the school in question. The project has been assessed in accordance with the published prioritisation criteria for large scale building projects. Progress on the proposed works will be considered in the context of my Department's multi-annual School Building and Modernisation programme.

Jack Wall

Question:

359 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Education and Science the plans that her Department has for a primary school (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7954/08]

The architectural planning of the project referred to by the Deputy is at an advanced stage. 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 the Department's Multi-Annual School Building and Modernisation Programme in which the main focus is to deliver school places within rapidly developing areas.

On 1 February, I announced a list of schools which are due to go to construction in 2008. It is also my intention to make further announcements of projects to progress to tender and construction during the course of the year as the school building programme is rolled out.

Jack Wall

Question:

360 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Education and Science the position regarding a new primary school (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7955/08]

I am pleased to advise the Deputy that a tender was accepted for the school building project in question and construction was commenced recently.

Pádraic McCormack

Question:

361 Deputy Pádraic McCormack asked the Minister for Education and Science the situation as regards a new primary and secondary school for Doughiska, County Galway; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7960/08]

Galway City VEC is actively pursuing the acquisition of a site for the schools in question. A site has been identified and the acquisition of same is subject to outline planning permission being granted. When the site has been acquired, it is intended that the building project for the proposed schools will be delivered by Public Private Partnership.

School Accommodation.

Michael Ring

Question:

362 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Education and Science when a report on the future education needs of an area (details supplied) in County Mayo will be completed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7967/08]

The Inspector for the school referred to by the Deputy has arranged a meeting with the School Authorities with a view to making a report on the future accommodation needs of the school. On receipt of this report, a decision will be made as to whether it is appropriate to surrender the portion of site at this school.

Departmental Funding.

Richard Bruton

Question:

363 Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Education and Science if her attention has been drawn to the fact that State funding is not available on an equitable basis for the Dublin Institute of Technology to the Irel Research Database which is an invaluable source of material for third level research; and if she will assess whether this is consistent with Ireland’s desire to open up opportunities in the knowledge economy. [7970/08]

My Department has been in discussions with the Higher Education Authority in relation to the possible extension of the electronic journals initiative to the Institutes of Technology sector, including the Dublin Institute of Technology. It should be noted that when this initiative was introduced into the university sector that funding from my Department was supplemented by additional funding from university budgets. If the electronic journals initiative is extended to any of the Institutes of Technology the same principle of co-funding would apply.

I understand also that the Higher Education Authority is continuing its discussions with representatives of the Institutes of Technology/Dublin Institute of Technology regarding the extension of this initiative to that sector. Any extension will have to take account of the demands on my Department's research budget and the cost/benefits of such an extension.

Special Educational Needs.

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Question:

364 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Education and Science the progress that has been made on implementing the recommendations of the task force report on dyslexia; the portions of the report which have not been implemented; the reason for her failure to implement those elements of the report; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7982/08]

The report on the Task Force on Dyslexia contains over 60 individual recommendations ranging across a wide variety of issues from identification and assessment, to models of service delivery, specialist training for service providers, to issues relating to structural reforms and the maintenance of a data-base of pupils with specific learning difficulties, including dyslexia, who are in receipt of special education services in primary and post-primary schools.

Substantial progress has been made in the implementation of the Task Force's recommendations.

The pupil:teacher ratio in special classes catering for pupils with dyslexia has been reduced, from 11:1 to 9:1.

The Department also implemented a new scheme for allocating learning support/resource teachers to schools to cater for the needs of children with high-incidence special educational needs including dyslexia in all primary schools in September 2005. The general allocation model was designed to ensure that each school has learning support/resource teaching support available to meet the needs of children with high incidence special needs.

Training for teachers has also improved significantly. In September 2003, my Department established the SESS to manage, co-ordinate and develop a range of supports in response to identified training needs. The SESS has since been expanded to provide training to over 17,000 teachers annually, including seminars to primary and post-primary schools. This includes ongoing support to primary and post-primary schools by teams specialising in Dyslexia. The SESS also provide targeted training in catering for students with dyslexia to schools for children with specific learning difficulties. The first ever on-line course for teachers who work with dyslexic students has been introduced. In 2007, over 500 teachers availed of the on-line training module in Dyslexia. A resource pack for schools in CD-Rom, DVD and video format, on understanding and catering for dyslexia, has been provided to schools. Training is also available through the 21 Teacher Education Centres nationally for teachers using ICT and assistive technologies to support pupils with special educational needs, including those with dyslexia.

A combined post graduate learning support and special educational needs programme for teachers has also been introduced, offering some 300 places annually.

As part of its response to the growing demand from teachers for support and training, the SESS is currently developing teams of trainers to deliver training in four specific areas: Autism, Challenging Behaviour, Dyslexia, and Inclusion. This training will be delivered locally through the Education Centre network and/or through whole-staff in-school support. The SESS provides fees subsidies for the on-line training course, "Dyslexia: Identification and Early Interventions". Fees subsidies are also provided for teachers to enable them to avail of the Dyslexia Association of Ireland courses.

Regarding the issue of reasonable accommodations in state examinations, the range of reasonable accommodations which may be approved for examination candidates with specific learning difficulties, including dyslexia, include the use of special examination centres, readers for candidates who have reading difficulties, scribes, tape-recorders, and the use of computer technology for candidates who have writing difficulties, exemption from elements of standard assessment. Enlarged papers are provided to candidates with visual impairment. Applications for reasonable accommodations are submitted by candidates' schools on prescribed application forms and are normally invited one year in advance of the examination concerned. The State Examinations Commission endeavours to consider these applications as early as possible in the year of examination.

The State Examinations Commission is currently re-examining policy and practice in relation to explanatory notes being appended to certificates of candidates with specific learning difficulties. This will include a public consultation process and will take into account best international practice.

In addition to the above measures, the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) has been in operation since 1 January 2005 with over 90 members of staff working exclusively in supporting students with special educational needs. The NCSE was established under the Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs Act (EPSEN) 2004 to improve the delivery of education services to persons with special educational needs arising from disabilities. Since it was established in 2005, the NCSE has been responsible for allocating resources for children with special educational needs including children with Dyslexia. The NCSE has a key role in the delivery of services and operates through a network of special educational needs organisers (SENOs) who act as a focal point of contact for schools and parents.

On the legislative front, the Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs (EPSEN) Act, 2004 provides for an educational assessment for children with special educational needs and the entitlement to an education plan to meet those needs. As the Deputy will also be aware, many sections of the Act have already commenced and I am anxious to implement the Act in full in the quickest time possible. However, following consideration of the issues raised in the Council's implementation plan, and the consultations to date with the Education Partners, I consider that the five-year timeframe acknowledged in the legislation is the appropriate period in which to implement the remaining provisions of the Act.

Schools Building Projects.

Michael McGrath

Question:

365 Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the position in relation to an application for an extension by a school (details supplied) in County Cork. [8012/08]

The commencement and progression of all large scale building projects from initial design stage through to construction phase, 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.

Schools Refurbishment.

Fergus O'Dowd

Question:

366 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Education and Science the position regarding the proposed works at a school (details supplied) which were to include central heating; the proposed cost of same; the reason for the delay in carrying out these works; when the works will commence; the expected time scale for their completion,; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8015/08]

An application for the Summer Works Scheme 2008 was received from the school referred to by the Deputy. 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 small projects having been completed over the past few years, I am focusing on delivering as many large scale projects as possible in 2008. There is not, therefore, a new Summer Works Scheme as part of our building programme this year.

School Accommodation.

Billy Timmins

Question:

367 Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Minister for Education and Science the accommodation a school (details supplied) in County Wicklow currently has; the number of pupils there are; if an application has been made for accommodation works; the situation with respect to same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8026/08]

An assessment of projected enrolment trends, demographic trends and housing developments in relation to the school referred to by the Deputy was carried out in order to determine the long term accommodation needs of the school. This has been finalised, notified to and agreed by the school.

The commencement and progression of all large scale building projects from initial design stage through to construction phase, 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.

Schools Building Projects.

Jack Wall

Question:

368 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Education and Science if, in areas of high population where the demand for school placement is such that her Department is planning or proposing to build new schools she has considered applications by developers tor turnkey school buildings in such instances; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8057/08]

My Department will consider proposals from developers with a view to shortening construction times and achieving better value for money. My Department has identified a number of rapidly developing areas where additional primary schools will be required to meet demand for school places in September 2008.

A tender process has taken place for a drawdown contract facility that will be used to provide additional school places in the rapidly developing areas for 2008 and onwards. This drawdown contract facility is aimed at providing school accommodation in very short timescales using modern methodologies such as off-site construction.

This method of building procurement, teamed with close co-operation with the relevant local authorities, will help ensure that additional school places are provided in the developing areas within the earliest possible timeframes. These strategies are underpinned by a budget of €4.5 billion over the lifetime of the National Development Plan.

Irish Language.

Jack Wall

Question:

369 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Education and Science her proposals to address the problems of parents who have children in gaelscoileanna to achieve a standard of Irish to permit them to assist their children with homework and so on. [8058/08]

My Department has no involvement in the teaching of Irish to parents of children attending Gaelscoileanna. I understand, however, that many boards of management of gaelscoileanna, in conjunction with parent associations, organise Irish classes for parents of pupils attending their schools.

Industrial Relations.

Ciaran Lynch

Question:

370 Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Minister for Education and Science if, in relation to non-Department of Education and Science organisations, associations, agencies, and so on that receive funding from her Department for staffing costs, there is a requirement necessary for such organisations to have proper mechanisms and procedures in place with regard to industrial relations, grievances, bullying and so on in order for them to qualify for this funding; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8060/08]

All organisations that act as employers must comply with the requirements of Irish and EU laws, standards and regulations, including those relating to equality, employment and health & safety. There are a number of public services available for employees and employers where disputes or grievances arise, these include:

The Conciliation Service provided by the Labour Relations Commission is available to all employees and employers except those specifically excluded by law, namely: the army, police and prison services. To use the service employees need not be trade union members, nor do employers have to belong to a representative body.

The Rights Commissioner Service provided by the Labour Relations Commission investigate disputes, grievances and claims that individuals or small groups of workers refer under the following legislation:

The Adoptive Leave Act, 1995

The Carers Leave Act, 2001

The Competition Act, 2002

The European Communities (Protection of Employment) Regulations, 2000

The European Communities (Protection of Employees on Transfer of Undertakings) Regulations, 2003

The Industrial Relations Acts, 1969-2001

The Industrial Relations (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 2004

The Maternity Protection Act, 1994 as amended by the Maternity Protection (Amendment) Act, 2004

The National Minimum Wage Act, 2000

The Organisation of Working Time Act, 1997

The Parental Leave Act, 1998 The Payment of Wages Act, 1991

The Protection of Employees (Fixed Term Work) Act, 2003

The Protection of Employees (Part Time Work) Act, 2001

The Protection of Young Persons (Employment) Act, 1996

The Protection for Persons Reporting Child Abuse Act, 1998

The Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act, 2005

The Terms of Employment (Information) Act, 1994

The Unfair Dismissals Acts, 1977 2001

A Code of Practice for Employers and Employees on the Prevention and Resolution of Bullying at Work came into effect on 1st May 2007. The Code notes the provision in the Safety, Health and Welfare Act 2005 requiring employers to manage work activities to prevent improper conduct or behaviour at work. Among the features of the Code is the setting out of the responsibilities of both employers and employees in preventing bullying. The code also provides guidance on identifying bullying and gives advice on how to prepare a bullying policy in the workplace.

Departmental Expenditure.

John O'Mahony

Question:

371 Deputy John O’Mahony asked the Minister for Education and Science the legal fees paid by her Department in relation to defending cases for parents trying to secure education for their children for the years 2002 to 2007 and to date in 2008; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8073/08]

Legal costs incurred by the State, in defending those cases which are brought to court, are not met directly by my Department. In accordance with financial procedures in cases involving damages or compensation against the State, costs are generally charged to the Chief State Solicitor's Office Vote as sanctioned by the Attorney General. With reference to the costs incurred by my Department since 2002 which are payment of legal costs of solicitors acting on behalf of children with special educational needs, are as follows:

Year

2002

2,314,550.27

2003

3,766,279.53

2004

5,160,555.16

2005

1,211,529.68

2006

620,880.43

2007

421,176.97

2008

Nil

The Deputy will be aware of my position on the issues of litigation in special educational needs and assuming that this is the category referred to, the Deputy can be assured that neither I nor my Department take lightly any decision to defend cases concerning children with special educational needs. I should emphasise that my Department does not initiate any such proceedings and cases are generally only litigated where no potential settlement is acceptable to both sides and the Government's authority to decide issues of policy is in question. The State has an obligation under the Constitution to provide for primary education. In the context of children with special educational needs, that education must be appropriate to their requirements. The State decides on an appropriate form of provision, having regard to the advice available to it from relevant experts in the National Educational Psychological Service, the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment, the Inspectorate and independent experts. The Department is not complacent in dealing with these cases and attempts, wherever possible, to reduce the potential for litigation and the levels of legal costs where they arise.
I wish to advise the Deputy that the level of resources being made available by my Department to support students with special educational needs in mainstream education nationally has grown significantly in recent years.
There are now over 8,800 teachers at primary and post-primary schools working directly with children with special educational needs, including those requiring learning support, compared with fewer than 1,700 in 1998. In addition, significant progress has been made in relation to increasing the number of special needs assistants (SNAs) in our schools who specifically cater for children with care needs. There are currently in excess of 9,800 SNAs in primary, post-primary and special schools supporting pupils with special care needs compared with approximately 300 in 1998.

Schools Building Projects.

Olwyn Enright

Question:

372 Deputy Olwyn Enright asked the Minister for Education and Science the commencement date for building works at a post primary school (details supplied) in County Offaly; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8074/08]

The development of the proposed building project for the school in question is at an early stage. The progression of all large-scale building projects from initial design stage through to construction phase, including the application in question, is considered on an on-going basis in the context of my Department's multi-annual School Building and Modernisation Programme.

Willie Penrose

Question:

373 Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Education and Science if her Department has received a request for additional funding to enable a school (details supplied) in County Longford to provide the infrastructure required by the local authority under the Fire Safety Certificate and planning approval and which is also imposed by site constraints; and if in this context she will ensure that this request is favourably considered in order to enable the additional permanent accommodation be put in place. [8083/08]

As part of the expansion of the Small Schools Scheme, a grant was sanctioned in March 2007 under the Permanent Accommodation Scheme to enable the management authority of the school in question to build 3 permanent classrooms. The initiative allows Boards of Management to address their accommodation and building priorities with a guaranteed amount of funding and gives Boards of Management control of the building project. The school authority has submitted an application for additional funding which will be examined by the Department's Review Group and the school will be informed of their decision in due course.

Special Educational Needs.

Dan Neville

Question:

374 Deputy Dan Neville asked the Minister for Education and Science if she will make a statement on a matter (details supplied). [8088/08]

I wish to advise the Deputy that students enrolled in special schools graduate at the end of a school year rather than on their 18th birthday. In the case of the young man in question, this means that he would leave the school at the end of the school year during which he turns 18.

At that point, the Department of Health and Children/Health Service Executive assumes direct responsibility for young adults with special educational needs who are over 18 years. My Department, at that stage, may allocate resources towards an education component of such provision.

It is expected that a school will have been liaising with the health authorities during the final year of a young person's attendance in school to ensure the young person's successful transition to adult services by the time s/he reaches age 18.

Schools Building Projects.

John O'Mahony

Question:

375 Deputy John O’Mahony asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of primary schools under construction; the location of each in County Mayo; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8091/08]

John O'Mahony

Question:

376 Deputy John O’Mahony asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of applications for refurbishment or renovation being considered by her Department with reference to primary schools in Mayo; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8092/08]

John O'Mahony

Question:

377 Deputy John O’Mahony asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of applications for new primary school buildings being considered by her Department for County Mayo; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8093/08]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 375 to 377, inclusive, together.

The information sought by the Deputy is not readily available in the format requested. Should the Deputy require information in relation to a specific school, or schools, I would be happy to arrange to have this provided.

School Accommodation.

John O'Mahony

Question:

378 Deputy John O’Mahony asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of portacabins being rented or leased to primary and post primary schools in County Mayo; the cost to the State for each of the years 2002 to 2007; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8094/08]

The information sought by the Deputy is not readily available. While comprehensive information is held on individual school files, the Department does not yet have these details available in a format that provides readily accessible cumulative information on the overall position. It is, however, intended to address this issue as part of a general review of rental policy that is currently being undertaken. 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.

Overseas Missions.

