Vol. 675 No. 3
12 Deputy Kathleen Lynch asked the Minister for Health and Children the way it is proposed to fund the new national paediatric hospital; if the sale of lands at Our Lady’s Hospital for Sick Children, Crumlin is part of the proposed capital spend; if that land is in the State’s ownership; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6544/09]
The Children's Health First Report commissioned by the Health Service Executive indicated that the population and projected demands in this country can support only one world class tertiary paediatric hospital. It recommended that the hospital should be in Dublin and should, ideally, be co-located with a leading adult academic hospital. Following detailed consideration, it has been agreed that the most appropriate location for the new National Paediatric Hospital is at the Mater Hospital.
The National Paediatric Hospital Development Board was established in May, 2007. Its primary function is to plan, design, build, furnish and equip the new National Paediatric Hospital. The bulk of the funding required for the development of the new hospital will be provided by the Exchequer but the Board is exploring other funding options including philanthropy and proceeds from property sales.
The lands attached to Our Lady's Hospital for Sick Children are not in the State's ownership.
13 Deputy Emmet Stagg asked the Minister for Health and Children her views on the six year waiting times for rheumatology services in some parts of the country; if her attention has been drawn to a recommendation in a report compiled for the Health Service Executive that the number of rheumatologists should be more than doubled; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6557/09]
42 Deputy Pádraic McCormack asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will ensure that the report from the Health Service Executive’s Working Group on Rheumatology Services is made publically available; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6662/09]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 13 and 42 together.
I recognise that there is a need to strengthen rheumatology services through the appointment of additional consultant rheumatologists and a range of other measures.
In 2006, the HSE established a working group, in association with Arthritis Ireland, to examine how rheumatology services could be improved. A report based on the Group's work is being finalised at present and will be published when this process is complete. The HSE's National Service Plan for 2009 includes additional funding of €8m to progress the appointment of priority consultant posts in a number of specialties, including rheumatology.
Since the publication in December 2005 of a report prepared by the former Comhairle na nOspidéal, a number of additional consultant rheumatologists have been appointed. Two new posts were created in the Midlands and North-West areas and the post of Paediatric Rheumatologist was filled in Our Lady's Hospital, Crumlin in 2006. Two Rheumatologists will be appointed in the Mid West, providing services in Ennis and Nenagh, as part of the reconfiguration of acute services.
There are significant waiting times for rheumatology services in some parts of the country. The HSE is working to improve hospital outpatient services generally. Among the issues to be addressed are how clinics are organised and managed, and how the appointment and review processes operate. The HSE will also aim to maximise the capacity of specialist nurses and physiotherapists, either by triaging of referrals or facilitating direct referral to treatment services, such as physiotherapy. In addition, it should be noted that in the period 2005 to 2008, over 2700 people were facilitated with rheumatology appointments by the National Treatment Purchase Fund.
14 Deputy Pat Rabbitte asked the Minister for Health and Children the capital funding which will be made available for the implementation of the reconfiguration plan for hospitals in the north east; the timeframe for the building of a new regional hospital; her plans to ensure that existing hospitals can cope with demands on them in the meanwhile; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6553/09]
The current configuration of services in the North East is unsustainable from a safety and financial perspective. In order to address this, acute and complex care is being moved from the current five hospital sites to two at Cavan and Drogheda. Enhancements to community services, including the necessary developments to support care in the community through development of primary care teams and primary and social care networks will be progressed in parallel with the reconfiguration of acute services. This includes the provision of a CT service in Monaghan to provide enhanced diagnostics to local GPs.
Substantial levels of capital investment to support the implementation of the programme over the period of the National Development Plan is envisaged. The latest estimated costings for each project are currently being worked out. The HSE is finalising a Capital Plan for the period 2009-2013 which is required to be submitted to me for my approval with the agreement of the Minister for Finance. It is envisaged that acute hospital capital developments proposed for the North East are likely to include improvements to accommodation at all hospitals in the region; additional bed capacity, including high dependency beds, at Cavan and Drogheda; MRI facilities at Cavan; improvements to accident and emergency facilities at Cavan and Drogheda and improved theatre facilities at Cavan and Dundalk.
Work is proceeding on consideration of the new regional hospital. It is envisaged that most of the expenditure will occur after 2013.
Planned community developments to support the reconfiguration of acute services includes the provision of new primary care centres across the region; additional and replacement community nursing unit beds; rehabilitation and step-down convalescent beds and the provision of additional care packages to ensure more appropriate hospital bed utilisation.
15 Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will clarify if proceeds from the sale of psychiatric hospitals and lands will be ring-fenced for reinvestment in mental health services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6645/09]
'A Vision for Change' the Report on the Expert Group on Mental Health recommended that a plan to bring about the closure of all psychiatric hospitals should be drawn up and implemented, and that the resources released by these closures should be re-invested in the new mental health service infrastructure requirement. The Departments of Finance and Health and Children have agreed in principle to the release of the proceeds of the disposal of properties prior to 2006 for reinvestment in mental health capital development. The arrangements for property disposal require Department of Finance approval in each case, the lodging of the proceeds as Exchequer Extra Receipts and the re-Voting of the funds for approved projects. Disposals to date amount to over €42m and a submission detailing the priority projects to be funded from these disposals and planned future disposals was received from the HSE on 12 February. This proposal is currently under consideration by my Department with a view to seeking the necessary agreement of the Department of Finance to the proposed approach.
16 Deputy Brian O’Shea asked the Minister for Health and Children the measures being taken to reduce the waiting times of, on average, six months and more in some parts of the country for colonoscopies in view of the importance of early diagnosis of bowel cancer; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6549/09]
In the twelve months to November 2008, there was a reduction of two thirds in the number of patients waiting for colonoscopies for longer than 12 months, and a 31% reduction in the overall number of patients waiting longer than 3 months. The pattern of lengthy waiting times is confined to a small number of hospitals.
All hospitals where patients are waiting over three months for a colonoscopy have been instructed to refer these patients to the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF). The NTPF has agreed to quickly arrange colonoscopies for patients who are referred to them. Each hospital grouping has therefore been identifying patients waiting over three months for a colonoscopy. These patients are being offered the option of an NTPF referral — except in a small number of cases where patients already have an appointment date from their referring hospital or in cases where a follow up colonoscopy is scheduled for up to a year ahead.
In December 2008, I approved the HSE's Service Plan. The HSE will be required to report under Section 10(2) of the Health Act 2004 on compliance with a target of 4 weeks for urgent colonoscopies from date of referral. The HSE has made considerable progress in reducing the waiting times for colonoscopies in recent months and will continue to work in collaboration with the NTPF in further reducing the waiting times.
17 Deputy Joe Costello asked the Minister for Health and Children if she is reconsidering the decision to postpone the introduction of the proposed HPV vaccine programme for 12 year old girls; her views on whether the original estimate of its cost can be reduced and that it is a relatively small amount of money in the overall budget; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6537/09]
All of the clinical advice available to me indicates that the national roll-out of a cervical screening programme should take precedence over the introduction of a HPV vaccination programme. The National Cervical Screening Programme, CervicalCheck, is being implemented at a full year cost of €35m.
In relation to the cost of the HPV vaccine, it is a matter for the Health Service Executive, through the normal procurement procedures, to select an appropriate supplier who can make the vaccine available at the most advantageous price. The actual purchase price in Ireland can only be established when the HSE has completed the procurement process. I have no role in the procurement process. I am fully committed to keeping the introduction of a HPV vaccination programme under active review.
18 Deputy Brian O’Shea asked the Minister for Health and Children the further action she will take in 2009 to address needs of the 600 plus people who are in acute beds while their acute treatment is completed while others wait for admittance to these beds; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6548/09]
30 Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Health and Children her views on the fact that a total of 216,885 bed days were lost in 2008 due to delayed discharges from acute hospitals and that this is a 30% increase on the number of bed days lost in 2007; the action she is taking to address same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6634/09]
61 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health and Children her views on whether the number of persons on trolleys and chairs in accident and emergency departments in public hospitals here is a national emergency; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6607/09]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 18, 30 and 61 together.
I am determined to ensure that all possible measures are taken to facilitate the discharge of patients in a timely manner. At present, there are approximately 750 patients whose discharge is delayed. This represents over 6% of the total in-patient capacity. There are many reasons for discharges being delayed including the need for long stay capacity, community based supports and, in some instances, a reluctance by families to allow their relative to be discharged until a publicly funded bed becomes available.
The HSE is addressing the issue of delayed discharges through a combination of increased investment in alternatives to acute hospital stay and improvements in the discharge planning process at hospital level.
Considerable pressures were experienced in January in Emergency Departments across the country. The difficulties were attributed to a number of factors, including influenza and norovirus outbreaks. As a consequence a number of hospitals have been operating at significantly reduced capacity. However, the position has improved somewhat over recent weeks and the number of patients awaiting admission has reduced.
An additional 273 long-stay beds were made available in 2008, and a further 414 new beds are scheduled in 2009. The HSE has also recently funded 245 additional contract beds to alleviate delayed discharge pressures. Investment in community-based long-term care supports will be maintained in 2009. This year the HSE will provide 4,700 home care packages, benefiting over 11,500 people. 6,000 patients were cared for by the Community Intervention Teams in 2008.
Hospitals are working to ensure that care is provided in a timely, appropriate and efficient manner. All patients are to be given an expected date of discharge within 24 hours of admission and patients will be discharged at weekends where appropriate.
More generally, the HSE National Service Plan for 2009 commits to a number of key steps which are designed to improve the efficiency of the hospital system including a reduction in the level of inappropriate admissions, reducing average length of stay, increasing elective surgical admissions on the day of surgery and shifting activity from in-patient to day procedures. The delivery of these measures and targets, combined with the initiatives which I have described, should ensure more efficient use of available capacity.
I am determined that the improvements made over the last two years in managing activity in our Emergency Departments are sustained and in this context, the HSE has set a revised maximum waiting time target this year of no more than 6 hours from registration to admission or discharge for all patients attending Emergency Departments, and not just for those patients who require admission. The HSE is also introducing a measurement system during 2009 which will record the total waiting time for all patients attending Emergency Departments.
19 Deputy Eamon Gilmore asked the Minister for Health and Children the indication she has from the developers of the proposed co-located hospitals that they will proceed in the present economic climate; the stage of planning in each of these hospitals; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6539/09]
45 Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Health and Children the progress of her hospital co-location plan; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6692/09]
136 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health and Children the position in regard to co-location; the full extent of the facilities provided on such sites; if public facilities have been provided on private sites in conjunction with existing private facilities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6894/09]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 19, 45 and 136 together.
The co-location initiative is a complex process but it is an efficient means of delivering extra bed capacity. Significant progress has been made in advancing the individual projects involved. The Board of the HSE has approved preferred bidder status for the development of co-located hospitals at Beaumont, Cork University, the Mid-Western Regional Limerick, St. James's, Waterford Regional and Sligo General Hospitals. Project Agreements for the Beaumont, Cork, Limerick and St James's projects have been signed.
Planning permission was granted by An Bord Pleanála for the Beaumont project late last year. Planning permission for the Cork and Limerick projects has been granted by the local authorities concerned and appealed in each case to An Bord Pleanála. The preparatory work required to make the planning application for the St James's project is underway.
The necessary preparatory work for the Project Agreements in respect of Waterford Regional Hospital and Sligo General Hospital is proceeding. A tender in respect of Connolly Hospital has been received and is under consideration. Work is being undertaken to finalise the Invitation to Tender (ITT) for Tallaght Hospital.
It is a matter for each successful bidder to arrange its finance under the terms of the relevant Project Agreement. It is certainly the case that the funding environment has changed significantly in the last number of months, and this has affected both the public and private sectors. The co-location initiative, like other major projects, has to deal with the new situation. The successful bidders are working on the details of contractual terms with banks and other arrangers of finance. The HSE is continuing to work with the successful bidders to provide whatever assistance it can to help them advance the projects.
20 Deputy Enda Kenny asked the Minister for Health and Children her views on the fact that 23,000 patients are currently on hospital waiting lists in Galway and that a total of 1,341 bed days were lost in 2008 due to delayed discharges; the action she will take to accommodate patients from County Sligo and County Mayo; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6661/09]
I recognise the need to improve access for public patients for outpatient consultations. The HSE has identified outpatient services as an area requiring substantial improvement and its 2009 National Service Plan contains a number of specific objectives in this regard. Unnecessary return attendances and non-attendance by patients for such appointments reduce the capacity of outpatient departments to see new patients. Therefore a particular focus will be on increasing the number of new patients seen, through a reduction in the ratio of new to return attendances and also of the number of non-attendances for booked appointments. A range of other organisational issues will also be addressed in order to improve the efficiency of these services.
The arrangements for outpatient services in the Galway University Hospitals are encompassed by this project. Referrals to outpatient services are categorised based on information provided by the referring general practitioner and urgent cases are prioritised over routine ones. In 2008 the total number of outpatient attendances at the Galway University Hospitals was 175,060. Of these 56,267 were new attendances. Among the options being considered to improve waiting times are the extension of a pilot arrangement whereby clinics see new patients only and the extension of the number of satellite clinics within the region.
The HSE is addressing the issue of delayed discharges through a combination of increased investment in alternatives to acute hospital stay and improvements in the discharge planning process at hospital level. The figure cited by the Deputy in relation to delayed discharges in Galway University Hospitals equates to 3.67 beds, which compares favourably with other hospitals. The delays mostly related to patients under 65 requiring complex continuing care. Recent information furnished to my Department indicates that only 0.4% of the beds at Galway University Hospitals were occupied by delayed discharge patients.
In relation to the question raised about patients from counties Sligo and Mayo I take it that the Deputy is referring to the transfer of breast cancer services to University College Hospital Galway. The transfer of breast cancer patients from Mayo has proceeded satisfactorily. Breast cancer services will transfer from Sligo when the Interim Director of the National Cancer Control Programme is satisfied that all necessary supports are in place to effect a safe transfer of the service.
21 Deputy Alan Shatter asked the Minister for Health and Children the conclusions reached in the meeting that took place between the Minister of State for Children and members of the hierarchy in respect of the Health Service Executive audit and the church dioceses with regard to child abuse; if future meetings are planned; if it has been agreed that fully comprehensive replies will be furnished to the questions raised in part five of the questionnaire furnished by the HSE in respect of each dioceses; and when it is anticipated the audit will be fully completed. [6574/09]
I met with senior representatives of the Catholic Church hierarchy on 24 January 2009. I welcomed the outcome of the Bishops' special meeting on Safeguarding Children, which had been held in Maynooth the previous day, and in particular, the Bishops' renewed commitment to providing the information sought in Section 5 of the HSE audit.
It was agreed by all present at the meeting that a fresh mechanism would be found to enable Bishops to provide the information that had been requested in the HSE Audit, Section 5, by separating issues relating to soft information, which all accepted present legal difficulties.
A further meeting is planned over the coming days to discuss plans for the gathering of the information requested by HSE under Section 5 of the audit. The mechanics of this will be worked out by the OMCYA in consultation with the Health Service Executive and the Church authorities.
The Church authorities and I agreed that further meetings would be convened to progress important issues concerning the safeguarding of children.
22 Deputy Olwyn Enright asked the Minister for Health and Children the date she expects to receive a decision from the EU Commission on the new private health insurance levy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6649/09]
The interim scheme to support the operation of the community rated market, including the intergenerational solidarity levy, was notified to the European Commission in the normal course in November 2008. Officials in my Department have since provided some further material requested by the Commission to facilitate its considerations. It is expected that the Commission will give its assessment in March. If the assessment is positive, it is intended that the related Bill, published in December, would be considered by the Houses soon afterwards.
23 Deputy Simon Coveney asked the Minister for Health and Children if, taking into account that the new children’s hospital is projected to cost approximately €1 billion, this project is being reviewed in view of the difficult financial state here; if she plans to review this project; if not, if she has the necessary funding committed to complete this project; the completion date for this project; the yearly funds necessary for the completion of this project; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6633/09]
The Children's Health First Report commissioned by the Health Service Executive indicated that the population and projected demands in this country can support only one world class tertiary paediatric hospital which should be in Dublin, and should ideally be co-located with a leading adult academic hospital. Arising from this, the development of the new National Paediatric Hospital on the site of the Mater Hospital has been agreed as a high priority project for inclusion in the health capital programme.
The Health Service Executive is currently finalising its Capital Plan for the period 2009-2013 which is required to be submitted to me for my approval with the agreement of the Minister for Finance. I understand that, while a more accurate estimate of the cost of the new National Paediatric Hospital will not be available until the design brief is completed later this year, the costs are expected to be significantly less than €1 billion. It is expected that the bulk of the funding required for the development of the new hospital will be provided by the Exchequer through the National Development Plan. In addition, the National Paediatric Hospital Development Board, which was established in 2007 and has responsibility for planning, designing, building, furnishing and equipping the hospital, is exploring additional funding options including philanthropy and proceeds from property sales.
Details on the project will be available when the capital plan is approved.
24 Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Minister for Health and Children when she will publish the Dr. Michael Barry report; the amount of money expected to be saved if the recommendations of the report are implemented; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6670/09]
59 Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health and Children if she has read the report by Dr. Michael Barry on ways of reducing spending under the drugs repayment scheme; her views on the fact that the percentage of generic drugs being dispensed has gone down in the past ten years; if she will address this element in the cost of drugs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6556/09]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 24 and 59 together.
The report of the group chaired by Dr. Barry, entitled "Economies in Drug Usage in the Irish Healthcare Setting" has been published on my Department's website, www.dohc.ie.
One of the recommendations made in the report is that General Practitioners should be encouraged and facilitated to prescribe generic products. I am in the process of establishing a group, chaired by Dr. Barry, to advance this and other recommendations that relate to changes in prescribing practices. The group will include representatives of my Department, the Health Service Executive and the Irish Medical Organisation.
One of the objectives of the current agreement with the Irish Pharmaceutical Healthcare Association (IPHA) is to enhance the ability of patients to have a greater say in the prescribing process with a view to choosing, in consultation with the prescriber, the medicine that best meets their needs and delivers best value for money. The agreement also provides for significant reductions in the price of patent-expired proprietary medicines. These reductions (20% in March 2007 and 15% in January 2009) have largely removed the current premium paid for these products over many branded and non-branded generic equivalents. Based on expert advice from the National Centre for Pharmacoeconomics, received prior to the negotiation of the IPHA agreement, it was concluded that a system of compulsory generic substitution in the pharmacy, as used in some other jurisdictions, would have significantly less benefit in the Irish community schemes than in other countries but could, given the relative size of the Irish market, have an adverse effect on continuity and security of supply for Irish patients.
25 Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Health and Children the locations of the 500 hospital beds closed in 2008, including the wards, the number that were closed in each ward, and when they were closed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6617/09]
50 Deputy Kieran O’Donnell asked the Minister for Health and Children the locations of the 600 hospital beds that are expected to be taken out of the system in 2009; the wards and the number expected to be closed in each ward; when they will be closed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6623/09]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 25 and 50 together.
As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
26 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health and Children the estimate for the so-called saving to be made in 2009 from the abolition of the automatic entitlement to the medical card for people over 70 years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6606/09]
In its announcement of 20th October 2008, the Government stated that savings of €100 million would be achieved through the ending of automatic entitlement to a medical card for those with incomes in excess of the new threshold, through the setting of a new capitation rate in respect of patients aged 70 and over, and through economies in drug usage.
It is expected that the ending of automatic entitlement to a medical card will produce savings in the region of €20 million, arising from a reduction of approximately 20,000 in the number of people entitled to a medical card. Savings of a further €16 million are expected to be realised by the introduction of a revised capitation fee payable to general practitioners in respect of those aged 70 and over in the community. The revised fee was recommended by Mr. Eddie Sullivan following his review in October 2008.
The balance of €64 million in savings is to be achieved through economies in drug usage. My Department has published on its website the report of a group under the chairmanship of Dr. Michael Barry, which makes a series of recommendations to achieve efficiencies and cost-effective prescribing in the General Medical Services and community drugs schemes. I am in the process of establishing an implementation group to give effect to its recommendations. It will be chaired by Dr. Barry and will include representatives of my Department, the Health Service Executive and the Irish Medical Organisation.
27 Deputy Phil Hogan asked the Minister for Health and Children her plans to prioritise the establishment of a national bowel cancer screening programme, as recommended by the National Cancer Screening Service; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6657/09]
68 Deputy Liz McManus asked the Minister for Health and Children when the proposed national bowel cancer screening programme will commence; if the funding promised for 2009 to commence work on the planning of the programme is in place; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6547/09]
106 Deputy James Reilly asked the Minister for Health and Children her plans to prioritise the establishment of a national bowel cancer screening programme, as recommended by the National Cancer Screening Service; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6951/09]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 27, 68 and 106 together.
In December 2008, I received the Final Report of the Expert Group on Colorectal Screening. The Expert Group was established by the National Cancer Screening Service (NCSS) to study the medical and scientific evidence concerning screening for colorectal cancer and to make recommendations to the Board of the NCSS about the potential benefits of introducing a population-based screening programme for this condition in Ireland.
The NCSS has also requested the Health Information and Quality Authority to conduct a Health Technology Assessment on a colorectal screening programme. This is an important element of the overall assessment process. I expect this to be completed shortly, at which stage I will be in a position to decide on the introduction of a colorectal screening programme and the resources that would be necessary for this.
28 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Health and Children when the draft standards for nursing home care, approved by the Health Information and Quality Authority in March 2008, will be approved by her; when the standards will come into force; if the standards will be compulsory; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6678/09]
75 Deputy Ruairí Quinn asked the Minister for Health and Children when it is expected that the Health Information and Quality Authority national standards for nursing homes and older elder care units will be published; the timeframe which will be given for homes to come up to the standards; if the same timeframe will apply for public and private facilities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6552/09]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 28 and 75 together.
My colleague the Minister for Health and Children has, this week, approved the national standards for all residential care settings for older people under section 10(2) of the Health Act, 2007. The approval has been conveyed to the Health Information and Quality Authority and the Standards will be formally published and launched shortly. Deputies will be aware that under the 2007 Act statutory responsibility is given to the Chief Inspector of Social Services for inspecting and registering all residential centres for older people, including private nursing homes. It is intended to have the relevant parts of the Act commenced on 1 July, 2009 to allow the Chief Inspector inspect all centres against the regulations governing these centres together with the standards set by HIQA.
Standard 25 addresses the Physical Environment for all types of residential centres. Distinction is made in the criteria between existing facilities and new builds. These criteria provide a six year window for existing builds, whether public, private or voluntary to meet certain infrastructural deficits, for example with regard to room sizes, the number of residents per room and usable floor space. While there is some discretion with the Chief Inspector to extend this timeframe this can only occur where the provider and the Chief Inspector agree a written, explicit, costed plan with timescales to address these deficits.
29 Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Health and Children if a company (details supplied) is meeting the turnaround times agreed with the National Cancer Screening Service for cervical cancer screening; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6550/09]
CervicalCheck, the National Cervical Screening Programme, became available to the 1.1 million eligible women aged 25 to 60 on 1 September 2008. The turnaround times for analysis of smear test results analysed by Quest Diagnostics Inc. for CervicalCheck, from receipt of sample at the cytology laboratory with complete and accurate information, to posting of the clinical result to the smeartaker (GP, practice nurse, medical practitioner), average less than 10 working days. In select cases, if the accompanying information is incomplete and/or inaccurate, the turnaround time is slightly increased as it takes longer to verify the sample and ensure quality and accuracy of associated data.
The programme has put in place a system to closely monitor the progress of each smear test taken. The data collected indicates the date a smear test was taken, the date it is entered into the cytological process and the date a result is issued. Programme performance data indicates that on average target turnaround times are being met and in many cases exceeded.
31 Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will act on the calls of general practitioners in the mid-west Health Service Executive region not to proceed with the downgrading of Ennis and Nenagh hospitals; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6602/09]
40 Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health and Children her views on the assertion in the Teamwork/Horwath report on the mid-west that the over-riding principle will be that no services will be withdrawn from the current general hospitals prior to the build up of the new alternative services; that is, that the regional hospital will be resourced, developed and working to recognise international best practice standards; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6555/09]
76 Deputy Jan O’Sullivan asked the Minister for Health and Children when she expects the level three critical care unit to be in place at the Mid-West Regional Hospital, Limerick. [6558/09]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 31, 40 and 76 together.
The Government is committed to ensuring the delivery of the best quality health services possible, in an effective and efficient way. Ensuring patient safety is of paramount importance, so that people can have confidence in the services and the best possible patient outcomes can be achieved.
The HSE has commissioned a number of reviews in relation to how acute hospital services should be organised, including the Teamwork/Horwath report in relation to the Mid-West region, which the Executive has recently published. The Report highlights the need for changes to be made in the provision and organization of acute hospital services across the region, particularly in relation to accident and emergency services, critical care, acute surgery and medicine. The Report finds that the services are too fragmented, carry increased risks for patients and staff and are not sustainable in their present form.
The HSE has indicated that certain changes to the present arrangements for the provision of some acute services, including accident and emergency services, must be made, in the interests of patient safety and also to make best use of the clinical resources available within the Mid West region. The HSE has been engaged in a consultation process with key stakeholders as it formulates detailed plans in relation to emergency care, critical care and surgical services in the region.
The HSE plans will involve the reconfiguration of Acute Hospital services into a network and their better integration with primary care services across the region, with a regional centre at the Regional Hospital Limerick that will deal with complex and specialist cases. The changing nature of health service delivery is such that smaller hospitals can meet much of the demand for less complex services, especially those that are increasingly done on a day case basis. The HSE plans will reorganize the arrangements in Ennis and Nenagh so that these hospitals will provide an urgent care/minor injuries service for 12 to 14 hours a day as part of a regional Accident and Emergency structure. These hospitals will also continue to admit appropriate medical cases.The plans also provide for the expansion of day surgery and diagnostic service activity at Nenagh and Ennis and the development of primary and community services.
The HSE has identified the enhancement of emergency ambulance services as an essential element of the new service delivery arrangements for the Mid West. Protocols already in place to ensure that all trauma cases will be brought directly to the major tertiary centre rather than the local hospital. Appropriate protocols in relation to paediatric and obstetric emergencies are being finalised at present. Plans are underway to introduce a 24-hour Advanced Paramedic service in Clare and North Tipperary and to enhance the level of ambulance cover in these areas.
Priority capital developments under discussion between the Department and the HSE at present include a critical care block and a new emergency theatre in the Regional Hospital and improvements to the facilities for diagnostics and day services such as CT scanning in Ennis and Nenagh.
I am satisfied that the measures being taken by the HSE are necessary and appropriate in order to ensure the provision of safe and effective health services to the people of the Mid West region.
32 Deputy Charles Flanagan asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of children who have died during the past ten years subsequent to a report made to a health board or to the Health Service Executive that such child was at risk or subsequent to the child or child’s family coming to the notice of a health board or the HSE concerning matters relating to the child or children; the genders and ages of children concerned; the health board or HSE areas in which they resided; if she will detail in respect of each child the nature of the intervention by the health board concerned or by the HSE; if she will detail the court proceedings that took place in respect of any such child or which were taken by or on behalf of such a child to seek appropriate care or assistance; and if she will direct the HSE to compile a comprehensive report within three months on all of these matters and that such report be published. [6596/09]
I have asked the Health Service Executive to gather the information requested and to forward this information to the Deputy. The Health Service Executive has advised, that due to the length of the period covered by the question it will of necessity take some time to compile as material will have to be retrieved from the archives but every effort will be made to gather the data requested and to submit it within the three months specified.
