Vol. 655 No. 1
89 Deputy Liz McManus asked the Minister for Education and Science the steps, following the publication of a recent European Commission report which shows that schools here rank in 19th place out of the 27 European Union states with regard to having access to broadband, he proposes to take to address this serious problem; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19716/08]
I assume that the Deputy is referring to the European Commission's Study on Benchmarking Access and Use of ICT in European Schools, which was published following two surveys carried out in Spring 2006. The study found that 66% of Irish schools had broadband internet connections as compared with 67% of European schools generally, which ranked Ireland at number 20 of the 27 countries surveyed. The surveys underpinning this Report were undertaken during the roll-out of the Schools Broadband Access Programme and I understand that at the time of survey in March/April 2006, the percentage of schools connected under the Programme would have been in the mid 80s.
As the Deputy will be aware my Department is providing broadband connectivity to primary and post-primary schools under the Schools Broadband Access Programme. This programme is being undertaken in partnership with industry in the context of a Government — IBEC/TIF (Telecommunications and Internet Federation) Agreement to provide local broadband connectivity to schools. The Programme comprises three elements — local connectivity to schools, a national broadband network and a broadband support service desk. Schools connectivity is being routed to the Internet through a national broadband network, which is supported by HEAnet and provides centrally managed services for schools such as security, anti-spam/ anti-virus and content filtering. The broadband support service desk has been established to interface between the network, the local broadband service Access Providers and schools and is managed by the National Centre for Technology in Education.
Following a competitive, technology neutral, central procurement process for the provision of local connectivity for schools in 2004, roll-out of broadband to schools commenced in June 2005. The total number of schools involved in the Programme has been adjusted in the meantime to reflect a number of school openings, closures and amalgamations and stands currently at 3,936. As of 24th April, 2008, 3,907 schools (99%) have had their local connectivity installed and of these 3,904 have had their router capability installed and tested. A further 72 schools have had broadband access provided under the Hermes and Advanced Deployment programmes. Having regard to the almost universal availability of broadband connectivity in our schools as a consequence of the Schools Broadband Access Programme, I am confident that our relative performance internationally has improved significantly.
90 Deputy Mary Upton asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of primary school sites that were purchased in 2005, 2006 and 2007; the location of each site; the cost of each site; the sites which have planning approval confirmed; the sites which have commenced construction work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19723/08]
In 2005, 2006 and 2007, legal formalities were completed by my Department for the acquisition of 36 sites for primary schools at a cost in excess of €66m. I am arranging to have a tabular statement prepared in respect of all of the sites in question outlining the position relating to planning and construction on these and I will forward this information to the Deputy immediately. However, due to commercial sensitivity, it will not be possible to provide costs associated with specific sites.
It is expected that the acquisition of sites will continue to accelerate in the coming years as a result of the increasing need for school accommodation arising from demographic trends. The cost of any site is determined both by the amount of land required to accommodate the size of the school together with the value of land pertaining in the actual location of the proposed school. My Department seeks to purchase sites ranging from 2.5 to four acres in size, depending on the size of the primary school to be built. Typically, a new eight classroom primary school would generally be designed with a site area of 2.5 acres and a site of approximately 3 acres for a new sixteen classroom school. Larger schools would require four acres. These size guidelines are advisory and relate solely to the provision of new school buildings. Smaller sites are often considered — in particular, for urban areas where sites of this size are not always available and/or where the cost per acre is prohibitive.
Design Teams for school building projects work closely with the relevant local authorities to ensure that sites are developed in a manner compatible with local authority planning requirements. To meet the anticipated need for sites, my Department has also been developing in partnership with the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government and the City and County Managers Association a code of practice for planning authorities on the provision of schools in the planning system. It is intended that these guidelines will be issued in the coming weeks and should assist in the timely procurement of sites required for schools.
91 Deputy Brian O’Shea asked the Minister for Education and Science the number, type and location of each project in respect of public private partnership costs provided for in his revised Estimates at the sum of €31,868,000 for 2008; the duration of each financial contract; the growth and net interest rate being charged; the name of the financial institution providing the funding and additional management charges, excluding construction and related maintenance costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19725/08]
My Department has to date entered into three separate contracts to design, build, finance, maintain and operate educational accommodation under the Public Private Partnership (PPP) model. There are two third level projects, the National Maritime College, Cork and the Cork School of Music as well as the Pilot PPP Schools which are located in Tubbercurry, Shannon, Ballincollig, Dunmanway and Clones. All three contracts are for 25 years. The buildings will remain in State ownership for the duration of the contract with the PPP Company being granted a licence to build the facilities and maintain and operate them for a period of 25 years.
Provision has been made in the 2008 estimates for expenditure of €32.4m on PPP projects with €28.4m of current funding being provided to cover the on-going payments in respect of all three projects and the balance of €4m (capital) provided to advance further PPP projects. The €28.4 m is divided further into a Second Level estimate of €10.8 million and a Third Level estimate of €17.6m. The interest rate for each project is fixed when the contract is concluded. During the bidding process, the risk of interest rate movement is retained by the public sector and is transferred to the private sector after the contract has been agreed. The rate is fixed by reference to the prevailing European Central Bank rate at the time the contract is concluded.
The interest rate on the debt for the three projects were set as follows. For the Pilot Schools, the contract provides that the interest rate increases by 0.15% over the 25 years giving an average fixed interest rate of 6.196%. For the National Maritime College, the interest rate deceases by 0.59% over the 25 years giving an average fixed interest rate of 5.563%. For the Cork School of Music, the interest rate increases by 0.1% over the 25 years giving an average fixed interest rate of 4.552%.
For a PPP tender to demonstrate better value for money, the additional cost of private finance must either be justified by risks transferred to the private sector or offset in some other way by innovative proposals to address the Department's requirements. The faster delivery of the building could also be taken into account in this respect. The Public Sector Benchmark provides a key measure for the Department to test the extent to which the bids are good value for the State. The principal funding for each of these projects has been provided by Barclays Bank in the case of the Pilot Schools and the Cork School of Music and by the Bank of Scotland and the European Investment Bank in the case of the National Maritime College. The annual facilities management charges for 2008, excluding construction and maintenance, in respect of each of the current projects are:
Pilot Schools €94,925
National Maritime College €102,293
Cork School of Music €124,775
The above charges are exclusive of VAT @ 21% and are index linked and reviewed with reference to the Consumer Price Index in the third quarter of each year. The €4 million capital provided in the estimates for 2008 will be used to progress the current Second and third Level Programme which consists of 27 schools and 9 Third Level Institutions.
92 Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Education and Science the reason the extensive reforms in the leaving certificate examinations due to come into effect in 2009 have been put on hold without a date communicated to the working group involved in the oral examinations; the cost of the changes proposed; the extent of the deterioration in the national finances which has caused this change of policy to be abruptly introduced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19718/08]
It is assumed that this question relates to the timing of the oral examinations within the existing language subjects rather than the senior cycle curricular reforms. Discussions within a working group comprised of the partners in education have been held to explore other models of delivery of the oral examinations, in the context of concerns about maintaining the integrity of the school year and of the examinations process. Following analysis of a number of possibilities significant progress was made towards identifying a viable alternative model, with some work remaining. The model involved would require significant additional expenditure, and it is not certain that it would find sufficient acceptance to result in an improved supply of examiners vis a vis the current model. At this stage, my Department is not in a position to approve proposals for new measures for 2009 unless they can be exchequer neutral, and such an approach is not possible in this case. Accordingly it is not possible at present to finalise the proposals for presentation to the partners.
This is not an abrupt change in policy, nor was any agreement reached on the matter. The issue will be kept under continuing review so that the discussions on a viable alternative model can be progressed at the earliest opportunity. I can inform the Deputy that a revised schedule for the 2008 June Leaving Certificate examinations has been agreed with the Partners in Education which is designed to be more student friendly, and reduce the demand on students especially during the first week of the examinations. By moving forward some of the subjects that are taken by fewer students, the revised schedule will result in most students getting at least one half day, and possibly two, in the first week of the schedule.
In addition, a programme of curriculum reform is continuing, for which the NCCA is undertaking extensive development work with schools. New syllabi in Leaving Certificate Technology and Design and Graphic Communications have been introduced in September 2007 for first examination in 2009, significant reforms are under way in Maths and Irish, and proposals are expected from the Council shortly in regard to senior cycle Science.
93 Deputy Seán Sherlock asked the Minister for Education and Science the number with respect to each of the nine stages for the architectural planning programme of primary school building projects for existing schools (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19719/08]
The stages of architectural planning referred to by the Deputy arise from my Department's design team procedures for the procurement of major capital projects. These are necessary to comply with Department of Finance guidelines which require that capital projects be fully designed prior to going to tender. They also ensure proper cost management of capital projects and facilitate compliance with statutory and public procurement requirements. At present, there are nine stages involved in the delivery of major school projects under my Department's design and building processes. These fall into 3 main phases.
Stages 1 to 3: Design Team is appointed, site options are identified and the optimum design developed.
Stages 4 to 5: Awarding of planning permission, full completion of design and preparation of tender documents.
Stages 6 to 9: Project goes to tender and construction.
At present, there are 245 primary schools at the following stages of architectural planning:
94 projects are at stages 1 to 3
51 projects are at Stages 4 to 5
100 projects are at Stages 6 to 9
The stages referred to above are currently being revised to take account of the Capital Works Management Framework being developed by the Department of Finance. The effect of this will be to reduce the number of stages to five.
My Department has been using generic repeat design buildings, wherever possible, to achieve a substantial savings in terms of design team fees as well as reducing the time taken to bring projects to completion. The use of design and build solutions has also been introduced particularly for projects in rapidly developing areas in view of the urgency of provision required.
94 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Education and Science the practical steps taken to arrange for the one day conference on governance in the primary school system due to be held in the Royal Hospital Kilmainham; the number expected to be invited; the speakers who will be selected; the chairperson of same; the reporting arrangements for the media; if it will be open to the public; the role of Houses of the Oireachtas participation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19710/08]
Work is continuing on the practical arrangements for the one day Conference that will be held on 27 June 2008 in the Royal Hospital Kilmainham. It is envisaged that the conference will accommodate approximately 200 invited delegates. These will include representatives of the main patron bodies, management bodies, the wider primary education partners and other interested parties. I can confirm that it is also my intention to invite each of the Opposition Education spokespersons to attend. The conference will be open to members of the media. I am currently working with my officials to finalise the detailed practical arrangements for the day, including the detail of speakers and attendance. These arrangements are at an advanced stage and the details will be made public as soon as all the relevant speakers and panellists have been confirmed.
The format for the day will aim to encourage a high degree of dialogue and interaction on the important issues under consideration. As the Deputy is aware, the conference will consider the implications of new societal diversity on the future organisation of primary schools. The conference will provide an opportunity for each of the main patron bodies to outline their vision of how the system needs to collectively evolve to respond to the changing circumstances. Discussions will focus on the particular challenges of ethos and inclusion for patron bodies, under the existing patronage models as well as under the new patronage model to be piloted in September 2008. The long term challenges of organising and developing our system of school governance to accommodate new parental demands and aspirations will be subject to consideration. The Conference will deal with a range of associated issues such as the challenges of capacity constraints, the provision of choice for parents, ensuring whole community inclusion in our schools as well as the implications of societal change on enrolment policies and approaches to the teaching of religion in multi-faith environments.
Following opening key-note speeches to establish the context for the discussion, each of the main patron bodies will be invited to present their perspectives on the evolving governance challenge. This will be followed by structured open forum discussion and debate around the relevant issues, involving the speakers from the main patron bodies, an extended panel of participants and the wider audience. This discussion will be led by an independent chair. I am personally looking forward to what will be a very valuable opportunity for engaging with all of the relevant stakeholders on the very important issues at stake for the future of our primary education system.
95 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science the extent to which it is intended to meet class size reductions promised before the general election in 2007; if any such commitments have been honoured; the way it is proposed to deliver on the promise to reduce pupil/teacher ratios in the classroom in 2008; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19884/08]
The Programme for Government sets out the overarching policy position in relation to the provision of additional teachers and on reductions in class size over the life of the Government. The Programme contains a commitment to increase the number of primary teachers by at least 4000 and on that basis to make further progress on reducing class sizes. Budget 2008 provided my Department with €4.6 billion or €380 million extra for teacher pay and pensions. This was a very substantial level of additional investment in the terms of the economic environment on which the budget was based. That allocation provides for paying for over 2000 extra primary teachers more than the number in schools when the Government took office last Summer.
It covers the additional teachers that went into schools last September for the previously announced reduction to a 27 to 1 based staffing schedule along with additional teachers this school year and in the coming school year to meet increasing enrolments, to provide for special needs and the language requirements of newcomer children. This means that in terms of the overall commitment to provide at least 4000 additional teachers the Government in its first two years in office will be well ahead of target.
All Programme for Government commitments to improve public services including those relating to class size are contingent on the economic and budgetary environment and the need for prudent expenditure and fiscal management. Even since the presentation of Budget 2008 last December there have been significant alterations in the external and domestic environment. In that context any reasonable observer would regard the fact that the Government has already taken measures that will see the allocation of over 2000 additional teachers to primary schools as a considerable investment all things considered. Similarly the commitment in relation to improving class size in second level schools can only be looked at and considered in the context of the overall economic and budgetary position that might prevail in the coming years and the competing priorities for available resources.
96 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Education and Science if, in respect of sub-head C4 of the revised Estimates for 2008 dedicated to salaries of non-teaching staff in primary schools, including special needs assistants, caretakers and school secretaries and clerical officers, he has agreed at national or local level the rates of pay and the terms and conditions of their employment; the number of people at present employed in these employments in respect of each category; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19726/08]
The purpose of the C4 provision in the Estimates is to meet the costs of salary, employer's PRSI contributions, substitution and pensions for Special Needs Assistants in primary schools. The costs of salary, employers contributions and pension costs of the caretakers and clerical officers employed in primary schools under a scheme introduced in 1978 are also met from the sub-head. Special needs assistants employed in primary and second level schools and paid fortnightly and have a common incremental pay scale.
Special needs assistants are awarded the general pay increases but are subject to adherence to the terms of the various agreements. In the case of the recent 2.5% increase from the 1st March, 2008, it was necessary to obtain verification of co-operation of the SNA grade with flexibility and ongoing change, satisfactory implementation of the agenda for modernisation, maintenance of stable industrial relations and absence of industrial action in respect of the matters covered by the Towards 2016 agreement. Clerical Officers and caretakers employed under the 1978 scheme are paid fortnightly. The pay scales are approved by the Department, with the sanction of the Department of Finance, and attract national pay awards. There are incremental scales for these caretakers and clerical officers. Both the clerical officers and caretakers are awarded general pay increases but are also subject to the terms of the agreements that I referred for the special needs assistants.
Discussions on terms and conditions of service for special needs assistants are held with the relevant unions on an ongoing basis. The managerial bodies of schools also participate in these discussions. Agreements exist for special needs assistants in relation to contracts of employment, pension scheme, hours of work, length of working year, school holidays, seniority in school and redundancy terms. There were 8,241 special need assistant equivalents employed in primary schools in March 2008. 198 Clerical Officers and Caretakers respectively were employed under the 1978 scheme and paid on the payroll in March 2008 in primary schools.
The 1978 scheme was replaced by the ancillary services grant scheme. Under this grant scheme, the amount paid to an individual school is determined by the enrolment in the school. It is a matter for each individual school to decide how best to apply the funding to suit the school's particular needs. The C4 sub-head does not cover the cost of secretaries and caretakers employed by schools under the ancillary grant scheme.
97 Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Education and Science, further to Parliamentary Question No. 413 of 8 May 2008, the number of the 13 visiting teachers for the visually impaired who hold a diploma for teachers of the visually impaired or a diploma in special education or equivalent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19970/08]
All 13 Visiting Teachers for the Visually Impaired currently employed are fully qualified and probated primary or second-level teachers with at least two years teaching experience, the minimum qualification for appointment to the post of Visiting Teacher. In appointing Visiting Teachers for the Visually Impaired, preference may be given to applicants who hold additional qualifications relevant to the post of Visiting Teacher, such as a diploma for teachers of the visually impaired or a diploma in special education or equivalent.
In that regard, four of the Visiting Teachers have Masters level qualifications in Special Education from the University of Birmingham, specialising in visual impairment, while a further three have primary degrees in Special Education, specialising in visual impairment. Five have the Diploma in Special Education, and one has a Masters qualification in Biology. A number of Visiting Teachers have more than one specialist qualification in visual impairment while others are being facilitated in gaining such additional qualifications, with the assistance of the Special Education Support Service, as part of my Department's commitment to the provision of continuing professional development opportunities for Visiting Teachers for the Visually Impaired.
98 Deputy Jan O’Sullivan asked the Minister for Education and Science the reason he did not respond to the request from a school (details supplied) for a new primary school; the further reason he could not have located the proposed pilot community primary school in another location of high population growth, bearing in mind that the school has been in existence for some time and has campaigned for an Educate Together school; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19717/08]
The New Schools Advisory Committee was established to assess applications for the recognition of new primary schools and to make recommendations to the Minister. An application for recognition, from September 2008, of the new school to which the Deputy refers was received by the New Schools Advisory Committee. As the proposed school was deemed to meet the general criteria for new primary schools, the Committee recommended that it be granted provisional recognition from September 2008.
In granting provisional recognition to a new school, cognisance needs to be given to the potential future commitment of capital resources that is likely to arise. My Department must ensure efficiency and equity in the allocation of limited resources. In that context, and given the significant additional levels of primary school provision made in the area in question in the past 3 years, my predecessor was satisfied that sufficient provision has been made to serve the current and future population in the short to medium term and that appropriate diversity of provision has been provided. On that basis, provisional recognition has not been granted to the proposed new school at this time. This does not preclude recognition at a future date. The Patron has been informed.
With regard the new pilot community primary school, this school was established in 2007 under the provisional patronage of the Catholic Church to meet educational needs of the Diswellstown/Porterstown area. Pending acquisition of a site in this area, the school was located in temporary accommodation in a VEC owned building on the site of the Institute of Horology, Blanchardstown. From September 2008, this school will come under the patronage of the VEC under the new pilot primary school model and will be relocated to a site on the Porterstown Road to continue to serve the Diswellstown/Porterstown area.
99 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Education and Science the recommendations made by the new schools advisory committee to his Department since the NSAC’s establishment in 2002; his Department’s decision in each case; the reasons for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19352/08]
116 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of occasions on which his Department has gone against the advice of the new schools advisory committee with regard to recognition of new schools since the NSAC’s establishment in 2002; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19351/08]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 99 and 116 together.
The New Schools Advisory Committee (NSAC) was established in 2002 on foot of recommendations of the Commission on School Accommodation on a non-statutory basis. The Committee is charged with making recommendations to me in relation to applications received for new Primary schools using a set of published criteria. Under Section 10 of the Education Act, 1998 as Minister I am empowered to recognise schools for the purposes of the Act. The vast majority of NSAC recommendations are accepted; however, there have been five occasions where NSAC recommendations were not followed.
In 2007, the NSAC was unable to look favourably on two applications received due to inadequate enrolment information provided by the proposers. However, in view of the population growth in the locations to be served by the proposed schools it was decided to grant recognition. In 2008, the NSAC was unable to look favourably on one application received due to inadequate enrolment information provided by the proposer. Again based on population growth in the proposed area this school was recognised and is expected to open in September. While the NSAC looked favourably on two separate applications, one application was not granted recognition pending the outcome of an assessment of the proposed patron body by my Department, while the second application was not granted recognition at this time, given the significant additional levels of primary school provision made in the area in the past 3 years.
Since 2002 the Committee has considered applications and made reports and recommendations on six occasions. I have instructed my officials to provide the details requested by the Deputy in relation to the recommendations made by the NSAC to my Department.
100 Deputy Jim O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Education and Science the position in relation to the long promised and long delayed extension to a school (details supplied) in County Cork; if progress will be made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19480/08]
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, will be considered on an on-going basis in the context of my Department's multi-annual School Building and Modernisation Programme. However, in light of current competing demands on the capital budget of the Department, it is not possible to give an indicative timeframe for the progression of the project at this time
101 Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for Education and Science if his Department had formal or informal discussions or negotiations with representatives of the religious order of Christian Brothers which controls and manages 59 secondary schools and 37 primary schools with 35,000 students and employs 2,700 teachers, on its establishment of the Edmund Rice Schools Trust consisting entirely of lay persons which will replace the religious order of the Christian Brothers in the management of the schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19722/08]
Members of religious orders, including representatives of the Christian Brothers, have kept my Department advised from time to time on the evolution of Trust Boards in their sector and the work they were engaged in to secure the future of the schools concerned. My Department is aware also that the Christian Brothers kept the relevant stakeholders, such as the management and teaching personnel of the schools concerned, informed of the progress they were making. At the core of the establishment of Trust Boards, including the Edmund Rice Schools Trust, is an intent and desire to secure the future of the ethos of these schools at a time when the role of members of the orders in day to day management will be greatly diminished as a result of falling numbers of religious.
The endeavour of the different religious orders in establishing Trust Boards in order to secure the future of their schools is commendable and is consistent with their commitment and contribution over a long period to education in Ireland.
102 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Education and Science the status of his Department’s review of school transport catchment boundaries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19729/08]
The Programme for Government includes a commitment to review the school transport system including catchment boundaries. The Department is currently finalising proposals for progressing this commitment.
103 Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Minister for Education and Science if his attention has been drawn to the submission made by the Joint Committee on Education and Science on behalf of a number of primary management bodies on 10 April 2008; his views on whether there is a financial crisis in a significant number of primary schools who cannot pay for their day to day running costs from the capitation grant and who need to borrow funds from religious congregations or the local parish; if he will introduce a supplementary Estimate to deal with this financial crisis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19714/08]
I am aware of the funding pressures on schools generally and also of the recent submission on this matter by the Primary Management Bodies to the Joint Committee on Education and Science. It is a key priority for Government to improve funding for the day-to-day running costs of schools to help address these funding pressures. Specific commitments in relation to improving school funding form a central part of the education provisions of the Programme for Government. These commitments are a direct follow on from the clear thrust of Government policy over recent years to improve the position of primary schools in particular.
All Programme for Government commitments to improve public services including those relating to improving school funding are contingent on the economic and budgetary environment and the need for prudent expenditure and fiscal management. Even since the presentation of Budget 2008 last December there have been significant alterations in the external and domestic environment. The Government will continue to prioritise further improvements on school funding for 2009 and onwards and this approach is the best way of sustaining the substantial improvements into the future.
In 2008 alone my Department will be paying around €167m to primary schools to meet their day to day running costs. The improvements announced in the last budget mean that the combined day-to-day funding for primary schools will increase by €21 to €330 per pupil. As a result, a primary school with 300 pupils will receive almost €100,000 to meet their running costs. The primary school capitation grant has been increased substantially in recent years. Since 1997 the standard rate of capitation grant has been increased from €57.14 per pupil to €178.58 from 1st January, 2008. This represents an increase of 212% in the standard rate of capitation grant since 1997. Furthermore enhanced rates of capitation funding are paid in respect of children with special educational needs who attend special schools or special classes attached to mainstream schools. The current rates range from €457.00 to €880 per pupil — an increase of 42% from the rate in 2006.
The Deputy will be aware that as well as general increases in capitation funding, extra financial supports are being provided to schools under the DEIS action plan for educational inclusion. In the current school year, DEIS related grants totalling almost €19 million were paid to schools to meet the needs of pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds. In summary, I agree that further increases are necessary and increasing the capitation for primary schools will be a key priority. I want to assure the Deputy that this Government has a track record of significantly increasing funding for schools and we will continue to build on this and deliver on our Programme for Government commitment.