John Deasy

Question:

379 Deputy John Deasy asked the Minister for Defence if the necessary medical facilities for the Irish EUFOR mission to Chad have been put in place; if a full level two surgical field hospital with operating theatres has been made available for the Irish troops; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7493/08]

John Deasy

Question:

380 Deputy John Deasy asked the Minister for Defence the specific contingencies that have been made regarding strategic airlift services for any Irish casualties that may occur in Chad; the armed services or private entity that have been secured to provide those services for the Irish EUFOR mission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7494/08]

John Deasy

Question:

381 Deputy John Deasy asked the Minister for Defence the overall strategic air lift cover and tactical air support being provided to the Irish EUFOR mission in Chad; if these arrangements have been finalised with the French armed forces or a private entity; if two medium to heavy lift helicopters have been secured for the use of the Irish troops in Chad on a permanent basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7495/08]

John Deasy

Question:

382 Deputy John Deasy asked the Minister for Defence if all the issues regarding a lack of medical and logistical resources which have delayed the Irish EUFOR mission to Chad have been completely resolved; the logistical and medical deficiencies and shortfalls that have delayed the mission to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7496/08]

John Deasy

Question:

383 Deputy John Deasy asked the Minister for Defence when he expects the full contingent of the Irish EUFOR mission to Chad to be fully deployed and active on the ground in Chad; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7497/08]

John Deasy

Question:

384 Deputy John Deasy asked the Minister for Defence if the full compliment of the Irish EUFOR mission is ready to leave for Chad immediately; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7498/08]

John Deasy

Question:

385 Deputy John Deasy asked the Minister for Defence the length of time it will take the Irish EUFOR mission to Chad, in its entirety, to travel to its intended positions in Chad; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7499/08]

John Deasy

Question:

386 Deputy John Deasy asked the Minister for Defence if the Irish Army and the Department have adequately sourced the requisite transport to take the Irish EUFOR mission, its equipment and materials, in its entirety from the west coast of Africa to Chad in safety; the length of time it is expected that this journey will take; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7500/08]

John Deasy

Question:

387 Deputy John Deasy asked the Minister for Defence if he is satisfied with the level of cooperation being given by the French armed forces; the type of assistance that will be provided to the Irish EUFOR mission in Chad by the French armed forces as part of the overall EUFOR mission; if there are outstanding issues of cooperation that need to be agreed between the Irish and French armed forces as it pertains to the mission in Chad; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7501/08]

John Deasy

Question:

388 Deputy John Deasy asked the Minister for Defence the facilities and equipment the Irish EUFOR mission to Chad has to keep essential medicines and fluids refrigerated and therefore viable for the duration of its journey to Chad; if it will have access to refrigeration for those essential medicines and fluids on the ground when deployed in Chad; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7502/08]

John Deasy

Question:

389 Deputy John Deasy asked the Minister for Defence when the rainy season begins in Chad. [7503/08]

John Deasy

Question:

390 Deputy John Deasy asked the Minister for Defence when is the deadline for the Irish EUFOR mission to Chad to leave for Africa in view of the rainy season and the changing weather conditions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7504/08]

John Deasy

Question:

391 Deputy John Deasy asked the Minister for Defence if it has been definitively agreed with the French armed services to provide the Irish EUFOR mission with military surveillance aircraft and unmanned drones in the Irish sector on a round the clock basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7505/08]

John Deasy

Question:

392 Deputy John Deasy asked the Minister for Defence the type of availability and the number of French gunships to be at the disposal of the Irish EUFOR mission; if the terms and agreement of such cooperation have been finalised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7506/08]

John Deasy

Question:

393 Deputy John Deasy asked the Minister for Defence if he has personal and frequent communications with the senior Irish Army officers planning the Irish EUFOR mission to Chad; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7507/08]

John Deasy

Question:

394 Deputy John Deasy asked the Minister for Defence if the logistical arrangements for the delivery of fuel and rations to the Irish EUFOR mission to Chad have been finalised; if France, the lead logistics nation, has indicated its full cooperation in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7508/08]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 379 to 394, inclusive, together.

The European Union military mission to Chad and the Central African Republic, EUFOR TCHAD/RCA, established under the authority of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1778 (2007), was formally launched by the General Affairs and External Relations Council on 28 January 2008. Ireland is expected to be the second largest contributor of troops to the mission, which aims to protect civilians in danger, particularly refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs), facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid, and protect UN personnel.

The lack of key enablers, in particular tactical and medevac helicopters and medical facilities, had delayed the commencement of the deployment of EUFOR troops to Chad last December. EUFOR's Operation Commander, Lt. General Nash, was adamant at the time that the deployment would not proceed until these vital components were in place.

Deployment of EUFOR personnel commenced last month before the outbreak of hostilities between Sudanese backed rebels and the Chadian forces on 2 and 3 February 2008, during which time the deployment was suspended. When the situation in Chad stabilised, the deployment of EUFOR's Initial Entry Force to Chad re-commenced on 12 February 2008.

At my meeting with the Operation Commander, Lt. General Nash, at the Operation Headquarters in Paris on 13 February 2008, he assured me that the capabilities required to support EUFOR's main force deployment will be established by mid-March 2008. The Operation Headquarters has since confirmed that there are now Role 2 facilities (Advanced life support, Basic surgery, Intensive care) in N'Djamena in Chad and in Birao in the Central African Republic. There is also a Role 1 facility in Abéché, which has the capability to provide emergency treatment to injured and acutely ill personnel. Air evacuation assets (1 x fixed wing medevac aircraft and 3 x designated medevac helicopters) are also currently in place.

A role 2 facility is due to be operational in Abéché before the deployment of the main body of troops. In addition, each Battalion will provide a Role 1 Medical Facility at the Battalion Headquarters (Goz Beida in the case of the Irish Battalion).

By mid-March 2008, the Operation Commander is planning that the mission will achieve initial operational capability with at least 1,200 troops in theatre. Planning for the follow on deployment of three multi-national Battalions, including the Irish Battalion, can then commence. The logistics of deploying the multi-national Battalions requires extensive planning as the vast majority of equipment etc., will arrive in Douala port in Cameroon and will be transported from there to the relevant operational sector. Lt. General Nash is satisfied that the Operation Headquarters will have the necessary logistical arrangements in place to accommodate this. Ireland and Sweden will be the first of the multi-nationals to deploy. The mission is planned to reach full operational capability by mid-May 2008.

The Defence Forces, in association with the Operation Headquarters, has in place a logistics operational planning process for the deployment of Irish troops to the mission. This includes a comprehensive plan for the over-ground movement of all Irish sea lifted assets and material from the port of Douala in Cameroon to the Irish Battalion's operating base in Goz Beida in south east Chad. The distance from the port to Goz Beida is estimated at more than 2,700 kilometres. It is estimated that the overall time for the transportation of equipment from Dublin to Goz Beida is approximately forty-nine (49) days.

I receive both operational and intelligence briefs regarding the deployment of Defence Forces personnel to the mission on an ongoing basis from the Defence Forces. The Chief of Staff also accompanied me on my recent visit to the Force's Operation Headquarters, where the Operation Commander briefed us.

The deployment of 53 Army Ranger Wing (ARW) personnel to Chad, as part of EUFOR's Initial Entry Force to the mission area, was completed on 21 February 2008, bringing the total number of personnel currently deployed to the mission in Chad to 56. This includes three personnel, who were deployed to Chad in January 2008 as part of the Command Group of the Force Headquarters. In addition, seventeen Defence Forces personnel are deployed at the Operation Headquarters in Paris.

A number of the ARW personnel remained in the Chadian capital, N'Djamena, pending the arrival by air of their transport vehicles and equipment this week. The remainder of the ARW personnel are currently deployed at their operational base in Abéché, a distance of 900 km from N'Djamena. The ARW personnel will be working in tandem with other EUFOR special forces and will focus immediately on identifying suitable base camp locations for the main body of Irish forces who are due to arrive over the coming weeks and months.

Based on current planning by the Defence Forces, in consultation with the Operation Headquarters, the advance group of the Irish (97th) Infantry Battalion is expected to deploy to Chad in late April 2008. The main body of the Battalion is expected to deploy in mid-May 2008, in advance of the rainy season, which commences in June.

On arrival in N'Djamena, members of the 97th Infantry Battalion will be moved forward to the Irish Camp at Goz Beida. This onward deployment from the capital will be either by road or by air or indeed a combination of both. To travel solely by road would take four days, by air one day.

I am satisfied with the level of co-operation being given by the French forces. During the initial planning phase for the EUFOR mission, the French Armed Forces assisted members of the Defence Forces by facilitating reconnaissance missions to Chad. The French also agreed to act as lead nation for logistics, supplying a Logistics Battalion to EUFOR TCHAD/RCA and this will prove to be of benefit to the Defence Forces during their deployment phase. I am advised that there are no outstanding issues between the French Armed Forces and the Defence Forces and that mechanisms are in place to resolve further requirements that may arise.

There are two French AF 342 attack Helicopters in theatre as part of the EUFOR mission, which are under the operational control of the Operational Commander. The likely tasks for these helicopters are, inter alia: force protection, surveillance, information gathering, early warning of possible threats and the provision of greater visibility to the commander in theatre.

Surveillance aircraft and unmanned drones are assets of the Force Commander and it is he who will task same, in accordance with force priorities. At certain times, they may be operating in the airspace of the 97th Infantry Battalion.

The provision of all aspects of the supply of Class 1 items, food and water, and Class 3 stores, Petrol, Oil and Lubricants to Irish troops in theatre is planned and forecasted. This supply will be delivered via the Force logistics system from the Forward Logistics Base in Abéché. Organic Irish assets will move the supply to the Forward Operating Base by road and air. There is full co-operation available to Ireland from France, the Logistics Lead Nation, in all aspects of support required within their means and capabilities.

The Defence Forces have developed a stress tested set of logistics capability packages for the deployment to Chad. This provides for the full spectrum of support and services to the individual soldier, and to the unit as a deployed entity. These packages also provide for specialist support for sensitive cargoes. In this context, the necessary refrigeration of essential medical supplies is provided for in the projection of assets, material and equipment into Chad. When the sensitive cargoes that have been under refrigeration arrive into Africa for onward movement, there are facilities in place to maintain the required refrigerated conditions. This process has been tested many times in past missions, and particularly so in deployments to Somalia, Eritrea and Liberia.

Pension Provisions.

Michael Lowry

Question:

395 Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Defence if compensation will be issued to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7658/08]

The Army Pensions Acts provide for the consideration of a claim for a disability pension in respect of disablement due to wound or injury attributable to service in the Permanent Defence Force. Application must be made within one year of discharge from the Permanent Defence Force.

The person concerned was discharged from the Permanent Defence Force in 1963 and applied for a disability pension in July, 1980 and again in September, 1993. However, as the statutory time limit had long since elapsed in this case, an application for a disability pension could not be accepted.

There is no record of any compensation claim of the nature outlined by the deputy in relation to the individual in question. The person concerned did however initiate a hearing loss claim, which was settled in 2002. Any compensation claim lodged at this stage would be statute barred.

Departmental Transport.

David Stanton

Question:

396 Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Defence if the taxi companies used by his Department and State agencies under the aegis of his Department have a minimum percentage of taxis which are accessible for people with disabilities and wheelchair users; the amount expended by his Department and State agencies on taxi hire each year from 2003 to date in 2008 respectively; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7930/08]

The proportion of taxis accessible by persons with disabilities is a matter for the Taxi Regulator. I can confirm that the taxi company which serves the requirements of my Department is recommended on the website of the National Disability Authority. If a taxi is required by a person with a disability from my Department, this would be stated at the time that the booking is made. The amounts expended by my Department and the Defence Forces on taxi hire are set out in the following table.

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008 (to date)

Taxi Accounts

17,850.84

18,082.77

16,719.71

17,525.90

22,285.82

4,049.08

Cost of taxis included in Travel & Subsistence Claims

*Not available electronically

*Not available electronically

*Not available electronically

25,362.95

43,712.20

774.95

Total

17,850.84

18,082.77

16,719.71

42,888.85

65,998.02

4,824.03

*The Financial Management System (FMS), which was used from 1999 to 31/12/2005, did not have the facility to record taxi costs separately. Therefore, details of taxi fare costs for 2003, 2004 and 2005 are not available electronically. Access to this information (2003 to 2005) can only be gained by manually inspecting up to 150,000 T&S claims. The time and manpower involved in such a project would be very time-consuming and it would be difficult to justify the use of manpower.

Prison Drug Treatment Services.

Catherine Byrne

Question:

397 Deputy Catherine Byrne asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of prison nurse officers recruited to date, as planned under the National Drugs Strategy 2001 to 2008; the location where each of these officers are placed and their job description; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7623/08]

The National Drugs Strategy 2001 to 2008 contained a commitment to continue to implement the recommendations of the Steering Group on Prison-Based Drug Treatment Services which dealt only with the area covered by the then Eastern Regional Health Authority and recommended the recruitment of an additional 9 Nurse Officers. Since the publication of the National Drugs Strategy there has been an increase of over 30 in the number of Nurse Officers in the Prison Service. These additional Nurse Officers as part of their duties support the implementation of the recommendations in the National Drug Strategy which informed the current Irish Prison Service Drugs Policy and Strategy which was published in May 2006 and which deals with the entire prison estate.

Included in the number (30) outlined above are seven dedicated Addiction Nurse Officers which were appointed under the Irish Prison Service Drugs Policy and Strategy. These seven Addiction Nurse Officers have been allocated, to date, solely to support drug treatment in the prisons. In addition to prison nurse officers, additional prison officers, a psychologist and contract addiction counsellors (24 whole-time-equivalents) have been also provided to support prison drug treatment.

The role of the nurse in the Prison Addiction Service is to provide a standard of nursing care to service users in a primary health care prison setting that conforms to best practice and An Bord Altranais code of professional conduct.

As the Deputy will no doubt appreciate, drug rehabilitation programmes for prisoners involve a significant multidimensional input by a diverse range of general and specialist services provided both by the Irish Prison Service and visiting statutory and non-statutory organisations. The programmes seek to reduce the demand for drugs within the prison system through education, treatment and rehabilitation services for drug-addicted prisoners. Particular initiatives include, inter alia, the provision of detoxification, methadone maintenance, education programmes, addiction counselling, and drug therapy programmes.

Under the Drugs Policy & Strategy — Keeping Drugs Out of Prisons — existing drug treatment programmes are being expanded and enhanced with the further recruitment of nurses, psychologist and the above mentioned addiction counsellors, as well as other staff including prison officers. The expansion of these services is being achieved in partnership with community based services and will see a significant improvement in the range, quality and availability of drug treatment services in the prisons.

Specific developments to date include:

The awarding of a contract for the provision of Addiction Counsellor Services to Merchants Quay Ireland. The Addiction Counselling Service will, in conjunction with other developments, deliver nearly 1000 hours per week of prisoner access to addiction counselling;

The allocation of additional Nurse Officers and Prison Officers to Dedicated Drug Treatment Teams in prisons with significant needs, improving service quality in prisons, along with the provision of funding under the Dormant Accounts Fund to community groups to provide addiction counselling and support to prisoners while in prison and on release in the community;

The provision of additional specialist sessions in addiction psychiatry, significantly improving the quality, coordination and availability of drug treatment in prisons;

In addition, an in-reach Hepatitis C Nurse-Led Service is being contracted from St James' Hospital to provide Hepatitis C treatment for prisoners. This service will cover the Mountjoy Complex and Wheatfield in the first instance. It is hoped to expand this service to other sites if evidence of need is demonstrated; and

These services will be provided on the basis of clinical needs and will be supported by the implementation of a system of Mandatory Drug Testing (provided for in the Prisons Act 2007).

The implementation of this Policy and Strategy has also seen an intensification of efforts to eliminate the availability of illicit drugs within prisons including:

Tighter control and monitoring of prisoner visits in all closed prisons;

New visiting arrangements in most closed prisons, with visitors required to be pre-approved by the Governor and required to provide identification on each visit;

Greater use of screened visits;

Greater vigilance in examining mail by prison censors and searching of other items entering the prison;

Increased random searching of cells and their occupants;

Stricter searching of all persons committed to custody and prisoners returning from court, temporary release, after visits or on receipt of intelligence;

Use of modern cameras and probe systems which assist in searching previously difficult areas such as hollow chair or bed legs, under floor boards and other cavities;

Installation of nets over exercise yards to prevent access to contraband items, including mobile phones and drugs; and,

Use of phone detectors and phased installation of telephone blocking technology.

I would also like to advise the Deputy that a number of new security initiatives are shortly being introduced in all closed prisons. Amongst the measures will be:

The introduction of enhanced security screening for all persons (prisoners, visitors and staff) entering our prisons;

The establishment of a drug detection dog service within the Irish Prison Service involving approximately 30 handling teams; and,

The establishment of an Operational Support Group dedicated to and developing expertise in searching and gathering intelligence on illicit material being hidden inside our prisons; they will be available in addition to the normal prison staff and can target specific security problem areas.

Catherine Byrne

Question:

398 Deputy Catherine Byrne asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the status of national policy for drug treatment in the prison service here; if this policy has been rolled out in all prisons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7624/08]

The Irish Prison Service is currently rolling out its Drugs Policy and Strategy — entitled Keeping Drugs out of Prison. This drugs strategy was launched in May 2006 and significant progress has been made to date in its implementation.

Drug rehabilitation programmes for prisoners involve a significant multidimensional input by a diverse range of general and specialist services provided both by the Irish Prison Service and visiting statutory and non-statutory organisations. The programmes seek to reduce the demand for drugs within the prison system through education, treatment and rehabilitation services for drug-addicted prisoners. Particular initiatives include, inter alia, the provision of detoxification, methadone maintenance, education programmes, addiction counselling and drug therapy programmes.

The strategy mentioned above sees existing drug treatment programmes being expanded and enhanced with the further recruitment of nurses, psychologist and 24 dedicated addiction counsellors, as well as other staff including prison officers. The expansion of these services is being achieved in partnership with community based services and will see a significant improvement in the range, quality and availability of drug treatment service in the prisons. Specific developments to date include:

The awarding of a contract for the provision of Addiction Counsellor Services to Merchants Quay Ireland. The Addiction Counselling Service will, in conjunction with other developments, deliver nearly 1000 hours per week of prisoner access to addiction counselling.

The allocation of additional Nurse Officers and Prison Officers to Dedicated Drug Treatment Teams in prisons with significant needs, improving service quality in prisons.

The provision of funding under the Dormant Accounts Fund to community groups to provide addiction counselling and support to prisoners while in prison and on release in the community.

The provision of additional specialist sessions in addiction psychiatry, significantly improving the quality, coordination and availability of drug treatment in prisons.

In addition, an in-reach Hepatitis C Nurse-Led Service is being contracted from St James' Hospital to provide Hepatitis C treatment for prisoners. This service will cover the Mountjoy Complex and Wheatfield in the first instance. It is hoped to expand this service to other sites if evidence of need is demonstrated.

These services will be provided on the basis of clinical needs and will be supported by the implementation of a system of mandatory drug testing (provided for in the Prisons Act 2007). The implementation of this Policy and Strategy has also seen an intensification of efforts to eliminate the availability of illicit drugs within prisons including:

Tighter control and monitoring of prisoner visits in all closed prisons;

New visiting arrangements in most closed prisons, with visitors required to be pre-approved by the Governor and required to provide identification on each visit;

Greater use of screened visits;

Greater vigilance in examining mail by prison censors and searching of other items entering the prison;

Increased random searching of cells and their occupants;

Stricter searching of all persons committed to custody and prisoners returning from court, temporary release, after visits or on receipt of intelligence;

Use of modern cameras and probe systems which assist in searching previously difficult areas such as hollow chair or bed legs, under floor boards and other cavities;

Installation of nets over exercise yards to prevent access to contraband items, including mobile phones and drugs; and

Use of phone detectors and phased installation of telephone blocking technology.