33 Deputy Jim O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Health and Children if staff will be redeployed within the Health Service Executive to ease the burden on community welfare officers struggling to cope with the surge in applications from people seeking assistance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6680/09]
As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
34 Deputy Bernard Allen asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will provide information on the implementation of the recommendation of the Report of the Commission on Patient Safety and Quality Assurance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6608/09]
Patient safety has become both a national and international imperative in recent years, with increasing emphasis across the world on patient safety in policy reform, legislative changes and development of standards of care driven by quality improvement initiatives. I and this Government place great importance on the policies and practical reforms we are implementing to ensure patient safety and quality-assured health services.
The Commission on Patient Safety and Quality Assurance was established in January 2007 and reported to me in July 2008. The Government recently accepted the Commission's report and approved the commencement of work on the drawing up of legislation to give effect to its central recommendation on the licensing of both public and private health care providers. The Government also supported the immediate establishment of a Steering Group to drive implementation of the report's recommendations. I have, last week, appointed the Department's Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Tony Holohan, to chair the Implementation Steering Group (ISG).
I have asked the Chief Medical Officer to consult with the health care sector and to revert to me as quickly as possible with proposals on the membership of the ISG. I will then establish the Group and instruct them to develop and submit implementation proposals for how and over what timescale these could be enabled by better use and reallocation of existing resources. I will be asking the ISG to report to me within 18 months of its establishment during which time they will submit quarterly progress reports.
35 Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Health and Children if she is satisfied there is a regime in place to monitor the implementation of the terms of the consultants’ contract; if the terms of the contract are being implemented; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6532/09]
The successful implementation of the terms of the new consultants' contract will result in the increased availability of senior clinical decision makers to treat and discharge patients as part of the transition to a consultant-delivered service, from the present consultant-led service. Significant progress has been made in the implementation of Consultant Contract 2008 over the past months and this has been the result of a substantial contribution and co-operation from all involved.
In February 2008 the Health Service Executive (HSE) established a Consultant Contract Implementation Steering Group which included representation from the hospital, primary community and continuing care, human resources and internal audit directorates of the HSE. This Group has an oversight role in relation to the implementation of the Consultant Contract which will continue to mid-2009.
In December 2008, an audit of signed contracts was initiated to validate the offer and acceptance process at a local level. These processes will continue into 2009 and will be consolidated within the National Human Resources Directorate.
An implementation group to oversee the implementation of the contractual provisions, comprising representatives of the HSE and the medical organisations, has also been established.
A joint management/union public private mix committee has facilitated agreement on the detailed measurement of public: private mix. In September 2008, the HSE instituted reporting systems regarding public and private inpatient and day case activity on a Consultant by Consultant basis. Reports from these systems, which record individual consultant public and private activity, are being produced on a monthly basis regarding activity.
The HSE is currently progressing the appointment of Clinical Directors who will have a key role in the implementation of the new consultant's contract. The primary role of a Clinical Director will be to deploy and manage consultants and other resources, plan how services are delivered, contribute to the process of strategic planning, and influence and respond to organisational priorities. This will involve responsibility for agreeing an annual Directorate Service Plan, identifying service development priorities and aligning Directorate Service Plans with Hospital or Network Plans. The Clinical Director will have a pivotal role in monitoring compliance with the agreed ratio of public to private practice, and taking corrective action where the private practice limit is exceeded.
I recently had a positive meeting with the Irish Hospital Consultants Association to discuss progress in the implementation of new contractual arrangements for medical consultants. I indicated that I am not prepared to sanction salary increases for consultants who signed up to the new contract until I am satisfied that the reformed work practices are being implemented and there is a demonstrable benefit to the public health system. I am prepared to ask the HSE to commence payment of the new contract rates once I am satisfied that these new practices are in place. However, this is dependent on the outcome of a verification process that is currently being carried out by the HSE. I will make my decision on receipt of the Executive's Report which is expected later this week.
36 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of extra consultants that she expects will be appointed in 2009; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6534/09]
Subject to overall parameters set by Government, the Health Service Executive has the responsibility for determining the composition of its staffing complement. In that regard, it is a matter for the Executive to manage and deploy its human resources to best meet the requirements of its Annual Service Plan for the delivery of health and personal social services to the public.
Government policy is to increase substantially the number of consultants in the public health service in order to re-balance the ratio between consultant and non-consultant hospital doctors subject to the full implementation of reformed work practices.
The finalisation of the contract facilitated the recommencement of the HSE consultant recruitment process. To date, 154 posts have been advertised and 127 of these are for HSE hospitals and agencies.
I would emphasise, however, that it is not a question of simply providing more funding to employ more consultants. The creation and funding of further consultant posts will be driven by service priorities, as reflected in the HSE's Annual Service Plan, and the policy of achieving a better balance between the numbers of consultants and non-consultant hospital doctors. Government policy is to have a consultant-delivered, rather than a consultant-led service. The new contract is designed to support this and, as in many areas of our health services, service improvements will depend to a much greater extent on mobilising and re-configuring existing resources than on new additional funds.
37 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health and Children her view on concerns recently expressed, including at the Joint Committee on Health and Children, that all of the services which will be provided by the new primary health care teams will not be available to all patients of the practices involved; if she will address this inequality; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6535/09]
The Primary Care Strategy aims to develop services in the community and to give people improved access to integrated multi-disciplinary teams, involving general practitioners, nurses, home helps, occupational therapists and physiotherapists. Each team will be supported by a wider range of professionals including pharmacists, dieticians, psychologists and chiropodists who will form part of a primary care network supporting a number of primary care teams.
The HSE intends that 530 Primary Care Teams and 134 Primary Care Networks will be developed by 2011.
Pending the roll-out of the full complement of Primary Care Teams, my Department has instructed the HSE that in the short to medium term priority must be given to the provision of primary care team services to those with greatest need with the emphasis on ensuring that holders of medical cards are the principal beneficiaries of the development of the teams. Holders of GP visit cards should be the next category in terms of priority for receipt of such services with teams ultimately providing services on a whole population basis as they develop the capacity to do so. These arrangements are of an interim nature pending new legislation which my Department is currently preparing to clarify and update existing legislation on eligibility for health and personal social services.
38 Deputy John Perry asked the Minister for Health and Children her views on the fact that a total of 16,316 operations were cancelled here in 2008 and that this is a 10% increase on 2007 when 14,903 operations were cancelled; the actions she will take to address same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6684/09]
The figures referred to by the Deputy were supplied by the HSE on foot of a previous Parliamentary Question. The number of cancellations relates to the number of surgical, medical and day case procedures and does not represent a figure for cancelled operations alone. The figures include cancellations made by patients as well as those made by hospitals.
It must be stressed that, when a booking for a procedure has been cancelled, most hospitals will automatically reschedule the patient for the next available appointment and priority is given to any case deemed to be urgent.
Cancellations are a feature of every hospital system.The number of cancellations in Ireland is considered to be in line with those experienced in hospital systems internationally. Cancellations for surgical, medical or day case procedures may occur for a number of reasons. In a significant number of cases, cancellations will have resulted following a clinical decision that the patient was not deemed suitable for a procedure on that particular day.
The number of cancellations across the acute hospital system should also be viewed in the context of overall hospital activity. The figure of approximately 15,000 cancellations in 2007 represents 1.5 % of over 1 million admissions. Similarly, the figure of approximately 16,000 in 2008 represents just 1.3% of total admissions.
In relation to surgical procedures, the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) arranges treatment for patients who have been on a surgical waiting list for more than three months. It is open to the person in question or anyone acting on their behalf to contact the Fund directly in relation to their case. The HSE works in collaboration with the NTPF in ensuring that, where appropriate, patients are facilitated in availing of treatment under the scheme. The average median wait time under the NTPF is under 3 months.
39 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of cases of MRSA and Clostridium difficile infection reported or confirmed in each of the past five years to date; the action taken or proposed to address this issue; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6576/09]
127 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health and Children the extent to which she has taken steps to reduce the incidence of MRSA infection in both public and private hospitals; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6885/09]
128 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of incidents of MRSA infection recorded in respect of both public and private hospitals in the past 12 months; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6886/09]
129 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health and Children if she is satisfied that the steps taken to control MRSA and Clostridium difficile are adequate and effective in reducing the incidence of infection; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6887/09]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 39 and 127 to 129, inclusive, together.
Tackling Health Care Associated Infections (HCAIs), including MRSA and Clostridium difficile (C. difficile), continues to be a priority for the Government and the Health Service Executive (HSE). HCAIs are not a new phenomenon and have always been a potential complication of medical treatment, especially in hospitals. This is the case worldwide.
At a European level, the European Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance System (EARSS) was established in 1999 to inform national and International efforts in tackling antimicrobial resistance in Europe. As part of this system, the HSE collects data on invasive isolates of Staphylococcus aureus from microbiology laboratories in hospitals throughout Ireland. The participating laboratories represent both public and private hospitals and other health care institutions. As of January 2009, 42 microbiology laboratories in Ireland participate in EARSS representing 98% coverage of the Irish population.
The number of MRSA bloodstream infections recorded in the past five years are — 553 cases in 2004, 592 cases in 2005, 588 cases in 2006, 537 cases in 2007 and 342 cases in the first 9 months of 2008. Similar data is not available on C. difficile for these years. However, since May 2008, C. difficile has become a notifiable disease. The prevalence identified for this condition in the Third Prevalence Survey of Health Care Associated Infections in acute hospitals in 2006 was 0.5% of patients studied. The number of cases reported from May to December 2008 is 1607 and is consistent with the prevalence in the 2006 survey.
As the Deputy will be aware, the HSE launched a National Infection Control Action Plan in March 2007. The HSE aims to reduce HCAIs by 20%, MRSA infection by 30% and antibiotic consumption by 20% over a 5 year period.
A new National Surveillance System has been established to collect data and provide information on HCAIs in our health system. This data covers four key areas:
1. Staphylococcus aureus bacteraemia (bloodstream infection);
2. Antibiotic consumption;
3. Alcohol gel use; and
4. From 2008 onwards, MRSA incidence in Intensive Care Units.
The results so far show some improvement. The overall proportion of MRSA was lower in 2007 (38.5%) compared to 2006 (42.4%) and the most recent figures show that MRSA infections for the first nine months of 2008 have fallen by 3.8% compared with the same period in 2007 and 7.2% when compared with 2006.
The overall acute in-patient antibiotic consumption rate increased slightly in 2007 over the 2006 rate by 2.4%. Overall alcohol gel use is up by a significant 50%. The results provide a good benchmark into the future to enable us to measure effectively the progress of each hospital on their performance in infection prevention and control.
The Health Protection Surveillance Centre of the HSE published Guidelines for the Surveillance, Management and Control of C. difficile-associated diseases in May 2008. This publication gives national guidance and deals with the isolation of C. difficile ribotype 027 for the first time in Irish hospitals. The guidelines will be a valuable resource in assisting in the prevention, management and control of this infectious disease.
Other measures taken to reduce the incidence of HCAIs generally include the appointment of additional infection control staff, education campaigns for health care staff and the general public around the prudent use of antibiotics, and the use of designated private beds for isolation purposes where required for patients who contract HCAIs. In addition, new environmental building guidelines to inform infection control policy in all new builds and refurbishments have recently been agreed by the HSE and will be published shortly.
I am satisfied that significant steps are being taken to reduce the rates of HCAIs generally and to treat them promptly when they occur.
41 Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Health and Children the action taken by her and by the Minister of State for children since the publication on 31 July 2008 of the national review of compliance with children first national guidelines for the protection and welfare of children to ensure that the guidelines are fully implemented and uniformly applied throughout the State; and if she is satisfied that upon a report being made to the Health Service Executive of a child at risk, there will in all cases be a prompt and comprehensive assessment into the circumstances of the child and all necessary intervention required in accordance with the children first national guidelines for the protection and welfare of children and the provisions contained in the Child Care Act 1991, as amended. [6598/09]
The provision of appropriate robust and responsive child welfare and protection services is a key priority for both myself, as Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, and the Government.
I understand from the Health Service Executive that the consistent application of the Children First Guidelines is being addressed by the HSE through the ongoing standardisation of Child Welfare and Protection business processes (this project is expected to be completed in 2009) and the refocusing of social work services through the ongoing Social Work Reform programme.
A Senior Officials group, comprising the OMCYA, the HSE, An Garda Síochána, Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform and the Department of Education and Science was established in 2008, with a focus to ensure that there is full awareness of child protection policies, guidelines and procedures, to consider how to ensure better knowledge of the Children First Guidelines, better training and education about the Guidelines, to consider processes and protocols for information exchange to ensure full adherence to the Guidelines, and to advise me accordingly.
All child abuse reports to social work departments are subject to a phased process of initial screening and assessment, aimed at providing appropriate interventions. In addition, there are also legislative mechanisms in place which also allow for responses from gardaí (for example to take a child to safety in emergency situations relating to welfare and protection).
In relation to that part of the Deputy's question relating to a report being made to the Health Service Executive of a child at risk, as this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
43 Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Health and Children the extra funding that will be required in 2009 in order to implement the agreement reached on new consultants’ contracts; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6533/09]
64 Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Health and Children the amount of back pay that has been agreed under the new consultants’ contract; the number of consultants who will receive such payments; the average each will receive; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6528/09]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 43 and 64 together.
The Health Service Executive (HSE) is responsible for the implementation of the new consultants' contract. The HSE's 2009 Estimate provides for €140m to fund the full year cost of the new Consultants Contracts in 2009. This includes €6.135m to meet the education component of this expenditure in respect of academic and dental consultants. That amount will transfer from the HSE Vote to the Education Vote in the context of the Revised Estimates Volume which is due for publication mid March by the Department of Finance. Costings in relation to the Consultant's Contract are currently being finalised and will depend on uptake.
The HSE has advised that over 80% of consultants have signed up to the new contract. I recently had a positive meeting with the Irish Hospital Consultants Association to discuss progress in the implementation of new contractual arrangements and the issue of retrospective payment for medical consultants. It was agreed that a process should be explored in detail between the parties to deal with the issues involved.
44 Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Health and Children if suppliers of pork, ham and poultry products to the Health Service Executive mid-west region source products here; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4740/09]
The information requested is being provided by the Health Service Executive and will be forwarded to the Deputy directly.
47 Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will ensure that former patients of a doctor (details supplied) who has been struck off the medical register can attend accredited counsellors of their choosing rather than those chosen by the Health Service Executive; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6540/09]
A professional counselling support service has been put in place by the Health Service Executive (HSE) for former patients of the person concerned following the findings of the recent Medical Council Inquiry. The service is provided free of charge by the National Counselling Service and will continue to be made available as required to the former patients concerned. The need for additional support will also be monitored.
The National Counselling Service was established in 2000 and employs 70 counsellors/therapists throughout Ireland. It is a professional, accredited and totally confidential counselling and psychotherapy service. Counselling is provided in a confidential, supportive and non-judgmental setting and is available in 60 locations nationwide. It is open to former patients of the person concerned to contact their relevant Director of Counselling to discuss issues relating to choice of counsellor, choice of appointment and location or access to any other branch of the National Counselling Service. Clearly, individuals may choose to make alternative arrangements for counselling but this is a private matter between the individual and the provider concerned.
The HSE has assigned co-ordinating responsibility for these matters to the Area Manager for Consumer Affairs in the North East who will liaise as required with former patients and support groups.
48 Deputy Pat Rabbitte asked the Minister for Health and Children how, in respect of the announcement on 3 February 2009, it is intended to achieve the general administrative reductions in regard to her Department; the amount expected to be saved in her Department’s budget as a result of this process; the steps which will be taken to ensure that services to the public will not be affected; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6561/09]
General administrative savings of €1.579m are to be achieved this year across my Department's Vote arising from the Government's decision referred to by the Deputy. Savings will be achieved as follows: €0.542m by reducing advertising, public relations and consultancies, €0.471m savings in procurement, €0.469m in non-pay efficiencies, mainly in ICT and €0.097m in payroll savings. The areas where these savings will be achieved are designed to ensure that services to the public will not be affected.
49 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health and Children her plans for the development of services at Roscommon County Hospital; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42169/08]
71 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health and Children her plans for the development of services at Portiuncula Hospital, County Galway; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6472/09]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 49 and 71 together.
The Government is committed to ensuring the delivery of the best quality health services possible, in an effective and efficient way. Ensuring patient safety is of paramount importance, so that people can have confidence in the services and that the best possible patient outcomes can be achieved. It is essential that we prioritise patient safety and quality and that we organise and manage services accordingly. The priority is to provide safe services as close as possible to where people live.
In the past, Roscommon County Hospital and Portiuncula Hospital Ballinasloe have operated independently, with two consultant general surgeons in each hospital. The difficulties faced by Roscommon and Portiuncula in maintaining surgical services independently, and the need for closer co-operation between them, were highlighted by the former Comhairle na nOspidéal in March 2006. Advances in clinical care and ever-increasing levels of specialisation mean that the present model of care faces important practical difficulties, which must be addressed.
In the light of these factors, the best way of retaining and developing services at Roscommon and Portiuncula hospitals is for these hospitals to work closely together. The Health Service Executive has advised that it is proceeding with the proposal for a Joint Department of Surgery and Anaesthesia at Roscommon County Hospital and Portiuncula Hospital, Ballinasloe.
My Department has requested the Health Service Executive to arrange to have the operational details provided directly to the Deputy.
51 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health and Children the contingencies in place to cater for the increased number of persons qualifying for the medical card as a result of the economic recession, including the rise in unemployment and dependance on social welfare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6601/09]
The purpose of the General Medical Services (GMS) Scheme is to ensure that the medical card benefit is available to those who are unable to meet the cost of general practitioner medical and surgical services for themselves and their dependants. The Health Service Executive (HSE) has the operational responsibility for the GMS Scheme. The number of persons with a medical card has increased by over 200,000 since 2005 and now stands at over 1.35 million.
The HSE service plan for 2009 highlights the impact of the continued decline in the economy, the associated growth in numbers on the Live Register and uptake of demand led schemes as an ongoing challenge for 2009 and consequently, it has provided for an additional net increase of 81,000 medical cards and 46,000 GP visit cards in 2009.
52 Deputy Catherine Byrne asked the Minister for Health and Children the way she plans to tackle the high incidence of substance abuse amongst the homeless population; if she will ensure that adequate services are put in place for these people; the way the new national drugs strategy will help the people in question; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2821/09]
As the Deputy's question relates to a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
53 Deputy Seymour Crawford asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of suitably qualified general practitioners expected to be available on a yearly basis for each of the next five years to replace retiring doctors and provide the necessary personnel for the new structures promised to replace hospital closures; if she is satisfied that sufficient personnel will be available within her training structures; if not, the locations from which they will be sourced; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6447/09]
60 Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Minister for Health and Children her views on the contention by the Irish College of General Practitioners that the number of general practitioners who will retire in the next six years has been underestimated; the plans in place to train the necessary number of GPs; her plans to recruit GPs from abroad; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6543/09]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 53 and 60 together.
Since 1st January 1995, those entering the General Medical Services (GMS) scheme are required to possess Certification of Specific Training in General Medical Practice issued under EU Directive 93/16 by the Medical Council. In order to meet the requirements for certification, the doctor undertaking GP training in Ireland must:
Satisfactorily complete a recognised training programme in general practice; and
Pass the Membership of the Irish College of General Practitioners (MICGP) examination and obtain membership of the College through the award of a Certificate of Satisfactory Completion of Training (CSCT) from the Medical Council.
There are twelve GP Specialist Training Programmes (GPTPs) currently in operation which are all of four years duration — two years spent in hospital posts (SHO), under supervision of hospital consultants, and two years in an approved general practice at registrar level, under the supervision of a general practice trainer. The breakdown of the new GP training places is as follows:
|
Year Commenced |
Year finished |
No of Places |
|
2004 |
2007 |
84 |
|
2005 |
2009 |
98 |
|
2006 |
2010 |
111 |
|
2007 |
2011 |
120 |
|
2008 |
2012 |
120 |
|
2009 |
2013 |
120 |
The HSE has agreed to continue to fund 120 GP training places in 2009.
The determinants of the demand for GPs are diverse and include matters such as population growth, aging and health status of the population, the development of new technologies, the geographic distribution of doctors, the overall status of the economy, fees, policy initiatives, etc.
The HSE is working closely with the Irish Medical Organisation on GP Workforce Planning. A joint working group to examine this area has been established and it is scheduled to hold its first meeting this week. In addition, an extensive mapping exercise has been undertaken by the HSE and a number of measures in relation to maintaining and increasing GP numbers have been identified and are currently being progressed. These include the following:
On-going engagement with the Irish College of General Practitioners and the Medical Council in relation to increasing the number of GP training places within available resources and exploring alternative models of GP training.
Active management in each Local Health Office to encourage GP assistantship and partnership in relation to upcoming retirements where such doctors could potentially take over from the retiring GPs.
Recruitment drives in the UK and EU countries to attract qualified GPs to apply for available posts in Ireland, particularly regions experiencing difficulties attracting GPs.
Issuing of new GMS numbers in regions urgently requiring additional GPs. This is being undertaken in accordance with the established consultation process with the Irish Medical Organisation.
Continued expansion of Primary Care Teams and Primary Care Centres so that GPs applying for posts are attracted to high quality, well supported posts in suitable premises. To date, 102 teams have been established with an additional 108 teams planned for development by year end. In relation to the securing of accommodation for teams, the HSE Board has approved 92 locations to date as part of the new initiative to provide a series of modern primary care infrastructure in the country. The Government provided for the completion of 200 such primary care centres in the last budget. The programme aims to have all sites identified by the middle of this year, with a target of 50 to open by the end of 2010 and the full complement to open by 2011.
In addition to the above, research has been undertaken by the Expert Group on Future Skills Needs on behalf of the Joint Department of Health and Children / HSE Working Group on Workforce Planning. This research, conducted by FÁS on behalf of the Expert Group, analysed the labour market for 12 healthcare occupations, including GPs. When finalised, it will help determine future GP workforce planning and training needs.
54 Deputy Dan Neville asked the Minister for Health and Children if funding of €50 million required for the implementation of a Vision for Change in 2008 and 2009 will be provided; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6674/09]
Substantial resources are invested in mental health services; overall spending on mental health services in 2007 amounted to €1 billion, and this level of funding continued into 2008 and 2009. Implementing ‘A Vision for Change' is essentially about the reallocation and remodelling of these resources.
The estimated additional cost of the implementation of ‘A Vision for Change' the Report of the Expert Group on Mental Health Policy is €150m over 7 — 10 years. Development funding totalling €51.2m was allocated to the HSE in 2006 and 2007, some of which was diverted because of core budgetary pressures; however, I am advised by the HSE that 94% of the €51.2m will be in place before the end of 2009. Additional funding has been provided in 2009 for the recruitment of 35 therapy posts for the child and adolescent mental health service. In addition, once-off funding of €1.75m has been provided for suicide prevention initiatives and for mental health projects supporting service users and carers.
55 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will act on the call of general practitioners in Cavan, Monaghan, Clare and north Tipperary for the Health Service Executive not to proceed with the removal of services from Monaghan General Hospital, Ennis General Hospital and Nenagh General Hospital and the centralisation of services in the already overstretched hospitals in Cavan, Drogheda and Limerick; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6600/09]
The Transformation Programme for the North East region has been informed by the Teamwork Report to the HSE which demonstrated that the service configuration in the region was unsustainable. A series of focused service changes are being implemented across the region. The immediate focus is the reconfiguration of existing services by moving acute and complex care from 5 to 2 hospital sites.
With regard to the Mid-West, the HSE plans for the region are informed by the recently published Teamwork/Horwath Report. The Report highlighted the need for changes to be made in the provision and organisation of acute hospital services across the region as it found services are too fragmented, carry increased risks for patients and staff and are not sustainable in their present form. The HSE has been engaged in a consultation process with key stakeholders as it formulates detailed plans in relation to emergency care, critical care and surgical services in the region.
Both processes involve widespread and fundamental change and are designed to build a health system that is in line with the model of care emerging internationally. Extensive consultation with key stakeholders, including GPs, is an important feature of the HSE management of change in these regions.
I would like to emphasise that the changes proposed by the HSE and fully supported by the Government are for reasons of patient safety. We are committed to providing the best possible service for patients in a manner that ensures quality and safety. It is entirely understandable that there will be concerns about change, but the Government is satisfied that this is the best way forward. The HSE will continue to work with all stakeholders to bring about the improvements in a carefully planned way, that puts patients first.
56 Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will provide details on Health Service Executive plans for long-term residential care beds; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6691/09]
The Health Service Executive National Service Plan 2009 sets out the HSE's plan for the management and configuration of public long-term residential care services during 2009. As part of this plan, it will provide for a number of additional and replacement long-term residential care beds over the course of 2009. The latest information from the HSE indicates that 704 additional beds and 492 replacement beds will become operational during 2009. This includes beds being provided under the Capital Plan and beds being provided under the Fast-Track Initiative.
The plan also identifies a requirement to reduce the number of beds in long-term residential care units in some parts of the country, particularly where the standard of facilities is considered inadequate and where it is necessary to addresses infrastructural deficits in order to meet Health and Safety and Fire Requirements and the planned new standards. I can confirm to the Deputy that 287 beds are currently temporarily closed, primarily due to refurbishment and health and safety requirements. Of these, 126 are expected to re-open over the course of 2009; some will re-open as part of the replacement projects mentioned above. The HSE plans to close a further 145 beds during the remainder of 2009 in the following locations:
HSE DML — 38 beds
HSE South — 102 beds
HSE West — 5 beds
These closures are again necessitated by health and safety and fire requirements.
57 Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Minister for Health and Children if the review of the long-term illness scheme has been completed; if she will add Huntington’s disease to the scheme in view of the fact that it fulfils the criteria and sufferers have significant costs associated with the disease; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6542/09]
Under the 1970 Health Act, the Health Service Executive may arrange for the supply, without charge, of medicines and medical and surgical appliances to people with specified conditions, for the treatment of that condition, through the Long Term Illness Scheme (LTI). The LTI does not cover GP fees or hospital co-payments. The conditions are: mental handicap, mental illness (for people under 16 only), phenylketonuria, cystic fibrosis, spina bifida, hydrocephalus, diabetes mellitus, diabetes insipidus, haemophilia, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, muscular dystrophies, Parkinsonism, conditions arising from thalidomide and acute leukaemia. There are currently no plans to extend the list of eligible conditions.
58 Deputy Jan O’Sullivan asked the Minister for Health and Children the input she has had into discussions on proposals aimed at inserting the rights of children into the Constitution. [6525/09]
Responsibility within the Department of Health and Children for the proposal to amend the Constitution in relation to children has been delegated by Minister Harney to the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs.