104 Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Education and Science, further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 62 and 63 of 13 November 2007, when the Special Education Appeals Board will be operational; if he has concluded developing proposals for the implementation of the Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs Act 2004; when he expects the Act to be implemented in full; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19971/08]
As the Deputy will be aware, a number of sections of the Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs (EPSEN) Act, 2004 have been commenced, principally those establishing the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) and those promoting an inclusive approach to the education of children with special needs. Specifically, the following sections have been commenced — 1, 2, 14(1)(a), 14(1)(c), 14(2) to 14(4), 19 to 37, 40 to 53. The Special Education Appeals Board (SEAB) was established in April 2007, under section 36 of the EPSEN Act 2004, to hear and determine appeals pursuant to a number of sections of the Act. The Board comprises a Chairperson and two ordinary members, each of whom have a special interest in, or knowledge of, education and in particular the education of persons with special educational needs. The Board is continuing to identify the resources and processes it will need to put in place to ensure that it will be ready to fulfil its role once the relevant sections of the Act are commenced. As part of the associated extensive research process the board is being supported by a research consultancy group.
When the Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs Act, 2004 was enacted it was recognised that implementation would require a considerable change agenda, in order to further develop and support inclusive schools as the cornerstone of special education needs provision. The National Council for Special Education was required under the Act to make a report on the implementation of the Act. Following consideration of the issues raised in the Council's implementation plan, and the consultations to date with the Education Partners, it is envisaged that the five year timeframe to 2010 acknowledged in the legislation is the appropriate period in which to implement the provisions of the Act in full.
My Department is now at an advanced stage in finalising proposals on this basis to facilitate implementation of the remaining sections, including the provisions in respect of assessment and individual education plans (IEP). The time taken to finalise proposals reflects the complexities involved, the need for consultation across the wide range of people and sectors involved, the need to align with the requirements of the Disability Act, 2005 and define how the Health Service Executive (HSE) and NCSE will work together under both acts. A Cross-Sectoral Team, comprising representatives from my Department, the Department of Health and Children, the NCSE and the HSE, is currently developing operational protocols to outline how the two sectors will interact in accordance with the legislative framework. All parties are approaching this work with a view to determining how the assessment of need and education/health planning process can be aligned in the best interests of people with disabilities and their families. It is envisaged that these protocols will be finalised shortly.
As the EPSEN Act does not provide for phased commencement by age cohort the education sector must be in a position to provide the required services to all children before the relevant provisions are commenced. My Department's priority, therefore, is to ensure that the necessary training, guidance and supports are in place to facilitate the commencement of the remaining sections of the Act. In parallel with these processes, my Department has also advanced a number of areas relevant to the implementation of EPSEN:
Proposals for pre-school services developed
Establishment of the Standards Body
Recruitment of additional staff for the Council and staffing review of the NCSE
Appointment of Chairperson and members to the Special Education Appeals Board
Recruitment of educational psychologists
Review of the scheme for commissioning private assessments
Publication of agreed standards for assessment
Contributing to assessments under the Disability Act
It must also be acknowledged that, during this necessary period of preparation and planning for the roll-out of the EPSEN Act, my Department continues to expand capacity and services for students with special educational needs across the schools network through the work of the National Council for Special Education.
105 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science the extent to which it is expected to meet in full the accommodation requirements for all children seeking school places at both primary and secondary level in 2008; the action it is proposed to take to ensure that no children are refused admission; the degree to which schools have been identified as being expected to have difficulty meeting such requirements particularly in the greater Dublin area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19885/08]
In accordance with the Programme for Government, my Department has established a Developing Areas Unit to identify areas of rapid population growth, assess the educational needs in these areas and plan solutions for the accommodation needs identified. As part of a fast-track programme of construction for September 2008, my Department is building five 16-classroom primary schools, 25 eight-classroom primary schools and a number of smaller projects in those areas where school accommodation is under greatest pressure.
To deliver its 2008 programme, the Developing Areas Unit has been working closely with relevant Local Authorities on the acquisition of sites and on general pre-planning issues. Project Managers, together with architectural, engineering and quantity surveying services were recruited from the private sector in October 2007 to prepare the planning applications, undertake the necessary surveys and oversee the delivery of the schools on each site. Sites for each of the projects have been identified and site master-plans have been developed by the technical teams.
An EU tendering process to establish a drawdown contract for the off-site construction of permanent and temporary accommodation has been completed. The successful tenders for the construction of each individual project have been notified and at this stage, construction of a number of the schools has already commenced. The programme for the delivery of these projects is broadly on target, however, the time-frames are very challenging and risks to the timely delivery of these new schools still exist and are being managed by the Developing Areas Unit. When taken with a number of other projects in developing areas involving extensions to existing schools, approximately 7,500 additional school places will be provided for September2008.
In the meantime, my Department is identifying the areas where significant additional accommodation will be needed for 2009 and onwards. This is also being done in close consultation with local authorities. My Department is satisfied that the approach which it is now taking to the identification and delivery of extra school places in rapidly developing areas will ensure that those places will be provided when and where they are needed.
106 Deputy Kathleen Lynch asked the Minister for Education and Science his views on the heavy financial burdens imposed by repeat examination fees upon third level students; his further views on whether such fees are contrary to the aims and ideas of the free fees scheme; if he will ensure steps are taken to reverse these punitive charges; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19715/08]
Under the terms of my Department's Free Fees Initiative the exchequer meets the tuition fees of full-time eligible undergraduate students. Third level Institutions have a Student Services Charge which is levied by the institutions to defray the costs of normal examinations, registration and student services. This charge does not cover the costs associated with the setting, administering and correcting of repeat examinations offered by institutions as a second chance option for students.
All students who are eligible for a means tested student support grant have the Student Services Charge paid on their behalf by the Local Authorities or the Vocational Education Committees, in addition to any maintenance grant and tuition fee grant to which they are entitled. The position is that the third level institutions are autonomous institutions and my Department does not have any function in their day to day operational affairs, for which the Governing Bodies and the management staff of the institutions are responsible. Accordingly I do not have a role in this matter.
However as the Deputy may be aware there is a Student Assistance Fund (SAF) available in the third level institutions. The objective of the SAF is to assist students in a sensitive and compassionate manner who might otherwise, because of financial reasons, suffer severe hardship or be unable to continue their third level studies. Applications for funding should be made by the individual student to the Access Officer in their institution. The SAF is administered on a confidential, discretionary basis.
107 Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Education and Science if he plans to meet with his Northern Ireland counterpart to discuss the issues of cross-Border education with a view to solving the issues prohibiting students crossing the Border to study, namely the £3,000 per annum fees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19522/08]
Under the terms of my Departments Free Fees Initiative, the Exchequer meets the cost of tuition fees of eligible students, including those from Northern Ireland and other EU Member States, who are attending approved third-level courses in the State. The main conditions are that students must be first-time undergraduates and hold E.U. nationality or official refugee status and have been ordinarily resident in an E.U. Member State for at least three of the five years preceding their entry to an approved third level course. There are no plans to extend this initiative to cover third-level institutions in Northern Ireland. However Section 473A of the Taxes Consolidation Act, 1997 provides for tax relief on tuition fees, at the standard rate of tax in respect of approved courses at approved colleges of higher education including approved undergraduate and postgraduate courses in both EU and in non-EU member states.
108 Deputy Seymour Crawford asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will provide funding for the essential restructuring of a school (details supplied) in County Cavan; his views on whether this is acceptable; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19558/08]
The project to which the Deputy refers is currently at an early stage of architectural planning. The progression of all large scale building projects, including this project, from initial design stage through to construction is dependent on the prioritisation of competing demands on the funding available under my Department's capital budget. This project has been assigned a band rating of 2.4 under the Criteria for Prioritising Large Scale Projects and will be considered on an on-going basis in the context of my Department's multi-annual School Building and Modernisation Programme. However, in light of current competing demands on the capital budget of the Department, it is not possible to give an indicative timeframe for the progression of the project at this time.
109 Deputy Seymour Crawford asked the Minister for Education and Science when money will be made available to build an extension to a school (details supplied) in County Monaghan; the status of same and when he expects money to be made available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19557/08]
The project to which the Deputy refers is currently at an early stage of architectural planning. The progression of all large scale building projects, including this project, from initial design stage through to construction is dependent on the prioritisation of competing demands on the funding available under my Department's capital budget. This project has been assigned a band rating of 2.5 under the Criteria for Prioritising Large Scale Projects and will be considered on an on-going basis in the context of my Department's multi-annual School Building and Modernisation Programme. However, in light of current competing demands on the capital budget of the Department, it is not possible to give an indicative timeframe for the progression of the project at this time.
110 Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Education and Science if his Department or an organisation or person he is responsible for, directly or indirectly, as Minister including but not limited to school principals, boards of management or agencies under his Department’s authority or supervision has funded an investigation by private detectives or similar persons into the personal life or activities of a teacher; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19711/08]
As a general principle, my Department does not fund or approve the employment of private detectives by schools or other bodies and institutions coming under its aegis. I am aware of a recent High Court action in which it has been alleged that the Principal of a second level school hired a private investigator to follow a teacher during the course of her work. The Deputy will appreciate that as the matter is currently before the Courts, I am unable to make any further comment at this stage.
111 Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Education and Science the situation regarding the long promised ionad oideachais in a school (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18844/08]
My Cabinet colleague, the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs and my predecessor Minister Hanafin announced in March 2007 that a support and development initiative for the Irish language under the aegis of An Chomhaire um Oideachas Gaeltachta agus Gaelscolaíochta will be located at Coláiste Íosagáin and that four additional staff will be assigned to An Chomairle for this purpose. My Department is in discussion with the Department of Finance on the grading of these posts. A Coordinating committee made up of representatives from An Chomhairle um Oideachas Gaeltachta agus Gaelscolaíochta, Údarás na Gaeltachta and Foras na Gaeilge has been set up to advise on cooperative elements of the overall work to be carried out.
112 Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Education and Science the situation regarding a proposed new school for a school (details supplied) in County Cork; if a site has been secured for this new school; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18845/08]
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. The OPW have recently submitted a technical report on a number of proposals and an assessment of these proposals is currently with my Department for consideration and further instruction to the OPW.
113 Deputy Emmet Stagg asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of parents who have availed of the appeal mechanism set out in section 29 of the Education Act 1998 with regard to having their child or children accepted into a school of their choice in 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2007; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19720/08]
Section 29 of the Education Act 1998, provides parents with an appeal process where a Board of Management of a school or a person acting on behalf of the Board refuses enrolment to a student. Where a school refuses to enrol a pupil, the school is obliged to inform parents of their right under Section 29 of Education Act 1998 to appeal that decision to the Secretary General of my Department. If an appeal under Section 29 is upheld that the Secretary General of my Department may direct a school to enrol a pupil.
Under Section 29 an appeal may be taken by the parent of the student or in the case of a student who has reached the age of 18 years, the student may appeal the decision to the Secretary General of my Department. The National Education Welfare Board may also make an appeal against a refusal to enrol to the Secretary General. The records maintained by my Department do not identify whether a parent of other person took the appeal. The following are the number of appeals taken in each year specified by the Deputy, where enrolment was refused: 2004 — 192; 2005 — 207; 2006 — 167; 2007 — 296.
114 Deputy Brian O’Shea asked the Minister for Education and Science his role in administrating and monitoring the Erasmus programme for third level Irish students who attend accredited courses in European universities; the number of participating students coming from Ireland; the number of Erasmus participating students across the European Union for 2007/08; the number of universities within the European Union that provide the Erasmus programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19709/08]
The Erasmus Programme, which emphasises student and staff mobility and European co-operation involving higher education institutions and other key players in the knowledge-based economy, is a key part of the European Commission-funded Lifelong Learning Programme 2007-2013. The Commission's regulations for the Erasmus Programme specify that a Government Ministry must act as the National Authority, which is responsible for the monitoring, supervision and funding of the operations of the National Agency, which administers the programme. My Department acts as the National Authority for the Erasmus Programme in Ireland and programme is administered by the Higher Education Authority, as the National Agency.
The provisional number of outgoing participating students from Ireland in 2007/2008 is 1,525 for Erasmus study, which involved study in a partner institution in Europe, and 344 for Erasmus placements, which is a work placement programme for higher education students, making a total of 1,869. The number of participating students across the European Union for 2007/208 will not be available until the spring of 2009. The latest figures supplied by the European Commission are for the year 2006/2007 and show the number of students to be 159,324.
While there are no available statistics for the number of participating universities or higher education institutions, a good indicator is the number of Erasmus University Charters awarded. The Charter is granted by the European Commission and it enables a higher education institution to participate in the programme. In 2006/2007 the number of charters held by European higher education institutions was 3,156.
115 Deputy Jim O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Education and Science his views on the proposal to combine three second level schools in Skibbereen into a community school to be built on a green field site; and the position in this regard. [19481/08]
Agreement has been reached between the trustees of the three existing post-primary schools in Skibbereen to amalgamate into a single school. The Property Management Section of the Office of Public Works was requested to source a site for the development of a single school. A number of sites were identified and examined. Those considered potentially suitable for the provision of a school building for the amalgamation were then discussed with Cork County Council. Following that exercise and to date, no site has been identified that is suitable from the perspectives of my Department, the Office of Public Works and Cork County Council.
Because of the difficulty in sourcing a green field site the Department decided to investigate the possibility of utilising the Rossa College site to facilitate the proposed building project. To this end a feasibility study of the site and building was commissioned in order to determine how best to provide for the long-term accommodation needs of the proposed school. However, because of the opposition from the Trustees of the proposed new Community School to the Rossa College site, this option is no longer being pursued. The Department will continue to work to identify a suitable site for this project and will keep the Trustees informed of progress in this regard.
117 Deputy Ruairí Quinn asked the Minister for Education and Science the action he proposes to ensure that all primary and secondary schools provide places for children who have a learning disability or a special need, such as the children of immigrant families, and so avoid the emerging apartheid culture at present in the school system here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19708/08]
The Deputy will be aware of this Government's commitment to ensuring that all pupils, including those with special educational needs, can have access to an education appropriate to their needs preferably in school settings through the primary and post-primary school network. There are now over 19,000 staff in our schools working solely with children with special needs. This includes almost 10,000 Special Needs Assistants (SNAs) — compared with just 300 in 1997. There are also over 7,800 resource and learning support teachers — compared with about 2,000 in 1998. More than 1,100 other teachers support children in our special schools, while hundreds more work in special classes.
As well as this significant increase in the numbers of additional teachers and SNAs directly providing appropriate education and care supports for children with special educational needs, much investment has taken place in the provision of transport, specialist school accommodation, home tuition, assistive technology and equipment. Schools are therefore being supported to enable them to cater for children with special educational needs. The provision of appropriate educational intervention and supports for children with special educational needs will continue to be a key Government priority.
To meet the needs of migrant pupils for whom English is a second language, English Language Support Teachers have been appointed to primary and post-primary schools. There are now just under 2,000 language support teachers in the schools at a cost of €120 million per annum. Schools with fewer than the 14 such pupils needed to qualify for one support teacher are provided with financial resources to assist them. The National Council on Curriculum and Assessment has developed Intercultural Guidelines, one for primary schools and one for post-primary schools, to support teachers and schools in developing a more inclusive learning environment and in providing students with the knowledge and skills they need to participate in an intercultural world. There are also resources available specifically for English Language Support Teachers and other resources for the whole school team.
A number of research projects are also underway. The Inspectorate is conducting an evaluation of the provision of English as an Additional Language (EAL) in a number of primary and post-primary schools in 2008 and 2009. A report will be prepared for mid 2009. The Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) is undertaking a large-scale study into how an increasing diversity of students impacts upon resource requirements and day to day teaching and learning in primary and post-primary schools. It is expected that this review will be completed in autumn 2008. The Department of Education and Science has agreed to become involved in the OECD thematic review of migrant education policy and practice at pre-school, primary and post-primary, which will be carried out by a team of OECD experts. It is expected that the OECD report will be completed by autumn 2009.
The findings of this research work will evaluate current provision and will inform me on ways, where such are indicated, to improve the standard of English language education for migrant pupils in primary and post- primary schools. The Deputy will be aware that it is the responsibility of the managerial authorities of schools that are not in a position to admit all pupils seeking entry to implement an enrolment policy in accordance with the Education Act. In this regard a board of management may find it necessary to restrict enrolment to children from a particular area or a particular age group or, occasionally, on the basis of some other criterion. In formulating an admissions policy a school must, however, ensure it is lawful. In particular, it must act in accordance with section 7 of the Equal Status Act 2000.
Where a Board of Management refuses to enrol a student in a school, the parent of the student or, where the student has reached 18 years of age, the student himself or herself, following the conclusion of any appeal procedures at school level, has a statutory entitlement under section 29 of the Education Act to appeal that decision to the Secretary General of the Department of Education and Science. A committee is established to hear the appeal with hearings conducted with a minimum of formality. In most cases appeals must be dealt with within 30 days. Where appropriate, the Secretary General may give whatever directions to the Board of Management that are considered necessary to remedy the matter complained of.
The National Educational Welfare Board (NEWB) is the statutory agency which can assist parents who are experiencing difficulty in securing a school place for their child. The NEWB can be contacted at National Educational Welfare Board, National Headquarters, 16-22 Green Street, Dublin 7 or by telephone at 01-8738700.
The Deputy may be aware that my Department recently published a report of a major audit of school enrolment practice. The purpose of the audit, conducted by my Department's Regional Office Service, was to examine the disparities that exist in schools in particular locations in relation to the numbers of pupils enrolled who are newcomers, have special educational needs or are from the Traveller community. Over half the primary and second level schools in the country were surveyed under the audit. I should emphasise that the statistical information presented requires cautious interpretation, particularly in the context of local factors that could be identified in many instances at primary level (e.g. a concentration of newcomer or traveller children living in a particular area impacting on enrolment in the nearest school).
When interpreted in that context, the statistical information returned does not point to enrolment problems on a system wide scale. It does, however, identify a number of school clusters where the evidence points to some schools assuming more responsibility for enrolling children of all backgrounds and needs within their local community, than others. In order to ensure that no schools are directly identified and to ensure that "league tables" for particular areas could not be formed, the published information excludes the names and addresses of schools, but groups them within geographical clusters for comparison purposes.
My predecessor has written to the main partners in education setting out some areas for consideration in order to facilitate an informed consultation with the education partners about possible policy measures available to ensure that all schools are welcoming and inclusive to all children of all needs in their own local community. Finally, the Deputy may wish to note that I will host a Conference on the Governance Challenge for Future School Needs on 27th June 2008 in the Royal Hospital Kilmainham to consider the implications of new societal diversity on the future organisation of primary schools. It will be an opportunity for each of the main patron bodies to outline their vision of how the system needs to collectively evolve to respond to the changing circumstances.
The Conference will focus on the particular challenges of ethos and inclusion for patron bodies, under both the new and existing patronage models, in ensuring that the system is appropriately attuned to future demands. The long term challenges of organising and developing our system of school governance to accommodate new parental demands and aspirations will be subject to consideration. The Conference will also deal with issues of capacity, choice, ensuring inclusion and the implications for enrolment policies.
118 Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Minister for Education and Science the process of consultation which has taken place with the patrons of primary schools and other interested bodies under section 30 of the Education Act 1998 in order to enable him, by way of regulation, to prescribe the primary school curriculum; the number of organisations and bodies contacted; the number and dates of meetings which were held during the course of those consultations; when the regulations will become operational; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19713/08]
There was widespread consultation by the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment prior to the launch of the Revised primary school curriculum in 1999. The curriculum has been implemented on a phased basis over the period to 2007 in full collaboration with the partners in education. In April 2007 a commitment was given to the Dail that my Department would progress arrangements to put the regulation of the education system on a statutory footing on an incremental basis. In line with Section 30 of the Education Act, a draft Statutory Instrument and a Regulatory Impact screening document has been issued to the bodies below for consultation:
The National Parents Council — Primary
Irish National Teachers' Organisation
Educate Together
Church of Ireland Board of Education
Catholic Primary School Managers' Association
Chief Rabbi of Ireland
Islamic Culture of Ireland
Educate Together
Gaelscoileanna
An Chomhairle um Oideachas Gaeltachta agus Gaelscolaíochta
Foras na Gaeilge
Comhdháil Náisiúnta na Gaeilge
Eagraíocht na Scoileanna Gaeltachta
An Foras Patrunachta
National Council for Curriculum and Assessment
National Association of Boards of Management in Special Education Schools
Irish Primary Principals' Network.
The deadline for feedback has been extended to 31 May 2008. A Regulatory Impact Assessment screening is required where a significant SI is planned. Section 30 of the Education Act also obliges the Minister to consult when making regulations to prescribe the curriculum. The RIA Screening is the mechanism through which the consultation is taking place. It is intended that the views of the organisations consulted will be summarised and included in a finalised Regulatory Impact Screening document and published on the Department's website. The date in the draft documentation is indicative only. The regulations will not take effect until the Regulatory Impact Screening document has been finalised, and a Statutory Instrument has been formally signed and laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas.
119 Deputy Joe Costello asked the Minister for Education and Science the cost for the provision of grants and scholarships for the 68,500 third level students as indicated in the annual output statement 2008; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19712/08]
The 68,500 students mentioned in the 2008 Annual Output Statement reflects the numbers referred to in the "Progress on Output Targets" for 2007. The cost of this provision for these students was €261.7m in 2007.
120 Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Education and Science the situation regarding a school (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19523/08]
The process of appointing a design team to the school building project referred to by the Deputy is at an advanced stage. The commencement and progression of all large scale building projects from initial design stage through to construction phase, including the project referred to by the Deputy, will be considered on an on-going basis in the context of my Department's Multi-Annual School Building and Modernisation Programme. However, in light of current competing demands on the capital budget of the Department, it is not possible to give an indicative timeframe for the progression of the project at this time.
121 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Education and Science the amount of money paid by his Department to primary schools directly or indirectly for hiring of prefabricated classrooms; the average duration and length of the rental contract; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19724/08]
My Department spent €34.6m on the rental of temporary accommodation in primary schools in 2007. This figure covers the rental of prefabricated classrooms as well as the rental of high quality buildings. The duration of the rental contracts varies according to the need for such accommodation. However, my Department has a policy that where such temporary accommodation is likely to be needed for more than three years, the prefabricated accommodation should be purchased rather than rented.
Demand for additional accommodation in schools has risen significantly over the last number of years, with the appointment of 6,000 extra teachers in the primary sector alone since 2002. In considering the need to provide extra resource and other teachers to schools in recent years, the Government could have decided to make children wait until permanent accommodation could be provided. However, we prioritised putting the extra teachers into schools as soon as possible. Against this background, my Department has nonetheless managed to keep expenditure on temporary accommodation low. It should be noted that the amount spent on rental and purchased accommodation in 2007 was only 6.2% of the total investment in school buildings in 2007. This compares with 10.8% in 2003.
122 Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Education and Science if his attention has been drawn to a report delivered to the recent meeting in Galway of the Association of Management of Catholic Secondary Schools which stated that secondary schools are required to independently raise up to €60 million a year and that 27% of the cost of day to day spending on heating and lighting has to be financed by voluntary contributions or other fund-raising measures due to the deficit in finance allocated to cover the costs of secondary school education; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19721/08]
I can confirm that I am aware of the report referred to by the Deputy. As the Deputy is aware secondary schools receive funding by way of per capita grants, to meet their day-to-day running costs, including heating and lighting. There have been significant improvements in recent years in the level of funding for voluntary secondary schools. With effect from January 2008, the standard per capita grant was increased by €15 per pupil and now amounts to €331 per pupil. In addition, voluntary secondary schools have benefited by the increase of €15 per pupil in 2008 in the support services grant bringing that grant to €204 per pupil.