In addition, a number of new security initiatives are shortly being introduced in all closed prisons including:

The introduction of enhanced security screening for all persons (prisoners, visitors and staff) entering our prisons;

The establishment of a drug detection dog service within the Irish Prison Service involving approximately 30 handling teams; and

The establishment of an Operational Support Group dedicated to and developing expertise in searching and gathering intelligence on illicit material being hidden inside our prisons; they will be available in addition to the normal prison staff and can target specific security problem areas.

Child Detention Centres.

Brian Hayes

Question:

399 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if a secure unit at Trinity House in Dublin under the aegis of his Department at a cost of €4 million was built, is completed, and remains unoccupied since the building work on this project was completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7445/08]

On 1 March 2007 the four children detention schools, based in Finglas and Oberstown, were transferred from the Department of Education and Science to the Irish Youth Justice Service of my Department.

Three of the children detention schools are located at Oberstown, Co. Dublin, and facilities include a stand alone six-bed unit which is, I believe, the unit to which the Deputy refers. This unit had been completed in 2003 under the supervision of the Department of Education and Science. Following the transfer of responsibility, the Irish Youth Justice Service recommissioned and furnished the unit. This facilitated the transfer of girls and staff from an older facility which formed part of Oberstown Girls School. The new unit, Cuan Beag, provides an improved standard of accommodation.

Cuan Beag is now operational as part of Oberstown Girls School and was formally opened by the Minister for Children on 7 September 2007.

Asylum Applications.

Brian O'Shea

Question:

400 Deputy Brian O’Shea asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform when a decision will be reached on the application of a person (details supplied) in County Waterford in regard to permission to remain in the State on humanitarian grounds and in regard to subsidiary protection; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7456/08]

The person concerned arrived in the State on 21 December 2003 and made an application for asylum the following day. His application was refused following consideration of his case by the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner and, on appeal, by the Refugee Appeals Tribunal.

Subsequently, in accordance with Section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended), the person concerned was informed, by letter dated 29 October 2004, that the Minister proposed to make a deportation order in respect of him. He was given the options, to be exercised within 15 working days, of leaving the State voluntarily, of consenting to the making of a deportation order or of making representations to the Minister setting out the reasons why he should be allowed to remain temporarily in the State. Representations have been received on behalf of the person concerned.

On 10 October 2006, regulations known as the European Communities (Eligibility for Protection) Regulations, 2006 (S.I. No. 518 of 2006), came into force. The person concerned submitted an application for Subsidiary Protection in the State in accordance with these Regulations and this application is under consideration at present. When consideration of this application has been completed, the person concerned will be notified in writing of the outcome.

In the event that the Subsidiary Protection application is refused, the case file of the person concerned, including all representations submitted, will be considered under Section 3 (6) of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended) and Section 5 of the Refugee Act 1996 (as amended) on the prohibition of refoulement. When this latter consideration has been completed, the case file of the person concerned will be passed to me for decision.

Garda Strength.

Jack Wall

Question:

401 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of community and reserve Gardaí in each station in the Wicklow division of the Gardaí; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7483/08]

Jack Wall

Question:

402 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of community or Reserve Force Gardaí at present in each Garda station in the Meath/Louth Garda division; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7484/08]

Jack Wall

Question:

403 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of community Gardaí or Gardaí Reserve in the Kildare/Carlow division stationed in each of the stations, Naas, Newbridge, Clane, Kilcock, Celbridge, Leixlip, Rathangan, Carbury, Monasterevin, Kilcullen, Athy, Ballytore, Castledermot; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7485/08]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 401 to 403, inclusive, together.

I have been informed by the Garda Commissioner that the number of Community Gardaí based in the Wicklow/Wexford Garda Division on 31 December, 2007 (the latest date for which figures are readily available) was 4. These members are based in Wexford Garda Station.

The number of Community Gardaí based in the Louth/Meath Garda Division on 31 December, 2007 was 12. These members are based in each station as set out in the table hereunder:

Station

Community Gardaí

Ashbourne

2

Drogheda

2

Dundalk

3

Navan

4

Kells

1

The number of Community Gardaí in the Carlow/Kildare Garda Division on 31 December, 2007 was 3. These members are based at Naas Garda Station. Kilcock Garda Station forms part of the Louth/Meath Garda Division. Leixlip Garda Station forms part of the DMR West Garda Division. The number of Community Gardaí based at Leixlip Garda Station was 3.

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 and Divisions referred to will be fully considered by the Commissioner within the overall context of the needs of Garda Stations and Divisions throughout the country.

I have been further informed by the Garda Commissioner that the number of Reserve Gardaí stationed in Wicklow/Wexford, Louth/Meath and Carlow/Kildare Divisions broken down by station on 31 January, 2008, was as set out in the table hereunder:

Division

Station

Strength

Wicklow/Wexford

New Ross

1

Gorey

1

Wexford

3

Louth/Meath

Drogheda

4

Dundalk

3

Kells

1

Carlow/Kildare

Naas

2

Newbridge

1

I recently approved the 2008 Garda Annual Policing Plan and laid it before the Houses of the Oireachtas. It sets out the Commissioner's proposals to realign the boundaries of Garda Divisions around the country to make them coterminous with local authority boundaries. Included in this is a plan to establish new Garda Divisions in Louth, Meath, Kildare, and Wicklow. The planned changes will bring about greater efficiencies and effectiveness in facilitating the establishment and functioning of Joint Policing Committees. A detailed programme of work is currently being developed by An Garda Síochána to implement these planned changes for various Garda Divisions. This programme of work will also examine the geographical areas of district and sub-district stations arising from the regional and divisional boundary realignments set out in the plan and will set out a timetable for the establishment of the new divisions.

Deportation Orders.

John Curran

Question:

404 Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the status of a person (details supplied) who had a deportation order served on them in November 2007. [7490/08]

The person concerned arrived in the State on 6 March 2004 and claimed asylum. Her application was refused following consideration of her case by the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner and, on appeal, by the Refugee Appeals Tribunal.

The person concerned was informed by letter dated 13 February 2006 that the Minister proposed to make a Deportation Order in respect of her and afforded her three options in accordance with Section 3 (3) (b) (ii) of the Immigration Act, 1999 (as amended): namely to leave the State voluntarily, to consent to the making of a Deportation Order or to submit, within 15 working days, written representations to the Minister setting out the reasons why she should be allowed to remain temporarily in the State, i.e. why she should not be deported.

Her case was examined under Section 3 (6) of the Immigration Act, 1999 (as amended), and Section 5 of the Refugee Act, 1996 (as amended) on the Prohibition of Refoulement. Consideration was given to all representations submitted on her behalf for permission to remain temporarily in the State. On 17 October 2006 my predecessor refused permission to remain temporarily in the State and instead signed a Deportation Order in respect of her. A notice of this Order dated 15 November 2006 was served by registered post. Said notice also invited the making of a Subsidiary Protection application pursuant to the European Communities (Eligibility for Protection) Regulations, 2006 — Statutory Instrument No. 518 of 2006, which came into effect on 10 October 2006.

By correspondence dated 6 December 2006, an application for Subsidiary Protection was made together with a request to reconsider the Section 3 (6) application for temporary leave to remain of the person concerned. Following consideration of the information submitted, the deportation order was affirmed and the legal representative of the person concerned was notified of this decision by letter dated 19 December 2006.

In order to consider the Subsidiary Protection application, the Deportation Order signed by my predecessor on 17 October 2006 was revoked. An order of revocation was signed in this regard on 28 June 2007 by one of the senior officials in my Department. Following consideration of the Subsidiary Protection application lodged, it was found that the person concerned was not eligible under the Regulations. Subsequent to this decision, consideration was again given to the person concerned under Section 3 (6) of the Immigration Act, 1999, as amended, for permission to remain temporarily in the State. On 31 October 2007, I refused permission to remain and instead signed a Deportation Order in respect of her. Notice of this Order was served by registered post requiring her to present herself to the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB), on Tuesday 13 November, 2007, in order to make travel arrangements for her deportation from the State. In response to further representations received on 3rd December, 2007 the person concerned was notified by letter that the decision to make a Deportation Order in respect of her remained unchanged and on 4th December 2007 she was removed from the State to Nigeria under a valid Deportation Order.

Prison Accommodation.

Joe Costello

Question:

405 Deputy Joe Costello asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the reason the intended capacity in the proposed women’s prison at Thornton Hall is double that of the Dóchas Centre when international best practice recommends a reduction in use of incarceration for women; if a full review of the use of detention for women will be conducted in advance of the drawing up of plans for the new prison; if the proposed prison complex in Kilworth, County Cork will include facilities for women; if so the number of same; if he will make a statement regarding the proposed closure of the Dóchas Centre in view of the unique character and regime of the centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7513/08]

I am advised by the Irish Prison Service that the proposed new prison facilities at Thornton Hall will cater for a greater number of women prisoners than is currently provided for at the Dóchas Centre.

As the Deputy is aware, the Dóchas Centre was designed to accommodate 80 women. However, since the facility was commissioned it regularly accommodates prisoner numbers in excess of its design capacity. Taking this into account, coupled with the need to future-proof the Thornton Hall facilities in capacity terms, the women's prison at Thornton will provide accommodation for 170 women. The design will be based on the concept of single room occupancy, will allow for the separation of sentenced and non-sentenced offenders and will afford a greater opportunity of enhanced regimes, thus allowing for greater flexibility.

There are no plans to move away from the basic architectural design principles of the Dóchas Centre. The design has proved to be a successful (prison) model and the design of the women's prison at Thornton seeks to build on the experience and lessons of the Dóchas model, whilst expanding the regime options and fostering the ethos of Dóchas, i.e. a domestic scale courtyard development consisting of a number of house units of single occupancy en-suite accommodation. Each house will also have domestic style cooking and laundry facilities, etc.

In relation to the proposed new prison development at Kilworth, County Cork, I can confirm that the Irish Prison Service intends to provide accommodation for women prisoners in the new development. Although the project has not reached detailed design stage, the likelihood is that the new facility will have accommodation for about 40 women following a similar model to the Dóchas and Thornton designs. This includes separate accommodation for remand and sentenced prisoners.

Citizenship Applications.

John Curran

Question:

406 Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform when an application for naturalisation by a person (details supplied) in Dublin 22 will be decided. [7529/08]

An application for a certificate of naturalisation from the person referred to in the Deputy's Question was received in the Citizenship section of my Department in May 2007.

Officials in that section are currently processing applications received in mid-2005 and have approximately 12,000 applications on hand to be dealt with before that of the person concerned. These are generally dealt with in chronological order as this is deemed to be the fairest to all applicants. It is likely, therefore, that further processing of the application will commence in late 2009. I will inform the Deputy and the person in question when I have reached a decision on the matter.

Judicial Reviews.

Damien English

Question:

407 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 2005; the number of applications where leave was granted for each year; and if he will present the information in tabular readable form. [7530/08]

Damien English

Question:

408 Deputy Damien English asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the cost to and the damages paid by the State in relation to judicial reviews that his Department were responsible for in 2005 in tabular readable form. [7531/08]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 407 and 408 together.

I refer the Deputy to Parliamentary Question Nos. 1146 and 1147 of 30 January, 2008. As I indicated in my answer to these Questions, the information sought is not readily available in my Department and could not be collated without the application of a disproportionate amount of staff time.

Residency Permits.

Terence Flanagan

Question:

409 Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his views on whether measures used by INIS to prevent people gaining residency based on marriages of convenience are adequate; the conclusive evidence he has of people gaining residency through marriages of convenience; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7548/08]

I refer the Deputy to my answer to Parliamentary Question number 386 on 13 February 2008 regarding marriages of convenience.

Current legislation does not adequately address the abuses in this area. It is for that reason that I have included specific provisions in the Immigration, Residence and Protection Bill 2008 which aim to restrict the potential for persons to use marriage as a way of circumventing normal immigration measures. As that Bill is currently before the House I do not propose to go into further detail on the matter in this reply.

Garda Deployment.

Sean Sherlock

Question:

410 Deputy Seán Sherlock asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of Gardaí serving in specialist units such as drugs, traffic corps, immigration, detective branch, public service vehicle, crime scene investigation and so on; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7569/08]

I have requested the information sought from the Garda authorities. I will be in contact with the Deputy when this information is to hand.

Residency Permits.

Joe Costello

Question:

411 Deputy Joe Costello asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the status of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7576/08]

The person concerned arrived in the State on 19 September 2002 and applied for asylum. On 21 October 2002 the person concerned notified my Department that he wished to withdraw his application for asylum and apply for residency on the basis of his parentage of an Irish born child.

Subsequently, in accordance with Section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended), the person concerned was informed, by letter dated 3 June 2004, that the Minister proposed to make a deportation order in respect of him. He was given the options, to be exercised within 15 working days, of leaving the State voluntarily, of consenting to the making of a deportation order or of submitting written representations to the Minister setting out the reasons why he should be allowed to remain in the State. Representations were received on behalf of the person concerned.

Following consideration of the case of the person concerned, under Section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended) and Section 5 of the Refugee Act 1996 (as amended) on the prohibition of refoulement, as an exceptional measure and subject to certain conditions, the person concerned was granted temporary permission to remain in the State for one year until 3 August 2005. This permission was subsequently renewed for a further two years until 3 August 2007. Additionally, this permission has been renewed for a further three year period until 20 February 2011. The person concerned was notified of this latter renewal decision by letter dated 20 February 2008.

Deportation Orders.

Joe Costello

Question:

412 Deputy Joe Costello asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the status of a person (details supplied) in County Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7577/08]

I refer the Deputy to Parliamentary Question No. 328 of Wednesday 27 June 2007 and the written reply to that Question.

According to information provided by the person concerned, he arrived in the State on 8 September 2001 and worked here illegally for a period of approximately four years before lodging an application for asylum on 26 August 2005. His asylum application was refused following consideration of his case by the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner and, on appeal, by the Refugee Appeals Tribunal.

Subsequently, in accordance with Section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended), the person concerned was informed, by letter dated 29 December 2005, that the Minister proposed to make a deportation order in respect of him. He was given the options, to be exercised within 15 working days, of leaving the State voluntarily, of consenting to the making of a deportation order or of making representations to the Minister setting out the reasons why he should be allowed to remain temporarily in the State. Representations have been received on behalf of the person concerned and will be fully considered before the file is passed to me for decision.

Citizenship Applications.

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Question:

413 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform when the naturalisation application will be finalised for a person (details supplied) in County Cavan. [7580/08]

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 September 2006.

Officials in that section inform me that processing of the application has commenced and the file will be forwarded to me for a decision in the coming months. I will inform the Deputy and the person in question when I have reached a decision on the application.

Michael D. Higgins

Question:

414 Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position of an application for citizenship by a person (details supplied). [7593/08]

Officials in the Citizenship section of my Department inform me that there is no record of an application for a certificate of naturalisation from the person referred to in the Deputy's question.

Garda Operations.

Ciaran Lynch

Question:

415 Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the annual cost for each year since 2002 to date in 2008 of policing League of Ireland football matches. [7612/08]

I am advised by the Garda authorities that organisers of events request the services of Gardaí on a non-public duty basis for inside the event location and pay for the cost of such duties. The cost to the Football Association of Ireland for having members of An Garda Síochána at League of Ireland matches on non-public duty for the years 2005 to 2008 is as follows:

Year

2005

28,585

2006

42,591

2007

95,034

2008

0

The costs of policing duties performed by Gardaí outside of the grounds, such as traffic control, beat patrols and other policing duties, are paid from public funds. I am advised by the Garda authorities that the overall annual cost for policing of League of Ireland matches as well as the non-public duty costs prior to 2005 are not readily available. I am further advised that the information requested can only be obtained by the disproportionate expenditure of Garda time and resources relative to the information sought.

Prison Security.

Ciaran Lynch

Question:

416 Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the progress made to date on the installation of technology in prisons to block the use by prisoners, of mobile phones; the companies that have been engaged in this regard; the specifications of the technology in question; the cost thereof; the projected completion date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7613/08]

The Deputy will be aware that Section 36 of the Prisons Act 2007, which was brought into operation from the 1st May 2007, makes it an offence for prisoners to have unauthorised possession of or to use mobile telecommunications devices. Under the Act, it is also an offence to supply such a device to a prisoner.

One of the major challenges in prisons worldwide lies in preventing access to or use of mobile phones by prisoners. Efforts are made on a continuous basis to prevent prisoners obtaining or using mobile phones. Such efforts include the installation of nets over exercise yards, vigilant observation of prisoners by staff, extensive CCTV monitoring, the use of screened visits and prisoner and cell searches.

I would like to assure the Deputy that I am determined to deal with the problem of prisoners using mobile phones to maintain illicit contact with the outside world. As I have already indicated to the House, I believe that technology offers the only real answer to dealing with the problem.

I am pleased to advise the Deputy that the third and final phase of the installation of a pilot scheme of mobile phone inhibition at the Midlands Prison is almost complete. Following the successful completion of the pilot project, roll-out will commence across the prison estate.

The Deputy will, I am sure, appreciate that for security and commercial reasons it would be inappropriate for me to put the names of any company with which we have been in contact into the public domain at this point. Furthermore, I cannot divulge technical details of the inhibitors or the costs of the pilot scheme at this juncture.

Ciaran Lynch

Question:

417 Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the progress made to date on upgrading security at Wheatfield, Mountjoy and Cloverhill jails; the amount spent to date on each upgrade project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7614/08]

A number of new security initiatives are shortly being introduced in all closed prisons aimed at eliminating the trafficking of contraband. These measures include:

The introduction of enhanced security screening for all persons (prisoners, visitors and staff) entering our prisons.

The establishment of a drug detection dog service within the Irish Prison Service involving approximately 30 handling teams.

The establishment of an Operational Support Group dedicated to and developing expertise in searching and gathering intelligence on illicit material being hidden inside our prisons; they will be available in addition to the normal prison staff and can target specific security problem areas.