As the Deputy is aware, the Twenty-Eighth Amendment of the Constitution Bill, 2007, was published in February 2007 on the basis of proposals brought to Government by the then Minister for Children Mr Brian Lenihan TD. The Bill contained the Government's proposal to amend the Constitution in relation to children. The Programme for Government of June 2007 committed to deepening consensus on the issue and to this end, the Joint Committee on the Constitutional Amendment on Children [JCCAC] was established in November, 2007. My colleague, Deputy Dermot Ahern, TD, Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, and I are ex officio members of the Committee. I have lead responsibility, on behalf of the Government, in regard to the co-ordination of the policy issues arising in relation to its work. Due to the complexity and sensitivity of the issues being dealt with by the Committee, its term has been extended on two occasions and it is now due to report back to the Oireachtas by 9th April 2009.
On 11th September 2008 the Committee presented to the Oireachtas an Interim Report on the exchange of soft information. I welcomed the interim report and, in consultation with my Government colleagues, have commenced the process of preparing the relevant legislation. The Childcare (Collection and Exchange of Information) Bill is included in the Government's Legislative Programme for the Spring Session 2009.
The Committee is currently finalising its deliberations in relation to Article 42 (A) 5.2 and 3 in relation to absolute and strict liability (statutory rape) and a second interim report is expected from the Committee on this matter in the coming weeks.
In relation to the remaining issues contained in Twenty-Eighth Amendment of the Constitution Bill 2007 the Government awaits the outcome of the deliberations of the Joint Committee on the Constitutional Amendment on Children before progressing further.
62 Deputy Joe Costello asked the Minister for Health and Children the progress made in the availability of social workers at weekends for vulnerable children; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6536/09]
The Government and the Health Service Executive (HSE) remain committed to the development of a comprehensive needs-based service for children at risk. In this regard, I personally chair regular meetings between officials from my Office (OMCYA) and Senior Child Welfare and Protection managers in the HSE aimed at improving the provision of services to children at risk. A key component of these discussions has been the provision of out of hours care.
As a result of these contacts it has now been agreed that rather than proceeding with the development of a stand alone social work out of hours service, the HSE is instead taking the opportunity provided by the proposed integration of hospital and community services at a regional level, to develop alternative proposals based on a more integrated approach which builds on its existing out of hours services including GPs, acute hospital services and mental health services. This approach promises a more effective and integrated model of service provision which acknowledges the linkages between services such as mental health and social work while endeavouring to utilise the overall resources already in place to appropriately address incidents occurring outside usual working hours.
The aim is to ensure that persons seeking personal social services outside normal working hours can be triaged and provided with appropriate advice, information, support and, in emergency situations, access to specialist staff, such as staff working in the areas of mental health and suicide prevention. In so doing, the HSE hopes to provide a standardised response across the country. In this context, the HSE is putting a system in place whereby Gardai can access an appropriate place of safety for children found to be at risk out of hours under Section 12 of the Child Care Act 1991. This service will conform with Child Care Regulations and with the National Foster Care Standards. The provision of this service aims to ensure that children presenting as ‘at risk' outside of normal working hours are provided with an appropriate emergency place of safety thereby eliminating or reducing social admissions of children in an acute hospital setting. Foster families are currently being recruited for this service with a view to commencing the service on or before 1 June 2009.
63 Deputy Eamon Gilmore asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will address the shortfall in funding for amputees whereby they have to pay a considerable amount of the cost of prosthetic arms and legs; her views on whether this is inappropriate and out of line with the practice in other countries; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6541/09]
I have been advised by the Health Service Executive, that when a patient has a limb amputated, the acute hospital is responsible for providing the first prosthesis. After that, the client will periodically attend follow-up appointments with the attending Consultant or the General Practitioner who may seek sanctioning of requests for new prostheses or repairs to the original prosthesis. If there is a sound clinical reason to sanction the item and the client has a valid Medical Card or Long-Term Illness Card, the prosthesis will be sanctioned.
Amputees who do not possess either a Medical Card or a Long-Term Illness Card are liable to meet the costs directly. They have a number of options (a) they can claim off their private insurers; (b) they can meet the costs themselves and submit a claim to the Revenue Commissioners via the Form Med 1 and (c) they can apply for a Medical Card and request that their special circumstances by considered especially on the grounds of "undue financial hardship" on the individual or their family.
65 Deputy Seán Sherlock asked the Minister for Health and Children when she will publish the report on the reconfiguration of acute hospitals in the south; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6559/09]
The HSE has indicated to me that this report will be published in the coming weeks. The HSE commissioned the report from Horwath Consulting Ireland, in association with Teamwork Management Services, to examine the arrangements for the provision of acute hospital services in the South with a view to identifying the best configuration of such services in the region.
The Government is committed to ensuring the delivery of the best quality health services possible, in an effective and efficient way. Ensuring patient safety is of paramount importance, so that people can have confidence in the services and that the best possible patient outcomes can be achieved.
There is significant international and national evidence that acute complex healthcare, particularly for emergency medicine, complex surgical services and critical care should be provided in hospitals which are suitably staffed and equipped and which undertake sufficient volumes of such activity, in order to maximise clinical outcomes and ensure safe services. At the same time, there is a significant range of less complex care which can continue to be provided safely in smaller hospitals.
Reorganisation of services must of course occur in consultation with the key stakeholders and on an incremental basis. I believe that it is important to work with health professionals and other interested parties to secure an increasing set of improvements over time. This approach will, I am confident, produce the best outcome for patients.
66 Deputy Liz McManus asked the Minister for Health and Children if she is seeking voluntary redundancies and early retirements from staff in her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6546/09]
There are currently no voluntary early retirement or redundancy schemes available to staff in the Civil Service. However, there are other arrangements which make provision for retirement earlier than normal pension age in certain circumstances.
Arrangements for cost-neutral early retirement were introduced in 2005 under Department of Finance Circular 10/2005 and are available in the Civil and Public Service generally. In broad terms this facility, which was recommended by the Commission on Public Service Pensions, allows staff who are within ten years of their normal pension age to apply for early retirement with immediate payment of their superannuation benefits. The benefits are actuarially reduced to ensure that the early payment is cost-neutral to the Exchequer. In addition retirement before normal pension age with immediate payment of superannuation benefits may be permitted on medical grounds.
67 Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Minister for Health and Children when she expects BreastCheck to be fully rolled out here; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6538/09]
BreastCheck, the National Breast Screening Programme provides free mammograms to women aged 50 to 64, on a two-year cycle. The BreastCheck Eccles Unit (located adjacent to the Mater Misericordiae University Hospital) and four attached mobile digital screening units provides the screening service to women living in North and County Dublin, Cavan, Carlow, Kilkenny, Longford, Louth, Meath, Monaghan, Offaly and Westmeath. The BreastCheck Merrion Unit (located adjacent to St Vincent's University College Hospital) and four attached mobile digital screening units screens women living in South and County Dublin, Kildare, Laois, Wexford and Wicklow.
In 2007, BreastCheck commenced national roll-out and screening began from two new purpose built screening units in Cork and Galway to serve women living in the South and West of the country. By the end of 2008, screening had been extended to all counties with the exceptions of Kerry, Leitrim, Donegal, Sligo and Clare. National roll-out will be completed in 2009 with the extension of screening to these counties. Screening of women in County Sligo begins in March 2009 from a mobile digital screening unit located in Tubbercurry. BreastCheck publishes its screening schedules on a three monthly rolling basis.
69 Deputy Arthur Morgan asked the Minister for Health and Children if it is intended to proceed with the development of a new regional hospital for the north east. [6605/09]
It is still the intention of the HSE to proceed with the development of the North East Regional Hospital and it is envisaged that most of the expenditure in this regard will occur after 2013. In the interim the focus is on reconfiguring services by moving acute and complex care from 5 to 2 hospital sites and on ensuring that services in the region are organised in a way which optimises patient safety.
70 Deputy Arthur Morgan asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will make a statement on the Health Service Executive service plan for 2009. [6604/09]
I approved the HSE National Service Plan 2009 on 9 December 2008 under Section 31(8) of the Health Act 2004. In approving the Plan, I highlighted to the HSE certain critical performance issues in overseeing its implementation. I also emphasised the necessity for the HSE to operate within the limits of its Voted allocation in delivering at a minimum, the levels of service which are provided for in the Plan. The Plan was laid before both Houses of the Oireachtas on 10 December in line with Section 31(13) of the Health Act 2004.
In order to deliver the level of services it is committing to, the HSE will be reconfiguring many front line services. This is in keeping with the overall strategic direction as set out in the HSE Corporate Plan 2008 — 2011 and includes conversion of in-patient work to day case work, a focus on reducing in-patient length of stay in acute hospitals, reduction of in-patient bed numbers and associated costs and the provision of more services in community settings, thus reducing the dependency on in-patient beds. The 2009 allocation includes €120m to meet service pressures arising from demographic changes and also includes €55m for the implementation of the Fair Deal Scheme, an additional €15m for the Cancer Control Programme and €10m for therapy supports for children of school going age.
Clearly, the current fiscal position demands the most careful control of public expenditure and I am strongly of the view that account needs to be taken of all emerging potential cost pressures. There is ongoing engagement between my Department and the HSE in relation to such issues. In this context, I have asked the HSE to review the latest information relevant to the management of Demand Led Schemes expenditure, including growth in the number of people qualifying for medical cards, and to formulate and submit a contingency plan to address any pressures in this area over and above those provided for in the Plan. Throughout the year, the HSE will also provide me with detailed information relating to service activity levels by way of monthly Performance Monitoring Reports against the Plan.
72 Deputy Ruairí Quinn asked the Minister for Health and Children when a diabetic retinopathy screening programme will be introduced in accordance with the report on this proposal; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6551/09]
The Health Service Executive (HSE) is planning to roll-out a Diabetic Retinopathy Screening programme, on a phased basis, by the HSE area. It is proposed to commence in HSE West, as a population-based screening programme had previously been established in the former North-West Health Board. Funding of €750,000 is being allocated to implement this first phase of the screening service.
The HSE also intends to pursue an Information and Communication Technology system to support the programme. The implementation phase of the ICT project will occur in parallel with service implementation in each area. The ICT business case for this programme has recently been approved by the Department of Finance. The procurement process for the ICT project is to commence in the coming months.
The development of the governance and committee structures is under way. Job descriptions and recruitment forms for the staff are with the relevant Local Health Office and it is expected that these posts will be advertised shortly.
73 Deputy Seymour Crawford asked the Minister for Health and Children if sufficient personnel are being appointed and trained to provide the essential front line services in the home help and home care structures; the cost of this service nationally; the amount for the percentage of that cost paid to the home help and home care personnel directly; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6448/09]
The Home Help Service is a well established and successful component of the overall strategy to enable older people to remain in their own homes and communities for as long as possible.
Significant funding has been provided to the Health Service Executive in recent years for the expansion of this service. As the Executive has operational responsibility for the management and delivery of the service at national and local level, in line with its overall service priorities and resources, I have referred the matter to the Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
74 Deputy Seán Sherlock asked the Minister for Health and Children her plans to provide a community midwifery service for women beyond the current limited area that currently has this service; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6554/09]
As the Deputy's question relates to a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
77 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of persons expected to lose their medical card, including those over 70 years of age in the course of 2009; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6575/09]
My Department estimates that following the withdrawal of automatic entitlement to a medical card from persons aged 70 or over on 31st December 2008, approximately 5% of persons in this age cohort (approximately 20,000 people) will no longer qualify for a medical card. The estimated 5% figure was based on the best available information from the Central Statistics Office (CSO) and the EU wide survey on Income and Living Conditions (EU-SILC), which is conducted by the CSO to obtain information on the income and living conditions of different types of households.
The Health Service Executive (HSE) has the operational responsibility for the General Medical Services (GMS) Scheme and it notifies my Department each month of the number of medical card holders. This is a net figure, which reflects the balance after the issue of new cards and other cards, as appropriate, have been deleted from the Executive's database. Information relating to the number of medical card holders on the general medical card scheme who are expected to lose their card during the course of 2009 is not available to my Department. Consequently, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy on this matter.
78 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if she will support a matter (details supplied). [6696/09]
82 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the meetings or proposed meetings she has had with the management of a company (details supplied) in respect of the proposed loss of employment at the company; the results of such meetings; if she has had meetings with the Department of Transport on the matter; if she has had discussions with Aer Lingus or another airline regarding the relocation of their maintenance of aeroplanes from overseas to Dublin; her plans to provide incentives to airlines to have their maintenance carried out at Dublin; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6819/09]
83 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if she has had or is proposing to have meetings with the EU or with fellow EU ministerial colleagues or Departments in respect of problems in the airline industry, particularly in the maintenance section in view of the employment losses at a company (details supplied) in Dublin; the results of such meetings; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6820/09]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 78, 82 and 83 together.
I very much regret the closure of the SR Technics operation at Dublin Airport. I met with the company on 11th February along with my Secretary General and the Chief Executive Officer of IDA Ireland. I should add that a number of meetings had taken place between the State, its Agencies and the company in the past year. The company explained that it had been exploring all options for its Dublin operations including sale to another party. Unfortunately, it was not possible to proceed with any of these options.
The company explained the global deterioration that had taken place in its business since mid 2008 with contracts moving to Eastern Europe, Jordan, Turkey and Malta. The company confirmed that it was putting in place a 5 year restructuring plan and that it had already reduced its worldwide workforce by 500 in the last year. The company stated that the recent loss of major contracts, current business and economic forecasts and the high cost-base and over capacity at Dublin airport make it impossible to continue a sustainable business in Dublin.
SR Technics provides line maintenance for the Aer Lingus fleet at their Dublin base. This is a long-term contract awarded by Aer Lingus in 2008 following a competitive procurement process. The Company has indicated that it hopes to assign this and other smaller operations to another operator, which offers the potential of saving up to 200 jobs. I have had no discussions with Aer Lingus or Ryanair in regard to the location of their maintenance contracts. As regards raising the matter at EU level, my Department is currently considering the possibility of support under the EU Globalisation Fund.
IDA Ireland, has had an ongoing relationship with the company over many years and approved a significant Training Grant package for the company in 2006 to assist the company in maximising efficiencies and improving competitiveness. IDA also had discussions with the company in relation to its business plan and further opportunities to assist the company with additional financial incentives such as RD&I support with the emphasis on Innovation and Process Development.
FÁS has been at the forefront in providing intervention and support to employees who have been made redundant or who are facing redundancy. FÁS is currently in contact with SR Technics Management to discuss the services available from FÁS and the potential needs of the employees. Each response will be tailored on a case-by-case basis. FÁS Services to Business Unit will also be involved in these consultations. It is important to establish how best FÁS can assist the workers. Following this initial contact, a judgement will be made in relation to the level of FÁS intervention required.
I will be meeting with Union representatives very shortly to hear their concerns and to consider any proposals which they might have, and any assistance which the State development agencies, under my auspices, might be able to provide, in addition to supporting the workers in finding new employment, including assistance to re-skill and re-train to enhance their future employment potential. Any involvement by the State Agencies, IDA Ireland or Enterprise Ireland, in regard to seeking the retention of any work currently carried out by SR Technics in Dublin, will be dependent on a company or companies submitting proposals for consideration and seeking approval for State support for an undertaking in the normal way.
79 Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the assistance being made available to FÁS apprentices whose sponsors, due to the economic downturn, are unable to provide them with the work needed to be undertaken as part of their apprenticeships; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6737/09]
FÁS has responded to the increase in the level of redundant apprentices especially in the construction and related sectors by providing the following supports for redundant apprentices.
The Department of Social and Family Affairs immediately refer redundant apprentices to FÁS for assistance.
Following this immediate referral, the FÁS Employment Services and FÁS Services to Business Divisions work in collaboration to provide guidance and support in sourcing a new employer and to consider further options. FÁS has amended the scheduling rules for off-the-job training to permit redundant apprentices to progress to their next off-the-job training, at Phase 2, Phase 4 and Phase 6, in accordance with the existing scheduling criteria.
FÁS introduced an Employer Based Redundant Apprentice Rotation Scheme to provide support for employers to provide on-the-job training to redundant apprentices when they have released their employed apprentice to a scheduled Phase 4 and Phase 6 off-the-job training phase in the Institutes of Technology.
ESB Networks have agreed a programme with FÁS to provide on-the-job training to eligible redundant electrical apprentices at Phase 5 and Phase 7. This programme will provide up to 400 places over a period of eighteen months and this programme will be funded by ESB Networks.
Redundant Apprentices may also avail of existing specific skills training courses, which are trade related to enhance their employable skills. Redundant apprentices may also avail of the range of trade related night courses, which are available in FÁS training centres.
80 Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the status of an organisation (details supplied); the legislation which underpins its role; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6773/09]
The company to which the Deputy refers (EPACE) is a private company, limited by guarantee and established under the aegis of the National Joint Industrial Council for the Electrical Contracting Industry by employer and worker representatives themselves. Its main objective is to advise Electrical Contractors of their responsibilities under the Registered Employment Agreement (REA) for the Electrical Industry and it also carries out inspections of Electrical Contractors in order to ensure compliance with the agreement. While the organisation does not have statutory authority under employment rights legislation to undertake such inspections, Electrical Contractors have in the past been in general willing to facilitate, and cooperate with, these arrangements.
The registration of employment agreements, such as the Electrical Contracting Industry REA, is a matter for the Labour Court, as provided for in the Industrial Relations Act 1946. Enforcement of the provisions of the REA for the Electrical Sector is effected through the Labour Court under the Industrial Relations legislation.
81 Deputy Ciarán Cuffe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the steps she has taken to ensure the cycle to work scheme, introduced in the Finance (No. 2) Act 2008, can be availed of by officials in her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6800/09]
My Department has not yet made any plans in respect of this matter and is awaiting instructions from the Department of Finance outlining details of the scheme and how it should be implemented in Government Departments.
84 Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if, in respect of staff and bodies under the remit of her Department, she will provide details of those remuneration arrangements which are currently in excess of a benchmarking recommendation or a recommendation from the Review Body on Higher Remuneration or which are subject to a personal rate; the position and grade the person is currently holding in each case; and the rationale for making a higher payment than that recommended in each case. [6839/09]
The remuneration of staff of my Department and all the agencies under its remit are in line with either benchmarking recommendations or recommendations of the Review Body on Higher Remuneration with the exception of those mentioned as follows.
Science Foundation Ireland
The remuneration for the Director General of Science Foundation Ireland is as sanctioned by the Department of Finance and comprises a base salary and an allowance in the nature of pay in recognition of his international research experience and expertise. The remuneration being paid to the Director General is the market rate required in order to secure the services of a uniquely qualified individual with the necessary international scientific reputation and managerial experience, to deliver on the ambitious agenda the Government has entrusted to SFI.
IDA Ireland
IDA has on its staff two persons to whom a personal rate of pay applies. The two staff in question are technologists employed on non permanent contracts. The staff in question are paid at the grade of Level F plus an allowance as follows:
Technologist 1: €121,416 (comprising of €105,463 & €15,953)
Technologist 2: €125,463 (comprising of €105,463 & €20,000)
The technologists were recruited to address a need emerging within the IDA for in-depth knowledge and understanding of the core technologies underpinning various business areas.
This Department and the Dept of Finance consented to this in recognition of the fact that the level of expertise required attracted a much higher level of remuneration in the private sector than the rate payable at Level F in the public sector.
National Consumer Agency
Sanction was received from the Department of Finance on 7th July 2008 approving that the CEO of the National Consumer Agency (NCA) would be paid at a salary equivalent to the rate of Deputy Secretary on a personal basis.
85 Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the eligibility for the FÁS redundant apprentice rotation scheme; if it is the case that redundant apprentices can apply for work rotation, and FÁS places these apprentices with eligible companies and will contribute €340 per week towards employment costs; the reason there is a condition contained therein, which means that a company is only eligible if it has not laid off an apprentice since January 2007, companies struggling to keep apprentices in employment are not eligible for assistance, and the apprentice must be made redundant before he or she can apply for rotation; if, in this context her attention has been drawn to the fact that the only company which has not laid off an apprentice in the past two years is the ESB; if she will ensure that all apprentices in these situations are given the opportunity of participation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6879/09]
The Tánaiste launched the Employer Based Redundant Apprentice Rotation Scheme on 29th December 2008. The scheme provides support to employers to provide on-the-job training to redundant apprentices while they have released their employed apprentice to a scheduled Phase 4 or Phase 6 off-the-job training phase in the Institutes of Technology. The Department of Enterprise Trade and Employment has allocated €4 million to the scheme to provide up to 500 on-the-job training places during 2009.
To be eligible for the Employer Based Redundant Apprentice Rotation Scheme, employers must not have made an apprentice redundant in the period since 1st January 2007. The number of employers who were eligible to participate in the scheme in January 2009 was 2,683 for the trades of Carpentry & Joinery, Electrical, Plumbing, Plastering and Brick & Stonelaying. Employers must make an application to FÁS for approval to participate in the scheme and FÁS will allocate a redundant apprentice for the relevant trade and phase based on the longest period recorded as redundant on the FÁS Statutory Register.
The scheme is employer based and the eligibility criteria included in the scheme is to ensure that employers who have demonstrated in the past a strong commitment to the apprentice in the completion of their apprenticeship would be supported by taking a redundant apprentice into their employment to enable the redundant apprentice to complete their on-the-job training with assessment. FÁS provides a contribution of €340 a week to the employer toward the employment costs. The scheme is not open to employed apprentices as it is purpose is to provide assistance to redundant apprentices.
86 Deputy Pádraic McCormack asked the Minister for Finance the proposals he will make, in the context of the Finance Act 1992, to enable quad bike owners to have motor tax displayed on their vehicles for use on the public road; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6698/09]
I understand from the Revenue Commissioners that if a vehicle is Type Approved for use on the road, it must be registered and subsequently motor taxed before it can be driven on public roads. If the vehicle is not Type Approved for use on the road, then it cannot be registered, or driven on the road; and so the issue of motor tax does not arise. As the Deputy will be aware the issue of Motor Tax is a matter for the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government.
87 Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Finance if he is satisfied that the Financial Regulator has carried out its duties in respect of the regulation of Irish banks. [6714/09]
The importance of having a regulatory system that provides financial stability and fosters probity has become all the more clear to us now in a time of severe financial dislocation, both nationally and internationally. It is accepted that a new and better co-ordinated approach to ensuring financial stability and regulation is required, with a greater degree of focus on areas such as risk management, compliance, corporate governance and general control processes.
As the Deputy will appreciate, steps have already been taken in that regard in the Credit Institutions (Financial Support) Scheme and, as a result of this, the oversight of the banks concerned has been greatly intensified. This new regime provides for a heightened direct engagement with each of the covered institutions and new reporting arrangements including the provision of Scheme compliance certificates by the covered institutions themselves and by their external auditors. The Regulatory Authority is allocating additional resources to supervise the compliance by the covered institutions with the Scheme requirements and is now reporting to me on this on a regular basis.
The Bank Guarantee Scheme requirements and conditions are the first step in a new system of financial regulation and supervision. The joint Boards of the Central Bank and Irish Financial Services Regulatory Authority are considering further reform measures and I have just received a report in that regard. In addition, other regulatory considerations, both domestically and at an international level, are underway including the following:
The Regulatory Authority is reviewing its overall strategic regulatory approach with a view to ensuring that the Authority meets its statutory mandate and responds to EU developments in financial regulation;
The Financial Regulator Business Process Review, designed to improve its effectiveness and value for money, is now close to finalisation;
The Financial Regulator is also processing a strategic plan for 2009, which will address the particular EU and Guarantee Scheme requirements for 2009;
At EU level, new regulatory proposals, including improvements to the Capital Requirements Directive, are due for adoption in early 2009, and more generally;
At Ecofin Council, which will incorporate the work being carried out at a wider international level, the role and mandates of national regulators are now the subject of in depth consideration and arising from this it can be expected that proposals will be forthcoming on matters such as prudential soundness, the orderly functioning of markets and stronger European co-operation on financial stability oversight.
I propose to take account of the various reviews that are underway on regulatory reform. As Minister for Finance, I am responsible for the legislative framework within which the Financial Regulator operates. When I have considered the issues fully, I will bring my proposals for reform to Government.
88 Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Finance if Anglo Irish Bank provided loans to State or semi-State bodies. [6715/09]
Anglo Irish Bank is being run on an arms length commercial basis. Accordingly, commercial decisions, which include decisions on lending, whether to private or public entities, are a matter for the Board of Anglo. Notwithstanding this, I am informed that Anglo has no direct lending on the Irish loan book to State or Semi-State bodies. As the Deputy will be aware, the Board of Anglo is preparing a comprehensive business plan which will be required to demonstrate how the Board will oversee the continued commercial operation of the bank in the best interests of the bank, its customers and the State.
89 Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Finance the body which is responsible for the upkeep of the River Nore; if he will arrange for the large trees which have fallen into the river recently to be removed and the river beds cleaned; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6728/09]
The Office of Public works implemented a programme of flood relief works for the River Nore, Kilkenny City, which was completed in 2006. The works carried out on the River Nore extend from Fennessy's Weir downstream of the By-pass Bridge in the South to approximately Bishop's Meadows; upstream of Green Street Bridge in the North, and on the River Breagagh from its confluence with the Nore to upstream of Black Cat Bridge.
The Office of Public Works are responsible for the ongoing maintenance of the River Nore within the confines of the scheme as outlined above, and I am advised by the Commissioners of Public Works that an inspection of the scheme has been carried out recently, which shows that there are no obstructions on these maintainable channels, which would create an increased flood risk. The normal build-up of debris associated with Winter water levels will be dealt with by OPW's Eastern Regional Maintenance Division as part of their maintenance programme.
Maintenance of the River Nore, including the removal of fallen trees, outside the confines of the scheme outlined above is outside the remit of the Office of Public Works, and responsibility would lie with the riparian owners and the local authority. I understand that the Deputy is referring to fallen trees in the Inistioge area, which is downstream of the River Nore (Kilkenny City) Drainage Scheme.
90 Deputy Paul Connaughton asked the Minister for Finance if he is satisfied that, as a result of a decision not to make available grant aid through the sports grants section of the Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism, many contributors to the national lottery will feel cheated that part of their money is not going to the development of sport and other recreational facilities nationwide as was advertised by the national lottery authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6745/09]
I have been informed by my colleague, the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism that no decision has yet been taken about the timing of further rounds of the Sports Capital Programme. In the meantime, it is business as usual for those who have been awarded grants under previous rounds of the programme. The current position remains that €56m has been provided in the Vote for the Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism in 2009 to cover payments to be made from the C1 subhead, out of which grants are paid for the provision of sports and recreation facilities. As the allocation for this subhead is part-funded by the proceeds of the National Lottery, those who participate in National Lottery games can continue to be assured that a proportion of their money is applied to the development of sport and recreation facilities throughout the country.
91 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Finance when a tax refund in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare will issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6758/09]
I have been advised by the Revenue Commissioners that they do not have sufficient information to deal with the taxpayer's claim. Mr Vincent Murphy, Revenue Officer, Kildare District will make contact with the person concerned in relation to the matter.
92 Deputy John O’Mahony asked the Minister for Finance the position with regard to an application for a transfer by a person (details supplied). [6759/09]
OPW is processing the application from the person (details supplied) in respect of the transfer concerned.