The total increase of €30 per pupil in a voluntary secondary school brings the aggregate grant to €535 per pupil. The Deputy should be aware that these grants are in addition to the per capita funding, of up to €40,000 per school, that is also provided by my Department to secondary schools towards secretarial and caretaking services. Accordingly, in the case of a secondary school with 500 pupils, this brings the annual grants towards general expenses and support service to over €300,000. It is my intention to prioritise the commitments in the Programme for Government 2007-2012 relating to improved funding for our schools, for delivery over the lifetime of this Government, having regard to available resources.
123 Deputy Charlie O’Connor asked the Taoiseach the unemployment figures at the Tallaght centre; and if he will provide figures for the same month over the past five years. [20075/08]
The Live Register series gives a monthly breakdown of the number of people claiming Jobseekers Benefit, Jobseekers Allowance and other registrants as registered with the Department of Social and Family Affairs. Figures are published for each county and each Local Social Welfare Office. The most recent information is for April 2008. The Live Register figures for the Tallaght local/Branch Office in Co. Dublin for each month from 2003 to date are set out in the tables below.
Estimates of employment and unemployment rates are compiled, at a regional level, from the Quarterly National Household Survey. There are eight regions in the State: Border, Midland, West, Dublin, Mid-East, Mid-West, South-East and South-West. Sub-regional statistics, of the kind requested by the Deputy, are not available from the Quarterly National Household Survey. The latest results are for the period September to November 2007 and showed an unemployment figure of 30,100 persons in the Dublin region.
|
Live Register County Dublin total |
|||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Persons |
|||||||||||||
|
Year |
Jan |
Feb |
Mar |
Apr |
May |
Jun |
Jul |
Aug |
Sep |
Oct |
Nov |
Dec |
Annual Average |
|
2003 |
43,270 |
43,852 |
43,178 |
44,372 |
43,283 |
46,335 |
48,526 |
48,729 |
45,417 |
43,207 |
42,331 |
43,562 |
44,672 |
|
2004 |
45,104 |
44,597 |
43,677 |
43,096 |
42,370 |
44,043 |
45,618 |
44,953 |
41,585 |
39,281 |
37,880 |
39,361 |
42,630 |
|
2005 |
39,873 |
39,708 |
39,802 |
38,898 |
38,910 |
41,202 |
43,620 |
43,911 |
40,435 |
39,287 |
38,959 |
39,933 |
40,378 |
|
2006 |
41,103 |
41,054 |
40,228 |
40,280 |
39,628 |
42,061 |
43,682 |
43,684 |
39,235 |
37,834 |
37,343 |
38,505 |
40,386 |
|
2007 |
39,299 |
39,670 |
38,921 |
38,933 |
39,077 |
41,945 |
43,618 |
43,568 |
40,522 |
39,102 |
39,276 |
40,832 |
40,397 |
|
2008 |
42,932 |
44,617 |
46,505 |
46,347 |
|
Persons |
|||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Year |
Jan |
Feb |
Mar |
Apr |
May |
Jun |
Jul |
Aug |
Sep |
Oct |
Nov |
Dec |
Annual Average |
|
2003 |
3,347 |
3,395 |
3,332 |
3,386 |
3,275 |
3,599 |
3,804 |
3,815 |
3,534 |
3,296 |
3,244 |
2,445 |
3,373 |
|
2004 |
3,631 |
3,502 |
3,476 |
3,513 |
3,438 |
3,609 |
3,702 |
3,608 |
3,380 |
3,077 |
3,021 |
3,126 |
3,424 |
|
2005 |
3,214 |
3,184 |
3,273 |
3,279 |
3,321 |
3,456 |
3,649 |
3,558 |
3,291 |
3,146 |
3,176 |
3,302 |
3,321 |
|
2006 |
3,503 |
3,458 |
3,484 |
3,436 |
3,374 |
3,618 |
3,733 |
3,782 |
3,423 |
3,334 |
3,314 |
3,495 |
3,496 |
|
2007 |
3,536 |
3,598 |
3,525 |
3,556 |
3,577 |
3,798 |
3,990 |
4,010 |
3,736 |
3,648 |
3,720 |
3,903 |
3,716 |
|
2008 |
4,123 |
4,291 |
4,456 |
4,450 |
Source: Live Register Series, Quarterly National Household Survey.
It should be noted that:
(a) the Live Register is not a definitive measure of unemployment as it includes part-time workers, seasonal and casual workers entitled to Unemployment Assistance or Benefit. Statistics on unemployment are measured at regional level by the Quarterly National Household Survey.
(b) the exact area covered by each Local Office is not limited to the immediate locality of the particular office. For instance, in the Tallaght Local Office there may be registered, persons from the Blessington area.
124 Deputy Pat Breen asked the Taoiseach the reason the Dublin Airport Authority is not listed in the February 2007 publication entitled Bodies in Ireland with Regulatory Powers bearing in mind that Aer Rianta has vast regulatory powers, including inter alia those to make by-laws. [20112/08]
The view taken at the time was that the Dublin Airport Authority (DAA) is a commercial company with a core mandate to manage the three State airports and that its by-law making powers are discharged in that context. Accordingly, DAA was not listed as a regulatory body in the publication mentioned, as it was not viewed as having material functions under the definition criteria used in that Report.
125 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Finance if he will estimate the amount of tax forfeited in 2007 by virtue of the tax exemption on stud fees. [19590/08]
I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that data for the tax year 2007 is not yet available as the income tax returns for that year are not due for filing until October 2008 (by 17th November 2008 in the case of returns filed via ROS) and the bulk of corresponding corporation tax returns are not due for filing until September 2008. Based on information that has been received and collated to date for the tax year 2006 there were 185 claims for €90.9 million. This figure would correspond to a maximum Exchequer cost of the order of €22.5 million. Such income will now be subject to tax from 31 July 2008. The relevant information available is based on tax returns by individuals and companies of tax exempt profits, including distributions out of exempt income, from greyhound and stallion stud fees for the tax year 2006.
126 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Finance if he will detail the evidence to justify the reason there should be a tax exemption for stud fees. [19591/08]
The bloodstock industry and the wider racing industry are important economic drivers in rural Ireland. Despite its small size, Ireland is the third largest producer of thoroughbreds in the world and accounts for 42% of total EU output. In recent years up to 70% of the world's top stallions have been located in Ireland. This sector has been built from a cottage industry and I am satisfied that the tax exemption regime in force since 1969 has made an important contribution to its growth. However, the Deputy may be interested to know that, as provided for in the 2006 and 2007 Finance Bills, the tax exemption will terminate with effect from 31 July this year. I believe that the industry is mature enough and strong enough to continue to thrive in the future.
127 Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Finance the number of staff serving in the Civil Service from 2003 to date in 2008 broken down by grade and gender; the number of work-sharing staff in the Civil Service from 2003 to date in 2008 broken down by grade, gender and the patterns of attendance worked; the number of staff in the Civil Service availing of term time from 2005 to date in 2008 broken down by grade and gender and the number of weeks worked, that is, eight, ten or three weeks including the number of staff who applied and those granted term time with the same breakdown; the number of staff availing of career breaks from 2003 to date in 2008 broken down by grade and gender and the reason the career break was taken; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20022/08]
Due to the nature and extent of the information sought my officials will supply the data electronically directly to the Deputy shortly. The data is based on the latest information supplied by Departments/Offices to my Department. Assumptions under which the data is compiled will be explained and any assistance the Deputy requires will be afforded by my officials.
128 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Finance, further to Parliamentary Question No. 138 of 13 May 2008, if he has made a request to the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government seeking funds to implement the recommendations of the Towards A Liffey Valley document; the amount of money requested; the response he received; if he will make a further request for moneys; if no request has been made, the reason for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20076/08]
I refer the Deputy to previous replies on the 29 April 2008 (100), 8 May 2008 (120) and 13 May 2008 (138) made by my predecessor. It is a matter for each public body directly concerned, particularly the Local Authorities, to seek implementation resources for aspects and recommendations within their remits. It is also open to Local Authorities to seek resources indirectly, through schemes such as the Gateway Innovation Fund, administered by the Department of Environment, Heritage & Local Government.
129 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Health and Children when a payment will be made regarding a decision taken on an application for domiciliary care allowance for a person (details supplied) in Dublin 24; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20027/08]
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.
130 Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Health and Children if some member states of the EU have chosen to reduce the services which they may provide to persons who hold an EU medical services card, formerly the E111; if her attention has been drawn to the fact that some countries are reducing such services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20011/08]
Under Regulation (EC) 1408/71, a person insured with or covered by the healthcare system of one Member State is entitled, when visiting another Member State, to receive in its public healthcare system healthcare that becomes necessary during the visit, taking into account the nature of the care and the expected length of stay. The European Health Insurance Card provides evidence of this entitlement. Public healthcare systems vary from country to country. The nature or range of services provided within a particular Member State's public health system, or co-payments that may be charged, are a matter for that Member State only. Those covered by the above Regulation and entitled to healthcare on the basis of its provisions are entitled to be treated in the healthcare system of a Member State as though they were insured with or covered by that healthcare system.
131 Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Minister for Health and Children if her attention has been drawn to the practice whereby children on the waiting list in the DCD unit at St. Finbarr’s Hospital, Cork are given priority if they are in a position to privately obtain psychological and occupational therapy assessments; her views on whether this practice is unfair to children who have waited up to two years for assessment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20017/08]
132 Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Minister for Health and Children if her attention has been drawn to the fact that in the DCD unit at St. Finbarr’s Hospital, Cork, most occupational therapy intervention will be offered in group settings which will not benefit those children who need one-to-one therapy or those with sensory integration difficulties; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20018/08]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 131 and 132 together.
As part of the Multi-Annual Investment Programme 2006-2009 under the Disability Strategy, the Government provided the Health Service Executive with an additional €75m in both 2006 and 2007. This funding included monies to provide new and enhanced services for people with disabilities, to implement Part 2 of the Disability Act 2005, which came into effect on June 1st 2007 for the under 5's and also for the continuation of the implementation of the transfer of persons with intellectual disability from psychiatric hospitals and other inappropriate placements. The Government is also honouring its promise in relation to the Multi-Annual Investment Programme for people with disabilities, with a further €50m investment which was announced in the 2008 Budget.
The Deputy's specific questions relate 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.
133 Deputy James McDaid asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of deaf children here; the number of cochlear implants performed each year; and the locations where the operation is available. [20021/08]
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.
134 Deputy Seán Sherlock asked the Minister for Health and Children the annual breakdown of the number of calls to the farm and rural stress help-line operated by the Health Service Executive for the years 2004 to 2007; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20030/08]
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.
135 Deputy Brian O’Shea asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will amend her Department’s guidelines regarding orthodontic treatment for primary school children in order that no child is denied necessary treatment because of cost; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20042/08]
The Guidelines referred to by the Deputy were developed by The Orthodontic Review Group established by the Health Service Executive in 2006. As the implementation of the new guidelines is the responsibility of the Executive, 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.
136 Deputy Charlie O’Connor asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will instruct the Health Service Executive to appoint the long promised suicide nurse at Tallaght Hospital; and her views on the concerns of Teen-Line Ireland in the matter. [20073/08]
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.
137 Deputy Darragh O’Brien asked the Minister for Health and Children the progress in relation to providing a much needed dedicated inpatient 12 bed facility for cystic fibrosis patients in Beaumont Hospital; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20077/08]
138 Deputy Darragh O’Brien asked the Minister for Health and Children when the outpatient facilities for cystic fibrosis sufferers at Beaumont Hospital will be operational; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20078/08]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 137 and 138 together.
Beaumont Hospital operates as a regional centre in providing services to adults with cystic fibrosis. In the 2008 Budget, €2.5m capital funding was provided to enable Beaumont Hospital to provide out patient facilities for cystic fibrosis patients. Following discussions between hospital management, consultant respiratory physicians and cystic fibrosis patient representative organisations a decision has been taken regarding the site for a purpose built out-patient facility for patients with cystic fibrosis. A detailed proposal in relation to the development is to be prepared and submitted to the National Hospitals Office for approval. My Department understands that patients with cystic fibrosis will also benefit from additional single room capacity in the new medical admissions unit at the hospital which is due to open in December.
139 Deputy Kathleen Lynch asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of people with an intellectual disability who are resident in psychiatric hospitals; the proposals in place to move those people to more appropriate accommodation; the time-frame for this to happen; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20090/08]
The National Intellectual Disability Database, (NIDD), report for 2007 identified 329 individuals with intellectual disability, all aged 20 years or over, as being accommodated in psychiatric hospitals. It should be noted that registration on the NIDD is voluntary. An integral part of the National Disability Strategy is the Multi-Annual Investment Programme, (MAIP), announced in the 2005 Budget, which provides €900m for the period 2006 to 2009. MAIP contains specific commitments in relation to the provision of specific high priority disability services over the period 2006 to 2009. MAIP commitments include the development of new residential, respite and day places for persons with intellectual disability and autism in each of the years covered by the programme as well as the transfer of persons with intellectual disability/autism from psychiatric hospitals and other inappropriate placements.
The Deputy's specific question in relation to the proposals and time-frame to move those individuals to more appropriate accommodation 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.
140 Deputy Kathleen Lynch asked the Minister for Health and Children the situation regarding children awaiting orthodontic treatment in the Cork north Lee and Kerry area; the numbers awaiting treatment; the time-frame for the treatment to be carried out; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20091/08]
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.
141 Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Health and Children the position with regard to the capital redevelopment work of Ennis General Hospital; when construction will commence; the length of time the construction phase will take; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20099/08]
Significant developments to enhance the services at Ennis General Hospital have taken place over the past few years. The €39m capital development project for Ennis was approved to stage 3 in 2006 and planning permission was granted in 2007. The HSE is undertaking a strategic review of acute hospital services in the Mid-West region. The review is focusing on identifying the best configuration of acute hospital services in the Mid-West including arrangements for A&E, critical care, acute medicine and surgery, together with diagnostic services so that the highest quality of care can be delivered to the population.
The HSE has advised my Department that the review is currently in the process of being finalised and that any implications for capital developments in the Mid-West, including those at Ennis will require to be taken into account. The HSE has also advised that the Ennis capital development project will have to be considered in the context of the Executive's draft Capital Plan, which sets out its proposed short and longer term infrastructural priorities and commitments. The HSE draft Capital Plan has been submitted to my Department for consideration and approval in the normal way. Consultation on the draft Capital Plan is ongoing between the HSE, the Department of Finance and my Department.
142 Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Health and Children the additional staff, with regard to the national cancer control programme and the proposed move of breast cancer services from Wexford General Hospital to Waterford Regional Hospital, that have been, are being or will be recruited in advance of such a move, including a WTE radiologist, WTE anaesthetist, WTE staff nurses, WTE radiographers and clerical staff; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20100/08]
143 Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Health and Children if, with regard to the national cancer control programme, there is a time-frame for the indicated move of breast cancer services from Wexford General Hospital to Waterford Regional Hospital; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20101/08]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 142 and 143 together.
The specific questions raised by the Deputy in relation to progress under the HSE National Cancer Control Programme 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.
144 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Health and Children when a person (details supplied) in County Kildare will receive a date for a knee replacement operation, in view of the fact that they have been informed that their original submission date has been deferred; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20105/08]
My Department has been advised by the Health Service Executive that notification of a new date for her operation has been issued to the person in question.
145 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will urgently support a case (details supplied) in relation to the Adoption Act 1952. [20121/08]
Section 10(c) of the Adoption Act, 1952, as amended by Section 2 of the 1964 Act provides that, in order to be eligible for adoption, a child must be "illegitimate or an orphan" or be a child who has been legitimated, but whose birth has not been re-registered. The Adoption Act, 1988, does permit the adoption of any child (including children of marriage) but only in exceptional and very limited circumstances where the parents are shown to have completely abandoned their parental duties, and there is an expectation that they will continue to do so until the child reaches the age of eighteen.
After its passage through the Oireachtas, the President referred the Adoption Bill, 1988 to the Supreme Court under Article 26 of the Constitution, for a decision on whether the provisions of the Bill were repugnant to the Constitution. While it was found to be Constitutional, and subsequently became the Adoption Act, 1988, it was clear that these narrow circumstances, based on Article 42.5 of the Constitution, were the basis for the decision of the Supreme Court. The Twenty-Eighth Amendment of the Constitution Bill, 2007 was published in February 2007 and contained the Government's proposal to amend the Constitution in relation to children and included a provision to ensure that all children would be eligible for voluntary adoption, subject to appropriate consents.
The Programme for Government of June 2007 committed to deepening consensus on the Twenty-Eighth Amendment of the Constitution Bill, 2007 and to this end, the Joint Committee on the Constitutional Amendment on Children [JCCAC] was established in November, 2007, to report back within four months, on the proposals set out in the Bill. The Committee recently received Dáil and Seanad approval for an extension of their timeframe to 30th November 2008. The Committee is now progressing with its work and the Government awaits the outcome of its deliberations before proceeding further with the proposed amendment of the Constitution in relation to children.
146 Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Minister for Health and Children the position in relation to the home care package application for a person (details supplied) in County Wicklow; if this will be dealt with and granted as a matter of urgency; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20123/08]
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.
147 Deputy Frank Feighan asked the Minister for Health and Children the reason a claim under the nursing home repayment scheme has been rejected for a person (details supplied) in County Leitrim; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20189/08]
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.
148 Deputy James Reilly asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of patients inappropriately placed in acute hospital beds in each hospital (details supplied) who are in need of alternative post-acute care; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20192/08]
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 matters investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.
149 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health and Children the long-term status of Lifford Community Hospital, County Donegal. [20197/08]
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.
150 Deputy Emmet Stagg asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of children in County Mayo, classified as being at risk or at high risk of abuse, who to date have not had a social worker assigned to them. [20232/08]
151 Deputy Emmet Stagg asked the Minister for Health and Children the waiting time for assessment by a social worker of children at risk or at high risk of abuse in County Mayo. [20233/08]
152 Deputy Emmet Stagg asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of children at risk or at high risk of abuse currently being assisted by social workers in County Mayo; and the number of social workers involved. [20234/08]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 150 to 152, inclusive, together.
The Deputy's questions relate 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.
153 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Transport if the proposed outer orbital ring road around Dublin will be proceeding; the way he will fund this project; if the funds will come from the Transport 21 budget; if the Transport 21 plan will be amended to include the project; if he was consulted before the National Roads Authority made an announcement that such a project would be prioritised within the next two years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20029/08]
As Minister for Transport I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in respect of the national roads programme element of Transport 21. The implementation of individual national road projects is a matter for the National Roads Authority, NRA, under the Roads Act, 1993 in conjunction with the relevant local authorities. In late 2007, the NRA completed an updated feasibility study. This is being considered in my Department. I understand from the NRA that no announcements have been made by them with regard to this project.
154 Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Transport if the scoping study area for proposed investment of €560 million from the Exchequer towards the dual carriageway to the north west includes Counties Monaghan and Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20106/08]
The Irish Government has agreed to make available funding of €580 million to provide for a major upgrade of roads within Northern Ireland serving the North West Gateway of Letterkenny/Derry. Funding of national roads within this jurisdiction comes under the roads element of Transport 21. As Minister for Transport I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme element of Transport 21. The implementation of individual national road projects is a matter for the National Roads Authority (NRA) under the Roads Act, 1993 in conjunction with the local authorities concerned.
155 Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Transport if there are plans to appoint senior executive engineers from Monaghan and Donegal County Councils to the project team dealing with the €560 million spend on the dual carriageway to the north west, in view of the representations from a person (details supplied) regarding same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20107/08]
The management and oversight arrangements and structures for the A5 Derry-Aughnacloy road project have been agreed in the North-South Ministerial Council and are now operational. These structures comprise senior expert officials from the National Roads Authority, Road Services Northern Ireland and my Department. It is not my intention to seek any expansion in the membership of these management structures.
156 Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Transport further to the Irish Aviation Authority’s reply of 6 February 2008 to Dublin City Council (details supplied), his views on the IAA’s confirmation in the reply that it had no observations on the Beacon proposal for a major hospital within the outer public safety zone of Dublin runway 16/34; if, arising from the subsequent notification of a decision to grant permission for the said development, his Department, in like manner to the IAA, has similarly abandoned the safety recommendation in the ERM report that major developments such as schools and hospitals should be prohibited within outer PSZs at the State airports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20114/08]
It would not be appropriate for me to comment on any individual planning decision made by a local authority. Planning decisions are a matter for the local authorities under the Planning and Development Act. Following the finalization of the study on public safety zones by ERM, the Government approved the drawing up of guidelines by the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, to be issued to local authorities regarding public safety zones at the three State Airports. I understand that these guidelines are currently being drafted.
157 Deputy Phil Hogan asked the Minister for Transport the organisations represented on the steering group for the proposed study into Dublin Port under the national development plan; the rationale for the appointment for specific bodies; the rationale for excluding certain organisations including Forfás, Dublin Port Company and the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment; if he will make new appointments to the steering group; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20116/08]
On March 14th 2008 my Department published a Request for Tender (RFT) for the study of Dublin Port under the National Development Plan. The RFT envisaged that the Steering Group for the study would consist of representatives of the Departments of Transport, Finance, Environment, Heritage and Local Government and Dublin City Council. The Department of the Taoiseach will also be represented. The Steering Group has not met as yet and will be convened once consultants have been appointed. My Department is currently evaluating the proposals received and hopes to appoint consultants in the near future.
158 Deputy Phil Hogan asked the Minister for Transport the reason in the context of the vital strategic role that Dublin Port plays in the national economy, he did not make a submission to the study into Dublin Bay commissioned by Dublin City Council; his views on whether Dublin Port is a strategic piece of national infrastructure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20117/08]
Dublin City Council's Dublin Bay Study was carried out on behalf of the Council by CDM Consultants. As part of the study the consultants carried out an extensive stakeholder consultation. The Department of Transport participated in this consultation and made a submission to CDM consultants regarding the Dublin Bay Study. With regard to the strategic importance of Dublin Port, Dublin City Council's published study cites the following quote from my Department's submission: "Dublin Port is the country's premier port in terms of throughput and turnover and, as such, is of vital strategic importance to the economy".
159 Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Transport the amount of money that has been spent on public transport projects in Counties Kerry, Limerick, Clare, Galway, Mayo, Sligo and Leitrim, respectively, under Transport 21 since its launch. [20196/08]
Under the Transport 21 programme substantial funding has been provided to these counties for the various projects.
Kerry
Accessibility improvements have been made to Tralee Bus Station at a cost of €915,000.
67 New InterCity trains, which entered service for the Dublin-Cork line, are providing more services to Mallow for connection with Kerry line (Mallow-Tralee) trains.
Iarnród Éireann has expanded the services on the Kerry line, to approximately every two hours each way.
To facilitate the introduction of modern rolling stock and to improve accessibility for mobility-impaired passengers, station improvements have been carried out including raising and lengthening the current platforms at Banteer, Rathmore and Killarney.
To date, €189,000 has been spent under Transport 21 on improvements to Kerry Airport out of the total allocation of €17.7million.
Limerick
There has been a total investment of €2.284 million in bus priority and Park and Ride projects.
The refuelling and maintenance facilities at Limerick Depot have been upgraded at a cost of €1.75 million.
Speed restrictions on the Limerick-Dublin line have been removed at a cost of €16 million to date.
Upgrade works on the rail system in Limerick and improvement works on the Limerick-Ballybrophy line which included track renewal, signal upgrading, level crossings, structures and fencing, have been undertaken as part of the Railway Safety Programme.
Clare
Accessibility improvements to Ennis Bus Station have been completed at a cost of €860,000.
Ennis railway station car park was upgraded from 30 car spaces to 170 car spaces.
Galway
There has been a total investment of €1.335 million in bus priority and Park and Ride projects.