A substantial amount of work has been carried out to date at each of the prisons referred to by the Deputy to provide the new screening and searching facilities. It is expected that this work will be completed in the near future. The expenditure, to date, at each location is as follows:

Prison

Amount

Wheatfield

96,781

Mountjoy

363,403

Cloverhill

172,329

Additional measures currently being introduced to enhance security include the following:

The third and final phase of the installation of a pilot scheme of mobile phone inhibition at the Midlands Prison is almost complete. Following the successful completion of the pilot project, roll-out will commence across the prison estate.

A national review of CCTV and an extensive CCTV programme is being rolled out across the prison estate.

In addition, the Irish Prison Service has introduced, inter alia, the following measures to ensure the ongoing safety of inmates and staff:

Tighter control and monitoring of prisoner visits in all closed prisons;

New visiting arrangements in most closed prisons, with visitors required to be pre-approved by the Governor and required to provide identification on each visit;

Greater use of screened visits;

Greater vigilance in examining mail by prison censors and searching of other items entering the prison;

Increased random searching of cells and their occupants;

Stricter searching of all persons committed to custody and prisoners returning from court, temporary release or after visits or on receipt of intelligence;

Use of modern cameras and probe systems which assist in searching previously difficult areas such as hollow chair or bed legs, beneath floorboards and other cavities;

Use of new hand-held metal detectors and upgrading and extended use of walk-through detectors.

Continued regular contact between the Gardaí and the Irish Prison Service.

Prison Accommodation.

Ciaran Lynch

Question:

418 Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of people held in isolation in each prison here in 2007; and the length of each such period of isolation. [7615/08]

As the Deputy will appreciate, on occasion it is necessary to put some prisoners in a place of safety within the prison system when they prove difficult to manage in the general prison population or where authorised by a Prison Doctor for medical observation or for the prisoner's own protection if he/she has suicidal tendencies. Close Supervision and Special Observation cells are used on such occasions. These are single occupancy cells with larger windows, a door with a full-face observation window, cell light as close to natural daylight as possible, a communications system including "Cell Call System", a television where possible, in-cell sanitation and other technical improvements in the materials used to finish the walls and to improve the quality of the mattress, blankets and bed. The design of the cells, coupled with the issuing of special clothing, greatly contributes to meeting the needs and respecting the dignity and self-respect of the prisoner in a way consistent with his/her safety.

The number of placements of prisoners in such cells in 2007 is set out in the following table. However, it should be noted that the same prisoner may be placed in such a cell more than once in a year.

Prison / Place of Detention

2007

Arbour Hill

17

Castlerea

117

Cloverhill

395

Cork

149

Dóchas

12

Limerick

162

Loughan House

0

Midlands

201

Mountjoy

493

Portlaoise

0

Shelton Abbey

0

St. Patrick’s Institution

189

Training Unit

0

Wheatfield

81

Strict guidelines must be adhered to before any prisoner is placed in such cells and prisoners are confined for the minimum amount of time necessary. I am advised that in less than 1% of cases, the maximum amount of time spent in such a cell exceeded three days. I am not in a position to give the Deputy more detailed information in regard to the length of every single period of isolation of every prisoner so placed.

Garda Deployment.

Jack Wall

Question:

419 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of Gardaí involved in the detection and prosecution of drug-related crime in the Wicklow division; if any Gardaí have received special training in relation to this type of crime; if the recent new recruits allocated to this division have received specialised training in this type of crime; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7620/08]

Jack Wall

Question:

420 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of Gardaí involved in the detection and prosecution of drug-related crime in the Kildare/Carlow division; if these Gardaí have received special training in relation to this type of crime; if the recent new recruits allocated to this division received specialised training in this type; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7621/08]

Jack Wall

Question:

421 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of Gardaí involved in the detection and prosecution of drug-related crime in the Louth/Meath division; if these Gardaí have special training in relation to this type of crime; if the recent new recruits allocated to this division have received specialised training in this type of crime; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7622/08]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 419 to 421, inclusive, together.

I have been informed by the Garda Commissioner that on 31 January 2008 (the latest date for which figures are readily available), one Sergeant and 12 Gardaí were attached to the dedicated Divisional Drug Unit in the Wicklow/Wexford Division. The personnel strength of the Wicklow/Wexford Garda Division on 31 January 2008 was 364.

On 31 January 2008, one Sergeant and seven Gardaí were attached to the dedicated Divisional Drug Unit in the Carlow/Kildare Division. The personnel strength of the Carlow/Kildare Garda Division on 31 January 2008 was 403.

On 31 January 2008, two Sergeants and 12 Gardaí were attached to the dedicated Divisional Drug Unit in the Louth/Meath Division. The personnel strength of the Louth/Meath Garda Division on 31 January 2008 was 532.

All members of An Garda Síochána are tasked with enforcing the law, including drug-related legislation, with training provided by the Student/Probationer School at the Garda College and ongoing education programmes delivered by Continuous Development trainers located in every Garda Division.

Members of An Garda Síochána from the Louth/Meath and Carlow/Kildare Divisions have undergone training in the area of test purchasing with the Garda National Drugs Unit to facilitate the running of initiatives under Operation Cleanstreet, which targets on-street drug dealing within these Divisions, and to upskill other members within the Divisions. This training programme is being rolled out to other Garda Divisions nationwide.

Training modules in relation to drug detection are part of all Detective Training Courses and Sergeants' Promotional Development Programmes. However, the development of such skills is primarily gained from experienced Garda members and as such this component of training is facilitated by the policy of Student Garda placements with relevant specialist units.

The Garda National Drugs Unit and Criminal Assets Bureau both run a number of specific training programmes, for selected members in Divisions, which can have direct influence on drug detections.

The following is the drug-related training provided to all Student/Probationer Gardaí.

Phase I

Student Gardaí, as part of the Student/Probationer Education/Training and Development Programme, are instructed on drug offences and drug legislation. While the majority of this training deals specifically with the Misuse of Drugs legislation 1977-2006, it is recognised that the subject cannot be dealt with in isolation and therefore elements of drug enforcement and prosecution are included in further training, dealing with Treatment of Persons in Custody, Evidence and Court Procedure, arrests, warrants and searching of persons and vehicles.

Phase II

As part of Phase II Experiential Training, Student Gardaí spend a week long placement with a Divisional Drug Unit where they gain valuable experience in the investigation, detection and prosecution of drugs offences.

Phase III

As part of the Phase III Student/Probationer Education/Training and Development Programme, Student Gardaí receive further training in respect of the Misuse of Drugs legislation. The intervention is at a deeper level of instruction and builds on what the Student Garda learned on Phase I and experienced on Phase II. The intervention is delivered using facilitative teaching techniques that encourages discussion and interaction among Student Gardaí.

Along with the formal instruction on Phase I and Phase III and the experiential learning on Phase II, Student Gardaí are also involved in the completion of Case Study assessments where they are required to develop investigation files for assessment purposes. This contributes greatly to their learning.

Phase V

A Superintendent from the Garda National Drugs Unit (GNDU) provides an input to Phase V Probationer Gardaí on drug detection and the role of the GNDU.

Children in Care.

Jim O'Keeffe

Question:

422 Deputy Jim O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of children under the care of the Health Service Executive who have been reported missing to An Garda Síochána; the number of times that each has been reported missing; the number of crimes committed by such children; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7635/08]

Jim O'Keeffe

Question:

423 Deputy Jim O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of crimes that have been committed against children under the care of the Health Service Executive who have been reported missing to An Garda Síochána; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7636/08]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 422 and 423 together. I am informed by the Garda authorities that the information requested is not readily available. I have asked for a report from the Garda Commissioner in the matter. I will communicate directly with the Deputy when that report is to hand.

Garda Strength.

Thomas P. Broughan

Question:

424 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of Gardaí currently part of the Garda Traffic Corps; the proposed date for the deployment of 1,200 personnel for the Garda Traffic Corps; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7640/08]

I have requested the information sought from the Garda authorities. I will be in contact with the Deputy when this information is to hand.

Road Safety.

Thomas P. Broughan

Question:

425 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if the Road Safety Authority’s target in the Road Safety Strategy 2007 to 2012 on the implementation of a safety camera network in the region of 6,000 hours enforcement per month will be implemented by the stated completion date of the second quarter of 2008; if not, the reason for same; when this objective will be achieved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7641/08]

Niall Collins

Question:

426 Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position regarding a project (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7642/08]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 425 and 426 together.

The position is as set out in the reply by Minister Pat The Cope Gallagher to the adjournment debate in the House on 13 February. I will make a further statement on the matter following the Government's deliberations.

EU Directives.

Brian Hayes

Question:

427 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the status of the statutory instrument on e-mail data retentions; when he expects to introduce it; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7703/08]

Directive 2006/24/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council on the retention of data was due to be transposed by September 2007. Following consultations between interested parties and my Department, I expect to shortly finalise my proposals so that the Directive can be transposed into Irish law in the coming months.

Transposition of the Directive will result in Ireland having a similar system of data retention to all of the other Member States of the European Union. This will allow the Member States to cooperate more fully in responding to crime and in particular to transnational criminal gangs and to the threats posed by terrorists, both from within and from outside the European Union.

Ireland has challenged the legal base of the Directive before the European Court of Justice. This challenge relates to a point of principle rather than to the substance of the Directive with which we have no significant difficulty. Our challenge to the Directive does not absolve us from our responsibility to transpose the Directive and, as I have outlined, work is progressing steadily in that regard.

Data Retention.

Brian Hayes

Question:

428 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of times the Government’s data retention file, where there is storage for three years of all the data relating to every mobile, land line and fax calls, were examined throughout 2007; the bodies that can examine this information; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7704/08]

Neither the Government nor any State agency maintains a ‘data retention file' concerning the use made of any telecommunications device by any person.

Pursuant to Part 7 of the Criminal Justice (Terrorist Offences) Act 2005, telephony data are required to be retained for a period of three years. In all such cases, however, the data are retained by the telecommunications service providers themselves and not by any State agency. Any data so retained may only be accessed in accordance with the conditions set out in Section 64(1)(a)-(e) of the 2005 Act.

In this regard, the Garda Síochána and the Permanent Defence Force may request access to specific retained data only for the purposes of the prevention, detection, investigation or prosecution of crime and/or for the safeguarding of the security of the State. It would not be in the public interest to reveal the number of such requests, if any, made by either organisation.

The 2005 Act provides for a number of robust safeguards in relation to the accessing of retained data. In this regard, Part 7 of the 2005 Act extends the duties of the Designated Judge under the Interception of Postal Packets and Telecommunications Messages (Regulation) Act 1993 to the data retention provisions of this Part. In particular, the Designated Judge shall, inter alia, keep the operation of the provisions of Part 7 under review and ascertain whether the Garda Síochána and the Permanent Defence Force are complying with its provisions.

Moreover, Part 7 of the 2005 Act also extends the duties of the Complaints Referee under the Interception of Postal Packets and Telecommunications Messages (Regulation) Act 1993 to the data retention provisions of this Part. In particular, the Complaints Referee shall investigate, on foot of a complaint alleging improper access, whether, inter alia, any provision of Section 64 was contravened in relation to any such access request.

Prison Projects.

Charles Flanagan

Question:

429 Deputy Charles Flanagan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the funding allocated to and used by the CONNECT project in each year since its inception; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7843/08]

Charles Flanagan

Question:

430 Deputy Charles Flanagan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the prisons in which the CONNECT project has operated in each year since its inception; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7844/08]

Charles Flanagan

Question:

431 Deputy Charles Flanagan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of Irish Prison Service staff and the number of external staff who have worked on projects in the CONNECT project in each prison where the project operates since the inception of the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7845/08]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 429 to 431, inclusive, together.

CONNECT was piloted with EU Integra Funding in the years prior to 2000 and was announced as part of the 2000 to 2006 National Development Plan. Expenditure under the programme consisted in the main, of staff salaries and materials for the work training area.

CONNECT consisted of three strands: Work Training (including Special Projects); Sentence Management; Capital Project CONNECT's original focus was on vocational orientation and training for prisoners, combined with job placement at the time of release. CONNECT in its structure was intended to permit other needs of prisoners (which may impact on their employability) to be addressed through the services available within prison.

An internal Irish Prison Service review of CONNECT was carried out in 2002. The result of which was a decision to refocus the project to concentrate on the Work Training area. It was decided that the sentence management elements needed to be aligned more centrally within the prison system rather than residing in the work training area. This change in focus was subsequently agreed by the Regional Monitoring Committees that monitor the NDP during the Mid-term Review Process.

The refocus towards the provision of enhanced pre-vocational and vocational training in Irish prisons involved dedicated new staffing and funding for the expansion of work training in the prison system. The Work Training Service now comprises an authorised complement of over 250 posts — a major increase on the numbers engaged prior to the Agreement for Organisational Change of 158, resulting in new activities and workshops, and over €5 million has been spent in the last two years alone, on the ongoing workshop refurbishment and equipment replacement programme. New workshops and activities are also continuing to be developed at various institutions. Furthermore, a Quality Assurance System (QAS) is being introduced to underpin FETAC certification of a range of vocational and employability programmes and courses.

Currently we have over 90 workshops operating across the prison estate. The new prison development at Thornton Hall will provide extensive work training facilities, providing vocational skills to upwards of 700 prisoners each day.

The learning from CONNECT, in respect of such other aspects as individual programme planning, and indeed from new interventions piloted in other initiatives such as the EQUAL project, a European Social Fund (ESF) programme, is being taken into account in the development and rollout of Integrated Sentence Management (ISM). ISM, which is being funded under the new National Development Plan, will provide for initial risk and needs assessments, individualised plans and targeted service delivery to prisoners. ISM will be delivered progressively over the lifetime of the NDP.

Prison Education Service.

Charles Flanagan

Question:

432 Deputy Charles Flanagan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the education and training courses on offer in each prison; the number of places available on each course; the courses for which there is a waiting list; the length of the waiting period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7846/08]

Education in prisons is delivered by way of partnership between the Irish Prison Service and a range of educational agencies from the community. Vocational Education Committees (VECs) and Public Library Services make the largest contribution to, and are the mainstay of, the Prison Education Service.

During the academic year 2007/2008, 220 whole-time equivalent teachers are the main providers of these education programmes. This enables education to be provided in all prisons, as well as special teaching arrangements where prisoners are segregated (e.g. Portlaoise, Mountjoy, Wheatfield, Limerick, Midlands, Castlerea and Cork).

Other Agencies also contribute significantly to prison education, for example: The Open University, which now caters for close to 100 prisoners annually on degree-level distance education courses; The Arts Council, which provides writers' workshops and artists' workshops; Other third-level colleges, such as the National College of Art and Design, which is involved in Portlaoise and the Midlands Prisons; Three full-time librarians, employed by Dublin Public Libraries, work in prisons in the Dublin area.

With regard to the curriculum objectives, methods and course content are largely those of adult education. FETAC accreditation is widely used in prison education with all Prison Education Units being accepted as meeting the quality assurance standards demanded by FETAC. In broad terms, courses may be classified as follows: Basic Education, including Literacy and Numeracy; General subjects, e.g. English, History, Geography, Mathematics, Languages, Computers; Physical Education, Home Economics and Health Education; The Arts, e.g. Visual arts, Music, Drama, Creative Writing, Photography; Technology Courses, (e.g. Woodwork, Metalwork) and Horticulture; Courses that address particular problems or needs that prisoners have, e.g. Pre-Release courses, Addiction Awareness, Child care, Group Skills, and Anger Management.

A directory of prison education is published each year. The directory outlines the courses and other educational supports that are available to prisoners in each prison.

The Irish Prison Service places a strong emphasis on the provision of work and training activities for prisoners. Training activities are chosen to give as much employment as possible for those in prison and to give opportunities to acquire skills which will help them secure employment on their release. There are a wide range of training workshops operating within the institutions e.g. metalwork, printing, computers, braille, woodwork, construction, industrial contract cleaning, craft, horticulture, electronics etc. In addition, the work and training function covers such essential services as catering and laundry services. The environmental waste management programme and the health and safety function also operate under the aegis of the work and training service. External accreditation of certified training is available for a number of courses run within the institutions.

The Work Training Service comprises an authorised complement of over 250 posts — a major increase on the numbers engaged prior to the Agreement for Organisational Change of 158, resulting in new activities and workshops. Currently over 90 workshops are operating across the prison estate.

It is important that the Irish Prison Service trains our prisoners, where possible, to certified levels of achievement to match the qualifications required in the community for jobs. Currently there are a number of courses in place which are externally accredited (such as laundry skills by the Guild of Launderers and Cleaners, Chef courses by City and Guilds etc), and the aim is to significantly increase the number of such courses over the coming years. To this end, Prison Management is currently working with FETAC to develop an appropriate quality assurance system to underpin the certification of a range of additional courses.

The Deputy will appreciate that the numbers that can be allocated to each course or activity is dependent on a number of issues. For example, the numbers in some courses may be restricted due to the nature of the course, if specialist classrooms are needed and also due to health and safety procedures which must be adhered to. In general for most courses and activities prisoners can join at any time. Every effort is made to accommodate students in the course of their choice or another course if their choice is full. Therefore it is very seldom that there is a waiting period for participation in education or work and training.

Charles Flanagan

Question:

433 Deputy Charles Flanagan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the literacy and numeracy programmes available to prisoners in each prison; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7847/08]

Charles Flanagan

Question:

434 Deputy Charles Flanagan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if prisoners literacy and numeracy standards and needs are assessed on admission or at any stage in their sentence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7848/08]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 433 and 434 together.

Prison education is delivered in prisons by way of partnership between the Irish Prison Service and a range of educational agencies from the community, particularly local Vocational Education Committees and Public Library Services. During the academic year 2007/08, the Department of Education and Science has provided an allocation of 220 whole-time teacher equivalents to the prisons.

Literacy work has been a strong element of the Prison Education curriculum since the early 1980's. The literacy curriculum concentrates on the needs of the individual and respects the adult status of the student, his/her prior knowledge, skills and life experience. It is also concerned with improving self-esteem and building confidence.

An Adult Basic Education Development Worker is employed with specific responsibility for implementing and supporting developments and initiatives in the area of literacy, numeracy, English for speakers of other languages and basic education. Because of the literacy deficit of the prisoner population, literacy work forms an element of more than just the timetabled literacy classes. All teachers are aware of the literacy needs and these are dealt with as part of the general coursework of prisoners. This is a very effective method of linking the literacy learning programme of prisoners to an area they can engage with and is widely used in adult education.