93 Deputy Olwyn Enright asked the Minister for Finance the number of vacancies at executive officer level within the Revenue Commissioners in Athlone as on 31 January 2009; when these vacancies will be filled from the existing panels in the Public Appointments Service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6770/09]
I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that the information provided to you last year in response to a similar question (Parliamentary Question 95 of 6 November 2008) was out of date and they apologise for this error. I am now advised that, at 15 October 2008, there were 92 staff serving in Athlone including 30 at Executive Officer level. In addition, there were 2 appointments to Executive Officer from the Public Appointments Service panel already in train and these 2 Executive Officers took up duty in Athlone on 28 October 2008 and 3 November 2008 respectively.
I am further advised that on 31 January 2009 Revenue had 93 staff serving in Athlone including 33 at Executive Officer level. In addition to the 2 appointments from the Public Appointments Service mentioned above there was also 1 internal appointment to Executive Officer in December 2008. There have been no appointments to Executive Officer in Athlone from the Public Appointments Service panel since 3 November 2008. Given the Government's current expenditure controls there are no immediate plans to make any further such appointments.
94 Deputy Arthur Morgan asked the Minister for Finance the number of former Deputies drawing down pensions; the names of these persons; and the amounts they receive annually. [6771/09]
I do not have the information requested by the Deputy as my Department does not have any function in respect of such payments to former Deputies. These payments are the responsibility of the Commission of the Houses of the Oireachtas and the Deputy might consider seeking the information from it
95 Deputy Arthur Morgan asked the Minister for Finance the number of former Ministers drawing down pensions; the names of these persons; and the amounts they receive annually. [6772/09]
The information required by the Deputy is available in Statement 1.4 of the Finance Accounts. The latest published accounts are for the year 2007. In 2008, 122 former Ministers and other office holders received a ministerial pension. Four former Ministers of State received severance payments in 2008. The details of such are as follows.
|
To whom Payable |
€ |
|
Bertie Ahern |
111,235 |
|
Bernard Allen |
6,169 |
|
Lorcan Allen |
11,684 |
|
David Andrews |
62,790 |
|
Liam Aylward |
13,678 |
|
Sean Barrett |
32,243 |
|
Peter Barry |
65,310 |
|
Richard Barry |
9,842 |
|
Michael Begley |
19,998 |
|
George Bermingham |
18,099 |
|
Rory Brady |
79,065 |
|
Vincent Brady |
21,273 |
|
Niamh Breathnach |
37,502 |
|
John Bruton |
100,371 |
|
Richard Bruton |
14,894 |
|
Ray Burke |
57,652 |
|
Richard Burke |
34,876 |
|
Joan Burton |
8,684 |
|
Hugh Byrne |
18,868 |
|
Seán Calleary |
24,247 |
|
Ivor Callely |
7,465 |
|
Donal Carey |
12,050 |
|
Edward Collins |
18,732 |
|
Gerard Collins |
56,252 |
|
Paul Connaughton |
18,099 |
|
Ger Connolly |
25,671 |
|
Patrick Cooney |
56,252 |
|
Liam T. Cosgrave |
19,200 |
|
Declan Costello |
66,996 |
|
Donal Creed |
17,183 |
|
Austin Currie |
12,334 |
|
Brendan Daly |
46,264 |
|
Michael D’Arcy |
17,183 |
|
Noel Davern |
20,746 |
|
Austin Deasy |
37,452 |
|
Jimmy Deenihan |
6,169 |
|
Proinsias De Rossa |
14,176 |
|
Barry Desmond |
38,515 |
|
Sile De Valera |
57,442 |
|
John F. Donnellan |
18,099 |
|
Avril Doyle |
7,484 |
|
Alan Dukes |
45,627 |
|
Bernard Durkan |
6,169 |
|
Frank Fahey |
41,846 |
|
Jackie Fahy |
18,465 |
|
Pádraig Faulkner |
56,252 |
|
Nuala Fennell |
18,099 |
|
Eithne Fitzgerald |
17,363 |
|
Garrett Fitzgerald |
104,283 |
|
Thomas Fitzpatrick |
10,991 |
|
Chris Flood |
17,707 |
|
Padraig Flynn |
51,102 |
|
Pat (the Cope) Gallagher |
26,343 |
|
Maire Geoghegan-Quinn |
64,503 |
|
Eamon Gilmore |
6,165 |
|
Dermot Gleeson |
51,074 |
|
Anthony Hederman |
65,194 |
|
Jim Higgins |
5,973 |
|
Michael D.Higgins |
19,951 |
|
Tras Honan |
23,756 |
|
Gemma Hussey |
37,452 |
|
Thomas Hussey |
17,434 |
|
Liam Hyland |
11,837 |
|
Joe Jacob |
30,495 |
|
Liam Kavanagh |
40,252 |
|
Justin Keating |
37,827 |
|
Enda Kenny |
15,851 |
|
Seamus Kirk |
19,981 |
|
Patrick Lalor |
54,702 |
|
Terry Leyden |
21,836 |
|
Denis Lyons |
19,981 |
|
Liam Mac Cosgair |
83,426 |
|
Sean McCarthy |
11,844 |
|
Charles McCreevy |
75,003 |
|
Jim McDaid |
25,292 |
|
Charles McDonald |
11,811 |
|
Liz McManus |
6,169 |
|
Ray McSharry |
41,277 |
|
Michael McDowell |
31,543 |
|
Gay Mitchell |
6,169 |
|
Tom Moffatt |
18,868 |
|
Robert Molloy |
68,753 |
|
Brian Mullooly |
22,549 |
|
John Murray |
73,234 |
|
Ted Nealon |
19,987 |
|
Michael Noonan |
32,208 |
|
Michael J. Noonan |
44,927 |
|
Fergus O’Brien |
19,987 |
|
John O’Connell |
27,401 |
|
Liz O’Donnell |
19,233 |
|
Tom O’Donnell |
37,827 |
|
Martin O’Donoghue |
31,339 |
|
Rory O’Hanlon |
29,637 |
|
Jim O’Keeffe |
19,987 |
|
Ned O’Keeffe |
7,660 |
|
Michael O’Kennedy |
74,565 |
|
Desmond O’Malley |
56,252 |
|
Tim O’Malley |
19,073 |
|
Mary O’Rourke |
56,877 |
|
Brian O’Shea |
8,679 |
|
Toddy O’Sullivan |
14,886 |
|
Paddy O’Toole |
40,927 |
|
Nora Owen |
28,351 |
|
Tom Parlon |
19,073 |
|
Seamus Pattison |
68,749 |
|
Patrick Power |
27,026 |
|
Ruairí Quinn |
46,852 |
|
Pat Rabbitte |
6,186 |
|
Albert Reynolds |
109,734 |
|
Eoin Ryan |
5,929 |
|
John Ryan |
17,745 |
|
Richie Ryan |
37,827 |
|
Michael Smith |
75,003 |
|
Dick Spring |
77,197 |
|
Emmet Stagg |
8,679 |
|
Mervyn Taylor |
39,902 |
|
Noel Treacy |
27,002 |
|
Sean Treacy |
75,003 |
|
Dan Wallace |
21,371 |
|
Joe Walsh |
75,003 |
|
Michael Woods |
37,502 |
|
Pearse Wyse |
10,991 |
|
To whom Payable |
€ |
|
Michael Ahern |
26,610 |
|
John Browne |
26,610 |
|
Rory Kiely |
24,628 |
|
Tom Kitt |
26,610 |
96 Deputy Arthur Morgan asked the Minister for Finance the yield to the Exchequer if the income levy for those on annual salaries of €200,000 was increased to 6%. [6784/09]
I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that an increase in the income levy from 2% and 3% to 6% on incomes above €200,000 would yield approximately €130 million in a full year. The figures are estimates from the Revenue tax-forecasting model using actual data for the year 2005 adjusted as necessary for income and employment growth for 2009. They are therefore provisional and likely to be revised. The figures for income and employment growth used are based on macro-economic indicators, which have been recently revised in the light of the latest economic outlook for 2009.
97 Deputy Arthur Morgan asked the Minister for Finance the expected yield to the Exchequer if the income levy for those on annual salaries of €100,000 to €200,000 was increased to 3%. [6785/09]
I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that an increase in the income levy from 2% to 3% on incomes between €100,101 and €200,000 would yield approximately €35 million in a full year. However, I should point out that this would create an anomalous situation where an individual would be liable to the income levy at a rate of 1 per cent up to a ceiling of €100,100, a rate of 3 per cent on income from €100,101 to €200,000, a rate of 2 per cent on income from €200,001 to €250,120 and a rate of 3 per cent on the balance. The figures are estimates from the Revenue tax-forecasting model using actual data for the year 2005 adjusted as necessary for income and employment growth for 2009. They are therefore provisional and likely to be revised. The figures for income and employment growth used are based on macro-economic indicators which have been recently revised in the light of the latest economic outlook for 2009.
98 Deputy Arthur Morgan asked the Minister for Finance the cost to the Exchequer as a result of section 23 tax relief in 2008. [6786/09]
I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that the relevant information available on the cost to the Exchequer of the section 23 tax relief is based on personal income tax returns filed by non-PAYE taxpayers. The cost is estimated at €239.7 million, based on tax returns filed for the income tax year 2005, the most recent year for which the necessary detailed information is available. It should be noted that any corresponding data returned by PAYE taxpayers in the income tax return form 12 is not captured in the Revenue computer system. However, any PAYE taxpayer with non-PAYE income greater than €3,174 is required to complete an income tax return form 11. Corresponding information is not yet available for years following 2005.
99 Deputy Mary Upton asked the Minister for Finance his views on the fact that, following the State’s guarantee of six financial institutions in September 2008, Ireland’s rate for loans on the international market has risen sharply; if there is an escalator clause in this agreement with the banks to ensure that the fee charged to these banks covers the increased cost in lending which the State has to bear; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6789/09]
I acknowledge that Irish bond spreads have widened against the benchmark German bund over recent months. This is not specific to Ireland only. With particular attention to Ireland, while I am aware that the government guarantee is a factor to be considered by market participants, there are a variety of factors at play, most notably the international economic environment and the general government deficit. To this end, I have outlined at length the necessity to reign in public spending in order to bring more balance to the public finances.
Each covered institution will pay a quarterly charge to the Exchequer for its guarantee. The objective of the guarantee charging model is to put in place a mechanism to remunerate the State appropriately for the financial cost and risk of granting of the guarantee provided to covered institutions. The main principle of the guarantee charging model is that as Minister, I estimate an aggregate cost that the State will bear as a consequence of the guarantee and each covered institution will pay its share in accordance with its risk profile. In case the actual cost for the State is determined to be higher, the charge model will be adapted accordingly.
100 Deputy Ciarán Cuffe asked the Minister for Finance the steps he has taken to ensure the cycle to work scheme, introduced in the Finance (No. 2) Act 2008, can be availed of by officials in his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6802/09]
102 Deputy Ciarán Cuffe asked the Minister for Finance the number of companies which have contacted his Department and the Revenue Commissioners to avail of or inquire with regard to the cycle to work scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6827/09]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 100 and 102 together.
My Department is considering the detailed arrangements that will be required to implement the cycle to work scheme provided for under Section 7 of the Finance (No.2) Act 2008, and is currently in discussions with the Government Supplies Agency on how the proposed scheme might be put into operation and the correct procurement procedures put in place. To date my Department has had a query from one bicycle supplier in relation to the implementation of the scheme.
101 Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance his plans for reforming the regulation of the banking system here. [6813/09]
The importance of having a regulatory system that provides financial stability and fosters probity has become all the more clear to us now in a time of severe financial dislocation, both nationally and internationally. A new and better co-ordinated approach to ensuring financial stability and regulation is clearly now required, with a greater degree of focus on areas such as risk management, compliance, corporate governance and general control processes.
As the Deputy will appreciate, steps have already been taken in that regard in the Credit Institutions (Financial Support) Scheme and, as a result of this, the oversight of the banks concerned has been greatly intensified. This new regime provides for a heightened direct engagement with each of the covered institutions and new reporting arrangements including the provision of Scheme compliance certificates by the covered institutions themselves and by their external auditors.
The Bank Guarantee Scheme requirements and conditions are the first step in a new system of financial regulation and supervision. The joint Boards of the Central Bank and Irish Financial Services Regulatory Authority are considering further reform measures and I have just received a report in that regard. In addition, other regulatory considerations, both domestically and at an international level, are underway including the following:
The Regulatory Authority is reviewing its overall strategic regulatory approach with a view to ensuring that the Authority meets its statutory mandate and responds to EU developments in financial regulation;
The Financial Regulator Business Process Review, designed to improve its effectiveness and value for money, is now close to finalisation;
The Financial Regulator is also processing a strategic plan for 2009, which will address the particular EU and Guarantee Scheme requirements for 2009;
At EU level, new regulatory proposals, including improvements to the Capital Requirements Directive, are due for adoption in early 2009, and more generally;
At Ecofin Council, which will incorporate the work being carried out at a wider international level, the role and mandates of national regulators are now the subject of in depth consideration and arising from this it can be expected that proposals will be forthcoming on matters such as prudential soundness, the orderly functioning of markets and stronger European co-operation on financial stability oversight.
I propose to take account of the various reviews that are underway on regulatory reform. As Minister for Finance, I am responsible for the legislative framework within which the Financial Regulator operates. When I have considered the issues fully, I will bring my proposals for reform to Government.
103 Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Finance if, in respect of departmental staff and bodies under the remit of his Department, he will provide details of those remuneration arrangements which are currently in excess of a benchmarking recommendation or a recommendation from the Review Body on Higher Remuneration or which are subject to a personal rate; the position and grade the person is currently holding in each case; and the rationale for making a higher payment than that recommended in each case. [6841/09]
There are no staff in my own Department who have remuneration arrangements currently in excess of a benchmarking recommendation or a Review Body recommendation. There are 3 staff at Higher Executive Officer level who were formerly in receipt of an IT gratuity payment prior to its abolition. Their total remuneration at the time exceeded the maximum of the salary scale. The staff concerned continue to hold their remuneration level on a personal basis. In addition, there a further 2 staff (1 Executive Officer, 1 Staff Officer) who are on a salary level that relates to remuneration in a previous Department or grade, and which exceeds, on a personal basis, the salary level of their current post. With regard to the other offices (excluding OPW) under the remit of my Department, I am advised that the there are no such arrangements. OPW have indicated they will forward any details directly to the Deputy.
104 Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Finance the number of people, who were employed in the public service, who have taken early retirement or retired after normal service, who have been re-employed in other Departments or county or city councils here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6946/09]
By re-employment I presume the Deputy is referring to the full or part time employment of retired public servants as part of the staffing of the Department. In this regard, I am not aware of any people who, currently, have been re-employed in my Department. Retired public servants are, however, engaged by the Department, and some of the Offices under my Department's remit, from time to time for specific and time-bound tasks or projects. Such engagements are normally remunerated on a fee basis but in some cases, indeed, services of retired civil servants have been provided without any additional remuneration.
I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that records of past employments of new recruits are not captured in such a way as to provide a dedicated basis for compiling the information requested by the deputy. Accordingly, the specific information requested is not available.
In relation to other offices under the remit of my Department, the following is the position: Public Appointments Service — one permanent staff member. Valuation Office — one officer (13 weeks to cover Term Time absence).
In the other offices under my Department's aegis (except OPW), there are no such people employed. I am advised by the OPW that they will forward any details directly to the Deputy.
105 Deputy James Reilly asked the Minister for Health and Children if she is confident that the interim head of the National Cancer Control Programme (details supplied) is receiving full co-operation from the Health Service Executive in view of reports of correspondence released under Freedom of Information between the person and the HSE; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6950/09]
The correspondence referred to by the Deputy dates from over a year ago. Professor Keane, who took up his post as Interim Director of the National Cancer Control Programme in November 2007, has made immense progress in implementing the programme since his appointment. This progress would not have been possible without the co-operation of HSE staff at all levels.
The transfer of breast cancer diagnosis and surgery into eight designated cancer centres is almost complete and only four institutions still await the transfer of these services to a specialist centre. Also in 2009, funding has been provided to develop rapid access diagnostic clinics for lung and prostate cancers. The transfer of other site-specific cancers to the eight centres will also begin in 2009, with the focus this year on brain tumours, pancreatic cancer, major head and neck reconstructive surgery and rectal cancer surgery.
As Interim Director, Professor Keane is ably supported by an excellent team of HSE staff in the NCCP. The Department and the HSE will continue to work closely, as they have been doing, with Professor Keane and his staff to implement the programme including the targets for 2009 as outlined above.
107 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Health and Children when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo can expect treatment to commence. [6697/09]
The matter raised by the Deputy relates to the provision of healthcare services and accordingly, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy on the matter.
108 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Health and Children when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will receive payment under the health repayment scheme. [6706/09]
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
109 Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will clarify the circumstances regarding the issue of a medical card to a person (details supplied) in County Cork; if this medical card was approved under the old over 70’s scheme of automatic entitlement; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6708/09]
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
110 Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Health and Children the protocols operated by the Health Service Executive in respect of queries by public representatives on behalf of individual constituents whereby by virtue of the personal details available to the public representative, it is clear that they have approval of their constituent to make either written or telephone representations on their behalf; her views on the practice by some offices of the Health Service Executive which decline to respond to representations on the grounds of confidentiality; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6709/09]
In November 2007, the Data Protection Commissioner issued a Guidance Note for Data Controllers on the Release of Personal Data to Public Representatives, in line with which the Health Service Executive prepared a Standard Operating Procedure for its staff. This requires that routine information be provided to public representatives on the basis that it can be generally assumed that the constituent has given consent for the release of the personal data necessary to respond to the request.
In instances where the information requested is determined to be of a very sensitive personal nature, the Executive's procedure, in line with the Data Protection Commissioner's Guidance Note, provides that the data controller should check with the patient or client that he or she has given consent for the information to be released to the public representative. If the client or patient cannot be contacted the person dealing with the inquiry should contact the public representative's office to check if consent has been obtained from the patient or client to the release of sensitive personal data.
Having made inquiries in the matter, it has not been possible to ascertain specific instances where the Executive has declined to provide information on the grounds of confidentiality. However, if the Deputy wishes to provide information on a specific case or cases where such a situation has arisen, I will request that the Executive investigate the matter and take appropriate action if necessary.
111 Deputy Edward O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will assist in having long-term care provided for a person (details supplied) in County Cork. [6720/09]
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
112 Deputy Dinny McGinley asked the Minister for Health and Children if her attention has been drawn to plans of the Health Service Executive to transfer the administration of medical cards from Donegal to a central location in Dublin; the implications for employment in Donegal if such plans are implemented; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6731/09]
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
113 Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Health and Children if she is receiving regular reports on the progress in making repayments to persons unlawfully charged while in nursing homes; the proportion of cases in which payments have to be made; the reason for the delay as in the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 5. [6750/09]
The Health Service Executive (HSE) has responsibility for administering the health repayment scheme in conjunction with the appointed scheme administrator KPMG/McCann Fitzgerald. The HSE provide weekly monitoring reports to my Department on the progress of the Health Repayment Scheme.
Since the commencement of the scheme almost 35,000 applications have been received by the Scheme Administrator. Over 33,000 of these applications have been concluded which has resulted in excess of 19,600 offers being made to date. Payments have issued to over 16,200 claimants with a value totalling in excess of €353m. In the region of 1,600 applications remain to be determined. The vast majority of the remaining offers will issue by the end of April 2009.
The individual case referred to by the Deputy has been referred to the HSE for investigation and direct reply.
114 Deputy Olwyn Enright asked the Minister for Health and Children the reason an eight week speech therapy course in a town (details supplied) in County Offaly, due to commence in November 2008, has not re-started; when such service will be available; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6782/09]
As the Deputy's question relates to service matters I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
115 Deputy Mary Upton asked the Minister for Health and Children if, in relation to the Adoption Bill 2009, she will ensure that the legislation introduced will promote the development of adoption counselling and post adoption services here and will allow for a tracing service for persons who wish to avail of it; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6792/09]
116 Deputy Mary Upton asked the Minister for Health and Children her views on an assertion (details supplied) in regard to the Adoption Bill 2009; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6793/09]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 115 and 116 together.
There is no specific provision in the Adoption Bill, 2009, to provide for post adoption services for those children who have additional needs. Adopted children who have additional needs have, and will continue to have, the same eligibility and entitlements to health, personal social services and special educational needs as any child in Ireland.
The Bill does make statutory provision for the notification by adoptive parents of the adoption on return to Ireland with a child. This notification must be made both to the Adoption Authority for the purposes of registering the child as well as to the HSE, to ensure that the child receives all of the normal child health surveillance services available through the public health system.
As regards information and tracing for adopted persons, again the Bill does not cover this area as there is already an effective administrative system for dealing with the issue of information and tracing. The National Contact Preference Register provides an invaluable service, both to those adopted people who wish to learn about their family of origin and to natural families who have been separated from relatives. Persons who have joined the Register can confidentially state their preferences on both the extent and type of contact they wish to have with the other party. The Register has saved much time and effort on the often difficult task of ascertaining the current location circumstances, and contact details, of adoptive persons and their natural relatives.
117 Deputy Ciarán Cuffe asked the Minister for Health and Children the steps she has taken to ensure the cycle to work scheme, introduced in the Finance (No. 2) Act 2008, can be availed of by officials in her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6804/09]
I am aware of the provisions of Section 7 of the Finance (No.2) Act 2008 which introduced an exemption from an income tax charge under section 118 of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997 in respect of a benefit in the form of a bicycle or associated safety equipment provided to a director or employee by his or her employer, where the bicycle/associated safety equipment is used by the employee or director mainly for qualifying journeys. My Department is considering the detailed arrangements that will be required to implement the scheme.
118 Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Health and Children when the Health Information and Quality Authority report into services at Ennis General Hospital, County Clare will be published; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6809/09]
I am informed that the investigation into the management of quality and safety arrangements at the Mid Western Regional Hospital, Ennis, being conducted by the Health Information and Quality Authority, is substantially completed and that the drafting of the report is at an advanced stage. The next step, which is expected to take a number of weeks, will be the necessary legal verification process. This will include consulting those referred to in the report. The report will then be presented to the Board of the Authority for approval. Following approval by the Board, the report will be submitted to me and will be published as soon as possible thereafter.
119 Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will provide a detailed progress report on the provision of a new health centre (details supplied) in County Cork. [6814/09]
As the Deputy's question relates to a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
120 Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health and Children if, in relation to Departmental staff and bodies under the remit of her Department, she will provide details of those remuneration arrangements which are currently in excess of a benchmarking recommendation or a recommendation from the Review Body on Higher Remuneration or which are subject to a personal rate; the position and grade the person is currently holding in each case; and the rationale for making a higher payment than that recommended in each case. [6843/09]
I understand that the Deputy's question relates to staff at the level of principal officer and equivalent and higher grades. No such remuneration arrangements exist in respect of staff working in my Department.
My Department has asked the Health Service Executive to reply directly to the Deputy in relation to staff employed by it whose remuneration arrangements would be comprehended by the question.
The relevant information is currently being sought from the other bodies under the aegis of my Department and I will transmit this to the Deputy as soon as possible.
121 Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of inter-country adoptions into Ireland from each country for each of the past five years; the countries with which Ireland has a bilateral adoption agreement which meets the standards of the Hague Convention; and the expiry date of each such agreement. [6858/09]
The Adoption Board is the body responsible for maintaining statistics on the number of intercountry adoptions into Ireland. I would refer the Deputy to the Adoption Board Annual Report 2007 for further information on this matter.
Under the recently published Adoption Bill 2009, prospective adoptive parents will be able to adopt from countries which have ratified the Hague Convention, or from those countries with which Ireland has a bilateral agreement based on Hague standards. As part of the preparations for the likely passage and entry into force of these new legislative arrangements, my Office has been liaising closely with the Department of Foreign Affairs to identify and negotiate with countries who continue to seek homes abroad for children in need of alternative care which cannot be provided domestically. We are working actively to assess the possibilities of entering into bilateral agreements with a small number of countries, including Vietnam, Ethiopia and the Russian Federation.
The only non Hague country with which Ireland currently has a bilateral agreement is Vietnam. In relation to Vietnam in particular, a new draft agreement is being finalised. Once the text of the draft has been agreed between the OMCYA, the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Attorney General's office, it will be forwarded to the Vietnamese Authorities for their consideration. It is anticipated that we will be able to forward this draft to Vietnam very shortly.
122 Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Health and Children the position in relation to the payment of a child care grant in respect of a group (details supplied) in County Cork. [6859/09]
As the Deputy will be aware, I have responsibility for the National Childcare Investment Programme (NCIP) 2006-2010, which is the successor programme to the Equal Opportunities Childcare Programme (EOCP) which concluded at the end of 2007. The EOCP was, and the NCIP is administered by Pobal on behalf of my Department.
I understand that the service in question was approved a capital grant of €250,000 in November 2005 under the EOCP. As the applicant could not proceed to contract at that time the grant was transferred to the NCIP and approved in June 2007. An additional €40,000 was approved in February 2008, bringing the total to €290,000.
In November 2008 the group informed Pobal that the local authority had granted planning permission for the development of the facility. As the terms of the planning permission did not satisfy the requirements of the NCIP, a decision has been made to decommit the funding and officials in my Office are in the process of advising the group of the outcome. It is, of course, open to the group to appeal the decision.
123 Deputy James Reilly asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of appeals made to the nursing home repayment scheme; the number of appeal decisions issued; the average time to process and appeal; the number of appeal decisions that have resulted in an increased offer to claimants; the number of appeal decisions that have resulted in the initial offer to claimants; the number of appeal decisions that have resulted in a reduced offer to claimants; if she will provide a breakdown of issues to which claimants appeal; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6865/09]
The Health Repayment Scheme Appeals Office is an independent office established to provide an appeals service to those who wish to appeal the decision of the Scheme Administrator under the Health (Repayment Scheme) Act 2006.
Up to 13 February 2009, 5,269 appeals have been lodged with the Appeals Office and 2,883 appeal decisions have issued. The average completion time for an Appeal Officer's decision is 116 days. 189 appeal decisions have resulted in an increased offer to claimants and 28 appeal decisions have resulted in a reduced offer to claimants. 253 appeal decisions will result in an initial offer to claimants.
In relation to the issues on which claimants appeal, 1,411 of the appeals lodged relate to appeals of the amount of repayment offered and 3,858 relate to appeals made against the Scheme Administrator's decision to reject application made under the Health Repayment Scheme.
124 Deputy Frank Feighan asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will ensure the system in place for processing GMS cards in counties Roscommon and Leitrim will be maintained and the present staff arrangement will be retained servicing the local counties. [6875/09]
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
125 Deputy Frank Feighan asked the Minister for Health and Children the breakdown of members of staff in the Health Service Executive west area who have been awarded performance bonuses in 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 and the amount. [6876/09]
The Performance Related Awards Scheme was introduced following a decision by the Government on the implementation of recommendations of the Review Body on Higher Remuneration in the Public Sector. The primary function of the Review Body is to advise the Government from time to time on the general levels of remuneration appropriate to certain public sector posts, including higher management grades in the health service not covered by the Public Service Benchmarking Body process.
A number of senior management grades in the HSE Western Area are eligible to participate in the Performance Related Award Scheme. Specifically, the grades included are those of National Director, Assistant National Director and Hospital Network Manager.
The level of awards made to individuals is solely a matter for the Board of the HSE which implements the principles set out by the Review Body. My Department has therefore, referred the matter to the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy.