To date €735,000 has been spent on improvements to Galway Airport, out of a total allocation of €6.3million.
Mayo
A €14 million programme of investment in automating level crossings on the Dublin — Mayo rail route is in progress.
€27.9 million has been invested in resignalling the Mayo line, upgrading from mechanical semaphore signalling to a computerised system. This will yield safety and efficiency benefits.
Platform extension work has been undertaken to facilitate the new fleet.
To date €1.123 million has been spent on improvements to Knock Airport, out of a total allocation of €27 million.
Sligo
€9.35m has been invested on automation of level crossings on the Sligo rail line.
To date €304,000 has been spent on improvements to Sligo Airport, out of a total allocation of €8.5million.
In addition to the projects listed above €402 million is being spent on 183 high-specification Intercity railcars to serve the national Intercity network. These railcars entered service on the Dublin — Sligo line last year and on the Limerick — Dublin and the Westport — Dublin routes this year. They will enter service on the Dublin to Galway line in July 2008 and on the Dublin to Tralee line at a later date.
Phase 1 of the Western Rail Corridor, which runs from Ennis to Athenry, was commenced in 2007 and is due to be completed in 2009. This will facilitate the introduction of a rail service from Limerick to Galway. The introduction of a commuter service from Galway to Athenry is also due for completion in 2009. My Department has allocated €106.5m to meet expenditure on the project and has paid €9.849m to Iarnród Éireann towards the cost of the project to date.
160 Deputy Charlie O’Connor asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will confirm plans to establish an embassy in Ukraine. [20071/08]
The opening of further resident diplomatic missions abroad, including the Ukraine, is considered by the Government on an ongoing basis. However, any expansion of our overseas network can only be undertaken on the basis of clear priorities. The current position is that our Ambassador to the Czech Republic is also accredited to the Ukraine on a non-resident basis, and there are no plans at present to change this arrangement. In addition to the above, Ireland's Honorary Consul in Kiev, Mr Volodymyr Say, provides a high quality service on the ground in the Ukraine.
161 Deputy Charlie O’Connor asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views in respect of the growing crisis in Zimbabwe. [20072/08]
The Government is deeply concerned about the ongoing crisis in Zimbabwe. Since polling day on 29th March, the situation on the ground has deteriorated considerably. There are reports that at least 20 people have been killed, and over 28,000 displaced. State-sponsored beatings and torture meted out to opposition supporters and activists have reached appalling levels, and many of those who have been attacked have been prevented from accessing medical care, further exacerbating their injuries. The Government strongly condemns these vicious and inhuman acts. In this context, there are serious questions about whether a sufficiently secure environment can be achieved to allow a credible conclusion to the electoral process.
The long-delayed results of the presidential election of 29 March were finally released on 2 May. The Zimbabwean Electoral Commission figures give Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) leader Morgan Tsvangirai 47.9% of the vote, and President Mugabe of ZANU-PF just over 43%. The MDC maintains that Mr. Tsvangirai took 50.3% of the vote, and there was certainly some evidence that ballots may have been tampered with during the unexplained 34-day gap between polling day and the announcement of results. However, it is clear even from the results announced that President Mugabe has lost the confidence of the people; and the people of Zimbabwe deserve the opportunity to make their choice between these two candidates in a free and fair run-off vote. The Zimbabwean constitution specifies that a runoff election be held within 21 days, but it also allows postponement of the runoff if necessary in view of conditions on the ground. The Zimbabwean authorities have now indicated their intention to delay the run-off for ‘logistical reasons', and the second round of voting has been set for 27 June. During this period, President Mugabe will lead a care-taker administration.
I take note of the fact that leaders of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) have urged the Government of Zimbabwe to ensure that any second round of the Presidential election must take place in a secure environment. Ireland and the EU have also insisted that there is a need for conditions to improve, including in respect of media freedom and freedom of assembly, and for an end to the climate of violence and repression before any second round of voting. The EU is encouraging a regional response to the Zimbabwe situation by SADC's neighbours. Ireland will continue to press for an end to state-sponsored violence in Zimbabwe, and full respect for the democratically-expressed will of the people. Irish Ambassadors in the southern African region, and indeed throughout the continent, have raised our concerns with their host Governments, and will continue to do so as appropriate on an ongoing basis. We know that many of our African partners share our concern and outrage about what is happening in Zimbabwe.
We are also mindful of the humanitarian situation in Zimbabwe, which has been exacerbated by disruptions caused by post-election violence. The EU and its member States remain the most important group of donors to Zimbabwe, and for our part, the Government is committed to continuing Irish Aid support to the Zimbabwean people. We, and all of the international community, must act with the best interests of the Zimbabwean people in mind, whether that means strong public pressure, or intensive efforts behind the scenes. I intend to ensure that this issue is further discussed at the next General Affairs and External Relations Council on 26 May. Ireland will support any further action by the European Union to help create space for democracy in Zimbabwe.
162 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will advise and support a group (details supplied) in its efforts to break the deadlock in Colombia. [20103/08]
COMOSOC is a group of Colombian social and political movements including trade unionists, human rights groups, Church groups, indigenous groups, Afro-Colombian social groups and health groups. The Department of Foreign Affairs is aware that Grupo Raíces, a group of Colombian and Latin American residents in Ireland, hosted a delegation from COMOSOC last week. The Irish government supports both the Colombian government and civil society groups in their efforts to bring peace to Colombia. I refer the Deputy to my answer for today to his PQ No. 163 which provides comprehensive information on Irish government support to civil society and regional groups working in Colombia.
163 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will assist the civil and social society groups in Colombia with their efforts to develop a peace process; and if he will push this agenda at European Union and United Nations level. [20104/08]
The Irish government supports both the Colombian government and civil society groups in their efforts to support the peace process in Colombia. In 2007, Irish Aid provided funding to the sum of €200,000 — the first of three equal yearly instalments — to Children in Crossfire, an NGO working to protect children's rights in Colombia and Brazil. In 2007, Irish Aid also provided €146,400 to Mercy Corps Scotland via Concern Universal for work to protect human rights in Colombia, and will maintain this level of funding in 2008 and 2009. Irish Aid has also provided a total of €1,122,713 to date in 2008 to Trócaire and Christian Aid for projects in Colombia. Both Trócaire and Christian Aid work through local partners in Colombia. Since 2006, Irish Aid has provided about €3.3 million to these organisations for their work in Colombia. Irish Aid also funds Irish Missionaries in Colombia via the Irish Missionary Resource Service. So far in 2008, the IMRS has allocated €41,500 to Colombia.
In addition, Ireland is supporting regional efforts to support the peace process in Colombia. Irish Aid committed €390,000 to the Organisation of American States (OAS) Mission to Support the Peace Process (MAPP) in Colombia in three tranches starting in 2005. This mission has a broad mandate aimed at providing comprehensive support to the peace process, with a focus both on the demobilisation process and on the strengthening of institutions concerning the rule of law. The highest priority is attached to the human rights dimension of the OAS Mission's role. In this regard, Irish Aid provided €177,434 to the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights between 2006 and 2007 for the independent monitoring of human rights issues in support of the OAS mission in Colombia. Irish Aid has also provided €50,000 in 2008 to the Office of the Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Expression for the OAS, who monitors and defends the right to freedom of expression in Colombia as well as other countries in the Americas.
In conjunction with our European Union partners, the Irish government will continue to examine how we may, as appropriate, contribute further to the peace process in Colombia. While, in discussions at EU level, it has not been considered that current conditions call for UN involvement in bringing peace to Colombia, Ireland would be supportive were the Colombian Government to request such intervention.
164 Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of jobs in Industrial Development Authority projects in Counties Wicklow and Carlow in 2007 by company. [20016/08]
The Forfás Annual Employment Survey reports on job gains and losses in companies that are clients of the industrial development agencies. Information is aggregated on an annualized basis at county level. The information is provided by companies on a confidential basis for statistical purposes only. The survey shows that for 2007 there were 2,532 people employed in IDA supported companies in County Wicklow and 435 people employed in IDA supported companies in County Carlow.
165 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if her Department has received communication from Irish financial intermediaries seeking information in relation to the small and medium enterprise loan guarantee scheme operated by the European Investment Fund; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20035/08]
As outlined to the House in reply to Parliamentary Question No. 272 on 8 May 2008, my Department has informed the Irish Bankers' Federation of the proposal, the operation and the scope of the Loan Guarantee Scheme. Financial intermediaries are free to make contactdirectly with the European Investment Fund (EIF) concerning participation in the facility and I am aware that some have done so in the past. Proposals will be examined by the EIF on a continual basis, over the lifetime of the Competitiveness and Innovation Framework Programme 2007-13, within the constraints of the available Community budget allocations. Irish financial intermediaries, therefore, continue to have an opportunity to participate in the Facility.
Participation in the Facility is, in the first instance, a commercial decision for any financial intermediary concerned. Approaches or communications received from Irish financial intermediaries must thus, be treated in confidence by my Department. My Department will continue to encourage participation and remains available to financial intermediaries wishing to access the Facility.
166 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the position regarding the workings of the business angels initiative; the number of investors and entrepreneurs matched to date; the targeted level of entrepreneurs or investors to be matched by the end of 2008; the funding provided to the initiative; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20036/08]
The Halo Business Angel Partnership was established in April 2005. However, the Programme did not commence until September 2005 when the Programme's management structure was put in place. The pilot phase of the scheme ceased on August 31, 2007. The Business Angel Partnership was designed to encourage and facilitate the provision of informal investment in enterprises by Business Angels, typically high net worth individuals who wish to invest in early stage companies with good growth potential. This programme is being jointly funded by Enterprise Ireland and InterTrade Ireland. It was agreed recently to extend the programme for a further two years, as both Agencies believe it is making a contribution to the development and growth of private equity and business angel activity in Ireland.
While the Business Angels Initiative is a day to day operational matter for the development agency or body concerned, and not one in which I have a direct function, I understand that, the number of investments and entrepreneurs matched to date is 17. These investments totalled €2.5m and which leveraged a further €4.7m. The targeted level of entrepreneurs or investors to be matched by the end of 2008 is 8. Total funding to date by Enterprise Ireland and InterTrade Ireland is €460k.
167 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if the late payment survey has been completed; if so, the findings of the survey; if not, when the survey is expected to be completed and published; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20037/08]
As a follow-up to the recommendations contained in the Small Business Forum's Report, my Department indicated to Forum members in December 2007, that it would consider carrying out research to establish an evidence base in relation to the extent and scope of late payments in business in Ireland and the effect which this issue has on business operations. The Survey is currently being finalised by my Department and a decision on dates for carrying it out will be taken shortly.
168 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the efforts made by her Department to stimulate demand amongst the small and medium enterprise sector for management development initiatives; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20038/08]
Sound management capability amongst enterprise leaders is of utmost importance in enabling them to adapt to modern business practices, to sustain their enterprises against competitive forces and to innovate for growth, expansion and exports. In May 2007, as a follow-up to the recommendations in the Small Business Forum's Report, the Management Development Council was established, for a period of three years. The Council's objectives include the following:
To profile the adequacy and relevance of management development provision in Ireland;
To develop an Action Plan to close identified gaps in management development provision in Ireland.
To promote the development of a coordinated approach to building awareness and appreciation in the SME sector of the need to upgrade leadership and management skills.
The Council has met on three occasions and has a number of projects currently underway. These include:
A detailed census of all the Management Development Programmes, courses, schemes, services etc. available to SMEs;
A study to identify and understand the management development demands and needs of SMEs, and the barriers which inhibit SME participation in management development.
The Council will produce an Action Plan later this year. It will contain practical recommendations to my Department on supporting the development of world-class management skills within Irish SMEs.
The Agencies under the aegis of my Department, particularly, FÁS, Enterprise Ireland and the County and City Enterprise Boards in addition to supporting the general development of small and medium enterprises also support direct management development initiatives. Last year, FÁS through their One Step-Up Programme entered into a strategic alliance with six organisations to provide management development training to owners/managers of SMEs over the period 2007-2009. This training is being provided by Chambers Ireland, the IMI, Small Firms Association, ISME, National College of Ireland and Optimum Results. The cost of providing this training will be €10 million and it is expected that approximately 8,200 will avail of the training. Since its inception Skillnets has placed a strong emphasis on stimulating demand amongst the SME community. The result of this has been that approximately 85% of all companies funded through the Training Networks Programme (TNP) and the Accel initiative have been SMEs with owner/managers forming approximately 10% of the total trainee cohort.
Enterprise Ireland delivers a number of management development programmes such as, the Leadership 4 Growth Programme for CEOs in the Software and Life Sciences sectors and the Enterprise Platform Programme, which is a one-year rapid incubation programme designed to provide hands-on support and management development for entrepreneurs who wish to start their own business. The 35 County and City Enterprise Boards provide support for micro-enterprises in the start-up and expansion phases, to promote and develop indigenous micro-enterprise potential and to stimulate economic activity and entrepreneurship at local level. They also provide both financial and non-financial assistance to a project promoter. The provision of non-financial assistance can take the form of a wide range of business advice and information services, management capability training and development programmes, mentoring initiatives and targeted promotion activities such as enterprise education and female entrepreneurship promotion activities.
169 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the progress to date in the provision of knowledge acquisition grants; the intended actions to be taken in this area over the coming years; the number of companies in the small and medium enterprise sector who have benefited from these grants to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20039/08]
The Small Business Forum in its report ‘Small Business is Big Business' sought that knowledge acquisition grants would be provided to small businesses in Manufacturing & Internationally Traded services. The Programme for Government 2007-2012 contained a commitment that such grants would be provided to enable small business in the manufacturing and internationally traded service sectors gain access to research based knowledge, expertise and facilities in higher educational institutes. Accordingly Enterprise Ireland recently launched a funding offer called "R&D Stimulation". Within the context of the new R&D Stimulation Grant programme, Enterprise Ireland will deliver the Knowledge Acquisition Grant Scheme.
R&D Stimulation Grant
The €30,000 R&D Stimulation Grant, launched in January 2008 is aimed at companies that are new to product, process and service development activities, and the support provided will allow companies to explore how research & innovation can drive their future development. Since the launch, 4 applications for R&D stimulation grant have been received and grants to the value of €116,836 have been approved.
Following directly on the launch of Enterprise Ireland's revised simplified R&D Grant Scheme in January of this year, EI has begun an aggressive R&D promotion campaign, including a web page which to date has received a total of 14,486 visits. The promotion campaign aims to:
advocate the importance of R&D as a means of securing future business profitability and export sales;
highlight the financial incentives available for R&D investment from EI including grant support for existing and strong R&D performers,
highlight new measures (such as the R&D stimulation grant) for first time R&D performers;
promote the R&D tax credits available to companies in respect of approved R&D expenditure;
promote the use of design as an important innovation tool.
In addition, EI will target clients through existing and new work programmes including:
ongoing EI engagement with clients through sectorial development advisors and technology advisors;
interaction with clients using the R&D advocates initiative which began in 2006 to interface with its clients who have minimal or no R&D activity. Through its R&D Awareness programme, EI offers 3-day consultancy support to clients to help formulate R&D strategy.
a new ‘Innovation Networks' programme launched in March 2008.
170 Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if she will provide funding to a local FÁS community employment scheme in Clogh, Castlecomer, County Kilkenny under the 2008 to 2009 scheme for additional workers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20088/08]
There is a Community Employment Project currently operating in the Clogh/Moneenroe area and it caters for 27 participants. However, due to budget restrictions, there are no further places available. FÁS is available to meet with a Community representative to discuss their needs as required.
171 Deputy Phil Hogan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if she will seek representation on the steering group for the proposed study into Dublin Port under the national development plan in view of the critical role that Dublin Port plays for exporters in the international economy; if she was consulted regarding the composition of the steering group in view of her responsibility for trade policy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20118/08]
This important study has been initiated by my colleague, the Minister for Transport but it is still at an early stage and the proposed oversight group has not yet been established. Indeed the final membership of this group has not been settled and my Department are in contact with the Department of Transport on this matter. I am naturally concerned that Ireland should have sufficient and appropriate port capacity to facilitate trade and that trade policy issues are adequately considered in all appropriate fora. Having regard to the terms of reference of the project, if it emerges that my Department need to input into this oversight mechanism we will fully engage on the issue.
172 Deputy Seán Sherlock asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism when the local authority swimming pool programme is due to reopen; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20122/08]
A sum of €184m has been provided in the National Development Plan 2007 — 2013 for supporting existing projects in the Local Authority Swimming Pool Programme and for new projects to be selected following the launch of a new round of the Programme. The terms and conditions of a new round will be devised taking into account the recommendations of the Value for Money and Policy Review report on the existing Programme which has been completed by my Department and which will be published shortly. I have not yet decided on the timing for a new Programme.
173 Deputy Mary Upton asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if in view of the major redevelopment proposed for the former Carlton site at the corner of O’Connell Street and Parnell Street in Dublin city he will take every step available to ensure that the new national theatre is located on this development along the principal street of the nation’s capital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20191/08]
I refer the Deputy to previous answers in the House on this matter. In 2006 the Government decided to proceed with the redevelopment of the Abbey Theatre on a site at George's Dock on a Build, Finance and Maintain (BFM) basis. This site was chosen following an extensive exercise conducted by the Office of Public Works that involved the examination of a number of options. This PPP project is being progressed on the basis solely of the Georges Dock site.
174 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the methodology needed to legally register a new born baby (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20198/08]
An tArd Chlaráitheoir (Registrar General) is the person with statutory responsibility for the administration of the civil registration system in Ireland. I have made enquiries with the Registrar General and he has informed me that the position is as follows. Section 46 of the Status of Children Act, 1987, provides that the husband in a legally subsisting marriage shall be presumed to be the father of all children of the marriage, unless the contrary is proved on balance of probability. Statutory declarations and court orders set out as follows are required in order to set aside the presumption of paternity.
The provisions governing the registration of births are contained in Part 3 of the Civil Registration Act, 2004. Section 22(3) provides that, where the mother was married at the date of the birth of the child or at some time during the 10 months immediately before the birth, and where it is maintained that the legal spouse is not the father, the registrar must be given either a statutory declaration from the spouse rebutting paternity of the child, or a statutory of more than 10 months declaration of the mother that she has been living apart from the spouse during a period ending immediately before the date of the birth of the child by virtue of a decree of divorce, a decree of divorce a mensa et thoro, a decree of nullity or a deed of separation.
Sub-section 22(1)(d) provides for applications to register the father’s particulars the registrar is provided with a document purporting to be a copy of an order made by a court in proceedings referred to in section 45 of the Status of Children Act 1987, and to be certified by or on behalf of the court to be a true copy of the order, finding that the person is the father of the child. The orders referred to are maintenance orders and orders relating to guardianship, for which applications may be made to local District Family Law Courts.
In the case that is the subject of the Deputy's question, the mother is still legally married and must provide to the registrar a statutory declaration from her estranged spouse rebutting paternity. Alternatively, a court order naming another man as the father of the child would be sufficient to rebut the presumption of paternity. While the mother is not obliged to register the particulars of the man named as the father in the court order, the mother or father, individually or jointly, would have the option to effect a re-registration to add the father's particulars at a later date. Until such time as the presumption of paternity concerning the spouse is rebutted, either by way of statutory declaration or court order, it is not possible to effect registration in cases such as this without registering the legal spouse's details.
175 Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if there are plans to extend the free travel scheme to cover bus routes not available to travel passholders such as Airlink or 747; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20119/08]
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 90 private transport operators. Airlink and other special airport services are not covered by the free travel scheme. However, as 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, there is no question of pass holders having to pay to access Dublin airport by public transport. I will continue to review the operation of the free travel scheme with a view to identifying the scope for further improvements as resources permit.
176 Deputy Olwyn Enright asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the progress made with the programme for Government commitment to integrate the tax and social welfare systems fully to allow for more efficient data and money transfer mechanisms and provide for a fully integrated PPS number; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20124/08]
My Department has taken a lead role over the years in developing and implementing identity management policies and procedures based on the use of the Personal Public Services (PPS) number. This number was previously known as the Revenue and Social Insurance (RSI) number. The name was changed to indicate the broadening of its role to one which supports delivery of a broader range of public services but it is also still used for its original core purpose of providing a common identifier for the Revenue Commissioners and this Department. As well as facilitating wider-scale exchange of information, the PPS number also has a role in the development of on-line services for individuals. My Department provides identity related services to a number of agencies in accordance with legislation. Building on these services, the Department constructed Public Service Identity (PSI) services to assist agencies in basic on-line identity management. The initial deployment of PSI services supports the registration and authentication functions of the Revenue Commissioners PAYE on-line services.
The overall Government strategy is to realise the potential of the Information Society through innovation and modernisation of public services. As part of this, the Standard Authentication Framework Environment programme, co-chaired by my Department and the Department of Finance, builds on PSI Services to provide the basis for a consistent set of registration and authentication services for customer interaction with public services. The Revenue Commissioners are also participating in this programme of work and we will continue to develop PSI and other relevant services in conjunction with them.
My Department and the Office of the Revenue Commissioners are currently engaged in finalising a renewed Memorandum of Understanding between our organisations concerning co-operation and mutual assistance. The objective of the proposed revised Memorandum is:
to provide a basis for the continuance, enhancement and expansion of the existing administrative and operational arrangements
to better reflect the missions, modern operating realities and totality of the relationship between the two organisations
to recognise the growing interdependencies between the two organisations in achieving the delivery of services to the highest standard
to strengthen liaison structures with a view to monitoring service delivery and control aspects. The details in this Memorandum are currently being finalised, and it is hoped to conclude negotiations shortly.
My Department will of course continue to explore on the basis of these significant ongoing developments how greater data and money transfer efficiencies could be realised in the future.
177 Deputy Olwyn Enright asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the progress with the programme for Government commitment to maintain the policy of phasing and using transition payments for those coming off social welfare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20125/08]
I am conscious of the need to facilitate persons in receipt of social welfare payments when taking up employment opportunities. To ensure that supports are structured to support this objective, a number of measures have been introduced in recent years to remove disincentives to taking up employment and to assist in the transition from welfare to work. These include easing of means tests through income disregards, tapered withdrawal of benefits as earnings increase and the provision of employment support schemes such as the back to work programme.
Some examples of disregards and the tapered approach are: the weekly cash disregard on one parent family payment (OPFP) and 50% assessment of the balance, with the earnings ceiling increased to €425 from 8 May 2008; payment of half rate OPFP for 6 months where earnings exceed €425; the earnings disregard which applies to people with disabilities when engaging in work of a rehabilitative nature, and the enhanced disregards of earnings introduced in 2007 in relation to the rent supplement scheme, which complement the rental accommodation scheme that was introduced in 2004.
Significant progress in removing poverty and inactivity traps is also shown in two important reforms which were introduced as recently as September last. These improved the method by which a person's earnings from employment, or the earnings of their partner, are assessed and facilitate persons in increasing their level of employment and income. This means that both adults associated with a jobseeker's allowance claim are now assessed in a similar manner and ensures that the families gain when earnings increase, encouraging qualified adults to move beyond long-term part-time employment. These changes are designed in particular to be progressive for women, who currently make up the majority of qualified adults in the social welfare system. Under the previous assessment procedures a trap existed whereby the loss in benefits to a household could exceed the gain in income attained by an increase in the earnings of a partner.
The changes also removed an anomaly in the assessment of means which discriminated against people with children, through the introduction of a daily earnings disregard of €20, benefiting many part-time workers, but particularly those with children. For example, a couple earning €290 per week over three days with two children gained over €112 per week jobseekers allowance under the new arrangements. In contrast, previous arrangements discouraged all but a small level of attachment to the workforce. The new arrangements also apply to the disability allowance, farm assist and pre-retirement allowance schemes.