The Irish Prison Service is implementing the new assessment framework devised by the National Adult Literacy Agency; "Mapping the Learning Journey", an assessment framework that identifies learner progress, provides tangible feedback and indicates areas on which to focus. It is a useful tool for both learning and teaching.

Progress has been made linking the education and training needs of prisoners since 2003, with the literacy action plan prepared by the prison education unit of each prison becoming one vehicle for integrating the efforts of the education and training sectors in prisons. Peer tutoring, promoting family literacy and developing post-release support for prisoners who undertake literacy tuition in prison are also promoted by the Prison Education staff wherever feasible.

Each student coming into the Prison Education Centre will have an individual interview to assess his/her educational needs and interests. Those with literacy difficulties are prioritised and slotted into class almost immediately. Every effort is made to publicise literacy classes and encourage as many prisoners as possible to avail of classes.

Prison Facilities.

Charles Flanagan

Question:

435 Deputy Charles Flanagan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the exercise and recreational facilities available to prisoners in each prison; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7849/08]

All prisons have a wide range of exercise and recreational facilities. The facilities vary from prison to prison dependent on the size of the prison, age of the prison and profile of the prisoners.

All prisons have outdoor exercise facilities available to prisoners, as is required under the Prison Rules, 2007, and each prisoner receives at least one hour of outdoor activity or exercise each day. In addition all prisons have a range of other recreational facilities for prisoner use. These range from outdoor sports fields to gymnasia and indoor activities such as pool, access to televisions, libraries and board games. In general these facilities are available in the evening and at weekends, when the prisoners have completed their normal day to day activities, such as education courses, vocational training, or cleaning and catering duties.

Deportation Orders.

Denis Naughten

Question:

436 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of persons issued with a deportation order who had to be subsequently issued with a second deportation order due to re-entry to this State in each of the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7862/08]

A Deportation Order obliges the person concerned to leave the State and thereafter remain out of the State. The Deportation Order continues to be enforceable in the event of that person seeking to re-enter the State illegally, or being found to be illegally present in the State. Therefore it is not necessary to issue a further Deportation Order.

Denis Naughten

Question:

437 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of people who have been voluntarily deported in each of the past five years; the number of those forcibly deported in each year; the number of deportation orders issued by his Department in each year; the number sought in each year by the Gardaí; the number outstanding at the end of each year; the number of requests which are outstanding for each year concerned; the average cost of each voluntary and forced deportation respectively; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7863/08]

The total number of persons who opted to voluntarily repatriate during the five year period 2003-2007 is provided in Table A below:

Table A — Voluntary returns effected — 2003 to 2007

Year

Number of self-managed voluntary returns

Number of voluntary returns — International Organisation for Migration assisted

Total

2003

361

401

762

2004

218

393

611

2005

125

210

335

2006

63

175

238

2007

162

255

417

The total number of persons who consented to their deportation, were issued with deportation orders and who were subsequently deported during the five year period 2003-2007 are provided in Table B below:

Table B — Deportation Orders signed and Consent Deportation Orders Effected — 2003 to 2007

Year

Number of deportation orders signed (including consent orders)

Number of consent deportation orders effected

2003

2,411

105

2004

2915

11

2005

1,899

37

2006

1,566

18

2007

418

17

Total

9,209

188

The information requested in relation to the number of persons sought each year by the Gardaí is not readily available in my Department. My officials have requested the relevant statistics from the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB) and I can assure the Deputy that the information will be conveyed to him at the earliest possible date.

The average deportation cost provided below refers to the deportation of either illegal immigrants, persons refused refugee status in the State or persons whose applications for asylum have been transferred to another country under the Dublin Convention. The vast majority of the removals involved persons who were refused refugee status in the State.

The average cost of a consent deportation is not readily available in my Department. My officials are compiling the relevant statistics and I can again assure the Deputy that the information sought will be conveyed to him at the earliest possible date.

The average cost of a Deportation is € 3,312 while that of a Voluntary Repatriation under the Voluntary Assisted Return and Reintegration Programme (VARRP) for non EEA nationals is circa €3,177 (based on 2007 figures).

Denis Naughten

Question:

438 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of deported persons issued with an EU letter travel document in each of the past five years; the number of such persons who were returned to Ireland; the number who returned as they were refused re-entry to the destination country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7864/08]

To effect a Deportation Order, and where the person concerned does not hold valid travel documents, it is normal practice to secure the necessary travel documents from the country to which it is intended to return the person concerned. It is only possible to deport a person on an EU travel letter where the country of return is willing to accept the validity of such a document. Kosovo and Albania are currently the only countries where we issue EU travel letters in respect of deportations, and prior to their accession to the EU on 1st January, 2007, Romania and Bulgaria also recognised EU travel letters issued by Ireland. EU travel letters are only valid for the return of the person concerned, travelling on a specific route and on a specific date. There is no record of a country of return refusing to accept the validity of an EU travel letter which was issued in respect of a person being deported.

Although it is not possible to give an indication of the exact number of EU travel letters issued by my Department for the full period requested by the Deputy without diverting staff from other important work, which would not be justified, I can inform the Deputy that approximately 286 such documents were issued in 2006, 4 in 2007 and 1 to date in 2008.

Visa Applications.

Denis Naughten

Question:

439 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his position on the proposed EU regulation regarding the visa information system; the proposals included in the draft regulation; the timetable for adoption at EU level; the status of the exchange of data between Member States on long term visas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7865/08]

The Visa Information System (VIS) is being established as a centralised database of short-term visa applications with the express purpose of countering visa fraud. The VIS will improve the administration of the common visa policy, the consular cooperation and the consultation between central consular authorities in order to prevent threats to internal security and ‘visa shopping'. It will also facilitate checks at external border checkpoints and within the territory of the Member States, will assist in the identification and return of illegal immigrants and in the application of the "Dublin II Regulation" (EC) No 343/2003[6]. Exchange of data on other national long-stay visas is also included.

The Regulation was adopted in June 2007 and work is currently underway on the establishment of the procedures and conditions for the exchange of data. Ireland did not take part in the adoption of the VIS Regulation due to our limited participation in the Schengen acquis.

EU Framework Decision.

Denis Naughten

Question:

440 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his position on the proposal EU framework decision on the organisation and content of the exchange of information extracted from criminal records between Member States; the proposals included in the proposed framework; the timetable for adoption at EU level; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7866/08]

At my request, the Government has given its approval for Ireland to agree to the adoption of the Council Framework Decision on the organisation and content of the exchange of information extracted from criminal records between Member States, by the Council of Ministers of the EU. It has also authorised me, having regard to article 29.4.6 of the Constitution, to propose an appropriate motion in both Houses of the Oireachtas approving the Council Framework Decision, in advance of its adoption.

The Council Framework Decision:

i. Provides for the transmission of information on a conviction handed down against the national of another Member State by the Member State of conviction to the Member State of the person's nationality;

ii. Provides for the transmission by the Member State of nationality to other Member States, on request, of information on national convictions registered in the national criminal record, information on convictions handed down in other Member States against its nationals, information on convictions handed down in third countries, subsequently transmitted to the Member State of nationality and entered in the national criminal record; and

iii. Lays down the framework for a computerised conviction information exchange system between Member States to be built and developed on the basis of this Council Framework Decision and a subsequent Council Decision.

At its meeting on 12-13 June 2007, the Council of Ministers of the EU reached an agreement on a general approach on the proposal for a Council Framework Decision. Subsequently, negotiations on the Preamble to and the Form annexed to the proposal have been completed within the Council. The European Parliament has been re-consulted on the text of the proposal for a Council Framework Decision. It has been asked to deliver its opinion on the text by 26 April 2008.

I expect that the Council Framework Decision will be submitted to the Council of Ministers for adoption shortly after the 26 April deadline has expired, presuming that all general parliamentary scrutiny reservations on the proposal have been lifted. In that regard, the necessary procedures are being implemented in order for an appropriate motion to be put to both Houses of the Oireachtas approving the Council Framework Decision. Copies of the latest text of the Council Framework Decision were laid before both Houses on the 11th of February 2008.

Garda Strength.

Damien English

Question:

441 Deputy Damien English asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of Gardaí stationed at Ballivor, County Meath; the opening times of the station; if he will commit extra resources to this station; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7877/08]

Damien English

Question:

445 Deputy Damien English asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of Gardaí stationed at Athboy, County Meath; the opening times of the station; if he will commit extra resources to this station; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7883/08]

Damien English

Question:

446 Deputy Damien English asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of Gardaí stationed at Oldcastle, County Meath; the opening times of the station; if he will commit extra resources to this station; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7884/08]

Damien English

Question:

447 Deputy Damien English asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of Gardaí stationed at Enfield, County Meath; the opening times of the station; if he will commit extra resources to this station; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7885/08]

Damien English

Question:

448 Deputy Damien English asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of Gardaí stationed at Summerhill, County Meath; the opening times of this station; if he will commit extra resources to this station; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7886/08]

Damien English

Question:

449 Deputy Damien English asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of gardaí stationed at Longwood, County Meath; the opening times of the station; if he will commit extra resources to this station; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7887/08]

Damien English

Question:

450 Deputy Damien English asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of Gardaí stationed at Trim, County Meath; the opening times of this station; if he will commit extra resources to this station; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7888/08]

Damien English

Question:

451 Deputy Damien English asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of Gardaí stationed at Crossakeel, County Meath; the opening times of this station; if he will commit extra resources to this station; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7889/08]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 441 and 445 to 451, inclusive, together.

As of 31 January 2008, the latest date for which figures are readily available, the personnel strength and the opening times of each of the Garda Stations referred to by the Deputy was as follows:

Opening Hours

Station

Strength

Mon-Fri

Sat

Sun

Ballivor

3

Subject to Manpower

10am — 1pm

12 noon — 2 pm

Athboy

6

10am — 1pm

10am — 1pm

10am — 1pm

Oldcastle

4

10am — 1pm

10am — 1pm

10am — 1pm

Enfield

12

Subject to Manpower

2 pm — 6 pm

10am — 1pm

Summerhill

2

Subject to Manpower

10 am — 1 pm

12 noon — 2 pm

Longwood

1

Subject to Manpower

10 am — 1 pm

12 noon — 2 pm

Trim

30

24 hours

24 hours

24 hours

Subject to manpower availability, Crossakeel Garda Station is open to the public for 2 hours, 3 days a week. When the station is unmanned, call diversion is in place to the District Headquarters at Kells. 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. An increase in the opening hours of these Stations would necessitate the employment of additional Garda personnel on indoor administrative duties who may be more effectively employed on outdoor policing duties.

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 by the Deputy will be fully considered by the Commissioner within the overall context of the needs of Garda stations throughout the country.

I recently approved the 2008 Garda Annual Policing Plan and laid it before the Houses of the Oireachtas. It sets out the Commissioner's proposals to realign the boundaries of Garda Divisions around the country to make them coterminous with local authority boundaries. Included in this is a plan to establish a Garda Division in Meath. The planned changes will bring about greater efficiencies and effectiveness in facilitating the establishment and functioning of Joint Policing Committees. A detailed programme of work is currently being developed by An Garda Síochána to implement these planned changes for various Garda Divisions. This programme of work will also examine the geographical areas of district and sub-district stations arising from the regional and divisional boundary realignments set out in the plan and will set out a timetable for the establishment of the new divisions.

Damien English

Question:

442 Deputy Damien English asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of gardaí stationed at Clonmellon, County Westmeath; the opening times of the station; if he will commit extra resources to this station; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7880/08]

Damien English

Question:

443 Deputy Damien English asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of gardaí stationed at Castlepollard, County Westmeath; the opening times of the station; if he will commit extra resources to this station; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7881/08]

Damien English

Question:

444 Deputy Damien English asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of gardaí stationed at Delvin, County Westmeath; the opening times of the station; if he will commit extra resources to this station; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7882/08]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 442 to 444, inclusive, together.

I have been informed by the Garda Commissioner that on 31 January 2008 (the latest date for which figures are readily available), the personnel strength and the opening times of each of the Garda Stations referred to by the Deputy was as set out in the table hereunder:

Opening Hours

Station

Strength

Mon-Fri

Sat

Sun

Castlepollard

3

10am — 1pm

10am — 1pm

10am — 1pm

Delvin

4

10am — 1pm

10am — 1pm

10am — 1pm

The Garda Commissioner has also informed me that there is no Garda Station in Clonmellon. However, the area is policed by Gardaí attached to Delvin Garda Station. 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. An increase in the opening hours of these Stations would necessitate the employment of additional Garda personnel on indoor administrative duties who may be more effectively employed on outdoor policing duties.

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 by the Deputy will be fully considered by the Commissioner within the overall context of the needs of Garda stations throughout the country. I recently approved the 2008 Garda Annual Policing Plan and laid it before the Houses of the Oireachtas. It sets out the Commissioner's proposals to realign the boundaries of Garda Divisions around the country to make them coterminous with local authority boundaries. Included in this is a plan to establish a Garda Division in Westmeath.

The planned changes will bring about greater efficiencies and effectiveness in facilitating the establishment and functioning of Joint Policing Committees. A detailed programme of work is currently being developed by An Garda Síochána to implement these planned changes for various Garda Divisions. This programme of work will also examine the geographical areas of district and sub-district stations arising from the regional and divisional boundary realignments set out in the plan and will set out a timetable for the establishment of the new divisions.

Questions Nos. 445 to 451, inclusive, answered with Question No. 441.

Garda Transport.

Fergus O'Dowd

Question:

452 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of members of the Garda and the Garda traffic corps currently driving Garda vehicles under chief’s permission who have not completed the required driver training course; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7912/08]

I am informed by the Garda Commissioner that, as at 30 November 2007, the latest date for which figures are readily available, the number of Garda members driving on Chief Superintendent's Authorisation was 2,600.

Departmental Transport.

David Stanton

Question:

453 Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if the taxi companies used by his Department and State agencies under the aegis of his Department have a minimum percentage of taxis which are accessible for people with disabilities and wheelchair users; the amount expended by his Department and State agencies on taxi hire each year from 2003 to date in 2008 respectively; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7937/08]

Total expenditure by my Department on taxi hire for the years 2005, 2006 and 2007 was as follows:

Year

2005

96,424.41

2006

93,108.81

2007

96,214.68

Information in respect of years prior to 2005 or in respect of agencies and other bodies under my Department's aegis is not readily available and could not be assembled without the commitment of a disproportionate amount of staff time and resources. I can also inform the Deputy that approximately 10% of the vehicles available from the taxi companies used by my Department are accessible for people with disabilities.

Visa Applications.

John O'Mahony

Question:

454 Deputy John O’Mahony asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform when a decision will be made in respect of a visa for a person (details supplied) in County Mayo. [7951/08]

The application referred to by the Deputy was received in the Visa Office, Dublin, on 5 November 2007. It was refused by the Visa Officer on 19 November 2007 for a number of reasons:

1. The financial evidence provided was deemed to be insufficient or incomplete

2. The applicant had not shown evidence of a relationship being in existence prior to the visa application/marriage

3. The Visa Officer was not satisfied that the conditions of the visa would be observed and considered that the applicant may overstay following the proposed visit.

The applicant lodged an appeal but the original decision was upheld by the Appeals Officer on 16 February 2008. The passport and supporting documentation were returned to the reference in Ireland on that date. It is open to the applicant to make a fresh application at any time.

Garda Ombudsman Commission.

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Question:

455 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform when he expects to receive the second report from the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission. [7952/08]

The second Annual Report of the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission is due to be presented to me not later than 31st March 2008 in accordance with section 80(1) of the Garda Síochána Act 2005. I am informed that the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission is working to report to me by that date and I will lay the report before both Houses of the Oireachtas in accordance with the Act. I will also shortly be laying before both Houses a Report from the Ombudsman Commission under section 80(2) of the Act.

Citizenship Applications.

Ulick Burke

Question:

456 Deputy Ulick Burke asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his views, in view of the increasing volume of representations being received by public representatives in relation to citizenship applications, on setting up a designated inquiry line for Houses of the Oireachtas Members to facilitate inquiries only in relation to these applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7957/08]

I am sure the Deputy will be aware that the level of migration into the State has increased dramatically in recent years and that this has led to a significant increase in the workload of the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service, including applications for Citizenship. I can inform the Deputy that, in response to the difficulties being experienced by Members of the Oireachtas, the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service propose to establish an e-mail response system specifically for e-mail enquiries by TD's and or Senators. It is envisaged that the majority of e-mails would be responded to within 10 working days. Arrangements for this measure are being put in place at present and when all the necessary resources are in place a communication will issue to all TD's and Senators about the commencement of the e-mail response system.

Ulick Burke

Question:

457 Deputy Ulick Burke asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the status of a citizenship application (details supplied) received in his Department in 1999; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7958/08]

The Deputy has not provided sufficient information in regard to the person in question to enable me to give a detailed response. The reference number provided does not refer to applications for certificates of naturalisation. If the Deputy wishes to furnish further particulars, officials in the Citizenship section of my Department will advise him of the position.

Prison Education Service.

Ulick Burke

Question:

458 Deputy Ulick Burke asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the educational and rehabilitative facilities in place for prisoners and their various age groups in prisons here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7959/08]

Prisoner rehabilitation involves significant multidimensional input by a diverse range of general and specialist services provided both by the Irish Prison Service and in-reaching statutory and non-statutory services. Amongst these are health care, psychiatric, psychological, educational, vocational, counselling, welfare and spiritual services. These services are important in addressing offending behaviour, drug and alcohol addiction, missed educational and vocational opportunities, anger management, and self management in the interest of encouraging positive personal development in prisoners, and preparing them for re-integration and resettlement on release from custody. Details of the major services available in prisons are set out below.

Education

Educational services are now available at all institutions and is provided in partnership with a range of educational agencies in the community including the VECs, Public Library Services, Colleges and the Arts Council. Broad programmes of education are made available which generally follow an adult education approach. During the academic year 2007/08, 220 whole-time-equivalent VEC teachers were the main providers of these education programmes.