126 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health and Children the extent, nature and result of psychiatric treatment offered in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare during the past 20 years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6883/09]
As this is a service matter the question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
130 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health and Children the extent of funding available for child protection; if this sector is adequately funded in 2009; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6888/09]
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
131 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health and Children the action she will take to ensure that various children’s services previously under resourced are not likely to be further damaged in the course of budgetary cutbacks; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6889/09]
Children's services provided by the HSE aim to promote and protect the health and well being of vulnerable children and families. A wide range of services are provided including early years services, family support services, child protection services, alternative care, services for homeless youth, search and reunion (post adoption) services, psychological services, child and adolescent psychiatric services, registration and inspection of children's residential centres in the voluntary sector and monitoring of children's residential centres in the voluntary and statutory sectors.
The HSE service plan for 2009, which was approved by the Minister for Health and Children on 9 December 2008, envisages that Child and Family service provision in 2009 will be in line with that provided in 2008. In her letter of approval, the Minister asked the Board and management of the HSE to pay particular attention in 2009 to the absolute necessity for the HSE to operate within the limits of its Voted allocation in delivering, at minimum, the levels of service specified in the service plan. I will be working with the HSE to try to ensure that provision of these important services to some of the most vulnerable members of our society can be maintained at existing levels notwithstanding the ongoing budgetary adjustments aimed at restoring balance to the public finances. Implementation of the service plan will be monitored formally throughout 2009 by means of regular monitoring reports to the Department of Health and Children.
132 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will provide an assurance that there will be no restriction in funding available to children and adults with special needs in the course of 2009; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6890/09]
As the Deputy's question relates to service matters I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
133 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will provide an assurance that home help funding and allocation of home help hours are restored to previous levels without delay; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6891/09]
The Home Help Service is a well established and successful component of the overall strategy to enable older people to remain in their own homes and communities for as long as possible. Significant funding has been provided to the Health Service Executive in recent years for the expansion of this service. As the Executive has operational responsibility for the management and delivery of the service at national and local level, in line with its overall service priorities and resources, I have referred the matter to the Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
134 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of persons in possession of a full medical card; the extent to which this number has increased or deceased in the past five years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6892/09]
Details of the number of medical card holders are provided to my Department each month by the Health Service Executive (HSE). The figures are provided on a net basis, showing the balance after new cards have been issued and other cards, as appropriate, have been deleted from the Executive's database, e.g. following a review of a person's circumstances. The following table shows the number of medical card holders and the net annual change at the end of each of the last five years, with a total net increase of 199,212 card holders over the five year period.
|
Year |
Number of Medical Card Holders |
Net Annual Change |
|
31st December 2003 |
1,152,908 |
|
|
31st December 2004 |
1,145,083 |
-7,825 |
|
31st December 2005 |
1,155,727 |
+ 10,644 |
|
31st December 2006 |
1,221,695 |
+ 65,968 |
|
31st December 2007 |
1,276,178 |
+ 54,483 |
|
31st December 2008 |
1,352,120 |
+ 75,942 |
|
Total |
+ 199,212 |
135 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of persons from whom medical cards have been withdrawn on income grounds in the past six months; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6893/09]
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
137 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health and Children the position in regard to an application for registration for nursing regarding a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6895/09]
An Bord Altranais has statutory responsibility for the registration of nurses under the Nurses Act, 1985. I am sure that the Deputy will appreciate that An Bord Altranais must process each application thoroughly to ensure that all those entered on the Register of Nurses are deemed professionally qualified and competent for such registration. Given the statutory functions of the Board and its independence in this regard, it would not be appropriate for the Minister to intervene in individual applications for registration.
138 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health and Children if antenatal care will be offered under the GMS in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6931/09]
Any person ordinarily resident in the State is entitled to anti-natal and post-natal care regardless of whether or not they hold a medical card. I am not aware of the particular circumstances pertaining to this case but I have referred the matter to the HSE for investigation and direct reply to the Deputy.
139 Deputy Frank Feighan asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will review a case regarding a person (details supplied) in County Roscommon, as to the appropriateness of PEG feeding in circumstances such as this in which a patient has Parkinson’s disease; and her views on the use of PEG feeding option in such circumstances. [6945/09]
The treatment provided to a patient is a matter for clinical decision, in consultation with the patient, where appropriate, and his or her family. I have no function in such matters. The case raised by the Deputy has therefore been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
140 Deputy Ciarán Cuffe asked the Minister for Transport the steps he has taken to ensure the cycle to work scheme, introduced in the Finance (No. 2) Act 2008, can be availed of by officials in his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6807/09]
My Department is currently finalising arrangements to put the Cycle to Work Scheme in place and it is envisaged that Departmental staff will be able to avail of this scheme within the next few weeks.
141 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Transport if he has had or is proposing to have meetings with fellow Ministers at EU level to discuss the problems in the airline industry and in particular the maintenance section of the industry in view of the impending closure of a company (details supplied) at Dublin Airport; the results of such meetings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6818/09]
The awarding of maintenance contracts is a commercial matter for the airlines concerned. I understand that my colleague, the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise Trade and Employment met with representatives of SR Technics, in the context of the employment impact of the Company's announcement. I note that the announcement issued by the company on 12 February indicated that the line maintenance operations carried out by the company at Dublin airport would continue as normal but that it is intended that these activities will transfer to another provider at some time in the future.
142 Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Transport if, regarding departmental staff and bodies under the remit of his Department, he will provide details of those remuneration arrangements which are currently in excess of a benchmarking recommendation or a recommendation from the Review Body on Higher Remuneration or which are subject to a personal rate; the position and grade the person is currently holding in each case; and the rationale for making a higher payment than that recommended in each case. [6846/09]
Remuneration for Departmental staff and Non-Commercial bodies under the remit of my Department are as sanctioned by the Department of Finance and in accordance with benchmarking and recommendations from the Review Body on Higher Remuneration. However, the Chief Executive of the National Roads Authority (NRA) is subject to a personal rate of remuneration. When the post of Chief Executive of the NRA was being filled in 2005 it was considered that the scale and strategic importance of the remit of the Authority was such that it was essential to attract and retain a Chief Executive of the highest possible calibre. Against that background the NRA sought the assistance of consultants who recommended a remuneration package which was endorsed by my Department and approved by the Department of Finance.
143 Deputy Arthur Morgan asked the Minister for Transport the number of kilometres of road works which were carried out under public private partnerships in 2008. [6847/09]
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.
144 Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Transport the action he is taking to ensure that a licence to operate is not withdrawn from a company (details supplied) while efforts are ongoing to save the company or find alternative working or ownership arrangements at the Dublin facility; the discussions he has had with the Irish Aviation Authority in relation to the withdrawal of the operating licence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6935/09]
I am advised that the Irish Aviation Authority has met with SR Technics (Ireland) Ltd who have explained that all of the conditions to sustain the maintenance approval remain in place and that SR Technics (Ireland) Ltd will advise the Authority if a situation arises whereby the conditions cannot be met. SRT (Ireland) has not made an application to surrender their maintenance approval certificate.
145 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if his attention has been drawn to the residency requirements in other EU states for non-national EU citizens; the way they differ from policy here; if permits are required, the length of such permits; if the person is required to have means, employment or other; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6749/09]
I am aware that in immigration matters the national rules and regulations of Member States differ significantly and also that regular changes occur. There are many different categories of applicant and the terms and conditions under which they may reside will vary from country to country. The scope for such variation will clearly be less where the category of migrant is the subject of an EU Directive. My responsibility however is to ensure that the Irish system meets the country's needs. If the Deputy is seeking detailed information in respect of the regimes in other Member States the relevant embassies should be able to assist him.
146 Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform further to Parliamentary Question No 199 of 28 January 2009, the members of the project board that he has established, which is led by the Probation Service in order to examine the implementation of electronic monitoring; if this project board will be inviting submissions from members of the public; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6716/09]
As the Deputy will be aware I published a significant Discussion Document on the Management of Sex Offenders on the 27th January, 2009. That Document, inter alia, raises the issue of the use of electronic monitoring technology and submissions have been invited to reach my Department by April 30. The full report and the address to send written submissions to has been made available on my Department's website and I would encourage interested organisations and individuals to make their views known.
The Project Board established to look at the implementation of electronic monitoring in this jurisdiction is comprised of the following: Mr. Vivian Geiran, Deputy Director, Probation Service (Chair); Mr. Kieran O'Dwyer, Director of Prison Regimes, Irish Prison Service; Chief Superintendent Noel White, An Garda Síochána; Ms Mary Burke, Principal Officer, Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform.
I understand that the Project Board has no plans to invite submissions at this point in time. My Department will, of course, make the Board aware of all relevant submissions received in relation to electronic monitoring as part of the wider consultation process on the Discussion Document.
147 Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he has assessed the case for Ireland moving to fully participate in the Schengen Agreement in view of the fact that Britain is moving towards introducing passport control between Ireland and Britain; his views on the contention that membership of Schengen would be less expensive, give a positive message regarding Ireland’s commitment to the EU and allow a common travel area with Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6723/09]
The Schengen Convention provides for the abolition of border checks on common borders between participating States and for the development of enhanced cooperation in relation to law enforcement matters and judicial cooperation. Ireland has successfully applied to participate in certain provisions of the Schengen Convention including those associated with police cooperation, mutual assistance in criminal matters and the Schengen Information System.
The necessary measures which will enable Ireland to meet its Schengen requirements are currently being put in place. Ireland has not, however, applied to participate in the Schengen arrangements to the extent that they deal with the abolition of border checks. This decision has been taken to maintain the common travel area (CTA) with the United Kingdom which remains a priority for Ireland. The common travel area could not continue to operate if Ireland were to remove border checks with Schengen States generally while the United Kingdom did not do so. To do so would result in a situation where the land border with Northern Ireland would become the border between the Schengen area and the United Kingdom.
The United Kingdom has proposed, in the context of the development of its E-borders system, a number of changes in respect of travel on routes between Ireland and the United Kingdom, including:
the introduction of full immigration controls for non-CTA nationals on all sea and air routes by 2014.
new measures to verify the identities of CTA nationals.
monitoring of all air and sea travel between the United Kingdom and Ireland by 2010 using e-Borders watchlists.
The Government has approved the development of an Irish Border Information System, which will operate on a broadly similar basis to the United Kingdom e-borders system. However, Phase 1 of the development only encompasses travel between Ireland the destinations outside the CTA. My officials are in contact with their counterparts in the United Kingdom on these issues as the matter progresses.
148 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the reason for the delays in dealing with the application for a stamp four residency permit for a person (details supplied) in Dublin 8. [6748/09]
The position in relation to granting long term residency is as follows: persons who have been legally resident in the State for over five years on the basis of work permit/work authorisation/work visa conditions may apply to the Immigration Division of my Department for a five year residency extension. In that context they may also apply to be exempt from employment permit requirements.
The dependants of the aforementioned, who have been legally resident in the State for over five years may also apply for long term residency. This particular long term permission does not grant an exemption from employment permit requirements to any such dependants. Time spent in the State on student conditions cannot be counted towards long term residency. While applications for long term residency are under consideration, the person concerned should ensure that their permission to remain in the State is kept up to date.
An application for long term residency from the first person referred to by the Deputy was received in August 2007. I understand that due to the large volume of applications received, applications received in March 2007 are currently being dealt with. As soon as a decision is made on the case, the person concerned will be informed.
149 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the current and expected residency status in the case of persons (details supplied) in County Meath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6754/09]
I refer the Deputy to Parliamentary Question No. 147 of Thursday, 26 June 2008, and the written Reply to that Question.
The first named person concerned applied for asylum on 14 April 2005. His application was refused following consideration of his case by the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner and, on appeal, the Refugee Appeals Tribunal. Subsequently, in accordance with Section 3 of the Immigration Act, 1999 (as amended), the first named person concerned was informed, by letter dated 20 February 2007, that the Minister proposed to make a Deportation Order in respect of him. He was given the options, to be exercised within 15 working days, of leaving the State voluntarily, of consenting to the making of a Deportation Order or of making representations to the Minister setting out the reasons why he should be allowed to remain temporarily in the State. In addition, he was notified of his entitlement to apply for Subsidiary Protection in the State in accordance with the European Communities (Eligibility for Protection) Regulations, 2006 (S.I. No. 518 of 2006).
The first named person concerned submitted an application for Subsidiary Protection in the State in accordance with these Regulations and this application is under consideration at present. When consideration of this application has been completed, the first named person concerned will be notified in writing of the outcome. In the event that the Subsidiary Protection application is refused, the case file of the first named person concerned, including all representations submitted, will then be considered under Section 3 (6) of the Immigration Act, 1999 (as amended) and Section 5 of the Refugee Act, 1996 (as amended) on the prohibition of refoulement. When this latter consideration has been completed, the case file of the first named person concerned is passed to me for decision.
The second named person concerned, the wife of the first named person concerned, applied for asylum on 15 June 2005. She also gave birth to a child in this State in 2005. Her asylum application was refused following consideration of her case by the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner and, on appeal, the Refugee Appeals Tribunal. Subsequently, in accordance with Section 3 of the Immigration Act, 1999 (as amended), the second named person concerned was informed, by letter dated 30 August 2006, that the Minister proposed to make Deportation Orders in respect of her and her child. She was given the options, to be exercised within 15 working days, of leaving the State voluntarily, of consenting to the making of Deportation Orders or of making representations to the Minister setting out the reasons why she and her child should be allowed to remain temporarily in the State. Representations were submitted by the second named person concerned at that time.
The second named person concerned was invited, by letter dated 6 October 2008, to submit an application for Subsidiary Protection in the State in accordance with the European Communities (Eligibility for Protection) Regulations, 2006 (S.I. No. 518 of 2006). The second named person concerned subsequently submitted an application for Subsidiary Protection in the State and this application is under consideration at present. When consideration of this application has been completed, the second named person concerned will be notified in writing of the outcome. In the event that the Subsidiary Protection application is refused, the case file of the second named person concerned, including all representations submitted, will then be considered under Section 3 (6) of the Immigration Act, 1999 (as amended) and Section 5 of the Refugee Act, 1996 (as amended) on the prohibition of refoulement. When this latter consideration has been completed, the case file of the second named person concerned is passed to me for decision.
150 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position of an application for refugee status in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6755/09]
The person concerned arrived in the State on 28 September 2004 and applied for asylum. His application was refused following consideration of his case by the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner and, on appeal, the Refugee Appeals Tribunal. Subsequently, in accordance with Section 3 of the Immigration Act, 1999 (as amended), the person concerned was informed, by letter dated 9 May 2006, re-issued on 22 May 2006, that the Minister proposed to make a Deportation Order in respect of him. He was given the options, to be exercised within 15 working days, of leaving the State voluntarily, of consenting to the making of a Deportation Order or of making representations to the Minister setting out the reasons why he should be allowed to remain temporarily in the State. Representations have been submitted on behalf of the person concerned and these representations will be fully considered, under Section 3 (6) of the Immigration Act, 1999 (as amended) and Section 5 of the Refugee Act, 1996 (as amended) on the prohibition of refoulement, before the file is passed to me for decision.
151 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position of an application for a person (details supplied) in County Kildare regarding their application for residency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6764/09]
The person concerned applied for asylum on 17 October 2001. His application was refused following consideration of his case by the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner. The person concerned appealed that decision to the Refugee Appeal Tribunal but later withdrew that appeal.
Subsequently, in accordance with Section 3 of the Immigration Act, 1999 (as amended), the person concerned was informed, by letter dated 23 July 2002, that the Minister proposed to make a Deportation Order in respect of him. He was given the options, to be exercised within 15 working days, of leaving the State voluntarily, of consenting to the making of a Deportation Order or of making representations to the Minister setting out the reasons why he should be allowed to remain temporarily in the State. No such representations were submitted by, or on behalf of the person concerned. However, the person concerned made an application for permission to remain in the State under the revised arrangements for non-EEA parents of children born in the State prior to 1 January 2005, commonly referred to as the IBC/05 Scheme. Following consideration of this application the person concerned was informed, by letter dated 16 November 2005, that the Minister had refused this application.
Subsequently, in accordance with Section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended), the person concerned was again informed, by letter dated 31 January 2007, that the Minister proposed to make a Deportation Order in respect of him. He was given the options, to be exercised within 15 working days, of leaving the State voluntarily, of consenting to the making of a Deportation Order or of making representations to the Minister setting out the reasons why he should be allowed to remain temporarily in the State. In addition, he was notified of his entitlement to apply for Subsidiary Protection in the State in accordance with the European Communities (Eligibility for Protection) Regulations, 2006 (S.I. No. 518 of 2006). The person concerned submitted an application for Subsidiary Protection in the State in accordance with these Regulations and this application is under consideration at present. When consideration of this application has been completed, the person concerned will be notified in writing of the outcome.
In the event that the Subsidiary Protection application is refused, the case file of the person concerned, including all representations submitted, will then be considered under Section 3 (6) of the Immigration Act, 1999 (as amended) and Section 5 of the Refugee Act, 1996 (as amended) on the prohibition of refoulement. When this latter consideration has been completed, the case file of the person concerned is passed to me for decision.
152 Deputy Ciarán Cuffe asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the steps he has taken to ensure the cycle to work scheme, introduced in the Finance (No. 2) Act 2008, can be availed of by officials in his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6805/09]
My Department is fully aware of the provisions of Section 7 of the Finance (No.2) Act 2008 which provides for this initiative by way of an income tax exemption. I can inform the Deputy that my Department is actively considering the detailed arrangements that will be required to implement the cycle to work scheme and I understand that my colleague, the Minister for Finance, intends to issue a Circular which will provide uniform guidelines to all public bodies on how the scheme is to operate.
153 Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if, regarding Departmental staff and bodies under the remit of his Department, he will provide details of those remuneration arrangements which are currently in excess of a benchmarking recommendation or a recommendation from the Review Body on Higher Remuneration or which are subject to a personal rate; the position and grade the person is currently holding in each case; and the rationale for making a higher payment than that recommended in each case. [6844/09]
The post of Chief Executive Officer of the Courts Service is paid at the salary level of Secretary General Level III. This has been the case since the establishment of the Courts Service in 1999. This is higher than that recommended by the Review Body on Higher Renumeration in the Public Sector. Sanction was granted in July 2008 for the retention of the post at that level to reflect the position of the CEO as Head of the court system where the Judiciary serves as an independent arm of the Constitution.
154 Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position regarding the legal status in this State of a person (details supplied) in County Cork. [6860/09]
The person concerned applied for asylum on 23 July 2003. His application was refused following consideration of his case by the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner and, on appeal, the Refugee Appeals Tribunal. The person concerned initiated, in August 2005, Judicial Review proceedings in the High Court challenging the decision of the Refugee Appeals Tribunal in his case and these proceedings were resolved, in April 2007, in favour of the person concerned with the consequence that he was afforded a further hearing before the Tribunal. This further hearing took place but again the Refugee Appeals Tribunal concluded that the person concerned did not meet the criteria for recognition as a refugee.
Subsequently, in accordance with Section 3 of the Immigration Act, 1999 (as amended), the person concerned was informed, by letter dated 11 February 2009, that the Minister proposed to make a Deportation Order in respect of him. He was given the options, to be exercised within 15 working days, of leaving the State voluntarily, of consenting to the making of a Deportation Order or of making representations to the Minister setting out the reasons why he should be allowed to remain temporarily in the State. In addition, he was notified of his entitlement to apply for Subsidiary Protection in the State in accordance with the European Communities (Eligibility for Protection) Regulations, 2006 (S.I. No. 518 of 2006).
The 15 day period referred to in my Department's letter of 11 February 2009 expires on 5 March 2009. It is open to the person concerned to make representations and/or apply for Subsidiary Protection in the State within that period. In any event, the case of the person concerned will not be further processed until the 15 day period referred to has elapsed.
155 Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will confirm that he has received an application for permission to remain in the State dated 13 November 2008, from a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath; the position in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6882/09]
I have been informed by the Immigration Division of my Department that they have recently been in contact with the person referred to by the Deputy in relation to his family's immigration status. Further documentation has been requested from the person concerned in order to facilitate the Immigration Division in examining the case.
156 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if day release will be granted to a person (details supplied) currently serving a prison sentence in Portlaoise Prison to enable them attend their child’s first holy communion on 9 May 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6903/09]
157 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform when stamp four will be issued to persons (details supplied) in County Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6904/09]
The position in relation to granting long term residency is as follows: persons who have been legally resident in the State for over five years on the basis of work permit/work authorisation/work visa conditions may apply to the Immigration Division of my Department for a five year residency extension. In that context they may also apply to be exempt from employment permit requirements.
The dependants of the aforementioned, who have been legally resident in the State for over five years may also apply for long term residency. This particular long term permission does not grant an exemption from employment permit requirements to any such dependants. Time spent in the State on student conditions cannot be counted towards long term residency.
While applications for long term residency are under consideration, the person concerned should ensure that their permission to remain in the State is kept up to date. An application for long term residency from the first person referred to by the Deputy was received in November 2008. I understand that applications received in March 2007 are currently being dealt with. As soon as a decision is made on the case, the person concerned will be informed.
158 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the current and ongoing position in the matter of residency regarding a person (details supplied) in Dublin 8; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6905/09]
The person concerned applied for asylum in the State on 10 February 2005. Her application was refused following consideration of her case by the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner and, on appeal, the Refugee Appeals Tribunal. Subsequently, in accordance with Section 3 of the Immigration Act, 1999 (as amended), the person concerned was informed, by letter dated 7 September 2007, that the Minister proposed to make a Deportation Order in respect of her. She was given the options, to be exercised within 15 working days, of leaving the State voluntarily, of consenting to the making of a Deportation Order or of making representations to the Minister setting out the reasons why she should be allowed to remain temporarily in the State. In addition, she was notified of her entitlement to apply for Subsidiary Protection in the State in accordance with the European Communities (Eligibility for Protection) Regulations, 2006 (S.I. No. 518 of 2006). The person concerned submitted an application for Subsidiary Protection in the State in accordance with these Regulations and this application is under consideration at present. When consideration of this application has been completed, the person concerned will be notified in writing of the outcome.
In the event that the Subsidiary Protection application is refused, the case file of the person concerned, including all representations submitted, will then be considered under Section 3 (6) of the Immigration Act, 1999 (as amended) and Section 5 of the Refugee Act, 1996 (as amended) on the prohibition of refoulement. When this latter consideration has been completed, the case file of the person concerned is passed to me for decision.
159 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the current and expected position in the matter of residency in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 8; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6906/09]
I refer the Deputy to my detailed Reply to his Parliamentary Question, No. 234 of Thursday 18 December 2008, in this matter. The position in the State of the person concerned is as set out in that Reply.
160 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the current and expected residency status in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6907/09]
There is currently no application pending in my Department for residency in the case of the person whose details were supplied.
If an application for asylum has been made by the person concerned the Deputy will of course be aware that it is not the practice to comment on asylum applications that are pending.
161 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform further to his reply to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 160 of 19 June 2008 and 634 of 27 January 2009, if arising from the conditions under which a person (details supplied) in County Kildare was given permission to remain in the State specifically prevents them from obtaining family reunification in respect of their 20 year old son who is anxious to be reunited with them; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6908/09]
I am informed by the Immigration Division of my Department that records indicate that the person in question is not a recognised refugee and is therefore not entitled to make an application for family reunification.
162 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the extent to which a person (details supplied) in County Laois qualifies for residency provisions under subsidiary protection in accord with EC eligibility for protection regulations 2006 SI No. 518206; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6909/09]
I refer the Deputy to my detailed Reply to his recent Parliamentary Question, No. 159 of Thursday, 5 February 2009, in this matter. The position in the State of the person concerned is as set out in that Reply.
The Deputy might wish to note that Subsidiary Protection is a form of international protection offered to those persons who do not meet the criteria for recognition as a refugee but who nonetheless claim a risk of serious harm in their country of origin if repatriated there. Each application for Subsidiary Protection in the State is considered on the basis of its individual merits, having regard for the claims made by the applicant and measured against objective, reputable, up to date information relating to the applicant's country of origin. The Subsidiary Protection application in respect of the person concerned is under consideration at present and the Deputy may be assured that this application will receive the appropriate individual consideration. Given that the Subsidiary Protection application of the person concerned has not yet been determined, it would not be appropriate to comment on the merits of the application at this time.
The Deputy might wish to note that persons approved for Subsidiary Protection in the State are granted permission to remain in the State for a renewable three year period and are also entitled to apply for family reunification in respect of qualifying family members.
163 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the current and expected residency status in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Wexford; if their application for transfer to residential accommodation in Dublin will be arranged; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6910/09]
I refer the Deputy to his Parliamentary Question No. 54 of Thursday, 16 October 2008, and the written Reply to that Question. The position in the State of the person concerned is as set out in that Reply.
In relation to his accommodation needs, the Reception and Integration Agency (RIA) is responsible for the accommodation of asylum seekers in accordance with the Government policy of direct provision and dispersal. The person referred to in the details supplied is currently availing of direct provision accommodation at the Old Rectory accommodation centre in New Ross. If this person wishes to transfer to another accommodation centre, they can make an application directly to the RIA, setting out the grounds for the request and providing any appropriate documentation in support of that transfer.
164 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the current and expected residency status in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Meath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6911/09]
The person concerned applied for asylum on 24 February 2005. Her application was refused following consideration of her case by the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner and, on appeal, the Refugee Appeals Tribunal.
Subsequently, in accordance with Section 3 of the Immigration Act, 1999 (as amended), the person concerned was informed, by letter dated 29 June 2006, that the Minister proposed to make a Deportation Order in respect of her. She was given the options, to be exercised within 15 working days, of leaving the State voluntarily, of consenting to the making of a Deportation Order or of making representations to the Minister setting out the reasons why she should be allowed to remain temporarily in the State. Representations were received from the person concerned at that time.
The person concerned has also submitted an application for Subsidiary Protection in the State in accordance with the European Communities (Eligibility for Protection) Regulations, 2006 (S.I. No. 518 of 2006) and this application is under consideration at present. When consideration of this application has been completed, the person concerned will be notified in writing of the outcome.
In the event that the Subsidiary Protection application is refused, the case file of the person concerned, including all representations submitted, will then be considered under Section 3 (6) of the Immigration Act, 1999 (as amended) and Section 5 of the Refugee Act, 1996 (as amended) on the prohibition of refoulement. When this latter consideration has been completed, the case file of the person concerned is passed to me for decision.
165 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the current and expected residency status and citizenship in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6912/09]
The person to whom the Deputy refers was granted permission to remain in the State in June 2002, under the arrangements then in place for the parents of Irish citizen children. The most recent permission to remain granted to the person concerned expired on 5 May 2008. I am informed that when the person presented at his local Immigration Office on 6 May 2008 for renewal of that permission, it was noted that his wife and child were not resident in the State. Renewal was therefore refused, and the person was advised to contact my Department. I am further informed that the person concerned again presented at his local Immigration Office on 14 January 2009 without having contacted my Department. As his family situation remained unchanged, he was again refused renewal of his permission to remain.
The person concerned is advised to write to my Department at: INIS, PO Box 10003, Dublin 2, regarding his current family circumstances. The matter will then be considered by officials of my Department.