The back to work (BTW) allowance scheme is part of the programme of initiatives designed to assist long term unemployed people, lone parents and other social welfare recipients to return to the active labour force. There are currently some 8,900 participants in the scheme of whom over 4,800 (54%) are engaged in self-employment. Participants also retain entitlement to certain secondary benefits. In addition, the in-work income support provided through family income supplement (FIS) provides ongoing income support for people in low-income employment with children. There are in excess of 22,700 people in receipt of FIS, benefiting over 47,600 children (March 2008).
Notwithstanding these improvements, it should be appreciated that poverty traps can feature in any contingency-based system which features income thresholds. However, the measures outlined, including those recently introduced, will have the effect of greatly reducing the incidence and extent of poverty traps and ensure that they will only arise at significantly higher income levels than previously applied. My Department will continue to monitor the operation of its schemes with a view to ensuring that poverty traps and disincentives are removed.
178 Deputy Olwyn Enright asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the progress with the programme for Government commitment to ensure that women are treated fairly in the social welfare code and examine the proposals in the Green Paper on pensions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20126/08]
The social welfare system has been improved over recent decades to make it easier for people, and women in particular, to qualify for contributory pensions. Social insurance coverage has been extended to include new categories of employment such as part-time workers and qualifying conditions for pensions have been eased. The home-makers scheme was introduced to limit the impact periods spent out of the workforce, on caring duties, on pension entitlements. The effect of these reforms, combined with increased workforce participation, will ensure that, in future, most people will qualify for a contributory pension in their own right.
A qualified adult increase is payable in respect of a spouse or partner who is wholly or mainly maintained by a claimant. Since 2002, pensioner couples have been able to choose to have the qualified adult portion of the pension paid direct to the spouse or partner. Many spouse partners without their own pension entitlement have received a direct payment in this way. These arrangements were further enhanced from last September when direct payment of the qualified adult allowance was made mandatory in respect of all new pension claims. Couples may opt to receive a single payment but only where the qualified adult indicates that she/he does not wish to receive a direct payment.
The Government committed itself to complete the process, begun in Budget 2007, to bring payments to qualified adults up to the level of the state pension (non-contributory) over a period of three years. Budget 2008 included an increase of €27 per week in the rate of the qualified adult increase, bringing it to 94% of the state pension (non contributory). The Programme for Government also includes a commitment to extend payment of the over 80 allowance to qualified adults, which will, when implemented, benefit some 4,500 people who are receiving support as qualified adults on the pension of their spouse or partner.
There are, of course, some older women who, for various reasons, cannot benefit from the many changes already outlined. Their position and that of others not covered by the social welfare pensions system is discussed in the Green Paper on Pensions which was published on 17 October 2007. A consultation process on the Paper will conclude at the end of this month and work on developing the framework for future policy will commence with a view to completing the framework by the end of 2008. The outcome of this process will inform pensions' policies to ensure they reflect the needs of women as well as men.
The Department is also carrying out a technical review of the entire social welfare code to examine its compatibility with the Equal Status Act 2000 (as amended). The review will examine all the schemes and services provided for both in social welfare legislation and the administrative schemes operated by the Department. It will identify any instances of direct or indirect discrimination, on any of the nine grounds under the Act, that are not justified by a legitimate social policy objective or where the means of achieving that objective are either unnecessary or inappropriate. The findings of this review will inform planning and policy making to ensure that the social welfare system reflects the needs and expectations of all citizens and is equitable in meeting those needs.
179 Deputy Olwyn Enright asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the progress with the programme for Government commitment to recognise the role and economic contribution of spouses working on the farm in the social insurance system; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20127/08]
The Programme for Government states that ‘The role and economic contribution of spouses working on the farm will be better recognised within the social insurance system, following on from Budget 2007 which allowed recipients of Farm Assist to make PRSI contributions for the first time'. Spouses working for self-employed contributors are specifically excepted from social insurance contributions. However, spouses who are actively engaged in a commercial partnership, including the operation of a farm, as opposed to simply being the joint owners of a property, are treated as individual self-employed contributors and are thus included under the social insurance systems.
In the situation where a family business or farming enterprise is incorporated as a limited company, spouses involved in the business can establish a social insurance record as either employees or as self-employed contributors — depending on whether a contract of service exists. Also, a spouse engaged in "off-farm" employment, will pay social insurance contributions in his or her own right. Under the provisions of the Towards 2016 social partnership agreement, an information leaflet is currently being developed between the Department of Social & Family Affairs and the Revenue Commissioners to set out the social welfare and tax implications of families co-working in a shared business. The leaflet will be published shortly.
180 Deputy Olwyn Enright asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the progress with the programme for Government commitment to continue to maintain the value of the lowest rate of social welfare payments as agreed in the national action plan on social inclusion; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20128/08]
The Agreed Programme for Government includes the following commitment relating to the lowest rate of social welfare payments:
Continue to maintain the value of the lowest rate of social welfare payments as agreed in the National Action Plan on Social Inclusion.
In Budget 2008, the lowest rate of social welfare payment was increased by €12.00 per week or 6.5%, thereby fully maintaining the value of the lowest rate of social welfare payments.
181 Deputy Olwyn Enright asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the progress with the programme for Government commitment to further increase eligibility for the carer’s allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20129/08]
182 Deputy Olwyn Enright asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the progress with the programme for Government commitment to double the non-means-tested respite care grant to €3,000 per person cared for; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20130/08]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 181 and 182 together.
Supporting and recognising carers in our society is, and has been, a priority of the Government since 1997. Over that period, weekly payment rates to carers have greatly increased, qualifying conditions for carer's allowance have significantly eased, coverage of the scheme has been extended and new schemes such as carer's benefit and the respite care grant have been introduced and extended. Carer's allowance, in line with other social assistance schemes, is means tested. This ensures that scarce resources are directed at those in greatest need. The carer's allowance means test is one of the more flexible tests in terms of the assessment of household incomes. It has been significantly eased over the years, most notably with regard to spouse's earnings.
Increases to the carer's allowance income disregard, provided for in Budget 2008, mean that, from April 2008, a single person can have an income of €332.50 per week and a couple can have an income of up to €665 per week and still qualify for the maximum rate of carer's allowance (the previous levels were €320 and €640 per week respectively). This ensures that a couple can have an income in the region of €37,200 per year and still qualify for the maximum rate of carer's allowance as well as the associated free travel, household benefits package and the respite care grant. This increase surpasses the "Towards 2016" commitment of ensuring that those on average earnings can qualify for carer's allowance.
In addition, in Budget 2008 the maximum rate of carer's allowance was increased to €214 per week for those aged under 66 and to €232 per week for those aged over 66, with effect from January 2008. Budget 2007 provided for new arrangements whereby people can receive a maximum payment equivalent to a half rate carer's allowance while receiving another social welfare payment, other than jobseekers benefit or allowance. In June 2006 the number of hours for which a person can engage in employment, self-employment, education or training and still be considered to be providing full time care for the purposes of carer's allowance, carer's benefit and the respite care grant was increased from 10 to 15 hours per week.
From June 2005, the annual respite care grant was extended to all carers who are providing full time care to a person who needs such care, regardless of their income. A carer who is caring for two or more people is entitled to a full grant for each of the care recipients. The rate of the grant will increase to €1,700 per year from June 2008. I will keep the supports for carers available from my Department under review in order to continue to improve the schemes and ensure commitments on income support are delivered.
183 Deputy Olwyn Enright asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the progress with the programme for Government commitment to extend the national fuel allowance scheme to cover eligible carers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20131/08]
Supporting and recognising carers in our society is a priority of the Government. Since 1997, weekly payment rates to carers have greatly increased, qualifying conditions for carer's allowance have significantly eased, coverage of the scheme has been extended and new schemes such as carer's benefit and the respite care grant have been introduced and extended. Carers can also qualify for free travel, the household benefits package and respite care grant. Carer's allowance, in line with other social assistance schemes, is means tested. This ensures that scarce resources are directed at those in greatest need. The carer's allowance means test is one of the more flexible tests in terms of the assessment of household incomes. It has been significantly eased over the years, most notably with regard to the treatment of spouse earnings.
The national fuel allowance scheme assists householders on long-term social welfare or health service executive payments with meeting the cost of their heating needs during the winter season. Fuel allowances are paid for 30 weeks from end-September to mid-April. The allowance represents a contribution towards a person's normal heating expenses. It is not intended to meet those costs in full. Improvements to the fuel allowance in recent years include an easing of the means test, extending the duration of payment from 26 to 30 weeks and an increase in the rates of payment. The current rate of fuel allowance is €18 with a supplement of €3.90 paid to recipients in designated smokeless areas.
The extension of the national fuel scheme to eligible carers, as set out in the Agreed Programme for Government, will be progressed in the context of the overall package of commitments relating to carers contained in the programme. Any additional costs arising will be considered in a budget context having regard to overall resources available for social welfare schemes generally.
184 Deputy Olwyn Enright asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the progress with the programme for Government commitment to develop a national carers strategy and that there will be appropriate consultation with the social partners; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20132/08]
The development of a National Carers' Strategy is a key Government commitment in both the national partnership agreement "Towards 2016" and the Programme for Government. A working group, chaired by the Department of An Taoiseach, has begun work on developing the strategy. My Department provides the secretariat to the working group which also includes representatives of the Departments of Finance, Health and Children and Enterprise, Trade and Employment as well as FÁS and the Health Service Executive. To date the working group has held three meetings, in February March and April.
Developing the strategy involves consultation with other government departments and bodies not represented on the working group. Officials of The Department of Social and Family Affairs have met with a wide range of organisations including the Equality Authority, Combat Poverty Agency, Citizen's Information Board, the National Council on Ageing and Older People, the Office of the Revenue Commissioners, the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government and the National Disability Authority. A request for submissions from the public was published in regional newspapers in early March. The closing date for submissions was Friday 18 April 2008. There was a good response from individuals and organisations and the submissions received are currently being examined.
"Towards 2016" commits the Department to hosting an annual consultation meeting of carer representative groups and relevant departments and agencies. Such a meeting was held on 23 January 2008. Representatives of 12 groups and 9 government departments and bodies attended. The theme was the National Carers' Strategy and groups were given an opportunity to comment on the draft terms of reference and to raise other issues considered relevant in the context of the strategy. It is intended that a further meeting with carer groups will be held in early summer.
The commitment to the development of a National Carers' Strategy also includes a commitment to appropriate consultation with the social partners. An update in relation to the strategy was provided to the social partners plenary session in February. The first of two consultation meetings with the social partners was held on 8 May 2008. Key issues raised were recognition for carers and their work, access to suitable health services, income support, training, gender issues and balancing employment and care. It is intended to publish the strategy later this year.
185 Deputy Olwyn Enright asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the progress with the programme for Government commitment to implement a range of reforms to income support for lone parents including removal of the cohabitation restriction; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20133/08]
186 Deputy Olwyn Enright asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the progress with the programme for Government commitment to replace lone parents allowance with a new and improved family friendly allowance, and relaxing restrictions on work while retaining the social welfare payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20134/08]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 185 and 186 together.
The Government discussion paper, "Proposals for Supporting Lone Parents," put forward proposals for the expanded availability and range of education and training opportunities for lone parents; the extension of the National Employment Action Plan to focus on lone parents; focused provision of childcare; improved information services for lone parents and the introduction of a new social assistance payment for low income families with young children. Under the proposals the lone parenthood category of payment would no longer exist. Instead, a new payment would be made to all parents (living alone or with a partner), with young children, on low income. This new payment is currently being developed in the Department, taking into account the various issues raised in the consultation process which continues to take place.
Any proposed new payment scheme can only be introduced when the necessary coordinated supports and services are put in place on the ground by other relevant Departments and Agencies. This is why the Senior Officials Group on Social Inclusion has been tasked with bringing forward a plan on the key issues of childcare, education, training and activation measures. The non-income recommendations contained in the discussion paper were examined in two areas: Coolock and Kilkenny. These studies focused on identifying and resolving any practical and administrative issues that may arise in advance of the scheme being introduced and took place between November 2007 and February 2008. They allow for the operational and logistical co-ordination between the relevant Departments and Agencies to be considered and facilitate the development of the policy and operational details of the new scheme and accompanying supports. The outcome of the process is currently being considered in the Department. This will inform the further development of the proposals which I hope to bring to the Cabinet Committee on Social Inclusion in the coming months.
187 Deputy Olwyn Enright asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the progress with the programme for Government commitment to amalgamate qualified child allowances and family income supplements in order to develop a second tier of income support targeted at the poorest families; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20135/08]
Under the terms of an earlier Social Partnership agreement, the National Economic and Social Council (NESC) was asked to examine the feasibility of merging the family income supplement (FIS) with the increase for qualified children (IQC) and possibly including other child supports such as the back to school clothing and footwear allowance, resulting in a single means-based child income support. Such a payment would be aimed specifically at targeting child poverty by channelling resources to low-income families without creating significant disincentives to employment. This commitment to examining such a change was subsequently embodied in the current social partnership agreement ‘Towards 2016'. Although NESC failed to reach a consensus on this issue, a research paper by Dr. John Sweeney was made available late in 2007 as a contribution to the debate.
In considering future policy, it is important to keep in mind the multiple objectives behind the provision of child income support and to maintain the correct balance between broad based supports such as child benefit and more targeted supports such as FIS and IQCs. My Department has undertaken a review of this area adopting a two strand approach which includes an analysis of families already receiving FIS and an examination of possible FIS qualifying families who have not applied for payment. This review, together with consideration of the issues raised in Dr. Sweeney's discussion paper, is expected to be available later in 2008.
188 Deputy Olwyn Enright asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the progress with the programme for Government commitment to continue to increase child benefit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20136/08]
Child benefit is a universal payment, paid in respect of children up to the age of 16 years. It continues to be paid in respect of children up to age 19 who are in full-time education, or who have a physical or mental disability. The policy of the Government over the past number of years has been to substantially increase the amount spent on child benefit for all families. Commitment to this policy is reflected in the significant resources invested in the scheme since 2001, increasing monthly payments to €166.00 for each of the first two children and €203.00 for the third and subsequent children from April 2008. This represents increases of 336% and 310% respectively since 1997, compared to a 47% increase in the consumer price index over the same period.
Although recent policy has been to concentrate additional resources on more targeted supports such as family income supplement, increase for qualified children and back to school support, Budget 2008 also provided for CB increases of €6 per month (lower rate) and €8 (higher rate) from April 2008. This government is committed to improving the level of child income support and will continue to do so. The information on rates of child benefit from 1994 to 2008 can be found in the following tabular statement.
|
Year |
1st and 2nd child |
3rd and subsequent children |
|
€ |
€ |
|
|
1994 |
25.39 Denotes rate for first to third child. |
31.74 Denotes fourth and subsequent children. |
|
1995 |
34.28 |
40.63 |
|
1996 |
36.82 |
43.17 |
|
1997 |
38.09 |
49.52 |
|
1998 |
40.00 |
53.33 |
|
1999 |
43.81 |
58.41 |
|
2000 |
53.96 |
71.11 |
|
2001 |
85.80 |
109.20 |
|
2002 |
117.60 |
147.30 |
|
2003 |
125.60 |
157.30 |
|
2004 |
131.60 |
163.30 |
|
2005 |
141.60 |
177.30 |
|
2006 |
150.00 |
185.00 |
|
2007 |
160.00 |
195.00 |
|
2008 |
166.00 |
203.00 |
189 Deputy Olwyn Enright asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the progress with the programme for Government commitment to implement significant improvements to the back to school clothing and footwear allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20137/08]
190 Deputy Olwyn Enright asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the progress with the programme for Government commitment to implement significant improvements to the school meals programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20138/08]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 189 and 190 together.
The school meals programme gives funding towards provision of food services for disadvantaged school children through two schemes, the long-standing statutory urban school meals scheme and the school meals local projects programme. Implementation of improvements in the programme is well underway. Expenditure on the programme increased from €13.6m in 2006 to €27.16m in 2007, and is expected to be in the region of €32m in 2008. In 2006, some 1,394 schools with over 145,000 pupils benefited and this increased to over 185,000 pupils in over 1,900 schools in 2007. The Department of Education and Science have identified a total of 875 disadvantaged schools under its ‘Delivering Equality of Opportunity in Schools' (DEIS) action plan. These DEIS schools have been targeted for inclusion in the school meals local projects scheme and, to date, pupils from over 700 DEIS schools have benefited from the scheme. The additional funding provided in 2008 will be used mainly to include more DEIS schools in the school meals local projects scheme.
The Back to School Clothing and Footwear scheme has been greatly improved also in recent years. The rates of back to school clothing and footwear allowance (BSCFA) have been increased significantly. Since 2005, the allowance has increased from €80 to €200 in respect of qualified children aged from 2 to 11 years and from €150 to €305 for those aged from 12 to 22 years. These are increases of 150% and 103%, respectively. In 2006, the income limits for BSCFA were increased by €50 to €100 above the state pension (contributory) rate. The numbers of children benefiting from the allowance increased from 161,000 in 2006 to over 180,000 in 2007.
These improvements provide a major boost to families in meeting the financial costs associated with return to school for those who most need assistance. The improvements in BSCFA are also very significant when viewed in the context of clothing and footwear price trends. According to the Consumer Price Index for April 2008, the overall cost of clothing and footwear has fallen by almost 3% over the past twelve months. Further improvements in the scheme will be considered in the context of next December's Budget in light of the resources available to me for improvements in social welfare generally.
191 Deputy Olwyn Enright asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the progress with the programme for Government commitment to review the standard means-test for rent supplement and to provide enhanced financial incentives to take up part-time employment, training, education or other progression items, minimising, where possible, the impact of the sudden withdrawal of social welfare payments; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20139/08]
192 Deputy Olwyn Enright asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the progress with the programme for Government commitment to initiate a feasibility study on reforming rent supplement; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20140/08]
193 Deputy Olwyn Enright asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the progress with the programme for Government commitment to urgently examine the development of a mortgage support system for people on low incomes in order to reduce long-term reliance on rent supplement; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20141/08]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 191 to 193, inclusive, together.
The commitment in the programme for Government in relation to the development of a mortgage support system is being advanced in the context of housing policy. Housing supports in general are provided by local authorities but the Department provides income maintenance support where required in particular circumstances. Mortgage interest supplement provides income support to eligible people who are unable to meet their mortgage interest repayments in respect of a house which is their sole place of residence. The supplement assists with the interest portion of the mortgage repayments only.
The purpose of rent supplement 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. However, a significant number of people have come to rely on rent supplements for extended periods. I am anxious that all avenues are explored as regards ways of providing support for those on long-term rent supplementation including options to support them in securing home ownership. One of the measures introduced to address this is the Rental Accommodation Scheme (RAS). Almost 13,000 tenants have been transferred from rent supplement scheme to RAS since 2005.
This and other measures are being considered in the context of overall housing policy, led by my colleague the Minister for the Environment Heritage and Local Government. His Department already provides a range of housing supports through local government initiatives, including traditional social housing and RAS, both of which provide tenants with the benefit of Differential Rent. They also include shared ownership and affordable housing schemes. Any further initiatives in relation to mortgage support will be framed by that Department in the context of its "Delivering Homes — Sustaining Communities" housing policy statement and "Increasing Affordable Housing Supply" published in 2007. A public consultation on enhancement of the existing affordable housing mechanisms is now under way. I consider that the current range of housing supports, together with the enhancements that may emerge from the current public consultation in relation to affordable housing, provide the potential to meet long-term housing needs in an appropriate and sustainable manner.
With regard to commitments to review of the rent supplement scheme and the associated means test, significant changes in the means test for rent supplement were implemented last summer. These changes were designed to specifically facilitate people returning to work and those accepted as eligible for accommodation under RAS. Where a person, working up to 30 hours per week, has additional income in excess of the standard weekly rate of supplementary welfare allowance, the first €75 of such additional income together with 25% of any additional income above €75 is disregard for means assessment purposes. This ensures that those returning to work or participating in training schemes are better off as a result of taking up such an opportunity.
In addition, rent supplement may continue to be paid to a person who engages in full time employment, subject to their satisfying the improved means testing arrangements, as outlined above, and where they have been accepted as having a long term housing need under the RAS. These measures are positive steps in assisting tenants in achieving a long-term housing solution for their needs while also increasing the financial return from employment for those returning to work or moving to full-time employment. I intend to keep the rent supplement scheme under review, including the rent limits that apply within the scheme, and the Department will be working closely with the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government in that regard.
194 Deputy Olwyn Enright asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the progress with the programme for Government commitment to invest further in the citizens information board to enable it to engage advocacy officials to assist people with disabilities in accessing their entitlements; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20143/08]
The development of advocacy services for people with disabilities remains a priority for my Department. In order to expand advocacy provision for people with disabilities the Citizens Information Board began a process in 2004 of engaging the community and voluntary sector in the provision of advocacy services to people with disabilities. In this regard funding of €1million was allocated to the Citizens Information Board in 2005 to enable the introduction of the new service. An additional €1.4 million was allocated in 2006 to develop the work further and €1.9 million was allocated in 2007 for the development of a Personal Advocacy Service and for the implementation of the Disability Sectoral Plan. In line with the commitment to invest further in the Citizens Information Board, funding of €1.8 million was provided in 2008 for service developments which include advocacy services, bringing funding to €6.1 million for 2008.
The Community and Voluntary Sector Advocacy programme has to date developed and funded 47 advocacy projects. The Citizen Information Board is monitoring the programme to ensure that the projects are operating in accordance with the Board's advocacy guidelines. It is planned to undertake a full evaluation of the Community and Voluntary Sector Advocacy programme in 2010. An organisational structure has been developed by the Citizens Information Board to meet the needs of the Personal Advocacy Service (PAS). The appointment to the new post of Director of PAS will be made shortly and the service will be launched when the Director has taken up the position, recruited the staff and is satisfied that the structures, resources and facilities are in place to allow the service to commence operation. The Personal Advocacy Service (PAS) will then be subject to continuing review when operational.
The further investment in the Citizens Information Board's advocacy programmes and PAS will depend on the outcome of the evaluation and review and the level of demand for advocacy services.
195 Deputy Olwyn Enright asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the progress with the programme for Government commitment to urgently examine the introduction of free travel for Irish citizens of pension age particularly those resident in the UK when visiting Ireland and press the European Commission to examine a similar EU wide scheme and to replace the existing paper travel pass with a plastic card which can be used on all public transport services which offer the facility of free travel; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20144/08]
The free travel scheme is available to all people living in the State aged 66 years or over and to people receiving certain disability or care payments. Proposals to extend the free travel scheme to Irish born people living abroad and those receiving pensions from my Department have been examined and, in this regard, officials of the Department have engaged in discussions with EU Commission officials. However, at this stage, it has not been possible to progress the matter as, under EU legislation, discrimination on grounds of nationality is prohibited. More recently, the European Commission has indicated that to extend the scheme to people in receipt of an Irish pension could also be considered discriminatory.
The Department is co-ordinating an interdepartmental initiative to develop a public services card. This programme of work is known as the SAFE (Standard Authentication Framework Environment) initiative. It has been agreed that the first iteration of the new card will be a replacement for the existing free travel pass. The Department is currently working towards the introduction of this card towards the end of 2008. The new card, which will include photo identification, will introduce a number of improvements, including an improved registration process and new card technology which will bring improved security features.