Work Training

The Work Training programme operates at each prison. As well as organising necessary services such as catering and laundry, it also provides work and training opportunities for prisoners whilst ensuring a high quality of service delivery within the prison. Work Training provides structured pre-vocational and vocational training so that persons in custody can acquire the skills that may help them to obtain employment after their release. The Programme for Organisational Change provided for a significant expansion and development of vocational training programmes. This is being facilitated by an increased budgetary allocation and by an increase of almost 100 in the prison grade staff involved in work and training activities.

Probation Service

This Service has an active role during the course of the prisoner's sentence in helping maintain links with family and community agencies, encouraging prisoners to address their offending behaviour and engaging prisoners in individual counselling and group counselling programmes such as offending behaviour, addiction, violence and sex offending. The Service also provides supervision in certain cases under temporary release provisions.

Chaplaincy Service

Prison Chaplains promote the spiritual and pastoral welfare of prisoners and also participate with other services in the secular care of prisoners. The work of the Chaplaincy Service involves extensive contact with prisoners on personal and family matters as well as other issues which arise in relation to their confinement in prison.

Psychology Service

The principal aim of this service is to provide, in co-operation with others, a generic therapeutic service to prisoners aimed at addressing their psychological needs and at reducing re-offending.

Drug Treatment

Drug rehabilitation programmes for prisoners involve a significant multidimensional input by a diverse range of general and specialist services provided both by the Irish Prison Service and visiting statutory and non-statutory organisations. The programmes seek to reduce the demand for drugs within the prison system through education, treatment and rehabilitation services for drug-addicted prisoners. Particular initiatives include the provision of detoxification, methadone maintenance, education programmes, an information forum, addiction counselling, drug therapy programmes and the operation of Voluntary Drug Testing Units (more commonly known as drug-free areas).

The Irish Prison Service Drugs Policy & Strategy — Keeping Drugs Out of Prisons- caters for the expansion of existing drug treatment programmes and further recruitment of dedicated staff. The expansion of these services is being achieved in partnership with community based services and will see a significant improvement in the range, quality and availability of drug treatment service in the prisons.

Sex Offender Programmes

Every effort is made to assist sex offenders in custody who are willing to participate at any level in their personal rehabilitation and relapse prevention. In this regard, there are three forms of direct therapeutic intervention currently available — i.e. individual counselling from the Irish Prison Service's Psychology Service and from the Probation Service; the Sex Offender Programme which has been in operation since 1994, and the Psychiatric Service which provides some support to prisoners in this category.

Firearms Regulations.

Leo Varadkar

Question:

459 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform when the criteria will be published for authorised traders in restricted firearms; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7983/08]

Leo Varadkar

Question:

460 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform when applications will be invited for the new licences for the authorised traders in restricted firearms; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7984/08]

Leo Varadkar

Question:

461 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the way a currently authorised trader in restricted firearms who possesses restricted stock and who does not wish to apply for a new licence can dispose of such stock; the way in which they will be recompensed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7985/08]

Leo Varadkar

Question:

462 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the reason the date of 1 May 2008 was chosen for the full implementation of the new regulations for the sale of restricted firearms, when the criteria for such licences have not been published, and when there are no arrangements in place for the disposal of restricted firearms under the current regulations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7986/08]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 459 to 462, inclusive, together.

Under Section 29 of the Criminal Justice Act 2006 I may, by Order and in the interest of public safety and security, declare specific firearms and ammunition as "restricted", by reference to their category, calibre, working mechanism, muzzle energy and description. I recently made S.I. No. 21 of 2008, the Firearms (Restricted Firearms and Ammunition) Order, 2008 which designates certain firearms as ‘restricted' by virtue of the above criteria. Where a person wishes to possess such a firearm they will be required to make an application to the Garda Commissioner for the grant of a firearms certificate and satisfy the Commissioner that they comply with the conditions set out in Section 4 of the Firearms Act, 1925 as amended by the Criminal Justice Act 2006. In addition, firearms dealers will be required to seek an authorisation from me for the importation of firearms for sale. It should be noted that where a firearm is deemed "restricted" it does not mean that the possession or sale of such firearms is prohibited.

Last year, officials of my Department consulted with An Garda Síochána, organisations representing different shooting interest groups and firearms dealers representatives regarding the drafting of this Order. The Firearms Consultative Panel, which I set up in 2007 to assist with the introduction of the firearms licensing regime is currently considering criteria for dealers wishing to deal in restricted firearms. I expect the Panel to report on the recommended criteria for selection in due course. Invitations for applications to become a dealer in restricted firearms are expected to issue next month.

The Order comes into force on 1 May 2008 and my Department issued a copy of the Order to each Registered Firearms Dealer last week. A letter also issued indicating that dealers who do not intend to apply for an Authorisation, but who have firearms in stock which will be regarded as restricted after 1 May next, will have until the end of the current licensing period (end of July) to dispose of them. The 1 May date was chosen because it provides a three month period, from the date the Order comes into force to the start of the new licensing period, within which applications can be assessed. This is consistent with Section 32 of the Criminal Justice Act 2006, which I will shortly commence and which provides, inter alia, for a three month time period within which applications for a firearms licence must be processed.

The Criminal Justice Act 2006 did not provide for compensation to dealers in respect of firearms held in stock which will now be restricted. It is, of course, open to a firearms dealers to seek an authorisation to trade in restricted firearms until all of the remaining stock in question have been sold. Alternatively, they may choose to sell to other dealers who intend trading in restricted firearms. In effect, from the date of receipt of a copy of the Order, firearms dealers will have over 5 months to dispose of the restricted firearms stock in question or to register as a dealer in restricted firearms.

Citizenship Applications.

Denis Naughten

Question:

463 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform when a decision will be made on an application for naturalisation by a person (details supplied) in County Roscommon; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7988/08]

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 August 2006.

Officials in that section are currently processing applications received in mid 2005 and have approximately 6,800 applications on hand to be dealt with before that of the person concerned. These are generally dealt with in chronological order as this is deemed to be the fairest to all applicants. It is likely, therefore, that further processing of the application will commence in the first half of 2009. I will inform the Deputy and the person in question when I have reached a decision on the matter.

Asylum Applications.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

464 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if a person (details supplied) in County Meath can remain in the State, if they marry their German friend or if permission will be granted for them to live in Germany; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7991/08]

I refer the Deputy to Parliamentary Question No. 242 of Thursday 31 January 2008 and the written reply to that Question.

The person concerned arrived in the State on 31 January 2006 and applied for asylum on 1 February 2006. His application was refused following consideration of his case by the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner and, on appeal, by the Refugee Appeals Tribunal.

Subsequently, in accordance with Section 3 of the Immigration Act, 1999 (as amended), he was informed, by letter dated 31 August 2006, that the Minister proposed to make a deportation order in respect of him. He was given the options, to be exercised within 15 working days, of leaving the State voluntarily, of consenting to the making of a deportation order or of submitting written representations to the Minister setting out the reasons why he should be allowed to remain in the State. Representations have been received on behalf of the person concerned and will be fully considered before the file is passed to me for decision.

In relation to the question of the person concerned marrying his friend, the Deputy might note that while it is open to the person concerned to make an application for residence based on verifiable evidence of a durable relationship suitably attested or civil marriage to an EU National under the European Communities (Free Movement of Persons) (No.2) Regulations 2006 (S.I. No. 656 of 2006 — Directive 2004/38/EC), it is unlikely that such an application would be successful as the person concerned would appear to have no history of lawful residence in another Member State prior to their arrival in the State, as required by Regulation 3.2 of those Regulations. I am not in a position to indicate how the German authorities might view such a marriage/relationship.

Residency Permits.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

465 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the status of the residency application in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7992/08]

I refer the Deputy to Parliamentary Questions No. 935 of Wednesday 26 September 2007, No. 654 of Tuesday 26 June 2007, No. 486 of Wednesday 31 January 2007 and No. 176 of Thursday 9 February 2006 and the written replies to those Questions.

The person concerned arrived in the State on 28 February 2004 and made an application for asylum on 1 March 2004. His application was refused following consideration of his case by the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner and, on appeal, by the Refugee Appeals Tribunal.

Subsequently, in accordance with Section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended), the person concerned was informed, by letter dated 13 September 2005, that the Minister proposed to make a deportation order in respect of him. He was given the options, to be exercised within 15 working days, of leaving the State voluntarily, of consenting to the making of a deportation order or of making representations to the Minister setting out the reasons why he should be allowed to remain temporarily in the State. Representations have been received on behalf of the person concerned.

On 10 October 2006, regulations known as the European Communities (Eligibility for Protection) Regulations, 2006, S.I. No. 518 of 2006, came into force. The person concerned was notified by letter dated 22 January 2008 that he could, if he so wished, submit an application for Subsidiary Protection. He was also invited to update his earlier representations to the Minister. He was requested to respond within 15 working days. No application for Subsidiary Protection has been received from or on behalf of the person concerned. However, updated representations have been received on behalf of the person concerned.

The case file of the person concerned, including all representations submitted, will be carefully considered under Section 3(6) of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended) and Section 5 of the Refugee Act 1996 (as amended) on the prohibition of refoulement in advance of the file being passed to me for decision.

Asylum Applications.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

466 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will review his decision to refuse asylum in the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 24, in view of the current political situation in the Democratic Republic of Congo and the possible implications for their health and safety in the event of deportation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7993/08]

I refer the Deputy to Parliamentary Questions No. 135 of Thursday 23 November 2006 and No. 162 of Thursday 11 May 2006 and the written replies to those Questions.

The person concerned arrived in the State on 14 April 2004 and made an application for asylum the following day. Her application was refused following consideration of her case by the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner and, on appeal, by the Refugee Appeals Tribunal.

Subsequently, in accordance with Section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended), the person concerned was informed, by letter dated 11 November 2005, that the Minister proposed to make a deportation order in respect of her. She was given the options, to be exercised within 15 working days, of leaving the State voluntarily, of consenting to the making of a deportation order or of making representations to the Minister setting out the reasons why she should be allowed to remain temporarily in the State. Representations have been received on behalf of the person concerned.

On 10 October 2006, regulations known as the European Communities (Eligibility for Protection) Regulations, 2006 (S.I. No. 518 of 2006) came into force. The person concerned was notified by letter dated 7 February 2008 that she could, if she so wished, submit an application for Subsidiary Protection. She was also invited to update her earlier representations to the Minister. She was requested to respond within 15 working days. No application for Subsidiary Protection has been received on behalf of the person concerned to date. However, the Deputy will note that the 15 working day period referred to earlier has not yet expired. The case file of the person concerned will be considered further upon receipt of a response to my Department's correspondence of 7 February 2008.

Residency Permits.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

467 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if extended residency will be offered and green card restored in the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 24; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7994/08]

I refer the Deputy to Replies given to Parliamentary Questions No. 247 of Thursday 31 January 2008, No. 232 of Thursday 28 June 2007, No. 142 of Thursday 28 September 2006 and No. 63 of Thursday 15 June 2006.

The person concerned arrived in the State on 9 May 2005 and applied for asylum on 11 May 2005. His application was refused following consideration of his case by the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner and, on appeal, by the Refugee Appeals Tribunal.

Subsequently, in accordance with Section 3 of the Immigration Act, 1999 (as amended), he was informed, by letter dated 12 June 2006, that the Minister proposed to make a deportation order in respect of him. He was given the options, to be exercised within 15 working days, of leaving the State voluntarily, of consenting to the making of a deportation order or of submitting written representations to the Minister setting out the reasons why he should be allowed to remain in the State. Representations have been received on behalf of the person concerned.

On 10 October 2006, regulations known as the European Communities (Eligibility for Protection) Regulations,2006 (S.I No 518 of 2006) came into force. The person concerned was notified by letter dated 31 January 2008 that he could, if he so wished, submit an application for Subsidiary Protection within the following 15 working days. At the request of the legal representative of the person concerned, this timeframe has been extended by a further 10 working days. While no application for Subsidiary Protection has been received on behalf of the person concerned to date, the Deputy will note that the extended time period referred to has not yet expired. The case file of the person concerned will be considered further upon receipt of a response to my Department's correspondence of 31 January 2008.

The Deputy might wish to note that, according to my Department's records, the person concerned has not previously been granted residency in the State.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

468 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position in regard to residency in the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 7; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7995/08]

I would refer the Deputy to the reply my predecessor gave to his Dail Question No. 133 of Thursday, 29th March, 2007 which clearly stated that the person concerned has been evading his deportation since 31st October, 2003 and should present himself to the Garda Authorities without any further delay. The status of the person concerned remains as set out in the reply.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

469 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position in relation to an application for leave to remain based on parentage of an Irish born child in the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 2; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7996/08]

The person concerned arrived in the State on 7 December 2005 and applied for asylum on 16 February 2006. His application was refused following consideration of his case by the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner and, on appeal, by the Refugee Appeals Tribunal.

On 2 March 2006 the person concerned applied for permission to remain in the State under the Revised Arrangements for Parents of Irish Born Children, born in the State prior to 1 January 2005, commonly known as the IBC/05 Scheme. However, as the closing date for receipt of applications under the IBC/05 scheme was 31 March 2005, the application was received much too late for consideration. Consequently the application, and all supporting documentation, were returned to the person concerned on 18 August 2006.

Based on the rejection of the asylum claim of the person concerned, and in accordance with Section 3 of the Immigration Act, 1999 (as amended), the person concerned was informed, by letter dated 13 June 2006, that the Minister proposed to make a deportation order in respect of him. He was given the options, to be exercised within 15 working days, of leaving the State voluntarily, of consenting to the making of a deportation order or of submitting written representations to the Minister setting out the reasons why he should be allowed to remain in the State. Representations were submitted on behalf of the person concerned at that time and remain on his case file.

On 24 August 2006 the person concerned indicated to Officials in my Department that he wished to return to Italy where he had previously had a right of residency. However, while the necessary arrangements were made to facilitate his return to Italy, it would appear that the person concerned was refused entry into Italy and therefore he returned to this State on 3 November 2006.

Further applications for residency in the State on the basis of his parentage of an Irish born child have subsequently been received from and on behalf of the person concerned. However, since the closure of the IBC/05 Scheme in March 2005, there has been no separate process for applying for residency in the State on the sole basis of parentage of an Irish born child. As a result, the case file of the person concerned falls to be dealt with in accordance with the provisions of Section 3 of the Immigration Act, 1999 (as amended). During this process, all representations submitted by and on behalf of the person concerned will be carefully considered under Section 3(6) of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended) and Section 5 of the Refugee Act 1996 (as amended) on the prohibition of refoulement in advance of the file being passed to me for decision.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

470 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the current or expected residency status in the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 15; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7997/08]

I wish to refer the Deputy to my response to Parliamentary Question 216 on Thursday 7 February, 2008. The position remains unchanged.

Refugee Status.

Bobby Aylward

Question:

471 Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position regarding the application for refugee status by a person (details supplied) in County Waterford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8002/08]

The person concerned arrived in the State on 20 May 2000 and applied for asylum. His application was refused following consideration of his case by the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner and, on appeal, by the Refugee Appeals Tribunal.

Subsequently, in accordance with Section 3 of the Immigration Act, 1999 (as amended), he was informed, by letter dated 1 August 2002, that the Minister proposed to make a deportation order in respect of him. He was given the options, to be exercised within 15 working days, of leaving the State voluntarily, of consenting to the making of a deportation order or of submitting written representations to the Minister setting out the reasons why he should be allowed to remain in the State. Representations were submitted on behalf of the person concerned at that time and remain on his case file.

The person concerned then lodged Judicial Review Proceedings in the High Court and, on appeal, to the Supreme Court, challenging the decision of the Refugee Appeals Tribunal to reject his asylum appeal. These Proceedings were unsuccessful. The Supreme Court decision was made on 14 January 2005.

Since that date, the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service of my Department has no record of any contact with or from the person concerned. As a result, it was considered that the person concerned no longer wished to pursue his application for permission to remain in the State. However, as a result of the Deputy's Parliamentary Question, the case file of the person concerned is being re-activated and I understand that a representative of my Department will be in contact with the person concerned in the coming days with a view to having his case progressed.

Citizenship Applications.

Catherine Byrne

Question:

472 Deputy Catherine Byrne asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the status of an application for a passport for a person (details supplied) in Dublin 8; the reason for the delay in processing this application; when they will receive said passport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8003/08]

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 September 2006.

Officials in that section are currently processing applications received in mid 2005 and have approximately 7,000 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 in the coming months. I will inform the Deputy and the individual in question when I have reached a decision on the matter.

Residency Permits.

Michael McGrath

Question:

473 Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position in relation to residency status of a person (details supplied) in County Cork. [8013/08]

I understand the Immigration Division of my Department will shortly be in touch with the person referred to by the Deputy, outlining the options open to her.

Tom Sheahan

Question:

474 Deputy Tom Sheahan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the reason a person (details supplied) in County Kerry has not received stamp four. [8018/08]

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 August 2007. 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.

Tom Sheahan

Question:

475 Deputy Tom Sheahan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position regarding a person (details suppled) in County Kerry. [8019/08]

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 December 2006. 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.

Garda Stations.