I am also informed that an application for a certificate of naturalisation from the person referred to in the Deputy's Question was received in the Citizenship Division of my Department in August 2008.
The average processing time from application to decision is now at 22 months. The Citizenship Division is currently commencing further processing of applications received in mid 2007. More complicated cases can at times take more than the current average while an element of straight forward cases are now being dealt with in less than that time scale.
There is a limit to the reduction in the processing time that can be achieved as applications for naturalisation must be processed in a way which preserves the necessary checks and balances to ensure that the status of citizenship is not undervalued and is only given to persons who genuinely satisfy the necessary qualifying criteria.
166 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the current and expected residency status in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 6; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6913/09]
I refer the Deputy to my Reply to his Parliamentary Question No. 67 of Thursday, 16 October 2008, in this matter.
The person concerned applied for asylum on 20 September 2006. Following investigation by the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner, it was established that the person concerned had previously made an asylum application in Germany and, as such, a determination was made, in accordance with the provisions of the Dublin II Regulations, that the person concerned should be transferred to Germany for the purposes of having his asylum application examined there. This determination was upheld following an appeal to the Refugee Appeals Tribunal. Consequently, a Transfer Order was signed in respect of the person concerned on 22 November 2006. This Order was subsequently served on the person concerned, by letter dated 23 November 2006, which placed a legal obligation on him to present himself at the Offices of the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB), on Wednesday 29 November 2006, to make arrangements for his formal transfer to Germany. The person concerned failed to present on this occasion and was therefore classified as having evaded his transfer. The person concerned became illegally resident in this State at that time.
The person concerned continued to evade his transfer with the consequence that the Transfer Order ultimately expired leaving Ireland responsible for processing the asylum application of the person concerned. At this point the case of the person concerned was referred back to the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner for the purposes of having his asylum claims investigated. Subsequently, the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner made a recommendation that the person concerned be refused a declaration of refugee status. This recommendation was, on appeal, upheld by the Refugee Appeal Tribunal.
In accordance with Section 3 of the Immigration Act, 1999 (as amended), the person concerned was informed, by letter dated 26 September 2008, that the Minister proposed to make a Deportation Order in respect of him. He was given the options, to be exercised within 15 working days, of leaving the State voluntarily, of consenting to the making of a Deportation Order or of making representations to the Minister setting out the reasons why he should be allowed to remain temporarily in the State. In addition, he was notified of his entitlement to apply for Subsidiary Protection in the State in accordance with the European Communities (Eligibility for Protection) Regulations, 2006 (S.I. No. 518 of 2006). The person concerned submitted an application for Subsidiary Protection in the State in accordance with these Regulations and this application is under consideration at present. When consideration of this application has been completed, the person concerned will be notified in writing of the outcome.
In the event that the Subsidiary Protection application is refused, the case file of the person concerned, including all representations submitted, will be passed to me for decision.
167 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the degree to which assistance might be given in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Waterford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6914/09]
The Reception and Integration Agency (RIA) is responsible for the accommodation of asylum seekers in accordance with the Government policy of direct provision and dispersal. The person referred to in the details supplied made an application for asylum on 30 March 2007 along with her son and is currently a resident at Atlantic House accommodation centre, Tramore, County Waterford. They have been accommodated there since 16 April 2007.
The mother requested a transfer to self-catering accommodation on the basis of health issues by way of correspondence dated 25 February 2008. This request was considered and refused. Following further representations, including a Dáil Question of 18 December 2008 from the Deputy, the transfer request documentation was referred to a medical referee for review. A response issued from the medical referee to the RIA dated 27 January 2009 to the effect that sufficient grounds to support a change of accommodation were not provided. The request was again refused.
In respect of the sharing of accommodation, this arises as a specific choice of mother and son in this instance. Alternative arrangements within the direct provision accommodation system had been offered previously but were refused by both parties. The offer of separate accommodation for both parties within the direct provision portfolio still stands.
168 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the current and expected position in regard to residency and accommodation requirements in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Waterford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6915/09]
The person concerned applied for asylum on 22 September 2006. His application was refused following consideration of his case by the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner and, on appeal, the Refugee Appeals Tribunal.
Subsequently, in accordance with Section 3 of the Immigration Act, 1999 (as amended), the person concerned was informed, by letter dated 11 March 2008, that the Minister proposed to make a Deportation Order in respect of him. He was given the options, to be exercised within 15 working days, of leaving the State voluntarily, of consenting to the making of a Deportation Order or of making representations to the Minister setting out the reasons why he should be allowed to remain temporarily in the State. In addition, he was notified of his entitlement to apply for Subsidiary Protection in the State in accordance with the European Communities (Eligibility for Protection) Regulations, 2006 (S.I. No. 518 of 2006). The person concerned submitted an application for Subsidiary Protection in the State in accordance with these Regulations and this application is under consideration at present. When consideration of this application has been completed, the person concerned will be notified in writing of the outcome.
In the event that the Subsidiary Protection application is refused, the case file of the person concerned, including all representations submitted, will then be considered under Section 3 (6) of the Immigration Act, 1999 (as amended) and Section 5 of the Refugee Act, 1996 (as amended) on the prohibition of refoulement. When this latter consideration has been completed, the case file of the person concerned will be passed to me for decision.
The Reception and Integration Agency (RIA) is responsible for the accommodation of asylum seekers in accordance with the Government policy of direct provision and dispersal. The person referred to in the details supplied is currently residing in private accommodation and is not availing of direct provision accommodation. If he wishes to avail of such accommodation, he should write to the RIA at P.O. Box 11487, Dublin 2 and his request will be given due consideration.
169 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the current and expected position in regard to residency and citizenship in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Waterford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6916/09]
An application for a certificate of naturalisation from the person referred to in the Deputy's Question was received in the Citizenship Division of my Department in November 2007.
The average processing time from application to decision is now at 22 months. The Citizenship Division is currently commencing further processing of applications received in mid 2007. More complicated cases can at times take more than the current average while an element of straight forward cases are now being dealt with in less than that time scale.
There is a limit to the reduction in the processing time that can be achieved as applications for naturalisation must be processed in a way which preserves the necessary checks and balances to ensure that the status of citizenship is not undervalued and is only given to persons who genuinely satisfy the necessary qualifying criteria.
However, I understand that the person concerned is a refugee and in accordance with the Government's obligations under the United Nations Convention relating to the Status of Refugees every effort is made to ensure that applications from persons with refugee status are dealt with as quickly as possible.
I am informed by the Immigration Division of my Department that the person in question has not made an application for Long Term Residency.
170 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if his Department will liaise with the French authorities to ensure the return of passports in respect of persons (details supplied) in Dublin 24; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6917/09]
I have been informed that officials from my Department have raised this matter with the French authorities through the Irish Embassy in Paris.
171 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if particular or specific provision will be made in respect of residency and accommodation in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 7; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6918/09]
I am informed by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Services that a request for permission to remain in the State was made to my Department in September, 2008 on behalf of the persons referred to by the Deputy. This application is currently being examined and a decision will be issued shortly.
172 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if his attention has been drawn to the application for a visitor’s visa in respect of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6919/09]
The visa application referred to by the Deputy was received in the Visa Office, Moscow on the 12 February 2009. Following consideration by a Visa Officer it was refused on 17 February 2009 for the following reasons: The obligations to return to the home country were not deemed sufficient; It was the opinion of the Visa Officer that the applicant may not observe the conditions of the visa if granted.
The decision of the Visa Officer may be appealed within two months of the date of decision, in this case before 17 April 2009. Any appeal must be submitted to the Visa Office, Moscow for consideration.
173 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the current and expected residency status in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Limerick; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6920/09]
I refer the Deputy to my detailed Reply to his Parliamentary Question, No. 901 of Wednesday, 24 September 2008, in this matter. The position in the State of the person concerned is as set out in that Reply.
174 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will revoke on humanitarian and human rights grounds the deportation order in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Longford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6921/09]
The person concerned is the subject of a Deportation Order following a comprehensive and thorough examination of his asylum claim and of his application to remain temporarily in the State. He has been evading his deportation since 19 May 2005 and should he come to the notice of the Gardaí, he would be liable to arrest and detention. He should, therefore, present himself to the Garda National Immigration Bureau without any further delay.
As a matter of policy, I do not intend to reward persons who have failed a very fair and comprehensive asylum process, and who have thereafter proceeded to evade their deportation for several years, by granting such persons residency in the State. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if there has been a change in the circumstances of the person concerned, or new information has come to light which has a direct bearing on his case, there remains the option of applying to me for revocation of his Deportation Order pursuant to the provisions of Section 3 (11) of the Immigration Act, 1999, as amended. However I wish to make clear that such an application would require substantial grounds to be successful.
175 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the current or expected position in the matter of stamp 4 renewal, residency or citizenship status in the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 6. [6922/09]
I refer the Deputy to my detailed Reply to his recent Parliamentary Question No. 622 of Tuesday, 27 January 2008. The position in the State of the person concerned is as set out in that Reply.
176 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position in the matter of the application for citizenship in the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 15. [6923/09]
An application for a certificate of naturalisation from the person referred to in the Deputy's Question was received in the Citizenship Division of my Department in July 2008.
The average processing time from application to decision is now at 22 months. The Citizenship Division is currently commencing further processing of applications received in mid 2007. More complicated cases can at times take more than the current average while an element of straight forward cases are now being dealt with in less than that time scale.
There is a limit to the reduction in the processing time that can be achieved as applications for naturalisation must be processed in a way which preserves the necessary checks and balances to ensure that the status of citizenship is not undervalued and is only given to persons who genuinely satisfy the necessary qualifying criteria.
However, I understand that the person concerned is a refugee and in accordance with the Government's obligations under the United Nations Convention relating to the Status of Refugees every effort is made to ensure that applications from persons with refugee status are dealt with as quickly as possible.
177 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform when a person (details supplied) in Dublin 15 will be awarded citizenship status; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6924/09]
An application for a certificate of naturalisation from the person referred to in the Deputy's Question was received in the Citizenship Division of my Department in February 2006.
Processing of the application has been completed and I have reached a decision. The person in question has been informed of this decision in a letter issued on 17 February, 2009.
178 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the current or expected position in the matter of residency or citizenship in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Meath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6925/09]
The person concerned has been granted Leave to Remain in the State for the period to 18 February 2010. This decision was conveyed in writing to the person concerned by letter dated 18 February 2009.
179 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the current or expected residency status and the progress in the past five years in this regard in the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 24; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6926/09]
I wish to inform the Deputy that the person concerned was granted permission to remain in the State in November of 2007 as the dependant of parents granted under the IBC/05 Scheme. The permission granted is valid until 10 October 2010.
180 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position in the matter of residency in the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 5; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6927/09]
The person referred to by the Deputy applied for Asylum on 20 March 2007. The claim was assessed by the Refugee Applications Commissioner who concluded that the person concerned did not meet the criteria for recognition as a refugee. The Commissioner's recommendation was communicated to her by letter dated 10 October 2007. This communication advised the person of her entitlement to appeal the Commissioner's recommendation to the Refugee Appeals Tribunal, which she duly did.
The Refugee Appeals Tribunal considered the person's appeal, following which the Tribunal affirmed the Commissioner's earlier recommendation to reject her claim. The outcome of the appeal was made known to the applicant by letter dated 26 November 2008.
In accordance with normal procedures, the applicant's file has been forwarded to my Department for final processing of the Asylum claim. A letter will issue to her shortly from my Department advising her formally that her asylum claim has been rejected and affording her three options as follows:
1. Return home voluntarily
2. Consent to the making of a deportation order, or
3. Make written representations to me within 15 working days for temporary leave to remain in the State and/or make an application for subsidiary protection under the European Communities (Eligibility for Protection) Regulations 2006 (SI No. 518 of 2006).
181 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position in the matter of the application for family reunification in the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 15; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6928/09]
I am informed by the Immigration Division of my Department that the person in question made an application on behalf of her step-daughter in June 2007.
The application was forwarded to the Refugee Applications Commissioner for investigation as required under section 18 of the Refugee Act 1996. This investigation has been completed and the Commissioner has forwarded a report to my Department.
The application will be considered by my Department and a decision will issue in due course.
At the present time Family Reunification applications are taking up to 24 months to process.
182 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the current or expected position in the matter of residency status in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Limerick; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6929/09]
There is currently no application pending in my Department for residency in the case of the person whose details were supplied.
If an application for asylum has been made by the person concerned the Deputy will of course be aware that it is not the practice to comment on asylum applications that are pending.
183 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position in the matter of family reunification in respect of the child of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 22; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6930/09]
I am informed by the Immigration Division of my Department that there is no record of a Family Reunification application having been received in respect of the person in question.
184 Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has assessed the case for Ireland moving to fully participate in the Schengen Agreement in view of the fact that Britain is moving towards introducing passport control between Ireland and Britain; his views on the contention that membership of Schengen would be less expensive, give a positive message regarding Ireland’s commitment to the EU and allow a common travel area with Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6722/09]
The issues referred to in the Deputy's question relate to policy areas which are the responsibility of my colleague the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform.
Ireland has successfully applied to participate in certain provisions of the Schengen Convention including those associated with police cooperation, mutual assistance in criminal matters and the Schengen Information System.
The British authorities are at present involved in a review process of issues regarding travel across borders. I understand from my colleague the Minister for Justice that officials in his Department are in contact with their counterparts in the United Kingdom on these issues.
As regards Ireland's engagement with the EU, I can assure the Deputy that the Government is resolutely committed to retaining Ireland's place at the heart of the European Union, which brings many benefits to Ireland and is vital to the present and future well-being of our country and its people.
185 Deputy Mary Upton asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on the cut to overseas aid as announced earlier this month; if it is his intention to achieve a total aid budget of 0.7%; when he projects that this will be achieved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6790/09]
186 Deputy Mary Upton asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the way the Irish Aid budget is to be cut; the way a decision was reached on the areas to cut from the Irish Aid budget; if he expects the Irish Aid budget to be cut further again later in 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6791/09]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 185 and 186 together.
The Government's decision to reduce the 2009 allocation for Official Development Assistance from €891 million to €796 million was taken exclusively in the context of the very difficult economic situation facing the country, the need to curb public expenditure, and our determination to provide the conditions for renewed economic growth. When economic circumstances permit, we will resume the expansion of the aid programme, which has been a significant feature of Government policy over the past decade.
It is important to recognise that since 1999 Ireland's total ODA has grown from €230 million to €899 million last year. In the past six years alone, the Government has provided over €4 billion in untied development assistance, with a strong focus on the poorest people in the world's least developed countries. This year, Ireland can expect to maintain its position as the world's sixth biggest aid donor in per capita terms. Based on current economic projections, estimated spending on ODA in 2009 will be in the region of 0.54% of GNP.
The Government remains committed to working towards the target of spending 0.7% of GNP on ODA by 2012. Ireland is already significantly closer to achieving the target than most of our EU partners.
The priorities of the Government's aid programme will remain as set out in the 2006 White Paper on Irish Aid. Decisions on the implementation of the budget adjustments will be taken over the coming weeks. They will be based on our determination to ensure the effectiveness of the aid programme in the fight against global poverty and hunger, and value for money. The central priority will be to ensure that Ireland continues to make a significant contribution to the reduction of poverty and hunger, with a focus on the least developed countries and especially on sub-Saharan Africa. We will continue to place the needs of the most vulnerable people in these countries at the heart of the programme. We are taking a lead role internationally on the global hunger crisis. We will continue to focus on investment in basic services, including primary education and primary health. Sectors such as good governance, HIV and AIDS, gender equality and economic development will also remain important aspects of our aid programme.
187 Deputy Ciarán Cuffe asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the steps he has taken to ensure the cycle to work scheme, introduced in the Finance (No. 2) Act 2008, can be availed of by officials in his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6803/09]
I am aware of the provisions of Section 7 of the Finance (No. 2) Act 2008 which introduced an exemption from income tax in respect of a benefit-in-kind arising from a bicycle or associated safety equipment being provided to an employee by his or her employer for the purposes of commuting to work. My Department is at present studying the detailed arrangements that will be required to implement the scheme, along with the related resource implications.
188 Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if, in relation to Departmental staff and bodies under the remit of his Department, he will provide details of those remuneration arrangements which are currently in excess of a benchmarking recommendation or a recommendation from the Review Body on Higher Remuneration or which are subject to a personal rate; the position and grade the person is currently holding in each case; and the rationale for making a higher payment than that recommended in each case. [6842/09]
No established civil servant employed in my Department is currently in receipt of remuneration in excess of a benchmarking recommendation or a recommendation from the Review Body on Higher Remuneration or which is subject to a personal rate.
189 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views in relation to correspondence (details supplied); the position regarding the meetings and so on that he has had in regard to the matters raised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6869/09]
The Government attaches the highest importance to resolving the plight of our undocumented citizens in the United States.
In the absence, to date, of comprehensive immigration reform in the United States, we have actively pursued a bilateral approach in this area, aimed at reforming our overall immigration arrangements with the United States and facilitating greater legal migration between the two countries. The approach has had three core objectives; a reciprocal Working Holiday Agreement; new bilateral arrangements to provide reciprocal long term working visas (known as E3s); and a solution for our undocumented.
The first of these objectives has already been delivered, and the second, the provision of long term working visas similar to the E3 Visas available to Australian citizens, has formed the basis for detailed discussions with senior Member of Congress over the past twelve months.
A bilateral programme on long term working visas would represent a very significant step in the reform of our immigration arrangements with the US and, like the working holiday agreement, would represent an important investment in the long term health of this vital bilateral relationship.
I would like to emphasise that our efforts in these areas in no way dilute the Government's strong commitment to finding a solution for the undocumented, whose welfare remains a key priority. We are in ongoing contact with US law-makers on this issue.
The Taoiseach, I and other members of Government will use the unique opportunity afforded by the St. Patrick's Day celebrations in the US to engage the new Administration at the very highest level on this issue.
There is no evidence of undocumented Irish citizens, in Boston or elsewhere, being targeted by the US authorities. However, while the numbers of undocumented Irish being detained and deported has not increased significantly in recent years (see table below), the anxiety and stress deportation causes, highlighted in the correspondence the Deputy has attached, is very real. Our Ambassador in Washington has raised the issue of detentions with senior officials at the State Department and the Embassy and Consulates provide consular assistance and support to all Irish citizens, including those threatened with or awaiting deportation. Through the emigrant support programme, the Government also supports a range of services, coordinated by Irish immigration centres throughout the United States, which are of direct benefit to the undocumented, including welfare, information and advisory services.
|
Year |
Total |
Criminal |
Non-criminal(Immigration related) |
|
2000 |
29 |
15 |
14 |
|
2001 |
50 |
17 |
33 |
|
2002 |
64 |
15 |
49 |
|
2003 |
69 |
17 |
52 |
|
2004 |
63 |
24 |
39 |
|
2005 |
43 |
12 |
31 |
|
2006 |
39 |
12 |
27 |
|
2007 |
42 |
17 |
25 |
|
2008 |
66 |
18 |
48 |
190 Deputy Ciarán Cuffe asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the steps he has taken to ensure the cycle to work scheme, introduced in the Finance (No. 2) Act 2008, can be availed of by officials in his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6795/09]
I am aware of the provisions of Section 7 of the Finance (No.2) Act 2008 which introduced an exemption from an income tax charge under section 118 of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997 in respect of a benefit in the form of a bicycle or associated safety equipment provided to a director or employee by his or her employer, where the bicycle/associated safety equipment is used by the employee or director mainly for qualifying journeys. The Department proposes to implement the Cycle to Work Scheme in 2009 following the receipt of guidelines from the Department of Finance on how to administer the Scheme in Government Departments.
191 Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if, in relation to Departmental staff and bodies under the remit of his Department, he will provide details of those remuneration arrangements which are currently in excess of a benchmarking recommendation or a recommendation from the Review Body on Higher Remuneration or which are subject to a personal rate; the position and grade the person is currently holding in each case; and the rationale for making a higher payment than that recommended in each case. [6834/09]
There are no staff in my Department whose remuneration arrangement is currently in excess of a benchmarking recommendation or a recommendation from the Review Body on Higher Remuneration.
In regard to the agencies under the aegis of my Department there is only one case where a personal remuneration arrangement is in place. This relates to the Chief Executive Officer of the National Sports Campus Development Authority who was appointed after the presentation of the most recent report of the Review Body on Higher Remuneration. The rate in question was agreed with the Department of Finance to reflect the skills set required for the post.
192 Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the position in relation to the payment of a grant to a club (details supplied) in County Cork under the sports capital grant programme. [6857/09]
The grantee in question was allocated a number of grants between 1996 and 2004. The grant allocations were subject to the terms and conditions of the Programme, which include the execution of a Deed of Covenant and Charge. A Deed provides, inter alia, for a refund of the grant in the event of the facility not continuing to be used for the purpose for which the grant was allocated. The Department's legal adviser, the Chief State Solicitor;s Office (CSSO), deals with the grantee's solicitor in executing this Deed.
The CSSO has informed the Department that a Deed of Covenant and Charge securing all of these grants was sent to the club's solicitor on 7th January 2005 to be registered. The grantee's solicitor acknowledged receipt of the Deed to the CSSO on January 20th 2005. The CSSO has advised that the registered Deed has yet to be returned. The CSSO issued a further reminder to the club's solicitors in this regard on February 2nd 2009. The latest update from the CSSO is that no response has been received to that letter.
It is also the case that the Department issued a further request for outstanding documentation to the contact person for the club on February 2nd 2009. No response has been received to that letter either.
As the Deed of Covenant and Charge is required in order to protect the taxpayers' investment in the project, the Department must await clarification from the CSSO that all legal formalities have been completed before it may consider providing formal approval for the project. The Department also awaits sight of the documentation requested in its letter of February 2nd 2009, which is likewise required before formal approval for the project can be confirmed.
193 Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the position in regard to grants for voluntary organisations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6726/09]
My Department is committed to the ongoing development of grants and supports to strengthen and underpin the work of the community and voluntary sector in Ireland. Indeed, the growth of the sector in recent years has been accompanied by a significant expansion of grants by Government. Community and Voluntary organisations play an important role in implementing the more than €400m worth of schemes and measures funded by Department annually.
These supports are underpinned by the ‘Towards 2016' Partnership Agreement, which recognises the valuable role of the community and voluntary sector. The agreement notes that the great strength of voluntary activity is that it emerges organically from communities and points out that while the Government should not seek to control and be involved in every aspect of voluntary activity, it does have a responsibility to provide an enabling framework to help the sector.
The Deputy will be aware that my Department provides funding to the community and voluntary sector for training in relation to capacity building in governance and compliance, strategic development, and service to communities. The Local Development Social Inclusion Programme also provides training and education grants for community development capacity building, IT training, or any other training priorities identified by local voluntary groups.
In addition, some 180 projects are being supported under the Community Development Programme. These projects play a significant role in building community infrastructure and enhancing the capacity of the voluntary groups within the communities.
The Deputy will also be aware of the extensive range of services now being provided by volunteer-led groups and organisations with the support of the Community Services Programme. At the end of 2008, over 420 groups and organisations were approved for funding, with nearly 360 of them operational. The remaining groups are due to get up and running during 2009. Based on information from the groups, my Department estimates that around 2,100 people are employed in delivering quality services across the country. This Programme plays an increasingly important role in delivering services — which would not otherwise be provided — by harnessing the capacity and resources of the voluntary sector and using these in partnership with the resources available from the State.
It is also worth noting that the Task Force on Active Citizenship recommended that a network of volunteer centres be funded across the country. The Department is now supporting twenty such centres which support, promote and co-ordinate voluntary activities around Ireland.
Further details in relation to all of the schemes and programmes operated by my Department that support the wider community & voluntary sector are available on my Department's website — www.pobail.ie.
194 Deputy Ruairí Quinn asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs when dredging work will start on the section of the canal between the Grand Canal Dock and Rathmines Bridge, Dublin; the length of time this work is expected to take; his views on whether flotsam and jetsam fouling propellers, locks out of order, weeds and so on are causing problems for canal users; if he will confirm the person who is responsible for removing blankets, trolleys, traffic cones and sacks out of the canal, trimming overhanging trees and removing the rubble at Charlemont Place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6746/09]
The maintenance of the Grand Canal is the responsibility of Waterways Ireland.
I have been informed by Waterways Ireland that its staff continually remove discarded objects from the canal waters, carry out maintenance repairs to the locks and lock gates, and remove weeds during the growing season.
I understand that a survey is currently being carried out on the Grand Canal between Grand Canal Dock and Rathmines Bridge to ascertain the quantity of material to be dredged. The results of this survey will determine the length of time required to carry out the dredging works and it is hoped dredging will commence in November 2009.
All waste disposal activities associated with the dredging of the Grand Canal will be carried out under the appropriate waste collection and waste disposal licences, and with the approval of the relevant waste authorities.
195 Deputy Olwyn Enright asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the consents that are necessary in order for a person to operate both maintenance and repairs on a commercial basis on the canals where such maintenance is carried out directly on other individual boats or on dry docks by the boat owner; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6780/09]
Permission is required from Waterways Ireland for any commercial operations on canal property. I understand that permissions are given by way of an operating licence, upon written application and consideration by Waterways Ireland. Considerations taken into account in assessing applications for a commercial operating licence include:
Suitability of location;
Type of operation proposed;
Compliance with Health and Safety and any statutory requirements; and
The ability of the applicant to indemnify Waterways Ireland against any potential liabilities.
I understand that Waterways Ireland's dry docks are available for hire to private individuals/entities to undertake boat repairs. An application and charging process is in place. Applicants are required to comply with all Health and Safety and statutory regulations, and to indemnify Waterways Ireland. Commercial use of the dry docks to operate a business would require an operating licence, as outlined above.
196 Deputy Ciarán Cuffe asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the steps he has taken to ensure the cycle to work scheme, introduced in the Finance (No. 2) Act 2008, can be availed of by officials in his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6797/09]
As the Deputy will be aware, section 7 of the Finance (No.2) Act 2008 provides for an exemption from an income tax charge under section 118 of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997 in respect of a benefit in the form of a bicycle or associated safety equipment provided to a director or employee by his or her employer, where the bicycle/associated safety equipment is used by the employee or director mainly for qualifying journeys.
My Department is currently considering the detailed arrangements that would be required to implement the scheme.
197 Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if, in relation to Departmental staff and bodies under the remit of his Department, he will provide details of those remuneration arrangements which are currently in excess of a benchmarking recommendation or a recommendation from the Review Body on Higher Remuneration or which are subject to a personal rate; the position and grade the person is currently holding in each case; and the rationale for making a higher payment than that recommended in each case. [6836/09]
I can confirm to the Deputy that in relation to staff of my Department, no staff member has a remuneration arrangement currently in excess of a benchmarking recommendation or a recommendation from the Review Body on Higher Remuneration. In addition, no staff member is in receipt of a personal point of pay that is not covered by benchmarking or the Review Body on Higher Remuneration.
I am advised that this is also the case for bodies under the remit of my Department.
198 Deputy Olwyn Enright asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if she will confirm the number of vacancies at executive officer level within her Department in Athlone and Tullamore as on 31 January 2009; when these vacancies will be filled from existing panels in the Public Service Appointment Office; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6767/09]
At Executive Officer level, there were 2 vacancies in the Department's offices in Athlone, and 1 vacancy in the Tullamore office as on 31st January 2009.