196 Deputy Olwyn Enright asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the progress with the programme for Government commitment to enhance the money advice and budgeting service by establishing it under legislation and that MABS will also be given a central role in increasing access to affordable credit for low-income earners and social welfare customers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20145/08]
The Money Advice and Budgeting Service (MABS) is the main Government funded service which provides assistance to people who are over-indebted and need help and advice in coping with debt problems. The MABS has a unique and expert contribution to make in meeting the needs of people with debt difficulties in today's society. This includes promoting greater awareness about household budgeting and shaping the strategies, especially those of services providers such as the banks and the credit unions, to ensure greater financial inclusion in Ireland. The MABS continues to work closely with the Financial Regulator in developing initiatives in this regard. For example the MABS and the Financial Regulator have developed an education programme on money management for Transition Year students which will be rolled out to 120 schools from September 2008.
197 Deputy Olwyn Enright asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the progress with the programme for Government commitment to continue to support the office of social inclusion and review the effectiveness of the poverty proofing mechanisms being used; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20146/08]
Poverty proofing was introduced in 1998 on foot of a commitment in the first National Anti-Poverty Strategy. Since then it has been a requirement for significant policy proposals to indicate clearly the impact of the proposal on people in poverty or at risk of falling into poverty. Following a review of the poverty proofing process, the Office for Social Inclusion (OSI) in my Department, produced a revised set of guidelines for what is now termed Poverty Impact Assessment. The revised guidelines emphasise that the focus in the process should be on evaluating the outcomes of policies, programmes and services in terms of their potential impact on poverty and that poverty impact assessment should form an integral part of the policy making process. The guidelines are available on the OSI website at www.socialinclusion.ie.
Support for the work of the OSI in developing effective poverty proofing mechanisms is a key commitment in the Programme for Government and the roll out of the revised guidelines is a priority in this regard. The Office has commenced a pilot programme, to implement the new guidelines, with three government departments. All the pilots are at an early stage. However, when completed they will provide models of best practice that will assist the OSI in its efforts to effectively embed poverty impact assessment as part of the policy making process across all government departments. In addition, the Office is working with the Combat Poverty Agency on applying the new guidelines in the local authorities. My objective, in line with the Programme for Government, is to ensure that the new guidelines will serve as an effective tool in ensuring that the priority of combating poverty and social exclusion is kept to the fore in policy making and implementation at all levels of Government.
198 Deputy Olwyn Enright asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the progress in relation to the programme for Government commitment to continue to fully resource the Family Support Agency and its programmes of counselling and family resource centres; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20147/08]
The Family Support Agency was established on 6 May 2003 and brings together programmes and services to support families introduced by the Government in recent years. Its mission is to promote family and community well being through the provision of appropriate supports and services to families. Funding for the Agency has increased from €17.28 million in 2003 to €39.38 million for 2008. The main functions of the Agency include: the Family and Community Services Resource Centre (FRC) Programme; the scheme of grants to voluntary organisations providing marriage, child and bereavement counselling and related services; and the Family Mediation Service.
The FRC Programme was established in 1994 to help combat disadvantage by improving the function of the family unit. The emphasis in the projects is on the involvement of local communities in developing approaches to tackle the problems they face and on creating successful partnerships between the voluntary and statutory agencies in the area concerned. By the end of 2007, the number of Family Resource Centres had expanded from an original 10 to 106 nationwide. Funding increased from €317,500 (£250,000) in 1994 to €18.774m in 2007 with further provision for development under the NDP 2007 — 2013. In addition, funding has been allocated for an additional worker in 100 Family Resource Centres between 2007 and 2013. For 2008 it is planned that a further 6 Family Resource Centres will come on stream. Funding for the programme for 2008 has increased to €21.436m.
The Family Support Agency administers the Scheme of Grants to voluntary organisations providing marriage counselling services, marriage preparation courses, child counselling services in relation to parental separation and bereavement counselling and support services on the death of a family member. A total of €9.929m was allocated in 2007 and some 553 organisations nationwide benefited from the Scheme. €11.033m has been made available under the Scheme in 2008 and over 600 applications for funding have been received. 2008 will also be the first year where groups in receipt of more than €60,000 per annum will be eligible to receive multi-annual funding, thus giving large groups the opportunity to make more long-term plans to develop the invaluable service that they provide to thousands of people across the country.
The Family Mediation Service has expanded to 16 centres nationwide with another centre being operated on a pilot basis. There are four full-time offices in Dublin, Cork, Limerick and Galway with part-time offices situated in Athlone, Blanchardstown, Castlebar, Dundalk, Letterkenny, Raheny, Portlaoise, Sligo, Tallaght, Tralee, Waterford and Wexford, as well as the pilot office in Ballymun.
199 Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the county councils that have received funding from his Department to erect flashing lights outside of schools for safety reasons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20067/08]
200 Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if funding is available to county councils for flashing safety lights outside of schools for safety reasons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20069/08]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 199 and 200 together.
I refer the Deputy to my written answer to Question No 246 of the 10th October 2007. Details of CLÁR allocations under this measure to County Councils are outlined in the table below.
|
Local Authority |
2005 |
2006 |
2007 |
2008 |
|
€ |
€ |
€ |
€ |
|
|
Carlow |
42,000.00 |
|||
|
Cavan |
248,500.00 |
133,000.00 |
7,000.00 |
7,000.00 |
|
Clare |
87,500.00 |
52,500.00 |
35,000.00 |
14,000.00 |
|
Cork |
294,000.00 |
308,000.00 |
||
|
Donegal |
91,000.00 |
210,000.00 |
14,000.00 |
|
|
Galway |
182,000.00 |
220,500.00 |
84,000.00 |
|
|
Kerry |
42,000.00 |
35,000.00 |
49,000.00 |
|
|
Kilkenny |
98,000.00 |
|||
|
Laois |
70,000.00 |
7,000.00 |
||
|
Leitrim |
224,000.00 |
14,000.00 |
||
|
Limerick |
189,000.00 |
|||
|
Longford |
70,000.00 |
14,000.00 |
||
|
Louth |
53,120.00 |
|||
|
Mayo |
609,000.00 |
|||
|
Meath |
7,000.00 |
28,000.00 |
||
|
Monaghan |
70,000.00 |
203,000.00 |
7,000.00 |
|
|
Offaly |
35,000.00 |
|||
|
Roscommon |
105,000.00 |
112,000.00 |
||
|
Sligo |
214,500.00 |
7,000.00 |
||
|
Tipperary North |
35,000.00 |
98,000.00 |
||
|
Tipperary South |
7,000.00 |
133,000.00 |
7,000.00 |
|
|
Waterford |
14,000.00 |
77,000.00 |
||
|
Westmeath |
28,000.00 |
49,000.00 |
||
|
Total |
1,702,620.00 |
2,793,000.00 |
224,000.00 |
21,000.00 |
201 Deputy Seán Sherlock asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs when funding will be delivered for the new Leader programme in view of the fact that it is almost a year since the rural development programme was agreed in Brussels; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20025/08]
I refer the Deputy to my answer to Question No. 348 of 20 May 2008. The invitation for applications to deliver the new programme appeared in this morning's national newspapers.
202 Deputy John O’Mahony asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if there are grants available to Gaeltacht areas from his Department to help fund the installation of a defibrillator for their community; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20185/08]
As the Deputy will be aware, my Department does not operate a scheme or programme that specifically provides support to communities for the installation of defibrillators in Gaeltacht areas. However, I am currently in consultation with the HSE with a view to examining ways of providing this equipment at appropriate locations. In relation to the specific query from the Deputy, I can confirm that some funding may be available to support an element of the service that the Deputy refers to under the Programme of Grants for Locally Based Community and Voluntary Organisations or the CLÁR Programme, which my Department operates.
The Deputy will also be aware that the Islands Division of my Department makes funding available to community groups and charitable organisations for projects that are supportive of our island communities, both Gaeltacht and non-Gaeltacht and some funding may also be available for the purposes that the Deputy refers to from this area of my Department. Details in relation to all the programmes and schemes operated by my Department, including eligibility criteria can be accessed on my Department's website at www.pobail.ie.
203 Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs when the Ballynoneen, Asdee, County Kerry group water scheme will commence. [20195/08]
The position is as set out in my reply to Question No. 334 of the 8th May, 2008. The commencement date of the scheme is a matter for Kerry County Council and the group.
204 Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if the discussion referred to in Parliamentary Question No. 22 of 22 November 2007 has occurred; and if so, the outcome of same. [20015/08]
The question of charges/levies by Local Authorities in respect of all developments is a matter for the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government. The matter has been discussed by my officials with the farming representatives and I am writing to my colleague the Minister for Environment, Heritage and Local Government asking him to have the case examined in regard to levies/charges for developments in the horticultural sector.
205 Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the legislation in place with regard to the keeping of bees and beehives and in particular empty beehives; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20024/08]
Under the European Communities (Food and Feed Hygiene) Regulations 2005 (S.I. No. 910 of 2005), which give effect to Regulation (EC) No 853/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council laying down specific hygiene rules for food of animal origin, primary producers of honey are required to register with my Department and to comply with rules on hygiene and record keeping. There are no specific requirements in relation to empty beehives. My Department is also responsible for the national and EU legislation relating to bee diseases and trade in bees between Member States and from third countries.
206 Deputy Dan Neville asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the position regarding the appeal of a decision to refuse a grant for investment aid for farm waste management for a person (details supplied) in County Limerick. [20028/08]
The person named applied for grant-aid under the Farm Waste Management Scheme but was deemed ineligible as the application was not signed by an Agricultural Advisor/Consultant. The applicant was notified of this outcome and advised of his right of appeal to the Agriculture Appeals Office.
207 Deputy Ulick Burke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if a period of grace not exceeding 36 months is allowable by the EU Commission for grant aided farm building schemes; and the relevance of the EU Commission’s flexibility as against his Department’s deadlines. [20089/08]
The end-2008 deadline for completion of work under the Farm Waste Management Scheme is the period determined in the EU Commission's state aid approval for the Scheme and, as no amendment has been made to that approval, I am required by the terms of the relevant Decision to ensure that grants are only paid to those farmers who respect the deadline concerned.
208 Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if the time will be extended for the farm waste management scheme to cater for people who are having difficulties with planning applications; if the closing date will be extended beyond 31 December 2008; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20108/08]
The end-2008 deadline for completion of work by farmers under the revised Farm Waste Management Scheme introduced by my Department in March 2006 is a condition of the EU state aid approval for the Scheme. I have no plans to approach the EU Commission to alter the terms of the state aid approval.
209 Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the reason a person who submitted an application under the farm improvement scheme on 24 October 2007 was told they had passed the deadline, when the national papers had advertised that the deadline was 31 October 2007; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20109/08]
Applications received under the Farm Improvement Scheme prior to its suspension on 31 October 2007 are being processed by my Department up to the level of funding provided for the Scheme in the 2006 Partnership agreement, Towards 2016. An application submitted on 24 October 2007 will be processed subject to funding still being available at that time.
210 Deputy Paul Connaughton asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if it is the intention of Coillte to fell trees in the Moyode Woods at Athenry, County Galway; if a felling licence has been applied for and obtained; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20181/08]
Coillte Teoranta was established as a private commercial company under the Forestry Act, 1988 and day-to-day operational matters are the responsibility of the company. Coillte Teoranta is licensed under a 5-year General Felling Licence issued by the Forest Service to harvest small blocks of trees in Moyode Woods, Co Galway. The total area of these blocks for harvesting is 9.8 hectares and 10.5 hectares in 2008 and 2009 respectively. Under the replanting and preservation conditions attached to the licence, the harvested areas must be replanted within a period of two growing seasons from the date of felling of the trees.
211 Deputy Ruairí Quinn asked the Minister for Education and Science his views following a recent meeting with nine DEIS principals on the unique nature of the problems which these schools face in relation to disadvantage with a large number of students whose parents are immigrants; his further views on whether special assistance and support is required by the second level schools network if it is to improve its educational and social outcomes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19769/08]
It is understood that the question refers to a meeting held by my predecessor, Minister Mary Hanafin T.D., with representatives from the Second Level Schools Network on the 22nd of April 2008. The Second Level Schools Network represents nine schools all of which participate in DEIS, (Delivering Equality of Opportunity in Schools) the action plan for Educational Inclusion. DEIS focuses on addressing the educational needs of children and young people from disadvantaged communities, from pre-school through second-level education (3 to 18 years). Principle among the concerns raised by the network was the range of issues faced by schools because of the large number of newcomers enrolled.
Nationally, in the 2007/08 school year, there are 305,000 pupils in post-primary schools. Of these, 21,000 were newcomer pupils. There are over 160 nationalities represented in the primary and post primary schools. The top ten nationalities represented in post primary schools are UK, Poland, Nigeria, Lithuania, Spain, USA, Germany, the Philippines, Latvia and Romania. In order to address the information needs of newcomers to Ireland, my Department has placed information on its website in six international languages including Polish, Latvian, Lithuanian, Russian, Spanish and German.
In May 2007, Circular 53/2007 was issued to the Managerial Authorities in primary and post primary schools. This circular outlines the resources available to meet the needs of pupils for whom English is a second language. The limit of two Language Support Teachers per school was removed and the provision of language support was extended beyond two years, where a specific request is made. In fact, it is now possible for some schools with over 121 such pupils to have 6 language support teachers. There are now over 1,900 language support teacher posts allocated to primary and post primary schools, compared with just 262 in 2001/2002.
The list of language subjects for the Leaving Certificate examination includes: Irish, English, Ancient Greek Arabic, French, German, Hebrew Studies, Italian, Spanish, Japanese and Russian. The State Examinations Commission (SEC) also provides examinations in a range of languages referred to as the non-curricular EU languages. These are languages that do not appear as part of the normal school curriculum but which students may opt to be examined in if they meet certain criteria. For example, candidates: are from a member state of the EU; speak the language in which they opt to be examined in as their mother tongue; have followed a programme of study leading to the Leaving Certificate; and are presenting also for Leaving Certificate English.
In 2007 these examinations were offered in Latvian, Lithuanian, Romanian, modern Greek, Finnish, Polish, Estonian, Slovakian, Swedish, Czech, Bulgarian, Hungarian, Portuguese, Danish and Dutch. The model for the non-curricular language examination papers is based on the First Foreign Language final written paper of the European Baccalaureate. The National Council for Curriculum and Assessment, NCCA has developed Intercultural Guidelines to support primary and post-primary teachers and schools in developing a more inclusive learning environment and in providing students with the knowledge and skills they need to participate in an intercultural world.
My Department and the Language Policy Division of the Council of Europe have jointly published a Language Education Policy Profile for Ireland. This profile presents an analysis of the current state of language education in the primary and second level sectors in Ireland. It also pays particular attention to the language needs of immigrants for whom English is not their first language. It outlines a range of policy principles and action priorities for the future. It promotes the development of plurilingualism in the education system.
The Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) has been commissioned by my Department to undertake a large scale study into how an increasing diversity of students impacts upon resource requirements and day to day teaching and learning. The research is organised in two phases, the first involving a national survey of primary and post-primary school principals and the second involving detailed case-studies of primary and post- primary schools. It is expected that this review will be completed in autumn 2008. An evaluation of the provision of English as an Additional Language (EAL) will be conducted by the Inspectorate in a number of schools in 2008-09. This evaluation will focus on the quality of teaching and learning of English as an additional language that students experience in mainstream education and in support contexts in schools. It will help to inform policy in the area of supports for students learning English as an additional language.
Following the review the Inspectorate will draw up Best Practice guidelines and define what is needed with regard to teaching English as a second language. A report will be prepared for mid 2009. My Department will engage with the OECD thematic review of migrant education policy and practice which will be carried out by a team of OECD experts. The overarching policy question to be answered in this review is "What policies can promote successful education outcomes for first and second generation migrants?" This review will include pre-school, primary and post-primary education. It is expected that the OECD report will be completed by autumn 2009.
In conjunction with the HSE, my Department is working with education authorities in Northern Ireland to develop an information pack for immigrant parents on an all Ireland basis. The pack will have two versions for both sides of the border and will include information on education services, adult and community education programmes along with information on the health services, welfare entitlements, housing allocations etc. in each community. The Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children has been appointed to develop the pack with a timeframe of Autumn 2008 for completion.
With regard to the nine schools which belong to the Second Level Schools Network, as DEIS participants, these schools receive the following benefits under DEIS: access to the Junior Certificate School Programme (JCSP) and Leaving Certificate Applied (LCA); additional non-pay/capitation allocation based on their level of disadvantage; additional funding under the School Books Grant Scheme; access to the Schools Meals Programme; access to the Home School Community Liaison Scheme (HSCL); access to a range of supports based on best practice of the School Completion Programme (SCP); access to transfer programmes; and access to planning supports. Planning templates will be introduced in DEIS post primary schools in the coming school year: access to a range of professional development supports; enhanced guidance counselling provision (3 of the 9 schools are availing of this provision); and provision for school library and librarian supports (3 of the 9 schools are availing of this provision).
The nine schools in the network have the services of nine Home School Community Liaison Coordinators. Home School Community Liaison helps to get parents involved in their children's education, which, as we all know, is a crucial component of convincing young people of the value of education. The nine schools are spread across five School Completion Projects which target approximately 2000 children and young people. The projects include some 35 schools in the area and share €1.4 million in financial supports. These financial supports allocated to each of the schools selected under DEIS provides for the inclusion of after school and holiday time support — for literacy and numeracy development as well as homework support, social and personal development and arts activities. Additional financial resources amounting to €143,000 have been allocated to the 9 schools under DEIS to support their efforts in tackling disadvantage. My Department intends to continue to work with, and provide appropriate support to, the Second Level Schools Network, and others, in order to achieve improved educational and social outcomes.
212 Deputy Tony Gregory asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will urgently re-examine the request from schools (details supplied) in Dublin 7 for the required funding for the renewal of their heating system as the minor repairs grant already received is inadequate to meet the cost involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20012/08]
The Modernisation and Policy Unit of my Department received an application for emergency funding from the school in question. A decision on this application will be made as soon as possible and the school authority will be advised of the outcome.
213 Deputy Ruairí Quinn asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will confirm that a vocational school (details supplied) in County Tipperary reaches all criteria of health and safety standards for the students, teachers and building; the date when it applied for an extension; the status of the application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20032/08]
An application was made by County Tipperary VEC (North Riding) in 2000 for an extension to the college to which the question refers. The project is at an early stage of architectural planning. 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. However, in light of current competing demands on the capital budget of the Department, it is not possible to give an indicative timeframe for the progression of the project at this time.
214 Deputy Ruairí Quinn asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will confirm that a college (details supplied) in County Tipperary reaches all criteria of health and safety standards for the students, teachers and building; the date when it applied for an extension; the status of the application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20033/08]
My Department is in receipt of an application for major capital funding for the school to which the Deputy refers. The application was made in 1999. The progression of all large scale building projects, including this project, from initial design stage to construction phase will be considered in an on-going basis in the context of my Department's multi-annual school Building and modernisation Programme. However, in light of current competing demands on the capital budget of the Department, it is not possible to give an indicative timeframe for the progression of the project at this time.
215 Deputy Ruairí Quinn asked the Minister for Education and Science when the application for the refurbishment of a yard in a school (details supplied) in County Meath was received; if tenders have been sought; when the contract will be sanctioned; the length of time the remediation works will take to complete; the person who is legally responsible and liable if a child or a teacher has an accident in the school yard, in its present unsafe condition; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20046/08]
The Department has received an application for refurbishment of a yard in the school referred to by the Deputy. This application is currently under consideration at present and it is expected that Department officials will be back in contact with the school authorities with a decision on this application very shortly.
216 Deputy Charlie O’Connor asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will review the file on the critical accommodation needs of a school (details supplied) in Dublin 24; his views on the clear need to accelerate the building programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20070/08]
The Stage 3 documentation for the project referred to by the Deputy is currently being examined by my Department's Technical Staff. The progression of all large scale building projects, including this project, 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. However, in light of current competing demands on the capital budget of the Department, it is not possible to give an indicative timeframe for the further progression of the project at this time.
217 Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Minister for Education and Science the status of the building project for a school (details supplied) in Dublin 18; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20084/08]
The project to which the Deputy refers is currently at an early stage of architectural planning. The progression of all large scale building projects, including this project, from initial design stage through to construction is dependent on the prioritisation of competing demands on the funding available under my Departments capital budget. This project has been assigned a band rating of 2.5 under the Criteria for Prioritising Large Scale Projects and will be considered on an on-going basis in the context of my Department's multi-annual School Building and Modernisation Programme. However, in light of current competing demands on the capital budget of the Department, it is not possible to give an indicative timeframe for the progression of the project at this time.
218 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Education and Science if he gives bonuses to the directors or assistant directors of the agencies that operate under the remit of his Department when these agencies come in under budget in the financial year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20096/08]
The Chief Executives of the State Examinations Commission and the National Council for Special Education are eligible for awards under the Civil Service Scheme of performance related awards for posts at the levels of Assistant Secretary and Deputy Secretary and such awards are determined in accordance with the terms of that scheme. Approval for the introduction of a performance related award scheme has been granted recently to the National Qualifications Authority of Ireland for the post of Chief Executive. No other agencies under my aegis operate bonus or merit awards for their Chief Executives though a number are in discussion with the Department about introducing such schemes.
219 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Education and Science the provision made to ensure that a teacher or a number of teachers within a school setting have proper certification in providing first aid; if his attention has been drawn to this matter or if there are dedicated teachers with this responsibility within a school; if he has considered making defibrillators available to schools; his proposals to address this issue in the context of the 2009 Estimates; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20097/08]
The Board of Management / Manager of a school, following consultation between the principal and the staff, determines the duties which need to be performed by the holders of Posts of Responsibility for the effective internal management of the school and the distribution of these duties between the posts having regard to the school's own priorities. Among the duties which have been identified as appropriate for assignment to holders of Posts of Responsibility in schools is that of First Aid and Safety Officer. My Department's Teacher Education Section has, through the Education Centre Network, approved and funded a number of First Aid Courses for teachers in the context of its Summer Course Programme in 2007. That Section also provides funding to Education Centres for the provision of courses to meet locally identified priority needs, which include First Aid courses for teachers.
In recognition of the responsibility which the Education Act has imposed on Boards of Management and the increasingly complex environment in which they must operate, the Teacher Education Section (TES) of my Department has developed a scheme for the provision of support to school management bodies for the purpose of training and development of boards of management in the discharge of their duties and consistent with national and DES priorities. Among the essential core areas covered in the training is Health & Safety. The issue of making defibrillators available to schools is a decision for each individual Board of Management to make in relation to their own school.
220 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will confirm, in respect of all major school building projects sanctioned by his Department, that a 5% contribution from the school management towards the cost of the building applies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20098/08]
Where a site for a new school building is purchased by my Department the full cost of its construction is also provided. In these cases the building is owned by the Department and leased to an operator. In general, where a school is not owned by my Department, a local contribution of 10 per cent of the project cost is required for school building projects. This is capped at €63,500 for new schools and €31,500 for extension/refurbishment projects. The amount of the local contribution for schools with disadvantaged status is 5% of the project cost subject to a maximum amount of €12,500. These arrangements have been approved by the Department of Finance and are of a general application. As the Deputy is aware the Programme for Government commits my Department to abolish the local contribution to building projects and to the rental of accommodation. This matter is currently under consideration.
221 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will meet with Deputies from an area (details supplied) in County Mayo in relation to a particular school. [20187/08]
The project to which the Deputy refers is currently at an advanced stage of architectural planning. The progression of all large scale building projects, including the this project, 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. However, in light of current competing demands on the capital budget of the Department, it is not possible to give an indicative timeframe for the progression of the project at this time.
222 Deputy Frank Feighan asked the Minister for Education and Science the position regarding an application by a school (details supplied) in County Leitrim for funding under the summer works scheme 2008; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20190/08]
As the Deputy may be aware, the Summer Works Scheme was introduced in 2004. Since then, over 3,000 projects costing in excess of €300 million have been completed. With so many smaller projects having been completed over the past few years, my Department is focusing on delivering as many large projects as possible in 2008. Accordingly, there will not be a Summer Works Scheme for 2008. However, it is intended to have a Summer Works Scheme in 2009.