Jack Wall

Question:

476 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of Garda stations in the Kildare/Carlow division that are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week; the number that are not; the mechanism available to cover such areas that are not open; the number of Gardaí involved; the number of squad cars involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8056/08]

I have been informed by the Garda Commissioner that the opening hours for each station in the Carlow/Kildare Garda Division are as set out in the table hereunder:

Station

Mon-Fri

Sat

Sun

Naas

24hr

24hr

24hr

Celbridge

10am-6pm, 7pm-9pm

10am-9pm, 7pm-9pm

12md-2pm

Clane

10am-1pm

10am-1pm

12md-2pm

Kill

10am-1pm

10am-1pm

10am-1pm

Maynooth

10am-1pm, 2pm-6pm, 7pm-9pm

10am-1pm

12md-2pm

Kildare

24hr

24hr

24hr

Robertstown

10am-1pm

10am-1pm

10am-1pm

Kilcullen

10am-1pm

10am-1pm

10am-1pm

Monasterevin

10am-1pm

10am-1pm

10am-1pm

Newbridge

24hr

24hr

24hr

Rathangan

10am-1pm

10am-1pm

10am-1pm

Carbury

10am-1pm

10am-1pm

10am-1pm

Carlow

24hr

24hr

24hr

Leighlinbridge

10am-1pm, 6pm-7.30pm

10am-1pm, 6pm-7.30pm

10am-1pm, 6pm-7.30pm

Ballon

10am-1pm, 6pm-7.30pm

10am-1pm, 6pm-7.30pm

10am-1pm, 6pm-7.30pm

Myshall

10am-1pm, 6pm-7.30pm

10am-1pm, 6pm-7.30pm

10am-1pm, 6pm-7.30pm

Muinebheag

10am-1pm, 6pm-7.30pm

10am-1pm, 6pm-7.30pm

10am-1pm, 6pm-7.30pm

Athy

9am-10pm

9am-10pm

9am-10pm

Castledermot

10am-1pm, 6pm-7.30pm

10am-1pm, 6pm-7.30pm

10am-1pm, 6pm-7.30pm

Baltinglass

24hr

24hr

24hr

Blessington

10am-1pm

10am-1pm

11am-1pm

Dunlavin

3pm-5pm

3pm-5pm

Closed

Hollywood

8pm-10pm

8pm-10pm

Closed

Donard

11am-1pm

11am-1pm

Closed

Shillelagh

11am-1pm

11am-1pm

Closed

Tinahely

3pm-5pm

3pm-5pm

Closed

Hacketstown

11am-1pm

11am-1pm

Closed

Rathvilly

3pm-5pm

3pm-5pm

Closed

Ballymore Eustace

2pm-4pm

2pm-4pm

Closed

Tullow

10am-1pm

10am-1pm

11am-1pm

Ballytore

Mon,Wed, Fri: 7pm-9pm, Tue: 3pm-5pm

7pm-9pm

Closed

Outside of these hours, the call diversion system and Public Access Call Box (P.A.C.B) are in operation and linked to the District Headquarters. Opening hours of non 24 hour Garda Stations are dependent on manpower availability on a daily basis. The personnel strength of the Carlow/Kildare Garda Division on 31 January, 2008 (the latest date for which figures are readily available) was 403.

An increase in the opening hours of these Stations would necessitate the employment of additional Garda personnel on indoor administrative duties who may be more effectively employed on outdoor policing duties.

In relation to the information on squad cars requested by the Deputy, I have requested the information sought from the Garda authorities. I will be in contact with the Deputy when this information is to hand.

Residency Permits.

M. J. Nolan

Question:

477 Deputy M. J. Nolan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform when a decision will be made in relation to an application for permission to remain in the State on the basis of marriage to an Irish national for a person (details supplied) in County Carlow. [8071/08]

An application for residence in the State on the basis of marriage to an Irish national in respect of the person concerned was received on 7th September 2007.

Applications of this kind, in fairness to all other such applicants, are dealt with in strict chronological order and currently take up to twelve months to process. It should be noted that marriage to an Irish national does not confer an automatic right of residence in the State.

Finian McGrath

Question:

478 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will provide the maximum support to a person (details supplied). [8101/08]

The person referred to by the Deputy was previously granted permission to remain in the State on student conditions. I have been informed by the Immigration Division of my Department that the person concerned has failed to comply with the Immigration Regulations regarding his permission to remain in the State.

Permission to remain was granted in respect of the person concerned strictly on the grounds that he cannot have access to State funds, services or benefits. He cannot therefore have an expectation, having been granted permission to remain on a self sufficiency basis, to avail of State benefits and services including attending State funded schools.

It follows that the child of an individual in the State on a self sufficiency basis is not entitled to attend a public/non-fee paying school. Should such an individual wish to enroll their child in the schooling system they would have to do this through a fee-paying school or fee-paying institution.

The person concerned should attend at the Garda National Immigration Bureau to enable him to be granted a further permission for a three month period, in order that he can achieve the required attendance record during this period which he has failed to do previously. If he achieves the required attendance record his permission to remain may be extended further.

However, permission to remain in the State can only be granted up until 31st July 2008 because he has dependents in the State attending publicly-funded schools.

Local Authority Housing.

Jack Wall

Question:

479 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his views on making a change (details supplied) to his circular letter HRT 3/2002 of 6 March 2002 and if he will make a statement on the matter.. [7434/08]

Jack Wall

Question:

480 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he has plans to update the principals of circular letter HRT 3/2002 of 6 March 2002, in view of the recent rent increase of a local authority (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7435/08]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 479 and 480 together.

The making and amending of rent schemes is the responsibility of local authorities as an integral part of their housing management functions, subject to the broad principles laid down by my Department in Circular letter HRT 3/2002 of 6 March 2002. I have no plans to change these principles at present. Decisions on whether or not to disregard either a proportion of income or particular sources of income, including the living alone and fuel allowances, for the purposes of calculating rents are matters for each individual local authority.

I consider it important that housing authorities should ensure that rent increases do not absorb an excessive amount of increases in income of tenants on low-incomes, including persons dependent on Social Welfare payments, particularly those in receipt of the Old Age pension. In that regard, my Department advised authorities in Circular letter HRT 3/2002 that, as a general guideline, it is considered that no more than 15% of any increase in such pension income should be absorbed by an increase in rent.

Fire Stations.

John Deasy

Question:

481 Deputy John Deasy asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he received communication from Waterford County Council regarding Tallow or Lismore Fire Stations since 1 January 2007; if he will provide details of such correspondence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7487/08]

I refer to the reply to Question No. 620 of 12 February 2008.

The provision of a fire service in its functional area, including the establishment and maintenance of a fire brigade, the assessment of fire cover needs, the provision of a premises and the making of such other provisions as it considers necessary or desirable, is a statutory function of individual fire authorities under section 10 of the Fire Services Act 1981.

In May 2007, following a resolution of Waterford County Council, the County Secretary wrote to my predecessor as Minister, calling on him "to expedite the application for Tallow Fire Station."

In August 2007, Waterford Fire Authority requested a meeting with the Department to discuss the construction of fire stations in the County, in the context of the Department's fire service capital programme. Following this meeting, the Department requested the fire authority to prioritise capital projects for consideration under the programme. The authority replied on 9 October 2007 to the effect that Lismore and Portlaw were its first and second priorities for replacement fire stations ahead of Tallow. On 4 February 2008 the Council wrote to the Department confirming these priorities.

Social and Affordable Housing.

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Question:

482 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the number of the 4,858 housing units that were constructed during January 2008 that were social housing units; and the number that were affordable housing units. [7488/08]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Question:

483 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the number of the 77,097 housing units constructed during the twelve months preceding January 2008 that were social housing units; and the number that were affordable housing units.. [7489/08]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 482 and 483 together.

Comprehensive data on the number of social and affordable housing units constructed are only collected on a quarterly basis. My Department is currently compiling data which reflect activity in the fourth quarter of 2007, completing the picture of activity during the year as a whole. The latest information available, for the period ended September 2007, is published in the Quarter 3 2007 Housing Statistics Bulletin, which is available in the Oireachtas library, and on the Department's website at www.environ.ie.

Architectural Heritage.

Noel Coonan

Question:

484 Deputy Noel J. Coonan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if a decision has been reached by his Department’s heritage section to allow proposed works at a graveyard (details supplied) in County Tipperary; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7511/08]

The graveyard at Templebeg, Upperchurch, Co Tipperary, like many others throughout Ireland, is located within an ancient church site, which dates back to between the fifth and seventh century AD. In cases like this, the surviving walled graveyard is usually part of a much larger archaeological site defined by one or a number of concentric enclosures. The buried features and deposits in the area around the graveyard can be of great importance from an archeological point of view specifically because they have not have been disturbed by burials. Where my Department, in the exercise of its functions in relation to heritage protection, is asked for its views on works at or in the vicinity of such sites it takes account, in considering the matter, of the relevant circumstances in each particular case.

My Department visited Templebeg graveyard in September 2007 to examine, having regard to current levels of use of the graveyard and any accompanying requirement for an access road, whether it might be possible to improve access in a sensitive manner, while minimising any impact on the archaeological features and deposits in the vicinity of the graveyard. The Department was satisfied that the existing graveyard is at the core of a much larger archaeological site on which any access road would have a significant impact. Nevertheless, in recognition of the Graveyard Committee's wish to improve access to the graveyard, there is now agreement, following a meeting with the Committee in January 2008, on a type of pathway that would improve access but could be done in a manner that is sensitive to the archaeological features. Proposals for this pathway are currently being drawn up.

Pádraic McCormack

Question:

485 Deputy Pádraic McCormack asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will ensure that the local authority planning offices recognise the Historic Churches Advisory Committees to be established on a diocesan or inter-diocesan basis as enshrined in the document Architectural Heritage Protection, Guidelines for Planning Authorities, Guidance on Part IV of the Planning and Development Act 2000 launched by him in 2005; and if he will ensure that the planning authorities engage with the HCAC in relevance to the direction by himself.. [7519/08]

The appropriate conservation of church buildings is central to the objectives of my Department in relation to the protection and preservation of our architectural heritage, as reflected in the legislation and the guidelines referred to in the question. I welcome the establishment of the Historic Churches Advisory Committees and recognise the valuable role they play in the protection of architectural heritage in churches.

There is ongoing contact between my Department and the various church representatives on individual development proposals involving churches which are protected structures, and on policy matters, including increasing awareness and education on specialist architecture unique to church interiors. My Department will continue to promote similar engagement at local authority level and will shortly contact City and County Managers in this regard. Funding is also provided by my Department through the Local Authorities and the Heritage Council towards the conservation of churches: nearly €7m was provided by my Department for this purpose in 2006/ 2007. I will shortly be announcing heritage funding provisions for 2008 and expect to be in a position to provide additional funding this year for the conservation of churches.

Michael Ring

Question:

486 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will issue a licence from the development application unit of his Department to a local authority (details supplied). [7524/08]

On foot of an application for a foreshore licence, my Department was asked on 29 June 2007 by the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources to comment on the proposed local authority development given its potential to impact on underwater archaeological heritage. The Department responded on 7 August 2007 recommending that an underwater archaeological assessment of the proposed development area be undertaken given its high archaeological potential. There are a large number of archaeological wrecks in this vicinity generally and it is close to the landing point of French troops in 1798. As part of this assessment an application for a dive/survey licence covering the relevant foreshore, inter-tidal area and seabed was made to the Department by archaeological consultants to the local authority on 23 January 2008. However, certain additional information was required to enable the application to be processed. The information requested was received by my Department and the necessary licence has issued in this case.

Local Authority Housing.

John McGuinness

Question:

487 Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the level of funding granted to councils (details supplied) for the purpose of building local authority houses or buying private houses for re-letting to those on the housing lists for each of the years 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008; if the same level of funding is planned for 2009; if initiatives to clear certain categories of applicant from the housing lists will be considered for extra funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7550/08]

The following table sets out the funding provided to the housing authorities concerned under the local authority capital programme for housing construction and acquisitions in the 2005-2007 period:

2005

2006

2007

€m

€m

€m

Exchequer Allocation

12.000

17.000

25.000

Expenditure Recouped

13.569

21.815

25.441

My Department recently advised city and county councils of indicative budgets for the 2008-10 period in respect of the local authority social housing programme and the Capital Loan and Subsidy Scheme of funding for social housing projects promoted by voluntary and co-operative housing bodies. In that context, the housing authorities concerned have been requested to plan a social housing supply programme for that period on the basis of an indicative budget of €55m to €70m.

My Department is due to meet the housing authorities concerned on 7 March 2008 to discuss their Housing Action Plan and final allocations for 2008 will issue to individual housing authorities shortly thereafter.

Planning Issues.

Brendan Howlin

Question:

488 Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if the terms of the European Communities (Environmental Assessment of Certain Plans and Programmes) Regulations 2004 (S.I. 435 of 20040) and planning and Development (Strategic Environmental Assessment) Regulations 2004 (S.I. 436 of 2004) were compiled with the preparation of the notice of intention to designate Wexford harbour and Slobs SPA as special protection area.; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7597/08]

Under Article 3 of the EU Directive 2001/42/EC on the assessment of the effects of certain plans and programmes on the environment, Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) is required for all plans and programmes which are likely to have significant environmental effects and which:

are either prepared for certain specified sectors, such as land use planning, which set the framework for any future development consent for a project; or

have been determined to require an assessment under the EU Habitats Directive, 1992, in view of their likely effect on any site designated as a Special Area of Conservation (SAC) or Special Protection Area (SPA).

SEA is not required when an area is proposed for designation — or re-designation as in the case of Wexford Harbour SPA — as an SAC or SPA. Rather, once a designation is proposed, any future plans and programmes which are likely to have an effect upon such a designated area will have to be assessed for their likely implications and, if necessary, modifications made to avoid the risk of any significant adverse effects on the environment.

Outdoor Facilities.

Liz McManus

Question:

489 Deputy Liz McManus asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will provide clarification regarding the legality of camping on beaches; if it is legal to camp on beaches not listed in local authorities beach bye laws; the way a person can find out the legality of camping on certain beaches; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7643/08]

My Department is not in a position to advise on the legality of camping on particular beaches.

Individual local authorities may be able to assist in providing information in respect of particular locations. However, issues of ownership, rights of access and other rights, and statutory restrictions, vary from place to place and specific legal advice would need to be sought in that regard.

Housing Aid for the Elderly.

Michael Lowry

Question:

490 Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government when payment issued for the 2008 allocation to North Tipperary County Council for the housing aid for older people scheme; the amount allocated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7659/08]

Michael Lowry

Question:

491 Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government when payment issued for the 2008 allocation to North Tipperary County Council for the mobility aids housing grant scheme; the amount allocated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7660/08]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 490 and 491 together.

My Department has asked local authorities to indicate their capital requirements in 2008 for the Housing Adaptation Grant for People with a Disability Scheme, the Mobility Aids Grant Scheme, and the Housing Aid for Older People Scheme. On receipt of this information, my Department will notify individual local authorities of their 2008 allocations.

Local Authority Housing.

Martin Ferris

Question:

492 Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he has received a copy of a fire safety audit which was commissioned by Bray Town Council on an estate (details supplied) in County Wicklow; if so, if remedial works are proposed to be carried out on foot of the recommendations contained in the audit; the estimated cost of such works; and if his Department will provide the funding. [7676/08]

Bray Town Council submitted a copy of its consultants report to my Department on 29 November 2007.

It is a matter for the housing authority to develop proposals to address the issues raised in the report and submit them to the Department, as appropriate.

Water and Sewerage Schemes.

Mary O'Rourke

Question:

493 Deputy Mary O’Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will expedite the funding to Westmeath County Council who have applied for funding for the Athlone sewerage scheme; the reason for the delay in the allocation of this funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter bearing in mind that Athlone is a Gateway Status Town. [7687/08]

Phase 1 of the Athlone Sewerage Scheme is approved for funding under my Department's Water Services Investment Programme 2007-2009 at an estimated cost of €15 million.

Westmeath County Council is arranging for an Environmental Impact Assessment to be undertaken in relation to the proposed expansion of the wastewater treatment plant. In the meantime, my Department is proceeding with a technical examination of the Council's Preliminary Report with a view to the scheme being advanced to tender stage as quickly as possible once the EIA process has been completed.

Waste Disposal.

Michael Ring

Question:

494 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the effect of increasing the landfill charges in County Mayo from €15 to €20 per tonne. [7700/08]

I have announced my intention to increase, by 31 March 2008, the present landfill levy from:

(a) €15 per tonne to €20 per tonne for waste legally deposited, and

(b) €20 per tonne to €25 per tonne for waste illegally deposited.

This is the first increase in the levy in respect of legally deposited waste since it was first introduced in 2002 and the first increase for waste illegally deposited since its introduction in 2006.

The increase will apply on a national basis in respect of all waste deposited. Landfill gate fees have fallen dramatically in recent years and this factor is impacting on the necessary diversion of biodegradable municipal waste from landfill. The practice of deploying economic instruments such as landfill taxes as economic drivers to promote recycling and diversion of waste from landfill is widespread in the EU. In the recently published National Waste Report for 2006, the EPA identified a number of policy instruments, including increased landfill levies, that could help increase the diversion rate of biodegradable waste from landfill and assist in the efforts to meet the very challenging diversion targets set for this waste stream in the EU Landfill Directive (1999/31/EC).

The landfill levy generates income for the Environment Fund that can be used for a range of environmentally beneficial purposes, including improved enforcement measures, grant aid of local authority recycling infrastructure and assistance towards the costs of remediation of closed or so called ‘legacy' landfills. This increase will allow further support for local authority recycling infrastructure to assist acceleration in recycling activity which will, in turn, contribute to meeting the landfill diversion targets. This will occur in a context in which the previous EU co-funding for this purpose will no longer be available.

Michael Ring

Question:

495 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the amount of money taken in, in 2007 in relation to the landfill tax. [7701/08]

The net amount remitted to my Department in 2007 in respect of the landfill levy was €32,604,251.

Register of Electors.

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Question:

496 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if, in view of the widespread concern regarding the collation and removal of thousands of individuals from the electoral register in the Dublin region and in particular in the Dublin South County Council area, he has had discussions or meetings on this issue; and if he will have a formal or independent review regarding the difficulties and concerns surrounding the accuracy of the current electoral registers for Dáil Éireann constituencies in this or any other catchment area. [7896/08]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Question:

497 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the concerns regarding the attempted removal of thousands of voters off the Dublin south west register particularly in the local authority estates of Knockmore, Killinardan, Kiltalown, Jobstown and Fettercairn areas of west Tallaght, Dublin 24 prior to the last election; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7897/08]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 496 and 497 together.

In law the preparation of the Register of Electors is a matter for each local registration authority. It is their duty to ensure, as far as possible and with the cooperation of the public, the accuracy and comprehensiveness of the Register.

In working to compile the Register for 2007/8, which was in force at the general election last year, local authorities undertook and completed the most extensive registration campaign in decades. On the basis of the work undertaken, I am satisfied that local authorities achieved a significant improvement in the accuracy and comprehensiveness of the Register compared to previous years.

My Department advised local authorities that the approach in respect of the 2008/9 Register should be to maintain and build on the progress they had made. Authorities were required to publish the Register for 2008/9 on 1 February 2008.

Looking ahead, the Programme for Government contains a commitment to establish an independent Electoral Commission. The Commission's responsibilities will include taking charge of the compilation of a new national rolling electoral register.