Arrangements are in train to fill these posts, either by lateral transfer or from the Department's Internal Executive Officer competition panel.
It is not proposed to fill any of the posts from the Public Appointments Service panel.
199 Deputy Ciarán Cuffe asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the steps she has taken to ensure the cycle to work scheme, introduced in the Finance (No. 2) Act 2008, can be availed of by officials in her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6806/09]
The Department is currently analysing the options for the implementation of the scheme referred to by the Deputy.
200 Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the action she will take to ensure that waiting times at branch offices are reduced when she has no control over staffing levels; if there is a mechanism in place to share workload with nearby local offices; and the options open to her to insist on better processing times, higher staff numbers and so on at branch offices. [6829/09]
The Department delivers a frontline service through a network of 62 local offices and 62 branch offices. Staff in local offices are employees of the Department while branch offices are operated by private individuals on a contract basis. Under the terms of their contract, branch managers are required to review their staffing levels to ensure that the meeting service requirements and that they allow for the efficient performance of the work of the office. Staffing levels in a branch office are reviewed by the management of its parent local office as part of the branch manager's performance assessment.
All decisions on branch office claims are made in the parent local office. The increase in the number of people applying for unemployment payments have placed particular pressures on all officers. Staff in social welfare offices have been working extremely hard to process claims as quickly as possible.
Productivity has increased significantly. Nearly 155,000 claims were processed in Local Offices in the last quarter of 2008 (including the One Parent Family Payment). This compares with less than 89,000 in the last quarter of 2007, representing an increase of 74%.
I appreciate that becoming unemployed is a very difficult time in a persons life and that they need to get access to financial and other supports as quickly as possible. I assure the Deputy that every effort is being made to reduce processing times.
A range of measures have been put in place by the Department to deal with the extra workload arising from the increase in the live register. Over 202 staff have been or are been assigned to local offices and further staff will be deployed in the coming months as required. In addition temporary staff contracts have been used in certain offices, the level of overtime worked has increased and the work in the offices is being prioritised.
Plans are under way to establish a number of central decisions units countrywide, commencing with Sligo, Carrick-on-Shannon, Finglas and a Dublin city centre location. These units will ease the pressure to local and branch offices and will help speed up decision making.
The Department has also implemented a number of process improvement initiatives aimed at improving overall processing times for the jobseeker schemes. In addition, from time to time Regional Management in the Department send a team of staff from other local offices, to decide claims in an office under particular pressure.
The situation regarding applications for jobseekers benefit and jobseekers allowance is being monitored on an on-going basis by the Department to ensure that appropriate measures are put in place to address the issue.
201 Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if, in regard to departmental staff and bodies under the remit of her Department, she will provide details of those remuneration arrangements which are currently in excess of a benchmarking recommendation or a recommendation from the review body on higher remuneration or which are subject to a personal rate; the position and grade the person is currently holding in each case; and the rationale for making a higher payment than that recommended in each case. [6845/09]
There are no staff in my Department, or the Agencies under its aegis, who are remunerated at a rate that is in excess of a benchmarking recommendation or a recommendation from the Review Body on Higher Remuneration. All the staff in question are paid on the appropriate civil/public service payscales, as sanctioned by the Department of Finance.
202 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs when rent support will be made payable in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6897/09]
Rent supplement is administered on behalf of the department by the community welfare service of the Health Service Executive (HSE) as part of the supplementary welfare allowance scheme.
The HSE has advised, that according to its records, it has not received an application for rent supplement from the person concerned. The person should contact the community welfare officer in his area so that any entitlement he may have can be determined.
203 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will be approved and awarded jobseeker’s allowance. [6936/09]
The person concerned has been awarded jobseeker's allowance with effect from 20 October, 2008. A payment of €3,074.50, which will include all arrears due, will issue to her on 20 February, 2009. Her current weekly rate of payment is €204.30.
Her weekly rates of payment since the date of her claim are based on a means assessment of €97.00, derived from benefit of parental income, for the period from 20 October, 2008, to 13 November, 2008 and nil from 14 November 2008, the date on which she changed her place of residence.
Under Social Welfare legislation decisions in relation to claims must be made by Deciding Officers and Appeals Officers. These officers are statutorily appointed and I have no role in regard to making such decisions.
204 Deputy Ciarán Cuffe asked the Minister for Defence the steps he has taken to ensure the cycle to work scheme, introduced in the Finance (No. 2) Act 2008, can be availed of by officials in his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6798/09]
My Department supports the provisions of Section 7 of the Finance (No.2) Act 2008 which introduced an exemption from an income tax charge under section 118 of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997 in respect of a benefit in the form of a bicycle or associated safety equipment provided to a director or employee by his or her employer, where the bicycle/associated safety equipment is used by the employee or director mainly for qualifying journeys. My Department is considering the detailed arrangements that will be required to implement the scheme.
205 Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Defence if, in regard to departmental staff and bodies under the remit of his Department, he will provide details of those remuneration arrangements which are currently in excess of a benchmarking recommendation or a recommendation from the review body on higher remuneration or which are subject to a personal rate; the position and grade the person is currently holding in each case; and the rationale for making a higher payment than that recommended in each case. [6837/09]
The remuneration for staff in my Department and bodies under the remit of my Department is in line with benchmarking recommendations or, where appropriate, recommendations from the Review Body on Higher Remuneration as approved by Government.
206 Deputy Pádraic McCormack asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the steps he proposes to take to allow quad owners to be able to tax their vehicles for use on public roads; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6699/09]
Liability for motor tax on any vehicle arises when the vehicle is first used in a public place following registration of the vehicle by the Revenue Commissioners and assignment of Irish number plates. Issues in relation to registration are a matter for the Minister for Finance.
207 Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will review the law whereby conditions attached to licences issued by local authorities under the licensing of quarries are not enforceable under existing planning laws; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6707/09]
I assume the Question refers to the registration of quarries. Section 261 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 introduced a once-off system of registration for all quarries, except those for which planning permission was granted in the 5 years prior to the commencement of the section on 28 April 2004. Under the registration system, quarry operators were required to supply full details of their operations to the planning authority within a year, i.e. by 27 April 2005. Following registration, planning authorities were empowered to impose controls on the operation of registered quarries as follows:
impose conditions on the operation of a pre-October 1964 quarry;
require a pre-October 1964 quarry which exceeds certain thresholds to apply for planning permission and submit an Environmental Impact Statement;
restate, modify or add to conditions on the operation of a quarry which has received planning permission.
My Department is reviewing the legislative provisions in relation to quarries, including in the context of considering the measures necessary to ensure early compliance with a recent European Court of Justice judgment (Case 215/06) concerning retention planning permission for developments, including quarries, requiring an environmental impact assessment.
208 Deputy Joe Costello asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will ensure all the people in direct provision are facilitated in registering for the local elections; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6747/09]
In law, the preparation of the Register of Electors is a matter for each local registration authority. It is their duty to ensure, as far as possible and with the cooperation of the public, the accuracy and comprehensiveness of the Register. Authorities were required to publish the final Register for 2009/10 by 1 February 2009 and this is now available for checking. Individuals not on the Register can avail of the supplement to the Register up until 15 days before the next polling day i.e. Monday 18 May in the case of the Local and European elections being held on 5 June 2009.
209 Deputy Olwyn Enright asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the agency which has the management of a river (details supplied) in County Offaly; if there is a management plan in place for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6781/09]
Primary responsibility for the protection and improvement of water quality within their functional areas is assigned to the relevant local authority under the Local Government (Water Pollution) Acts and related legislation. The EPA exercises general supervision in relation to the performance of these functions by local authorities. In addition, the Brosna river is covered by the draft management plan for the Shannon RBD. Public consultation is currently underway in relation to draft management plans for each of the 8 River Basin Districts on the island of Ireland. These draft plans were published on 22 December 2008 and are open for comment until 22 June 2009. The plans include, inter alia, an assessment of the current status of our waters and the proposed programmes of measures intended to achieve the environmental objectives of the Water Framework Directive.
210 Deputy Ciarán Cuffe asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the steps he has taken to ensure the cycle to work scheme, introduced in the Finance (No. 2) Act 2008, can be availed of by officials in his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6801/09]
Arrangements are currently being finalised in my Department to ensure that the Cycle to Work Scheme, as introduced in the Finance (No. 2) Act 2008, can be availed of by members of staff in my Department within the coming weeks. The scheme will further enhance the implementation of the Department's Workplace Travel Plan which was launched in October 2008 as part of our participation in the One Small Step campaign being overseen by the Dublin Transportation Office. One of the main aims of the Plan is to reduce reliance on the car as a means of transport to and from work, particularly in the Greater Dublin area, and promote, where possible, the healthier, sustainable options of walking or cycling. As part of the roll-out of the Plan, my Department participated last year in the Ecology Foundation's Cycle to Work scheme, a not-for-profit programme which aims to operate as a one-stop-shop service for employers to facilitate their employees cycling to work. As part of the Department's participation in the Scheme, staff were provided with the opportunity to purchase subsidised bicycles and safety accessories.
211 Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if his Department has had discussions with the water services investment programme team regarding the Dunmanway regional water supply scheme, County Cork; the progress that these discussions have made to date; when he expects the project to commence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6816/09]
The Dunmanway Regional Water Supply Scheme is approved for funding in my Department's Water Services Investment Programme 2007-2009. My Department is awaiting submission of Cork County Council's revised Contract Documents for the scheme.
212 Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if, in regard to departmental staff and bodies under the remit of his Department, he will provide details of those remuneration arrangements which are currently in excess of a benchmarking recommendation or a recommendation from the Review Body on Higher Remuneration or which are subject to a personal rate; the position and grade the person is currently holding in each case; and the rationale for making a higher payment than that recommended in each case. [6840/09]
All staff in my Department are on salary pay scales set out and approved by the Department of Finance. Local authorities and the following bodies are within the remit of my Department:
Affordable Homes Partnership
An Bord Pleanálá
Environmental Protection Agency
Housing Finance Agency
Limerick Regeneration Agencies
Local Government Computer Services Board
Local Government Management Services Board
National Building Agency
Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland
Dublin Docklands Authority
Irish Water Safety Association
Private Residential Tenancies Board
Regional Assemblies
The Heritage Council.
The pay and emoluments notified by my Department to these bodies, following sanction by the Department of Finance, are in line with the recommendations of the Review Body on Higher Remuneration in the Public Sector and the Benchmarking Body, where appropriate. In accordance with the guidelines of the Review Body, individual arrangements in regard to pension and other emoluments may be entered into as part of a remuneration package. In this regard, emoluments in relation to travel expenses and pension contributions are expected to be contained within the contract of employment and, therefore, could vary from post to post, and person to person. In accordance with advice provided by the Information Commissioner, in relation to the corresponding Civil Service Scheme, information naming officials and individual amounts paid to them is deemed a personal record and consequently is not made publicly available.
213 Deputy Frank Feighan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if non-consultant hospital doctors who are attached to hospitals, and who rotate from hospital to hospital every six months during training are entitled to a postal vote in local and European elections in view of the fact that a number of those doctors may be listed for a 12 to 24 hour on-call shift coinciding with election day. [6853/09]
214 Deputy Frank Feighan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if persons working in Dublin, Cork and Galway while their home address is still their permanent address are entitled to postal votes; and the persons entitled to postal votes. [6854/09]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 213 and 214 together.
In order to be able to vote at elections and referenda in this jurisdiction, a person's name must be entered in the register of electors for a constituency in the State in which the person ordinarily resides. Postal voting is provided for in electoral law in respect of certain categories of person who are entered in the register of electors. The Electoral Act 1992 provides for postal voting by wholetime members of the Defence Forces, members of the Garda, and Irish diplomats serving abroad and their spouses.
Subsequent legislation enacted by the Oireachtas has extended postal voting to other categories: electors living at home who are unable to vote because of a physical illness or a physical disability (the Electoral (Amendment) Act 1996); electors whose occupation, service or employment makes it likely that they will be unable to vote in person at their local polling station on polling day — in these cases, the law provides for completion of the necessary voting documentation at a Garda station (the Electoral Act 1997); full-time students registered at their home who are living elsewhere while attending an educational institution in the State (the Electoral Act 1997); certain election staff employed at the poll outside the constituency where they reside (the Electoral (Amendment) Act 2001); and electors who because of the circumstances of their detention in prison pursuant to an order of a court are likely to be unable to go in person on polling day to vote (the Electoral (Amendment) Act 2006).
Persons wishing to apply for entry on the supplement to the postal voters list for the upcoming Local and European elections should contact their relevant registration authority (city or county council) without delay.
215 Deputy Frank Feighan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will ensure that an application form for registration is available on the website of every local authority to facilitate young people completing their application to be included on the register of electors. [6855/09]
In law, the preparation of the Register of Electors is a matter for each local registration authority. It is their duty to ensure, as far as possible and with the cooperation of the public, the accuracy and comprehensiveness of the Register.
Authorities were required to publish the final Register for 2009/10 by 1 February 2009 and this is now available for checking. Individuals not on the Register can avail of the supplement to the Register up until 15 days before the next polling day i.e. Monday 18 May in the case of the Local and European elections being held on 5 June 2009. The relevant supplement application form is available for download from www.checktheregister.ie and my Department has requested all registration authorities to ensure that it is also available from their websites.
216 Deputy Emmet Stagg asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the fact that as a result of a lack of funding provided by him, Naas Town Council, County Kildare is not in a position to build an extension to one of its houses in which there is overcrowding (details supplied); and if he will investigate this matter. [6934/09]
As part of the Housing management Initiative, local authorities have been given delegated sanction for the delivery of their annual Improvement Works Programmes subject to specific conditions and overall programme approval from my Department. Funding for these programmes is provided from the authority's own internal capital receipts (from the sale of local authority dwellings) and may include extensions to local authority dwellings. Furthermore, my Department has indicated that in certain circumstances, and where authorities can demonstrate insufficient internal capital receipts, it will consider applications to fund such works from allocations provided to authorities under the Social Housing Investment Programme. No such application has been received in this case.
217 Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if the recently announced supports for insulation will cover window insulation; if it is excluded, the reason this energy-saving method was overlooked; his plans to make provision for such work in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6766/09]
218 Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will respond to a query (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6871/09]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 217 and 218 together.
I announced the launch of the Home Energy Saving Scheme on the 8th of February last, together with the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, as part of the Government's National Insulation Programme for Economic Recovery. I have allocated €50 million to the Home Energy Saving Scheme in 2009 and this funding will be sufficient to support the retrofitting of energy efficiency measures in over 27,000 homes in 2009.
The scheme provides grant assistance to homeowners for attic and wall insulation, efficient boilers and heating controls. I selected these measures for inclusion in the scheme, with the assistance of advice from Sustainable Energy Ireland (SEI), which has built up a considerable expertise on residential energy efficiency matters as part of their statutory remit and in the course of their oversight of the pilot phase of the scheme in 2008. SEI recommended these measures to me as most likely to deliver significant energy savings to homeowners, at least cost.
I am conscious that there are other measures not included in the scheme that may also deliver strong energy savings. I will be keeping the scheme under continuous review and if I find that there is a strong case for adding other measures to the scheme, I will give this full consideration.
219 Deputy Ciarán Cuffe asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the steps he has taken to ensure the cycle to work scheme, introduced in the Finance (No. 2) Act 2008, can be availed of by officials in his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6796/09]
My Department is in the process of considering how best to implement the Budget 2009 announcement, as set out in the Finance Act 2008, on the provision of bicycles and related equipment by employers, to employees who agree to use the bicycles to cycle to work.
In advance of the roll out of this scheme, my Department has implemented a scheme whereby a number of bicycles have been provided, with the appropriate safety equipment, for official use on business travel within Dublin city. I am very pleased to report that the uptake on the use of these bicycles has been encouraging and is reducing dependency on taxis, particularly for city centre travel.
Secure bicycle storage and shower facilities are provided at the Dublin offices to facilitate staff cycling and walking to work.
220 Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if, for departmental staff and bodies under the remit of his Department, he will provide details of those remuneration arrangements which are currently in excess of a benchmarking recommendation or a recommendation from the Review Body on Higher Remuneration or which are subject to a personal rate; the position and grade the person is currently holding in each case; and the rationale for making a higher payment than that recommended in each case. [6835/09]
No staff member in my Department is in receipt of a rate of remuneration that is in excess of either benchmarking or Review Body recommendations.
In the time available, it has not been possible to assemble the information requested in relation to the bodies under the aegis of my Department.
My Department is compiling the data sought by the Deputy in this regard and I will forward it to her as soon as possible.
221 Deputy Tom Sheahan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if there are plans to proceed with the extension of the pier at Brandon, County Kerry. [6751/09]
The pier at Brandon is the property of Kerry County Council and responsibility for its repair and upkeep rests with the Local Authority in the first instance. Each year my Department invites proposals from all Local Authorities for inclusion in the annual Fishery Harbours and Coastal Infrastructure Development Programme. My Department did not however, receive an application from Kerry County Council in respect of the above mentioned location for inclusion in the 2009 Programme. However, any future application made by Kerry County Council will be considered based on available Exchequer funding and overall national priorities.
222 Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement regarding Statutory Instrument No. 16 of 2009. [6711/09]
The Agricultural Research Training and Advice Act (Transfer of property) Order 2009 (S.I. Number 16 of 2009) revoked The Agricultural Research Training and Advice Act (Transfer of property) Order 2004 (S.I. No.214 of 2004). S.I. No.214 of 2004 was revoked because there was an error contained in its text. The Order transferred to Teagasc, plan 5, 10 and 11 instead of plan 5 from Folio 22836 County Cork. S.I 16 of 2009 has corrected this anomaly.
223 Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the position in regard to an application by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6727/09]
The arrangements for payment of grants under the Farm Waste Management Scheme on a phased basis have been confirmed with 40 per cent being paid this year as claims are approved. A further 40 per cent will be paid in early January 2010 and the remaining 20 per cent in January 2011. Payment of the initial 40 per cent to farmers will be made as expeditiously as possible.
224 Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the reason a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny was informed by his Department on three occasions in December 2008 that their file was cleared for payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6729/09]
EU Regulations require detailed administrative checks on all REPS applications to be completed before the first payments can issue in individual cases. The last of these administrative checks in this and all other cases were completed in late January and the first payments for 2008 REPS 4 applications issued in the last week of January to those whose applications required no correction following the administrative checks. Further payments continue to be made as applications are cleared. Queries have arisen during the administrative checks on the biodiversity options in the plan of the person named and it is currently under further examination.
225 Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when a person (details supplied) in County Cork who is in need of their REP scheme four payment will receive the payment due; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6738/09]
REPS 4 is a measure under the current Rural Development Programme 2007-13 and is subject to EU Regulations which require detailed administrative checks on all applications to be completed before the first payments issue. The first payments for 2008 REPS 4 applications issued in the last week of January to those whose applications required no correction following the administrative checks. Further payments continue to be made as applications are cleared. Queries have arisen during the administrative checks on the plan of the person named and it is currently under further examination.
226 Deputy Michael D’Arcy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when those placed on a panel of candidates selected for appointment as technical agricultural officers with his Department can expect to be appointed; if an embargo exists on hiring within his Department which would mean these positions will not be filled in the foreseeable future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6739/09]
Given the current difficult economic situation and the need for my Department, along with other Departments and the public sector in general, to achieve increased efficiencies and manage our business with reduced resources, it is clear that not all vacancies arising in my department can be filled. Accordingly, my Department is reviewing all of its operations and functions to achieve these necessary increased efficiencies and aims to fill only those positions that can be resourced, are essential and are of high priority from a business viewpoint. As and when such positions are identified, including any positions at technical agricultural officer level, my department will seek to fill those posts in the normal way.
227 Deputy Paul Connaughton asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when a slatted house grant will be awarded in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6743/09]
The arrangements for payment of grants under the Farm Waste Management Scheme on a phased basis have been confirmed with 40 per cent being paid this year as claims are approved. A further 40 per cent will be paid in early January 2010 and the remaining 20 per cent in January 2011. Payment of the initial 40 per cent to farmers will be made as expeditiously as possible.
228 Deputy Paul Connaughton asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when a slatted house grant will issue in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6744/09]
The arrangements for payment of grants under the Farm Waste Management Scheme on a phased basis have been confirmed with 40 per cent being paid this year as claims are approved. A further 40 per cent will be paid in early January 2010 and the remaining 20 per cent in January 2011. Payment of the initial 40 per cent to farmers will be made as expeditiously as possible.
229 Deputy Tom Sheahan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when a person (details supplied) in County Kerry will receive payment. [6752/09]
The first part of the 2008 REPS 4 payment to the person named is currently being processed and will issue in the next 10 days. The balance will issue in due course.
230 Deputy Paul Connaughton asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the reason a forestry grant has not been awarded to a person (details supplied) in County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6765/09]
The applicant removed an area of his plantation to facilitate the construction of a dwelling house. However the applicant's Forestry Company submitted a revised certified species map of the plantation which did not reflect the position on the ground and another map was requested in November 2008.
The applicant's Forestry Company has now amended the certified species map. My Department is currently examining this map and if it is satisfactory, the applicant's 2008 forest premium will be paid.
231 Deputy Olwyn Enright asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will confirm the number of vacancies at executive officer level within his Department in Athlone and Tullamore as on 31 January 2009; when these vacancies will be filled from existing panels in the Public Appointments Service office; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6768/09]
There are no vacancies at Executive Officer level in my Department's offices in Athlone and Tullamore.
232 Deputy Olwyn Enright asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when a grant will be awarded in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Laois; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6777/09]
A number of issues have been identified in relation to this application. Officials from my Department have been in regular contact with the person named and it is expected that payment will issue shortly.
233 Deputy Olwyn Enright asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he will award outstanding farm waste payments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6778/09]
The arrangements for payment of grants under the Farm Waste Management Scheme on a phased basis have been confirmed with 40 per cent being paid this year as claims are approved. A further 40 per cent will be paid in early January 2010 and the remaining 20 per cent in January 2011. Payment of the initial 40 per cent to farmers will be made as expeditiously as possible.
234 Deputy Olwyn Enright asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when a payment in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary will be made; the reason for the delay; if he will confirm payment date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6779/09]
The arrangements for payment of grants under the Farm Waste Management Scheme on a phased basis have been confirmed with 40 per cent being paid this year as claims are approved. A further 40 per cent will be paid in early January 2010 and the remaining 20 per cent in January 2011. Payment of the initial 40 per cent to farmers will be made as expeditiously as possible.
235 Deputy Ciarán Cuffe asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the steps he has taken to ensure the cycle to work scheme, introduced in the Finance (No. 2) Act 2008, can be availed of by officials in his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6794/09]
I am aware of the provisions of Section 7 of the Finance (No.2) Act 2008 which introduced an exemption from an income tax charge under section 118 of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997 in respect of a benefit in the form of a bicycle or associated safety equipment provided to a director or employee by his or her employer, where the bicycle/associated safety equipment is used by the employee or director mainly for qualifying journeys.
The Department of Finance is preparing the detailed arrangements that will be required to implement the scheme.
236 Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the cost, to date, of the construction of the new Bord Iascaigh Mhara, BIM, offices in Clonakilty, County Cork; if a date for completion of the building has been agreed with the building contractor; if a date for the official opening of the building has been set; the number of BIM staff to be decentralised to Clonakilty; the number of BIM staff who have already agreed to be decentralised to Clonakilty; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6815/09]
The issue of the construction of new offices in Clonakilty, its proposed date of completion and cost are a matter for Department of Finance (Office of Public Works). The number of staff to be decentralised is available on the Central Applications Facility under Publicjobs.ie. Progress on decentralisation generally is centrally dealt with by the Department of Finance and the Decentralisation Implementation Group.
237 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will be approved and awarded payment for REP scheme three. [6830/09]
The payment application by the person named is being processed and remains within the period set out in the Charter of Rights for Farmers.
238 Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if, with regard to departmental staff and bodies under the remit of his Department, he will provide details of those remuneration arrangements that currently are in excess of a benchmarking recommendation or a recommendation from the review body on higher remuneration or which are subject to a personal rate; the position and grade the person is currently holding in each case; and the rationale for making a higher payment than that recommended in each case. [6833/09]
The information requested by the Deputy is set out in the following table in relation to my Department:
|
Grade |
Reason |
|
Principal Officer |
Allowance in respect of being former Ministerial Special Advisor |
|
Principal Officer |
Allowance in respect of being former Director of Agricultural Appeals redeployed to deal with urgent work |
Remuneration details in respect of bodies under the aegis of the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food is a matter for the Bodies themselves as part of their day-to-day activities.
239 Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food further to Parliamentary Question No. 391 of 3 February 2009, the measures he will take to assist farmers who have taken out substantial loans and who are struggling to repay those loans following the decision to phase in payments due under this scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6848/09]
Since my reply to the Parliamentary Question referred to by the Deputy, the arrangements for payment of grants under the Farm Waste Management Scheme on a phased basis have been confirmed with 40 per cent being paid this year as claims are approved. A further 40 per cent will be paid in early January 2010 and the remaining 20 per cent in January 2011. Payment of the initial 40 per cent to farmers will be made as expeditiously as possible.
240 Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when payment will issue in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6849/09]
The arrangements for payment of grants under the Farm Waste Management Scheme on a phased basis have been confirmed with 40 per cent being paid this year as claims are approved. A further 40 per cent will be paid in early January 2010 and the remaining 20 per cent in January 2011. Payment of the initial 40 per cent to farmers will be made as expeditiously as possible.
241 Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the position regarding the payment of a farm waste management grant in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork. [6856/09]
The arrangements for payment of grants under the Farm Waste Management Scheme on a phased basis have been confirmed with 40 per cent being paid this year as claims are approved. A further 40 per cent will be paid in early January 2010 and the remaining 20 per cent in January 2011. Payment of the initial 40 per cent to farmers will be made as expeditiously as possible.
242 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when a person (details supplied) in County Roscommon will be issued payment under the farm waste management scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6861/09]
The arrangements for payment of grants under the Farm Waste Management Scheme on a phased basis have been confirmed with 40 per cent being paid this year as claims are approved. A further 40 per cent will be paid in early January 2010 and the remaining 20 per cent in January 2011. Payment of the initial 40 per cent to farmers will be made as expeditiously as possible.
243 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will release funds for a farm waste management grant application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Roscommon; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6862/09]
The arrangements for payment of grants under the Farm Waste Management Scheme on a phased basis have been confirmed with 40 per cent being paid this year as claims are approved. A further 40 per cent will be paid in early January 2010 and the remaining 20 per cent in January 2011. Payment of the initial 40 per cent to farmers will be made as expeditiously as possible.
244 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will release funds to a person (details supplied) in County Roscommon; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6863/09]
The arrangements for payment of grants under the Farm Waste Management Scheme on a phased basis have been confirmed with 40 per cent being paid this year as claims are approved. A further 40 per cent will be paid in early January 2010 and the remaining 20 per cent in January 2011. Payment of the initial 40 per cent to farmers will be made as expeditiously as possible.
245 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the reason for the delay in releasing funds for a farm waste management grant application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Roscommon; when payment will issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6864/09]
The arrangements for payment of grants under the Farm Waste Management Scheme on a phased basis have been confirmed with 40 per cent being paid this year as claims are approved. A further 40 per cent will be paid in early January 2010 and the remaining 20 per cent in January 2011. Payment of the initial 40 per cent to farmers will be made as expeditiously as possible.