223 Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Education and Science when he will proceed with the construction of the planned secondary school in Kellystown, Dublin 15; if meetings have taken place with landowners in the Kellystown area with respect to a site for this school; if there is an agreement in place in relation to a site for this school; the size of the proposed site for this school; when he expects that the school will open; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20193/08]
My Department is progressing the acquisition of a number of sites under the Fingal School Model Agreement. The Fingal School Model is an agreement reached with Fingal County Council and is a partnership approach to fast-track the delivery of schools and community facilities throughout the Fingal Area. The intention is that the agreed approach will match the rapid pace of housing development in the area with the delivery of schools while at the same time providing important facilities for community use.
A site has been identified in Kellystown for the delivery of phase one of the primary provision to be made for the area and the Department intends, subject to finalisation of legalities surrounding site acquisition, to relocate an existing school in temporary accommodation to the new school 16 classroom building in Kellystown for September 2008 to meet the demand for school places. My Department intends to acquire further land for the provision of a post primary school to serve the Dublin 15 area in due course. A number of sites being acquired under the Fingal School Model are at varying stages of acquisition including the site at Kellystown and, as the Deputy will appreciate, due to commercial sensitivities relating to site acquisition, I am not in a position to comment further at this time.
224 Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Education and Science if he has received an appeal by a group (details supplied) with respect to his decision to refuse recognition of the school; if this appeal has been heard or considered; if it has not taken place, when it is expected to take place; if a decision has taken place with respect to the appeal; if no decision has been taken, when it is expected to be taken; the details of this decision; if the decision has not been taken, if he will make public the details of the decision as soon as it is made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20194/08]
As part of the process for the recognition of new schools, an applicant who has been refused recognition may appeal the decision to an Appeals Committee which is composed of a retired primary school principal, a retired post-primary school principal and a retired civil servant who formerly worked for my Department. Following the recent announcement in relation to the recognition of new Primary schools, my Department received an appeal from the Patron body referred to by the Deputy. I understand that the Committee has already met to consider the appeal and the recommendation of the Committee will be communicated to me shortly.
225 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Education and Science the names of the schools, 26 in total, under the school building projects programme that have completed the tender process, and are not included in the most recent announcement in respect of the school construction stage for 2008; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20201/08]
The information sought by the Deputy is given in the following tabular statement.
|
County |
Roll No. |
School |
|
|
1 |
Cavan |
06998Q |
SN Tulach a Mhile, Corlough |
|
2 |
Cork |
18786R |
Sc Iosagain, Farranree |
|
3 |
Donegal |
19333I |
Dooish NS, Ballybofey |
|
4 |
Dublin |
16964F |
Scoil Mhuire Ogh 1, Loreto College, Crumlin Rd |
|
5 |
Dublin |
18324C |
Scoil Bhríde C, Palmerstown |
|
6 |
Kerry |
20196I |
Ballybunion NS |
|
7 |
Kildare |
13350B |
Scoil Bhríde, Athgarvan |
|
8 |
Kildare |
16345A |
Scoil Bhríde, Nurney |
|
9 |
Kilkenny |
15160G |
Marymount N.S., The Rower, Inistioge |
|
10 |
Laois |
07442U |
Convent of Mercy NS, Borris in Ossory |
|
11 |
Meath |
17964K |
SN Mhuire Naofa, Rathfeigh |
|
12 |
Meath |
19253K |
Wilkinstown NS, Wilkinstown |
|
13 |
Monaghan |
18028V |
Corr a Chrainn NS, Corr a Chrainn |
|
14 |
Offaly |
17523D |
SN Cronain Naofa, Dromakeenan |
|
15 |
Roscommon |
01607T |
SN Cor Na Fola |
|
16 |
Tipperary |
15696B |
Silvermines NS |
|
17 |
Westmeath |
18812P |
Loch an Ghair NS Mullingar |
|
County |
Roll No. |
School |
|
|
1 |
Donegal |
71240U |
Stranorlar Vocational School (Finn Valley College) |
|
2 |
Dublin |
70030E |
Senior College, Dun Laoghaire |
|
3 |
Galway |
62970K |
Coláiste Iognáid SJ, Br Na Mara |
|
4 |
Kildare |
61710C |
Meánscoil Iognáid Ris, Naas |
|
5 |
Kildare |
70650L |
Athy Community College (St. Bridgets PP) |
|
6 |
Longford |
71690F |
Ballymahon Vocational School |
|
7 |
Mayo |
76060U |
Davitt College, Castlebar |
|
8 |
Meath |
71950F |
St Peter’s College, Dunboyne |
|
9 |
Wicklow |
61800D |
Presentation College, Bray |
227 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will assist on a matter (details supplied). [20206/08]
My Department has established a number of measures to support and advise schools where pupils may experience behavioural and emotional difficulties. All second level schools have been required to provide Social, Personal and Health Education (SPHE) as part of the junior cycle curriculum since September 2003. This course builds on SPHE in the Primary School Curriculum. SPHE, when considered both at primary level and in the junior cycle, provides all students with opportunities to develop skills and competences to enable them to engage in responsible decision-making and to promote their physical, mental and emotional health and well-being.
In September 2003, my Department established the Special Education Support Service (SESS) to manage, co-ordinate and develop a range of supports in response to identified training needs. 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 have also provided targeted support for post-primary schools. Funding is also provided through the SESS for on-line training in Managing Student Behaviour, Inclusion, Dyslexia, Understanding Autism, ADHD, Applied Behaviour Analysis, Gifted and Talented Students and Teaching Troubled Children. These online courses are run by the Institute of Child Education and Psychology Europe.
In 2006 the National Behaviour Support Service was established. A National Co-ordinator and five Assistant National Co-ordinators have been appointed In addition, ten Regional Development Officers and fourteen part-time Associates were recruited to ensure the success of this significant initiative. A Research Officer has been appointed and will carry out research of current Irish and international literature and test against reality situations in Irish schools. This should provide an invaluable benchmark of the level of disruption in schools and the effectiveness of intervention by the NBSS. A full-time administrator is based in Navan Education Centre.
Since their appointment, the team has been working on a number of key issues: The development of a Draft National Framework for Behaviour Improvement; The development of models of good practice for systems in schools which assist with and impact on classroom and whole school behaviour; On-going training for the NBSS team; and research into and communication with behaviour support systems in other jurisdictions.
The NBSS is currently working with 50 selected schools throughout the country. Behaviour Support Classrooms have been established and staffed in 30 of these 50 schools. These classrooms provide an individualised intensive intervention programme for a targeted group of students. The Behaviour Support Classrooms are staffed by at least one qualified whole-time teacher. The Board of Management of the schools concerned have flexibility in relation to the employment of another whole-time teacher equivalent and may employ people with different expertise to cater for the needs of the students involved. I want to emphasise however that these classrooms cannot be, in themselves, a solution to the issue of poor student behaviour. They must be one part of a holistic response which should see a school, actively supported by the Behaviour Support Team, defining for itself a pathway to improvement. The NBSS also propose to produce a training CD/DVD on all aspects of challenging behaviour, within the Irish context. It is envisaged that this would be available to all schools.
A key feature of the composition of the National Behaviour Support Service is the assignment to it of a team of four psychologists. These have been seconded from the National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS) and their presence will ensure that the team operates in a multi-disciplinary way. In addition all primary and post primary schools have access to psychological assessments either directly through the National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS) or through the Scheme for Commissioning Psychological Assessments (SCPA). Schools that do not currently have NEPS psychologists assigned to them may avail of the SCPA, whereby the school can have an assessment carried out by a member of the panel of private psychologists approved by NEPS, and NEPS will pay the psychologist the fees for this assessment directly.
It has always been the policy of NEPS, within the normal boundaries of finance and process, to endeavour to respond positively and flexibly to extraordinary need and circumstance as presented by school authorities on occasion and it is open to school Principals who have urgent needs for pupil assessment in excess of allocation to discuss the matter with the local NEPS Regional Director. My Department is committed to supporting schools and I want to advise the Deputy that since its establishment the number of psychologists allocated to NEPS has trebled.
228 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science the current and expected primary and second level school place requirements in Maynooth, County Kildare in 2008 and over the next five years; his plans to meet such requirements in full now and in the future; the extent to which a strategic plan exists in respect of such matters; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20212/08]
229 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science the current and expected primary and second level school place requirements in Kilcock, County Kildare in 2008 and over the next five years; his plans to meet such requirements in full now and in the future; the extent to which a strategic plan exists in respect of such matters; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20213/08]
230 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science the current and expected primary and second level school place requirements in Clane, County Kildare in 2008 and over the next five years; his plans to meet such requirements in full now and in the future; the extent to which a strategic plan exists in respect of such matters; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20214/08]
231 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science the current and expected primary and second level school place requirements in Sallins, County Kildare in 2008 and over the next five years; his plans to meet such requirements in full now and in the future; the extent to which a strategic plan exists in respect of such matters; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20215/08]
232 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science the current and expected primary and second level school place requirements in Kill, County Kildare in 2008 and over the next five years; his plans to meet such requirements in full now and in the future; the extent to which a strategic plan exists in respect of such matters; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20216/08]
233 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science the current and expected primary and second level school place requirements in Celbridge, County Kildare in 2008 and over the next five years; his plans to meet such requirements in full now and in the future; the extent to which a strategic plan exists in respect of such matters; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20217/08]
234 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science the current and expected primary and second level school place requirements in Leixlip, County Kildare in 2008 and over the next five years; his plans to meet such requirements in full now and in the future; the extent to which a strategic plan exists in respect of such matters; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20218/08]
245 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science the full extent of school place requirements at primary and second level in 2008 and for the foreseeable future; the means whereby it is expected to meet such requirements and over what periods; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20231/08]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 228 to 234, inclusive, and 245 together.
The Department's main responsibility is to ensure that schools in any given area can, between them, cater for all pupils seeking school places. This approach ensures that the use of existing accommodation is maximised and that the development and support of one school over others does not occur. As part of the Programme for Government, a Developing Areas Unit was set up recently in the Department to focus on the school accommodation needs of rapidly developing areas, including the areas referred to by the Deputy. The main emphasis in 2008 is on providing sufficient school places in these developing areas, as well as delivering improvements in the quality of existing primary and post-primary school accommodation throughout the country.
In this context, the status of all schools in these centres is being assessed as part of an overall delivery plan, which is currently being formulated within the Developing Areas Unit. In addition Forward Planning Section of the Department is in the process of identifying the areas where significant additional accommodation will be required at primary and post-primary level for 2009 and onwards. Factors under consideration include population growth, demographic trends, current and projected enrolments, recent and planned housing developments and capacity of existing schools to meet demand for places. Having considered these factors decisions will be taken on the means by which emerging needs will be met within an area. As is the case with all large capital projects currently on hand within the Unit, their progression will be considered in the context of the multi-annual School Building and Modernisation Programme.
235 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science the extent to which consideration has been given or is expected to be given to the provision of another second level school in north-west Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20219/08]
The Deputy will probably be aware that under the Department's Area Development Plan for the N4/M4 corridor published by the Commission on School Accommodation, in May, 2005 provision of a new post primary school for Enfield is recommended post 2011.
236 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science if a developed sketch design has been received in his Department for the provision of proposed new national school facilities at Ardclough, County Kildare; the expected progress of same in the next six months and 12 months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20222/08]
The project to which the Deputy refers to is at early architectural planning. Officials from my Department have requested the Developed Sketch Design. On receipt of this, my Department will be in contact with the school authorities. The progression of all large scale building projects from initial design stage through to tender and construction, including this project, will be considered in the context of my Department's Multi-Annual School Building and Modernisation Programme. However, in light of current competing demands on the capital budget of the Department, it is not possible to give an indicative timeframe for the progression of the project at this time.
237 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science if written approval confirmation stage one has issued regarding a proposed new school at Kill, County Kildare on foot of reply to Parliamentary Question No. 188 of 9 April 2008; the expected progress of same in the next six months and 12 months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20223/08]
Written approval of the Stage 2(a) submission issued to the design team on the project referred to by the Deputy on 23rd April 2008. The Stage 2(b) submission is due to be submitted to my Department on 18th August 2008.
238 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science the full extent of his intentions to improve or extend facilities for children with autism, Asperger's or other special needs throughout the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20224/08]
The Deputy will be aware of the Government's commitment to ensuring that all children with special educational needs, including those with autism, can have access to an education appropriate to their needs preferably in school settings through the primary and post primary school network. This facilitates access to individualised education programmes, fully qualified professional teachers, special needs assistants and the appropriate school curriculum. The establishment of a network of autism-specific special classes in schools across the country to cater for children with autism has been a key educational priority in recent years. In excess of 315 classes have now been approved around the country at primary and post primary level, including many in special schools, 27 of these classes are in Co. Kildare.
Children in these classes benefit from having fully-qualified teachers who have access to training in a range of autism-specific interventions, including Applied Behavioural Analysis (ABA), the Treatment and Education of Autistic and Related Communication Handicapped Children (TEACCH) and the Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS). These students have the option, where appropriate, of full/partial integration and interaction with other pupils. Funding is also provided for assistive technology and specialist equipment as required and special school transport arrangements may also be put in place.
The Deputy may be aware that in order to support teachers my Department has put in place a training programme for teachers in specific interventions associated with autism including TEACCH, PECS and ABA through the Special Education Support Service. A recent initiative has been the expansion of this service to enable it to recruit a behavioural specialist support team.
239 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science his plans to bring pupil-teacher ratios in the classroom into line with the promises made prior to the 2007 general election; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20225/08]
The Programme for Government sets out the overarching policy position in relation to the provision of additional teachers and on reductions in class size over the life of the Government. The Programme contains a commitment to increase the number of primary teachers by at least 4000 and on that basis to make further progress on reducing class sizes.
Budget 2008 provided my Department with €4.6 billion or €380 million extra for teacher pay and pensions. This was a very substantial level of additional investment in the terms of the economic environment on which the budget was based. That allocation provides for paying for over 2000 extra primary teachers more than the number in schools when the Government took office last Summer. It covers the additional teachers that went into schools last September for the previously announced reduction to a 27 to 1 based staffing schedule along with additional teachers this school year and in the coming school year to meet increasing enrolments, to provide for special needs and the language requirements of newcomer children. This means that in terms of the overall commitment to provide at least 4000 additional teachers the Government in its first two years in office will be well ahead of target.
All Programme for Government commitments to improve public services including those relating to class size are contingent on the economic and budgetary environment and the need for prudent expenditure and fiscal management. Even since the presentation of Budget 2008 last December there have been significant alterations in the external and domestic environment. In that context any reasonable observer would regard the fact that the Government has already taken measures that will see the allocation of over 2000 additional teachers to primary schools as a considerable investment all things considered.
Similarly the commitment in relation to improving class size in second level schools can only be looked at and considered in the context of the overall economic and budgetary position that might prevail in the coming years and the competing priorities for available resources.
240 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science the intentions to meet the accommodation requirements as set out by the various school authorities at primary and second level throughout the country in 2008; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20226/08]
Initial work on establishing and assigning dedicated staff to a Developing Areas Unit began in the latter part of 2007 and it is now fully operational. In terms of its work programme for 2008, the Developing Areas Unit is advancing the delivery of 30 new primary schools which are planned to be in place for September 2008. These projects are being delivered in areas which have been identified as areas of rapid population growth. To deliver its 2008 programme, the Developing Areas Unit has been working closely with relevant Local Authorities on the acquisition of sites and on general preplanning issues.
The Forward Planning Section of the Department is identifying the areas where significant additional accommodation will be needed for 2009 and onwards. This is also being done in close consultation with local authorities. Forward Planning Section's findings will feed into the Developing Areas Unit for further action. Factors under consideration include population growth, demographic trends, current and projected enrolments, recent and planned housing developments and capacity of existing schools to meet demand for places. Having considered these factors decisions will be taken on the means by which emerging needs will be met within an area.
If schools feel that they do not have sufficient places to meet demand they should contact my Department without delay, so that the situation can be examined as to how best to provide whatever additional capacity is required. My Department is satisfied that the approach which it is now taking to the identification and delivery of extra school places particularly in rapidly developing areas will, subject to the availability of funding, ensure that those places will be provided when and where they are needed.
241 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science the extent to which he has examined the request for admission to primary schools by parents of young children in respect of which a shortage of school places exists; the action he will take in 2008 to meet such shortfalls; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20227/08]
The Developing Areas Unit of my Department is advancing the delivery of 30 new primary schools which are planned to be in place for September 2008. These projects are being delivered in areas which have been identified as areas of rapid population growth. To deliver its 2008 programme, the Developing Areas Unit has been working closely with relevant Local Authorities on the acquisition of sites and on general preplanning issues. The Forward Planning Section of the Department is identifying the areas where significant additional accommodation will be needed for 2009 and onwards. This is also being done in close consultation with local authorities Forward Planning Section's findings will feed into the Developing Areas Unit for further action.
Factors under consideration include population growth, demographic trends, current and projected enrolments, recent and planned housing developments and capacity of existing schools to meet demand for places. Having considered these factors decisions will be taken on the means by which emerging needs will be met within an area. If schools feel that they do not have sufficient places to meet demand they should contact my Department without delay, so that the situation can be examined as to how best to provide whatever additional capacity is required
242 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science if his attention has been drawn to the fact that school authorities at a school (details supplied) in County Kildare have been forced to revise the age threshold for new entrants from June to February due to the lack of adequate school accommodation and the serious affect on the education of children in such circumstances; the extent to which he proposes to meet the school’s accommodation requirements for September 2008; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20228/08]
243 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of children seeking a school placement at a school (details supplied) in County Kildare in 2008; the extent to which he expects to provide the necessary accommodation to meet such requirements without a restrictive admissions process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20229/08]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 242 and 243 together.
Enrolment decisions are the responsibility of the Board of Management of each individual school. My Department has no role in relation to processing applications for enrolment by schools. The compulsory school starting age in a National School is 6 years of age. Section 29 of the Education Act 1998, provides parents with an appeal process where a Board of Management of a school or a person acting on behalf of the Board refuses enrolment to a student. Where a school refuses to enrol a pupil, the school is obliged to inform parents of their right under Section 29 of Education Act 1998 to appeal that decision to the Secretary General of my Department. It is only where an appeal under Section 29 is upheld that the Secretary General of my Department may direct a school to enrol a pupil.
The National Educational Welfare Board (NEWB) is the statutory agency which can assist parents who are experiencing difficulty in securing a school place for their child. In general my Department's main responsibility is to ensure that schools in an area can, between them, cater for all pupils seeking places. This may result, however, in some pupils not obtaining a place in the school of their first choice.
It is the responsibility of the managerial authorities of schools that are not in a position to admit all pupils seeking entry to implement an enrolment policy in accordance with the Education Act. In this regard a board of management may find it necessary to restrict enrolment to children from a particular area or a particular age group or, occasionally, on the basis of some other criterion. In formulating an admissions policy a school must, however, ensure it is lawful. In particular, it must act in accordance with Equal Status legislation. In the event of additional accommodation being required at short notice it is open to a school to apply to my Department for the provision of temporary accommodation.
246 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science when he expects to meet in full an application for major capital funding at a school (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20235/08]
247 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science when he expects to meet in full an application for major capital funding at a school (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20236/08]
249 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science when he expects to meet in full an application for major capital funding at a school (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20238/08]
251 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science when he expects to meet in full an application for major capital funding at a school (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20240/08]
252 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science when he expects to meet in full an application for major capital funding at a school (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20241/08]
254 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science when he expects to meet in full an application for major capital funding at a school (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20243/08]
255 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science when he expects to meet in full an application for major capital funding at a school (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20244/08]
258 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science if summer work urgently required will go ahead at a school (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20247/08]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 246, 247, 249, 251, 252, 254, 255 and 258 together.
I can confirm to the Deputy that my Department is in receipt of applications for large scale capital funding from the schools to which he refers. The projects have been assessed in accordance with the published prioritisation criteria for large scale building projects. Progress on the proposed works will be considered on an ongoing basis in the context of my Department's multi-annual School Building and Modernisation programme. However, in light of current competing demands on the capital budget of the Department, it is not possible to give an indicative timeframe for the progression of these projects at this time.
248 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science when he expects to meet in full an application for major capital funding at a school (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20237/08]
253 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science when he expects to meet in full an application for major capital funding at a school (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20242/08]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 248 and 253 together.
I can confirm to the Deputy that my Department is in receipt of applications for large scale capital funding from the schools to which he refers. The projects have been assessed in accordance with the published prioritisation criteria for large scale building projects. Progress on the proposed works will be considered on an ongoing basis in the context of my Department's multi-annual School Building and Modernisation programme. However, in light of current competing demands on the capital budget of the Department, it is not possible to give an indicative timeframe for the progression of the project at this time.
250 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science when he expects to meet in full an application for major capital funding at a school (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20239/08]
In 2007 the school in question received approval to build additional classrooms under the devolved Permanent Accommodation Scheme (PAS). The purpose of the PAS is to devolve funding to individual school authorities to undertake building works which will address the school's long term accommodation needs. Under the terms of the Scheme, school authorities are empowered to manage these works with guidance from and minimal interaction with the Department. Devolving funding to school management authorities allows them to have control of their projects, assists in moving projects more quickly to tender and construction and can also deliver better value for money.
The scheme is not intended to leave schools with significant fundraising needs; rather the terms of the Scheme require the schools to tailor the scope of capital works commissioned to the available funding. The decision on whether to continue participating in the scheme or to drop out, if the scope of build is more than the funding envelope permits, is a matter for each school authority. The Board of Management submitted an appeal for additional funding which was unsuccessful. They were advised to use the grant to achieve the maximum accommodation possible taking into consideration the extra cost which has arisen.
256 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science when he expects to meet in full the permanent classroom requirements at a school (details supplied) in County Kildare; if his Department received stage three submission from the board of management design team; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20245/08]
The project at the school referred to by the Deputy is currently at stage 3 of the architectural planning process. The Client for this project is the School Board of Management. The stage 3 submission is currently being reviewed by the Client's design team in advance of being referred to my Department for approval.
257 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science when he expects to meet in full the permanent classroom requirements at a school (details supplied) in County Kildare; if his Department received stage three submission from the school’s design team; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20246/08]
Officials from my Department are still awaiting a date for receipt of the Stage 3 submission (i.e. Developed Sketch Scheme) from the school's Design Team. On receipt of this date a review meeting will be organised between the Board of Management, its Design Team and the Department to assess the submission.
Question No. 258 answered with Question No. 246.
259 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science the current and anticipated progress in the next six months regarding a project at a school (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20248/08]
261 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science when further progress will take place in view of the fact that the tender report was received by his Department in January 2008 (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20250/08]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 259 and 261 together.
The projects at the schools referred to by the Deputy are at an advanced stage (Stage 2b — Detailed Design and Bill of Quantities) of the architectural planning process. As part of the Programme for Government, a Developing Areas Unit was set up recently in my Department to focus on the school accommodation needs of rapidly developing areas, including Naas. The main emphasis in 2008 is on providing sufficient school places in these developing areas, as well as delivering improvements in the quality of existing primary and post-primary school accommodation throughout the country. In this context, the status of all schools in Naas is being assessed. The schools referred to by the Deputy will be included in this assessment. As is the case with all large capital projects currently on hand within the Unit, their progression will be considered in the context of the multi-annual School Building and Modernisation Programme.
260 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science when an application for large scale capital funding was received in his Department for the provision of proposed new primary school facilities at Straffan, County Kildare; the expected progress of same in the next six months and 12 months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20249/08]
An application for large scale capital funding at the school in question has been received. The commencement and progression of all large scale building projects from initial design stage through to construction phase, including this project, will be considered in the context of my Department's Multi-Annual School Building and Modernisation Programme. However, in light of current competing demands on the capital budget of the Department, it is not possible to give an indicative timeframe for the progression of the project at this time.