International Agreements.

Martin Ferris

Question:

498 Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will make a statement regarding the full implementation of the Aarhus Convention. [7903/08]

Ireland signed the Aarhus Convention on Access to Information, Public Participation in Decision-Making and Access to Justice in Environmental Matters on 25 June 1998. Progress towards ratification of the Convention is closely aligned with work at EU level and, in that context, the European Union has adopted two Directives as part of the ratification process for the Convention. These deal with public access to environmental information (2003/4/EC) and public participation in certain environmental decision-making procedures (2003/35/EC).

Regulations transposing the European Communities (Access to information on the Environment) Directive 2003/4/EC were signed and came into effect on 1 May 2007.

The process to transpose Directive 2003/35/EC is well advanced with legislation completed to amend the majority of the relevant consent systems pertaining to that Directive within the Irish legislative framework. Work is continuing on the outstanding issues, and will be finalised by the Departments concerned at the earliest possible date.

Upon completion of the full transposition of Directive 2003/35/EC, I will ensure that the instrument of ratification of the Aarhus Convention will be submitted to Government and laid before the Dáil.

Planning Issues.

Martin Ferris

Question:

499 Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will review the legislation regarding unauthorised developments. [7904/08]

Under the Planning Acts 2000-2006, all development, unless specifically exempted under the Acts or associated Regulations, requires planning permission. Any development that is carried out without planning permission, or that does not comply with the terms of a planning permission, is unauthorised development, and may be subject to enforcement action by a planning authority.

Part VIII of the Planning and Development Act 2000 sets out the existing statutory provisions for enforcement action by planning authorities in cases of breaches of the planning code. The 2000 Act also made a number of significant improvements to the enforcement provisions for persons who make complaints, in particular that all well-founded complaints must be investigated by the planning authority and that complainants must be told of the progress of their complaint. The 2000 Act also contains special provisions relating to certain issues that were difficult to address through the normal enforcement process, including applications by persons that have repeatedly breached previous planning permissions, unfinished housing estates and quarries. These provisions were further strengthened under the Planning and Development (Strategic Infrastructure) Act 2006. The Act contained an important amendment to section 35 of the Planning and Development 2000 Act, reversing the burden of proof where planning authorities decide to refuse to grant planning permission. Where previously the planning authority could only invoke this power with the consent of the High Court, they may now refuse permission on the basis of past non-compliance, leaving it up to the prospective developer to apply to the High Court to have such a decision overturned.

On the specific issue of unfinished estates, as indicated in reply to Question No on today's Order Paper, my Department has now issued updated policy guidance to planning authorities on the taking in charge of estates in the form of circular letter PD 1/08.

The above provisions set out a strong legal framework for planning authorities to take enforcement action where necessary. While I have no specific proposals for review, I will continue to keep the operation of Part VIII under scrutiny to ensure its effective operation.

Environmental Policy.

Martin Ferris

Question:

500 Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will review the fines imposed for environmental damage and liability. [7905/08]

Martin Ferris

Question:

501 Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will make a statement on the review and revision of the role of the Environmental Protection Agency. [7906/08]

I propose to take Question Nos. 500 and 501 together.

The Environmental Liability Directive (2004/35/EC) is a major initiative aimed at preventing and remedying environmental damage by giving effect to the polluter pays principle. It aims to do this by holding operators whose activities have caused environmental damage financially liable for remedying this damage. It does not, however, provide for the imposition of fines or other criminal sanctions for causing environmental damage.

There is provision in existing environmental protection codes, such as the Environmental Protection Agency Acts 1992 and 2003 and the Waste Management Acts 1996 to 2003, for significant fines and other sanctions in instances of serious breaches of the code. Such fines may be up to €15 million and may attract a daily fine of €130,000 where the breach continues following conviction.

The Programme for Government includes a commitment to a review of the role, procedures and governing legislation of the Environmental Protection Agency, and includes environmental fines as part of this review. I am considering the form that this review will take.

Water and Sewerage Schemes.

Seymour Crawford

Question:

502 Deputy Seymour Crawford asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the percentage of funding his Department will provide towards a new sewerage plant for a town (details supplied) in County Monaghan; his views on whether there is difficulty for counties such as Monaghan, that have had little or no benefit from inward investment towards job creation to fund the demands that his Department are requesting of such councils and that exorbitant capital charges on industry could such industry unviable; if he will reconsider the level of funding provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7917/08]

The Carrickmacross Sewerage Scheme is approved for funding under the Water Services Investment Programme 2007-2009, at an estimated cost of €22 million. Work on the network element of the scheme is expected to commence shortly. Monaghan County Council also propose to extend and refurbish the existing Wastewater Treatment Plant in the town. The Council's Tender Documents for the work are under examination in my Department.

In accordance with the EU Water Framework Directive, water services authorities are required to recover the cost of providing water services from the users of these services, on the basis of average operational and marginal capital costs, with the exception of households using water services for domestic purposes, and the special transitional arrangements for recognised schools which were recently approved by the Government. The recovery of the cost of providing water services to the non-domestic sector is achieved by means of meter based volumetric charges; metering of the non-domestic sector for this purpose is expected to be completed by mid-2008.

In the case of each project funded under my Department's Water Services Investment Programme the marginal capital cost of servicing non-domestic consumers is required to be met by the non-domestic sector. Marginal capital cost is calculated on the basis of existing and future non-domestic capacity requirements which vary from scheme to scheme. Non-domestic marginal capital costs are recovered by a water services authority from all non-domestic consumers in its functional area (i.e. on a county-wide basis) through a combination of water charges on non-domestic customers and development contributions or by a specific contribution where an industry wishes to reserve a specific capacity.

My Department and Monaghan County Council are in communication in relation to the non-domestic contribution towards the Carrickmacross scheme and a decision in relation to the overall funding arrangements for the scheme will be made as soon as possible.

Departmental Transport.

David Stanton

Question:

503 Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if the taxi companies used by his Department and State agencies under the aegis of his Department have a minimum percentage of taxis which are accessible for people with disabilities and wheelchair users; the amount expended by his Department and State agencies on taxi hire each year from 2003 to date in 2008 respectively; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7933/08]

The amount spent by my Department on taxi hire from 2004 to 2008 is set out in the table below. Our records do not separately identify taxi costs for 2003.

I understand from the company employed by my Department to provide taxi services that over 10% of its fleet is wheelchair accessible which enables the company to provide such taxis when required. Details in relation to bodies under the aegis of my Department are not available as day to day operational matters are entirely a matter for the body concerned.

Year

2004

62,870

2005

60,847

2006

66,484

2007

69,020

2008

6,751

Architectural Qualifications.

Phil Hogan

Question:

504 Deputy Phil Hogan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his proposals to give formal statutory or legal recognition to the qualifications of architectural technologists and architectural technicians; if his attention has been drawn to the important role that both professions play in the planning, development and construction of buildings; if he received formal representations seeking a form of recognition for both professions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7956/08]

I understand that qualifications for "Architectural Technologist" and "Architectural Technician" are underpinned by the Qualifications (Education and Training) Act 1999, which comes under the remit of my colleague, the Minister for Education and Science.

The 1997 Report of the Strategic Review Committee on the Construction Industry — Building Our Future Together — recommended that the title of "Architect" should be registered by law. Subsequently, the Forum for the Construction Industry submitted proposals to my Department for the registration of Architects, following consultation and agreement with the architectural representative bodies.

The Building Control Act 2007, enacted in April 2007, provides, inter alia, for the registration of the title of "Architect" broadly along the lines recommended by the Strategic Review Committee and the Forum for the Construction Industry.

Section 18(4) of the 2007 Act provides for the use of titles incorporating the word "Architect", such as "Architectural Technologist" or "Architectural Technician", so as not to restrict the use of such titles.

I have received a number of representations in respect of persons who are providing architectural services, by way of established rights, in regard to their status following the introduction of statutory registration under the Building Control Act 2007. Part 3 of the Act provides, inter alia, for the establishment of a Technical Assessment Board to assess applications from persons who are not eligible for registration on the basis of specified academic qualifications, but who have been practising architecture for a minimum period of 10 years in the State. The procedure for the Technical Assessment Board is also set out in Part 3 of the Act.

Water and Sewerage Schemes.

David Stanton

Question:

505 Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if his Department has received an application from Cork County Council for approval in order to construct a waste water treatment plant to service Ballycotton and Shanagarry in County Cork; the progress that has been made in respect of this application; when he expects to be in a position to make a decision on the issue. [7964/08]

The Shannagarry/Garryvoe/Ballycotton Sewerage Scheme is included in my Department's Water Services Investment Programme 2007-2009 as a scheme to start construction in 2009 at an estimated cost of €3.78m.

Cork County Council's Preliminary Report for the scheme, received last month, is being examined in my Department and is being dealt with as quickly as possible.

Environmental Policy.

Michael D. Higgins

Question:

506 Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will ensure, and make a priority of ensuring, that Dúchas provide maps in post offices and other such publicly accessible offices of Special Areas of Conservation in order that the public be enabled to see the precise locations of these Special Areas of Conservation. [8011/08]

Maps of all designated areas are available at no charge on the website www.npws.ie or can be obtained from my Department's National Parks and Wildlife Service via FREEPHONE 1800 40 5000.

In addition, in order to ensure that the maximum number of people are notified of the proposed designation of an area as a candidate Special Area of Conservation, the Department advertises the intended designation in the local newspapers and on local radio. In accordance with Article 4 (2) of the European Communities (Natural Habitats) Regulations, 1997, maps are made available at a number of prescribed locations, including the local planning office, county libraries and local Garda Stations, and the newspaper advertisements draw attention to this availability. At the time of publication of a designation as many landowners as can be identified as being directly involved in the site are also directly notified by post.

I am satisfied that this wide availability of maps ensures ready access to any person seeking to establish whether land is, or is intended to be, designated.

Social and Affordable Housing.

Ruairí Quinn

Question:

507 Deputy Ruairí Quinn asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government when drafting of enabling legislation will be completed in order to facilitate arrangements for persons in affordable housing who may wish to re-mortgage with a private lender; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8025/08]

Legislative provision to facilitate arrangements under which a local authority could agree to its clawback charge ranking in second place behind a new or topped-up mortgage charge, thereby facilitating persons in affordable housing wishing to re-mortgage with a private lender, is being considered in the Social Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill which is currently being drafted. I expect that this Bill will be published by mid-2008.

Arts Funding.

Olivia Mitchell

Question:

508 Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the number of local authorities that employ public art officers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8086/08]

Information supplied to my Department by local authorities indicated that, at 31 December 2006, seven local authorities employed Arts Officers.

Olivia Mitchell

Question:

509 Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the cost to his Department of funding for the percent arts scheme projects for local authorities under his remit in each year since 2002 to date in 2008; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8087/08]

The collection of these data over the range of functions administered by my Department and the large number of capital projects involved is not warranted in terms of cost and resources required.

My Department is at present updating the register of projects commissioned by local authorities under the public per cent for art scheme in respect of capital funding received from all public sources. I will make this available to the Deputy when completed.

Oireachtas Reform.

David Stanton

Question:

510 Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the targets he has set in relation to implementing Oireachtas reform; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3854/08]

The Programme for Government contains a commitment to determine the extent of cross-party agreement on the recommendations of the April 2004 Report on Seanad Reform by the Seanad Sub-Committee on Seanad Reform, and to advance proposals for implementation. The Report sets out comprehensive recommendations for further consideration and action concerning the composition, functions and future role of Seanad Éireann.

I consider that Seanad reform should be advanced on the basis of an All-Party, consensus approach, insofar as possible. I have written to each of the Party Leaders recently, asking for their nominations to an All-Party Group, with a view to an early meeting.

Proposed Legislation.

Joanna Tuffy

Question:

511 Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the position with regard to the new Fisheries (Consolidation) Bill; the groups and bodies that have been consulted in the drafting of the heads of the Bill; when it is expected to be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7539/08]

My Department, along with the chief executives of the fisheries boards, is currently examining all of the legislation governing the inland fisheries sector with a view to bringing forward proposals for legislation to replace the existing 17 statutes.

This exercise is being undertaken in tandem with the work of a subcommittee of the Fisheries Boards' Liaison Group, in respect of restructuring of the boards. I requested that the group, along with officials from my Department, develop an agreed proposal for my consideration by April of this year. Once I have had an opportunity to consider the detailed proposals from the subcommittee, the most appropriate way forward in terms of streamlining the sector will be identified for implementation. I would hope to be in a position to seek Government approval to the proposals and the preparation of appropriate Heads of Bill soon after that.

Telecommunications Services.

Phil Hogan

Question:

512 Deputy Phil Hogan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the telephone exchanges that will be modified for the provision of broadband services in Counties Carlow and Kilkenny in 2008; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7455/08]

The provision of telecommunications services, including broadband, is a matter for the private sector. Broadband service providers operate in a fully liberalised market, regulated, where appropriate, by the independent Commission for Communications Regulation, ComReg. I have no function in the matter of the enabling of exchanges owned by private companies. However, it is hoped that the facilitation of greater competition in the area via the introduction of broadband from different technology platforms will encourage the more rapid enabling of all exchanges for broadband.

I also welcome eircom's commitment to invest significantly to enable 319 exchanges over the next two years in order to allow up to 140,000 new customers to connect to a broadband enabled exchange.

Postal Services.

Simon Coveney

Question:

513 Deputy Simon Coveney asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the progress that has occurred in preparation for the transposition of the forthcoming Third Postal Directive into Irish law by 31 December 2010; if he will undertake a comprehensive review and consolidation of all legislation affecting the postal sector as part of this process; if so, the time scale involved; what impediments he envisages as affecting the prospects of achieving end-to-end competition in the postal market here; and the action he will take to address them. [7594/08]

Once the Third Postal Directive has been published in the Official Journal of the European Union in the coming weeks, I intend to hold a public consultation process examining the key issues arising from the Directive. The results of the consultation process will assist my thinking with respect to the transposition of the directive into Irish law, including any possible consolidation of existing postal legislation.

With respect to the development of competition, Ireland's dispersed population pattern means that even in the event of market opening, competition will not necessarily develop immediately. It is unlikely that a competitor would establish an end-to-end solution to compete directly with An Post on a nationwide basis, a view which is supported by a number of international studies.

However, this issue, along with the other key issues including that of ensuring a universal access to a broad suite of high-quality postal services, will be examined in full in the context of the transposition of the postal directive. It is my intention that the consultation process will be completed in good time to enable the directive to be transposed by the due date.

Telecommunications Services.

Paul Connaughton

Question:

514 Deputy Paul Connaughton asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources when broadband will be provided to the Kilconley area, County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7600/08]

Paul Connaughton

Question:

516 Deputy Paul Connaughton asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources when the national broadband scheme will be launched; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that many people in the Ballymacward, Woodlawn and Gurteen areas of County Galway are anxious to have access to broadband under this scheme; when they will be able to avail of the service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7973/08]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 514 and 516 together.

The provision of broadband services is, in the first instance, a matter for the private sector. Broadband service providers operate in a fully liberalised market, regulated, where appropriate, by the independent Commission for Communications Regulation, ComReg.

The role of the Government is to formulate regulatory and infrastructure policies to facilitate the provision of high quality telecommunications services, by competing private sector service providers.

There are still some parts of the country where the private sector will be unable to justify the commercial provision of broadband services. Accordingly, the procurement process for a National Broadband Scheme (NBS) is underway. The NBS will provide broadband services to areas that are currently unserved, including any unserved areas in Co. Galway, and will ensure that all reasonable requests for broadband are met.

The first phase of the procurement process (Pre-Qualification Questionnaire (PQQ)) is now complete, and four candidates pre-qualified to enter the next phase of the procurement process. The four candidates were, in alphabetical order, BT Communications Ireland Ltd Consortium, eircom Ltd, Hutchinson 3G Ireland Ltd and IFA/Motorola Consortium.

Following the withdrawal of the IFA/Motorola Consortium as a candidate the remaining three candidates have now commenced "Competitive Dialogue" with my Department and are developing their proposed solutions to meet my Department's requirements for the delivery of broadband to the unserved areas of the country. It is anticipated that a preferred bidder will be selected and appointed in June 2008, with rollout to commence as soon as possible thereafter.

Departmental Transport.

David Stanton

Question:

515 Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if the taxi companies used by his Department and State agencies under the aegis of his Department have a minimum percentage of taxis which are accessible for people with disabilities and wheelchair users; the amount expended by his Department and State agencies on taxi hire each year from 2003 to date in 2008 respectively; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7928/08]

My Department retains the services of a taxi operator that has confirmed that approximately 10% of its entire fleet is made up of vehicles that are accessible for people with disabilities and wheelchair users. The service provided includes pre-booking of a suitably accessible vehicle.

The issue of taxi use by the State agencies is a day-to-day operational issue for each of the agencies concerned. I have no function in that regard.

The total amount paid by my Department for taxi services from 2003 to 2007 is set out in the following table:

Year

Amount

2003

26,082.43

2004

35,190.43

2005

28,985.59

2006

37,406.85

2007

36,798.05

Total Amount

164,463.35

Question No. 516 answered with Question No. 514.

Fisheries Protection.

Willie Penrose

Question:

517 Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the status of the report of Farrell Grant Sparks into the fisheries industry; his plans for the management, development and expansion of all aspects of Irish angling; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8082/08]

The proposed restructuring of the inland fisheries sector contained in the Government decision made on foot of the Farrell Grant Sparks Review of the Inland Fisheries Sector in Ireland, which itself is more than two years old, met with a lot of stakeholder resistance. In these circumstances and responding to a call of the Fisheries Boards' Chairpersons for a somewhat different approach to restructuring of the boards, I requested that they develop an agreed proposal for my consideration by April of this year.

Following receipt of this proposal, the most appropriate way forward in terms of streamlining the sector will be identified for implementation and I would hope to be in a position to seek Government approval to the proposals soon after that.

Under the Fisheries Acts, primary responsibility for the conservation, protection, management and development of the inland fisheries resource currently rests with the Central and regional fisheries boards. The fisheries boards devote considerable effort and Exchequer resources towards the development and promotion of angling and work closely with the tourist authorities in relation to angling tourism.

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