246 Deputy P. J. Sheehan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when a person (details supplied) in County Cork will receive payments for two grants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6866/09]
The first part of the 2008 REPS 4 payment to the person named issued on 13 February and the balance will issue in due course. Payment will be made shortly in respect of his application for grant aid under the Farm Improvement Scheme.
247 Deputy P. J. Sheehan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when a person (details supplied) in County Cork will be granted their REP scheme three payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6867/09]
Payment will issue to the person named within the next 10 days.
248 Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if, in the context of Parliamentary Question No. 399 of 3 February 2009 on behalf of a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath, he will review this situation, particularly in the context of information furnished in correspondence received by this Deputy from this person; if, in view of this correspondence, the matter will be progressed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6933/09]
As indicated in my earlier reply of 3rd February last, animal welfare organisations that wish to be considered for ex-gratia funding must fulfil a number of conditions including the completion of a standard application form. They must also provide documentation in relation to their taxation and financial positions.
The position in relation to the person referred to by the Deputy is that while she submitted some documentation to my Department last year in relation to her request for ex-gratia funding, a completed application form was not received from her. My Department was in contact with the person concerned on a number of occasions and provided her with copies of an application form for completion but despite this a completed application form was never received and therefore it was not possible for my Department to make an assessment for funding in this case.
As regards taxation, the position is that prospective applicants that are not in possession of a valid Registered Charity Number but which receive funding from Government Departments/Public Authorities to a value of €10,000 or more within any twelve-month period, must submit a copy of a current Tax Clearance Certificate. Applicants must also submit documentation relating to the organisation's financial position i.e. audited or certified accounts or in a case where an organisation operates on low expenditure/income levels, a statement signed and dated by an executive in the organisation showing Income and Expenditure for a 12-month period. Taxation and/or financial documentation in the format required was not received from the person concerned.
As I stated in my recent reply of 3rd February, if my Department is in a position to provide ex-gratia funding to animal welfare organisations in 2009 and if the person concerned submits an application for funding and the required documentation, it will be considered in the light of resources available and having regard to competing claims submitted by other animal welfare bodies and providing all other eligibility criteria is fulfilled.
249 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will be awarded the farm waste management grant. [6937/09]
The arrangements for payment of grants under the Farm Waste Management Scheme on a phased basis have been confirmed with 40 per cent being paid this year as claims are approved. A further 40 per cent will be paid in early January 2010 and the remaining 20 per cent in January 2011. Payment of the initial 40 per cent to farmers will be made as expeditiously as possible.
250 Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Education and Science if he is satisfied with the progress made by the National Qualifications Authority of Ireland; the reason so little progress has been made in 10 years by the NQAI to promote recognition outside the State of awards made by bodies in the State and recognition in the State of awards made by bodies outside the State; and the amount that this body has cost the State to date. [6712/09]
The National Qualifications Authority was set up in February 2001, under the Qualifications (Education and Training) Act 1999, and has therefore been in operation for 8 years. During that time the Authority has developed a national framework of qualifications governing all awards in the State from basic education to post doctoral level across the education and training sectors, together with the policies and criteria which underpin its operation. Launched in 2003, the Framework is under continuous development and remains central to the work of the Authority; Set out, in June 2004, a national approach to the recognition of international awards in Ireland; Established a one-stop shop for providing advice on the recognition of international qualifications in 2005 (www.qualificationsrecognition.ie). The centre provides information and an on-line application form to enable migrants to submit their qualifications for advice on comparability. It provides a database of international qualifications, information on the Irish education system and a referral point for those seeking recognition of Irish awards abroad. As more countries in Europe and elsewhere follow Ireland's lead in developing qualifications frameworks, this recognition service will be able to provide more information on international qualifications to individuals, employers and education and training providers.
Completed, in July 2005, an exercise with the quality assurance and certification agencies in Northern Ireland, England Wales and Scotland to align the levels of awards in the Irish framework with those in the UK and published a joint leaflet, Qualifications Can Cross Boundaries, for the information of learners, employers and education and training providers.
Completed the groundwork which led to a Mutual Recognition Agreement between China and Ireland relating to higher education qualifications being agreed in February 2006.
Developed policies and criteria for the inclusion in or alignment of international and professional body awards with the Irish framework of qualifications (Sept 2006).
Completed the verification of compatibility of the Irish National Framework of Qualifications in the higher education sector with the Bologna Framework (November 2006), becoming the first European country to do so. This work facilitates the recognition of Irish higher education qualifications amongst the 46 countries which are participating in the Bologna process.
Completed the alignment of a substantial range of UK awards with the Irish framework in 2008, notably City and Guilds, Edexcel, Scottish Qualifications Authority and Open University awards.
Work is ongoing to align the Framework with its New Zealand counterpart, which it is hoped will be completed this year. Preliminary discussions have taken place with the United Arab Emirates to explore the possibility of co-operation on qualifications recognition matters.
The Authority has also played a seminal role in the development of the European Qualifications Framework and has ensured that Ireland is well placed to have its awards included in the EQF as it develops. The Authority has begun the process of referencing the Irish framework of qualifications with the EQF, with a view to completing it this summer, and this will facilitate the recognition of Irish school, vocational and higher education and training qualifications throughout the 27 member states of the EU.
The Authority is networked extensively with national awarding bodies in other countries (European Network of Information Centres [ENIC], National Academic Recognition Information Centres [NARIC] and National Reference Points) and is the national centre in Ireland for EUROPASS. As the Irish ENIC-NARIC centre, the NQAI works on behalf of Irish citizens on an individual basis if notified by them that they are having difficulty securing recognition of their qualifications.
The number of formal qualifications recognition applications received by the NQAI from individuals has increased steadily over time, from approximately 300 such queries in 2003 to over 2,000 in 2008. While growing, these numbers do not reflect the full range of recognition services which are provided by the NQAI by telephone, e-mail or via their website. Phone calls and personal calls by individuals account for some 3,000 exchanges annually, email exchanges relating to recognition matters come to approximately 4,250 per year and in the final quarter of 2008 the website received over 40,000 hits.
The Authority publishes audited accounts on an annual basis and the following figures, which are taken from those accounts, show the cost to the State of the Authority since its establishment.
|
Year |
€ |
|
2001 |
2,239,818 |
|
2002 |
2,140,000 |
|
2003 |
1,429,157 |
|
2004 |
1,683,618 |
|
2005 |
2,036,000 |
|
2006 |
2,047,405 |
|
2007 |
2,288,152 |
|
2008* |
3,227,454 |
The figure for 2008 is estimated and the increase over previous years is mainly due to the transfer of responsibility for Qualifax, the national learner's database, to the NQAI on 1 January 2008.
I am satisfied that the National Qualifications Authority of Ireland has, since its establishment, been successful in promoting the recognition of Irish awards abroad and in providing a quality service to those persons wishing to have foreign qualifications recognised in Ireland. The Authority continues to improve qualification recognition services, for example through the deeper implementation of the National Framework of Qualifications, and to work with its counterparts in the EU and further afield.
251 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science the extent to which he will continue to fund the autism unit for the Clogherinkoe/Derriiturn area of County Kildare in view of the ongoing and particular need for same under the present economic climate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6884/09]
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 criteria for allocating additional teaching and/or special needs assistant support for children with special educational needs, including autism, were not changed as part of the budget announcements. The rate of capitation funding payable in respect of special classes for autism attached to mainstream primary schools and special schools for children with autism was significantly increased from €880 per pupil to €986 per pupil.
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 345 classes have now been approved around the country at primary and post primary level, including many in special schools.
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.
252 Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will reverse the decision to close the mild general learning disability services at a school (details supplied) in County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6695/09]
258 Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will reverse the decision to close the mild general learning disability services at a school (details supplied) in County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6736/09]
261 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will support a case (details supplied). [6774/09]
262 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will support a school (details supplied) in Dublin 5. [6775/09]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 252, 258, 261 and 262 together.
The Deputies will be aware that all primary schools have been allocated additional teaching resources to enable them support pupils with high incidence special educational needs including mild general learning disability (MGLD). All primary schools were given these additional teaching resources under the General Allocation Model of learning support/resource teaching introduced in 2005. Schools can decide how best to use this allocation based on the needs of the pupils. Most pupils with a MGLD are included in ordinary classes with their peers and are supported by their class teacher. The curriculum is flexible so that teachers can cater for the needs of children of different abilities.
The Deputies will be aware that allocations to schools typically increase or decrease depending on pupil enrolment. In the case of classes for MGLD the normal pupil teacher ratio that applies is 11:1. My Department however allows for a small reduction in this number and permits schools to retain a teaching post where it has a minimum of 9 pupils in the class. In the schools in question, the number of pupils dropped below this minimum. These schools therefore are no longer entitled to the teaching posts in these classes.
In 2005 when the General Allocation Model was introduced, schools with additional teachers in classes for MGLD were allowed to retain the teachers for these classes. Effectively, these schools received a double allocation. The number of these special classes has decreased over the years and schools have integrated the children into age-appropriate mainstream classes.
All of the other primary schools in the country who do not have classes for children with MGLD cater for these pupils from within the General Allocation Model.
253 Deputy Mary Upton asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will address the concerns of a school (details supplied) in Dublin 6W where the loss of two teachers will have a negative impact on the ability of the school to deliver the quality of education required by students; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6702/09]
Teacher allocations to all second level schools are approved annually by my Department in accordance with established rules based on recognised pupil enrolment. In accordance with these rules each school management authority is required to organise its subject options within the limit of its approved teacher allocation. The deployment of teaching staff in the school, the range of subjects offered and ultimately the quality of teaching and learning are in the first instance a matter for the school management authorities.
In accordance with existing arrangements, where a school management authority is unable to meet its curricular commitments within its approved allocation, my Department considers applications for additional short term support i.e. curricular concessions. This concession is available as a short term support to enable essential curricular provision to continue.
The allocation processes also include appellate mechanisms under which schools can appeal against the allocation due to them under the staffing schedules. The Board of Management of a school can submit an appeal under certain criteria to an independent Appeal Board which was established specifically to adjudicate on appeals on staffing allocations in post-primary schools. This Board operates independently of my Department.
Discrete allocations are also made to post-primary schools to cater for pupils with Special Educational Needs and those with Language difficulties for example and these allocations can alter the ultimate position of the school in relation to any over quota position.
254 Deputy Mary Upton asked the Minister for Education and Science his views on whether it is appropriate that each of the nine primary schools in the Dublin 10 area will lose a learning support teacher, and one school will lose two teachers; his further views on the impact this decision will have on the pupils and teachers in these schools which all have DEIS status. [6703/09]
I wish to advise the deputy that all primary schools have been allocated additional teaching resources to enable them support pupils with high incidence special educational needs including mild general learning disability (MGLD). All primary schools were given these additional teaching resources under the General Allocation Model of learning support/resource teaching introduced in 2005. Schools can decide how best to use this allocation based on the needs of the pupils. Most pupils with a MGLD are included in ordinary classes with their peers and are supported by their class teacher. The curriculum is flexible so that teachers can cater for the needs of children of different abilities.
The Deputy will be aware that allocations to schools typically increase or decrease depending on pupil enrolment. In the case of classes for MGLD the normal pupil teacher ratio that applies is 11:1. My Department however allows for a small reduction in this number and permits schools to retain a teaching post where it has a minimum of 9 pupils in the class. In the schools in question, the number of pupils dropped below this minimum. These schools therefore are no longer entitled to the teaching posts in these classes.
In 2005 when the General Allocation Model was introduced, schools with additional teachers in classes for MGLD were allowed to retain the teachers for these classes. Effectively, these schools received a double allocation. The number of these special classes has decreased over the years and schools have integrated the children into age-appropriate mainstream classes.
All of the other primary schools in the country who do not have classes for children with MGLD cater for these pupils from within the General Allocation Model.
Specifically in the case of schools with DEIS (Delivering Equality of Opportunity in Schools) status, the Deputy will be aware of the additional resources available to these schools under the DEIS scheme. In the case of the schools referred to by the Deputy, these schools are all in DEIS Urban Band 1 and so benefit from a reduced pupil teacher ratio as well as additional supports which include:
additional non-pay/capitation allocation based on level of disadvantage;
financial allocation under schools books grant scheme;
access to numeracy / literacy supports and programmes;
access to Home School Community Liaison services;
access to School Completion Programme.
255 Deputy John O’Mahony asked the Minister for Education and Science when the deed of surrender in respect of lands for a school (details supplied) in County Mayo will be drawn up which are currently with the Chief State Solicitor’s Office; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6704/09]
I assume that the Deputy is referring to St. Patrick's National School, Kilmaine, Co. Mayo, and the partial surrender of a portion of the school site for the establishment of a playschool. My Department is in ongoing consultation with the solicitors in relation to the matter and has recently written to them requesting additional information with a view to bringing the matter to a conclusion. A response is awaited including the completed nomination form for the appointment of new trustees. Until same is received, my Department cannot progress the matter further.
256 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will grant a request from a school (details supplied) in County Louth to assist in the restoration of pre-first year places as was available in previous years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6732/09]
The Inspectorate of my Department conducted a Whole School Evaluation of the school in question in January 2008. The recommendation of the evaluation was that the current ‘pre first year class' or ‘four-year junior cycle' that was being offered at the school should be phased out and that the school should embark on a three-year junior cycle programme, as required by Section 21(1)(a) of the Rules and Programmes for Secondary Schools 2004/05. Accordingly, the provision of a four-year junior cycle programme, incorporating a pre first-year class by the school in question, does not comply with current regulations governing the operation of secondary schools, as set out in the Rules and Programmes.
The Whole School Evaluation recommendation was that the school should be given a period of grace, but that the practice should be discontinued following the 2008/2009 school year. As a result the school has been requested by my Department to implement this recommendation that the school offer a three year junior cycle programme, effective from the 2009/2010 school year, and to ensure that all prospective parents and students for the 2009/2010 school year are informed of this change in advance of enrolment.
257 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science if a person (details supplied) in County Leitrim will retain their special needs assistant hours in September 2009. [6733/09]
As the Deputy will be aware, the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is responsible, through its network of local Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs), for allocating resource teachers and Special Needs Assistants (SNAs) to schools to support children with special needs. Applications for SNAs may be considered by the NCSE where a pupil has a significant medical need for such assistance and where there are identified care needs arising from a diagnosed disability. A pupil's level of care may diminish over time as the child matures. Pupils may move to a different school or on to post-primary school. In such situations, the NCSE will review and adjust the SNA support required in the school. The NCSE operates within my Department's criteria in allocating such support.
All schools have the names and contact details of their local SENO. Parents may also contact their local SENO directly to discuss their child's special educational needs, using the contact details available on www.ncse.ie.
259 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science when it is expected the judicial review will be completed in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; if home help will be increased; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6757/09]
During the past week, my Department has been formally advised by the school concerned that their Board of Management has decided to seek a Judicial Review of the decision of the Section 29 Appeal Committee in this case to uphold an appeal against a refused enrolment. At this point, it is not possible to say how long it might take to complete the Judicial Review.
Home Tuition support is currently being provided in respect of the child concerned. I am advised that some further hours of additional Home Tuition support may be available to assist with the child's special educational needs, on application, and subject to the normal criteria. 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 and I am advised that there is ongoing contact between the family, officials at my Department, and the NEWB in this regard.
260 Deputy Olwyn Enright asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will confirm the number of vacancies at executive officer level within his Department in Athlone and Tullamore as on 31 January 2009; when these vacancies will be filled from existing panels in the Public Service Appointment Office; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6769/09]
At Executive Officer level, there no vacancies in my Department's offices in Athlone and 1.5 Executive Officer vacancies in my Department's offices in Tullamore on 31 January 2009. Due to pressures on the staff payroll budget, my Department has had to implement a number of measures to ensure that expenditure on staff payroll comes within budget in 2009. These measures include the holding of vacancies for a period, prior to the filling of same. I am not in a position to inform the Deputy when my Department will be in a position to fill these posts.
263 Deputy Ciarán Cuffe asked the Minister for Education and Science the steps he has taken to ensure the cycle to work scheme, introduced in the Finance (No. 2) Act 2008, can be availed of by officials in his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6799/09]
I am aware of the provisions of Section 7 of the Finance (No.2) Act 2008 which introduced an exemption from an income tax charge under section 118 of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997 in respect of a benefit in the form of a bicycle or associated safety equipment provided to a director or employee by his or her employer, where the bicycle/associated safety equipment is used by the employee or director mainly for qualifying journeys. My Department is considering the detailed arrangements that will be required to implement the scheme.
264 Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science when a design team will be formally appointed for a planned new primary school building (details supplied) in County Cork; if the new school will be built using the modular build method; and when construction work is expected to get underway. [6810/09]
I am pleased to inform the Deputy that a project for a new 16 classroom building for the school to which he refers is included among the list of major school building projects which I announced on the 12 of February last for the appointment of a Design Team.
My officials will shortly be contacting each school on the list about the next steps to be taken. No decision has yet been taken on the construction model for this building.
265 Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the position in relation to the construction of a new primary school (details supplied) in County Cork, including the name of the principal contractor, the value of the construction contract, the facilities to be provided on site, the expected date of completion and the date the school will open its doors. [6811/09]
The construction of the first phase of the primary school to which the Deputy refers commenced in January 2009. It is a two storey building comprising 8 classrooms, 3 special education tuition rooms, an Administration/General Office, a Teacher/Staff room and ancillary space with associated site works including car parking spaces and play areas.
The principal contractor is ABM Construction. Due to commercial sensitivities it would not be appropriate for me to disclose the value of the contract. The expected date of completion is June 2009 with an expected opening date of September 2009.
266 Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science his views on exempting special classes from the provisions of circular letter 115/2008 in relation to substitute cover for registered teachers employed in primary schools. [6812/09]
As a result of the 2009 Budget provisions for Education, arising from current economic challenges and following subsequent proposals from the management bodies of primary schools, new arrangements are being put into place for substitution cover for uncertified sick leave for teachers in primary schools.
In primary schools there will be substitute cover for teachers on uncertified sick leave other than on the first day of absence. In a school where more than one teacher is absent on the first day of uncertified sick leave, substitute cover will be provided for the second and subsequent teachers that are absent. In schools with two teachers or less cover will be provided where any classroom teacher is absent. The Deputy refers to Circular 0115/2008 which outlines the full details of the revised arrangements.
Substitution cover will continue to be provided for all other categories of absences currently available such as certified sick leave and maternity leave. In the period until the end of the school year, there will be a full review of the substitution and supervision scheme and related matters in conjunction with the school management bodies and teacher unions with a view to making up the additional expenditure and thereby ensuring that the budgetary parameters are met.
As we manage through this difficult period I am asking teachers in all schools to co-operate fully with school managers in coping with this change in the interest of the students. I am also requesting the school managerial bodies to ensure that the supervision/substitution scheme is operated with maximum effectiveness in all schools.
267 Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the position in relation to the design stage of the provision of a new school building for a school (details supplied) in County Cork. [6824/09]
268 Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the position in relation to the payment of fees to a design team for work carried out on a new school building project at a school (details supplied) in County Cork. [6825/09]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 267 and 268 together.
The building project for the school to which the Deputies refer is at Stage 2 (a) of the architectural planning process, which is the Developed Sketch Scheme stage. Design Team Fees will be paid when the Stage submission has been approved by my Department. Thereafter, further progression of the project will be considered in the context of my Department's multi-annual School Building and Modernisation Programme.
269 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Education and Science the reason for the delay since 2000 in releasing the funds for the school building project in respect of a school (details supplied) in County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6828/09]
The building project for the school to which the Deputy refers is at an advanced stage of architectural planning.
The progression of all large scale building projects, including this project, from initial design stage through to construction phase 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 further progression of the project at this time.
270 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Education and Science if a school which in 2008-09 was not over quota and allowed teachers job share and take career breaks will be given replacement teachers for those on job share or career breaks in 2009-10 while they are over quota due to changes in the staffing schedule; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6831/09]
The decision to approve job-sharing and career break applications is a matter for the authorities of the employing school.
In the case of schools that have over-quota teachers, vacancies do not arise as a result of teachers approved for job-sharing or career break. This position is no different from that pertaining in previous years.
In these schools that have over-quota teachers, applications for job-sharing and a career break may be considered by the authorities of the schools concerned in the normal way. Because the school is over its allocation of teachers my Department will not give automatic replacements. It is, of course, open to the school authority to apply to my Department for additional teaching hours by way of curricular concessions to cover part or all of the hours in respect of an approved job-sharer/career break teacher. Each such application is considered on its merits.
271 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Education and Science if his attention has been drawn to the additional cost in bringing back job sharing and career break teachers into their schools following the changes to the staffing schedule in order to replace non-permanent teachers who will face unemployment; the additional cost to his Department of this measure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6832/09]
The terms of the career break and job sharing schemes for teachers remain unchanged. The decision to approve an application under either of these schemes is a matter for the authorities of the employing school.
In schools that have over-quota teachers, applications for job-sharing and a career break may be considered by the authorities of the schools concerned in the normal way. Because the school is over its allocation of teachers my Department will not give automatic replacements. It is, of course, open to the school authority to apply to my Department for additional teaching hours by way of curricular concessions to cover part or all of the hours in respect of an approved job-sharer/career break teacher. Each such application is considered on its merits.
In the case of schools that have over-quota teachers the non replacement of career break and job sharing teachers results in savings to the exchequer. This position is no different from that pertaining in previous years.
272 Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Education and Science if, in relation to departmental staff and bodies under the remit of his Department, he will provide details of those remuneration arrangements which are currently in excess of a benchmarking recommendation or a recommendation from the Review Body on Higher Remuneration or which are subject to a personal rate; the position and grade the person is currently holding in each case; and the rationale for making a higher payment than that recommended in each case. [6838/09]
As regards Civil Servants working in my Department all starting pay on promotion/appointment are subject to the relevant Department of Finance circulars and applicable salary scales which take on board benchmarking recommendations and recommendations from the Review Body on Higher Remuneration. I can confirm that there are no Civil Servants with personal rates in excess of recommended amounts.
The information sought in respect of bodies under the aegis of my Department is not readily available. I have requested officials of the Personnel Unit of my Department to compile this information and this will be forwarded to you as soon as possible.
273 Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Education and Science the status of an application in respect of a school (details supplied) in County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6852/09]
As part of the expansion of the Small Schools Scheme, a grant was sanctioned to enable the school in question to extend and modernise the existing school building. My Department approved a further grant in December 2008 to cover additional costs associated with the installation of a waste water treatment system and extra ground works.
Applications submitted for the deferred Summer Works Scheme in 2008, including one from the school in question, are currently being assessed for summer 2009 and the school will be notified of the outcome of this assessment in due course.
274 Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for Education and Science if his attention has been drawn to the concerns expressed by the vocational educational committee board of management and teachers regarding the effects that budget 2009 cutbacks will have on VEC schools and centres here, that the sector will lose hundreds of teachers in 2009 as a consequence of the change in the pupil teacher ratio, while further posts will be lost in relation to disadvantage and that this will have a serious impact on the education system here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6868/09]
Teacher allocations to all VEC schools are approved annually by my Department in accordance with established rules based on recognised pupil enrolment. In accordance with these rules each VEC is required to organise its subject options within the limit of its approved teacher allocation. The deployment of teaching staff, the range of subjects offered and ultimately the quality of teaching and learning are in the first instance a matter for the VEC's.
In accordance with existing arrangements, where a school management authority is unable to meet its curricular commitments within its approved allocation, my Department considers applications for additional short term support i.e. curricular concessions.
This concession is available as a short term support to enable essential curricular provision to continue.
The allocation processes also include appellate mechanisms under which VEC's can appeal against the allocation due to them under the staffing schedules. The CEO of a VEC can submit an appeal under certain criteria to an independent Appeal Board which was established specifically to adjudicate on appeals on staffing allocations in post-primary schools. This Board operates independently of my Department.
Discrete allocations are also made to VEC schools to cater for pupils with Special Educational Needs and those with Language difficulties for example. The main focus of Social Inclusion measures will be to retain resources in DEIS schools. There is a need to focus targeted resources on the schools in most need and this approach is in line with the broad thrust of the recommendations of the Comptroller and Auditor General which are set out in his report on Primary Disadvantage of 2006, which recommended that my Department should focus its educational disadvantage measures on those schools serving the most disadvantaged communities.
275 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Education and Science the amount he paid for the site for the proposed new school (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6870/09]
The Deputy will appreciate that due to commercial sensitivities in relation to site acquisitions generally my Department is not in a position to provide costings associated with specific sites.
276 Deputy Frank Feighan asked the Minister for Education and Science when the extra funding will be made available for a project at a school (details supplied) in County Roscommon. [6872/09]
As part of the expansion of the Small Schools Scheme a grant was allocated to this school to enable the management authority to build a new three classroom school. Additional funding was subsequently provided for unavoidable extra costs relating to planning conditions and ground works and to provide a fourth classroom.
The school has now applied for a further increase in funding under the scheme. A central tenet of the devolved scheme is that the school, granted discretion and funding, must equally accept responsibility for prioritisation, adherence to statutory regulations, as well as control of costs and ensuring 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.
In this instance, having examined the school's latest application for additional funding, and, in light of the large number of projects seeking funding from the budget allocated, further grant aid was refused. The school has submitted an appeal of this decision which will be assessed and the school informed of the outcome in due course.
277 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of primary and post primary building projects at stage three within his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6938/09]
278 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of primary and post primary building projects at stage four within his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6939/09]
279 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Education and Science the breakdown on a county by county basis of the projects 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 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6940/09]
280 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Education and Science the schools on the schools building programme waiting list, categorised by designated band and project type, including those approved to proceed in 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6941/09]
281 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of schools within bands one, two, three and four on his list of applications for funding under the school building and modernisation programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6942/09]
282 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Education and Science the names of the schools 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 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6943/09]
283 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of schools and details of same on a county basis that have received planning permission for works that they have applied to his Department for funding. [6944/09]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 277 to 283, inclusive, together.
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 five stages involved in the delivery of major school projects which reflects the Capital Works Management Framework developed by the Department of Finance.
The stages are as follows:
Stage 1 — Preliminary
Stage 2 — Design (which is divided into Stage 2a — Developed Sketch Scheme and
Stage 2b — Detailed Design)
Stage 3 — Tender Action, Evaluation and Award
Stage 4 — Construction
Stage 5 — Hand-over of Works and Final Account.
There are currently 74 projects at stage 3 (55 at primary and 19 at post primary level) which have been approved to proceed to tender and construction. These projects include the 10 which I announced in January of this year and the 43 which I announced earlier this month. There are currently 28 projects at stage 4 (20 at primary and 8 at post primary level). All schools which had previously completed the tender process have now been approved to either retender or to proceed to construction. There are no schools on my Departments Building Programme which have completed the tender process and which are still awaiting announcement to proceed.
In line with the requirement to ensure that projects are fully designed prior to going to tender, all projects will have secured planning permission before being approved to go to tender.
The information requested by the Deputy in relation to all schools which have applied for inclusion on my Department's school building programme, the respective band ratings for those applications and the number of projects which have already received planning permission is currently being compiled and will be forwarded to the Deputy when that work is complete.