262 Deputy Damien English asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if his attention has been drawn to a situation regarding applications made by Nigerian nationals to his Department, whereby the applicants have been informed that there is an embargo on re-issuing of passports from this country’s embassy, that this situation is inhibiting applications for stamp fours to continue working here and inhibiting applications for IBC/05; if he has proposals in place to address the anomaly in the application process resulting in this situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20019/08]
It was a fundamental requirement of the IBC/05 scheme, which ended on 31/03/2005, and the renewal scheme that the applicant provided evidence of identity in the form of a valid passport or national identity document. It should also be noted that permission to remain in the State on any basis does not take effect until it is registered by the Garda National Immigration Bureau. Permission to remain in the State is registered by the endorsement of the applicant's passport with the appropriate stamp showing the conditions of the permission. The procedures for the issue of passports, including the issue of replacements for lost or stolen passports, are a matter for the national authorities of the country concerned.
263 Deputy Tony Gregory asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 230, 231 and 232 of 14 May 2008, if he will set out, specify and clarify the precise reasons and circumstances in which the decisions were made not to submit the applications of each of the prisoners concerned to the independent commission set up for this purpose under the Good Friday Agreement. [20026/08]
The procedures for the early release of certain prisoners are set out in the Criminal Justice (Release of Prisoners) Act 1998. Under Section 3(2) of the Act, the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform can specify a prisoner as a qualifying prisoner and request the Release of Prisoners Commission to give advice as to their release. The Courts have indicated that the Minister has considerable executive discretion in deciding whether a person is a qualifying prisoner and that the Criminal Justice (Release of Prisoners) Act 1998 does not limit the Minister's powers in relation to release. The Minister did not specify the prisoners in question as qualifying and therefore did not request the advice of the Commission in relation to their release.
I do not intend to make public the reasons underlying the decisions taken in this regard. However, I can confirm to the Deputy that in relation to the four prisoners referred to in Question No. 232, the reasons were communicated to these individuals following their applications.
264 Deputy Tony Gregory asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if a decision has been made on the application of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 20; and if, pending a decision, he will make arrangements to allow this person travel to Sweden with a neighbourhood youth project group in August 2008. [20031/08]
I have been informed by the Immigration Division of my Department that the person referred to by the Deputy is the subject of a Family Reunification application made by his father in February 2006. I have also been informed that the Immigration Division has recently been in contact with his father requesting further documentation and that on receipt of a response the application will be processed further.
265 Deputy Charlie O’Connor asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will discuss with the Garda Commissioner the need for a new modern Garda station in Tallaght, Dublin 24; his views on the clear need for progress in this regard; and if he will take the necessary action to ensure that the process is accelerated. [20074/08]
I have been informed by the Garda authorities that it is planned to re-develop the existing Garda station site at the Square in Tallaght. The planned station will be expanded to incorporate additional facilities and office space to meet all operational requirements. This station will also become the Divisional Headquarters for the Dublin Metropolitan Region South when completed. A brief of requirements has been prepared by the Garda authorities and the Office of Public Works, who have responsibility for the provision, refurbishment and maintenance of Garda buildings, have prepared a sketch scheme. It is anticipated that construction will commence in 2009 and it is expected that the new Garda Station will be completed within two years.
266 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of staff employed in the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service, the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner and the Refugee Appeals Tribunal, respectively; the number of vacant posts in each agency; the steps being taken to fill vacant posts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20079/08]
The total number of whole-time equivalent staff serving in my Department and its agencies is 2,256. This figure includes the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service, which itself encompasses the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner and the Refugee Appeals Tribunal. My Department is required by a Government Decision of December 2002 to operate within overall staffing limits that apply across the entire Justice sector. Staff assignments to the Immigration area are dealt with in the same manner to that which obtains in all other areas of my Department; resources — including staffing resources — are deployed to it subject to availability, maintaining overall staffing numbers, and consistent with resourcing the many other priority areas of my Department.
267 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of applications before the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner and the Refugee Appeals Tribunal respectively; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20080/08]
As at 31 March 2008, there were 1,218 outstanding asylum applications awaiting a recommendation by the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner (ORAC). Of these, only 137 cases were on hands over 6 months. The Refugee Applications Commissioner continues to keep the procedure for processing applications for refugee status in that Office under ongoing review with a view to limiting the amount of time applicants have to wait for a recommendation to be made, without compromising on applicants rights to a fair and balanced examination of their case.
As at 31 March 2008, there were 3,369 appeals outstanding in the Refugee Appeals Tribunal (RAT). Of these, 2,136 were on hands over six months. A large volume of the appeals outstanding more than 6 months in the Refugee Appeals Tribunal is due to the delay in processing appeals pending the granting of access to Tribunal Decisions following the Supreme Court judgement (in the Atanasov case) on the matter. Following the judgement the RAT set up a comprehensive data bank of previous decisions of the Tribunal, suitably redacted, which is readily available for access by legal representatives of applicants. This data bank, along with other measures being applied by RAT, will be of considerable assistance in clearing the current backlog of cases. Other factors such as adjournments, postponements and judicial reviews can also impede the Tribunal from completing cases earlier. High quality, consistent and fair decision making in all cases continues to be a high priority in the Tribunal.
268 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the average total cost to the State to support and keep an asylum seeker per annum [20081/08]
The costs to my Department in relation to delivering asylum services are included under the following subheads of the Justice vote: D1 (Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service); D2 (Refugee Legal Service); and D4 (Accommodation Asylum Seekers). The total costs under these subheads from 2002 to 2007 are set out in tabular format.
|
Year |
Subhead D1 |
Subhead D2 |
Subhead D4 |
Total Cost €M |
|
2002 |
36.5 |
9.0 |
N/A* |
45.5 |
|
2003 |
34.8 |
9.2 |
76.6 |
120.6 |
|
2004 |
35.6 |
9.1 |
83.6 |
128.3 |
|
2005 |
43.2 |
9.2 |
84.4 |
136.8 |
|
2006 |
52.2 |
7.7 |
78.8 |
138.7 |
|
2007** |
65.1 |
8.6 |
83.3 |
157.0 |
*The Department of the Environment and Local Government passed over responsibility for asylum seeker accommodation to the Reception and Integration Agency on 1 January 2003. In 2002, that Department reported a spend of €88.85M on asylum seeker accommodation.
**The figures for 2007 are provisional and may be subject to change until publication of the 2007 appropriation accounts.
Additional costs are borne by other Departments and Offices, such as the Department of Social and Family Affairs, the Office of Public Works, the Department of Health and Children, the Department of Education and Science and the Chief State Solicitor's Office. The Deputy should note that the costs incurred under subhead D1 include the total cost of running the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) which includes the delivery of services across Asylum, Immigration, Naturalisation and Visa areas. The provisional expenditure under Subhead D1 for 2007 also includes expenditure on a number of major IT projects which will improve efficiency and customer service in asylum and immigration areas once completed. A significant proportion of the overall costs to my Department in delivering asylum services are in relation to the provision of asylum seeker accommodation, as can be seen from the table above.
As INIS costs are not exclusive to asylum services and as asylum costs are borne by other Government Departments and organisations it is not possible to provide an average cost to the State for an asylum seeker per annum. The Immigration, Residence and Protection Bill published in January of this year, and which is currently at Committee stage of the Dáil, comprehensively reforms and simplifies the current refugee status determination process. It proposes, inter alia, the introduction of a single procedure for the investigation of all grounds for protection presented by applicants.
This change of the processing framework will remove the current multi-layered and sequential process and will thereby allow an applicant to get a final decision on their application in a more efficient manner. Together with other provisions of the Bill, it is anticipated that the time required to reach a final decision in a given case will be reduced, which can only be in the interests of the applicant and indeed the protection of the integrity of the refugee status determination process.
269 Deputy Joe Costello asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the level of funding for domestic violence allocated by the State in each of the past ten years; the number and location of refuges funded or part funded by the Government; if there are proposals to increase the State funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20111/08]
The Deputy will appreciate that funding for action on domestic violence encompasses direct action by identifiable victim support services as well as a broad range of actions across the justice, health, housing, education and family support sectors. Moreover, actions particularly by the State sector to deal with domestic violence may be part of a wider family support programme which is not identifiable under a domestic violence heading. The overlap between domestic violence and other family and community issues, for example in terms of Garda Síochána and Health Service Executive (HSE) frontline staff action, creates a challenge to the quantification of the total State allocation on this issue. This is one of the issues which will be addressed, insofar as is possible, in the context of the preparation of the proposed National Strategy on Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence.
I can inform the Deputy that the bulk of direct funding in relation to domestic violence service provision is provided by the HSE which funds the core work of the NGO support services in this sector. Prior to the establishment of the HSE, the Department of Health and Children provided this funding through the Health Boards. The Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government provides funding through the local authorities for the capital and maintenance costs of women's refuges and other crisis accommodation. In the timeframe available it has not been possible to provide a detailed reply to the broad question raised by the Deputy. I can provide information in relation to my own Department and I have requested details of direct funding allocated to domestic violence from all the other Departments concerned. In addition I have sought information from the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government and the HSE on the number and location of refuges funded or part-funded by the Government. I will forward this information to the Deputy as soon as it is available.
Direct funding by my Department has been allocated in relation to awareness raising and perpetrator intervention programmes. The Deputy should note that funding for awareness raising includes funding for both domestic and sexual violence.
|
Year |
Allocation |
|
€ |
|
|
1998 |
128,244 |
|
1999 |
350,448 |
|
2000 |
350,448 |
|
2001 |
989,126 |
|
2002 |
885,000 |
|
2003 |
840,000 |
|
2004 |
802,000 |
|
2005 |
1,124,000 |
|
2006 |
1,656,000 |
|
2007 |
2,185,000 |
|
2008 |
2,950,000 |
I can inform the Deputy that funding of a total of €21m has been allocated to my Department for action on both domestic and sexual violence under the National Development Plan 2007-2013. The increase in funding in 2007 and 2008 coincides with the establishment in June, 2007 of Cosc — the National Office for the Prevention of Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence, an executive office of the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform with a cross-government mandate. Cosc's key responsibility is to ensure the delivery of a well co-ordinated "whole of Government" response to domestic, sexual and gender-based violence.
Other funding has been provided to the sector by my Department in recent years under headings not specifically or exclusively linked to combating domestic violence. For example, funding has been provided from the Department's research budget, in order to support research activity relevant to domestic violence. As I indicated, further details have been sought and will be supplied to the Deputy as soon as possible.
270 Deputy Seán Sherlock asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of gardaí per division for the years 2005 to 2007 inclusive; the breakdown of 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. [20115/08]
I have been informed by the Garda Commissioner that the personnel strength by Division for 31/12/05 to 31/12/07 was as set out in the table:
|
Division |
31/12/05 |
31/12/06 |
31/12/07 |
|
DMR South Central |
707 |
738 |
773 |
|
DMR North Central |
649 |
662 |
694 |
|
DMR South |
556 |
595 |
623 |
|
DMR North |
600 |
640 |
761 |
|
DMR West |
679 |
719 |
758 |
|
DMR East |
558 |
591 |
618 |
|
Louth/Meath |
521 |
550 |
533 |
|
Carlow/Kildare |
331 |
367 |
402 |
|
Laois/Offaly |
279 |
291 |
312 |
|
Longford/Westmeath |
248 |
278 |
318 |
|
Wicklow/Wexford |
312 |
344 |
365 |
|
Waterford/Kilkenny |
343 |
380 |
428 |
|
Tipperary |
314 |
338 |
361 |
|
Cork City |
619 |
638 |
656 |
|
Cork North |
248 |
262 |
285 |
|
Cork West |
251 |
264 |
294 |
|
Kerry |
266 |
295 |
318 |
|
Limerick |
485 |
532 |
593 |
|
Clare |
261 |
318 |
314 |
|
Galway West |
375 |
401 |
424 |
|
Roscommon/Galway East |
249 |
259 |
280 |
|
Mayo |
259 |
279 |
313 |
|
Sligo/Leitrim |
271 |
287 |
300 |
|
Donegal |
417 |
448 |
476 |
|
Cavan/Monaghan |
367 |
388 |
401 |
The Deputy will appreciate that, as with any large organisation, on any given day, personnel strengths of individual divisions, districts and stations may fluctuate due, for example, to promotions, retirements and transfers. With regard to the Specialist Units, I have requested this information from the Garda Commissioner and I will write to the Deputy directly when this information is to hand.
271 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of burglaries that have occurred in Dublin with a breakdown in each division in April 2008 compared to April 2007; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20188/08]
Following the submission of a report and recommendations by an expert group on crime statistics, it was decided that the compilation and publication of crime statistics should be taken over by the Central Statistics Office, as the national statistical agency, from the Garda Síochána. The Garda Síochána Act 2005 consequently makes provision for this, and the CSO has established a dedicated unit for this purpose. The CSO has published crime statistics since the third quarter of 2006. I have requested the CSO to provide the statistics sought by the Deputy directly to him.
272 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Galway. [20207/08]
I presume the Deputy is referring to correspondence dated 4 February, 2008 to my predecessor as Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform. A reply issued from my office to the Deputy in relation to the correspondence referred to on 20 May, 2008.
273 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position regarding a matter (details supplied). [20208/08]
The position remains as set out in my response to the Deputy's Question No. 455 on 20 May, 2008.
274 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will expedite the visa application for a person (details supplied). [20211/08]
The application referred to by the Deputy was received in the Visa Office, Dublin on the 16th May 2008 and is currently awaiting examination by a Visa Officer. I would expect a decision on the visa application this week.
275 Deputy Seán Fleming asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the powers that exist to deal with dogs who have bitten a person; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20065/08]
The Control of Dogs Act 1986 contains specific requirements in relation to the control of dogs by owners and persons in charge of dogs, including places where a dog is permitted to be. Section 22 of the Act in particular provides that on a complaint being made to the District Court by any interested person that a dog is dangerous and not kept under proper control, the court has powers to order that a dog, which the court considers dangerous, be kept under proper control or be destroyed. The Act further provides that the owner of a dog shall be liable for damage caused in an attack on any person.
276 Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his views on a query (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20184/08]
Under Section 58(3) of the Housing Act, 1966, 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 following broad principles laid down by my Department:
That the rent payable should be related to income and a smaller proportion of income should be required from low income households;
That allowances should be made for dependent children including those under 21 years of age in full-time education;
That a contribution towards rent should be required from subsidiary earners in the household;
That provision should be included for the acceptance of a lower rent than that required under the terms of the scheme in exceptional cases where payment of the normal rent would give rise to hardship; and
That appropriate local factors should be taken into account including the costs of the maintenance and management of the stock of rented dwellings and the adequacy of the rental income to meet such costs.
Decisions on whether or not to disregard either a proportion of income or particular sources of income for the purposes of calculating rents are matters for each individual local authority and I have no function in such matters. In relation to the wider issues relating to housing and older people, my Department has recently established, and chairs, a cross-departmental team on sheltered housing to develop and oversee policy and to agree, as a priority, local structures and protocols for integrated management and delivery of housing and related care services. The work of this group will ultimately feed into the new National Positive Ageing Strategy, outlined in the Programme for Government.
277 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he has received a request from the Office of Public Works for funding in relation to the implementation of the recommendations directed to the OPW in the Towards a Liffey Valley Park document; his views on this request if received; the moneys provided to date; the moneys he has committed to providing in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20041/08]
My Department has not received a request from the OPW for funding to implement the recommendations in the report Towards a Liffey Valley Park. The development plans of the relevant local authorities provide the primary land use protection policies for the Liffey Valley. In addition, parts of the Valley are already covered by special designations. The area between Chapelizod and Lucan is protected by a Special Amenity Area Order, and part of the valley is designated as a proposed Natural Heritage Area.
As indicated in the reply to Questions Nos. 544 and 545 of 4 March 2008, it is an objective of South Dublin County Council's current Development Plan to investigate the feasibility of extending the Special Amenity Area Order to further lands, including lands in St Edmundsbury and Woodville. My Department is currently in discussion with the local authority on how this objective can be achieved in a timely manner and on the extent of the area to be covered by any such Order.
278 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he has plans to introduce further bans on turf cutting in the future years, by the way of a blanket ban or designating more areas where people cannot cut turf; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20045/08]
I refer to the reply to Questions Nos. 942, 959, 961, 962 and 983 of 2 April 2008. The position is unchanged.
279 Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the amount of money collected in motor taxation for each county and city through the on-line service; if that information is not readily available, if the system will be adjusted to allow that information to be gathered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20083/08]
The amount of motor tax collected for 2007 and from January to April 2008 by each local authority through the on-line motor tax service is set out in the following table.
|
Motor Taxation Office |
On-line Receipts 2007 |
On-line Receipts 2008 |
|
Carlow |
2,948,911 |
1,421,074 |
|
Cavan |
3,315,237 |
1,675,668 |
|
Clare |
6,035,662 |
2,967,734 |
|
Cork |
38,970,440 |
19,288,225 |
|
Donegal |
4,442,521 |
2,204,297 |
|
Galway |
14,156,666 |
6,800,378 |
|
Kerry |
8,379,640 |
4,123,338 |
|
Kildare |
18,496,931 |
8,848,333 |
|
Kilkenny |
5,376,605 |
2,668,154 |
|
Laois |
3,509,018 |
1,804,579 |
|
Leitrim |
1,244,600 |
600,007 |
|
Limerick Co |
8,975,128 |
4,577,607 |
|
Longford |
1,197,457 |
594,762 |
|
Louth |
5,164,664 |
2,575,454 |
|
Mayo |
6,183,562 |
2,876,056 |
|
Meath |
13,159,426 |
6,363,716 |
|
Monaghan |
2,095,115 |
1,072,247 |
|
Offaly |
3,704,908 |
1,817,039 |
|
Roscommon |
2,628,021 |
1,284,011 |
|
Sligo |
2,808,528 |
1,306,301 |
|
N. Tipperary |
4,515,828 |
2,352,946 |
|
S. Tipperary |
3,550,445 |
1,575,226 |
|
Waterford Co |
3,637,366 |
1,778,288 |
|
Westmeath |
4,006,068 |
1,924,569 |
|
Wexford |
8,827,971 |
4,296,061 |
|
Wicklow |
11,009,776 |
5,124,653 |
|
Dublin City |
115,375,169 |
52,565,810 |
|
Limerick City |
2,858,410 |
1,314,806 |
|
Waterford City |
2,456,644 |
1,134,424 |
|
Total |
309,030,717 |
146,935,763 |
280 Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the position in relation to the storage of planning files dealt with by his Department prior to the establishment of An Bord Pleanála; the locations where such files are currently stored; if access to examine such files is open to members of the public; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20113/08]
Copies of decisions in relation to all planning appeals received by the Department of the Environment under the Local Government (Planning and Development) Act 1963 until the establishment of An Bord Pleanála under the Local Government (Planning and Development) Act 1976, are stored at the Custom House. Copies of the decisions can be made available upon request to Planning Section, Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Custom House, Dublin 1. Some of the files relating to these decisions have been moved to the National Archives, while others are stored off-site by my Department pending relocation to the Archives. Access to these files can be made available upon application, in the first instance, to the Corporate Development Section of my Department, Custom House, Dublin 1.
281 Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the inadequacy of legislation in speedily dealing with illegal Traveller encampments as in a case (details supplied) in Dublin 9; and when he will update the powers provided to local authorities in order that illegal encampments can be eradicated within a matter of weeks rather than months. [20200/08]
Local authorities have a wide and effective range of powers to deal with unauthorised Traveller encampments. The principal powers of local authorities to deal with the unauthorised placing of temporary dwellings on public property, under legislation coming within the ambit of my Department, are contained in the Local Government (Sanitary Services) Act 1948, and Section 10 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1992, as amended by Section 32 of the Housing (Traveller Accommodation) Act 1998 and Section 21 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2002.
The relevant provisions of the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act 1994 concerning offences relating to entering and occupying land without consent or the bringing of any object onto such land are a matter for my colleague the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform. While I have no current plans to amend the aforementioned powers available to local authorities, I will continue to keep the effectiveness of these powers under review.
282 Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the details of the number of questions asked of those people surveyed for the recent report carried out by his Department regarding the impact of climate change; the order in which the questions were asked; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20209/08]
283 Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if, with regard to the recent report in relation to the impact of climate change, there was a question asked to ascertain the view of those people polled in relation to an eight cent carbon tax on petrol and if not this amount, any other amount; if such questions were asked, the details of the percentage of people in favour and the percentages who do not know; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20210/08]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 282 and 283 together.
Details of the questions asked, and full results of the research survey are available on the www.change.ie website at the following URL http://www.change.ie/en/Media-Centre/ .
284 Deputy Phil Hogan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will introduce a grant for wood log gasifiers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20092/08]
285 Deputy P. J. Sheehan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his views on the introduction of a grant scheme for wood log gasifiers (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20095/08]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 284 and 285 together.
The Greener Homes Scheme provides support to homeowners to invest in a range of domestic renewable energy heating technologies including solar panels, biomass boilers and stoves and heat pumps. There has been a strong interest in the scheme since it was launched in March 2006. On foot of the achievement of the original scheme targets three years ahead of schedule, Phase I of the Greener Homes Scheme was closed on 3 September 2007. Phase II of the scheme was opened on 1 October 2007 with assistance still provided under the above mentioned headings. The objective in Greener Homes Phase II is to consolidate the market, underpinning it with quality standards and training and providing for a long-term future that is not grant dependent.
The aim is to ensure that the market for these products, services and fuels continues to develop strongly in a robust manner and that consumers continue to be guided towards discerning choices. Continuing the scheme is helping secure a range of objectives including more competitive offerings, revised product standards, improved training standards and stable growth across the renewable heating industry. The Greener Homes Scheme will continue to be kept under review, and will continue to evolve in light of the maturing technologies and market developments, including the consideration of additional technologies such as wood log gasifiers.
286 Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if there are grant supports or other incentives available to a company wishing to install a HIBrite energy efficient lighting system at its retail premises. [20082/08]
Section 46 of the Finance Act 2008 provides that companies may claim 100% of the capital cost of certain energy efficient plant and machinery, including lighting, against taxable profits in year of purchase. The scheme is expected to commence in July 2008 and run for 3 years. Other product categories covered are lighting controls, motors, variable speed drives and building energy management systems.
The purpose of the scheme is to encourage businesses to purchase plant and machinery that is highly energy efficient. Over the lifetime of such products, the energy used is generally a more significant cost to business than the purchase cost. Energy efficient products are more economical over their lifetime and are a sound investment for business. However, despite their economic advantages, businesses have been slow to change their purchase habits. I expect that the tax incentives provided through this scheme will help persuade companies to re-evaluate their purchase policies.
Sustainable Energy Ireland (SEI) has drafted product efficiency criteria following a public/industry consultation and these are likely to be published in the coming weeks, with an invitation to manufacturers to submit their eligible products for inclusion on the Approved List for the purpose of the Section 46 tax allowance. It will be necessary for the manufacturers or suppliers of HIBrite to assess their products against these criteria and if deemed eligible, to apply to SEI for inclusion on the List. I expect to make an Order under Section 46 in July this year adopting the efficiency criteria in law, together with the Approved Lists of products under those criteria.
287 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources when land line broadband will be made available in an area (details supplied) in County Mayo. [20186/08]
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 for broadband purposes of exchanges owned by private companies. However, it is hoped that the facilitation of greater competition via the introduction of broadband from different technology platforms will encourage the more rapid enabling of all exchanges for broadband. My role as Minister is to promote the necessary statutory and regulatory framework to facilitate competition between the private providers.
